Going through a haunting in general can be scary but that on top of being pregnant - doesn’t sound like a good time. Poor Essie is going through this very scenario but bed ridden. This wasn’t horror, there were some elements but not much in my opinion. This was mostly about pregnancy and motherhood and that’s not really something I like to read about. Some of it was a little cheesy as well. I thought it was repetitive and way too much filler. The alternate point of view from the past was more interesting than current day.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

I love a great horror that involved any curse of any kind!

I felt the characters were interesting, but there was too much focus on "filler" content as opposed to really diving into the nitty gritty.

No Child of Mine by Nichelle Giraldes is a haunting and suspenseful exploration of one woman's journey through pregnancy and the dark secrets that surround her family. From the moment Essie Singh discovers she is pregnant, her life takes a dramatic turn, unraveling her carefully constructed plans and introducing her to a world of whispers and curses.

Essie, a fiercely independent woman, never envisioned herself as a mother, but as her pregnancy progresses, she finds herself confronting not only the physical changes in her body but also the unsettling shifts in her marriage to Sanjay. As Essie's husband becomes increasingly distant and the house they live in seems to come alive with strange whispers, she realizes that her family's history is plagued by a curse that leaves a trail of fatherless daughters.

Giraldes brilliantly captures the eerie atmosphere and sense of isolation that Essie experiences as she is confined to bedrest. The once-welcoming home becomes a place of dread and unease as Essie battles against an unknown force that threatens to take everything from her. The author skillfully weaves together elements of suspense and supernatural elements, keeping readers on edge and craving answers.

The character development in No Child of Mine is exceptional. Essie is a complex and relatable protagonist, and the emotional journey she undergoes is both gripping and heart-wrenching. Her strength and determination shine through as she fights to protect herself and her unborn child from the dark forces that lurk within her family's history.

Giraldes' prose is evocative and atmospheric, immersing readers in a world where the line between reality and the supernatural is blurred. The pacing is well-executed, with tension steadily building as the secrets of the curse are slowly revealed. The author's ability to create a sense of foreboding and unease is commendable, making No Child of Mine a true page-turner.

Overall, No Child of Mine is a captivating and chilling tale that explores themes of motherhood, family legacies, and the power of secrets. Nichelle Giraldes' storytelling prowess shines through in this haunting debut novel. If you enjoy psychological suspense with a touch of the supernatural, this book is a must-read.

Love, marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, and a family curse....

Essie is a happily married woman who is working on completing her law degree. She and her husband, Sanjay are both shocked when she learns that she is pregnant with their first child. The morning sickness is relentless and Essie doesn't feel in control of her body. Plus, Sanjay has started spending more time in his office in the attic, leaving Essie alone, listening to the house whispering to her.

This book is told through two timelines. In the past timelines readers meet Isabelle and Ana. Two women who are in love with each other but are married to men. With two timelines, I usually enjoy one more than the other. I found myself being very invested in the timeline in the past. I knew that there was going to be a connection to it and the present. I was fully invested in Ana and Isabelle's tale of longing, love, and being separated. I felt for them and enjoyed their letters.

I had both the book and audiobook version of this book. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook.This was a hard book for me to rate. I found it to be gripping and interesting but as other reviewers have mentioned, it is very repetitive.

I did enjoy the mounting tension and dread in the book. I found that to be nicely done. My big beef is the repetition, and I wanted more creepiness, more scary moments. With hearing whispers and seeing dark smoke/images, I was hoping for a more sinister or creepy feeling read. I didn't find this to be scary or horrific because the characters didn't come off as being frightened by what was happening.

Then ending while it made sense, didn't pack the punch I was waiting for. It seemed to happen too easily, in my opinion.

I do feel that the author pulled off the two timelines nicely especially the timeline in the past.

I struggled with this big time, I'm not sure if it was due to the book or a slump but I starting skimming through about halfway in. It was a slow, slow burn and I felt like there was A LOT of filler and unnecessary story for the plot. I couldn't find myself really connecting with the story and never really felt the horror vibes. I felt like the ending was extremely abrupt and I wasn't entirely sure what actually happened. I really wish I could have enjoyed this more and I think this could be a good book for the spooky season, for the right person.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

All in all, I enjoyed this. This was a very strong 3.5 haunted horror book that I rounded up to 4 stars. I thought the character of Essie was great. And I loved the backstory we get on Isabella. The writing and pace was solid too. The main reason why I did not give this 5 stars is that I wanted the “darkness” to be darker and have a better explanation of what it was and where it came from. That said, the heart of this book is Essie and Sanjay’s love story and it was wonderful.

"No Child of Mine" follows law student Essie Kaur. Essie has followed her husband Sanjay so that he could fulfill his dreams of being an architect. Now it's her turn. When they buy the house of their dreams though, things start to go wrong. Smells that only Essie can smell. Sounds and voices of people that can't be there. And when Essie finds herself pregnant, she realizes a family curse she has always made fun of, may not be fake after all. The book shifts from the present with Essie and then to the past following a young woman named Isabel who is devastated after her best friend marries and moves away.

I liked Essie a lot. Here's a woman that knew her own mind and what she wanted. I loved that Giraldes had her as ambivalent as having a baby since she realized that her life was going to change and it was not going to be what she wanted it to be. Essie and Sanjay work a lot too. I think that Giraldes was smart enough to give us enough of their teen and now adult love story that you end up rooting for the couple throughout the book.

Isabel took a while to get a handle on. At first I thought she was being way too overly emotional about her best friend marrying and then....well things get slowly revealed. I was curious what was the date in the past that Isabel lived in. I assume at least 1800s or so? And I think that only because of the description about food and dresses. But, I ended up not liking this character, you will get to why that is when you read the book though. That said, Giraldes did a great job developing her and the character of Ana (Isabel's best friend).

The writing and flow worked very well. There are just hints of darkness and scares around the corner every time Essie is at home.

I really liked the ending though though the solution was just a tad too neat.

FYI also read this for HA’s challenge and it works for the “tricks” slot. A darkness is trying to trick people.

This had all the elements you need for a good Spooky Season read. Family curses that go back generations, houses that are haunted and extremely atmospheric, and the creep is pretty amazing. I was all in from the moment Essie and Sanjay moved into their new home. Excitement and nerves for the unexpected. The first half of the book flew by. The feeling of always being watched, the whispers you swear you hear, footsteps where no one is. All of this sends my hair standing on end and me running for the exit. They think it is just the house, it is old, it has character. A place where they can put down roots and really have a stable future. Each having their own office, children are not in the picture. Until Essie realizes that she is in fact pregnant.

Essie never wanted to be a mom, but as soon as she heard the word, she could not stop thinking about it. She dreads the way it will change her life. Will she be able to finish law school and have an amazing job? Will she be second in Sanjay's eyes now? This made me want to yell at Essie, to stop being selfish, to stop only thinking about herself. As the days march on and the pregnancy becomes more real. So does the house. Could it be linked to the curse her grandmother is always talking about?

I had Practical Magic vibes from the description of their family curse. The details and descriptions had you smelling wet rot, mold, and river swamp. You could envision it. The endless hallways, the nightmares swirling in your mind as you devour more and more of this book. The way in which she describes the baby slowly overtaking Essie's body. Stretching and molding to fit inside, making your body theirs. Thank you to Nichelle Giraldes and Poisoned Pen Press for this spooktacular read!

I received a copy from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for review.

Soooo, I'm DNFing this while I'm ahead (33% in the middle of a chapter to be exact). I guess I didn't realize that the pregnancy would be so indoor face when I requested this and I just can't do it. Especially when you find out in the first 30% that Essie, the main character, doesn't even want children to start. It cheapens the whole "fall in love at your first ultrasound" feel like Pro-Life propaganda and I'm just not here for it. The only thing I'm interested in skipping to the end for is to see who dies and what caused the generational curse. I think the writing is well done and super readable (if I was actually interested in finishing). This story just isn't for me.

First time author for me. I really liked this book. It was very interesting. A couple buy there first house and that's were it starts . A lot of twists and turns in the book. Which makes it an interesting read!

Great job Nichelle. Loved it.

Thank you to Poison Pen Press for letting me read NO CHILD OF MINE early. This one publishes on September 12.

I love a gothic horror and creepy houses and generations of heroines. Unfortunately, this is not that. I really don't care about doctors appointments and take out food. There wasn't enough meat in this one, it was just surrounded by too much salad. Sadly, this one just didn't do it for me.

Interesting tale of a woman who's pregnant but doesn't want to be, her husband, Sanjay, the atmospheric house they've moved into, and a family curse.

Told in a dual timeline from three female's points of view, this story had some intriguing elements, but I didn't really connect with it and decided it wasn't my cup of tea. Other readers may enjoy it more.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

No Child of Mine is an atmospheric horror story following multiple generations of women who are subject to a curse. Their husbands suffer an early death leaving wives and daughters without male role models. Essie and Sanjay marry, buy a house, and fall pregnant. Like most pregnancies, it was not easy for Essie in many ways - timing, career aspirations, and support. As they remodel the house, strange occurrences begin to change the way they feel about each other and the growing child. Eddie faces the challenge of the curse and the haunting of they house while Sanjay weaves himself into becoming part of the house. This story is told through Essie’s lives experiences and letters between her ancestors -Ana and Isabel.

A generational curse told from alternating timelines made this story interesting and that much more haunting for me. A young couple finally buys their first house and have no idea what is in store for them. It is a story about love, pregnancy and the changes that brings, and the strength of the bond between mother and child. It is also chilling with supernatural elements playing a large part in the story.

A fast paced novel on a woman’s journey to save her marriage from a curse that has spanned across her family. Thrilling and leaves you guessing.

This is a Gothic horror, and I'm generally drawn to and enjoy Gothic horror, but I didn't really enjoy this book. The main reason is because the story seems mostly about morning sickness and how protagonist, Essie, is resentful of the fact she is having a baby. This may be where the story is for a certain reader, because the many scenes of hospital checkups and other medical appointments (that don't add to a horror feel) are not of interest to me.

For a Gothic horror, it is light on the elements of the sub-genre. In a lot of ways it felt more like a possessed house, or character possession horror, more than Gothic. The sense of romance between the characters was stronger than any sense of horror. The book felt confused to me. The house did not feel menacing enough. The supernatural/paranormal element was barely noticeable for most of the story. There is macabre imagery, but in dreams only, and the dreams felt very repetitive. I'm not sure about the purpose of the dreams being repetitive and extending that device for so long in the book. I don't think it helped the story move along at all. There is a sense of isolation and madness, but not all for the protagonist, and the isolation didn't drive the Gothic feel in the story. I'm left wondering how to categorise the story.

What this book needed was Sanjay's POV, because the slow-burn story with Essie's POV was not working for me. I would have removed most of the interrupting chapters from Ana and Isabel, which are a past narrative and most of their history is not required, and add Sanjay's POV. Maybe to show his change of emotion or show what was changing his personality. The reason I say this is because it wasn't shown vividly enough through Essie's POV. The observations weren't strong enough. Maybe it was written this way to add intrigue and suspense. But Essie's reactions were strong enough to add the suspense I needed.

I can see in the story the attempts to bring about supernatural tension. Creaks in the house, doors creaking open. That sort of element was used in the book, and used often. But the thing that was missing is the heightened psychological tension because of those things. Creaks and the like need strong reaction to be creepy and foreboding. Sadly that was missing in this book.

I would have loved to enjoy this book more than I did because the concept is so interesting. It looks like this book is receiving favourable reviews from many readers, which is great. As I said, this may be a book for a certain reader.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for proving a free copy of this book for an honest review. All comments are my own.

A very atmospheric tale - could really get into the vividness of the environment and story. The plot itself was slower than I would have liked and took me some time to get into.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for the copy of this book!

What a super spooky read for Fall! I loved the multiple POVs and fast pace for most of the book. The imagery was pretty good to create a bit of suspense and scariness. I love narratives that show that pregnancy isn't a cake walk for everyone. Some connections could've been a little better, but overall I liked it.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me.
I could not handle the story. I tried to continue and push through it until I made it to about 35% in and had to DNF.

I appreciate the ARC and this is my honest review.

I struggled with this one quite a bit. Our main character Essie is unlikeable and down right miserable. She finds herself pregnant after meticulously trying NOT to get pregnant and she is resentful and depressed. I can understand, but that’s literally most of the book. Aside from that, alternating chapters bounce between her and two women Isabel and Ana from centuries ago, who are now haunting her and her husband. Theres also an ominous curse that has plagued the women in Essie’s family for generations, and her husband Sanjay’s life may be on the line.

I’m not sure why the title is what it is, because it didn’t make any sense. There wasn’t much mystery, dread or horror so for me it kind of flat lined the entirety of the book. As always, thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for my eARC.

No Child Of Mine is told on two timelines. In the current day, we have Essie and her husband Sanjay, and several generations earlier we have Ana and Isabelle, two women who were profoundly in love in the days when it was just impossible for women to be together.

From the book's description I was expecting a scary read but mostly what I got was a love story interspersed with bouts of morning sickness. Or morning noon and night sickness since poor Essie seemed to be plagued with vomiting at all hours of the day and night, and although I remember what that feels like from my own experience, it did get a bit repetitive to read about crackers and nausea and bile for so many pages.

I enjoyed the characters from the past more than the present day and learning how the curse came to be. An awful curse born of both love and selfishness has taken fathers from their daughters for generations in Essie's family.

I had hoped there would be some spookiness in Essie's new house but other than some whispering and an object occasionally being displaced nothing much happened. Even when the curse began to take hold there wasn't any suspense. The ending seemed too simplistic after so many generations had suffered this curse.

You may enjoy this one more than I did, but it just wasn't for me.

My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press.