I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. I had thought that the prologue was giving away too much of the story, but this was not the case, as it was alluding to a scene that would occur just halfway through. I liked that the characters were complex, as even the main characters had both likeable and very disagreeable characteristics. I had a very hard time finding any irredeemable characteristics, however, and I felt that this was a downfall and detracted from the story. The plot was well-structured, and the story's details were presented in a way that made me want to keep reading. This book was very difficult to put down, despite its very difficult subject matter.

A Good Mother by Michelle Dunne ★★★★☆

What a gripping, emotionally intense ride this was! A Good Mother is a heart-pounding domestic thriller that delves into the terrifying depths of grief, motherhood, and betrayal. When Jen’s daughter, Alex—who has a lifelong fear of water—is found drowned in a river, the police rule it a suicide. But Jen knows her daughter, and she knows they’re wrong.

What unfolds is a tense, twisty story as Jen begins to unravel the carefully curated lies of the people around her, including her former best friend and neighbor, Lia Higgins. The mystery of what really happened to Alex is layered with secrets, unexpected connections, and a mother’s unwavering need for the truth, no matter the cost.

Michelle Dunn masterfully creates a sense of paranoia and urgency. I was hooked from the first chapter and completely absorbed in Jen’s search for answers. While the pace is quick and the suspense constant, what really stood out was how raw and real Jen’s grief felt—it added a heavy emotional weight to every discovery she made.

If you love psychological thrillers that are as emotionally charged as they are twisty, A Good Mother won’t disappoint. I devoured it in just a couple sittings and kept thinking about the ending long after I finished.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Good Mother is a psychological thriller that kept me on my toes. Sometimes the picture that people paint for us to see isn’t always the truth. No family is perfect, but a mother will do almost anything at all costs for their family. This mother goes a little too far. A few sad times in the book, but so worth the read!

Two very different mothers—Jen, who works too much and wears her struggles openly, and Lia, who seems to have it all together behind her flawless facade. Their daughters are best friends… until Alex is found dead. For Jen, there’s no question: her daughter, terrified of water since childhood, would never have chosen suicide by drowning.
As Jen pushes past the dismissals from police and family, she begins to uncover disturbing truths—not just about what happened to Alex, but about the seemingly perfect family next door. Lia may look like the ideal wife and mother, but beneath the surface lies a storm of fury, shame, and helplessness.
This is such an underrated thriller! I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the story dives deep into the emotional and psychological layers of family life and friendships. It’s chilling to realise how much danger can hide behind a beautiful, polished exterior.

New Review - A Good Mother by Michelle Dunne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Two Mothers. Two Daughters. One devastating truth." A Good Mother is a psychological thriller which provides a contemporary look at adolescence. @michelledunneauthor encapsulates all the emotions of growing up and learning the truth about those closest to us.

I found this book to be a slow burn to start with but soon turns into an unstoppable page turner. I wanted to know what had happened to Alex Blake the daughter of Jen and Michelle Dunne the author keeps you guessing right the way through. Definitely one to add to your TBR.

Happy publication day, thanks to @stormbooks_co and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book before its release.

#newreview #netgalley #arc #agoodmother #review #reviewer #bookreview #books #booklover #bookworm #bookstagram

This book will require a little head scratching, fingernail biting and chair gripping. It is a domestic thriller with an awesome mystery built into it. Alex is found dead in the river. It is ruled a suicide. Firstly, her mother does not believe that Alex would have committed suicide. Secondly, she is sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would not have been anywhere near the river since she was deathly afraid of water. So the mystery begins.

Two families are involved in this hot mess, and the deeper you get into the book the more emotional it becomes. Secrets ooze from the pages, and the twists just keep coming. This domestic thriller will keep you guessing. Beware because there are some heavy topics outlined in this story that may be disturbing to some readers.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the first book I have read by Michelle Dunne and I am absolutely hooked, adding every single book to my tbr. Thrillers are quite a difficult thing to perfect, but Michelle has done exactly that in A Good Mother. I could not put the book down until I finished it, or well more like it finished me. This book had in tears so many times, so when you read it make sure to have some tissues next to you!

The characters in this book are written so well, I don't think I have ever felt that much hate before for some characters. I don't know how Michelle did it but this book made me feel so many emotions. Within this book we see quite a lot of difficult topics being brought up, such as: domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, bullying, and suicide. So this might be a hard read for some people. I found myself needing to pause and take a breath at times. Still, I believe these themes added to the story’s realism. These are things real people go through, and seeing characters experience them made the story all the more powerful

I absolutely loved the way that Jen was written. Even though there are multiple POV's within this book, Jen is one that we see the most and I always looked forward to reading her POV. We see a lot of regret, strength and her grieving process, which some might even relate too. I also absolutely loved Anna, she was the exact type of friend Jen needed while trying to navigate the loss of her daughter. I think that part was quite beautiful, seeing her show up and be there for Jen when others weren't.

Did I hate every man in this book? Yes, yes I did! More specifically Jay and Simon. Dale was also quite frustrating but for the most part whenever he popped up I just thought "useless".

I typically am good at predicting the twists, but not this time. I was not expecting the ending, but I really enjoyed it. It was a very satisfying conclusion that brought power back to those affected by Alex's death. Very powerful and fast paced story, there was never a dull moment. Will be recommending this to everyone I know!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

🌟 4-Star Review: A Good Mother by Michelle Dunne 🌟

A Good Mother is an emotionally gripping, character-driven psychological thriller that explores the lengths a mother will go to for justice—and the cost of uncovering devastating truths. When Jen Blake’s daughter, Alex, is found dead in a river, the authorities rule it a suicide. But Jen knows her daughter was terrified of water and would never have gone near it willingly. As she battles disbelief from police, her husband, and her neighbours—the Higgins family—Jen begins to suspect her daughter’s death is tied to secrets much closer to home.

Michelle Dunne’s writing is layered and immersive, seamlessly shifting between perspectives without ever losing clarity or momentum. Jen and Alex are beautifully developed—real, raw, and heartbreakingly believable. Jen’s unwavering resolve and grief hit with emotional intensity that doesn’t let up. While Lia, Simon, and Jay felt a little underdeveloped by comparison, the dynamics between the mothers and their children were genuinely compelling.

There were some fairly obvious red herrings, and I did predict the main twist early on. Still, the suspense is strong, and the themes of motherhood, morality, and trauma give this novel real weight. I do think we missed out by not hearing from one more perspective—perhaps Willow, Anna, or even Dale—to deepen the story’s complexity. And while I loved hating Jay and Simon, they were so overtly awful that it felt like a missed opportunity not to explore their motivations more deeply. A little more nuance—particularly with Simon—could have made this even more powerful.

Despite some predictability and a few believability gaps (would Jen really have let her daughter get close to that family?), I couldn’t put this down. Dunne’s writing is tight, emotive, and thoroughly engaging. I’ll absolutely be reading more from her!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Michelle Dunne, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This captivating book revolves around two incredible mothers and their spirited daughters, weaving a rich narrative of lies, death, and mystery, with a touch of abuse (trigger warning) and the poignant journey of teen girls coming of age. Jen, Alex's devoted mom, and Lia, a nurturing presence for Willow, are interlinked in a tapestry of friendship as their daughters—teammates, neighbors, and best friends—navigate the tumultuous waters of adolescence. As they mature, the shifting dynamics of their friendship unfold before our eyes, offering an intimate look at how their lives intertwine. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster, delivering a whirlwind of fear, sadness, shock, anxiety, and ultimately, a profound sense of peace; what an exhilarating ride it was! I savored every moment, especially as it served as my introduction to the brilliant works of Michelle Dunne. Now, I can't wait to explore her catalog further to add more of her mesmerizing stories to my TBR. I wholeheartedly rate this gem a resounding 4.5 stars out of 5!

A Good Mother is a gripping, gut-wretching psychological thriller that will keep you hooked! 💫💫💫💫💫

Alex has committed suicide.That is what everyone thinks, but Jen her mother knows that it isn't true. As Jen navigates life after her daughter's passing, many uncomfortable truths will come to light and Jen will need to face them in order to find out what really happened to Alex. 

This was an emotional, tough to read book with unsettling characters and topics that are very modern and very present in our daily lives.

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing!

This is the first book I’ve read by Michelle and it won’t be my last! This book hooked me from the beginning with its short chapters and multiple POVs, and I found myself wanting to pick it up to read more. It covers the loss of a child, bullying, suicide, domestic abuse and sexual assault so just be wary when reading it if these topics are hard for you. As a mum of a pre-teen, this is ever mums worst nightmare! Jen is a strong mum who is fighting for justice for her child and Lia is the mum who looks like she has the perfect life. They used to be best friends, until Lia met Jay and now they are civil as their children are best friends. I had a feeling about what was going to happen but I still really enjoyed it!

4.5 ⭐️| Whew… This was a deep one. This complex story between 2 families was a very emotionally charged domestic thriller, that grabs you from the very beginning and refuses to let go. It builds suspense and the authenticity of the story shows how families sometimes deal with trauma and their resilience.

How far will you go to protect your child? Loyalties will be tested amongst these families & it is easy to get emotionally attached to some of them. Jen & Lia will do anything to protect their families! Imagine the divide when Jen’s daughter is assumed to have committed suicide & Jen feels Lia and her family knows more than they are revealing!! Simon (Lia’s son) is a chip off the old block and gets his conniving ways from his narcissistic father, Jay.

Overall, this was a gripping & powerful read. I truly enjoyed this authors writing style, as the layers to this story weaved together & unfolded. I will definitely be reading more from Michelle Dunne. Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is an absolute must read ( check tw) . It has strong topics and you will definitely feel all the emotions from anger to sadness but wow , when I say I took my time reading this book, I felt immersed in the story , it felt like I was in the middle of it just witnessing it all Happen. As a mom myself , I definitely felt all the emotions from our characters . This is a domestic psychological thriller.

*Thank you to NETGALLEY for this arc copy *

Whew, this was one wild ride!
This was a story about the lengths a mother will go to for her child. I love how Jen never gave up on getting justice for her daughter. Not once did she back down or have any doubts in her belief that Alex was murdered. This story is mainly told from the pov of Jen and her neighbor and once friend Lia. I felt so bad for Lia’s situation, and kept rooting for her the entire time. The twist at the end I somewhat saw coming, but it did not detract from my complete immersion in this heartbreaking story. I am now going to see what other books this author wrote, because I want more! She nabbed me with this one, hook, line and sinker.

The book focuses on friendship, adolescence, bullying, domestic violence, and lies. A lot of lies. The story is sad, very sad. Reading it is also a learning experience. Social media and adolescence can be a dangerous combination. Are parents capable of dealing with this combination? Is school capable of helping parents? Or, are just the opposite: parents will set rules and help the school!

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley to review.

This book dives deep into the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and the dark consequences of choosing the wrong people. At its core, it's a story about two women who were once inseparable—until one made the devastating choice to side with her abusive partner, turning her back on the person who always had her best interests at heart.

Years later, their broken friendship casts a long shadow. The abuser’s son becomes a cruel bully, targeting the daughter of their neighbor, who was once close to his mom Lia. What makes it worse—and far more chilling—is that the mother tries to cover up her son’s actions, tangled in guilt, denial, and the wreckage of her own past.

The book is full of twists and layers of secrets, with characters hiding behind lies, manipulating the truth, and playing subtle games of social politics. It paints a picture of how far people will go to protect themselves—or the illusions they’ve built.

While the plot kept me turning the pages, it was slightly predictable at times. I often found myself guessing the next big reveal just a chapter or two in advance. Still, the emotional depth and moral complexity of the story made it compelling.

My only real wish is that the author had spent more time developing the dynamic between the children. There was such rich potential there—especially in understanding the emotional toll on the victim.

Overall, a gripping read with emotional weight and strong themes of loyalty, deception, and the cost of silence.

What a powerful read, drawing you in from the very first page with the meticulously described tragedy, followed by a flashback detailing the events leading up to, then beyond this event.

To say it is emotionally tense would be an understatement, so real is the portrayal of Jen’s intense grief, both realistic and raw.

It is difficult to write a review without giving any spoilers, this book is both necessary and vital at this moment, highlighting so many issues surrounding young people. Michelle Dunne is not afraid of highlighting the world our kids face: the bullying, the coercion, social media pressures, friendships, parental pressures and the fear of being yourself. And it is not only youngsters in this book who face dark issues, be prepared for a rollercoaster ride! The characters portray this reality startlingly well, unsettlingly so.

The settings transport you to witness the action so clearly, sometimes uncomfortably so.

I was mesmerised unraveling the secrets behind the broken friendship of Lia and Jen, the characterisation defined so clearly.

The title is so appropriate, what lengths do mothers go to for their children? The book is dark, the feelings are visceral and the pace is fast, but is it fast enough for Jen, the grieving mother?

All these factors contribute to a hauntingly brilliant read.

Release Date: Friday, April 29



HOLY COW — A Good Mother was absolutely AMAZING! I literally could not put it down. Michelle Dunne completely hooked me from the very first page.


The story is told through multiple characters’ points of view, and the transitions between them were so seamless that I never once felt lost or confused. I always knew exactly whose perspective I was reading, which made the pacing even more gripping.


And the ending? My jaw was on the floor. Dunne masterfully builds tension and delivers twists that you do not see coming.


If you don’t already have A Good Mother on your TBR, you NEED to add it immediately. It’s an unforgettable, edge-of-your-seat read that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

** Huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC before its publication date!

This is a well written and tightly plotted book which I really enjoyed. The prologue is dramatic as a distraught mother watches as the lifeless body of her daughter is pulled from the water - a water that held a terrifying fear for her only child. The story regresses and we get to know more about the family and their neighbours, particularly the twins who were best friends with the daughter. There is bad blood between the parents and one father is particularly unpleasant. I’m not going to give away the story but this book kept me guessing until the end.

Alex is terrified of water so when the police find her body in the river, they rule it a suicide but her mother knows it wasn't. no one will listen to her