Happy to include this new book in Novel Encounters, my monthly top ten roundup column of notable upcoming fiction titles for Zoomer magazine’s Books section. To read the feature, click on the link.

Wow!  Excellent read, very  dark.   The book is so well written and grips you from the start.  I finished it in two days.  
The characters are very real and I felt they were my family or neighbours.
Bravo, to the author for diving into postpartum depression  and making it so clear to understand.   
The story flows very fluidly and  provides a history of the mother’s tragic upbringing.  It does switch back and forth to present day..
Highly recommend, however it is sad, so if you are searching for an uplifting book, this is not the one.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½⭐️ (4.5 stars)

Blythe comes from a long line of poor mothers and broken homes. Her husband, Fox’s family, on the other hand, is anything but dysfunctional. So when Fox starts to push for the two of them to have a child of their own, Blythe is nervous, but determined to do better than her mother ever did for her.

But things are never as simple as they seem. And while Blythe does everything in her power to be the best mother she can be, things never seem to “click” between her and her daughter Violet. And as Violet grows older, Blythe’s concerns grow too. Violet doesn’t behave the way Blythe thinks children ought to. She’s cold, callous and demonstrates behaviour that lacks empathy.

But Fox doesn’t share in any of Blythe’s concerns. In fact, he thinks their daughter is perfectly normal for her age. It’s Blythe that he’s concerned about. And as their mother-daughter relationship becomes even more strained, the more Fox worries about his wife’s grip on reality…

Prior to reading The Push I had heard so many good things about this book! I swear, it kept seeing its cover everywhere! And the reviews were incredible. Add in the fact that it’s a psychological drama – one of my favorite genres – and written by a Canadian author, you can bet I was very excited to read this novel.

This book is Ashley Audrain’s debut novel, and she definitely delivers. The Push is everything the noteworthy reviews on its cover boast. A twisted tale about motherhood through the generations, Audrain doesn’t pull any punches. Told from the alternating perspective of Blythe in the form of letters to her husband Fox and flashbacks to her mother, Cecilia, throughout her childhood dealing with her own mother, Etta, The Push is a dark, intense, and raw look at the realities of being a mother, and what happens when things don’t go exactly as planned.

In a world where motherhood is touted as being the most ~natural, magical, perfect~ experience a woman can have – and the epitome of what all women should aspire towards – The Push is a fresh, gripping look at motherhood that stands out for its originality and ingenuity.

In Blythe a common concern many would-be-mothers worry about – what if I’m a bad mother? – is actualized, and then taken to the extreme. With impossible to predict consequences. Despite it having a somewhat slow start, The Push manages to find its momentum quicker than anticipated, and live up to the expectations its rave reviews inevitably insight.

Thank you to the publisher, Viking/Penguin Random House Canada , and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I was ecstatic after being accepted to review an early copy of The Push on NetGalley. The synopsis was very captivating and this book sounded like everything I look for in a psychological thriller. And I am happy to report that I was right. 

The Push drew me in after the first chapter, when I realized that the protagonist was currently stalking her own family. Doesn’t that sound intriguing? The book centred on the events leading up to that very moment. Letting us in on the secrets of Blythe’s life and everything that happened after she gave birth for the first time. 

I was not expecting such an “edge of your seat” read. I never knew what was going to happen next, and I found myself sitting with my mouth wide open more often then not, after a shocking twist. This book made my heart pound. The constant unease that enveloped me did not stop until a few hours after finishing The Push. My mind was still shocked, as I came to terms with the events that took place.

The only criticism I have is that I wish certain scenes weren’t prolonged for the sake of suspense. Trust me when I say my entire body was already tense with anticipation. I did have to take a few breaks while reading this book, because the subject matter became too much at times. It was beginning to mess with my head. Those shocking moments were haunting, that I needed to take those breaks to calm myself and collect my thoughts. A true masterpiece of psychological thrillers. 

I highly encourage you all to give this book a read if you enjoy suspense and shocking twists. A book capable of bringing out so many emotions deserves applause. I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for other books Ashley Audrain writes in the future. She is a very talented author.

Holy Shooty Balls!  This was one gripping, emotionally raw, and brilliantly written novel!

THE PUSH by ASHLEY AUDRAIN is an emotional, chilling, dark, and utterly immersive psychological drama that was an all consuming page-turner for me.  Right from the very first chapter I knew that this was going to be my kind of book and that I was going to absolutely love it.  

This book totally got under my skin, it disturbed and unsettled me.  On one hand I was totally gutted with the hard to read content and on the other I was elated and excited with how good the story was--reading this in almost one sitting.  It was absolutely unputdownable!

ASHLEY AUDRAIN delivers a complex, tense, multi-layered, compelling, fast-paced, and enthralling multi-generational story here that was so incredibly well-written.  I was thoroughly impressed and fascinated with the way that this story was written and how intuitive the author was in how well she wrote these damaged characters in such a terrifyingly realistic way.  

At times the darkness was so intense but was absolutely riveting at the same time.  I loved how the author had me doubting what was happening right along with Blythe and how she was perceiving things.  Was it real or was it her imagination?  I didn’t even want to guess what was going on, I just wanted to read!

The ending of this book definitely goes down at being one of the best ones that I have ever read!!!

Warning:  Multiple Trigger Issues

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Ashley Audrain and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this fabulous book.

This is a debut novel by a fellow Canadian that will plant you snap dab in the middle of an emotional rollercoaster.  So deserving of all the praise and buzz that it is getting!

Wow. I almost have no words. I'd heard great reviews about this debut psychological thriller from a Canadian writer, but had minimal expectations. Compelling from the start, this book really toyed with me. Not always sure of what I was reading, some of the darkness was so direct that it felt almost subtle. At times, I had to put the book down just to absorb what I'd just read. And just as Blythe questioned what she was seeing/perceiving in her family, so did I. What is real? What is imagined? Could someone you love be capable of the things you are seeing? I wish I'd had the energy to read this in one sitting, because it was that grip worthy. 

Giving this book a 4.5 rounded up to 5 for its intensity and really unique take on  this genre of book. Dark AF, but very intriguing and will leave me thinking for a while.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. Will definitely be recommending this one to grip lit friends.

Blythe Connor wants to be the mother she didn’t have, but when her daughter, Violet, is born, she doesn’t feel the nurturing connection she hoped for. As her baby grows into a young child, Blythe feels there’s something wrong with Violet but her husband disagrees and thinks she is imaging things, leaving her feeling full of self doubt.

In a moving narration, the author explores the young mother’s feelings and doubts. A flowing, beautifully written prose leaves the reader enthralled with Blythe’s story, and the underlying question - what is Violet capable of doing? An excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

Talk about having hooks upon which to hang more hooks, Ashley Audrain's, The Push, is a definitive master class  in how to keep readers not only engaged, but actually hooked into what is going on, both plot wise, as well as with the characters. Through a series of flashbacks that overview the twisted history of Blythe, (the main character's) ancestors  - namely her grandmother and her mother - we come to understand the generational impact on us as children growing up.  Because of what's happened in that past, Blythe is reluctant to have children. But Fox, Blythe's husband, charms her into it. The Push is an in-your-head narrative told in the first person, one that shines the spotlight on the worries of having a child that doesn't seem quite right - could she really be evil- followed by the joys and relief that come with a second 'more adjusted' child. With that stage set, Audrain is only getting started. As I delved into the novel, I found myself at first cheering for Blythe and Fox as a couple, then feeling sorry for Blythe's too common under-the-rug but not exactly post partum condition, to her sense of unease around her first child, Violet's behaviour, to the couple's denial as to what was happening.  Surely what Blythe saw didn't in fact transpire.  What I found most satisfying about The Push is that right to the last sentence Audrain had my attention, which has not always been the case with other psychological twisters. 
Also, Audrain certainly knows how make a phrase resonate, to wit: Her toes were a row of tiny snow peas. Or, "We could count our problems  on the petals of a daisy in my bouquet."   The publication of The Push, which was surrounded by more buzz than a bee farm, is Audrain's debut novel.  I would get in line to preorder her second master piece.  Cece M. Scott  cecescott.com @cecemscott #ThePush #NetGalley

A challenging topic of maternal instinct told through the lens of a psychological thriller. While well-written, it didn't feel like an enjoyable read to me as it seemed to demonize a mental health issue.

Is it wrong to love a sinister novel as such as The Push? This book blew my socks off. This was my first book of 2021 and it honestly took me by surprise how much I enjoyed this one 😍 It’s unique, compulsive and just the right amount of insanity to keep you glued to the book. The characters are so well done and the plot was a thriller lover’s psychotic dream come true!

The Push is Canadian author Ashley Audrain's debut novel, released this week with much anticipation. Audrain has already successfully sold movie and TV rights for the book. I got caught up in the fever, ... and so, ... it is now my first book review of the 2021.

In her page turning debut, we are introduced to Blythe and Fox, who meet at the end of college. She's a writer and his an architect. Fox always dreamed of the day he would become a dad, but Blythe, was never really interested in #motherhood. The book flashes back to Blythe's early years with her mom Cecilia, (and Dad Seb), as well as to Cecelia's early life with her parents, Etta and Henry. But that is backstory for the main plot. Blythe agrees to have a baby, DESPITE her insecurities. And, true to her beliefs, things between her and baby daughter Violet, are BAD from the outset. But no one else sees what Blythe sees. Is there something wrong with Blythe? Or is there something wrong with Violet? 

To quote author Ashley Audrain, "The Push is a psychological drama, told through the lens of motherhood."

The book is a quick read, but it is NOT  "light". It includes difficult to read (DARK) scenes (BAD stuff you know...), but that's what keeps you interested and turning the pages. You are forewarned.... I "enjoyed it for what it is and definitely recommend it! #5 stars

Thank you #netgalley and @penguinrandomhousecanada for my complimentary copy of #thepush by @ashleyaudrain in return for my honest review.

The Push was a wild way to start the year. This book is a generational story about motherhood, examining it like two sides of a penny. One on hand, it's shiny and bright and, on the other, it's dark and warped. I flew through this book in two days as the suspense continued to build.

The book is written as if the narrator is recounting her life in a letter or story (I said, you said, etc.). The writing style was unique and it worked well to keep me captivated. The Push is a novel about Blythe, a new mother to baby Violet, and we follow her as she struggles to connect with her child and embrace motherhood. She begins to think there's something wrong with Violet, but no one else seems to see what she sees.

The Push is dark and can be uncomfortable. It touches on postpartum depression, suicide, death and mental illness. I found that even in moments of discomfort, I had to continue reading to find out what happened next. There are flashback chapters that recount Blythe's childhood, her mom Cecilia's childhood and her grandmother Etta's life. These chapters really added to the depth of the novel and Blythe as a character.

A page turner filled with suspense right up to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an advance copy of this e-book in exchange for a review.

The Push is a quick, if unsettling, read — more potboiler than true psychological thriller — that treads some familiar ground about mothers and daughters and the inheritance of intergenerational trauma. Author Ashley Audrain does have some nicely observed moments — which helps to elevate this story above pure soap opera — and she uses a time-jumping formula to good effect. I can’t say that I was exactly entertained by this read, and it’s not like I learned anything new about the human condition, but I did keep reading to see how Audrain would wrap everything up. Three stars would be a rounding up.

Ashely Audrain’s debut novel The Push will have people talking. This psychological drama is bone chilling and beautifully written. It is not a fast-paced novel, yet you will find yourself rapidly turning the pages. I read the book in a day, I needed to know the full story.  This is not for the lighthearted as it deals with mother daughter relations, death and marriage. I feel this is one of those novels that is best to say less than more. The Push is a dark and intriguing thriller that I feel we will be hearing a lot about this year. 

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I could not get into this book. I gave it a try but after 3 chapters I realised, the narrative style was weird and the clipped sentences were not inductive to further reading.

(3.5 stars)

I wanted to read this book because I love a tense psychological drama. Stories about motherhood are not necessarily my thing, but I went into this not really knowing what to expect.</p>

Blythe’s story, which was intertwined with that of her mother and her mother’s mother, was a frustrating and sad, at times heart-wrenching, read. It was also hard to read at times and made me uncomfortable.</p>

This was certainly a really tense page-turner, but it also left me feeling kind of wrung out and bleak by the end. I was thinking about nature vs nurture, and whether sometimes people are just born a certain way or whether something in our upbringing, no matter how early on, can have a lifelong impact on who we become.</p>

If you are looking for a dark psychological thriller, this might just fit the bill!

The Push (2021) by Ashley Audrain is one of the most highly anticipated books to be released in 2021, so I was lucky to get my hands on an advance reader copy this past fall. It follows a woman, Blythe, who nervously prepares for motherhood, knowing that the women in her family have not adapted well historically. As expected, Blythe struggles with her newborn daughter Violet and things only go further downhill from there. Violet seems to have a nasty streak...but is it real, a consequence of Blythe's distance, or is it entirely imagined?

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the digital advance reading copy of this book.

This was a weird and interesting book about the beginning and end of a family with interspersed stories from Blyhte's childhood and that of Blyhte's mother.  The book has you trying to guess what you are reading and why, but you do not want to put it down.

I absolutely love the very last line of the book!  I don't want to give away anything but I was waiting for that the whole book.

First thank you to PRH & Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I can say for certain that this book is an incredible thriller & is a book that I could not put down. I think it will be a big book for the year, and I also think there is a lot to discuss and would make an excellent book club pick.

As I saw in another review, though, I found it hard to read for me personally. [this is behind a spoiler link on Netgalley] There is a lot of things about becoming a mother, both psychologically and physically, that really rang true for me, especially for a first-time mother and I don't necessarily think one has to have had a traumatic past for that transition to be complicated and isolating. I just kept wishing that Blythe could get into some therapy...I felt like that part of the story was very well-told. The generational trauma was disturbing & sometimes difficult to read. But I had a hard time trying to understand if we are supposed to assume that Violet is a victim of this trauma as well, or her own monster. Maybe I was thinking about it too much. I wish the book had ended before that final phone call...I think it would have been a better ending. Like it almost gave too much away and also made the mother/daughter relationship less complicated. Teenage girls get such a bad rap in so many mediums (I have two daughters & seriously the first thing 50% of people would say to us when they found out we had girl babies, was "watch out when they're teenagers" It made me livid) & I would have preferred an ending that didn't play into that urban myth/stereotype.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley, but only got to it now due to the chaos of my life! Ha!

This was emotionally gripping and difficult to read at times. It will not leave you feeling content and will stick with you for quite awhile. It’s a mix between psychological thrillers but also horror. There are a lot of triggers that I wasn’t entirely sure I could get through, including child neglect, death and suicide, so be forewarned. 

Well-written but a cliffhanger ending leaves me with so many unanswered questions!