Rosie O’Connell wants to change her life and that of her little son Charlie by enrolling him in the Wolfe Academy, a prestigious school attended by the elite. She ends up being drawn in to a circle of women led by Amala. As the story unfolds, we learn how these women are linked and ultimately what drives them. This one gets twisty and sinister and we learn just how far such a good mother will go to protect what is most precious to her.

This one gave me serious Big Little Lie vibes. It opens with a school mom dead off a roof at a school fundraiser. I enjoyed the twists and I always like a story about a mother’s love for her child. I also really appreciated the author’s note at the end that recognized working moms during the pandemic. Thank you kindly Helen Monks Takhar

DNF at 50%. Couldn't get into it. Subpar writing, plot and characters. I can't even find the words to write for how terrible this book was for me.

The daughter of a scam artist, Rose always wanted better for her son (and kind of herself, if she admitted it), but her and her husband struggle to pay the bills, as the old neighborhood becomes a ritzy enclave around them. When she's given the chance to send her son to the exclusive Woolf Academy across the street, Rose jumps at the chance, despite her husband and sister-in-law's warnings to be cautious. Once there, she's drawn into the mysterious inner circle of school director Amala Kauer, and her influencer moms, who show Rose that she can live a much different life, but that everything comes at a cost, if she's willing to work for it.

This book was like an Ocean's Eleven heist story starring the Real Housewives. It had Woolf Academy just covered in that bad juju the moment Rose stepped on campus, but she pushed on, and that was when she got a glimpse into the inner-workings, which was definitely like Dorothy puling back the curtain. And yeah, that's when the big decisions begin. As things got bigger and bigger I was hooked watching to see what Rose would do next.

I'll admit to getting really frustrated with Rose, because there were times she just seemed like such a pushover and I wanted to shake her. It seemed like she was just letting things happen. But I would say to others in my position - just keep reading. I won't give anything away, but I wasn't as frustrated in the end. Which is good, because not many of the characters are very likable this book, much like in the aforementioned Real Housewives.

Overall, this book had a lot of twists and turns, sometimes it became a lot to take in and follow as the reveals went on, but the payoff was worth it. The ending was nice and intense. Just it as should have been for a book that was full of intense drama.

Overall, this was a intense ride that from start to finish that lived up to its tagline: how far are you willing to go for your child? People who love suspense and plenty of action will greatly enjoy this one!

Have you ever felt like you're not coming up to snuff among your motherly peers? Rose, the main character of Such a Good Mother by Helen Monks Takhar, feels that way but is determined to bring her son Charlie up differently and ensure he has a solid, fruitful future. After he's accepted to the prestigious Woolf Academy, she looks forward to seeing him thrive.

Unfortunately, the school acceptance does not necessarily equal "acceptance". Rose and her husband are barely getting by, and it appears that Charlie isn't doing well despite every effort to acclimate to his new environment. Rose works hard but never seems to get anywhere and fitting in with the posh moms who have it together doesn't seem to be a possibility until she catches the eye of Amala.

Chic and powerful, Amala has a hand in everything that goes on in the school and leads the de-facto PTA-like establishment, the Circle. But the Circle and its members are not all that they seem. And that's just the beginning.

Moms have it tough, whether you're rich or poor, working or stay-at-home, so I thought that I could relate to the book in some way. Although my children are almost grown, you remember those feelings of not keeping up with the more together moms, so I looked forward to this book. I found it to be a disappointment and lacking in showing this competitive environment as well as it could.

The main character Rose came from a hardscrabble background with a con artist father, but she seems so weak and wishy-washy. I kept wondering why she would leave her son in this horrible school with the snobby families if she really couldn't afford it and truly didn't like it. Her husband, despite his hunky appearance, seemed really bland and a genial, submissive loser. The Circle moms could have been more well-rounded and less hollow. Amala seriously felt over the top in everything she does. I only liked Jacq who is Rose's sister-in-law and matchmaker for her brother and Rose.

I kept expecting unusual twists since this reads like a thriller, but only one thing shocked me. The rest felt predictable and nothing that I didn't spot from a distance. The ending really didn't surprise me but seemed so ridiculous and preposterous. Even my suspension of disbelief didn't help when it came to the climax and the outcome of the book.

I don’t think there was a single truly likable character here. That’s not to say the characters weren’t well developed because they were, the author takes an interesting look at mothers who will stoop to low levels for their children and they don’t care who they hurt in the process.

My experience reading this book was odd, I was always definitely interested in seeing where things were headed but I did feel it get a little dragged on at times.

“I mean, it is one big con, isn’t it? Being the average working mum. The lies you’re fed about being able to succeed at work, win at home. It’s all one massive, long con designed to get women to chase an impossible Hurrah, a world built to see you succeed in every bit of your life, and if you don’t, it’s not a problem out there.”

As a working mom, I appreciated what the author was trying to create here, but it just didn’t work for me. I did not believe in the characters and they seemed clunky. I thought the main character was completely unbelievable and the villain was just too much.

this one had such potential but it fell totally flat for me 🫠

I love a good ole cult story - and ESPECIALLY with moms and parents of kids at school

unfortunately, the writing was too complicated and the characters were too plentiful to properly get the plot line across. I kept having to re-read pages to make sense of who we were referring to.

I absolutely loved the side stories and wish the author spent more time on the kids and their friends.

I binged this one in a few hours so it’s an easy read for those who want a nice quick thriller to start off spooky season!!

thank you to random house and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 2 stars
wine pairing: brazil chardonnay

This book was just okay to me. I didn’t really connect with the main character, and for that reason I really struggled through it. I think if I had been able to connect with Rose this would have been a big hit with me.

This was a good book about the lengths some people will go to to ensure that their children have the best chance at a superior education. Rosie O'Donnell has moved back into her old neighborhood, into a one bedroom apartment above a retail store, and she has enrolled her son into the exclusive Woolf Academy. Though it's not easy to get into that school, she has to pass an interview with the 'clique' a group of women that basically run the school. She's pleasantly surprised when her son is accepted, though that's really when things start to go downhill. Rosie is invited to be part of the clique after the unexpected death of another member, once that happens her son gets access to before and after school activities (sort of like a daycare I would suppose), this makes Rosie's work life much easier as she was having to come in late and leave early to drop him off and pick him up. This comes with a string though, she is asked to ensure that the Academy is given a grant that her bank is responsible for giving to worthy businesses. The pressure on Rosie to make this happen is intense and that's where Rosie grows a backbone, she had been bullied as a child in school and throughout the book some of those instances are recalled, she's also the daughter of a hustler that made his living conning others. There are a number of twists in turns that make this an enjoyable read. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Random House for the ARC.

I honestly believe that women CAN be the most evil beings to walk the earth. I say this, as a woman. The amount of deceit, spite, and betrayal we are capable of goes without explanation.

Such a Good Mother, shows the lengths some people will go in order to secure a life of privilege for their children.

This is an exceptionally written story that will have you in constant suspense and anticipation of what will come next. This is not Helen Monks Takhar's first book but it was the first book I have read by this author. After concluding Such a Good Mother, I instantly ran on over to Amazon to order Precious You.

I am still left with the feeling of awe and shock in what I have just read. The twists came at me full speed and there was no way I was able to anticipate the ending.

Such a Good Mother, needs to be read by all suspense/thriller lovers. This book has bestseller written all over it.

Rose is eager for her young son Charlie to attend the prestigious Woolf Academy, even if it is housed in the same building where she was bullied as a student. The other mothers exacerbate her feelings of inferiority stemming not only from being bullied but also her family history. That is, until headmistress Amala invites Rose into The Circle, the innermost group of favored moms. Rose's luck seems to turn, but she starts to wonder if the price she's paying will prove too great.

This is less a novel about parenting than it is about the myths we see on social media and what people will do to have seemingly perfect lives. Rose is a memorable heroine who manages to remain inscrutable, even as she bares her soul. #SuchaGoodMother #NetGalley

Real Housewives 2.0. Rose's marriage is falling apart, the people around her are changing, and her life isn't what she envisioned it. When she enrolls her son in the prestigious Woolf Academy, she thinks this is her shot to feel included. Little did she know she gets pulled into lies, secrets, and things she never expected herself to be doing.

I felt like this had so much potential but fell short of what I was looking for in a thriller.

Such a Good Mother explores the dark sides of motherhood - this one was not for me but I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!

Most mothers can relate to wanting what’s best for their children. Beginning as early as pregnancy, women (and parents overall) begin touring and competing for exclusive slots on long wait lists for the best daycares to the elementary school programs. Having just recently bought a home this year and thinking ahead for my toddler, I can personally attest to how big a role the quality of the school district played in the homes and towns we considered. Needless to say, I think this book can really strike a chord with moms.

Rose came from a poorer background and an unhealthy home life in which her main caretaker (her father) prioritized gambling and scheming with little oversight for his child. This is traumatic in itself, so I could completely understand Rose’s obsession with ensuring that her son received the high-quality education and connections that could give him a leg up to succeed in life. Unfortunately, we see it all too often – money breeds money, and those that come from money automatically have certain doors and opportunities open for them a bit more easily than those that don’t.

What really bothered me about Rose was how she treated her husband and child as pawns in her own personal game. It’s one thing to want what’s best for someone, but it’s another entirely when you’re too focused on your own desires and goals that you completely ignore what that other person wants or needs.

As much as I could understand Rose’s drive and ambition, I just did not like her character or the way she treated her family. It felt like, even in the end, she didn’t really learn from any of it. That being said, overall, Such A Good Mother was a good story and the plot twists were both surprising and transparent at the same time which made for a fun read.

Rose is just trying to fit into the “it” crowd and in doing so her life flips upside down. An interesting read for sure

3 Stars
* * * Spoiler Free
This book has the focus of "Be Careful What You Wish For" flavor. Our main character has horrible past experiences of stigma, and bullying, and tried to go forward sacrificing whatever was needed for her own family. She is the outsider and this tags her son as one too in his new school. The only answer in her mind is to become part of the powerful click called the Circle.

When she gets the opportunity to become "one of them" her fantasy of everything will now be perfect is met with the True Reality.

Expect frustration and some ugly situations. The question is will our gal survive...

This moved much slower than I was expecting it to. About halfway in, I just gave up. There was none of the thriller vibes that I expected. It was just a bunch of women behaving badly.

Rose O’Connell is barely surviving. She is the only mom at her son's prestigious academy that has a "regular" job, or even a job at all. She feels like she is barely treading water in her life. When a member of the inner circle of moms turns up dead, can she fill the spot? Can she fit in? Can she stay alive?

Such a Good Mother is a psychological suspense novel that explores the themes of desire, ambition, and scars within Rosie and her new coveted friends in the inner circle at her son's school. On the surface, it seems kind of silly that a group would be so nasty...but we have all watched and read Mean Girls. Most of us have witnessed it first hand...so the plot twists, though intense, take the reader on a wild ride where the word sacrifice has multiple meanings.
I liked the characters or rather, mostly disliked the characters. Most of them are deeply broken or flawed (or both).

Is they anything you wouldn't do to get your child into the best school?

Rose has never felt like she fit in. Growing up, home life was tough, she was bullied at school, and the taunts still ring in her ears.

When everything starts to change in their neighborhood, Rose wants to move forward too. Instead, she, her hunky husband, and her son are stuck in their tiny apartment across from THE school to have your kids go to.

Rose is determined for her son to have the best life has to offer, so she goes to the open house for the school. Even though there are red flags, she knows this is the school for him. And, when the top of the mom totem pole is interested in her, she feels hopeful.

Soon, overheard conversations and cold shoulders don't matter to Rose, because she has something the Woolf Academy needs. But is she willing to do what they ask?


THIS BOOK!
OK-I liked it a lot, but I could set it down and wasn't devouring it. Still a great read and recommended.