The Wrong Mother by Charlotte Duckworth was a psychological thriller that fell a bit flat for me. The story was amazing, but I felt it was overshadowed by the need to trick the reader. There was definitely promise and I liked the book but didn't love it.

A lot of other readers seemed to love it, so maybe it just wasn't for me. I would still be interested to read more by this author as maybe it was just this book I didn't enjoy as much.

Well this has been quite a story from start to finish, I mean that in a good way. I literally could not put the book down. The storyline was a unique one I thought, certainly not one I’ve come across before. It sure did keep me captivated and engaged right to the very end. The characters were really well portrayed, so much so, that you really don’t know for sure who is a bad one, who is a good one or if they are all bad in one way or another. The anticipation of waiting to see how things played out was real, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

So if you want to read a story that sends your head in a spin (in a good way), then be sure to give this book a go. The author Charlotte really has done an outstanding job, so very well written throughout.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
I very much enjoy reading domestic/psychological thrillers and Duckworth's 'The Wrong Mother' did not disappoint. I had previously read 'Unfollow Me' by the same author, so I was expecting a good, thrilling read and that is just what I got. A cracking story, with lots of twists and turns.

The story is told over a dual timeline and from a dual perspective. This is well written. It is full of twists and turns. It is a suspenseful read.

‘The Wrong Mother’ by Charlotte Duckworth was my first introduction to this author, and wow, what an absolutely page-turning read. The twists and turns never stop coming in this masterfully crafted psychological thriller with secrets layered with lies wrapped in a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. As the narrative unfolds, you question everything you know about what is happening as the deception carefully woven throughout the narrative gets exposed. Unlike some other books, where there's only one big reveal, ‘The Wrong Mother’ continues to challenge your perception of the truth until the last chapter. It's a rollercoaster of a ride, and it has made me an instant fan of Ms Duckworth. I can't wait to read more of her works in the future.

‘The Wrong Mother’ follows the lives of two women, Faye Miller and Rachel Morris.

Faye is a 39-year-old piano teacher from London who lives a relatively insulated life after being windowed at a very young age. Her life quietly revolves around her students, her friend Jonas and her half-sister Hannah. Faye grew up with a father who neglected and emotionally manipulated her, leading to self-esteem issues and a naivety that permeates her decision-making abilities.

‘Is this what other people really think? Have I been naïve? That word again, haunting me my whole life. Faye’s incredibly talented, but she’s very trusting. Faye could go far, but her naivety means she’s at risk of being taken advantage of…’

Faye longs for a family and children of her own, believing that with them, she will finally find the happiness and love she has craved her whole life. Not wanting to be a single parent, she discovers a co-parenting app, ‘Acorn’, created for men and women to meet and connect over their shared desire to become parents.

‘We’re a mating app. Not a dating app.’

In drunken desperation, Faye signs up for the app and finds herself connected with Louis Horton-Jones. A very handsome, wealthy and eligible businessman who, at 41 years old, is ready to have a baby to secure his family's legacy. Louis quickly charms Faye, and as they get to know each other and meet their families, Faye falls in love with him. Realising that just because they met through a desire to co-parent doesn’t mean they couldn’t develop a last relationship, Faye begins to look forward to the future with happiness and excitement. However, she realises that Louis’s desire for a child may not be without an ulterior motive.

‘He was callous and determined. He had picked me precisely because I was vulnerable and isolated, someone he could easily manipulate.’

A year later, Faye flees from Louis along with her 5-week-old son, Jake. Faye has no plan for her escape except to get as far away from Louis as possible. Randomly deciding on a small village in Norfolk, where she once visited her great aunt as a child, Faye rents a room from Rachel.

Rachel is a 64-year-old retired school teacher who suddenly finds herself with a vacancy after her last lodger leaves abruptly. Though Rachel is known to be difficult and opinionated, she has a soft spot for children. After receiving an email from Faye regarding the room and hearing that she would be bringing Jake, Rachel agrees to have them stay with her. However, the secrets that both women are hiding quickly begin to erode any trust between them, escalating the tension and threatening to destroy both their lives.

The book is told from the perspective of Faye and Rachel, with interspersed sections from Faye’s point of view from a year ago as she begins her relationship with Louis. By not giving us all the backstory at once, Ms Duckworth gradually builds up the stakes for Faye, Rachel, and baby Jake. Faye and Rachel are not trustworthy narrators, and they react to events based on their troubled childhoods. The reader never gets all the details of what occurred to Faye and Rachel; instead, it is subtly alluded to so you can make your own inferences.

The character and plot building are incredible, and I still don’t understand how I could be sympathetic with a character while being wholly frustrated and horrified by them. These complex emotions make the story so much more intense, and I cared about what happened to Faye and Rachel, wishing I could slip between the pages to either shake some sense into them or hug them. As for the plot, well, it kept me guessing the whole way through, with assumptions I had from the very beginning being undone, even in the last chapter. Were there elements I had figured out beforehand? Yes, but there were more than enough surprises to keep me unbalanced throughout the book.

Overall, ‘The Wrong Mother’ by Charlotte Duckworth is a must-read for flawlessly crafted psychological thrillers fans. Whilst I don’t want to risk going into too many details of the characters and plot, potentially ruining things for any readers, I will say, don’t trust anything you think you know in this book. Also, don’t be like me and start it late at night, or you may find yourself at 4am wondering if 2 hours is enough sleep before work.

Highly recommended for fans of deliciously twisty psychological thrillers.

4.5 out of 5 stars! Rounded up to 5 stars.

DISCLAIMER: Thank you to Quercus Books and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC for review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I have subsequently purchased this book for my collection as I enjoyed it so much.

I very much enjoyed this story following two misfit women, both of whom have secrets. I liked the way that the reader was left wondering which characters could be trusted and which couldn't, as perceptions subtly adjusted throughout the story.

A gripping read, full of secrets and lies and highly compelling. I couldn't stop reading it and it was such a page turner.

Thrilling and heart pounding suspense. I couldn't get enough of this it had me hook, line and sinker.

From its eerie prologue to its heart-stopping climax, this gripping narrative had me covering my eyes and reading through my fingers, unable to look away.

Charlotte Duckworth is the real deal. I absolutely LOVED this book.

Excellent characterisation, fascinating story and back stories, and elegant prose. I couldn't stop turning the pages, desperate to find out what happens to Faye, Rachel, and Jake.

#TheWrongMother #NetGalley
Good one.
Faye is 39 and single. She's terrified she may never have the one thing she always wanted: a child of her own. Then she discovers a co-parenting app: Acorns. For men and women who want to have a baby, but don't want to do it alone. When she meets Louis through it, it feels as though the fates have aligned. But just one year later, Faye is on the run from Louis, with baby Jake in tow. In desperate need of a new place to live, she contacts Rachel, who's renting out a room in her remote Norfolk cottage. It's all Faye can afford - and surely she'll be safe from Louis there? But is Rachel the benevolent landlady she pretends to be? Or does she have a secret of her own?
Thanks to NetGalley Quercus Books for giving me an advance copy.

A really good read
A great psychological thriller
Lots of twists and turns
Will definitely have you hooked
Thanks NetGalley

This book is certainly a rollercoaster ride. I have devoured this book in just one sitting. I have been completely unwilling and unable to put this down.

This is perfectly paced and keeps you guessing throughout. The dual then/ now timeline allows us to understand the experiences and events which have occurred.

The characters in this, each have their own story. They are flawed and all seek approval from elsewhere.

This is unique and gripping. My jaw has dropped a few times. This is a brilliant read from beginning to end.

Duckworth has transported me to the pages. I have felt as though I know the characters and have been watching this play out in front of me.

I have loved this book and this is a must from the beginning. I absolutely recommend this book.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Such an interesting premise that was executed perfectly! It was suspenseful & intriguing the whole way through - constantly leaving you needing more.

Loved the idea of a dating app with a different - as strange as the concept, it worked really well with the plot. Flicking between both Rachel & Faye’s POV’s as well as the different timelines, made for a really pacey read.

Faye was a character who you’d be rooting for one minute, then in utter despair at the next. Her actions, somewhat questionable, had you needing more at every turn.

Rachel, I wasn’t too keen on to begin with. But the misdirection throughout the book will have you questioning everything you think at every point.

It was a twisty and suspenseful thriller, which I really enjoyed. This was my first of Charlotte’s books and it definitely won’t be my last.

Charlotte Duckworth is one of my go to authors - whenever I see a new title I know it's going to be right up my street. This unique storyline certainty didn't disappoint. With complex characters, suspense and tension a plenty, it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Whilst it's hard to say too much without ruining the plot, an app that matches up strangers for a coparenting set up was always going to be a little challenging - but could it really work? When Faye gets matched up with heir to an estate Louis, she convinves herself that there's far more to their relationship than mating.

Told through duel timelines, we jump to the future and meet Faye who is now on the run with a baby - where she ends up as a lodger with retired teacher Rachel.

The twists, turns and reveals in this book are fantastic. Another gripping title with flawed characters at every turn.

I found this a fun and captivating read!

Definitely happy I picked this up. And I devoured it in about a day and a half.

The story is portrayed from 2 perspectives and in 2 timelines. The ladies, both with a little questionable and unaddressed mental health issues, a rich heir, a baby, a runaway and a small village? What could possibly go wrong?

I enjoyed the book, even though it was a little unbelievable, it was still entertaining and not too heavy for a twisty thriller if that makes sense. All and all, a solid holiday/poolside read for me!

I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley!

Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book
What an absolute delight to read if that is the right turn of phrase.
From the first chapter, I was pulled into this book, not really having a clue what was going on. But loving it at the same time.
If you love a book with a moral dilemma you will absolutely love this like I did.
I had so many theories with this book but none prepared me for the twist.
I really did race through this and have recommended to many of my fellow bookworms
I had so many reservations about Rachel! Poor poor Rachel!!
I really loved this book and keen to read more by this author!

This author knows how to keep me entertained.. I loved the setting in this book. The dual timelines, the past and the present day. I loved the ending as I did not expect that at all.

The Wrong Mother by Charlotte Duckworth was a a creepy psychological thriller and a great read. This was a book that had great twists and turns from beginning till the end with characters that were excellent. I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this latest book by Charlotte.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and especially to Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. I loved it.

Once again Charlotte has written a smart and gripping thriller that will keep you guessing to the last minute. I really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it.