Two couples are neighbors turned best friends turned chosen family in Mothers’ Instinct, and the families even have boys who are just months apart in age. The boys grow up running from one home to the other, having sleepovers, and feeling as close as brothers. A terrible accident takes the life of one of the boys, causing irreparable damage to the relationship between the families. When smaller incidents start occurring, the mother of the remaining boy becomes paranoid, positive the other couple is trying to hurt him in an act of revenge.

This book is quite dark and twisty, setting up a wild finale to the story. I wasn’t sure what to think through the middle- was Laetitia paranoid or justified in her panic? That set up a tense atmosphere, keeping the reader wanting more. I don’t feel like I really got to know the characters well, the story was told in a way where I felt like I was on the outside looking in. There are a lot of small details and betrayals throughout the story that keep it interesting along the way. And the ending was straight up crazy and I’ll be sitting here thinking about it for awhile!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Via for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I can’t wait to see the movie version!

It was a goal of mine to read more translated work this year so when I read this book's description AND saw it was translated from French, I knew I had to jump on this opportunity. Also being made into a major motion picture, yes please. Without a doubt, I can see this being a successful hit a la "A Simple Favor" vibes.

The whole time I was reading this book, I just kept thinking "I couldn't imagine." I'm still recovering from the emotional whiplash that is the plot of this book! I went from not being able to imagine how amazing raising kids with your best friend/neighbor would be (like pure envy) to not being able to even fathom how either family could ever recover from Maxime's accidental death. Add in all the blame and guilt and I found myself fully engrossed with this tense and emotional read.

The one downside for me was how quickly things escalated and then ended. I was left with either wanting a little more of the thoughts and conversations of Sylvain and Tiphaine, or a little less of the actual "whoa, she went there kind of ending." Thank you NetGalley and HarperVia for the opportunity to read this book!

Mother's Instinct has a shocking plot but it really wasn't my type of mystery.
Thank you HarperCollins for the review copy.

Mothers' Instinct
by Barbara Abel
Pub Date May 16, 2023
Harper Via
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🇫🇷 enjoy translated books
want a fast paced read
love jaw dropping twists
like unreliable narrators
I can't wait to watch American Series adaptation of this book staring Jessica Chastain and 'Anne Hathaway! I am sure these brilliant actors will give lives to these troubled characters.
I felt the translation was clunky. I wish I knew French.
The story gave me nightmares.
It's worth the thrill! 4 stars

“Friendship is a source of strength no one can live without. Everyone needs friends as much as sustenance and sleep.”

When I read the description of Mothers’ Instinct and saw it was being made into a major motion picture, starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, I just had to read it! Annnnd that’s about where my excitement stopped…

This book was just mediocre at best. Though fast paced, with a twisted cast of characters, the writing was really clunky and just hard to read at times. This took away from my overall enjoyment. Could it be the French to English translation?

The character names were tripping me up the whole time: David and Laetitia, and Sylvain and Tiphaine, whose sons are Milo and Maxine respectively. (Again, I’m sure these are popular and very normal names in their country of origin)

The book dragged in parts; I found myself putting it down and not really wanting to pick it back up. Then the ending felt very rushed; I didn’t particularly care for the ending either.

However, and this is a BIG however, I do think it will be a brilliant movie adaptation. It has the meat and potatoes to be an amazing thriller. I think with the right director and actors, this will come to life scrumptiously on the big screen!

Pros: Short chapters, which gave the book good pacing.

Cons: You’ll probably never look at Doritos the same again.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Did not expect that ending! Wow on thrilling twists and turns that culminated in a super surprising, heart racing, frightening close to this dramatic book! Barbara Abel has created an amazing story.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVia for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Holy wow, this book starts off with a bang! Sure, we’re told in the synopsis that there’s some friction between the two ladies in this story, but gracious, you don’t really know how much until you read the opening pages. Make no mistake, this is some high-octane animosity. Yikes!

The story begins with one very explosive prologue, in which neighbors and ex-best friends Laetitia and Tiphaine are brawling out in the driveway, but how did they get to this point? Chapter 1 catapults us back in time so we can witness the destruction of a friendship. As the pages turn, we’re shown one significant event after the next. In the beginning, the tension is present but subdued; however, as the narrative years fly by, the pressure builds until the fabric of these characters’ lives and relationships ruptures.

With this tale of friendship and motherhood, Barbara Abel gifts her audience with an exploration of some weighty themes, but they’re expertly wrapped in layers of suspense and insanity. As you navigate through the perilous waters of trauma and guilt, you’ll have to take frequent breaks to shake your head and catch your breath. Because. It. Is. Wild! Trust me.

Whatever type of reader you may be, and whichever genre you normally prefer, you’ll find something here to appreciate. There are points to ponder, emotions to feel, and thrills to experience. It moves at breakneck speed, and not a single word is wasted. This is a story for everyone. Run, don’t walk, to get your copy.

📚Book Review 📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mothers’ Instinct by Barbara Abel

*Release Date: May 16
*Was translated from French
*Anne Hathaway & Jessica Chastain are starting in the movie 🎥

#MothersInstinct #NetGalley #HarperVia

Every woman dreams of having their best friend live next door, have sons the same age, husbands that get along and Laetitia & Tiphaine are living the idyllic life….until tragedy strikes. Now their friendship is turned upside down. While one woman grieves, the other becomes suspicions and the gripping power of this book takes over!

I LOVED this book right from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading it (finished it at 2am 😳) Barbara gives you subtle hints that when the ending comes along you are gobsmacked! Sweet baby otters 🦦 I did not see that ending coming!

I can’t thank HarperVia enough for the Advanced Reader Copy! ❤️❤️

When I saw that this was a soon to be motion picture starring Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain I just knew I had to read it. I can see how this would make a great movie!

This domestic thriller is a fast read with page turning suspense. The ending was a bit foreseeable and left me feeling slightly unsatisfied. There weren't enough red herrings to detour me from being able to predict the ending. However, even though I did predict the ending it did not take away from my enjoyment of reading the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperVia for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant! Both heart wrenching and thrilling at the same time. Just wow!

Poor little Milo is only six years old when his best friend and next door neighbor, Maxime, dies tragically. Since his parents are best friends with Maxime’s parents, he is able to ascertain that things have become very tense between them. Over time, strange and scary things start happening, and Milo’s parents are fighting a lot, and his little world is crumbling around him. What is happening? Who can he trust?

This story is dark and disturbing, filled with vengeance and fear. It’s a literal thrill ride through the warped mind of a grieving mother.

I am so looking forward to the movie. If it’s half as good as the book, it will be money well spent. I give this book 5 stars and urge everyone to pick up a copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperVia for the advanced copy.

What a story! The story is about two families who live next door to each other, whose lives are intertwined in friendship as their sons are growing up together. It is a fast-moving, compelling book. Recommended!

Thank you NetGalley and Harpervia for an early copy of Mothers Instinct. WHOAAAAAA WHAT WAS THAT? I’ve never read anything like this book, CRAZY!!!!! Soooooooo GOOD, LIKE WOW!!! The hospital scene was sooooo intense, the ending was SICK!!!! Awesome plot, I’ve already told friends that they HAVE to get this book. Phenomenal Novel. Cannot wait to watch it too. Thank you AGAIN SO MUCH

This was one twisted novel. I went back and forth on how to rate it because there were some really good parts and then some boring sections. Nothing really happened until Maxine’s death. Then the story started to come together. This should make an exciting suspenseful movie!

My thanks to Net Galley and Harper for this awesome read!

I'm not going to try to spell the names of the characters so I'll just say 2 couples live next door to each other ,each with a little boy that are the best of friends. One boy suddenly dies and accidents start to happen to the surviving boy. Why? The tragedy tests the friends, breaks apart their bond and puts in motion for one couple one very twisted plan of revenge!

Read this book! I went thru it in 3 days. Easy read and a page turner. I look forward to more from this author.

Ohh my! Obviously I was going to read this knowing it’s about to be turned into a movie with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. Duh!

I LOVE books with unhappy endings. Like, LOVE LOVE LOVE them! And this twisted unhappy ending, was like the cherry on top. 🍒 😍

You see what’s coming but you’re so transfixed on the car crash that you can’t for the life of you look away. This isn’t a book to give to mommy dearest. 👹

My dark heart loved it. 🖤

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review and read this advance copy in return for my review. OMG!!!! I really enjoyed this book and I couldn't put it down. It was definitely a page turner!

Ok, that just happened! Lol. I'm trying to figure out what I just read here.

This book is translated from French by Barbara Abel and it's a vicious one. We have two couples: David and Laetitia Brunelle and Sylvain and Tiphaine Geniot who live next to each other. They are good friends who are always over and their two son end up being best friends. Unfortunately, Sylvain and Tiphaine's son Maxime is killed in a accident and both couples go into insta-crazy......

Without going into any spoilers this one just goes off the rails as both couples try and deal with Maxime's death. One couple starts to blame the other couple and off we go....

The good: This one is mean and lean. No wasted time or verbiage. Short chapters. With a ending the equivalent of getting your head kicked in by a horse. Or, ok, maybe not that bad.

The bad: Like mentioned above it's translated from French to English so some of the dialogue is clunky. Kind of like watching a show with subtitles? You get use to it really quick, however, and the translation is top notch.

Highly recommended if you want a fast book that isn't scared to "go there....."

I really appreciate HarperVia for giving me the opportunity to review this book and it has a publication date of May 16, 2023.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVia for the heart-pounding, tragic tale. Who knew where Barbara Abel was going with this story, not where I pictured or anticipated? Have you ever watched a movie that ends and you are mad? Get ready for this storyline where you are shocked just when you think you know the ending. Grab it and really be prepared for a thrill ride!

I could not put this one down! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. Such a great read. It kept me guessing the whole time as you don’t know what to believe. Looking forward to the movie and I can’t wait to see what other stories follow.

Tense chilling I was drawn in from the first pages.Great characters kept me reading late into the night.Looking forward to seeing this book come alive on screen with these two fantastic actresses.#netgalley #harpervia