Cover Image: The Mother at Number 5

The Mother at Number 5

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Member Reviews

During the beginning chapters of this book I was very intrigued and furiously turning the pages to get to whatever twist or turn may lie ahead. Unfortunately, that feeling began to dwindle rather quickly as the turns became more drawn out and just confusing. Instead of subtle hints of danger or disaster ahead it more or less became tedious cliffhanger type chapters that left me even more bewildered than before.
The characters are phenomenal in their own ways but the story leans too hard on dubious matters that aren't really pivotal in the scheme of things. I understand the building up of relationships and how they work together to eventually tear others apart but this was just too much for the story. I liked the premise, who doesn't like revenge thrillers but I feel it could've been better executed in the prose.

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Fast paced and well written, this book had me gripped right from the start and I didn't want it to end.
Highly recommended and worth more than five stars. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC

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Be careful who you pour your heart out to, because you never know. It might come back to bite you.

Hurt and anger combined result in to revenge. But how will you find those you are looking for? It's like a needle in a haystack and although you can never loose those feelings you will have to learn to live with them. Until that one day, when someone throws you the keys to unlock the door you have been waiting to open for such a long time.

Time to get the ball rolling...

I loved the story and followed the path the author took me on like a good girl, feeling sorry for a family and the horrible setbacks they were dealing with until there was that hairpin turn, making me gasp with what I was confronted with. 

Can you ever totally trust someone? People often have dark secrets and want them to remain hidden because they want to save their own skin in the first place.

A story that reveals how vicious some can be and and don't seem to have any problems in lying to all and sundry. They are born, shameless actors fooling everyone around them and playing happy families.

I was a very captivating book I enjoyed a lot. 5 stars

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The Mother at Number 5 was a fantastic read. The description alone had me hooked, with its sinister undertones and the book did not disappoint. I was hooked from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

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A great start to this book, Ros strikes up a a holiday friendship, but then it becomes much more than expected. The " holiday friend" Lotte, moves into the next street directly opposite Ros. It's clear there is something brewing and Lotte has her reasons for moving there. It's an unnerving read as it bristles with tension and menace. Really good read

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This book started out so slow and almost like a women’s fiction book and by the end I couldn’t believe the number of twists and turns this packed in. And while I didn’t really see the twists coming (one I almost kinda sorta worked out), but the bread crumb trails were there. While I might have said this had a little too much wow (yeah I know I am surprised I’m saying this), but since the twists weren’t coming out of left field, but with obvious hints and I missed them, I’ll retract that statement.

I am not sure I liked any of the characters, but I also think maybe this was the author’s intention. In the beginning, I could see the start of the framework of something, but once I realized what was going on, I needed to know which one of my guesses were right. Of course with my track record lately, maybe none of them. Secrets and trust are what all domestic thrillers seem to come down to and this one expertly used both. And make sure when you get close to the end, you can keep reading/listening as it went down to the wire to resolve one big issue.

I was able to both read and listen to this one and I enjoyed Charlie Norfolk’s narration. kept me wanting to find more time to listen. She used the author’s words and brought the story to life without overshadowing the plot.

It’s summer and definitely time for the twisty thrillers, so if you love those, I’d go into this one blind and throw your hands up and take the ride.

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A chance meeting with two mothers meet randomly sees one woman drunk confess their biggest secrets to the other. An encounter you think is going to be a once in a lifetime your lives will never ever cross and so you think you have nothing to worry about right?!?

Well that is until the mother you told your deepest darkest secret to moves into the cosy, beautiful little town where you life, with your perfect husband, your perfect children, with your perfect life and your perfect home.

Suddenly your perfect life is completely threatened. You try and tell your husband that he shouldn't make friends with the new family. But he brushes you off and invites them into your home and your lives anyway.

What would you do to protect yourself, your life and your family?

An explosive book, that grips you from the very beginning to the very last page.

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I have seen the cover for THE MOTHER AT NUMBER 5 and I instantly wanted to read it. There is something about it that hooked me

I was lucky to be approved by Bookouture to be part of the book tour for this book. To be honest, every time I do a tour with them I squeel in delight as all books are just brilliant
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If you haven't yet discovered this book, I urge you to pick it up. It is one completely unputdownable psychological thriller about family secrets, guilt and lies. I will not compare it with other books in the genre but I can guarantee you will gasp out loud at the shocking twists!
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It is fast paced and I flew through it not being able to stop. The ending was just brilliant. I did not expect that 😲
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It's easy for me to go on about THE MOTHER AT NUMBER 5 by Gill Childs but I don't want to reveal any details about the book. I want you to go into it blindly as I did and just savour every single twist

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Excellent book, had me hooked from the start! Completely unexpected ending too. Jill Child’s is a new auto-buy author for me.

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You're living in your dream home with the man you love and your two young daughters, but your bubble is just about to be burst.

Remember the secret you told?

The story is a slow starter allowing you to become acquaintaned with the characters, the area and what happened on that holiday! In the latter half pace picks up, the twists untwist and the plot goes into full steam ahead and everything starts coming together, culminating in a mind blower ending.

Rose and Lotte were both credible characters and their battle of power, that's real!

The suspense was a killer throughout, I was a nervous wreck just like Rose, waiting with baited breath for things to unravel.

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A well written story that had me gripped from the start. And then the unexpected twists start landing and WOW !! What a brilliant book. I wanted to know how it was going to end, but I didnt want it to end !
Highly recommended and worth more than five stars. I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC

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I was immediately drawn in by this one because domestic thrillers are my favorite genre and I found the concept to be exciting. The execution was a bit slow in parts so I did find myself losing interest in a few spots but was able to be drawn back in eventually. I think the character development was pretty spot on but none of the characters really resonated with me despite that. I cant pinpoint exactly why but they just seemed a bit one dimensional. The narration was well done and managed to hold my attention during the slower parts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen and review this audiobook. in exchange for an honest review.

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Ros first met Lotte on holiday, but a night out and too many drinks can lead to secrets. But the holiday is over and Ros can leave all of this behind.

When Ros has new neighbours she never expects it to be Lotte and her daughter and soon Ros is worried that what happened on holiday is soon to be out in the open.

This narrative is told in a dual narrative, from the characters of Ros and Lotte. This novel is written in short chapters to keep this fast-paced and with a twist I did not see coming. Childs explores some heavy themes in this book to add to this storyline giving an atmosphere to keep the pages turning

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So, this has some nice twisty bits that, unfortunately, come a little too late to completely save the book.

I can say that if you stick with it, you get past the 'toxic friend' triteness and discover that there is actually something very interesting behind everything.

I don't know that I was truly satisfied with the ending. It's a bit of a rushed "and here's what really happened" sort of thing, but I was definitely surprised by it.

I think I'd try the author again. They did manage to surprise me here.

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I hope you're hungry because you are about to devour this book!

The Mother at Number 5, is jam packed with twists that will leave your jaw permanently on the floor. There is no shortage of dark secrets, lies and revenge in this one! Childs does an incredible job pushing the envelope and showing just how far someone will go to protect a secret.

Teaser :

I told her my darkest secret. Then she moved next door…

Once you find our perfect little town nestled between the gorgeous hills, you never want to leave. My husband and I both grew up here and we knew there was nowhere better to raise our two sweet girls… But when the moving van pulls up, and a mother and daughter jump out, my blood runs cold.

I met the mother once on our summer holiday and I let slip a terrible secret, something no one here must ever know… Fear rushes through me as I remember that night, but I’m sure I never told her where we live. As if she can read my mind she leans in close and says, ‘Don’t worry, you’d had a few drinks. Your secret’s safe with me.’ But I don’t trust her – why has she moved to my street?

I try to warn my kind, loving husband to stay away, but he laughs me off and invites her into our lives. When she lets my precious daughter get hurt, she’s gone too far. I know she’s here to destroy my perfect life.

But the mother at number 5 has made a mistake. She has underestimated me ever since the night we met. And she has no idea what I’ll do to protect those I love and keep my secret safe…

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This #psychologicalthriller is quite an exceptional one! The first chapter grabbed my attention and I was shocked at the twists!
USA Today bestselling author, Jill Childs, can write mind-blowing thrillers! I also read her book, #LongLostGirl, and highly recommend both of these 5 ⭐️ reads!

Thank you, #JillChilds, @Bookouture, #bookoutureaudio & @netgalley for my ecopy! All opinions are my own.

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The Mother at Number 5 by Jill Childs writes great complex and twisted domestic thrillers.
The book is well written and the plot is well thought-out.
The story immediately drew me in, held my attention, and kept me invested emotionally. Its stellar plot and the author's intricate detailing made this an addictive, heart-rending read. Masterfully crafted, Little One is fantastically compelling, culminating in a top-notch final twist.
A story with family secrets, guilt and lies that was so gripping.
My personal opinion is The Mother at Number 5 is Child’s best story yet.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

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BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Mother At Number 5' by Jill Childs.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Jill Childs, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 21st June 2023.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Mistress', ' Long Lost Girl' and 'I Let Him In' which I also recommend.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely unputdownable psychological thriller from the USA Today bestseller about family secrets, guilt and lies. If you love The Girl on the Train, The Housemaid or Lisa Jewell, you will gasp out loud at the shocking twists!' I am a huge fan of The Housemaid and Lisa Jewell so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Jill Childs and if this is half as good as 'The Mistress', 'I Let Him In' and 'Long Lost Girl' it is guaranteed to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of a prologue, 58 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Majorca, Spain 🇪🇦 and Ilkley, Bradford, North Yorkshire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.

This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Ros and Lotte. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.

'The Mother At Number 5' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Jill discusses/includes r@p3 allegations, death of a child and child molestation.


OMG!!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ!?!?! MIND BLOWN!!!!

Another fantastic book from Jill with vivid descriptions which put you right in the picture. It really felt like Ros and Lotte were talking directly to me from across the table over a cup of tea. The synopsis and cover suit the book perfectly.

The storyline is absolutely addictive and had me sucked in from the first page until the explosive ending. It is an action packed story about family, secrets, revenge, accusations, deceit, twists and much more. I couldn't stop listening to this book until early hours of the morning so if you pick this up I seriously advice you to clear your schedules!!! I would listen to it on the car, in the kitchen, on the school runs and every single chance I got to get lost in this page turning thriller. It is filled with suspense, secrets, family and a few humongous twists that I did not see coming. A huge well done to Jill on not just one but several bombshell!!! I would have never guessed either of the twists in a million years. Very rarely I am shocked by books having read so many but this absolutely had me a cracker and completely blew my mind. If you are fed up of guessing the ending by 50% then this one is for you!!! Ros is on a much needed family holiday in Majorca with her husband Adam and their daughters Bella and Sophie. When relaxing in the sun Ros gets talking to single mum Lotte who is enjoying some piece and quiet while her daughter Caitlyn who she has put in the Kids Club. They bump into each other a few more times and Ros agrees to have a girls night with Lotte. However, Ros has alot to drink and the morning after the night before she has no idea what happened, what she told Lotte or even if she did more than dance with men she met on the dancefloor! Soon enough their holiday comes to an end and Ros is looking forward to forgetting what she may have got up to and heading home. However, who does she bump into in the local cafe while having a meeting about the school but Lotte who just so happens to be Ros's new neighbour!!!! Lotte starts getting more and more involved in Ros's life and starts dropping hints that sound like threats. Is Lotte going to reveal what happened on their girls night out? What secrets is Ros hiding? Why does Adam think Ros is paranoid? Well, I can tell you now it's not anything like you are thinking!!! To find out you'll just have to grab your copy of this non stop thriller today!!! This book will keep you absolutely hooked and guessing throughout whilst on the edge of your seat whether your listening to it or reading it. The multi person narrative chapters are perfectly weaved together to slowly build up a picture but won't give anything away to allow you to guess too soon!! The ending was absolutely mind blowing me there was a never in a million years I would have guessed the bombshell that hit me in the last few pages !!! Another Huge Success by the extremely talented Jill Childs!!! It is so hard to talk about it without giving anything away so I will just say if you want a book with twists you will NEVER see coming this one is for you!!!

Do not start this until you have cleared your schedules as you won't be able to put it down!!

This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Charlie Norfolk who did a great job bringing this story to life. I would listen to it in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Charlie did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Jill but also to listening to more books narrated by Charlie!

The characters were all very well developed, strong, realistic and each seemingly hiding their own secrets. My heart went out to Ros because who hasn't had a few too many too drink at some point in their lives and then left panicking the next day as you have no idea what you said or did!!! I know I certainly have nd for this reason don't drink as often or as much anymore!!! This makes me have all the more empathy for Ros as it's made even worse by the fact that Lotte knows what went on but refuses just to tell her and starts making her life hell. Lotte is definitely an intriguing character that you get to discover more about as you go through the pages. This is one of those books that it is so hard to say how you feel bout them after reading as opinions change throughout and I don't want to risk giving anything away so I am going to have to leave it there and leave you make your own minds up when you grab your copy!!! Regardless of how you feel about any of them Jill's evocative writing skills ensures each of them, along with everything else going on, leaps out of the pages at the reader!!


A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jill on one of the most shocking twists I have ever read and an absolutely addictive book!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors and here's to your next success 🥂!!!

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first three chapter of Jill's ''Gracie's Secret' which promises to be just as addictive as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!

Overall an addictive, page turning psychological thriller with bombshells you will never see coming!!!

Genres covered in this novel include Urban Fiction, British & Irish Literature, Domestic Thriller, Vigilante Justice, Romance Sagas, Psychological Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Thriller And Mystery Adventures, Noir Crime, Mystery, Suspense, Women's Popular Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Contemporary British & Irish Literature, Contemporary Urban Fiction, Domestic Fiction, Family Life Fiction, Women's Domestic Life Fiction, Suspense Thriller, Noir Fiction, Womens Psychological, Crime Thriller, Mystery ,Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction and Thriller amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Lisa Jewell, Rachel Abbott, K.L Slater, Melinda Leigh, Carol Wyer, Lisa Regan, Kendra Elliot, T.M Logan,The Housemaid, The Family Across The Street, The Family Upstairs, The Girl On The Train, The Housemaid', DK Hood, Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni, Rachel Caine, The Widow, The Housewarming. and anyone after an addictive, gripping, must read page turner.



341 pages/ 8 hours 52 minutes


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited, £8.99 in paperback and £16 in Audible via Amazon at time of review, which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!


Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


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Vengeance leads to anger in this thrilling book by Jill Childs. It started off with an apparently innocent meeting while on vacation. They are Lotte and Ros and they got together one night for drinks. This does not end their new acquaintance. In fact, while out having drink after drink, Ros reveals a secret from her past that Lotte plans on using to her full advantage. Waking up the next morning in a hotel room with a banger of a hangover, Ros does not realize that her nightmare is just beginning.

Now neighbors with Lotte, their daughters now in the same school, they are bound to be tied together for a long time. Will Lotte exploit Ros's secret? While the story seemed to be based on revenge, long-held secrets and anger, I found myself truly shocked as all of the events surrounding Lotte and Ros unfolded. This was especially the case as the story often reflected Lotte's past and that in itself was quite intriguing. Other than wishing the ending was fleshed out a bit more, this was another good read by Jill Childs.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

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Having read from this author, I was delighted to be able to review this book. Although I did enjoy it, it did just lack the wow factor. A twist towards the end but an abrupt ending that left me wanting a bit more of an explanation.

Ros is on holiday with Adam and their 2 daughters. On the poolside, she is befriended by Lotte, also on holiday with her daughter. On their last Adam babysit whilst Ros joins Lotte for drinks....which leaves her extremely drunk and lacking in recollection of the nights events.

Knowing their paths will never cross again, Ros is gobsmacked when Lotte turns up at the school gate. All does not seem as it appears and Ros becomes increasingly concerned her secrets are about to revealed. Whilst Lotte appears to hiding many secrets, slowly she elbows into Ros s life and her family with devastating consequences.

Look forward to another read from Jill.

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