Such a Good Mother, Helen Monks Takhar
Such a Good Mother, Helen Monks Takhar
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Such a Good Mother

Author: Helen Monks Takhar

Narrator: Kristin Atherton, Helen Monks Takhar

Unabridged: 12 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/09/2022


Synopsis

Some women would do anything for their children. This provocative novel “goes straight for the jugular of modern motherhood” (Lindsay Cameron, author of Just One Look)—from the author of the “addictive” (People) thriller Precious You.

“Mothers and hustlers can be a lethal combination—and the perfect recipe to keep you up all night.”—Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

Rose O’Connell is barely surviving. Her marriage is rocky; her son isn’t fitting in at his new school, the prestigious Woolf Academy; and their tiny apartment in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood can barely contain her family. As she struggles to make ends meet on her junior bank teller wages, Rose finds that life as the only mom in a name tag and uniform at the Woolf’s shiny school gates isn’t easy. 

Not so for those in the elite and secretive Circle—a tight-knit group of wealthy mothers, led by the charismatic and glamorous Amala Kaur—who rule the school. When the mysterious death of one of the Circle’s members creates a vacancy, Rose dares to hope she could fill it and transform her life. 

Amala’s shocking decision to invite Rose into her clique provokes resentment among the Circle, especially when her fortunes, self-esteem, and status start to soar. But Rose soon realizes the true price of being on the inside. Far from being a dream come true, the Circle proves her worst nightmare. Unlike the woman she replaced, can Rose escape with her life? 

Taut, complex, and compulsively readable, Such a Good Mother is a razor-sharp take on the myth of having it all.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ceecee on March 11, 2022

4+ All that glitters definitely isn’t gold unless maybe you’re a wearer of the circle brooch denoting membership of the Inner Circle at Woolf Academy. The school demands much of its parents and children to achieve excellence in this gentrified and fiercely competitive area. There is a cost, is Rosie......more

Goodreads review by Nicole on April 18, 2022

Books that have the “moms/neighbor murder” type troupe are a hit or miss for me and this one lands somewhere in the middle. It put you smack in the middle of the action in the beginning however in my opinion the story unraveled slowly afterwards. Overall it was just an average, ok read fir me. Rosie......more

Goodreads review by Louise on July 19, 2022

Rose O'Connell is barely surviving. Her relationship with her husband is on the rocks and their so isn't fitting in at his new school, the prestigious Woolf Academy. Their tiny flat in a rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood - the very place Rose grew up as the daughter of an infamous local con artist -......more

Goodreads review by Mallory on November 08, 2022

This is a psychological suspense story. It wasn’t as twisty as I was expecting, but it was a quick read. I didn’t like any of the characters (except Charlie) and didn’t find all of their personas to be realistic. I think this detracted from the story for me a bit. This story is about power and what......more

Goodreads review by Katie on July 28, 2022

I hate saying this but I was pretty frustrated while reading Such a Good Mother. Given there were elements to the story and characters I normally like, it was disappointing everything fell flat. After reading the Author's Note at the end I feel like I better understand what she was going for but unf......more


Quotes

“I picked up Such a Good Mother and was absolutely transfixed. What mother hasn’t considered doing absolutely anything to get into a circle of friends who can make her life more bearable and give her children access to the best things in life? I completely identified with Monks Takhar’s heroine, Rose . . . until I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Mothers and hustlers can be a lethal combination—and the perfect recipe for a novel to keep you up all night.”—Amanda Eyre Ward, New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters

“Wickedly paced and devilishly clever, Such a Good Mother showcases the terrifying lengths some parents will go to secure privileges for their children. A delicious and addictive read that goes straight for the jugular of modern motherhood.”—Lindsay Cameron, author of Just One Look

“Everyone wants to join The Circle. But is it all that it’s cracked up to be? Who is conning who? And can one woman outplay them all? If you’re looking for smart, suspenseful prose, look no further. Helen Monks Takhar is now on my favorite list of authors. . . . Exceptional, taut, and emotional storytelling in Such a Good Mother.”—Georgina Cross, author of Nanny Needed

“Fiendishly entertaining . . . A suspenseful and unsettling cautionary tale. Monks Takhar remains a writer to watch.”Publishers Weekly