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.

I enjoyed this book overall and i felt that the characters were relatable, however I did find the ending to be a bit predictable. I also thought it was a bit repetitive at times about things that ended up having nothing to do with the story.

Thank you to Netgally and Boldwood Books for this ARC and the opportunity to provide my honest feedback.

I am a fan of Claire Allan's books and so I was excited to read this latest one from Claire.

Mel was a doula, and Alice was her client. Unfortunately things did not go according to plan during Alice's home birth and her baby did not survive. Whilst Mel thinks she did nothing wrong Alice needs someone to blame and that is what she does .... privately and very publicly. Mel not only loses her friend she also loses her reputation and her career as a doula. Everywhere she goes she is harassed and blamed for the death of a baby, in the town where she lives and everywhere she looks on-line.

Mel, her husband and young daughter decide to move away to the country to try and live a quiet family life, where no-one will know who they are but soon things start to happen and Mel wonders whether she will ever escape that harrowing day. Who can Mel really trust? Can she ever live a quiet life with her family?

This is a great psychological thriller that will have you hooked from start to finish. A story of guilt, grief and the complexities of motherhood, this book will have you dropping everything else, not a book that is easy to put down. If you have previously read any of Claire's books then you will know what to expect with this latest one, if not then what are you waiting for - this will not disappoint if you love psychological thrillers.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a digital copy of this book.

This is another gripping read by Claire Allan. Full of secrets and lies, and and tightly woven plot, I really enjoyed it and read it in a day.

A well written novel with a good smattering of surprise twists. Sadly I felt the storyline petered out somewhat towards the end so it failed to pack the punch I had anticipated.

This was a good read that I finished in less than a day. It centers on Mel, who changed careers to become a birth doula when the unthinkable happened to a client named Alice who she also considered a good friend. Alice’s vitriol caused Mel to give up her career and flee to another part of the country, but that doesn’t stop anonymous threats to continue to occur, making Mel fear for the safety of herself and her young family.

There were good twists in this book and I thought the author did a great job of creating realistic red herrings. I liked Mel as a character and I thought her parents were total jerks, but I’m not sure the author intended me to feel that way. While a lot of the narrative does take place in Mel’s head, I felt like her doubts and fears were realistic and I could empathize with her. I had an inkling of the big twist at the end but hadn’t entirely figured it out. The ending of the book was ok but I wish it would have tied up the loose ends a little more.

Overall, this was a suspenseful read and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After a slight slow start to the book, it became an addictive read, especially coming up to the end!!
I would definitely recommend this book.

I was hooked from page one and read it in one setting. a good psychological l thriller, did not see the end coming.

Great book was a slow start for me! Sometimes it does take me a minuet to get into a book. With that being said I would recommend this book. Definitely a twist at the end that I did not expect.

This is SUCH a readable work of psychological fiction from Claire Allan, my favourite of her books in fact (.....and I loved all the previous books!)

The plot, set in Northern Ireland, sees Doula and Hypno-birthing coach, Mel, shunned by her local community following a tragic still birth. The bereaved mother, Alice, is very vocal in blaming Mel for the death, leading to a host of trolls and online abusive for Mel.

Mel, now heavily pregnant, and herself severely traumatised by Alice’s bereavement, moves 80 miles away with husband Ed and daughter Tilly. Far from escaping the abuse, Mel finds it has ramped up a notch and goes to confront Alice much to the horror of her family. As events in this novel play out we are treated to an utter whirlwind of a thriller - utterly gripping and SO difficult to put down!

This is such a great read, character development and plot and both excellent! 100% a novel I would recommend to fans of psychological fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

Started off as quite unsettling then turned into a full blown gothic horror! This was really good, my sympathies were changing all the time as we get to know the characters and what had happened to them. This author knows how to write a great domestic thriller.

A gripping psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the very end. I was almost entirely right in my prediction, until an unexpected twist was added in the last quarter. This is my first book by Claire Allan and I’m interested in reading more.

I was gripped from page 1 and raced through it in one sitting. I was totally absorbed in the story and characters. It’s a cracking read and one that I’d definitely recommend.

Not a bad book, at all. I found the main character a bit annoying when she went off on her :0"what ifs". Considering they weren't really part of the story, they made her rather annoying. Otherwise, good book...great story.
Thank to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this ARC.

I am a huge fan of Claire Allan’s books, so was excited to get the opportunity to read this one. It started off a bit slow and I wasn’t sure whether I liked it or not. But eventually, the story heated up and I was hooked. I had to keep reading to see how it ended. The reason I gave it four stars was because it was pretty easy to work out who did it. I still enjoyed reading it though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this psychological thriller.

The Perfect Mother is an intense exploration of guilt, obsession, and the lengths one will go to protect their family. Mel, a former teacher turned doula, was devoted to supporting women through the complexities of pregnancy and childbirth. But her life unravels after a tragic event during a client’s birth leaves her reputation in ruins. Harassed and ostracized, Mel moves to the countryside with her husband and young daughter, seeking a fresh start as she prepares for the arrival of her second child. However, the shadow of the past follows her, and the suspense builds as she discovers someone is determined to ensure she never forgets the tragedy.

Claire Allan’s atmospheric writing shines, creating a palpable tension as Mel struggles to hold her family together while confronting escalating threats. The narrative weaves between Mel’s experiences and the unsettling interactions with her new neighbors, adding layers to the mystery. While some twists were predictable, the gripping suspense and shocking conclusion make up for the occasional predictability.

Although the story effectively explores grief, guilt, and motherhood’s complexities, some aspects of Mel’s character felt underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully empathize with her at times. Additionally, the ending, while dramatic and satisfying, left a few threads untied, leaving me wishing for more closure.

The Perfect Mother is a gripping read that will appeal to fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense. While some moments stretched plausibility, the novel’s twists and emotional depth keep the pages turning.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers with themes of motherhood and obsession. Be warned: the subject matter may be difficult for readers who have experienced loss.

Wow wow wow, what a fantastic read.

How far will a woman go to protect her children? Move miles away, even emigrate.

As we go through the story we find out who is hassling Mel and why.

4 stars

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for this arc

Thank you Netgalley for my copy.

This is exactly what I want from a domestic/ psychological thriller. Saw the twist coming but that's fine, I like to be proven right.

Something(s) I liked:
✅ Tilly is adorable.
✅ Well written.

⭕ Ed doesn't seem very supportive. In fact, he seems to side with a random old woman who behaved very strangely over his wife.

Looking forward to reading more by Allan.

A creepy and gripping thriller that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns, it was brilliant!