ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Three women from three different lifestyles all feel like the woman who watches their children is her best friend. A confidant. They would trust her with their lives. Each of the women had their own set of secrets and Lou knew them all, but their biggest secret was the one they all shared.

This book was pretty good. I will say that I guessed what was happening about halfway through the book, but the switching between the four narrators did keep it interesting. I really liked that one of the children was one of the narrators. I think that added in a perspective that I wasn't expecting going into this book. The book was fast-paced and not boring, but it wasn't one that will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens. That being said, the story is good, and it kept me reading to see if I was right about my prediction.

Three women, Fiona, Jasmine and Tabitha, entrust friendly mother Lou with picking up their kids from school and ferrying them home. One day, just as a huge storm is threatening the area, Lou disappears with the kids. Then a a threatening text is sent out to tell the truth about what they did. The novel switches nicely between the various viewpoints, including one of the missing children, and between the suspenseful present and the mystery of what happened in the past that ties the women together and has raised Lou's ire. Suspenseful and fast-paced, I raced through this.

Lou is that perfect reliable friend who oten picks up her three friends Alison ,Fiona and Jasmine's children from achool. Today there is a storm growing and there is no Lou or the children
Just what was happened and where are they?
Told from the three friends point of view.The pace is quick and the characters are well developed. I worked put the twist as the backstory secret was revealed but i still throughly enjoyed the ride. I understood why the story was told mostly by three friends. I would have liked to have read a few chapters from lou overal a goid fast solid read

Who can you trust with your children? Well, chances are, after reading The Mother Next Door, it won't be the neighbor. At best, you'll be second-guessing yourself. The book is a quick read with a good pace. It's twisted, and there are secrets to learn. We have 4 narrators, most of which aren't exactly trustworthy, so it certainly keeps you busy sussing out the answers. I will say that the story is rather predictable, but it's still an entertaining read for those who like these twisted stories. Psychological thriller is one of my favorite genres, so I gobble them up any chance I get, and this is a good one, predictable or not. Things are intense, and there are plenty of questions that need answering, so I was more than happy to tag along for those answers. If you like tense thrillers, I'd suggest giving this one a gander. It's the kind of story that keeps the pages turning late into the night.

This was an easy read and I finished it in a day! Told from multiple POV’s, it becomes very evident early on that this story runs deeper than it seems!
3 mums children disappear with their “friend” who often picks them up and helps out with childcare! Initially the thought is that Lou has had run into car trouble or a problem due to the storm and their kids are safe with her, but when each of the women receive a text demanding they tell the truth, they realise Lou knows a really big secret about their past!!
Enjoyable, if not a bit predictable!

Fiona, Alison and Jasmine all went to school together although they were not friends. Years later, their children attend the same school. Lou is a friend, another parents they are all friends with. They all trust Lou and she often picks the children up from school and watches them. She also seems to be someone different when she is with each of the women. Does anyone really know the read Lou. One night she picks the children up from school, but it is 6:30 and they are not home yet. The parents are worried and call the police, but they don't seem too concerned. With a storm raging outside, where are the children, where is Lou?

The Mother Next Door is told from multiple points of view. We have Fiona, the mother to twins, Tabitha & Tim, Alison a woman who owns the local gym and is the mother of Gabby, who is bullied at school by Juniper, and Jasmine, an alcoholic, mother to Juniper and bully herself while at school. One of the children, Tabitha, also shared her POV while being held captive which added to the danger and suspense. All these women had secrets, and I really didn't like any of them. There are flashbacks to an incident when the mothers were young which is probably the reason the children have been taken, but who is behind the kidnapping. With health issues for one of the children, a raging storm, and a crazy kidnapper, I was worried about what would happen. It was tense at times and had me on the edge of my seat. Once the mothers know what Lou wants, they need to make a decision: Tell their secret or try and rescue the children on their own. This was a fast paced thriller that had me flipping pages to get to the end and see what was going to happen. I recommend this one to those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.

Listened to this one on audio. Found the narrator easy to listen to - something which can make or break an audio book.
A group of friends, a long buried secret and some drastic actions make for an intriguing read which kept me gripped from the start. Lots of twists along the way and the storm added to drama of it all.
Liked the way the story unfolded as the storm got worse - and bit by bit the secret was revealed.
Felt sorry for the children who were used to punish their mothers but the over riding feeling when I finished the book was who can you trust???

I thought this looked like a good thriller.

It was an easy, entertaining read. Not too short, but not too long, and short enough to read in one sitting. I felt that all the characters were introduced in a way that made them seem relatable, and I liked that the book included the narratives of several different characters - it's something that will always keep a reader guessing. The style of writing reminded me a little bit of Lisa Jewell books, which was something that I liked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

One of my reading goals for 2023 was to read more thrillers/mysteries. Therefore, picking up The Mother Next Door was a no brainer. With its compelling, suspenseful and fast-paced storyline, The Mother Next Door delivered a thrilling ride from start to finish. 

The Mother Next Door introduces Fiona, Allison, Jasmine and Lou. Fiona, Allison and Jasmine may dislike each other, but they have several things in common. Their children attend the same school, they are friends with Lou and they are trying to bury the guilty feelings of a shared secret from their past. All three women trusted Lou with their lives. Therefore, they have no qualms in allowing her to pick up their children from school. However, on one fateful day with a storm brewing, Lou failed to bring the children home, placing Fiona, Jasmine and Lou in a state of panic.

While wondering where Lou could be with their children, they each received a text message for Lou. A message which sends chills down their spine and will require them to revisit a past they would rather forget. However, their children’s lives are at risk, forcing them to dig up a secret which they thought would remain buried. Will they be willing to face their fears and confess, or will they risk the lives of their children to keep their secret buried?

Told from multiple POVs, The Mother Next Door will have one flipping the pages as one tries to decipher how the events would unfold. The story provides readers with Fiona, Allison and Jasmine’s POVs along with that of Tabitha, one of the children being held captive. At the beginning of the story I sympathized with the women, after all it must be scary not know what happened to their children. However, with the progression of each event, my feelings towards them changed. Their actions reeked of selfishness and cowardice, rendering them unlikeable. I had difficulty dredging up an ounce of compassion for them.

The delivery of the story between the past and the present helps readers to understand the nature of the secret and the ultimate reason for the kidnapping. The big question, though, is what does this secret have to do with Lou? 

Tabitha’s POV opened the reader’s eyes to the dangers the children faced.  One could not help worrying about their safety. Health issues, a raging storm and an unstable kidnapper adding to the intensity of the story. It sure kept me on the edge of my seat. The story also delivered some interesting and shocking turn of events leading up to a satisfying end.

Fans of domestic and psychological thrillers should consider adding The Mother Next Door to their TBR. This was my first Leah Mercer read and it will not be my last.

This had me hooked from the beginning. It is every parents worst nightmare. You trust your friend and neighbour, but what happens when she goes missing with your children and not her own? Very strange, no matter how hard I tried to guess why or what she was doing, I was never even close. It is a story told through several different characters. A fast-paced read, heart pounding, gripping. After reading this, even the closest people to you may not be who they seem. Highly recommend. A well-deserved four stars. *BLOG TOUR*

The saying is that it takes a village to raise a child. But what if someone in that village isn’t who they seem to be? When Fiona trusts her neighbor Lou with her children, she assumes they are safe. They have spent lots of time with Lou before, and she lives right next door. But when Lou not only doesn’t come home one day but has the children of several other families with her, panic ensues.

Whew, what a tense story! The idea of your children going missing in general is terrifying, but then to think someone you trusted them with may have played a part in it? Unthinkable! I enjoyed the different points of view (from parents Fiona, Ali and Jasmine along with one of the children), that painted a fuller picture of what was going on in this neighborhood. Everyone has secrets, and as each of their stories unfolded, more and more came to light. The fear and panic everyone was palpable, and the short chapters made the story fly by quickly.

Thank you to Bookouture for the ARC! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

This was page-turningly good. With missing children at the heart of the story it was a gripping, intense and emotive read. The author gets straight into the drama, tells the story from multiple perspectives and keeps up a fast pace throughout. And, best of all I didn't guess the prepertrator's identity. At the very end, after the reveal, it did fizzle out a bit but by then it didn't matter anyway.

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer is a fast-paced read that kept me on the edge of my seat for its duration.

Lou has always been someone that her friends Fiona, Allison, and Jasmine can rely upon. When she does not return home with their children following a school pick up, however, the women soon realize that Lou has vanished and taken their children with her. Prompted by Lou, each of the women are urged to confess to a secret that binds them all together.

Told from multiple perspectives, this character-driven plot kept me gripped until the very end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

Literally jaw-dropping!
I can’t say enough good about this one! Such a great read - lots of complex characters - with different perspectives.
I seriously opened my mouth in shock with the twists in the end! One of my favorites so far this year!

Thank you, @leahmercer, @Bookouture, & @netgalley for my ecopy & ! All opinions are my own. Thank you, #Bookouture, for including me on the tour!

Great read. Didn't want to put this down. Brilliantly written from beginning to end. I really enjoyed this and found myself absorbed in reading.

It's every mother's worse nightmare scenario, your children have been taken...but, this time it's not a stranger that's abducted them, it's one of your friends that you've known since school. Your children will be returned if you admit the truth...but which truth are they talking about?

This was nail bitingly good, edge of your seat stuff and turned into another one sitting read for me. It's fast paced with so many twists and turns, with the big 'reveal' at the end kind of what I was expecting, but not...if that makes sense?

The Mother Next Door is told in first person from several POV and switches from past to present throughout.

It's definitely a recommendable read and Mercer an author to keep on your radar.

Many thanks to Bookouture for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mother Next Door By: Leah Mercer Narrated by: Jasmine Blackborow was an excellent audiobook and I really enjoyed this. I was gripped from the beginning till the end and ended up listening to this audiobook in one sitting, So glad I a baby blanket to crochet. However, I do advise to have some tissues handy - You may need them.

I highly recommend this book. 5 star read and audiobook. The narrator
Jasmine Blackborow was excellent.

Big Thank you to Leah Mercer, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy.

Three mothers, Fiona, Allison and Jasmine, are beside themselves when their children are not returned home after school. Their neighbor and friend, Lou, who is the mother of two children, had picked their children up after school. This was a common occurrence as Lou has always been very helpful and a good friend. However, this day she does not bring the children home. The mothers are in a panicked state, which is completely expected.

Lou has a reason for not returning the children. She makes a big reference that unnerves Fiona, Allison and Jasmine. They all share a secret from when they were teenagers. Apparently, the secret has come back to haunt them and now their children’s lives are at risk. Will the mothers reveal their secret in time to get their children back safely? This is especially imperative because a storm is about to break out, with heavy rain and flooding threatening the area. In fact, authorities are having trouble even searching where they think the children could possibly be because of the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, the three women have a decision to make. In a dual timeline fashion, as well as multiple points of view, the secret of the past is revealed to the reader of this thrilling book by Leah Mercer. They kept this secret for years. Each of them marrying and having children. Their reactions to the current situation varies among each of them. But ultimately, they want their children home safely.

I was able to listen to this exciting book as an audiobook, which played into the intensity that this story told. The narration was perfect, and this increased the tension in this story. The sense of urgency was strong, especially when it came to one of the children being asthmatic, as this added to the level of danger in this book. While we as the reader knew the secret that the women were hiding, the connection when it came to Lou was woven into the story with shocking twists and turns, leading to a jaw-dropping ending. The pacing never let up for one moment in this book that captivated me from beginning to end.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/_Av1A3431nI

We all have friends we trust and depend upon - especially as we run around in chaos trying to balance it all: work, home, life, children. So overwhelming.
But what if your friend had a deep secret? Tried to have your life? What if she picked up your kids - and vanished?
Creepy, gripping with suspense. The multiple narrators - fantastic!
Lou picks up the neighborhood kids - but they never make it home. Her van is found on the side of the highway. All their belongings inside - but no kids, no Lou.

This is going straight to the top of my favourite read's. I was completely absorbed and the plot is more complex than you ever expect. It gripped me from the start and just held on tighter and tighter. The characters are superbly presented and I had to grab the tissues which I wasn't expecting. The bullying aspect was a real heart clencher. The entire book was unpredictable so I was pleasantly surprised and felt emotions that I wasn't ready for the ending is explosive. I can't wait to read more books from this author as after reading this book, I can tell that I'm going to love her books.