Such a Good Mom pulled me in from the very first page and didn’t let go. One of my favorite parts was how it portrayed postpartum depression so authentically. Brynn’s struggles after childbirth — the exhaustion, the isolation, the feeling of losing yourself — felt so real and important to see represented. I love that this story brought attention to the fourth trimester, something so many moms experience but so few people talk about.

Beyond that, the mystery was chef’s kiss. I couldn’t put it down — every chapter had me needing to know more. The tension kept building in the best way, and just when I thought I had it figured out… boom — that ending! A true “what the what?!” moment, but in a way that made total sense looking back.

If you love a fast-paced mystery with emotional depth and a main character you can’t help but root for, this is a must-read. It’s a perfect beach read and a heartfelt story about the complexities of new motherhood.

Such a Good Mom is a cozy mystery about a murdered young woman found on Norton Point Beach on Martha’s Vineyard.Brynn is the sleep deprived mother of a three month old son.She has a novel to write and is suffering from some post partum depression.She doesn’t feel she is a very good mom.The book has good characterization and gets into what makes a mom-even with Brynn’s mom and mother - in-law.This is a good summer beach read you will enjoy if you like twists and turns and books about family and friends.Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St Martins Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC.

This was my first read by this author and I'd happily read her again. While not a psychological thriller in the sense that I'm used to, it still had a mystery to be solved and Brynn also had some psychological issues after the birth of her child that made unraveling this mystery feel very thriller-like. I went back and forth in the whodunnit and I was as they say "close but no cigar". Much of the focus was on Brynn and her inability to see herself as a good Mom. while it didn't turn me completely off, much felt repetitive. All in all , a good story

Thanks to Minotaur Books for gifted access to this novel via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

I did not finish this one. It was less of a thriller and more of a whinge on about motherhood. I am not a mother, I can not relate. Having a child is a choice, allowing your husband to not participate in the raising of a child is a choice. Books like these make me angry. I don't mind a character experiencing challenges with post partum or in their marriage but the way it was portrayed here was overly negative and just repetitive. It reminded me of Nighbitch, which is a book I forced myself to keep reading and regretted. I apologize for selecting this one knowing that is a topic I only have so much patience for. Just because it was an issue for me, doesn't mean it will be an issue for you, so give this one a try if you feel differently.

3.5/5

This was slightly different than what I expected, less thriller more light mystery is what it is and I assumed it would read more like a thriller. It’s more character driven than I thought it would be as well, it takes a hard look at Brynn’s experience with post partum depression and that made the whole thing feel pretty heavy. Sort of a weird combo with the mystery feeling lighter and easy to predict and the rest of it feeling so dark, at least for me. The setting of Martha’s Vineyard was well described and makes this an ideal one to read during the summer and I did enjoy some of the authors prose, there was a sharpness that came through a few times, I just wish there was more of it and more complexity with the mystery aspect. If you are newer to mysteries or enjoy lighter style suspense you should try this though!

This book does a great job of melding internal and external conflict for the main character, Brynn. Her struggles with postpartum depression and anxiety around being a new mother came across well, which added to the slow-burning tension of her husband being arrested for a murder she doesn't think he committed. Fans of murder mysteries will enjoy this one.

My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Publishing for the ARC of ''Such a Good Mom' in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, I should point out that while there is a domestic murder mystery to unravel here, this book primarily functions as a deep dive into the agonies of a new mom's Postpartum depression. (Not to mention her severe mid-life crisis, in which current realities don't match up to her hopes and dreams of a valued, rewarding future.

Brynn Nelson seems blessed in many ways.......a year round resident of beautiful Martha's Vineyard, success as a romance novelist, a new healthy baby boy, and a hard working husband who's part of the island's most prominent family-owned construction business. But the round the clock demands of motherhood have left her overwhelmed and exhausted, with severe, crushing doubts about her ability to become a loving mom to her infant. As if all that isn't enough of a burden, police arrest her husband Ross as the suspected murderer of a popular young girl befriended by his family.

Despite mounting, conclusive evidence against Ross, Brynn attempts to untangle all of the long hidden secrets, suspects and clues that might lead her to find out what exactly happened.....and why. As enticing as I'm sure that sounds to fans of domestic thrillers, the mystery takes a back-of=the-bus seat to pages and pages of Brynn's constant mental crisis. In that particular area, the book does incisively detail the inner turmoil of Postpartum. But the when the actual mystery's surprises and revelations finally arrive, it's feels perfunctory and laborious, served up with little or no sense of danger and suspense.

For its constant attention and empathy toward Brynn's motherhood ordeal, I'm generously giving 'Such A Good Mom' 3 stars. But I would not recommend this book for those who'd come looking for a full fledged domestic puzzler with lead characters put in dire jeopardy. There's drama aplenty here, but not the kind of melodrama mystery readers would find satisfying.

This book was not what I expected.

Brynn is a new mom going through it, she feels like she can't ever be a good enough for her son, and she is feeling like she's more alone, and Ross is not helping her, she has her friends who are there for her and support her. AND then on top of that her husband Ross is a suspect in a HUGE murder case in town, and all evidence points to him. She believes that he's innocent, and that his family if hiding a HUGE secret.

Throughout the book we get to see Brynn's story, and her story with Ross, her own family, and even her relationship with his own family. She's an author and her career is also slipping. But the way she is standing firm on finding out who is trying to frame Ross for this murder, she realizes that the answers are all closer to home.

The ending was not what I expected but I know I am not the only one who wanted this book to end, it was going in circles, and I didn't know what I was supposed to focus on, the murder/mystery or the fact that Brynn feels she was not a good mom and going through her depression after having her baby (I don't mean to sound insensitive.)

2.5 stars rounded up. A decent premise but it dragged on and felt a little preachy at points. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Brynn is a brand new mom, who before she went into labor was so excited for her to finally enter motherhood. But once labor hit those feelings went away and never returned. Brynn watches as all around her other mothers seem to take to motherhood with no problems but she just can't help but wanting her old life, the one before the baby. To complicate things further her husband is accused of murder.

This book was just ok. I think it focused a little too much on the depression and just glanced on the murder part but it was an ok read. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

3.5 stars

Overall, a good read. It is a blend of contemporary fiction about a young mother with postpartum depression and a mystery as to who murdered a young woman. I enjoyed the setting on Martha’s Vineyard and the small town atmosphere.

The author wrote authentically about postpartum depression ( I experienced it with both my kids) but there were times towards the last third of the book where the character became a touch too whiney. She was likeable but not loveable.

The mystery element was good but note that it was not the primary focus of the book. The resolution of the murder became a bit too over the top. I thought the epilogue added a good hopeful touch.

I would recommend this novel to those interested in postpartum or mom fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary cop. All opinions are my own.

I began this book expecting a fast-paced thriller or mystery, but it turned out to be more of a cozy mystery. At its core, it's really a story about a woman grappling with PTSD. Brynn, a new mother, is struggling—not just with her trauma, but also with the lack of support from her husband. When he’s suddenly arrested for murder, Brynn finds herself thrust into the role of amateur sleuth, determined to uncover the truth.

Such a Good Mom is a somewhat ironic title, as Brynne, mom to newborn Lucas, believes she is anything but. Brynne struggles with the inevitable changes that comes with being a mom, both physical and emotional. Her husband Ross seems to be good at appearing supportive without actually having to make changes in his life. And when he is arrested for the murder of a young woman, things become much harder for Brynne.

Set in Martha’s Vineyard, I found the novel to be more successful in presenting the reality of motherhood than the actual mystery of who killed Cecelia. The novel does not shirk from describing the challenges of feeling like an imperfect mother in today’s world. I enjoyed the author’s writing style but just didn’t find the story of the actual mystery to be all that compelling. However, I will definitely read this author again and I think new moms may take comfort in knowing that motherhood is a difficult job that we all need help with.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

I know the title is Such a Good Mom and the book would be dealing with postpartum depression, but I wanted to read the book based on the premise that her husband might be a murderer. Although there was a thriller/murder element to the story, it’s main focus was PPD. The focus on that storyline was just a little repetitive for me. I thought it was well written, but just not what I’m looking for when I pick up a thriller book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy

I enjoyed this story from start to finish. I felt all kinds of emotions being a mom of two children. I would recommend reading this great story. I had a hard time putting it down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for my gifted ARC. My full review will be shared closer to publication day @coffee.break.book.reviews.

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is an exciting psychological thriller. I really loved so much about this book. Its characters are deeply flawed and struggling with many things. The main character is a new mom struggling with learning how to be a mom. This murder mystery has lots of twists and turns. I loved the parallel story with the main character as she learns how to be a mom. Great book overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

As a mom who’s postpartum felt very similar to Brynn’s (minus the murder investigation) I was almost annoyed with her. I’m very torn - on one hand I obviously know this are really real feelings that aren’t talked about enough for new moms, but on the other hand I go to books to escape reality. It’s hard to enjoy a book when it feels like I’m in my own reality still. I hope that makes sense. Putting those feelings aside, I did like the story and the mystery surrounding the family. Thank you for the ARC.

When it comes to being a mother there are so many things that come along with the birth of your child, especially postpartum depression. Brynn is dealing with all the new mom feelings and emotions then comes tragedy. The body of a family friend washes ashore. Now in a place know for beauty, relaxation and bliss Brynn sets out to find answers on what truly happened.

This book was a good read even though it became repetitive at times and didn't need to be as long as it was. The plot was well thought out just maybe drawn out some.

For me, this domestic suspense meets amateur detective story had a bit too much postpartum content. But it was an enjoyable closed circle mystery starring a brand new mom on Martha's Vineyard. If you can relate to those sleepless nights, annoyance with your husband, and feeling baby blues AND love a mystery, definitely check this one out! I will definitely read another book by this author even if this one was not quite for me!

Unfortunately this book as not for me. Maybe its just the season of life I am in with just having a baby, so I may try again at some point