The Perfect Mother by Claire Allan is a fantastic, fast-paced read that masterfully explores themes of paranoia, deception, and trust.

At its heart, the story focuses on Mel—her complex relationships, past mistakes, and unrelenting determination to protect her family. Readers are swept into a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties as Mel navigates the aftermath of what happened with Alice. Her internal conflict about who to trust during her pregnancy adds depth to her character and mirrors the reader's own struggle to decipher truth from lies. The author skillfully keeps us just as disoriented as Mel, blurring the lines between allies and enemies.

What resonated with me most was Mel's vulnerability. Her longing for support during pregnancy while feeling isolated and mistrustful is incredibly relatable. The emotional tension is amplified by the vivid setting. The stifling atmosphere of the caravan reflects Mel's mental and physical confinement, intensifying the suspense. When she finally breaks free—both literally and figuratively—it’s a triumphant and satisfying moment.

Claire Allan's talent for creating atmospheric, character-driven thrillers shines through in this novel. Her ability to weave intricate plots with emotional depth makes her a standout author in the genre. *The Perfect Mother* fully lived up to my expectations and has solidified Allan as one of my favorites!

Тwιѕтy, grιppιng & cнιllιng ѕтory oғ a мoтнer wнo looѕeѕ everyтнιng- нer repυтaтιon, нer нoмe, нer вυѕιneѕѕ aғтer one ιncιdenт.

Мel мoveѕ тo a dιғғerenт place wιтн нer ғaмιly aғтer ѕнe ғιndѕ oυт ѕнe ιѕ pregnanт. Нowever, тнιѕ doeѕ noт ѕтop нer ғroм geттιng тнreaтѕ & ѕнe ѕoon realιzeѕ тнaт ѕoмeone ιѕ ѕтιll ĸeepιng an eye on тнeм.

Ιт ιѕ a pyѕcнologιcal тнrιller тнaт gave мe gooѕeвυмpѕ wнιle readιng. Ι waѕ coмpleтely нooĸed aғтer a ғew cнapтerѕ. Loved тнe ѕeттιng oғ тнιѕ вooĸ & тнoυgн тнe endιng waѕ ғaѕт-paced, Ι dιdn'т gυeѕѕ ιт тнaт way.

I love Claire Allen and I love her new book. I read this over two nights, terrifying and tragic, it's a whole roller coaster of emotions. Highly recommended xx

First time reading anything by this author and I absolutely loved every word of this book. The perfect amount of character building and the suspense all through the book trying to figure out who could be behind all of it. The end was jaw dropping. Highly recommend.

Read through netgalley for an honest review.

This is the story of Mel, a doula who assists in a birth that goes wrong and then a year later, starts receiving hate again during the late stages of pregnancy: leading to a dramatic conclusion!

I think this is a book that started out well and held promise but then went a bit mad, drawn out and lost the plot. The last 15% was great but there was a part in the middle I didn't know if I was going to carry on reading!
The pregnancy ending and count down in Mel's final weeks was great at adding tension. The author also was good at making you suspicious of all of the people in the book. The ending genuinely gave me anxiety!!!! It was very fast paced!!

However, there were also bits I felt weren't great. The bit when Mel is admitted to hospital seemed to go on a lot. Why anyone would remember or be interested in a year old internet story about a doula is a bit of a stretch. Even for rural communities.

I also couldn't work out where this book was meant to be set. There were several Americanisms but then places of reference were Irish/ NI? This is a bit distracting tbh.
It was a fairly quick read (if you don't take a break in the middle and then start to doubt if you are interested enough to continue).

The plot twist skillfully combined expected elements with an unexpected character, keeping me engaged. I highly recommend this captivating novel to fans of complex mystery-thrillers.

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review of the book.

The book was very difficult for me to make myself read, the storyline had a lot of potential, but it felt like parts of it were long and drawn out. Mel, the main character was very frustrating, her choices reminded me of a bad horror movie.

While the book offered twists and a little suspense, I figured them out well before the end. The ending just felt very rushed and had a lot of unaddressed questions

Review of The Perfect Mother by Claire Allan

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of The Perfect Mother, by Claire Allan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Mother is a gripping psychological thriller with a relatable and emotionally raw protagonist. Mel’s struggles with intrusive thoughts and anxiety felt authentic and added depth to the story. Especially after the year she has had and being late in her pregnancy. The tension and suspicion surrounding the supporting characters kept me engaged, and the detailed nightmares enhanced the eerie atmosphere.

Mel’s quick decision to trust Alice again after their troubled history felt somewhat implausible and detracted slightly from the story’s realism. The twist, though somewhat predictable, was satisfying, and the fast-paced narrative made this an easy one-day read. I couldn’t put it down.

While the ending felt a bit rushed, the overall pacing and emotional complexity made this a compelling and addictive thriller. Fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories will find much to enjoy here. I would rate this 4.5 stars if I could.

First time reading from this author. I couldn’t put it down and really surprised on how much I enjoyed this book. This is not my normal genre but I loved it.

This book follows a group of mothers who seem to have it all together but are hiding deep secrets. When something goes wrong with a childbirth, things turn real ugly real fast.

I love that the characters are well-developed, and you can really feel their struggles and fears. Their journey keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially the last 15% of the book!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy of this book.

This is the first book by Claire Allan that I have read and it definitely won't be the last. This is a gripping thriller with several twists and turns that had me sitting on the edge of my seat not wanting to put the book down. Set in Ireland around the life of Mel who decides to become a doula after the traumatic birth of her daughter she doesn't want other women to go through what she experienced and vows to advocate and help pregnant women. Unfortunately things don't go quite as she hopes resulting in abuse/threats over social media causing her and her family to move away to try and start over just prior to the birth of her second child. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read such an enjoyable book.

When I first came across this book, something about the title tempted me to request for reading this book. As soon as my request was accepted, I dwelled into this book. I was not disappointed.
It was a perfect mix of suspense, mystery and emotions. Orated in third person's POV, it navigates how a birth coach's one wrong experience deteriorates everything in her life and everything that transpires from that awful moment.
I appreciate the way Claire Allan highlighted how grief makes or breaks someone and the impacts of societal comments on everyone's life.
Even though at the start I had to skimp through some chapters because of how slow the story started, I got a hang of it as the story progressed.
The book title is thoroughly justified and there are many key points that talks about how anything can happen at any moment like how nothing should be taken for granted.
From the short chapters which leaves you on hook and a compelling story which is articulately penned, this book exceeds expectation. As a thriller girlie, I was surprised that the last 10 chapters left me with plot-twists I did not anticipate, and that's saying a lot.
Overall it's a good page-turner for cozy evenings.

What a scary story! Not to be read by a first time Mum! Beautifully written with many twists but really plays on the insecurities of new parents and parents to be. Also shows the negative power of the internet and how mud sticks no matter how truthful the origin. Fiction with a warning.

Awesome book!! Great author! Will be looking for more!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a birth she assisted with turns tragic, Mel moves her family to the country hoping to escape the hate and scorn she has received. However she soon learns that you can’t always run away from your troubles. Someone is still out to make sure she pays, but who? This was a great suspenseful story with an unexpected twist ending. Great way to start off my 2025 reading challenge. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to review this ARC.

As with other Claire Allan books, this was a gripping read and a wild ride! I loved this story and felt it was a solid 4.5 star read (rounded up to 5 stars for Netgalley)!

I would recommend this for anyone who loves popcorn thrillers, quick reads, and books with lots of suspense and domestic drama!

This kept me completely engrossed. It was such an intriguing idea and I love how the plot unwound and even the side characters like Mel's parents added to mounting tension. The locations really came to life too, particularly the building site! A really gripping read and not that predictable. For ages I thought it was Emma behind it all to get them to move! Really great twists and turns. A little farfetched in the end but by then the reader is sucked in.

I received a free copy of, The Perfect Mother, by Claire Allan, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Mel had only wanted to help Alice, but things did not go as planned, and Alice blames Mel. This book is very intense.

A doua's life is turned upside down after a client has an unfortunate outcome. After a slow start, this book turned into a real page turner for me.
I was very happy with the surprise ending.

Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC.

A first time reader of Claire Allen's, and this will not be the last.

The plot was well sequenced and written in a way which gradually uncovers more and more information about the current events, and the history that led and built up to current day. The conflicting questions over who the real antagonist was, and seemingly sinister characters interspersed throughout Mel's circle made for an interesting read.

The end twist combined both the expected and inferred plot with the inclusion of a character I had not suspected!

This book was one which I could not put down, and so would recommend to those who love a twisty mystery-thriller. Caution to those who may be triggered by the overwhelming themes of child loss.