The Perfect Mother

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Pub Date 14 Jan 2020 | Archive Date 28 Jan 2020

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Description

She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.

Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.

Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.

When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…

She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.

Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic...


A Note From the Publisher

A former police detective, Caroline Mitchell now writes full-time.

She has worked in CID and has also specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims—high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences. The mental strength shown by the victims of these crimes is a constant source of inspiration to her, and Mitchell combines their tenacity with her knowledge of police procedure to create tense psychological thrillers.

Originally from Ireland, she now lives in a pretty village on the coast of Essex with her husband and two children.

You can sign up for her newsletter at www.caroline-writes.com, or follow her on Twitter (@caroline_writes) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/CMitchellAuthor).

A former police detective, Caroline Mitchell now writes full-time.

She has worked in CID and has also specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims—high-risk victims of domestic abuse and...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781542016643
PRICE £8.99 (GBP)

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 634 members


Featured Reviews

What fantastic book. Really kept you on your toes and once started was hard to put down. Brilliantly written with some unexpected twists and turns.
Roz the main character was brilliant and her story was a fantastic insight into the real world that we find ourselves in.
Highly recommended read.

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The Perfect .Mother is the first book I've read by Caroline Mitchell, but it won't be the last. A very enjoyable psychological thriller

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The Perfect Mother by author Caroline Mitchell is a great thriller! It’s actually one of my very favorite types of psychological thrillers! It really reaches for the feels of a female having to make a tough decision, but at the same time it has has all aspects of a hearty psychological thrill! It did not disappoint!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I have yet to read a Caroline Mitchell book that I didn't like. The suspense in this book is amazing! I powered through it in one day. I thought I had the father figured out, but didn't see that one coming at all.

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Roz is a great character, finding herself pregnant and wondering what to do next she comes across a website that's exclusive where families "buy" babies. Roz sets off to New York to meet what sounds like a perfect couple, Sheridan and Daniel A list celebreties, they sound perfect but are they too good to be true!! Roz suddenly realised all is not what it seems but can she now back out. Her best friend in Ireland does all she can to help along with her dad, a few others in the house also try to help Roz.
Sheridan is obviously very troubled but how will it all end as Roz now wants to keep her baby, finding out about the baby's dad felt a bit random and didn't really add to the dimension of the story in my opinion.
A very good read

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This was ok suitable amount of tension I just I guess knew the formula to these sort of novels
I did think shd I request this and maybe I shdnt as young pregnant girl in peril is a cliche however this did have its moments and didn’t quite follow the paint by numbers .The couple were famous so were risking a lot and the mans motives not overly explored .The actors motive was mentioned but didn’t really get into it and I had become more intrigued by him ,he just seemed to get bored himself and then left the plot plus he fell in love with the last one so what happened there I thought he saw them as objects to become dependent on him yet he was capable of love ....was interested a bit but didn’t really go anywhere
Also the idea her daughter would be a object too to her a machine to keep her on top good idea but didn’t go further than that
I knew all would be ok and work out so no real threat and all along I knew that
Not bad cd be better but yes the strict routine thecomplete lock down on this character was quick and blunt and u do feel for her I just found myself skimming
Thanks netgalley and publishers and author for this advanced copy

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Roz hadn’t intended to get pregnant, but now she was is, she’s determined to give her child a better life than she had, a better life than she can provide. She’s thrilled when a private adoption agency pairs her with a wealthy couple in New York. Roz is flown to Sheridan and Daniel’s home and is happy to see all the things the couple can provide for her unborn child. Roz happily moves in, believing she’s making the best decision possible. But it’s not long before she’s questioning herself, she’s not the first pregnant woman Sheridan and her husband have invited in and it soon becomes clear that Roz is safe only as long as she’s pregnant. Creepy and claustrophobic

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A superb read - full of suspense, mystery and drama!

Roz lives with Dympna, her best friend, in Dublin. Since losing her job, Roz really needs to make money. At 24 years old, she also finds out that she is pregnant. (The father is not known by the reader.) Roz finds a website where people are willing to "pay" for adoptions. A "diamond" (rich) couple in New York eventually choose Roz as the baby's adoption mother. Roz relocates to New York for the rest of her pregnancy. She finds out who "Julie & Greg" actually are...

As Roz continues through her pregnancy and gets to know Daniel and Sheridan - many bizarre and exciting events occur. Can Roz follow the intense road ahead of her?

A brilliantly written plot and cast of characters! Caroline Mitchell should be praised! HIGHLY recommend!!!

Many Thanks to Amazon UK / Thomas & Mercer for a truly wonderful read!

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This book went from a 1* to a 4* and finally settled on a 3*

When I started reading I felt it really wasn’t the type of book I enjoy, however as the reading progressed I found myself drawn to the characters and really enjoyed the book. It does make me question just how possible this scenario is and how often people naively walk themselves into situations

Good twist to it too!

With thanks to the author and publishers for ARC in return for an honest review

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A very creative premise that I have not come across before. Roz is a recently pregnant 24 yr old Irish girl that decides adoption is the best route for her unborn child. Caroline Mitchell weaves a terrifying story that shows the true dark side to internet interactions and trusting too quickly. A great thriller!

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Okay so the plot idea is amazing, I was so excited to start The Perfect Mother but there was something lacking.

Yes it’s a terrifying situation that Roz finds herself in but I wasn’t feeling any fear because of the writing style. It’s very...basic. There was never a moment where I worried for the characters which is always disappointing with a thriller.

I’d give this a 2.5 rounded up to three for netgalley and goodreads.

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I’ve enjoyed several of Caroline Mitchell’s previous novels and this is probably the best so far! Roz is a young Irish women in her mid twenties struggling to pay rent and have a few beers when she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant. Knowing she’s not ready, nor capable, nor financially stable to be a mother, , Roz registers with an exclusive on-line adoption agency where rich couples vie to outbid each other in their search for a child. After a whirlwind decision Roz is off to the States to stay with a famous Hollywood couple in New York to anonymously deliver a sibling for their son. What could go wrong? Everything as she soon discovers. Have they done this before? What happened to another surrogate? Is Roz in Danger? Of course she is! A fast paced thriller, that makes you keep reading another chapter, then another one...before you know it you are halfway through without looking up. Excellent read!

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I absolutely loved this book! I found Roz to be a flawlessly created character with such depth and complexion and the storyline to be gripping and suspenseful throughout! Caroline Mitchell is a fantastic author and ‘the perfect mother’ ticked every box for me.  Brilliant!

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Really good book very sinister and points how easy it is to gets sucked up into people’s web of lies online you can pretent to be any one I felt so sorry for those girls Iove the twist at the endv

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I am a big fan of Caroline Mitchell's writing and enjoy her detective novels so it was intriguing to read this novel which is slightly different to her normal format.
A young woman named Roz is trying to make her way in her hometown in Ireland when she expectantly falls pregnant. She doesn't want people to know the identity of the father and she has no money so the future is not looking too bright for a this young catholic girl. She is convinced that it is best if her unborn child is adopted. Roz joins an elite adoption service and is dumbfounded when within days a mystery contact is jetting her to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are a wealthy and glamorous couple who want a baby to bring up as their own. They have so much more than Roz could dream of and she realises that her child would have everything possible. Circumstances change when Roz moves into their basement suite and she begins to suspect that there are dark secrets held by the couple.
Roz discovers that another woman moved in with them previously and has never been seen since. The clock is ticking to the birth of her child and despite her best intentions she has walked into a nightmare.
I was quickly into this one and was deprived of another good night sleep because I wanted to find out how it was going to finish. Roz is a good character and the plot is well paced, recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and the author for supplying me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

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Very well written novel, with excellent characters, but it's slow-paced, doesn't have the usual fast start to thrillers that we've come to expect in the US. I found it difficult to get into, kept flipping through the pages.

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I can't believe it's October and I have just read my first review book that is to be published in 2020. Boy what a read that was. Exceptional, gripping, Thrilling I just loved the simplicity in the story but the complex web that was weaved throughout.
As always Caroline has written a book that will have you hooked. 'Well and Truly'
I don't have the words to say how much I enjoyed this read, it dragged me along with each and every page and I managed to read it in just 2 days. I couldn't wait to get stuck in to it. Sorry to my family for neglecting them but sometimes books take over my life. (maybe not just sometimes)
This really was an addictive read. Roz is not only penniless but has also discovered she's skint and pregnant. Believing she has no options she sets about trying to find parents that could have her child. Roz believes that the best thing for her unborn child is for it to be brought up by someone else. Someone who is struggling to conceive and will love and make a superb parent, someone who can give her child everything it wants, needs and deserves. What unfolds though the story will certainly open your eyes, you will want to carry on reading and get lost in those pages.
When Roz thinks she has found a perfect couple she heads off on what she thinks is going to be an adventure of a lifetime to New York. What happens next really will blow your mind. I don't intend on giving anything away, I don't like spoilers but this book was just fantastic and I really can't recommend it enough.

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Absolutely loved it! What a great idea for a storyline! I was hooked from the first page and found myself picking it up at every opportunity.

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This is an addicting psychological thriller!
Roz thought she was doing the best thing for her unborn child, but it all went wrong when she answered an online ad and told NO ONE her plans!
Wow!
Talk about terror, fear, anxiety and horror while trying to calmly sit and read! Amazing!
You will read until you find out how this novel ends and it will NOT be the way you think or thought.
My first Caroline Mitchell book, but definitely not my last.
Great book.

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The Perfect Mother kept me on the edge of my seat!

I'm a huge fan of thrillers and psychological thrillers in general, so when I read the synopsis for this book I had to read it. I can happily report that I was not disappointed.

The Perfect Mother was a great thriller. Fast-paced, complex, twisty, and well thought-out. This story, constantly haunted by the sense of dread, examines some of the deepest and darkest parts of humanity, and especially how it feels to be a woman and a mother. I couldn't put this book down and read it much more quickly than I would've liked!

I look forward to seeing more from Caroline Mitchell.

Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

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I had never read this author before. It was a very interesting thriller type. The main character was so unsuspecting of what was in store for her and her infant. It kept my attention, turning the pages and I will read this author in the future.

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I read this entire book with the sense of unease one gets while watching a good horror flick (I wanted to scream at Roz, “don’t go I’m the basement!” I was pleasantly shocked by the ending, but it all seemed poetically perfect. If you want a compelling, creepy story, pick this one up!

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What an suspenseful read! So much to take in this book, I was captivated fro the first chapter and was on edge until the end. A thriller like none I have read. The story is intriguing and heartwrenching. The feelings of angst I felt for the main character were devastating. I enjoyed this book very much, and reccomend to all .
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley #theperfectmother

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Wow, The Perfect Mother, was an amazing thriller! I read a lot of psychological thrillers, but this one takes the cake. Caroline Mitchell does it again, 5 stars!

A young Irish woman named Roz finds herself pregnant and not in a place in her life that she is able to keep her baby. She decides to look into adoption and finds a wealthy celebrity couple in New York that are interested in her baby. What starts as a dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare. Lies, family, betrayal… how well do we really know someone?

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers. The Perfect Mother was written beautifully, and I found myself staying up at night wanting to read more and more.

Thank you, Net Galley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book is a real page turner
It’s a story which could actually happen to anyone
It shocks and keeps twisting to the very end
Another beauty of a book from an author who is first class
This book is highly recommended and I will keep you up till the early hours

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This is an engaging well written psychological thriller with the right amount of suspense and mystery.

Roz is single, jobless and pregnant. She wants a far better life for her baby than the one she got. So she stumbles on a website where rich couples could "buy" babies. Roz heads to NY to meet the golden couple of Daniel and Sheridan. They are glamorous, super rich and look absolutely picture perfect, but is all this too good to be true?

Roz starts to get skeptic, as a string of strange and unsettling events start occurring and she feels scared about the safety of her baby. What will happen, and will Roz and her baby survive what is coming ahead? Read and treat yourself to an accomplished thriller.

Thanks Netgalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Caroline Mitchell for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

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This book sounded good but I found it to be quite disappointing. I skipped a lot of the pages . Sorry but this one isn't for me

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Perhaps a bit over the top and a stretch for the imagination, but this book is still a fun read. It has a lot of tension and drama, and although somewhat formulaic, it still offers some unexpected twists and turns. I would have liked some deeper development of many of the characters and the ending is a bit too neat and tidy in my opinion, but it did hold my attention and keep me reading to find out how things would resolve. Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing an advance copy for review.

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Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy. This was not really my kind of book. It sounded good but just wasn't for me. It was written well and had its twists but just could not hold my interest.

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Oh the drama! The suspense! The Mystery! When I first read the synopsis I had this deja vu of it being a Rosemary's Baby type book. I am not sure why. While it did have hints of that, a pregnant woman, a RICH couple, moving into a house with history, I have to say it was like that but times ten better and modern. Roz is from Dublin and finds herself pregnant and finds someone in America willing to adopt her baby. Not only that they will fly her there and allow her to stay and pay for all the expenses. What luck. As she continues thru her pregnancy and gets to know the couple better and better, more strange and unexplained things happen. There are a lot of bizarre events that keep you trying to piece together the puzzle till the intense ending. Don't miss out on this book. I have not read her previous books but I have heard it is a departure from her normal style and plan to check out her other series.

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Wow. What an amazing book. Full of suspense and enough twists to not know who was good and who was bad. Roz finds herself pregnant after a night of drinking and despair. While she has told her best friend she is pregnant she cannot tell her who the father is, dreading their friendship would be over. The only path is a trip to leave Ireland and go to the US to give the Baby away. What follows is several terrifying months. The author has done a wonderful job of creating characters with flaws but who you love. She had me feeling claustrophobic as she wove the threads of this book together. I was kept guessing and proven wrong more than once. A book you don’t want to put down, full of suspense, murder, movie stars and true friendship. Roz is a beautifully strong character. Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Mitchell and Amazon Publishing for the chance to read this book.

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Fantastic novel. Couldn’t put it down And read in one sitting. Great tension throughout. Another fabulous book from Caroline.

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A superb book. Well written, psychologically thrilling and full of twists and turns . In this day and age when truth is actually stranger than fiction the premise of this book is totally believable
. Roz, a naive young Irish girl, is pregnant and travels to New York to “give” her unborn baby to a wealthy celebrity couple. What happens to her is both chilling and frightening..
Roz and Dympna inspired empathy and I liked the constancy of their friendship. The portrayal of Sheridan and Daniel was really well developed and at some points I found myself actually feeling sorry for Sheridan. I have not read any other Caroline Mitchell books but I will certainly look out for her in future.
Thank you Caroline, Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

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Such a good read! The premise caught my eye and once I got started I could not put the book down!! Would definitely recommend to everyone.

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LOVED reading #ThePerfectMother by Caroline Mitchell. Everyone is not who you think they are!!! Rich character development w/ shocking twist. Story switches between characters & each chapter ends with a cliffhanger. It’s a quick fun read - didn’t want to put down! #NetGalley

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⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 mixed stars

This book started as a 2 star book, then after the first third I loved it, Sheridan pushes it to a 4/5 star book.

Then came the ‘twist’ which seemed so out of sync, and hard to believe given we had limited insight into the real bad guy.

The the big finale was like - ok let’s tie all this together as quickly as possible.

Disappointing sorry.

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell. A bit of a slow start but quickly turns into a somewhat unconventional, unpredictable and suspenseful drama. From the self absorbed movie idol to the unwed expectant mother and all in between, the characters are totally spot on. Another twist at the end is a surprise. Very good read.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

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And the unexpected twists just kept on coming!!

WOW!! I finished this rollercoaster ride of a story late last night after being engrossed for the past couple of days, so much so my housework and household chores went neglected which I’m usually strictly on top of because I couldn’t bare to part from this fantastic book!

Having read one of Caroline’s previous novels the silent Victim which was a fantastic read I knew I was in for a treat with the perfect mother and was thrilled when Netgalley kindly sent me a copy to read.

We are introduced to Roz who is a young woman full of life and personality, she is Irish and therefor has a bubbly and strong fighting spirit, she lives with her lifelong best friend dympna in a small rented flat and has a cleaning job, unfortunately Roz struggles to make ends meet and isn’t really secure financially, she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant which she has torn and mixed feelings over down to whom the babies father is which is a question that kept me curious throughout the story, I thought I had the father figured out and was extremely shocked when he was revealed at the end of the story, and also the fact she is financially unstable and estranged from her mother who was an alcoholic growing up, Roz therefore believes she would struggle to raise a baby in her current situation, she decides to put her baby up for adoption on a miracle mums site and is shocked and flabbergasted when a diamond couple shows an interested in adopting her baby for an extravagant fee which would change Roz’s life forever, after speaking to the mystery woman over the phone who wants to adopt her baby is she is flown to New York to meet them in person and is blown away to discover they are a very famous Hollywood couple Sheridan and Daniel who promise her many luxuries and an opportunity of a lifetime that will change her life forever.

Roz decides to go ahead with the adoption and the agreement is she will stay with Sheridan and Daniel until her baby is born and then return home, however upon moving In she soon discovers Sheridan isn’t all that she seems and is hiding many secrets some of which could be deadly, desperate to uncover what Sheridan is hiding Roz goes to great lengths to keep herself and her baby safe but will she make it out alive and escape? These were the questions that kept me reading late into the small hours. I really liked Roz’s personality, she is a very strong woman who is a force to be reckoned with, I also extremely empathised with her being a mother myself I really felt for her feeling that the only choice she has is to give her baby away.

The perfect mother was extremely entertaining, full of undesirable and quirky characters, there are many unexpected twists that left my jaw practically hanging on the floor and the story will stay with you well after you’ve finished the last page! I would highly recommend this book you too will be engrossed.

A big thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book. What a page turner! Loved how it kept me engaged and wanting more. A very easy to read story with lots of tense moments. Read this in a short space of time as I couldn't put it down! The characters are authentic and engaging throughout.

This is my first Caroline Mitchell book and I will definitely be looking at her others! Highly recommended to all.

Thank you NetGalley.

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I'm a big fan of the detective series books that Caroline writes, so when i saw this book by Caroline which was something a bit different, i had to read it. I am so glad I did. This is a book that i quickly got into and loved the strong character Roz. A fast paced book with lots of twists. This is one of those books that you will still be thinking about days after you have finished reading it. Be careful who you trust!

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A very good psychological thriller, well written with interesting characters although a bit 'far fetched' in places in my opinion but overall it was a well developed story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

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Many thanks to Net Galley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for a chance to read this book.

Oh my! My heart is still galloping at breakneck speed. What a terrific thriller this turned out to be.

Roz is pregnant and penniless and to provide the best possible life for her child she takes a decision that destroys her freedom and her peace of mind. A celebrity couple contacts her thru an online adoption agency and it is like all her prayers have been answered. Knowing that her baby will never want for anything she flies to New York and meets Sheridan. Then the journey to hell begins. Things turn sour and Roz realizes she has no one to turn to. Meanwhile her best friend Dympna in Dublin becomes increasingly worried and with the help of her father starts looking into Roz's move to NY.

The chapters alternate between Roz and Sheridan and occasionally thru Dympna. This is an excellently written psychological thriller that keeps the reader glued to the pages. Caroline Mitchell has definitely worked wonders with the each and every character in the story. Highly recommended!

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Caroline Mitchell’s last two books were wonderful. Truth and Lies and The Secret Child quickly elevated Mitchell to one of my favorite authors.

When I began reading The Perfect Mother I wasn’t disappointed. The story caught my interest almost immediately and ran with it. It felt like a book that I needed to keep reading because I was nervous about Roz, the protagonist.

However, as I read on I became a little concerned that the story was pretty far fetched. And a little bit of that is just fine. I figure it’s a thriller don’t over-analyze everything.

So with a bit of concern, I continued to hurriedly flip through the pages. I couldn’t imagine how it was going to end. Unfortunately, I was so right. The ending was a complete letdown. And one part was so unexpected. Nothing at all led up to a certain conclusion. (Sorry, I just don’t want to give away too much.)

That said, Caroline Mitchell is still right up at the top of my favorites, she just missed the mark with this story.

My Concerns
The ending was abrupt and part of it was a complete surprise. There were no ah-ha moments because nothing led up to the reveal.

What I Liked Best
Mitchell’s writing is very good and the first part of the book totally captured my interest.

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This is a very well written psychological thriller with all the right elements! I really enjoyed it, and Roz, the main character is very well written. A really solid novel.

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I have a real mixed bag of feelings about this book. I started out really enjoying it, it was a bit unbelievable from the start but most thrillers are so I was more than willing to keep going. I really enjoyed the story and it kept me really captivated for the first 50-60% and then suddenly it took a turn. It almost felt as if it wasn't supposed to be the real ending? It just didn't fit with the rest of the book, the writing, the pacing, all of it was a bit off. Regardless, I kept going, I always hold out a lot of hope for a great twist.

This twist/ending was the most disappointing part of the book for me, I had to put my iPad down and come back to it to make sure I read it all right. I felt like there wasn't enough explanation or fleshing out of important characters and major plot points of the book to properly wrap it up and the reactions to major plot points by different characters were so far from being appropriate or realistic. I'm not sure how else I can explain that while remaining spoiler-free. The ending of this book just felt so massively unbelievable it felt like a totally different book from the first 2/3 of the book that I enjoyed so much.

I do think I will give other Caroline Mitchell books a chance after this despite my feelings on the end because I really enjoyed the first 2/3 so much, I have a lot of hope for her other work!

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This is a really good read. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. It is predictable in places but that adds to the suspense. Sheridan is a great character. Totally unlikeable but powerful. This book is definitely worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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This book sounded right up my street, set in Ireland and New York, thrilling and mysterious.

Roz unexpectedly finds herself pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption to a loving couple through a website called Miracle Moms. She is hooked when a "diamond couple" show interest in her baby (ie a couple very wealthy and/or famous). Without too much interaction Roz packs her bags and lured by the money hotspots it to NYC to go stay with them for the duration of her pregnancy only when she arrives it's a radically different set up for her than she was led to believe.

I enjoyed the start of this book. However I soon found the naivety of Roz and her absolute gullibility very unbelievable, and the hints at who the baby's father was even more so as that hinted at friendships that were not that strong to begin with. I found the story quite slow paced, Sheridan just needed a good slap and the big twist towards the end made me put the book down and not finish. The book had a great premise but unfortunately I found it couldn't keep my attention. Thank you for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell piqued my interest from the very first page. By the second, I knew that I was going to be well and truly hooked. This is an emotionally engaging tale that will have you tearing through the pages with your heart firmly in your throat.

Roz is young, pregnant and alone, save for her best friend Dympna, in Dublin, when she is seduced by an online adoption agency that promises to find the best possible placement for her unborn child. When a celebrity power couple respond to Roz's profile, she believes that her prayers have been answered as she jets off to New York to meet her baby's future parents. But, as we all know, if something seems too good to be true, it most often is, and Roz has unknowingly entered into a situation that transpires in a way that no one could have ever imagined.

This is a twisty, diabolical read that I just devoured in a single afternoon. The tension is almost palpable as events unfold and, like Roz, we are never entirely certain where to place our trust.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.

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This is my favorite Caroline Mitchell book yet! I was hooked from the moment I read the first page and the twists just kept coming! This was a fast paced story that kept my interest the entire time. In this story the main character, Roz, is pregnant but cannot keep her baby so she decides to join a website that helps mothers find suitable families for their babies. Roz gets contacted by a prospective couple and feels like she's hit the jackpot when she finds out more about them. When they finally meet things seem a little off but it's nothing too alarming so Roz decides to stick it out. This book was a roller coaster ride all the way thru. The final big revelation in the book had my jaw on the floor! I highly recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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An interesting premise, around adoption/surrogacy and the influence of power. I could relate to Roz, and felt her despair as she became more and more aware of her reality. Overall, a good read with an enjoyable ending.

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I read the synopsis of this book and thought I'd enjoy reading it. Unfortunately I couldn't get interested in this book at all. I didn't like the characters or felt any sympathy or emotion towards them! Probably just not for me at this moment.

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A rollercoaster of a story. Think small town girl, Roz suddenly finding herself pregnant with no stability to bring up a child. Desperate to find a solution she goes online, an answer awaits. If you could let your child grow up with everything she wants, would you give her up? The celebrity couple Roz meets are anything but ordinary. Arriving in New York, Roz's story takes a dark turn.....
Hooked from the start, I loved this story definitely worth a read.

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Not as dark as previous books by this author, still pretty seedy though.
A move away from her detective series, this turned out to be a rather sinister story.
It certainly creeped me out and there was lots of suspense.
Roz is living in Dublin and has a difficult decision to make. Pregnant and keeping the identity of the father a secret, even from her best friend and flatmate Dympna. A Catholic girl in her 20’s with not much money, she doesn’t want to have a termination so looks for other options. She finds a website for couples looking for a baby to adopt. It’s an elite site and she has to pay a fee to register. A couple of days later she is contacted by a couple who are interested. They are known as a ‘diamond’ couple which means they are millionaires and willing to pay a lot of money for a baby. These diamond couples like to keep their real identities secret until they have met the mother, they could possibly be from the world of politics or Hollywood and in the public eye.
Roz thinks she could make some money here, and agrees to fly to New York to meet them. She doesn’t tell the whole truth to Dympna, who is understandably worried about her best friend.
She’s met at the airport and taken to a posh hotel by one of the couple’s staff. Her phone is taken from her, although she also has an emergency phone hidden away which Dympna made her take.
She is taken to a fabulous house and is astonished to find out that the couple interested are none other than acting royalty Sheridan and Daniel. Daniel is a heartthrob English actor and Sheridan a US child star of her own real life show. They want to bring up the child as their own.
This sounds too good to be true!!
Roz is to move into their plush basement apartment until the baby arrives and have everything provided for her, even a visiting doctor.
A few strange things start to happen when Roz moves in. Hidden notes being left for her among other things. She starts to feel suspicious and very worried that she’s never going to see the light of day again, especially as there are no windows. Roz suspects that she’s not the first person to live in the basement suite. Sheridan’s behaviour is very erratic and she overhears conversations from the floor above that cause her concern.
Back in Ireland Dympna is beside herself with worry after hearing nothing from her best friend for far too long. She has a chat with her dad John who is in the police force and asks his advice. He has some contacts and they start to search for any information.
The clock is ticking and it’s nearly time for the baby to be born. You will need to read the book to find out what happens but it had me totally gripped.
Fast paced with a very good twist!!
Caroline Mitchell always goes to the top of my reading pile. I cannot recommend her books enough, although I missed the addition of a raven/crow in this one!
Will post to my blog on publication day.

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4.5 stars. I am a big fan of this authors other books so was so keen to read this one which was different from her usual detective series. It grabbed my interest straight away and had me hooked from the very first page. Full of mystery, twists and suspense this is a great book I would highly recommend!

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Roz only wants what is best for her unborn baby. She didn't plan this pregnancy, and knowing how difficult her childhood was, she isn't prepared financially or emotionally to be a mother. Roz applies to an elite adoption service, one where her baby will grow up with every advantage. It's the best she can do, so she puts on her game face and is stunned when a wealthy and glamorous NY couple is interested in her and her baby.
Roz heads to NY to meet the potential parents and while everything seems okay, things change quickly. If Roz felt alone before, now she has no one to turn to, no friends, no family, no one except for Sheridan and Daniel, and their picture-perfect life. But just like posts on Instagram, a picture only captures what you want people to see and not necessarily the whole story.
Roz unwittingly has walked into a situation that is not as it appears. I was flipping pages to see how this would end. A surprising number of twists and turns and I was so wrong about some of the characters. Lots of tension throughout and a fast-paced plot.
I enjoy Caroline Mitchell's DI Amy Winter series and though I can't wait for the next book, it was nice to read something else she has written.

I received a DRC from Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley.

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This book has every emotion covered. Funny, moving at times, scary and mad celebrities, what more can you ask for?! Irish girl gets pregnant and decides baby would be better off being adopted so joins online site to pick her baby's potential new parents. She travels to America to meet them and they're not quite what they seem unfortunately for her. Very entertaining and darkly comic. Loved it

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Wow. Caroline Mitchell does it again. She knows how to set the backstory and then ramp up the suspense at all the stages of the story, revealing tidbit clues along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy of the book. The opinions expressed above are my own.

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When she finds out that she is pregnant after a one night stand Roz is in shock. She has no job and shares a flat with her friend.
She decides the best thing for her child is to have it adopted. She joins an upmarket group online to find a suitable match, looking for a rich family to pay her expenses and take her baby when it is born.
Roz is about the regret her decision.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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*Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.* This book is set in both Dublin and New York City and focusses on a young woman, Roz who finds herself pregnant and with no way of supporting herself or her baby. Hoping to give her child a better chance at life than she had, Roz signs up to an online adoption service that pairs pregnant women up with wealthy couples in the US. Roz flies off to New York to meet the prospective adoptive parents of her child and there the nightmare begins. A tense but enjoyable read.

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I’ve always been a fan of Caroline Mitchell so was excited to read her new book The Perfect Mother. The style is different to her usual offerings but I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Thrilling and compelling, I found it hard to put down. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

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The Perfect Mother was an interesting concept. It took me a while to get hooked and was a bit formulaic but overall a decent, suspenseful thriller.

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The Perfect Mother is very different to Caroline Mitchell’s previous crime thrillers, described as a psychological thriller, it’s a book that kept me glued to my kindle screen. For me this book showcases what a versatile author Mitchell is, whether it be a crime or psychological thriller it’s obvious the author puts her heart and soul into her writing. Guess what? I absolutely loved The Perfect Mother, it’s creepy, chilling, and very dark. It’s a story of motherhood, and the lengths people will go to to protect those they love.

Roz is broke and pregnant and wanting the best life for her baby. A life she realizes she can’t provide based on her own upbringing, in desperation she turns to an ‘elite’ adoption agency that connects her with a wealthy celebrity couple celebrity Sheridan and Daniel, they can offer the baby the life Roz could only fantasize about.She moves into the couples opulent home, to await the birth of her baby, and here’s where events take an extremely sinister turn.

If you think The Perfect Mother’s plot isn’t an imaginative one, believe me once you pick it up the book, you will realise it’s different to anything you’ve read previously read. Let’s begin with characters, take Sheridan, on the surface she’s one of Hollywood’s greatest, beautiful and rich but scratch beneath her ‘public’ veneer she’s cold, calculated and definitely deluded, she made me skin crawl and fear for Roz’s baby. Roz is the complete opposite, naïve, a lost soul, wanting only the best for her baby. Her naivety puts her in a situation that turns out to be her worse nightmare.

I really thought I had the plot all worked out, but to my surprise Caroline Mitchell threw in a couple of brilliant twists that left me speechless, no mean feat! Fast-paced, complex, twisty, and well thought-out. Whilst reading this book I was accompanied by an increasing sense of dread as the story unfolded. This is one of those books that’s addictive and before you realize it you are halfway through the book. With an enticing plot, twists and turns, and unpleasant character, one chapter turns into another and another. The Perfect Mother has such an innocent title, but don’t be deceived, inside it’s pages there’s a dark and twisted tale lurking. A superb read full of suspense, mystery and plenty of drama! Highly recommended.

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Another great story from Caroline Mitchell.. It is a fantastic book Really kept you on your toes and once started was hard to put down. Brilliantly written with some unexpected twists and turns.

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Bang! Bang! Bang! Nobody’s knocking on heaven’s door! Zrrrrrrr!!! Nope, the postman also does not ring twice! The all special voice effects I wrote in words are coming from my head! I’m banging it against the wall and then resting it to the TV for making some kind of Poltergeist-ic connection to be more intelligent but nothing changed so far! Let’s drink!

Of course I’m punishing myself because this book is waiting too long on my dashboard and it deserves more attention because it’ s really fascinating one sit read. A great, exciting page turner you may finish at one night but prepare to have a sleepless, nightmarish time because this book is really really disturbing!

Here’s our blurb: Roz tries to survive in her hometown Ireland but unfortunately finds herself pregnant and she keeps secret the father’s identity, assisted by her bestie Dympna (unique name, isn’ it?) but she cannot take care of her unborn child so she applies to elite agency for adoption options. A few days later she finds herself jetting to never sleeping, ratty, trashy Gotham City because a celebrity power couple get interested to adopt her baby. Whaaattt? She is so freaking lucky. This couple is deliciously rich. They can give every opportunity, a brand new future to her child she’d dreamt of. But... you’re asking what’s the catch as like I did.
The catch is: there was a young resident was living in the same place where Roz resides now. She vanishes into thin air. Nobody knows what happened to her and where she is. Is she dead? Something tragic happened to her?
And what about Roz? This couple looks too nice to be real! What are they hiding? What are they keeping away from her? Is it too late to give up from adoption? If she changes her mind, what will happen to her?

So buckle up! Ride into this crazy train and get ready to jump several times at those bumpy roads because there are so many twists, surprises paved on your direction. My spider senses were not capable enough to save me from those sucker punching surprises.

As a summary: I had a quiet thrilling, entertaining, hysterical, full of semi-nervous breakdown-ish, excellent time. It’s a great choice for suspense, thriller genre fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas& Mercer to share this riveting ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.

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Pregnant, frightened, alone. Giving up her baby to the perfect couple seemed like a good idea, until she found herself in a new country, confined to a basement flat, and following a strict regime which left no room for contact with friends or family. Riveting storyline and page-turning tension left me wanting to read faster to see what happened. Top read!

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Roz believes she has found the perfect solution to her unplanned pregnancy - a wealthy couple who want to adopt her baby. Like most things that are too good to be true, Roz finds that there is something far darker about the couple than she could ever imagine.
An enjoyable psychological thriller.

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This is a hard one to rate as it’s, to quote the cliche, a game of two halves. The start is four star as are a few other sections, the end is two star as is some dialogue, so let’s settle for three stars!! Twenty four year old Irish girl Rosalind (Roz) Foley finds she is pregnant after a one night stand. Her circumstances mean that it is difficult for her to keep the baby and so she signs up to website Miracle Moms to seek an adoptive couple. She chooses an NYC based pair who turn out to be celebrity couple Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson. What unfolds is entertaining in a barking mad and probably unrealistic way but then, it is fiction!!!!!

Roz as a character is likeable but very naive as she trots off to NY without any real understanding of what she’s walking into. She won’t be the first and I doubt the last. The prize for likeability goes to her best friend Dympna and everyone should have a Dympna in their lives. There are times when I found Sheridan unbelievable as a character and I certainly wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her. Daniel is hard to work out as I don't think his character is sufficiently developed and Mike p, the fixer, is a stereotype. There is some tension at times and it’s certainly twisted and twisted.

Overall, a good premise, entertaining in parts but disappointing in others.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the ARC.

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The Perfect Mother
by Caroline Mitchell
Pub Date: Jan. 14 , 2020
367 pages
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Description:
She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…

📕⭐MY REVIEW📕⭐
The Perfect Mother is a 309 page masterpiece with many twists.
This is my first time reading a book by this author. This fast paced, heart racing, suspense filled, mystery ,crime psychological thriller will have you quickly flipping the pages. It is full of twists and turns. It is very well written and each character is really well developed. I felt like I was right there with them during every part of the story. It was so good i didn't want it to end. The Perfect mother is a gripping psychological thriller that had me glued to the pages. Caroline Mitchell drew me in so much that I refused to put this book down until I read the last page. I started and finished this book all in one day.That's how good it was. I really could not put it down ! I absolutely love love loved it !!!!This is one book you will not want to miss. It Caught my attention from the very first page and i could not turn the pages fast enough. I read mystery,crime & psychological thrillers all the time and this one kept shocking me right to the end.I thoroughly enjoyed this different twist the author spun with this story. The only faught I had with this story is it takes place in both Dublin and New York City . When the author switched to New York she often used words we don't use here in the US. And in the beginning of the book before Roz finds out the real name of the diamond couple adoptive mom she calls her Sheridan . Thoes things aside it was a really great book. I highly recommend getting this book. You can pre order this book on Amazon for just $4.99 and it will be auto-delivered to your Kindle on January 14, 2020. Many thanks to the Publisher , the Author , and NetGalley for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own. If you would like to follow my reviews please do so at my facebook page Joyce Stewart Reviews or my facebook reading group Stewart's Book Reviews Book Club.

♥️ About the Author ♥️
A former police detective, Caroline Mitchell now writes full-time. She has worked in CID and has also specialised in roles dealing with vulnerable victims—high-risk victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual offences. The mental strength shown by the victims of these crimes is a constant source of inspiration to her, and Mitchell combines their tenacity with her knowledge of police procedure to create tense psychological thrillers. Originally from Ireland, she now lives in a pretty village on the coast of Essex with her husband and two children.

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OMG!! Sit down and hold on for the ride! Roz finds herself pregnant. She knows who the father is but cannot tell her best friend Dympna as it would ruin their life long friendship. She can’t keep the baby as she is out of work and doesn;t have a family behind her so decides to let it adopted via a website that specialises in prime adoptions mainly in the USA. When a “diamond” couple are interested she jumps at the chance. Dympna is more suspicious and knows that Roz has had her head turned by the money side of things. A diamond couple are millionaires. Roz travels to the states to meet them and then finds that things are not quite as she had imagined. She has a luxurious apartment- in the basement. There is no natural light and the only ways out are locked. She keeps finding old celebrity magazines that appear to have been left there to warn her. What is going on and will she ever be allowed to leave? I jumped at reading this. I remember reading my first Caroline Mitchell book and being thrilled with it so jumped at this one and wasn’t disappointed, There is the tension and suspense that you expect from a first class psychological thriller, that unease that puts you on the edge of your seat. A plot that makes you think about how much we trust people that we don’t know for potential spoils. I liked Roz and Dympna had a huge heart. Of course there is a twist and I was wrong the whole way
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

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LOVE! An amazing psychological thriller, a few times I thought I'd worked it out but the surprises kept coming. SO tense it kept me up til 4am to finish it. Is you're a fan of psychological thrillers, this is a MUST read. I can't wait to read more by this author.

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Just when you think that Caroline Mitchell can’t surprise you she comes up with The Perfect Mother. Roz is just about scraping by in a job that she hates in Dublin. When she realises that she is pregnant after an ill advised one night stand things are pretty desperate. She wants to do the best for her child and thinks that because of her own terrible upbringing she is better off giving the baby up.

Finding an elite adoption agency online seems to be the perfect solution to her problem. Soon she has a young wealthy power couple interested in her baby and Roz is seduced by the interest that Sheridan and Daniel show in her. They seemingly have the perfect life. With a young son already and a beautiful house in the New York area it looks like they will be able to give her baby everything that she cannot.

Moving into their household Roz soon starts to think that everything is not as it seems and that there are darker forces at play in this idyllic home. How badly do they want her baby and will she survive this experience?

Like all of Mitchell’s stories this one will keep you reading right to the very last page. Full of twists and turns this book will definitely keep you guessing. If you’re looking for the perfect antidote to the post Christmas blues then you need to add this corker to your wish list.

Supplied by Thomas & Mercer and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

UK publication date: Jan 14 2020.

#ThePerfectMother #NetGalley

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A very intriguing read, had me hooked from first page, staying up late to just read another page, charecters were believable and it just shows how far some people will go for love, cracking read

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Wow, be prepared for a wild ride! This book kept me on the edge of my seat, desperate to find out what would happen next. Highly recommend!

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Absolutely delightfully terrifying. The raw emotions pour from each page, making it nearly impossible to stop mid-chapter. Will she escape, will her baby survive, will she ever make it out?

From the first chapter, through the all-to-real scenes described in detail in the final pages, Caroline Mitchell keeps the reader guessing to the end.

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The Perfect Mother is fantastic!! I love Caroline Mitchell's police procedural books and this stand alone story is just as addictive. I read this over just a few nights, needing to know how it was all going to end up for Roz. It is a twisty and surprising read, not at all predictable. I highly recommend you pick this book up as soon as you can!!

The story begins in Ireland and a young girl named Roz. She has just lost her job and finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. She is not ready to be a mother yet and worries that after her own upbringing that she cannot give the child what it needs. Her solution? She joins and elite online adoption agency and is snapped up by a Diamond couple - in New York. They are a rich, power celebrity couple and she is thrilled. But soon after she settles into her swish basement apartment she starts to realise that things are not what they seem. Her prospective adoptive parents are secretive and controlling and she soon starts to fear for both her own life and that of her unborn child.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

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Ever since I discovered the work of Caroline Mitchell, I've been a big fan! I've been following the Ruby Preston and Amy Winters series and have been blown away with each of the books. The Perfect Mother is not part of any series but is a suspenseful and captivating read! though there were parts of the book that were guessed correctly by me, I enjoyed the book from the start until the finish. Unlike the series she writes, that are rife with mind-blowing twists, this book was a bit more predictable. Nonetheless, I enjoyed experiencing all the twists and turns that made this story so good.

When Roz, a proper catholic Irish girl discovers she's pregnant, she has a choice to make - to give away her baby to a good family or bring it up on her own. Almost broke and afraid of being judged, Roz decides to give her baby up and registers on a website that promises to find the baby a decent home and a happy upbringing - something that she was never lucky enough to experience either. So when her profile is matched with a "diamond" couple in NY, US, Roz knows that her baby's future cannot get brighter than this. Packing her bags Roz leaves behind Ireland and flies to the US to deliver her baby to the millionaire couple who want her so bad! But soon Roz realizes that the couple although famous have a disturbing and dark secret. She comes to know that the person you see on screen is so different from the ones when they're behind the cameras. Roz is soon trapped in with no escape in sight. Pregnant and afraid, Roz must escape with her baby before the psycho-couple harm her and her baby.

I enjoyed the plot of this book. Told in multiple POV's I enjoyed reading through the parts of Sheridan and Roz the most. While the pacing was good, the ending felt a bit rushed. I would have liked to know more about Daniel, Monica, and George and how their relationship with Sheridan started out. The focus was primarily on Roz and Sheridan. I also loved the character of Dympna. She seems like a good detective in the making! Strong and sassy like her - these are the characters I really love reading about. Although I found Roz to be dull and unbelievably naive, I appreciate the need for such a character in the book. In all, I enjoyed this book.

Thank You, NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for an arc!

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A young, pregnant woman living in Dublin, Ireland, looking online for a family to adopt her unborn child. A famous Hollywood couple looking to secretly adopt a baby girl. What could go wrong??
I am a fan of Ms. Mitchell and this is another page turner. Her writing style is always engaging and relatable. This would make a good movie. Recommended!

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I love Caroline Mitchell. You can tell that she used to be a police officer because her procedurals are flawless and her characters are always rich and rounded. That said, I really liked the first half of The Perfect Mother , but the second was a disappointment. Roz starts off as a sympathetic character and grows within the story, from a good girl who’s made a lot of mistakes to a mother who’s willing to do anything for her unborn child. It’s the rest of the characters that I had a problem with. Sheridan is way too much to be believable. Maybe Hollywood superstars are that bad, but she had no redeemable qualities whatsoever. Her henchmen are also close to caricatures and transform (from good to evil or from bad to good) too fast to be believable. But may main problem was the structure of the chapters. It’s a pet peeve of mine when the POV changes from first to third person, but I can live with that. It was the parts devoted to Roz’s best friend Dympna that just don’t work. She’s an aspiring Garda and her Dad is a copper. She knows there’s something wrong but… (mild spoiler) in the end whatever she does doesn’t matter. She’s not front and center, but just an afterthought. Maybe if I didn’t like the author so much, I would have liked it better, but I had really high hopes for this novel.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Amazon Publishing UK!

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What a story. Once I started, there was no way I could stop until I finished. Everyone should read it. Totally awesome.

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A good and pretty threatening story. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought the premise would be a bit unbelievable but it worked well x

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Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon UK Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Roz is young, poor, pregnant and living in Dublin. She has decided to give the baby up for adoption via a website that matches up mothers with adoptive families. She decides on a very rich couple from New York City and she is soon on her way to NY. She finds out this couple is very famous and they plan to pass her baby off as their own. Roz winds up basically a hostage in their basement almost completely unable to make contact with the outside world.

This book was a pretty quick read. I started reading and before I knew it, I was halfway done. This was another one where I thought the main character, Roz, was a bit of an idiot. The potential adopter, Sheridan, took her phone and wouldn't give her the keycard needed to get out of the basement, but she didn't immediately see this as an issue. Sheridan was awful, but her actions seemed a bit out of character at the end. Typically I hate books where people are held hostage because I think they are boring, but this one was the exception, because I did find myself moving right along with it. Overall a good quick read.

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Roz has been plodding away through life with not much to show for it. She lives with her best friend, of which both have cleaning jobs. When she finds out she is pregnant, being catholic, an abortion is something she can’t even consider.

Whilst I personally couldn’t give up a child, I can understand why someone would in the hope that they are offering their child a better life. Roz lands on her feet when she is picked by an elite couple who will be able to offer her child everything.

As soon as Roz lands in New York, alarm bells were ringing in my head. I found myself willing her to turn round and get back on the plane. As the story progresses whilst Roz is living in Daniel’s and Sheridan’s home, that uneasy feeling kept on growing, with very good reason.

The author sure knows how to keep her readers on guard, making them fear the worst. I could feel my heart beat getting faster and faster the closer to the end I got. There are some wonderful little twists and turns that you won’t see coming, well I didn’t that’s for sure.

The Perfect Mother, as a mother myself, made me want to hug my children that little bit tighter. This was such a dark read where the tension builds, sending me into a frenzy as to how it was all going to end. There are plenty of shocks, chills and thrills in store to satisfy any psychological thriller fan.

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is a great thriller. It is absolutely not the genre i would ever pick up. I'm glad that i did. It is a story of a kidnapping in our day and age; the story about rich and powerful vs poor and speechless.
The author kept the story on the edge till the very end. I thought that it would be a happy ending novel but I still needed to know the end. It just didn't feel right. I loved the ending. I disagreed with it on the personal level but it was great. I had a pot of emotions being stirred while reading it and i kept talking about it to my colleagues.
It is an easy reading book and I'm pretty sure you are gonna be either speechless or very vocal after you are done with it.
Thank you #netgalley for providing this copy of #theperfectmother for my review.

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Overall, this was ok, had some decent twists

The premise was good and the writing and characters were quite decent. Roz made some pretty crazy choices and boy does she pay for them.

The story started out being somewhat believable (a bit over the top) but then it goes cuckoo crazy at the end. Had some of the crazier elements been left out (or toned down) then it probably would have been an even better story. It was entertaining for sure. I would read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.

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This was a really gripping and enthralling story. I felt claustrophobic while reading it as there truly didn’t seem to be an escape!
Roz has found herself in a bit of a predicament; she is pregnant but can’t afford to keep the baby. She decides the best course of action is to adopt the baby to a lovely couple that she meets online. They seem a perfect choice and can offer the baby everything she can’t. Roz is also a little starstruck as the couple that want her baby are very famous and live the perfect life.
However, once she has arrived in New York to meet them, things get scarier and scarier, and Roz is trapped with no one to turn to.
The story is really captivating and keeps you turning those pages. There are so many secrets and twists and turns, and they just keep on coming. It truly is an unputdownable book. The story is well-developed and brilliantly written.
I kept trying to think if there was anything Roz could have done differently not to have put herself in such a perilous situation, but there really wasn’t. The situation was genuinely thrilling.
This was a perfect read and another fantastic and brilliant book by Caroline Mitchell.

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5 stars! What a book, be prepared to be shook to the core! Well written, thrilling, chilling, and shocking are all precise descriptions of this book! I look forward to more by Mitchell, as she really knows how to build that suspense and make your head explode in shock! A must read for my fellow thriller lovers!
I will make sure I buzz it up!

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A young pregnant woman moves to NYC to meet and stay with the perfect couple who will give her unborn child a future that she cannot. It seems to magical to be true. Because it is. Soon she discovers that not all is what is seems and that her very life may be in danger. A thrilling and at times terrifying read.

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell

The book opens with a young pregnant woman fighting for her life. Roz Foley, fatherless and a mother who was an alcoholic, is having a baby. But who’s baby? Even her best friend Dympna doesn’t know. The lifestyles of these two girls couldn’t be further apart. Dympna with her trendy parents: Father a police officer and mother an event planner. But they are inseparable. A bond of sisterhood that cannot be broken. But will Roz’s secret drive a wedge between them?

Roz has her own reasons for not keeping her child and answers an ad for an adoption site in America. Plunged into the US glamour scene via Celeb Goss Magazine, we meet the couple who are desperate for a second child. Blonde bombshell Sheridan Sinclair (44) and Daniel Watson (38). A couple hoping for a quiet life but bombarded with paparazzi, they must keep their private life out of the papers. But at what cost? Daniel, on the other hand, is generally good natured and has oodles of compassion. But is he too busy on set or just generally being public property? I kept asking myself: Is he merely eye candy or is there more to Daniel than meets the eye.

Hollywood starlet Sheridan Smith is the most interesting character for me. Even her staff stand to attention. She is curiously frail, but at the same time equipped with an excessive sense of self-importance. But throw in a serious lack of empathy and you get a ticking time bomb. There is the manic side to her and the depressing side. It made my skin crawl to know her. Taming Daniel with a new baby belonging to a complete stranger is a risk. But Sheridan is a risk-taker. I love the mention of Daniel appearing in a blockbuster movie called Murder Game — which also happens to be a book written by the author.

As Roz embarks on her adventure to America, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of dread. Her baby is going to the best possible couple and — according to an article in Celeb Goss Magazine — a luxury apartment equipped with a doctor’s surgery served by the best OBGYN in NY. Somehow, you can hear the ‘but’ a mile away. When I learn Roz will be sleeping in a basement without windows, the overall mood darkens. But that’s not all. She is kept on a strict regimen because let’s not forget, she is merely a walking incubator.

The book is well written and the twists well thought out. This is a story to savour. Although I read it in a day (YES! It’s that un-put-downable) you need to take in the detail. The plot is complex and realistic and the characters are fascinating. Mitchell is skilful in cutting through the layers to get to the darkest planes of her characters’ minds. This book is cunning, unpredictable, subtly layered and populated by characters so deliciously immoral they’re hard to part with. Five fat stars for another brilliant book!

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Bloody hell! Just finished #ThePerfectMother after starting it this eve! A heart-racing read - twisty, intense and chilling! I think I can say it was the #perfect read! Full review for the #blogtour - highly recommended 👌

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This fantastic book was very hard to put down! Barely getting by, Roz finds out she is pregnant after a one night stand. Wanting to do what is is right for the baby she contacts a couple through an elite adoption website. They sound perfect for her and her baby. After she is flown to NYC Roz realizes she’s has been duped and the situation is out of control. This is definitely a page-turner, and a stay-up-past-your-bedtime book. Don’t miss this suspenseful surprise-filled novel! I received an advanced read copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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First off, this book is cracking!! If you love being kept awake reading all night because you can’t put the book down, then this is definitely the perfect book for you!

When Roz finds herself pregnant, unemployed and single, she looks into her options and thinks she’s found the perfect solution via an online advert, where couples look for surrogates and pay extortionate fees to become members. She finds a couple who are adamant about maintaining confidentiality as they are celebrities from New York.

Knowing she can’t keep her baby, she agrees to fly out and meet them, they seem perfect prospective parents so far, so with an all expenses paid trip, she sets off to meet Sheridan and Daniel.

This is a classic case of “too good to be true” and when Roz finds herself held virtual prisoner in their basement she becomes seriously scared for both hers and her baby’s safety.

Be prepared to be unable to put this down, this book is the very definition of “suspense thriller”

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I always enjoy books by Caroline Mitchell and this was no exeption. When Roz finds herself pregnant and jobless, she goes online to put her unborn child up for adoption, for a fee. She flies to New York and her nightmare begins. This book is full of weird and quirky characters, It is entertaining and full of twists. I enjoyed the plot and it was well written with a super twist at the end with the revelation of the baby's father. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

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This is a gripping, fast-paced book that focuses on the naive, pregnant Roz who believes all her prayers are answered when a Hollywood couple offer to pay to adopt her unborn baby and care for her during her pregnancy. However, the adage that "if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is" means that Roz begins to regret her lack of suspicion and wishes that she had been as cynical as her friend Dymphna was about the situation.
There are some thoroughly enjoyable twists and turns in this book; the pressure of being a Hollywood power couple, the attitude towards 'ageing' women actors, the abuse of child stars and the corruptive influence of having power. However, the characterisation was disappointing. Sheridan was alternatively portrayed as an archvillain (I could almost imagine her 'mwa ha ha ing' as she led Roz to the basement) or as a victim in the mother-daughter and husband-wife relationships. Mike was straight out of the 'washed-up actor gone bad' school and even Roz was dimensional.
That being said, it is a fun, quick read, and kept me turning the pages.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

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When I first started reading this, I was super excited because I loveeee thrillers. This one just wasn't for me. I'm not a fan of thrillers following cop/court proceedings and this one felt a lot like those. My rating seemed to fluctuate as I read the book and it was difficult to come to a decision on a star rating. I did enjoy the writing, but the plot was not for me.

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I love Caroline's police procedurals and was excited to see a different style of book.
The characters bring out all of your emotions, pity, disgust, antipathy and amazement.
It has a few twists in the book, some I was expecting and some that were a shock.

Ideal for people who love domestic noir.

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This book was very good
It was refreshing and it was very well to explain things
I thought it was very thoroughly
I received an ARC

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This was coasting for all the stars until something was revealed at the end that just didn't work for me. Yes, OK, it did explain something so could, at a push, be an integral plot point, but it also could have been different and still work. To me it came across a bit being added for shock tactic rather than wholly necessary and took the shine off the ending for me somewhat.
When we first meet Roz she is not having a great life. A bit on her uppers already she now finds out that she is pregnant and not in a steady relationship. Studying her options and discounting some straight away, she signs up to an online elite adoption agency, determined to give her baby the best start in life; something she feels she is unable to do herself. Meanwhile, across the pond, a celebrity A-list couple are desperate to adopt and, long story short, Roz soon finds herself jetting off to NY to continue her pregnancy with her baby's soon to be new parents, to be pampered and looked after every step of the way. Knowing that her baby will have the life it deserves, the one she didn't get. But it soon transpires that her version of "looked after" wildly differs from that of the couple who reveal themselves after the paperwork has been completed. Celebrity couple Sheridan and Daniel want to complete their family; they already have a son. But what lengths will they go to to achieve this goal?
Imagine this, a celebrity couple wants to adopt your child and promises you the world. Sounds a little too good to be true, doesn't it? Especially when you agree to meet them without knowing who they are, travelling across the pond, alone, pregnant, vulnerable... Meeting with PA and lawyers all before knowing who the couple are. What could possibly go wrong...!?
And so begins a rather harrowing tale, full of twists, turns, shocks and thrills that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Yes, it was a bit predictable along the way and has the one reveal too far at the end, but it was entertaining nonetheless.
Characterisation was, on the whole, good. There's quite a lot going on in the book and not all is what it appears on face value, not a spoiler, it's part of the genre, so the characters have to be good to pull it all together and they do this very well. To be honest, I didn't really like Roz, for reasons I couldn't put my finger on for most of the book and I thought she was so naive and silly doing what she did and wanted to slap her up something rotten at times for what she was doing. On the flip side, I loved her friend Dympna. Sheridan was barking and Daniel was just weird (and not fully developed in my opinion) and, when they were introduced the whole things degenerated into a bit of a farce with unrealistic undertones.
If you want your reads to be realistic and credible then this may not be the book for you. If you are looking for a thrill a minute, suspenseful, shocker of a tale, and are not too fussed about reality then this will hit the spot for you. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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This book was seriously good. I liked how we followed different viewpoints while keeping Roz the main focus of the book.
As a mom it was kinda hard to see read some parts that involved the baby, but it just made me root for Roz even harder.
Daniel's character was done in such a way that he literally made my skin crawl.
Sheridan was a complex character for me. At first I despised her but as I kept reading and more things kept being revealed about her, i did start to pity her. Still a horrible character however.

Overall i did enjoy this book and it was a pretty fast read.
I knocked off a star because the ending felt a tad bit unbelievable and also the beginning had me just like huh?? In regards to some of the decisions Roz made and how fast and reckless she made them.

Also, i guessed one of the big twists super early on in the novel, but i dont know if that's just me or if it was an east plot twist to guess. Either way, i didnt knock off a star for that.




* I recieved this arc completely free from NetGalley in echange for an honest review*

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I enjoyed The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell very much. It kept me engaged and on my toes from beginning to end. I liked the premise of a young girl, pregnant and desperate to make a better life for her child and the choices she makes.

This book took me in a direction I did not anticipate and I LOVED IT. It’s very suspenseful and disturbing so maybe don’t read it on a dark and stormy night because it has the potential to give you nightmares!

Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.

Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.

When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…

I will definitely be looking for this author’s name in the future, I am eager to see what kind of twisted and creepy story she writes next!

Due out on January 14, buy it here! Free for those with Kindle Unlimited.

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I am a big fan of Caroline Mitchell and read several of her books. When I heard about The Perfect mother different to her other books, I was intrigued to read this and find out what it is all about.
Roz Foley struggles to make ends meets and lives with her friend Dympna in Ireland. When after a one-night stand, she discovers that she is pregnant, and she doesn’t know what to do, she is also a Catholic so she is against abortion and she can’t tell her friend who the father is, or it will blow their friendship apart.
After her own childhood without a dad and her mother an alcoholic, Roz wants to do the best for the child and when she comes across an adoption website that sells baby’s to the rich and famous she thinks that is the best solution for her baby. Give her baby the life that she will not possibly give her child. She decides on a ‘diamond’ couple. Who pays her all expenses paid to America, New York and up to when the baby is born?
When she gets there, she is so excited and at first can’t believe her luck when she thinks she has found the perfect couple for her baby. But when she arrives its not what she is expecting. She is hidden in the basement out of sight, away from prying eyes.
This is another gripping thriller from Caroline Mitchell that I didn’t want to put down. This had a great characters and story and emotional too. How desperate and what sacrifices a mother must make to give the best for her child? This is a very entertaining read. I highly recommend

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I started reading this in the afternoon & couldn’t stop! What’s for supper? Not cooking, order pizza!!! I stayed up till 3am to finish it. I had to find out what happened to Arizona and her baby. Needless to say I believe Caroline Mitchell knocked it out of the park with this one!!!

Rox is pregnant, broke and she has no idea how she can raise a baby. She finds a site for people wanting to adopt. After signing up she’s surprised that a wealthy couple is interested in her baby. Since she grew up poor in Ireland and the idea of her baby being adopted by a wealthy family from the USA seems like something she can’t turn down. The wealthy couple keep their identity secret until they meet. She travels to America to meet them & that’s where it all starts to unravel. The adoptive parents are controlling and Roz starts to fear for her and her baby’s life. Lots of twists and turns in this one. The ending will surprise you!

Thank you NetGalley & Amazon UK publishers for allowing me to read this ARC!

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I am a sucker for suspense with a twist. This book delivers exactly that. I loved the setting of this boom and found myself hooked to it from page 1. And before I knew I finished reading it. I loved the glam, emotions and competition. I also loved the role of family and friends reminding me that whatever we do, family and friends will make your life full. This is one of the best books I have read in 2019.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book. It looked super interesting and had its good parts, but overall made for a read that just wasn't that great.
Read on to know why.

Genre: 
Thriller, Suspense

Length: 
368 pages

Overall Rating:
5 out of 10

Plot:
5 out of 10

Characterization:
3 out of 10

Primary Element:
6 out of 10 for its suspense

Writing Style:
7 out of 10

Part of a Series: 
No.

Highlighted Takeaway:
An endearing writing style, which is strongly representative of Irish slang and mannerisms.

What I Liked:
The Perfect Mother has an interesting basic premise. It reads smoothly, and moves fast enough. Unfortunately, these aren't enough to overshadow the negatives of the book.

What I Didn’t Like:
Characters were just too shallow and behaved in the most irrational ways possible. I know that tough situations can call for strange behaviors, but this was just too implausible. Also, the characters are not fleshed out. They act and do what the situation demands more than the story building around the characters and how they would actually react.
Another thing that really got to me was how convenient everything was in the story and the characters' reactions. It felt like the author had a very obvious predetermined arc and that everything and everyone played a role to fulfill it, consequently making the story too unrealistic to associate with or really enjoy.

Who Should Read It:
I would not actively recommend this book to anyone because if it's a suspense or thriller novel that you're looking for, there are definitely many other options out there that would do better.

Who Should Avoid:
Anyone who does not like shallow characters and a storyline based on convenient inputs rather than a fleshed-out book where story and characters build off of one another.

Read It For:
If anything, the endearing mannerisms and slang that the writing style offers.

I still think Caroline Mitchell's work could be good, if her writing style is anything to go by. I may or may not try another one of her books, but would have definitely loved to see her style combined with better characterization and story development. All in all, The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was not a great read, and not something I would actively recommend.

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Where to begin? Alright, there's a Irish young woman, she's pregnant and wants to give away the baby. So she starts looking for couples and finds (a famous) one in the States. The couple flies her to New York and she signs away her life. Practically literally. It all seems great: good food, housing, money, etc, until things go bananas. Turns out the famous woman of the couple is bat-crap crazy and wants to pass of the baby as her own. She houses our heroine (or more like confines her) and as each day progress, she becomes crazier, more territorial, and even abusive.

To me, I could not wait to found out what was happening next. This is truly your typical thriller, page-turner. I was worried for Roz (our Irish lass) and also terrified of Sheridan (our lady of the house). And let's not forget the baby. WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BABY? Well, I guess to find out, you'll have to read.

Get The Perfect Mother when it comes out 1.14.2020.

5/5 Stars

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#ThePerfectMother #NetGalley
A good psychological thriller.
Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.
Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.
But soon her dream becomes a nightmare for her. Read this book to know more.
Each character has given equal importance in the book. All are superb.
Narration is simple.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy of this book.

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Roz a penniless Irish girl suddenly pregnant
Sheridan, half of a Hollywood power couple, unable to have children and desperate to
Neither of them are a ‘perfect mother’ and neither of them would ever meet normally
But this is book world and they do via an anon ‘you have your baby, we keep it, heres a zillion dollars’ kind of web site

So, Roz goes over to NY and it all seems perfect, her life is going to be wonderful, money, clothes, the finest Dr’s.....all seems too good to be true, and, of course it is as she soon realises as she is led into her luxury quarters....in a windowless basement with only a lift for access

The story then takes off and Sheridan is a fab narcissistic psychopath character hideous yet fascinating, Roz a petrified kidnapee and no one knows she is there...

It’s a full on psychological story that was good, true its full of ‘well hang on if she had done this then she would be free’ and ‘ WOW how daft can you be to fall for that’ but then some of the best stories ( and films ) are like this and thats half what makes them so enjoyable

There’s the obligatory twists but then quite a raised eyebrow one at the end that was a shock

Its well written, exciting, fun even though at times horrifying and a book I can say am glad have read

Predicable at times maybe but then thats why we read the genres we do, we enjoy them

8/10
4 Stars

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Caroline Mitchell is quickly becoming one of my favorite To-Read authors. The Perfect Mother is a stand alone psychological thriller and it is fabulous! The beginning grabs hold and the tension builds increasingly all the way to the end. It is realistically written and one could imagine this happening - now that is scary!

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Book 1: Roz, young, broke and pregnant in Ireland, looks to an elite adoption service in hopes of providing her unborn child a better life. When selected by an anonymous celebrity couple to come to NYC to move forward, Roz believes she’s hit the jackpot. That is, until she moves into the couples’ basement — without any contact to the outside world.

This book started out a bit slow to me, but based on the previous reviews I was determined to keep going. I’m glad I did! This novel will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, with twists that you want see coming. Needless to say, after I got through the the first few chapters, I devoured this book in one sitting!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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It was a very insightful novel, with a strong cast of characters. I enjoyed the story line very much and would definitely recommend this book.

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A slow burner as it takes 30% of this book before Roz even leaves Ireland to go and meet the famous couple to whom she wants to sell her baby. However once it gets going there's enough to keep the reader's interest. In contrast to the start the ending feels a little rushed however the middle is paced very well. Recommended.

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I have mixed feelings on this book. The storyline was interesting yet nothing new. The characters were one dimensional and nothing kept me drawn in. I wanted to like this book, hence the mixed feelings.

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Rosalind Foley shares a flat with her best friend. They are very close but this day in particular Roz is reluctant to share her news. Roz knows she must, but she still dreads imparting this piece of news. Dympna must know though because she cannot hide it from her friend. The task seems even worse than going to her local Priest to confess her sins, but it must be done. So she takes a deep breath and tells Dympna that she has fallen pregnant after a drunken night of passion. What she point blank refuses to divulge though, is the name of the man that is the father of her child. Soon the deed is done and Roz explains how she intends to keep her secret and find a perfect mother for her baby without anyone knowing she has given birth.
Roz has been busy and now has a solution that seems the only way out for a good Irish girl. She has contacted an elite adoption agency with a difference. She has been contacted by an anonymous ‘Diamond Couple’, rich and famous beyond belief soon after downloading her information. She is very excited as it has happened so quickly and their situation seems ideal. They are talking about their offer of discretion and a solution to her thorny problem. Roz will tell everybody that she has landed an exciting but temporary job in New York. The couple will house her and keep her well-fed and healthy until the baby arrives, when they will pass off the child as their own and send her home with an amazing gift of an eye-watering amount of money to set her up for the future. Dympna is suspicious and tries to talk her out of the arrangement, but Roz is determined and is buzzing with energy. Very soon she sets off to a prearranged meeting in a posh New York hotel. She is well impressed and raring to go.
This is Roz’s story of what happens next in this thrilling and totally bizarre story. I have followed Caroline Mitchell eagerly through her two series of police procedural thrillers, but this novel is totally different. It’s a standalone domestic noir thriller with so many twists and turns you will feel dizzy! Her storytelling is faultless but the storyboard is complex and scary. The characters she has envisaged and developed are eclectic and interesting, but some of them are truly mean, deceitful and totally amoral. There are criminal acts, deceitfulness, broken promises and lies aplenty. But to counteract these dark, wicked characters, I loved the story of two friends who were loyal and supportive, even though Dympna did have an axe to grind when the father of Roz’s baby is revealed. I sped through the novel, never knowing what was going to happen next. It was tense, misleading and thought provoking.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Thomas & Mercer through my membership NetGalley and I would like to thank them for my copy, sent out to me in return for an honest review. I really enjoyed this novel and award it a well-deserved 4*.

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How far would you go to give your baby a good home? And what would you do to bring a baby into your good home? The Perfect Mother answers both these questions. A tempting website, offering money and luxury accommodations in exchange for a newborn, intrigues young unwed mother Roz. Against the warnings of her best friend Dymphna, Roz travels from Ireland to New York to meet the mysterious couple who want to adopt her baby.

The couple are soon revealed to be Daniel Watson and Sheridan Sinclair, Angelina and Brad types, although his career is on the rise while hers has stalled. Here the story goes off the rails and devolves into a barely believable plot with a surprise ending that has little relation to the rest of the novel.

Still, I am giving The Perfect Mother four stars. What is lost in a disappointing plot is redeemed by strong character development. Roz and Dymphna’s friendship feels real. Roz’ developing love for her baby is touching and Dymphna’s concern for her friend rings true. These two women outshine the flawed storyline and will keep you captivated.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for this Advanced Reading Copy.

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The Perfect Mother is the latest psychological thriller from Caroline Mitchell. It tells the story of Roz, young, broke and pregnant and how one decision changed her life…
anticipation and fear about what I was about to uncover in the pages ahead. Two women, Roz and Dympna, best friends but poles apart in terms of their background. Dympna comes from a stable and loving home while Roz’s background was at best chaotic and at its worse verging on abusive. When she discovers she is pregnant, Roz confesses to Dympna that she doesn’t think she is able to offer a baby the love and protection it needs. Her strict Catholic background means she cannot consider a termination and a dark secret she is keeping from her friend leaves her unable to face giving birth to the child in Ireland. And so comes her connection with Miracle Moms, a website which appears to offer Roz the very solution she is looking for.
The premise of this book was disturbing, babies for sale and the brutal truth that all that glitters is most definitely not always gold as Caroline Mitchell hammers the assumption that just because someone is rich or famous then they are good people.
The Perfect Mother lays bare the power and the ugly truth of the internet where anything is for sale. And when Roz decides to go through with her plan, things begin to spiral in a way that she could have never have imagined!
Sheridan and Daniel are the golden couple, a life of fame and luxury. But the narrative forces you to just look beneath that surface where you find something much darker, much more tarnished.
The novel is full of intriguing and well-rounded characters, Roz and Sheridan both stood out for me. My feelings for Sheridan batted back and forward between empathy, fear and hatred. And as I watched Roz beginning to doubt herself as events take a sinister turn, my heart was about to explode out of my chest! These characters were written so well, that despite the dark and sinister turn of events, it was impossible not to relate to each of them. I witnessed a vulnerability in each of the characters alongside an impressive display of strength and control. Cold hearted but fragile, watching these characters play out their role was like watching a car crash in slow motion.
The pace is perfect with each and every twist delivered just at the right time; it left me breathless but also probed away at my mind as I imagined myself in a similar situation…that old, what if scenario came into play many a time!
In a step away from police procedurals, Caroline Mitchell offers a well-drawn out, tension laden psychological thriller, it has all the elements required to make it a "just one more chapter" kind of read. Well drawn characters, a dark and intriguing and thrilling plot which was perfectly paced. It had all the twists and turns required to make me gasp! I really could see this play out on the big screen!

This review will appear on my blog as part of the blog tour in January.

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I'm a big fan of Caroline Mitchell's books and I always look forward to a new one... I was sold soon as I first read the blurb for The Perfect Mother and I have been looking forward to read it ever since. And now I've had the chance to read it, I think I might just have found a new favorite title! From start to finish, this story is everything I look for and more in a psychological thriller. I was hooked from the very first page, unable to put down my kindle until I reached that final page, and I literally finished it in less than a day. This might sound like one of those review cliches or oneliners, but it is 200% true when it comes to The Perfect Mother!

There is a lot to love in The Perfect Mother, and I'm struggling a bit to decide where to start. The beginning maybe? The premise of the story is without doubt fascinating. We start with a young and broke Irish woman with an impossible dilemma as to how to solve her current situation. Some of her options might not be orthodox, but there are underlying secrets in play as well that will influence her decision. Conflicting opinions about her decision aside, it without doubt makes for one heck of a story. I'm not sure if I would have trusted the offer as it simply sounded too good to be true, but I guess being desperate makes you overlook the details... Once the story starts taking place in New York, things are getting truly interesting and I just couldn't believe my eyes when I started discovering what was really going on at the celebrity couple's house and what secrets they were hiding.

The story is told with the help of multiple POVs and two different settings (Ireland and New York). Focusing mainly on Roz and Sheridan, we slowly learn more about both their past and how the current situation came to be... Multiple plot twists and secrets are hidden along the way to keep you on your toes, and the plot will definitely have some surprises for you in store. The different POVs and settings also give this story a multidimentional feel and definitely enhanced both the plot and the suspense. The Irish setting was well described and really came alive for me; both through the characters and descriptions themselves. The New York setting mostly focuses on the celebrity couple's house, but those chapters are by no means dull and will definitely satisfy your need for suspense and shocking plot twists.

As for the characters... Even if you don't agree with what Roz decided to do, she is still quite easy to like and connect to. Her best friend is likewise easy to like and it was interesting to discover what role she played in the story as a whole. I wasn't a big fan of the celebrity couple, but I guess they are ment to be that way for the story to work and they are intriguing characters to try and decipher. Other New York characters were easier to like, including George, but the most important thing is that each character added a little something extra to the plot and played the role he/she had to play to turn The Perfect Mother into the little masterpiece it is. This book is definitely right at the top of favorite 2020 releases so far, and it is a story that will stay with me for quite some time... If you enjoy a well written, suspenseful and twisty psychological thriller, you should definitely add The Perfect Mother to your wishlist!

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I have several of this authors books on my bookcase, most of which are from a series, so I was delighted to receive a copy of this book which is a stand alone novel.

Roz a 24 year old Catholic finds herself In dire straights, she has lost her job, is penniless and finds herself pregnant. She has a choice to make, keep the baby and try and raise it on her own, or give the baby up to a family that can give it all the things she can’t.

She decides to register with a website, that says it will find a good family and a decent home. Roz’s profile is matched with a celebrity couple, Julie and Greg. Roz believes this to be the perfect solution, and soon finds herself on a plane to NYC. However nothing is at is seems, as Julie and Greg have a dark secret.

Roz is afraid, she is stuck in a basement flat, and is being made to stick to a strict regime, no contact with her friends and family, is Roz in danger? she realises that she needs to escape from this couple, to save not just herself but her baby. The story is told by a number of points of view but mainly Sheridan and Roz who are the main focus of the story.

Although I enjoyed this, I did guess the plot twists, there are some well written characters, some I would have liked to a bit more of especially Dympna, Roz’s friend. My only other problem was that the ending just seemed rushed. However, this is just my opinion, others may disagree.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Thomas&Mercer for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review

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This read was awesome, i read it twice! It was a read that got you in a net, a sad story of a young girl in a bit of a PICKLE! And oh my Lord it took a turn i never I never expected, not even if I’d have planned it myself .
Caroline Mitchell pulls these storylines from nowhere and never ceases to grab my guts and hold it tight till the book is done.. There are those who are meant to read and those who are meant to write ,we are an awesome combination :-).
The characters are fabulously rooted Jekyll and Hyde style the storylines that just jump out and suck at the main one are perfect its like a tree growing in Slow motion,its exciting, bold and in some parts quite terrifying because it can actually be believably true , this read makes you believe it could happen.

“Flops back” phew don’t miss this story another Caroline cracker Just in time for Christmas too.It Made my heard pop a cracker anyway. You wont be disappointed with the amazing labyrinth of twisted thoughts this takes you on.

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This was a non stop thrill ride. It had many twists that were very unpredictable. It was a fantastic read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.

4.5/5 stars

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I’ve read all of Caroline Mitchell’s books and this is one of my favourites. Great story, great characters and written in a way that you have to keep reading. A good thriller that was a pleasure to read.

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She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.

Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.

Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.

When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…

I have loved all of this author's previous books so I was excited to read this one and the blurb sounded just up my street. I was drawn in right from the prologue and knew it was going to be a good one and I wasn't wrong. The characters are believable, I detested Sheridan and Daniel from the outset but it was easy to see why Roz fell for their charming words, but beneath that charm they hid some very dark secrets, although, as naive as she is, Roz has a secret of her own and it's this secret that aids her decision to fly to America in the first place, because she knows that should she reveal all, it could have far-flung consequences on the best friendship she's ever had and she can't let that happen, but things don't go quite as she had planned and she quickly realises maybe staying at home would have been the better option. If you like a fast paced, edge of your seat, scream if you want to go faster kind of thriller that keeps you guessing at the turn of every page, then this is for you.

I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

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Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Caroline Mitchell for the opportunity to read and review her latest novel - I'm a fan of her police procedural based books and this was another winner! 4.5 stars!

Roz lives in Ireland with her best friend, she just lost her job, is broke and pregnant. She had a tough childhood and she wants her child to have the perfect mother. She signs on with an elite adoption agency in the US and soon a celebrity couple wants to meet her. They pay all her expenses to bring her to NYC to meet and discuss plans, without yet revealing their names. When she finds out that it is the "it" Hollywood celebrity couple, she's eager for her baby to have all the best. The couple, Sheridan & Daniel, move her into their home where Sheridan rules her every move. So much so that Roz soon feels like a prisoner in the basement suite. And that's just the beginning of her worries.

This is a well-written thriller which will keep you gripped until you find out what happens to Roz and her baby.

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A young pregnant woman moves to New York to meet what she Hope's will be the perfect couple to look after her unborn baby. But it's not long before she discovers that all is not what she expected it to be. Could her life be in danger?

The story starts off as a bt of a slow burner. But the pace does pick up as the story progresses. This is a tense and suspenseful read. I really felt for Roz, a naive young girl who only wanted the best for her unborn baby. Then the way she was treated by the couple was despicable. There are plenty of twists and shocks in store for the reader.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author Caroline Mitchell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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OH, MY GOODNESS!!!
I could have easily read this book in one sitting, had I not had real life stuff to do. I was well and truly gripped!
The Perfect Mother is quite different to the other books I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell. However, her talent for drawing you in from the very first page is true of them all. I finished The Perfect Mother this afternoon. Today is the first chance I’ve had to get away with not having to put it down and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself! I HAD to find out what was going to happen. This story has been in my thoughts since I started it. It’s one that really got under my skin.
When Roz finds she is pregnant and unable to bring up a baby alone, I really felt for her. She is a very likable character and I could understand her desperation, but I can’t even imagine being desperate enough to do what she goes on to do. I was totally with her best friend.
I felt very uneasy throughout this story as soon as Roz made the decision to travel to New York to meet a couple she knew nothing about. I was not prepared for just how unhinged these people would turn out to be! The dark secrets they have hidden behind closed doors are just terrifying.
Sheridan is a serious piece of work, to put it mildly. She’s a scary, but fascinating character. I can’t make my mind up about Daniel. Why they were ever married I don’t know. They are both toxic in their own way and even more so as a couple. Their behaviour towards each other, their staff and, of course, Roz is horrifying. I felt so sorry for their little boy and the devastating way he came into the world and into their lives.
What Roz endures at the hands of this celebrity couple, who portray themselves on social media as having the perfect relationship and family life, is nothing short of petrifying. I was praying for Roz and her baby the whole time and I’m not sure I even breathed towards the end!
Just brilliant!
A story that’s likely to stay with me for a very long time to come.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC via Netgalley. I highly recommend!

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is the first book I've read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last. In this standalone thriller, we meet Roz, a pregnant woman unable to keep her child. She enlists help from an elite adoption agency, who quickly finds a wealthy couple in NYC eager to adopt her baby. Roz leaves her Ireland hometown and moves into the couple's basement apartment to live out the duration of her pregnancy. Rather quickly, Roz discovers this powerhouse celebrity couple is hiding secrets--namely, the young girl who used to live in Roz's brand new, plush suite. Roz makes it her mission to discover the truth about the girl, this couple, and the events that led to her disappearance.

This was an intense, fun, deliciously thrilling ride! There are so many twists and turns; I simply couldn't keep up! That's what makes for a perfect thriller. I really enjoyed the characters, and I thought the author did a wonderful job developing them. The writing is strong, and the story is fast-paced, which is what I really enjoy in a suspense novel. I highly recommend this one!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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I loved this book. I haven't read a thriller with a storyline like this one. Sometimes they seem to have similar concepts but this was different from the other thrillers I've read. It kept my attention and had many surprises in store. I would definitely recommend this book to other thriller lovers.

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Stunned by an unexpected pregnancy, 20something Roz is left reeling. She desperately wants to do whats best for her baby, but sadly, she knows that isn't a life with her. She is determined that her child will grow up wanting for nothing - a childhood completely different to the one Roz had. So, when she hears of an elite adoption agency catering just to the rich and famous, she knows its what she, and her baby, needs, and it's no time at all before she's matched with superstars Daniel and Sheridan. But Roz soon begins to realise that something sinister is lurking in the shadows of their New York home, and that Sheridan might not be the perfect mother after all...

Oh. My. God. Ok, so as soon as I saw the summary of this, I knew I would love it. I mean, a thriller about a hollywood couple kidnapping a pregnant woman for nefarious purposes? Who doesn't want to read that?! And I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. The book is told from the POV of both Roz and Sheridan, which I will admit surprised me at first. I assumed having an insight into Sheridan's perspective might reduce the suspense a bit, but luckily I was wrong. Instead, you get a slow burn of a novel that grabs you by the neck and pulls you right in, and holds you there until you finally get to the bottom of what the hell is happening in that apartment.

Literally the only thing I wasn't keen on in this book was the focus on the identity of the babies father. Personally, I guessed it pretty early on - those red herrings just weren't strong enough! But I personally didn't think it was really that relevant to the plot, and the never-ending focus on it did dull the pace a tad to me. The reveal at the end was also a bit underwhelming - who would respond to news like that?!

Irrelevant of that though, it was definitely a very strong and well-written book, and I will eagerly read anything else that Mitchell's had written. Yes, there were some elements that could have been stronger, but it is still a very masterful example of creating intense suspense in a new and novel setting.

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Oh, what a ride of a book!

Roz was broke and pregnant. She knew she couldn't provide the best for her child. So, she went online and tried to find the perfect parents who'd adopt her child for money. And it turned out to be a celebrity couple. Actors Daniel and Sheridan in America seemed to be the best choice, and talks with them made her feel Sheridan would be the perfect mother. But was she?

My second book by author Caroline Mitchell, and it was thrilling and so addictive. I couldn't stop reading it. The moment Roz landed on American soils, I knew there was something dark waiting for her. The characters played to my fears well. They were hiding something, and the need to know what broke down my walls of my patience.

The way the couple treated her at their home had me gasping. I remember screaming - Run, Roz, run away. Wow!! The author's writing built up the suspense with every word, I literally couldn't leave my kindle alone. Just a page more was the litany in my mind which led to me reading the entire book at one go. Tap... Tap... Tap...went my finger on my kindle until I reached the end.

I was asked by a fellow blogger to analyze the ending. I agreed with her observations. Roz's friend was shown worried and actively investigating, yet there was no discovery by her in America. That subplot could have been used well. Nevertheless, the father of Roz's baby was a downright shocker.

My midnight to early morning read. A few pages more became the entire book read. What a book to lose sleep over!! Fun!

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With thanks to Netgalley and Amazon for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Twenty four year old Roz had been best friends Dympna since school. After leaving school the girls moved from their small town to live in Dublin together.

When Roz fell pregnant after a one night stand she decided to look into adopting the baby. Roz couldn't reveal the fathers name because it would destroy her friendship with Dympna. However Dympna was thrilled that Roz was pregnant and wanted them to raise the baby together.

Roz registered with an adoption agency in the U.S and was thrilled when a `diamond couple` (a wealthy celebrity or VIP) wanted to talk to her. Roz knew the couple would provide a good life for her baby, when they invited her to New York she readily accepted. Dympna was suspicious of the couples motives and begged her not to go.

In New York Roz found out there were Hollywood stars Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson. Before Roz met them she was warned to keep her off the man in the house and keep quiet. After signing the adoption papers Roz moved into her own basement flat in Sheridan`s mansion. However she soon discovered she was imprisoned in the flat with no way upstairs let alone outside. Sheridan also took her mobile, leaf by Roz isolated in a foreign country. Meanwhile when Dympna failed to hear from Roz she decided to find out the identity of Roz`s diamond coupke.

I have read a number of Caroline Mitchell`s books but this her best book so far. The plot was compelling and I could easily have read the book in one sitting. The book was atmospheric and I could feel Roz`s worry and paranoia stuck in her luxury prison.

Sheridan was ruthless and would do anything to protect her family`s `brand`. Her determination to create the perfect photographic family was sad and a little chilling.

My favourite character was Roz`s first best friend Dympna.

I highly recommend this book.

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This book began with a universally great concept - what to do about an unwanted and surprise pregnancy but when it ended... my jaw literally dropped. This book went into great detail about websites that are out there in the world catering to couples - rich or middle class - who want to “buy” babies from young, unwed pregnant mothers. This book is another testimony that money doesn't buy happiness and it for sure does not buy sanity! A complete thriller from beginning to end. I highly recommend this book to book clubs. definitely edge-of-your-seat, nail biting psychological thriller that will have any mother sweating with each turn of the page.

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What a ride this book will take you on, a young girl finds herself pregnant with no money she feels she has no future with/for this child, joins an agency to find ‘the perfect mother’ who would you choose? Money? Fame? The twists and turns in this book kept me wanting more and gasping at the shocking revelations! A must read!

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The Perfect Mother is a fast moving; page turning; excellent read from Caroline Mitchell.

The story is told from a number of viewpoints but the author is skilful enough to ensure that the story flies and isn't over-complicated.

Highly recommended

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This is a heart in your mouth read! I couldn’t read it fast enough, was extremely intrigued to found out what was going to happen to poor Roz. This book is about a young girl who finds herself pregnant and feels she has to find her baby the perfect mother. She travels all the way to New York to meet with a very famous couple who promise her baby the world, but all doesn’t go to plan.

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Another great read from Caroline Mitchell.
Roz is struggling to pay her rent and on discovering she’s pregnant realises she needs to get away.
She’s comes across a website that arranges for babies to be given to couples desperate for children and gets drawn in.
It seems too good to be true, and she soon realises she’s in over her head.
Sheridan is desperate for a baby girl and thinks Roz is perfect to give this to her. Unbeknownst to Roz, Sheridan has cancelled the agreement with the website and now has her own agenda.
Roz is living in the basement of their home but when she’s not allowed outside, and has no windows, she feels like a prisoner.
This is a real nail biter as I was desperate to know if Roz would get out of this alive. The final few chapters will have you on the edge of your seat.
This is a great psychological thriller that I can highly recommend.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Premise was intriguing, as was the beginning of this book - but it did not hold up, the story got very confused and the POV shifts from 1st to 3rd person didn't help. At a certain point, it felt very foreseeable, and certainly I didn't find the much-vaunted twist so very twisty at all. On the contrary, I got annoyed at the irrationality of the character's actions, they seemed one-dimensional and - in the case of the heroine - too naive for words.

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"The Perfect Mother" is the story of Roz, a young Irish girl who finds herself pregnant, and decides to sign up to an exclusive adoption agency. When she is contacted by a celebrity couple from the States who want her to live in their luxurious home until the baby is born, it seems that Roz has landed on her feet. But the reality turns out to be very different than she expected. When Roz finds herself a virtual prisoner in an increasingly volatile situation, she starts to question everything she thought she knew: just who are Sheridan and Daniel really? And why did they choose her over all the other young mothers to be? 

While I liked this book, and there were some genuinely tense moments, I found it on the whole a little too over the top for me. Roz was almost unbelievably naive, and the whole set up with the celebrity power couple just didn't ring true. The author did a great job of building tension throughout, and there were some good twists, but this one was a little too American-soap-opera for my personal taste, although I'm sure many other readers will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow!! This is an entertaining and twisty read that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout! It’s a stand-alone psychological thriller from the fabulous Caroline Mitchell that had me hooked from the very first chapter. A pregnant woman in danger?! What could be more terrifying than that? Well, throw in a celebrity couple who aren’t what everyone thinks they are and a mysterious disappearance and you’ve got one of the most sinister pregnancies since Rosemarys Baby!

Roz is living away from home with her best friend but she has, at the age of 24, lost her job and is unexpectedly pregnant. Discovering a website where she can have her child adopted, she is overwhelmed when a celebrity couple get in touch and she jets off to New York to meet them. Yes, I know you have to suspend belief at some of the plot twists and turns but this is fiction and it’s highly addictive entertainment at its best! You won’t be the only one mentally screaming at Roz “what the hell are you doing?!” as she makes decisions that you and I know are going to lead to very bad consequences indeed. But Roz is a plucky heroine of the best kind and she’s determined not to be a victim but the closer she gets to her due date the worse her fears for herself and her unborn child become…because her baby’s birth may be the death of her dreams of a new life or worse.

Caroline Mitchell has written a fabulous rollercoaster ride of a book with characters you will love to hate and twists you just won’t see coming (well, some of them I did but others really shocked the hell out of me!). The Perfect Mother is compelling from start to finish and just a bloody good read! Loved it!

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is an emotional and thrilling story about a young and pregnant Irish woman named Roz. Determined to give her child the perfect life that she will never be able to provide, Roz decides to give her baby to power couple in New York whom she met via an elite adoption service. At first, Roz can't believe her luck but soon after moving into their plush basement suite, she begins to realise that the couple don't only want her baby and she may never be able to leave just like the woman who was here before her. What happens after is a thrilling page-turning read as the clock ticks down to Roz's due date and secrets begin to unveil.

Really enjoyed reading this book, though Roz is a naive person nonetheless she is a likeable character and one could sympathize with her. I did predict a few twists in this story but overall it was a great psychological thriller that grabs the readers attention.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

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Having read and loved all of Caroline’s previous books I was excited to receive a Netgalley copy of this to read early.
In this story we meet Roz - a naive young girl from Ireland who finds herself pregnant. Having recently been made redundant and not having had the best of childhoods herself she decides she wants to find The Perfect Mother to bring up her baby and signs up to an adoption website. This is how she meets who she believes to be the perfect couple.
Introducing Sheridan and Daniel- Hollywood’s heartthrob celebrity couple. Roz decides to meet them and travels to America.
Before she leaves she confides in her best friend Dympna, who has her concerns
Will things go as Roz plans?
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was keen to continue reading to discover how things would turn out. It was obvious things wouldn’t go well for Roz in America but would her and her child survive? What secrets are Sheridan and Daniel hiding? Could Dympna save her friend?
Unfortunately I found the ending to be a little too twee and not as good as Caroline’s previous books.
That said it is still a good read

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What a surprise in this book.  It was different from what I am used to by Caroline Mitchell and definitely is one you will remember.

The story is great and I really like the plot that you see in the book.  Roz is a really interesting character who seems to have a lot of issues and is a cause of a lot of issues.

Dympna is not a character I really liked it seemed that she was just not for me.  Something about her just rubbed me the wrong way. 

I still am not sure what to think about the book. Did I like it yes but not sure how much I truly liked it as parts in the middle weren't as fast paced as I used to.

Great story though with a plot that really was spectacular.

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Roz lives in Ireland and finds herself pregnant and she knows she need to give her baby up. She finds a website that matches her to an incredibly famous couple in America and thinks she has found the best home for her baby. From the second she gets off the plane in America, all is not what it seems and all bets are off.

I admit I did not see that twist coming at the end and enjoyed being surprised but I feel like the book dragged on for too long. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t the best either.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

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The Perfect Mother was my first read of 2020 and it did not disappoint. I had to keep reading to find out what happened. The story about Roz a single and pregnant young woman who lives in Ireland. She decides to put her child up for adoption but in a more unconventional way. She travels to NYC where she meets the adoptive couple who are a celebrity couple. Everything seems perfect, Roz is able to leave Ireland, has a place to live while she is pregnant and will gets a lot of money. Things take many twists and turns and she quickly finds out this is not an ideal situation. Would definitely recommend this book!

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Dont you just love it when you read a book that excesses all your expectations! Well this book is without a doubt just that. I am a massive fan of Caroline and have read all of her books, so I never read the blurb. So I went into this book knowing it would be a good read. But holy freaking hell what a story, it has totally blown me away.

I was hooked from the start and simply couldn’t put it down has we follow Roz on one terrifying and pulse racing journey. Who I emphasised with.

But I could also feel the emotion and terror through the author’s writing keeping me on the edge of my seat. Giving me plenty of OMG moments. I sat reading this with my hand over my mouth through most of it. Talk about building up the tension. Then the tension flys off the richter scale has the ending draws in.

This book is just so damn good, and I am very excited that I have read a story so early on in the year this amazing. Needless to say it is one of my top reads for 2020!

If you are looking for a story that is going to blow your mind and keep you up all night reading this is the book for you. I cannot recommend it enough. It definitely deserves ten gold stars.

Massive thank you to Sarah Hardy for the Blog Tour invite

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Well HOT damn! This was a WILD RIDE! Caroline mitchell has twisted the twisted! A deliciously disturbing page turner that completely sucked me in. Roz is in her early 20s a little uncertain of what she wants from her future when she finds herself pregnant. The one thing she knows is nobody can find out who the father is and that she is not ready to raise a baby. Roz signs up to an elite adoption service and soon fines that a rich famous “diamond“ couple is interested in her baby. Convinced that she has hit the jackpot Roz soon finds herself jetting off to New York leaving Ireland behind. When she gets to New York she finds out the couple interested in her baby is the most popular movie star couple of the moment. But as soon as she gets to the couple’s house and signs the nondisclosure things start getting a bit strange. First of all she is living in a basement apartment where the only access is an elevator, to which she does not have the pass key. No phone, no Internet, no way out, completely cut off from the outside world. And to make things even more creepy Roz is pretty certain that somebody has previously worn the maternity clothes they gave her, and who is leaving these newspaper and magazine articles for her to read?

Yikes! The story bounces between the perspectives of Roz and adopting mother Sheridon. Roz really could be any of us a little naïve, but really just wanting the best for her baby. Sheridon on the other hand is a psychotic controlling bitch. And as the book goes on she becomes more psycho, more controlling, and even more of a bitch. The only hope I had for Roz was husband Daniel. I was not certain what side Daniel was on and if he had any idea about his wife’s behavior. There were some pretty crazy twist in the story, plenty of things I did not see coming. Fast-paced, addictive, twisted, disturbing, dark, mind blowing. This was a thriller that made an impression!

This book in emojis. 🤰🏻 ☘️ 🎬 🗞 🚨

*** Big thank you to Amazon Pub for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

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This would have been a fine thriller, but for the cross-cultural element.

Roz is a young, single Irish woman who loses her menial job just as she discovers she is pregnant. She cannot reveal the identity of the baby's father, and this leads her into some desperate acts. She enrolls in an adoption website and is matched with a New York celebrity couple. She is lured across the Atlantic to New York City, where the luxury promised for her pregnancy begins to feel more like captivity.

It's an intriguing premise. The plot is well-executed, and most of the characters are fully-formed (one or two caricatures among them). The thing that dampened my enthusiasm was the British idioms that cropped up, even in the narration that is done from the American wife's point of view, or those of other American characters.

There is the Asian-American aide to the adoptive parents who tells Roz, the mother-to-be: "Best you compose yourself, though. You're catching flies." I couldn't imagine either of those sentences coming from a person who speaks American English. The language is English, yes, but the vernacular is British.

In another of many examples, from the interior monologue of American wife, "she could see him mentally doing the maths." On this side of the pond, we use the singular form.

If the U.S. publishing company had done a better job of cultural editing, I would have enjoyed this a lot more.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

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Thanks netgalley for letting me read this great story for a honest review.
I really enjoyed this great book.
Roz is pregnant, she has no money a lousy job cleaning and lives with her best friend..
On the internet Roz found a website called miracle moms who would basically buy your baby pay your expenses and help you until you have your baby.
What would a good catholic girl from Ireland know about being a unmarried mother with a baby, the website seemed a good idea, instead of having an abortion.
But on finding a couple that wanted her baby things were not as simple as it first seemed.
Great story really enjoyed it.

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This is a nice twisty thriller about Roz, a young woman who gets pregnant and, in her search for adoptive parents finds a power couple in New York who will fly her out and give her luxury accommodations until the baby is born. Of course she can't believe her luck and of course we the readers know that there must be something else behind it all. Alternating chapters tell us of her experience as well as the couple's odd relationship with each other and their young son, Leo. We witness Roz's delight, then suspicions, and later fear as she realizes there is much more behind the scenes than just a celebrity couple wanting another child. Sometimes implausible, it was a chilling novel that I enjoyed and read quickly.

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This mystery was intriging from the Beginning. It was character driven with a plot that keeps the reader invested in the story. There were a couple of surprises which is quite unexpected in this genre.
The main character makes poor choices that put her life in jeopardy. There are no redeeming characters that one can relate to. Each person seems to be all about himself or herself. However, this was a good read and difficult to put down...the mystery is great!

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What a dynamite read this was!!!!! I can’t say enough good things about this book. This is a stand alone novel and not my first read by this author. I’ve read a few of her books and loved them all.

This book was about a young woman who made a huge mistake and wanted to correct it. She didn’t mean to get pregnant at such a young age especially from a one night stand. So she decided to go to the United States and fix her problem but found out that was not a good idea either. Will she get out alive or will she permanently pay for her mistakes?

I want to start off by saying that I really loved this book. I especially the loved the main character Roz. I loved how Roz was very naive and living in a fantasy world at the beginning but turned into a brave kick butt mom who’s only want was to protect her child by the end. It was nice to see that growth and maturity. I also loved the plot of this book. I loved the fact that it involved a celebrity couple and how dark and twisted it got at the end. This is what made the book a fast and easy read for me. You have to have a great storyline and boy this was one. I couldn’t believe the ending. This could definitely be made into a movie. One of my favorite reads so far for this year.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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This book had me engrossed since I picked it up!!Its an interesting book regarding the story as I've never read it fiction wise. I have read other books by Caroline Mitchell and this is just as good.
The ending wasn't what I expected but it worked well.
Well worth a read.!!

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Ive never been disappointed with any book I have read by Caroline Mitchell and this standalone psychological thriller is no exception. The plot involving a young woman selling her baby to famous celebrities is a real page turner. I had no idea as to what the outcome would be , but it. was certainly a taut, tense and intriguing journey finding out

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I have been a fan of Caroline's work for quite a while now. In fact, I have been a fan since I had the good fortune to pick up a copy of Caroline's book called 'Don't Turn Around'. Since then I have read each and every book that she has released. I read the synopsis for 'The Perfect Mother' and it certainly sounded like the sort of dark and twisty read that I absolutely love. I couldn't wait to read it so without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, found my comfy spot on the sofa and started to read 'The Good Mother' on my Kindle. I thoroughly enjoyed 'The Good Mother' but more about that in a bit.
The two main characters of this book are Rosalind and Sheridan. Rosalind is a young Irish woman, who becomes pregnant following a short lived fling. She doesn't see how she can bring a child up on her own. Rosalind is Catholic and although she doesn't go to church every week, she will terminate her pregnancy. Ros decides to continue the pregnancy and give the gift of a child to somebody who isn't able to have children. The surrogacy website Ros uses, brings her into contact with Sheridan, who is a bit of a funny old fish who set off huge alarm bells for me. Sheridan was a child star who was exploited by her mother for financial gain. Sheridan is damaged by her childhood experiences and this damage has continued to influence her adult life. Sheridan already has a child but she wants her child to have a sibling. Sheridan says that she can't have any more children. Sheridan and Ros find each other on the surrogacy website and both are happy at first. However certain things happen, which cause Ros to wonder if she made the right decision and Ros also begins to fear for her safety and the safety of her unborn child. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to infd out as I am not going to tell you.
Oh boy, 'The Perfect Mother' was one hell of a fantastic book and easily my favourite of Caroline's books to date. As soon as I began to read, I just knew that I would not be able to put the book down and I was so right. To say that 'The Perfect Mother' was addictive reading seems to be a huge understatement. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I didn't want to miss a single second of the story. I could see that something huge was going to happen but there was nothing I could do about it except watch - a bit like seeing an accident or car crash happening imminently but you can't do anything to stop it. I had to keep reading to see whether or not my suspicions were correct or if I had the wrong end of the stick entirely. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the book which I was disappointed about. I don't mean that I was disappointed with the way in which the story ended but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn't want the book to end.
'The Perfect Mother' is superbly written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Caroline Mitchell. She certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start and draw you into the story without you realising. 'The Perfect Mother' is well plotted and is compelling reading as a result. Caroline has a writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. I shudder to think about how Caroline's mind works as her books are always dark and occasionally very twisted. 'The Perfect Mother' is gripping reading and features scenarios and dilemmas that are all too possible. The book certainly kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat throughout. Caroline uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I felt as though I was part of the story myself. I found that I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to sort certain characters out and to give other characters a reality check.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Perfect Mother' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I look forward to reading more of Caroline's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen next! I couldn't get enough of it.
Caroline Mitchell has a way of gripping you from page one and not letting you go and I feel that her books are just getting better and better!

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The Perfect Mother is international bestselling writer Caroline Mitchell's third and latest standalone psychological thriller crossed with a domestic/family drama, and although the title and synopsis are both pretty standard when it comes to this genre this is actually a book with a lot more substance to it than it's competitors. Roz is barely surviving the day-to-day, and quite frankly wouldn't be if it wasn't for her invaluable friends looking out for her, so when she gets pregnant she naturally has quite conflicting feelings about it all from the start; on the one hand, she would love nothing better than to be a doting mother, however, she decides in the best interests of the unborn baby to try and find a suitable, loving home in which he or she will be adored. Because let's face it she can barely look after herself nevermind having a newborn baby in tow. After doing some digging she discovers and enrols with an elite adoption agency based out of New York where she swiftly meets affluent celebrity couple Sheridan and Daniel who just happen to be desperate for a child. The Hollywood stars cover her expenses to reach the United States and move her into their sprawling mansion for the duration of the pregnancy and then everything turns ugly.

The author builds the tension slowly in the beginning but as time wears on and the intense and gripping tale unfurls and has you quickly turning the pages. I genuinely had no idea what was about to happen or how it would end and I felt an incredibly rare pang of anxiety as the way it is written ensures you are kept on edge from beginning to climax. It was so very disturbing to see a vulnerable young woman being taken advantage of, and as a former police detective Mitchell fuses together a compelling and addictive mix of fact and fiction where she allows her previous employment dealing with vulnerable victims to inform her cracking, difficult to put down stories. Mitchell captured me from the outset and kept me well and truly hooked right through until the conclusion and every step of the way my heart was in my mouth. This is far-fetched entertainment rather than based in reality per se and is a superb escapist read but that makes it no less riveting and I gave no problem admitting to tearing through it lightning fast with no regrets. Nothing is as it initially appears and the bottom line and takeaway message is to trust no-one; that way you can never be disappointed and you may even get a pleasant, faith restoring surprise. Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK for an ARC.

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This book had me gripped from start to finish. Very well written at a good pace to keep interest. I will be looking for more by this author. Recommended.

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A gripping story from start to finish. A young and scared pregnant girl gets caught in the web of a manipulative celebrity couple. What seems too good too good to be true in fact turns out to be so. The story is nail biting and edgy as the neurosis of the couple is revealed. There are many secrets being kept by several characters which will be unexpected when revealed to the reader. The characters are well done and the plot is superb. It is a balanced mix of a psychological thriller and a drama.

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This was a good original idea, I read it in 2 days and I definitely enjoyed it. I could feel the tension and the helplessness of being in the situation Roz found herself in. I marked it down a star just because of the perfectly tied up ending regarding the father of the baby and the other people in Roz’s life.

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I read this book in one and a bit sitting, it's a stand alone thriller and very different to Caroline's crime thrillers. It is however a brilliant read even if you guess what's coming and shout at Roz not to be so gullible. You will obviously have to read to the end to find out if there's a happy conclusion for Roz. It got me all fired up in a stomach churning, nail biting sort of way but that's what thrillers are supposed to do, Caroline Mitchell, job done.

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Roz, a young Irish girl from a chaotic family moved to Dublin to share a flat with her friend However, she has lost her job & discovers she is pregnant. Being a Catholic & it being before abortion was legal in Eire she looks to the internet. She wants to give this baby the best possible start. When she is paired with a gold star couple who offer her somewhere to live until the baby is born. She jumps at it, although her friend is very sceptical. When Roz arrives in New York she is stunned to find the couple are very famous actors. She has to sign non disclosure forms & settles into the luxury flat they have provided. Roz discovers that Sheridan,the wife, intends to pass this child off as her own & so that there will be no chance of anyone proving otherwise, she finds herself a virtual prisoner. As she tries to follow the schedule Sheridan lays out she begins to suspect she is in danger. Is the couple's son really 'their's' & if not what happened to HIS mother? Someone is secretly leaving her magazine that disturb her even more.

This was a gripping tale. I was scared along with Roz as to what these very mixed up people were going to do her. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

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This was a 3.5 star book for me.

While I enjoyed reading it, it went a bit beyond what I found believable. Also, I didn't find myself particularly vested in the characters, even Roz.

That being said, it was a good read overall and I enjoyed it, just didn't love it.

Thank you for a galley edition of this book and the opportunity to write an honest review!

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The Perfect Mother is the story of two women from opposite sides of the social divide. There is Rosalind (Roz) who is Irish,had a chaotic upbringing,has recently lost her job and also discovered that she is pregnant. Then there ex child actress Sharidan, who is married to megastar Daniel and they have a young son named Leo.

Roz is determined that her baby with have a better upbringing than she did but she is penniless and can't afford to feed herself properly never mind a baby. So she joins an elite adoption service Miracle Mums and is overjoyed when she is contacted by a Diamond Couple. Very swiftly and despite the misgivings of her best friend Dympna, Roz finds herself on a all expenses paid trip to New York to meet the mystery couple who are going to adopt her baby. But not long after she arrives at their luxury apartment, Roz begins to realise that something is not right and that something dark and twisted lurks behind the glitz and glamour that the couple hide behind. Then when Roz learns about the mysterious disappearance of another young girl who knew the couple, she realises that in doing what she thought was right for her baby, she has placed both their lives in jeopardy.

the chapters of this gripping psychological thriller alternated between poor,naive Roz and unstable, control freak Sheridan. Roz had another reason for getting away from Ireland, she didn't want anyone especially Dympna finding out the identity of her baby's father. The reader is kept in the dark about his identity until towards the end of the book. It was heart warming witnessing the bond developing between Roz and her little bean as her maternal instincts kicked in and and she realised that she wanted to keep her baby. There are many people in this world who have a heightened sense of their own importance and Sheridan was definitely one of those people. She believed that just because she had money that gave her the right to use and abuse people without there being any repercussions. She was definitely not a very likeable character,neither was her husband Daniel who wasn't adverse to playing a few mind games himself. I loved Dympna, everybody needs a best friend like her, she was prepared to do anything in her power to find her best friend despite her suspicious over the identity of the father of Roz's baby.

The Perfect Mother is a very well written, intense tale of betrayal, manipulation, lies, mind games and the power of a mother's love for her child that hooks the reader in from the first page, keeps you guessing and frantically turning the pages whilst suffering a very bad case of anxiety for the welfare of Roz and her unborn child. There was a mixed bag of realistic characters, some likeable, some not so likeable and some who were not who they appeared to be. A very enjoyable, intense read and very highly recommended.

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I don’t know where to start with The Perfect Mother.... The twists and turns in his book will have you wondering. I had no clue how this book was to end. It kept me in suspense until the last page. The characters from Hollywood to Ireland have such depth and interest. This book will keep you turning the pages. Don’t miss out on this great book. Can’t wait for another book by #carolineMitchell #theperfectmother

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I am a big fan of this authors police procedural series, so was really looking forward to this standalone thriller!

After a gripping prologue that definitely grabbed my interest, we go back a bit and meet Roz. She is living in Ireland with her best friend Dympna. She has just lost her job and has unexpectedly found herself pregnant. After her own troubled childhood that has led to be estranged from her own mother, she is determined that her child won't end up in the same boat and starts to weigh up her options. Being brought up as a catholic and with them being illegal in Ireland, she decides against getting an abortion and signs up to an elite adoption agency. She is so excited when she gets picked by an anonymous American power couple that want to fly her out to them, all expenses paid, look after her throughout her pregnancy and give her baby the childhood she could only dream of. Could it all be too good to be true?

This is a brilliant hold-your-breath, page-turner! Twists, turns, shocks and some brilliantly written characters.
I really felt for Roz, just wanting the best for her baby at whatever cost, but I loved Dympna! Everyone needs a friend like Dympna who will tell you how it is and fight for you no matter what.
A very good read!

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell

Roz realizes she is pregnant after a one night stand. Knowing her mother had not been the best role model, not having much income and still needing to finish school she leans toward adoption as a way to provide her child with the perfect mother. So, she looks and finds a site that promises wealthy intelligent well off people she can meet that might be interested. After making her choice she leaves her best friend Dympna behind and heads off to New York to meet the prospective parents. Sure, some warning bells go off in her mind (big ones went off in MY mind) and she should have listened to her gut...but she didn’t. And, if she had listened and run this story would have never gotten off the ground.

With each chapter more is revealed about the powerful couple in show business and the more that I learned the more worried I became. I had a good idea what would happen and wasn’t surprised by the plotting and pace but was surprised by one twist that had me scratching my head as I had not tweaked to the fact that one person’s fantasies were as dark or darker than an other’s.

What I liked:
* Roz never gave up even when a bit of Stockholm syndrome seemed to set in she was hopeful she and her baby would get out alive...well...most of the time she was.
* The twist I did not see coming
* Dympna: Roz’s best friend who never gave up on finding her
* The creep-factor and chill the story provided – I wrote down that one person was psychotic and later thought more than one actually was.
* The way it played with my (and Roz’s) mind
* The resolution at the end

What I did not like:
* The power couple – Sheridan and Daniel
* The fact that not all of the bad guys were punished
* Seeing just how warped and cruel and sick some people can be

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing, UK and Book on the Bright Side Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

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Rosz has to make the most difficult decision of her life, give her child to adoption or abort; she knows she can take care of her… So she decides to search for a good family to take care of her unborn baby and give her the life she can only dream of. Seems a good idea, don’t you think? The problem with the “chosen” family is that they have a secret agenda, making Rosz fear for her life and her unborn daughter. Is it worth risking her life to have “The Perfect Mother”? You’ll have to read the book to discover the truth!
Rosz is a naïve Irish girl, she wants the “perfect” mother for her daughter and when a very rich family from the US shows interests in her, she can not see all the weird things surrounding them until it’s too late. The family is damaged, deeply disturbing and with a really dangerous agenda!
Since the beginning the reader can feel that the family is not good, the alarms sound loud and clear, but at the same time you can understand how Rosz simply wants to see the good things, she wants the best for her little one and if this means that she has to be kept as a secret, be it.
I loved how Caroline Mitchell has done a great job with this story, it’s the typical movie where the spectator spends half the movie shouting at the characters to be careful while they ignore them! The only good thing is that Rosz has an ally inside her “perfect” prison, but she doesn’t know who and if they will really help her or if it’s a trap… So many characters with secrets and lies that you never know what to expect next on the following page! This is a book to remind us about the important things in life and that sometimes what we are looking is just in front of us!
I read this book in one stand, the need to know more it was more important than any other thing in my life! 😉
So, take my advice and clean your schedule for the next hours, since you’ll need them to read this book! So… ready to discover “The Perfect Mother”?

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Ooooo Ms Mitchell you clever clever lady. You thoroughly deserve my first 5 star review of 2020.

Not only has this got a fascinating plot surrounding online adoption it also has the added charm of showing the A list celebrity lifestyle.

And what can I say about Sheridan and Daniel the A list couple promising Roz the best in exchange for her baby? Fruitloop is the word that springs to mind with Sheridan, but for all her complete and utter madness I still had sympathy for her and that is all down to the power of Caroline’s writing. She is just trying to hold on to her man and the life she loves, when age and younger starlets are making that difficult.

And then there is Roz, a poor upbringing, no job, down on her luck and completely naive and desperate. I was rooting for her right from the get go and her tenacity was admirable when circumstances were stacked against her.

Even if this had been a bog standard this is all it is, it still would have been a great read as the writing is that good. Then add in some nice little twists, one of which I really did not see coming at all (and has left me with a big lightbulb thought) and it gives you the 5 star read that this totally deserves.

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When Roz a young catholic woman living in Ireland finds herself pregnant abortion isn’t an option that she can consider and neither is the thought of bringing a child up herself. So when Roz searches the internet for a solution she discovers a web site where couples will pay all expenses for a young expectant mother, plus a little on top, to have her baby and let them adopt it. The agency seems pretty good so she puts all her details down about who she is, with a little tweaking to make it look better.
When she is contacted by a couple who have star ratings, which means they are famous someway, she can only see the perfect life for her unborn child with them. The couple has very dodgy criteria for the expectant mother to be chosen. Well stary eyed Roz being determined to be picked makes herself fit them all but she is like a square peg in a round hole. A deal is struck and she is soon flying across the Atlantic to the USA, the mystery couple and the unknown.
The story jumps between the characters, mainly Roz and Sheridan the woman wanting Roz’s baby where I found out more about them both. Sheridan makes for some really disturbing reading while I found I just couldn’t take to Roz. I was horrified at the situation that she had become part of but that was all. There are surprises and twists to this story that I thought I had worked out but it did catch me out.
This is another direction change for this author from supernatural heart stoppers, to dark police procedural belters to this suspenseful edgy novel that had me giving advice to characters whose destinies had already been written. Caroline Mitchell is an unstoppable super talent.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

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This as the first of Caroline Mitchell’s books that I have read, and it definitely won’t be the last. Brilliant book, had me gripped from the first chapter, and kept me up until I finished it! Full of chilling twists, definitely worth reading!

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Soooo anyone else get Brangelina vibes from this one?

A super famous celebrity couple goes undercover to buy young, single and poor Roz's baby, bringing her over from Ireland and paying all of her expenses for 6 months before she gives birth. What could possibly be the catch?

Too much to mention without giving it away, it turns out. Sheridan is a child star turned aging actress desperate to hold on to her movie star husband, the same husband whose career has been skyrocketing while hers has been fading. Even an abusive, cold and ambitious mother could not invoke any sympathy for Sheridan. Would Roz figure a way out of her prison before her child is born into this terrible fate?

4 stars because you do pull for Roz, ridiculous as she was to get herself into this situation. Some characters get what they deserve and some do not even come near it, but some genuine surprises at the end make this one a winner.

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I loved this book ! A deliciously chilling well written thriller with shocking details you won't soon forget ! ! A must read ! Thanks to Netgalley , Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book ! #Netgalley #AmazonPublishingUK #ThomasMercer #ThePerfectMother

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Roz is penniless and pregnant. Wanting to find the perfect parents for her daughter, while padding her pockets at the same time, Roz signs up to a website that will match women with parents prepared to pay for a child. 
Roz is contacted by a "Diamond" couple, and is whisked away to New York to live in luxury till the baby is born ... spoiler - don't move to a different Country to live with strangers.

You can tell the author Caroline Mitchell really wanted to keep you on your toes.
Everything is not as it seems in this book, in an almost comical way.

Most books in his genre end with a twist and a climax.
This book was less climax, but  lots of twists ... multiple twists, which was fine, but as I said, almost funny. 

Like if the gang from Scooby-Doo unmasked the monster revealing the High school janitor, but then took THAT mask off and it was the captain of the football team... but then THAT mask came off and it was the principal ...

that was the last half of this book.

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Having read and enjoyed previous books by this author, I was looking forward to reading this new one. I thought the description sounded intriguing. Sadly, I was very disappointed. I didn't really like the characters and I found the whole story to be way too far fetched. I won't be recommending this book. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

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Roz is Irish, Catholic, 24, and pregnant. A minimum wage hotel cleaner, she is estranged from her own mother and has never known her father. To A knows that abortion is not right for her. Believing that adoption will give her baby all that she cannot, she turns to Miracle-Moms, an online service, to find a loving couple to raise her baby as its own. Roz thinks she has found them in Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson, a movie star power couple who invite her to stay in their New York home until the baby is born. Will Sheridan be the perfect mother? Or has Roz made a mistake both for her baby and for herself?

Though the plot is a bit contrived and the ending comes as no surprise, The Perfect Mother is still a fun read. There is enough suspense generated by trying to figure out exactly what Sheridan and Daniel are up to, whether they've been up to it before, and who knows they're up to it to keep the reader engaged. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC provided in return for this honest review.

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This is the first book I have read by Caroline Mitchell . I love a good psychological thriller, and this was definitely one. I think the book was very well written. It kept me on my toes from beginning to end! The only thing that got me was the twist near the end of the book. Finding out who the father was took me by surprise. I felt like it was a bit random.

Overall, great book and great writing! I will definitely be reading more of Caroline Mitchell!

Thanks NetGalley for the early read

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This story started off slow but ended up getting better before it's somewhat surprising ending. I enjoyed the character development of Roz, going from a young, unsure girl to learning as she went through this ordeal that she really wanted to be a mother and also wanted her mother in her life and was sorry for how she had dismissed her. The characters of Daniel and Sheridan were almost like caricatures, and the dialog between these two was unbelievable at times. I didn't hate it, but I found myself wishing it would finish so I could move on to something else.

.

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A fast paced domestic thriller! This is my second book by Caroline Mitchell and I am really enjoying her stories! I didn't see some of the twists coming in this one and it kept me interested. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy!

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I just finished The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell and I could not stop reading it. This was a true gem and I loved it.
Roz is a young woman who finds herself pregnant and jobless. She is not sure how she is going to support herself let alone a baby. She considers talking talking to her mother but they have a very distant relationship. She lives with her best friend Dympna in Dublin and the two are inseparable. Roz does not want to raise her baby to be poor like she was and she will not have an abortion.
Sheridan Sinclair has grown up as a child television star until she was about 18 years old. Sometimes reality and fantasy are unclear in her world. Her husband is also an actor and the two of them are Hollywoods top hot couple. Sheridan has the perfect Instagram Family: Heartthrob husband, adorable son with perfect blonde curls and beautiful elegant wife. But Sheridan wants more she needs a perfect little girl to add to her story.
Roz and Sheridan meet on an elite website for people looking to adopt and the young woman looking for families for their unborn babies. Sheridan offers to fly Roz to America to meet in person before deciding if they will go forward with the adoption process.
Dympna is hardly an over achiever but when her best friend tells her about the baby and her upcoming trip to America she becomes very suspicious. Dympna's father is a cop and she grew up listening to his stories about the crime and criminals that he has encountered over the years. She tries to stop Roz but Roz will not listen to her.
This book is a great mix of mystery and thriller i might even go as far as to add Psychological thriller to its tag.
This was a wonderful book and I look forward to reading more from Caroline Mitchell.
I did read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful read. In this age of online contracts and so called "vetted" buyers and sellers, it is a cautionary tale.

When Roz takes off from Ireland to live with a celebrity couple who want to claim her baby as her own, she puts no precautions in place because she was embarrassed to let anyone know who the father was. Given her circumstances, having just been let go from her job, she thought she would be providing a secure future for her baby, as she is whisked off to New York to meet the prospective parents.

From the get go, she has a bad feeling, and gets a vibe that the driver sent for her is trying to warn her off somehow. Once she's in the couple's household, she senses everyone is afraid - afraid to talk to her, afraid for their jobs, afraid of the couple. Thank goodness her friend from Ireland provided her with a tiny lifeline. But it isn't enough. Roz soon finds herself with all of her options spent.

There was a bit of deus ex machina at the end of the story, but by then I was so immersed it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I'll be looking for other books by Caroline Mitchell.

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Roz is in her mid-20s and working as a housekeeper for a hotel in Dublin. She shares a flat with her best friend of 20 years, Dympna. When Roz realizes she’s pregnant, she knows she cannot share the identity of the father, and as she’s barely scraping by, raising a child on her own would be a challenge. Roz didn’t have the best childhood. She wants better for her own child.

After finding a site online that pairs prospective parents with birth mothers, she thinks she’s found the solution. When she gets matched with a couple that are considered the “diamond” variety, she’s ecstatic. Her enthusiasm grows as she emails and talks to the woman over the phone. They arrange for her to travel to New York City to visit. For Dympna, warning bells go off about this couple, but Roz is blinded by the fact they are wealthy and famous.

The Perfect Mother is chilling at times. Roz’s newfound parents seem like the perfect couple on the surface, but underneath lies a frightening dark side. Mitchell has expertly created a novel that will keep you engrossed and awake past your bedtime. I enjoyed hearing the story from three different points of view. Sheridan, the adoptive mom-to-be, had such a wicked inner dialogue. A fabulous contrast to Roz’s wide-eyed enthusiasm. The dirty details of the story were very well written, owing to Mitchell’s previous life as a detective.

Definitely a nail biter. I was not expecting several of the twists and turns along the way. Loved this and look forward to reading other books by Caroline Mitchell.



4 stars on Goodreads


This review will be posted at BookwormishMe.com on 23 January 2020 .

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Today could have been a bad day since I managed to break my toe tripping over my children's toys. But, it gave me a great excuse to sit and read most of this book.

Roz, a single woman barely making it living paycheck to paycheck in Ireland, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant after a "one night stand." She decides she wants to adopt out (sell) the baby, and finds a great online agency that will help make it possible. She is introduced to Julie -- part of a millionaire couple -- who wants Roz to move into the basement of her and her husband's home in NYC to have the baby and let Julie pass it off as her own. Roz's best friend, Dympna, tries to convince her it's a bad idea, but Roz doesn't listen. And nothing is what it seems.

Except of course it's exactly the opposite of what it seems or we wouldn't have much of a story here. However, even though you know what's coming, you still want to keep reading -- as quickly as you can turn the pages -- to see what will happen next. More of a thriller than a mystery, this book leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering whether or not it will work out for Roz and her baby, since in this genre, you never really know. While parts of this book are a bit too smooth and easy, I'd recommend it for a quick, suspenseful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.

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Another smasher of a book from Caroline Mitchell! I have read almost all of her books and The Perfect Mother doesn't let me down in any way shape or form!
Roz is single, Catholic and pregnant..everything your Catholic upbringing has taught you is sooo wrong! She does what she thinks is the best for everyone especially her baby.She joins an Elite Adoption Ageny and finds herself flying from her home country, Ireland, to America meeting a beautiful, powerful couple who want her baby! As the story advances Roz finds everything that glitters is definitely not gold! How does she save herself and her baby??
Caroline has written a very definite taut and psychological thriller that had me gasping and then holding my breath too! Fantastic job Caroline, Loved it!

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Thanks to a Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for this ARC.. This story was very unpredictable. I read about 50 % the first day and decided to take a cozy afternoon to finish the other half. . I was not disappointed in this story by any means, and I absolutely loved it! ME Mitchell is a new author to me, but will become a familiar one! 4 stars only because my first book by this author.

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I read this book in one sitting. Once I started it I found it impossible to put down. There were a lot of twists and turns, most of which I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read more from Caroline Mitchell and definitely recommend this for thriller fans!

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Review of eBook

When Rosalind Foley finds herself pregnant, she knows she needs to find a good adoptive family for her child. After all, the pregnancy is the result of a one-night stand, Roz has no money, and she’s just lost her job. She discusses her predicament with her best friend, Dympna, but does not identify the father.

When a “diamond couple” on the elite Miracle Moms website expresses an interest in adopting her child, Roz travels from her home in Dublin, Ireland to New York City [first class, courtesy of the hopeful adoptive parents] where she meets the couple. The Hollywood superstar couple, Roz realizes, are in a position to give her baby everything she herself cannot provide. But the young woman has no idea that, when she accepts the offer to live with Sheridan and Daniel until the baby is born, she’s stepping into a waking nightmare . . . .

Short chapters keep the pages turning in this entertaining, quick read that offers readers a strong sense of place and a promising opening premise. However, readers are likely to find Sheridan’s behavior too over-the-top, her outrageous antics causing her to more closely resemble a caricature than a real character. Daniel is more mysterious and, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there are many, many secrets in this household. Dympna seems to have a better grasp of reality and urges caution while the supremely naïve Roz is a bit impetuous. But Dympna is the kind of friend that everyone wishes to have in his or her life.

Tension builds as the well-written story unfolds although there are times that the narrative seems to drag, reiterating the same behaviors and circumstances, causing the intriguing opening chapters to lose some of their sparkle. There are unexpected plot twists that readers are not likely to see coming, but the big soap opera-ish twist at the end comes out of nowhere and is likely to leave them shaking their heads in disbelief.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley
#ThePerfectMother #NetGalley

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I really liked this book! First of all, the writing was great and Caroline Mitchell reels you in from the beginning. It doesn’t wander…blather on…etc and I was drawn in on every page. Roz is a young girl living in Ireland. She has a good life and good friends but a dead-end job and now she’s pregnant. Deciding to give the child up for adoption, she joins a website that facilitates high-end adoptions. That’s where she meets Sheridan and Daniel — a power couple that will give her baby everything she can’t. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, isn’t it? Sworn to secrecy of their identity, Roz is flown to America, first-class, and brought by chauffeur to their beautiful home. But (no surprise here!!) this celebrity couple isn’t what they seem; everyone working for them is either scared or non-communicative, and none of her friends and family know where Roz is. This is fast-paced and creepy, as intended. And what I really appreciated is that I did, in fact, like Roz, as Mitchell did a great job in making her relatable and believable. Too many times in these types of novels I am so annoyed by the stupidity of the heroine that I’m ready to snuff her off myself by the end. Not so here; so kudos to the author. Good, fun, creepy read. Disclaimer — I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!!! #NetGalley 🤩🤩🤩🤩

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A thriller with a twist,quite an original storyline. Good characters,who seemed very real.Set between Ireland and America.

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Wow what a read! As soon as I started reading this book I was literally hooked. It had my heart pounding in places. In my opinion anything that can cause my heart to race in a book is amazing. Its not often a book can cause such a reaction in me these days but this one blew me away. I loved roz and dympna and even though I kind of guessed how the story would end, that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a book I'd definitely read again and have already recommended it to friends and family. I've also published my review on amazon as soon as I finished reading it.

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This is the first book I have read by Caroline Mitchell and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author!

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Book Summary: Roz is broke and knows that she can't take care of a child. So when she becomes pregnant she decides that adoption would be the best option for her baby because any other decision would probably result in chaos and even more struggles. An adoption agency comes to the rescue and offers a plane ride straight to New York to meet Sheridan and Daniel, a wealthy couple desperate for a baby. Roz moves in and discovers that she isn't the first to live with the couple, and that she may be in severe danger as soon as she isn't pregnant anymore.

The Good: I am a sucker for a disturbing page turner and that is what this book was! I literally did not want to put this book down. I loved the rotating perspectives of Roz and Sheridan. Mitchell kept the plot exciting and added the perfect twists to bring the story together and make it unforgettable.

The Bad: I don't have much bad to say about this book. If I had to name one thing it would just be that the beginning felt a little slow.

Should you read it? Yes, Yes, A million times Yes!!

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The Perfect Mother was a book that I could not put down. Roz put her trust in complete strangers and from the moment she arrived in her bedroom things started to go badly. Her freedoms were taken away and she lived like a prisoner, but that wasn't even the worst part of what happened while Roz was held captive in the famous celebrity couple's house. This was a great and believable story.

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This is the first book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell and it won’t be the last. Can I start by saying you do need to suspend reality a little if you are going to enjoy this book as it is a little far fetched. Go with it and don’t try to pick holes in the plot and it will sweep you away. It had me gripped most of the time though there were a couple of dips in the pacing of the story. Also I thought the reveal of the father of the baby was a bit rushed at the end and the response from Dympna at finding out her best friend had slept with her dad and he had fathered a child was frankly unbelievable - you just wouldn’t be that cool about it! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Thomas and Mercer for an advanced copy in exnanfe for an honest review.

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Realistic, frightening and very readable. the story centres round Roz, who finding herself pregnant decides to take a big step and contact a high-end Adoption online site. It all sounds too good to be true.
Sheridan and Daniel, a man with little backbone, are the prospective parents. Billionaires, their life is run as secretively as possible, and Roz has no idea what is in store for her.
It's a gripping read. I found Sheridan maybe a little too highly strung, (well, actually quite mad) Daniel a little too detached, but felt sorry for Roz.
thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

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This is the story of single,pregnant Roz and her journey through the pregnancy and choosing an adoptive family for her bub, whilst keeping the identity of the father from everyone.

Right from the first page i could tell i was going to enjoy the book and I was not disappointed. The characters were all believable and well described, the writing drew the characters in your mind - I pictured George as the little man in Fantasy Island with the white suit. I even found myself reading (in my head thankfully!) In an Irish brogue.

I don't want to give any more details because I think this needs reading with no preconceived ideas or knowing any clues - just read and enjoy.

I look forward to Caroles next book, so far i have enjoyed each one I have read. My thanks goes to Netgalley, Amazon Publishing and the author Carol Mitchell for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book.

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Yes! One of my Favourite authors has a new book out!!! The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was Just brilliant.
A hard book for me as this subject is very personal to me. But, I can't say no to Caroline's books. If you want to read a book thats full of twists and turns with a brilliant ending this is a book for you! I highly recommend it.

Roz is young, single lives in Ireland but she finds herself pregnant from a one night stand! She's penniless and abortion is a no no...........She has no job and lives with her best friend in a small flat.
Roz only wants the best for her unborn child and decides to have it adopted......

Roz looks online, only to find that childless people will pay a lot of money for a child and she joins a up market group online who will help her find the best family for her unborn baby.......But, at what cost!?
They find her a very rich family for her unborn baby in New York, with all expenses paid for. Roz decides to go to New York and meet them and the family! But, they have very strict guidelines - it all has to be done in secret.

Why?

Roz thinks very hard and decides to go to New York. All packed with little clothes Roz's says her goodbyes and travels to New York till the baby is born!

Landed and all alone in New York...............will Roz about the regret her big decision she has made when she meets them?

Big Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

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OMGosh!!! What a Thrill Ride!!! Weird, Weird, Weird but sooooooooooooooooooooo Good!! You will NOT figure out what happens in each chapter, a Wild Ride! Thank You Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for an early release of this Fabulous Book!

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Omigosh, this is a superb book! I liked everything about it, from the well-plotted characters, to the way it was outlined, going back and forth between three women and their stories. What an emotional read! I don't want to include spoilers because I feel you should start off without knowing any of the story (I wish I had), But let me just say that it's early morning as I write this, and I've been awake all night because I wasn't about to put it down. I fell asleep once and forced myself to wake up and keep reading. I can hardly wait to explore Caroline Mitchell's other works. Thank you so much, Net Galley for affording me this super, engrossing, twisty read!

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I really liked this book. There are plenty of plot twists throughout the book that kept me on the edge of my seat. The atmosphere of the books was amazing. I was able to visualize everything like it was a movie in my head. The character development was also great. I was attached to all of the characters, even the ones that were unlikable. This is one of my favorite of 2020 and I highly recommend it.

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Roz is pregnant and desperate to keep the fathers identity a secret from her best friend Dymphna. She cannot keep the baby and joins a website which will help her find her baby a new family. She cannot believe her luck when a celebrity couple show interest although she has no idea who they are. She travels to New York to find out more and signs a non disclosure agreement after which she goes to their home. Things suddenly change and she feels trapped and threatened. Nobody knows where she is and she has no communication with the outside world. How can she escape and protect her baby?
An entertaining thriller, a little extreme at times making it somewhat unbearable. Worth the read though.

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Wow. This book was definitely more of a slow burn but once you get to the climax - WOW.

Roz is an Irish girl with little money to her name, living with her best friend. She decides to give up her baby so she can give it a life she had only dreamed of. In doing so she finds her in America, living with a famous couple and caught in an unspeakable situation.

The twists and the characters in this book had me shocked. Just when I thought I had things figured out there was another shock!

Definitely a slow burn but I really enjoyed this book.

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The book is an easy read which I devoured in 3 days. The author creates a great connection with the characters in the book which provides an insight into their lives to capture the reader.

Without any spoilers it has lots of different twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and makes you want to read more. It is cleverly written and want to read more from this author.
Also posted on www.amazon.co.uk

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Publisher's Description: She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.

Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.

Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.

When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…

************
Caroline Mitchell will definitely be a new add to my favorite authors list! "The Perfect Mother" is perfectly dark and twisted, just the way I like it!! As a huge fan of police procedurals (think "Law & Order SVU," "Criminal Minds"), I find it easy to get engrossed in a book like this one. I can also totally see it as a movie similar to "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" or "Fatal Attraction."

Roz is the perfect victim -- naive, easily impressed, and desperately looking for an easy way out. The old adage "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" should have been pounded into her head because she falls for Sheridan's offer hook, line, and sinker...and pays the price. What she doesn't know is will she pay the ultimate price?

I will not give anything away here because I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone. A couple spoilers below to explain why 4 stars instead of 5. All in all, this was a great thriller that kept me reading and wanting to see if Roz would be able to get out of her mess!

***SPOILERS***

There are two reasons I knocked this down to 4 stars from 5. The first I'm hoping was cleaned up in the final version since this was an advance edition that I received. In the Prologue, Roz hears people coming down the lift to her basement suite and she's preparing herself to fight them off. When the book catches up to that point in the story, Roz is waiting to hear the lift but then realizes the man and woman came down some stairs instead. I was so confused that I actually went back to the Prologue to reread it to see if I missed something.

The second thing I don't like is that Sheridan's friend Monica, who is actually a journalist chasing a story, doesn't go to the police with her suspicions when she realizes that Roz is in Sheridan's house. She has long suspected that Sheridan had something to do with another girl's disappearance but she lets months go by and then crashes onto the scene to save the day? I just found it hard to believe that she would take the chance of waiting that long if she suspects that Roz will end up missing or dead.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I completely DEVOURED this book in one seating! I just found the whole read just impossible to put down!
With brilliantly-written characters, a heartpoundingly spine-chilling plot, and a story that instantly draws you in and never lets go; this is a read that I definitely HIGHLY recommend!

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The Perfect Mother is the latest book by Caroline Mitchell. I enjoyed the story, which is a psychological thriller that has some edge of the seat moments. But truth be told, I would have enjoyed it more without the first chapter. I do not care for books that give away some of the plot in the first chapter and actually is part of the later story. I want to thank Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for a copy to review.

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Loved the book. Easy read. Mystery, suspense and good characters. Kept me interested and couldn’t wait to finish.

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Roz has found herself pregnant after a one night stand with someone she could never tell her best friend. Wanting the best for the unborn baby, she decides adoption is the best way to go to give the baby the life she never had.
Roz lucks out when a celebrity power-couple has made contact and wish to adopt the baby and offer Roz to live in their apartment until the baby is born.
However the celebrity couple have skeletons in their closet and they don't plan on letting Roz go.

Let me just say that this was a wild book from start to finish. The husband - I could not tell if I was on his side or if he was just creepy, The Wife - just plain psycho. The Ending - it was definitely a shock I did not see coming, it's an ending where I think most people either love it or hate it and I loved it because it was so bizarre it honestly makes me laugh.

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I enjoyed the book although I thought it was slow to get going. I liked Roz and I liked her background, but I thought how she ended up in NYC was a bit contrived. I thought there was a lot of suspense but I wasn't sure how exactly the ending worked out for me. Still, I would read something else by the same author.

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Roz, 24, shares a flat with her long time friend Dympra in Ireland. Roz was raised by an alcoholic single mother with whom she has little contact. She has little money and life is difficult for her. After a night of drinking, Roz finds herself pregnant and she cannot tell Dympra who the father is.

Roz knows she cannot keep her baby and wants the best future for it. She has found a site where wealthy people who want to adopt babies, share their backgrounds and photos. She will live with them and they will cover her expenses along with paying her a good sum when the baby is born.

Sheridan and Daniel are a wealthy and successful show business couple. Sheridan grew up as a child star so it is ingrained in her. They are the parents of Leo, age 4. They want another baby, preferable a little girl, but as Sheridan is 44-years-old they want to adopt.

Sheridan and Daniel put their profiles on the baby site and immediately they and Roz click. Roz agrees to go to New York and live with them. It’s the perfect scenario. What could go wrong?

What a tense book that keeps the reader's attention and compels them to keep turning those pages. I was taken by the incredible plot that the author crafted and the numerous characters that made up the story. This is a really good book and thriller readers especially will want to read it soon.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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A one night stand has Rosalind Foley (Roz) to the Miracle-Moms site. An adoption site that connects pregnant women with couples wanting a baby.

Roz believes due to her situation that giving her baby up for adoption is the best outcome for all. The father is unknown to readers, but there are hints that Roz's best friend must never know.

Roz shares an apartment with her best friend, Dympna. Roz had a rough childhood raised by a single alcoholic mother. When Roz realizes that she is pregnant, she wants her child to not live the way she grew up.

When Roz gets a response from a diamond couple, she is thrilled. Diamond couples are vetted to be in a stable long term relationship and wealthy. When Roz is offered the chance to go to America to meet the couple, she doesn't hesitate. Dympna is not happy with Roz's jumping on board and going alone, so quickly, and gives her a phone telling Roz to call her any time.

Roz lands in New York, and taken to a luxurious hotel. There she meets George, the PA, who does a quick makeover and gives her a few heads up. It is through George that Roz learns the identity of the diamond couple, Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson, famous celebrities.

Following Roz signing a contract to allow Sheridan and Daniel to adopt her baby, she is shown to her quarters in the basement. She finds all the comforts, but there are no windows, no utensils, and no glass mirrors. Roz is given a strict schedule to adhere to, and she is chaperoned when she goes out.

Roz soon sees a dark side of Sheridan, whose personality can change on a moments notice. She starts to realize that things aren't quite what she envisioned them to be, and when she makes the choice to use the phone hidden in her luggage to call her friend and tell her where she is and with whom; the phone cuts off. Roz leads Sheridan and Daniel to believe that she has no one to turn to in her life; knowing her message was not delivered, Roz does feel all alone.

This was an amazing read! There is a back story of Sheridan, where you feel sorry for the little girl growing up under such a demanding mother, but her dark side is terrifying! Sheridan is used to getting her own way. Daniel comes across as kind, often sneaking goodies to Roz. When Daniel is around, Roz feels safer. She wants to believe that Daniel is unable to see Sheridan's dark side, and Roz starts to appeal to him to be an ally. Readers are left wondering who the father of Roz's baby is, then going with an assumption by Dympna to an unexpected twist in the end.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Amazon Publishing UK and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

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This book was a rollercoaster ride and had me on the edge of my seat from the first page all the way to the end. I literally didn't have it figured out until the last few chapters. I kept changing my mind as to who was the good guy and the bad guy. It was very well written and I loved the different character point of view. I enjoy being able to see what the different people are thinking in the same situation. I got this from Netgalley for an honest review and I think it was the best book I've read so far this year. I can't wait to see if she has other books for me to dive into. Definitely worth more than just 5 stars

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5☆ A Taut, Unsettling, Gripping Psychological Thriller that was simply Unputdownable!

Wow what a thoroughly gripping and unsettling psychological thriller. One I'll be remembering for a very long time!

Just the opening prologue alone had me completely absorbed!

Roz has just found out she's pregnant. With no job and no money to pay her best friend rent money and revealing the father's identity would create chaos.
She takes desperate measures and seeks out a way to give her baby up for adoption and the best possible life.

Roz comes across Miracle-Moms website offering discreet and all expense paid adoptions.

Sheridan and Daniel are Hollywood stars. After some bad press Sheridan is determined to up their social popularity again and what better way than with another child.
So she signs them up with Miracle-Moms and finds Roz.

Things move extremely quickly and Roz flies to New York to meet them.
Everything is extremely Cloak and Dagger even down to their identity till she signs disclosure forms.
Moving Roz into the basement for the foreseeable pregnancy it's here she stays, no contact with the outside world unless Sheridan Says so!
But things are not quiet what they seem.
Sheridan is heartless, manipulative, calculating, has a very dark side, she's cold and only cares about fame and fortune.

Has Roz just made the worst decision of her life? Is Roz and her baby truly safe?

I felt compassion for Roz, her naivety and vulnerability shone through, she was only trying to do right for her baby.
Sheridan made me skin crawl, she was manipulative and power mad. But you can't help loving to hate these types of characters they make for a fantastically intense and believable read!

I absolutely loved, loved, loved, The Perfect Mother, it was unsettling, chilling, dark, secretive, so many juicy twists, It had me turning the pages till the early hours.
The story is told by several points of view which really worked especially as the tension ramps up.
The Characters are Perfectly Written and evoked the right emotions you expect from this genre.

So if you adore Taut Psychological Thrillers that will keep you up all night and a little unsettled then you have to read The Perfect Mother!
I would Love to see this book turned into a film, it would be brilliant! 

Thank you to Book On The Bright Side Tours and Amazon Publishing UK for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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Oh the trials of celebrity life. In The Perfect Mother, a seemingly perfect couple is looking to extend their perfect life with the addition of another baby. Enter Roz a newly pregnant Irish lass who finds herself in the family way and determines adoption is the best future for her unborn child. Roz finds a website where young women are matched with couples looking for babies and willing to underwrite all expenses up to and including birth. Having picked a “diamond” couple she’s sees only good things for her unborn child. The money carrot and a trip to New York finds Roz face to face with the All American number one celebrity couple. Fortunate for the reader all is not as rosy as it seems. Roz finds herself a virtual prisoner complete with a detailed regimen, all with the babies welfare in mind. Sheridan and Daniel Watson have maintained a slick veneer to the public,with Sheridan going to extremes to keep their image pristine. It takes the dogged loyalty of a lifelong friend and a secret code word to deliver our young mother from the bowels of the Watson fortress. Happy reading

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Although at tones far fetched and not always believable , this book will have you hooked with interesting characters and a celebrity world storyline , keeps you guessing until the end .

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Really enjoyed it loved the story line it was so exciting and the characters were brilliant I felt so sorry for Roz what a mess she was in, which made her desperate to make it right with deadly consequences. It was so well written just couldn’t put it down couldn’t wait until the next chapter. It had a very unexpected turn at the end which I would never have guessed highly recommend it.

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Roz is pregnant and decides that the best thing for her baby would be adoption. She joins an online site which offers only wealthy potential adoptive parents and Roz is delighted when she gets a response. She is to travel to New York from Ireland and everything will be paid for. Her baby will never want for anything. Roz is sworn to secrecy as the couple are celebrities. She arrives in New York and cannot believe her luck, but then something tells Roz that all is not right and what at first seems like a dream turns into a nightmare.
I enjoyed this book - it flowed and the characters came alive for me. A great psychological thriller.

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This book addresses a topic that a lot of people just gloss over; unplanned pregnancy. A young woman can find herself in a heap load of trouble with an unplanned pregnancy, no matter what your age or financial status is. What do you do....adoption....abortion....keep the baby no matter what your circumstances are. It's a hard decision for anyone, especially when the father is someone you shouldn't have been with in the first place.
This story follows Roz, who is a young woman in her early 20's, who gets pregnant and decides to give her baby up for adoption. It's a hard decision, but she knows she wants her baby to have a good future, with two loving parents, and any financial support they need. She goes onto an adoption website, and is accosted by a celebrity couple her promise to fly her to NYC and pay all her expenses, on top of basically "buying" her baby to pass off as her own. To Roz this is a dream come true, although her sceptical best friend, Dymphna, is not so sure.
Roz goes along with it and agrees togive the baby up, and is flown to NYC. She doesn't realize it at the time, but she has n idea what she's in for. All she wants for her babyis the perfect family, with the perfect mother.

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Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I read this in one sitting whilst I was off unwell and so glad I did it stopped me from feeling sorry for myself. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to others

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First, I want to thank Caroline Mitchell, BOTBSpublicity and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

I absolutely fell head over heals in love with Caroline Mitchell’s The Perfect Mother. This movie read literally like a Lifetime Channel movie that I would be glued to the set for!! I was just blown away by the storylines in the book that just fascinating! This was a book that I was meant to read.

Right off the bat Caroline totally sucked me in to the story. I have always said if you can hook me right away and keep me there-you are a talented writer!! Let me tell you Caroline is a goddess in this genere!! She needs to write more books like this and I need to read more like her!

Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with pop culture and all things celebrity. That being said I loved the celebrity spin on the adoption story. I would have acted the same way Roz did when meeting the couple.
There was a name used for a character that I have never heard or read before. I thought it was totally different and unique. I also wanted to know the correct pronunciation as I don’t know if I was saying it correctly in my head.

There were some moments in this book when I laughed out loud. I thought many parts were funny. I also thought parts were creepy.

The book also touches on mother and daughter relationships. That part of the story I felt was sad and felt bad for each daughter.

I was not a fan of animal cruelty that was mentioned in the book.

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Every woman who has children wants to be the perfect mother and wants their child to have the perfect mother. In this book, Roz feels that as an unwed female who finds herself pregnant, without a job, not wanting to involve the father., and no parental support of her own...she is certain she will not be that person and wants to find her baby the perfect mother. On-line adoption is her go-to option and she finds herself traveling from Ireland to New York to a high-profile couple who want to have her baby, offering her an expense paid pregnancy living with them until the birth. But soon all the warning bells go off in her brain as she becomes more acquainted with Daniel and Sheridan...the would-be parents. And she is correct to be concerned as things go from bad to worse for her. Her only hope is her friend back in Ireland.. only if she can get a message to her. There is suspense as her fear grows and the activities in the house become more threatening. Is there anyone she can trust? Who is telling the truth? Who is leaving her magazines with stories about Daniel and Sheridan? Following the story through the end with the characters involved keeps the reader guessing...and hoping for a good ending for Roz and her baby. The author has a good book here with a topic that touches the heartstrings . Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon PublishingUK for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been. #NetGalley. #ThePerectMother

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Great Book! Unique but modern concept!
Roz finds herself pregnant in her hometown in Ireland,with no money and no way to support a child. She joins a website to try a find the perfect wealthy adoptive parents for her baby in America, far from her home as the she can’t let anyone find out the true identity of the baby’s father. Sheridan and Daniel have everything anyone could want, an adorable son, a beautiful home, successful careers, limitless funds and a massive social media following. But They are missing one thing to make their life complete, a daughter of their own. Roz flies to New York to live in a suite in the basement of Sheridan and Daniel’s house. She has signed papers agreeing to stay until she gives birth to her baby and then leave alone. Roz becomes suspicious of the couple and their intentions after finding out that the last girl that lived with them is missing. She can hear bits of conversations thru the vents in her basement suite and starts to wonder if she made the right decision for her unborn child.
Some of the characters were chilling and cold in the way they looked at life. The twists and turns left me speechless and shocked!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I was given a free digital copy of this book by Netgalley, in return for my honest and unbiased review. I really liked this book! It was a definite page turner. I was really taken on a roller coaster ride with the main character, Roz, as she went through her pregnancy, knowing that she was giving the baby up once she delivered. Then she began to find out what the baby's parents were truly made of, and THAT'S where to roller coaster ride began! I'd love to tell you more, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone! Quite a few twists and turns inside!

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I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Mother follows Roz, a young Irish woman who has found herself in an impossible situation. She decides to put her baby up for adoption and the deal is sealed when she finds who she thinks is the dream couple online. Unfortunately, she has no idea what lays in store for her.

This was a quick, engaging read, and I think readers will be drawn in by Roz and her plight.

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3.75 stars for this story about surrogacy and the lengths people will go to get a baby or to hide a pregnancy..

Roz is Irish and not close at all with her family. They'd likely be embarrassed about her situation and not supportive, so she resorts to finding a home for the baby. Catholic guilt prevents her from ending the pregnancy, but she knows what it is like to be unwanted and chooses what she thinks is a better home for her child. The new home is in New York so she feels confident her family will never know. Unfortunately for her, that is exactly the situation the prospective parents require for their story to work zs they intend to pass off the child as their own.

A few twists and turns added some tension, overall a good read. Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

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What a delightfully creepy thriller! The creepy things started off with just a general feeling of unease, but quickly escalated and become much worse. I told my fiance all of the weird things that happened as I read, going, "Oh my gosh, you won't believe what happened next!" It's the kind of book you feel like you need to talk to someone about - even though I know he doesn't share my love for thrillers.

I really appreciated how the point of view switches between the main character, Roz, and the 'evil character', Sheridan, who wants Roz's baby. It was really interesting to see Sheridan's motivations for the things she did, and see what things were going on in her head. It really helped set the book apart, which can be hard to do with a thriller.

I recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers, or who just wants a creepy story that they'll keep turning pages of, eyes wide, trying to figure out what's going to happen next.

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Wow this book took me on a ride! I was hooked from the beginning, and through several twists and mind games, I loved it! I did not see the ending coming, even when I thought I had it figured out!

Hot Hollywood couple Sheridan and Daniel are looking to adopt. Roz is looking for a couple to raise her unborn child better than she could provide. Could it be a match made in heaven?

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This was a quick read that did hold my interest. I wanted to like it more than I did. It was just too far fetched. The first half was better. The second half and the revelations at the end went too far.. Not a bad read if you like this genra.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. It was a fast and furious read! Well crafted, you think you know what's next and get a little complacent. The next thing you know you are slapped across the face with a sharp twist! Sheridan is a self entitled waning Holluwood star who has written a real life script for a performance filled with perversion and cruelty. Daniel is one confused dude. Roz is a true innocent and Dymphna is the best friend we all wish we had. It is perfectly drawn out with a well defined conclusion and no epilogue. I gave the book four stars, but 4.5 would be more accurate! Enjoy the book!

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was an amazing read. A young Irish girl, Roz, finds out she is pregnant and feels like she would not be equipped to care for an infant. When she contacts an adoption website she is matched with a celebrity couple who does not want anyone to know they are not actually pregnant themselves.
And from that point on you are on a roller coaster ride of secrets and lies. How far would a couple go to have a baby? How far will a young mother go to insure her child lives a good life? Once you start this book, you will not be able to put it down.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

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This was a different book/style from Caroline Mitchell than we are used to i.e. detective series. This was a standalone psychological thriller and what thriller it was. A young single catholic girl, Roz discovers she is pregnant, she doesn’t have much to give a baby in her mind, flat sharing with her best friend Dympna and working as a cleaner in a hotel, strained relationship with her mother, the baby would be better off being adopted. She scours the internet and comes upon a website Miracle Moms, after deciding on a couple, she is soon on her way to New York to meet the expectant parents of her baby. The chosen parents, she discovers, are rich and famous and she thinks she’s hit the jackpot for her baby…. however…. there is never a happy ever after…. Things take a sinister turn and twists come to fore….

A riveting read, I was entranced, could not put the book down, the story had more strings to it than a violin, highly recommend.

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First time reading a book by this author. It wasn’t my favorite psychological thriller/suspense type book, but it wasn’t bad either. I give it just okay. It had some really nice twists that I didn’t totally see coming, I did have some inklings about them though since I’ve read many books in this genre and expected certain things. It was a bit over the top in believability, but that’s fine with me, I know it’s not true crime. The subject matter was a bit hard for me too, but that’s on me and has no bearing whatsoever on the writing or entertainment value of this book. It’s pretty well written and will keep you turning pages to see what will happen next.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Thomas&Mercer for the ARC opportunity.

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Caroline Mitchell is the queen of the scarily good thriller and she is back with a spine-chilling read that is so compulsively readable putting it down is not an option: The Perfect Mother.

Mother to be Roz wants what is best for her unborn child. She wants nothing more than to give her baby the best possible childhood and to give it the perfect life which she sadly never had. But she is young, money is tight and opportunities in her Irish hometown few and far between. With her chaotic upbringing, Roz cannot shake off this feeling that the best thing for her unborn child would be to give it away, so she signs up to an elite adoption service as she believes that this is the only way she can ensure that she can give the baby all the things which are sadly so far out of reach for her. But is Roz doing the right thing? Will she end up regretting her decision? And will she end up putting herself and her unborn child in danger and jeopardy?

When Roz hears from the adoption service that a young couple are interested in her baby, she cannot believe her good fortune and it looks like her luck is in because she soon finds herself jetting off to New York where she meets Sheridan and Daniel, who live a life that is as far removed from Roz’s as it is possible to get. The couple lead a life that is straight out of a Hollywood movie, but when they offer her the plush basement suite, Roz finds herself unable to shake off this feeling that beneath the glossy furnishings and million dollar lifestyle lurks something sinister and frightening and alarms bells soon begin to go off.

As Roz begins to dig deep into the couple she is about to entrust her baby to, she is shocked to discover that she is not the first woman to have been taken in by Sheridan and Daniel and that the previous tenant had disappeared off the face of the earth and was never seen again. Roz realises that she has allowed herself to be lured into a gilded cage where the only thing keeping her alive is her unborn child. Can she manage to unshackle herself from the nightmare which she has stumbled into? Or is she about to make the ultimate sacrifice for the child which means the world to her?

The Perfect Mother is a terrifying read packed with tension and adrenaline that I simply couldn’t tear myself away from. A hair-raising thriller that will get the heart pounding, The Perfect Mother will have readers chewing their nails to the elbow as they find themselves caught up in this densely plotted and terrifying tale packed with jaw-dropping revelations and shocking twists and turns.

Caroline Mitchell can always be relied on to deliver a first class thriller that will have readers on tenterhooks from start to finish and The Perfect Mother is certainly no different.

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The Perfect Mother had my stomach churning for many pages. Yet I couldn’t put it down. The ideas that Sheridan and Daniel had about how to create excitement in their marriage were simply sick. I can picture so many young girls falling into their trap. At first I was afraid Roz would be an unsuspecting, naive victim. But I loved watching her fight the odds against her. Dympna was an amazing friend. I would like the next book to feature her!

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Far-fetched but even so, a page-turner that I couldn’t put down…until the last 100 pages. At this point it fizzled and never fully recovered. The story seemed to drag and I no longer felt the love for Roz. I enjoy twisty endings and admit this book had one, yet it left me underwhelmed.

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I'm a fan of Caroline Mitchell but I was disappointed with this book. There were a lot of twists in this book but the story was so far-fetched that the twists didn't make it any better. This book, however, kept my interest long enough to finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for a copy of "The Perfect Mother" in exchange of an honest review.

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What a thriller. First book I've read by this author. Wow,hooked from the beginning,with twists and turns galore. I honestly didn't think it was going to end that way. I highly recommend this author. Thank you netgalley for the ARC. The father of the baby was a surprise too!! Just amazing.

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With thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was an intriguing story, with many twist and turns. It had a strong storyline that showed that life is never straightforward and when you think you have come up with a reasonable solution to a problem, i. e. an unwanted pregnancy , life gets in the way. When film stars and Hollywood’s golden couple, decide they want your unborn child and will pay you, all your problems are over. Only in this story they are just beginning.
An interesting read. Recommended.

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I’ve been a big fan of Caroline Mitchell, reading both her Amy Winter and Ruby Preston series. This stand alone takes on a young pregnant woman who decides to give up her baby rather than attempt to raise it alone. Through an elite adoption service, she is paired with a celebrity couple. She moves into their basement for the term of her pregnancy. We learn early on that things are not what they seem.

This book is all about the story. The characters seem more caricature than real life. It’s fast paced and a decent read, although extremely unbelievable. I do give Mitchell credit for making the lifestyle problems of a celebrity seem realistic as they attempt to keep below the radar (something very au courant with Harry and Megan in the news).

There’s a big twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.

Still, this book was average at best and I hope Mitchell returns to the police procedurals that she does much better.

My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

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Fantastic book! I was hooked from page one and had a hard time putting this book down. In Dublin, two young women, Rosalind (Roz) and Dympna share a room, work together doing housekeeping in a local hotel and have been best friends for years. Roz confides in Dympna that she is pregnant as the result of a one-night stand but she refuses to divulge who the father is. Roz searches the internet and finds Miracle Moms, an organization that helps expectant moms, who cannot keep their babies, find a suitable family for adoption. Roz settles on a family that sounds perfect and soon she is flying to New York to await the delivery of her baby and her big payoff from the parents. The prospective parents are rich and famous actors. Sound too good to be true??? It certainly was and there are lots of different angles this story takes before the surprise ending. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this scary unpredictable page-turner in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a real thrilling thriller.

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Simply FABULOUS. The first book I have read from this author. It was SUPERB. Am recommending it to everyone I can think of!
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.

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I will say the plot of this story is out there, but certainly is plausible. You know what bugged me? The author’s language or dialect that certainly wasn’t how Americans speak. It threw me off at times.
Also really? That Roz would have no way of communicating in this day and age of social media seemed a stretch.
That being said, I found the plot fascinating and did enjoy the read. I liked knowing what multi main characters were thinking. Worth the read.

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The description of the story seemed interesting, so I decided to give a try to this author.
I was disappointed, the characters are absolutely unbelievable, the story develops slowly and I guessed the end when I was halfway.
I am not sure I will try another novel from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Amazon Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Nothing in this book is as it seems. Lots of twists and turns in this psychological thriller! Kept me up till wee hours of the night. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Poor Roz. Stuck in Dublin. Pregnant. Estranged from her family. What’s a girl to do? Answer an on line ad from prospective parents offering her An all expense paid trip to New York , luxury housing and a wad of cash when she delivers the baby. Of course, all is not what it seems and Roz is caught up in a very dark web and with no way out. No spoilers here. Well worth a read.

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So you’re single, Catholic and pregnant… totally against the grain of your upbringing ….what do you do?

Roz is just trying to the best for her baby that she’s nurturing inside her and giving / selling it to a couple who want it and will give it all it’s heart desire sounds ideal. Anyone would want the best start in life for their child. But from the moment I met Sheridan and Daniel, they didn’t feel right. But it could be the Hollywood effect but they were odd…

Having read previous novels by Caroline Mitchell, I knew I was in for a treat. Her psychological thrillers have tied me up in knots before and The Perfect Mother is no different. I was glued to my kindle, absorbing the story as it switched between Roz and Sheridan in the States and back to Roz’s home back in the Emerald Isle where Dympha (love the name) is missing her friend and flatmate.

Mitchell has written a tense psychological thriller about the calamities of unwanted pregnancy and the nuances of a catholic upbringing surrounding this. I loved following Roz’s journey addicted to what twist or turn would face this young Irish girl isolated in the Big Apple.

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Pregnant Roz Foley knows that her current circumstances aren’t exactly conducive to providing a stable home for a baby, so adoption by a wealthy American couple via an online agency seems the ideal solution, even if it does all have to be a bit hush-hush. And Roz could never have imagined quite how high-profile the prospective adopters would turn out to be.

Daniel Watson, a big name British-born Hollywood star under consideration as the next James Bond, and Sheridan Sinclair, a former child star of a long-running family show (I accidentally found myself singing the Bojack Horseman theme tune at this point) want a sibling for their son, and Roz’s baby fits the bill nicely. But is that all they want?

Roz feels confident that Sheridan will be the perfect mother for her baby, but needless to say this turns out to be not exactly the case. As Roz moves into their home for the duration of the pregnancy, it soon becomes apparent that things are more than a bit not normal. Sheridan is scarily controlling, and her staff - PA George, maids Anna and Juanita - apparently entirely under her thumb. Daniel, meanwhile, remains a bit of a cypher throughout.

Meanwhile back home in Ireland, Roz’s friend Dympna is sure something is amiss and is determined to find out what.

I guessed early on who the baby’s father was (well, there weren’t exactly many candidates) and was completely unsurprised to be proved right.

It was a very tense and compelling read, if extremely far fetched, and I didn’t feel I ever fully understood either Sheridan’s motivations or her original plan. (It’s not too spoilerific to say things go a bit wrong along the way.) Roz’s predicament was terrifying, and I really liked Dympna, the kind of friend everyone needs. There are a few twists and turns - one character comes through near the end in a way I wasn’t expecting.

Some of the dialogue jarred a little, with no apparent change in tone between the Irish and American characters - some of the phrases used by the Americans didn’t seem to ring true. I see some other reviewers have also commented on this, so it’s not just me, and I feel the book could have done with a bit more editing in this regard.

This is the first book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell, and despite a couple of reservations it was very enjoyable and certainly hasn’t put me off reading her others.

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A brilliant book! An easy 5 stars. I literally could not put it down and due to the lack of sex or violence, I shall be passing it to my teenage daughter to read. Fast paced, enthralling, scary, mad … Loved it!

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Another 5 ⭐️ review! This book had me hooked from the prologue! Major page turner with no idea where it was leading! I love books when I can’t guess what’s going to happen next!

24 year old pregnant Roz moves from Ireland to NYC after finding the perfect couple to raise her baby! It doesn’t take long before she realizes it isn’t what she expected. Does she have what it takes to keep herself and her unborn baby safe?

The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell is now available and I highly recommend it!

Thank you @netgalley, @amazonpublishing and @caroline_writes for the ARC!

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I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I really liked it. Very readable and a great story. Interesting characters and an interesting reveal at the end. Totally worth a read.

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Really good suspenseful book! This is my first by this author but I will definitely look for more. The goods - Loved Roz and her thought process and emotions, the plot and of course, the bestie Dympna. The not-so-greats - Sheridan, Daniel and Mike were surface characters. I would have like to see them more as real people and hear their feelings; this was more like someone's outside view of celebrity. Her bestie was great fun but I don't like spoilers so I'll just say that I didn't like that twist. I would recommend!!

Thanks NetGalley for the copy!!

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Thrilling story of a broke and pregnant girl who is offered a solution. Filled with surprises and intriguing characters, The Perfect Mother, is quite good and an enjoyable reading experience.

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Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
This was not an awful book, and would make a great movie.  However, there was no difference in voice between female characters which is hard to deal with in this type of book.  Even moreso, the British-isms used by the American character was jarring and confusing.  And the articles - Southern Americans don't say holdall.
I would have like another perspective, maybe the female police detective and a bit of police procedural.  I would also love to read a book about the friend.  I would read more by this author.

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I couldn’t resist this book, with a tag line that says “They want her baby. Do they also want her life?” I was very excited to get started!!

When Roz 24 finds out she is pregnant after a one night stand, she tells her best friend Dympna, but does not say who the babies father is. She joins Miracle Moms website, where wannabe parents adopt babies.

Roz has a message from a diamond member, which means they are a celebrity and are a millionaire with more than one property. What could go wrong?

Roz finds herself flying to New York to meet the glamorous stars, as she settles into their posh apartment she realises things are not all what they appear to be and finds herself a prisoner in a gilded cage.

The adoptive parents are controlling and Roz is soon fearing for her life. Someone is leaving her magazine articles about the couple. Who is Kelly? And is someone trying to help her?

This book had me completely hooked and I read it in one sitting. I really didn’t know what was coming round the next corner and it made the hairs on the back off my neck stand on edge!! Full of characters that have their own secrets, not knowing who you can trust makes this a thrilling read.

Need a minute as my head is still spinning. Something bubbly may be needed!!!

A thrilling book that I highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

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This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat!

It was full of secrets and suspense. I couldn’t put it down! I needed to know what would happen next. The characters were well developed. I love that there was more to them than at first glance. I found that I liked Sheridan. I probably wasn’t supposed to but….*facepalm* The author takes you into a world of the rich and famous. Money does make things happen. The story is well written and will have you captivated until the end. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve quickly become a fan. I can’t say enough good things about it! I will be checking out her other books. This is a fantastic read and if you love thrillers, I highly recommend you reading this book! You won’t be disappointed! I give this 5 stars.

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I generally enjoy Caroline Mitchell’s book but this one was just an okay read. Sheridan and her husband were self centred and evil . Roz had a hard decision to make about her pregnancy and I felt for her predicament. She matured as the book progressed and was able to come to terms with her life. Her childhood friend Dympna was a keeper who not only traveled from Ireland to the United States knowing her friend was in distress but also for accepting the news of the baby’s father at the end of book. There were some surprises in this book for sure. I liked the tempo and short chapters . I know people will do anything to get what they want and this book is certainly an example of that.

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This was one of the most exciting thrillers I have read! Roz is a young Irish girl who is pregnant. Her best friend Dympna wants to help her keep the baby but Roz knows she can’t take care of her. Roz is estranged from her mother, has no money and no real support apart from Dympna. She refuses to reveal the identity of the father. On the internet she comes across this elite adoption service. Very quickly she finds herself flying from Ireland to New York. She is going to meet a very powerful celebrity couple and can’t believe her luck. She will live with them, all expenses paid and her baby will have everything she could hope for. But, soon she realises something is not quite right. And then the wild ride begins! Be prepared to put everything else aside while you read!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Roz is a young Irish girl who finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. With no means to care for her baby, she decides to give it up for adoption. When she signs up to a website that helps expecting mothers find prospective parents for their babies, she's soon sought after by a wealthy couple that for the time being likes to remain anonymous.
When she arrives in America to meet them, she's shocked to learn that they are well-known celebrities, Sheridan and Daniel. Believing she has found the perfect parents for her unborn child, she disregards the warning signs. But no sooner does she sign the contract than Sheridan's facade of the perfect mother starts crumbling and Roz's dream come true turns into hell...

This book was right up my street. It is a perfect read for fans of baby-themed novels, but not only.
It was a gripping, suspenseful story that will keep you madly turning the pages in order to find out what happens next.
The steadily progressing action builds the tension as the secrets are revealed, and all the questions answered.
For the entire book, I had a specific ending in mind, but I was surprised when the story ended differently to my projection. The only thing I guessed right was the identity of the father.
This was my first book by Caroline Mitchell, but it definitely won't be my last.

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Wow! What a riveting and plausible story. It is so full of tension and suspense I read it in two sittings, unable to put it down, wondering how it was going to end for Roz and her baby.

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A home for my child

This book certainly had a lot of twists in it and a certain amount of suspense.

A young lady, Roz, finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. She tells her best friend Dympna and together they search the Internet for adoptive parents as Roz says she cannot keep her baby. She won't tell her friend who the father is because it would break her friends heart and she would lose her friendship.

She goes to New York to meet the adoptive couple. Once she is in their house she is stuck. It turned into a horrible nightmare.

This book keeps you guessing, If you like a good psychological suspense thriller read than I would recommend it to you

Thanks to Carol Mitchell, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book.

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I am afraid this book was just too far fetched for me. Some twists along the way but not enough for me to engage with the storyline. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

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The premise of the novel was engaging and certainly topical. Surrogacy and all the legalities surrounding this procedure are still experiencing complications and controversy as a result. This young Irish woman certainly sees this a solution to her unwanted pregnancy. Ireland does not condone abortion. The internet has become the source of so much information and she seeks it out to offer her baby to an American couple. The repercussions are dire and the novel certainly holds your interest as she struggles with the complications of her decision. However, it became unbelievable as it reached the inevitable conclusion. A little too much of a Hollywood ending to a well written original book.

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Roz was pregnant and not financially secure to think about keep her baby. She elected to give her baby up for adoption. The process of adoption goes through a website where potential parents meet women who want to give up their baby for adoption. Roz agreed to move to New York and live with Sheridan and her husband, Daniel. Sheridan and Daniel were a powerful celebrity couple. This seems to be like the perfect family for Roz's baby. Things are not always as it seems.

This story can hardly be categorized as mystery or thriller. From the beginning, around the first 3 chapters, everything was revealed. The reader can tell that something is not right with Sheridan and Daniel. It's not that there were hints. It's so call mystery was outright stated by Sheridan.The rest of the story goes to paint a picture of what is happening to Roz and how she found out that Sheridan and Daniel is not who they said they are. Sheridan was described as a glamorous movie star that has lost her lackluster in the movie world. However, I never can picture her as this amazing, glamorous woman but rather just crazy. Her character wasn't convincing. It was boring and really hard to read start to finish.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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If something sounds too good to be true -- run away!

When 24-year-old Roz Foley discovers that she is pregnant after a one-night stand with a most unsuitable baby daddy, she decides to investigate the possibility of adoption. Broke, jobless and sharing a flat with her best friend, Dympna, is not what she wants for her baby. She impulsively signs on with an exclusive agency, Miracle Moms, and immediately gets a hit. A "diamond couple" has offered to fly her to New York for a meet and greet if Roz is certain that she wants to go through with it. Off she goes, first class all the way, and arrives to find that absolutely nothing is what she'd hoped. In fact, she and her baby are in terrible danger. NO SPOILERS.

This was an easy, quick read that I finished in one sitting. Most of what transpired was a bit far-fetched and required a great effort to suspend disbelief, but it was an entertaining couple of hours. I've read other books written by Caroline Mitchell and much prefer her police procedurals. I never fully bought into the story or the characters and can't say that the writing created much tension or suspense as the twists were not completely unexpected. I know it's awful, but I was kind of hoping for a different end to Roz and her situation -- you know -- just to really surprise me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing UK for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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When Roz a young Irish catholic women becomes pregnant, she has no job and no money.
Does she decide to keep the baby or help a couple that cant have children whom are wealthy and loving?
Celebrity couple Julie and Greg desperately want Roz's baby and fly her out to New York, but on arrival nothing is at it seems.
Roz is stuck in a basement flat with no contact to the outside world.
She knows that she has to escape for her own safety and that of her unborn child.
There is something very wrong with Julie and Greg but how can she escape and get back home.

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My second 5 star read this year!

"They want her baby. Do they also want her life?"

This was one hell of a ride!
Amazing story, amazing characters, although I really hated Sheridan and Daniel - classy, spoiled brats, who thinks money can buy you anything. Well, there's a stick for everyone.

All the mystery and lies.. I must say, this book had me hooked till the end. I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Mrs. Mitchell for this ARC.

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What a blast of a book. A naive Irish girl with an unplanned pregnancy is whisked to New York by a famous Hollywood couple with whom she's agreed to give her baby. She's excited at first until she realizes wifey is a bitch, and she's basically been kidnapped and locked away. There's some over the top trauma towards the end, but I didn't mind because it was such a good read. I recommend for lovers of psychological thrillers.

Thanks Net Galley for letting me read and review.

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Roz is in her 20’s, has just lost her job, and finds out she’s pregnant from a one-night stand. With no real family besides her best friend, Dympna, she decides to go through an elite online adoption agency to find parents for her unborn child. Roz is selected by a diamond couple, celebrities who want to remain anonymous, and is flown from Dublin to New York City to meet the prospective parents. She’s excited to see who they are and is expecting politicians, but when she is dropped off at the home of celebrity A-list couple, Sheridan and Daniel, she’s surprised and excited.

Roz thought she was just going there to meet the couple, but she has to sign the agreement right away and is forced to stay with them immediately with no communication with the outside world due to a non-disclosure agreement. She can’t even let Dympna know where she is. Things seem very strange with a set schedule, no contact with the outside world, and being stuck in a basement apartment with no windows and no way out unless Sheridan or Daniel let her upstairs. When someone starts mysteriously leaving her gossip magazine articles about Sheridan and Daniel’s first child and about someone else who went missing around the same time they had that child, Roz starts to get suspicious and fear for not only her life, but the life of her unborn child.

The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was not what I was expecting at all. There were so many twists and turns and not everyone was as they seemed. Roz was naïve to think she could sell her baby and not have regrets, but what she goes through during the pregnancy was crazy. The perfect couple, Sheridan and Daniel have so many secrets of their own, and I never knew what was going to happen next with them. Dympna was a great character trying to find out what happened to her friend the entire time.

This was my first book by Caroline Mitchell, but won’t be my last. She sucked me in from the beginning and held my attention throughout. The story flowed well and there were some twists I definitely did not see coming. I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed and confusing though. Overall, I would recommend this though.

Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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A young woman named Roz is trying to make her way in her hometown in Ireland when she expectantly falls pregnant. She doesn't want people to know the identity of the father and she has no money so the future is not looking too bright for a this young catholic girl. She is convinced that it is best if her unborn child is adopted. Roz joins an elite adoption service and is dumbfounded when within days a mystery contact is jetting her to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are a wealthy and glamorous couple who want a baby to bring up as their own. They have so much more than Roz could dream of and she realises that her child would have everything possible. Circumstances change when Roz moves into their basement suite and she begins to suspect that there are dark secrets held by the couple.
Roz discovers that another woman moved in with them previously and has never been seen since. The clock is ticking to the birth of her child and despite her best intentions she has walked into a nightmare.
I was quickly into this one and was deprived of another good night sleep because I wanted to find out how it was going to finish. Roz is a good character and the plot is well paced, recommended.

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There’s nothing I can add to any of these other great reviews. This one will fly off the shelves! I’ll be suggesting this for book clubs.

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**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions posted here are my own.**

The author really knows how to grab your attention from the first chapter - insert an intense scene from closer to the end of the book, before jumping to the beginning of the story for the second chapter.

Roz, a sweet, single, broke, Catholic girl from Ireland suddenly finds herself pregnant. She, for obvious reasons, decides she cannot keep her baby, and decides to find the perfect adoptive family to give her baby the life it deserves. She registers on a site where prospective adoptive parents can reach out to her in hopes of being able to adopt her baby. When she realizes a "diamond couple" (a couple whom is allowed to keep their identity private for a certain amount of time) has selected her, she figures all of her problems have been solved - deciding to fly halfway across the country to meet the couple, against her best friend's better judgement.

The diamond couple flies her first class from Ireland to NYC and she relishes her first tastes of the good life. She is taken in a limo from the airport to her hotel where she waits for a few hours until she is taken to meet the couple, who turn out to be Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson - celebrity superstar couple. Believing she has hit the jackpot in an adoptive family for her unborn baby, Roz signs the contracts and soon becomes a prisoner in their home.

This style of writing is one of my absolute favorites - told from multiple points-of-view with plenty of intrigue and suspense. While some parts felt a little...far-fetched...over-all it was a great read and definitely held my attention until the end.

*Thanks to Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC!*

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Utterly amazing! Just when I thought what was happening or where it was going BAM! Another twist! Love the characters, loved all the twists, turns and moments of suspense. Highly recommend The Perfect Mother!! It’s a real page turner!!

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Holy f***!!!!! What a book!!! This is currently my number one book for January! I immediately loved Roz, I did figure out the baby daddy, but I didn't feel like that was a huge part of the story so it didn't detract from it. Everyone needs a Dympna in their lives. Sheridan and Daniel were well done if dislikable people. Absolutely loved it!!!

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This is a Wow book. A wow! What did I just read! Amazing doesn't do it justice! This is a top read for me. I give it 5 well deserved stars and a strong recommendation!

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I wanted to like this book. When I read the blurb, it seemed like a book that I would like. The storyline was too confusing, with too many characters’ perspectives. It was hard to keep up! It Is a good thriller with a surprise ending. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review

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A psychological thriller with plenty of unexpected twists and turns that was hard to put down. After a one night stand with someone close to her best friend and roommate, Dympna, Roz finds herself pregnant. With no close family ties, no job and unsure of what lies ahead, Roz researches adoption sites. When a rich, successful couple in New York is interested in meeting Roz and adopting her baby, she leaves her life in Ireland and heads to a new life in New York. As part of her agreement with the couple she agrees to live with the unknown couple and have no contact with anyone from her past until the baby is born. When she meets the couple, she learns that they are a popular Hollywood power couple and they plan on the wife passing the pregnancy and birth off as theirs. With the popularity of the couple and the scrutiny of the press, Roz is regulated to the basement of the couples' home. The entrance to the basement is via elevator that is operated by a key card, that Roz isn't allowed to have. She's allowed no contact with the outside world, forced to follow a strict schedule, dictated by the wife, and eat a strict diet. Even her doctor visits are done at home, in a room equipped for delivery. She is only allowed in the top levels of the house, when it is just her and the wife at home. When she disobeys any rules or becomes difficult, there is punishment. When she has an encounter with the wife and attempts to escape, the husband is there to stop her. The couple has a son that is being raised by a nanny, the wife has limited contact with her son. As Roz's pregnancy advances, she realizes that she's become very attached to her baby and she doesn't want to follow through with the adoption. As she tries to find an ally to help her escape, she realizes that the wife keeps people loyal to her because she has information on them and uses that to intimidate and control them. Dympna is worried because she hasn't heard from Roz, asks her Dad, a policeman, to investigate the adoption site. Occasionally someone leaves gossip magazines and newspaper articles under Roz's pillow and she discovers that a girl, similar in appearance to herself, left her childhood home to move to New York and live with a Hollywood couple who promises her they'll help her succeed in an acting career. The timing of the disappearance fits into the timeline of the couples son's birth. When the husband is offered a coveted role in a movie he begs his wife to send Roz back to Ireland and forget the adoption and the couple and their son will travel to Alaska for the filming of the movie. The wife gives Roz a plane ticket home, but she had arranged for a former boyfriend to "take care" of Roz and the baby. Dympna and her father travel to New York and gives the New York City police department the information that they have compiled. While her father was talking to the police, he happened to catch a glimpse of the address where they think that Roz had been living. As Roz starts to pack to return home, she goes into labor. The wife begs the old boyfriend to leave Roz alone but he's determined that she cannot be trusted. As he raises a gun to shoot Roz, a shot rings out and the boyfriend drops. One of the wives devoted staff members and her best friend, who was an undercover gossip journalist, arrive in time to help Roz deliver her baby. Dympna and her father arrive at the hospital and the unknown father is revealed. Great book that keeps the surprises and twists coming. Thank-you to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and Caroline Mitchell for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. Definitely one you won't want to miss!

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This was an absolutely fantastic read, I did not know what to expect, having not read any novels by this author before - but I will definitely be looking out for her other books. Roz finds herself pregnant and sort of alone, except from her best friend and flatmate, who adores her and wants the best for her and her unborn baby. We don't find out who the father is until very late in the book - so much happens before then that it's kind of not something at the forefront of your mind, however it is a twist I didn't expect. This is a harrowing, compelling story of a young mother-to-be with not a lot of support, trying to do what she thinks is best for her childs future. She finds an online site that offers her care and funds to put her baby up for 'adoption' with a couple of her choice. Given that she didn't have the best upbringing, doesn't have a secure job and family life, she decides that this is what she wants and needs to do for her baby. Little does she know that when an extremely rich and famous couple become interested in her baby - her life is about to change forever. There are so many surprises and layers to this book that I was hooked. Roz's story is a nightmare, but one I could imagine watching on the big screen. Truly a gripping novel that will have you on the edge of your seat.

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*received from netgalley for free for honest review* This was certainly a thriller! yikes! Books like this are always scary because though they might not be kidnapping pregnant women there are parents who think that way/treat their kids like that :0 This was really hard to put down and the ending was...odd but I didn't see it coming that for sure lol.

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It appears that Caroline Mitchell, author of the The Perfect Mother and other previous thrillers and works of psychological suspense, made a good decision when she switched from being CID to becoming a full-time author. Her latest release is a tense and twisty novel that offers some good character development and solid plotting to counteract a small bit of predictability and repetition. Roz is living in Dublin with her best friend when she discovers that she is pregnant after a secret one-night encounter. Roz feels unprepared to raise a child at this point in her young life, but is also unwilling to have an abortion due to her religious upbringing. Faced with this dilemma, she explores an option unique to our modern economy- a website offering to anonymously connect wealthy couples with surrogates or those looking for adoption in return for extensive compensation. Her roommate, Dympna, tries to dissuade her from following through with the arrangements, but Roz is dazzled by an offer that will have her pampered in NYC at the behest of a high-profile couple looking to pass off an unborn child as their own. She also believes that this is an incredible opportunity for her child to have the very best that life can offer. Roz is naïve but smarter than she first appears, and the reader may be initially frustrated by her actions but will come to respect her intuition and self-preservation skills. It is a little too late when Roz realizes that her circumstances are suspicious when she finds herself held captive by a celebrity couple who may have already performed some serious misdeeds in the past. Their money and influence have bought the silence of those who abet their scheme, and the woman in the couple seems to be completely unhinged and controlling to the point of abuse. Mitchell writes the character of Sheridan especially well. She manages to be an obvious villain, but still evokes pity and has some surprising attributes and a rationale that rescue her from becoming a caricature. Dympna is also a resourceful person in the story, providing the moral and rational voice that acts as the safety valve in the spiraling action. The novel is told primarily through Roz as the first-person narrator, with occasional guest chapters told from Sheridan and Dympna’s point of view. There are also cleverly placed excerpts from tabloid press “articles” that help flesh out the backstory of Sheridan and her superstar husband. The reveal of the paternity of the baby is not as surprising as it was intended to be, and some of the “Americanisms” are a bit off, but these are forgivable in light of the rest of the book’s overall quality. The Perfect Mother is not a perfect thriller, but it is an entertaining one- a solid choice that will delight those looking for an absorbing new read.

Thanks to the author, Thomas & Mercer (Amazon) and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Caroline Mitchell returns with an outstanding psychological thriller novel "The Perfect Mother" and one of the best reads I have read so far this year!

Young, jobless and penniless Roz finds herself in a very peculiar situation. Her secret one-night stand left Roz with a "little bundle of joy" on the way. Unfortunately, the occasion was not at all joyful. Having grown up in a broken home with an unfit mother, Roz makes a decision to protect her daughter from childhood she has experienced. With this idea in mind, the expecting mother joins an elite adoption agency, and with the luck of the Irish, she is matched with a "diamond" couple. With hopefull wishes for her child's grand future, Roz boards the plane in her small town in Ireland and traves to a big and shiny NYC.

Upon her arrival in NY and meeting the "diamond" couple Sheridan and Daniel, Roz signs an adoption agreement. And just like in Cinderella's story, Roz's is whipped off her feet, settled into a luxury basement apartment, with a personal maid, gourmet cooked meals with all the best vitamins for her unborn child, exercises, medical staff, and equipment. But it doesn't take long for Roz to realize that she is kept captive like a bird in a golden cage. And as weeks go by, Roz learns more and more of the couple's gruesome secrets.

"The Perfect Mother" is great suspense that honestly pulled me in right from the start. The plot was great and I thought the story flowed well, it certainly had me guessing throughout trying to figure out how it would all end. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publishers for a free and advanced copy of the book.

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I received a free copy from NetGalley. If you grow up poor, it seems like a perfect thing for a rich family to want your unwanted baby so it can have everything you did not. But rich isn't the perfect world it is made out to be and this family is far from perfect. Interesting idea behind what we see in public and what is happening in real life. Good contrast between the haves and the have nots. Fairly predictable story-line.

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I found this to be an enjoyable thriller. The characters were realistic and the story was well thought out. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

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We start off with Roz and Sheridan, two women with one thing in common. Roz is pregnant and want to give her baby up, and Sher who wants nothing more to be a mom to a babygirl. I got through the first two chapters with ease and had good feelings about this book. I’m not used to adult books, so I had to turn off my Young Adult mind and focus on the differences.


At first I liked Sheridan, but the more the story went on the more I realized she’s just a normal rich person. Someone who can think she can walk around on people, and do whatever she can to make people uncomfortable. The more money you have I guess the more it’s okay to be rude to people who are just doing their job.

I had all high hopes for Roz, and honestly loved her chapters the most. Getting pregnant over a one night stand is not an easy thing to do and she took it like a champ. Both women had their ups and downs, and both were doing their best. Overall I just wanted to keep going with their story.

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Unique and creative premise. I enjoyed this one and will need to look for more books by this author. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

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I got an ARC from Net Galley!

Penniless, pregnant, Irish, so what could go wrong?

The story was okay but the end either started dragging or I got sleepy.

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Great read, the author provided just the right amount of suspense. I found it hard to put down and was disappointed when I reached the end.

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Caroline Mitchell is a master of suspense. This gripping thriller won't let you go. The characters are complex. The plot is so plausible and frightening that it ups the tension. I found myself holding my breath several times. This one is full of twists and shocking revelations! I cannot stress enough what a must read this is for fans of psychological thrillers.

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Thank you NetGalley!

Roz wants to do better by her baby and wants her to have a better upbringing then she did. In order to do that, Roz knows her only option is to put her baby up for adoption when its born. Soon she is headed to the Big Apple to meet a power couple who is desperate for a baby! The couple seems to good to be true and they even have her move in with her. Seriously it all seemed a little to perfect if you ask me. I was waiting for the shoe to drop and boy did it ever!
I really can't give anything else of the plot away, other than to say BUCKLE UP BABY! There are twists all over the place and more than half of them blew me away!

Great and quick read with lots of suspense!

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Caroline Mitchell's The Perfect Mother is a twisted roller coaster ride that will have readers guessing until the end.

Roz is a young woman who is pregnant after a sordid one night stand. She is Irish and decides that she should give her baby up for adoption. The chances are good that she will find a lovely family who wants more than anything to give her child a solid two-parent home. Roz is over the moon when a "diamond" couple is interested in supporting her while she carries her child for them to adopt.

American celebrities Daniel Watson and Sheridan Sinclair seem to be the perfect Hollywood couple. Glamorous, beautiful and rich, they have a four-year-old son who would love to have a little sister. Sheridan wants Roz's baby more than anything and she sets out to make it happy. Whether Roz is completely willing or not.

What a twisted book. Roz is a relatable, sympathetic character while Daniel and Sheridan seem to be a fictional version of Brad and Angelina, Ben and Jen, and more couples we read about in the gossip mags. Daniel and Sheridan's fake outer shells don't prepare us for the scary truth of what is hidden behind that beauty.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a good thriller. Great twists at the end to keep you guessing.

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Wow! I was amazed by this book which relates the tale of Roz, an Irish girl that finds herself in a pickle when she gets pregnant but does not want to tell her flatmate who the father is – nor indeed the father himself. So she did what millions of Irish people have done before her and goes to America. Not quite as glib as that – what she does is signs up to give her baby up for adoption to a ‘diamond’ couple who are celebrities and they will sort everything out for her, visa, accommodation, medical expenses and a lump sum and a limo to pick her up from the airport after her first class ticket to New York – single.

Well, remember ‘all that glitters is not gold’ – things are not quite what they seem. What is really worrying that this does not seem too far-fetched. What it is is a brilliant, thrilling, psychological thriller (I know too many thrillers – but this deserves it). I cannot recommend it enough. Oh, of course, it has the obligatory twist as well. Didn’t see that one coming.

Thanks Ms Mitchell. Keep them coming because I can’t wait.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

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Scary, engrossing, and entirely plausible. This story seems like something that could happen or has already happened. Makes you wonder... Thank you for the entertaining read!

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I absolutely loved this book. A young pregnant girl flies to NYC in hopes to put her baby up for adoption, which she doesn't know will the treatment she will receive once she arrives in NYC.

Many twists and turns. Highly recommend.

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If you are looking for a twisty creepy psychological thriller this book fits the bill. Roz finds out she is pregnant and has no idea where to turn. She falls victim to a famous celebrity couple on an adoption web site looking for a baby. What she doesn’t know is this is not the first time they have went this route. What follows is a plot so shocking and twisted that it is beyond imagination. Caroline Mitchell draws the reader in with this book immediately. I could feel Roz’s confusion and anxiety throughout the whole book. This is definitely a 5 star read.

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Another great book by Mitchell. I have read all of her books, and she never disappoints. Roz is a young girl in Ireland that finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. Realizing that she is not capable of taking care of a child at this point in her life, and wanting her child to have a better life she decides to give her baby up for adoption. She goes to New York in hopes of the couple, a famous couple, will be the family her baby needs. However, upon arriving she begins to regret her decision. This book was great. I stayed up too late reading it. #Netgalley #ThePerfectMother

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I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

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Money can not buy happiness. Roz is young girl from Ireland that finds out she is pregnant from a one night stand. Roz is estranged from her family and can not financially support a child. Roz joins a very exclusive adoption service and soon finds the perfect couple that want to adopt her child. She is wished away to New York to meet Sheridan & Daniel a wealthy glamorous Hollywood power couple. In the terms of the contract they will provide a place to live, meals, clothes and medical care with the condition that Roz does not talk about the arrangement. Sheridan & Daniel would like to raise the baby as there own. Roz moves into a plush basement apartment that you can only access via an elevator. However her new roomies will not give her a security pass so she is confined to the basement relaying on them for everything. Roz starts finding mysterious articles about another girl who went missing and is starting to believe the the missing girl lived in the plush basement apartment she is currently staying in.

This is a really entertaining read and kept me up many nights. The writing is great and the storyline really flows. The twist at the end really got me! Highly recommend. This is my first book by Caroline Mitchell and I can’t wait to read another.

Thank you Netgalley, Caroline Mitchell & Thomas & Mercer

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Who is the perfect mother? When Roz, a young girl from Ireland wants what is best for her unborn child, she searches on a website to find the perfect mother for her baby. When she matched up with a "diamond couple", she thought she hit the jackpot.
The author takes you on a wild roller coaster ride in this novel. Who is telling the truth? Who can be trusted? Poor Roz is in trouble, living with this "diamond" couple but has no one to confide in, no one to help her since she is locked into a basement apartment.
I liked how the author named each chapter for the person that was speaking. It kept you informed and helped you know whose perspective it was from. The author had you in suspense the entire book, not knowing who was to be trusted and telling the truth. Just when you thought you may have it figured out, there was another twist in the story. As each chapter ended, you wanted to read more to discover what was going to be happening next. This easy to read book will keep you wanting more.

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Woah. If you haven't already gotten your hands on 'The Perfect Mother', get thee to your nearest bookstore ASAP! Started reading yesterday and Could.Not.Put.It.Down. In the first chapter or two I expected I knew what the outcome might be...but I was in for a shocker! This thriller is full of twists and turns that you will not see coming. Highly recommended!

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Roz is penniless and pregnant from a one night stand. She joins an elite adoption agency and is quickly matched with one of their “diamond” clients. Roz travels from Ireland to New York to meet with the adoptive parents. But all is not what she expects. They have secrets – dark secrets. Roz is soon trying to figure out how to renege on her promise to give them her child. Meanwhile her friend is desperately trying to find Roz. The story jumps between Roz and Sheridan, the adoptive mother. The story is intriguing and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending has its own twist. It is a great read. One not to be missed.

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A man and a young woman have a nice night out. Much alcohol is consumed, bingo! I’m pregnant? How can that be? Oh yeah...

This is Roz current situation and it’s not good because she Is broke. Roz wants wants to do what is best for the little bean growing inside her. After all her upbringing was/is pretty chaotic and she wants a better life for her little one even if she is not the one to raise it.

Enter Google and a website named Miracle Moms which is an elite adoption site. After diligently searching, Roz finds a couple she thinks will be a perfect match for her baby.

Within days she is flying first class, all expenses paid, to New York City where she is to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Here she meets the very famous TV stars Sheridan and Daniel. They are incredibly wealthy and glamorous. Roz is totally out of her league. BUT, Her baby will never go hungry and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. Sheridan, taking the lead moves Roz into their plush basement suite. By and by, Roz starts to suspect that something darker lurking around this “perfect couple”.

Then Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realizes her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive. She in the midst of the perfect nightmare and she cannot wake from it.

This is one heck of a page turner! When the story began to climax I could not read fast enough to find out the fate of Roz, Sheridan, Daniel, baby, Mike, Monica and all the other characters I got to know.

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Roz is pregnant after a one night stand and isn't in a position to keep the baby. She finds a high class website where you can arrange for wealthy couples to adopt your baby. Roz is flown first class to New York to meet a famous couple who area interested in her baby, but when she arrives she quickly realises they won't let her leave😶

When I first started reading this book I spent about 10 mins wondering if it was going to be a little repetitive and drag, but nope, once it got going it grabbed me and made me want to keep reading until it was 12.45am and I had work the next day!

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When the main character Roz finds out she is pregnant after losing her job, she is not entirely sure where to turn. In order to give her unborn child the best life she can, she searches the internet for a solution and finds a potential one through an elite adoption service. What Roz finds waiting for her in America is not what she could have foreseen and it could end up costing her more than just her baby.

I enjoyed the fast-paced writing of this book and was thrown for many twists and turns throughout that I did not foresee, typical of a good thriller. The last 20% of the book was a bit scattered, but I was overall pleased with the outcome and the book as a whole. Caroline Mitchell is an author who I will be continuing to look out for and I enjoyed The Perfect Mother as a quick thriller.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

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For awhile I thought I was reading a sequel to a very popular book called Rosemary’s Baby!
The perfect Mother had one twist after another.
I could not put the book down and finished it in 2 sittings. I would like to read more by this author.
She had a great imagination!

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I really enjoyed this book! It was a roller coaster of thoughts and I had no idea what was going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot. My favorite kinds of books to read are the ones where you have absolutely no idea what is happening until the very end. And this is exactly one of those books. It had some sweet hidden messages in there as well, about friendship and family. So it was a well-rounded book that kept me guessing until the very end. What else more could you ask for?! A definite five-star book.

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I found it hard to engage with any of the characters in this book. Some of them were dislikeable in the extreme, which I suppose was necessary for such a disturbing tale. It came across as a bit formulaic at times, and I’m sorry to say it did not really hold my interest. It was difficult to believe that a young woman like Roz could be so trusting and gullible, she is 24, not 17 years old.

It did however point out the dangers for anyone of any age believing that a ‘friendship’ formed over the internet from across the Atlantic (or anywhere else! ) will definitely be as genuine and trustworthy as it all appears. There are so many traps for the unwary.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this title.

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The Perfect Mother is a suspenseful read and I was fascinated with the story of Roz and her baby throughout the book. Caroline Mitchell is a gifted storyteller, and has crafted a compelling and well written tale. The chapters are presented from different character's points of view, and it was fun to be able to get into the minds of each of them. Each character was well developed ,and I learn to love Roz and George, especially, and to loathe Sheridan. I would have given the book 4 stars, but there's a little surprise at the end that I really didn't care for, and it colored my opinion of the rest of the book.

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This book took me in so many different directions it was a page turner for sure! The only reason not a 5 star is in the beginning it was predictable but as it progressed I was shocked several times. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes surprises and suspense.

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Fake, wealth and privilege can buy a lot, even a baby but I definitely would not have liked to be the provider of Hollywood power couple Sheridan and Daniels’s new baby.

They were the most selfish, self obsessed couple you would never want to meet. Sheridan was the epitome of mixed up evil, damaged by a childhood lived out in people’s living rooms. Anything she wanted Sheridan got, even if that came at a terrible cost to others. I found it hard to find any redeeming features, even as events unfolded and the truth unravelled, the hints of a softer side didn’t sway me.

Her husband Daniel was the one you wanted to like, the actor who exuded sex appeal, seemed softer, more caring, yet you sensed a darkness that would eventually emerge.

And what of Roz, the woman chosen to carry their longed for second child. No money, a fractured family background, pregnant from a one night stand. She was so very vulnerable, perfectly ripe for plucking out of her Ireland home to be swept off to the bright lights of New York and the promise of money and luxury.

Mitchell didn’t give her long to enjoy her good fortune before the true nature of her situation quickly emerged. She swept us along in a fast paced, ever moving narrative that explored jealousy, greed, power and influence in a social media dominated world.

You knew the only character you could trust was Roz, the others all out to protect themselves, agendas hidden until the very last moment. I couldn’t read fast enough, as I powered through, desperate to discover Roz’s fate. Would she survive her ordeal, would she discover the fate of the previous baby donor and would Sheridan and Daniel be the architects of their own downfall?

Oh how gloriously messy it was when Mitchell revealed all!

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Wowee, that was fantastic! Great pacing, believable characters and a plot-line that kept you wanting to know more as the information was drip-fed to the reader and the fear factor gradually ramped higher and higher. The ending went off like a rocket and the final revelation well... I defy anyone to see that one coming! A really great read with a character you love to hate and lots of bits of the puzzle to put together. Perfect mother... perfect thriller!

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So disturbing from the very outset where Roz, desperate not to be a mum but pregnant joins a website for selling your baby to an elite American couple.
Alarm bells were ringing from me from the very beginning of Roz's flirtation with the idea of delivering her child onto the arms of a relative stranger and I found myself wanting to hold her by the shoulders and scream at her to stop and run at almost every page.
Lured by the supposed platinum status of the couple who want her baby she moves to America to discover things are not quite as they seem as she sees out her pregnancy a virtual prisoner in their home.
I loved the characters in the book and the beautifully illustrated differences between small town Irish girl, trapped in a difficult situation and made American power couple determined to have what they want when they want it. really came to life.
There were plenty of twists in the plot that caught me out and kept the pages turning to complete the book in a single sitting!
Excellent read all round!

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Wow. Wow. Wow... I’m blown away. Speechless. What a great story. It was everything one needs in a novel. It was crime, violence, drama, gossip, and more. I definitely recommend.

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Roz is a young Irish woman who has a one night stand that results in a pregnancy. She has lost her job, isn’t prepared to be a mother and she’s afraid that if she reveals who the father is, her relationship with her best friend will be irretrievably broken. She feels her only option is to put her baby up for adoption and creates a profile on an adoption site that matches pregnant women with wealthy prospective parents. Roz chooses a couple who live in New York and are willing to support her during her pregnancy. Once she arrives in New York, her life quickly spirals out of control.

What I liked about the book: It’s generally well written, has an interesting premise, keeps up a decent pace, has some characters that you just love to hate and has a few unexpected twists.

What I didn’t like about the book: Believability was stretched a bit too much and there’s not enough differentiation in language between British characters and American characters. If an author is going to have characters from America and Britain, they need to use language and descriptive terms that fit for each of those cultures. There was too much use of British terminology with the American characters.

I did enjoy the book, but would have enjoyed it more with a bit more attention to detail.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

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When Roz finds out she is pregnant, she knows in her heart that she can't be the perfect mother right now. She's in a low paying job, she's not married, and she can't tell the father. So she finds a way to make the best life for her baby... a well off couple in America that can't have any more children. But with any good thriller, we know it's too good to be true. However, when someone is desperate, they make decisions a rational person wouldn't make. You definitely have to feel for Roz as she makes her way to the U.S. and finds herself alone and scared and under the watchful of eye of Sheridan - the soon to be new mother of her baby.

Caroline Mitchell does a great job of alternating between the POV of Roz and Sheridan, as well as throwing in a little of Roz's best friend Dympna. I really enjoyed both characters, and it really helped understanding their thoughts and feelings. It will definitely leave you with the feeling that you can't believe what you "see" on the internet... not everyone is who they say they are! Another good suspenseful thriller!

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell was an insight into how desperation or ambition can encourage risky decision- making when an opportunity appears to present itself. Roz was careful to sign up to a credible agency but then her due diligence seemed to be suspended once the glamour and fame kicked in. The storyline ticks along nicely with characters taking on believable personalities and behaviours. The ending seemed a little too convenient at the eleventh hour but I certainly didn’t predict the twists. Overall a great wee story which would make a good CSI episode

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I cringe when I have to write a review for a book that just didn’t do it for me. I feel bad for the author; I can appreciate all the hard work that goes into such a huge undertaking. But I remind myself (1) I promised to be honest in my reviews and (2) that’s why they make chocolate and vanilla ice cream.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. The plot is good and believable. My big turn-off is the weak lead female Roz. She is just too gullible, too slow, too trusting to be responsible for herself and her unborn baby. I never sensed the “Mama Bear” kick in, and for those of you who have been pregnant or are now mothers, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The other characters in the book are believable and flawed, so interesting to watch. It’s still a fairly enjoyable quick read, just not for those who enjoy a strong female lead character.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for making it available.)

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Great book! The Perfect Mother is an atmospheric thriller with a film noir flair. Irish gal, Roz, falls pregnant after a drunken one night stand. Feeling that she’d be an inadequate mother, she signs up online to find the perfect parents for her baby. Some things are too good to be true! This novel begs a big Hollywood treatment!

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Holy crap! This was intense. Roz is a vunerable young woman who finds herself in a situation that she thinks she has a way out of. Is it unconventional? Yes, Is it legal? I’m not so sure. Is it captivating to read about? Absolutely!

This was so well done. The characters were very authentic and the situation was creepy. I really enjoyed each moment that I spent reading this book and the twists did not stop. I highly recommend this read!

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Wow, if you enjoy psychological thrillers, you’ll love this one! Roz, finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. She decides to register on a private adoption site, and attracts the attention of anonymous celebrity couple,
Sheridan and Daniel. She leaves Dublin for their home in New York, and enters a chamber of horrors.
This well written novel by #CarolineMitchell has all the elements of a great thriller, suspense, and page turning that kept me reading through the night. Her characters are well developed and you can’t help but embrace the young frightened Roz and despise the evil Sheridan and feel confusion regarding the complicity of Daniel.
My thanks to #NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #Amazon for the ARC This review is my independent opinion!

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I am grateful for the opportunity to have read this book. Over the course of two days, I went through myriad expressions and feelings in concern for Roz and her unborn baby. And I have to admit I was thrown for a loop! There were twists galore from the beginning to the end, and I had many a gasp and “whaaaat?!??” along the way. Truly, a page-turner. Great job!

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Not read any books by this author before but really enjoyed this so another author added to my list......
The book was a roller coaster of escapism and wanting to find out more about the characters which were portrayed believably though I was trying to think which A list couple could this actually be.........
I don’t do spoiler reviews or analyse books this is a great read I’d definitely recommend it!!

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Excellent book, great twist at the end that I didn't expect at all too!
Will definitely be recommending this - had me hooked from the beginning!

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This on the edge of your seat book we’ll keep you up at night wanting to see how it plays out. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Star rating from me. Loved her writing style! Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Publishing Fire this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I love a Caroline Mitchell book. She knows how to keep the suspense going and how to wrap it up. Loved this. Highly recommend not just this book but all of hers.

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This stand alone book by Caroline Mitchell is utterly brilliant. Roz finds herself pregnant and due to circumstances she doesn’t reveal she knows she can’t keep the baby, so she decides to go abroad and have it adopted. After heading out to the US with high hopes things aren’t what she had anticipated.
A thrilling read - who can Roz trust, if anybody? Enough said without spoiling the plot ...

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Wow!! what a book!!
Not how I expected how the stroy to go. It was so much better!!
Highly recommend. It's a must read!

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Wow. What an unexpected surprise. This book was so incredibly good and the author did a great job of gradually building the tension and suspense in a way that left me on the edge of my seat. When Roz discovers that she is pregnant, she knows she doesn't want to get an abortion, but she also knows that she can't afford to take care of a baby. She makes contact with a superstar celebrity couple (Sheridan and Daniel) in America who are desperate for a baby and who can afford to give Rez's baby everything she can't.

Roz soon finds out that things are not as they appear. She discovers a different side to Sheridan the longer she stays with them and she starts to worry that maybe she made a horrible mistake. The author goes back and forth between Sheridan's POV and Roz's POV. Roz's chapters become increasingly desperate, while Sheridan's chapters give insight into a woman who is used to getting what she wants and who is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. This book was so well written and there were so many surprises and twists throughout this story that I just could not put it down. The only issue I had was with the storyline regarding the father of Roz's baby. I didn't think that part was very necessary and I thought the resolution of that particular mystery happened a bit too quickly. Other than that, excellent read!

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If you are looking for a roller coaster of a book, The Perfect Mother will deliver what you are looking for. A thriller with a peak into the rich and famous is great fun to read, but clear your schedule, because you won't be able to put this one down.

Roz and Dympna live together in a flat in Ireland. Two young women, with little money their names, work as cleaners to get by and have been friends since childhood. Everything changes when Roz announces that she is pregnant. She will not divulge the name of the father, and is certain that information can never be told and while she wants nothing more that to be the perfect mother to her child, she has ultimately determined that she needs to go away to have the baby and give her (she is sure it is a girl) to a loving family, as she is not ready to be a mom, nor does she have the money or support to give her child what she needs.. Dympna try as she might to convince Roz that she can keep the baby and they can raise it together, is unable to get anywhere with Roz. Instead, Roz signs up on the "Miracle-Moms" site, an elite adoption website, devoted to couples looking to adopt a baby and give it a wonderful home, Roz is later delighted to find that a diamond couple wants her baby. A diamond couple is a couples that has over a million dollars - often someone who is in the limelight as a politician or musician. This couple will not reveal themselves on the site as they do not want a media frenzy, but they absolutely want Roz to meet them and see if they are a good match. It all seems to good to be true, but they want to fly Roz to America, and in short order, Roz is winging her way to America. Dympna is nervous about this plan, but Roz feels like she has found the perfect solution. When Roz drops off the map, Dympna is sure something is amiss and her best friend is in trouble, and she is determined to find her.

The story is told by Roz and Sheridan, the adoptive Mom, who is part of a Hollywood power couple. Roz is naive and sweet, who just wants to give her baby the best life she can have and Sheridan is savvy and swings between being nice and being controlling, and as time goes by, a bit scary... and then down right terrifying. She too wants to give this baby a wonderful life in the spotlight.... but what else does she want and what will she do to get it?!?

This book is an excellent escape into a nerve wracking thriller that was hard to put down. Just when you think you know what will happen, things shift in another direction, so figuring this one out is tough... and the ending was not at all what I expected. I enjoyed the ride. Hope on... it will whisk you away.

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Can we say wow, we all want the best for our children right? How can that go so wrong, after reading The Perfect Mother you will figure out exactly how that can go wrong. I felt like the beginning was a little slow but once Roz got on the plane everything picked up. This book had lots of twist and turns and I never expected the end to be what it was. It's definitely a great weekend read if you are looking for something to lose yourself in.

Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Mitchell and Amazon for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This is a horror story which has a really great and believable premise – especially in today’s world. The story moved forward at a good pace and there were plenty of hints along the way to let both the reader and our protagonist, Roz, know that something very sinister was afoot. It was definitely a page turner and, for me, an all nighter!

There were a number of holes in the story line – things which either didn’t add up or which didn’t make sense – but … it’s fiction. The one thing, central to the plot, which really stood out in that regard, was the pregnancy, itself. It was obvious that neither the writer nor the editor had ever been pregnant.

The ending wrapped it all up nicely. I always appreciate that.

This was an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I've read all of the author's previous novels but could not get into this one. Disappointing. Have put it aside and will perhaps try again in the future.

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In this page turner we find Roz, recently unemployed and pregnant seeking a better life for her child than she can give. After reaching out to a celebrity couple she found on an elite adoption website she finds herself flying from Ireland to New York to meet and decide their futures. What she finds is as twisted as anything I've read before. This one is suspensefully thrilling with a manipulative villain who's just too disturbing. Told from the perspectives of Roz, Sheridan the wealthy villain and Dympna, Roz's best friend, this fast paced, well written adventure had me invested from start to finish. With plenty of twists and turns to keep the narrative moving, I found myself reading late into the morning hours with the need to know how the story resolves and Roz's fate. I think this one's a hit and recommend it to all you psychological thriller seekers.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer, Amazon publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC to read, review and enjoy.

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Any book with the title The Perfect Mother will catch my attention and make me want to read it immediately. I was very happy to receive an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book! This is definitely a page turner which will keep you on the edge of your seat. You will be losing sleep as you will want to stay up late to finish. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

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I received this book from NetGalley for an open and honest review. Roz is young and pregnant and struggles with the decision to have her child placed for adoption. She thinks she has found the best solution for her when a family wants to adopt the baby. What happens after this is a twisted journey. I enjoyed the beginning of the book, especially Roz and her friend Dympna and their friendship. However I found the circumstances of this thriller a little unbelievable and over the top. I also found that some of the spots to be dragging, but when it picked up and I found myself wanting to keep on reading. The final twist in this book I suspected initially, but Mitchell did a great job steering me away from it and then it just hit me. Overall this was an enjoyable read and will be sure to check out more books by Caroline Mitchell in the future!

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Great twists and turns in the ‘Perfect Mother’. I didn’t particularly love who turns out to be the babies father, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I really enjoyed this book and devoured it in two days.

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I really enjoyed this book! Great plot and characters made this hard to put down. But just when I thought I had it figured out, yet another WOW moment! Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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The concept of this book may seem a little far-fetched but sadly it is not. This book is based on the value of this Influenster status that we see is giving more and more importance now a days. It brings forth the scary distance one individual will travel just to have a social status. The need to be wanted admired and revered by the larger society comes with a price- the price of your moral compass. It is truly disheartening to realize that this is something that could actually happen. People will go so far for achieving an ever increasing number of followers while making their true circle smaller and smaller in real life.
The background provided for the character development of Sheridan is insightful. I’ve always wondered what goes through a child artists mind when they achieve stardom at a very young age, the compromises they have to make, the scarifies even, and while they get paid handsomely it can leave behind a trail of damage as depicted in this book. Of course this isn’t what happens to every person but I’m sure there is a fair percentage of artists who go through this. Some may overcome it later in life and some may never. The characters of Dympna, Roz, Sheridan, and Daniel are well created. You can understand their predicament and their choices. You can’t relate to Sheridan and Daniel probably, because that is not a world a common man lives in, but if you lived in that world these kind of people wouldn’t be unbelievable I think. Mike is a standard predictable mean character and almost a fall guy. Around the 80% mark what we see of Daniel is a good twist in the tale. One of the issues I have with the book is how there are so many people who know what is going on but they choose to wait till the very last minute to step in.
*Spoiler alert
George for example managed to feed information to a reporter but not the police, that seems very hard to believe. The ending seemed a little less satisfying to me because it didn’t do justice to all involved and left Sheridan as the only one facing consequences.
All in all it’s a good interesting read, I wanted to know if and how Roz digs herself out of this mess and it kept me intrigued.
Thanks NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with this arc for my unbiased review.

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I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Incredibly well written psychological thriller. Roz is young and pregnant. She decides to use a website to find a family that will adopt the baby. She finds Sinclair who wants the baby, but on her terms. Many twists and one exciting ride. Very enjoyable.

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Roz is a young Irish woman, pregnant by a man she never should have slept with in the first place. She has to get out of Ireland and away from her best friend, who would be absolutely crushed if she ever learns about the baby's paternity. 

So Roz signs up for an elite adoption service and is delighted when an A-list celebrity couple shows interest in her baby. She boards a flight to New York city, only to find that the couple left out a few *minor* details when they invited Roz to stay for the duration of her pregnancy. Once she's stripped of her cell phone and locked in a basement suite, Roz begins to wonder whether she'll ever see the outside world again. The couple wants the baby more than anything... but what happens once the baby's born? 

Someone's leaving ominous notes about the couple for Roz to find and she's sure her life is in danger... but will she escape before it's too late? The clock is ticking and labor could start at any moment!

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I really enjoyed how the book started out and the plot was moving quickly with a lot of interest in finding out what happens next. A pregnant Roz, leaves behind family and friends in Ireland to give her baby to a celebrity couple in the US. With several warnings from friends and others she meets, she knows this is the best idea for her baby. The couple however, spin the story and keep her captive to take her baby from her. Sheridan is battling demons of her own which cause her to act the way she is, but there are other characters involved as well who have they own issues. You start rooting for Roz to escape or for her attempts to contact her best friend to be successful. However, the last third of the book seemed quite out of sync and dragged on even though it seemed like the author was trying to wrap it up fast. I also felt like Roz becomes unlikable and weak which is unfortunate. There is also a twist or two at the end, but when it's revealed, the reaction from the characters is very neutral and they are "over it" in mere minutes. A very disappointing end to a surprise twist. I also felt like justice was not at all served for several characters and wondered why they just disappeared basically from the story. Overall a decent read, but disappointed with how it ended.

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A fast-paced thriller full of twisty people who think they can do whatever they want to get what they want.

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A fun read, so many twists, and turns. I will definitely recommend it through Amazon, Goodreads, as well as on my personal instagram!

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell. So I will say that this book was really good for about 98%. No mystery but just a really good thriller that hooked me from page one. Pregnancy plus a psycho family? Definitely my kind of book. It was that twist at the very end that had me tilt my head, roll my eyes and just plain ruined the story for me. Plus the fact that adding that twist just wasn’t necessary. The rest was enough. Knocked down my four to a three star rating.

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I wish to thank Net Galley and the publishers Amazon UK and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow what a powerful psychological thriller this book is. I loved, loved, loved it and once I learned that Caroline Mitchell was previously in law enforcement I understood how she could weave a tale so full of twists and turns.

When a young girl suddenly finds herself pregnant with no means of support she is drawn to an internet site that helps put together expectant mothers and wishful parents. This story is about rich and famous people and their plans to acquire a baby. You really get inside the heads of all the characters and absolutely do not want the story to end. I will be a Caroline Mitchell fan and am eager to reads her other books. You just do not know what is around the next page.

If you love a good mystery this one is for you.If I could give it 10 stars I would do so.

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I loved this book. From the very beginning, I was immediately hooked. Stayed up all night to finish it and am glad I did!

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Roz is pregnant but doesn’t feel that she is ready or can cope with a baby. She decides to look into adoption via an online site. When she finds someone interested and has a lot of money to make sure the baby has a good life, Roz decides to go to New York and meet the couple.
Without giving anything away, this is when it all goes wrong!
This is a fantastic read, once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. All the characters in the story worked well, it was great trying to work out who really was good or bad. The book is so tense, mainly due to the anticipation of what is going to happen next. If I was a nail biter, I would have none left!
This is my first book by the author and I will definitely be reading more. This book deserves more than 5 stars.

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Thank you for giving me the chance to read the latest Caroline Mitchell book. Originally, I was feeling this at a 3 star book. Even though I felt this way... I kept going and it got so much better. This is my fourth book of hers and she did it justice. The POV’s were an easy transition to make and the ending was a surprise. I really enjoyed this book and I think she did a wonderful job!

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I haven't read anything by Caroline Mitchell before but I did really enjoy this one. Gripping reading but I felt the last 50/70ish pages ran out of steam. It was a good story, a bit far fetched but entertaining and enjoyable.

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Caroline Mitchell is one of my favorite authors...and her latest, The Perfect Mother, does not disappoint. This book is one of my favorite psychological thrillers that I've read in a very long time. Highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

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I thought I had it all figured out within the first few chapters......Then the twists keep coming and they don't stop. Exactly what she didnt want happening happens in the end. Karma is a B****....You can plan as much as you would like but sometimes it just isnt going to work out the way you want and this book is proof...Be careful who you put your trust in!!!

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I really liked this book- it starts out with suspense initially and doesn't let go through the whole story! It centers on Roz, a twenty-something party girl who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. She decides to register on a fancy adoption site (much to the chagrin of her roommate and best friend, Dympna), and gets whisked away from Dublin to New York to live with a celebrity couple, Daniel and Sheridan, who are not exactly what they seem. Chapters alternate mostly between Roz's and Sheridan's POVs, with a few from Dympna thrown in as well.

This book was suspenseful from the start, and there were unexpected twists throughout. I was surprised by a few of the twists and I am usually pretty good at figuring them out in advance. I found Sheridan's chapters to be particularly chilling, and couldn't stop thinking about the things we learned about her as the story continued. I really connected with Dympna, who was a a great friend and a pretty good amateur detective to boot.

There were some things that seemed like a stretch in terms of being realistic, but those were outweighed by the pace and the mystery of the book overall. Also, the ending was satisfying and tied up everything really well. I would strongly recommend this book to those who like psychological thrillers and mysteries. I plan on reading more books by Caroline Mitchell soon!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

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I enjoyed this book Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell although it was a little far fetched as a story line. Young catholic girl Roz Foley finds herself single and pregnant. Not knowing what to do she turns to an online adoption agency where she connects with a celebrity couple. They fly her to New York where she is kept captive until the birth of her little girl. Although the book kept my attention, it was rather unbelievable. It was riveting at times and I would read another book by this author.

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There was more to this story than you would think after reading the blurb. On the other hand, there was less.
The story starts simple and of course things start to go wrong; why would you otherwise write this book? So far no suprises. Later in the book there are actually a few surprises that give more body to the story, just as it looks like it is pretty obvious what will happen.
And then suddenly almost all characters go on behaving suddenly rather different. Which for me didn't mean the story became more interesting, on the contrary. I found this change in behaviour sometimes rather odd.
On the whole I liked the book but for me it missed some depth.

Thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.

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I went into this book with some skepticism. Firstly, I don’t have children of my own and so I’ve never been pregnant (obviously) and haven’t experienced that all-encompassing love for a child that parents describe. The first line of the blurb on the back cover of this book reads like this: “Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child…”. I wasn’t sure that this book was going to resonate with me having never experienced the need to be a mother never mind a perfect one. But, I decided to put my skepticism aside as I’d heard a lot of good things about this book and I didn’t want to miss out. With that in mind, I dove in.

In summary, this is a story about a pregnant woman, Roz, who joins an elite adoption service. She can’t believe her luck when a celebrity couple contact her wanting to adopt her baby. But the thing is, the couple cannot disclose their true identities as they don’t want the adoption leaked to the media. It doesn’t take long before they’ve paid for Roz to go to New York to meet them. Unfortunately, things don’t go to plan and the couple that Roz thought would be perfect parents to her baby turn out to be anything but perfect.

So, what did I think of this one after my initial skepticism? Nope, it wasn’t for me and I didn’t enjoy it much, but not for the reasons I initially suspected. Firstly, it took me a while to get into it, and initially I didn’t fall hopelessly in love with it as many other readers have. I’m not totally sure why that was because the story was moving along nicely, and I could see the plot developing. I think my problem was that at about 25%, I started to get the feeling that things were a little bit unrealistic and the actions of some of the characters, namely Roz and Sheridan, seemed unlikely. At times I was saying to myself, “yeah, right” and I generally don’t like it when that happens. The actions of Sheridan were so bizarre when considering who she was, someone famous who was largely in the public and media eye. I was hoping that as the book progressed the story would gain some sense of reality, but it didn’t. Things just got more and more off the wall.

The truth of the matter is that if you want to read this book and if you hope to enjoy it in any way, then you need to totally suspend disbelief. If you can do that then you may enjoy this one. I really tried to get into this book and I really tried to put all the bizarre actions of the characters and the bizarre plot into perspective by saying to myself, it’s just a work of fiction so go with it. But I couldn’t. The story just lacked any credibility for me and there’s absolutely no way that in real life anyone would act like Sheridan and Roz, and that fact just made the book a failure in my eyes.

In conclusion, I managed to finish this one but I really needed to push myself. At the 65% mark I wanted to give up and move onto something else but because I had gotten as far as I had, I decided to push on and see how the story ended, even though I knew the ending was probably going to be bizarre. And it was. Totally unbelievable. I was doing some serious eye rolling when the identity of the baby's father was disclosed, and all parties concerned took the news without even breaking their stride! Nope, not believable. So unfortunately, I can’t say too many positive things about this book because it just didn’t work for me.

Thanks to the author and the publisher's for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.

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This was an enjoyable, nail-biting read. It was very suspenseful and I loved that the true motivations of the characters were not revealed until the second half of the book. The twists were great. I really enjoyed it!

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This is an amazing book. Gripping story from start to finish. I could not put it down! Loved every part of this story!!

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I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Caveat Emptor!! Let the buyer beware!
But, in this case, it is also Caveat Venditor!! Let the seller beware!

In these days of business on the internet, neither the seller nor the buyer has much information about the other party. Roz is young and pregnant. She finds a website where she can find the perfect couple to raise her child. The celebrity couple agrees to an arrangement to "buy" the child of their dreams. Is everybody telling the truth?

Does this "deal" work out for both parties? The reader will be enthralled by the book and have to read to the end to find out.

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Creepy-crawly at its best. This had me captured for 3 days. I had to deal with other life issues or I could have read this in one or two sittings. Never having read this British author before I relied on the opinions of other reviewers, but I certainly will be looking at her other works.

The plot revolves around Roz, an unwed and pregnant young woman who is not ready to be a mother. She finds a website that promises her a perfect home for her unborn child, but it takes her from her home in Ireland to New York. The pregnancy is the result of a drunken one night stand and Roz does not tell anyone who the father of the baby is... not her best friend Dympna, or even us readers are privy to this information. When we do find out at the end, we never saw that coming, and actually not many details were given about that illicit night of conception. That was disappointing. I wanted to know more. Give me the deets! The reactions of the affected parties seemed surreal to me, too much of a cavalierness to it. Maybe the British take things in stride easier than us Americans.

At any rate it is a whale of a ride, through unbelievable circumstances, ratcheting up the tension with each chapter. What seemed like the answer to naive Roz’s prayers, turns into a nightmare once she arrives in America... talk about “captivating” in the literal sense. This was deliciously creepy.

I was immensely entertained by this suspenseful psychological drama. The emotional impact that the writing evokes are just what I like about a thriller. We are carried right along with the frustration, angst, fear and trepidation ever present for poor Roz. Equally for her best friend who is determined she needs help and sets out to get it for her, even if it means flying with a phobia to cross the big pond into the US in hopes of finding her.

Buckle your seat belts, you’ll remember this ride for a long time to come. I received a digital ARC after the release date of 1/14/20 in exchange for an unbiased review. I am happy to recommend it to fans of psychological suspense. Available now at your favorite retailer.

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This is a good twisty, psychological thriller.
It starts slowly but builds as a very naive young woman from Ireland finds her life in the hands of a wealthy celebrity in NYC. The depth of the psychological damage in the main villain and the spectacular unraveling of her sanity is worth the ride.

I didn't love the ending. I was too Scooby Doo solving a mystery for me.

My two criticisms (and why this is only 4 stars for me)
1. the American character uses British terms and spellings and it is jarring. This is something that should have been caught by an editor. She wouldn't be referring to motorbikes, kerbs, programmes, or women's refuges.
2. <spoiler>how could George be the one leaving magazine articles and knives for Roz in the basement? Roz is never out of the basement when George is around to get down there.</spoiler>

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.*

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This was fine for what it was: a fast-paced beach/airplane book. It involved an over-the-top situation, populated by over-the-top characters (the sole exception being Dympna, the best friend, who rocked) with over-the-top responses to any- and everything they encountered. The attempts at twists were easy to spot - it didn't ruin the story for me to see them coming, although I did roll my eyes a few times at the red herrings and clearly intentional obfuscations and careful-wordings that were thrown in along the way. Mitchell set up an all-too-common scenario, which made the book more relatable than it might otherwise have been, and her writing is easy to fall into and doesn't require any heavy-lifting by the reader. It won't change your life, but it's fun enough to read if you don't mind regularly suspending disbelief...

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Thank you to Caroline Mitchell, Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for this ARC.

How the heck have I never heard of Caroline Mitchell before??? I absolutely LOVED this novel. Roz is such a naive, lovable character who just wants to do right by her baby, even if it means giving her up. Daniel and Sheridan are fantastic, and oh my goodness, that twist at the end! I felt like Dympna was an underused character, but maybe there's a future "Dympna joins the Gardai" book?

I'll definitely be reading Caroline Mitchell's past novels after this!

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Spooky story of a young pregnant woman who joins an online service that caters to adoption. She is chosen by a couple to come to NY and stay with them until the baby is born, all expenses paid, and with a tidy sum to go home with. But, that's not what happens...

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell tells the story of a girl from a small town who finds herself pregnant and facing an uncertain future. Rosalind Foley is pregnant. She knows she can't keep the baby for two reasons: no one must know who the father of her baby is and Roz, as she is known, is penniless. Faced with a dilemma she opts to have the baby adopted anonymously through an online adoption agency. The adventure really takes off from the moment she gets an offer that seems too good to pass up. The book begins in a safe place with Roz living a simple life but soon catapults into a world where evil comes in the form of smiling faces and kind words. This is a psychological thriller in every sense, and an expertly written one at that, as we are introduced to different characters in a world where everything seems perfect on the surface but is anything but perfect as the outer layers of the characters and the situation Roz finds herself in start to peel off slowly. The usual elements of suspense, twists, and shocks are present in this highly recommended novel.

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This book started off a little slow for me and I wondered it I would even be able to finish it. However I kept at it and I am really happy to report that not only did I finish it but I really liked it a lot.

This is basically the story of the rich thinking that they can do whatever they want and that money can buy anything even a baby.

Roz finds herself pregnant without any support except for her best friend. She decides to put her baby up for adoption thinking that she can give her baby a better life than she could ever provide.

Sheridan and Daniel, Hollywood's super couple need a baby and want it all done quickly and very quietly. They connect with Roz and together they agree that Roz will move to America to live with them until her baby is born. After the initial meeting things take a dark turn and Roz ends up fighting for her life as well as her baby's.

This book is full of twists and turns that will keep you up reading way past bedtime. I will definitely read more by this author because she is really good!

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I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

Caroline Mitchell has done it again. Her latest thriller, The Perfect Mother, is a stand-alone novel and not part of the DI Amy Winter series I enjoy.

In The Perfect Mother, Caroline Mitchell introduces us to Roz, a single, pregnant woman from Ireland who is not ready to be a mother. She is determined to do the right thing for her baby and joins an expensive, elite adoption service. She is thrilled when a secretive power couple is interested in raising her baby as their own. What starts as a dream come true quickly turns into a nightmare.

Once again, while reading a book by Caroline Mitchell, I stayed up way too late because I could not find a place to stop reading. I kept reading until the end. I was exhausted at work the next day but the book was worth it.

It started off as a slow burn but quickly picked up speed and went flying. It is a tense book that made me cheer and feel for the main character and her unborn child. Once Roz moves to NY the story does not twist and turn but is a solid line of suspense until the very end.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/2/20.

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I have read a few books by Caroline Mitchell and enjoyed them all but this one didn't live up to the others for some reason. I felt it lacked the tension that her other books have and the storyline was a bit too predictable. Having said that, it did keep my attention to the end and I am sure it will appeal to lots of other readers.
3 stars***

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A well written story. The story is eventful with plenty of twists and turns. The characters are realistic, although a little stereotypical. Movie stars who can get away with murder. Sweet naive Irish girl who's never been on a plane until flying to New York.

Enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read an advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

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Caroline Mitchell articulates a most fascinating and page-turning twist to an otherwise commonplace story of Roz, a financially struggling 24-year-old in Ireland who becomes pregnant during a one-night stand during a drunken stupor. She chooses not to tell her best friend who the baby’s father is so as to not disrupt family dynamics. Having had a troubled childhood herself and wanting to improve her child’s chances of a decent start in life, Roz joins an American adoption website group with hopes of finding desperate parents who can give her baby everything she did not have— financial security, a warm, clean home with plenty of food to eat, and a lot of love to give.

After deleting her facebook account and then uploading an embellished cleaned-up description of herself as a good Irish practicing Catholic girl with no close family or friends, Roz is thrilled to see that her posting has received an inquiry from a “diamond couple,” a couple who had paid a double registration fee and had been vetted by the adoption site to be in perfect health, had been together for at least seven to eight years, and in this case, they were millionaires. Seeking to fix what she considers to be her mess, she agrees to fly to America to meet this couple, and if they hit it off, Roz will live with them and turn over her baby to them when it is born--and get paid very well indeed to do it. But...Roz soon discovers that things are not as they seem to be.

Caroline Mitchell is one of my favorite authors, truly a master of the art of writing, and she has another winner and best-seller in THE PERFECT MOTHER. Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read a pre-release of this story for an honest review.

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I love a good storyline and this one definitely is. It has twists and turns throughout and yes... a surprise ending., but not in the way that you think it will be. Overall I thought the story was easy to follow and done in an interesting format. It did drag a little bit towards the middle of her pregnancy but so does pregnancy. Considering all of the twists to the story, the overall plot continued to make sense. Thanks to the publisher for an early copy of the book so that I could give you my honest assessment. If you have read any of my prior reviews then you know that I will be honest.
I really enjoyed this book and it kept my interest really well. I would read any of her books after this one. Excellent writing style.

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This is a thoroughly engrossing read! I mean wow! So much suspense and also twists and turns. This book was a pleasure to read and I am definitely going to be reading more of this author's titles.

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Just WOW!! This novel was so incredibly good! I could feel the danger and imagine myself in the main characters shoes as the story went on.
A huge thanks to Caroline Mitchell, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy! This came out on January 14, so grab it up and let me know your thoughts!
Roz is young, pregnant and currently lives with her best friend. She's broke and has no clue what she's going to do to support her baby. That's where Miracle Moms website comes into play. And that's when the story starts to become hard to put down. She meets the perfect couple to take and support her baby. But, what do they really want with her and her baby?
An absolute must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Pretty good book, not a must read. While I felt for Roz and somewhat connected with her character, the rest of the book fell flat. Sheridan and Daniel, George, it was just a bit too much. I know books aren't meant to be like reality but this one pushed the envelope a little bit far. The other thing I didn't like was the ending. Like you have all this climax and turmoil and then in 2 chapters it's over with. Wished there had been a little more story line at the end.

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An explosive read! Rob finds herself in a bit of a predicament, pregnant to an unnamed father, jobless with a fractious relationship with her own mother she decides that she is not ready for motherhood and draws on the services of miracle mums website where she matches with a diamond couple, the prestigious Sheridan and Daniel. It is not long before she realizes she is in it over her head and all is not as it initially seemed! A great ready, thank you netgalley!

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Enjoyed this one. It was a bit different, quite dark at time, and I liked the different characters perspectives. It built tension well and I developed concern about the outcome. Relationships and characters were believable and flaws were balanced with likeability

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I loved this book. It pulled me in from the first page and kept me wanting to read to see what happened. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend this read! I would definitely read more from this Author.

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I was certainly not disappointed.
The description first drew me in and once I started this book I found it very hard to put down
I found the character of Roz to be a very likeable young woman who gets herself into a situation that she would never have imagined.
It's an exciting storyline with a few twists and one that kept me on edge waiting to see what the final outcome would be for Roz and her baby.
I absolutely devoured this book

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This one would fall into the category of just okay for me. It was a fairly quick read, had a really great side character in Dymphna, and the ending was somewhat satisfying.

It felt like Behind Closed Doors-lite, just with a couple and a pregnant woman. The synopsis basically spells out the book and not enough substance is there to make up for the lack of surprise.

It got boring after a while given Sheridan is basically just crazy. The craziness is used as a plot device, there’s no why of it all, just a vehicle for bizarre behavior and absolutely no character development or consistency.

The entire story was outlandish, dull in parts and ridiculous in others and the reveal of who the dad was was done entirely for shock value and not at all purposeful. It just is revealed and then everyone moves on.

I think I’m talking myself into a lower rating here as I’m writing my review but I’ll leave it at three stars for now.

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Though it has a good concept, this book was quite underwhelming. However, it did keep my attention long enough for me to finish it, which is why I’m settling on 2 stars.

The main character, Roz, is extremely naive (or just plain stupid, I can’t really decide). Her thoughts and her decisions were so dumb that I didn’t find her that likable at all - just annoying. Truly, I didn’t find any of the characters convincing. They were all just... meh. The story itself was not that well-executed. And the ending is predictable, but I guess it could have been worse...

I’ve never read a Caroline Mitchell book before, so I don’t know if all of her books are written the way this one is... but man, the dialogue in this book is just not good. It’s very cliché and dull.

Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK & NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This is the first book I have read by this author and I was certainly not disappointed.
The description first drew me in and once I started this book I found it very hard to put down
I found the character of Roz to be a very likeable but naive young woman who gets herself into a situation that she would never have imagined.
It's an exciting storyline with a few twists and one that kept me on edge waiting to see what the final outcome would be for Roz and her baby.
I absolutely devoured this book and now cant wait to read more from this author

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This is the best book I've read in 2020 so far. It's gripping, addictive and I was finding myself desperate to get back my kindle to read more. The characters are fantastic, it's just overall an incredible psychological thriller, one I will definitely be recommending to anyone who'll listen to me!

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OOO yes I loved this book! I love a good creepy novel and this one did not disappoint. Caroline Mitchell did an excellent job at capturing her characters personality and really letting it shine. Go read this one!

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When unwed, Irish Catholic Roz finds out she is pregnant, she has more than one dilemma on her hands. Desperate to keep the father’s identity from best friend Dympna while finding a suitable family for her baby AND keeping her pregnancy a secret, Roz finds the perfect opportunity on Miracle-moms. She has found a famous couple willing to take her baby while letting her stay with them in the United States. To protect their privacy, they do not disclose their true identities until all of the legal paperwork has been signed sealed and delivered.

Super celebrity couple Sheridan and Daniel Watson seem to be the perfect couple to adopt Roz’s baby. At first. Soon the reader is treated to some insight into Sheridan’s celebrity child past and is slowly immersed into her very dark side.

Although the premise was great, the execution didn’t quite deliver. Roz’s naiveté and trusting nature was over the top and played too heavily into the plot.

Sheridan’s flawed and twisted persona was pretty well executed as well as her reasoning and methodologies. Sheridan is a master manipulator playing on people’s greed and need and knowing which to appease and when helps her keep her people in line.

I felt that the end revealed on or 2 too many twists and tied up into a too neat bundle given the rest of the story.

The several very hard to believe moments and lack of likeable characters and character development make this a 3 star instead of a 4.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Rosalind "Roz" Foley is a 24 year old housekeeper in Ireland. After a drunken night with a partner that was definitely a mistake, she turns up pregnant. The father of the baby is affiliated with her best friend Dympna, and to keep the baby would cause chaos in both their lives. Roz turns to the internet for help.

She registers on a website where she can be matched with prospective families for her child. Her father abandoned her as a child and her mother was an alcoholic so Roz becomes obsessed with finding the perfect mother. She's soon inundated with responses but the one that really catches her eye is a "diamond" couple. This means that the couple is very wealthy. Surely this means that they can provide her baby a perfect life?

After she initiates contact with "Julie", Roz is whisked away to New York City to meet the prospective parents. She soon learns that the people that want her baby are Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson, an "It celebrity couple" looking to expand their family. Sheridan doesn't let any grass grow under her feet and manipulates the desperate and star struck Roz into signing away the rights to her baby immediately.

The glitter soon starts to wear off as Roz is given glimpses into Sheridan's true nature. Sheridan's whole household and staff fears her and now Roz fears her as well. She starts to regret her decisions and also starts bonding with her baby. As her baby grows, Roz starts to grow into her inner strength, which is good because in the beginning I was wondering how she could be so stupid and naive.

The story is complex with very well written characters. The police presence is enough to keep the story moving but at the same time you aren't bogged down with procedural details. The underlying theme is that what you may view from the outside as being perfect may very well not be when you are face to face with it.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the strength of the friendship between Roz and Dympna. Despite the suspicion that her boyfriend is the baby's father and the fact that people think she's silly for worrying about Roz, she swears something is wrong and doesn't stop trying to find her. She never wavers in the love for her friend and it was beautiful to read.

I'm definitely going to seek out more of Ms. Mitchell's work, because if this book is an example I will surely enjoy the others as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a genuine pleasure.

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This was my first book by Caroline Mitchell, but it will not be my last. When I received it, I knew that it was a standalone novel, and I think that in parts it really shined. The beginning really sucked me in, and took me for a wild, crazy, at times unsettling, ride. The premise alone makes it one that feels like a must read. I would say that this is a slow burn for me. After such a beginning that grips you, that feels strange to say, but it was. I felt that after a while it began to pick up, the last part of the book was not as amazing as the beginning promised it would be. I will still say that I loved this book, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. I actually look forward to listening to this on audio as well. Already on a waiting list! Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This one had me hooked from the very beginning. Great amount of characters and suspense and I didn’t see the twist at the end coming. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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This was a page turner for sure. It sounded like the perfect idea for a young, pregnant girl who wanted her baby to have a privileged life! I felt like the main character Roz was very relatable. She maintained her innocence throughout the story. I was so sad that he was going to have to give away her baby. The ending was a little confusing but I was happy how things turned out. The story was intriguing for sure.

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Roz is looking for a way out of her problem. She is pregnant. Not only that she can't let her beat friend know who the father is. That would destroy their friendship. Roz lives in Ireland. She lives hearing about the United States celebrities. She Hope's to have her child grow up not having to worry about finances.
Hearing of a website that has parents who want to adopt, she signs herself up.
She cannot even imagine what is in store for her. All she knows is that she wants the best mom for her baby.
A psychological thriller. Dark, and horrifying. You can't put it down till the very end. Then you want to pick it up and read it again!!
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride!

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I want to start off by saying thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, it was a very good read easy to follow along with storyline and characters. This was a new author for me but I very much enjoyed it, thank you for the opportunity and I look forward to reading more by this author again. I highly recommend this book to everybody.

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The perfect mother - Caroline Mitchell

This book was gifted from @netgalley

I really enjoyed this book, it was a very quick and easy read. I was gripped from the beginning and couldn't put the book down. I read 70% of the book within 2 days.

I loved all the characters and I did not expect the ending. I definitely recommend this book if you have not read it yet.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 STARS

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Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. I really enjoyed it! The book kept me reading and I really was surprised at the end. Let's just say it is not what you think. Roz who lives in Ireland finds herself pregnant and is keeping the father a secret from her best friend. She decides to engage in a website, Miracle Moms, for couples looking for pregnant women to come live with them and be cared for and then give them their baby. Roz goes to NY and when she finds out who the couple is she is immediately enchanted. Unfortunately it goes downhill from there. Enjoyed the varying viewpoints from Roz, Sheridan (the potential mother) and her best friend Dympna. . WIthout giving away spoilers let's just say give it a chance and take the ride.

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This book is told from the perspective of 3 women - Roz, Sheridan and Dympna. The story is well paced and definitely held my attention throughout. Quite a disturbing thriller, if slightly far fetched at times. It is a good illustration of how money often equates to power over the vulnerable.

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When Roz gets unexpectedly pregnant, she turns to the internet to find a family for her baby. She finds what seems to be the perfect family - they have money, and not only will they pay Roz for her troubles, but they are willing to host Roz as their guest in the months leading up to the baby's birth. However... this seemingly perfect family may not be all they appear. Do they have darker ambitions than simply raising Roz's baby as their own? This book is a stay-up-all-night-reading thriller. I couldn't put it down!

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My life had been turned on its head. I had to try, for the sake of the baby. It deserved the perfect mother - which certainly wasn't me.

Roz a young Irish Lass has found herself pregnant. She is hiding the baby's father identity has she knows it will destroy the relationship of her best friend. The prose starts somewhat slow has it gives background to Roz and her own upbringing. Her father abandoned her and her mother had her own issues. She wants something better for her own child. She wants the Perfect mother. Her best friend Dympna helps Roz with a solution. They find an on-line adoption agency that helps expectant mothers match up to families looking for a baby. A match is made and it is to good to be true. Or so you think.

Meet power couple Sheridan and Daniel Sinclair. Sheridan knows a baby will save her marriage and her husband's career. She can't risk another cluster ** but the rewards are to great and the conditions are right. She sees Roz and her baby has a means to an end. Or is just the end.

Roz and the Sinclair's meet up in secrecy in New York. Roz is far from everyone she knows but Dympna the ultimate meaning of friend is not so sure about the secrecy and leaves Roz a way to contact her if any trouble arises. Upon meeting each other, Roz is excited for her baby and the life she will have. The second thoughts starts when she is shown her room where she will remain for the birth of her baby. Now isolated and under the watchful eye of the Sheridan, Roz is looking for an alley. The anxiety goes up as Roz begins to loose all hope. Will she save her baby and herself.

Sheridan reveals herself to be psychotic and has surrounded herself with those under her control. Roz in finding the truth about the rich and famous. Anxiety, anxiety--I could not stop reading. People who you love to hate against those with a drive to survive! Not to mention surprise twists and turns.

A Special Thank you to Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

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When Roz discovers she pregnant, she knows giving up the baby is the best choice for the child. She signs up with an elite adoption agency and immediately is sent to meet a powerful celebrity couple who want a child. However once she gets there, she realizes things are not as they seem...another woman who was pregnant moved in with them and has not been seen since. As her due date approaches, she realizes the mistake she's made and has to figure out how to save herself and her baby! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review !

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I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book because it kept me interested but it did not blow me away. At the beginning of the book we had the perspective of Roz, who is pregnant and looking for a couple to adopt her baby and Sheridan, a wealthy and famous woman looking for a child. At first I could feel sympathy for both women but as time went by I lost that connection with Sheridan as she became almost unbelievably villianous. I never really felt a sense of urgency or worry while reading this. There was somehow just a sense that it would all work out. That was somewhat disappointing. The ending was predictable.

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This certainly contains all the elements that one seeks in a psychological thriller. A gripping twisting plot, a sense of anxiety building up to deadly terror and a range of characters that you will love and hate in equal measure.

The story concerns a young girl living in Dublin called Roz, who after a one night stand becomes pregnant. With little money and an estranged family she decides to join an elite adoption service and is soon contacted by a famous and wealthy celebrity power couple who will be able to provide all the things for her child that Roz can not.

Sheridan and Daniel appear on the surface to have it all. But surfaces can be deceptive and sometimes ( quite literally in this case) something may be hidden beneath. Finding herself now ensconced in Sheridan and Daniel's basement suite, the story becomes darker and darker and what seemed initially a dream opportunity fast becomes a deadly nightmare.

A page turning read where the reader is always unsure where they are heading. Recommended if you are looking for a few thrills and chills along the way.

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I was hooked from the start.

The dual perspective made from Roz, Sheridan, and Dympna made it easier to connect what was going on when the main character was confined to one spot. The story would have been very slow if we only knew what Roz knew.

This is a good quick read, something you can easily pick up and enjoy from start to finish.

The reveal at the end was good, did not expect the father's identity. Everything tied up nicely at the end.

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I really enjoyed most of this book, but was a little disappointed with the ending. The book starts in Ireland with a girl who gets pregnant after a one night stand. She decides that she cannot care for this child and registers on a site for rich and famous people looking to adopt. She ends up going to New York to meet the potential adopting parents and disappears. Her friend back in Ireland, together with her father try to find her. A fast-paced read with a few twists and a happy ending.

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Awesome book! Finally a thriller with a unique and unpredictable storyline. This one will stick with me for a long time. I know we aren’t very fair into the year but absolutely my favorite read this year.

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I love a good thriller based in Ireland. It brings out my not so wonderful Irish accent (my family is so lucky!).

Roz is a young adult just starting out when she finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy. In attempt to escape her own rough upbringing, she decides to place the baby for adoption through a wealthy organization in the United States. It doesn't take long for Sheridan and Daniel to notice and happily move the expectant mother to their guest suite. However it turns out, she's not the first guest.

The book starts out super strong, but the ending lacks the same pace, and I'm still not quite sure if I'm pronouncing Dympna, the wonderful best friend's name correctly. As long as you suspend some belief in the process, this is a satisfying thriller.

I look forward to reading more of Caroline Mitchell's novels.

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Tense chilling Arizona is an amazing character.Looking forward to reading more by this author.She writes the type of thrillers that keeps me turning the pages late into the night,#netgalley#amazonpublishinguk

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Now this Is my kind of book! A great psychological thriller with a fantastic storyline. I couldn't put it down and read until I finished at 2:30 am this morning. Bleary-eyed, I just HAD to find out what happened in the end.

Loved the story of Roz, a down on her luck innocent young girl, living in Dublin who needed to escape her life and her pregnancy. So dazzled by a celebrity couple who were paying her a fortune to adopt her baby, she heads to New York to meet them. It all goes downhill from here.

I absolutely love the author's style of writing and you never really knew what was going to happen next. Literally toe-curling! I never expected the outcome so this was also a great surprise! Five stars from me!

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A really good, original, fast paced thriller.
Good character formation and a gripping storyline had me hooked.
Well written, easily worthy of 3.5 stars 🌟

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Rather disturbing book.. I finished it, but I did struggle at times since I hated the main characters so much... but maybe that was the point! Crazy ending as well...

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Roz, unexpectedly pregnant after a one night stand, decides to find the perfect mother for her baby. She goes through an elite adoption agency and travels from her small town in Ireland to NYC to meet the prospective parents. After Roz moves into their basement apartment set up for her, she starts to realize that something isn’t quite as it seems....

Suspenseful and a bit scary, but believable and realistic, this novel keep me turning pages into the early morning hours. Roz is an endearing character who gets you on her side right away due to her good intentions for her baby. The couple she meets is so perfect they seem too good to be true, which turns out to be the truth. Great intriguing read!

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This is more of a 2.5 -- rounded up because I cared enough about what happened to read to the end. I was able to overlook the profoundly unbelievable situation around Roz's unexpected pregnancy, but could not stand how she made every bad decision possible at every given turn. Why, why, why would a person waffle so frequently between common sense and obviously terrible ideas?!

(Also, it was easy to guess who the baby's father was. Bummer.)

The American dialogue needs a good cleanup. Many terms were different from what a New Yorker would say ("meant to" and "journo" for starters.) This was a distraction for me.

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The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell - 3.5 stars
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Z925Ng0Dy/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3183256568

Thank you to @amazonpublishing and @netgalley for an advanced reading copy of The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell. Roz is a poor 24-year-old barely making ends meet as a cleaning lady in Dublin, Ireland. She becomes pregnant after a one night stand and can’t fathom the idea of an abortion, so she opts for adoption. She joins a site called Miracle Moms that only uses elite adoptive families. Roz is soon contacted by an anonymous adoptive family and jets off to New York, leaving her roommate and best friend Dympna behind. Roz discovers upon landing that her clients are a very famous Hollywood acting couple, Sheridan and Daniel. She can’t believe her good luck, but all that soon changes…

I found the start and ending to be slower. The middle was great as the dynamic ramps up between Roz and Sheridan/Daniel and the reader starts to see things unravel. There are multiple elements of mystery woven throughout the two perspectives that we get the story from: Roz and Sheridan. I found the character development of Daniel and Mike to be lacking but great detail for Sheridan and Roz. The paternity of Roz’s baby is supposed to be a big twist but I had it figured out. Mitchell is good at building suspense through the middle, but it was a bit lengthy. Overall, I enjoyed it for a domestic thriller!

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I thought the idea for this book was so interesting and with surrogacy and infertility being such important topics, I was looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, i was disappointed with the cheesy dialog and the unbelievable situations. Maybe if the famous movie stars had just been a very rich couple? So much of it was just ridiculous.

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Meh.

An interesting premise which could have been amazing, but simply wasn't.
Prepare yourselves for horribly cheesy dialogue and a large dose of suspension of belief.

And that's really all I have to say about that...

2.5 stars

**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

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I am in no way affiliated with the author or publishers of this book. I was gifted it from Netgalley in return of my true and honest review.

She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.
Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.
Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.
When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…


My review.
Wow this book was absolutely brilliant I am not one to use spoilers so this will be brief.
Caroline Mitchell has me gripped from the start, I thought from the beginning that something was odd about the couple but never in a million years would I have guessed who was behind everything. I was in fact shocked at the discovery because the person seems so different on the face of everything. Roz I feel was very gullible and should have had the support from the people she needed but she never saw the help when it was there. In a way I feel like she was suffering from pre natal depression.
But like I said I don’t want to use spoilers so please clear a few nights and be prepared to be knocked off the edge of your seat. I read half the book in one night I couldn’t put it down. Enjoy your read.
Thank you for filling nap times and bed times, and putting the washing in the machine times
now onto the next
XxxX

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Brilliant read, lots of twists and turns around a young girl who finds herself pregnant and finds a couple online who want a baby. The couple in question are a very high profile couple and aren’t who they seem at all!! Image is everything in today’s social media obsessed lifestyles. Really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it. Thank you for letting me review this book.

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The Perfect Mother is everything I adore about the thriller genre. The book starts off, immediately grabbing your attention. The characters are a little crazy, but main character Roz is likeable, despite her being incredibly naive. Though Dympna is not a main character, I absolutely love her character - loyal to the core, and will do anything for her best friend. Sheridan was bat shit crazy, and I loved every minute of it! The story contained some gnarly twists and turns, and I loved seeing how it all came together in the ending. It seems like the book was well though out, and the alternating POVs between Roz, Sheridan, and Dympna was a great way of seeing the whole picture. I don't think it would have been as compelling had it only been from Roz's POV, or had it been written in 3rd person.

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This book has it all. I love the precise and well-thought-out plot, the characters were all likable and fleshed out. Very intriguing plot, and kept me glued to my kindle until the last page. I highly recommend this one to loos yourself in!

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I received a co-y of this from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I always hate to give anything less than a stellar review,, but this one was unrealistic and at times bordered on ridiculous. The premise was great but it just never really got off the ground for me. It didn’t help that non of the characters were very likable, even sweet Roz who was naive and gullible to a fault. The twist at the end involving the baby was pretty over-the-tip as was the friend-to-the-end-no-matter-what Dympna...everyone needs a friend like that but considering the weird circumstances involving her family, her actions made no sense. I guess that was my problem with the book (besides the fact that it plodded along slowly)...the characters’ actions and decisions either made no sense or in the case of Roz, made you want to shake her and ask what the heck she’s thinking. All in all,this is one I would pass on.

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An Irish woman decides to give her baby away to a rich couple in America who seem like such a lovely couple. Predictably it turns nasty and she has to try and get away. but who is the villain? A bit too twisty for its own sake.

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Thank You Net Galley for providing me this copy of The Perfect Mother in exchange for a review! I really loved this book and was so happy to get the chance to read it. It was very fast paced and the chapters were short which I like and prefer when I read a book. It kept me wanting to read more and to find out what was going to happen to Roz. She surely was a very strong independent woman and was gonna fight for her baby no matter what and I am happy with the ending of the book.
The story is told between a few different characters but mainly Roz and Sheridan. Roz ends up being pregnant and doesnt know what to do with the baby and ends up trying to give it up for adoption on a website which she comes across a couple in New York who are looking for one. They have it all and are named as a diamond couple. Roz thinks they are the perfect candidates, but are they really? Roz ends up finding out many crazy things about these people and thinks maybe this is a bad idea.. so what now?
I won’t give any spoilers away but I wanna say I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone!

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A book which shows how easily a young girl without much life experience can get herself into a really dangerous situation without even realising it. It also shows how some people with money think they can buy happiness, a good publicity image, and people generally without necessarily having a pleasant personality. Shallow life meets the innocent and gullible. While I enjoyed reading this book and it had a fairly good and satisfying ending... a few things really niggled me... read it for yourself and see what you think!!

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Good pacing overall, though a little repetitive at times; nice twists throughout that lead to a satisfying conclusion.

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I am sorry to say this book did nothing for me at all.
The premise of the book did not seem at all possible to me although I am sure something like it probably does exist. I must have missed the psychological content I just thought that Sheradin was raving mad and trying to keep Daniel from straying . The book didn't really flow for me although I must admit I did not forced the final twist so that part was well written.
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

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I did not see the ending coming, and I often figure out books way before I finish them. And once I got a chapter or two into the story, I couldn't put it down (I may have even whined a little about having to fix dinner or go to bed). I'd like to read more books by Caroline Mitchell.

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That was one wild ride! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, this books served up twist after twist! Our main character Roz, finds herself pregnant without a job and without a partner. As a young unwed mother with a rough upbringing, Roz finds herself looking for a better life than she can provide for her baby. She’s find a wealthy couple on an adoption site who is willing for pay her a large lump sum of money for her unborn child. But, all is not what it seems... They want her baby, but Roz soon finds herself in a fight for her life. Highly recommend for lovers of domestic thrillers. Can’t wait to read more from the author.

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Excellent psychological thriller that kept me enthralled for the entire book. An interesting twist at the end as well. My thanks to #Netgalley for an advanced copy. Would definitely recommend.

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Wow what a book.very well written story and the characters and the storyline kept me gripped until the very end.with both sad and happy parts it was a book that made me keep going until the end.if you only read one book this year then i highly recommend you read this one.well done carolyn mitchell this was a blinder of a book.definately a five star read.

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This was a great read! I always love books that are full of mystery and keep me on the edge of my seat!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

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I was thrilled to be given the chance to read and review this book through Netgalley and the Publisher. I can say from the start that I will be reading more from this author. This book kept me engaged throughout and I did not figure out the ending before it happened which is refreshing. I am a slow reader, and I always wanted to get back to reading as soon as I could. When I become engaged in a story so much I verbally am telling the main character (in this case Roz) to MOVE or RUN then you know it is something you will not read and forget! Would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely YES! Would I recommend this author also YES! I have been turned on to authors through Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer know how to choose great books with fabulous authors to publish! A great team! Again, thank you.

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Roz is a young woman from Ireland who finds herself pregnant from a one night stand. She isn’t sure what to do so she looks for alternative options. She finds this by way of the Miracle Moms website. Roz is intrigued when a “diamond” couple reaches out. They are New York and want her to go live there until the baby is born. All expenses paid. Sounds kind a dream come true until things quickly take a turn for the worse.

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This is my first book by this author and I found it to be a gripping psychological thriller. You get sucked into the creepy morality and complicity of the benefactors supposedly helping Roz and her troublesome situation. Thankfully Roz has some friends in her corner to help her out. The reveal of the father was rather anti-climactic. It seemed there should have been more reaction to this news than what was portrayed. But I will be looking for more by this author!

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I really should of read this a lot sooner! Wow! Fantastic ride! Twist and turns galore! Not the most likable characters, but to be honest that's how I like my books! Can't wait to read more!

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Unfortunately, I was disappointed in this book. The premise is exciting but I couldn't help being angry and annoyed by the choices of some of the characters. They didn't feel real and ultimately come off as cheesy. Good story-Poor execution, in my humble opinion.

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At times this book seemed far fetched but in our world today, I’m sure it is feasible. I didn’t want to stop reading and finished it in less than 2 days.

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Roz is young, penniless and now she is pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own upbringing, the more she is convinced that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland. So she signs up to an elite adoption service and within days is on her way to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own.

Sheridan and Daniel are the perfect couple (or are they!) wealthy, good looking and very glamorous, with them as the baby’s parents surely it would want for nothing and have everything Roz is unable to provide everything Roz isn’t.

Things start to take a twist and a turn as soon as Roz moves into the plush basement suite in New York and all is definitely not what it seemed and alarm bells begin to ring for Roz as she realises she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman, whom we come to know as Kelly, has never been seen for months! Where is Kelly, is Roz safe, what will happen to her baby?

I found this book slow to get going, but as soon as I was drawn into the story I had to know what happened next and it definitely was not what I expected! A great plot with quite the twist!

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A very quick and entertaining read, The perfect mother has a pretty good plot but the details made it very hard to believe, even when trying to suspend belief. I would have loved to have seen Roz enjoy at least a month at the house before being sent to the basement. The best friend and her father was a whole subplot that really went no where. The twist about who the father of the baby was kind of disturbed me and was tied up
way too neatly. All in all, a good book to read on a day at the beach.

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Roz is a young Irish woman who is unexpectedly pregnant from a one-night stand. She has no resources or support to speak of, so she decides to put her baby up for adoption. She finds a wealthy anonymous couple on an adoption matching site that sounds perfect. She heads to NY to meet them and from then on, her life is upended.. The couple turns out to be a celebrity couple, Sheridan and Daniel, and they have more than a few requirements for their adoption agreement. Roz is quickly in over her head as she realizes to what extent Sheridan will go to get what she wants.

This book kept me interested and there was an unexpected twist or two at the end. At many points, though, the characters all seemed a little unrealistic and the events just tumbled forward. A good page turner, but some holes in the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

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This was an extremely twisted psychological thriller! I had to finish quickly because I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for me at the end.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This is a great book! The author weaves an interesting story about adoption and the lengths some people are willing to go to achieve it. A famous couple decides that a little girl will help their marriage and restart the wife’s career. The best-laid plans don’t always work. An intense thriller,this story takes you on a roller coaster ride.What seems like a blessing to this young Irish girl quickly becomes a nightmare. The author takes us along for the ride. It is definitely not for the squeamish,but a great Fidel nonetheless! I highly recommend this book and look forward to her next one!

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Very enjoyable psychological thriller. Unpredictable story till the end. Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for allowing me to receive this ARC!

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A fabulous start to the book, but after this, I found it slow and predictable and farfetched in places. Not my favourite book, but readable.

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Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this book! Here is my honest review:

This book took me on a crazy ride of emotions! I sat on the edge of my seat the entire book! This book was insane!!!! Caroline Mitchell did a fantastic job with the police procedural details, the characters were credible, and the emotions, OMG, the emotions were through the roof for me! I was scared for Roz, I was scared of Sheridan, I was frustrated with Daniel, and felt for and tried to understand George. Just when I thought I had figured it out, Caroline Mitchell adds another twist. I love everything about this book. In fact, this book is the best book I have read so far in 2020!!!

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Just what I was in the mood for, a fast paced rollercoaster ride that made me cringe, cry, and hide under the covers. Roz, a young Irish girl out of work and pregnant from a one night stand (with someone close to her best friend, Dympna) is very naive about life. She has an opportunity to travel to America and meet with a famous couple who want to provide her with a place to live and then adopt her baby , which will solve all her problems. Her best friend Dympna is very skeptical of this plan and counsels Roz not to do it. Her preparations save Roz’s life.
All is not as it seems at the couple’s house, but unfortunately by the time Roz realizes something is wrong it is too late. Sheridan plays her role brilliantly, but Daniel remains an enigma.
Many thanks to Caroline Mitchell, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this recently published thriller.

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Roz, who lives in Ireland, young and jobless, is so lost and torn apart when she finds herself pregnant after one night stand. Contemplating her own dysfunctional upbringing, Roz is not confident if she is fit to be a perfect mother.
Searching around, Roz stumbles upon and decides to join an elite adoption service, where she is matched with a wealthy “diamond” couple who resides in New York, USA – the powerful distinguished celebrities, Sheridan and Daniel.
Thinking that she is blessed with this golden opportunity to give her baby the perfect life that she never had, Roz immediately flies the distance to New York to meet the potential adoptive parents, without realizing that her worst nightmare has just begun….
Roz just walked herself into a tangled web of dark secrets and lies…and great danger!
I have just discovered a very talented author, Caroline Mitchell, who cleverly spins this suspenseful thriller “The Perfect Mother” that is packed full of gripping twists and turns!! I am definitely going to read her other thrillers!!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this thriller, I definitely will seek out Mitchell's other thrillers.
#NetGalley
#ThePerfectMother

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I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of the story.

I had ot read M. Mitchells work before - holy smokes!

This book wasn’t at all what I expected. It was even better!

This is a diferent take on kidnapping than we usually read. The charscters are vivid and draw tou in immediately.

Some violence but mostly, this is a psychological thriller that makes you want to sneak a peak at the ending to reassure you that despite everupne involved, there will be a happy ending. Do not give in to this impulse!

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This is my first book by Caroline Mitchell but I am sure this will not be my last. What a thriller page turner. The Perfect Mother, If you like thriller's you will love this one. Roz is a young girl in Ireland that finds herself pregnant after a one night stand. Realizing that she is not capable of taking care of a child at this point in her life, and wanting her child to have a better life she decides to give her baby up for adoption. She goes to New York in hopes of the couple, a famous couple, will be the family her baby needs. However, upon arriving she begins to regret her decision. This book was great. I stayed up too late reading it.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

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Review will be posted on blog (Reading Recluses) soon.
The Perfect Mother was a pretty interesting mystery book. It’s not a genre I read a whole ton of but The Perfect Mother was so good so I clearly should read more of it.

When I was reading this book I thought it was really predictable and a little cliched. I didn’t care because it was still super entertaining. But once I got a little past halfway, I realized I was so wrong. There were so many good twists. Sometimes plot twists can seem like they’re there just for the shock value but the twists in this book were both logical and surprising. It made the book so much more enjoyable and memorable. I’m definitely going to keep an eye out for other works by Caroline Mitchell.

The writing in this book is what made it so effective. It kept me really invested in the fate of Roz. It had a perfect pacing to keep the suspense without compromising character development. The alternating perspectives between Roz, Sheridon (the future adoptive mother) and Dympna (Roz’s best friend).

The characters were all interesting although not super likeable. Roz annoyed me with her naivety, but honestly I know people who are just as naive as her so it was still believable. All the characters were really complex and there were a lot of morally grey characters. The complexity made it a far more interesting book as you don’t really know who to root for.

The setting of The Perfect Mother was also amazing. The difference of the atmosphere in Ireland and the freedom there versus the basement Roz stayed in in New York was vast and perfectly exhibited the difference in danger Roz was in.


Final Thoughts: 5 stars. The Perfect Mother is a gripping, engrossing mystery that will keep you invested until the very last page.

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Absolutely loved this book! When it first started I did not see the plot coming, having had it on my kindle for ages I didn't read the blurb to check what it was about and what an amazing surprise!

The characters are really relate-able and you can connect to the story throughout.

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"The Perfect Mother" by Caroline Mitchell is the perfect choice (no pun intended) for the fans of suspense thriller genre. If your mother recommended the book to you, she is the perfect mother recommending a perfect book which acknowledges her perfectness while actually talking about the perfection of a fictional character at the same time. If she didn't, you can be the perfect kid by recommending it to her, but only if she is into suspense thrillers.

It was a breezy read. The simple narration coupled with the exciting plot kept me hooked for the complete journey. The multiple point-of-views sure made it an interesting and wholesome read. I am definitely going to pick up more books from the author.

The protagonist, our so-called perfect mother, is not so perfect after all. She is way too gullible. That is the only unbelievable part of the plot. If you like your females leads strong, you might want to skip this one.

Favorite quote:

"Love is a dangerous emotion. It can lead to bad judgements and a lifetime of regret."

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the ARC.

Verdict: Recommended.

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When I first saw the cover I was sure it must be the next book of Sandie Jones, as the cover was soooo similar. Non the less I enjoied this book quite as much.
This read was awesome, i read it twice! It was a read that got you in a net, a sad story of a young girl in a bit of a PICKLE! And oh my Lord it took a turn i never I never expected, not even if I’d have planned it myself .
Caroline Mitchell pulls these storylines from nowhere and never ceases to grab my guts and hold it tight till the book is done.. There are those who are meant to read and those who are meant to write ,we are an awesome combination :-).
The characters are fabulously rooted Jekyll and Hyde style the storylines that just jump out and suck at the main one are perfect its like a tree growing in Slow motion,its exciting, bold and in some parts quite terrifying because it can actually be believably true , this read makes you believe it could happen.

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I liked this book a lot, just wasn't in love with it. It's a tightly paced book with an interesting, believable premise--a super celebrity couple keeps a young girl trapped in their basement until she gives birth to a child, which the couple will then pass off as their own. It's a icky idea but certainly seems like something the ultra rich and famous could pull off.

I really liked the pregnant woman Roz and found her story (and that of her best friend/roommate back in Ireland) to be compelling. It seemed realistic that Roz could fall into such a trap. It isn't until she gets to New York and other elements are slowly revealed (like being confined to a basement only accessible by an elevator that requires a pass code) that you start to get a queasy feeling and realize how much danger this woman is in.

However I felt like the half of the story about celeb couple, Sinclair and Daniel, to be less believable. As mentioned above, I believed such a thing could happen, but I didn't quite buy the psychology of why and how. Sinclair seems almost comically villainous at the start of the story. I had a hard time buying her maintaining this whole lifestyle when she's basically a sociopath. However, later in the book, we asked to almost warm up to her and see her as a victim of circumstance. I wasn't really buying that transition either. The storyline about Daniel just felt underdeveloped to me.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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UK author Caroline Mitchell builds a world of terror in a luxury basement apartment in New York City. Twenty-something Roz is pregnant, she doesn't feel ready to care for a child and she can't go to the father for help, so she signs up for an adoption website to match with prospective parents. After travelling from Dublin to New York she meets the celebricouple that want to adopt her baby. Under very specific conditions...a twisted tale of innocent people getting caught in the spiderweb of celebrity and privilege.

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An interesting premise that could have been done better... We have lots of hard to believe situations and cheesy dialogue, as well as unlikable characters in The Perfect Mother. I like domestic thrillers, and the synopsis for this one sounds really interesting, but the execution wasn't all that great. I'm going with 3 stars.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the advanced PDF so that I can share my opinions with y'all

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Premise: a young pregnant woman moves to New York to deliver her baby to what she hopes will be the perfect adoptive couple. It doesn't take long to discover that not all is what it seems. Is her life in danger? The story begins slowly but it does quicken. It is a well-written suspenseful read. I enjoyed the main protagonist, but I really enjoyed her best friend, who I thought was the best character of the novel. There are plenty of twists and turns in the novel. I thought that the first half was better written than the second half. But all in all, a good solid read.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and exchange for a fair and honest review.

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She thought she was giving her baby a good life by giving her up, what she didn't realize is that she would fall in love with her and not be able to give her up. Or that the lovable star she chose would be a complete and total monster. Caroline Mitchell did again. Twists and turns from page one, I couldn't put it down.

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Once upon a time, I was a huge mystery/suspense fan. I gobbled up as much of it as I could, often devouring a book a day in the dark, twisty lives I found in their pages. But at some point, either the authors started letting me down or I became immune to them. It was like I’d caught on to all their tricks… I went years always knowing how a story was going to end, whatever the mystery might be, I figured it out.

And it put me off the genre altogether.

Last year, I decided to give it another try and I found some great suspenseful reads that I loved! But so far this year, I’ve been disappointed.

Until now…

The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell has renewed my hope for the mystery/suspense genre! I can’t go so far as to say that’s it was everything that I ever wanted in a thriller but despite the few annoying bits, I absolutely loved this book. Outside of Agatha Christie, there aren’t a lot of books in this genre I would even consider re-reading, but this would be one!

The Story:
The Perfect Mother is the story of a young woman named Roz, who finds herself pregnant after a drunken one-night stand. She’s recently been fired from her job and she can’t tell the father of the child that she’s even pregnant. All we know is that, whoever the father is, she’s mortified about it and won’t even tell her best friend and roommate, Dympna, who it is.

I was pretty sure I knew who the father was throughout the book. I literally made a note that said: “It’s pretty obvious the father is…” BUT I WAS WRONG! For the first time in what seemed like forever, I was thrown more than one curveball and what I thought I knew was completely wrong! I LOVED IT!

Sorry, I got a little sidetracked there. Who the father is or what all Ms. Mitchell managed to throw me on has very little to do with the actual story at this point, so let’s move on…

So Roz decides her only real option is to give her baby up for adoption. She signs up to this adoption site where couples basically buy your baby. At least, that’s how Dympna sees it. Roz is super excited when a “diamond couple” is interested in her baby. Things proceed rather quickly from there and, despite her misgivings, she finds herself moving to New York to live with the couple until the baby is born.

Once there, Roz finds herself in a horrible situation. Nothing is as it was supposed to be and she realizes too late that she’s made a horrible mistake. No one knows where she is, who she’s with, or why she’d even be in America. So it’s all really dreary.

I feel like that’s about all I can say about the story itself without giving anything away, so hopefully, I’ve made it clear that I LOVED IT!!!!

The Characters:
And here’s where we come to my issue with the book…

I loved most of the characters in this story. Dympna is amazing and funny and well-developed even though she’s a secondary character. The diamond couple, Sheridan and Daniel, who want Roz’s baby and will go to ANY lengths to get it, are complicated and I never did figure them out. I mean, they were the bad guys but I had a really hard time figuring out who was the REALLY bad guy here and there was just so much going on and backstory that started coming out and a whole rabbit hole of “THAT’s CRAZY” that pretty much every character in this book was surprisingly awesome.

Except for the main one.

I loved the book and I loved all the characters except for Roz. Which was very unfortunate considering she’s the MAIN character!!!

Roz was way too naive. I mean, it was unrealistic and I wanted to strangle or smack her way too often. She was likable (eventually) but even if I could get past the naivety, she’s whiney and has this attitude like the world owes her something because she had a crappy childhood. I mean, does anyone have a perfect childhood? Sorry, but that doesn’t keep you from accepting responsibility for your crappy actions now that you’re an adult. (That may have been a little harsh, but she seriously annoyed me and I”m still upset about it.)

Yeah, so basically every character is great except the main one.

Conclusion:
I definitely recommend reading The Perfect Mother if you’re looking for a good thriller/suspense book. But you’ve been warned that the main character might drive you a bit batty and make you want to punch someone. It’s worth the read anyway though!

**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK. This did not influence my opinions or review.**

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I’ll just start by saying this book is amazing. Seriously. As soon as I started reading I honestly could not put it down.

Roz is introduced at the beginning. She’s newly pregnant (a result from a one-night stand), barely making ends meet. An abortion isn’t an option for her so as she looks into other options the most appealing one turns out to be adoption. She soon hits the jackpot when she learns a very wealthy couple is interested and offers an all-expenses paid trip to the US.

As soon as Roz steps foot on American soil suspicions start to rise. As the story unfolds we enter the nightmare along with her. Just who are these celebrities?

Just when I thought I had the story figured out another twist took my by surprise. As with her previous books, the author has a way of keeping the suspense level at full throttle! But it’s not just the suspense that made me like this book. I liked all of the characters, no matter how flawed. Their complex personalities and troubled pasts just added to the suspense…not knowing who to trust.

Excellent read and highly recommended!

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Although the basic storyline is somewhat unrealistic, in that no one would put themselves at such risk, I was drawn into the story, which has echoes of Rosemary’s Baby. It is an easy read but the characters aren’t portrayed in enough depth and I always felt it would turn out alright in the end. I also found the ending to be a little too neat and sugarcoated. A 3.5 rounded up to 4 if your looking for an easy read

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A young woman with few prospects, an unwanted, pregnancy, and a website promising an excellent home for her baby all come together in The Perfect Mother. When it turns out the people who want to adopt her baby are celebrities Roz, the young mother to be, is overwhelmed. When the accommodations they provide is a windowless basement apartment accessible by a private elevator, an elevator she is not allowed to use, and for her doctor visits have the doctor coming to her still in the basement, Roz still doesn’t see a problem.

It’s hard to believe anyone could be that naive but recent real world events have shown otherwise. When it becomes apparent the adoptive mother to be wants the baby but regards Roz’s life as expendable it comes to Roz that she must rescue herself and her baby.

The Perfect Mother is well written and an easy read. I’d give it 4 stars.

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This is one heck of a psychological thriller. Kudos to the author, Caroline Mitchell, who kept me guessing til the very last pages. I really had it figured out wrong and what surprises were in store. A young Irish girl, Roo, leaves everything behind—her home and best friend—when she discovers a one-night stand has left her pregnant. With no family support, she looks for a way out and finds it in an on-line adoption site. After what she things is careful due diligence she picks a couple described as wealthy and well known who need to keep the adoption secret. Flown to the States first class, met by a personal assistant and settled in at a grand suite in the Hyatt Hotel in New York awaiting the first meeting with the prospective adoptive couple, Roz is blown away by the possibilities she sees for her unborn child. As the story unfolds, doubt begins to rear it’s ugly head as Roz realizes all is not as it seems and she is not as eager to give up her baby as she first thought. If this genre is one you enjoy, pick up The Perfect Mother. You will not be disappointed.

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Roz is pregnant, with no money to take care of a baby. She thinks she is doing the right thing by letting a rich couple adopt her unborn baby. I was not prepared for the shocking twist at the end! I hope to read more books by this author. An easy and enjoyable read! I recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank you to net galley for the chance to read the ARC Of this book. Overall this was not one of my favorites. The storyline was far fetched and characters unlikeable. The only character I really liked was Dynpna. Everyone else was annoying or unbelievable. At the end of the day, this book was not my cup of tea.

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Excellent book couldn’t put it down. Not what I expected. Roz was in a complicated situation. I’m glad I got an ARC to give an honest review.

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Excellent book couldn’t put it down. Not what I expected. Roz was in a complicated situation. I’m glad I got an ARC to give an honest review.

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This is the first I've read from Caroline Mitchell and it won't be the last.
I think this one really blew me away with how possible and realistic it is.
In our current society where picture perfectness is key in all areas it's amazing what some people will do to get where they are and to appear things are great.
When Roz becomes pregnant by someone she should never have been with, she makes the decision immediately to give the baby up for adoption. As she searches online she's almost instantly matched with a "diamond" couple in America, far from her Irish roots, and is promised wonderful compensation and full support until the baby is born. However, since they are such an elite couple, she does not know who they are until she arrives at their home. Almost as soon as she arrives she realizes this too good to be true situation is just that, but she's broke, has no contact with the outside world and has no way to get back home...even if she could get out of her basement apartment on her own. As her belly grows so do her fears as someone in the home leaves her clues that she may not be the first to have this same situation with this couple.

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Thank you Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Caroline Mitchell for the ARC to review. Bluntly put, not one of my favorites. The story line, while probable, is a little far fetched for me. Like when given the chance, RUN. However, I was quite surprised to find out who the baby's father was.

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3.5 stars

When 24 years old Roz finds herself pregnant and penniless, she turns to an adoption site in the hopes of providing a better life for her baby. A too good to be true opportunity comes along when a celebrity couple decides to adopt Roz's baby. But everything is not as simple as it seems, and by the time Roz realizes that, it might be too late to back out.

The interesting premise convinced me to request for this book. Overall it was a fun ride! I liked the Mitchell's writing and short chapters, it made this book an easy and quick read. Roz was an okay MC, but I was not too attached to her. Sheridan was a complex, quite an evil and unlikable character, but you do feel bad for her sense of desperation in some places.

I really liked the deep friendship and progression of mother- daughter relationship shown in the book, there were some good moments. Plot and story was okay, but the mystery and thriller aspect of it was underwhelming. It had a very strong start but got kind of went pretty average by the end.

Overall an enjoyable book, but not a very strong mystery/thriller for me.

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Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland. Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home. When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realises her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare.

This is such an addictive read! Mitchell really treats the reader to a toxic, intense atmosphere that proves relentless the whole way through. There are no real plot twists but this does not matter at all as everything builds to a dangerous, horrifying crescendo.

Let me return to the beginning, Roz is instantly likeable and I was immediately invested in her and her story. She finds herself in an impossible situation and lured into what seems like the perfect life. It is fairly obvious that everything is going to go wrong but I did not predict how addictive I would find the read. Enter Sheridan and Daniel, a powerful, celebrity couple who look like they have it all. Bubbling under the surface are horrifying realities that people cannot imagine. They are the perfect couple for this plot, outwardly charming and inwardly damaged and toxic. They really added to my sense of unease reading this.

'The Perfect Mother' is a highly addictive, intense thriller that will have you hooked from the start. Open your mind to the most terrifying situation and enjoy the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advance copy.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ebook ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Was this one entirely realistic? Honestly, not really!

Was this one entirely engaging? 100%

This ominous domestic thriller took me on a disturbing and turbulent ride, captivating my attention immediately. Sheridan was a truly despicable and manipulative antagonist so I appreciated Roz and Dympna’s alternate perspectives, as they felt like a reprieve from the darkness.

Caroline Mitchell executed the wavering levels of tension required for an effective psychological thriller with absolute perfection. I found myself anxiously turning the pages with an underlying feeling of dread for the entirety of the novel, which is rare for me.

Despite some implausible components, this was an enthralling and sinister read that I couldn’t put down. I would highly recommend delving into it!

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The Perfect Mother is a perfect storm of a thriller, using a fear most women can understand perfectly. When Roz is faced with an unplanned pregnancy, she feels that adoption is her best option, and is ultimately chosen by a famous American couple to give them the child they haven’t been able to have. In a weird requirement, she must live with them until the baby is born and they of course will take care of all of her expenses. Unfortunately, one bizarre happening leads to another, and she finds herself trapped by this couple she thought wanted only the best for her. It’s an unsettling tale, full of twists, and was a great trip to take.

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The synopsis of this book drew me in but the actual book had me hook line & sinker. Read it in 2 days and thoroughly enjoyed every word of the book. Highly recommend.

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This is a perfectly decent read and I loved the concept - young pregnant Irish woman, Roz, seeing through the last 6 months of her pregnancy in New York with celebrity Hollywood couple, Daniel and Sheridan, who plan to pass the baby off as their own. Roz’ enthusiasm is quickly dampened when things start to look a little sinister and Roz begins to wonder what is really in store for her!

I found the story a little long and relations between the characters maybe lacked a little authenticity for me, but overall I enjoyed the read and as such wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a dark little dose of escapism!

My thanks to Netgalley, author and Publisher for the opportunity to review this work in exchange for an honest review.

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This is not a book for the faint hearted or anyone expecting a baby! It is a great read but somewhat far fetched in aspects of the characters actions and changes in switches in personality. However the main female lead. Roz is well portrayed and you genuinely get attached and involved with her in her predicament. There a few twists and turns, as already alluded to, some rather a stretch but then this is a novel and you need that often to make a story. I read this in 2 days as I couldn't leave Roz in such trouble and needed to know what happened! Sign of a good read.

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Terrifying, thrilling, fantastic. The writing that gives way to the book’s suspense is the purest form of excellence. Following Roz becomes an unputdownable journey. I was in a book slump prior to starting this book, but within a few pages I was hooked. Mitchell outdoes herself with this one.

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Roz, a young pregnant woman from Dublin, Ireland, is quickly allured by the celebrity of a diamond couple from the United States who, through an online adoption agency, promise to give her unborn child a safe and happy home.

‘She thought they wanted her baby. But they won't stop there.’

THE PERFECT MOTHER, written by former police detective Caroline Mitchell, reminds of an episode of the television show, Web Of Lies; re-enactments of true crime stories about deception via the internet that often leads to murder.

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing, for loaning me an eBook of THE PERFECT MOTHER in exchange for an honest review.

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Gripping. This book starts slow and sucks you in quick! Roz finds herself pregnant and single with the perfect way for her baby to have the family she wished she had growing up. Through twists and turns you will find yourself holding your breath and sitting on the very edge of your seat as you are drawn in to this thrilling ride.

Thank you NetGalley, Caroline Mitchell and Thomas & Mercer for this edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

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#theperfectmother #carolinemitchell #apub #Netgalley #netgalleyreview #thomasandmercer another day of quarantine and another book down 🙌 #holla😂 #gottabepositive this book has it all. We have celebrities. We have a one night stand. A pregnancy. We have #whosethedaddy (omg you won't believe it)! I loud yelled like ☠️ this book is a good read to take your mind off of the #realworld and the whole #covid19virus it's a phenomenal rabbit hole to fall down in to 👍👍 #bookreader #bookstagram #nowwhat🤔 #arc #catchinguponmyreading

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Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and share my honest review of this book.

For me, getting into this one was a bit of a slow start. My curiosity is what drove me through this story if not for interest in the book then for my desire for answers. About mid way through I was roped in, because I was wrong and my assumptions about where things were headed was the same. I did enjoy that and it fueld my pace.

In the beginning I did find myself annoyed with the repetitive subject of the babies father. While we don't find out until the end, it became a bother to constantly bring it up with hardly any clues for some time.

I did find myself getting a bit attached and sympathizing with Roz as she struggled through the situation she put herself in.

This book screamed being made into a Lifetime movie to me and while I probably won't read this book again...I would happy watch the movie if it was made.

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This post is going to focus on The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell. I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The book was released on January 14, 2020 so those of you into thrillers can already go find it!

Mitchell has created a story with a very short cast list. The main character is Roz, a poor, pregnant Irish girl. Then we have her best friend, her friend's boyfriend and parents, and the celebrity couple looking to adopt Roz's baby once it is born.

Roz flies to New York to meet the hopeful parents to be, Sheridan, and Daniel. She doesn't know the identity of who she is meeting because of the identity protection behind the elite adoption site she has chosen to work with. Little does Roz know that Sheridan has figured out her password, and made it appear that they are no longer interested.

After spending almost her entire pregnancy locked up in their basement apartment, Roz still has some fight in her. It also turns out that her best friend back home has been working the case on her own as well.


But boy did this book have its twists and turns. Some of them I saw coming miles away and others I didn't even notice until after the fact. This book was rated fairly well on Goodreads with a 4.17 rating as of this writing, but I gave it only 2 stars. It was too difficult to get through how certain characters were written. I had such a strong dislike for Sheridan, find her pretty unbelievable that I almost DNF'd the book completely. I also wasn't a fan of finding out who the baby's father is. I had almost returned to liking the book, and then found out who the father was, and I returned to not caring for it.


Have any of you read this book and thought differently?

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This book was mediocre in my opinion. I think it had great potential but it dragged at some spots. I ended up skimming through some dialogue. I get that some people are crap in this world but sometimes I just hate reading about it. Overall though, not great and not horrible.

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I thought the first 3/4 of the book dragged on. The end was good, but mostly predictable. The characters were one dimensional with no depth and none of them were likable.

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I really enjoy Caroline Mitchell’s work and this book was no exception. This isn’t like any book I’ve read before. It’s super dark and twisty and I had no idea how it was going to end. It’s an intense read.

Roz is extremely lovable and you just want her to be safe but the celeb couple now keeping her captive are so difficult to work out. It’s quite the ride

I received a copy of the ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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This book gets a 3.5/5 stars from me (on platforms that don’t have .5 increments I will round down to 3). I enjoyed the storyline and the culture I gained from reading this book. My biggest complaint is that when it was a chapter from the American character’s point of view the European/Irish terms for things were still used. I am someone that will look up terms/phrases I don’t know in order to get the full experience but I was annoyed seeing the Irish terms being used by the American characters all the time. I feel like this change would have definitely increased my rating.

I did enjoy the layers that were added to Roz’s situation. I enjoyed piecing together the clues that were left for Roz’s to find and figuring out the mystery behind the father of the child. I definitely can’t say that the characters were boring or lacked depth. Mitchell definitely took the time to develop her characters and I always appreciate that in a book. This wasn’t my favorite book I’ve read this month but I would definitely consider reading other books by her.

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Thanks NetGalley & Amazon Publishing UK for the ARC.

The bold cover and the synopsis grabbed me and didn't disappoint. This was a twisty thriller that has me on a slipper slide. It has you guessing until the final pages!
Great Read!

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Carol;ine Mitchell - a fab author.
THis is a twisted storyline - it tells the story of Roz Foley - a young Irish girl who manages to get herself pregnant - she doesn't want this child and decides the only thing she can do is put the baby up for adoption. She joins an adoption agency and a wealthy family in New York want to adopt her baby - the only problem is they want her to go and live with them until the baby is born - can she live Ireland behind, her best friend too and do this.
After going to visit the couple , they ask her to stay - she eventually agrees - she cannot believe how lucky her unborn baby will be - BUT that's when things change - the couple want Roz to remain a secret - they don't want her going out, using her phone and want to control all aspects of the pregnancy. Can Roz survive the next 7 months like this????

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What a wild ride. This book was fast paced and made for a good read but you have to be willing to suspend belief in certain parts. I thought the plot line was a little unrealistic in parts. However I went with the story and enjoyed it very much. I gave it four stars.

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I loved this one!! Nothing in this book is at it seems! I kept me guessing and enthralled throughout the whole story. This one kept me up way past my bedtime because I just had to see where it would take me.

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I really liked this one!
I felt like it was well written and had an interesting and unique premise. It kept my attention the whole time. I felt sorry for Roz and the situation she put herself in. But so happy that it was a happy ending for everyone involved! Quite a twist at the end that I never saw coming. A solid 4 stars!

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Great book, I really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

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Roz Foley had one of those nights where she had too much to drink - and a one night stand ensued. She was roommates with Dypma. They had been best friends for many years. Imagine Roz’s surprise, when she found out that she was pregnant, and to make matters even worse, she had lost her job at the hotel. Why doesn’t she want Dypma to know who the father is? When Dypma found out that Roz was pregnant, she told Roz she would support her in whatever her decision was. Roz started looking on the internet for parents who wanted to adopt. She found a couple on the website that listed them as millionaires. She was so excited that her baby would get the best of everything. Roz communicated with the couple through the website. She felt that she needed to do the best for her baby. The couple wanted to move quickly. They sent her a one-way ticket from Ireland to New York. Roz said that the couple wanted her to stay with them in their beautiful basement suite, until she had the baby. Dypma tried to talk her out of making this trip. She had a bad feeling about this whole thing. She gave Roz a cellphone and instructed her to call her at least once a month. Roz travelled to New York and is put up in a hotel waiting to find out who the secret millionaires are. What will Roz find when she gets picked up at the hotel? Will she be surprised? Why all the secrecy of who the couple is? Will Roz be able to turn her child over to this couple, or will she change he mind? Will this choice be an actual nightmare for her? There is so much she doesn’t know about these people? Can they be trusted to take care of her and her baby? I don’t want to spoil this book for the reader. There is so much to this book. I loved it very much. The plot was something that definitely caught my attention immediately. The character development was really on point. I related very well with Roz. The antagonists were such that I felt that I wanted to actually rip their faces off. The descriptions throughout the book gave the reader so much to relate to. If you want to read about adoptions gone wrong and kidnapping, and psychological mind games, then this book is definitely one for you to read.

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She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.

This book hooked me from the start and i couldn't put it down until i finish it. Absolutely LOVE it!! Amazing psychological thriller!!
I haven't read any of Caroline Mitchell work before and it was a very pleasant surprise.
Thank you NetGalley for this lovely copy.

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I enjoyed this book and definitely found it gripping, however I would say it was a little far fetched and I did see the twist coming....sorry! Having said that I found myself compelled to keep reading and would definitely read more by this author.

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This book hooked me from the start. What a ride it was. It’s a gripping, dark & twisty thriller that will keep you guessing.

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Thank you netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

As a fan of Caroline Mitchell, and of police procedural in general, I was super excited to read this.

Its gripping, dark, twisty and kept me up way past my bed time to finish it. It had me hooked from the start, and managed to keep my interest throughout.

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What a ride!!!!!

Set out a snack, some water, and cozy reading clothes, because once you start this book you will want to keep reading!

When I started this book, I was a bit skeptical about whether I would like it, but with each page I became more and more engaged with the story and wanting to know what was next.

The book centers on Roz, a young pregnant mother from Ireland. She signs up for a service to match her with a potential adoptive couple, and from there the story really begins. The potential adoptive parents, a famous Hollywood couple, have a seemingly perfect life, but with some secrets to hide.

There were definitely some twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and I felt the intensity of the story the more I read. I couldn’t stop reading until
I knew what happened to Roz.

This book was a great weekend read, and the character of Roz was real and likable enough that you felt truly invested in the story. As the tension built, I couldn’t read fast enough to learn what happened to her and to see how he story ended.

I would absolutely read this author again, the pace of the book and the story were fun and thrilling. I would recommend it as a fun read that will keep you entranced and captivated. After I finished, I was pleased to see that the author has several other books- which I will definitely be exploring.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy of the book.

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The Perfect Mother is a quick read of a thriller with some very unbelievable situations. I am not that picky about my books but this book stretched my suspension of disbelief in some of the scenarios and the way the main characters acted.

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Caroline Mitchell is a wonder all her own. She can take anything and spin it into gold, I swear.

The Perfect Mother is a book I was slightly nervous to start because I’ve attempted a few similar story lines and they’ve all lacked the edge and suspense I’d been craving.

What Caroline does with Roz, and Sheridan is a mind boggling tale, one that had my fingers aching from the inability to set this book down.

I felt for Roz, though I’d never been in her position she was still relatable. She was strong, and intelligent, and made a few mistakes that led her down the wrong path.

My mind is still rattling over this one. There are so many ways this book could have been different, but I think everything was drawn out in the most perfect way. With a couple of twists that will make your cut clench.

I cannot day enough good about The Perfect Mother. Caroline Mitchell hit another home run, and I will recommend this book until my very last breath.

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This was completely mind boggling. The thought of giving up my child is one thing but I couldn't imagine dealing with what Roz dealt with.

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Twisted families and secrets of all sizes are at the center of Caroline Mitchell's newest standalone. I was introduced to her books with the DI Amy Winter Series, but love her thrilling suspenseful standalones, Witness and Silent Victim.

Roz has her future in the air and soon her life when she meets Sheridan and Daniel. Family and friendship is not far from the muddled mess when loyalties are tested at every turn. Can't wait to read her next twisted tale.

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thank you for the opportunity to read this book and I really enjoyed it, got me gripped from the get go and couldn't put it down, couldn't wait to find out the end. fully recommended

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The Perfect Mother, Caroline Mitchell. 3*.
Interesting Hollywood portrayal, somewhat entertaining but fails to challenge genre clichés.

The author opens the prologue broadcasting that this is a captive / kidnapping story. I am not a huge fan of captive stories, as for around 90% of the novel, the protagonist is a helpless victim who is fearful and feels hopeless throughout the book. She (the victim is usually female) experiences indignities, abuse – emotional and/ or physical – and perhaps rape. This novel is true to that type. Very little sleuthing goes on, and there’s a scarcity of psychological complexity as per the expectations of a ‘psychological thriller.’

Set initially in Ireland, we meet Rosalind (Roz) Foley, who at 24 finds herself pregnant after a drunken, one-night stand. Roz comes from an impoverished childhood, her alcoholic mother having done very little to put food on the table or keep Roz warm, her father having long since absconded. In the present, Roz works at a low-paying, dead-end job as a cleaner, her obvious artistic skills as a portrait painter left for her leisure time. I wish more had been made of Roz’s artistic skills, instead of the constant focus on her lack of money, lack of education, lack of job skills; lack of anything to write home about, except the hinted-at looks.

Knowing that revealing the identity of her baby’s father to her bestie, Dympna, would probably break up their friendship, Roz opts to give up her unborn baby for adoption. She signs up with the US-based website, Miracle Moms, snagging the attention of the most famous, powerful showbiz couple in Hollywood, Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson. It is Roz’s long, platinum-blond hair that catches the eye of the New York City-based celebrity couple.

The story is told from 3 points of view (POVs): that of Roz in the first person, and Sheridan and Dympna in the third person. Roz is trusting and naïve, acting more like a teenager than a woman in her mid-twenties. Daring to believe a faceless, nameless identity on a website, three months’ pregnant Roz travels from Ireland to USA. Most of the rest of the story is set in NYC. In the flashes of Ireland in the book, we see Dympna, the most likeable and intelligent character in the book.

We are initially shown Sheridan as a sympathetic character. Her childhood as a child actor growing up on Hollywood TV sets was controlled by a domineering star-mother. Soon, there are inklings of Sheridan’s negative nature, particularly towards her son. Gradually, the sisterhood is put to shame as Sheridan’s sociopathic, psychopathic nature is revealed. Sheridan’s actions and motives stretch credibility at times, the author switching between putting the blame on Sheridan versus trying to show her as a complex person. There is little complexity in Sheridan’s character; she comes across as a villain.

The reader wonders about Daniel’s motive and actions. Seemingly more caring that his wife, Daniel soon turns into shades of grey. The author flipped between showing Daniel as sympathetic and sociopathic. Despite the explanation of his hidden side, it seemed that Caroline Mitchell’s character study was confused. Daniel’s personality wasn’t plausible, and his character didn’t have depth.

The side characters played largely to stereotype: Mike the ex-convict. George the trusty employee, Juanita the Hispanic helper.

Overall, a good premise, somewhat entertaining but fails to surprise or challenge genre expectations.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas& Mercer – Amazon Publishing UK and Caroline Mitchell for my advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

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This was the first book I have read by this author but now have three more on my Kindle! This begins with Roz, a young Irish girl finding out she is pregnant. She can’t keep the baby and abortion is not an option, so she finds an internet site where well-to-do couples are willing to adopt/buy a child. It all seems above board and Roz feels she has struck lucky when a wealthy Hollywood couple offer to take care of her and the unborn child, she believes she is giving the child the best start in life. Too good to be true? Indeed, it is, and once Roz has become settled in the couple’s apartment in America things take a very sinister turn and the story becomes very twisted. A gripping dark and tense psychological thriller.

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Roz lives in Ireland and has no money, but she is pregnant. When she comes across a website offering to pair her with wealthy parents for her baby, she jumps at the chance to leave her hometown and move to New York City to live with a celebrity couple. Sheridan is an actress, really a “has been” who still wants to be famous. Her husband Daniel is an actor who is swoon-worthy and totally dominated by Sheridan. When Roz first meets them, she is convinced that they are the answer to all of her problems. She will live with them and give them her baby, in exchange for quite a bit of money. What she did not count on was that Sheridan would treat her like a hostage, moving her to a windowless basement from which there is no escape. The story of Roz is suspenseful and very original. The characterization of Sheridan, Daniel and Roz led me to be sympathetic for Roz, to feel disdain for Daniel and to really hate Sheridan. There were also minor characters, like Roz’s friend Dympna, who was desperate to find Roz, convinced that she is in trouble. There is also Sheridan’s lackey George who does whatever she wants, including taping all of his conversations with Roz. The improbable situation that the author portrayed was very entertaining, especially since she definitely knew how to build suspense and put in twists. Fans of psychological drama and suspense will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

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What an edge of your seat page turner! You will be captivated from the beginning. The end was such a shock I did not see coming! This is a MUST read! You will not be disappointed.

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

After a one night stand Roz finds that she is pregnant and she plans on having the baby. However her finances are a mess and there is no way she can give a baby the life it deserves. She signs up on a website for what she thinks is a fancy adoption agency that she feels will find her caring parents to take her baby. She leaves from her home in Ireland for New York to meet the parents-to-be. Even though warning bells go off for her, she doesn't trust them. Some of the twists you just can't see coming. The one big thing in Roz's corner was her best-friend Dympna. As Roz moves in with Sheridan and Daniel, things start to come to light that makes her wonder but is she in too far to get out?

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Well that was certainly a wild ride. It started out with such a promising premise and then it fell flat for me with the an over the top ending that made me cringe, actually cringe.

Roz finds herself pregnant and not at all ready to bring a child into her unstable situation. She decides to give the baby up for adoption. The couple she chooses turns out to be celebrity couple Sheridan and Daniel. And then the roller coaster starts as Roz moves in with the couple in NY. She realizes that she is not the first girl to stay in their basement apartment and where did the last girl go.

Overall I liked Roz. I felt she was so naive and unwittingly being taken advantage of. She clearly had no idea what she was walking into. Sheridan was just over the top and completely unbelievable.

The novel was fraught with tension and twisted. Overall the book was OK. It had a great premise but went down hill. The first half was solid 4 stars and the ending was more like 2 stars. I would rate a 3 overall.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy to read and review.

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This psychological thriller is about a young Irish girl who finds herself pregnant and can't tell her best friend who is the father of the child. So, she decides to go on a website to find parents for her baby. Roz finds a diamond couple on the website dedicated to matching would be parents with children. These parents are willing to pay for a baby. Roz's friend, Dympna, begs Roz not to sell her baby, but Roz says that she isn't selling the child - the couple will just pay for her expenses, and will be able to offer the child more than Roz could. Roz is estranged from her recovering alcoholic mother, and does not tell her mother that she is pregnant.
When Roz arrives in NYC she finds out that her baby's parents are celebrity couple Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson. She is thrilled about this as Roz has been a fan of theirs for years.
However, it doesn't take long for Roz to discover that Sheridan does not really want Roz there - and that she is extremely jealous of Daniel. Additionally, Roz notices that the entire staff seems terrified and subservient. Roz begins to feel the brunt of Sheridan's meanness, but doesn't fully realize the extent of Sheridan's depravity.
Roz feels trapped, needs to protect her child at any cost, and is desperate to escape.
What follows will surprise you. Who is really calling the shots and why will surprise you. Who unravels all of this will surprise you!
I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.
#ThePerfectMother #CarolineMitchell #NetGalley

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I really liked this book. I am a fan of psychological thrillers and this one hit the mark. Read this if you want a twisty ride that you can read in an afternoon.

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I was hooked from page one. Roz is “the perfect mother” but an A list celebrity also thought it was her new acting role too.
This book is highly addictive and at times you can see it may actually happen in today’s bizarre world of celebrity gossip. Very well written and easy to read with chapters just the right size to ensure you keep on turning the page. Many twists and turns right up until the end. Enjoy.

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The Perfect Mother - Caroline Mitchell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packed full of suspense, this book had me on the edge of every page.
Caroline Mitchell is a new to me author, but one I’ll be following closely if this story is a guide to her ability as a writer.
Brilliantly crafted characters with a deep and twisted story, embedded with all the characteristics of a wonderful psychological thriller.

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This is my first Caroline Mitchell book and it won't be my last!!! Not only was it a stay up all night page turner but it had a fall off your seat ending!!!!

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Wow another great read from Caroline. Roz a young Irish catholic girl pregnant by someone she should not have slept with has no money and isn’t sure her best friend will forgive her if she finds out the father of her unborn baby. Roz thinks she’s found the answer to her prayers when she finds a rich couple in America who want to look after to her and adopt her baby. Receiving a first class ticket to America Roz is quick to accept this perfect gift but is all as it seems. You will be hooked from the first chapter as this rollercoaster of a story takes you through an emotional and exciting journey.

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Amazing book, a real thriller, all dark and twisty in all the right places. The story also contained a good storyline with great characters.

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THE PERFECT MOTHER starts as a young pregnant woman must face a dilemma. She has no job and no resources with little hope of being able to provide for herself and a child. Her options are limited until she learns of an agency that will help place her child with a family of means. With the best intentions, she finds herself moving into the home of the prospective couple. All of her prayers have been answered, her child will have a great life. And then...cue the music...we learn that the wonderful couple have some dark secrets that endanger the young woman and her child. Remember what they say about the best intentions.....
The tension builds and the story twists as we learn things that were hidden. How does it end????? I'm not telling but don't plan on stopping after a couple of chapters!

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My first book by this author and it was an interesting premise and much of the book was intriguing. Unfortunately, there were one or two flaws I thought which weakened the attraction of the tale for me. It was well written and there were many strengths - it was very readable and it made for quite a page turner, with a few twists in the tale. Roz was an interesting character with strengths and weaknesses, while Sheridan came across as a thoroughly unlikeable person. All very neatly wound up rather swiftly at the end.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Caroline Mitchell/Amazon Publishing for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

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She’s lost her job and she’s up the duff. Wanting a better life for herself and her baby, she agrees to a private adoption. The price she expected was a trap.
This was a fast paced thriller with unexpected twists that kept me engaged and rooting for everyone to get what they deserved.

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Having never read anything by Caroline Mitchell, I was attracted to this psychological thriller as it sounded intriguing, and I wasn't disappointed. Roz is young, single and living in Dublin when she finds herself pregnant and decides to put her baby up for adoption. She joins an online site and is introduced to a wealthy celebrity couple in New York - thinking she has hit the jackpot for her unborn child, she travels to meet them but all is not what it seems.

This starts off as a bit of a slow burn, but very soon I was hooked. The characters are well developed, and there are plenty of twists and turns which drew me in and made me want to keep reading and find out how things were going to turn out. If you are looking for an edge of your seat read, I would recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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The Perfect Mother is a quick read of a thriller with some very unbelievable situations. I am not that picky about my books but this book stretched my suspension of disbelief in some of the scenarios and the way the main characters acted. Seemed that too many plot twists were thrown in, with too little build up of implication.

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"The Perfect Mother" has a bit of a slow start but as the story progressed I found myself really enjoying it and connecting more with the characters. It had me thinking what would I do if faced with a similar situation. While I did enjoy this psychological thriller and the twist this wouldn't be the first book I'd recommend for a great thriller. I landed on three out of five stars for this one.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for this early copy!

Did not finish - I could not connect with the plot or writing so I decided to put it down.

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I like thriller but this book I wasnt impressed with the story, pushed myself to finish but it was not enjoyable to me at this time

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I really enjoy this genre. I liked this book. It was my first time reading this author & I look forward to reading & enjoying more from her.

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I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book a few weeks ago but completely forgot to leave a review. But this book was so brilliant I still remember everything. Especially how much I wanted to smack Roz, hug her, shake her, pity her. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, but thats probably just me being a weirdo. All in all, another page turner from an amazing author.

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Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. I will review this title at a different date.

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This was a wild ride! It serves twist after twist. Highly recommend for lovers of domestic thrillers.

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What a great read kept me on my toes. This book gets you good from page one and really makes you keep reading was hard to put down. Brilliantly written with many twists along the way kept me captivated throughout
Highly recommended read.

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I have to say that I thought I would like The Perfect Mother when I first picked it up. It's my type of book and Caroline Mitchell is my type of author. I am not sure, however, that I expected to like it as much as I did, mainly because I read a lot of this style of book and they can sometimes start to feel like much of a muchness.
What saves The Perfect Mother from this fate is Caroline Mitchell's writing, which is full of suspense, and Sheridan, who is just the right side of crazy to make a perfect villain. I didn't want to like her but, in a strange way, I did. She is so unhinged and so scary that it heightened everything else in the book for me, turning it into a real page-turner.
The plot itself was well thought out and had plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. I like how you aren't quite sure who Roz can trust (which I imagine could be very true of people who work for the rich and famous) and there were a few surprises at the end I didn't see coming.
All in all, then, a jolly good read and a book I'd highly recommend.

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The love of a mother is strong, and women will do crazy things for the people they care for. I can’t imagine being in this woman’s shoes, it was so crazy!

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Oh my goodness this was such a wild ride. Right from page one I was hooked and had to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. This was such a quick and twisty read, I loved it! The story has a dual POV told from the perspectives of Roz and the adopting mother Sheridon. I honestly loved the characters, and didn't see the end coming!

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Word to the wise, there is no such thing as a Perfect Mother.

I was on the edge of my seat when the story started rocking and rolling. For a little while, was confused as it jumped back and forth between characters.

Definitely a good read for when you want something suspenseful.

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Thanks to Netgalley For an advanced reader copy.

I think this book has a misleading title. This is more about the adoption couple than the mother. It was okay.

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Roz is young and pregnant living in Ireland, with no money, and no husband to help raise her unborn child. When Roz find a celebrity adoptions website, she is thrilled that an American celebrity couple would want to adopt her unborn child. The couple agrees to pay for everything and even let Roz live in their mansion until the child is born. Roz soon finds out that the things she thought were once so glamorous, are not so wonderful after all. She is kept captive and things turn dire. This book will keep the reader captivated and turning the pages until the very end.

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This book was one of those that I was able to put down and not have the need to pick back up..
sorry not the book for me.

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This book had a great idea and it was quite a pacy, thrilling read, but it was a little far-fetched and I found it quite hard to immerse myself in it because it was so unbelievable.
Although I liked the twist that she had slept with her best friend's dad!

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Roz is a young Irish lass who finds herself broke and pregnant. Desperate to give her baby the life that he/she deserves, Roz joins an adoption agency for the rich and famous. She is thrilled when she is chosen by a famous American couple, and doesn't bat an eye when they ask her to move in with them in NYC while she awaits the birth of the baby. As excited as Roz is, she begins to have reservations when she arrives in America. While their home is luxurious, Roz will be spending her days alone in the basement, waiting to give birth. Then, the behavior of the future adoptive parents starts to become more and more strange. Roz is soon scared for her life, especially when she discovers that there had previously been another young pregnant girl in the family.....a girl who disappeared and has not been seen again. As the months crawl by, Roz begins to fear that she may not be leaving the home....at least, not alive. How can she escape, and save not only her unborn child, but herself?
Such a creepy book that almost bordered on the horror genre. Roz is literally kept as a prisoner in this home, with deranged captors. Is she going to be able to escape, or will Roz ultimately vanish without a trace? While some parts were unrealistic for sure, it was enjoyable enough that I was able to easily suspend reality. Great book, highly recommend!

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This, in my honest opinion, was terrible. I didn’t like either of the main characters in this. I feel like everything was predictable and was truly let down.

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I really enjoyed the style and the story. I found once I started I couldn't stop reading, and couldn't wait to turn each page.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a page turner from the start and kept me gripped throughout. I loved the characters and felt drawn into their plight, even feeling sorry for Sheridan right through to the end. This was a really well written, well thought through story. I'd highly recommend it.

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Did not finish this one. I just could not engage with the story. Too predictable and chock full of cliches that went nowhere.

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“The Perfect Mother” by Caroline Mitchell definitely had an interesting premise. Here is the blurb:
“She thought they wanted her baby. But they won’t stop there.
Roz is young, penniless and pregnant. All she wants is to be the perfect mother to her child, but the more she thinks about her own chaotic upbringing, the more certain she is that the best life for her baby is as far away as possible from her hometown in Ireland.
Determined to do the right thing, Roz joins an elite adoption service and can’t believe her luck. Within days she is jetting to New York to meet a celebrity power couple desperate for a child of their own. Sheridan and Daniel are wealthy and glamorous—everything Roz isn’t. Her baby will never go hungry, and will have every opportunity for the perfect life. But soon after Roz moves into their plush basement suite, she starts to suspect that something darker lurks beneath the glossy surface of their home.
When Roz discovers she isn’t the first person to move in with the couple, and that the previous woman has never been seen since, alarm bells start ringing. As the clock ticks down to her due date, Roz realizes her unborn baby may be the only thing keeping her alive, and that despite her best intentions, she has walked them both into the perfect nightmare…”
What I liked about this book was again, the premise. I liked the twists as well. The ending to me was missing something. Overall, this was a tense, suspenseful read that is perfect for fans of thrillers.

* I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

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Kept me in suspense the whole time! Obviously I knew Sheridan was evil, but had no clue that the story was going to go where it did, and who would be involved! Great story weaving. Would love more from this author.

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This book seemed like it would be great but I just couldn’t get into it or care about the characters at all.

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I did enjoy this book, but also felt in a couple places it jumped so far ahead in the story I almost felt like I had skipped a chapter or two. That being said, it was a gripping read & I did enjoy it

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What a deliciously twisted story written by Caroline Mitchell. What seems like something so outright plain and simple hardly turns out to be that way. There are more twists and turns than a drive on a mountain road. What a great read, a page turner for sure! Thanks so much!

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Roz is in her early 20s and finds herself pregnant. No one can find out who the father of the baby is so she moves from Ireland to New York when she signs up with an elite adoption agency. They tell her that a diamond couple would like to adopt her baby. Roz soon finds out that the couple who want to adopt her baby are popular movie stars. Right from the start things are getting strange for Roz, the couple have her living in their basement apartment and the only way in or out is through the elevator, which she does not have the key for. No phone, no internet access, she is cutoff from the outside world. The wife Sheridon is a control freak and as you continue reading she becomes more psychotic by the second. Sheridon's husband Daniel seemed normal and that he actually cared about Roz and that he had no clue how really crazy his wife was. If it wasn't for Roz's best friend Dympna back in Ireland, who came to Roz's rescue who knows what would have happened!

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I received an ARC of The Perfect Mother by Caroline Mitchell thru Netgalley for an honest review. Oh my goodness, what a page turner of a book. The Perfect Mother weaves a tale of a young woman who finds out that she is pregnant, and seeks to find the perfect family for her baby. Raz may be 24, but her life is not all together, and has a strong sense of responsibilities. Knowing fully well that she will not be able to take care if her baby, she goes on-line looking for the perfect parents to-be. Thru the website Magic Mommies, she meets Sheridan and Daniel Watson.Like the old saying goes,if seems to good to be true, then it usually is.
Sheridan used to thrive in the spotlight when she was a young girl growing up. Her mother, from Sheridan's point of view, reminded me of Mommy Dearest. When the mom cares more about how to make her daughter a super-star at any cost, how does it affect the child? Granted, I am not giving Sheridan any slack for how she treated Raz and misleading so many people around her, but you as a reader have to remember the things that happened to her.
To Roz, a young woman whose own childhood has not been an easy one, but proved to be a much better person than Sheridan. Just because you have all the money in the world does not make a great, caring, or even a great person. How you act, how you treat those around you, is what makes you, you.
Thru Roz's friends and"family" some things come to light, and very promising for the young mom. Truly a trilling, great read. Thank you Caroline Mitchell for writing this unique novel that had me gripped from the prologue.

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I don’t often give five stars but this totally deserves it. I was hooked from the very beginning and was on the edge of my seat for much of the ride.
The storyline was fantastic. Roz was a single Irish girl who finds out she is pregnant, she doesn’t feel that she is the right person to bring up her baby, she is struggling and she wants the best for it. She joins a website to find suitable parents for the baby, not thinking she will actually find anyone, but when a diamond member from America shows interest, meaning they are wealthy and trusted members, she decides to see what they are like.
Whisked away to America Roz is railroaded into giving her baby to this couple but while Roz is pregnant she has to stay in a locked basement apartment and things take a sinister turn.
Well written and absolutely brilliant from start to finish. I felt like I was living in Roz’s shoes.
Caroline Mitchell penned something quite remarkable, terrifying and amazing.

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In brief summary this is about a young girl, Roz living in Ireland who falls pregnant and decides to "sell" her baby to a couple in America...but oh there is so much more to this book.

In parts it reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale with its uncomfortable scenes involving Roz and her unborn baby.

This is certainly a page turner of a book with plenty of twists and turns. I did guess the twist quite a bit before the end but that didn't bother me. In fact I was excited for everything to be revealed!

A really great thriller that makes you cry, cringe and feel slightly comfortable (in a good way!)

I will certainly be looking at reading more books by Caroline.

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Wow- this was an amazing and gripping story that had me enthralled from the first page. I loved the suspense factor in the book and the character development. This is definitely a book that is right up my alley and one that was fun to read.

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Not a fun read for me, really had to struggle through this one. Just couldn't seem to get involved in the story and couldn't get invested with the characters.
2 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the author and publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Simple and predictable enough premise that turned out to be a very well written gripping story that will have readers lost in its pages for hours.

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Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

A nice, quick read that kept me turning pages late into the night!

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Roz had a chaotic childhood. Now she’s pregnant and certain that the best thing she could do is put the baby up for adoption. After joining an adoption agency, Roz finds herself leaving her home in Ireland in order to meet a New York couple who are desperate to have a child of their own. This couple is wealthy and seemingly perfect for Roz’s baby. After moving in with them to wait for the birth, Roz begins to suspect that all is not perfect and she and her baby may be in grave danger.

Talk about a domestic thriller at its finest! The Perfect Mother is just that. As the story is told from several perspectives, the reader is taken on a disturbing, twisty ride. There is suspense, drama, and unpredictability at every turn of the page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

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Wow... wow... wowser!

I've been a fan of Caroline's books for a few years now and have loved everything I've read. This one, though, takes it to another level!

As the blurb tells us, Roz finds herself hitting the streets of New York with a high-powered celebrity couple so they can adopt her baby. We know from the start that things aren't going to be plain sailing... I mean, have you read that blurb?!

So, as much as I was expecting there to be issues, my god I was NOT expecting what I got.

I think my alarm bells started ringing before Roz's did and to be honest, they didn't stop until the last page!

Mitchell manages to create an atmosphere so filled with tension and trepidation, fear and unease is abound in this one. My hubby was loving it as I was having to snuggle up to him when reading! One night I even had to watch a Disney film after reading only a few chapters because I was that freaked out and on edge! It really is a testament to the author that she has created a world so scary and so intriguing all at once. As scared as I was, I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what happened. I had no choice but to feel everything the characters were as the writing is just that bloody brilliant!

I was in the room with Roz, I felt every single emotion she did. I felt it all. And when an author makes you feel... well... there's nothing better for a bookworm!

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone and every one! It is beyond brilliant and one you should go and buy right now!

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Just finished this well written very disturbing book. How easy it is to draw desperate people in with the promise of money. Beware if it looks to good to be true then it is. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

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Ive never read this author’s work before but definitely will be buying more! This is deliciously creepy and twisty-turny. A page turner that kept me reading late into the night.

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Thanks to Netgalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

What a wild ride! At first it seemed innocent-ish enough with with someone looking to put her baby up for adoption in a not so traditional way. And then it started to get kind of weird and I thought I knew where it was going. I was kind of right but then there were a couple of other twists that I’ve sent expecting.

This book was so fun and easy to read. I ended up putting it down for a while and forgetting about it, but when I picked it back up it was easy to remember everything that had happened and jump right back into the story

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A Young pregnant woman with no resources finds herself alone without any options. She feels the best thing she can do for her baby is to find the perfect family to raise them. She discovers a wonderful adoption service who connect expectant mothers with families to raise their babies. Within days Roz finds herself in New York living with a very rich famous couple that want to raise her baby. Perfect solution to a difficult situation. Well that is until Roz soon discovers that she is not the first expectant mother living with this couple, and those women disappeared....forever. As the pregnancy advances Roz discovers that the baby is the only thing keeping her alive. Will Roz be able to save both herself and the baby? Read The Perfect Mother By: Caroline Mitchell and decide for yourself.

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There is a saying that goes if something is too good to be true, it probably is. So when 24 year old, Roz, who is pregnant and broke, finds out that a famous and wealthy couple want to adopt her child, she thinks this is the perfect solution. The chance to give her baby the life she can't and the opportunity to leave her hometown in Ireland and jettison to the bright lights of New York.
She meets Sheridan and Daniel, the glamorous and famous couple, who are eager for another addition to their family. Roz's baby will make their life complete and perfect. Perfect ending to an unwanted situation, But as soon as Roz moves into the couples home, what seemed like a Hallmark movie with a storybook ending turns into Nightmare on Elm Street.
Alarm bells start ringing and Roz quickly realizes that they want her baby but there is more and they won't stop until Roz's baby becomes theirs. The perfect situation turns into the ultimate nightmare. Roz soon realizes that her unborn baby is the only thing keeping her safe and alive. With the clock ticking, can Roz escape in time or succumb to Sheridan and Daniels plan to eliminate the problem of too many mothers.
Caroline Mitchell delivers a fast-paced tense thriller that is full of twist and surprises throughout the book. Perfect Mother is the perfect summer read.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #ThePerfectMother

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Absolutely brilliant. I love it when I find a new author and they have a lot of other books. Really look forward to reading them all.
This is a stand alone psychological thriller about a girl who is pregnant and her labs to sell/give The baby away. Of course it all seems so simple. And obviously it’s not!
Strong 5/5.

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Roz is pregnant after a surprising one night stand. She does not know what to do but is sure she does not want to keep the baby. Roz signs up for Miracle Moms, an adoption website, and is surprised when a diamond couple from America is interested in her. She cannot believe it. She responds back to them and soon agrees to travel from the United Kingdom to New York to meet them, all expenses paid. Roz doesn't know who the couple is yet and has to sign a non-disclosure agreement before their real identifies will be revealed once she lands in New York. Roz feels that the celebrity couple is interest in her because she wrote on her Miracle Moms profile that she has no family or friends, which is not true. The couple wants to pass the child off as if it was their own, which is why Roz is perfect. Roz is estranged from her mother and she lives with her best friend Dympna. Once in New York, Roz starts to wonder if she is making the wrong decision by giving up the baby. She is wondering if she should keep the baby even though she does not have much to offer it and the diamond couple can offer the baby a lifestyle that she could only dream of. Can this couple and the arrangement with them be too good to be true? Roz soon finds out that her quest for the perfect mother may not be what she originally thought it was.

I found that I really connected with this book, especially with Roz for a couple of different reasons. First off, my sister and I were adopted so I can understand a parent wanting to have the best for their child. Secondly, I am a new mom (my son is now 9 months old) and all I want is the best for my son and to be the "perfect mother" to him. I found that Roz was very relatable for these two reasons.

The story is written from multiple points of views: Roz, Dympna, and Sheridan (power couple). I am often times not a fan of a book that uses multiple points of views by alternating the view chapter by chapter, however, this was so well written that it didn't both me. The transition from one point of view to the other was done seamlessly and flowed very well.

Rating: 5 out of 5 because the main character Roz was very relatable and it was well written. The story itself does become a little unbelievable when you discover the extremes that the power couple are willing to go for a baby, and the surprising twist which I don't want to give away.

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This was a great police procedural read! I found myself needing to know what happens in the story and the characters, so I couldn't put this one down!

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A complex, suspenseful plot with tension so thick that it felt palpable. Wonderfully-developed characters with depth and substance. I was immediately drawn in and held captive from beginning to end.

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When Roz Foley becomes pregnant, she is overwhelmed at the idea of raising a baby on her own. Confiding only in her best friend, Dympna, Roz signs up with an adoption agency and believes she has, in fact, found the perfect mother for her baby. A powerful celebrity couple has shown interest, and soon Roz is flying to New York to meet with the couple, leaving Ireland behind indefinitely.

Sheridan and Daniel have shining careers and one young son, and Roz is given their basement apartment to stay in during her pregnancy. At first, Roz is well cared for, but things quickly turn dark, and she becomes convinced Sheridan has no intention of letting her return to Ireland…or even to leave the basement alive.

This was a compelling story, full of twists and drama, and I enjoyed every word. Roz’s ordeal is almost unbelievable, and I was equally fascinated and horrified as the story unfolded. The Perfect Mother is fast paced, dark, and a bit dangerous, just the way I like my thrillers.

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Promising thriller. I actually enjoyed the premise and setting. I had problems with my e-reader from March onwards so unfortunately, I didn't manage to finish reading it before the archive date.
Thank you Netgalley for the free eArc in exchange for an honest review, nonetheless.

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Well HOT damn! This was a WILD RIDE! Caroline mitchell has twisted the twisted! A deliciously disturbing page turner that completely sucked me in.

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The Perfect Mother was a good read by Caroline Mitchell. Roz wants to be the perfect mother to her unborn baby but fears that she wont be able to. Due to her chaotic upbringing and the fact that she's young and penniless. Roz joined an elite adoption agency and was in New York within days to meet a celebrity couple, Sheridan and Daniel, who wanted a child of their own. Roz moved into their basement suite and starts to suspect that everything isn't as perfect as it seems with the wealthy couple. She finds out that there were other women who moved into this basement, and that the last one hasn't been seen since. Roz will do whatever she can to save this baby and her life. I really enjoyed reading this book.

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Thank you to the author, Caroline Mitchell, the publishing company, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an electronic copy of the book for an honest review.

Not your average kidnapping type of story, and honestly what I thought was happening, didn't, and who I thought was good, wasn't. This book grabbed me and didn't let me go, and I will be looking for more books by this author.

She knows how to keep you on your toes, and writes to keep you interested in the storyline.

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Very good! Excellent twist. Slower burn than usual...took me a while to get into buy it was a good story

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This one threw me for a loop as it was winding down. It was fast paced and suspenseful. I am really loving Caroline Mitchell and she’s fast becoming one of my favorite authors! Thank you!!

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I’m not sure how I feel about this book. On one hand, it has an intriguing, original premise and is a crazy wild ride from start to finish. On the other hand, it is extremely unbelievable and none of the characters quite rang true for me. Sometimes a crazy wild ride works for me, and sometimes it doesn’t, and sadly this one falls into the second category for me (which is why it has taken me so long to get it off my TBR pile).

In a nutshell, a young, unwed Irish girl decides to give up her baby for adoption through an elite adoption service and is linked up with a famous celebrity couple. But once she travels to America to meet the prospective adoptive parents, she gets a bit more than she has bargained for.

Besides lacking credibility, the story was further hampered by a bunch of unlikeable characters that seemed so crazy that they almost read like cartoon badies, right down to the basement where they imprison their pregnant captive. The story otherwise held little suspense or mystery, other than wondering how Roz will get out of her predicament. Seeing that Mitchell was a police officer, perhaps things like this do happen in real life, but the story didn’t manage to sell it to me, right down to the final twist, which made it even more absurd. On the upside, it was all so crazy that it made for a perfect escape from all that 2020 has thrown at us so far, so if you like your psychopath characters served up with a good seasoning of insanity and a side dish of suspension of disbelief, then you may enjoy it!

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I enjoyed this read.... it was engaging and kept me pulled in. I look forward to reading more of this author's and appreciate the opportunity to review this one!

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Roz finds her self pregnant, and can't decide what to do with the baby. She then discovers a website where babies are put up for sale. Everything seems to be good to be true, and soon she finds out why... This book was a stunning read, and I enjoyed every minute until the very very last page. Highly recommended.
TB

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# The Perfect Mother # Netgalley

I realised after I started to read this book on Netgalley that I had already read the book. Probably on here and forgot to send a review. OMG Caroline Michelle is well becoming one of the best crime and mystery writer. She’s just awesome poor Roz doesn’t really want to give up her baby. However she sees the sense in it because she can not really provide for her child. She wanted her child to have the opportunity of a better life than she had and those around her. When she thought she had found the perfect couple she started to find things out about them that alpl Roz wanted to was to get herself and her unborn baby out of there as fast as possible. They were not as perfect as first thought. However it’s not that Simple for Roz to just up and leave. For a start she as no money as of yet and she’s in a foreign country with no way to get back to England. She’s already sussed out if she went to the local police she would not be going anywhere as they wouldn’t believe her the couple have friends I. High places they are also well known by the mayor and police that they are the pillow of the community. I am not going to say much more otherwise I would be giving spoilers that’s the last thing I want to do. I do not appreciate reading spoilers it can make the difference to wether I would read the book once I read a few spoilers. Many years ago I was reading a series of books based around the French Revolution there were 12 books in the series. I had just started the last book and I really wanted to know with Angelique was one one ship her husband on another thru were parted when the ship they both were on was hit with cannons it sank for about 4::/5 books neither one knew if the other was alive. I literally had only read chapter one I had to put it down because my mother in law and father I law came to visit there first grandchild. My mother in law saw the book she went ohh I have read that series she finds her husband in that one. I never did read it because of her spoiling it. I just would not do that to anyone so if you want to find out if Roz mangers to get away you will just have to read the book. Please do not make the mistake of thinking you know the outcome of this book. One thing I have learned reading Caroline Michelle books. Is we do not always get the happy ending. There are enough twists and turns in this book if you had straight hair when you started it will become curly by the time you have finished with all the twists, it’s one hell of a ride you must read because I said you do not always get the happy ending doesn’t mean we get a bad ending either. If anyone as read the blossom twins you will understand that not all ends well. Caroline Michelle is becoming one of the best in her mystery thriller genre and the psychological thrillers. She as now become the third author that I will automatically preorder books from without even bothering with the synopsis. She definitely up there ready yo take the title of the thriller queen and getting extremely close. This definitely is a must must read. If you have not read any of her books yet you are genuinely missing out . .....

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This psychological thriller was impossible to put down. From the very first page until the last I was hooked! What a great cast of characters. And the end.... so many twists and turns I didn't see coming! I highly recommend!

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I throughly enjoyed reading this book. The plot was excellent itself and characters were interesting. It’s a proper page turner and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The twists and turns throughout were unexpected and keeps you guessing. It’s an easy read and the style of writing was just perfect. I have read a few books by this author and I’ll certainly be keeping my eye out for more in the future. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

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I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

This was so well done. Twisty, turny, freak me all the fuck out. Ugh. This was so good. I predicted some (which is a joy for me as I rarely predict) and got completed splattered by others. This was just a great book. The characters were excellent and well-rounded. The setting was creepy and in Ireland, delightful. The plot was well-developed and terrifying. So so so good. I will definitely be reading more Caroline Mitchell.

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I really enjoyed this dark, gripping psychological thriller. Well written characters - some who are extremely unlikeable - and a very unusual twisty turny plot which kept me guessing. I saw some of the twists coming but was completely surprised by some - particularly the one at the end.

I highly recommend this book - I couldn't put it down and had to keep reading until I knew what was going to happen.

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

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What a nice little family thriller! I thought the premise was very unique and the book was well written. The end wraps up nicely too. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a suspenseful mystery. I will definitely look for more books by this author.

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Roz is a 24-year-old girl who's down on her luck - broke and pregnant. She wants to do right by her unborn baby and decides it's to look into adoption to provide the baby with the life that she never had. She finds an elite adoption agency and feels like she's hit the jackpot when she is matched with Sheridan and Daniel, a NY celebrity power couple. Whisked to New York from her home in Dublin, Roz can’t believe her luck! Caught up in the excitement of it all, it isn’t long before cracks start to appear and Roz soon realizes that she may have just put herself and her baby’s life in danger.
This was a fast paced read that was very good! The only downside was that I wished Roz was a little stronger, had more of that "mama bear" instinct when faced with adversity. But those who want a quick, engaging psychological thriller - this is your book!
Thanks to Caroline Mitchell, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

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I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and the author Caroline Mitchell.
A very interesting and gripping premise, with echoes of 'The Farm'. An easy read and entertaining, but overly dramatised.
My only criticism is that the writing was incredibly trite at times, almost cringeworthy. Summed up perfectly by the closing line, "I had found the perfect Mother for my child". Yeesh.
Would be a perfect easy holiday read, if you can suspend belief enough! 3 stars.

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Wonderful and twisty book. This makes you think and rethink who your friends are. Will read more by Caroline. Also, will recommend and reread!

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I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

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An enjoyable read that I will go on to recommend. I found the characters interesting and the plot line engaging. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This was bizarre but so addictive! A little unrealistic but who cares when it keeps you turning the pages. A fun and light read.

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Like other books by Caroline this was hard to put down but for me wasn’t one of her best. Well written and good story but I’ve read better

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Definitely an enjoyable read but also bizarre. Well written and good story line but I have also read better from this particular author. Still giving four stars!

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This was a truly gripping psychological thriller that I enjoyed immensely.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for fair and honest review.

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So to be fair this was a crazy plot and storyline but also bloody brilliant 😂 I seriously couldn’t put it down it was madness haha and I was totally hooked from page one, I thought it was a great read and read it in one sitting, cant wait fir more like this one!!!

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This was the perfect mix of creepy and mystery. I enjoyed the premise of this story as well as how it kept me up at night.

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I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. It was an intense, fast paced and entertaining thriller. I enjoyed it a great deal and will be recommending it to family and friends. Thanks again to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book l.

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Great book! It has a good plot and good story. Like all good books I can´t believe all the story. The writer has a way of telling the story and describing the characters that catch you and you can't leave it.
I recomend it to you!

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This is a highly exciting page turning book.
This is filled with excellent characters.
Excellent book for fans of psychological thrillers

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This was a fantastic read from start to finish!

I thought I knew what was going on at numerous times during the book.... but was wrong every time!

I read a lot of thriller... so for me not to figure it out is a great sign! Absolutely recommend this!,,

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The Perfect Mother

Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title!

I really enjoyed this story. Roz finds herself pregnant and broke. Seeing no future for her child with her in Dublin, she looks to an adoption site where she finds the perfect couple to adopt her child. Her best friend, Dipna tries to talk her out of going to America, but Roz can not see past the predicament she is in. When she gets to American and meets the celebrity couple who promised the world for Roz’s baby everything starts to go wrong. She becomes a prisoner to Sheridan and Daniel. Will she get out before it’s to late?
A great story of friendship, betrayal and celebrities who think they deserve everything.

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This book kept me guessing from start to finish. I don’t want to give anything away, but just when you think you can see what’s coming… something comes out of nowhere and changes everything.

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Roz’s one-night stand results in a pregnancy that she needs to hide. Not only does she need to keep this a secret, but she certainly doesn’t want her baby living a life of poverty like she did.
When a Diamond Couple from the United States shows lots of interest in her on Miracle Moms, a site for adoptions, she jumps at the opportunity to give her baby the life she never had.
Is the baby the only thing they are interested in?
There is a slow build up, but once the twists, turns and surprises start occurring you won’t be able to put it down.
Thank you to #netgalley and #amazonpublishinguk for providing an eArc for review!

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I raced through The Perfect Mother without wanting to put it down. The concept is original and exciting, the characters are well fleshed out and sympathetic, the plot is satisfyingly twisty and the pacing never lets up. There's nothing I didn't love about it. This is definitely an author I'll be reading more of.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5*

Review posted to goodreads and amazon.co.uk, where approval is still pending.

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An absolute shocker about just how far someone is willing to go to get the life they want, with no regard for anything or anyone else!
A fast paced read full of suspense and red herrings! One of my new favourite authors!!

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Unputdownable page turner. Really enjoyed this read, it was extremely suspenseful with an unexpected ending. Easy to read in one sitting, you won't want to put this one down.

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The other day Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp went down for quite a long time, so I decided that due to the forced stopping of my incessant scrolling of FB and read a book that has been on my TBR for a while now.

The Perfect Mother sees Irish girl Roz in a bit of a situation, she had a one night stand and this resulted in her getting pregnant. She rooms with her best friend Dympna (would love to hear the pronunciation of this) who says she will be there with Roz every step of the way, but seeing how she has no prospects, estranged from her mother and no money – she wants to to be the perfect mother to her child but she knows in her current situation that wouldn’t be possible. Roz joins an elite adoption agency called Miracle Moms that basically is and adoption/surrogacy site, they also have ‘Diamond’ clients meaning they are crazy rich. She gets chatting to a couple who wished to remain anonymous until they decided if they were a right fit and Roz bites the bullet and decided to fly to New York and meet them, who turned out to be celebrity couple Sheridan Sinclair and Daniel Watson.

Sheridan and Daniel are a power coupler, though Sheridan’s career is dwindling whilst Daniels is taking off, and already having a son, Leo, they decided to ‘adopt’ a second child. Once Roz arrives you can tell instantly that this whole set up is all kinds of wrong, and I couldn’t believe how naïve she was as accepting things! She was told to give up her phone, and Sheridan’s reasoning was since she had no one at home (since Roz has lied and made out she was all alone) therefore she didn’t need it, on and she was staying in the fully furnished basement – that only had lift access that Roz couldn’t activate!

All these red flags going on, you could see where this was heading but yet Roz just had her rose tinted glasses on until pretty much the end.

Overall this was a pretty intense book that killed a few hours – and the father’s identity I wasn’t expecting!!

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This book was so good! It was unpredictable and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I could not find out what was going to happen to Roz fast enough. Good character development and pace of the story. I will read more from Caroline Mitchell

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Smart and very well written thriller. I found it gripping and suspenseful. I am looking forward to more books from this author.

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Brilliant, keeps you gripped and on your toes from the start. Very tense and I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading more from the author!

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What an interesting and creepy book! I called the twist early-ish on in the book. I think the author did a good job at the multiple POV. I think it would have been interesting to have one of Daniel. He was such an interesting character.

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The Perfect Mother is a suspenseful story with an original plot line and its fair share of twists.

Roz found herself pregnant after a tryst with a man who should have been off limits. She decided to give the baby up for adoption, through a reputable adoption site. She was paired up with a Diamond Couple, meaning they were VERY rich, from the United States. Things felt off from the start once she arrived in New York. The couple selected aren’t at all what she expected.

I felt that the book held a great amount of suspense and wondering of what was next, but I feel it lacked the true angst that something bad is going to happen to the main character. From the beginning my gut said things were going to turn out ok. The revelation of the baby’s father was interesting though.

3.5 stars – Rounding to 4 stars for Goodreads

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

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This author goes out of her way to show the life of new mothers, the joys and the pains and anxieties, as well as any suffering that could happen. Lack of sleep, the perils and the risks of having babysitters, the guilt of career mothers who must return to work too soon after giving birth. The book is a thriller about the kidnapping of one mother's infant and about the women in her mommy group who try to find the child.

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I received this digital arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first encounter with this author so I was unsure what to expect but I was impressed. Initially I wanted to scream at Roz for being so naive but I loved the twists at the end - shocker that I hadn't anticipated! I would definitely recommend this book and will read more by Caroline in the future.

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3.5– 4 for the first 95% and then 5% for the ridiculous end. I have had this on my Kindle/netgalley shelf forever. But I can honestly see why.

This book started off really good. I enjoyed the story. Loved seeing how it unfolded and all the secrets that unfolded. But then we hit the end. It was so ridiculous for the reasons below.

<spoiler> So you are telling me that Dymphna is ok with her best friend sleeping with her father while her parents are still married.

You're telling me that Roz lets Daniel get away with what he did because the son needs a family. How about the dead woman's parents? Maybe they would like to have their grandchild. </spoilers>

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There is a certain amount of predictability to this, but that doesn't detract from what is still a suspenseful thriller.

Our main character is Roz, who finds herself in dire straits after losing her job and discovering she's pregnant. She finds a website which promises to pay her for her baby. In addition she gets to live with a fabulously wealthy New York couple for the remainder of her pregnancy. Nothing could possibly go wrong...

When it becomes clear that something bad happened to the last woman who stayed with the couple, Roz begins to question whether she made the right decision and whether she can keep herself and her baby safe.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

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Lots of twists and an interesting storyline that will keep you hooked. It has you on the edge of your seat and is hard to put down. A good thriller, I wanted more from it but wasn’t disappointed.

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This book was really good. It wasn't hard to imagine how people can lure you in with their public persona and then you don't realize until they've got you where they want you that you were wrong....oh so wrong.

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Disturbing thriller with lots of uneasy emotions running through me while reading this. Roz is the epitome of a great mom who only wants best for her baby. Sheridan is the adoptive mother of Roz’s baby, but she is a psycho with a capital P. Roz doesn’t want anyone to know who the baby’s father us. Sheridan and her husband are famous and went through an elite adoption agency. The same Roz signed up for. Without going into details, this book is worth the hype. Dark and twisty and completely unpredictable.

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So this is the book I ended up being selected for NetGalley, but I didn't download it in time. I saw it on Kindle Unlimited and snagged this baby right on up. I enjoyed this author's writing and the suspense she brought to the story. We are introduced to Roz, who is just living her life daily when she becomes pregnant; she knows she won't be able to take care of the baby. She can barely take care of herself, so what does she do? She signs up online to find a couple willing to adopt her child. Everything seems good I mean, this couple is considered a diamond couple. Nothing could go wrong.
As we dive deeper into our story, we discover that just because you have money doesn't mean you are the best person. Things are hidden behind closed doors, and Roz will find out just how much is hidden in this couple's home. Especially in the basement. I was on the edge of my seat towards the end as I kept hoping to see if Roz and her baby would be rescued. I loved how her friend never gave up on Roz and just had that feeling of something being off. The surprise of who the father of the baby is, well, that was one I was not expecting and was like, oh damn girl.
The only issue I had with the book was when it was mentioned how big the baby was; I would have to go and google to make sure because it didn't sound right. I assume there is a difference between the UK and the US? Which was fine, but it may need to be adjusted for those that will be anal about it. I plan on reading more by this author as I do like her style and suspense.

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Great read! Looking forward to reading more from this author! I highly recommend this book and author to all!

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I really enjoyed reading this book and how fast paced it was! It kept me wanting to read more and to find out what was going to happen to Roz. She surely was a very strong independent woman and was gonna fight for her baby no matter what and I am happy with the ending of the book. Being a mother myself this story had my attention.
The story is told between a few different characters but mainly Roz and Sheridan. Roz ends up being pregnant and doesn't know what to do with the baby and ends up trying to give it up for adoption on a website where she comes across a couple in New York who are looking for one. They have it all and are named as a diamond couple. Roz thinks they are the perfect candidates, but are they really? Roz ends up finding out many crazy things and secrets about these people and thinks maybe this was a bad idea.. so what now? Will Roz follow through with this adoption? This was such a crazy read!

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This was one of the times where you are reading about a MC and realize that you want to just ask them to please stop being so meek and to grow a backbone.

Roz is a young person who ended up getting pregnant. Being poor, she decided the best thing to do was to give it up for adoption, which starts this whole story.

I was not buying most of the absolutely over the top things that were happening, but I gotta say that Dympna saved the whole thing. We all need a Dympna in our lives.

I was not happy with the ending, I realize why it had to be this way, but I cannot believe that only Sheridan was made to pay for what happened.

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This book wasn't horrible, but it was pretty bad. I skimmed through most of it to see where it was going and I couldn't even read the rest of the little parts that I was looking through. Not recommended at all.

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Really enjoyed this book, great plot plenty of twists and turns, my only frustration was the main character who at times drove me to distraction with frustration! Would still recommend, 4 stars

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Fantastic as always Caroline Mitchel - Edge of the seat, gripping stuff! Different to the usualy series of titles, but enthralling!

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