I thought everything, from the characters to the plot and even minute details, was well-done. The author did a great job of laying everything out so that it all made sense, even as the reader was trying to figure out the truth right along with the characters. I wasn’t sure what to make of Mel at first. The same could be said for Katie, her daughter. There was a gothic feel to the primary location: the mysterious acquisition, the reclusive tenant, and the odd occurrences all added to the atmosphere. I did like the parallels that were revealed between Mel and another character and thought that a couple of the surprises were well-done. A definite must-read. For a detailed review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.

Lots of secrets and lies. Overall, I enjoyed this book but there were certain events and situations that I found difficult to believe. There were lots of twists and turns and the ending was quite unexpected.
Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and Samantha Hayes for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my unbiased opinion.

I enjoyed this one due to the complex and complicated mother/ daughter relationship !
When Mel receives an anonymous letter stating that she has inherited a motel - she dismisses it as a joke !
Her life hasn’t been easy as she just lost her job as a carer under the implications that she stole money from the elderly man she was taking care of ! To make matters worse she has a strained relationship with her 13 year old daughter Kate !
Her best friend convinced her to take the letter seriously as fast forward to her and Kate moving to the motel - seeking a fresh start ! Things are improving although the motel is in dire need of repairs and there’s a permanent resident that is part of the deal ! An older lady who will give you the creeps! Mysterious events start to take place and I was all in ! The author takes the reader through quite a fun ride to cray cray town - although predictable I still enjoyed seeing the dynamics evolve between Mel and Kate !
Definitely a great read that will make you take a closer look at your best friend 😳

I really enjoyed this one, as well. A few good twists and and ending that is really well put together. I loved the way this was written and how original the story seems.

Overall this book kept my attention really well, especially in the beginning. I felt there were a lot of characters which was hard to follow, especially in the middle where I found myself trailing off while I was reading. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

3.5 stars

This was just okay for me. Too much predictability and situations glossed over to help mask the lack of believability to them.

It was entertaining enough and maybe if life hadn’t gotten in the way I could have read this in a shorter time period and been more connected to the storyline.

ARC provided by NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. Single Mother is a slow burn mystery. This is a compelling story of three generations of women and the trials and tribulations they’ve endured. As the story progressed, I began to care about Mel and Kate, a mother and daughter that had lived through hardships and pain. Their life appears to take a turn in the right direction when Mel learns of a mysterious inheritance. This event leads to unanswered questions and long, buried secrets. The book is a tearful tale of desperation, betrayal and redemption.

This was an okay story for me. Normally I really love this author, but this one seemed a bit too unrealistic and disjointed for me. I would still recommend, as I do think it has pretty good writing and it’s quite easy to finish. It also has a good amount of thrills, chills, and shocks!

Having loved “Tell me a secret” as well as others this author has written, I was looking forward to getting to grips with Samantha Hayes’ latest offering. Following the tale of single mum Sam and daughter Kate who have faced challenges and hit hard times. Inheriting a hotel is surely the end to all their problems? With enough twists and turns to keep me reading into the night, I enjoyed this book. I have to say, I preferred the earlier novels, but am looking forward to reading what Hayes writes next.

dnf @ 22%

this thriller is just soooooo slow paced that i fell asleep every time i pick this up. also, the bland writing didn't help elevate my immersion in the characters' lives—which was supposed to be the focus while building the settings and the characters.

again, i'm sorry it didn't capture me.

As I've come to expect from Samantha Hayes, Single Mother was another page turner. The story grabbed my attention from the start, and though I did guess a few twists, I thought it was engaging until the end. Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exhange for an honest review.
Last year, I read "The Liar's Wife" by Samantha Hayes and I really enjoyed it so when I discovered that her last book, "Single Mother" was available to review, I couldn't wait to request it.
Where do I start with this book?
It gave me so many "what the heck just happened moments" I couldn't believe it.
Ms. Hayes has one twisted mind to have come up with all of these ideas.
The story was addictive, well written and original.
I can't wait to see what the author writes next.

Mel Douglas has brought her daughter up on her own it’s been a struggle but she’d rather do that than with her abusive ex Billy.
Mel was found abandoned and brought up in foster care
One Evening her friend brings round fish and chips and see’s an official looking letter but Mel tells him to put it in the bin but he tells her to look into it because it looks real.
She finds out she has been left an hotel and a decent amount of money but on one condition she must live in the hotel and not sell it.
So they decide to give it ago the further away from the ex billy the better.
The hotel is run down but with some maintenance and a lick of paint hopefully they can make it work.
The other condition is that the strange lady named Sarah lives there.
While renovations are being done somethings are uncovered.
Then Katie, Sarah’s daughter disappeared has Billy finally caught up with them.
Good read
Thanks NetGalley

I had high hopes for this book, it seemed to have all the bones of a great story but it just became so unrealistic and far fetched that I really didnt enjoy it as much as I thought I would. The twists were just all so unbelievable and the final one just tipped it over the edge of what the heck!!

I am sure others will love this book but for me I just didnt get on with it sorry!

I received the book via Netgalley.

Mel, a single mother with a twelve year old daughter Kate, is struggling to make ends meet. When a letter arrives from a lawyer telling her that she has inherited a hotel and a large sum of money she can hardly believe it. Mel busies herself into fixing the hotel up but then some weird things start happening and when bones are discovered buried near the new construction all hell breaks loose

Single Mother by Samantha Hayes has great characters and is an excellent psychological thriller with lots of secrets and twists and turns, some implausible but still an entertaining read.

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This psychological thriller has so many twists that it makes it very hard to put it down. The first couple twists were predictable, but the rest I didn't see coming.

The beginning of the book seems like it is going to be a women's fiction novel, but once Mel takes over the hotel, all the thrilling activity happens.

I loved the characters and the writing style. I was engaged the whole time. I think the ending has to be one of my favorites! It definitely added some serious psychological craziness. I now can't wait to read more of Samantha Hayes books!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Not what I expected.

Unfortunately, was quite poorly written. The story seemed to drag on and on with not a lot happening.

Predictable ending.

I've read books by Samantha Hayes before and really enjoyed them, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, in the end I was left pretty underwhelmed and disappointed. Both the characters and the storyline felt very shallow, unbelievable and predictable. It was pretty obvious when the author was setting up a certain storyline to have a "surprise". There was little in the way of character development which meant I wasn't at all invested in what happened to them. Sadly, this was one that I had to force myself to get through.

Melanie Douglas is a single mum with a violent ex in prison, desperately trying to make ends meet as she cares for their daughter Kate. She receives a letter offering her an inheritance yet she was abandoned as a baby: does she have a secret family and can she protect herself from her dangerous ex?
The Single Mother is Mel, a vulnerable woman who is very likeable and struggling to cope financially and emotionally. She has had an unhappy life, abandoned as a newborn and growing up in foster homes so she is determined to give her own daughter love and security. But her ex Billy is in prison for a variety of crimes including domestic violence.
Mel's vulnerability makes her someone that readers will feel warm towards especially as she continues to face hardships. I felt myself being distrustful of the other characters in the same way that she is: her past is very emotive and affects her relationship with her daughter which then in turn creates a fear when dealing with others.
The plot device of the unexpected inheritance provides Mel with opportunities but also concerns. She gets the chance for a fresh start but there are secrets hinted at by the locals as well as the mystery of who her benefactor is. Added to this is the hope of new love as Mel and Tom grow closer but the past continues to haunt her happiness.
I did not find Single Mother very credible but it was certainly enjoyable and I think it would make a great psychological drama on TV. I found myself emotionally invested in Mel and willing her to find happiness to counteract the loss she has felt all her life. The final chapter has some big reveals that will make you reconsider some parts of the plot and the characters themselves.

This is the first time I have read this author and I very much enjoyed her work. I felt so bad for Mel and Kate. Hard times have gotten to this single mother and her ex is in prison or was and now currently free to do as he pleases.

Mel is fired from her job which was completely ridiculous!!! When she finds out she inherited a hotel and money life turns around...or so she thinks

Many secrets are unearthed through out this book. Who's related to who. Who took Kate, who really is their for Mel

I highly recommend this if you like some twists and turns!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this!