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.

3.5 stars. This is a mystery/suspense story with loads of family drama. The main character is Brynn, an author and a new mom who is struggling with post-partum depression. She lives year-round on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, who is part of a very successful and well-off local family. Right at the beginning of the book, the body of a young woman washes up on the beach. They all knew her because she was one of their favorite waitresses and was well-loved. The authorities declare her death a murder, and the person they immediately pin the crime on is a surprise to everyone on the island. Their arrest draws Brynn into a deep pit of family secrets.

I really enjoyed the overall storyline of this book. The setting was great and very atmospheric. I definitely wanted to keep turning the pages as the characters tried to figure out if the police have arrested the right person or if someone else committed the murder. A few things didn't work as well for me, though. The descriptions of the exhaustion and demands of new motherhood was very relatable (and might be a trigger for some readers), but it was mentioned too often for me - the point would have come across just as strongly without as much repetition of that theme. There were also a few things that Brynn did that seemed out of character. As with a lot of books in this genre, some things were maybe a little too convenient - I don't mind that but it's not everyone's cup of tea. In general, this book was a quick, entertaining read that would be a great pool-side pick. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital arc to review.

There are books that make you feel lucky you stumble to read them and this is one. Strong female characters are always a plus to me. This has strong projections of how post-partum depression can really impact a woman's world. The challenge of new motherhood is being highlighted which I greatly appreciate. However, the twist, yes there is one because this cute gem is mixed with a little dose of suspense and mystery! Good to read if you love cozy mysteries, female protagonist that are kinda unsure of themselves, family drama and the likes! I enjoyed this read and I highly recommend!

I just finished Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro and here are my musings.
Brynn is struggling with motherhood and being a wife. Her husband has been withdrawn and she can’t manage to do her job around the baby… When a waitress at their country club is found murdered, then tragedy hits her home… Her husband has been arrested for the crime.. It looks like he did it but Brynn isn’t so sure and she will stop at nothing to find the truth.

This one was really well done. I loved the narration. It really brought me into the story and held my attention. I felt the postpartum aspects of the story were handled with care and accuracy so that was a big plus too. It was loaded with family drama and the thriller side of it felt like the secondary story which was a bit of a bummer.

Brynn was the star of the show. Her whole character was what kept me going through the whole story. The pace was a bit slow for a thriller but Brynn kept me engaged. It was a really clever story. I didn’t figure out what happened so the ending hit me hard. I was like what the SHEET!!!! I love it when I am kept guessing….

This is definitely a different type of thriller to my norm but I enjoyed the heck out of it!! The writing was great, the other characters were a bit flat but all in all… I great book, well narrated and I was entertained.


4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio and @minotaur_books for my ALC and ARC!

Thank you Minotaur for allowing me to be an early reader.

I’m not sure this was the book for me. This book delves into postpartum depression and a little bit of mystery/suspense. I found the MFC to be insufferable at times, well most of the time. I’m not sure if the author stated how old she was, but she was very young minded. The postpartum and breastfeeding was overkill. That could be totally me. As I’m currently pregnant and my emotions are just Al over the place. Although not a FTM, I found it to be just too much.

The ending was so underwhelming. I figured out the plot twist before it was revealed and it honestly was underwhelming.

In my opinion, this could have been a women’s fiction book about friendship and navigating family, postpartum and life as a first time mom. Or it could have been a mystery surrounding the death of the young lady. Overall, the book felt disconnected.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect more which is what let me reading until the end.

Thank you Macmillan Audio, for the ALC and Netgalley/St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the advanced e-copy of Such a Good Mom in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I have read by Julia Spiro and while I enjoyed the mystery part of it, I think because I am not a mother, I am not really the target audience for this book, as it leans very heavy into post-partum depression and all that comes with it. While I choose not to DNF this book – I really was quite intrigued by the mystery/thriller aspect of the story, I did get a bit overwhelmed with the other parts of it. That’s not to say that I am not surrounded by mothers in my life, so I could appreciate, to an extent, what Brynn was going through, and I did find it added a bit of an unreliability to her character, which I am always for, no matter what the circumstances.

Was this the book I expected it to be? Not exactly…but I did love the author’s writing and I would definitely pick something else up by her. I just feel that in this case, the mystery played second fiddle to the post-partum issues – that was really what the author wanted to write about and if the book had been marketed that way, I never would have picked it up.

Brynn is a spiraling new mom struggling with the transition that inevitably happens when welcoming a new baby. She doesn’t recognize herself and the new vibe in her marriage, and most worrisome to her- she cannot yet connect emotionally with her son. As if that isn’t enough, her husband is suddenly the suspect in a murder investigation and gives her a cryptic clue she is supposed to use to uncover what really happened.

Whew! This one was okay but I can’t recommend it. Brynn’s headspace is understandably tumultuous and the author did a good job portraying the vulnerable time that is new motherhood, but I don’t enjoy her perspective. The murder mystery was playing second fiddle to the story the author seemed to really want to tell which was what it’s like to feel lost as a new parent. Maybe this would be good for moms who need to feel seen in a book? I also worry it would be triggering as it contains scenes of traumatic childbirth, breastfeeding difficulties, and depression/anxiety. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.i

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.