I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for this ARC.

This was a nice Thriller and an easy read. It's a fast-paced thriller about Sarah who suddenly loses her husband Adam and is left alone with a toddler and a baby on the way. After Adams's death, his secrets come to light. Struggling Sarah agrees to move in with her Monther-in-law, whom she thought was dead. That's just the beginning for poor Sarah.

I enjoyed the book and liked the twists. It was easy to relate to Sarah and feel for her. The insight into the Jewish Faith was a big plus and I liked learning more about it. It was a real page-turner and kept me on my toes…I wanted to know more. I liked Mina her writing style and didn't have any issues with her using 3rd Person's POV, to be honest, it was refreshing as (for some reason) it is not used a lot anymore. I love it. The only part (and the most important part) that didn't work for me was the end. This could be an easy 4-star read, but the end was somewhat disappointing. I still had too many questions that stayed unanswered and I hate that. Which will make rating this book harder for me. Overall I really enjoyed the story, the twists, the emotions and the storytelling, but the many questions I still had brought the rating down to 3.5.

Like A Mother is a captivating thriller that delves into the complexities of family, secrets, and the unexpected twists life can throw at us. The story revolves around Sarah and Adam Morgan, a seemingly perfect couple with a beautiful home, an adorable daughter, and another child on the way. However, tragedy strikes when Adam suddenly dies, shattering their idyllic life and unearthing a series of shocking revelations.

The book immediately draws readers into Sarah's world, allowing us to empathize with her grief and struggles. Sarah's journey takes an intriguing turn when a woman named Candace claims to be Adam's mother, although Adam had always told Sarah his mother was dead. This revelation sets the stage for a rollercoaster of emotions and suspenseful twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to maintain a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged. Each chapter is expertly crafted to heighten the suspense, leaving you eager to turn the page and discover what happens next. While the plot initially appears predictable, the author skillfully throws curveballs that challenge your assumptions, leading to a truly unexpected twist that leaves you in shock.

The emotional depth of the story is palpable, particularly in the initial stages as Sarah grapples with the loss of her husband and the people around her who seek to exploit her vulnerability. This emotional connection with her adds depth to the narrative, making their experiences feel genuine and relatable.

In conclusion, Like A Mother is a gripping read that earns a solid 4 stars out of 5. Its fast-paced plot, unexpected twists, and emotional depth make it a page-turner that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end. If you're a fan of suspenseful family dramas with a touch of psychological thriller, this book is definitely worth picking up. Prepare to be taken on a suspenseful journey through the complexities of family and deception, where nothing is as it seems.

An OK thriller that leaves some questions after reading.
I felt like a lot of things went unexplained in a way that makes me like the book a bit less.

Why did Adam put the money in a trust? Because it was his brother, but still why would he pick him over his (second) wife and child?

And why did Graham suddenly change his mind at the end and let Sarah and Ellie have the money from the trust?

I felt like the ending could have been more. More information and more clarity.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast-paced suspense novel about the secrets a widow finds out about her husband after his passing. It had a decent plot, the writing just did not hook me for whatever reason. Still worth a read!

The book drew me in very quickly, keeping me on edge with the suspense and twists and turns throughout

Oh wow! This was such a surprise!

I've been getting so many good ARC's lately, I can't believe I've found a four star read among them. people probably would consider me as tiny with my ratings but if I don't feel an emotional connection/punch and don't see myself wanting to re-read a book, then it's not a 4 for me.

Even though the writing is in third person, I felt personally attached to Sarah and immersed in her problems, props to the writer!

I definitely recommend going into this book blind, even though I read the synopsis, I felt like it didn't give up much as to what to expect from the story but my god! Unexpected things in every chapter and they didn't feel forced, absolutely hope this book will be picked up by more readers.

Rating: 4/5 Stars


Like a Mother is sure to become one of the big thriller reads everyone is talking about this winter! When Sarah's husband dies of terminal disease and she finds herself pregnant with their second child, she is shocked to discover that Adam's mother is actually alive and interested in assisting Sarah financially. Adam had told Sarah that his mother died many years before, so she is shocked to discover secret after secret coming to light shortly after Adam's funeral. Why would Adam hide the fact that his mother is alive and well? Sarah, who is hurting for money, agrees to live with Adam's mother, Candace, in her small town while Sarah prepares for her baby and gets back on her feet. Adam kept his entire past hidden from Sarah, and now that Sarah has another child on the way, there are many people interested in the child and what its birth means to them...

I truly did enjoy this book! Like a Mother kept my pulse racing while I flipped through the pages late into the night. I absolutely loved the heavy nods to Jewish culture and the twists and turns that kept coming all throughout the story. This most definitely was not a slow burn! If you like domestic thrillers where a woman is trapped in a bad situation and is low-key gaslit by the people around her, then this is for you. The only reason why this is not a full five-star read is because there were a couple of questions left unanswered that really needed to be addressed. Nevertheless, it was definitely worth my time, and I cannot wait to buy the hard copy so that I can have it displayed on my shelf! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Crooked Lane Books for letting me read the e-ARC in advance. I genuinely loved it! For the questions that were left unanswered, please read underneath the spoiler heading below.



***** SPOILERS ****


I am still very confused as to why Ava was so adamant about being able to adopt Sarah's child. It was strange that Graham and Ava were basically threatening her about her child's future early on in her pregnancy, and then suddenly, they just seem to let her be. The book states that maybe Graham felt guilty about everything that happened, which is why he honors Adam's financial wishes for Sarah, but it still left a thread loose. I would have liked to understand why Ava felt so entitled to Sarah's child.

The other thing that was never explained was why Ellison kept seeing Adam in her room. Sarah wonders if her daughter is seeing a ghost, but other than that, it isn't addressed any further. Even if Ellie was seeing things, it would have been nice for it to have been resolved or mentioned at the end of the book. I was wondering if it was one of those plots where Adam faked his death somehow... The way the scenes where Ellie interacts with him are written so that they seem very real. Also, how did Adam's missing sweater get back under Sarah's pillow? Sure, Sarah could have been experiencing derealization and depersonalization, but it was never clear what happened there.

This book was great company during the past two rainy, dreary days. It was unpredictable at times and predictable at times, just a great psychological suspense novel with the crazy mother-in-law, the dead husband and the fiercely protective mother. Family drama at its best.

When Adam, a young husband and father, dies from leukemia, he leaves behind a pregnant wife, a young daughter, and more than a few secrets. Not only must his wife, Sarah, learn to live without her beloved husband, she must learn to understand why he kept so much from her. Can she learn to accept the mother-in-law that she never knew existed? Can she trust the people around her?

I learned quite a bit about the Jewish faith, and found that aspect of the book very well written, but the ending was a bit rushed and I was left feeling like there was more I needed to know. All in all, a good 4-star read. Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy. This is due to be published on February 6, 2024.

Thanks to Crooked Lane and NetGalley for the ARC.
Another fine Hardy read. Well written domestic suspense. One that will keep you turning the pages to see just how it all ends.

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of Mina Hardy's latest novel, "Like a Mother." This book had me on a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.

At the outset, I was drawn into the story by its captivating premise and the skillful writing of Mina Hardy. The narrative unfolded with a quick and engaging pace, making it a thoroughly enjoyable and enthralling read.

The story took unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another curveball was thrown my way. It was a wild and crazy ride that had me eagerly turning page after page.

One aspect of the book that particularly stood out to me was the insight it offered into the Jewish faith. Mina Hardy's portrayal was both respectful and enlightening, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

However, as much as I was engrossed in the story, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as I reached the conclusion. There were numerous loose ends left untied, which left me yearning for a more conclusive resolution. It was a slight letdown after such a promising start.

Nonetheless, Mina Hardy's writing prowess shone through, and despite the loose ends, I found myself thoroughly enjoying "Like a Mother." It was a fast-paced, fun, and well-written novel that left me eager to explore more of Mina Hardy's work in the future.

In summary, "Like a Mother" is a twisted yet captivating tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While the conclusion may leave a few loose ends, the overall experience is one that I would highly recommend to readers seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking read. I eagerly look forward to Mina Hardy's future literary offerings.

The twists were much too easy to guess, and I couldn't really connect with any character. Not terrible, but not great.

Twists! More twists! What a crazy story. I appreciated getting a glimpse into the Jewish faith and the good writing Mina showcased. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars!

I really enjoyed Mina Hardy's latest novel, "Like a Mother" a whole lot better than I did her last novel. Great read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy of Like A Mother by Mina Hardy. Well, this was a twisted yet somewhat predictable story. There were so many loose ends in the conclusion it was disappointing because the book started out great. It was a fast, fun read, though and it was well-written. I will be looking for more books by Mina Hardy in the future.

Sarah and Adam Morgan had the perfect suburban a beautiful house, an adorable daughter, a baby on the way, and a once-in-a-lifetime love. They were the couple everyone envied–until Adam died.

I really wanted to like this but I found it a bit boring. Interesting concept, though.

After her husband’s death, Sarah discovers that her fairytale marriage was all lies. Adam had always told Sarah that his mother was dead, but after his death, Candace comes forward and introduces herself as Adam’s mother. Because Sarah is having a hard time coping with a pregnancy and a toddler along her husband’s death, she agrees to move in with her mother-in-law. It’s not long before Sarah realizes why Adam never acknowledged his mother. Candace is fascinated with Sarah’s pregnancy and she begins to think she’s made a very big mistake. Is there anything worse than a bad mother-in-law? Hardy takes her protagonist to a new level.