This book started off slow for me and took me a while to get into it, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down!

It alternates viewpoints from the MIL Diana and her DIL Lucy as well as going from past to present. There were many different layers for each of the characters and they slowly peel back as the book goes on. Also there were lots of emotionally charged topics brought up and a surprise twist ending!

I read one of Sally Hepworth’s earlier novels last year and immediately connected with her writing style and storytelling approach. I marked the rest of her books as TBR, then saw The Mother-in-Law available via NetGalley. I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC earlier this week and began reading it right away. What an emotional and angst-ridden tale about the relationship between several family members who can feel all too real and all too fake at the exact same time. I truly enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars. Let’s get into some specifics…

Lucy lost her mother when she was young. Although her father was wonderful, she never felt that connection with an older female who could guide her through becoming a mother, caring for a family, or securing your own position in the world as a strong, intelligent woman. When she meets Ollie, and he wants to introduce her to his family, Lucy is nervous but hopeful it fills a hole that’s been growing for far too long. Unfortunately, when Lucy meets his mother, Diana, it becomes quite clear that won’t happen.

Diana had a difficult childhood and was essentially almost forced to give Ollie up as a baby. When she was kicked out, Diana learned how to build something from nothing and to care for her family when she didn’t even have a place to live. She used that savvy experience to become a major player in an organization that helps young women trying to escape from difficult circumstances in their own country and move to America for a better life. Diana also developed a thick skin and an attitude that no one should be given a handout without working for it in return.

Although the story alternates chapters from Lucy’s and Diana’s viewpoints throughout the decade they know one another, there are other characters who help show what each woman is truly made of. Diana’s husband, Tom, is the complete opposite of her; he’s a lovable, genuine, and thoughtful husband and father who gets sick. Ollie’s sister and her husband are desperate for a baby and go to the extremes to make it happen with or without their family’s support and money. Ollie’s best friend becomes his business partner and wreaks havoc on a complex family relationship. Then there’s the 3 young children Ollie and Lucy have during that first decade. Throw in Diana’s untimely death, mysterious circumstances that make it look like a suicide but also a murder… and you’ve got quite a psychological exploration of what it means to be a parent and an in-law.

This book explores that fine line of how you say things without coming across as insensitive or rude, how you determine when to let a mistake happen so a new parent learns on her own how to care for the child, and how you deal with making a decision when you and your spouse are on opposite sides of how to best support your children. At times, Diana was truly a horrific witch of a human being. You come to realize she kinda knows the way she’s behaving is wrong, but it’s been ingrained in her. When she softens, you want to root for her. You want to believe she will turn that corner and do the right thing. Then she goes in the opposite direction, unlike Lucy, who is nearly consistent almost the entire time. She sucks it up when Diana is rude or distant. She does all the things she doesn’t want to do just so she doesn’t look like she’s being difficult. Until something bad happens, then Lucy blows up.

While 90% of me sides with Lucy, I do understand Diana’s approach. And it works in many circumstances; however, there comes a time when you let someone try to help themselves for only so long before it becomes too late. If you have an excess of money, and your children need it, don’t hold on to it forever if they have put years into helping themselves only to fail for reasons out of their control. Eventually, Diana begins to see the light, but it’s too late. Too much has been set in action, and her death is imminent. Was she murdered by one of these people who felt she went too far? Did she commit suicide because she felt guilty? Was it a freak and unexpected accident? You’ll have to read the book to find out, but I believe it’s worth it.

I couldn’t put the novel down. If I did, within 15 minutes, I kept telling myself ‘just one more chapter.’ Hepworth is brilliant at displaying angst, love, pain, and despair in a family who needs a little therapy to heal and forgive. It’s down-to-earth, regular actions and words that remind you of your own world (not the drama necessarily, but the way people relate to one another) feel comfortable yet push you just enough to question how you think about a situation. I adored this book and would love to give it a full 5-stars, but there were a few items I thought could have been a bit more tidy to be absolutely perfect. The ending is ‘ten years’ in the future which is great, but I would love to have seen some of the immediate drama after Diana’s death. We get a lot, but once the true reason she died is discovered, there’s a bit of a windy wrap-up without a clear enough focus on everyone’s reactions to the truth. I don’t want to spoil this surprise, but ultimately, if you’re gonna throw a curveball at us, give us a few reactions from the rest of the people involved so we sense a complete and thorough emotional see-saw when learning what happened to your family member.

That said, it’s a high recommendation from me… can’t wait to see what others think when it comes out in early 2019.

Praise to Sally Hepworth for this novel! I thought it was going to be the typical Mother-in-Law story, but it was a gift that just kept on giving. The characters were well developed and there were twists throughout the book. Highly recommend!

A deeper look into family dynamics and what may be known v unknown. I liked reading the viewpoints between both women in the past and present. Definitely a book worth reading for anyone interested in a family-based drama.

A great read. A story about a multi generational family living in Australia. The mother in law seems to have conflicts with all her children and their spouses . Great story line, I loved all the characters in this book. Would highly recommend it to family and friends. Thanks for my advanced copy.

Thank you NETGALLEY!! for this ARC. I fell in love with Sally Hepworth after reading Secrets of Midwives. She is Australia's sweetheart. Well if she's not then she should be. Her writing is deliciously straightforward through the eyes of relatable characters. This one had me at the title, because MOTHER in LAW....! duh. Anyway we have Lucy and her family. Ollie and the three children. Lucy is a stay at home MUM and Ollie runs his own business. And right in the middle of dinner they're graced with the presence of some police people who tell them.. ummm Diana Goodman was found dead.
Diana is Ollie's mother and Lucy's mother in law. Diana basically comes off as coldhearted and bitchy and Lucy, who lost her mother early on, really wanted to have a mother in law that she would love and be close to.
Ollie has a sibling named Nettie. And Nettie is trying to get pregnant and looking for options such as surrogacy and IVF which all cost money and Oh yeah, Diana is stinking filthy rich. But Diana, as we find out in alternating chapters of past and present, is the kind of person who grew up having a hard time and learning to be self reliant and she wants her children to learn these things too. So she does not hand out money and will not fund a pregnancy even if it means one less grandchild.
SO how did Diana die and who was the last to see her? It looks like a suicide. She had a bottle of Latimum? or something like that that is used for euthanasia and there's a note.

More unfolds and it kept me reading but there was just something missing. Nothing to really criticize about, just a couple questions I had that I don't think were answered. Even though it was an enjoyable read. I loved Lucy and related to her and even though the ending was probably guessable by people who read mysteries often I have never been able to predict endings so it works for me.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel.
Diana is a pillar in the community, well-known for her altruistic charity work, married to her wealthy husband Tom with two adult children, Oliver and Nettie. When Lucy marries Ollie, she is full to the brim with expectation, desperately hoping Diana can become the mother she always dreamed of. However, Diana does not live up to the image in Lucy’s head, occasionally appearing to be stand-offish and cold, and Lucy too, worries that she isn’t Diana’s idea of the perfect match for her beloved son. Years later, Diana is found dead in her home from an apparent suicide and soon questions arise that make the police believe Diana did not intend to end her life. The police are quick to point fingers, and when it is quickly discovered that both Ollie and Nettie have been left out of Diana’s will, everyone in Lucy’s life, including Lucy herself, is a suspect.
Sally Hepworth, author of (most recently) “The Family Next Door”, returns with her newest novel, “The Mother in Law”, highlighting the confusing and often terse relationship between mother, and daughter-in-law.
The story is told from the perspective of both Lucy and Diana, and takes place both in present day, and in the days of Diana’s youth. Although a little bit disjointed (and I am hardly a fan of this method of storytelling to begin with), I understand the need as this bit of plot development helped the readers understand Diana’s back story in much greater depth.
The cast of characters is small, which makes for a great who-dunnit, as everyone has a reason to be a suspect. Hepworth does not make it easy for you, either! “Mother in law” has enough twists and turns to keep a reader guessing and engaged, until the very satisfying ending. Although not entirely unpredictable, the ending has its own moments of surprise and suspense, while still serving the purpose of wrapping up the storyline.
Hepworth has created characters in Lucy and Diana that are extremely relatable. Whether a mother of a son, or a wife/partner to one, “Mother in Law” will reopen old wounds, reveal fresh ones, and even maybe provide a bit of comfort and reassurance. Told from the perspective of both women, “Mother” explores a highly emotional, and intensely human, relationship.
Well written and developed, the plot line is both suspenseful and entertaining. Strong characters round out a gripping tale of the secrets families keep hidden. Although I would’ve liked a more fluid telling (as I always prefer), “Mother” is highly recommended! New to Hepworth, I have some catching up to do!

Lucy feels that she has never lived up to her mother-in-law Diana's expectations. Diana has disliked her since their first meeting, and they've never had a good connection. Lucy thinks that Diana despises her.

This story is told in dual perspectives - Lucy's and Diana's - in the present with flashbacks to the past. Diana is many things to many people: wife, mother, friend, philanthropist, daughter, and sister. Lucy is the outsider trying to be accepted into the family, only to fail time and time again. However, Diana is not your typical mother-in-law villain and that's what makes the story so good. I wanted to dislike her, but she was oddly endearing and I understood her motivations.

The author could have chosen another character for the second perspective, but I think that daughter-in-law Lucy's perspective gives the story a fresh, new outlook, and it's brilliant. She is outside of the immediate family, and has a different view on the same events. It makes the plot very unusual.

This book is about love, family, secrets, money, marriage, resentment, and of course, the in-law relationships. It also delves into the dynamics of relationships between husbands & wives, siblings, parents & children, and friends. The situations are very relatable and will make you think of your own relationships.

The Mother-In-Law reminds me of Liane Moriarty's books. The writing is excellent, the plot is laced with humor and insight, and it's more of a character study than a whodunnit. I liked Sally Hepworth's first book, The Family Next Door, but I think that this second book is much, much better. The story had a few surprises too, and the ending wrapped everything up nicely. It's excellent and it's a standout book with layered, complex, and engaging characters, and a death surrounded in the mystery of complicated human relationships.

Many people do not like their mother-in-laws, but is that dislike enough to want to kill them? When Lucy's mother-in-law is found dead, it seems as if she committed suicide, but the police open an investigation and a variety of people are under suspicion, including Lucy, her husband, Ollie’s sister, Nettie, and her husband, Patrick.

When Lucy married Ollie, she also married Diana, Ollie’s mother. Though Lucy tried her best to forge a relationship with her mother-in-law, Diana made it difficult. But instead of breaking into stereotypes and predictability, Hepworth tells her story from both Lucy and Diana’s perspectives. Through a series of flashbacks, the reader learns about what makes Diana tick and why she is the way she is. My favorite part of this novel is when the novel focuses on Lucy and Diana's relationship. Lucy chose to be a stay at home mother to her three children while Ollie struggles to get his job placement company off the ground. Diana devotes herself to her charities, including one to help pregnant immigrants, but fails to be present for the birth of her first grandchildren. Meanwhile, Lucy’s sister-in-law struggles with infertility.

Hepworth takes time to develop all of the cast and though the story focuses on Diana and Lucy’s relationship and the questions behind Diana’s death, Hepworth devotes time and attention to the other plots, which manage to weave themselves into the over all “whodunit” and why.

"The Mother-in-Law" is a page turner, which kept me guessing to the very end. I loved Hepworth’s novels since reading “Secrets of Midwives,” and though this novel is a departure, fans of Hepworth’s narrative will not be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks also to St. Martin's Press and the author, Sally Hepworth.

This was a great 5 Star read!! Totally enjoyed the in depth character development as well as suspense woven throughout the story. Plenty of red herrings to go around. By the time I thought I knew ‘who dunnit ‘ another twist would pop up and surprise me.
Really liked the storyline and A great dark twisted ending!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved this book! I loved the family aspect. I loved the depth of the characters and the dialogue. It was real and heartfelt and I felt a part of the family! Five stars! Highly recommend!

I loved this book! Sally Hepworth once again kept me guessing. I admit that I hated this mother in law... which had me suspecting everyone! This was so well written, and the characters so real to me. I definitely saw a good side to Diana whenever it was her character’s turn for a chapter. She was just awkward in some ways, so it left people with a bad taste in their mouth. In the end it was a different light that I saw her in. Very good book, and I will definitely be recommending this to friends. So glad I was lucky enough to be able to read an ARC through Netgalley.

This is the second book by Sally Hepworth I have read and thoroughly enjoyed! The Mother-in-law was a fast-paced read that kept you guessing the entire time. Every family has their quirks and difficulties. This family was no different. Diana is the matriarch of the family and struggles with everyone it seems. You know from the beginning Diana has died. It appears to be a suicide but the cops aren't convinced. You follow the web of lies and difficulties the family has been through to find out what really happened with Diana. Overall, a great read. I highly recommend! I will be looking for other works by Sally Hepworth! Special Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Sally Hepworth for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
@StMartinsPress @NetGalley @SallyHepworth

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I’m really, really lucky to have an angel for a mother-in-law, but I know that’s very rarely the case. I so enjoyed the way this story was told, where we see Lucy’s experience as well as Diana’s. It’s such a good reminder beyond even the in-law relationship, too - even when we don’t understand, someone may truly be doing their best to be supportive to us and do the right thing.

Per usual (haha), I didn’t figure out the big reveal of who did it until it was revealed.

This was my first book from this author, and I’ll be picking up another for sure!

This was one of best psychological thrillers I’ve read this year. It is based on a woman’s at-odds relationship with her mother in law and told from both their points of view, totally adding to the story. When the mother in law dies in suspicious circumstances it opens a huge family can of worms and the results mean things will never be the same.

4.5* Relationship Stars

This story begins with the death of Diana who is the mother-in-law to Lucy. What appears to be a suicide is quickly quashed when the police begin investigating and find out that it could be a possible homicide instead.

The book was told from multiple points of view being Diana and Lucy and alternated between the past and the present. This gave an interesting look into the difficult relationship between Lucy and Diana as well as Diana’s relationship with her children Ollie and Nettie. The characters were very realistic and well developed.

The story had you guessing throughout and there were secrets and surprises along the way in this family drama.

Sally Hepworth is a wonderful writer and storyteller and I would highly recommend this exciting read. I enjoyed the last chapter. “Ten Years Later” as it tied up the book wonderfully.

Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy to read and review.

The Mother n Law by Sally Hepworth

I'm going to be generous and give this 3 stars for effort. I was very excited to read this book, the synopsis piqued my interest but it did not live up to the expectations. The book flowed but was not interesting. There were no edge of your seat moments ever, no thrills, no excitement, nor suspense. Several characters to keep up with which were very dull and went off track. It is very ordinary and I lost interest about halfway through book. The ending was no better.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martins Press for giving me the opportunity. This book will be available April 23, 2019.

Cherie'

This book was truly one of a kind. It took on the tough subject of daughter in law and mother in law relationships. Ms Hepworth did an awesome job of identifying the relationship and the dance that the in-laws typically do. I truly never knew if I was going to like Diana in the next chapter or not. She was so great to the community however to her family she was so in-different. The family dynamics were truly amazing in this book. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to my friends.

Wow this book was sooooo good! This is my.first book by this author and definitely won't be my last. This is told in 2 points of view.
Just read the blurb and one click this when it comes out!

Awesome! That is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Sally Hepworth's latest book, The Mother-in-Law. The book has some great, well-defined characters with complicated relationships. How many people can't identify with the relationships between monther-in-law's and daughter-in-laws? Sometimes, it doesn't matter how nice a person is, they just can't seem to mesh.

The story begins when Lucy meets her now husband's mother, Diana, for the first time. Diana is not what you would call 'warm and fuzzy', she's cold but rich...and not too generous, lucky for her children her husband is the polar opposite! I really believe Diana is just misunderstood, she's complicated. The story is told between both Lucy and Diana, so we can see both points of view, which is done so well, especially since it jumps between past and present day. I'm not sure too many autheror's could pull this off, but Ms Hepworth certainly did it justice.

When Diana is found dead, and a suicide note is found, but other clues don't fit in with a suicide theory. The secrets of Diana's children, her son, Ollie, and daughter Nettie, start to unravel. Money troubles plague them, as well as Nettie's desire to unsuccessfully have a child of her own, and we see how Diana handles each problem as it arises. As the police start to investigate, and it becomes pretty clear this is a homicide, could one of Diana's own children or in-laws be to blame for her death? As the story plays out, we really believe any of them could be guilty. This is so well written, with characters you love to hate, once you start it, you will not be able to put it down. It is really that good! I have a read a few books by Sally Hepworth, all good, but this is by far one of my favorite books of the year!

I would like to thank St Martin's Press and Netgalley for an advanced read copy of this fabulous book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!