Brynn is suffering from postpartum depression. a woman is found murdered and she wonder if her husband had anything to do with the murder. good story.

WOW! An amazing story about family drama and the pressures that society puts on people to do everything right. The writing is refreshing as Julia Spiro doesn't sugar coat the struggles that new moms put on themselves. I loved this story.
As the main character, Brynn, is sinking into the darkness of post-partum depression and the pressure to turn in the manuscript her publisher is demanding her husband is arrested for the murder of a local woman. Does she believe her husband is innocent and will she help him prove he did not do it?
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the gifted ARC provided by NetGalley. I am honored to have read such a great story. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

I'm unsure what this book wants to be, a diatribe about early motherhood or a thriller? I wanted more of the latter and it felt like every bit was overlaced with a story that would've benefited by being marketed differently. The thrill of this was highly predictable and the resolution left me pretty unsatisfied. Just feeling "meh" about this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Bryn has a new baby and is suffering fr9m postpartum depression. She struggles with no sleep, diapers, night feedings, husband working long hours, and she’s an author and the words won’t come. And then a woman is murdered and they arrest her husband. She is convinced he didn’t do it. Can she find the truth? Who can she trust?

I really tried to get into this one but I found the FMC to be highly problematic and I found the story to be very slow. I was not able to get into it and found myself never wanting to pick it back up. I had to DNF this one.

I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. It felt pretty hard to get into for me and I didn’t find the main character enjoyable. Maybe it’s because I’m a new mom myself, but this wasn’t the right book for me at this time.

Although I couldn’t relate to this new mom’s struggle with a cranky baby, I felt her pain and exhaustion. This writer did a fantastic job describing Brynn’s life. Really good mystery with an ending that I didn’t see coming!

This book was so healing!! This author skillfully conveys what it’s like to suffer through a traumatic birth and be so angry with your partner for not having to bear the same identity upheaval that comes from becoming a parent. Spiro really digs in to the dark depths of a new mom’s mental health, and as a mom myself, I felt seen and justified. There were times I felt there might be too much complaining or that the FMC was repeating the sentiment that she felt like a bad mom or that she wasn’t a good mom unless she was struggling — but that is the genius of this book. That is the true experience of post-partum depression. Even if a mother wants to rise above those thought loops and self doubt, the cycle keeps repeating. Brynn is a strong, smart, complex character and the characters surrounding her are interesting and diverse. The mystery keeps the book from getting too bogged down by new motherhood, and all loose ends are tied up nicely by the end.

I will absolutely recommend this to people who have already had children, especially anyone who has dealt with PPD or a birth story that didn’t go the way they hoped. I will read other books by this author and recommend Julia Spiro. Such a Good Mom was a quality read. Readers might enjoy it if they enjoyed Catherine Newman’s Sandwich. Thankful to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for the egalley!

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Brynn appears to have to have it all: new baby, husband, career, and a house on Martha's Vineyard. But behind closed doors, it is a different story: exhaustion from motherhood, motherhood and career swallowing up Brynn, and a husband that is becoming more distant as the days go by. One day, a family friend is found dead and her husband is arrested for the crime. Brynn is determined to find out who the real killer is, even if it means it is her husband, and even if it means adding to her already exhausted life.

There were moments of connection and disconnection for me. While I could not relate to the setting, I could relate to the exhaustion of motherhood. I will say that the overall suspense was good, and I wanted to turn the pages more to find out who was the murderer - plenty of twists there to lead the reader in different directions.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a Good Mom* by Julia Spiro is an engaging mix of family drama and suspense that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Brynn Nelson’s journey as a new mom struggling with postpartum life and postpartum depression and anxiety is portrayed with real depth, making her an incredibly relatable character. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, the story takes a gripping turn when Brynn’s husband is arrested for murder, pulling her into a tense mystery.

Spiro does a great job balancing the emotional challenges of motherhood with the suspense of a murder investigation. The twists keep you guessing, and the steady pace makes it an easy page-turner.

I requested “Such a Good Mom” hoping for an absorbing mystery. That’s what the blurb—with its interesting premise and Martha’s Vineyard location—seemed to promise.

Unfortunately, while the novel addresses the important issue of post-partum depression, it offers a story that is not well-told. The main character is problematic. The plot is overburdened with backstory and internal rumination. The writing is repetitive in the extreme. Halfway through, having completely lost interest in the mystery, I gave up.

Brynn is a new mother living with her husband, Ross, on Martha’s Vineyard, where she grew up a middle-class kid. Before having baby Lucas, she was a successful romance novelist. Currently, she’s deeply depressed. Motherhood is nothing like what she thought it would be. Not only does she find the work unrelenting and exhausting, she has not bonded with her son and doubts she loves him. She deeply resents Ross, his lack of help and understanding, and the distance that has grown between them. And she is bitter and mournful about losing the life she had before the baby. She hasn’t been able to write a word in months, even though the deadline for her third novel looms.

Cecilia, a young waitress at the country club Ross’s wealthy parents belong to, is found dead on the beach. Suddenly, Ross is arrested for her murder. Was he having an affair with her? Did he kill her? And if he didn’t, who did? Is Brynn’s life about to be blown apart or will she be able to rescue Ross and her family and somehow find her way back to a “perfect life?”

While Brynn may be the story’s main character, she’s not a likable one. She’s extremely self-absorbed and often seems emotionally unstable, even violent. She’s repeatedly described as furious. More than once, she imagines harming herself or others. She displays no charm, or sense of humor, or wisdom, or grace, much less any real concern for her child or its future. It’s difficult to root for, or even care about, such an unappealing character.

The story’s plotting and structure are frustrating. Plot points—the things that happen in the story—are often followed by long digressions into back-story or Brynn’s reactions, ruminations, and feelings (most, if not all of which are about … Brynn).

And speaking of “feelings,” a Kindle search for the words “felt” and “feel” revealed that they are used 456 times throughout the novel.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only instance of repetition. Throughout the first half of the novel, the same points regarding Brynn’s difficulties with new motherhood are made again and again and again. Some points are important, designed to give readers a very good understanding of what post-partum depression entails, how difficult and exhausting new motherhood can be, how new mothers may feel pressured to “suffer in silence,” how insensitive others can be to the challenges new mother face, and even ways friends and family can help new mothers meet those challenges.

But the repetition of those points, and others, was incessant enough to cause me many times to think: “Okay, enough! I get it already! Could we please move on?” Indeed, it was one of the major reasons I stopped reading halfway through.

The Martha’s Vineyard setting seemed a wasted opportunity. While I got a sense of the division and tensions between the rich and the not-so-rich, and year-round residents versus tourists and “summer people,” I learned nothing about the island’s history, flora, fauna, beaches, ocean, or anything else that has helped it earn its storied reputation. In other words, I never was made to feel like I was on the island, much less in the midst of the story.

All in all, for me “Such a Good Mom” was a 2-star disappointment.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher and author for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

With a healthy newborn baby, a devoted husband, a successful career, and a busy life on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn Nelson should be the happiest she’s ever been. But Brynn is struggling. Her husband, Ross, grows more distant by the day, and the challenges and exhaustion of postpartum make Brynn feel like she’s slowly losing pieces of herself to motherhood. Pieces that she might never get back! Good book! I feel like this book focuses on postpartum blues! It’s definitely a real thing! It also had light suspense, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I would recommend reading this book as it was worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this story with me!

Brynn Nelson is a new mom struggling with postpartum depression. She is exhausted and filled with shame and guilt because she has not bonded with her baby. There is tension between Brynn and her husband because she needs and wants his help and support but is unable to express how she feels.. The author really delves into Brynn’s feelings and frustrations as a new mother and the difficulties of nursing, pumping milk and her sore breasts. With all of this as a background a girl’s body has been found. Did she drown or was it murder. The news spreads quickly thru the small beach community. Then Brynn’s husband is arrested and charged with the murder. Even with the support of her 3 close friends and supportive in-laws, her world seems to be spiraling out of control. New mothers might relate to her struggles with motherhood. An interesting read. Unexpected surprises along the way to solving the mystery.

Brynn has just given birth and is exhausted. Motherhood has not been easy, her book is unfinished, her husband is absolutely no help, and he’s acting strange as well. When a local girl is murdered and her husband is implicated, Brynn’s life is even more upside down. Did her husband do it or is he innocent?

A decent suspense book but mediocre like so many others these days. Nothing original

Brynn Nelson married Ross, son of the founder of the major development and construction firm on Martha’s Vineyard and heir to the business. They were happy until the birth of their son Lucas, three months earlier. Now Brynn is mired in feedings, sleep deprivation and postpartum depression and Ross seems to be spending more and more time on business.When the body of a young server at their club is found, Brynn wonders briefly if he was having an affair. Then Ross is arrested for her murder, whispers a cryptic clue to Brynn and tells her to believe no one. Brynn is determined to prove her husband’s innocence. Her investigation will put her in danger and will threaten the entire family.

Such a Good Mom is a captivating mystery but it is also a sadly accurate picture of the early days of new motherhood, the long nights, the loneliness and the self-doubts. The one sure thing she knows is that her husband is not a killer and that she loves him and wants her family back together. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Julia Spiro for this ARC.

“Such a Good Mom” by Julia Spiro is a poignant exploration of motherhood, societal expectations, and the complexities of personal identity. The narrative delves into the struggles of balancing parenting with self-fulfillment, weaving in themes of friendship, judgment, and the often unseen challenges of raising children. Spiro’s writing is both relatable and thought-provoking, capturing the nuances of modern motherhood with warmth and humor. Readers will appreciate the depth of her characters and the emotional resonance of their journeys, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the realities of family life.

Three and one-half stars

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Brynn Nelson is a new mother; exhausted and doubting her ability to mother her son, Lucas, she has trouble bonding with the infant. If only her husband were home more, able to help more . . . .

As she sits in the park with the other young Edgartown mothers on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn is stunned to learn that a young woman, Cecelia Buckley, has been found dead. And Brynn knew her.

Her husband, Ross, gives Brynn a cryptic message . . . just before he is arrested and charged with Cecelia’s murder.

Can Brynn untangle Ross’s strange message? Can she discover the truth about Cecelia’s murder? [And will Brynn find a way to complete that third book she owes her publisher?]

=========

“Such a Good Mom” is basically a murder mystery couched in a new mother’s struggles in dealing with postpartum depression. In the midst of her struggles, Brynn searches for the answers to the mystery surrounding Cecelia’s death and to determine if her husband is innocent or guilty.

The unfolding narrative spends a great deal of time dissecting Brynn’s issues with new motherhood, her postpartum depression, and her frustration over her inability to bond with her son. For readers who are not mothers, this may make it particularly difficult to relate to Brynn. [Of course, mothers may find it a bit much as well, but at least they can relate in some manner even if they haven’t suffered as Brynn does in the story.] In addition, there’s a bit of political posturing in the telling of the tale, particularly with regard to abortions, that some readers are likely to find off-putting or offensive.

Populated with mostly unlikeable characters, the unfolding story spills a few unexpected secrets as it wends its way to a denouement that readers should find satisfactory. Those who enjoy family drama are likely to find “Such a Good Mom” difficult to set aside before unravelling the secrets and mysteries woven into the telling of the tale.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#SuchaGoodMom #NetGalley

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Brynn grew up on Martha's Vineyard (I think...I confuse all the little towns, areas,) but with a middle-class life as many do. She fell in love, and she married Ross, who has a wealthy family on Martha's Vineyard.

She's just had a son, and she is struggling with every aspect of motherhood. She had expectations for herself, but she wasn't sharing her struggles with those around her. Just when she is going to let her husband know it's time for him to step up, he's arrested for the murder of a young woman.

I didn't guess the overall mystery, and the plot was well done. I am also a sucker for a Cape book, so I loved that. But it was so unique that the author blended Brynn's post-partum struggles in with the overall plot. You don't have to have a child to understand this. Many who struggle with mental health can sink into this darkness as well.

I kept reading until my eyes were closing and I dropped my Kindle.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #JuliaSpiro #SuchAGoodMom #mystery #MarthasVineyard #postpartum

I was honored to get to read an early copy of Julia Spiro's upcoming book titled, "Such a Good Mom". I'm a mother to two little ones, so I found myself relating to a lot of Brynn's struggles. I felt the author accurately wrote about the challenges new mothers face postpartum. Anyone who enjoys a murder mystery book will love this one! There were twists and turns in the book that kept me engaged. The ending shocked me!

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Such a Good Mom, by Julia Spiro, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

There’s a long and fairly horrible backstory as to how I once took a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. I’ll skip the really pathetic parts and share instead that my sweet little ol’ Southern self had made absolutely sure when I made a room reservation to ask whether the hotel had a swimming pool, because I had lost a lot of weight and had a brand-new bikini.

What I failed to ask was would said pool be open. Because I was going to be there in June, I just assumed…..quite wrongly it turns out…..that it would be. Nope. No pools opened until the Fourth of July.

I. Was. Gobsmacked.

And then I found out I could not order a drink after 10 p.m. because of local liquor laws. My paper mill might’ve made just a _little_ appearance at that point, as I started carrying on about “fucking Puritans.”

Ah, youth.

Well, I say all that to say that I have always been a sucker for New England beaches, and that some memories stick with you even 34 years later.

Oh, the book. Right, the book.

Had to read it because of having been to Edgartown and visited the cemetery where John Belushi is buried, things like that. The description says it’s a “perfect beach read,” but I won’t go that far. It’s a good one, but could have been made better by some strong editing that took out unnecessary repetitions. Also, I didn’t really like-like any of the characters, and figured out most of the mysteries long before the reveals. (Oh my gosh I just had a memory about The Love Boat.**) All that said, it was an easy read and some good escapism as the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign turns ever darker and weirder…..

**THE LOVE BOAT**
I just remembered that when my younger brother and sister and I would watch The Love Boat on Saturday nights a million years ago, I would continually amaze them by being able to predict what was going to happen with each storyline. Now, in all fairness to them, I am almost six years older than my sister, and almost four years older than my brother. So I would’ve been 13 or 14 and had read a fair amount of books and watched a lot more movies and TV than them by then. But, still, I’ve long had a feel for story arcs, I guess is my point. Also, I sure do wish I still could drink several glasses of Dr Pepper and eat most of a bag of barbecue potato chips and half a box of Danish wedding cookies at 8 o’clock at night. If I tried that now? Barf-o-rama, y’all. (And yes, of course we watched Fantasy Island after that. Silly question.)

AND P.S.
I also remember having some fantastic clam chowder and taking a wonderful ferry ride on that long-ago trip. And who knows? Maybe the pool opening dates and liquor laws have changed since then.


DESCRIPTION
Bestselling author Julia Spiro's Such a Good Mom is a brilliant standalone mystery that's the perfect beach read. In the heat of summer, a murder on Martha's Vineyard rocks one new mom to the core, leaving her to search for answers.

With a healthy newborn baby, a devoted husband, a successful career, and a busy life on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn Nelson should be the happiest she’s ever been. But Brynn is struggling. Her husband, Ross, grows more distant by the day, and the challenges and exhaustion of postpartum make Brynn feel like she’s slowly losing pieces of herself to motherhood. Pieces that she might never get back.

But it’s summer on the Vineyard, a beacon for wealthy visitors, and a place so beautiful that it seems immune to tragedy and crime. Except for locals, like Brynn, who know all too well that tragedy can strike at any point. And this time, it hits close to home when a friend of the family is found washed ashore. Dead. And Brynn’s already hectic life is turned upside down when Ross is arrested for the crime.

Left reeling with more questions than answers, Brynn’s only path forward is to find out who really killed Cecelia Buckley, even if it means it was her husband. She’s not sure who she’s able to trust anymore. And with the dizzying, endless cycle of sleepless nights, diapers, and bottles, Brynn’s not even sure she can trust herself. She’s not sure of anything anymore, but she won’t stop until she finds the truth.

Bestselling author Julia Spiro is known for writing characters readers instantly connect to. With Such a Good Mom, Spiro brings the real and layered Martha’s Vineyard to life through the eyes of a new mom trying to get her family out of the eye of the storm that is a murder investigation.