First of all thank you to Netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story had a lot of potential but unfortunately I felt like it dragged on quite a bit and then the ending was very sudden and felt rushed. I found Essie incredibly irritating overall and really didn't enjoy how much of the book focused on her pregnancy and symptoms, though this could just be down to me not enjoying pregnancy tropes in general.

All together I don't think this is bad for a debut novel and would be interested to read more of the authors work in the future.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Nichelle Giraldes for letting me read “No Child of Mine” in exchange for an honest review.

This is a brilliant read. There is no other way to describe it.
It is extremely well written. Essie's character is so relatable that while reading I felt like I was Essie. I didn't imagine a character, I basically imagined myself moving through endless hallways, suspecting something is off but unsure, trying to balance work and personal life with fear and jump scares in between.
This one's spooky. Watch out. It is also a slow plot, not filled with many twists and turns. However, even though it is not action packed, it draws you in from the very first page. It is one suspense plotline that follows the main character throughout the book and keeps you on your toes, quickly flipping between chapters.
This book impressed me. It's very unique. Nichelle Giraldes, you're a genius. I will keep my eye on you from now on!!

Essie Kahr has defined herself by her ambitions, a fiercely independent woman,whose only soft spot is her husband Sanja, She never imagined she'd be a mother it was never part of the plan,but then she finds out she's pregnant. As her pregnancy transforms her body and life into something she barely recognizes,her husband spends his nights pacing in the attic,slowly becoming a stranger,and the house begins to whisper.As her pregnancy progresses both their lives are warped by a curse that has haunted her family for years.When she's put on bedrest she realises she's not alone there's something here that means to take everything from her.
This was a slow burner for me that just never picked up pace but then the ending was very rushed.I was underwhelmed with this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisioned Pen Press for the ARC.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Overall, I enjoyed this one; the best parts for me were the alternating timelines and ultimate connection between the female main characters. I loved the gothic elements of the book, and wish that were was more of that. The day-to-day of the pregnancy did feel a bit mundane; I wish there had been less of that and more descriptions of the shadows and Sanjay’s strange actions. The ending was a bit of letdown; it felt anti-climactic after so much build-up. Would recommend and would read another book by the author in the future.

Wow, what a ride this one was! I’m glad that I did finish this as I was so excited for it and really enjoyed it. with all that being said I will say this one was a slow burn which did have me putting it down a little longer then I would like.i would definitely recommend this one if you enjoy a good twist! I’m giving this a three star mostly because it was A little harder to completely get into.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

I love a good horror and was drawn to this novel by the cover and compelling concept.

The story is told from three points of view in dual timelines, but it takes a while before their connection makes sense. I found it disorienting and wanted to know much sooner why the disparate storylines were part of the same novel. I normally dislike novels with dream sequences, but I didn't mind them here. Maybe because the dreams were creepy and helped tie the two timelines together.

The biggest issue I had was that the main character, Essie, is really unlikeable. I can get on board with an unlikeable character or villain, but Essie isn’t even interesting. She is dull, immature, and selfish. She says that she loves the baby growing inside her and wants to be a mom but spends 90% of her time resenting the sacrifices required of her. It became very grating. Her husband, Sanjay, is a good man, but it's hard to understand what he sees in her. The many scenes of Essie's morning sickness became redundant, and she didn’t do anything about it other than whine and refuse to take medication.

Overall, I was hoping the horror would be pushed further. Still, I enjoyed the writing style and found myself dreading the conclusion. I look forward to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Press for this ARC. No Child of Mine is a slow burn novel that unfortunately missed the mark for me. I went into this book thinking it would be horror, but it felt more like a thriller, because nothing too shocking happens. I did enjoy how the story comes together throughout and they were parts that creeped me out. I also think some parts could have been left out and the ending felt rushed to me. All that being said, I did enjoy this read! It was a unique plot that kept me interested to continue reading.

This is a debut novel that I felt was written well and it was very creepy/atmospheric at times. I enjoyed a lot of the themes used and I would be open to reading more from this author in the future.

Special thanks to Poison Pen Press and NetGalley for an e-arc of this novel.

The story is very good. Its classified as horror, but I would say very light horror.

My only issue with the book, was the constant mentioning of throwing up throughout the book as it is one of my triggers, other than that a very good story, well thought out and well developed characters.

I feel like pregnant bodies and haunted houses are very much the same thing. I have been on bedrest for a pregnancy and it was a yellow wallpaper situation for me. So I related to this fully and completely.
The story was lovely and I liked the ending. This is a wonderful book.

Wow. This was so unique and a really thrilling take on a family curse. I absolutely loved this, there's so much suspense with the mix of supernatural elements and also domestic with Essie and Sanjay having marriage struggles and also Essie's problematic pregnancy - I felt that this complemented perfectly and the dual POV's were really interesting adding to the suspense. This was a really great thriller and different from anything I've read before so I highly recommend.

(I received this book from the editor and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Essie Kaur never wanted to be a mother, but when she finds she is pregnant, she starts loving her unborn daughter right away. She does not need a doctor to know she will be a girl, because hers is a family of daughters. And broken hearts. And a generational curse ready to devour everything that is important to her.
I really liked the idea behind Nichelle Giraldes’ No Child of Mine, and was pleasantly surprised by the double story within.
Sadly, even if I am one to enjoy slow-burn stories, I felt that this was too slow for my liking and that, as the passageway in Essie’s dreams, it kind of repeated itself.
Isabel’s story, however, and its epistolary style, was very interesting from beginning to end, when the horror finally popped up, even if it felt rushed and kind of out of nowhere, unfortunately. As I already said, the idea of a generational curse and the discovery of its roots was an amazing one, but it ended up feeling like a footnote in a very different horror story: one about the physical and psychological changes of a pregnancy.
Equally terrifying or even more, I can’t deny that.

With an exciting premise, No Child Of Mine tells the story of a creepy house, forbidden love, deception, and splitting storylines. If you're a fan of domestic thrillers this book may be a good fit. where this book loses me is the multiple povs that shift the story into unique storylines. one thing I will add, the central conflict of the book feels subdued and almost unrealistic at times but watching the chemistry between Essie and Sanjay dissolve was pretty interesting. I also feel like Essie was the only fully fleshed-out character in the book which is awkward given the many faces present throughout the latter 3 quarters of the book. this book isn't perfect, but it is good if you're a fan of Lisa Jewell or Ruth Ware's writing styles. I however am not the biggest fan.

🔍ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
«𝔻𝕒𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕤, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕓𝕠𝕕𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕜𝕟𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕠𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕡𝕚𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟»
⭐⭐💫 / 5⭐
𝙉𝙤 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚/ 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙨
𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚
𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙧𝙗: 𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙚 has defined herself by her ambitions, a woman whose only soft spot is her husband, 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙟𝙖𝙮. They just moved to their new 🏠 when she found out she is🤰being a mother was never a part of the plan, specially since her grandma won't stop talking about a curse that has haunted her family for generations. Her husband spends the nights pacing in the attic, acting like a complete stranger, and the 🏠 noises begins to sounds more like a whisper.

This was an Arc in exchange for an honest review (book will be out on september) I was really intrigued by the premise and I really was enjoying the dual timeline, totally courious about what was behind 𝘼𝙣𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡 story but it was really above the surface. As I went on reading, the 📗 started to drag alot revolving constantly and unbearably too much around 𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙚 morning sickness 🤢 and other discomfort of her pregnancy, she being specially annoying about it, as she had not a choice or say in the matter and this was a burden impossed where nothing happen really for most of the half of the book. There is not much of suspense on the story, the house events could have been way to more interesting or shocking to be the majorly focus of the story. The ending was not worth the waiting
it felt rushed and too easy. It started good and could be an amazing story if it was more focused on the paranormal factor.

Thank you to NetGalley, The Poisoned Pen Press and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly loved this book. It was not exactly what I was expecting, but it sure did not disappoint. I enjoyed the dual POVs. This story had an ominous sense of foreboding over the whole story. I loved the chapters with Isabelle and Ana and the letters they wrote to each other. A well done and kept me turning pages. 4 star!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this title.

I had high hopes for this one, but it was a long haul for not much story. It was wildly implausible, not just in the fantasy elements, but in many of the every day interactions, and was just an okay read for me.

I was so excited to be given the opportunity to read and review this uncorrected proof, “No child of mine” by Nichelle Giraldes! A special thank you to NetGalley, The Poisoned Pen Press and the author for this book, in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me up at night! The setting, a creepy old house that starts to whisper to its inhabitants, set the stage for this ghostly story. The main character, Essie, whose life plans are put on hold when her unexpected pregnancy becomes complicated by medical issues and non stop morning sickness leaves her a captive prisoner in this house. All the while, her high school sweetheart, Sanjay starts to change in disturbing ways. The sub story of Ana and Isabella added an additional mystery as to how they were connected to the whole story & it all ties up nicely in the end. Good reveal, good creep factor, good suspense and a sweet family drama all rolled into one package.

I was expecting something different but this was a good read none the less. The MC Essie become unexpectedly pregnant which isn't part of her plan. It upsets the delicate balance she has created in her marriage and sets a chain of events in motion. The story is told from two points of view in two separate times. Isabel is the other MC from an earlier point in time. She has a connection to Essie that is revealed later. Definitely a tamer ghost story with more thriller than scare vibes.

Essie has defined herself as a fiercely independent ambitious woman. Shortly after moving into a new home with her husband, she finds herself pregnant. While Essie finds herself plagued with a difficult pregnancy, her husband also has difficulties and paces the attic. As the pregnancy continues, Essie finds her life wrapped up in a curse. Seems there is something lurking in the corners of the house. Will Essie be able to figure it out before her baby is born?

I loved the part of this book where Essie’s husband is praised as being a loving husband – for simply showing up! Here Essie finds herself in the throws of a difficult pregnancy and in the hospital – and he just drove her. Its infuriating to me that we live in a society where men simply get praised for existing. Not only is it not fair to women everywhere, but for men who actually do pull their own weight and contribute.
I really enjoyed this story. It was a fun generational curse story. The story was beautifully written, and the author did a great job. I didn’t enjoy that the storylines of Anna and Isabel came together until the very end of the book – I would have preferred to hear how they connected earlier on. However, overall this was a great read and I am thankful to have read it.
May sure to check this one out this fall – September 12th!

Thank you so much to Poised Pen Press, @Poisedpenpress, and Netgalley, @netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The headstrong Essie Kaur is in the process of finally getting her law degree after delaying it for a few years for her husband, Sanjay. However, she gets the shock of her life during a visit to the doctor when she discovers she is pregnant.

Pregnancy wasn’t part of the plan; she had so much she wanted to do. It was not such a pleasant thought for Essie but she decides to continue the pregnancy.

Indeed, pregnancy is a delicate time and often women are expected to make more sacrifices than men when it comes to pregnancy and raising a child while men are celebrated for doing the bare minimum. Imagine striving hard for your dreams only to find out that you are carrying a child and would have to change all your plans and delay getting your degree again for a few years.

Initially, I was wondering if there was any connection between Isabel, Anna and Essie. Later on, it is revealed that the three women are connected by a generational curse that sees their husbands stolen from them.
Told between different POVS and timelines, this story is perfect for women who have gone through pregnancy, and those who like spooky reads and fast-paced stories.

Thank you to the publishers at Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this e-ARC of No Child of Mine.

#nochildofmine #NetGalley

When Essie learns she's pregnant, Essie and her husband Sanjay are in for a much bigger surprise than just their unexpected parenthood. The story spans generations and despite the gothic flavour and spookiness scattered all around, draws you in once you realize the background behind the familial curse. The book does not let us down in the creepiness factor - whispering voices, jump scares, lurking shadows, and recurring nightmares, all add to the horror element. Giraldes handles the characterization well, and deftly presents a multi-person narration quite well, and the book has good pacing. This was a lovely read. I am thankful to Giraldes, and the publishers Poisoned Pen Press, for gifting me with a copy of this book.