Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Whispers, by Ashley Audrain - much-acclaimed author of The Push (which I loved!) - I really enjoyed this well-paced and well-written novel about suburban neighbours who are put to the test when a ten-year-old boy falls out of his bedroom window in the night. I found it a little more subtle but still highly readable and enjoyable.

what a whirlwind this book was. I found it very hard to put down, which is a struggle when you’re participating in a readalong!

I went through many feelings on my reading journey. it was very emotional, uncomfortable, and not all that farfetched, which amps up the uncomfortability. I’ve heard it has similarities to her previous book, THE PUSH (which I haven’t read) so if you’ve read that then I’m sure you’ve experienced some of the same feelings.

⚠️ there are many triggers in this— if you have difficulty reading about miscarriage, death of a child, domestic abuse, or ableism… skip it.

Move over Liane Moriarty! Domestic thrillers has a new queen!

I love the page-turning suspense of Audrain's work. The way she presents these everyday characters in situations that make you cringe, but are still very relatable is absolutely incredible! I found myself curious about how I would react in each of the scenarios described in this book. Riveting. And, her endings!!!!!

But, above all else, I loved this sentiment (and the line!), "She'd once heard them described as the whispers - the moments that are trying to tell you something isn't right here. The problem is that some women aren't listening to what their lives are trying to tell them. They don't hear the whispers until they're looking back with hindsight. Feeling blindsided. Desperate to see the truth for what it is."

Happiness is easy to share, but fear and pain and crazy are best kept hidden. And that is what we see in 4 women who are neighbours and can literally see into each other’s lives.

There are many potential triggers covered, and Audrain does not shy away from the difficult stuff of these women’s lives. Fear of not living up to the expectations of motherhood, the ‘unusual’ child, infidelity, abuse, suicide, miscarriage.

The women you warm up to and the women you dislike, the fine line between trust and encroachment, the appreciation and the disappointment you might find with your mate are all within these pages.

Audrain does not hold back with her thoughts, she does not censor what she wants the reader to know. And there is something tantalizing and satisfying as we look through those windows too. In spite of all the issues it covers, don’t give up on this one.

Because the last line of the book cannot be beat.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AshleyAudrain, #PenguinRandomHouseCanada for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

For more thoughts, see my blog https://morethanlettersonalinetoday.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-whispers-book-review.html.

Loved loved loved this book. The characters are so well developed it felt like Audrain had been writing about them for years. She interweaves the stories and lives of a group of neighbours and teases out a mystery that comes together in the final pages with another banger of an ending (those who read The Push will understand!). This is a drama and a mystery but the heart of the book is the characters' narratives - the complexities of motherhood and female friendships. Another hit for Ashley Audrain.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an opportunity to read this novel, in exchange for an honest review!

i was so excited about this one especially since the push is one of my favourite books. i think because i went into this expecting a thriller, it fell a bit short for me. the storyline and writing are both great and i love that it focused on different mother's perspectives. it took me a while to get through it because i was busier than i usually am & i found it hard to keep up with the characters & the relationships at times but that's definitely a me problem. i loved the ending of this book though & i really wanted to know what happens next

thank you to penguin random house canada & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Whispers - Ashley Audrain


2.5⭐️

I’m not sure what to even say about this. I didn’t dislike the book and I feel like the storyline had a lot of potential. I also really enjoyed that we saw the private thoughts of so many characters.

But overall, it was just fine for me. I felt like at times the characters had traits that were so extreme that they were off putting and seemed like they were put in for shock value not adding to the story or character. And as this kept happening it just bothered me more each time. I also wondered why a book about women couldn’t have any of the women being happy.

I can see why this book has had some rave reviews but it just wasn’t for me.

This book was well written even with the different perspectives.
I did not want to put this book down. It will definitely be a staff pick at my store.
There is so much I could say but I don't want to give spoilers.

There are triggers such as miscarriage's, talk about suicide( teen), mentioning of child abuse.

This domestic thriller was such a page turner! We followed four women who are navigating their relationships and motherhood, each struggling in their own way. I appreciated the commentary on the expectations of parenthood (motherhood specifically), and how those pressures affect the child and the parent.

This book had some very difficult sections. I would be very cautious if any of these things are a personal trigger for you: graphic miscarriage, death of a child, domestic abuse, infertility, infidelity, and ableism.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley Audrain does it again. Pre-bookstagram I completely fell in love with her debut novel The Push which is an amazingly well done psychological thriller that I still think about. This is definitely a worthy follow up though not a compulsive read for me in the same way. I picked up and put the ebook down several times before I finally purchased a paper copy and powered through to the end.

The Whispers follows four neighbourhood women and their different struggles and approaches to marriage and motherhood. One day a terrible incident occurs and one of their sons falls from a window and lands in intensive care. The whole book feels like the whispers, the gossip, the hunches of what we think might have happened, what goes on between closed doors, who the people we live next to actually are. It’s a domestic neighbourhood drama with a tense undercurrent and a lot of blunt depictions of the underbelly of motherhood—those who are battling with infertility, miscarriages and loss; those who struggle connecting or showing affection to their kids, maybe regret becoming a mother at all; those scared they’re replaying the sad stories of their own parents lives; those dealing with the emptiness of loss and guilt—Audrain is so powerful in her ability to once again show us how many different ways there are to be a mother, all the things we can be struggling with, how the grace we give to each other might save us in our darkest moments and just how deeply truly unknowable we are from our even our closest friends, partners, even ourselves.

She’s such a talented writer, I find myself so drawn into her stories, they’re always so beautifully plotted. And I think everything she has to say about motherhood is true and cutting and right.

Auto-buy author for sure.

This story enraptured me from the first chapter. I love the way Audrain builds up the characters while making them human, flaws and all. Not many authors manage to delve into the human psyche the way she does. At times you feel compassion for them, while they infuriate you the next minute.
This is a dark, twisted story that gives you a glimpse into the character's minds.
As women, the pressure is on us to be the perfect wife, mother, and career woman. We often hear the ‘whispers’ she mentions throughout the book, but we often ignore them. Generally, we tend to put other people's needs before our own, but in this book, the author explores what happens when we don’t.
This is a dark, twisted story that gives you a glimpse into the character's minds.

I rounded it up to four because I thought the ending left me with some unanswered questions. It was probably meant to, but I wanted a bit more. That being said, I definitely recommend this book!
Thank you Netgalley, Ashley Audrain, and Penguin Random House Canada for my advanced reader’s copy to read and review.

This book is one that has me in the middle of if I liked it or not. The short chapters, multiple POV's, and past and present timelines make it very easy to read "one more chapter". But the book as a whole felt very negative and ultimately a bit predictable.

One of the things I appreciated most about The Whispers, was its honesty. Audrain doesn't shy away from the difficult and sometimes uncomfortable truths about life and motherhood, and she doesn't sugarcoat the challenges that can arise. This makes the novel feel all the more accurate and impactful. However, I wanted the author to also showcase the beauty that comes with motherhood and having a tight-knit neighborhood.

I'll let you decide for yourself if The Whispers should be added to your TBR. It is a powerful exploration of motherhood, friendship, mental health, and the enduring bonds that connect us all.

TW: infidelity, child hospitalization, miscarriage, and infertility

Through the first 1/3 of this book I almost stopped reading several times but persevered and now quite happy I did continue. The author explores the mostly inner lives of suburban housewives in a small neighbourhood where they all know each other but aren't necessarily friends. The plot revolves around a tragic incidence that at once pits them against each other but also helps to bring them together in a different way. It really is an intense look at motherhood in today's society.

The Whispers written by Ashley Audrain explores the neighbourhood couples of Harlow Street after a horrifying accident where a young boy falls from his bedroom window. Over the course of three days, everyone’s secrets and lies are compromised leaving everyone’s life looking different.
Great engaging read. Highly recommended.

* I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, Viking in exchange for my honest review.

After hearing rave Reviews about “The Push”, I just had to get my hands on this one and wow I’m so thankful I did!!

This is very much a character driven story: We’re looking at four women through the lens of motherhood, each struggling with different aspects of parenthood identity. I loved all of the characters, & this sounds crazy because 2 of them were absolutely unhinged, frustrating, ridiculous (& all the wild things), but they were so well written. The growth, or lack thereof, was so true to the characters and their story. This is what made the book so good! Everyone brought something different that kept me intrigued and wanting to understand what in the hell was happening.

Whitney’s character took me through the freaking ringer! She would do something so awful, and I would really dislike her. Then she would explain her background and point of view and I would actually feel for her, actually I’d Reagan’s her. Then she turns around and does the u thinkable and I’m back to hating her guts. She’s the definition of “not everyone is meant to be a mother” (which is absolutely normal and fine). But when you know this and decide to become a mom anyways… this is Whitney’s story and I felt the most pull towards her character.

Blair is completely unhinged and her actions had me gasping. Everything she did came out of left field so I was also
Completely drawn to her storyline. The selfless stay-at-home-mom who craves more but loves her child, she brought so much to the story that I’m sure many women can relate to!

Although Mara’s character did not get nearly as many chapters, her part in the story was so necessary, and it threw a wrench in my heart. The elderly neighbourhood watch who’s own story of motherhood may not be as relatable but was beautiful and painful all the same, I couldn’t wait to get to her chapters.

Rebecca, this sweet, beautiful soul who deserves nothing but the world and got everything but. Her story tore my heart out and ripped it to pieces. Her character was so strong, so hopeful, so caring, & she had one of the hardest themes to talk about: miscarriages and infertility. So many women can relate to this. I was itching to read her story and see how it all unfolded!

This book brings you through all the motions: there were a LOT of WTF moments that really drew me in! Audrain’s writing is so raw & real, and she tackles these almost untouchable topics head on and with such a gentle force; it’s hard not to love. It’s deep, it’s dark, it’s honest, it’s uncomfortable. It’s exactly what we need.

& the ending!!!!!!! It had me ROLLING & gasping & screaming! I usually do not like stories that have such “cliff-hanger” endings but I really feel like there was no other way to end this. Of course I still have so many questions, but I love that Audrain left it up to the readers to use their imagination on what happens next. We must take all of the hints and clues throughout the book and piece together the rest of the story ourselves. It is genius. The last line hit like a brick and I couldn’t help but smile a mischievous grin!

I read this as a read-along group read and I think this is what made me love it even more. Our discussion group was ON FIRE 🔥 and I loved diving into all themes and aspects of the book with women who all have different opinions, experiences, backgrounds, etc! I highly recommend you do the same with this one!

If you like multiple POV’s, completely unhinged characters, and an un-put-downable book that will make you really think, then I highly recommend this book, but please check the trigger warnings! There are so many positives about this read, I can talk about it for days!

4.5/5 ⭐️

An outstanding follow up novel to The Push! This is another very well written, powerful and gripping novel about motherhood. Audrain examines the very real and difficult topics of why different women make the choices they do and depicts how they punish themselves (and each other) for those choices. She shows women who push themselves to the brink in their desperation to be the perfect mother, or a mother at all.

The author has delivered a fast paced and deliciously wicked tale. The characters are well rounded and come across as believable, whether you love them or hate them. This is a taut, character-driven psychological thriller, filled with suspicion and tension.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book took my mind to some dark places. But I couldn't put it down. It follows 4 mothers, all neighbours, and all with different stories, as they navigate a terrible accident that happens to one of their children.
These 3 ladies are all very different, have different approaches to motherhood, and all have struggles coping with different aspects of being mothers. It's not for the faint of heart.
I found myself identifying with certain characteristics of all 3 women, and so thankful I wasn't identifying with other characteristics of all 3.
This book tests our tendency to judge without knowing the whole story, especially towards mothers. There are a lot of potential triggers in this book, so it may not be for everyone. Pregnancy loss, child abuse, child suicide, and infidelity are all topics within the book. Some are just touched on, and some are more prevalent, but all are difficult to read about.
With the trigger warnings in mind, knowing it wouldn't be for everyone, I would otherwise recommend this book!
Huge thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

If you liked The Push, this is a good read to follow her debut novel. Although The Whispers felt less like a thriller to me, it was definitely character driven and psychological as well. My qualms with this book is that I found ever character incredibly unlikeable, which made it tough for me personally to get through.

Ashley Audrain is a very talented writer. What I liked most about this book was also what I found the most challenging and disturbing: her portrayal of how hard it is and how complicated it is to be a mother is spot on. There were parts of the book that made me incredible uncomfortable, but it's because I recognized traits in certain characters that I see in myself. Overall, this is a great domestic thriller. Even on the most lovely, quiet, typical suburban street, you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

I have been so excited to read Ashley Audrain's second novel, and she didn't disappoint! I highly recommend this novel!

Told from multiple points of view, Ashley Audrain's second novel is infused with drama and suspense. Follow four mothers as their lives become intertwined with gossip, affairs, and secrets. A child on the brink of death, a grieving mother, and a woman who would do anything to bear a child. What lengths must one go to to protect the ones she loves?

The Whispers is sure to keep readers wanting to read more.