While this wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, I still really enjoyed it. New mom Brynn is struggling with new motherhood. She’s tired, feeling neglected by her husband and is playing that comparison game with other mom’s that never ends in her favor. When a murder occurs that is connected to Brynn’s family, she starts to connect dots and doesn’t like where she sees it going.

This has a twisty plot but even more so, I think it explores the reality of disconnection and feeling alone even when you’re not.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for this gifted copy!

Such A Good Mom by Julia Spiro is a twisty but vulnerable thriller/mystery about a new mom who is already struggling with postpartum depression when her husband gets accused of murder. Some TW include: miscarriages, postpartum depression, abortion, murder and death.

Brynn is utterly and bone numbingly exhausted. As a new mom to 3 months old Lucas, she is always tired and uncertain about her new role as a mother. After a traumatic birth experience, bonding with Lucas has been extremely difficult for Brynn leaving her concerned about her lack of maternal instinct. Thankfully she has help in the form of her mother in law who is a natural when it comes to childrearing. But Brynn's already fragile world is rocked once again when after a woman's body is found, the police arrest her own husband. Shocked and overwhelmed, Brynn knows that Ross is innocent, surely her husband wouldn't be able to kill anyone... right?

So this novel is definitely not a straight up thriller, more like a mystery but I still really enjoyed it! Some parts are a little hard to read especially when talking about Brynn's intrusive thoughts, so just be aware if you are a new mom or struggling with postpartum. I have struggled with postpartum myself so I felt like I could relate to Brynn with the mind numbing exhaustion and general fears and concerns. I really liked the vulnerability that came across and I appreciated how Spiro did not shy away from some hard truths. Overall I think this was a good book about a woman struggling but not getting the help she needs overlapped with a mystery that is way too close for Brynn's liking. Definitely interested in reading more from Julia Spiro!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Julia Spiro, and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC!! Publication date: April 29th 2025.

In Such a Good Mom a new mom, a local in Martha’s Vineyard, gets involved in solving a murder when a local woman is found dead and her new mom’s husband is a suspect. It is a mix of a psychological thriller with a taste of women’s fiction mixed in, dealing with postpartum issues and the stress of being a new mom. It was twisted, with lots of background details to set the stage. I also liked seeing what life is like on the island for the locals. At times the whining was over the top and made me more interested in the murder than the day to day struggles of the new mom. But I was invested until the very end to find out what really happened.

The setup for this book is truly exceptional. Spiro’s portrayal of the FMC, an unhappy new mother likely grappling with postpartum depression, is both compelling and deeply relatable. From the very start, I found myself sympathizing with and supporting her, which is a remarkable feat for a domestic suspense novel. Spiro demonstrates an impressive level of proprietary in this book, which I absolutely *adore*. She recalls a moment when Henry referred to Ross's wife as a "chick lit" writer. While Spiro had used the term herself in the past—proudly, with an understanding that her predominantly female audience is among the most discerning readers—she knew Henry had meant it disparagingly. This insight adds a rich layer to the narrative. There’s something so impactful about Spiro’s phrasing. She writes, “And the two of them had kept talking and talking and talking. Right up until Lucas was born. And then they had stopped. The way she captures moments like this, with just the right amount of edge, resonates deeply with me on an emotional level. Spiro doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of motherhood. She writes, “As much as motherhood challenged her, she inexplicably wanted the burden of it to be hers and hers alone, as though she could find some solace in wearing her suffering as a badge. Help was something she couldn’t naturally accept. If she wasn’t struggling, she didn’t feel like she was being a good mom.” *(p. 125)* I truly appreciate how the narrator delves into the multifaceted nature of the FMC, revealing all sides of her character. Crafting an unlikable narrator who still garners empathy from readers is no easy feat, and Spiro pulls it off with finesse.

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is such a relatable, realistic story.
Both the plot and characterizations were absolutely fantastic!
An engaging murder mystery.
I found the main character to be so relatable.
Each chapter hooks you in, and I literally couldn't stop reading.

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro blends domestic suspense with the emotional turbulence of new motherhood, set against the windswept beauty of Martha’s Vineyard. Brynn Nelson seems to have it all on the surface—new baby, loving husband, a picture-perfect coastal life—but cracks begin to show quickly, both in her marriage and in her own sense of self.

Spiro does a strong job capturing the isolating fog of postpartum life, particularly the quiet unraveling that happens when everyone assumes you’re fine. Brynn is relatable, vulnerable, and frustrating in a way that feels authentic. The novel's strength lies in these emotional beats—the anxiety, confusion, and fatigue of a woman trying to hold it together as her world falls apart.

But the murder mystery at the center of the novel feels less fully formed. While the tension is there, the pacing is uneven, and the final twist lands more with a shrug than a gasp. The supporting characters often feel more like devices than people, and the Vineyard setting, while richly described, never quite rises above the familiar backdrop of privilege-meets-peril.

This is a decent beach read with flashes of raw emotional truth, but one that doesn’t fully deliver on its thriller premise. A good pick for fans of domestic dramas who don’t mind a slow burn with a soft conclusion.

Brynn Nelson lives on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband Ross and her 3-month-old son, Lucas. Quite frankly, Brynn is exhausted with caring for her son. He is fussy and nursing and caring for him has become excruciating for her. Ross is busy with his job working for his father, Henry. She had hoped that he would take more time to be at home to help her. Brynn is also a successful romance writer with two books published. Unfortunately, she is behind on writing her third novel as she can’t seem to concentrate with the attention that Lucas needs.

When a young waitress, Cordelia Buckley, well known to the Nelson family is found drowned, Brynn is shocked to find that Ross has been arrested and charged with her murder.

I really disliked Brynn. Yes, childbirth isn’t fun but a new baby certainly is. Yes, babies need a lot of attention when a new mother is recovering from childbirth. Mothers can get help if they only ask. Too many choose to not ask for many reasons. I guess they feel weak if they ask for help and they want to appear to be the perfect mother. Thankfully, I never had any postpartum problems so I handled things fairly well with my children. Brynn just seemed to want to blame someone - anyone - for her inadequacies instead of asking for help. So, chapter after chapter of woe-is-me, there is finally something happening with her husband’s family. Whew. This book was a tough one to get through.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A new mother, suffering from post-partum depression, is craving more support from her husband. Her mother-in-law is supportive and loves the baby, so she's happy to help out. Her father-in-law often flirts with a young woman who works at the club that caters to wealthy islanders. Some people think he is showing signs of dementia. However, when the new father is arrested for the murder of the young woman, his wife is determined to find the clue that will set him free. But as evidence against him mounts up, she is frantic to find the clue and to clear him of the charges. What she finds out is horrifying and life changing.

Such A Good Mom by Julia Spiro, this was a new author for me, in one of my favorite genres. Martha's Vineyard is rocked by a murder. Brynn should be on top of the world, a new mom an amazing home. Poor Brynn is suffering from postpartum depression and exhaustion but will not admit that to anyone, believing it will make her a bad mom. When her husband is arrested for the murder of the young woman, Brynn must decide whether to believe in his innocence or keep her and her young son out of the situation. What follows is a fast moving story line, and one that will make you stop and think how far would you go to protect your family. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Minotaur books, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Brynn Nelson is a new mother. She had a difficult childbirth, and while her son Lucas is healthy, it was exhausting, and they’re both still having trouble sleeping at night. She’s barely keeping up with the basic things they need to survive, much less getting back to writing novels. Her husband Ross says that he’ll do whatever she needs, but then he goes off to work at his father’s company, leaving her alone with the baby. Brynn needs help, but she’s so tired that she can’t articulate to herself what is is she needs, much less tell anyone else.

To make things more difficult on her, they live on Martha’s Vineyard, so resources are sparse. Even Brynn’s parents moved off the island. But Ross’s family is still around, his parents and brother Sawyer, and she has some friends on the island. But Brynn is struggling to ask for help, trying hard to be a good mom who doesn’t need anyone else.

But when she finds out that there was a death on the island, a woman the family knows, she can’t help but be curious. The woman found on the beach, Cecelia, had worked at the club and known them all. She was kind and smart, and Brynn was sad to find out that she had died. But then the police were saying she was murdered, and Brynn was stunned. Why would anyone kill Cecelia?

But Brynn is truly shocked when the police show up and arrest Ross at work. Brynn had taken Lucas in to talk to Ross about a worrisome text he had sent, and then he was arrested for murder. Brynn knew that her husband would never kill anyone, but she had no idea what had happened to cause anyone to think that he would.

As the days go by and she sees evidence that someone who looked just like him was on video chasing after Cecelia the night of her murder, Brynn tries to figure out what is happening. Ross had given her a cryptic clue as he was arrested, to find the orange sun. But Brynn couldn’t figure out what he was talking about or where to start looking. Meanwhile, she continues to struggle with breastfeeding, sleeping, and then one night Lucas runs a fever, making her worry even more if she could ever be a good mother or not. But as she finally starts to accept help from those around her, Brynn starts to figure out what really happened to Cecelia that night.

But just as she’s starting to find her footing as a mother, will her chasing after a killer put her in danger? Or will she be able to free her husband and start the family life they both deserve?

Such a Good Mom is a powerful story about the first few months after having a baby and how difficult those days can be without the right support. Having so little sleep and help with the baby certainly put Brynn in a crazed mindset to try to take on a complicated crime, but her determination through it all is inspiring. It was not easy to hear about the childbirth or the days following, so I would be aware of that if you’re squeamish, but this is a solid thriller about a young family’s struggles to make sense of a heartbreaking murder through postpartum depression.

I listened to the audio book for Such a Good Mom, narrated by Abigail Reno. I thought she did a beautiful job, even with some difficult scenes. I could feel Brynn’s pain through her narration, and I thought Reno treated this story with strength and grace, which fits Brynn perfectly. Such a Good Mom is well written, but it is a little darker than I expected. Brynn’s struggles as a new mother was more than just some baby blues. She had some genuine physical issues after going through childbirth and got very little care for herself afterwards, which was disheartening. But the ending is satisfying, and it is a strong story with an important message as well.

Egalleys for Such a Good Mom were provided by Minotaur Books and an early copy of the audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a perfectly fine mystery but nothing amazing. I do feel like this is more of a story about a mother who is going through postpartum depression with a touch of a mystery. If I had to give a percentage then maybe 75% of the book was about the hardships of motherhood/PPD and the other 25% was about the murder that takes place. I don't think I would have picked this book up if I had known this but I did enjoy it.

3.5 stars rounded down.

SUCH A GOOD MOM by Julia Spiro

This twisty summer mystery from Julia Spiro had me hooked from page one. Such a Good Mom follows Brynn, a new mother on Martha’s Vineyard, whose already fragile postpartum world is shattered when her husband is arrested for murder.

As someone who lives on Nantucket, I loved how Spiro captured the island experience- not just the beauty, but the real-life challenges like limited medical access and scarce childcare that so many year-rounders quietly struggle with. Brynn’s story felt painfully honest at times; the portrayal of postpartum anxiety is raw and layered, so sensitive readers (especially new moms) may want to go in prepared. That said, the mix of emotional vulnerability and a slow-burning mystery was just right for an airplane binge.

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC of this novel. I’d give it 2.5/3 stars. It’s the story of Brynn, a first time mom who lives on Martha’s Vineyard whose life is upended when her husband is accused of murder. The story itself is just okay, and it’s really less of a thriller than a story of postpartum depression and the realities of adjusting to life with a newborn. It’s very average.

Julia Spiro’s Such a Good Mom is a psychological domestic mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard. It follows Brynn Nelson, a new mother struggling with postpartum depression while trying to maintain the image of a perfect family—until a shocking murder shakes everything.

Brynn’s character is the heart of the novel. Her experience with postpartum depression is portrayed with honesty and depth, making her journey emotional, relatable, and the most compelling part of the story.

The rest of the book doesn’t quite match the strength of Brynn’s character. The side characters feel flat, the setting isn’t fully realized, and the mystery lacks the tension needed to keep the story gripping.

Despite its flaws, Such a Good Mom is still worth reading for its honest and emotional portrayal of new motherhood, even if the mystery element falls short.

Read this if you enjoy:

• Psychological domestic mystery focusing on motherhood
• Stories about identity and mental health struggles
• Domestic dramas with a hint of suspense
• Character-driven narratives
• Coastal small-town settings like Martha’s Vineyard


My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books (St. Martin’s Press) for the eARC which will be published
on April 30, 2025.

Such a Good Mom
By Julia Spiro

This book has basically two co-existing themes. The first is the story of Brynn, a new mother suffering from post-partum depression. The second is the story of a murder committed in her community on Martha's Vineyard which has a major impact on her marriage. Both themes are given equal emphasis here.

Brynn grew up on the island – on the "wrong side of the tracks". Her husband Ross is the scion of one of the island's leading families. Their marriage is a happy one until the birth of their son Lucas. Lucas is not an easy baby. His constant demands on her lead to an exhausted mom who doubts her abilities as a mom and her love for her son. She does not recognize that her negative feelings are hormonal – not due to a failure of her parenting skill. However, the lack of communication between her and Ross only makes her feel more isolated.

Into this situation, a young woman she both knows and likes is found dead – and it is murder! Quickly Brynn realizes that her family by marriage is somehow involved. As Brynn tries to figure what happened, she finds herself doubting everyone. Who can she trust, when she doesn't even trust herself?

The two issues of the idealized version of motherhood as opposed to its reality and being able to trust make this an interesting read. The author does a good job of weaving the two themes together.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

I picked up Such a Good Mom thinking it would be more of a suburban drama with a little suspense sprinkled in—and while that’s in there, what really surprised me was how deeply it dives into postpartum emotions. Julia Spiro doesn’t hold back when it comes to exploring the mental and emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood. Honestly, it caught me off guard. I wasn’t fully prepared for how raw and vulnerable parts of the book felt. It’s not a bad book by any means—the writing is solid and the characters feel real—but emotionally, it went places I wasn’t ready to go. If you're in the right headspace, this could be a powerful read. But if you're not expecting to confront some heavy truths about identity, motherhood, and mental health, just be warned—it’s heavier than the title and cover might lead you to believe.

As a new mother struggles with her role, her life is about to implode

Brynn Nelson seems to be living a charmed life. She is a published author working on her third novel, has a loving husband who works for his family's successful business on the island of Martha's Vineyard where they live, and has just given birth to a healthy baby boy. In fact she has everything she has ever wanted (she even really likes her mother-in-law!)...but instead she is struggling to get through each day. All the other new parents in her circle all seem so happy and have their lives together, while Brynn feels inadequate and unloving. She resents her husband Ross for not doing more to help and wonders if she or their marriage are going to survive, but can only pin a smile on her face and hope she's able to fake it through another day. When the body of Cecelia, a young woman who works at a club that she, Ross and her in-laws frequent regularly and whom they all know, is found dead on one of the local beaches Brynn is shocked...but things only get worse when Ross is arrested for the crime. Ross has seemed secretive of late, and has been staying late at work more and more. He swears he is innocent, but can Brynn believe him when evidence of his involvement keeps popping up? She needs to find out what really happened to Cecelia...who would want to kill her, and why? Will discovering the truth help save her marriage, or will it be the final straw?
Such a Good Mom is less a mystery/thriller and more a family drama that offers an honest portrayal of the challenges faced by many new mothers...exhaustion, the pressure to be perfect and happy even on days when just taking a shower takes more effort than its worth, and the endless questioning of one's capabilities. Although it has been more than a few years since I was in Brynn's shoes I found myself able to empathize with those struggles as I wondered if I was up to the task of motherhood after all. I know the island of Martha's Vineyard very well (though not as a year-round resident) and enjoyed reading the names of familiar places throughout the story, although apart from those mentions I had more of a sense of life on any small island that relies economically on wealthy summer tourists rather than on the Vineyard specifically. The underlying mystery is a bit formulaic, not really the thriller that I had expected based on the initial blurbs. If you are looking for a honest look at a woman struggling with post-partum depression who isn't getting the help she needs with a hint of a local mystery woven through it, then this is a book you will enjoy. If you're after a riveting thriller whose main character happens to be a woman struggling with postpartum depression, then this might not be the best match for you. Overall, it was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to a 4 given my fondness for the setting. Fans of author Julia Spiro's earlier books or of Anne Rivers Siddons, Aimee Molloy or Emma Brodie should give this novel a try. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I almost felt like this was two completely different books, one about a woman struggling with postpartum depression that was so intriguing and relatable and another focusing on a murder that felt thrown together a bit. I understood Brynn very well and I thought the look at postpartum was so well done and nuanced. There were several times I’d be reading and think “That’s EXACTLY how I felt!” I really enjoyed the look at a how a relationship changes from dating to marriage to children and how to better communicate your needs to your partner. That part of the book, I loved. The murder mystery just felt incredibly unrealistic and relied on so many people turning a blind eye over decades and while I know that’s how it is for certain wealthy people, here it just felt too convenient. I think for how fleshed out and detailed the postpartum side of the book was (and no complaints here about that), the murder mystery part needed it more. It was still intriguing and I was interested to see where it would go, but I was much more invested in Brynn’s journey as a new mom.
CW: miscarriages, postpartum depression, abortion, murder, death

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the digital readers copy!

Brynn has a bad case of Post Partum Depression. She is having a hard time coping with motherhood, is severely sleep deprived, and not getting much help from her husband Ross. Unknown to he, Ross has been preoccupied with investigating his own father’s shady past. When a young woman’s body washes up on the beach, Brynn is shocked when Ross is arrested for the murder. Brynn is pretty sure he’s innocent, but the evidence against him is beginning to look insurmountable. She races to find the one clue Ross has given her - to find the orange sun.
This is a book about motherhood and post partum depression with a murder mystery thrown in. The setting of Martha’s Vineyard was nicely done and showed the differences between the Down-island royalty and The Up-island Free Spirits. I felt like the main focus of the story was post partum depression and I think the author has done a magnificent job of describing it and all the struggles of women suffering through it. I loved that Brynn had a supportive trio of friends helping her cope. The murder mystery itself wasn’t nearly as well develop and it wasn’t too difficult to guess the identity of the killer as there aren’t that many suspects. 3.75 stars

I had a bit of a mixed reaction to this book. I could totally relate to so many of the aspects of island life, from the wealthy summer people vs the year round residents, the absolute beauty of the place, and the difficulty in maintaining much privacy…..I live year round in such a place. What lost me was Brynn and the endless description of her postpartum depression, it took away from the mystery aspect for me, if you’re looking for women’s fiction that deals with the struggles of postpartum depression and the toll it takes this may be for you, if you’re more of a mystery lover just know that it takes a back seat. The characters are well written, the locale beautifully described, and the heaviness of postpartum depression rings true, I was just looking for more of a mystery oriented book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for an advance ARC.