I was going to give it 3,5 stars but with this ending i decided that it would be more like a 3 stars close to 2.
I can say it was a good book overall, and it did kept me wanting to read more, but what i really miss was this connection with the characters that just wasn´t there.
In thriller books its very common that the characters story is kinda "erased" because of the suspense and plot, but as the book keeps going, the author finds situations where they tell more about the backstory (with flashbacks or memories for example). In this book the characters seem to not have a past at all, Carly just talks about her childhood 1 time, doesn't give any backstory about Dave or her brother, and i think even when Selina explains how her sister moved up in life is kinda vague and too fast (as well as any of her explanations about what really happened)
The plot is other thing that was kinda disappointing on me, twin sisters? really? I think nowadays that´s so predictable that even authors put that as an option of plot in the book just to confuse the readers. It did have, a few differentials, but i think even that was kinda messed up when Selina ended up having a cause with her own cousin, i just think it was too much. That was another thing, Selina being unconscious being under her cousion´s brother cause i mean, even she was really small and he was really tall, i think she could have find a way out idk, just seemed too easy for the police to find her and Carly escape. About that WTF WAS CARLY RUNNING BACK INSIDE???? I swear that was really a screaming moment. Ok she was a gun pointed to her, but cant you just try to crouch, move fast idk something NOT RUN INSIDE AGAIN.
About the police, i just think it was kinda tiring the uncountable times they were made dumb and incompetent, i believed it until they said there was a "miscommunication" about Nelson and Jake being home and okay, like really? she literally gave them a second address and said they were in danger.
Nelson´s death, that i thought wasnt going to be explained, was a really WHATTTTT???? Like, ok he can´t kill Carly and Jake with a gun because it would be cold blood murder but can kill Nelson while his back was turned? Its not cold blood murder if you dont see the victim´s eyes?
The epilogue was what ruined it all to me fr, it was just so much omg. I wouldn't mind reading 100 more pages if it meant that the ending wasnt going to be rushed. Beginning with Jake not having ANY more relatives, i see that Amanda´s side of the family would be understandable to not have anyone alive or trustful, but Nelson´s side should have, cause i can perfectly see Jake having grandparents that would have wanted his legal custody.
I wont even mention that the end was just 100% cliche but all rushed, it was like the author put all the normal things that happy stories have and mixed it together. Marriage proposal, moving in together and a new baby. All 3 things? Idk...just doesn't seem right.
I would like to read another of this author´s book, but one that has more than 280 pages, where he can truly let his creativity flow and write a more detailed, not rushed, story.

She isn't his mother.....or is she? This book hooks you from the very first page. The complicated relationships throughout the story only make it that much better!

Not My Mother is a gripping novel with the perfect blend of feel good moments and horror. You will grow to love half the characters and loath the other half. While this book is not full of huge shocking plot twists, it is a book that delivers fully on mystery and suspense! A page turner you won’t be able to put down!

Thank you Net Galley and Inkubator Books for providing an ARC of Not My Mother by Theo Baxter for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Let me start by saying, overall the book was a good read. It kept me entertained and anxious to see what happens next. I felt like I couldn’t trust anybody. I thought for sure Carly’s new bf Hans had to be involved somehow. I was angry at Jake’s parents and even more angry at the police officers who kept brushing everything off. I did sort of see the twist with Amanda coming, but then again with books like this you just never know. The somewhat disappointing part of the story is that I thought the “That’s not my mother” was going to be much more climactic. Like “Amanda” was going to be some random woman being picked up from the hospital and Jake was going to look at Carly and be like “Carly, that’s not my mother!” But everyone else was going to try and pass this woman off as Amanda. However, I guess the book wouldn’t really have work if it had been that way. Overall, I would rate the book 4 stars. It’s engaging and has some twists you don’t really see coming.

Theo Baxter always has me and edge and guessing and this one was no different. This book definitely had me gripped.

Well written and easy to follow book. The plot was engaging. The only thing that could have made this book better would have been more twists that you didn't see coming. Overall a great read.

This was a quick easy read, kept my attention, had some good surprises with likable and unlikable characters. I kept waiting for the ending to get twistier but it kind of just ended. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

Thanks for the advanced reader Netgalley!

Thank you Netgalley and Inkubator Books for this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jake’s mom went to hospital. Someone else came back.

Carly has a complicated personal life. She’s been the mistress of famous artist Nelson Carter for the past five years. Now Nelson has finally left his wife Amanda, but instead of committing to Carly, he’s indulging in a series of one-night stands.

She has had enough and is about to leave him when a vicious attack on Amanda means Carly has to put her plans on hold to care for Nelson’s traumatized ten-year-old son, Jake.

Only when Amanda is released from hospital can Carly finally move on with her life.

But then a frightened Jake confides a disturbing secret – ‘That’s not my mom’. He is convinced the woman who came home from hospital is an imposter.

Carly tries to brush this off, but she can see that Amanda’s behavior does seem strange. And when someone targets Jake, Carly realizes she has to get to the truth of what’s happening.

A decision that leads her step by terrifying step towards a dark secret that will change her life forever.


This book was slow to start but once it got started, it never stopped. I absolutely fell in love with Jake just like the main character did. I found myself pissed off with half of the characters and I wanted to slap them for only caring about themselves.
I was blown away with the plot and really didn't guess where it was going. Maybe others guessed it but I sure didn't. I am excited to read more by them.

A real quick read for me. An interesting storyline but not quite what i was expecting. I loved the relationship between Carly and Jake.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC***

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a fast paced thriller with a touch of romance. It wasn’t full of too many twists however the plot was good and I enjoyed reading it.

Carly has been the mistress to Nelson carter and now that he’s left his wife, he still isn’t making it serious with Carly. Instead he’s sleeping around and enjoying his new bachelor life. When his wife Amanda is attacked, Carly begins to care for their son. I was shocked at the Jake scenes and felt so bad for the poor boy. I loved the character development between Carly and Jake as the story progressed.

Although I was hooked throughout the entire book, I did not really get a thriller-y vibe until towards the end! It was an amazing read, super quick “junk food” style read for me! Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for the opportunity to read this title as a ARC!

This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I was on the edge of my seat every time something came up with Jake. Definitely the best book I’ve read this month!! Can’t wait to read more by Theo Baxter.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book having not read very much by this author, the premise sounded really good, and I have to say it was a really enjoyable read, I read the book within a day as I couldn't put it down!

This was my first ever Theo Baxter book and it did not disappoint. I couldn’t stop reading this one. It pulled me in from page one and I couldn’t stop reading. I had to keep going to figure out what happened. This is a book that you definitely don’t want to miss out on. I can’t wait to read more of his books.

This book revolves around Carly, who’s been the mistress of famous artist Nelson Carter for the past five years. Now Nelson has finally left his wife Amanda, but instead of committing to Carly, he’s indulging in a series of one-night stands.

She has had enough and is about to leave him when a vicious attack on Amanda means Carly has to put her plans on hold to care for Nelson’s traumatized ten-year-old son, Jake.

Only when Amanda is released from hospital can Carly finally move on with her life.

But then a frightened Jake confides a disturbing secret - ‘That’s not my mom’. He is convinced the woman who came home from hospital is an imposter.

Carly tries to brush this off, but she can see that Amanda’s behavior does seem strange. And when someone targets Jake, Carly realizes she has to get to the truth of what’s happening.

A decision that leads her step by terrifying step towards a dark secret that will change her life forever.

Release date: 4/28/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @inkubatorbooks for this digital copy!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!
This was a good, quick read. I thought the main character was very likable and found myself very much rooting for her. I will say, however, I was hoping for one final twist at the end to really spoil that “happy ending”. Overall I thought it was a good read, just thought it could’ve been “twistier”.

I received the ARC for Not My Mother by Theo Baxter and gave this thriller 4⭐️! It was a very fast paced, easy to read thriller that kept my attention and made me want more. The story of the little boy in this book truly broke my heart & I think Theo Baxter is a genius for laying it out as he did. The publication date for this book is April 28th,2024. I would definitely recommend! 📚📖

This was a good blend of romance and suspense. I didn't expect the sweet romance that came out of this book. The suspense part wasn't anything that stood out to me even though it had a fairly original plot. Definitely gave mama bear vibes!

Such a great read I would suggest this one to anyone who likes a murder mystery with a little psychotic on the side. Great job with the characters and showing so much love and affection for Jake. Carly was what every kid who has absent parents would hope for.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was not for me. At all. Did not like the writing style, and felt like there was no depth to any of the characters. Bland and almost immature. The story had so much potential, the plot was intriguing, but the ending turned out to be extremely predictable. The characters also could have been so much better developed.

The premise of this book was intriguing, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. The plot was okay, but it felt cliche and boring.

The characters also felt under developed and most of the relationships didn’t feel authentic. I didn’t like the romance subplot. I’m not a romance fan, so this is just my preference, but I felt it was focused too much on it, which also didn’t work for me. The relationships didn’t feel authentic.

The writing was also bland. There was no emotion and told us what was happened rather than showing us.

Overall, I am not saying this is a bad book, but it just wasn’t for me. Saying that, I was intrigued enough to finish until the end, despite the problems.