What Every Mother Needs

Judith D Collins
May 29
4 min read

By: Emily Shiner

Narrators: Amelia Sciandra, Lauryn Allman Hachette UK - Bookouture

ISBN: 978-1836186700

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 05/30/2025

Format: e-book

My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)

MAY 2025 MUST-READ BOOKS

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

Charlotte: Since my husband Lawrence died it’s just me and our sweet baby girl Jordan. It’s so hard raising her alone. Then Sophie shows up at my door. She says she is Lawrence’s sister… and she seems like a blessing in disguise. But with her in my house, looking through my things, it’s going to be difficult to keep the secrets about my marriage hidden...

Sophie: Charlotte didn’t recognize me. That isn’t surprising.She seems frantic, and I know she’s not sleeping. I hear her tossing and turning while I rock her baby to sleep. When Jordan stares up at me with those big blue eyes, my heart melts. Charlotte doesn’t deserve such a gorgeous child. Not after what she did.

It’s clear to anyone that Charlotte isn’t coping. All she needs is a little push to send her over the edge… And then I’ll finally get what I really came for.

Both of these women are liars. One of them is a killer. Who is really in danger in this house?

Perfect for fans of The Housemaid, The Perfect Marriage and The Girl in Seat 2A, this totally addictive psychological thriller will have you up all night!

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About the Author

Emily Shiner grew up in Western North Carolina, and after going to college in Charlotte, returned to her beloved mountains to write novels that keep you up at night. She lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, menagerie of chickens, and tens of thousands of bees. When not writing, she’s reading, hiking, or drinking copious amounts of tea while daydreaming about fall. WEBSITE

#WhatEveryMotherNeeds

My Review

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

Two women.

One innocent baby.

One controlling dead man.

Both women are liars.

One is a killer.

Which one is more dangerous?

About...

Told from three POVs:

Charlotte:

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

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

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

Sophie:

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

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

Her:

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

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

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

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

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

My thoughts...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recs...

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