First-Time Mother by AJ Campbell was my first read from this new to me author, but it will certainly not be my last.

Annie is struggling as a new mother to baby Lola. Chronically exhausted and often losing hours of the day to sleep, Annie's husband and stepchildren are concerned for her wellbeing, and that of tiny Lola. But her daughter is Annie's entire world and she would do anything to protect her, so what is really going on? This must be more than a case of post-partum depression, surely?

I loved the short, succinct chapters that move the plot along at a thrilling pace as tensions build and suspicions are cast. I look forward to reading much more from this author. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

First time mother was fabulous! From the very first page of this book, I was stunned, mesmerised. Written with a ferocious passion that'll knock the wind out of you!

Annie and Max have a baby and Annie is exhausted all the time. She has brain fog and blackouts, and is not getting on with her teenage stepchildren.
Then her sister gets murdered in her house while she is asleep.
Her sister had a secret, but Annie has a secret of her own.

There is a lot going on in this book. Lots of secrets, lies and animosity.
Everyone is a suspect, and there are a couple of suspects who are responsible for Annie's condition.
I did not guess correctly!

Gripping and twisty, I recommend this book.

𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫.

Annie thinks she's losing her mind. Ever since she gave birth to Lola four months ago, life as she once knew it has changed. She's so sleep deprived, Lola is colicky, and her step-children seem to resent her more than ever. Add in a home renovation, and you've got a recipe for disaster. But what's going on with Annie is more than just the hormone imbalances that come with being a new mother. She's forgetting crucial things, and the last straw comes when she's cooking dinner and closes her eyes just for a bit, only to wake up to her hysterical husband telling her she's started a fire.

But then Annie loses someone very close to her, and she begins to spiral as she struggles to put the pieces together. Is there someone in her inner circle who wants to hurt her? Is she being made to pay for a past mistake that she alludes to?

There is much more to this book than the synopsis suggests. The plot twists, red herrings, and supporting cast of characters were all brilliantly done. Another winner from this talented author. Thank you so much to Bookouture for the early copy. This title will publish April 14, 2025.

First-Time Mother by AJ Campbell
PLOT. TWIST. The number of times my jaw hit the floor while reading this book- the twists, turns, and secrets. Wowza!

I adore how AJ tells a story. The detail and passion she puts into her characters are unparalleled. Annie was dynamic. I wanted to hug her! But she was also a baddie who was not going to be taken advantage of.

I love it when an author creates a smart female character; that is what we get with this book. All of the women are beautifully represented, even if they make poor decisions, and I respect that.

I could not devour this novel any quicker- it’s an absolute whirlwind. I didn’t even try to guess the plot twist because I just knew I would be wrong. And, was I ever wrong!

The build-up is brilliantly done, and in the way only AJ Campbell can, the downfall is deliciously and deviously curated. The freefall toward resolution is intense, but every detail was so carefully crafted that you are not left with any questions.

If you want a fast-paced, twisted thriller that you can read on a weekend, look no further.

Publication date: April 14, 2025
Publisher: Bookouture
Pre-Order Available: https://a.co/d/bo71pt2
#KatyApproved

A gripping, fast-paced thriller that ramps up the tension with every chapter. This book was unputdownable… literally. I shouldn’t have started it because that was my day gone!

A really gripping read, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and now my brain is scrambled! The twists just kept rolling in. The plot unravels like clockwork and the characters were intriguing, and well- developed.

This book was a standout! What a thrilling finale had me gasping for breath and on the edge of my seat!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Wow, I didn’t see that coming. I finished this in one sitting in the evening. I stayed up late to finish it. The plot was engaging and a take on what I’ve read before but gave it something new.

What a book! Twist after twist that had me guessing all the way through! Thought I had it figured out, I was so wrong! A twist you’d never guess or expect! I read this is less than a day as it had me gripped from the start.
A first time mum, struggling in her new life, nothing seems to be clicking, then suddenly everything makes sense as to why Annie’s life seems to be falling apart. A page turning, jaw dropping rollercoaster. 5 stars to the talented AJ Campbell!

I really liked this one! This one does not disappoint. It took a couple of chapters to get going but once intrigued as to how things were going to play out, I couldn’t swipe the pages fast enough. A shotgun wedding, new baby and teenaged, twin stepchildren all living in the family home that’s under renovation - what could possibly go wrong? The chapters are short, fast paced and twists kept coming. I’m a fan of AJ Campbell’s writing and already looking forward to the next book.
Thank You to NetGalley, Bookouture, and AJ Campbell for the opportunity to read and thoroughly enjoy this ARC.

Being a new mother is not easy and it's maybe even more challenging when you are a first time mother. After all everything is totally new to you and although you do your best, it can make you feel like nothing is going your way.

This is what happens to our protagonist. She is suffering a bad case of baby brains, with blackouts and memory lapses and she blames it all on lack of sleep and giving birth. It makes her doubt everything and everyone, seeing conspiracies left, right and center.

But is exhaustion really the cause of it all?

I had lots of names on my list of suspects, but I did not add the one I should have added in order to uncover the truth. It was a big surprise when the name was revealed and I loved it. I absolutely enjoyed the plot and though it's maybe strange to say, but sometimes something devastating has to happen to bring people closer together.

I could not stop turning the pages of this excellent book. 5 stars

Thank you

Another 5 star read from the amazingly talented A J Campbell.
I knew from the beginning something was off and immediately felt sorry for Annie! I was just willing her to get her and baby Lola to safety. The twist is one I NEVER saw coming!! When Max hired Zoe I was screaming saying Nooooo TRUST NO ONE I felt myself holding my breath believing I was living it too!!! a truly gripping and intriguing read I just couldn’t stop reading! The fact it’s a “Max” is an added bonus as I love to see my children names in a book.

Clear your diary and take a day off for this one! Another brilliant book from AJ Campbell.
This one pulls you in by the scruff of the neck and doesn't let go until you've turned the final page.
Annie thinks she's going mad. Since she gave birth to baby Lola, her world has turned upside down. Who can she trust? Why does she feel so ill?
This book that is bursting at the seams with drama, suspense and intrigue is one you won't be able to leave alone. The characters are complex and well drawn out. I was rooting for Annie all the way through.
The ending captures every loose end expertly and I read it in one sitting. That's how good it is.
My thanks go to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read the ARC.

Thanks Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC!

I literally inhalled the book from the first page. The short chapters, the building tnesion, the twists.... just everything I love about a good thriller. All the time I was very invested, and hoping thisngs would turn and end well for Annie... but then, can they, when her baby is suddenly missing, and she is sleep-deprived and often having blackouts? Not to mention all the others things that seem to go on in her life... I am not going to tell you, you'll have to read the book to find out!

This was my first AJ Campbell book, but surely will not be my last.

This talented author has written a page turner. Red herrings kept me guessing. The realistic characters kept the story moving quickly. What was real? What was fiction? I liked this mystery. Suspenseful… I like this author. Thanks Netgalley.

This book was too good to put down. Just when I thought I knew where it was going it would change course. Looking forward to more like this.

This was my first book from A.J. Campbell and I will be checking out more books from this author. I absolutely devoured this book in one day. The entire book had me hooked from the beginning wanting to know what was happening to Annie. I was really feeling for Annie the entire book and was convinced her husband Max was setting her up, I didn't expect the twist at the end. I also really love Annie's best friend Nisha throughout the book, she was such a great friend. I am so glad her step kids came around at the end and they got a happy ending, such a great book! Loved it!

Wow what a great read! Fab storyline with twists that I didn't see coming.
A real page turner.
Great character portrayals
Superb ending
Awesome book