Two words kept coming to me as I read this ARC: disorganized and unfocused. While the writing itself was fine, I had the constant feeling that this story was trying to do too much and cover too many topics. At times, it was a heavy, depressing look into all the worst parts of motherhood - the physical injury, the hormonal crash, the isolation and uncertainty. Then it would be a high-energy murder mystery. And then a family drama. Any one of these genres could have been focused on and perfected, landing on a story for readers to feel invested in and moved by. Unfortunately, there were just too many directions the author decided to go in which resulted in an underdeveloped basket case of a book.

Still, I think this author has something going for her and I would give her another try in the future. She was able to create a large cast of characters who felt very separate and never blended together in my head. She was able to express the deep despair our FMC felt from her unhappy introduction to motherhood. She created a “perfect” family and slowly peeled back their armor to expose a dark underbelly.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for this free eARC in exchange for my review. As you can see, I’ve been honest.

I liked the discussions around motherhood, and the setting was perfect for a summer thriller, but I just didn't care enough about the characters and the plot wasn't gripping me enough.

For the most part I really liked the beginning of this book. A lot of the new mother feelings were very relateable, and I like how the author addressed postpartum depression. The end was pretty predictable though.

really good mystery. Kept me on my toes and loved all of the characters and what they went through on this journey. Loved that they a happy ending happened.

Brynn Nelson is a new mother who should be settling into the joys of motherhood. Instead she is exhausted, unsure of herself and often resentful of her son and her husband Ross. When she takes her son to the playground to connect with her friends, she sees how easily they handle the responsibilities of parenting and wonders where she is going wrong. She is an author with two successful books, but with a deadline looming she has put her writing on hold. Life is filled with changing diapers, laundry, pumping milk and keeping up with chores. She is losing herself and does not know how to ask for help. Ross is becoming more distant and working longer hours for his father’s construction firm. He warns her that something is wrong at work, but when the police show up it is to arrest Ross for murder. The body of Cecelia, a waitress at a club that he has frequented, washed up on shore. Before he is taken away he swears that he is innocent and whispers a cryptic phrase in Brynn’s ear. If she can discover its’ meaning it may lead to evidence to clear him.

Julia Spiro has presented a character in Brynn that is easy for mothers to relate to as she suffers with postpartum depression. Everyone tells her what a wonderful mother she is, but she can not see past her own exhaustion. She misses her days when the words filled the pages and it was just her and Ross. She has close friends who offer their support as she searches for answers. Whether they clear or condemn Ross, she has to know. The cryptic phrase leads her to an incident that happened years earlier that Cecelia was also looking into. As Brynn follows her trail it puts her own life in danger. Spiro’s story questions how far someone would go to protect their family. Brynn is a character that will stay with you long after the end as she brings attention to postpartum depression and faces the challenges of being a new mother. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book.

Such A Good Mom is a murder mystery that centers around a mom dealing with postpartum on the wonderful summer vacation spot of Martha’s vineyard. At times the complicated life of Brynn Nelson's life got in the way of the story but was still a mystery that I enjoyed trying to figure out.

Brynn is an overwhelmed, exhausted new mom. Then her husband is arrested for murder, a murder Brynn doesn’t really think he is capable of. As though taking care of a newborn baby isn’t stressful enough, Brynn somehow manages to piece together what really happened leading up to this murder. A compelling, well written quick read. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

This was an engaging and interesting book! Brynn is a new mom but parenthood isn’t at all what she expected. She doesn’t feel a strong connection to her baby and between that and her overwhelming exhaustion she is struggling. Frustrating her further is that her husband Ross has not been in the parenting trenches with her. He is working long hours and has left all the child care to her. Their lives are further upended when Ross is suddenly arrested for murder. Is this the person she married and has she never really seen him or has he been set up? Brynn tries to solve the mystery as she battles her postpartum depression. This was an interesting suspenseful book even though I did guess some of the twists at the end.

Imagine being in the throes of postpartum, only to have your husband arrested.

Married into a well-off and respected family in Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn has the picture perfect life. But family secrets and postpartum depression threaten everything she knows and loves.

This falls into more of a mystery vibe for me, and with Brynn hunting down the truth. It represents new motherhood well and it’s always good to see that represented more in fiction. I don’t think readers will be shocked by plot lines, but it’s the type of book to throw in your pool bag.

Thank you to NetGalley Minotaur Books.

In Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro, we meet Brynn Nelson, a new mom living in a wealthy, tight-knit community on Martha’s Vineyard. Brynn grew up on the other end of the island in a working-class area that is becoming increasingly unaffordable. She doesn’t feel like she fits in on her husband’s part of the island. This fish-out-of-water experience, combined with her postpartum struggles, leaves her feeling isolated and disconnected from her old life.

Her husband, Ross, works for his father’s construction business. He’s stretched thin because his father recently retired, and their clients are wealthy and demanding. Ross doesn’t give Brynn and the baby the attention they need, but his family steps in to help, despite being the reason he’s not home in the first place.

When a family friend is found dead and Ross becomes the prime suspect, Brynn is even more distraught and confused. She attempts to solve the murder to clear her husband’s name. But the more she digs, the less it all makes sense.

Spiro puts the reader into Brynn’s shoes … the confusion, the doubt, the fear, and the obsession. You’ll be solving the mystery right along with her. Great read for fans of domestic thrillers.

I received this Advance Reader Copy of Such a Good Mom from Minotaur Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Julia Spiro’s “Such a Good Mom” blends a murder mystery with a deeply personal look at new motherhood. The story centers on Brynn, a new mom living on Martha’s Vineyard whose world is upended when a local woman is murdered and suspicion lands close to home. As Brynn investigates, she’s forced to face her own struggles with postpartum depression and the immense pressure to be a perfect mother.The book stands out for its honest, unflinching portrayal of Brynn’s mental health and the challenges of balancing marriage, motherhood, and identity. Spiro’s writing is direct and emotionally charged, making the suspense feel real, but it’s Brynn’s vulnerability that gives the novel its heart. Reviewers praise the book for its authenticity and its blend of domestic drama with page-turning mystery, though some note the rawness of the postpartum storyline might be tough for sensitive readers. Overall, it’s a gripping, thoughtful read for anyone interested in thrillers with real emotional depth.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance readers copy of this book.

Brynn Nelson is a first-time mom with a three-month-old, Lucas. She and her husband, Ross, are lifelong locals on Martha’s Vineyard, where his family owns a very successful contracting business, specializing in multi-million dollar houses for summer residents.

Brynn, herself, is an established romance novelist, working on her third book. But the issue is that she is not working – because she is mired in post-partum depression. The murder of a young waitress, a favorite of the Nelson family, complicates the situation – especially because Ross is arrested for the murder.

What follows is an on-going description of Brynn’s depression, and her efforts to solve the crime and free her husband.

Life as a local in a prime summer destination for outsiders adds color and interest. The book also gets a big plus for shining a light on post-partum depression and other challenges faced by child-bearing women, including miscarriage and traumatic birth experiences.
However, the details and examples of Brynn’s depression are repeated over and over again, and Brynn’s self-castigation literally gets in the way of much focus on the murder and the history behind it. So many words are spent on her misery that they minimize the mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC ofJulie Spiro's recently released novel Such A Good Mom. Brynn and Ross Nelson seemed to be on the path to having it all. Brynn, an author, and Ross working for his dad's development and construction company, with the understanding that he would run it
when his dad retired, decided it was the right time to have a child. After a very difficult labor, Lucas entered the world.
Brynn was aware, from the beginning, that she did not feel the instant love or joy she anticipated being a mother would bring. Added to that she felt as the responsibility for Lucas was entirely hers; Ross seemed withdrawn, and was always working or entertaining clients. As if that wasn't enough disruption in their lives Ross was arrested for the murder of a young woman who worked at their frequently visited social club. The murder opened a can of worms that had far reaching ramifications. I enjoyed Such A Good Mom; it was interesting, had a well developed plot, believable characters and a surprise ending- all elements of a very good read. 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows Brynn, who is battling the stress and pressures of being a new mom. As she spends her days at home tending to the new baby, her husband Ross seems to be a bit distracted/distant.

As they live on Martha's Vineyard, the family spends time amongst the wealthy - all seems to be going well...until one day a close friend of the family winds up dead.

Ross is arrested.

Brynn is torn between believing her husband is innocent and being wrapped up with the case - being tired and worn out doesn't help the matter and she soon spirals into the craziness of the case.

I didn't see the twist coming, but it did take a bit of time for me to get into. All in all, it was a decent read.

3.5 Stars
This book is best described as a family drama layered with complex emotional issues and centered around a murder mystery.

A wealthy family, a shocking death, and a new mother caught up in far more than she bargained for.

It’s definitely a slow burn, steadily building tension as the story unfolds. Brynn, the main character, is struggling with postpartum depression and an overwhelming sense of disconnect from her newborn son. Her challenges only deepen when her husband is arrested as a suspect in a murder investigation.

The ending took me by surprise, and I appreciated the unexpected twist.

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted copy and all opinions are my own.

This book frustrated me from the get go. I enjoyed the murder mystery but getting to the mystery you had to wade through so much monotonous stuff about being a mom. If I read the word latched or breast feeding one more time…I was going to throw this book in the yard. And don’t get me started on the rectal thermometer! This book is set in 2020. Who uses those anymore? No one! Not even doctor’s offices.
Needless to say, I did finish it. Like I said, the mystery was intriguing. Just be prepared to expect stuff not pertinent to the story.

This was an interesting read that details the main characters experience with post partum depression. The main character really struggles with this and it is detailed a lot so note that it might be triggering to some readers so please proceed with caution.

A murder takes place and her husband is accused. On top of everything else she is already coping with, she begins to investigate to try and uncover what happened and prove him innocent, but how will she do that when she is so sleep deprived she can barely keep track of her own day?

Overall, I thought that this one was good. It felt like it was a little long at times and a bit repetitive. It has the unreliable narrator trope, so it kept me on the edge of my seat, second guessing what was happening.

Such A Good Mom** Review
Julia Sprio’s new book “ Such A Good Mom” captures the stages of new motherhood and post partum along with a murder that involves her husband and his family. Brynn Nelson is an author living on Martha’s Vineyard, who married into a prominent family , that is dealing with the up and downs of being a new mother. While Brynn manages her feelings, or tries to, of what she may have given up to become a mother she is dealt a harsh blow when her husband is accused of murder. Did Ross Nelson kill a woman that the family were good friends with or is he being set up for the fall ? Brynn struggles to manage her feelings of not being a good mother, resenting that she is the full time caregiver and longs for her old life that was carefree. However, Brynn has trouble believing that Ross could kill anyone and she begins her investigation into who is really to blame for the death of a young woman. I struggled with this book because of the bouncing around from the issues of post partum to the investigation of murder. I thought that the 2 plots would have been better off as separate books. Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced e-book of this novel.

This novel is hard to categorize for me. While it is supposed to be a domestic thriller, it leaned more towards family drama for me. We spend a lot of time in the MC's thoughts about her situation as a new Mom and all the things she is doing wrong. I am a lot of years away from the newborn phase, but this brought me right back, giving me not so great flashbacks of a really rough time postpartum.
I give Spiro credit for really capturing the feeling that so many new moms have when they are feeling like they aren't able to keep up and trying to do all the things! However, for me, much more of this book was about being in Brynn's head than the actual mystery part of the novel. By the 2/3 mark, I was having a hard time sticking in it with the character and wanted her to stop blaming herself for every little thing. I am not discounting the fact that mental health is very important postpartum, I just wish we had a little more balance between the thriller part of the novel and the internal thoughts of Brynn.
The mystery itself was fairly predictable and a bit unbelievable. The novel wrapped up in a neat, tidy bow. If you like books that are messy but get all tied up neatly, you might like this. But, if you might have trouble spending time in a MC's head that has a lot of self-doubt and postpartum depression, this might not be for you.

It’s likely that this review is a case of it’s not you…it’s me.

I went into Such a Good Mom for the murder mystery. From the synopsis, I was intrigued, but, after reaching the 50 percent mark and only a small portion of the book being about the murder and the rest about Brynn’s struggles as a new mom, I was beginning to think I missed a crucial part of the plot summary. After going back and reading the description, it’s clear that Such a Good Mom is intended to be both, but, unfortunately, that just wasn’t what interested me. This book has an audience that it will appeal to, and the writing is engaging, but this one ultimately just isn’t for me.