Well I didn’t see that coming. This was my first book by Lizzie Fry and I found it very entertaining. It was disturbing, creepy and at times gory. It wasn’t super-fast paced but enough to keep me interested to see what came next. Many twists I did not see coming, especially that ending. I think I need to check out more books by Lizzie Fry

As I got into the plot, I found parts of this story very compelling. I never thought I'd enjoy reading a book about a child-custody battle between a husband and wife, but Sue Miller has presented the story in such a way that you gradually get drawn in. That seems to be the nature of all of her books that I've read so far. She slowly draws you in. The ending is very sobering.

This had a good premise but was a bit predictable and far fetched in places. It started to drag a bit before then racing to the end.

I enjoyed reading it, and it did keep me gripped. I just find it hard to believe that a mother would do those sorts of things, however much she thought she loved her son. There were also weird hints at an incestuous relationship without them ever coming to anything (she lent in to give her son a peck on the cheek and missed, grazing his lips, oops!) which seemed pointless and almost like it was there just for added shock value which wasn't needed.

The Good Mother by Fry was an intense look at how far someone can be willing to go to protect her child. It was a little too violent for me.

Tasha is a good mother, she’ll do anything to protect her son Jack - ANYTHING at all! I was just getting to the point of not continuing when I suddenly got into this book and couldn’t put it down. There were a few inconsistencies as to how things happened and the lack of money but never mind, it’s fiction after all. The three main characters were diabolical, definitely not to be empathised with. This is a great yarn for anyone who likes violence and cruelty between the pages but might be a bit too much for gentler souls. I’m now intrigued enough to read other books by Lizzie but this time with something to hide my eyes just in case there are more “lovely, kind characters”!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. What did I just read?! Oh my goodness, this book totally blew me away with its outrageous, crazy storyline that was so fast paced and edgy. A brilliant thriller with a few amazing twists I definitely didn’t see coming. I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put this book down. Highly recommended. 5stars

Very dark and twisty book. I was hooked from the beginning. Interesting take on the theme of what a mother is willing to do for her child even if that child is the one in the wrong. Also had an unreliable narrator which isn't super common IMO.

Wow, what a dark and disturbing ride! Lots of great twists and turns to keep you guessing and very well developed characters. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

Wow, this book was a wild ride. There were so many twists and turns I couldn’t keep up! The story kept me gripped from start to finish, and it was an interesting look at what a mother is willing to do for her child, even if that child is the one in the wrong. It was also a great representation of an unreliable narrator. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

I unfortunately found this book to be too disturbing for my liking. Finding out your son is a monster is a hard pill to swallow but he is also deeply disturbed.

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

Oh my god. What a rideeee. Loved every turn, every twist, every morsel of this book I loved. It gave me such Dexter vibes and gosh was I gobbling it all up. Jack is a trouble boy who nothing when it comes to killing and Natasha is the mother who will go to no end to protect her son. Strong characters set the pace for such a story that will make you grip the book white knuckled

Blood on her hands she looks over at her son and the blood on his onesie. She couldnt believe what just happened but she knows she has to protect her son. Jack just killed his father. Fast forward to almost 10 years later and Jack is a moody teenager and wont talk to his mother. At this time his mother is dating Steve but Jack doesnt know. It is finally decided Steve would come over and meet Jack. Things start off okay then all of a sudden Steve is bleeding with a skewer in his eye socket. Jack just killed again. After this second incident his mother realizes her son is a killer and has a thirst for it. So she helps him but at her own cost. Will Jack get caught?

This book was fantastic and was a true psychological thriller. There were so many twist and turns especially in the end and I thought I had it all worked out. Man was I wrong. This novel explored the human psyche and how we as humans deal with trauma and evil in the world. Jack was an unexpected character because at the beginning you think he was just protecting his mother. Then he kills her boyfriend and your like okay he just doesnt want any men around but that quickly changes to Jack is a psychopath. Granted his mother did feed into his tendencies and try to help him but there are parts that made me really think about the mother son relationships. I would 100% recommend this book if you want a thrill ride!

I’ve always known Jack was different. Ever since he was eight years old and he killed his father. He was protecting me, just like I’ve always protected him.

But now he’s eighteen and this time he’s gone too far. Steve is dead. He was a good man, and god, we could have been really great together — but now he’s bleeding out on our kitchen table.

I must keep my boy safe. No one can ever know what he’s done. What he’s capable of. But Jack has a dark side that he can’t control. And I won’t let him get caught.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe, keep him with me. Even if it means becoming a monster myself.

What would you do if your only son was a killer? How far would you go?


This is a thrilling read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

This book had me gripped from the first sentence and gave me goosebumps. How far would you go to protect your son .... even if he was a murderer!!!

Jack kills his dad when he was just 8, stabs him on an ordinary Sunday morning whilst wearing his Star Wars onesie. Jack's mother Natasha protects him.

Jack is now 18 and is meeting his mother's boyfriend for the first time over dinner. Let the drama begin!!!

As the story progresses we realise Natasha will do anything to protect her son. This is a roller coaster of a ride with twists and shock moments galore.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book, but I couldnt say I loved it. I lacked the connection with the characters and this affected my rating. At times it was unrealistic.

This was a very different thriller to what I usually read it involves a lot of gory details on murder. There was lots of twits and turns which kept me reading till the end. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it. It starts with Jack an 8 year old boy killing his dad and his mother doing everything in her power to protect Jack. It then skips 10 years where it seems Jack may not have been the innocent bog who was protecting his mum when he killed his dad. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a creative and absorbing tale! Definitely recommend this one!

I didn’t like this book. I feel like it started off strong & in trying to be twisted, it became just weird. I did finish it, otherwise I would’ve gone with 1 star.

Thank you Net Galley & to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was just okay. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. My interest was held mostly throughout, some twists i liked, others I didn't.

Its a fine quick read but wasn't anything special.

This one has a lot of unexpected twists! Some of them were a bit out there and kind of unbelievable. I wasn't crazy about the plot, but it does make you want to finish it to see how it ends off.