I'm here with another 5 star review from this author, and I may sound like a broken record at this point but... psychological thriller fans, YOU NEED to read her books if you haven't already.

Postpartum life has not been an easy journey for Annie so far. Lola is 4 months old, and the restless nights have Annie questioning her sanity. Max is a doting husband, but with teenaged twins from a previous marriage, a demanding job, and house renovations to contend with, Annie is feeling alone.

Then a family death happens under their nose, under suspicious circumstances. Adding grief into the mix of Annie's stress, she no longer knows who to trust.. not even herself.

This full of books is full of unexpected twists, and so many layers. The readers find themselves full of empathy for Annie, but also questioning her at times, too.
I honestly suspected everyone of playing a part in death at times. With sideline stories of infidelity and work/financial secrets, the red herrings are there at the end of every chapter.
This was another book I found myself invested in and picking up at every opportunity. I ended up finishing it at 3am one morning when waking with my own toddler.

I'll forever recommend Amanda's books, but I think this is one of my favourites.

This book is definitely for the fans of Freida Mcfadden! This psychological thriller was so fast-paced, and the short chapters makes the reader want carry on reading.

I loved that this book was in first person and the storyline had me hooked and I couldn't stop reading! I felt empathy for the characters, and I would definitely recommend this book to fellow thriller and mystery readers!

I enjoyed the book and it was my first time reading this author. It was an easy read with short chapters, which I like. It kept me engaged and invested in the main character - Annie.

I did rate it 3 ⭐️ because I felt like there was so much "surprise!" or twists rolled into the story that it got muddy. The author could have stuck with one and focused on that particular story arc.

Also, the tagline- "My baby is missing. Everyone thinks it's my fault." False. The story isn't about a baby missing and no one accuses her. That being said, it is about a first time mother trying to cope with a colic baby and navigate a blended family all while dealing with a tragedy. Granted, suspicion is pointed her way when something tragic happens in her life but it doesn't involve her baby. 🤷‍♀️

Overall, I did enjoy the book and if you are a thriller fan I would recommend it. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity. 🫶

Time for another great thriller by AJ Campbell. This has lies, secrets, and so much more crammed into this 334 page book. I appreciated the short chapters. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. To be released April 14, 2025.

"First Time Mother" by A.J. Campbell is a gripping psychological thriller. The story follows a new mother who begins to question everything around her as strange and unsettling events unfold. It’s a tense, unpredictable journey that explores the vulnerabilities of motherhood, trust, and deception. Fans of psychological suspense will find this an engaging and thrilling read.

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. The cover and title lured me in and WOW, was it exciting. As a mother myself, I was really interested in the premise. The beginning of the book was a bit of a slow pace for me but right around the middle I could not put it down. There was a new twist every chapter and every theory I had changed constantly. I was always on the edge of my seat. The ending was a nonstop rollercoaster I did not want to get off of.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and it just shows EVERYONE has a secret.

In “Baby Missing,” AJ Campbell expertly weaves a psychological thriller that grips the reader from the very first page. The story follows a new mother, haunted by blackouts and the disorienting anxiety of motherhood, as she faces the unimaginable: the disappearance of her newborn, Lola. Campbell's ability to evoke raw emotion is striking; the protagonist’s fear and desperation are palpable, and the reader is drawn into a spiral of doubt and paranoia that reflects the chaos of her mind.

The tension builds masterfully throughout the narrative, making it impossible to put down. Each twist feels cathartic yet confounding—just when you think you’ve deciphered the truth, another layer is peeled away, plunging you deeper into uncertainty. The lingering questions of sanity and trust against the backdrop of maternal instinct and love elevate the stakes immensely. Campbell astutely explores the notion of guilt, both self-imposed and societal, as those around the protagonist suspect her fragility, heightening the stakes of the search for baby Lola.

Readers have been quick to commend the book's embrace of fear and adrenaline—a true rollercoaster ride filled with pulse-pounding moments and heart-stopping revelations. With gripping prose that propels the story forward and keeps you glued to the pages, this thriller guarantees sleepless nights filled with heart-racing excitement.

“Baby Missing” not only promises an edge-of-your-seat reading experience, but it also captures the visceral essence of a mother's love, a complexity deftly handled by AJ Campbell. Those looking for a narrative that blends chilling suspense with emotional depth will find themselves completely immersed in this stunning debut.

Prepare yourself for a wild ride with unexpected twists and a captivating plot that will leave you breathless and begging for resolution. Do not miss out—once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down. “Baby Missing” is more than just a thriller; it's a haunting exploration of the lengths one will go to protect the ones they love. The questions it raises linger long after the final page is turned.

A.J. Campbell has done it again! Every one of her books (and yes, I’ve read them all) grabs me from the first page and doesn’t let go until I finish the book! Her novels are suspenseful, exciting, and there are lots of twists and turns along the way.
“First Time Mother” follows Annie’s progression as a new mother, while she physically and mentally deteriorates. She can’t put her finger on it, but she believes someone might be interfering with her day-to-day life. But who and how? You will have to grab this newest book by A. J. and find out! You certainly won’t be disappointed!

This was a book that dragged on and would have been better in a shoter version. I usually find this authors books enjoyable.

I loved this book! A fast-paced, gripping storyline about a new mum who is exhausted and full of self-doubt.
She has the world on her shoulders with a new baby who won't stop crying, two obnoxious step-kids and a husband she doesn't entirely trust. If that doesn't sound bad enough, just wait and see how this story unfolds......
I was hooked until the end, a great page-turner. Another fantastic book by A J Campbell.

This is one suspenseful and twisty read! So many secrets, so many lies, and twists that'll make your head spin. It is a slow burn but gripping read with short chapters and plenty of intrigue, and I did not predict that ending! First Time Mother is an entertaining read and I recommend it to psychological thriller enthusiasts.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review. Expected publication date for First Time Mother is 14/4/25.

A quick read that was more of a whodunnit than a twisty thriller, which is not to say it's not worth reading. The ending was more of a reveal than a twist, and most of it was predicable but still enjoyable. I'd rate it a 3.5, rounded up. I like this author, and will continue to read her books, but I liked her other ones better.

"First Time Mother" will keep you hanging on until the end! It's suspenseful, thrilling, and got you questioning everyone in the book with "who done it". With 2 step kids that she believes hate her, a husband who seems to be gaslighting her and a sister that's acting strange it's the perfect book to read when you want to sink deep and try to figure things out, but let me tell you, you won't!

I loved this thriller so much! This book was everything a thriller should be. It hooked me from the start, was impossible to put down, the suspense had me flying through chapters and the book went places I never would have guessed. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

First of all, I felt mislead by the "hook" after the title that says, "My baby is missing. Everyone thinks it's my fault." The story is more about how a woman feels when her child won't settle, is sleep deprived, she is forgetful, she has trouble bonding with her child and those around her are wary of her sanity and no one seems willing to pitch in and help. Also, the house is undergoing renovations, her husband is selling his business with 2 partners (one of whom is her sister) and a murder takes place. Lots going on which is a bit of a roller-coaster - quite enjoyable. I did find the "woe is me" and "I can't function" rhetoric was a bit over done. Annie's husband, Max, insists she needs help and hires an undocumented woman to help out. Zoe is magical and baby Lola loves her. When Annie is away from the ominous house, she feels better, which leads her to want escape. I found myself frustrated for Annie and understood why she felt overwhelmed. It was obvious there were secrets and biases and something unsavoury happening. I didn't care for Max who didn't seem to support her enough. I would recommend this and I'm going to look for more by AJ Campbell.

This book was so captivating. It captured my attention from page one. The book had so many twists and kept book interesting. I stayed up late to continue reading and find out what was going to happen next. There was a great mix of characters throughout the plot.

When I first started reading this, I was kind of like OK I get it. Annie is either going through a mental breakdown or someone is messing with her.
Her annoying teen twin step kids Jacob and Jasmine and husband Max aren't making things any better.
Max seems to be constantly gaslighting her and dismissive of her fears. The beginning of the book was a hamster wheel of exactly this.
But then there's a turn around before the middle. Something happens and things take off. I don't want to give too much away. But the secrets and twists keep coming and I couldn't put it down.
I love an unreliable narrator. I also love not being able to guess what's going on.
The last few chapters revealed an unlikely villain and a whole juicy reveal.
I would read another book by this author. It was well written and a slow burn isn't a bad thing.
I would love the characters to be a little more fleshed out. But overall, this was a good thriller.

Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

This book has short chapters and some twists so it reads a lot like a Freida McFadden novel. I also was able to read this within a day with ease. Some theories and paths didn’t follow through all the way and ended up missing the waters a little.

Overall it was a good read that made you think and suspect everyone for every reason.


Thank you to AJ Campbell, Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions stated are my own.

Annie lives with her husband, Max, his two children from a previous marriage, and their newborn baby, Lola.

Annie is struggling, she’s forgetful, blacking out, and suffering with terrible stomach pains. Max thinks she has postnatal depression, but Annie isn’t convinced. She thinks something is going on, but what? Are his two older children trying to find ways of getting rid of her?

When a terrible tragedy happens close by, Annie begins to question the motives of those around her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. My heart went out to Annie right from the start. It’s hard enough having a new baby, without everything else that was going on for her.

Like Annie, I was questioning everyone, as well as suspecting them all.

This was a thrilling and clever psychological thriller, with an ending that I didn’t expect at all.

This was my first AJ Campbell book and I will definitely be looking for others. This book gripped me from the very beginning. There were so many twists and turns all that I did not see coming! If you like Freida you will love this one!