This was my first Leah Mercer book it certainly won't be my last! The story has everything you want in a thriller. Fast paced and multiple layers. You know fairly early on who the villain is. I thought I knew where it was headed twice. Both times I was wrong. I had to finish this in one sitting as it was impossible to put down. The ending was a mix drop. The entire story well crafted and hugely enjoyable. Read this book now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an Arc of this wonderful book.

Book is released on February 27

I glance over at Lou's house as I pull into my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou's car is nowhere to be seen....

What a well written, tense and twisted read this book was. It's told from multiple points of view. The pace is fast from the beginning, the characters are well developed. The story follows three mothers who are united in their worst nightmare. I was pulled into this story from the first few pages. I was hooked and couldn't put the book down. There were so many questions I needed answers for. What was the dark secret linking the women together? You'll need to read this psychological thriller to find out.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookoutute and the author #LeahMercer for my ARC of #TheMotherNextDoor in exchange for an honest review.

The mother next door, Lou, had a helpful character. When other mothers, Fiona, Jasmine and Alison, relied on this friend to pick up and drive their kids home, they were too late to regret. The kids didn’t get back home on time…no one could reach Lou, no one could reach the kids on the car.

A message came up. Fiona, Jasmine and Alison received a message from Lou, saying “I have your daughter. I’ll return her when you tell the truth.”

What sort of secret did these mother hold? Revealing their past to ruin their current lives? Or kids safety came first?

The dark secret and the complicated relationship between these characters were such a gripping thriller. You will enjoy this book if you like secret, revenge and betrayal of friendship.

Read this book in one sitting! This book takes everything you think you know about people apart and will blow your mind at the same time. Do you really know who is looking after your children? Scary, fascinating and even had me feeling sorry for the 'baddie'! A must read!

📚Book Review📚

The Mother Next Door
Leah Mercer

🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed this one!
At first, I felt like it was quite a nice comfortable read and that I'd find it pretty predictable. But by the end I was shocked as one after another little twist got revealed.

We follow Lou who had recently moved to the area. She seemed like the single mum from heaven who was beautiful, always happy, always helping others, chatty, popular and perfect in every way.

Until 3 other school mums come home to collect their children from Lou's house to find them all not there.

As the story continues, we are fed little snippets of story from all pov's - how their lives are now, their relationships, friendships, family and insecurities.
We discover that although outwardly, they are all happy and stable families, behind the scenes shows a different story.

As each mum's story unfolds, we realise that secrets from the past are catching up with them and it becomes a race to rescue the children and set the record straight.

I loved the writing style. It started off presenting as a standard psychological thriller that would be a bit predictable and a cosy read.....but the pace quickly races off into so many mini facets that we can't help be sucked along with it.

There were so many 😱"what!?"😱 moments that I lost count. And every time I thought I had a theory, there was another layer added.

I think the thing that added to the shock factor in this is the totally contrasting characters. Those you're bound to love and trust and those you're encouraged to dislike. And these personalities and my view changed for each of them so many times throughout...even to the very end.

Great twisty gripping thriller. Definitely on the look out for more by this author.

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer
ARC Review (Thanks to NetGalley and the publish for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
- - -
This book consumed my thoughts while reading. It was undeniably tense and the twists just kept coming. I loved the multiple points of view, (including a POV from one of the missing children).

If you were a fan of the personal secrets of Pretty Little Liars, and are looking for more a more grown-up storyline, you'll enjoy this book!

- - -

From the publisher: "I glance over at Lou's house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou's car is nowhere to be seen...

The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.

As a storm raged outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou's car, with my children's school bags still inside along with Lou's phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my husband's hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I've not been honest. I'm being punished for what happened all those years ago.

And then I get Lou's message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone | love.

What I don't know yet is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again.

A gripping and addictive psychological suspense about dark obsession, intense motherly love, and how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks, and Sally Hepworth."

I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Mother Next Door’ by Leah Mercer in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
A storm is getting closer and people are being advised to go home and lock doors. Lou is a good friend to Fiona, Alison and Jasmine and popular with their children. She offers to collect their children from school but when they haven’t returned home by the evening their parents start to worry, and even more so as her abandoned car is found alongside a motorway with their possessions inside but no sign of Lou or the children.
I always look forward to reading a book by Leah Mercer and ‘The Mother Next Door’ doesn’t disappoint. As it takes off from page one I’ve been totally gripped with the well thought-out plot, believable characters, exciting drama, suspense and twist and turns, so much so that I’ve ignored the housework and carried on reading as I had to know if the children returned home safe and sound. Some bits were slightly repetitious but the unexpected shocks and surprises more than compensate. I can definitely recommend this addictive thriller that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

The Mother Next Door should be next up on your reading list, it is a great compelling tale that has plenty to keep the reader engrossed.

It is done in a multi-pov style, and Leah is a fantastic writer who can captivate you on an emotional level.

I honestly thought I had figured out the villain of the book quite early on, I was so very wrong and the ending will leave you gobsmacked.

My only qualm with the book is that it was a little repetitive between a few of the chapters despite it being from an alternative characters pov.

I would recommend this for any readers that like a fast paced and short thriller.

It was definitely a page turner for me! Love the plot and characters, Intend to get this for a book lover friend too when it's out!!! Thanks and truly appreciate Netgalley for the amazing opportunity to read this ARC.

One of the fastest books I have ever read!

The Story:

Lou has picked up Fiona's, Jasmine's, and Alison's children from school. But it is dark now and she has still not returned.

As a storm threatens to lash their village, causing the river to swell up, all three of them receive a message from Lou asking them to tell the truth.

What truth is it that caused Lou to take such a drastic step? Will the children be alright in the storm? And will Fiona, Jasmine, and Alison survive if they tell the truth?

What I Liked:

1. Fast-paced - I started reading this book yesterday and I am done today. I am not a fast reader by any standards.

2. Well-etched characters - The slow transformation of the three main characters was good to read.

3. The twist at the end was good.

What I Disliked:

1. Some parts of it seemed too convenient. I cannot say much without giving away spoilers but I wasn't convinced.

2. The ending was too contrived and I couldn't understand the motivation.

Final thoughts:

If you are looking for a quick domestic thriller, this is it. With great characters and a good story line, it is likely you will get hooked. As usual, I guessed the ending way too early (this seems to be a recurring theme with me now) but even so, reading till the end was satisfying.

4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

well now. talk about drama, twist after twist and secrets, holy crap. I must be out of my mind as i absolutely loved this book. the more twists the better and this story had it

thanks netgalley and bookouture for lettiing me read this one for an honest review

all thoughts and opinions are my own and havent been influenced by anyone.

Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy of this thriller The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer.

Lou often picks up her friend's children from school, and one day she does not come home with three of the mother's children. Where are the children? What happened?

Told through multiple POVs this book is a gripping thriller with lots of twists and turns.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and held my attention not wanting to put it down.
When I figured out the final twist, it was still enjoyable and I really liked the ending.

This book had me feeling really happy that I don't remember the majority of my teen years,. Like I have no enemies or frenemies from that time because I straight up can't remember entire years.
I loved how completely evil, vain, and predictable one of the moms was. Like just so obviously terrible.
She didn't even get a redemption arc. Lovely.
Yeah this was fun. I love books like this.

The Mother Next Door by Leah Mercer was wonderfully written and had me hook, line and sinker from beginning to end.
I love a good thriller that is filled with suspense and twists and Mercer does just that.
The descriptions were so in depth and vivid.
And the characters are very well developed.
This was an awesome read that kept me flipping the pages.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Bookouture,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC

I was hooked on this book from the beginning. I loved the suspense. This family drama has many twists and turns. and a totally unexpected ending. The author did a great job with the characters and plot. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. It does not disappoint.

The Mother Next Door is one of the best reads I've come across this year!
It's time to bring your 'A' game and not a moment too soon for Lou.
Sure everyone loves her but do they truly know her intentions aren't so sweet?
Friends to the end. Ride or die. Fly or be flung.
Wait up...did Lou take her friends kids for revenge, jealousy, or something far sinister?
Where are the kids and what happened to Mira that faithful day?
Wait one sec...
I've got a text coming in....
I must tell the truth? WTH?
Ok, ladies I know this isn't going to be pretty but in the end the truth is better than any well dressed lie.
Can I get more popcorn because I seemed to have ate all mine...this was fast, this was superb, this was downright delicious!!!! Thriller fans united on this one!!!
Thank you to Leah Mercer, Bookouture (for always hookin' me up) and Netgalley.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.
This gem is due out shortly...February 27th. Make sure and add to TBR!

Secrets upon secrets upon secrets! Lots of layers in this all-takes-place-in-an-evening thriller build up to dramatic announcements and shocking reveals through the story.

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

I really enjoyed The Mother Next Door. It’s a tense thriller that follows three mothers finding themselves united in their worst nightmare. This is a tense thriller full of secrets and deceit and although I guessed the way the plot was going and the conclusion I still found it to be a page turner. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Really enjoyed this book, loved how it switched between Sam and Rachel telling both sides of the story. Kept me guessing throughout.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

Such a quick read! I was absolutely enthralled with the premise and knew I’d have to start it right away. I LOVE thrillers, and part of the fun is usually guessing the ending. But this one kept me guessing all the way through! Definitely recommended.