BLOG TOUR
Author: Miranda Smith
Publisher: Bookouture
Date Published: October 3, 2024
Blurb
A-sixteen-year-old girl goes out on a crisp fall evening and never comes home. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Every mother in the neighborhood holds their children tighter. But two of these loving mothers are hiding something terrible…
Stella
Moving to this neighborhood was meant to be a fresh start for my son and me. As I sip wine at the block’s Halloween party, I can finally feel myself relax. But then the next morning I hear the terrifying news. A young girl is missing. Shelby is just sixteen, with beautiful blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And there’s a
rumor my son was dating her. I can’t believe he kept something like this from me, not after all the terrible things we’re running from. What else might he be hiding? And with another family torn apart, how far will I have to go to protect my son?
Mary
My daughter was Shelby’s best friend. She should be distraught that she’s missing. But when I go to talk to her, I hear her giggling on the phone with Shelby’s boyfriend. And then I find her Halloween costume, stuffed into a bag in her closet, covered in blood.
My heart pounds in my chest. Just down the street, Shelby’s family are going through the unimaginable. But I can’t let anyone look at my family too closely. If our secret comes out, it will destroy us all. And I will do anything to protect my daughter.
Even if it means blaming someone else’s child…
Mothers will do anything for their children. But when all the lies are revealed, will any of these families survive?
A totally gripping psychological suspense about the dark secrets that lie behind perfect families. If you love Claire Douglas, Ruth Ware or Karin Slaughter, Loving Mothers will have you glued to the pages till the final jaw-dropping twist.
My Thoughts
Miranda Smith is a new-to-me author and I will definitely read more of her titles.
Loving Mothers gave me Stepford Wives meet Mean Girls meet Housewives of ____ vibes. Stella moves with her son to a new neighborhood to escape her horrible husband. She thinks she’s finally fitting in with the women. But on Halloween night, one of the local girls (Shelby) goes missing. To divert attention from her daughter Grace, Mary spreads a rumor about what Hudson did at his old school, and now there’s a witch hunt. Is Hudson more like his father as Stella fears, or is Grace keeping secrets? Both Stella and Mary know their kids are guilty of something. And when the final secret is exposed, it has an explosive impact on the perfectly curated neighborhood of Hickory Hills.
The characters of the four moms and three kids are well-developed, with separate personalities in this a highly readable thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Books on Tour for an advance reader’s copy.
Author Bio
Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.
Featured Blogs
“I absolutely loved! Had me hooked from the very beginning… had my jaw hitting
the floor!… had me guessing the whole way through! Definitely recommend!”
Mrs.g508, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I couldn’t put this book down. The suspense & twists keeps you hooked in each
chapter! And wow – what an ending!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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