One day your kids go missing but they are taken by someone close to you and don’t know why. Only thing you know is you were told to admit the truth but your not sure what truth .
Sometimes there are secrets in your past that happen and come to light now and what you thought happened had more pieces to the puzzle than you expected.
Lou was her best friend friend or so she thought but she is not who she thought she was and turned outs the least person you would expect and don’t assume people are dead unless you see the body.

This was an easy listen in the psychological thrillers genre.

3 mothers, all friends with Lou, find that their children are slow to return home after Lou picks them up one day. Initially they are not alarmed as they trust this woman implicitly. However as time passes they feel a prickling of unease, and it is not long before they receive a text from Lou that escalates concerns to a whole new level.

What do these women have in common?, and how does Lou, a women they have all met only in recent years, know about their past? The stakes are high but the women are divided in their decision to tell the truth...

2 distinct timelines run through this novel - the current, which is partially narrated by the lost children, and a past narrative dating back to the women childhood. By the end secrets are revealed and certainly not all is as it seems.

This is an audiobook that I would recommend, finding the story interesting and the narrative engaging.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this audiobook in exchange for an advance copy,

The Mother Next Door tells the story of four women: Fiona, Alison, Jasmine, and Lou, who live in a town near London. A river runs near this town and this river holds a secret.
The story is told from three points of view: Alison's, Fiona's, and Jasmine's. All three have secrets they are keeping from each other and their loved ones. When Lou drives off with the three women's children and demands that they reveal the truth before she returns them, the three women realize that Lou can't be the person she has led them to believe she is, but who is she? And will revealing their secret destroy their lives?

I enjoyed the narration and the story itself, though the twist at the end was predictable and, in my opinion, didn't make sense, which is a shame because the story is well-written and kept me hooked for several hours.

I recommend this book to people -mostly women, I guess- who enjoy reading books about friendship, difficult relationships, and overcoming the past, with a side of suspense.

Thanks to the author, Leah Mercer for the story, Bookouture Audio, and Netgalley for the audio ARC.

I enjoyed The Mother Next Door. It was gripping from the beginning, and I enjoyed the multiple POVs. For the most part, it’s a plausible scenario and the resulting actions make sense. That being said, there were some aspects to the story that felt more contrived and simply for the sake of a good book, but it *is* a book, so take that as you will. These aspects did not take me out of the story which is all I really ask for, so I’d say this was a solid read!

3.5 Stars

Lou is the friendly neighbor who all the kids and parents love. They even trusted her to pick up their kids from school. One day she never brought them back home. Instead, she threatens them with a text, tell the truth if you want your kids back. Secrets that were buried for years started to resurface.

There were quite a few different POVs, it took me a while to figure out who was who while listening to the audiobook. You might want to have some pen and paper ready.
The story is full of twists and turns, but most are predictable. Especially if you're an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers. What I didn't like was the ending. It felt a bit unsatisfying.

Overall, it was entertaining but nothing mind-blowing.

***I would like to thank NetGalley, Leah Mercer, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**

I never saw the end coming. In that way the story kept the reader engaged well but the moral fell flat. Yes wrongs were committed but by children!

Oh my goodness. Absolutely loved this. This is a new to me author. I was riveted from first few chapters. Definitely a good recommendation for any book lover.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit that rating this has been a bit hard for me to review. While I really did enjoy the plot and I did like some of the characters (The characters I think you are supposed to like) there is the issue that the main 4 characters were not the brightest bulbs. Fiona, Allison and Jasmine share a dark secret from their childhood. When their kids are all kidnapped by someone they thought was a friend and said friend tells them she will let the kids go if they tell the truth I think it is pretty obvious that the secret they all share is the issue. However, they keep dismissing the elephant in the room. I wanted to yell at them to talk to one another!

The mystery was really good, the ending was tight and the narrator Jasmine Blackborow was really good and that is what matters the most to me. I will be reading other books by Mercer.

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer
Narrated by Jasmine Blackborow

Right from the start I knew this was the kind of story where I didn't have to worry too much about "what if it had been me". I'm certainly not like these girls/women so I'm safe, aren't I? Still, I was entertained by this story, sort of knowing where it was going and suspecting a lot of what was going on but at the same time enjoying the ride as I watched from a distance.

It was a dark and stormy night, well, not really, but a storm is coming. And there is a river nearby. Lou, who has two kids of her own, has picked up the kids of a neighbor. But the kids never make it home. At first Fiona keeps the lid on her fears. Lou is a long time next door neighbor and very good friend, her best friend, even. Despite having two kids, a full time job, and being a single mom and home owner, Lou always has everything under control. So the kids are just fine with Lou, they'll be home soon, won't they?

And then we meet Allison and her daughter isn't home yet, either. Why hasn't Lou brought Allison home? Next we meet drunk (I only had one) Jasmine who knows her daughter is safe with Lou, right?

Fiona, Allison, and Jasmine have a big, dark secret. But Lou has her own secret. The narrator was really good and just right for this frantic, more than meets the eye, story. Much of what is going on isn't much of secret to us but I enjoyed watching this tidal wave of a disaster gaining steam. Things are bad and they can only get worse with the buildup of a long ago event. I just sat back and watched this mess wash away a lot of lives.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

Lou, a trusted friend and confidant, has suddenly disappeared with her friends' children. Often trusted to take care of them after school, this behavior is extremely unusual. While the storm rages outside, dark secrets threaten to spill over as three mothers desperately search for their kids.

I loved the female friendship aspect of this book. There are so many layers to the complex relationships in this book that kept me on my toes. Unfortunately, I could see the twist coming a mile away and several of the loose ends were wrapped up too quickly. There were a couple plot holes that I couldn't quite get over either.

Overall I enjoyed it, but wanted more.

Allison, Fiona & Jasmine trust Lou completely, and they allow her to do the school run for their kids when Lou visits to pick up her kids as well from the school.
Lou knows the in-depth secrets and details of each and every one of them. So one evening when she doesn’t show up with their kids all 3 women are perplexed – they think Lou & kids might be stuck on the road due to the harsh storm warnings. But after sometime Lou’s mobile also becomes unreachable and worry starts to seep in the mothers minds.
After waiting for a long time, they all get messages on their phones asking for their most well kept secrets to be revealed – while all of them slowly open up about the “secrets” to their spouses they are not sure how the sender knows what happened so many years ago and why this game of cat & mouse is being played now.
The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer was a really quick, fast paced book and a great listen. The narration by Jasmine Blackborow was fantastic!
Thanks to Netgalley, Leah Mercer & Bookouture Audio for approving the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining listen and the narrator did a really great job, thoroughly enjoyed it. The story was told from multiple pov. This is one of the books that you just need to suspend belief and go with it, which I did and so it on that basis really enjoyable.

This author is always really good.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

One sentence review: Saw the ‘alleged’ twist a mile away.
 
The book started off great. I felt invested in these mothers and their daily struggles. It gave me very Liane Moriarty vibes.

And then the gentle but grating reminder of their dark pasts started getting to me. The plot was quite obvious by then. Things got fast and ridiculous soon after and well…I calmly paused the audiobook three quarters into it, and proclaimed it a DNF.

I was drawn in by the blurb. You get to know the characters quickly so you get thrown straight into the storyline. It’s told from the point of view of each of the female characters. The storyline is formed well along with strong character development. But where the storyline is intriguing and had great potential it’s just not realistic when it comes to specific elements if it were a real life situation. As for the characters I liked the majority but Jasmine is such a despicable character 😳. The pace was a little drawn out and it felt like the story just went through the motions with no real twists. I understand the building of the story and characters for the reader but for me it was just lacking something along with the shock factor. The narration was engaging and did keep my attention.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to #TheMotherNextDoor

Past Secrets Return

Gripping and filled with suspense, this novel will keep you reading until the last page. From the first page to the last I was totally taken in by this story.

Four women...one secret that binds them. Three marriages to be destroyed. Will they lose everything when their secret is revealed?

One morning a mother leaves for work..her neighbor and best friend picks her children up for school, but when she returns home there is no sign of the children nor the neighbor. Then she finds out her children are not the only ones missing. The only way to get the children back is to reveal a secret far back in the past. A secret that could destroy everything. Three former friends must get together, the rich arrogant one Jasmine, the timid one Allison, and the sensible one Theona. I think all three characters were perfect for this story.

You will need a box of tissues on hand for this one. It is loaded with drama, secrets, and the love of mother's for their children.

You will be surprised at the ending and there is no way you will guess it. This is such a twist you will never see it coming. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

I listened to the audio book, the narrator did a great job. The voice was pleasant and easy to listen to.

Thanks to Leah Mercer for writing a great story, to Jasmine Blackborow for the great narration, to Bookouture Audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audio book to listen to and review.

"Gripped until its shocking twist"? Well, I was neither gripped nor shocked, I'm sorry to say.

The Mother Next Door was, at best, a good filler book. If you've got a powerhouse to-be-read list staring you down, this is the perfect book to use in between to catch your breath. Then you won't be disappointed if you feel like you've heard this all before and discover the characters (Allison, Fiona, Jasmine, Lou) aren't exactly people you want to get to know.

I'm never one to go nuts trying to guess ahead in a book, but in this one, I knew as soon as The Text went out, instructing these not-particularly-likeable ladies to "tell the truth", where this contrived mess was headed. It was all too much -- the kidnapping, the once-in-a-decade storm, the breaking point of all these marriages -- and too conveniently coming together. That sounds really complicated, and you might think this book had layers and complexity to spare, but not really. There was an attempt.

All that said, I wouldn't say "run out and get this thriller!", but if you find it free at the library or on sale for your Kindle, go for it. Just keep your expectations to average thriller, and you won't be disappointed.

Allison Fiona and Jasmine had all been friends since childhood and as wives and mothers they drifted apart but their children went to school together Lou Allison‘s neighbor is a newly divorced mom who’s become very popular amongst the children and a lot of the mothers. So when Allison noticed her children weren’t home yet she didn’t worry because she knew they were with Lou and Lou will take care of them but as the hours passed all the mothers start worrying even Jasmine who just woke up from being drunk most of the day. Then when they start getting text messages demanding they tell the truth all their secrets come out. Unfortunately those aren’t the secrets Lou wants them to tell. With the exception of Jasmine who is the ultimate queen of denial the women in their husbands tell each other the deepest darkest secrets but still have no clue where the children are. Fiona and Allison know what secret Lu wants them to tell and even though it would change their life dramatically they don’t care they just want their children back wheel bearing their soul and clearing their conscious get their children back safely or is Lou not only a kidnapper but a murderer as well? I just want to say this is one of the best audiobooks I have gotten from Bookoucher ever! I absolutely loved it I also love that the character I hated the most is the one I love the most in the end. This was such a good book it was so intense leave it to Lee Mercer to have me sitting on the edge of my bed at two in the morning waiting to see what happens. I thought the narrator Jasmine did an excellent job this was such a good book and one I totally recommend if you love a good thriller with authentic twist you need to read the mother next-door you will not be disappointed. I receive this book from NetGalleyg in Bookoucher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

My thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to review this audio book.

Watch your sins of the past and who you trust. That's what Fiona, Allison, and Jasmine find out when their neighbor and good friend Lou is supposed to pick all their kids up from school. Lou notifies her ex to pick her kids up but never returns with the other kids and a large storm is brewing. The WHY will.surprise you.

I did enjoy this. The twist was a surprise. Good narrator. .My only complaint, too many POVs. Confusing.

4.5⭐

Featuring ~ multiple 1st person POV, missing children, secrets new and old

Wowza I was gripped from right out of the gate.

Fiona, Alison and Jasmine all went to school together and now their children attend the same school. Lou is a friend, someone they all trust wholeheartedly, a true godsend that often helps watch the children. But when it's getting to be 6:30 pm and they haven't come home yet the parents start to worry.

Our narrators are:
Fiona ~ mother to twins, Tabitha & Tim
Alison ~ owns the local gym and is the mother of Gabby, who is bullied at school.
Jasmine ~ was a bully in school, is an alcoholic and mother to Juniper.
Tabitha ~ daughter of Fiona

I liked that the chapters were timed, which made the story easy to follow along with. The added chapters from one of the missing children was a good call to give us an inside look to know if they were okay. Add in a raging storm and it really gets tense.

Narration:
Jasmine Blackborow ~ 8 hours 6 minutes ~ lovely job. I liked that she somewhat altered her voice when reading Tabitha's chapters, but there was not really a distinction between the adults .

Yes, there's some predictability, but overall, I really enjoyed this thriller. Leah is on my radar and I'll for sure be reading more of her work.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator was good. The storyline was intriguing and I loved the multiple POVs. I liked the twists and turns of the book however I found some of it to be pretty predictable.