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I really enjoyed this book. It wasn’t fully what I was expecting, which I think made it even better.

This was a gripping murder-mystery, but also touched on adjusting to motherhood and the difficulties of postpartum and PPD. Thankfully, my postpartum journey was a fairly easy one, but I feel like a lot of women will be able to relate to Brynn, who is the FMC.

The characters were created really well. Some of them you loved, some of them you hated, and others fell somewhere in between. The plot was very character-driven, so this was a major plus.

Thank you to Julia Spiro, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC! 🫶🏻

Be sure to check this one out TOMORROW on Pub day!

Seems I am alone with my thoughts about this book. I did not enjoy it. It was so repetitive aggravating for me. I'm sorry but to me it was just ok. Maybe awful. I honestly hate to write this kind of review. To me this was just not that good.

Brynn is a new mother. She is never sleeping and her husband is not understanding. Their baby cries all the time and Brynn wishes she had never had him. Well yes some mothers go through this. It is good to adress. But all Brynn does is whine about her baby. About lack of sleep. About breast feeding. About everything.

When Brynn's husband is arrested for the murder of a waitress at the club they belong too on Martha's Vineyard she begins to wonder if he had an affair. If he killed her. Good grief would you blame him if he did? Well yes I would but still. Brynn starts to investigate. Lack of sleep and a screaming baby would stop a normal person. But not this one. She wants answers. She tells her friends how much she believes in her husband. Seems to me she should have recognized her own husband in a video. NO MATTER WHAT...

I didn't like anyone in this book. Well maybe Ginny. But the rest were so perfect. Until they weren't. I give Ross, Brynn's husband a pass because he seemed to truly be a nice guy. He was working hard for them to have a good life. He was also investigating someone for being crooked. I won't say who.

Everything does come out in the end. Not that I didn't figure it out. Good grief I was hoping it would be more. Maybe a long lost relative or something. All well what can I say. I did not enjoy any part of this book. To much about lack of sleep, breast feeding, and don't get me started on that rectal thermometer thing. lol It wasn't like Brynn did not have help. Oh and all throughout this story you hear how awful her mother was and is but then she shows up and it's like Brynn's best friend forever showed up. Yes this book was aggravating. It had me rolling my eyes so much. But the author worked hard on it I'm sure and I have to give her credit for that...

Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, #MacMillanAudio, for this ARC.

With a newborn baby and a seemingly perfect marriage Brynn should be the happiest person around, but she’s not. She’s struggling. Her husband isn’t really around, and she’s left to take care of her newborn, Lucas, by herself most of the time, as well as everything else, all while losing herself. A girl they know washes up dead and her husband is arrested for her death. Before being arrested, he whispers something to her. Now she must figure out what he means and find out what really happened to this girl.

I was on the struggle bus this whole time this whole book. It had such potential but unfortunately it lost me. There was so many long paragraphs of just nothing but prose and no dialogue (which, if you’ve been reading my reviews, you know is something I just don’t like). Then in the middle of a chapter, with no line break, there would all of a sudden be a flash back and I had to figure out when the flashback started and stopped. It got really confusing. Most of these flashbacks didn’t push the story further along, they included details or anecdotes that just gave us background information that if left out, would not have changed the trajectory of the story.

I thought I was getting a suspense/mystery book, but what it really is, is a book that discusses a lot of new mother hardships with a little bit of mystery. I will say this, the author was REALLY spot on with Brynn’s feelings about being a new mother. I do wish she would have come out and called it post partum depression though. There’s such a huge stigma surrounding it. It’s something that I suffered with when I had my first child, so I completed connected with Brynn on this level.

The twist at the end of the story was predictable. There are so many books where a lot of people figure out a twist and I can’t figure it out. Well, I figured this one out so that’s saying something. I was disappointed in this book – I really wanted to like it more. That being said, others have really enjoyed it so maybe you will too! My opinion is just that, mine!

I like the premise of this book. I couldn’t really get into it, though. Brynn, the female main character, is so self involved with postpartum depression that it just didn’t appeal to me. Perhaps it will be a good fit for other readers.

Set against the cozy, deceptively quiet backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, this domestic thriller taps into small-town claustrophobia in a big way. The storyline felt thin in spots, but it stayed compelling enough to keep me turning pages.

Brynn, a published author with two books under her belt, is a brand-new mom trying to survive the brutal chaos of postpartum life. Healing from a C-section, running on no sleep, breastfeeding a fussy newborn, and getting practically zero help from her husband Ross — it’s a brutal, unvarnished look at early motherhood. (Honestly, the portrayal of postpartum struggles was the strongest and most relatable part of the entire novel.)

Where it faltered for me was in the logic: Ross is basically useless, and yet, for some reason, they don’t hire even basic help — no cleaner, no groceries delivered, no night nurse, despite clearly living in a tax bracket where that would be an easy fix. The choice to ignore that option felt like an unnecessary stretch to keep Brynn isolated and struggling.

Then, just when her life couldn't get messier, a family work associate turns up dead — and Ross gets arrested for murder. Brynn is left piecing together what little she knows, and her cluelessness sometimes bordered on irritating. As an author, you’d think she’d have a little more imagination when the mystery started unfolding around her.

Still, the plot had enough twists to keep me guessing — not all the reveals were predictable, which I appreciated. It wasn’t a flawless thriller, but it definitely had its moments.

The premise of this book had me hooked. The writing was also really good. Unfortunately there was nothing I liked about the main character, Brynn. I get that she was a new mother suffering from postpartum depression. But it was just too much of it for my liking. It took away from the mystery/thriller aspect of the story.

This review will be posted on BookwormishMe.com today.

Families can be everything. And all too much. Julia Spiro tackles the family dynamic in this novel about a family business, secrets, and the woman trying to unravel it all. It’s a powerful reminder that everything is not always what it seems.

Brynn married into the Nelson family. Way back when, she and their son Sawyer had a short romance during the summer before college. Once at college they went their separate ways. After all, Sawyer was Martha’s Vineyard royalty, and Brynn was from the other side of the tracks.

When Brynn came back to the island later, she ran into Sawyer’s older brother Ross. A spark was kindled, and eventually, Ross and Brynn married. The Nelson family was thrilled, and welcomed Brynn as though she had always been one of their own. Especially when Brynn became a mom and made the Nelson’s grandparents.

Brynn, though, was not herself post-pregnancy. Unable to accept or ask for help, Brynn floundered. With Ross gone long hours, and Brynn alone with the baby Lucas, she began to become more angry and distanced from both Ross and Lucas. She begins to wonder things a new mother shouldn’t wonder. She begins to wish she’d never had a baby.

Then tragedy strikes the island when a young waitress is found dead, washed ashore. Worse, Ross becomes the only suspect in what is now a murder. Brynn is devastated and confused. She believes in her heart that Ross is innocent, but as the evidence begins to mount, Brynn is not only questioning her fitness as a mother, but also her entire marriage.

Such a good mystery. Touches on so many things that a lot of us feel as new parents. The post-partum depression, way more than baby blues, has a way of distorting a new mom’s thinking and functioning. I loved that this was a focus of Brynn’s character and woven into the story so seamlessly. The mystery of the murder and Brynn’s desire to amateur sleuth her husband out of jail was touching. Crazy, but really good.

Enjoyed this one very much. Great vacay or beach read.



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Dubbed as domestic suspense/murder mystery but I would argue more of a relatable women's fiction story set on Martha's Vineyard that follows a new mother in the throes of postpartum life who tangentially gets involved in solving the death of one of her fellow mom friends. The mom content was extremely relatable and was what I connected with most in the story - the rest was all just filler for me. Good on audio and worth a read if you like murder light, high emotion domestic dramas. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Less of a suspense/thriller than a womens fiction and commentary on motherhood and PTSD. I could entirely connect with the descriptions of motherhood. I love books that have the new mother trope as part of the the mystery.

This was a pretty good book! It took me a little bit to get into, but I think the setup was important. I liked where the book went and how it got there. I had my guesses about where I thought the plot was going to go, and unsurprisingly, I got it wrong. Although I do think my guesses would have still made a good book ;)

The execution of this book was great, and normally I've been in more of a cozy mystery phase, this is a solid mystery that I enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC!

Brynn should be the happiest she's ever been. She has a new baby, a loving husband and lives on Martha's Vineyard. But postpartum issues and a tragedy send her reeling. She decides to get to the root of the problems no matter the cost. Good read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC!

Such a Good Mom was more of a slower paced mystery versus the thriller I was expecting but I still found it very enjoyable. The writing kept me engaged throughout. As a mom myself, I really appreciated the depiction of postpartum depression and the focus on all the changes that women and their lives go through when they become moms. It felt real and authentic. While there wasn't a huge shock factor at the end, I was still interested and enjoyed how things were wrapped up in the end.

Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro is an interesting book. The thriller aspect of it is fine - the mystery and twists are fairly well done and while a bit predictable, still enjoyable. Where the book and Spiro really shine is in the handling of postpartum issues, both physical and mental. Spiro expertly captures the mindset of a new mom, and writes about it with great skill and care. While it is difficult to read, it is important because it is an all too familiar reality for many mothers, and those things need to be discussed more. That is what will most stick with me from this book - not the whodunnit or the twists, but the value of writing about postpartum experiences and needs. That is where Spiro really succeeds here.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the book #SuchAGoodMom by #JuliaSpiro. This book is filled with secrets, conspiracy and murder all happening at Martha’s Vineyard. Brynn is a new mom who is struggling with juggling everything with a newborn. She is slowing falling apart. But things get worse when her husband is arrested for murder. As she digs for the truth, she has to decide if she trusts her husband or will she walk away from it all.

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"Such A Good Mom" by Julia Spiro is a page-turner that keeps you captivated from beginning to end. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, this murder mystery weaves a compelling tale of family dynamics that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Spiro's writing is masterful, creating a vivid atmosphere that captures the essence of the island while intertwining the complexities of family life. The characters are meticulously crafted, each with depth and realism that make their stories both relatable and intriguing.

As the plot unfolds, Spiro expertly weaves a narrative that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end, making it impossible to put the book down.

"Such A Good Mom" is not just a murder mystery; it's a deep dive into the intricacies of familial relationships and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones. It’s a perfect read for anyone who loves a gripping story with well-developed characters and a setting that feels like a character in its own right.

Highly recommend to those who enjoy a blend of mystery and drama set in an idyllic location. Julia Spiro has truly delivered a gem with this novel!

3/5 stars

Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced reading copy!

I enjoyed this one overall. The mystery was solid, and I am always here for a rich-people family drama. This was a quick read -- I read it in only 2-3 sittings and in basically one day. Parts of it felt repetitive and predictable, while there were some surprising twists. I enjoyed the present-tense parts of the story, more than the flashbacks and internal monologues of the FMC. These made the story feel a bit disjointed, and while sometimes related to the overall plot, I think they could have been included in a different way.

I don't generally love post-partum stories, so this one was a little tough for me. Sometimes the motherhood stories are a struggle; I don't have kids but I would like to, and these types of stories are unrelatable and anxiety-provoking to me, despite their likely truth. Just not my thing!

Overall, this one was entertaining, just not my favorite! I'd try this author again in the future for sure.

As a woman who has struggled with motherhood, I often found this book to be difficult to read as it dealt heavily with the lonely, harder side of being a mom. There were so many feelings and scenarios that I related with which left me feeling overwhelmed.

But as much as I connected with themes of motherhood, I wasn't too enthralled with the mystery of who killed Cecelia. It definitely took backseat to Brynn's struggles as a mom. I didn't necessarily guess who the murderer was, but I wasn't shocked with the reveal.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I thought I was really going to like this book after I read the first chapter because it was so well done. However, I quickly became bored when it felt like nothing was happening beyond rehashing tired stereotypes of an overworked mom and a husband who doesn’t get it. I ended up DNFing

Know that this leans hard on the issue of post partum depression. Brynne should be on top of the world with her new baby and husband Ross at their home on Martha's Vineyard but she isn't. Everything is shaded with grey and she's exhausted. And then the body of Cecilia washes up on shore and Ross is arrested. What can she do but investigate? The question of who killed Cecilia takes a back seat to Brynne's mental health issues but that's a worthy thing. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I love that this author picked a lane and stayed in it. She knows and loves Martha's Vineyard and that's the setting for the stories she tells. It makes it atmospheric and this was no different. This time, a struggling new mom is pulled into a murder mystery that hits too close to home.