Just Like Mother

This is actually an amazing book. It’s a perfectly put together thriller with a horrifying premise. I couldn’t put it down I read it in a couple of hours. Highly recommend!!!

Yes! This is what a horror/ thriller should be..makes you read in one sitting. A great book with a horrifying premise. Highly recommend.

Holy cow, this is an amazing book! I could not put it down! Creepy, and unsettling. I have no other words, just thank you NetGalley and Anne Heltzel for this!

Wow- this was a phenomenal read that had me hooked throughout. I could barely put it down. Extra points for really capturing the horror of every mommy and me group I’ve ever met.

This book’s ultra eerie cover whispered to my ear “please read me and just in case wear your adult diapers to prevent any inappropriateness! )
Well, what can I say? I always keen on freaky-scary- spine tingling themes!

I was truly right to judge the book from its scary cover: especially the shocking opening: two little girls who are also cousins escape into the woods for playing a game and one of them go berserk, acting like she’s Bloody Mary.

Maeve leaves her cousin Andrea behind, being punished by one of her cult mothers, finding herself trapped in a closet. She hears screaming of a wounded animal inside the house. But unfortunately this is not a real animal. Her cousin Andrea returns back from the woods to soothe her at the other side of the door as the screams get louder. This one of the bizarrest book openings made me drop my ereader and gulp my whole drink to gather my senses!

We move forward to meet with adult versions of the girls. We understand that they fell apart. Maeve in her early thirties, building a life in Big Apple, having limited social life, no close friendships, no longtime relationship instead of no strings attached pattern she has with a bartender, working as publishing editor.

She keeps looking for her estranged cousin Andrea she’s lost when they were children. As a final result she applies to a DNA search site. Miraculously someone answers her email: yes, that’s her cousin: Wow! She became a very wealthy and successful business woman. CEO of a startup with groundbreaking contributions to lifestyle market named NewLife.

They contact and try catching from where they left things. Andrea is married with her beloved husband Rob. She still grieves from the loss of her child. After their meeting, Andrea invites Maeve to their Catskills mansion ( yes you may only call this place a secluded, huge mansion) Maeve accepts to this invitation without thinking any further. It’s better to celebrate her birthday weekend alone in her cramped apartment.

And she gets introduced to Andrea’s company latest production: Olivia doll: which helps both expecting and grieving families to connect with a baby. Andrea tells her this product matches well with their life coaching business. Maeve finds it bizarre but she keeps to herself.

As long as she starts spending time with her cousin and her inner circle, she slowly drifts apart from her normal life style. But being nearby her triggers the memories about her dark past in the cult and she realizes she’s a pawn of a very dangerous game. She’d better run to save herself but could she manage to do that?

Well: this book is breathtaking, one sit read! The pacing and execution of the story is marvelous and ending is jaw dropping!

It’s dark, it’s nerve bending, if you like to get scared and push your vocal cords for more screaming, this is a great choice for you!

I love dark stories and I truly enjoy this book!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan- Tor/ Forge for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

I've rarely been uncomfortable when reading a book. Just Like Mother is the first time in a long time that I've felt like that. This book plays mind games both with the main character, and the reader. At moments, I did feel like I had an idea of what was going on, but then the twist came and it was far worse that I had originally thought.

This book checked so many boxes for me in regards to qualities that make up an outstanding thriller.

☑️Unsettling and off-putting characters
☑️Multiple timelines
☑️ Creepy cults
☑️ Overly lifelike dolls

Need I say more?

I devoured this story in one day and think it was a phenomenally twisted read. Filled with family drama, expressions of childhood trauma, and really horrific views of women/ motherhood- this book genuinely messed with my head in the best of ways.

‼️ Definitely check out the trigger warnings on this one before reading! A few I can think of offhand are infertility/ child loss, child abuse, and rape.

Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for my e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Heltzel delivers a stunning and twisted tale of motherhood, sisterhood, and feminism. Maeve and her cousin were raised in a cult, but when that nightmare comes to an end, a different type of horror begins. Fast-forward to present day where Maeve is searching for her cousin, who she hasn't seen since the cult was broken up by the cops. When the two reunite, Maeve finally feels as if she can truly start to heal from her childhood drama, but her cousin has different plans. Now, Maeve finds herself in the middle of a tangled secret steeped in the terrors of her past.

Maeve is a dynamic character who garners sympathy from readers. She's not interested in becoming a mother, keeps herself at arm's length from romantic connections, and wants nothing more than to reconnect with her cousin. Her cousin desires motherhood and is willing to do anything to achieve her goal. The two characters are written to represent opposing view points in society's never-ending imposing pressures on women's reproductive choices. While the heart of the story is this ongoing debate, Heltzel keeps the narrative rooted in horror, not politics. There's no preaching, just two cousins trying to survive the horrors of their past.

The twists and turns unravel at an expertly devised pace, keeping readers glued to the page and devouring each word. The supporting characters add important elements of tension and plot development without over shinning Maeve, and there is plenty of devious actions to readers engaged through the final stunning moments. For those interested in a quick-paced horror rooted in female angst, this is the read for you!

I'll be brief since what I want to say has already been said. This is the perfect thriller for a winter day - could not put it down. Absolutely eerie.

I really only have one word for this review: WOW! This is a perfect thriller - it's incredibly unsettling and creepy, horrifically engaging, and exactly what I've been wanting from a modern thriller for ages. Cannot recommend it enough.

Ooo y'all this one was creepy!! Totally crazy but also you could not put it down because the suspense was overwhelming. Excellent writing as well! The characters were outstanding and I am going to recommend this one to everyone!

This horror was made for me, lol—horror surrounding motherhood and pregnancy and toxic cis womanhood. genuinely terrifying, broke me out of my reading slump. Tor Nightfire keeps hitting!

I have had my eyes on Just Like Mother ever since I read the intriguing description.
When Tor Nightfire, approved my request I might have jumped up and down like a little school girl!

This is the first true horror|thriller I've read in awhile!
To say I really enjoyed this book would be an understatement.
This book is unlike anything I have read recently and I loved it.
𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 was very well written and a fast paced read! I loved the author’s writing.
It flowed well and I was hooked. I read slowly to savor this one of a kind story. 
The writing was action packed and gripping from the first few chapters.
This story was too clever, too thought-provoking, and too unsettling.
Incredible and kept me on the edge of the page the entire time I was reading. 

Tor Nightfire,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
Can't thank you enough!
I will post my review closer to pub date.

Wow, this story was so full of twists I couldn't keep up! An intense story of a young girl who was raised in a cult , managed to escape and live somewhat of a normal life until she connected again with her "cousin". Scary, intense, thrilling! Kept me reading all day!

Horrifying. Creepy. Puts you on high alert. On edge. And so well done.
The premise of this story is a personal nightmare of mine now that it's been put in my mind.
It's no easy feat in my opinion to write a book based on a cult and to get both the present story and the history of the cult the attention they deserve.
Maeve, 33 and working in the publishing industry, hasn't heard from her beloved lost cousin she grew up with since she was 7. But now, Andrea is back and they are dead set on putting the past behind them. After a few rough starts, it seems as though they have finally found their footing.
But then Maeve starts to notice how uncomfortable she is with the weird, (and honestly creepy and overstepping) things going on around her and happening to her.
The wind up is masterfully done and the end of this was perfect for this type of story though I imagine my nightmares won't be ending any time soon.

I have never read a book so fast in my adult life, lol...wow, what a page-turner! This is a total "stay up late, finish over your morning coffee" novel and I highly recommend to readers who enjoy stories about cults, feminism, motherhood, women who are multi-dimensional and of course, thrillers.

Maeve and Andrea are cousins whose childhoods were spent in a cult that idolized motherhood. Both women's future lives were shaped in very different ways - just how different is what this book is all about.

I *loved* this book, loved how the author illuminates the extremes of motherhood, of women's better natures. I especially loved how she showed women at their best and worst, with their flaws and virtues. We fantasize sometimes about women running everything but who is to say which women should be doing it? lol...I would not want the Mothers running the world.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

I was drawn in from the first pages.Eerie chilling so well written I read late into the night.Will be recommending. Woo be giving it raves.#netgalley #macmillantor.

Wow, this book amazed me. It follows the main character who was rescued from a cult when she was a kid and as an adult reunited with her cousin who was also raised in the cult.

This book is so creepy and dark, I could not stop reading. It was predictable, but not in a bad way, in a way that I just HAD to keep reading to confirm my suspicions.

I loved that the characters were so normal at first, and the back of your mind is telling you something isn’t right but you don’t know what. The main character was frustrating at times, but realistic, as anyone would want to trust their only family. I truly loved reading this and going deeper into the plot. Nothing about this book disappointed me.

Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel is a horrifying tale of a women's cult and its effect on the lives of the girls held under the Mothers' control. Almost identical eleven and eight year old sisters survive until they escape and are separated and adopted or in foster care. Twenty-five years later they miraculously reunite and the twisted excruciating story unfolds. I could not stop reading until the excitement ends. An amazing unbelievable story.

📖Book Review 📖
“Just Like Mother” by Anne Heltzel
💜Release set for May 17, 2022
ARC thanks to @netgalley @tornightfire @macmillianpublishing @anneheltzel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fast paced, well written with a jaw dropping ending- “Just Like Mother” was exactly how a thriller should be! Main character, Maeve spent the first 8 years of her life in a women lead cult, and was the reason the police raided the property. She has guilt that she left her best friend and cousin Andrea behind when she was adopted by a couple. Maeve is in her early 30s now, living in NYC with some major issues-PTSD, lots of anxiety, keeps people at a distance, on a lot of prescription meds, no support network, unexplained memories/dreams, etc. She finds her cousin Andrea due to a DNA website and thinks she has finally found a family where she can share her past, not keep secrets, have a social life, etc. Andrea is captivating, beautiful, intelligent, has a great marriage, good friends, lots of money and runs a super successful life coaching business for women- from birth to grief over a death. Andrea quickly inserts herself into Maeve’s life which is perfect as Maeve has no life and really craves that bond. As Maeve’s life falls apart, Andrea swoops in to save her…place to get away, new guy to meet, fun girls night out, etc. All seems too perfect and deep down Maeve knows that- dark memories from her childhood keep popping up, blackouts/total loss of days, and other things that make no sense keep happening. This is definitely a page-turner that will keep you up until 3am because you just can’t put it down! Thanks for the the ARC, my first one. #netgalley #tornightfire #arc #kindle #macmillianpublishing #bookstagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZmvlhYLWnF/?utm_medium=copy_link

I feel like this is the book I've been waiting the last decade for.
This cryptic story about a girl reuniting with lost family years after a cult raid had me hooked from the start and I couldn't put it down. this book reads like a good thriller movie, and I loved the ending!

Just like Mother by Anne Heltzel, a creepy, twisty read. I usually am pretty intuitive as to what's about to happen next, I remained surprised throughout this insane take on Motherhood and family. What a wild read up until the very end. I found myself rooting for Maeve, and extremely suspicious of Andrea, and completely freaked out by Mother. Thank you to Anne Heltzel and Netgalley for the complimentary ebook.

Just Like Mother is a thriller/horror about two cousins who were separated in childhood when they escape the cult they were raised in. Now adults, the main character Maeve, and her cousin, Andrea, are reunited. Maeve is an editor, and leads a closed off life. Andrea runs a company that produces AI dolls that are nearly indistinguishable from human infants. Andrea invites Maeve to her mansion in the Catskills, and things begin to get creepy. This book was a hit for me! I was on the edge of my seat and loved the gore and eeriness! The cover drew me in!

Cults, secrets, murder, betrayal...what more could you want?!
This horror novel was awesome. I loved the sense of something very ominous going on that the protagonist was totally unaware of; it was so suspenseful! I can't comment about the ending at all it because I don't want to give a thing away but...aahh, so good!! I will warn that there are a couple of sex scenes that are...intense. Like in a scary, not at all romantic, way.

I've always been terrified of the concept of a 'Bloody Mary", until I discovered I am one, at least in Anne Heltzel's literary world!. "Just Like Mother" is horror in its purest form. Dealing with themes of cult practice, obsession, family, fertility and the desire to stay childless, this story mimics the horrors of real life for the reproductively viable, and thoroughly displays just how terrifying those horrors can be. As the book progresses, Anne uses wildly tragic situations to hide plot twists and any hint of what's to come. She digs into the minds of her readers to exploit their fears and leaves behind complete wreckage, forcing the readers to sort it all out, well beyond the book's ending. As grisly and disorienting as this book is, Anne beautifully writes about potentially triggering topics with unmatched sensitivity and eloquence aiming not to kill, but to relentlessly maim. "Just Like Mother" is a wound my nervous system will be trying to repair for the foreseeable future, and I'm infinitely thrilled to be damaged.

Maeve was eight years old when she last saw her eleven-year-old cousin Andrea. They were raised in a cult, and I am not sure if I have ever heard of a nice cult, but this was not it. If you are looking for an opening chapter that will have your eyes glued to the pages, while you try and see what might be behind you, this is that book.
Maeve was adopted by a wonderful couple, but her bizarre early years make it difficult if not impossible for her to ever feel like she belongs. She is an editor now, but when she isn't at work, she spends most of her time alone. The one thing she has never stopped doing is trying to find Andrea.
When Andrea reaches out to her, she can hardly believe it. Finally, she won't be all alone and will have someone she not only loves but someone who understands their shared childhood. But the road to this reunion is rampant with potholes. While Maeve has struggled to trust people, Andrea is living a charmed life. A successful company, a doting husband, a beautiful country mansion, and now she is so happy to have Maeve back in her life.
Andrea and her husband Rob welcome Maeve into their home and life with open arms. The only downside for Maeve is that she soon loses the few things that tie her to her life in the city, and she starts spending all of her time at Andrea's remote Catskill mansion. Which BTW is beautiful on one hand and rather creepy on the other. And can we talk about that doll on the cover? It is Andrea's pride and joy, Olivia, designed to help women become better mothers. If the picture filled you with dread, just wait until the corporate mission becomes clear.
Maeve has no idea what she has gotten herself into and it becomes apparent she might not be able to Get Out! Did I have my suspicions about what was going on? Why yes, I did. And were they accurate? Why yes, they were. But there was still so much more lurking in the dark corners that I most certainly did not see coming. I realize I haven't touched on the plot, but that way lies spoilers and I think it’s best to go into this book with as little knowledge as possible. I will say that my mouth was hanging wide open after the final reveal.

I reviewed expecting a potential spooky Halloween book but it was well beyond creepy! In that it reflected the oppression of women and what we might do in the extreme case. Right from the beginning when we meet the Mothers, I was intrigued, terrified and dreaded what might happen. Girl children are worth everything. Tied with the continuation of the cult and its world-wide promotion via conditioning training of women with therapy doll Olivia. I read it in one setting because I just had to know what was going on. If you want a book that a) keeps your attention; b) is haunting; and c) has some depth—this fits the criteria. You won’t want to put it down and you may start thinking twice about dolls that look realistic!

Book received for free through NetGalley

So terrifying. That said the book grabbed me from the start and it was hard to put down. Scary but good read.

Wow! Very creepy and unsettling. This book had elements that reminded me of “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The School For Good Mothers.” I was engrossed in the twisty story, and finished it in just a few hours. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Just Like Mother tells the shocking story of Maeve and Andrea’s childhood and adulthood. They were raised in a cult until Maeve broke free, which brought the police to the cult’s door.

Many years later, cousins Maeve and Andrea finally reconnect. Everything seems to be going great, but then Maeve’s world falls apart. Broke and with nowhere else to go, she accepts Andrea’s invitation to move in. From that moment on, the things that happen to her are almost unbelievable. I say almost because as much as I’d like to think that no one would do what happened, I know that some people would.

There are tons of twists in this story. I guessed most of them, but that didn’t make them less enjoyable. I loved how twisted and gross the book could be at times. It made me uncomfortable, which is really difficult for a book to do. Additionally, I loved the themes of toxic motherhood and how ridiculous it is for society to blame or shun a woman who has chosen not to have a child.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Anne Heltzel’s “Just Like Mother” follows two timelines: Maeve as a child, living in the confines of a women-led cult - and Maeve as an adult, still recovering from the trauma of her past. When her cousin comes back into her life, she’s forced to relive a lot of that trauma - but when your childhood is such a big part of your adult life, the past doesn’t always stay in the past...

This was such a breath of fresh air for me in the horror genre. You have cults, an untrustworthy cast who are all child-obsessed, creepy baby dolls, and so much chaos. It’s the perfect concoction for an incredible story - I FLEW through this, so needless to say, it’s a very fast read. Heltzel’s flashback scenes are also some of the best in the book, and I’m usually the type of reader who sees flashbacks as a means to an end.

“Just Like Mother” comes out on May 17th - so preorder yours soon! Thank you Tor/Forge + Netgalley for the advance copy!

Content warnings for: self harm, child/infant death, blood, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual abuse.

Wouldn't classify this as horror, but definitely creepy and suspenseful. I liked the main character Maeve, as the book starts she is 32, has a sort of boyfriend
and a job as a book editor. We get flashbacks of her childhood where she was raised by her Mothers in an isolated area with her cousin who's a little older and then several much younger siblings. The childhood memories are doled out as things happen in the present. After 25 years she is alerted to a familial match, her cousin Andrea who has been looking for her too. Thus begins a ride Maeve never expected. I kept reading to find out what happens next, and was not disappointed. Creepy is all I'll say. Appreciation to NetGalley for the ARC read for an honest review.

I have to start by saying the cover of this book is so freaky and perfectly captures the tone of this story. I'll never look at a doll the same way again!

This story checked all the boxes for me: a gothic mansion full of secret passages, an isolated setting, cults, creepy dolls, a slowly building sense of dread and claustrophobia, characters who may or may not be who they seem with hidden motives galore.

I felt a strong sense of nostalgia at times with this story having touches of the classic gothic, woman-in-peril thriller, Stepford wives, and the retro cult horror books and movies from my adolescence. The author managed to take these nostalgic tropes and give them a fresh, modern, thoroughly terrifying spin, givng the reader the best of both worlds.

I couldn't set this book down until I reached the last page and the final secret was revealed. Highly recommended!

Wow i was very pleasantly surprised by this one! Super creepy, intriguing, and not at all predictable. Great read!

Who doesn’t love a book about cults? I picked this from NetGalley because of the cover and the mention of cults. I sometimes like to skip a whole description so I’m surprised when I read and boy did this deliver! All the puns intended. Sure I was able to predict a majority of the book but it was still extremely captivating and hard to put down. This story may be hard on anyone who is sensitive to motherhood topics or mentions of miscarriage. It is considered a horror so there are some intense scenes but overall not too graphic, mostly just a hard look into motherhood and how society perceives women who choose to not have kids. I loved this story as a women that doesn’t want kids or, frankly, even like kids. I resonated with a lot of the feelings Maeve had on being happily childless.

Ever feel like everywhere you look there's a baby? And it's cooing mother?
They are all around and watching you and they want you to join their "tribe."

Being a mother is such a blessing and everyone should experience it! If you're not sure it's for you it's because you haven't tried it yet, but luckily there's a robot doll to help you start that motherly bond up!

This book insidiously crept it's way into my mind and it's been there since. Its been weeks since I finished and I still am thinking about Just Like Mother. Motherhood is totally a cult and it's not for everyone.

Mauve, the protagonist of this book escaped a cult about the joy of motherhood and has stayed away from anything that reminded her of the past until a chance DNA test leads her to her cousin. Her cousin who she left in the cult, but has somehow grown up to be happy, healthy and hella successful. How lucky for Mauve! What could possibly go wrong when she's invited to spend some time living with her "family" again?!

Stay away from this book if you're sensitive about infertility or miscarriage, but otherwise READ THIS!

This is a disturbing book, a creepy book mixed in with a story of the healing of a young girl who escaped the cult of Mothers that she grew up in. She is thrilled to find the cousin, her best friend from the cult that she grew up with. Getting immersed in her newly discovered family, she starts realizing things are not right .Very absorbing, thought provoking story

So good I feel reduced to cliches. Roller coaster ride. Thrill a minute. Compulsively readable. Twisty. Just so good. The narrative asks a lot of questions and questions a lot; about motherhood, agency, family, trust. Just really fantastic. Creepy. Chilling. Kept me up late and I couldn’t put it down. Just adding cliches, can’t stop.

I read this on my lunch break over the course of three days. When I finished I eyed every woman with suspicion - this book gave me the heebie geebies (in a good way). The plot was a slow boil with an eruption at the end that sent a chill down my spine. This is how a good thriller should be. VERY appreciative of Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 17, 2022
*infertility, child loss, S&M sex and rape featured*
Anne Heltzel’s new novel, “Just Like Mother” is creepy and twisted, and reminded me of “The Handmaid’s Tale” (in reverse).
Maeve hasn’t seen her cousin Andrea in years, ever since she fled the matriarchal cult they were both living in. Now, many years later, Andrea reaches out and, desperate for reconnection and to make amends, Maeve agrees to meet. Andrea is now the super successful head of a tech company, married to her doting husband, Rob, and living in a huge mansion. When Maeve’s life starts to fall apart, Andrea takes her in, no questions asked. However, Maeve quickly realizes that Andrea is not the person she claims to be, and that she is keeping deep, dark, perverse secrets that she will go to any length to protect.
“Mother” is told from the perspective of Maeve, both in present day and in the past, when she was living with Andrea, in fear and wary of men, being raised entirely by a group of females who identified themselves as “Mothers”. Maeve’s childhood recollection of her time spent in the cult was eerie, and when she casually referred to the females in her life based on their identifying marks (“Mother with the blond hair”, “mother with the lazy eye”), it sent chills up my spine. Immediately, I empathized with young Maeve and her compatriots, who lived a life so far from normal it was both disturbing and terrifying.
I could not put this novel down, and each page was more engaging than the last. When Andrea and Maeve reconnected as adults, it was bittersweet and emotional, and yet there were hints that something was “off” about the successful Andrea and her followers. “Mothers” builds the tension from the first page, and when the ending comes, it is unexpected and tense, leaving the reader in a state of shock.
“Mother” is Heltzel’s third novel, but it is the first novel I’ve read by her. If this is any indication of her level of creativity and writing prowess, I am not going to let another one of her novels slip by. I loved everything about this utterly haunting, cult novel, which turns the idea of feminism on its head, revealing a deeply disturbing dark side to femininity and reproduction.

This book was so atmospheric and creepy! This would be a perfect Halloween or Fall read. Literally, I had nightmares for days. The writing style was unique and engaging. I will be checking out more from this author in the future. This was a spooky heebie jeebie cover pick and I am so glad I did!!!

Just Like Mother, the debut novel by Anne Heltzel is outstanding! After escaping a cult in the wilderness of Vermont as a child, Brooklyn-dwelling, single, childless book editor Maeve is reunited with her long lost cousin Andrea, the only person she ever loved and only connection to her past. In the spirit of reconnecting with her family, Maeve falls down the rabbit hole of Andrea's new life, which includes a sprawling estate, a successful business venture, her beautiful best friend, Emily, and the comforts her own life lacks. But as you might be able to guess, all is not what it seems with Andrea....

Throughout the twists and turns the plot takes, the dread that built up while I was reading it (and therefore unable to put down) had me feeling the equivalent of yelling at the TV when the killer's victim is running up the stairs instead of out the door and it kept me up past my bedtime. As a child-free woman in her 30s, not that unlike our narrator, I found myself thinking "yes I have felt this exact same way" throughout the novel. Anne Heltzel's novel distills the cult of mommy culture (of which not all moms are members, OBV) and the expectation of women to "fulfill their duty" to become a mom into a scary, tense work of fiction.

Many thanks to Tor Nightfire for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinions on the book. I can't wait for everyone to read it and would recommend to fans of The Push and Rosemary's Baby.

What a wild ride this book is to read. As a child Maeve escapes from the Mothers cult she grew up in leaving her cousin Andrea behind. As an adult she reconnects with Andrea and soon becomes enmeshed into her world. Suddenly Maeve’s world starts falling apart forcing her to rely more and more on Andrea until she realizes her cousin isn’t all she seems. This book had some many good twists and moments that just creeped me out that I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended

I finished this book in less than 24 hours. I found it hard to put down at times. Maeve escaped a cult when she was 8 years old, and she’s troubled as an adult. She can’t trust anyone or let anyone in. She reconnects with her cousin and it’s a fun ride from there.

This book was amazing, creepy, it even had my heart racing at times. There could be triggers in here for sensitive readers. This book isn’t for the faint of heart. I was so happy to get an advanced copy of it. The cover drew me into it. It’s very creepy, yet eye catching.

The dolls in the book creeped me out. I wish there was a bit more about them in the book, even though the freaked me out and dolls don’t freak me out, but these fictional dolls were something else…

The book goes between the past when Maeve was in the cult and the present as she is a 33 year old woman. I did relate to her a lot as I have anxiety too. So I liked her character. This book made me think and made me not want to trust anyone. There are twists in this book and that ending… I didn’t see it coming. I really enjoyed it and I will be buying a hard copy of it when it releases!

I would recommend it to anyone who likes books that are creepy. Thank you #netgalley for the advanced copy #justlikemother

I knew that I had to read this book the moment I saw the creepy doll on the cover. This book definitely delivers on all things creepy. Crazy cult. Check. Creepy dolls. Check. Psychobitches. Check.

Maeve hasn’t seen her cousin Andrea since the night she escaped the all-female cult The Mother Collective. Whilst Maeve is still dealing with the aftermath of the cult, Andrea seems to be doing amazing and has a multi-million dollar home and enterprise.

Throughout the book, you can’t help but feel this increasing sense of dread and you begin to notice that the book is a cross between Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives. Personally, this book is one wild ride and I enjoyed every crazy second of it.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves twisty cult stories that don’t focus on a cult led by a man and if motherhood has ever terrified you. You will find this read absolutely unsettling!

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Received this book I’m exchange for review!

Wow. I devoured this one In a matter of hours. A psychological thriller where both you and the main character know something isn’t quite right but you can’t really piece it together until the end. It was SO good. The distorted feminist horror just kept me on the hook from the start

I loved the writing. The author did an amazing job of keeping you almost exclusively in the main characters brain, while providing just enough other tidbits where you think “oh no…don’t do that…”

I’ve already recommended this to multiple friends.

by far one of the most unsettling books I've read this year! I literally could not put it down and read it cover to cover in a few hours. the plot unfolds in the creepiest way and I think horror fans will LOVE this.

5/5 Stars

This review is spoiler free!

Wow. This book was amazing.

Creepy, horrifying, twisted. Anne Heltzel is an author to watch for sure. This novel is just as creepy as it's cover. Know going into it that this is not a book to read lightly. It is a graphic, terrifying, and gripping read. But wow is it good.

Just Like Mother tells the story of Maeve, who spent her earliest years raised in a compound of the cult the Mother Collective, a terrifying Matriarchal cult. Now in her early thirties, Maeve has spent her years trying to find her cousin, Andrea, who she hasn't seen since she was rescued from the cult as a young child. When she finds Andrea through a DNA test, she seems to have her whole life together. She's married, a successful CEO, and all around seems to have made an amazing life for herself despite the horrible situation they both grew up in.

However, Maeve quickly realizes there's something off with her cousin, her cousin's friends, and her charmed life. And yes. Yes there are lots and lots of creepy baby dolls.

I cannot recommend this book enough, and I can't wait for Anne Heltzel's next novels!

*I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and views in this review are my own.

What a wild ride this book was. It was absolutely fantastic. From the opening scene to the end, it was riveting. Ominous and creepy, the story definitely matches the cover perfectly. I didn’t know much going into the book and I found that was the best way to read this. Maeve and Andrea, long separated cousins, meet again and Maeve is slowly pulled into Andrea’s world with dark and creepy ramifications. This book pulled me in from the very creepy opening and left me reeling at the end. Absolutely well done. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Holy crow. This was one of the creepiest books I’ve ever read. I LOVED it.

I’ve been a horror fan all of my life. I’ve read, and watched, everything with Stephen King’s name even close to it. When I was 11 I watched the miniseries of “It” (yes, I’m old) and it freaked me out in a way that I’ve been chasing ever since.

Until now. It’s almost midnight and I can guarantee I won’t be able to sleep for a LONG time. That was honestly one of the most disturbing things I’ve read in a long time. Probably because many of the themes didn’t seem too far off from reality (reborn dolls, the way some women focus on motherhood like they can’t figure out why any woman wouldn’t want a child).

Thank you to NetGalley, Anne Heltzel, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Tor Nightfire for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Looking for a creepy book. This is one for you. Predictable and not in the same breathe. Believable I hope not.

Total creep fest! If you think the cover is creepy, wait til you finish Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel. It was quite obvious to me that Andrea's intentions for Maeve were not entirely pure, but at no point did I imagine just what those intentions actually were. And the animatronic babies ("But then, there was something real about her that it made me hurt.")?? No, thanks! It's easy to understand why Maeve felt so lonely and longed for "family", and why she felt guilty for her part in Andrea's past. And easy to see how Andrea manipulates her using these feelings. Compulsively readable, and highly recommend.

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the DRC.

Wow, wow, wow! What a deliciously dark and creepy read! A well written horror story, that will likely creep you out or scare the hell out of you! Intense, enthralling, and unputdownable!! Fast paced, with flawless characters, making it impossible to put down! Absolutely cannot recommend this creepy read enough!

An excellent read!! I was hooked from the beginning. I feel like this story would appeal to so many people, and I can't wait to recommend it. A perfectly creepy, horrifying, tale with believable characters. And the ending was awesome.

Well, this just became my favorite horror book of 2022. I'm going to try to summarize my feelings in this review but let me just start with this- pick. this. book. up.

Just Like Mother from start to finish is truly horrifying. The story follows Maeve and Andrea- cousins in a cult called the mother collective, that is until Maeve escapes. Fast forward years later and Maeve finds Andrea through a DNA website, and gets back in touch with her cousin, and wants her once best friend back in her life.

What follows is a rollercoaster of mind blowing, nerve biting, series of events. There were moments that just made my skin crawl, or I was literally yelling at Maeve, or I was trying to figure out what was really happening.

Heltzel writes expertly, breathing life into her characters. This book will stay long with the reader after, and if you are looking for a scary as hell horror, buy this now.

Five stars.

Where do I even start! Just Like Mother was an intense psychological thriller that messed with my head with the turn of every page. This book focused on the past and present of Maeve, a girl who survived a cult as a child and is reunited with her long lost cousin after years apart, but can they rebuild their relationship or will their past be a permanent wedge between them! Nothing is as it seems in this book and once you start you won’t be able to put it down until you finally know the truth behind the smiles and secrets. The author brilliantly developed the characters in such a way that you don’t know who to like or trust! Like I said this book messed with my head because even though I had my suspicions, the way the story is written you do nothing but question everything, even yourself! High recommend this book, but definitely check TW’s prior to reading as some scenes may not be for everyone!

JUST LIKE MOTHER turns the role of women in society upside down. The function of the Mother Collective is to bear children, particularly female children. It demands that men be subservient and serve a single purpose. As women seek bodily autonomy in today's world, the Mother cult would deny a woman's right to choose.

This is a particularly difficult book to review without going down the spoilers' rabbit hole. I will say that there are passages that will make your skin crawl. As you read, it seems that there are more questions than answers, so you turn pages long into the night to get to the bottom of this speculative tale that seems so very real. Set in our world of Facebook and Twitter, it feels too close to ignore.

JUST LIKE MOTHER is one of the darkest novels I've read.

I devoured this book in a single day (much faster than I've read anything in ages). It was fast and compelling, and I was hooked the entire time. It's a thriller with a nice dash of horror. It's a lot of things at once, all of them right up my alley.
Full review to come on YouTube.

Cue the discomfort people, you are going to have shivers up your spine with this one.

I am a total cover snob, lets be serious for a moment, just look at this cover. It is not only frightening but its absolutely captivating. It screams "read me" because come on, anything that has a premise with a creepy child like doll head on the cover is going to instantly grab my attention.

This book is beyond a thriller, I would more or less classify it as a thrilling, psychological horror novel.

I am completely and utterly obsessed with this book and have become an instant fan of Anne Heltzel. This book screams book of the year. I will put my bet out now that this book will break the internet on release day.

I am still in shock..

The character development is perfection, the plot is executed well, there is not one thing I could critique with this book. I read it in one sitting, I will most likely even read it again, I just could not get enough.

I would absolutely love to see this book made into a movie or mini series. It was such a honor to read and review this book prior to the big release!

A true gut-pinch of a book, Just Like Mother is a body horror focused on birth and motherhood. Years ago, Maeve escaped the cult where she was born, leaving behind her cousin Amanda. When Amanda wants to reconnect, Maeve jumps at the chance, spending more and more time in Amanda's huge home in Upstate New York. Nothing is quite right here, as Amanda and her friends obsess over motherhood and birth while more of Maeve's connections disappear from her life. Utterly terrifying, with the worst horrors reserved for scenes that are, for women, all too real. Creepy dolls, claustrophobic nightmares, murderous cults, and societal expectations: what could be scarier than that?

Okay y'all, best fasten your seat belts for this one - JUST LIKE MOTHER is a messed up, thrilling ride.

Although I loved this one, it is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. It deals with a lot of heavy topics (specifically around motherhood, child loss and reproductive rights) Even though I am happily #childfree this one got me in the feels and brought out a lot of resentment towards the characters in the book (which, I'm sure, was the author's intention.)

Full of twists, backstabbing and a great ambiguous ending, JUST LIKE MOTHER will delight fans of twisted, psychological horror.

Thank you to Netgalley for my #arc

Anxieties around motherhood creep into horror from many different angles. Nightmares about birth, for example, appear in horror literature and films such as ROSEMARY'S BABY and THE BROOD. Newer novels like THE PUSH and BABY TEETH, and films like THE BAD SEED, highlight the fear of raising manipulative, sociopathic children. Even stories like PSYCHO, CARRIE, and MOMMY DEAREST feature monstrous mothers as the main focus. One concept not yet thoroughly explored appears in Anne Heltzel's upcoming book, JUST LIKE MOTHER, where the societal pressures to pursue motherhood serve as the primary horror and manifest in the form of a literal cult.

Mauve and her cousin, Andrea, grew up as close as sisters until the cult that raised them collapsed. After this separates the cousins, Mauve tries to build a new life in New York City as an editor, but, due to her traumatic past, continues to distance herself from friends, family, and romantic partners. Two decades later, a DNA search reunites Mauve and Andrea, pulling the two closer to each other and their shared past.

Suddenly spending more time at her cousin's remote mansion in the Catskills, Mauve becomes immersed in Andrea's life, meeting her pregnant friends and learning more about the fertility tech company that made her rich. Motherhood falls in the center of everything, and Mauve— single and without intentions of changing that anytime soon—begins feeling isolated from the life she built back in the city. Soon, Andrea's life and devotion to motherhood starts to consume Mauve who must look to her past to break free from her current nightmare.

JUST LIKE MOTHER gives us a unique type of horror with a page-turning plot. I heard Heltzel's social message loud and clear, finding myself engaged by her creative, critical, and creepy expression of motherhood as a cult. The book pretty directly calls attention to the harm caused by the exclusionary, essentialist ideology that often grounds the view that only motherhood gives women their power or that womanhood equals motherhood, which I had never seen in horror fiction before reading this book. This message combined with uncanny AI babies, feelings of confinement, and the presence of cults makes for a gripping take on the horrors of motherhood as a concept rather than only its tangible, messy realities.

I do wish we learned more about the cult that raised Mauve and Andrea, but understand that giving us deeper descriptions of it would probably impede the forward-movement of the plot. I also wanted more scenes with creepy babies, but again, I think I'm just greedy for a good scare.

In summary, readers who want a new twist on the horrors of motherhood with social commentary will get that all in a fast-paced package with JUST LIKE MOTHER. But, as a heads up, this book focuses heavily on pregnancy and infertility so if you are sensitive to these topics you may want to pass.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Tornightfire for the electronic advanced reviewer copy! Keep an eye out for JUST LIKE MOTHER, scheduled to release on May 17, 2022.

The only thing I can say is… why did I read this book so quickly!

Anne Heltzel is an author to keep your eye out for!

This story sucks you in from the very first page and doesn’t spit you out until you’ve been left shocked and wanting more.

There were moments of wanting to shake the book because of the rollercoaster ride that you’re on. Even if you could predict what was to come the author finesses it in such a way that has your jaw drop.

Everyone feels suspicious to you and I couldn’t help shake the eerie feeling.

The author did an incredible job creating this smart, well-written, page-turning thriller and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Wow, what a disturbing and creepy read! The many twists really kept the momentum of the story going. There were a few stomach churning scenes which aren't for the faint of heart. The ending was perfect.

Maeve and her cousin Andrea were raised in a cult called the Mother Collective but then lose contact with each other after the cult is busted. Maeve is placed into an adopted home and we see her later attempting to establish a normal adult life in Brooklyn NY. When an ancestry test puts her back in touch with Andrea, they resume a relationship and Maeve gets integrated into Andreas friends, life and home.

This book was hard to put down in a dark, twisty, captivating way. It opens with creepy tales of cult life: two girls playing Bloody Mary in the woods, a child referred to simply as “Boy” that nobody except Maeve seems to care about, a respect for the Mothers, and a noticeable absence of men. When Maeve is later put into an adoptive home, her parents encourage her to move on from her dark past, which she tries to do but it is understandably difficult. It made me both cringe and mourn when I read about her first day of school when she colored her face with makers and cut up her shirt to be more scandalous, thinking it made her appealing.

The manipulation and mistreatment of Andrea toward Maeve begins to be obvious and, as a reader, you want so badly for Maeve to see it and find a way out. The dark aspects of this story are very intense and much of what I read will stick with me. The author does an excellent job of instilling discomfort in the reader. I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted so badly for the story to have a happy ending.

That being said, without giving away any spoilers, the epilogue is chilling.

You had me at the creepy baby doll cover! A deliciously frightening modern day gothic tale: cousins, raised as sisters in a Mother-centric cult, separated by the occurrence of a mysterious night when all hell broke loose at the cult compound. The girls, now women, in their thirties, meet again, through DNA testing. They are thrilled to have found each other once again, but something is just not quite right...

Anne Heltzel thoughtfully weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue, and horror. Oh, those babies! It's a fascinating socio-political take on women's issues: notably, the right to choose. Maeve and Andrea are strong characters and their personality traits are developed and described artfully. Plot building is superbly woven - the tension never lets up.

I was spellbound and enjoyed Just Like Mother immensely. Truly a Rosemary's Baby for the modern age.

5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley,Publisher Tor Nightmare, and the extraordinary author, Anne Heltzel, for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review, based solely on my independent opinion.

Trigger Warnings: Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Loss, Self Harm

A must read! Lots of drama and mystery. Maeve and her cousin Are raised by a group of Mothers in a cult like setting. At age 8 Maeve escapes the cult trying to save a baby ‘boy’. She is adopted but misses her cousin. And when they meet up again, Maeve’s life is a horror story…..time to reread more!

A frightening novel book you will not want to put down, without giving anything away it’s Rosemary’s Baby meets the cult world. The writing style and editing of the story were spot on, and a page turner. I had to finish this book this morning before I accomplished anything (lol). Warning - don’t start the book till you can dedicate time to finish it because you just have to know what is happening….it’s that kind of nail biting novel. Thank you NetGalley for he early release. Buy this book! Looking forward to the author’s next story. She is a gifted storyteller. (Great cover too!)

Just Like Mother was another book which initially drew me in because of the cover. Dolls are just creepy AF so I needed this.

I had no idea what to expect as I went in totally blind and now I don’t want to say too much and give anything away. This is a great book to go into without any expectations and just enjoy the ride.
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What I loved: I was a fan of the writing, the book was weird and unique and perfectly put together. A spine tingling story with elements of horror and some gut wrenching moments with gothic vibes. I literally had a hard time putting this one down! Binge worthy for sure.

What I didn’t love: Nothing. This one had just about everything I love in a thriller/horror. Would totally recommend this!!! 4.5⭐️

Not what I was looking for when I went into it but still enjoyed it so much I gave it 5 stars! I thought it would have been more of a horror or scary type story but the only part that creeped me out was with those dolls. OMG them dolls were freaking something else. I wouldn't have one of them things in my house no way. Reminds me of the "Chuckie Dolls" to much. The actual cult itself "The Mother Collective" was also another disturbing thing as we find out their purpose and all.

I really despised Andrea the "cousin" but I had to keep reminding myself it was how she was raised and what beliefs were pounded into her that made her how she was and I would get easily irritated with our main character Maeve who was far more trusting and gullible than she should have been. I would be literally clenching my fists and hollering silently in my mind for her to wake up and smell the coffee or just smack her to see what was right in front of her!

Entertaining to the end as the pace kept up and always had something to tug you along to want to see what happened next. There probably should be a few trigger warnings though as there were a few scenes involving sexual assaults/rape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What an enthralling book. Just Like Mother had me hooked from the beginning and kept me reading to find out all the story. Although some of the plot points were foreshadowed I still enjoyed trying to figure out what exactly was going to happen. This book has a lot of interesting commentary on motherhood, womanhood and our role in society. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy in exchange for my honest review!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Fantastic Read! Just the cover alone had me intrigued. Just Like Mother reminded me of a modern Rosemary’s Baby just a bit more disturbing.

The book centers around Maeve and her cousin Andera, both who managed to escape a cult. They haven’t seen each other since. Both their lives have drastically changed upon leaving the cult. Now as adults, they are thrilled to reconnect. Maeve finds herself spending more and more time with Andera which draws her away from the life in NYC she built. However, the more time she spends with Andrea, the more she feels something is not right.

Heltzel does a great job at building tension throughout. There were many creepy parts throughout (the dolls, her friends) and THE ENDING! Without spoiling, left me wanting so much more. The novel is very character driven.

There were a few loose ends that I thought were going to be tied up by the end, but never were. Also, parts that I wish they revisited to get a deeper explanation. Overall, a great horror read.



Fantastic Read! Just the cover alone had me intrigued. Just Like Mother reminded me of a modern Rosemary’s Baby just a bit more disturbing.
The book centers around Maeve and her cousin Andera, both who managed to escape a cult. They haven’t seen each other since. Both their lives have drastically changed upon leaving the cult. Now as adults, they are thrilled to reconnect. Maeve finds herself spending more and more time with Andera which draws her away from the life in NYC she built. However, the more time she spends with Andrea, the more she feels something is not right.
Heltzel does a great job at building tension throughout. There were many creepy parts throughout (the dolls, her friends) and THE ENDING! Without spoiling, left me wanting so much more. The novel is very character driven.
There were a few loose ends that I thought were going to be tied up by the end, but never were. Also, parts that I wish they revisited to get a deeper explanation. Overall, a great horror read.

This book was supremely creepy and gave me major Rosemary’s Baby vibes. The premise was original and I especially was drawn to the conversations about the pressure society puts on women. You may figure out what is happening along the way BUT I implore you to keep reading. The end was brilliant. If you like dark, twisty and creepy stories - this is a MUST READ.

In her book Just Like Mother, Anne Heltzel delivers an absolutely twisted and creepy tale. Growing up in a matriarchal cult, Maeve and Andrea, cousins who were as close as sisters until an incident occurs setting them free and separating them, setting them upon two very different paths. Now years later, thanks to a DNA testing service, the two find each other again and reunite. I don’t want to go too much further into the plot to avoid posting any serious spoilers, but I’ll say while the early part of the book where we first meet Maeve and Andrea and get a taste of cult life is creepy, it’s when we first meet the doll Andrea’s company is creating ( which totally reminded me of the doll from the early episodes from Apple TV’s show The Servant ) that the creep factor really jumps up a few notches! Excellent characters and the wonderfully twisted plot made this creepy thriller hard to put down. Thanks so much to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Just Like Mother.

This book pulls you right in from the start and doesn't let go, I couldn't put it down once I started. Looking forward to more from the author.

The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything—and everyone—at a safe distance.

When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Soon she’s spending more time at Andrea’s remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn’t even mind that her cousin’s wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry—baby fever comes with the territory.

The more Maeve immerses herself in Andrea’s world, the more disconnected she feels from her life back in the city; and the cousins’ increasing attachment triggers memories Maeve has fought hard to bury. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come…




My Thoughts:


Just Like Mother seemingly portrays the renewed life of Andrea, a former cult child, after her escape years before. She presents as a life coach, but the shrine of motherhood does send up red flags for Maeve, who grew up with her cousin in that same cult and is doing everything in her power to put those values behind her. So when Andrea invites her cousin to stay with her after she loses her job, helping out financially, it seems like generosity. And caring.

But soon Maeve begins to wonder about things she is seeing and hearing at the huge estate. Then Andrea’s strange request definitely arouses Maeve’s worries. Suddenly very odd events begin happening, and just when Andrea decides to move back to the city, she finds herself helpless to leave. Intense and very frightening moments are terse reminders of the nightmares of their past. By the end, we are not sure who will walk away and who will remain. 5 stars.

***My e-ARC came to me from the publisher via NetGalley

I loved this book!! This a creepy and unsettling novel that has you questioning everything. I fully recommend this novel for horror, thriller and mystery fans! Go ahead and put this book in your wishlist or cart.

Just Like Mother is such an interesting book. I loved the writing, the chapters set in the past were written in a stilted way that was very jarring and definitely made you feel uncomfortable with what was going on. While I did find a lot of this book predictable, I think it was done in a way where it didn't matter to me. Throughout the novel I felt unsettled but in the best way. I would really recommend this book to thriller lovers who want aspects of horror throughout!