Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. There was something missing in this book for me. It somehow felt incomplete. The story would have flowed better with more backround on the characters. The ending felt rushed and really left me wanting more.

Overall, this was a trippy story. I liked it, but it didn’t resonate completely with me given some unfinished/abrupt storylines and a climax without much buildup.

I thought the characters were pretty well-written, though I would have loved to see more character building/background. You could tell that both sets of parents were trying to do their best, or at least appearing that way to the outside world. I would also have loved more background on the two couples and their histories. The basics were covered, but at the end of the book, I feel like I only truly got to know one character in the book.

The twist? While I didn’t see it specifically coming, I knew that something in that vein would happen after the tragedy and everyone’s response to it. I wish there would have been more buildup to it other than a quick whisper in a kitchen. Because then? Twist happens, book over, story doesn’t feel resolved. There are loose ends all over the place. The police seem to be generally incompetent, and that’s unfortunate…they really could have turned the twist on its head.

My other critique was that the writing felt choppy at times, and I definitely wondered if that’s because the translation was choppy, not the actual writing itself. My rating ignored this since it was likely out of the author’s control.

IMO, with a few additional chapters, this could go from feeling unfinished to feeling brilliant.

Read this if you’re looking for a twisty (and maybe not entirely predictable ending unless you read too many thrillers 😅) book about the horrors of parenting.

This was a very interesting read. The plot was really good and I expected a lot out of this book. For me, it seemed to take so long to get to the ending, then the ending was over in a matter of minutes. I would have preferred less story line up to the ending and more of the ending. All in all, it was ok.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a free arc copy in exchange for my honest review

This book was not for me, I think it had a lot of filler language and the whole storyline could have been captured in a lot less pages. This book was interesting and it was a surprise ending, but a very tragic story. I normally take a few days to read a book, and it took me about a month to get through this.

Wow, I really loved this one and am looking forward to seeing its movie version! I thought it was a very interesting story and had interesting characters that I couldn't wait to see what happened to next! I loved the writing style and it kept me invested throughout the whole book.

Finished ✔️ Mothers’ Instinct by Barbara Abel

4 ⭐️’s
Publish Day: May 16th, 2023
Kindle Unlimited: No

Dark, twisty thriller
2 couples that are best friends and neighbors bond together and that mutates in dangerous and deadly ways in the wake of a tragic accident.
The whole storyline was interesting and unique in more ways then one.
I found that I enjoyed the characters a lot despite their issues.
The twists were good and I was surprised by them.
This story was wonderful written.
This author did a great job with character development and their stories.
Yes, I’d recommend this book.

#DeesReading #DeesRecs #DeesBookRecommendations #BookNerds #BookNerdProblems #BookNerdsUnited #BookProblems #BookProblems101 #BookNerds101 #Bookworms #BookwormProblems #BookwormProblems101 #BooksOfFacebook #DeeTheBookReviewer #DeesReadOfTheDay #DeesBookOfTheDay #DeesBookReviewsOfTheDay #BookReviewer #NewToMeAuthor #BarbaraAbel #ReadOfTheDay #BookOfTheDay #MothersInstinct #NetGalley #MysteriesAndThrillers

To keep it simple, it ended where I felt a whole new, and more exciting, story line began. I wanted less of the actual story and more of what happened after it ended.

4 what does your gut tell you stars

Two couples live next door to each other, their boys are just about the same age and love to play together. David and Laetitia Brunelle and their son Milo are in one house and Sylvain and Tiphaine Geniot and their son Maxime are in the other house.

We get to know all of them as the years go by and the friendship deepens. A tragic accident tears them all apart as Maxime dies at age 6.

The tension really goes up as grief sets in for all of them and Tiphaine thinks that Laetitia should have done more to save Maxime. The couples no longer socialize.

There are some strange accidents, and I grew very concerned for Milo. What is going on in his neighborhood? What are the adults up to here? What mother’s instincts do you have? How far would you go?

With some perfect twists, this one ended in a chilling manner.

Soon to be a movie, I will definitely watch it!

ALL THE STARS!!! I went into this one expecting the typical Mommy Feud/Domestic Drama, which I do like, but it seems they have just all been similar themes lately. This one was most certainly NOT! Dark and disturbing to say the least. Laetitia and Tiphaine (had to Google pronunciation with that one), are best friends until they aren't Pregnant at the same time, both have boys then Maxime, Tiphaine's son, is killed. Accidents begin to happen to Milo, Laetitia's son. What's going on? Don't want to give too much away. Prepare yourself for lots of WTH moments! I couldn't put this one down and CANNOT wait for the movie! Please Movie Gods, do not ruin it!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Barbara Abel and Harper Via for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
I will post a review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other retail and social media sites upon publication.

Suffice to say, when I read that this book was being made into a major U.S. motion picture starring two of my favorite actresses, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, I just had to READ IT before the theatrical release. Originally titled, “Behind the Hatred” the book was written in 2012 by blockbuster Belgian author Barbara Abel and was translated from French by Susan Pickford.

In 2018, a loose adaptation of the book, called “Duelles” (Mother’s Instinct) was made into a french language film, and was screened at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. It received ten nominations in the 10th Magritte Awards, and won in 9 categories, setting a record for the most Magritte Awards won by a single film.

Maybe, because I was curious and googled all of this, as I was reading the book, I could definitely see why it translated so well to film. The names were changed in the French film, to names more familiar and it appears that the U.S. version will use the more familiar names as well. But, for now, this book has the original names. It looks like the time period that this story takes place in, will be adjusted as well.

As for the book, I think the synopsis gives away TOO MUCH, so I recommend you go in blind!

David and Laetitia (Alice) Brunelle and and Sylvain and Tiphaine (Celine) Genoit were inseparable friends and next door neighbors, and their sons, Milo and Maxime, born in the same year, grow up together, close as brothers.

They share meals in their yards which are separated by only a hedge, and secrets over drinks. The tension in the book builds well, and you can guess the things that will become ticking time bombs.

You just don’t know WHEN.

A drunken confession, a suggestion to cut down part of the hedge to install a gate, a hastily scribbled note….

And, then one child is killed in a tragic accident and it becomes impossible for his parents to maintain their friendship with the other couple, going so far as to suggest that they played a role in it.

It isn’t FAIR that they still have their son.

How far would the grieving parents go to even the score?

DARK, TENSE and NAIL BITING, I read this book in a single day-I couldn’t put it down!

I will be curious to see how the movie is adapted for an American audience. And, yes, I pictured a certain actress for each role, and I agree with the casting. Jessica Chastain will play Laetitia (Alice) and Anne Hathaway will play Tiphaine (Celine)

Expected publication date: May 16, 2023
As for the movie, I haven’t seen a release date so preorder a copy of this now!

TRIGGER WARNING: Death of a Child

Thank You to HarperVia for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!

This book was engrossing but so totally depressing. It centers on next door neighbors and best friends, one couple whose son dies in a tragic accident. Guilt and suspicion ensues.

All 4 characters did some not-nice things but I was still sympathetic to them in some cases. The story itself was just gut wrenching, though, and I felt sad the entire way through, and even more sad at the end.

Overall, this was an engaging and fast read and it will definitely stick with me but it was just so very sad. I can’t imagine I would event watch the movie. If you are prepared for sadness, then read this good book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange doe an honest review.

This was a fast read, a mediocre page turner. I thought the writing was simplistic and a little choppy. I did love the twisty ending. The over-the-top actions of the main female character, were unrealistic and quite annoying.

I was surprised by the ending and the direction in which the friendship of two neighbor women and their families headed.

This domestic noir was engrossing and the characters so realistic in their friendships that the ending came as a shock.

It was well written and the psychology of the women probed to the nth degree. A must read for mystery and suspense lovers.

THIS WAS SUCH A RIDE!
Apparently this book was originally published in 2012, but this is its first time in english translation (film adaptation also coming soon). I’m shocked it took this long to be released here in the US because this is PEAK domestic suspense drama! Not sure if I’d necessarily categorize it as a mystery/thriller - it’s about the relationship between two couples who are neighbors, until a tragedy occurs that completely unravels them, and all 4 become more and more unhinged as the story progresses to a climax i was NOT expecting!
this is an intense and uncomfortable look at grief and how it can unravel the best of relationships

Yes this book is a thriller but to me it was a straight up tragedy. One terrible thing after another happens. People who are otherwise "normal" and kind are pushed past their limits to reckless, dangerous behaviors.

I was fully engaged while reading. This is a fast paced, emotional story. But I didn't like the course it took and I felt sick to my stomach when it was finished. Perhaps this is a sign of good writing, but it didn't work for me.

Two couples have been neighbors and best friends for 10 years. One of their sons die in a horrible accident and they all have to come to terms with starting over. This was a very twisty story and kept me reading till the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this re-release, soon to be made into a movie on the big screen. To be published May 2023. I’ll be watching for the movie!

One of the easiest and hardest reads ever. On one hand, it's a propulsive domestic thriller that keeps the pages TURNING. On the other hand, it's so traumatic it literally kept me up at night. This was a great, fast read but I felt that the middle stretched a bit too long, and the ending was rushed.

Overall, a captivating read and I can see why legit actors Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway would be drawn to the movie (tv?) adaptation.

WOW!! What did I just read? Where to even start? I’m still trying to process this gut-punch of a thriller, and it’s one of those that I will never, ever be able to stop thinking about.

With that said, it was very upsetting for me, and I caution moms of young children to heed the content warnings of child loss. However, some of my favorite reviewers were not bothered by this at all, so perhaps this is just my level of sensitivity.

Okay that part aside, I picked up this novel based on my friend @coffee.break.book.review Danielle’s review and also the fact that it is being adapted as a feature film starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. I was intrigued. And #influenced.

It’s been translated from a French bestseller and is a quick, highly bingeable read. I started it around noon on a Wednesday, woke up thinking about it at 3am and finished it by morning. Utterly unputdownable.
If you like a jaw-dropping roller coaster of a thrill ride, then pick this one up. As for me, I’ll be curled up in the fetal position trying to take it all in for a while.

My thanks to @harperviabooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date.

I did like this book. It kept me engaged. I didn’t see how Sylvain having the secret past added to the plot except to show he’s not a good person. I would have liked more details on the poisoning and how they got away with it. The end felt abrupt. I’d really give it 3.75 stars

Translated from it's original French, Mothers' Instinct is a whirlwind of a thriller.

Two couples, friends and next door neighbors face the death of one of their sons. The family is beside themselves with grief and things escalate from there. One mother is sure the other one is responsible for her (living) son's accidents.

This is where I'm going to stop because it gets WILD. WIIIILLLDDD.

This is sure to be a best-seller in the States and I can't wait to see how it translates onto film.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.