I flew through this book, very good thriller but don’t let the cover fool you, it was much deeper than I expected it to be. Has some real dilemmas in and my emotions were up and down. Definitely worth a read! I would read more by this author.

In "The Good Parents" by Jessica Huntley, we meet Brittany Young, a dedicated pastry chef struggling to balance her demanding job at a prestigious London restaurant with the financial strain of caring for her twin sister, Clara. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease two years prior, Clara's mounting medical bills have left Brittany scraping by, but she hides the burden from her sister to spare her worry. As Clara's condition suddenly worsens, Brittany is faced with an impossible choice—to save her sister's life by donating her kidney or risk losing the one person who keeps her grounded. When her boss refuses to grant her time off for the life-saving procedure, Brittany chooses family over her career. However, tragedy strikes and Clara's death leaves Brittany shattered and consumed with guilt. Desperate to escape her debt and grief, Brittany accepts a job offer from the affluent John and Angela Dalton, who promise her a fresh start as a pastry chef at their luxurious villa in the Cote d’Azur. But as Brittany steps into the Daltons' world, the lines between opportunity and danger blur.
Brittany's dream of a new beginning quickly unravels as she discovers she is pregnant, a situation she cannot afford to manage. The Daltons, however, present a tempting solution—they offer to buy her baby, but the arrangement comes with unsettling conditions. Signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement, Brittany unwittingly ensnares herself in a web of deceit as John’s demeanor takes a sudden sinister turn and Angela starts behaving erratically. To complicate things further, an accident leaves Brittany trapped, prompting her to question whether it was truly an accident, as her instincts scream that she is in danger. Determined to protect herself and her unborn child, she is forced to delve into the Daltons' secrets, unraveling a chilling mystery that could cost her everything. Caught in a sinister game, Brittany must act swiftly to uncover the truth before her dream job morphs into a harrowing nightmare.
As I delved into "The Good Parents" by Jessica Huntley, I found myself immediately drawn into the world of Brittany Young. Her character resonated with me deeply, as her story of resilience and vulnerability unfolded with raw authenticity. Brittany's journey is both relatable and heart-wrenching, as she navigates the complexities of familial bonds and personal sacrifice. Jessica Huntley’s ability to craft such a compelling figure left me enthralled, eager to turn each page to uncover what lay ahead for Brittany.
The dual perspectives offered in the novel provide a fascinating insight into the unfolding drama. As a reader, I felt like I was privy to the intricacies of each character’s motives and dynamics, making the story all the more engaging. The way Jessica Huntley portrayed hidden truths and deception was masterful. Each revelation felt like a crucial turning point, pulling me further into a complex web of intrigue that captivated me at every moment.
Throughout the novel, I was struck by Jessica Huntley’s ability to evoke strong emotions. The themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and the quest for redemption were skillfully woven into Brittany's internal struggles and moral dilemmas. The supporting cast, particularly the enigmatic Daltons, added depth to the story, each character contributing to the rich tapestry of suspense and intrigue. All the characters are intricately developed and expertly crafted, featuring well-defined personalities and dialogue that truly made me ponder their hidden motives and even their sanity.
From the very beginning, the book's pacing captivated me. It maintained a relentless momentum that made it nearly impossible to put down. Jessica Huntley expertly balanced tension, creating an undercurrent of suspense that had me on edge, eagerly anticipating each new twist in the plot. The unpredictable nature of the storyline kept me riveted, and the conclusion delivered a killer of an ending that lingered in my mind long after I finished the final page.
"The Good Parents" by Jessica Huntley is a gripping psychological thriller that weaves an atmosphere of suspense, where every page teeters on the edge of revelation. With intricate characters cloaked in mystery and twists lurking around every corner, Jessica Huntley's expert handling of hidden truths and deception leaves readers breathless and constantly in suspense.
Personal Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Cover Design: 5.0/5.0 (Not averaged in the overall rating.)
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0

Woah! This was a shocking thriller by Jessica Huntley! Lots of gripping suspense, and thrilling twists! I was so worried for the main character, I couldn’t put this one down. A must read for thriller fans.


Release date April 6, 2025

This psychological thriller will definitely entice fans of Freida McFadden!

As a thriller reader, I do love a good psychological thriller. The main things that I loved about this book are the short chapters and the fast-paced story line. For me, who has the attention span of a fly, this really keeps me hooked with the plot.

This book is split into three parts and has flash backs which really keep the reader hooked. I love a thriller that has a prologue, it is a chance for the reader to know if the book is going to be good or not, and this one definitely was!

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC.

The story starts slowly with an introduction to Brittany Young, 26, a talented pastry chef and her identical twin sister Clara, a tattoo artist, who develops chronic kidney disease and needs a kidney transplant which Brittany is happy to give to her, even if it means losing her job due to a horrible bully boss who doesn't want to give her the time off.

But something goes wrong and a heartbroken Brittany finds herself agreeing to a three year contract at the private mansion of extremely wealthy Angela and John Dalton in the South of France near Nice. They pay off all her debts, and when she finds herself accidentally pregnant from a one-night stand, offer to privately adopt her baby and give her enough money to start her own restaurant.

But are they too good to be true? Angela seems increasingly unhinged, pretending to be pregnant herself after many miscarriages and the death of her infant daughter. Nothing is as it seems and soon Brittany fears for her life. Can she figure out what's going on? One thing is clear - money doesn't seem to buy happiness.

Part II adds Angela's POV which gives an interesting new perspective to the plot. Angela is mentally ill, but it's not quite clear what caused it. Did she drown her newborn in the bathtub like her husband says, who so helpfully gives her pills to calm her? Or was something more sinister at play? Where is their daughter Faye, and why does each of the many staff have to sign NDAs? The sense of manipulation is strong here and the question is, who can you trust?

This is a brilliantly written dark psychological thriller with many twists and turns, which delves deeply into our characters' minds. There is always a sense of dread and danger in this tense story of how far people will go for what they want. Clara is an amazing character who struggles through grief, a hospital phobia and an unwanted pregnancy to discover that her nice new employers have dark secrets that are threatening to come out and harm her. The list of content warnings is long and deal a lot with child loss, so be warned.

This was my second book by this author and it won't be the last. I was hooked from the first page and the writing just flowed. I appreciated Brittany and her emotions being slowly introduced and the setting in France being properly set up, with the action ramping up towards the end. The very short chapters cleverly invite you to read "just one more chapter", until you've suddenly finished. I preferred this to "Horrible Husbands ", which I've read recently. Highly recommended.

This thriller had me hooked from the very beginning and kept me guessing until the very end. It was a wild ride—while some parts felt a bit far-fetched, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last!

Thank you Inkubator Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

**Book Review: The Good Parents by [Author's Name]**

In "The Good Parents," suspense melds seamlessly with raw emotion, crafting a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats while tugging at their heartstrings. Brittany Young, a talented pastry chef grappling with the haunting grief of losing her twin, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and facing an overwhelming crossroads. When the affluent couple, John and Angela Dalton, extend a seemingly lifeline, the allure of their luxurious lifestyle comes with a shadow lurking beneath the surface.

As Brittany embarks on this new chapter, the intricacies of the Daltons’ lives unfold, exposing secrets entwined with manipulation and danger. The author skillfully balances Brittany’s internal struggles with the mounting tension surrounding the couple's increasingly precarious behavior. Readers will feel an eerie sense of dread as the line between safety and peril blurs, inviting speculation about every seemingly benign gesture and conversation.

With a writing style that evokes vivid imagery and intense emotions, the novel captivates on multiple levels. It raises poignant questions about motherhood, trust, and the hidden faces people wear. Just as Brittany seeks to uncover the truth, the pacing accelerates, leading to shocking revelations that will leave readers breathless.

"The Good Parents" is a brilliantly crafted psychological thriller that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances. It’s not just a story of peril, but also one of resilience and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, and Freida McFadden will find themselves entranced, unable to put this chilling tale down until they uncover the final, harrowing truth.

I'd say that this is another shocking and gripping psychological thriller novel by this truly fantastic author!!
The prologue to part 1 talks about the lives of the sisters, Britt and Clara, who are incredibly brave and supportive of one another. The sisters' bond is powerful and heartwarming, especially in need. It delves into some awareness about kidney failure. I could resonate with that because one of my family members battled the same failure. Fortunately, we prevent it from getting worse. However, some of these parts didn't work well for me. —it just wasn't my cup of tea. Compared to the author's previous work, this one feels a bit more laid-back, and having 3 separate parts seems to slow down the pacing of the overall narrative. (I really like her previous works, especially the murder maze.)

The fun part kicks between parts 2 and 3, where things unfold, and the mystery and thrill begin. I wouldn't say it's unpredictable because there are some hints and clues you'll see along the lines pointing out what really happened and what the twist is. It's a thrilling ride, but if you're looking for a complete surprise, you might want to manage your expectations since the foreshadowing is rather obvious.

Overall, it is 50/50 for me. I wouldn't say I like it that much because it is not a bad novel. It just didn't click with me as much as I'd hoped. Perhaps it is simply too long and, like the narrative for the first part, should be shorter. This is definitely a slow-burn novel, so if you're patient in your reads, it might be right up your alley!

*No spoilers*
Yessss! Another 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jessica Huntley book for me!

In The Good Parents, the author takes great passion establishing the main character, Brittany, her close relationship with her identical twin, her fears/phobia, her exceptional talent as a pastry chef and career goals, and I found myself immediately intrigued wanting to follow her storyline. . .

This quick page-turner accelerated even faster for me when a horribly shocking event occurs which absolutely tore my heart to pieces, and I instantly became invested in how the rest of the plot would unravel. The following turn of events leads Brittany with an offer to work in another country with mysterious characters — some you love to hate and others not so trustworthy. I’m glad some of the things I predicted didn’t happen, so I appreciated the unique storyline, twists and turns, and satisfying ending! The book evoked a wide range of feelings from empathy, sadness and grief to fear and suspense, and excitement and awe! I HIGHLY recommend it, especially if you’re new to Jessica Huntley’s books.

Note: This is the second book I’ve read by Jessica Huntley, and I want to thank her for receiving it as an ARC (Release Date April 6, 2025). I also enthusiastically recommend The Murder Maze which she released on March 1, 2025 and has currently received very high ratings on Goodreads and Amazon. My reviews for both books are my honest opinions.

Jessica Huntley is one of those authors who is really good at setting the scene and building up the tension gradually. If you want good character development, background to the characters' motivations/actions, and twisty plots, then this will be the perfect read for you. I did find it slow to get into, primarily because I'm someone who has a preference for action first, but I can appreciate that a good plot can take time simmering, and this one is worth the wait.

I did find some of the issues discussed a bit too much for me personally (child loss is a hard subject for me), so I did have to skim some parts, and as such I can't give a perfect review of the book in its entirity. Perhaps I found the book as emotional as I did for personal reasons, but I like to think that the author has a talent for emotive writing, that gives a good representation of difficult subjects such as family loss and postnatal depression.

2.5 ⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up to 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I will just start this review by saying, If you loved it I’m so glad you did! But for me, something about this book and I, just didn’t gel the way it was supposed to!

Some thoughts :

- The first 20%- 30% was just background. Whilst I appreciated it, a lot of what happened we already knew from the blurb so it felt a lot like filler rather than getting straight into the grittiness of the actual plot. It also meant there weren’t any initial surprises or twists from the outset.

- My biggest issue reading this was the predictability and the fact that nothing happened that was surprising or “thrilling”. I kept waiting for a big reveal or a big twist but there really wasn’t anything. The stuff with Angela was, for me, pretty obvious from the moment you understood who gave her the medicine. I also feel like this wasn’t helped in the way in which things were revealed. Some things felt very over explained, whilst others felt very under explained. As a reader, I was literally being given the story without any build up or reading between the lines or any guesswork.

- I also just didn’t like any of the characters apart from Clara and Luke. None of them were redeeming in anyway for me, so I can’t say I was particularly rooting for a ‘good’ ending because I really didn’t care about any of them. I also just couldn’t stand our main character, the decisions she makes and the things she does whilst incapacitated and pregnant- were questionable and unrealistic at points.

- I do think the premise was good, interesting and somewhat enjoyable watching it unfold - even though it was predictable- i just really wanted more.

Overall, this book just didn’t work for me. As a psychological thriller I think this is weaker at points. It doesn’t have that grittiness or any ‘thrilling’ aspects that I was hoping it’d capture for me. Yes there’s points of psychological manipulation and tension and suspense but not enough that made me really question or second guess things. Everything felt like it was handed to me, pretty quickly. Once I’d worked everything out and understood, it was pretty much done within the first half of the book. The second half felt very much like going through the motions, knowing how it was going to end and basically just seeing how the author got there - rather than the reader being taken on a journey to that point.

I will say the writing was what kept me reading, the style was enjoyable and I definitely hope to check out this authors other works because maybe this book just wasn’t the one for me!

Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A grieving pastry chef, Brittany, accepts an offer from a wealthy couple, John and Angela Dalton, to adopt her unborn child in exchange for working for them. However, the Daltons' behavior becomes increasingly suspicious, leading Brittany to question if someone is trying to harm her and her baby. As she uncovers their dark secret, she must figure out how to escape the deadly game she's been pulled into.

Wow, what a thrilling rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, and unleashed emotions! I have to admit, I don't know why I always choose to start Jessica's books at night because I never end up getting any sleep. Her stories are so gripping and full of dark twists and suspense that it's impossible to put them down. I really need to learn my lesson one of these days!

It's funny, at this point, my husband knows when I start one of her books because he'll just say, "I'll see you in the morning." That's how engrossing her writing is!

This latest book had such an unexpected plot, and since I rarely read the blurb, I was surprised with every turn of the page. The idea was brilliant and executed flawlessly. The main character, Brittany, was so well-developed and drew me in from the very beginning. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness for her and found myself rooting for a positive change in her life. But boy, did she have a lot on her plate right from the start. I kept wondering, "What is actually going on here?" Every time I thought I had something figured out, I was thrown off track. This was a challenging book to predict, and the ending was completely unexpected. I didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the very last page!

And let me tell you, if you think a few twists are enough, you're mistaken. This book is jam-packed with unpredictable twists that just keep coming, leading up to an ending that will leave you speechless. If you're a reader who loves to guess, uncover dark secrets, and navigate dangerous situations, this book is perfect for you. It was so addictive that I couldn't put it down, and I guarantee that any rainy day outside will pale in comparison to the excitement of this read!

Thank you, Inkubator Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A great with plenty of twists and turns I was hooked right from the very start! Highly recommend this book.

This was a very detailed psychological thriller and I feel like that was the way it was meant to go. It starts off in the UK and moves onto Nice where the story picks up from there. It moves onto where Brittany finds out she has become pregnant and it takes a sinister turn there and everything is to play for. Is the culprit Angelina or is it John? If you enjoy psychological thrillers then this will be one for you

First and foremost. If you have experienced infant or child loss and are in a vulnerable place, sit this one out. The blurb does not mention it. It is  discussed, at length, several times, not just in passing.

Overall, this book is a quick and twisty read. The beginning starts a little slow but picks up around the 35 percent mark. I wouldn't say there is a big shocking twist but the climax is well written and engaging.

I read this book as an ARC. Be sure to check it out on release day April 6th!

Really enjoyable, fast paced and full of twists. I couldn't put it down I was completely hooked from the very first page until the very end

What a thrilling page turner! I am so glad I gave this thriller a try; I’m still pretty new to the genre. With shocking twists and developed characters, you can’t help but get sucked in. I can’t wait to see what the author does next!

Overall, The good parents is a fast-paced, emotionally charged thriller that will keep readers turning the pages. With its perfect balance of suspense and psychological drama, this is a novel that will make you question the boundaries between kindness and manipulation.
The novel excels in pacing, drawing readers deeper into Brittany’s mounting paranoia and the eerie atmosphere surrounding her. Each chapter reveals just enough information to keep the reader hooked, while also offering twists and turns that keep the mystery alive.
this book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and suspenseful mysteries.

From the book bio: Pastry chef Brittany Young is still grieving for her recently deceased twin when she realizes she is pregnant. Certain she is in no shape to care for a baby, she feels utterly trapped. - For me, I think this is a bit of a spoiler as the death of Brittany’s sister read as such a beautiful and touching storyline that I feel I could have read an entire book just based on the relationship between the sisters and their struggles to survive financially and emotionally as one battles a medical issue. I loved this part of the story just as much as the thriller part and since it takes up a good portion of the beginning of the book, I would have rather gone in blind to this and not known Brittany’s twin was going to die. The bio also says that Brittany finds herself pregnant and salvation arrives in the form of the Daltons, who offer her a job at their luxurious villa in exchange for the ability to adopt the baby, but this is a bit misleading as Brittany is offered the job first and doesn’t find out she is pregnant until she has started the job and is already away at the Daltons’ luxurious villa.

Now, on to the story. Due to the touching beginning storyline with Brittany’s sister, and even her struggles with her career and finances, I was immediately connected with her and completely invested in her pursuit to succeed and find happiness. This was a book I did not want to put down! Many of the chapters are short and it definitely became one of those “one more chapter” books as I remained glued to this. This book was seemingly headed to 5 star territory for me. And then, the “twist” which wasn’t really a twist as much as it was just a revelation, which I kept hoping would be replaced by an actual twist, but it wasn’t. This book reminded me very much of one I’ve read by Freida McFadden, which I will not name, because just knowing which book I’m referring to may be a spoiler in and of itself. I felt very much the same about the McFadden book. I was fully invested and on the edge of my seat and then disappointed by what I felt was a lackluster twist. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a lackluster storyline, I just felt in both books that there is enough foreshadowing and suspicion regarding the characters that the revelations lose some of their shock value. With that being said, unlike the McFadden book that had been very hyped up, contributing to my overall disappointment, I had heard nothing about this book before picking it up on NetGalley and I found this to be a very quick, easy read with an enjoyable and relatable main character and an engrossing storyline.

TALK ABOUT UNHINGED AND TWISTED. This book was so fun and entertaining and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The plot twists and not knowing who to trust was sending me wild. Awesome book!