Unfortunately, I didn't overly enjoy this book. I was looking for a good thriller, and instead it brought me on an extremely long, drawn out journey that didn't captivate me as a reader at all. I found the writing to be very repetitive, it brings us through Lu's daily routine, and her thoughts of wanting to kill literally everybody, which is exactly the same day after day after day. This goes on for over half the book, and nothing gets even the least suspensful until after Chapter 40 I believe. By that time, I was rush-reading through half of the paragraphs and althought I was a little curious about what was happening, it still wasn't enough to really draw me in and make me not want to stop reading. There were a couple twists at the ending which I found interesting, but it's disappointing when a book has 50 chapters and it takes 45 of them before things start getting my attention. I could only give this book 2 stars.

This is the story of Lu and Tony, and their almost-one-year-old son, Riley. The two met, became friends, helped each other through bad relationships for years, then finally started dating themselves. Soon after, Lu gets pregnant - and they are both so excited. This wasn’t planned, but this is such a great thing…until it isn’t…

When Lu got pregnant, she became consumed with rage. Everyone told her it would go away after the baby was born, but it didn’t, and it’s getting worse, mostly because she can’t sleep. This isn’t typical exhausted mom stuff - for almost a year, she’s been living on short snippets of sleep that add up to MAYBE three or four hours a day. The love she has for Riley is very strong, but she’s started sleepwalking, forgetting things, and let’s just say she’s having some disturbing and intrusive thoughts.

The problem is, Lu has no help. Her family all lives far away, they’ve recently moved and she has no friends, they can’t afford childcare and her oblivious friend-turned-boyfriend works nights and sleeps all day. Things don’t seem like they could get worse, until one night, Lu wakes up walking down her street in pajamas, covered in blood. When she realizes she’s locked herself out with her baby asleep inside, she bangs on the neighbor’s door for help.

Jim has broken his leg, and his sister Maggie is there helping him - and now she helps Lu with a spare key and a first aid kit. She also offers to watch Riley so Lu can finally get some sleep, and this seems like a way out of the dark…until the next morning, when they find out a neighbor was killed. Lu is terrified that she killed him while sleepwalking, but Maggie talks her off the ledge, and from there on, starts taking care of Lu full time.

Now for my review: I had a lot of thoughts about this one, but my main thought is that this is mislabeled. This is closer to horror stories like “Nightbitch” and “Motherthing”, but it’s labeled as a thriller. I think some light thriller readers may be turned off by the imagery, and as a thriller, it’s very predictable. If you approach it as you would a horror novel, the things that seem cheesy in this book just become part of the horror, and I’d say it’s much better that way. Luckily, I like horror novels more than thrillers, so I enjoyed this story, despite a couple of minor flaws. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Bookouture, Natali Simmonds and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on February 7, 2025.)

The book was about Louise and Tony
I haven’t slept since Ryan was born every time there is a noise he gets woken up
But when there was a knocking on my door and it was a policeman that was calling that he had found the neighbour dead
I had an ARC
I loved it

Woah! Cancel everything, because once you start reading this book, you won't be able to stop!

Lu is a new mum to Riley and she's anxious, struggling to cope, struggling to sleep, and struggling with her own identity - all completely normal for a woman who's life has been turned on it's head by the birth of her first baby. Her partner, Tony, doesn't understand how much she's struggling and so Lu turns to her neighbour, Maggie.

When Lu wakes in the night, outside and covered in blood, before discovering the next morning that one of her other neighbours, the loud and disruptive one, has been murdered, Lu fears that she may have completely lost it, adding to her fear and confusion.

Super tense and twisty, Natali Simmonds absolutely knows how to mess with our heads!

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Natali Simmonds and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was such a well written thriller with such in depth description I felt like I could be the character. It was definitely one of those thrillers when you start you can’t put it down. Lu, is a new mother and wife. Her baby boy isn’t sleeping very well so sleep deprived Lu is running on empty. Her husband is working all the time. Then a murder happens a few doors down the same night Lu locked herself out of the house. What did Lu do in her sleep deprived state.

I can’t wait to recommend this great book which had me guessing to the end with many twists and turns. I will be reading more from this author. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this awesome book.

Great book to read on a cold night curled up by the fireplace. Plenty of twists and turns and suspense. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

This is an odyssey into new motherhood and the difficulties it presents, and it delivers well on that front.

Just how bad it can get is brought home to the reader when Lu - stressed out by looking after her baby Riley, whom she adores - begins to wonder if she may be the person responsible for the death of an obnoxious neighbour, known in the area for drug dealing and noise pollution.

Lu fears that in her sleep deprived state, she may have lost it and killed him after going over there to complain about the racket. Her neighbour's sister is the one who helps her carry on, not least by secretly taking on some of her household responsibilities (which she doesn't want her boyfriend to find out about).

I love Natali's writing, and she does convey the fear and confusion of her protagonist very well. This book could do with some editing, which would probably make its impact more effective. I think it will have particular resonance for those who have experienced the firestorms and stresses of motherhood, as well as those interested in mental health issues and the challenges of sleep walking.

Maybe it’s because I can’t relate to the subject matter but this book did not do it for me. The twist was so unsurprising I was confused whether it was meant to be a twist and it was incredibly repetitive

This book deserves 10 stars!!! This book was crazy good... like riding a rollercoaster! The ending was a huge shock.

This book kept me turning the pages into the early hours. It was heart-pounding, very tense and nail-biting. In some ways Lu’s story resonated with me as a reader and at times throughout the book I felt exactly like her!

It explored the sensitive subject of sleep deprivation in new mothers and the consequences of this can be fatal especially in terms of Lu’s story. I felt like the authors explored these issues in a sensitive and careful manner. I really liked the note at the end from the author it really brought context to the book.

I’d highly recommend everyone to read this book, you'll be glad you did! 😊

This is such a well written thriller. I felt so much for sleep deprived, and worried mum Lu. Natali writes her exhaustion and fears for for child so well. I really resonated with her all consuming fear. This is very much a slow burner of a thriller and it really gets under your skin. A really great novel.

I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down. I read this book late in the night. First time reading from this author and I enjoyed it so much.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

I looooooooove Natali's books and I love Natali herself. She's such a fabulous storyteller but on social media I've come to know her as a warm, loving, caring individual who has so much talent, and so I am always thrilled to get to read her books.

There are 50 chapters in this book, which averages about 6 pages per chapter, which I like because it means it's speedy which adds to the frantic nature of the story.

It opens with such a heart-in-mouth chapter, which is what I've come to expect from her books. You're enticed instantly and you're on this ride from page one.

It's slow (I don't mean that in a slow = boring way); it's a quiet, calculated, eerie thrill. It opens with a bang, and then it settles. Drawing you in. Lulling you into a false sense of security. It makes you care about the characters before everything hits the fan.

I generally try and read only uplifting books in bed, but I'd started this one evening and couldn't give it up, so was reading it from between my fingers in bed. I just had to know what happened next.

I expect twists and turns in a thriller, but I wasn't expecting the route Natali took in this, which was a great surprise. I spent the whole book second guessing things, and just when I thought I'd figured it out, out came another surprise, and it finished with the best twist that I didn't see coming - although now I've finished it, I feel I should have.

I enjoyed the story revolving around a new mum and her lack of sleep and just what damage that can do. I don't have children so I won't pretend I know what it's like to be like that 24/7, but I did help look after my nephew way back when he was a few days old and so I can appreciate a bit what it's like to go around with no sleep and look after a baby. And it can really make you feel like you're losing your mind. So whilst this is a thriller and a fictional story, I think it's closer to reality than people might think or want.

I love how she's depicted Lu's story; our protagonist is not some cold blood serial killer. She's sleep deprived and anxious and hungry and fed up, and it is scary that these are all things that could turn us into something we fear. But she hasn't done it as a novelty. There's empathy there, that I believe can only come from someone who has experienced it before.

There aren't many characters, only two or three main players. But the worst of them all (not in terms of writing ability but in terms of her make up) is Maggie. I won't go into too much detail for fear of spoilers, but ohhhh she made my skin crawl.

Natali has a way of playing on her anxieties and fears. There isn't a complicated plot and there are only a few characters, and yet it is as exciting and full-on as a busy book because of the quietness.

Good Girls Die Last was my first book of Natali's, followed by My Daughter's Revenge. I loved both but I felt MDR was even more accomplished. And once again, she's managed to build on what was successful in those two books and make this one even better. This pattern bodes well for future stories.

What an engrossing read! It draws you into the sleep deprived world of Lu, who has a young child and longs for an unbroken nights sleep. It reminded me so clearly of when my son was born and didn’t sleep through the night until he was three. My sole conversation was about sleep, so I could really empathise with the character.
I wanted to shake Tony and Lu’s family who offered no support and left her isolated and alone. Until Maggie appears to help her.
A great read

Wow that was incredible! This is a beautifully written and devastating story with accurate post partum mental illness representation. The author did an excellent job by making the reader feel as though they are inside the mind of Lu, making it hard to figure out whether the events Lu was experiencing were real or hallucinations. There were so many times in the story where I was on the edge of my seat. This story was full of shocking twist and turns.

My favorite character was Lu.

My least favorite characters were Tony and Maggie.

Minus 1 star because it was a bit repetitive at times and I was able to figure out plot twists involving Maggie early on in the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. I stayed up late a few nights reading thid book.A topic that I feel isn't talked about enough motherhood and postpartum.

The book is focused around Lu, a tired mother and wife. She has a baby boy, Riley. Her husband is working hard to provide for the family, which leaves alot of taking care of the child to Lu. She works hard to be a good mom, but is exhausted.

A murder happens a few doors down. The same night Lu locked herself out of the house. Was she sleepwalking?

A neighbor Maggie offers to help with the home and Riley. Soon, she is in the home daily. Lu is thankful. Lu starts to have issues remembering what happened. She also has visions of harming others. Why can't she remember what day it is or where her husband is?

This book will have you guessing until the end.

I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

While My Baby Sleeps by Natali Simmonds is a masterfully written psychological thriller that pulls you into the chaotic, sleep-deprived world of new motherhood and doesn’t let go. The story follows a struggling new mom, whose desperate attempts to protect her baby are complicated by sleep deprivation, missing memories, and a shocking murder investigation.

The writing is incredibly immersive, making you feel every ounce of the main character’s exhaustion, anxiety, and fear. I was completely drawn in, and at times, I felt as stressed and paranoid as the protagonist—an impressive feat by the author. Just when I thought I had the ending figured out, the plot twisted in an unexpected and satisfying way. I’m so glad I was wrong!

This book is perfect for thriller lovers, especially those who enjoy unreliable narrators and stories that keep you second-guessing until the very end. First-time moms and single mothers might find an extra layer of relatability—if they’re okay with a bit of death and rage along the way.

And for those wondering—don’t worry, no children are harmed in this book! I can’t wait to dive into more of Natali Simmonds’ work after this gripping read. Highly recommended!

What in the world did I just read??
Is this a scam, a hoax, a cliffhanger... Come on I just spent the day getting through this book and it ended with more questions than answers. Maybe I missed something. Maybe I need to re-read the book because that ending has me FLOORED!
This book was brilliantly written, and I loved the story. I thought I had it all figured out but, I don't, and I am angry right now. Like ready to throw a fit and stomp until part Two Comes out.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me a copy of this book.

Loved this book, definitely one of my favorite reads of the year! I couldn't seem to read it fast enough! I definitely did not see the twists coming! I read the book in a day, just because I couldn't put it down!

While my baby sleeps by Natali Simmonds, revolves around a mom with an 11 month old son Riley. Struggling with an extreme lack of sleep she begins to loose chunks of her day. So when people begin to disappear and die around her she begins to wonder, could she be the one doing it?

This is the first time I've read something from Natali Simmonds but it definitely won't be the last!

Note:
Thank you to Bookouture and Natalie Simmonds for this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Natali Simmons has a gift for tapping into deep seated fears and anxieties that can form part of our every day lives, she is a psychological genius and definitely an auto-buy author.

In 'While My Baby Sleeps', new mother Lu is absolutely broken by the relentless demands of early motherhood. Her 11 month old baby Riley doesn't sleep well -her partner Tony works nights, her parents have moved abroad, and she has just moved house to a new area, so she is totally alone, barely managing on fractured sleep, snatching minutes here and there where she can. She asks Tony for support and assistance but he brushes her off, telling her that as he is the only wage earner, he needs to be working as much as possible. Their relationship is suffering, she can tell that the communication between them is failing but she can't bring it back to how it used to be.

Lu knows that she has been sleepwalking and is terrified that she will cause harm to come to Riley whilst she does so. Her mental health is at rock bottom but she has no time to stop and take action, she is utterly consumed in looking after her son.

Her stress levels build and build and when she finds herself awake and covered in blood after a sleepwalking episode, she has no idea what has happened. Maggie, her neighbour's sister helps Lu, cleaning her up and lending an ear. Maggie is just what Lu needs, someone to support her, help manage her new life; she shops for Lu, helps clean the house and empty packing boxes, cooks for them all and is a lifeline in all aspects. Slowly Maggie becomes more overbearing and bossier, telling Lu what she should be doing, and spreading rumours about what Tony might be up to when he says he is at work.

This is a really powerful story that was expertly written and delivered, I wanted to hug Lu and wrap her up in a blanket. Lu's breakdown into a full blown mental health crisis is heartbreaking to read and all too real, the relentless demands of motherhood are so often overlooked and discounted but the overwhelming damage it can do to a family can't be underestimated.

This was so gripping that I couldn't put it down. With Natali's books I am always engaged right from the first chapter with the realism of the characters and the storyline whereas some books I have to persevere for a few chapters to get hooked. One thing I loved about this book is that the things that happened to Lu or were said to her by her partner, family and other people she met are absolutely spot in in terms of comments towards new mothers and their babies and thinking they are sat at home all day with their feet up. The reality is the brain shattering fog of tiredness turning the whole world as you have known it completely upside down. Nobody tells new mothers this. Lu has experienced this but the sleep deprivation turns into something worse and she keeps having realistic, violent visions that she does not know whether they are true or not. Combine this with her new friend Maggie who is there to help out but soon starts to control her...then you have this absolute page turner of a psychological thriller.
I thought I had figured out what was happening but I loved the little twist at the end!