Audiobook

Such a Good Mom follows the life of new mom Brynn Nelson as she battles with the struggles and exhaustion of newborn life. Suffering from PPD, losing her sense of self, and feeling disconnected from her husband, Brynn is in despair. Then her husband is arrested for the murder of a local girl, and Brynn spirals further. All the evidence conveniently points at her husband, but she doesn't believe it in her heart. Can she help rescue him?

Representing the reality of newborn life is a breath of fresh air. It's lonely, terrifying, and almost impossible to communicate. Brynn's feelings were relatable, especially the intergenerational feelings and resentment towards one's mother once you become one. The murder and related plot aren't the most substantial parts of the book, but the other parts make up for it.

Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Audio, for this early listening copy.

Such a Good Mom had a really compelling premise—a murder mystery set against the backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, told through the lens of a new mom dealing with postpartum struggles? I was immediately intrigued. Julia Spiro did a great job capturing the raw exhaustion and identity crisis that can come with early motherhood, and Brynn’s inner turmoil felt very real and relatable.

I listened to this one on audio, and the narration was solid—easy to follow and well-paced. The narrator captured Brynn’s exhaustion and uncertainty really well, which added to the emotional weight of her journey. That said, it didn’t necessarily elevate the suspense elements or hook me the way I’d hoped an audiobook might.

The pacing of the story was a bit uneven overall. The first half leaned more heavily into Brynn’s emotional journey and domestic life, while the mystery didn’t really take off until later in the book. I found myself wishing the suspense had been more tightly woven throughout. And while there were definitely some twists and turns—I called the twist pretty early, which took away some of the impact.

The setting was beautifully described, and I appreciated the commentary on privilege and appearances in tight-knit island communities. And while I empathized with Brynn’s experience, I had a harder time connecting with some of the other characters, which made it tougher to feel fully invested.

Overall, a solid listen with some poignant moments and strong emotional depth, especially around motherhood—but it didn’t quite hit the mark as a mystery for me. A decent pick if you’re in the mood for light suspense paired with domestic drama.

Rating: 4.25

Review:

Right off the bat I loved narrator Abigail Reno's voice and will be looking into any other books she has narrated. I enjoyed how the book started out with a "tell me a story feeling". It felt like I was sitting at the kitchen table with the friend group and I was being let in on the inner thoughts of Bryne's take on gossip on the island. As the book progressed, the jumble of her feelings about all the people in her life felt so real, I appreciate author, Julie Spiro's choice to show the flaws in her main character and to give a balanced view of what new motherhood truly feels like. I will say there were one or two moments that it felt a little after school special, but through her characters the author offers coping mechanisms for postpardum depression. It's such an unusual choice for fiction. These paragraphs read more like a self help book but I imagine many women in that stage of their lives would really relate and would benefit from seeing what might be their experience expressed in the story.

As for the mystery, it took a while for that to get going and even longer for what felt like two separate tales to come together into one narrative, but I ultimately feel it was worth the wait.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free listen To the audiobook.

Blurb:

With a healthy newborn baby, a devoted husband, a successful career, and a busy life on Martha’s Vineyard, Brynn Nelson should be the happiest she’s ever been. But Brynn is struggling. Her husband, Ross, grows more distant by the day, and the challenges and exhaustion of postpartum make Brynn feel like she’s slowly losing pieces of herself to motherhood. Pieces that she might never get back.

But it’s summer on the Vineyard, a beacon for wealthy visitors, and a place so beautiful that it seems immune to tragedy and crime. Except for locals, like Brynn, who know all too well that tragedy can strike at any point. And this time, it hits close to home when a friend of the family is found washed ashore dead and Brynn’s already hectic life is turned upside down when Ross is arrested for the crime.

Left reeling with more questions than answers, Brynn’s only path forward is to find out who really killed Cecelia Buckley, even if it means it was her husband. She’s not sure who she’s able to trust anymore. And with the dizzying, endless cycle of sleepless nights, diapers, and bottles, Brynn’s not even sure she can trust herself. She’s not sure of anything anymore, but she won’t stop until she finds the truth.

Bestselling author Julia Spiro is known for writing characters readers instantly connect to. With Such a Good Mom, Spiro brings the real and layered Martha’s Vineyard to life through the eyes of a new mom trying to get her family out of the eye of the storm that is a murder investigation.

This book was real and raw for me as a mom. The thoughts and feelings Brynn had as a new mom are so common but unspoken. I loved how her journey with motherhood paralleled with her navigating her world as her husband gets arrested for murder! I say this time and time again, I love a book with dramatic rich people. When done well it adds a flair to the book.

I would say to all moms new or veteraned this book is a raw fictional take on motherhood and identity. Brynn does have some intrusive thoughts that maybe triggering for some.

I was entertained and sucked into this book the whole time. I loved the audio. Thank MacMillian Audio for this ALC.

This domestic thriller delivered a gripping plot and a solid twist. While I prefer a faster pace, the slow unraveling of Brynn’s life kept me hooked. The author captured the exhaustion and isolation of postpartum life so well—it took me right back to those tough newborn days.

The Martha’s Vineyard setting added to the intrigue, its idyllic beauty clashing with the darkness creeping into Brynn’s world. As she struggles with doubt and the shocking accusations against her husband, the tension builds steadily, making it hard to put down.

Though the pacing lagged at times, the mystery was well-crafted, and the emotional depth made it stand out. A compelling, atmospheric read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

DNFing this one at 32%. Bryn's postpartum depression is so vivid that it is triggering me. I may pick this one back up because I am truly engaged, but for now, I am tabling it.

My first book by this author, but certainly not my last. I am a huge Elin Hilderbrand fan, so I knew this book was right up my alley. A murder mystery, taking place on the small, picturesque island of Martha’s Vineyard. Everyone is connected, and there could be a lot of motives, so who did it?
I love the small town feel with an air of mystery. This is a perfect summer, beach read

This author also writes heavily about postpartum and the experience of becoming a first time mom. There were so many times listening that I actually said oh my God or oh wow out loud because of how much it brought me back to a place you almost forget exists once you’re on the other side. At one point in the book, she describes the fact motherhood has you forgetting how hard it actually was at the time. I love being a mom and have more confidence, but I would say most women and I certainly was one of them, were so sad and so unsure for so long in the beginning. Always second-guessing and questioning every decision that got us here and are we enough. I think so many times women are afraid to recall motherhood truthfully because we grow to love our children so much that we feel guilty for ever feeling any other way. Makes complete sense, but it is also refreshing hearing someone else write about it, it felt like talking to a best friend!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this book.

This one was fast paced, the narrator was great, and the story was full of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this one and feel like anyone wanting a quick thriller, this is the one!

SUCH A GOOD MOM was a great story that kept me up late at night. It is an emotional read but also one I won't soon forget. Thank you so much for my gifted ALC.

I read the excerpt from the Minotaur sampler and was looking forward to this book because it starts off with a bang. Unfortunately, it focused entirely on the protagonist and the mystery was insignificant. Yes there is a murder but the story is told from Brynn’s POV, she is completely focused on herself. I understand that she’s experiencing postpartum depression which is an important topic but she’s also extremely self-centered and exhausting. I have never disliked a character so much.
Personally, I feel that if this novel was listed as women’s fiction and/or the synopsis was written differently, the target audience would not be the same. This is not a mystery thriller in my opinion; Poor Cecelia is completely lost in this story until the few chapters.
I do believe the plot had potential as a mystery and it was well-written.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an advance audiobook copy of Such a Good Mom by Julia Spiro from netgalley.

I really liked this book. The narration was well done and enjoyable to listen to.

Such a Good Mom has a little of everything. I could totally relate to the struggles of new motherhood and all the comes with it.

There's plenty of mystery and suspense. The twists will blow your mind. Definitely a recommended read.

4.5 stars! I know this book has mixed reviews, but I thought it was great if you appreciate a good domestic thriller. I'm also a sucker for any novel set on Martha's Vineyard, so that helped. That being said, I can see how those who have not personally experienced pregnancy and/or motherhood may not find Such A Good Mom and it's female main character (Brynn) relatable, but for those who have, Spiro writes in searing honesty about the experience of new moms.

Brynn is struggling juggling the responsibilities of a new baby with her job as a writer on an idyllic and affluent island. Like may in the postpartum phase, she experiences brain fog, negative thoughts about her altered body, and feels increasingly distant from and misunderstood by her husband. Perpetually exhausted and at her wit's end, her life crumbles when the dead body of a young woman on the island is discovered, and her husband is subsequently arrested for murder.

Brynn's journalistic instinct kicks in, and she decides to investigate whether her husband is really guilty, or he is being framed by someone else on the island. However, her chronic fatigue and "baby brain" make her a bit of an unreliable narrator, as she is constantly second guessing herself, her husband, and her life's choices. I loved the plot twists combined with the raw and emotional insight into the trials and tribulations of mothers, which really resonated with me and made for a compelling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled to get through this one due to the emphasis on the FMC’s battle with postpartum depression rather than the actual mystery plot line. The cover and synopsis led me to feel the book would be a good summer beach mystery, but the subject was much heavier than anticipated. As someone who was diagnosed with PPD and failed to emotionally connect to with my firstborn infant, I can attest that Spiro’s portrayal of these struggled are incredibly realistic. I think there was a good premise here, but the murder mystery plot just lacked enough originality to hold my attention. However, I will definitely give this author a second chance!

The audiobook narrator did a nice job portraying the FMC’s anxieties, struggled, and captured the suspense of the mystery well.

I absolutely loved this book! If I hadn’t been able to figure out who did it way before the book ended, I would have for sure given it five stars. Even with figuring out the main plot, I felt like there were still plenty of small twists and turns to keep me entertained. I would definitely recommend this book to others!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC audiobook.

This was a miss for me. A woman dealing with postpartum deals with her husband being main suspect in murder. The premise sounded amazing, but missed the mark for me to be a great thriller.

#ad many thanks to StMartins Press for my advance copy & @netgalley for the ALC

Umm. Hmm. Okay. I liked? This book - the mystery intrigued me, the writing was great, and so were the characters. But most of this book is focused on postpartum, gender roles, chapped nipples and being a new mom.

The book would have been fantastic if it didn’t keep going on and on about these issues. I’d say the book is 75% about being a new mom - which was relatable - while the other 25% focuses on the mystery. Seriously I must have read/heard the word “nipples” at least 5000 times.

You might enjoy this one more if you’re looking for more of a women’s lit type of book with a light murder mystery. If you’re expecting a mystery/thriller well, you will get that too but you’ll also get a bunch of repeating troubles on motherhood.

I don’t even know how to rate this book. There’s so much that’s great about it but also a lot that isn’t.

Will def check out future books by this author however because I enjoyed her writing. The audio was perfect however and the narrators really did a great job.

If you are looking for a story that is about a mother struggling with postpartum depression (and maybe even anxiety) this is the book for you. The struggles of postpartum motherhood and mental health challenges are well depicted. But that is pretty much all the book is about. The FMC is struggling with postpartum when her husband is arrested for murder. She struggles with her feelings towards him and motherhood. She is resistant to help and trusts very few people. The book was more about her struggles than the murder, which I was not expecting. I wanted a little more from the murder aspect of the story, which was fine, but predictable and not the main focus. I think if you want a story about mental health challenges, especially as a new mother, this book will check all of your boxes. It was just not what I was looking for and became repetitive and frustrating to me (not the depression, but the constant descriptions of her challenges.)

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

I liked the premise of this book.

New Mom Brynn lives on Martha's vineyard with her husband. She's a successful woman with a busy life, but she is now suffering from post-partum depression.

When her husband is accused of murder, she is stunned - he wouldn't do that, would he? She decides she needs to find out who the real murder is, but she's barely functional.

I struggled a little with the book, as it's not really a mystery, and is more women's fiction. It is certainly not a beach read, as it brings up a lot of difficult situations. Brynn is unable to really bond with her baby and regrets having given birth at times. There is a lot of information about caring for a newborn, and it's repeated several times. I think women who have struggled with depression like this would appreciate this book, but for me it dragged.

I listened to the book and I think the narrator did a good job with the places and people. She sounded very sympathetic of Brynn's situations.

I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I did want Brynn to resolve her issues of postpartum depression, anxiety around motherhood, and being somewhat estranged from her parents, and all that took some time!

The story is set on Martha’s Vineyard. Brynn’s husband Ross is part of a family construction business and his father, mother, and brother are somewhat overpowering and definitely have insinuated themselves in Brynn’s life, especially his mother Margo. A murder occurs on the island shortly after Brynn and Ross become parents, and Ross is arrested for the crime. The author did a good job of setting up that mystery and I was in the dark until shortly before the reveal.

The narration was really top notch! I loved the audiobook and highly recommend it. Motherhood changes women, some more than others, and I could identify with Brynn on several levels.

Four sparkling stars! I enjoyed the book.

I received a copy of the digital ALC via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Collen Chi-Girl on GR
3 STARS
Pub Date Apr 29 2025
Macmillan Audio
Author: Julia Spiro; Narrator: Abigail Reno

I love a good audiobook and enjoyed most of this one. I'm not sure if it's really a beach read or a mystery/thriller, but what Julia Spiro nails is suffering in young motherhood with postpartum depression. The FMC Brynn grew up on Martha's Vineyard, but without the moneyed family like many of the islanders. Her parents are hardworking teachers who eventually had to leave the island in order to retire on the nearby mainland and they don't seem to emotionally support her.

Brynn is married to a local man, Ross, who comes from the very wealthy families we hear about. She is a new mother and going through severe postpartum depression. It's so bad that she should've sought help, but how often do we care for others and not for our own very serious problems and needs. Because of her severe PPD and feeling abandoned by her sweet but unhelpful husband, Brynn's world is pretty tough and therefore, we readers live through it too through her POV. Her constant self-doubt, complaining, imagined and real reasons for negativity and depression, are hard to listen to during the entire novel. Nothing about this is a beach read because of this, so I'd highly suggest the publisher relabel this.

Brynn must have been an amazing person at one time because she has THE BEST AND KINDEST pack of friends anyone could imagine. They're supportive and wonderful in every way, and one of them is a mom of 3 who obviously floats through young motherhood with positivity and delight. Brynn and her husband barely speak to each other, but when they do, Ross is always complementary and loving, however, he isn't a true partner who sees what his wife is going through and joins in at home to take part in his baby and wife's lives. He does offer on occasion "to help her" by unloading the dishwasher, or watching his baby so Brynn can shower and feels like he did amazing things. For this generation on a hip island, Ross has a very 1950s viewpoint of fatherhood. He does enlist the help of his Mom, which gives Brynn much needed breaks by watching their baby. Brynn just can't seem to pull it together with the help of her friends and MIL, and is very angry with Ross without communicating to him what her expectations of this family journey are and what she needs from him. This became spiraling, repetitive, depressing, and annoying, because I expected a mystery or thriller, and also because like many other mothers, I raised my child without my parents, in-law's, or adult siblings nearby, while all my friends had their own busy lives and children. BUT, I didn't suffer from PPD (just sheer exhaustion), and I had a husband who jumped in whenever he was home. Motherhood isn't easy as we all know.


Eventually the story switches to a mystery when a local woman is found drowned, and of all people, her husband, Ross, is charged with her murder. Could things get worse for Brynn!? She begins doubting how well she knows her husband and her imagination of what he did/does is pretty awful. . Her fragile mental state is core to ongoing feelings and her lack of reality. I think I would've enjoyed this story just as a female literature story of this time period in a young mother's life, even without the mystery. But I hung in there and used some suspending disbelief as the ending unfolded.

Thank you to Macmilliam Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.