This thriller kept me guessing from start to finish. It was dark, disturbing, and very twisted. Some of it was a little over the top but still kept me interested. Jessica Huntley masterfully creates a page-turner that is hard to put down. Thank you NetGalley and Inkubator Books for my copy.

An enjoyable, easy read. The beginning was a little slow as the background was set, then it raced to the end.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you Netgalley, Jessica Hunley, and Inkubator books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WTF did I just read. My head is spinning and I don't know whether I want to cry, laugh, or scream. So much happened in this book and the synopsis doesn't even give you a clue to what you are reading. For the first 30% of the book (which was tragic and sad) I didn't even know if I was reading the right book. Because nothing was what it was supposed to be. The ending broke my heart and made me smile at the same time. Thank you again for allowing me to read this great piece of work."

Dark, twisted, and utterly unputdownable, The Good Parents is a fast-paced thriller packed with so many twists you’ll get whiplash. Told through dual narratives, it follows Brittany, a young chef still grieving her twin sister’s death, as she takes a job with a wealthy couple—only to discover they’re the “psycho couple from hell.”

Huntley masterfully builds tension, weaving in themes of pregnancy and postnatal depression while keeping the shocks coming. If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, this one’s a must-read!

The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because the description spoiled the first fifth of the book.

I'm going to warn you that the first 30% of this book could have been reduced to about 2 pages of backstory. It takes forever to get to the actual plot!

Once you do, it's definitely interesting. Our characters - especially our couple - are really odd and very fun to read.

As for our MC, I was a little frustrated with her decision making skills (i.e. none), but she was definitely entertaining and had me munching the popcorn.

The truth behind everything is both sad and seriously over the top.

Overall a fun read.

REVIEW

Wow!!! Just wow!!! What a face paced thought-provoking read!

I was gripped from the first chapter and couldn't put it down!

The story follows a pastry chef who goes to live and work for a famous rich couple after losing her sister tragically! She leaves for the job, feeling alone in the world, not knowing at the time she is not as alone as she thought!
The family she goes to work for are desperate for a baby ... she is desperate to not have a baby ... it seems there's a simple solution where everyone wins!
What follows are twists and turns and an emotional roller coaster!
Not everything is as it seems!
Who should you believe, and who should you trust?
Who is desperate, and what lengths will they go to to get what they want?

I give this a 4.5 out of 5. I absolutely loved the story line there were just some parts that felt a little far fetched after the amazing opening but that's just my opinion although the base of the story is a solid 5 / 5 for me and the characters especially held my attention the whole time!

@netgalley @jessica_reading_writing

This book was definitely a rollercoaster, especially after part two began. Part one was a little slow but once the story kicked off and found its feet it made for a good psychological thriller.

Things I liked:

- the angela chapters were so well crafted and kept the story mysterious and interesting.

- the use of language such as “purchase” to emphasis that something was weird and controlled from the beginning.

- the way the subtle signs of control was there with the couple from the beginning.

- the sister bond with Cara and how grief was dealt with.

- The plot twist and the subtle manipulation

- margo in general.
What I didn’t like:

- Part one was a little slow and the pacing felt off.

- the way abortion was discussed sometimes felt a little uncomfortable at times and off from the character, however the theme of killing kids and then that tying with abortion felt wrong.

- The last few chapters felt a little rushed, and I wished we seen more of angela slowly realising and not just becoming aware in a second ( although i can see others loving this)


Overall, I enjoyed this book and had a fun time picking apart the characters to find out what was really happening.

-

📖 Genre: Psychological Thriller ⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

📚 Overview
The Good Parents is a gripping psychological thriller by Jessica Huntley, set to be published on April 6, 2025. The story follows Brittany, who lands her dream job as a live-in nanny for the affluent Dalton family. However, as she becomes more involved in their lives, Brittany begins to suspect that someone is trying to harm her and her unborn child. As she delves deeper, she realizes she's entangled in a dangerous game and must uncover the Daltons' dark secrets before it's too late.

🧐 What I Loved
✔ Compelling Protagonist: Brittany's character is well-developed, and her vulnerability combined with determination makes her relatable and engaging.

✔ Atmospheric Setting: The opulent yet eerie Dalton household serves as a perfect backdrop, enhancing the suspense and sense of foreboding.

✔ Twists and Turns: The plot is filled with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the very end.

🤔 What Could Be Better
🔹 Pacing Variations: Some sections of the book may feel slower, potentially affecting the overall tension.

🔹 Secondary Character Depth: While the main characters are well-crafted, some supporting characters could benefit from more development to enrich the narrative.

✨ Final Thoughts
The Good Parents is a thrilling addition to Jessica Huntley's repertoire, showcasing her talent for crafting suspenseful and emotionally charged narratives. Fans of authors like Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, and Freida McFadden will find this book particularly appealing.

📌 Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with intricate plots and strong female leads.

I just really love this author. Every book is so intense for me. Never see the turns coming. Thanks for letting me read this in advance.

The Good Parents by Jessica Huntley is so easy to jump right into! Brittany Young is a pastry chef in the cutthroat world of cuisine. She loves the artistry and precision involved but despises her boss so she makes some changes. Added to that stress is the sudden horrible loss of her twin sister. After discovering she's pregnant, she grows frantic as tries to stretch her dollars. When all seems lost, in the midst of unimaginable sorrow, a couple discovers her while waiting tables at another restaurant and after an interview, accepts their offer to travel to their French villa to be their personal pastry chef. Her financial worries melt away but others are added to the mix, especially when John and Angela act strangely. Plus they want Brittany's baby. As you can imagine, all sorts of things go wrong.

The pace is snappy and the characters well developed for a psychological thriller. Though not always realistic, the twists and suspense kept me glued to the pages. I like that the list of characters is short so there is no confusion or flipping back and forth. This is a very likeable book, compelling and unexpected with that special something impossible to put into words. I look forward to exploring the author's back catalogue and anticipate more from her in the future.

Brittany takes a job as a personal chef to a rich couple who have had past tragedies. John is mysterious and Angela seems to be suffering from ptsd or manic depression. Brittany discovers that she is pregnant and the couple want her to be their surrogate.

Many twists and turns and Brittany doesn't know who is lying and who she can trust. I read this book in one day because I wanted to see what happened and why Angela is the way she is. It all wraps up to a good ending

Many thanks to netgalley, the author and Inkubator books for approving my request to read this book.

The Good Parents is a dark twisty thriller which is well written and fast paced. In this book we see Brittany a pastry chef offered the opportunity of a lifetime but is it just to good to be true?

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it, I will most certainly be reading more of her books

The Good Parents is an addictively, intriguing, dark and twisty psychological thriller. The book does start off on the slower side (stick through it, it's worth it), but Jessica's writing always manages to keep me hooked. I read this book in 2 sittings. I was so engrossed in the story. The storyline and plot are original with shocking revelations and a pace that keeps you flipping those pages.

Brittany was such a well developed character. There were many dislikable and untrustworthy characters. I didn't know who to trust, what to trust, kept my mind spinning. This book was definitely a roller coaster ride and I highly enjoyed it.

Overall, this was a great dark and twisty thriller that is impossible to put down. Jessica is a true talent with her storytelling skills, her delivery and her originality. Give her a shot if you haven't!

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @inkubatorbooks & @jessicahuntley for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brittany Young is a top pastry chef. She has been caring for her twin sister, Clare, who suffers from kidney disease, and Clare passes away.
Brittany struggles to keep it together, she loses her job, is in a load of debt and then is hired by an extremely wealthy couple.
She finds she is pregnant, and her employers, John and Angela want to adopt the baby.

I am not quite sure what I thought of this novel actually. Brittany is grieving, yes, but she seems to be focused on herself, and only herself.
There are so many characters in this book that I dislike, and Brittany trusts all of them!!
Luke was probably the best of the lot, and she ghosted him!

I have read a few of Jessica Huntley's books, and really enjoyed them. This one, I remain on the fence.

3/5 stars from me.

THE GOOD PARENTS BY JESSICA HUNTLEY.
Release date set for the 6th of April 2025.
5 STARS.
This book is amazing.
I adored Jessica's writing style.
The beginning of the book i felt so sorry for the main female character.
Really great characters, likeable and a few i disliked.
Shocking revelations.
Heartbreaking moments.
The whole story line is sooooo good and I've thoroughly enjoyed reading.
I'm so glad i found this author and i cant wait to read more of her work.
JUST BRILLIANT.

This book struck a good balance between tackling serious topics and maintaining a captivating mystery. I appreciated being able to multitask without missing key plot points."

After grieving the loss of her twin sister, pastry chef Brittany Young feels adrift. When she lands an incredible opportunity as a private chef for the wealthy and enigmatic John and Angela Dalton, it seems like the fresh start she desperately needs. The job helps her regain her footing, and for the first time in a long while, life seems to be looking up. But when Brittany unexpectedly becomes pregnant, the Daltons eagerly offer to adopt the child and raise it as their own. At first, it seems like the perfect arrangement.

That is until Brittany starts to notice cracks beneath the couple’s polished façade. Angela’s behavior grows more erratic, and John’s charm carries an unsettling, sinister quality. The deeper she digs, the more disturbing truths she uncovers. Soon, Brittany realizes her dream job may be a carefully laid trap. And once you're in the Daltons' world, getting out isn’t so easy.

The plot of this book pulled me in immediately, delivering all the elements of a compelling thriller. Spanning a little over a year in under 300 pages, it’s a fast-paced read that keeps you on edge. I found myself constantly trying to unravel the Daltons' secrets, and with chapters from Angela's perspective woven in, the story kept me second-guessing what was really happening. While I did raise an eyebrow at some of the characters’ decisions and how realistic they were, I still thoroughly enjoyed this read. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Jessica Huntley's work!