Saving Meghan was an interesting read. Part medical mystery, part psychological drama. It started slow for me but the second half flew! As a medical professional I have experienced Munchausen syndrome first hand. It always bothers me to know people can hurt their loved ones. Dealing with the hospital policies was not much fun either. Unfortunately I saw minor details that were not factual, so it decreased my overall opinion.

Saving Meghan is a fast-paced, medical is-she-or-isn't-she thriller with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. It feels particularly relevant now, in an era of "helicopter" parenting and an unprecedented lack of confidence in the medical establishment (... at least, that's what NPR tells me).

Palmer weaves together so many interesting threads, that there are any number of possible outcomes with only 20% of the story to go. Personally, I wished the story had gone in another direction and toyed with more of the intriguing ethical questions regarding medical treatment, but the story definitely kept my attention.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this early review copy.

3.5*
Meghan is a 15 year-old girl who had it all. A loving family, successful at school and a star soccer player. But all that came to a grinding halt when mysterious, unexplained symptoms begin to plague her. Suddenly she was shuffled from one doctor to the next. Multiple tests and scans.
Unfortunately, even surrounded by the best medical care, it’s impossible for anyone to put their finger on an actual diagnosis. One doctor believes it could be a rare genetic disease, another thinks it could be stress induced. Who do you believe?
Is Meghan really Ill, or faking her symptoms? Is her mother responsible... a possible case of Munchausen by proxy? Or...?

My feelings rocked back and forth with this book.
The actions/reactions of the physicians, hospital and parents just never felt realistic. As well, none of the characters were likeable. Which is fine...I don’t have to like the characters to enjoy a book but....unfortunately this book came off just too far-fetched for me.

One positive I must add though. This book did have me continually guessing throughout. I can’t t tell you how many times I changed my mind on Meghan’s illness’s. Well played! So if you enjoy a book that will test your deductive-detective skills then this is a must read for you.

Though my lack of believability outweighed my enjoyment there are so many positive reviews out there for this book! Hope you enjoy!

A buddy read with Susanne!🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and D.J. Palmer for an ARC to read and review.

What a fantastic book! I'm really interested in the medical field and I love books that have great twists and turns. This is the first book I have read by this author,but it certainly won't be my last! Great job!! # netgalley #savingmeghan

Meghan Gerard has been in and out of hospitals for the last couple of years, but no one can figure out what’s wrong with her. Her mother, Becky, continues to push for answers despite test results that continually come back normal or inconclusive. Is Becky a devoted mother doing everything in her power to save her sick daughter, or is something more insidious going on? Is Meghan’s sickness real, or all in her (or her mother’s) head?

This was a very interesting book that deals with possible Munchausen/Munchausen by Proxy. There are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I found the book to be pretty fast-paced and entertaining. I can’t say that I totally guessed all of the big twists, but at the same time I wasn’t particularly shocked by anything. Some things were obvious, and some things were maybe a little predictable.

Also, I didn’t particularly love any of the characters - in fact I rather disliked most of them (except Zach Fisher) for much of the book. However, if you really try to put yourself in any of their shoes, you can understand why they behave the way that they do.

Overall, this was a really entertaining, fast-paced page-turner! A solid 4 Stars for me.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This review is posted to GoodReads, Facebook, and will be posted to online retailers once published.*

This one kept me guessing all the way through! Now THAT is the sign of an excellent mystery!

Some would say Becky Gerard is a devoted mother and would do anything for her daughter Meghan. Others, including her husband Carl, claim she's obsessed and can't stop the vicious circle of finding a cure for her daughter’s unexplained illnesses. Is there something sinister going on? Or is Meghan really sick? Those questions and more kept this reader turning the pages as fast as she could.

I started this book over a weekend and couldn’t read fast enough. I was so mad when work got in the way of me finishing it until days later. A well-done story with well-drawn characters. Characters you’re not sure whether to love or hate. A story that left me eager for answers.

Saving Meghan will not be my last D.J. Palmer book! This book kept calling to me and I answered as fast I could. You should too! Grab a copy today!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Upon reading this book it brought back visions of my medical career and how frustratingly aggravating it can be to try to get answers to questions. The book has intrigue, suspense, and mystery all thrown in. I felt the characters were blase' and could have been more outstanding. Usually when reading I get "pulled into" the story but during reading this book I felt like I was in a never ending "white world".

4.5 stars.

Medical thriller + courtroom drama + murder mystery = jam packed, exciting new thriller by D.J. Palmer!

The back of the ARC says "Can you love someone to death?" and this is the question at the heart of the story. Teenage Meghan has been "sick" for years. With many nondescript and vague symptoms, she has seen countless specialists in the pursuit of a diagnosis at the direction of her mother, Becky. But when Becky is accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the question becomes, "Is Meghan really sick?" Or is her mother pursuing a diagnosis that doesn't exist?

Munchausen syndrome by proxy has always fascinated me and I thought D.J. Palmer did a great job introducing it and giving the reader an idea of just how hard it is to diagnose. I found myself throughout the book unable to pick a side, wavering back and forth between believing Becky's account of events and then getting on board with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). I imagine real Munchausen cases give people similar mixed feelings and precariousness, so I appreciated that Palmer wrote the book with an element of uncertainty.

I feel like the thriller genre is getting pretty saturated with the "same old, same old" type of story. Usually the titles begin with "The Woman [fill in the blank]" or "The Girl [fill in the blank]," and have an unreliable narrator. It is hard to find a story that is unique and different. And I think D.J. Palmer accomplished that. I honestly didn't know what was going to happen as the story went on and didn't feel like it was predictable. In fact, the ending really threw me for a loop so if you're looking for a great twist, I would recommend this book.

Saving Meghan is a look at what it means to be a parent. What lengths would you go to for your child? How much is too much? How much can adversity can a marriage take? What happens when your role as a spouse takes a backseat to your role as a parent? So many interesting social questions and one wile ride. This is a must read and would make a great buddy read!

-I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, D.J. Palmer, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review.-

Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was not a happy camper with this book. I had been so excited to read a book with such a unique premise, and then when I really got into the book I found myself skimming. It was slow to start and had a major problem with repetitiveness.

ALL of the characters were extremely dislikable and the ending was seemingly pulled out of thin air.

Had I heard one more time how Becky was so beautiful and could manipulate men -I would have gouged out my eyes. Yes, I can see by Becky's back-story that she had 'issues'...but enough is enough.

Yes, I can see that the author carefully planned the ending, but it (the denouement) should have been longer and told in the culprits' voice.

I didn't like that the story was told in so many voices, yet not from one of the most important people which was, I suppose, to push us into thinking that this unheard character 'did it'.

I didn't like being pushed so hard into coming to an incorrect conclusion. We as readers are not stupid people. We could plainly see what was going on, Mr. Palmer didn't need to hit us over the head with it.

Many people really loved this book; I did not. Yes, I was captivated enough to finish it (skimming a lot of the way through) but I will not be putting this on my 'to be re-read' pile.

*ARC Supplied by the Publisher

This book is definitely one that I can recommend to readers who enjoy stories that both intrigue and aggravate you! Its a topic we all are aware of.....the health problems of a child with no explanation from any doctor on what could possibly be at the root of the problem. As the story unfolds the obvious culprit is Becky, the over-protective mother, and the thought is Munchausen by Proxy. The description of Becky’s own family history can be evidence of that possibility. However, as you read more into the story, are some of the secrets that Meghan is holding onto part of her problem? And where does Becky’s husband, Carl, fit into all this? Sometimes supportive and sometimes skeptical. Many dynamics surround the health issues of Meghan and the storyline takes the reader down all the paths to a twisting ending that some readers see coming, and others do not. I admit that I liked the book, but wasn’t totally engrossed in the characters.. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and St.Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been.

I was given an advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

From the first page I was hooked on this story. I wanted to solve the mystery of Meghan’s illness. I felt Becky’s frustration with the doctors. I understood the conflict that existed in her marriage as they struggled through having a sick child.

The book was well written. I started to wonder if Becky’s family history might play a part in Meghan’s illness.

I wanted to know if Becky was making Meghan sick? Will her marriage survive?

"Saving Meghan" is an okay read. Characters include a sick daughter (or is she faking), an obsessed mother (one internet diagnosis after another), a dad that isnt sure who to believe, and a slew of doctors with different opinions on a diagnosis. While the plot is interesting, the delivery is lacking. There are countless clues to the mystery along the way which makes the surprise ending not very surprising. I got slightly bored flipping between the characters and only kept turning the pages to see what stupidity happened next. The book reminds me of one of those made for TV movies where the cast a well known actress to play the mom just so people will tune in. Maybe this wouldve been better as a screen play?
2/5. Easy read, somewhat entertaining, not terrible.

“It was obvious what she had to do now. They had much to plan. They’d left her no choice.”

SAVING MEGHAN is a domestic thriller filled with manipulation, deceit, family drama, and the dangers a mother would risk to protect her child. The story is much more complicated than that, but that’s the point that is being conveyed in the most razor-sharp way throughout the book.

Halfway in, things suddenly take a twisty turn and start to shockingly get out of hand.
What will be Meghan’s mom Becky’s next move? Is she a devoted mother trying to save her child or is there something entirely jaw-dropping that we don’t know about?

All of this is expressed in an overly dramatic yet terrifyingly realistic way. Too many revelations will leave you stunned. This book is at times heart-wrenching, but for the most part, invigoratingly addictive and compelling.

The mother in this book is such an extraordinary character. Her determination and daring behavior compelled me to be invested in her entire journey as she attempts to save her daughter.

I felt just as interested in Meghan, she’s fearless and super clever. The book psychologically explores her character in the most raw way possible.

This unputdownable read is truly exploring every parent’s fear. The Gerard family will grip your attention instantly, you will most definitely find it impossible to lose interest in these people after acknowledging the horror that they’re going through. This book gets more anxiety-inducing with every chapter. The ending is insane. So much action-packed craziness goes on, so grab a snack and plunge into some pretty darn good page-turning fun!

2.5 stars. This was actually SUCH a page turner, and most of it was a fun, solid 3 stars. But I'm rounding down because I hated the ending, even though I heavily suspected out was going to go that way. It's hard to say why without spoiling things though, so I will share specifics on my notes to the publisher.

This was not what I was expecting and that turned out to be a good thing. The opening chapter was something that could have been taken right out of today’s newspapers.

Becky Gerard, an attractive and doting mother, is desperate to find out what is wrong with her 15 year-old daughter, Meghan. A once active girl, Meghan has turned into a kid who is easily fatigued and suffers from other various aliments. Numerous doctors and tests turn up no answers.

It was not a big leap for Becky to be accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. It also didn’t help matters that she could often be pushy and unlikable. But when her husband seems unable to stand by her side, secrets that are long buried start to come out. But the biggest secret of all comes from someone that is least suspected.

I believe this is the first thriller by DJ Palmer and I will certainly look forward to his future work. I enjoyed this one and loved the twisty plot.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

Meghan Gerard is one sick kid. But with what exactly, that is the million dollar question. Dragged from doctor to doctor by her mother, there is nothing showing up on endless tests to indicate why Meghan is fainting, sick to her stomach and constantly in extreme pain. In a cross between Law & Order, House & a Lifetime movie, Meghan's mom falls under attack as perpetuating Meghan's illness in her mind - or Munchhausen by Proxy disease.

Told in an interesting manner that makes it hard to know if you want to #SaveMeghan or #BelieveBecky, you will definitely be captivated by this story from start to finish. As mentioned above, once the story faded more into Lifetime movie territory, it lost a bit of the appeal for me, but I still enjoyed the ride.

Thank you to St. Martins Press for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

3.25 Stars

What’s wrong with Meghan Gerard?

Medical test after medical test come back clear and yet Meghan is sick! Cramping, fever, fatigue and muscle spasms, etc. Her mom Becky is sure that it’s something serious and she won’t stop till Meghan is diagnosed! Is it real or psychosomatic? Even Meghan isn’t sure at this point! Experts wonder if it’s Munchausens by proxy or Mito disease.

Becky Girard is something else - is it devotion or detriment? Is Meghan sick? Who or what will you believe? Your head will spin faster than a dreidel and there will times where your eyes roll and yet you’ll keep on reading - desperate for the outcome. I’ll admit that I guessed wrong, however this book kept me on my toes the entire time! Though none of the characters were all that likable I found myself truly intrigued by the premise.

This was another buddy read with Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and D.J. Palmer for an arc of this novel exchange for an honest review.

Published on Netgalley and Goodreads on 3.18.19.

I had a really hard time getting through this book. While I enjoyed the first few and last few chapters, the middle was boring and dragged on and on. The plot was interesting but did not hold my attention for the long haul.

Wow, this book was full of surprises, and not just the story itself! I admit that I felt a little disappointed at the beginning of the book because the plot was so predictable, or so I thought. As I continued reading, realization dawned on me that not only was I wrong about that, but I was wrong a few more times. There were several twists and turns in this story that kept it UNpredictable and interesting. I was also surprised with the genre, it was not a straightforward story about a sick girl, it was a lot more than that. This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it.

Saving Meghan by D.J. Palmer is a quick, enjoyable read that is less of the thriller that I expected and more of a family/medical drama with a highly sinister, twisted plot!

Having a sick child is a nightmare...even when your child has a fever, the flu, an ear infection, you hate it and will do anything to make them feel better and when they are in the hospital, forget about it! You'll move mountains to get your child the best care possible! Just ask Becky Gerard, mom, to 15-year-old Meghan! There is nothing she won't do to make sure she finds out what is wrong with her extremely sick teenage daughter because she KNOWS Meghan is sick, very sick, despite numerous visits to many different doctors and specialists, hospital visits, tests--oh the tests and the bloodwork, so much of it that Meghan is now beyond terrified of needles!

Becky is so obsessed and manipulative when it comes to getting answers about what is wrong with Meghan that when the possibility is brought up by one of Meghan's newest Drs that the tests are either finding nothing wrong or all inconclusive because there's nothing actually wrong with Meghan and instead Becky's guilty of Munchausen syndrome by proxy—actually making her daughter sick in order to get attention for herself, it wasn't very hard to believe that could be the truth...Or is it?

This is a story with some interesting twists as it becomes a fight for Becky to save and protect her daughter and for the hospital to feel they have to do the same! Who is right in this medical drama? What explains all of Meghan's symptoms of chronic headaches, severe fatigue, weakness, appetite loss, and fragility that can't be explained by any bloodwork, test, or doctor examination? Is it Becky causing them? Is it a new diagnosis from a new doctor? Or is something more sinister than even Munchausen syndrome by proxy happening?

While I enjoyed this one quite a bot, I thought at times that it was too drawn out and was repetitive in places. I had a lot of the story figured out after Becky was accused of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, including who was involved with a certain character and what was causing Meghan to be overtly ill at certain times. Still, the ending is dramatic, page-turning, and extremely satisfying.

D.J. Palmer is definitely a writer who can tell an excellent story and his writing skills, even though there were some things that I didn't love about the book, are really excellent, so I look forward to what he writes next! If you like family dramas, medical dramas, psychological suspense, then I recommend you grab this one! It releases on April 9, 2019!

**Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**