I found the premise of this book so, so interesting and was super excited to read it. Unfortunately, it just kind of fell flat for me. I was so bored the entire book, and had a hard time finishing it because of that. Nothing was inherently bad about the book, but I did not find it *good*.

Interesting storyline with intriguing characters. Just when you think someone is helpful. they are the complete opposite. The book kept me guessing what would happen in the end. Great storyline.

Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

This was very interesting story and kept me interested through out. Love short chapters.

In The Perfect Mother, Mel, a dedicated doula, faces a devastating turn when a client’s childbirth ends in tragedy. The grieving mother, Alice Monroe, blames Mel for the loss, leading to a public outcry that destroys Mel’s career and reputation. Seeking a fresh start, Mel relocates with her family to the Derry countryside. However, Alice’s relentless pursuit follows her, threatening Mel’s new life and the safety of her unborn child. The novel delves into themes of guilt, obsession, and the lengths one will go to protect their family.

I read this book in less than 24 hours and was instantly engaged. While I figured out who the “bad guy” was early on, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story. I loved the short chapters, the way the characters could never fully be trusted, and how realistic the emotions felt based on the characters’ situations. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Claire Allan!

This book follows Mel a doula as she coaches Alice through her birth. Alice’s birth ends in tragedy and forces Mel to leave town. The book follows the end of Mel’s pregnancy after the has left town and has lost her career and tries to navigate life after grief and loss.

This book was a quick read initially but then slowed down. I thought I had figured out the end of the novel but was surprised with the last few chapters.

I found it was lacking a little in the plot line and felt repetitive at times but kept me going as I wanted to know what happened in the end.

Overall this wasn’t a bad read, a little close to home as I work in labour and birth but a decent read.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

I was expecting a psychological thriller but that isn't what this is... it is more emotional drama than thriller. One of the biggest drawbacks for me was the lack of likable characters. I didn't like or care enough about anyone to finish this. The story also moved too slowly.

I thought this was going to be a great book, the synopsis sounded GREAT! but it really was a miss for me.
I didnt connect with the characters. They weren't very likeable.

Overall its an easy read. I wouldnt say its quick paced but it's on the shorter side anyway.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐ Rating: 4/5

📚 Overview
Claire Allan delivers a chilling and emotionally charged thriller in The Perfect Mother. The story revolves around Mel, a doula who finds herself at the center of public outrage after a tragic childbirth. Seeking a fresh start with her family, she moves to a new town, only to realize that the past isn’t so easy to leave behind. With an unknown figure watching her every move, her life spirals into paranoia, fear, and a desperate fight for survival.

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Deep Dive into Motherhood & Guilt — The novel brilliantly captures the emotional burden that comes with being a mother, especially when things go wrong. Mel’s struggle with guilt and societal judgment felt raw and real.
✔ Psychological Tension — The book kept me hooked with its eerie atmosphere. The feeling of being watched, the subtle manipulations, and the slow-burning tension were executed well.
✔ Complex Characters — Mel’s vulnerability made her an easy character to empathize with, while the antagonist’s motivations added depth to the story rather than making them a one-dimensional villain.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Pacing Issues — While the first half had a strong buildup, there were moments where the story dragged, making me wish for a quicker escalation of events.
🔹 Somewhat Predictable Twists — As a frequent thriller reader, I saw some revelations coming, but they were still satisfying in execution.

✨ Final Thoughts
The Perfect Mother is a gripping thriller that explores the dark side of motherhood, judgment, and the fear of losing control. Though not entirely unpredictable, it delivers an engaging and emotional read with strong character work. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers like The Push or The Girl on the Train.

📌 Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you enjoy psychological thrillers that focus on motherhood, social perceptions, and creeping paranoia.

The Perfect Mother tells the story of Mel, who had been working as a doula. After the death of a baby during birth, her life became a nightmare, with the parents blaiming her for everything that had happened. Now, pregnant with her own baby and trying to move on, she still seems to be facing anger and threats from Alice, the woman who lost her baby during child birth.
This is a tense book and I think for anyone who has ever been pregnant it will play into all of the fears they faced (and probably add a few more). I was desperate to know how things were going to turn out. I did guess most of what was going to happen and who was involved in it all. It didn't matter though as this was a gripping read and one that I wasn't keen to put down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

From the very first page, The Perfect Mother had me hooked. This psychological thriller is packed with suspense, and the tension only builds as the story unfolds.

All she wanted was to help women become mothers. But one woman turned that dream into a nightmare…

When Alice Monroe’s world shattered, she blamed the person who had been trying to help her. She wanted revenge, and she did not stop until she ruined her. Business destroyed, reputation in tatters—she lost everything. A fresh start in the countryside should have been the answer. But Alice was never going to let her move on.

This book is full of clever red herrings and unexpected twists. Just when I thought I had figured it out, Claire Allan threw in another surprise. The psychological tension, the sense of unease, and the emotional depth kept me completely gripped.

If you love a thriller that keeps you guessing, The Perfect Mother is a must-read. I could not put it down!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Mel was a doula and Alice is her client and they instantly connect. But the day that should have been Alice’s happiest, turned into a nightmare. And after Alice’s dreams were shattered, she blamed me. A great read

I really enjoyed this and was throughly kept on the edge of my seat all the way through. I felt it was well paced and had some amazing charecrer developments throughout

★★★☆☆

This was a good book overall, though fairly predictable for the most part—except for the twist at the end, which was a nice surprise. The main character was frustratingly naive, which made some parts a bit frustrating to read. Still, it was enjoyable enough to keep me engaged. A solid 3-star read!

Thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. First time reading anything by Clair Allan but it certainly won’t be my last. Keeps you guessing until the end. Loved it!

I enjoyed this book and it certainly does have a twist at the end. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I really wanted to like this, but it just didn’t work for me. There were a few decent moments, but the pacing was off, and the characters didn’t feel fully developed. It had potential, but it missed the mark.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I could not put it down, I had to know what would happen. I would definitely recommend this book.

I loved this story and right up to the end I was on the edge of my seat! This was my kind of book with characters that you love to hate and nonstop action. There was so much going on and I loved every second of it. If you like a twisty thriller, this one is for you.
Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

** spoiler alert ** When a situation doesn’t go the way it should have, Alice and her young family move away where she feels that life can be better. But Alice still gets threatening things happening and she is unsure of how and why it is happening when no one knew where she went.

Social media has a lot to answer for when Alice gets injured and is put under a lot of stress.

This story is a gripping thriller type story that keeps you on your toes on what will happen next.