While the plot line may not be origianl, Anya Mora's treatment certainly is. When this mother suspects her son of being involved in a hate inspired crime, she is torn. How does she best protect him? Defend or cover up? The conflict and the tension inspired by the interactions of these well defined characters kept the story moving forward quickly. The steps she will take for her son's sake and the messages we see from the son to his late father leave the reader's emotions swinging from sorrow and grief to anger and disbelief.
This was indeed a thriller! 5 easy stars from me.

What a great book, I am very excited for her next book to com out because I’m sure to get it and I know that I will enjoy it just as much as I did this one. Thanks for writing such a great book!

This was a very written book. Lots of twists to keep the reader very engaged. As a mother of a son, this books makes you think about what lengths you would go to protect that son.

I am a mother myself, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what the main character, Cora had to be feeling or going through emotionally. Book was a compelling read, recommended.

Cora is torn by her love for her son and the need to do the right thing when another boy is beaten and left for feed. It's emotional and well written. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* tbh i was sure this book was going to be a hit or miss and i was super unsure even after starting it but it was really great! would reread this in the future

This sounded like a really good thriller, which I am always on the hunt for- but it turned out to be boring and not memorable, started to read it but sadly could not power through it.

This is the first book I have read by this author and she was able to keep my interest, develop the story as well as the climax to closing. Told primarily from Cora's and Erza's perspective. 17- year old Daniel Reyes ( outspoken LGBTQ activist ) is brutally attacked and left for dead at the clay fields of Bethel Creek. We follow Cora Maxwell, who was widowed 2 years back, and her son Ezra. Ezra is the only family she has left. when Cora finds Ezra's clothes covered in blood and mud, the day after the incident with the Reyes boy, her maternal instinct kicks in and she makes sure to remove the traces and stains. However, the doubt about her son's whereabouts on that night still lingers on her mind. The explanation Ezra provides calms her at first, but it is not long before all the strings start untangling. Gloria Reyes (the mother) and Cora have had some history between them which is not completely blissful. Cora's heart goes out to Daniel, whom she watched growing up with her own son, but her concern for her son is her primary focus. The story was fast-paced and it has very well showcased the emotions, love, betrayal, grief and a mother's love towards her child and the extent to which she can go to protect her child. The story not only is a thriller but also focuses on a few important issues that are not usually talked about homophobia as well as religion. Cora's son is searching for something but did he find trouble instead of peace? The characters are well developed and the reader becomes invested in them and the outcome.

Thanks to the author, netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to explore a new author.

This was an emotional story and thought provoking. It was very well written and makes the reader question “what if?”
Many thanks to BookBuzznet and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites yet by her. One of the things I enjoy most about this author is her use of details that make her stories come to life on each page. I enjoyed being pulled in from the beginning. Her stories are engaging and fast paced. This book is no different. It is fast paced and the characters are connectable. This is a story about a teenage boy who is attacked and left for dead. How far will his mother go to figure out what happened to him? Second chances are not alway an option but is there even a choice given this time? I really enjoyed what the characters brought to the story. They truly made the story for me. This is worth the pick up and I highly recommend it.

This book made me cry y'all 😭💔
That's the first thing I'm gonna say about this book!
It's so so freaking emotional! I mean, I had no idea a thriller novel could have so depth and emotion. It transported me to a whole different world. I went on reading and reading because I just couldn't stop.

It's a very light read and it's pretty small,compared to other books. So if you're looking for a quick, casual read, look no further. But the writing is going to stay with you for a long time.

As for the suspense part of the story, it fell flat for me. Um, it was fast paced and page turning, but it was a bit silly. The ending didn't make sense to me. The thriller aspect of the story was a bit weak. And it got repetitive sometimes. But the way the author has expressed all the emotions and the situations, I can assure you it is going to make you cry.

To sum up:
Quick read+ page turning+ Terrifically emotional+ great writing! 🔎

**If you're a mother of teenage son(s), you need to read this book! You will probably relate to all the emotions!

Great beginning of a good mystery, but did not hold my interest. Honestly, I set the book aside more than half way through. Thank you for the ARC.

The authors writing style wasn't for me. It had a very slow start and didn't hook me, it was one of those books that was easy to set down and forget.

Forgot to download but a friend shared her kindle. The storyline over all was pretty good. I didn't exactly hate the writing style. But the execution wasn't there for me. I did lots of skipping and didn't finish.

I found this a bit difficult at times to read and slow to start. But the story was interesting and, as a true sign of a good book, I wanted to know what happened to the characters.

I would recommend this book but for me it was a book I had on the go for several weeks.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

I really loved this read! It was a fast read as the storyline had me completely gripped.

A must read for all mothers!

Read this in one sitting can't often say I do that but this book just kept me wanting more. Hard to approach subjects but things that need talking about.... highly recommend

A very enjoyable book to read as it had an amazing storyline.
I highly recommend this book. Very well written. Great Read!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Secrets Mothers Keep has all of the makings of a great whodunnit but unfortunately the pace of it just left me feeling bored. I gave up after two chapters I felt I could already see where the plot was going but don't let this put you off.

This story of a hate crime in a small town was mesmerizing and disturbing at times. Daniel Reyes, a popular senior, was found brutally beaten near the creek for which Bethel Creek is named. Cora Maxwell thought being a widow was hard until she discovered evidence that might link Ezra, her son, to the hate crime. The plot was complicated and dealt with multiple difficult topics, including loss of a spouse, turning away from friendships and losing one’s faith, plus the one that trumps them all, a hate crime that was as horrific as they come. In a small town, the rumors started and no one was above suspicion. Riggs, Cora’s new boyfriend, is an investigative journalist who is investigating Daniel’s case and is also resented deeply by Ezra. This was a fast-paced read with a lot of characters introduced quickly. All of the characters were developed enough that they were able to add to the mysterious atmosphere of the story. There were so many complex relationships in the story that at first I was feeling a little lost, but I caught up to it all about halfway through and generally enjoyed the book, if not the themes which were dark. I became invested in finding out if Ezra was actually the culprit and if Cora would continue to hold on to her secrets about him. Her loyalty to Ezra or to the town itself were central to the story and the suspense rolled along all the way to the ending. Genre: mystery/suspense
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not requesting to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”