Exciting and well-described characters. The story is engaging and kept me riveted. It was written and kept me listening well into the night.

The Baby by A J McDine is a great read. I love the pace at which things are revealed to us and the story as a whole. Lucy trying to deal with a desire to be a mom, the cracks in her marriage growing bigger, and trying to not fall into an oblivion with alcohol, the story itself is quite compelling and well written.

I keep notes for every book to help keep facts straight and to write down my guesses. Unfortunately, I knew exactly how the book would unfold before it was 25% through, even the very last twist. I settled on 4 stars since I thoroughly enjoyed the journey but wish something unexpected would have happened.

Tamsin Kennard is in my top 10 list of narrators, and she continues to not disappoint! I love how she becomes the character she is voicing; she is so talented.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ALC.

Lucy wants a baby, but Miles doesn't want one. Lucy and Miles were pregnant before, but they lost it. Miles blames it on Lucy. He says she drinks too much, but he is always offering her wine
Lucy wakes up to find a baby in her living room one morning. She doesn't know who it belongs to or how it got there. Instead of calling the police in fear that she may have gotten sauced and stolen it, she names the baby and begins to take care of it as it's her own.
Miles works on the oil rigs and is never home, so how would he know anyway that she has kept this baby
But he suddenly quits his job and does come home. Funny that he's not suggesting she go to the police about the baby, but it seems his mood has changed, and he wants them to move out of the country with the child
Ehat is he hiding
Why does he suddenly want to be a father, and why would he want to keep a child that mysteriously showed up in his home and not know who it belongs too

I go into books completely blind and I was not really sure what I was getting into with The Baby, but that was such a great book! This was such an addicting listen, I binged it in one day! Lucy was the perfect character. She wakes up after another long night of drinking to find a baby in here home… but she’s the only one whose been home and it’s definitely not her baby. So where did it come from? Lucy is not sure what to do. Should she go to the police? Should she keep him? I mean, no one has reported the baby missing. The twists and the turns of the book after that are mind blowing. So many things I never saw coming, especially that ending!! Holy cow!!


Tamsin Kennard did such a fantastic job narrating the Baby. Sometimes it is difficult for me to listen to a narrator that has a different accent on 2X speed, but Tasman did an amazing job at voicing all characters that I was able to listen to her with zero issue. I will definitely be listening to more of her narrations.

Thank you A.J. McDine, Bookouture, and NetGalley for this ALC of The Baby!

Woooow!
The audio is superb 👌
I never knew what was going to happen next and the ending 🤯
I truly enjoyed this, I found myself wanting to keep listening and just binge it.
I will definitely be thinking about it for awhile.

I downloaded this audioARC from NetGalley and listened to it while doing some admin for work.

I'd say this is a 3.5 star read, rounded up to 4. 3 stars from me means that I believe the author has achieved their aims and it's a good book but that I didn't fall in love with it. 4 stars means that I love the plot or the characters and it's just narrowly missed out on being a favourite. (5 stars means it's a favourite read or listen). In this case, although I didn't *love* the characters or plot, the *pace* of this novel was so exquisite that I could not stop listening - whatever the audio version of a page-turner, this novel is it!

Trigger warnings for miscarriage, coercive control, drugging, and alcoholism. I've experienced multiple miscarriage and found this one of the better factual representations of it, but I know that I would have been triggered if any of my miscarriages were recent. (That said, I wouldn't have picked up a novel called THE BABY if I had recently miscarried). I also found the representation of the narrator's dawning realization of her husband's control to be chillingly accurate, and can imagine it could be either triggering or extremely cathartic for those who have been in similar circumstances.

In short, this is an exceptionally well-written, pacy domestic noir. As the author raises the stakes, things become more and more chaotic and you have to suspend your disbelief a little more. It's a book that will make a brilliant 9pm on a Friday or Saturday night mini-series, and I hope that ITV, Channel 4 and the other TV channels have it in their sights.

I got this audiobook ARC on NetGalley and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author but I will definitely be reading more based on this!
👶🏻 A baby appears in a woman’s house and she doesn’t know where he came from but thinks she might have had something to do with it because she keeps blacking out after drinking. Turns out it is not as clear cut as that and the end had a few twists which were really enjoyable! If you’re looking for a good, fast paced mystery I’d recommend this. It comes out the end of this month!

In “The Baby”, A.J. McDine masterfully weaves a gripping domestic thriller that explores the desperate longing of a woman for a child and the unexpected circumstances that fulfill her desire. The novel introduces us to a protagonist who has always yearned for a baby. One fateful day, she wakes up to find an infant in her living room. Despite her confusion and uncertainty about the baby’s origin, she makes a resolute decision: she will keep the child. This choice sets the stage for a suspenseful narrative that delves into the complexities of relationships and the extraordinary lengths people will go to fulfill their deepest desires.

The book raises thought-provoking questions about desire, morality, and the consequences of our actions. As readers, we are challenged to question the protagonist’s unwavering commitment to the mysterious baby, even in the face of unknown circumstances. We also find ourselves reflecting on the dynamics between the protagonist and her manipulative husband. How far can one push the boundaries of desire?
Tamsin Kennard’s narration is commendable, infusing depth into the characters and authenticity into the narrative. Her ability to guide us through the story ensures an engaging reading experience.

While the premise of “The Baby” is undeniably intriguing, it treads familiar ground—the theme of a vulnerable woman ignoring red flags in a relationship. We’ve encountered similar territory in popular novels like “The Girl on the Train” and “The Woman in the Window”, both featuring unreliable female protagonists with alcohol-related struggles. However, McDine’s treatment of this subject matter, coupled with the suspenseful plot, elevates the book to a worthwhile read. It leaves readers contemplating the limits they would push to fulfill desires and the moral implications of such choices. A memorable journey that keeps you engaged until the final page.

The Baby was good! The author did a
great job at keeping the reader entertained and wanting to keep reading. There were twists and turns all throughout. Even until the very end! I did not expect the ending! I would read another book by this author for sure!

Gripping page turner that is unbelievably… believable! With twists right until the very end! Adding “The Baby” to my list of favourite psychological thrillers! 4.25/5 rating.

The story jumps right into a wild event without building up to it, which is certainly effective to engage the reader. In the first couple chapters, things seemed almost too implausible which at times, could be distracting for me. I kept thinking to myself… WHY WON’T SHE JUST GO TO THE POLICE ALREADY..? However, as time went on, I found it more and more unbelievably… believable! There were twists and turns right up until the very end with short chapters that I am a sucker for!

Normally I am not a fan of when a FMC is unreliable because of their drinking (I read The Woman in the Window and The Girl on the Train back-to-back… I should’ve spaced out those reads), but this was written in a way that was refreshing and new. I so appreciated that. Well done A J McDine!

At the time of my review submission, there are only five other Goodreads reviews on this book. It feels pretty dang cool to be one of the first reviewers because I just KNOW this book is going to blow up, especially when booktok finds it! I can’t wait to share about it!

I listened to this audiobook at 1.75x and finished it in 4hrs 37minutes. I enjoyed the narration by Tamsin Kennard.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio, NetGalley and AJ McDine for sending me this audiobook advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Ever since Lucy suffered a miscarriage she has increased her need for alcohol. Lucy has always wanted to be a mother and she would give anything to have that chance again. However, her husband Miles has always told her that he does not want any children. Miles works away a lot so Lucy can sit at home and indulge in the alcohol all she wants when he is gone. The only problem is she also has blackouts when she drinks and can't remember things that happen so when she heads downstairs one morning and sees there is a 4 month old baby nestled in the drawer of a dresser in her living room, she panics as she has no idea who's baby this is and how it got to her house. She decides to take care of the baby for a couple of days as no one has reported a missing baby and she knows she can provide all the love this baby needs. Once Miles returns home and discovers what she has been doing, things start to get a little crazy.......I really liked this book and all the twists that went along with it....Enjoy!!!

I wasn’t previously familiar with A.J. McDine and we requested this advance audiobook via NetGalley because I love a good psychological thriller and this looked creepy. Who can resist a tagline like, “There’s a baby in your house. It isn’t yours.”

There is indeed a baby in Lucy‘s house, but as she’s coming off of a horrible hangover, she can’t quite re-create the events that led up to this. Did she steal the baby? Does he have a loving mother out there who is missing him? She knows she should call the police but, with a heartbreaking history of trying to become a mother herself, she can’t quite bring herself to do that just yet. She keeps searching the news to see if anyone has reported the baby missing, and no one has. If the mother doesn’t even care enough to report the baby missing, does she deserve him back, anyway?

Lucy‘s husband Miles works at sea on an oil rig and when he comes home to discover this situation, what will he do? What big secrets of his own is he keeping from her, and how does a scent help trigger a memory that unravels Lucy’s life narrative as she thought she knew it? So many fascinating twists and turns here, with ultimately a highly satisfying resolution. I also appreciated the frank discussion of Lucy‘s alcoholism as she grows to understand how it developed into a coping mechanism, and her strength in acknowledging it and seeking help.

A very strong thriller that sucked me right in and did not let go until that deep-breath moment at the end. I’ll be seeking out more from the author. Thanks #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the #ARC!

4.3 ⭐️
This audiobook grabbed me from the first chapter. Could you imagine waking up to a strange baby in your home, with no clues as to why or how?

👮‍♀️ You can’t call the police, because you may have done something illegal while in a drunken stupor. Many things start to run through your mind as you sort through her limited memories and race against the clock before her husband gets home and discovers what’s going on.

🧩 The mystery of the plot plays out at a nice steady pace, and it doesn’t take much to figure out what could be going on. But just when you settle into the satisfaction of having all the answers, there’s a nice little twist.

😡 I hated the husband. He is a miserable cuss word and I’m so glad to be done reading about him, as he didn’t deserve that many pages. The MC has a nurturing side and I felt myself feeling sympathy for her character much of the time, especially with her state of confusion.

🎧 I liked that there weren’t a lot of characters in the book, and the storyline stayed very focused. The narrator was great, and I was able to easily fly through this story while tending to my plants and garden. I always appreciate a good uncomplicated audio for multi-tasking.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture Audio, and AJ McDine for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review!

What would you do if you woke up after a night drinking to a baby in your living room? A baby that you know (or at least you think) is not yours? These are the questions Lucy asks herself and those that are at the very core of this story.

I was hooked from the very first minute of this audio and found myself imagining a million different scenarios which would lead one to find a baby in their living room. Not only does this storyline mess with your mind, Lucy's slimy husband Miles only adds fuel to the fire. I enjoyed the twists throughout the book and the fast pace really kept me engaged as I listened in one sitting. I must say I did see the final twist at the end from a mile away so I wasn't surprised, and I was honestly a little proud of myself. I also really became emotionally attached to Lucy and saw her as a strong, determined woman who grew into this strength despite her husband's gaslighting throughout the story.

One thing I really hate, and this is no hate to the author, is how often I keep reading about men characters who are psychologically abusive and think they get to make decisions for women regarding reproduction. I think maybe I am just hypersensitive given what is going on in society/the political world right now, but this seems to be a common theme in books these days??? Either way, Miles is a no from me.

Anyways, the narration by Tamsin Kennard was *chefs kiss* and overall I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more A J McDine in the future!

TW: rape, infant loss and the affiliated sadness and grief, and psychological abuse

Thank you to NetGalley for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

While there were several plot twists in this book, this book was not for me. I disliked the characters and often wondered why they were even together. I thought the narrator did a good job reading this book.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.*

Full disclosure-I chose this title because I really wanted to listen to a domestic thriller and I was out of Audible Credits. I chose it by it's title and cover.

It was surprisingly good.

The Baby is a psychological thriller told in first person by an unreliable narrator. She has woken from a bender to find a baby sleeping in a drawer in her front hallway. It is all she has ever wanted. But she has no idea where he came from. Her husband Miles works on an offshore rig 2 weeks out of the month, and she has to figure out what to do before he comes home.

She knows she needs to go to the police, but she can't bring herself to let sweet baby "Wren" go. When Miles comes home, things get weirder and more upsetting. And as she tells more of her story the audience isn't sure what is real and what she does when she's blacked out.

I love a happy ending, so I had to cheer for this one, but it was a little bit too wrapped up in a bow for my liking. Even so, I enjoyed it and will look for more by A.J. McDine.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the Audio ARC in exchange for this honest review.
release date expected 4/23/24

The Baby by A J McDine 🎧
Publication Date: April 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There’s a baby in your house. It isn’t yours. The main character has a bit of a drinking habit and on more than one occasion seems to black out leading to gaps in her memory. The unreliable narrator aspect lends to the mystery of this gripping domestic thriller. I found myself glued to the story, eager to find out the truth. I listened to the audiobook and Tamsin Kennard did an excellent job of bringing the pages to life. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance reader copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the front cover and it didn't disappont. It is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that I loved. I really enjoyed it. The storyline was engaging and really pulls you in, with the suspense level increasing as the story progresses.

The Baby was a miss for me. I found that the dysfunctional relationships and gaslighting of the main character unenjoyable. The female main character is an alcoholic but this is used against her in terrible ways. I will try another AJ McDine as it might have been just this story.

Thank you Net Galley, AJ Dine and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to preview this book and the opinions shared are my own.

The Baby by A J McDine is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends suspense and emotion. McDine's writing style keeps readers hooked from the very first page. With well-developed characters and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. McDine skillfully explores themes of motherhood, identity, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. Overall, this is a gripping and thought-provoking read that will leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.