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3.5/4 🌟

Thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book!

Semi-spoilers!

This was a good read that did keep me guessing throughout most of it what was actually going on. When I was certain it was one thing, a strange comment or action just threw it out of whack but I like where it ended and it did really make sense.

One thing I found a bit strange was just how long it took to get to the actual story. 20% her sister only just passed away, 40% she only just found out she was pregnant. It just felt like it could’ve been a lot shorter if it cut out a lot of the beginning and got straight into it.

Overall an interesting read just not one that I loved, but still kept me in suspense.

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Oof, this is the closest I’ve come to genuinely hating a book. Intriguing idea, terrible execution.

Energy: Vapid. Gaspy. Dramatic.

🐺 Growls: Bloated, repetitive, overwritten filler that circled a few plot points. Exaggerated tension and ‘dramatic’ cliffhangers. Over-explaining. Every character sounded the same. Dialogue read too formal (and like bad acting). We know the MC is pregnant from the synopsis but endure vomit/nausea descriptions for soooo long. Everyone made irrational decisions. Constantly reminding us how dangerous situations are. Tired, cliched thriller tropes (random POV switch, mental illness twists, outdated & potentially insensitive ‘shocking reveals’).

Scene: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇷 London, England. Côte d’Azur, France
Perspectives (2): A talented but unrecognized pastry chef who is grieving a loss and wants to focus on their career but finds out they’re pregnant. The spouse of the person who hired the pastry chef to be a personal chef.
Timeline: Linear, leading up to an incident. 2010s or 2020s
Narrative: Listening to characters, deep in their minds (first person)
Fuel: What will happen with the twin sister’s illness? Who is the couple that wants our MC to work for them? Why do they seem to have a strange dynamic? What will our MC do about their baby?
Cred: Over-the-top illogical

Mood Reading Match-Up:
Villa. Nausea. Dizziness. Ultrasound. Freezer. Nausea. Dizziness. Ultrasound. Freezer. Nausea…
• Overly simplistic, cheesy, and melodramatic writing style
• Bumbling, naïve, foolish, mean, unhinged, and villainous characters
• Domestic melodrama & horrific things happening
• Dumb MC
• Adoption schemes
• Abuse, grief, trauma, and illness twisters
• Reluctant motherhood
• Plot-drive popcorn thriller structure
• Casual fling
• Twin bonds

Content Heads-Up: Ableism/lookism (cleft palate). Adoption (illegal). Abortion (forced; discussion). Bullying (workplace; misogyny, sabotage). Child abuse (baby). Chronic kidney disease. Confinement. Dementia (recall). Domestic abuse, violence. Drugging (forced medication). Financial insecurity. Grief (on page, descriptive). Loss of child (baby). Loss of sibling. Medical (transplant; hemorrhage). Miscarriage (recall). Post natal depression. Sexual content (behind closed doors). Suicidal thoughts. Vomit (frequent).

Rep: British. Cis. Lesbian. Hetero. Beetroot red, pale skin tones.

📚 Format: Advance Reader’s Copy from Inkubator Books and NetGalley

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I actually didn’t guess the ending for this one. Surprisingly it kept me guessing. A fast paced and enthralling read with very Freida McFadden esque writing, however I actually cried in this one. There were a few emotional parts that took me by surprise. It also had some pretty creepy sinister moments with one particularly crazy character. Overall good read. A couple slow parts it could have done without but worth the read.

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I actually ended up liking this one more than I expected. The writing is solid, and the story pulls you in right away with a strong premise that slowly builds tension throughout. It’s not exactly fast-paced, but I didn’t mind that—it felt more like a slow burn in a good way.

There were definitely some slower moments in the middle that could’ve been trimmed, but overall the pacing worked. I found myself wanting to know what happened next, even when things quieted down a bit.

The characters had depth, and while not all of them fully clicked with me, a few stood out and added layers to the story. There’s a subtle emotional undercurrent that I appreciated more as the book went on.

It’s not a perfect read, but it kept me engaged, and I think it’ll stick with me longer than I expected. I’d definitely read more from Jessica Huntley after this. Solid 4 stars.

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This was a dark twisty thriller, gripping and oh my! with one cray characters! It was really engrossing and interesting read.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Inkubator Books for another amazing ARC read.

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I liked this book because it has the theme of adoption in it. It is creepy and sinister. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to reading more books by her.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins by introducing us to Brittany, a talented and well-liked pastry chef who lives with her unwell twin sister. Her dream is of owning a restaurant one day and escaping her tyrannical boss, but she is currently supporting her sister who is unable to work due to kidney failure. As their debts pile up, Brittany prepares to donate a kidney—only to be denied leave by her boss. With no other option to save her sister, Brittany quits her job.

The first part of this book is touching and heartwarming. The bond between the sisters is beautifully written, and it was heartbreaking to watch Brittany fall apart after her sister’s death. Still, she gradually pulls herself together and tries to move on.

The story then takes a dramatic turn when a wealthy couple, the Daltons, walk into a restaurant and offer Brittany the opportunity of a lifetime: to work for them at their French villa and on their private yacht, with all her outstanding debts cleared. It seems like the perfect fresh start, especially after everything she’s been through. But shortly after accepting the offer, Brittany discovers she’s pregnant—and the Daltons’ flawless facade begins to crack. They offer to adopt the baby, and while it initially seems like a simple arrangement, things quickly become more and more unsettling.

I loved Brittany’s character—she’s incredibly likeable, and I was rooting for her to succeed. This was a book I didn’t want to put down! The short chapters made it easy to keep saying “just one more,” until it was far too late at night. It was shaping up to be a five-star read for me.

However, the “twist” was less of a twist and more of a revelation, and I didn’t find it especially surprising—which was a bit of a letdown. That said, I still really enjoyed the book overall and would highly recommend it!

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I gave this book a 4.5/5 ⭐️. This book started off great and it was entertaining to me. It was emotional in some parts and I felt like I could really connect with Brittney and her sister. It was suspenseful where I wanted to continue reading. I was a little shocked by the plot twist, because for some reason I wasn’t expecting it. I think it’s good how this book highlights a little bit about postpartum depression. It’s sad and some parts were difficult to read. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I would love to get more of Angela’s POV about all this.

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The Good Parents - Jessica Huntley

Trigger - Baby Loss + Baby Murder + Murder

Wow how absurd! What an emotional read, very dark, very compelling and totally wicked!

Twins Brittany and Clara are typical young ladies trying to get by in life the best they can. Brittany, racking up debt that her sister knows nothing about and Clara, trying to find the positives wherever possible even though she has a life threatening illness.

…Brittany loves her job and thrives on doing well. One evening she meets Angela and John while they are out dining and scouting for someone special to join their staff. Brittany’s life takes an unexpected turn when she gets an offer she can’t refuse, but is it too good to be true? …
Brittany meets Margo, who seems to be a pain in her arse, with snidey comments and dirty looks, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“The only positive is that I’ll join Clara wherever she is, but what about my baby? She hasn’t even had a chance to live yet. And that’s all the motivation I need to somehow find the strength to ram my hard cast into his balls. John’s eyes bulge and his teeth clamp down on his tongue, drawing blood. He retches, the pressure around my throat finally releases, and I fall to the side, collapsing on the deck.”

Angela sees the light of day and sees John for what he is and what he’s done and now she is left to pay the price. … Brittany gets a pay off, ‘twenty-five thousand pound’ to be exact, which isn’t the million she was promised but she’s glad it’s all over and she can move on. Brittany & Margo both use their payoff money from Angela and John to open a restaurant together. Brittany with her new sidekick, Margo are the dream team. She starts live her dream as Clara would have wanted. Gordon Ramsey approves of the ultimate dessert menu and gave a shiny review - “Take that, Chef Andre!”

A great read, highly recommend! And now to seek more great books by Jessica Huntley

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This book was a good read! It is my first book by this author and I will go for more!

Brittany Young is talented pastry chef, with bright future, till she face tragic loss of her twin sister. Weight of grief crush her, but with support of her friend she manage to find a temporary job, which lead her to meet her to find position, which seems like a dream come true. Far away from home, dream environment and new perspectives. It don’t last long, and she drop into whirlwind of events, which lead to surprising results.

I enjoyed the story, the unexpected changes. How author build a character and that you feel attached and go through emotions together. One downside of this book, the first part dragging a bit. All emotions are shown in detail, and we can really feel it, but at the same time there is wait for new action to happen. Also there are still many questions, that hasn’t been answered. Where u understand some may wait for the continuation of this book, but some just needed closing and are left a bit to own interpretation, where in this case, I would prefer to find answers.

I would recommend this book to anyone that like a read, that keep you there till the last page and even ending isn’t that obvious.

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Jessica Huntley's The Good Parents is a gripping domestic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Inkubator books and NetGalley for this copy in return for my honest review

The story begins with the bond between Brittany and her ill twin sister Clara who later passes. But this story quickly gives way to chilling suspense when Brittany while grieving and working accepts a dream job with the Dalton family, an offer that seems too good to be true. Her unexpected pregnancy and the Daltons' subsequent adoption offer set off a chain of events that will leave you breathless. With short, impactful chapters and a relatable protagonist, The Good Parents is a true page-turner, delivering a fast-paced, emotionally resonant read. While the final twist was not be earth-shattering, the journey was well worth it. Perfect for fans who appreciate a blend of suspense and heartfelt emotion.

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The Good Parents by Jessica Huntley

This one pulled me in fast. We start with Brittany, a struggling pastry chef living with her medically unwell twin sister, both drowning in debt, but full of love and quiet resilience. I could’ve read an entire novel just about these two. Their bond was tender, real, and honestly one of the most heartwarming parts of the book.

But this is a thriller, so of course, things take a sharp turn when the mysterious and ultra-wealthy Daltons offer Brittany a dream job at their villa and yacht with her debts wiped clean. Sounds too good to be true, right? Spoiler: it is. When Brittany finds herself pregnant and the Daltons offer to adopt the baby, everything begins to unravel in chilling, suspenseful fashion.

I was hooked. Short chapters, high tension, and a relatable heroine made this a true “just one more chapter” read. It gave me major Frieda McFadden vibes: gripping, twisty, and binge-worthy.

While I was hoping for a stronger twist at the end, the journey there was worth it. Fast, fun, and full of emotional depth. I didn’t want to put this one down.

Quick, suspenseful, and perfect for fans of domestic thrillers with a touch of heart.

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This one has a slow start but you quickly learn all is not as it seems. This dark psychological thriller will keep you trying to see around it's dark corners. Intriguing characters will keep you entertained.

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This book was OK, but not super memorable. It centers on Brittany, who is devastated after her twin passes away and takes the chance on a pastry chef job for a rich couple in France to escape her regular life. Lo and behold, she ends up pregnant and the couple is very interested in adopting her baby. As she spends more time in the manor and with this cast of characters, she realizes that not everything is what it seems, and she needs to untangle who is telling the truth before she makes a terrible mistake with the fate of her unborn child.

The pacing of the book was slow, with lots of attention paid to Brittany's internal monologue and her grief and sadness over the death of her sister. While her feelings are of course understandable, it felt repetitive to me and took away from any action in the story. I also felt that the subject matter itself had been covered similarly in other books and there was nothing super new in this story, though there were a couple of twists. I liked the way it ended up and thought that the ending fit with the rest of the story.

Overall, OK read but the pacing and the overall story didn't really do it for me. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Brittany and Clara are twins. Clara needs a kidney transplant and who better than a twin. Shortly after a successful surgery Clara dies. Brittany is despondent, emotionally and financially. She meets a couple in the restaurant where she is the head pastry chef who offer a way out of her troubles. Come to their villa in France and work for them. She unwittingly signs an NDA and goes to France. At first everything seems fine but there are some red flags. Then Brittany finds out she's pregnant from a one-night stand shortly before going to France. When her employers find out that she isn't interested in keeping her baby and is willing for them to adopt it when it's born. Lots of rules for her to follow after the contract is signed and she realizes she's made a horrible mistake. She is in too deep and can't see a way out. This is a very twisted story of regret and being emotionally vulnerable. I enjoyed the book and thank the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book.

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This almost felt like two different stories, but they came together and made a gripping read. Some unpleasant characters made it a very interesting story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review. I enjoyed it

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This book was awesome I never read a book I just also before I'm glad I took the pants and I want to thank them for choosing me to review this book because I really enjoyed it. The twist in this book are awesome you're never going to expect it. I read it in a couple days I really enjoyed it.

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If you've read the blurb, and read other reviews, you'll know that this tale concerns Brittany, a pastry chef who loses her job during tragic circumstances. That really is all I can tell you at the moment because here I am...26% of the way in on my Kindle and Brittany is still grieving, understandably, and still looking for a decent job. At the moment she's waitressing just to make ends meet.

When does this start to get interesting? Is it me? Am I missing some crucial plot twist? Nothing has happened – apart from her loss and the never-ending grief which is described in painful detail, over and over again, leaving me feeling like I've been bludgeoned repeatedly with a blunt object.

This is supposed to be a “domestic thriller”. When does it become thrilling? Because surely by now, at almost a third of the way in I should begin to see something thrilling. This has been described as “fast-paced”. Really? For me this is a slow, plodding-through-porridge-with-lead-in-my-wellies story which I am going to add to my ever growing To Be Deleted list.

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A great book.....
Clara and Brittany are identical twins, the live together in a flat, but Clara has a medical condition affecting her kidneys., when her condition declines, she needs a transplant and Brittany offers one of hers. Unfortunately there are complications in the surgery and Clara loses her life.
When Brittany is offered pastry chef at an exclusive home which includes a yacht,Brittany agrees The Daltons are very charming but something isn't right but what?? Highly recommend

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I read this in 2 days. Kept me hooked the whole time. Twists were pretty good
Also posted on Goodreads

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