Summary from Goodreads:

"Claire Abrams’s dreams became a nightmare when she passed on a genetic mutation that killed her little boy. Now she wants a second chance to be a mother, and finds it in Robert Nash, a maverick fertility doctor who works under the radar with Jillian Hendricks, a cunning young scientist bent on making her mark—and seducing her boss.

Claire, Robert, and Jillian work together to create the world’s first baby with three genetic parents—an unprecedented feat that could eliminate inherited disease. But when word of their illegal experiment leaks to the wrong person, Robert escapes into hiding with the now-pregnant Claire, leaving Jillian to serve out a prison sentence that destroys her future.

Ten years later, a spunky girl named Abigail begins to understand that all is not right with the reclusive man and woman she knows as her parents. But the family’s problems are only beginning. Jillian, hardened by a decade of jealousy and loss, has returned—and nothing will stop her from reuniting with the man and daughter who should have been hers. Past, present—and future converge in a mesmerizing psychological thriller from acclaimed bestselling author Kira Peikoff."

My Thoughts:

What an interesting and compelling read! I breezed through the pages of this book in a matter of two short days because I just couldn't stop reading. I will say that this isn't a long book which is another reason why it was such a bingeable read for me (not sure if that's a word but it should be). What I really liked about this book though was that the author took what is a controversial issue and made me see both sides of it. This book shows firsthand the heartache that Claire has dealt with after losing her son and the fear that having another baby with the same genetic issues causes her. You feel for her and want for her to have that chance of a healthy child. There's also that question present of if science is going too far and where is the line in the sand type of thing throughout the book. I fully admit that I don't know enough about the subject to have strong opinions one way or the other which meant that I just found the story compelling. For me, I cared about the characters and what was going to happen to them. This is billed as a thriller from the above description, and it is a thrilling read in the fact that you can't put it down. But really for me this was more of a suspenseful book where I just wanted everything to be okay and turn out for the best for everyone. I'm not sure if I'm explaining that really well to be honest. I just don't want readers to go in expecting this psychological thriller when for me at least it was different then that. More maybe then what you usually get with thrillers. It was thrilling though and oh so hard to put down! I'm hesitant to say much more than that because I don't want to spoil anything for readers. I'm looking forward to seeing what others think about this one for sure!

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book and am eager to read more by this author. The subject matter of this book really made it stand out for me as it is so different from my usual reads. This is my first book by this author but it certainly won't be my last! I would recommend this book to readers to fans of suspense and thrillers as well.

Bottom Line: One of those books that I just couldn't set down until the very end!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Meryl Moss Media. Honest thoughts are my own.

Mother Knows Best is based on a thought-provoking premise. The idea of genetic modification is controversial at best, and Kira Peikoff does a good job of showing both sides of the issue with these characters. Whether or not I agree with Claire's decision, as a parent, I can certainly understand it. While the science may be a big part of the beginning of this story, it does move past that and the rest is where the thriller comes in. Here's where I tell you that this one is completely predictable. There are twists, but they weren't surprising. Not even a little bit. That said, I still enjoyed the read. Now, that did surprise me because I normally wouldn't have much good to say about such a predictable story. This one turned out to be the exception. The story is fast-paced, and even though I figured out what was going on before it was revealed, I liked the building tension, and the characters were certainly interesting - maybe not likable, but interesting. Predictable or not, Peikoff has written a compulsive story that kept the pages turning.

DNF @ 30%

Unfortunately, this book and I did not mesh.

I am sure so many more will love it, but it was not for me

Thank you Netgalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mother Knows Best is a psychological thriller that sends chills down my spine. There is so much character dynamic and a very unique plot line. The entire concept of the book was absolutely mind-blowing and so interesting to read about. The book keeps you on the edge as you delve deeper into the story. The plot twist is such a gem. If you're a lover of psychological thrillers, this is the book for you!

OMG WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! I am usually not a fan of sci-fi books cause there too hard to follow but Kira Peikoff sure knows how to "dumb it down" but in a good way. With her style of writing I was able to follow this story no problem and understand the genetics parts. This story has just the right amount of normalcy w/the science of it to keep your interests and wanting to know what happens to these extraordinary characters.
Claire is a middle aged woman whose son died at a young age from a genetic mutation only passed down through the mother. Her guilt and longing for another child pushes her to desperation and she seeks out a Dr who can "design" a child without this specific mutation. So she goes to him and opens up a can of worms she never expected. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for my honest review.

This was the perfect beach thriller - a quick, easy read with lots of twists. Some were predictable, others were less. I really enjoyed the science-y side to this book. It added unique spin you don’t see often. Although it bugged me that Jillian was a genius science prodigy who’s one downfall was a man, it lent well to the story. I’d recommend this one!

I can't speak for the soundness of the science in this story, but I definitely tore through this fast paced story that combined bioethics with the depth and emotions about family, in all the ways it can be created. The process that Claire, Nash and Jillian went through to create embryos using selected elements of both Claire and Jillian's DNA seemed plausible enough, and the controversy around it also seemed reasonable. The ending threw some curves, and while many of them were what I expected, there were a couple that had me sucking in a breath when they caught me off-guard. If I have one quibble it was that the voice of Abby read quite a bit older than 11, and some of the concepts that she easily grasped seemed out of range. It wasn't enough to ruin the story, and it's worth the quick read!

There's nothing I love more than a good medical drama mixed with a psychological thriller and I enjoyed this one very much!

Claire and Ethan Abrams lost their first child Colton at eight years old from a degenerative disease caused by faulty mitochondria, the energy driving components of our cells. They would dearly love to have another child but while Ethan is prepared to take a chance that another child would not be as badly affected, Claire doesn't think she could go through watching another child suffer and die. As the genetic material in mitochondria is only passed on from the mother, she also knows she is responsible for passing on this disease. When she hears of a team of IVF specialists working on an experimental new technique that involves transferring combining mitochondria from a healthy donor into an embryo (known as three parent IVF) she thinks that might be the answer to their prayers. Although the technique is illegal and she knows her husband, a professor of bioethics, would never approve of it, she offers herself as a guinea pig to the IVF team. However, just before her baby is due, news of what they have done is reported to the FDA, leading to the IVF team being charged and Claire fleeing into hiding.

The novel starts ten years later with Claire and her daughter Abby are still in hiding when Jillian Hendricks, the IVF scientist is released from jail and manages to find them. She is bitter and twisted and has a plan for revenge and restitution of what should be hers on her mind. A very original and twisty psychological thriller!

Mother Knows Best is a thrilling novel about a love triangle and an illegal study that creates one of the captivating page-turners on the book market.

Claire's family is a carrier of a genetic mutation that has been passed from generation to generation, affecting every member of the family, resulting early passing of the relatives and of course - devastation to the family. After Claire's son passed away from the disease - she did not give up on the opportunity to become a mother again. And one day the Gods of the worldwide web brings Claire and Jillian, young scientist, together. Jillian shares a "tip" with her new friend. The "tip" contains information on a study that has not yet been tested on humans, however, the experiment could give a chance to a person with Claire's disease to give birth to a healthy child. And a day later, Claire finds her way to the office of New York's famous fertility doctor - Robert Nash who has been working on this study. And after a little convincing, Rob, Claire and Jillian create a first genetically modified child with three parents. And that's when their problems begin...

Mother Knows Best is an easy read, with a very fast and intriguing storyline. I loved the experiment idea that was portraited in the novel. All adult characters were fascinating, my only issue was with children's roles, their dialogs, a trail of thoughts and behavior were unrealistic for kids that age.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced free copy of the novel.

This book was a new theme for me. I love stories about a mother and child relationships. This was a bit more. It had a lot of interesting but relevant science like fertility issues, genetic diseases and disorders, genetic manipulation of human embryos. It was really interesting to see what could be a reality at any day, and maybe it is, I just have not looked into it.

The thriller part was pretty predictable. It was so obvious what Jillian has planned and done, but nonetheless it was a fun journey to get to the end and see how everything will unfold. I liked her as the evil genius. It was so refreshing to see a woman be so ambitious and manipulative. But also, just like a woman she was scarily patient.

The mental health theme that was touched, bothered me a bit. Because it was a woman, and she has had previous history of mental health issues, automatically she was written off as suffering from the same thing again. I just couldn't believe how fast she was taken into a mental health facility, even if it was voluntarily.

I liked how this story had multiple POVs, as I was able not just see the story from different angles, but it also helped the story flow. Three different women, and three different personalities helped it keep it interesting.

I really enjoyed this book for entertainment value. It has some interesting scientific topics that I want to go look up, and see how much reality is infused into the story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

A baby that has 3 parents?? If that doesn't spell a recipe for disaster, I don't know what will. Abby is Claire's second child (She lost her first due to a mitochondrial gene that Claire had passed to her son)

It's an quick read, full of twists and turns although some of it was predictable. However, the thing I enjoyed the best was the characters and how the author spend time developing them.

A dramatic page turner of a book, Mother Knows Best hooked me from the beginning and kept me so interested that I read it in a single sitting. This book is a psychological thriller, with a side of science fiction and the blend works incredibly well.
Claire is hiding a secret from her husband. As far as he is concerned they are trying to conceive, but she is secretly taking the contraceptive pill to make sure that it cannot happen, Her reasoning is not irrational, the couple lost their son at young age due to a genetic disease carried in her DNA. Unwilling to risk the same thing happening again, she thinks her dream of having a family will never come true. When she finds out about an procedure which would remove the damaged DNA from her egg, and replace it with that of another woman , essentially creating an embryo with three biological parents, she volunteers to act as a human guinea pig for a secret, off the books trial. run by a maverick fertility doctor and his brilliant and ambitious assistant. Since the experiment is essentially illegal , the fewer people who know , the better, so Claire does not tell her husband and they decide to use Jillian's DNA , but secrets are difficult things to keep, and when the truth about her pregnancy becomes public knowledge Claire risks losing everything, while the doctor and his assistant risk a criminal conviction.
Fast paced, smart and engaging, this was a really enjoyable read. It may have been predictable at times, especially towards the end, but that really did not spoil my enjoyment of the book as a whole. Of the characters, Claire was the most interesting to me, as she was the most nuanced , I could empathise with what she had been through while still being appalled at some of her choices. Jillian by contrast was cast in the villain role from the outset, and showed little development as the book went on.
The book uses two timelines to reveal the full story and we are given multiple points of view, which combined with short chapters makes for a snappy pace.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is an original, great, fast pace, psychological thriller that I couldn’t put down! The story goes deep into questions of family, secrets and even science. I love the fact that the author did her research and was able to put in amazing twists that completely captured me. The concept of this book was completely unique and I hadn’t read anything quite like it which made me even more intrigued by the story. I felt that as the story unfolded it was easy to follow and the ending wrapped everything up perfectly with just enough suspense to keep me holing on.

This book hooked me from start to finish. I’m a bit of a nerd so I loved the medical and scientific pieces that were woven into the story! I also enjoyed the different perspectives Kira Peikoff used to tell her story. She did a great job moving from a mother to a scientific researcher to a ten year old child. I was kept on my toes throughout the book and was caught completely off guard a few times! I think it’s brilliant when I am totally unaware of something. I do think the ending of the book could have been a bit more drawn out. It seemed like the story had been built up and then came to an end very suddenly. I am a sucker for a good domestic thriller and this one fit right in!

If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers or ever wondered if having three parents could really be that bad, check this book out!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

Omg. I loved this book. I’m usually not a fan of medical/scientific thrillers but now I’m reconsidering. I actually understood the science when explained and it helped the storyline. The twists kept coming and the ending wasn’t what I expected. Pick up this book when it’s released!!

Very intriguing story. Makes you ask the question on just how far you would go to have and protect your child. Also brings into question whether science and messing with genes is a good thing or not. Love how the author tells the story from many points of view and keeps you guessing and wanting to keep turning the page.
#motherknowsbest#netgalley#indigoemployee

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review.

I was so excited to have received my copy of Mother Knows Best. It has been quite hyped in the bookstagram community. Many have favored it as one of the best of this year!

This was an easy read for me as many psychological thrillers are. Mother passes down a genetic mutation to her child that ends up killing him. Upon wanting a second chance at motherhood Claire is determined to have another. She sees this opportunity when she meets Robert Nash a genetic doctor. Along with Jillian the sexy scientist. The three create the world's first baby with 3 genetic parents. Of course this takes a turn for the worst and relationships get complicated. Claire escapes with Robert and Jillian is faced with prison time for this illegal experiment. 10 years later the child grows up wanting answers and we are met with the face of jealousy of Jillian; she will stop at nothing to get back what should have been hers.

This book has all the elements that make a good thriller good. You have good writing an awesome character development, a good unique plot, intrigue and suspense. This gives us a good insight as to why we can't and won't be able to do these experiments anywhere in the near future. It just gets complicated for both the child and the parents. I praise the author for coming up with such a unique concept that hasn't been written before.

Although I did love the writing style and the story I wish there was more of a twist at the end. A bit predictable, but not bad. I am giving this one a 4.0 stars!

I really wanted to love this one, but it was just okay. The book has an intriguing story which alternates between the past and present day. The outcome of the book became somewhat predictable for me. It started out great, and I’ll say that it is worth a read.

Kira Peikoff's latest novel is right on the money with current news brimming of the ethics of creating babies out of embryos not connected to both parents. The mother of this story, Claire Abram passed on a mitochondrial gene that made her son ill, and she lost him at age eight. Claire would like to try a new IVF method that doesn't involve her DNA. Claire's husband, the head of a group at Columbia University, who sits on the President's Bioethical Committee, advises the Federal Government about new medical technology. Ethan does not want to adopt and strongly feels that Claire should try again. He is confident that enough time has passed, and all will be well with another pregnancy.

Claire an idea, very different than that of Ethan. She is determined not to experience the horror of losing her son, Colton, and wants to use new technology, one that Ethan condemns as unethical. Her ideas involve a doctor that Ethan spoke out about, writing an op-ed in the New York Times. As a result, Dr. Robert Nash no longer publishes the results of his research, using embryos that would eliminate life-altering illness.

In a complicated, covert move, Claire gives birth to a healthy girl named Abby. The story becomes a suspenseful ride on a road that seems headed for disaster and possibly prison. KP's writing is fluid, and the alternating chapter gives the girl, Abby, a chance to tell the reader about her unique life. The story is heartbreaking in many places but an excellent read. I recommend it to everyone, especially those who wonder about the future of science and the reproductive rights of women.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC (September 10th).

A careful blend of plausible science fiction and domestic thriller, Mother Knows Best is designed to draw you in and propel you right to the end. With three rotating perspectives on both past and present, Mother Knows Best follows Claire Abrams' journey from recovering from the death of her son who was born with a deadly disease to raising a daughter more than a decade later. What happens between will shock you - or not.

Personally, I found the twists predictable. I have, however, read a lot of thrillers (domestic and otherwise) so even some of the more outlandish twists (looking at you Behind Her Eyes) fail to catch me by surprise these days. In this case, each move by the characters (especially antagonist Jillian) was too clearly telegraphed in advance, cutting the suspense. Claire and Jillian (especially Julian) both felt too stereotypical for me, leaving Claire's daughter Abby as the only stand out in the cast - namely because an 11 year old protagonist is so rare in this genre.

One thing this book does very well is pacing. The beginning establishes Claire's character and situation without feeling like an info dump. Some might call it slow, but the build up was important and the information we get is brought back up throughout. As the stakes increased, it was so easy to tear through this book, just to see how it would all end. The end was a little rushed, but that's almost inevitable in this genre (and personally I'd rather have a slapdash ending than one that drags on forever).