Summary
Sarah is a recent widow with a toddler and a child on the way. After the death of her husband, secrets began to unravel about her dead husband. Unable to support herself and driven to protect her family from those who thought they were close friends, she accepts help from her mother-in-law.
Thoughts
This was a page-turner! A few nights I regretted staying up late reading the book and paid the price dearly the next morning. This thriller has it all – suspense, rich old ladies, drama, secrets, and unexpectedly… A cult!
Despite it being a page-turner, I found the beginning of the book to be annoying. I couldn’t help but think… “Again?! This lady can’t get a break!”. But, after the initial ramp-up, it gets better. From the very start, you know the antagonist is the mother-in-law based on the synopsis which is a bit disappointing because you’re expecting her to do something as you read. What I love about the book is the twist and secrets behind almost every chapter that keep you going (who exactly is her husband?!), because otherwise, the middle of the book is all building up to the last few chapters where all the action happens. And frankly, the middle chapters would be dull without the twists and secrets.
This book focuses on actions and events, not so much characters, so all the main characters are flat. What is infuriating is Sarah’s lack of anger as she uncovers yet another secret of her husband’s.
It’s not a 5-star read for me because despite it being a page-turner, there’s not much to distinguish itself from other thrillers. Yes, it’s suspenseful and dramatic, but like every thriller, all the thrill, action, and vile behaviours happen in the last 3 chapters.
Rating & Recommendation
I rate this book a 3 out of 5. It’s a typical thriller where the bulk of the book is dull, with some twists sprinkled between chapters now and then. It’s an easy and quick read suited for airplanes or when you’re on vacation and don’t want to put too much mental energy into a novel.
Check out Like a Mother by Mina Hardy on Goodreads or Amazon Canada.
—
Rating scale:
1 out of 5 = Hated it!
2 out of 5 = Didn’t like it.
3 out of 5 = It was okay.
4 out of 5 = It was great!
5 out of 5 = Absolutely loved it!
This book does sound exciting. I can imagine that her husband and his family have dark secrets that they kept from her.
I hope you pick it up and enjoy the thrill!
Great review, Claire! This sounds like an interesting story and I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love books that focus on character building, but for a thriller, I can compromise if it’s a page turner and packed with action. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thank you so much! I’m glad the review piqued your interest. I totally agree—while character building is always important, a fast-paced, action-packed thriller can still be a great read! I hope you enjoy it if you decide to give it a try.
This does sound like a typical thriller where the majority of the book is dull and then the twists and turns come into play! A great review x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you! Something about a thriller keeps calling me back even though I know all the action is near the end.