Love it. This is a great read about three mothers who have many deep dark secrets and their lives are thrown together when their friend Lou vanishes during a really bad storm with their children. As the truth sinks in that maybe there is more to this than meets the eye the women must finally start to be truthful with themselves and their families in order to save their children. What is the dark secret that links them all together.

Lou is the best friend to have. Friendly, helpful and dependable. She does school pick ups and keeps the children till their parents get home.
Until she doesn't return them.
Then you find out that she has tried to seduce your husband... and wants to take over your business.
Lou is not the friend you thought she was. She wants you to take a good hard look at past events before she returns the children.

A good psychological thriller. Lots of twists and turns, makes you wonder what goes on behind closed doors in your friend's homes. Many have a past that they don't want to disclose, and it affects their future.
Well thought out, and a page turner.

Excellent plot,loved the way the chapters were divided by each individual giving there dude of the story,a real twister at the end.

Wow great book!! Lou picks up Jasmine, Alison, and Fiona's kids from school and disappears. While I thought the book was utterly predictable in the fact that Lou was obviously punishing these three for something they did the past, I did not see Lou's reveal coming at all! I powered through this book. It was so good and hard to put down!

A fast paced book jam packed with events past and present. Great characters , fantastic storyline. A real roller-coaster of a book that I devoured in one sitting. Recommended.

4 stars!

This was my favourite thriller I’ve read so far in 2023.

It had lots of twists and turns that kept you guessing. I thought I had it figured out at one point, only to be totally shocked in the end!

I really enjoyed the writing style, I felt it flowed very smoothly and was an easy fun read.

I will definitely be on the lookout for more Leah Mercer books in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

3/5 stars! This thriller had an interesting premise. I found myself captivated by Lou's story and the secrets that had been hidden in this suburban setting. I found this to be a quick read with an interesting twist. I did find the pacing to be a little off at times, but overall an enjoyable read.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Wow This book was full of so many twists and turns I feel dizzy. It’s 3 women’s and a young girls point of view. The women’s children has been kidnapped by who they believe to be their friend. They need to tell the truth for her to give their children back. The young girl is one of the mums daughter who’s confused and scared as there’s a storm and she and the other children and in a cabin with their mums friend. I enjoyed the plot it was interesting and well written It kept me on my toes. I would recommend to anyone who loves thrillers and mysteries.

“You trusted her with your children. But now they’re gone.”

Leah Mercer continually writes edge-of-your-seat psychological thrillers! The dread and panic in this one is caused by missing children, desperate mothers and long-buried secrets.

Mercer’s purpose in this story is to remind us that there are monsters in our midst. Is it someone else? Is it us?

Mercer writes to encourage us to ask questions about our own lives: Can you really trust your husband? Can you trust your neighbour? Can you trust a friend to keep a secret? Who do you trust with your children? Can you rely on your memory from decades ago? Mercer’s pacing is as well-crafted as her characters and her chapters often end with one revelation after another. The twists in this one were great and the plot was definitely enhanced with the multi-POV.

Sorry for the vague review. I don’t want to spoil this one for you!

This spectacular thriller needs to be on your reading list.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This is an intense, gripping psychological drama that I devoured in a day!
When there are big secrets, they eventually come out and people usually get hurt.
Sometimes it take a long time.

The story features three women who grew up together and now have children the same age.
Each women has problems and the perfect life seems to only exist with their mutual friend, Lou.
Lou is their confidante, neighbor and babysitter when needed.
She seems to have her world together.
But... does she?
When she picks up the children one day after school, they do not make it home.
Where would she take them?
When you think you know WHY Lou took these children, please... Think again.
The pieces come together neatly by the last chapter, but until that time there is a slow burn and clues that helps us to figure out the why's.
It had me on the edge of my chair all the way to the very end of this book!

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Bookouture for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
A big thank you to @LeahMercer. This is a winner!

Wow! Great book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery and so many crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! It was definitely a page turner! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The Mother Next Door drew me in and held me until I finished reading it. This novel has a fast-paced plot, wonderful characters, and lots of twists to keep you guessing—everything I like in a book.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lou often collects children from school for some of the other mothers. She is one of those people you can rely on and would give you the shirt off her back, as she’s so dependable. When Lou disappears with three of the women's children they wonder what on earth is going on. Lou’s car has been found but no sign of anyone and her belongings are still in the car as if they left in a hurry. When each of the three women get a text indicating if they tell the truth then their children will be released they cant understand the meaning of it. What truth? Is this about the children and some petting squabbling that's been going on or is it something more? There’s a storm raging outside and the police are struggling to do anything as from the phone used it appears they are deep in woodland. There is something from the past but no one knew about it did they? Who is Lou really and what is the connection or the truth?

Oooh!!! One of those reads that quickly draws you in and spins you around a little. There’s things being flung around to try and find “ the truth” which brings out the real characters of those involved. Its cleverly and brilliantly written that I found myself reading that “ just one more chapter”. A book with that wonderful air of tension and one I really enjoyed.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
#blogtour
_____________________

This was a thriller which has you racing to end to find out how is ends. It is told from different peoples perspective who all have there own secrets and worry’s which has now put there children at risk.

Would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller. Excellent book which will keep you on edge.

This mystery, written by a talented and gifted author, is a cannot put down novel. The characters are realistic and the story moves quickly. This is a page turner. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. I did not want to stop reading. This book is fiction but reads like nonfiction at times. It would make a great movie. Don’t miss this book. Try to discern the ending. Surprises.