This book was a little too relatable and I’m not mad about it at all. I thought this was a pretty spot on look at the conflicts of motherhood, especially during the first year. Maya was such a complex character and it was so easy to understand her struggles with the mental/physical/emotional toll motherhood can bring while also wanting to maintain herself outside of being a mom, especially with being a CEO/founder of a company. I really liked how it explored the changes you can feel in a marriage after giving birth. There were so many nuances and layers to this part of the story and I was kind of blown away by it. I did find the Liz part of the story exciting at first, but it ended up being a bit of a let down. I think part of that was because we didn’t really get to know Liz very well and also there was not much closure once that part of the story ended. I did really enjoy the police interviews, articles and social media posts sprinkled throughout the book. That added a fun layer of mystery and suspense. Overall, as a deep look into the burdens and blessings of motherhood, I LOVED IT, but the mystery part of it was a little bland.

Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced digital reader’s copy!

The Guilt Pill is very much geared towards/targeted towards mothers, and the many directions they get pulled in when juggling motherhood with personal ambitions, love, relaxation, other relationships, etc. I'm not a mother but I have a few mom friends, and I know firsthand how much they struggle with taking time for themselves and how conflicted they feel when it's time to prioritize their needs, and often times they feel selfish when taking care of yourself and making sure you don't go crazy while juggling everything else is the least selfish thing one can do.

I felt like this was more speculative fiction than anything else, but there are some suspenseful moments that keep the pace moving, I loved the South Asian representation and the social commentary overall, but I felt like the dual timelines got a little muddled sometimes. Not in a way that was confusing, but it made the story feel dragged out in a way at some points, more specifically when it was trying to juggle being suspenseful at the same time.

Overall I loved this one and think this is a great read for moms struggling with their sense of self and those of us who care for the mothers in our lives!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

4 ⭐️s

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC.

This book was really intriguing and explored professional women's guilt in a way that I felt was so true and real. If I put too much in over here, I am not enough over there but both need me. It is so hard and I can understand the desperation for a pill to fix that guilt. I will say that parts of this were just a bit too farfetched for me, but I overall really did enjoy the concept of this story and felt so strongly for Maya.

Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced listener copy! I paired the ALC with the ARC. This was a fun read. This book is heavily centered on mom culture, but don't let that stop you from reading it! The Guilt Pill also has nuanced discussions on corporate culture, especially working in a leadership role as a woman of color. It also touched on how marriages can change after becoming new parents, as well as how your own upbringing can shape your expectations of motherhood.

The audiobook took my reading experience up a notch! It is narrated by Sharmila Devar, and she does an excellent job of portraying the cast of characters and keeping me engaged in the story. There are also snippets of social media posts, police interviews, and news articles in between the chapters that were fun to listen to. I think this is one of those books that are better read via audio!

This book is listed in the science fiction/thriller genres, and I definitely wouldn't describe it as that lol. I would describe this as a women's fiction book with elements of speculative fiction. The "thrilling" portion isn't as fleshed out or creepy as it could be for me to consider it a true thriller.

Read if you enjoy:
-Commentary on mom and girlboss culture
-South Asian representation
-Dual timelines

Would you take a pill that promises to wipe away the guilt you feel? Maya, CEO of a start up, a new mom, and a first generation American becomes friends with Liz, whose company makes the pill and finds herself spiraling differently. This is a layered novel of motherhood, classicism, racism, and so much more. It's more thoughtful and thought provoking than you might expect if you haven't read Dave's earlier work. Maya is relatable and sympathetic-and you'll root for her. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A very good read.

The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of motherhood and individuality, and the intersection between the two. With sharp wit and insightful observations, Dave delves into the challenges and joys of navigating the roles of mother and self. This novel offers a deeply human perspective on the struggles and triumphs that come with balancing personal identity and maternal responsibilities.

What an interesting look at mom guilt at its finest. Strong character development. A slow burn plot. Interesting, but just not quite enough to keep my attention.

Maya is CEO and Founder of an eco friendly company. She’s recently had a baby and is balancing motherhood, marriage, and her career, leaving her ridden with guilt. When she connects with famous girl boss, Liz, she’s introduced to a supplement that blocks female guilt.

This book did a great job of showing the pressures of working mothers, especially those that run their own business. The guilt of having to choose between career and motherhood when issues arise is real. Maya’s character makes us think: what if we didn’t have to feel that guilt? Of course the reader realizes right away that it’s not going to end well but there’s still mystery to the story. I enjoyed the business aspects of the story, as well as the influencer parts.

“With just one pink pill, she’s limitless. F*ck the rules. The rules weren’t made to benefit people like her.”

The Guilt Pill comes out 4/15.

Thank you HTP, Park Row, The Hive, and Harper Audio for the gifted digital and audio copies.

The Guilt Pill
Saumya Dave
Publishing Date: April 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)

🎧 Narrator: Sharmila Devar 🎧

This book grabbed my attention immediately when I saw that the FMC was a new mom struggling with all the guilt that comes along with motherhood. RELATABLE.

In short, “The Guilt Pill is a feminist exploration of motherhood, race, ambition, and how the world treats women who dare to go after everything they want.”

Being a mom is hard. Being a woman is hard. Being a POC is hard. Being a business woman is hard. Being all of the above can feel impossible. The pressure and expectations, the hurdles to be jumped, the judgement, the double standards, the loss of identity, the self- blame and guilt, etc.

This book has SO MUCH representation of important and often under represented topics:

💊 Mental Health
💊 Marriage Therapy
💊 Individual Therapy
💊 Drug addition and Rehabilitation.
💊 Motherhood
💊 Childbirth
💊 Breastfeeding and Pumping
💊 Postpartum Depression
💊 Childhood trauma
💊 Parental forgiveness
💊 Parentified/adultified children
💊 Racism and Sexism

The way this books shines a light on what it’s like to be a mother and try to navigate friendships, marriage, a career, and self identity while not losing yourself to the guilt that is inherently there once you have a child was truly remarkable. The way the author portrayed the complexity and reality of life while weaving in so many topics (above) was impressive and realistic.

There was a bit of a psychological thriller aspect thrown in there, that honestly I don’t even think was necessary, because the rest of the story was poignant enough all on its own. Regardless, this book is a must read for all women, but especially mothers. You will feel seen and heard, which is something we don’t often receive.

🎧 Sharmila Devar was excellent in her narration. I loved how she was able to further immerse me into the cultural aspects of this story through her accents. You can’t go wrong reading this one with your eyes or your ears.

With sharp insights on the demands of mothers and suspenseful pacing, The Guilt Pill does one of my favorite things satirical thrillers can do: take you on an entertaining journey while forcing you to face a few uncomfortable facts about our current reality.

Maya Patel "has it all:" a successful business, influencer status, a trust fund husband and a newborn. But actually managing post-partum life is turning out to be more difficult than Maya expected, and she feels guilty about everything she's missing out on. When fellow female CEO and influencer Liz Anderson introduces Maya to a new supplement that she says will take away all of her guilt, Maya jumps at the opportunity. At first, it makes everything in her life so much easier, but the longer she uses it, the more her actions change so drastically that she starts to not even recognize herself anymore. Can Maya (and other mothers everywhere) actually live a guilt free existence, or does removing guilt entirely hurt her more than it helps?

This book dives into the complicated world of motherhood with an empathetic, well-researched lens. You can feel Dave's experience as a psychiatrist and mother in the sharp commentary about how women navigate the world as mothers who want to also stay connected to their individuality. Dave deftly explores the social constructs that place women in guilt traps whether they're "too focused on their career" or "too obsessed with being home with their kids."

If you love witty satire and sharp social commentary blended up in thrillers, you HAVE to add this one to your TBR right now. Fans of Madwoman and The Push will devour The Guilt Pill!

So, I was really intrigued by this book as I really remember those hard first few years with two young kids and the constant guilt first when I was working and then when I became a SAHM during the pandemic. So, when I saw the concept of this book was about a pill for women to take away the guilt, I was so intrigued.

This book was so interesting to read just for the reactions it brought out of me. Reading this book there were moments I would have to put it down because something would remind me of those really dark and sometimes hopeless moments that can happen when you have a newborn and the resentment you may have for those around you because you are running on little to no sleep, everyone else around you making it look so easy and everyone around you having their opinion and just having to share it with you and making you feel like the worst mother ever. How you can have a "support" system in your spouse, family and friends but even with all that you are left feeling alone and like you're drowning. This book had a really raw way of exploring the guilt that can come with a new mother trying to balance it all, still be the powerful working woman she was before and dealing with family pressure until eventually you just crash and burn out. That combined with the misogyny, racism and classism just made this a very thought-provoking emotional read. I can tell you as I read this so many times, I would just think to myself I would have taken the pills too just for a moment to breath freely and not feel so alone and like a failure. My heart just broke for Maya all throughout this book because I felt like she was me at times and I just hate the idea of another woman going through. I just wanted to reach out my hand and try and help her. Unfortunately, what she and so many women go through especially in America is that everyone tells us we can have it all and encourage us to have children but then do nothing to help and support women and in fact they will everything they can to work against mothers and just make things harder for us in what honestly feels like a way to punish us and try to get us to fail.

Overall, the author did an amazing job writing this raw and thought proving book that made me feel seen in a lot of ways and emotional at times as she explored these issues. Now as much as I loved the story, I will say there were a couple small things that I felt were a little unresolved at the end that I wish had been answered but it ultimately didn't take away from the story.

Now I will say I saw this book as having a sci-fi feel to it and I don't think that really fits it is definitely a contemporary fiction and that's not a bad thing but for some they may be expecting one thing and getting another.

This book is about Maya who seemingly has it all. A start-up that is seeing some real success, a doting husband, influencer status and now a new baby. With all that you would think that her life is amazing, and she is so happy right. Well not really because behind closed doors it seems like everything is falling apart and she is drowning. Motherhood is harder than she thought and it it now starting to affect her marriage. Her best friend has her own issues and is unable to be there for her same with her family members and her company is actually going through a real rough patch that could result in them shutting their doors before the end of the year. And who is to blame for all this.... well, her of course. If only she was a better mother, wife, boss, friend and daughter then everything would be okay and not falling apart and she wouldn't feel so guilty about being a failure. But then something amazing happens, she runs into her girlboss idol Liz Anderson who says she has just the thing to help Maya, and it is the "guilt pill" which is an experimental supplement that can get rid of female guilt. It sounds too good to be true. A pill that can help get rid of her guilt, self-blame and imposter syndrome. Something that can help her be that strong, confidant, unapologetic woman she has always wanted to be. But is it worth the risk to take these pills just so she can have it all? To Maya, yes, it is worth the risk and as she takes them and feels the guilt melt away and she finally becomes the girlboss mom she has always wanted. But as those around her become concerned with the changes they see in her she to start to realize that the risk could threaten not just her company but also her family both of which she could lose when all she wanted to do was protect them.

I received this as an ARC from Net galley and HTP in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Guilt Pill was an amazing read in my opinion. The mom guilt representation was spot on. What it’s like for women and new moms in the workplace was spot on. The representation in the book was all around amazing and it was very well done. The amount of things that resonated with me was astronomical. I’ve never felt more seen from a character in any book I’ve ever read. The book did take a weird turn of events I wasn’t expecting and that side of things was left unresolved, which I didn’t really like. Overall I would say the story did tie up nicely though and left you with a feel good feeling. This was a five star read for me and I would recommend it to any woman, new mom, seasoned mom, and everyone in between. I need a trophy copy to tab because I just loved this book so much!

My first book from this author and did not disappoint. The message and the character from the book, Maya, was SOO relatable even though I’m not a mother. The guilt real, trying to juggle it all and still be there for yourself and others especially in a community where women’s success is not always prioritized or taken seriously. Highly recommend this book. I have already had my friends and family put it in their TBR list and if you’re reading this, you should add it to yours!

Thank you NetGalley and Saumya Dave for allowing me to read an early copy!

A gripping view of motherhood, the pressures of success and how it impacts women (and women of color) specifically.
Highly recommend!

THE GUILT PILL by Saumya Dave asks the age-old question: Can a woman truly have it all? You know, a solid marriage, a successful career, 2.5 children, hobbies, a social life, and everything else that their heart desires? Maya Patel is a CEO on maternity leave trying to balance her career and caring for her newborn son. Dave captures first-time/early motherhood SO well in this story—the anxiety, exhaustion, loneliness, confusion, and you guessed it—the GUILT!

QUICK SYNOPSIS:
“𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤, 𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥, 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.”

I love how Dave blends multiple genres together in THE GUILT PILL. For the most part, I’d call it contemporary/women’s fiction, yet there’s also a teeny tiny touch of speculative fiction with a slight thriller/mystery vibe as well. There’s truly something for everyone.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Complex female friendships
- Marriage and motherhood
- Family drama and dynamics
- #girlboss/female CEO storyline
- Strong female characters
- Social media/influencer lifestyle
- Feminist undertones
- Themes of race, class, and privilege
- Slow-burning mysteries
- Character-driven novels
- Genre mash-ups

This was my first time reading one of Saumya Dave’s novels, and it most certainly will NOT be my last. The way she weaves all of my very favorite themes together—motherhood, marriage, and female friendship—was pure perfection.👌

THE GUILT PILL releases on April 15th! 4/5 stars!

Definitely was not expecting the mystery/thriller aspect based on the description, though I did enjoy it.

The commentary around women trying to “have it all” is definitely needed these days. The struggles and judgement that Maya faces while on maternity leave are so real and isn’t talked about enough.

Amazing novel concerning woman with maternity leave, the guilt of leaving our little ones behind, very raw and emotional.

Doesn't disappoint.

Thanks to netgalley for this ARC. This is my honest feedback.

Maya is a CEO who looks to be doing it all, but behind all those perfect photos is someone who is struggling. She decides to take a pill to erase guilt and then she vanishes. Guilt is a topic that a lot of books fail to capture accurately especially for women, and I thought this book did a great job with it. This was a good mix of women's fiction and mystery. I thought it was very fast-paced and enjoyable to read.

Beta, you’re driving me nuts.

Our main character is struggling. Her new friend has the perfect easy fix solution! What could possibly go wrong?

The story is told from Maya’s perspective with bits of media sprinkled in at the end of each chapter. That helped keep the mystery high and the pace from flatlining.

I deeply resonated with the internal thoughts and outside struggles Maya was having. I have felt it all before. Even still, near the 75% mark it got to the point where even I was frustrated with her. She started to feel whiny and my sympathy was fading. I was extremely pleased with the final quarter of the book and all that happened there. Everything was addressed without the cliche of wrapping everything up in a tidy bow.

The themes explored in this book are important and will resonate with many working mothers, women of color, people pleasers, overachievers, etc.

In a lot of ways, I feel like this book was tailor made for a woman like me: a story centered around a woman of color with a young baby working in a high-level and competitive professional field trying to balance it all. That's literally me. So I expected it would hit hard. While "The Guilt Pill" is super readable, engaging, and impossible to put down, it didn't quite land the way I hoped.

The novel explores the impossible expectations placed on working mothers, the gendered and racialized dynamics of the workplace, and the simmering resentment toward men who just don't get it. These themes are totally real and I found myself nodding along as Dave unpacked them. But they're also *everywhere* in contemporary fiction right now. This whole book felt like a remix on a conversation that professional women have been having for awhile now. The sci-fi twist of an experimental pill that makes the guilt go away adds an interesting dimension, but it still wasn't enough to make the story feel fresh for me. The themes are important, but I don't feel that this book brought new depth to the conversation that's dominating books, media, and my mom friend group chat.

Something else I think about this book that I'm not sure will make sense to others is that I think it's ironic that "The Guilt Pill" is basically a critique of momfluencer #girlboss culture, yet its own commentary on guilt, ambition, and motherhood has the same energy as an Instagram infographic. How many times have I seen some woman branding herself a mommy anti-influencer posting her messy house or whatever with some self-deprecating caption about how "it's okay not to be okay" and a reminder that we're all doing our best. It's relatable, sure, but it's also something we've seen before.

All of that said, "The Guilt Pill" was super engaging and a good read. I just wish it had pushed the premise a little further or had something new to say instead of landing where so many others already have.