This is the first book by this author that I have actually read. Going by how much I enjoyed it, I can safely say that it certainly won’t be the last book of hers that I read. I read the synopsis and I was immediately intrigued. I just knew that I had to read this book and I am so glad I did but more about that in a bit.

Tessa Markham is a bit of a funny old fish in that I wasn’t sure how to take her. I really felt for her when it emerges that her children have sadly died. I’m aware that grief can drive you to do some silly things. After all you don’t expect to have to bury your children. The death of her children floors Tessa and her world is shattered even more when her husband ups and leaves. I think that he is a typical male and he doesn’t want to talk about his feelings or deal with what has happened. Tessa really has her world turned upside down. When she finds the little lad in her kitchen, I did wonder if she had actually taken him herself but then a few minutes later I wasn’t so sure. Tessa is one strong woman because she has had to be. When the little boy is picked up by the police, Tessa is besieged by the press who smell blood so to speak. Thankfully she has a very understanding boss, who allows her to work hidden away and not have to appear in public. Is her boss all that he seems? Her ex-husband is about as much use as a chocolate teapot and he doesn’t provide much support but then he has his own little secret. Tessa is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery of how the little lad came to be in her kitchen. Tessa doesn’t know who she can trust and who she should steer clear of. She realises that somebody is lying to her but she doesn’t know who or why. ‘The Secret Mother’ follows her determined attempt to get to the truth and expose the person who has lied.

I have to say that I literally did not put the book down after I had started it. I usually have the attention span of a gnat but this story got its claws into me from the very first word on the very first page and didn’t release me from its grip until the last word on the last page. I just became addicted to reading it and the Kindle went everywhere with me. I just had to read on to see what happened next and to see if I was getting any closer to the truth. The pages were turning that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and before I knew it I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. I was enjoying the story and the writing style so much that I just didn’t want the story to finish. Reading ‘The Secret Mother’ was a bit like riding on a very long and twisty rollercoaster ride with lots of stomach churning moments. I smugly thought that I had worked out who was telling the truth and who was lying but then the book sent me a curveball, which sent me down another path entirely. In the end I trusted nobody and I believed nobody. This is certainly a book that messed with my head and the story will stay fresh in my mind for a long time to come.

In short I absolutely loved this book and it has to be in my top 10 reads of 2017. Shalini Boland is right up there on my list of favourite authors and I can’t wait to read what comes next from her very talented and twisted mind. I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody. I give ‘The Secret Mother’ 5* out of 5* but I would have awarded it more stars if I could have because I enjoyed it that much.

A genuine one sitting read is needed for this! While the blurb may sound a little strange (a random child turning up in a house?) don't be put off as you're soon sucked in.
The main character Tessa is childless and alone after the death of two children and their father leaving her. She leads a relatively boring predictable life...that is until a young boy turns up in her kitchen one day!
Due to her history, the police are quickly suspicious of Tessa and she's soon under investigation for child abduction.
As Tessa's mind spirals so too will yours as the reader. You simply won't be able to put the book down until the climax.
I haven't read any of Shalini Boland before but I will definitely be looking out for her name going foward!

Tessa arrives home after visiting her childrens graves to find a little boy sitting in her kitchen announcing that she is his new mummy. Where has he come from and is Tessa losing her mind- others around her seem to be convinced that she is.

I loved every page of this book following Tessa trying to investigate how Harry came to be sitting in her house and then trying to deal with the backlash from a police investigation and a journalist deluge. Mystery surrounds her. It's a great psychological thriller.

She finds some unexpected support from her boss and work colleagues and that helps her deal with the breakdown of her life.

Oh my god I loved this book it was totally amazing very emotional and very raw story line is will keep you hooked from the first page to the last brilliant.

This book follows Tess a mother who has gone through the unthinkable when she loses both her children and she goes through so much especially when no one believes her.

This book sends you on a emotional roller coaster from start to finish.

There is a happy ending a very amazing twist you would never see coming you have to read this book it won't let you down if I could give it more then 5 stars then I would.

Imagine coming home and finding a young boy in your kitchen who thinks you’re his Mom.

Tess wonders if she’s gone crazy and her ex husband believes she needs help when she tells him what has occurred. Through twists and digging in the past she discovers the truth about this little boy and the connection to a deep loss she experienced when giving birth.

This book is captivating and keeps you wanting to read more.

This book gripped me instantly, if I was able to I could have happily sat and read it in one sitting,

You really felt for Tessa, you were sad on her behalf you were angry on her behalf and in a way I wanted to race towards the end to ensure she got the ending she deserved. I had an inkling as to what would happen in the end however it didn't stop my enjoyment of the book.

I look forward to reading more by Boland and will be recommending this book to friends.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Shalini Boland for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine walking into your kitchen and finding a young boy there calling you 'mum', yet you have no children.. Creepy!
To make matters worse, you are then accused of abducting the child. The Secret Mother follows the life of a woman with many complicated issues after having her husband leave her and her life left in tatters. I was intrigued throughout the book wondering if she was suffering episodes and she really did abduct the kid or was someone trying to frame her. It certainly kept me on my toes right to the end.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC for my Kindle.
I have enjoyed all of Shalini Boland's books, but this one is my favorite.
There are twists and turns that I certainly didn't see coming, but I did like where they took me.
The only negative aspect for me was I felt the ending was rushed and would have liked to have seen a marriage or engagement for Tessa and Ben. IF anyone deserved a strong relationship with a man, it was definitely Tessa!

Unforgettable

It's Sunday morning. Tessa is at the cemetery, grieving the loss of her two children. She hasn't missed a Sunday yet. Except, this Sunday is different: when she gets home she finds a little boy in her kitchen who thinks she is his mother. None of it makes sense... And none of it will, not until you reach the final pages...

This is a haunting story: I could see everything play out and I was torn. The appearance of an unknown child in her kitchen- I can't imagine how painful that must have been, to almost relive the loss. Then having to navigate the murky waters of creating a new life for herself, after discovering something about the man she thought would always stick around.

This book was incredibly unnerving and the quest to uncover the truth was one I was wholeheartedly engaged in, while daring to think up conspiracies of my own. This was something that set the book apart for me: Tessa was a character who didn't take anything at face value, and was genuinely curious as, well as, understandably, anxious. And no, she wasn't a detective. It was just so true to life and it's hard to read a story about a naive character and at the same time, believe that they'll make it out alive.

Shalini Boland cleverly introduces wild, but still realistic, twists you couldn't ever have been prepared for. I recommend this read.

I received this book through NetGalley.

Tessa Markham returns home one Sunday after her weekly visit to her children’s graves to find a mystery boy sitting in her kitchen. she has no clue who he is or how he came to be in her house. He tells her an angel brought him and that she is his new mummy. After informing the Police suspicion falls upon her of abduction of the boy and a trial by media ensues causing people close to her and even Tessa to question did she do it.

This is the first book i’ve read by this author and i thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the style of writing. The character Tessa is clearly suffering from grief after the deaths of her 2 children and the strain has caused the break up of her marriage. The character is likeable and I felt myself rooting for her to clear her name rather than give in to the world of depression and self-doubt.

The book didn’t end the way i’d expected and had a clever twist in the tale.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Arriving home one day to her usually empty house, bereaved mother Tessa Markham is astounded to find a little boy sitting in her kitchen - a little boy who calls her his mother and says he’s been brought there by an angel. Having no other option, she calls the police - as anyone would have to, in this unlikely situation - but of course the story doesn’t stop there.

It’s an intriguing opening and sets the stage for a story which keeps the reader guessing - and very concerned for the safety and well-being of the small child, Harry, at the centre of the mystery.

Besieged by journalists tipped off about a possible child abduction, it takes almost half the book for Tessa to actually start investigating what has happened and why. (While I have no illusions as to the frequently deplorable behaviour of the British tabloid press, however, I’m not convinced they would have pursued Tessa quite so persistently on the basis of an initially rather vague allegation of wrongdoing. Must have been a slow news week.)

A very intriguing story which kept me guessing until near the end, when I did get a sudden revelation as to what was probably going on! (And, as always, felt I should have realised it sooner.... but didn’t.)

My only issue really is that I feel the cover perhaps gives slightly too much away. Also there were a couple of loose ends which I didn’t feel were satisfactorily explained. All in all though a very engrossing read.... recommended.

This story is creepy and bizarre and totally enthralling! You are drawn in right from the beginning of this masterfully crafted thriller. Of course everyone is suspicious and implicates Tessa of wrongdoing. Her world has suddenly imploded with all the accusations swirling and the media whirlwind surrounding Tessa and her life. At times she even starts to question her own sanity. The tension is slowly ratcheted up throughout the book to keep you reading well into the night.

This book has all the elements you look for in a great read. Character development is a key part to the storyline. Some you will root for and some you will grow to despise, but you never quite know who you can trust until the end. The twists and turns in this book will keep you frantically turning the pages to get the answers you desperately need. All the pieces fall into place at the end and it will leave you breathless.

I would highly recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. I received this as a free ARC from Bookotoure on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa has lost two children- one at birth and one later. Her marriage has broken up and she leads a solitary existence. One Sunday she returns home to find a small boy in her kitchen who asks her if she is his new mummy.
Tessa finds herself in a nightmare as she is accused of abducting this child. The press won't leave her alone, the police don’t believe he, neither does her ex-husband who has a new relationship to concentrate on. Only her boss at work continues to be kind to her.
So, do we have an unreliable narrator in Tessa? Is she really delusional or is there something behind her story? She sets out to discover exactly what has happened and who the little boy is.
I read the book very quickly as I wanted to see how it ended. I found the last few chapters a little long and drawn out so rushed through them to the end.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for this review copy.

*thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.
Apart from the first few pages of this, I read it in one sitting. I love books that can get me to do this. The story was gripping and I was eager to find out the mystery of this story, Who is this kid? While I think that I figured things out earlier than when the author was aiming for, it was still a very enjoyable read! I, along with many others I'm going to assume, really found Carly to get on my nerves. What then what freelance reporter doesn't get on most people's nerves. I liked this mix of the characters. While I didn't like some as much as others, they all fitted well into the story. It was entertaining and interesting to find out little it's and pieces of the puzzle along the way and I will admit, that even at the 90% mark I was still asking myself the same question, 'What is going on here?' So yeah, while I did have the main part mostly figured out, there was still enough going on that I was unsure about. Everything wrapped up nicely at the end and as much as I can think of right now, all my questions were answered which I think is pretty important. Definitely recommend.

It has increasingly become difficult for me to find a psychological thriller that hooks me from beginning to end; however, Boland never lets me down because her stories always captivate me and holds me hostage until the very last page. I highly recommend The Secret Mother for those of you that have been struggling to find a psychological thriller that blows your mind because you will not be disappointed with this nail biting, fast passed, and twisted novel.

Reviewed on Amazon, Goodreads, and YouTube channel.

Tessa is grieving for her lost children, one who died at birth and one who recently passed away. Added to that, her husband Scott has found a new love. Then, one day when she comes in from work, there is a little boy sitting in her kitchen and he calls her his new mummy. Suddenly, she is accused of child snatching, but the father didn’t even report the child missing for several days. What is happening here is a twisted tale of a mother who wants to uncover the truth and who risks her life to do so. There are a lot of surprises here that you won’t see coming! You just have to read between the lines and you will be able to guess what happened...and it’s a real thrill to read the ending and see if you were right!

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Well, this is an gripping book to read!! I was shocked to see that Janes Fiaher did that to himself at the Clinic while deliver the babies. I couldn't believe that he swapped to dead daughter on Tessa Markham instead of his wife Liz who is having a baby girl. Harry was really Tessa's son after all this time in his six years old.

I definitely will read more of this author in the future. It is a good book!

The Secret Mother grabbed me from page one and didn't let me put it down, it's still got a hold on me even though I finished reading days ago.

It's more than a psychological thriller, it's a compelling, heartbreaking story about grief, trauma, self doubt, and despondency. Not being believed, doubting her own sanity and exposed to the most horrendous scrutiny following the discovery of a young boy, the already heartbroken Tessa battles not only with the police and media but with the man who she thought would always support, love and care for her. The plot is well paced, the writing is fabulous and there are plenty of twists in this emotional, anxiety ramping, gripping story.

My first read by this author but I'm looking forward to delving into both her earlier and future books 4.5 shiny stars.

The Secret Mother is a book full of twists and turns, and questions. Tessa used to be the picture of happiness, before her twins were born. That joyful day was one that was also full of loss as one of the twins did not make it. This unfortunate loss, changes her life in many ways, and brings about the loss of her marriage, as well. When we join the story, Tessa is working at a garden shop, where she greatly enjoys what she does, for a man she enjoys working for. She visits the graves of her children, as the surviving child died, as well, a few years after his birth. She feels she has nothing but her job. One Sunday, when she returns from visiting the grave-site, there is a boy in her kitchen. How did he get there? All we are told is that an angel brought him and she is his new mummy. She calls Scott, her estranged husband to come over, as she knows the police need to be called, but she cannot quite do it herself.... and so begins the craziest part of her life, where she is no longer sure which end is up, and if she is sane or crazy, herself. Things just do not add up.... until they do at the very end. You might be able to figure out this tale before the end, but it took me a long time to untwist the tale. I still am not sure I 100% understand one of the pieces, that for me was still left hanging. None the less, this was a story I enjoyed and quickly devoured.

4.5 stars. Rounded up to five because while it's not a perfect book I perfectly enjoyed it!

I will start by saying that I was gripped from the first two pages and if I had the occasion I would probably read it in one sit. It is a relatively short and easy read but it keeps the interest up until the end. Fortunately I didn't have time to read for more than half an hour each day, so it took me quite long to finish it. I said fortunately because althought the tale was good, what I loved more was the general atmosphere, the cold winter, the journalists haunting the main character, the cozy warmth of Ben's house. I'd like also to have a sequel but I know this is impossible..the story is closed (in a satisfying way I have to add) and there's not much more to say, but I will miss the company of Moretti's gardens during the winter and I wanted more of them!
If I had read the book too quickly I think I would have miss some depth, that really made the story great.
This is a mystery book, labelled as psychological thriller, but it won't put you on the edge of your seat. I knew exactly what would be the final outcome at 50% but I enjoyed the story all the same. Ok, the mystery is rather simple, but at least it's believable and well exploited! I hate it when the end suprises me, but not because the plot is well made and only because it was too far fetched to be even imaginable!
If I had to complain about something it would be the writing style. It's not bad at all but I think the story flew too quickly, if there was some more descriptions, some more background story for each character..it would be a perfect book! But it's already a really good one..and so unbelievably cheap! It's now something like one dollar on kindle, so buy it while it's still cold outside!