There’s a few things I always love in my horror stories and that’s haunted houses, haunted people and flashbacks to the past. This book has ALL of that and for the most part, it was really well done. It was so suspenseful seeing Sanjay and Essie completely unravel as her pregnancy progressed. We, as the reader, know it’s because of Essie’s family curse but there were times where it seemed like mental illness could have also been a factor.

There were flashbacks to the past where we get to see Essie’s ancestor, Isabel, and eventually find out why the curse began but here’s where my issues with the story started. For the first 75% of the book, it’s nothing but creepy suspense because we don’t have all the answers. Unfortunately, after everything was revealed, it fell apart.

The characters, especially in the past, were extremely flat. We’re told that Isabel is in a forbidden relationship. She essentially makes a deal with the devil that all of her future daughters will lose their loves so that she can be with hers. However, we don’t see her fall in love and we never find out how the devil (or whatever it is) finds Isabel. She doesn’t seek it out, it simply appears in her home; there isn’t a dramatic crossroads meeting or anything like that. Isabel is also a generally unlikable character. She’s selfish until the very last moment and I never cared or felt sorry for her.

Essie is able to defeat the generational curse and save Sanjay but the way it’s done is so simplistic that it completely ruined all of the build up and the good aspects of this book. She basically slips into this between/dream world where the dark spirit lives and is able to light a figurative fire and burn away the darkness…

I can truly say I’ve never had an ending ruin a book so completely for me. Despite feeling like the characters were not well developed, I still would have rated this book at least four stars if the ending would have been well done. The suspense and feeling of creeping dread throughout most of the book made for an excellent read so if you can get past the disappointing ending, this one might still be worth reading.

This was an okay read for me, I liked the dual timeline and how the stories came together in the end, the haunted house aspect and the writing style was good. What I missed was the suspense, I think you could have made the house so much creepier if that had been more majorly a focus, it was very much just a side storyline in this. The past timeline remained very surface-level, I didn't love the letters and I don't think you really got to know the characters there.

This was very slow burn, not much happened for most of this, but I didn't feel like the ending was worth the waiting. I wish there had been more action and suspense in the end, it was just kind of a letdown. Still, for a debut, this was pretty solid. I would read more from this author.

I started off reading this and thinking it would be kind of like a horror. Nope, not really what it was about. It was kind of a let down and not something I would recommend to anyone who wants something creepy.

This book was a little slow in the beginning & was hard to get into but it did pick up! An ok read, not my favourite!!!

The multi-cast narration really made this story stand out! Made it interesting by gong from one character to the next. This is a good debut from this author, I enjoyed the thriller and supernatural elements and it kept me reading to find out how the links between past and present would come together. It was a good read.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher.

Unfortunately ran out of time to finish book, would be happy to give a full review if given an extension. Score given for what I managed to read of the book.

Loved No Child of Mine! It took me a while to grasp where it was going, and I really liked the contrast of the main characters. Would certainly recommend

Well, all I can say is, is that the cover leads the reader to believe that this book is going to be horror. I love gothic stories. This was more about a pregnancy and everything that goes along with that. I didn't ever feel scared or on the edge of my seat with it, unfortunately. I was hoping for more.

I love a good book with multiple timelines and POVs and this was one of those books. I loved the mystery and suspense of the novel and finding out how everything would come together and for questions to be answered. I highly recommend this novel.

No Child of Mine by Nichelle Giraldes was not for me, personally. I am still thankful that I got to read this!

Though no fault of this book, I just could not get into it. I am in *another* reading slump and this one just couldn't hook me enough to keep going.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"No Child of Mine" by Nichelle Giraldes is a hauntingly evocative tale that delves into the complexities of motherhood, ambition, and ancestral curses. The novel weaves together the lives of Essie Kaur, an ambitious law student, and the historical narratives of Isabelle and Anna, whose stories unfold in a parallel timeline.

Essie's character is brilliantly crafted, embodying the internal conflict of a woman who is torn between her professional aspirations and the unexpected journey of pregnancy. Her struggle is palpable, as she grapples with societal expectations and the transformation of her own identity. Giraldes masterfully portrays Essie's emotional turmoil, making her a relatable and deeply human protagonist.

The historical narrative adds a rich layer to the story, gradually revealing the origins of a curse that has plagued Essie's family for generations. This element of the supernatural is subtly interwoven, creating an atmosphere of suspense that keeps the reader engaged.

Giraldes' writing style is fluid and immersive, with a keen ability to capture the nuances of her characters' experiences. The dialogue is authentic, and the pacing of the story is well-measured, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the building tension.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. The connection between the past and present narratives can at times feel disjointed, leaving the reader desiring a more seamless transition. Additionally, the resolution of the supernatural elements may leave some readers wanting a deeper exploration into their nature and motives.

Overall, "No Child of Mine" is a compelling read that offers a fresh perspective on the horror and thriller genres. It challenges the reader to consider the weight of legacy and the sacrifices made by women across generations. Nichelle Giraldes has crafted a story that is both thought-provoking and chilling, making it a notable addition to contemporary fiction.

"No Child of Mine" intricately weaves together the lives of Essie, Ana, and Isabelle, three women connected by family secrets and a haunting past. Essie, navigating the challenges of pregnancy while grappling with strange occurrences in her new home, finds herself drawn into a web of mystery surrounding her family's history of curses. As she delves deeper into the dark secrets of her lineage, she discovers unsettling truths about her own reality.

The novel's narrative unfolds through three distinct perspectives: Essie's present-day struggles, and the intertwined stories of Ana and Isabelle, whose bond transcends time through letters exchanged between them. The use of multiple narrators adds depth to the storytelling, allowing readers to immerse themselves in each character's experiences and emotions.

While classified as horror, "No Child of Mine" leans more towards suspense, with eerie moments and paranormal elements adding to the tension. The characters are well-developed, with layers of complexity that enhance the sense of foreboding surrounding them. Essie's journey through pregnancy and her strained relationship with her father evoke empathy, while Ana and Isabelle's enduring friendship in the face of adversity resonates with readers.

Despite its strengths, the novel's resolution feels rushed and somewhat unsatisfying, with the climax occurring abruptly after an extended buildup of suspense. However, the exploration of familial bonds, hidden truths, and the resilience of the human spirit makes "Whispers in the Walls" a compelling read that will leave readers intrigued until the very end.

Really not interested in a story about how a woman who has career ambitions sets them aside for her husband. As a bonus layer, she's also child free, but for some reason decides not to terminate her pregnancy... I'm sure by the end, she'll realize "the importance of love and children" over her own ambitions. I won't know, as I've chosen not to read to that point. Reads like trad-wife propaganda a little bit.

No Child of Mine was a quick and entertaining listen. I received this as an audiobook ARC and the narrators did a fine job bringing the story alive. I found the story to be unique and although I didn't LOVE it, it was enjoyable. I was hoping to feel a sense of spooky scary vibes, but I didn't get that. I am not sure I would categorize this one as horror either but that's just me.

Sanjay and Essie have been together since they were teenagers, and though she had to put much of her life on hold for Sanjay, she is now looking forward to their future together. After agreeing to move into an old house, Essie unexpectedly finds that she is pregnant, throwing her plans to finish medical school right out the window. The pregnancy is difficult, putting her on bedrest, and in the meantime, Sanjay has changed, spending much of his time pacing around the attic. Is there something wrong with their new house or is there more going on that has yet to be seen?

This was a pretty good book, though at times repetitive. I had a hard time connecting to Essie or finding her to be a likable character, but the suspense factor throughout the story is what kept me pushing to finish. The author does a good job of misdirecting the reader as far as what is truly behind the spooky happenings, and it’s a unique twist that I enjoyed. However the story ended abruptly and seemed to fizzle out. I enjoyed the majority of book but overall, it wasn’t consistent.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a copy of this book to review.*

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

Thank you Netgalley, author and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

Essie Kaur is a fiercely independent woman on her way to becoming a lawyer, settle down renovating her new home with the love of her life, her husband Sanjay. Her unplanned pregnancy comes as shocker since she never wanted to have children and this would be derailing all her future plans. But as they go ahead with her pregnancy, she feels conflicted with herself as she hates being pregnant but already is in love with the daughter she’s confident is going to have but isn’t confident if she will be a good mother . Her husband is over the moon and she knows he’ll be the best dad ever , he’s accommodating all her needs and doing his best in taking care of her. But Essie can see he’s having trouble, he seems to be pacing in the Attic at nights and seems distant lately. As she gets to know the curse that’s on the family for generations may actually be true and affects the love of their lives!

I went into this expecting it to be horror thriller but that wasn’t the case. This story is more like a drama with elements of mystery and some supernatural elements involved.
Alternating chapters that tells you the story of Essie in the present timeline and the other in past timeline about two friends Ana & Isabel , they both end up tying the pieces of the whole story together.
Personally I found the story of the past interesting & was wondering how it would all turn out.
The ending felt a little abrupt and many portions of the story on Essie , her pregnancy and the nightmares she kept having felt repetitive.
Overall I felt this book was not for me, while the story managed to evoke an eerie feeling and it does make you want to keep reading to know what’s happening since it’s a quick read too. But it did not have big impact story wise. For the build up I expected the ending to be better.

It’s a 2.75 / 5 ⭐️ read for me.

This was not a bad book, but it definitely wasn’t the book for me. This was what I believe to be the definition of slow burn horror. I watched as page after page everything was being set up, but it happened so slowly and so subtly that it made it hard for me to want to continue. I think if will definitely work for those that enjoy a gradual buildup to the main story.

While it wasn’t the story for me, I am glad I read it because it taught me more about my reading preferences.

I did enjoy watching the internal debate that Essie had over her life, her pregnancy, her degree, and everything that was happening to her. I also enjoyed watching the slow degrading that Sanjay went through, though I wish it had been a little more on page.

I would’ve liked things to progress a lot faster than they did, but I can see why it was done in the way it was, and can appreciate and respect the story that was told.

Essie has put her career on hold for her husband and now that it's her turn to finish her degree she realizes she's pregnant, something she never wanted. She moved to a new place and now she fears her family curse of raising fatherless daughters has come true again when Sanjay starts spending every night pacing the attic and becomes a shell of himself. But there's something darker in the house's history and when Essie is forced into bed rest with this difficult pregnancy, she starts hearing strange noises and seeing a woman that's not there. Is the house haunted or is it a product of her isolation?
This story is told in alternating chapters with Sanjay and Essie and letters between two friends in the past that shed light on events happening in the present. I really enjoyed the chapters from the past as Essie's chapters were a lot of misery with her pregnancy and problems with the husband. The creepy ominous vibe was there but not really the horror that I was expecting from the blurb. Overall this story was just OK for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.