Charlotte, recently widowed, is trying to hold it together as a new mother with financial uncertainties following her husband Lawrence’s death. Forced to return to work, Charlotte advertises the need for home help, but is stunned when Sophie arrives on her doorstep, suitcases in tow. Sophie claims to be Lawrence’s estranged sister – a sister Charlotte never knew existed.

Quite rapidly, Sophie displays a talent Charlotte appears to lack with her young daughter, and she manages to introduce order into Charlotte’s chaotic life. But can Charlotte trust her? Both women are hiding something. Secrets and lies emerge as the story progresses. A fast-paced, twisty tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'What Every Mother Needs' by Emily Shiner.

Emily does it yet again!! I genuinely don't think she can make a book that I don't love!! Love, love, loved this book!!!! Absolutely gripping edge of your seat page turner!!! I mean just HOW HOW HOW can an author make each and every one of her AMAZING books EVEN BETTER each and every time???!?!?

The storyline was captivating and addictive from the first page until the last and I was completely invested in it. It was absolutely rammed full of lies, secrets, family, tension, drama, twists, suspense and everything you could ask for in a page turning psychological thriller. I just could not stop reading this absolutely addictive book from the first word to the last. Emily's extremely talented and evocative skills really brought the book to life and I was completely absorbed throughout. I lost count of the amount of times I promised myself one more chapter but that one finished in a way I just HAD to know what would happen next so I said just more and this went on and on until I ended up finishing it in one sitting!!! The location and atmosphere was absolutely perfect for this gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I absolutely love Emily's books and am guaranteed to be shocked every time I pick one up which is not an easy feat considering how many books I read a year so a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS Emily!!! One of the things I love about her books is that they can also be quite thought provoking and always end with MASSIVE BOMBSHELLS that I absolutely love and never do see coming. Emily's evocative writing drags you deep into the storyline from the first sentence to the very last and will keep you up until the very last word! THAT ladies and gentleman is a true sign of an absolute must read. I absolutely loved the ending which was definitely an unexpected twist which is just one of the reasons I love Emily's books, she manages to get me every single time!! I've said it before about Emily's books and I shall say it again!! I would absolutely LOVE to see this turned into a movie and would wait up all night to get tickets to watch it!!

I hope your busy writing your next book Emily as I just cannot wait to see what bombshell twist and explosive storyline you have up your sleeve for us next!!!!

Do not start this book until you have cleared your schedules as you will not be able to put it down!!

The characters were all realistic and strong and I was completely invested in them throughout. I love the fact that we got to see what was happening from the points of view from not just Charlotte the Mum of Jordan but also from Sophie who answers Charlottes advert and as with all her amazing books Emily weaves all of the chapters together with perfect timing until it all comes together with an explosive BANG!! It also explains absolutely everything which leaves no question unanswered at the end which is a pet hate of mine!! It also leaves you questioning what is really going on and gets you thinking more and more the deeper you delve into the storyline. Emily's multiple person perspective also really helps the reader understand the characters more making them more realistic to the reader. I was completely invested in all of the characters throughout and Emily's evocative descriptions really makes them jump out of the book and come to life in front of the readers eyes. All of the characters were multi layered with complex personalities which definitely made them all the more interesting to read about!!! Unfortunately, I really can not say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. I had no idea what to think of the different characters, what was really going on or where it was all leading which just goes to show what a talented author Emily is and I cannot wait to get hooked into her next psychological thriller which is guaranteed to be another page turner!! Regardless of what I thought about who, each character worked perfectly to make this page turning psychological thriller!!!

Congratulations Emily on yet ANOTHER huge success. This is the exact reason why you are in my favourite 5 authors list!! Here's to your next guaranteed success 🥂!!

Overall another absolutely unputdownable, action packed, intriguing psychological thriller that will keep you up at night on the edge of your seat with a pounding heart from onw of the best psychological thriller authors EVER!!

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What Every Mother Needs by Emily Shiner is a fast-paced, twisty domestic thriller that hooked me from the first page. When new mom Charlotte, reeling from her husband’s death, hires help to care for her newborn, she’s stunned when a woman claiming to be her late husband’s sister shows up—someone Charlotte never knew existed. Is Sophie really there to help, or does she have a darker motive?

Tense, and full of twists some predictable some not , this is classic Emily Shiner: layered characters, sharp pacing, and a plot that keeps you second-guessing everyone. A throughly entertaining read for domestic thriller fans

I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Emily Shiner and including me on the book tour! All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Charlotte is alone with baby Jordan after her husband, Lawrence, died. She's struggling on her own, so when Sophie shows up at her door saying she's Lawrence's sister and there to help, Charlotte is so grateful. But then Charlotte finds Sophie going through her things and is worried about what she will find. She wants her out of the house. But Sophie is not going to go easily without getting what she came for..

Told from the POV of both Charlotte and Sophie, this book will have your head spinning, wondering which unreliable narrator you can trust! We also hear from a third narrator, Her, giving us background information about Lawrence. And Lawrence's behavior will definitely have you thinking that it's a good thing he's dead. You may think you'll know what's going to happen in this one, but you'll be surprised at all the twists and turns. As always, Emily Shiner has written a gripping, tense thriller!

What Every Mother Needs by Emily Shiner

This book is something that you should read. The crazy twist and ride just mind-blowing. I finished the book in a day. The gripping ending was the one that totally deserved a five-star rating.

The storyplot was mainly related to the widow Charlotte and Sophie who claimed she’s the sister-in-law, and she came here to help Charlotte to take care of her newborn Jordan.

But could you trust Sophie?

The crazy and exciting ride throughout the book always worried me for the ending. But for Emily Shiner’s book, it’s a promise that never let you down.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: May 30, 2025

This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and put you in the storyline.
The storyline was captivating and addictive from the first page until the last and I was completely invested in it.
Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start.

Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Since Charlotte’s husband’s death, it’s just been her and her baby Jordan. Things have been difficult as a suddenly single mother and Charlotte is struggling to raise Jordan alone.

When Sophie arrives at Charlotte’s door claiming to be Lawrence’s sister, it seems like a blessing in disguise. But disguises have a way of unravelling and both Charlotte and Sophie have more secrets than they can keep hidden.

But who will crack under the pressure?

I really enjoyed this one. It was my first book by Emily Shiner and I found it to be quite fun despite the topics that it raises. There are definitely dark themes in this one including domestic violence and loss of a child but the book is still light and a fairly easy read.

There are some great twists along the way, and while some are quite predictable there’s definitely enough to keep you guessing the whole way through.

Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for a review

"She's what every mother needs. But can you trust her?"

What Every Mother Needs by Emily Shiner is a page-turning, twisty and suspenseful domestic thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Like with every book Emily writes you can expect a gripping plot, crazy twists, and a cast of characters that are fully developed and just a little unhinged!

Charlotte is struggling. Between the death of her husband Lawrence and taking care of her six week old daughter Jordan, Charlotte is exhausted and just needs a little help. Putting out an ad looking for someone to come to the house a couple of times a week to help with Jordan, Charlotte is stunned when the very next day a woman shows up saying she's there to help. What's even more shocking is this woman is claiming to be Lawrence's sister Sophie. Not even knowing she existed, Charlotte is taken aback. Sophie says she's there to help but is she hiding something sinister?

Emily Shiner is an auto buy author for me! All of her books are top-notch thrillers and they usually delve deep into human relationships and have twists that will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew. With short, punchy chapters and multiple POVs, this clever cat and mouse story has everything you like in domestic thrillers. Overall What Every Mother Needs is a fast-paced, twisty and suspenseful book that you are not going to want to miss!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Shiner, and Bookouture for this ARC! Publication date May 30th 2025.

Well, doesn’t this one just have it all! A widow with a new baby, just trying to get by. Along comes her husbands estranged sister to help out! Just what she needed, or is it? What a wild twisted ride. The ending, oh my. You are going to love this one!

Every Emily Shiner books is an automatic 5 star for me! This book took me on a wild ride! I love the characters and the pace. I just couldn't put it down. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

What Every Mother Needs didn’t ease me into the story—it yanked me in by the wrist and whispered, “Trust no one,” before slamming the door behind me. This is domestic suspense at its most deliciously unhinged.

From page one, I was side-eyeing everyone. Charlotte is hanging on by a thread, grieving, exhausted, and trying to keep her head above water while raising her baby girl alone. Enter Sophie, with her soft voice, helpful hands, and a smile that practically screams red flag. She says she’s family—but is she the kind that shows up with casseroles… or chaos?

Let me tell you: the tension in this book is so thick you could cut it with a baby monitor. Emily Shiner writes like she’s planting landmines on every page. Just when you think you’ve figured out who to trust, BOOM—another twist, another secret, another moment that makes you want to yell, “GIRL, DON’T GO IN THERE.”

Both women are liars, and one of them is dangerous—but good luck figuring out which is which. The dual POV adds serious psychological depth, and watching the unraveling from both sides? Chilling. It’s like watching a game of emotional chess where someone’s definitely going to bleed.

If you love thrillers where the stakes are personal, the villain is hiding in plain sight, and motherhood is both weapon and weakness—this one’s for you. Twisted, tense, and totally addictive.

Thank you to Bookouture for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review. #WhatEveryMotherNeeds #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read What Every Mother Needs in exchange for my honest review.

💫💫💫💫💫
Definitely a 5 star read for me!

Charlotte's a recently widowed new mother of a 6 week old baby girl named Jordan. She is trying to balance the responsibilities of a house and baby Jordy the best she can on her own but she has decided to place a help wanted AD since she will need to head back to work soon. A knock at the door and a seemingly perfect woman is forcing herself into Charlotte's home to be the answer to all her prayers.

Sophie is Charlotte's late husband's sister that she never knew even existed, but she is here now saying she's wants to help with her niece and keeping house and be supportive during this difficult time.

You get POV from Sophie, Charlotte and "Her" and you learn that late hubby Lawrence wasn't such a good guy at all.

Both women have secrets and you are constantly wondering and flip flopping about who is the real threat.

This is a twisty tale that keeps you turning the pages and fills you with anxiety and intrigue.

🖤 short chapters
🖤 twists on twists
🖤 page turner
👑 Emily Shiner

Emily Shiner has become an automatic choice for me. I will jump blindly into any book of hers!

Two ladies have ended up under the same roof, both of which are liars. The further I read, the more I started to wonder what else these two deceivers are a capable of.

Sophie and Charlotte have one common thread and that is a predator named Lawrence. As the mind games begin, you will also question who is the cat and who is the mouse?

This twisty thriller will keep you on your toes and up late at night frantically reading all while trying to decide who you like best in this fight. I changed my mind several times. Emily Shiner knows how to play mind games.

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

What Every Mother Needs by Emily Shiner is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that hooks you right away and keeps the tension high. The alternating perspectives of Charlotte and Sophie create a chilling unnerving dynamic of cat and mouse where you're never quite sure who’s telling the truth — or what they’re hiding. The tension is palpable, especially as secrets unravel and the atmosphere in Charlotte's home grows increasingly claustrophobic.

From the beginning, it’s clear these women have secrets — and no one’s telling the truth. After the sudden death of her husband Lawrence, Charlotte is left to care for their infant daughter Jordan alone. Overwhelmed, exhausted, and desperate, she’s eager for help—so when Sophie arrives at her door, she lets her in with barely a second thought grateful to receive some much-needed help. Sophie claims later on to be Lawrence’s sister, but Charlotte just assumes she is there in response to her help wanted ad and doesn’t verify anything before inviting her into their lives. This decision becomes the novel’s turning point, but it's also one of its weakest and is what kept this from being a full five-star read for me. As a mother, I found it incredibly unrealistic that Charlotte would allow a total stranger into her home without confirming her identity, no matter how exhausted she was. Just no. I get being sleep-deprived and desperate for help, but I don’t care how tired I am — I’m not letting a random woman in off the street around my baby. The decision felt dangerously naïve and way too far-fetched when your child’s safety is at stake.

Still, once Sophie is in the house, the psychological tension escalates beautifully. Secrets about Charlotte’s marriage start to surface, and Sophie’s true motives slowly come to light. This back-and-forth is what really drives this book. You’re constantly second-guessing who to believe, which makes it a super fun, edge-of-your-seat read.

The other major issue for me was the ending. Without spoiling anything, it felt abrupt, like it just...stopped rather than concluded. I turned the last page expecting more, only to realize that was it. No real sense of closure, no big reveal that ties everything up. If there’s a sequel coming, then I’m all in — because I need to know what happens next. But if this is meant to be a standalone, the abrupt conclusion may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied and like they wanted more.

Despite these flaws, this was a fast-paced, wild ride with some great suspense and seriously tense moments. If you love domestic thrillers and dark twists, this one’s worth picking up and is an entertaining read. I’d absolutely pick up a follow-up if one is released.

Emily Shiner (favorite author) returns following The Nanny Share with her latest twisty domestic thriller, WHAT EVERY MOTHER NEEDS, cleverly written—a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Readers will go back and forth with their loyalties while reading. With this cast of unreliable narrators, hang on for the wild ride!

Two women.
One innocent baby.
One controlling dead man.
Both women are liars.
One is a killer.
Which one is more dangerous?

About...

Told from three POVs:

Charlotte:
Set in the fictional town of Reidsville, North Carolina, Charlotte is a recent widow raising a six-week-old baby girl named Jordan.

She is overwhelmed with caring for a baby and the housework. Unfortunately, she was not in Lawrence's will, so she may have to put Jordan in a nursery and return to her old job as a bank teller. They have nice cars and a home, but they have separate accounts.

She places an ad for help with household tasks, including cleaning and housekeeping, shopping, and meal planning and preparation. (no live-in position) However, the nursery will be off-limits.

Sophie:
Sophie, a glamorous woman architect, shows up with suitcases at her door to assist. She claims to be Lawrence's younger sister (guess they were estranged). But she wants more than housekeeping and meal planning, she wants to spend time with Jordan (her niece, of course).

However, she suspects Charlotte may have deadly secrets. Did Charlotte kill her husband, and is she capable of raising Charlotte? She must stay around at all times to protect Jordan. She has an agenda.

Her:
Throughout the novel, we encounter an unknown voice that provides readers with background information about Lawrence, starting eight years earlier. It is spine-chilling. He is controlling, abusive, manipulative, a liar, and a psycho. Did someone murder him? If so, you can see why.

Charlotte has never met Sophie and did not know he even had a sister. She does not like the idea of a stranger moving in, but she is desperate and worn down, and maybe this is what she needs. What Every Mother Needs—after all, she is the aunt and wants to help out and get to know her family.

As time moves on, Charlotte becomes more and more suspicious of Sophie. What is her motive? Why is she nosing around in her things and asking personal questions?

Charlotte is worried about keeping her secrets. Sophie is determined to learn more about Charlotte, Jordan, and Lawrence as she has her own agenda.

How will this dangerous game of cat and mouse play out? Which woman would you trust?

My thoughts...

WHAT EVERY MOTHER NEEDS is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its jaw-dropping twists!

The author keeps you in suspense with the dark secrets, and the characters are so complex that you are guaranteed to change your mind about each woman with more back-and-forth twists than a tennis match.

Each character's true nature is a mystery. You may find yourself sympathizing with one, only to switch sides in the next chapter. This book will keep you guessing and changing your mind throughout. From the first page to the last, WHAT EVERY MOTHER NEEDS is a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

The usage of the unknown HER chilling voice was brilliant and an excellent way for readers to get to know Lawrence and all his manipulative ways.

You may predict what is going to happen; however, you are not sure until the ending. It does not take away from the entertainment. Multi-layered, past and present, with wicked characters and dark humor, domestic thriller fans will enjoy it!

I think I have read all Emily's books, and I am a huge fan! I adore NC authors and support them. Highly recommend her backlist.

Recs...

If you're a fan of Shiner, Daniel Hurst, Miranda Rijks, Keri Beevis, A.J. Campbell, K. L. Slater, Robin Mahle, Kaira Rouda, or Freida McFadden, WHAT EVERY MOTHER NEEDS is a must-read for you.

Blog Tour...

Join me on May 30th (pub day) for the Bookouture Books on Tour on my blog for more about the book and author!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a gifted advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 stars rounded to 5
Pub Date: May 30, 2025
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At first, I wasn't sure where this was going to be heading. There were a few truth bombs dropped in here and there to keep the reader on track but the duplicitous nature of this story was completely gripping.

After the death of her husband, 6 month old Jordan is the centre of Charlotte's world and she would do anything for her. Being a single mother about to go back to work is just a bit hard though and so she appeals for help and is really lucky when her appeal is answered.

The dual POV aspect with insight into the thoughts of each character and the secrets hidden in their past leaves you wondering throughout just who the bad guy actually is. Who, if anyone, will get what they want in the end is anybody's guess as the story arc takes some interesting turns. I would definitely recommend this if you like your thrillers fast paced and intense.

When Sophie shows up at Charlottes house claiming to be her sister in law. Charlotte is surprised, her husband Lawrence never mentioned a sister. Soon Sophie has moved into the house and has taken over looking after the new baby Jordan. Will Sophie get what she came for? A good read with twists.

Rounding up from 3.8 stars.

Normally I love Emily's books. This one just didn't do it for me. There are only 2 main characters and I didn't feel any attachment to either of them. It was hard for me to get absorbed into the story. Unfortunately, this just isn't my favorite book by Emily Shiner. That being said, I love her books and I look forward to reading the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Charlotte is a recently widowed mother of a 6-week-old baby, dealing with exhaustion, stress, and the tension of her sister-in-law moving in. She never even knew her husband had a sister but she needs all the help she can get. I found this book extremely engaging. It's a very good thriller.

What Every Mother Needs by Emily Shiner is a psychological thriller that will leave you questioning everyone’s motives. When Charlotte’s husband, Lawrence, dies, she’s left juggling a return to work while caring for their baby alone. Out of the blue, Sophie—Lawrence’s sister—shows up. The strange thing? Charlotte had no idea he even had a sister.

Although initially suspicious, Charlotte accepts Sophie’s help and allows her to stay, feeling like she doesn’t have much of a choice. While the overall plot is somewhat predictable, the small twists and unexpected turns uncover intricate layers that add depth and tension, keeping the story engaging.

I give this book 3.5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful read that builds as it progresses. As you try to pinpoint the “villain,” the lines blur, and it becomes unclear who to trust—keeping you guessing until the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an advance reader copy.