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What a Mother Knows
An unsettling, emotional and suspenseful novel of the unshakable bonds of motherhood, in which Michelle Mason not only loses her memory after a deadly car crash, but can't find her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day. But the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of everyone, even herself. A dramatic portrayal of the fragile skin of memory, What a Mother Knows is about finding the truth that can set love free.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
33 people are currently reading
2957 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Lehr
6 books144 followersPreorder A Boob's Life in paperback for Mother's Day! New material adds to the the pop culture memoir that Good Morning America and Glamour Magazine call a Must-read, People lists it in Best New Books, Katie Couric's book curator, Zibby Owens (host of the Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books podcast), names it as one of the books that got her through quarantine... and Salma Hayek is making it into a comedy series for HBOMax!
Leslie, called "a bold new voice for Modern Feminism," also wrote the Target Recommended thriller What A Mother Knows, the book club hit, Wife Goes On, and her prize-winning debut, 66 Laps. She's written three humorous nonfiction books, the film for "Heartless," and "Club Divorce" for Lifetime. Her essays are featured in The New York Times Modern Love column, Huffington Post, and anthologies including Mommy Wars, The Honeymoon's Over, and On Becoming Fearless.
Sign up for news and download a Book Club Guide at www.Leslielehr.com. Join the community at facebook/authorleslielehr and follow @leslielehr_author on IG.
Aside from being a bookworm and prize-winning author, Leslie is the Novel Consultant for Truby Writers Studio, does private mentoring, and speaking at conferences around the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 24, 2013
3.0 out of 5 stars - This mother wants to know.
The premise was good -- woman wakes from year-long coma after an automobile accident. She can't remember anything. She goes home and finds out that everything has changed AND her daughter is missing.
Unfortunately, the unlikeable characters, unbelievable scenarios and ludicrous dialogue made this novel less than a winner for me. The notion that a woman who'd had that severe of a brain injury - and has no use of one arm - could come home and immediately start running all around the country (in designer heels, no less) searching for a missing teenager was preposterous. I didn't like this mom, Michelle, and the rest of the characters were straight out of central casting as they portrayed their roles in this melodrama. Frankly, I didn't care if Michelle ever found her daughter, Nikki, and the climax of the story filling in the missing pieces was quite a letdown and really made no sense.
So, give this one a pass. It is definitely NOT comparable to "Before I Go To Sleep" or many of the other novels out there that deal with comas, head injuries, resultant memory loss, and missing persons searches.
Ebook from NetGalley.
The premise was good -- woman wakes from year-long coma after an automobile accident. She can't remember anything. She goes home and finds out that everything has changed AND her daughter is missing.
Unfortunately, the unlikeable characters, unbelievable scenarios and ludicrous dialogue made this novel less than a winner for me. The notion that a woman who'd had that severe of a brain injury - and has no use of one arm - could come home and immediately start running all around the country (in designer heels, no less) searching for a missing teenager was preposterous. I didn't like this mom, Michelle, and the rest of the characters were straight out of central casting as they portrayed their roles in this melodrama. Frankly, I didn't care if Michelle ever found her daughter, Nikki, and the climax of the story filling in the missing pieces was quite a letdown and really made no sense.
So, give this one a pass. It is definitely NOT comparable to "Before I Go To Sleep" or many of the other novels out there that deal with comas, head injuries, resultant memory loss, and missing persons searches.
Ebook from NetGalley.
April 9, 2013
*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway*
I'm kind of surprised how many great reviews this book received. I thought it was rather poorly done. Perhaps I'm being harsh because of my extreme dislike of the main character Michelle. I found her to be obnoxious and completely unsympathetic. Top that off with some rather unrealistic (at least in my opinion) moments and I'd recommend passing on the book. Honestly, the lying in this book made no sense (except it was the only way for the author to make the story work). What a shame because I was convinced after reading the synopsis that I was going to love this book.
I'm kind of surprised how many great reviews this book received. I thought it was rather poorly done. Perhaps I'm being harsh because of my extreme dislike of the main character Michelle. I found her to be obnoxious and completely unsympathetic. Top that off with some rather unrealistic (at least in my opinion) moments and I'd recommend passing on the book. Honestly, the lying in this book made no sense (except it was the only way for the author to make the story work). What a shame because I was convinced after reading the synopsis that I was going to love this book.
March 24, 2013
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
After months in the hospital following a horrendous car accident, Michelle Mason is finally able to come home. The trouble is, nothing is as how she remembered it. And is that due to her faulty memory or is there something else at work? When Michelle discovers that one of the things missing is her daughter, all hell breaks loose. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her girl.
The struggles that Michelle endures throughout the course of this novel almost ripped my heart out. She’s made to feel feeble, inferior, and pretty much made to believe she’s losing her mind. But she knows better. She knows her daughter like no one else and knows she wouldn’t up and disappear without a darn good reason. I have to hope that I’d be as dedicated, determined and ballsy as Michelle was if anything ever happened to either of my girls. I’d love to have her on my side, penchant for recklessness aside.
About a third of the way into this book, I began to realize that this might be my first interaction with an unreliable narrator. For me, I usually go in knowing the narrator is a crackpot or just a liar, but in this case, you really don’t know for sure. Michelle has had a serious brain trauma and, although she’s beginning to remember bits and pieces, you’re never really sure what’s real and what might be imagined. That bit of doubt made the story, for me, that much more enjoyable. That absolute need to find out what happened intensified and made it almost impossible to put down.
What a Mother Knows is an intense and emotional rollercoaster ride. Never knowing where Michelle’s instincts might take her next, you’re brought along to find out when she does. As a parent, I was completely invested emotionally in her story and struggle to find her daughter, crying for her, being outraged with her, simply hoping and praying that everything would work out in the end. It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that’s taken such a strong hold on me.
After months in the hospital following a horrendous car accident, Michelle Mason is finally able to come home. The trouble is, nothing is as how she remembered it. And is that due to her faulty memory or is there something else at work? When Michelle discovers that one of the things missing is her daughter, all hell breaks loose. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her girl.
The struggles that Michelle endures throughout the course of this novel almost ripped my heart out. She’s made to feel feeble, inferior, and pretty much made to believe she’s losing her mind. But she knows better. She knows her daughter like no one else and knows she wouldn’t up and disappear without a darn good reason. I have to hope that I’d be as dedicated, determined and ballsy as Michelle was if anything ever happened to either of my girls. I’d love to have her on my side, penchant for recklessness aside.
About a third of the way into this book, I began to realize that this might be my first interaction with an unreliable narrator. For me, I usually go in knowing the narrator is a crackpot or just a liar, but in this case, you really don’t know for sure. Michelle has had a serious brain trauma and, although she’s beginning to remember bits and pieces, you’re never really sure what’s real and what might be imagined. That bit of doubt made the story, for me, that much more enjoyable. That absolute need to find out what happened intensified and made it almost impossible to put down.
What a Mother Knows is an intense and emotional rollercoaster ride. Never knowing where Michelle’s instincts might take her next, you’re brought along to find out when she does. As a parent, I was completely invested emotionally in her story and struggle to find her daughter, crying for her, being outraged with her, simply hoping and praying that everything would work out in the end. It’s been a long time since I’ve read something that’s taken such a strong hold on me.
December 16, 2012
NetGalley arc. A tragic tale set among the glamour of Hollywood, or at least the author's imagined Hollywood life. If you can accept traumatic brain injury patients awakening from a coma only to slip into some stilettos and fiercely negotiate a contract, this book is for you. It seems the editor slashed away at this one, trying to improve it perhaps; but there' s chunks of connective narrative missing. skip it.
January 16, 2015
Full review at http://books-n-music.blogspot.com/201.... Since I was provided with a free copy of this book from Sourcebooks in exchange for an open and honest review. However, I had to admit to my co-worker this morning that I am tired. Why, you may ask? Because I did not make it to bed until after midnight last night! Why, you may ask, did I stay up so late? ('Cause I'm old and typically do not stay up late any more--I need my sleep!) This book is the reason. I began reading it on Sunday morning and was so enthralled I HAD to finish it before going to bed! I just HAD to know!
I was rather proud of myself for catching a rather major plot twist before Michelle knew...however, that did nothing to decrease my enjoyment and desire to read to discover many other aspects of Michelle's experiences. After spending 18 months in the hospital rehabilitating, she arrives home to keep discovering lie after lie which has been proffered to her so as not to "upset" her. At that point, she virtually knows nothing about her family's actions/behaviors since "the accident." I truly felt sorry for her, but could easily relate to her determination, especially with regard to her missing daughter's whereabouts. Unfortunately, these two mothers (Nikki's and Noah's) discover their children were not exactly the people they thought them to be. By following her "mother's instinct" Michelle is eventually exonerated and rewarded with a reunification, but not in exactly the way she might have imagined. This contained quite a bit of mystery for me, and just overall thorough characterization and excellent plot management. I plan to read Lehr's first book, also!
I was rather proud of myself for catching a rather major plot twist before Michelle knew...however, that did nothing to decrease my enjoyment and desire to read to discover many other aspects of Michelle's experiences. After spending 18 months in the hospital rehabilitating, she arrives home to keep discovering lie after lie which has been proffered to her so as not to "upset" her. At that point, she virtually knows nothing about her family's actions/behaviors since "the accident." I truly felt sorry for her, but could easily relate to her determination, especially with regard to her missing daughter's whereabouts. Unfortunately, these two mothers (Nikki's and Noah's) discover their children were not exactly the people they thought them to be. By following her "mother's instinct" Michelle is eventually exonerated and rewarded with a reunification, but not in exactly the way she might have imagined. This contained quite a bit of mystery for me, and just overall thorough characterization and excellent plot management. I plan to read Lehr's first book, also!
February 6, 2013
A fantastic book filled with suspense and mystery! I couldn't figure out what happened to the daughter and this is the kind of book I love... one that keeps me guessing! Comatose Michelle awakes and after months in rehabilitation she is released to go home. She has very little memory of the accident or anything leading up to it, not even the fact that she had a passenger and that he was killed. Lawsuits have been filed against Michelle by the victim's family and by the automaker.
Michelle is expecting her daughter, Nikki, to fly in to see her but all questions she has goes unanswered or are answered falsely until finally she learns the truth. Her daughter is missing and has been for months. She contacts the police dept. to check on the missing persons her husband had filed only to find he lied, there was never a report filed. There are many other things she discovers as each day passes, not only has her husband lied again and again but he has also forced their son to lie. It takes months for Michelle to uncover his deceptions. Her search for Nikki will not end until she finds out the truth of what happened.
There are many twists and turns to this story that will keep you glued to the book! An amazing story!
Michelle is expecting her daughter, Nikki, to fly in to see her but all questions she has goes unanswered or are answered falsely until finally she learns the truth. Her daughter is missing and has been for months. She contacts the police dept. to check on the missing persons her husband had filed only to find he lied, there was never a report filed. There are many other things she discovers as each day passes, not only has her husband lied again and again but he has also forced their son to lie. It takes months for Michelle to uncover his deceptions. Her search for Nikki will not end until she finds out the truth of what happened.
There are many twists and turns to this story that will keep you glued to the book! An amazing story!
July 14, 2013
I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars only because there were parts I did like - but there was more I didn't. I thought the premise was great - this horrific car accident, waking from a coma to find out all that's happened. But, it went downhill from there. So many characters were completely unlikeable - the husband, especially. And some of her friends? I think the term friend was being used loosely. I wasn't thrilled with the protagonist, Michelle, either but the other characters were far worse. At one point I found myself thinking "um, you have another child!" I saw someone refer to the book as suspenseful but I never really got that - I more felt like I didn't fully understand why the character was doing what she was. I don't even know what to say other than I struggled through the 2/3's of this book. I think this book had great potential but somewhere, for me, it went off course. But, as I said, I did like the beginning and I did like the ending, but the middle? Well, I honestly couldn't get through it fast enough.
December 17, 2012
I absolutely loved this book! What a Mother Knows is a true page turner with lots of surprises and twists. Leslie Lehr takes her readers on an emotional and psychological journey and uses her first-hand knowledge of Hollywood and fame as well as motherhood to deliver a really intense story. The protagonist, Michelle, travels to various exotic locales to look for her missing daughter and the vivid descriptions made me want to book a trip! I have always been a fan of Lehr but this is her finest work to date.
December 17, 2012
Unsettling and gorgeously written, What a Mother Knows gets at the dark heart of how we belong to others and what depths of strength we manage to find in ourselves. Who far will someone go to protect her daughter? I've read and loved all of Lehr's other novels, but this one is really her best.
December 4, 2014
I only made it 37% of the way through before violating my personal policy of not quitting books. This was completely unreadable. The characters were all shallow and unlikable. Michelle may be the worst mother, wife, friend, and human being ever. There were some very odd word choices that made me question whether a professional editor ever looked at this.
And what complete ruined it for me (yes, somehow I was able to get past the going from a serious brain injury and coma with gray chopped hair and a limp useless arm to becoming a MILF in nothing flat) was an author who clearly knows nothing about litigation writing about it without doing any research. I couldn't make it through the deposition chapter. The trial needs to start before the statute of limitations runs? A lie detector for a civil case? Refusing to listen to your attorney's advice (after not showing up for depo prep) because of a small bladder? Not knowing what damages are? You can't leave town (again, for a civil case)? Thinking her husband can go to jail because he didn't get his car repaired after receiving a recall notice when she was the one driving when the kid died?
This was so unrealistic and ridiculous that I simply don't care enough to wade through any more to find out what happens. Don't waste your time on this - I know I'm not.
And what complete ruined it for me (yes, somehow I was able to get past the going from a serious brain injury and coma with gray chopped hair and a limp useless arm to becoming a MILF in nothing flat) was an author who clearly knows nothing about litigation writing about it without doing any research. I couldn't make it through the deposition chapter. The trial needs to start before the statute of limitations runs? A lie detector for a civil case? Refusing to listen to your attorney's advice (after not showing up for depo prep) because of a small bladder? Not knowing what damages are? You can't leave town (again, for a civil case)? Thinking her husband can go to jail because he didn't get his car repaired after receiving a recall notice when she was the one driving when the kid died?
This was so unrealistic and ridiculous that I simply don't care enough to wade through any more to find out what happens. Don't waste your time on this - I know I'm not.
June 19, 2013
I learned about the book through Hope Edelman's Facebook page (she did an interview with the author, Leslie Lehr). I was intrigued, so I put in a request for the book from the library. I'm quite glad I did not buy this book. I was disappointed.
The premise is interesting, if not a little formulaic: The protagonist, Michelle Mason, is in a car accident. She has no memory of the accident or the events leading up to it. She returns home to learn that life is not at all what she expected it would be. Her husband is now living across the country for his job, her daughter is missing, and she's being sued because of the accident. The book follows her as she searches for her daughter and tries to remember the details of what happened.
I did not expect a deep read in this one, but it was so shallow as to be uninteresting in many parts. The scenarios that could have been interesting were too ridiculous and too many short-cuts were used to explain things away or make the story move faster. I did not believe any of the characters, nor did I care for any of them. The ending was a bit absurd in how neatly it tied up.
At least it was a fast read, and it was a nice little break from some of the more serious books I'd tackled recently.
The premise is interesting, if not a little formulaic: The protagonist, Michelle Mason, is in a car accident. She has no memory of the accident or the events leading up to it. She returns home to learn that life is not at all what she expected it would be. Her husband is now living across the country for his job, her daughter is missing, and she's being sued because of the accident. The book follows her as she searches for her daughter and tries to remember the details of what happened.
I did not expect a deep read in this one, but it was so shallow as to be uninteresting in many parts. The scenarios that could have been interesting were too ridiculous and too many short-cuts were used to explain things away or make the story move faster. I did not believe any of the characters, nor did I care for any of them. The ending was a bit absurd in how neatly it tied up.
At least it was a fast read, and it was a nice little break from some of the more serious books I'd tackled recently.
March 23, 2013
I couldn't put the book down. I was completely engrossed. The characters were very real and the story very believable. Suspenseful and dramatic until the very end. Very well written to keep you guessing. As the character's memory comes back in segments due to a tramatic brain injury, she keeps trying to find more clues to her daughter's disappearance. I had no idea it would end the way it did! Never saw that coming!
I won an advanced copy of this book from the Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway. Few books keep me up until 2am like this one did. I normally prefer light-hearted romances but What a Mother Knows was a gritty book that reinforces that life is not always as it seems.
I won an advanced copy of this book from the Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway. Few books keep me up until 2am like this one did. I normally prefer light-hearted romances but What a Mother Knows was a gritty book that reinforces that life is not always as it seems.
June 24, 2013
What a Mother Knows gets at the dark heart of how we belong to others and what depths of strength we manage to find in ourselves.I loved this book.Its 1 I will pass on and recommend to others.I learned about the book through Amazon.I really liked the way it ended.It did keep me guessing and interested
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June 11, 2015What A Mother Knows, delves into the most deep-seated fear of every mother--losing a child. The characters face both the loss of a child through death as well as the loss of a child through running away. Michelle Mason, the lead character must confront not only her physical wounds and scars but her emotional ones as well. In confronting her losses as a mother, she also confronts her losses as a child and the losses that her own mother, Elyse, suffered as a woman and a mother.
This multi-generational story is pitch-perfect in describing the delicate intricacy of mother and daughter. Lehr, captures the tightrope walked by mother and daughter in the razor sharp push-pull that is the turbulent and changing sea of this most foundational relationship. The ending--well it is very much worth the read.
I recommend What Every Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr to all lovers of Women's Fiction and Book Club Fiction, whether they be mothers or daughters or both.
This multi-generational story is pitch-perfect in describing the delicate intricacy of mother and daughter. Lehr, captures the tightrope walked by mother and daughter in the razor sharp push-pull that is the turbulent and changing sea of this most foundational relationship. The ending--well it is very much worth the read.
I recommend What Every Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr to all lovers of Women's Fiction and Book Club Fiction, whether they be mothers or daughters or both.
September 3, 2013
AT THIS POINT ON PAGE 25 THIS BOOK HAS MY ATTENTION! WONDERFUL SO FAR! great book to this point cant wait to get home and read more!
im back at page 101 and this book is page turning i love it, all i want to do is read more
oh my gosh this is a excellent book this mom michelle knows whats shes doing without even realizing it, shes a rock and her journey will inspire you,,, cant wait to finish this today!
well after reading this book i have to say its Wonderful!! this book is a page turner, i cant give anything away but she is strong, courageous,not letting anything or anyone in her way,,,you have to read!!!! 5 star
pmh
im back at page 101 and this book is page turning i love it, all i want to do is read more
oh my gosh this is a excellent book this mom michelle knows whats shes doing without even realizing it, shes a rock and her journey will inspire you,,, cant wait to finish this today!
well after reading this book i have to say its Wonderful!! this book is a page turner, i cant give anything away but she is strong, courageous,not letting anything or anyone in her way,,,you have to read!!!! 5 star
pmh
May 18, 2013
This story warrants a solid 4.5 stars. This book was a wonderful surprise. I loved it. Any book that has me in tears at the end of the story deserves at least 4 stars. I really, really, really enjoyed this story. The plot involves memory loss, actual loss, rehabilitation, and recovery. So good.
December 20, 2012
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Leslie Lehr's latest novel.
BRILLIANT.
I say this as a fellow writer, mother and daughter. Not only I am sure I'll read this again, it'll be my Mother's Day gift to my mom, daughter, sister in laws and girlfriends. Can't wait till May!
BRILLIANT.
I say this as a fellow writer, mother and daughter. Not only I am sure I'll read this again, it'll be my Mother's Day gift to my mom, daughter, sister in laws and girlfriends. Can't wait till May!
April 18, 2013
Really good book, didn't like the way some of the friends treated her after her accident, her determination to look for daughter is awesome! She does not let anyone or anything stand in her way. (even her husband) Loved the book!!!!!
May 5, 2013
From its heart wrenching prologue to the finale Leslie Lehr’s What a Mother Knows is a book that will grab your attention and your soul. I could not put it down.
Join us for the Blog Tour and an interview with the author on May 6, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
Join us for the Blog Tour and an interview with the author on May 6, 2013 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
March 31, 2013
A very nice advanced copy :)
the story line was so amazing!!
the story line was so amazing!!
August 6, 2013
Fabulous--all moms will love this story!
September 14, 2023
Great read. Easy read with a few good twists !
May 7, 2013
I have never read a book that had such an engaging story but so many characters that I disliked so much.
Michelle Mason comes home after spending eighteen months healing from a horrific car accident she was in. She's excited to move forward with her life with her family, especially her eighteen year old daughter she hasn't seen in over a year. But her excitement soon turns to dread when she discovers nothing is as she was told it was.
Michelle was an awe inspiring character. She had determination and strength that got her through some pretty horrific moments. But she also had a strong belief in her kids, despite what others (including her own husband) might think. When she discovers that Nikki is missing, she's hell bent on finding her. Positive that Nikki just didn't run away. It was amazing that having spent eighteen months dealing with her own health issues that she knew there was more to Nikki's story than what others were saying. It gave meaning to the book title, because no matter what a mother knows her own children.
But Michelle's story isn't just about her finding her daughter, it's about finding herself. She's definitely changed from before her accident. She has to come to grips with who she is now. Most of her friends and family try to handle her with kid gloves, when all she wants is to move on with her new normal. She has to learn to let go of that high powered movie producer and become the person she's become. It's not an easy transition for her, but with her family and those that have stuck by her, she makes the transition.
On to those other characters. The list of people I disliked it long and I almost feel like the author made them the way they were to show just how strong Michelle was. But eventually I got to a point where I just wanted to scream at Michelle to run and leave all these people behind. The husband who's upset because she doesn't "need" him any more (and let me tell you, I was seriously ready to punch this man in the face. If he were a real person, I'd have no qualms about walking up to him and doing just that!!!). Her lawyer and wife, who liked to remind her of just what they were giving up for her (when she never asked them to do what they were doing since she had no idea any of the legal stuff was going on). Her good friend Becca and her old boss Victor profitting off her story, even if they claimed it was to get her story out there. The lies some told and the half-truths the others told drove me crazy. They blamed Michelle for things she couldn't remember and practically called her a liar when she remembered something that contradicted what they thought. I could have done without the whole lot of them, but I have to believe the served a purpose to the story (other than irritating me to no end).
This was a great read. The journey Michelle takes to not only find out the truth about her accident but told find her daughter was emotional and suspenseful. Leslie Lehr weaved a tale that felt like I was right next to Michelle Mason through every twist and turn this story took. The story will stay with you, as will the strength and determination of Michelle. Kudos to Leslie for crafting a book that evokes such strong emotional responses in a reader.
Michelle Mason comes home after spending eighteen months healing from a horrific car accident she was in. She's excited to move forward with her life with her family, especially her eighteen year old daughter she hasn't seen in over a year. But her excitement soon turns to dread when she discovers nothing is as she was told it was.
Michelle was an awe inspiring character. She had determination and strength that got her through some pretty horrific moments. But she also had a strong belief in her kids, despite what others (including her own husband) might think. When she discovers that Nikki is missing, she's hell bent on finding her. Positive that Nikki just didn't run away. It was amazing that having spent eighteen months dealing with her own health issues that she knew there was more to Nikki's story than what others were saying. It gave meaning to the book title, because no matter what a mother knows her own children.
But Michelle's story isn't just about her finding her daughter, it's about finding herself. She's definitely changed from before her accident. She has to come to grips with who she is now. Most of her friends and family try to handle her with kid gloves, when all she wants is to move on with her new normal. She has to learn to let go of that high powered movie producer and become the person she's become. It's not an easy transition for her, but with her family and those that have stuck by her, she makes the transition.
On to those other characters. The list of people I disliked it long and I almost feel like the author made them the way they were to show just how strong Michelle was. But eventually I got to a point where I just wanted to scream at Michelle to run and leave all these people behind. The husband who's upset because she doesn't "need" him any more (and let me tell you, I was seriously ready to punch this man in the face. If he were a real person, I'd have no qualms about walking up to him and doing just that!!!). Her lawyer and wife, who liked to remind her of just what they were giving up for her (when she never asked them to do what they were doing since she had no idea any of the legal stuff was going on). Her good friend Becca and her old boss Victor profitting off her story, even if they claimed it was to get her story out there. The lies some told and the half-truths the others told drove me crazy. They blamed Michelle for things she couldn't remember and practically called her a liar when she remembered something that contradicted what they thought. I could have done without the whole lot of them, but I have to believe the served a purpose to the story (other than irritating me to no end).
This was a great read. The journey Michelle takes to not only find out the truth about her accident but told find her daughter was emotional and suspenseful. Leslie Lehr weaved a tale that felt like I was right next to Michelle Mason through every twist and turn this story took. The story will stay with you, as will the strength and determination of Michelle. Kudos to Leslie for crafting a book that evokes such strong emotional responses in a reader.
August 19, 2016
What a Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr is one of those books that grabs you from the very first pages. You find yourself unable to put it down because as both the suspense and the mystery escalate so does your attention to it. At its core What a Mother Knows is a story of the bonds between mothers and daughters and poses the question as to just how far one will go to protect those they love.
Michelle Mason is married with two children, Nikki and Tyler. It all seems pretty normal really except that it’s not. Michelle has just spent more than a year of her life first in an induced coma and then later in rehabilitation after a horrendous car accident. Michelle’s memory is sketchy at best. There is much that she doesn’t remember including the accident itself. Arriving home after so many months is overwhelming and nothing is as she remembers and even worse everyone around her seems to be acting strange. Exhausted she falls into bed that first night only to wake up in the morning to an even greater nightmare. She learns that her daughter Nikki is not away on an exchange program but has actually ran away. Even in Michelle’s confused mind she knows that that this makes no sense and questioning her husband only deepens her concern as he doesn’t seem quite as motivated to find her as he should be. Michelle vows that she will find her daughter no matter what. When she learns that on the day of the fateful accident she had a young man in the car with her and she is being blamed for his death she is devastated. Just what happened on that life changing day? If only Michelle could remember…
Michelle was an easy character to relate to. In the beginning your heart goes out to her for all she has endured with her injuries from the accident. As time goes on though you admire her for her never ending faith that her daughter is out there and that even though she is far from healed in body and spirit herself she makes it her mission to find her. As the story goes by Michelle starts to have flashes into the past and slowly as more and more pieces of the puzzle begin to materialize in her mind she realizes that the story of the young man in her vehicle that day is far more complicated than she ever would have thought and the connection to her family truly scares her.
This is an excellent read for those who enjoy a suspenseful and emotional story. You are kept guessing for the majority of the book as to what actually happened that fateful day and the disappearance of Michelle’s daughter takes many twists and turns. What never changes though is Michelle’s devotion to finding her and rebuilding their relationship despite all the hardships she suffers in between trying to put her shattered life back together. I really enjoyed What a Mother Knows and look forward to reading more of Leslie Lehr’s work in the future.
Michelle Mason is married with two children, Nikki and Tyler. It all seems pretty normal really except that it’s not. Michelle has just spent more than a year of her life first in an induced coma and then later in rehabilitation after a horrendous car accident. Michelle’s memory is sketchy at best. There is much that she doesn’t remember including the accident itself. Arriving home after so many months is overwhelming and nothing is as she remembers and even worse everyone around her seems to be acting strange. Exhausted she falls into bed that first night only to wake up in the morning to an even greater nightmare. She learns that her daughter Nikki is not away on an exchange program but has actually ran away. Even in Michelle’s confused mind she knows that that this makes no sense and questioning her husband only deepens her concern as he doesn’t seem quite as motivated to find her as he should be. Michelle vows that she will find her daughter no matter what. When she learns that on the day of the fateful accident she had a young man in the car with her and she is being blamed for his death she is devastated. Just what happened on that life changing day? If only Michelle could remember…
Michelle was an easy character to relate to. In the beginning your heart goes out to her for all she has endured with her injuries from the accident. As time goes on though you admire her for her never ending faith that her daughter is out there and that even though she is far from healed in body and spirit herself she makes it her mission to find her. As the story goes by Michelle starts to have flashes into the past and slowly as more and more pieces of the puzzle begin to materialize in her mind she realizes that the story of the young man in her vehicle that day is far more complicated than she ever would have thought and the connection to her family truly scares her.
This is an excellent read for those who enjoy a suspenseful and emotional story. You are kept guessing for the majority of the book as to what actually happened that fateful day and the disappearance of Michelle’s daughter takes many twists and turns. What never changes though is Michelle’s devotion to finding her and rebuilding their relationship despite all the hardships she suffers in between trying to put her shattered life back together. I really enjoyed What a Mother Knows and look forward to reading more of Leslie Lehr’s work in the future.
May 12, 2013
Michelle Mason used to have it all, a great job, a loving husband and two wonderful children. Everything changed after she has a horrific car crash that seriously injures her and kills her passenger. Michelle is finally able to return home after dealing with major surgeries, a medically induced coma that lasted months, and one year in rehabilitation. The home she returns to isn't the home she remembers. Her husband is now residing in New York, her son is in a boarding school, and her daughter has disappeared. The first brick in Michelle's carefully constructed "memories" is destroyed when she's told her daughter isn't studying internationally but has run away from home and it might be related to the car accident. Michelle's husband, Drew, tells her that a police report has been filed, a detective hired, and people are searching for Nikki. Michelle seems to instinctively know that there is more to the story than she is being told, so she launches her own investigation. As she uncovers details over the course of months, she is made to feel as if she's unreliable due to her tragic injuries. Can she trust the people that have repeatedly lied to her, or does she trust her instincts?
What A Mother Knows is an intriguing story that pulled me in from the very beginning. Michelle seems to be on a roller coaster ride in her attempts to search for her daughter. Just when she thinks she's found out something useful, there's an unexpected dip or turn that reveals more and more lies from those closest to her. Michelle is forced to face her overbearing but loving mother, Elyse Deveraux, as well as her strained marriage with her husband Drew, and her son Tyler. She doesn't seem to have anyone to support her in her quest for the truth, but she is fervent in her belief that a mother simply knows. This is more than a contemporary story about family, it is also about self-discovery as Michelle learns to adjust to her new lifestyle and limitations, and ultimately a mystery as she searches for her missing daughter. Ms. Lehr has provided a story filled with people that aren't wholly good or bad, but rather residents of the grey areas. Michelle is likeable and a realistic portrayal of just how far a mother is willing to go for the sake of her children. If you enjoy reading family dramas or mystery-suspense, then you definitely want to add What A Mother Knows to your reading list.
What A Mother Knows is an intriguing story that pulled me in from the very beginning. Michelle seems to be on a roller coaster ride in her attempts to search for her daughter. Just when she thinks she's found out something useful, there's an unexpected dip or turn that reveals more and more lies from those closest to her. Michelle is forced to face her overbearing but loving mother, Elyse Deveraux, as well as her strained marriage with her husband Drew, and her son Tyler. She doesn't seem to have anyone to support her in her quest for the truth, but she is fervent in her belief that a mother simply knows. This is more than a contemporary story about family, it is also about self-discovery as Michelle learns to adjust to her new lifestyle and limitations, and ultimately a mystery as she searches for her missing daughter. Ms. Lehr has provided a story filled with people that aren't wholly good or bad, but rather residents of the grey areas. Michelle is likeable and a realistic portrayal of just how far a mother is willing to go for the sake of her children. If you enjoy reading family dramas or mystery-suspense, then you definitely want to add What A Mother Knows to your reading list.
November 30, 2016
I have read a couple of books published by Sourcebooks and I’ve come to expect their level of mediocrity. But they have really lowered their standards to publish this book. The premise sounds great and it has an enticing cover. That’s the only good things I can say about this book.
I really couldn’t stand the MC. She lies, steals, hides evidence, is destructive, abusive, rude, narcissistic, is an unfit mother who takes her underage son to a dive bar, and she’s judgmental and opinionated about all sorts of things and people. Those are only a FEW of the things I couldn’t stand about her.
Several times during the story Michelle is described as a “good person”. I can assure you she is anything but. She tends to over dramatize every little thing and treats her friends and lawyer like crap. She refuses to listen to what is clearly good advice, and she’s so naïve and clueless, it’s laughable. She felt terrible about killing another person, but refused to take responsibility for what happened, and just wanted to focus on finding her run-away daughter.
Michelle is a nasty piece of work. Not in a good way as in I’m-being-crappy-to-everyone-around-me-because-I’m-searching-for-my-daughter, but nasty as in I’m-just-a-crappy-human-being-overall. I had no sympathy for her and was disappointed that the verdict was as predictable as I knew it would be.
Honestly, I just wanted to shake some sense into Michelle! She was more concerned about “looking the part” and strutting around in her designer high heels (even though she was constantly losing her balance and falling all over the place). Oh, and let’s not forget about her ruined right arm. There was endless focus on that bloody arm which she constantly cradled against her body, or which she moved by accident, I wanted to shout at the author that WE GET IT! Good heavens, it was an exhausting read.
Overall, don’t waste your money on this. Leslie Lehr should stick to screenplays and Sourcebooks should find more proofreaders and better editors to screen and edit the books they publish.
I really couldn’t stand the MC. She lies, steals, hides evidence, is destructive, abusive, rude, narcissistic, is an unfit mother who takes her underage son to a dive bar, and she’s judgmental and opinionated about all sorts of things and people. Those are only a FEW of the things I couldn’t stand about her.
Several times during the story Michelle is described as a “good person”. I can assure you she is anything but. She tends to over dramatize every little thing and treats her friends and lawyer like crap. She refuses to listen to what is clearly good advice, and she’s so naïve and clueless, it’s laughable. She felt terrible about killing another person, but refused to take responsibility for what happened, and just wanted to focus on finding her run-away daughter.
Michelle is a nasty piece of work. Not in a good way as in I’m-being-crappy-to-everyone-around-me-because-I’m-searching-for-my-daughter, but nasty as in I’m-just-a-crappy-human-being-overall. I had no sympathy for her and was disappointed that the verdict was as predictable as I knew it would be.
Honestly, I just wanted to shake some sense into Michelle! She was more concerned about “looking the part” and strutting around in her designer high heels (even though she was constantly losing her balance and falling all over the place). Oh, and let’s not forget about her ruined right arm. There was endless focus on that bloody arm which she constantly cradled against her body, or which she moved by accident, I wanted to shout at the author that WE GET IT! Good heavens, it was an exhausting read.
Overall, don’t waste your money on this. Leslie Lehr should stick to screenplays and Sourcebooks should find more proofreaders and better editors to screen and edit the books they publish.
March 23, 2013
This was a pretty good, suspenseful read. I was a little misled by the cover. I at first thought the story was going to be about a young girl who disappeared.
So mom, Michelle is in a car crash that winds up leaving her daughter's 19 year old boyfriend dead. Michelle is in a coma, survives and when she leaves the hospital 18 months later, discovers her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day, went missing shortly after her moms accident. Michelle also only has fleeting bits of memory of what happened. Accusations, lawsuits and why the daughter went missing is the basis of the storyline.
It seemed very odd to me that no one ever told Michelle her daughter was missing because they wanted to save her the stress. Then the day after she returns home from hospital, everything is pretty much dumped on her. Huh? Maybe that explains the relationship between Michelle and her husband, but no loving family would just decide to keep all these things quiet that have been going on for the past 18 months...
Despite the unlikelihood of any of these even seeming possible, the story was suspenseful and intriguing.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley.
So mom, Michelle is in a car crash that winds up leaving her daughter's 19 year old boyfriend dead. Michelle is in a coma, survives and when she leaves the hospital 18 months later, discovers her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day, went missing shortly after her moms accident. Michelle also only has fleeting bits of memory of what happened. Accusations, lawsuits and why the daughter went missing is the basis of the storyline.
It seemed very odd to me that no one ever told Michelle her daughter was missing because they wanted to save her the stress. Then the day after she returns home from hospital, everything is pretty much dumped on her. Huh? Maybe that explains the relationship between Michelle and her husband, but no loving family would just decide to keep all these things quiet that have been going on for the past 18 months...
Despite the unlikelihood of any of these even seeming possible, the story was suspenseful and intriguing.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley.
October 3, 2013
I picked this book up completely by chance. I happened to be at the library (to find a different book) and while browsing the new fiction section I came across this title. I read the jacket and thought it sounded interesting. On a positive note I will say this is a page turner and a fast read. It did keep my interest, but it really was missing quite a lot. There were times in the book where the author would really detail something that really had no significance to the story, but then when something was important she would simply skim over it. There wasn't enough detail about what happened during the accident or why Nikki ran away or where she had been. Other parts were so obvious and predictable that the reader could see them coming a mile away.
May 2, 2013
I so wanted to like this book more than I did but there was something about Michelle that was just off-putting to me. I liked the storyline setup. The lost memories of what happened before and after the crash were something you wanted to find out but I just didn't like Michelle so that distracted from the story for me.
June 26, 2013
This one is full of surprises: a protagonist who is stripped of everything, from her exterior polish to her memory, leaving the reader wondering if she is the most unreliable narrator in the world, or someone we really can like and trust. In this story, nothing is what it seems to be, and I defy anyone to solve the mystery before the end. I definitely couldn't. Very engaging.
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