A Mother's Love

by Danielle Steel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A devoted mother outrunning a troubled childhood and adapting to an empty nest is tested in ways she never expected in this suspenseful novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel.

On the occasion of her daughter Valerie’s wedding and her upcoming fiftieth birthday, bestselling author Halley Holbrook finds herself reflecting. Raising twins Valerie and Olivia is her proudest accomplishment. Halley has been able to give them the loving and safe home she never had, having survived a childhood so traumatic she’s never talked about it with her girls. Long ago, Halley decided to live in the sunlight of the present, not the dark shadows of the past.

After Valerie moves to Los Angeles with her producer husband, and Olivia follows to remain close to her sister, Halley is empty-nesting in her Fifth Avenue apartment. Facing her first holiday alone in years, she books a trip to Paris.

On the flight over, she meets charming Bart Warner, and the two become fast friends. Halley hasn’t dated since her partner died three years ago, yet she quickly begins to feel more like herself. But when a cunning thief makes off with her handbag and then begins to harass her, it reawakens old ghosts from her past. Vowing not to be a victim, and with Bart’s help, she chooses a bold course of action.

The moving story of a woman determined to give her daughters what she never had—a mother’s love—Danielle Steel’s gripping novel is a story of emotional resilience and truly letting go.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2025

About the author

Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Reviews

[chantalsbookstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked this one👌although the second half was better than the first.

[Ananya thefoodandbooklife · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to love reading Danielle Steel but this book was sheer disappointment. There is no story at all. Most of the sentences are repeated multiple times in the same chapter. I reached a point where I knew exactly what the next sentence would be when the author started a particular topic.
We have 3 couples, all following the same path, each man is burned by a previous failed marriage and thought they would never meet a nice woman. Enter the main character and her twin daughters and bam! they are perfect for each of the men. They instantly fall in love! Oh did I mention that the daughters are twins with amazing connection with each other and with their mother? Because the author made sure to mention that in every other line. The book also showcases how child abuse can follow the victim even into adulthood. However, the same points were driven home so many times that you realise it is being done just to try to get to the readers sympathy. That would work the forst couple of times but when it becomes forced, it loses its importance. I wanted to DNF the book many times but the only thing that kept me going was the narrator who did an okay job

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only the end salvages this story of abuse from cradle to adulthood and the ugliness between.

[Christel Nance · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve always wanted to read a Danielle Steel novel. She’s been a famous novelist for as long as I can remember. So when an ARC became available, I jumped at the chance.

We’re following Halle Holbrook (just reminds me of Hilly Holbrook from the Help) as she’s an empty nester. Her twin daughters are moving to LA, one married and the other single.

My first thoughts in the first five percent of the book were there was too much explaining. I would have DNFed this book if it wasn’t an ARC. I don’t like anyone yet, and I’m not supporting anyone.

I understand that Halle loves her twins, but I only know because it’s been said so many times. I haven’t seen it yet. The timeline is rushed, and I’m getting whiplash from all of the information overload. The author doesn’t show us the story. She rushes through with bullet point details. I got more information of what’s in the mom’s purse than I did about their holidays, traveling, or personalities combined.

The married twin has a creepy husband. “Sometimes I feel like I’m married to both of them.” Gross. Maybe I don’t understand twins, but that line gives me the ick.

This whole “famous author VIP in Paris who needs special attention” thing got old fast. She’s rich and beautiful. I get it. Can she have more of a personality? Even with her money stolen, a random stranger gives her his credit card to use. That’s not realistic and is completely detached from reality.

The plot to this novel could have been amazing. But with the writing being more like a refrigerator manual than an actual novel, it feels extremely flat.

The narrator has such a nice, clear voice. He did a great job.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I read a Danielle Steel novel. I was sucked in by the title. Very predictable & repetitive.

[paige (ptsungirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You make your own destiny, and you play the hand you're dealt."

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat right from the start. I felt the first half was repetitive and the plot went nowhere. The second half did improve a little, but to be honest, I had lost interest by then. Don’t let my review stop you from picking this one up if you enjoy this author as you may love it as many other readers have. Even though this one wasn’t for me, I will continue to read books by this author because I usually really enjoy her books.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of Danielle Steel’s better books. I’ve read all of her books and lately her books have been disappointing. Halley is a single mom to two adult twin girls. No sympathy is needed because has plenty of money. Halley had a rough childhood, but she survived. Halley finds herself alone at Christmas since both girls are on a cruise. Halley decides to go to Paris for 2 weeks. Things get dicey for a bit, but all is okay at the end of the story.

[FictionalFlings · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read very few Danielle Steel books. She is a good writer that can infuse emotion into her stories. This one however fell flat for me.
I listened to the Audiobook version of this book. The Narrator was excellent. I could tell he was a veteran by the flawless delivery.
This was a 6 hour listen which seems short for a DS Novel. I appreciated the romantic way intimate details were described. Sometimes it can be comical and ruins the story. This was not the case.
I admired the love for her children and the accurate way Mothers sacrifice for their children.
The reason it fell flat for me was that it didn’t keep me engaged. I had to replay several details I missed. I wasn’t trying to listen to the book on my way home from work or on a work break. If a book is 5 star you can’t get me to stop listening. It felt as if it lacked a true ending. The peak came and crashed then the book ended. I just needed a little more!
It left me asking too many questions that could have been answered with one more chapter. She briefly followed up on one of her daughters and then nothing. Why introduce a character, follow up but not let us know more? It was vague and frustrating. My only hope is that there is another book. I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you are a die hard DS fan. Someone that reads an Author even if the book is subpar.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danielle Steel’s 198th novel, A Mother’s Love, is an exploration of reinvention, love, and the haunting shadows of the past. The story centers on Halle Holbrook, a bestselling author who has overcome a tumultuous childhood to carve out a successful career. About to turn fifty, Halle finds herself at a crossroads, navigating the complexities of motherhood and her evolving sense of self. With her 27-year-old twin daughters, Valerie and Olivia, starting new chapters of their lives across the country in Los Angeles, Halle must confront both her role as an empty nester in New York and her feelings about turning fifty alone. Valerie, an accomplished attorney, has just married Seth, an older and successful producer, in a fairytale wedding in Connecticut. Artist Olivia has also decided to relocate to Los Angeles. The contrasting paths of her daughters set the stage for Halle’s introspective journey. When Seth surprises their families with a lavish holiday yacht trip, Halle declines due to severe seasickness. Anxious about spending the holidays alone, she’s encouraged by her daughters to embark on a solo trip to Paris instead. On the flight to Paris, Halle meets Bart Warner, a wealthy and charming man also seated in first class. Their instant camaraderie offers her the first glimpse of romance in years, and their connection quickly deepens. But within days of arriving in the City of Lights, her dream trip takes a dark turn when her one-of-a-kind, extravagant Birkin bag is stolen during a meal. The bag contains her passport, rental home key, credit cards, and money. What begins as a theft spirals into disturbing encounters that reawakens buried childhood trauma and threatens to undo the emotional progress she has made. The novel unfolds at a steady, predictable pace, weaving together themes of love, trauma, emotional growth, and a hint of suspense. While comforting and engaging on multiple fronts, some readers may find the story repetitive and the ending somewhat unresolved, with key emotional arcs left hanging. Narrator Dan John Miller delivers his usual competent performance, though listeners may wonder why Steel’s audiobooks rarely feature female narrators. That choice feels especially important in A Mother’s Love, where much of the story is told through Halle’s internal monologue and emotional reflections. In this case, a female voice may have brought greater authenticity and resonance. A Mother’s Love should resonate with longtime Danielle Steel fans and readers who enjoy a blend of romance, family drama, and a hint of international suspense. Thank you to Danielle Steel, NetGalley, and RB Media for providing an advanced reader copy of this audiobook.
Release date: June 24, 2025. ★★★★☆ (3.75/5)

[Kimberly Hoisington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like the way the way this story was told. It almost felt like I was reading bullet points instead of a story. Safe to say I didn’t find myself getting immersed in it like I had hoped. The storyline itself wasn’t bad, it just felt like an outline where the important parts were missing.

[Tammy Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think Danielle Steel would be able to complete a book without repeating herself endlessly. I don’t think Danielle Steel would be able to complete a book without repeating herself endlessly. I don’t think Danielle Steel would be able to complete a book without repeating herself endlessly.

[Jill Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abrupt end. Ugh.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. A woman goes to Paris for New Years since her twin daughters are vacationing in the Caribbean on a yacht. While in Paris alone, she meets an American man, has her expensive Hermes bag stolen, and ends up in an international theft ring sting operation. Love wins!

[Angel Becc · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an absolute bore of a book. There is no reason the story should take until nearly the end to get to what was already revealed in the summary blurb. The beginning read like a Wikipedia page for a bunch of characters who lacked any depth and connection to the story, giving us no reason to care about them. The plot itself was dull. It was both far-fetched and overly flowery. I hated it.

[Leilani Hardee Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Danielle Steel remains a comfort read for me. The stories are always good and her books always end well. I do find that her writing has gone downhill in the past 20 years, and her older books are less "formatted" and "outlined". While I think she has ghostwriters, I'll continue to read her because it's comforting.

[Samantha Woodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mother’s Love is my first introduction to Danielle Steel’s work. Given how prolific and popular she is, I was curious to see what her writing style was like—and overall, I found the experience a bit mixed.
The novel tells the story of Halley, a devoted mother of twin daughters who are now grown and beginning to live lives of their own. As her daughters move away—one even getting married—we follow Halley’s emotional journey as she adjusts to an empty nest and begins to explore life and independence outside of motherhood. The book also weaves in the twins’ experiences as they take a holiday away from their mother, offering a broader look at how all three women are navigating this new chapter of life.
I enjoyed the story line of A Mothers Love. However, there were a few elements that made the reading experience fall short for me.
One of the more jarring aspects was the narrative perspective. The story shifts between third-person and first-person, which made it difficult to fully connect with the characters. I would have preferred a consistent point of view to create a stronger emotional connection.
Another issue was the lack of depth in the relationship between Halley and her daughters. Given their supposed closeness, it felt odd that they seemed so detached during such significant moments in Halley’s life. I expected more emotional engagement or interaction between them, especially with what she was going through. They didn’t even know there was a man she had met on the plane.
Lastly, the ending felt abrupt. I found myself wishing for an epilogue or at least a more complete wrap-up. It left the story feeling unfinished, with too many emotional threads left hanging.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

[Star Gater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you RBmedia | Recorded Books for allowing me to read and review A Mother's Love on NetGalley.

Published: 06/24/25

Narrator: Dan John Miller

Stars: 2.5

Disconcerting. I found the synopsis interesting and the book cheesy. While the main character has believable problems, the story itself is awkward and embarrassing to read. I couldn't relate to any of the characters.

The narrator didn't work for me. I can't figure out why a male was selected.

My first and more than likely last Steel.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a Danielle Steel fan for many many years and love her books. When this one became available, I jumped at it. I loved the narrator (Dan John Miller) and he really delivers a great story. The storyline was very heartwarming and tragic at the same time and shows one can truly overcome the happenings in life that you have no control over. However, this book will be as one of my favorites. The story left me hanging in some areas and I felt the ending was rushed somewhat. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #DanielleSteel #AMothersLove #NetGalley

[Courtney Shamblin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to DNF this book. She overly describes how STRONG each female character is. Sometimes repeats and contradicts herself in the writing. Says Halley doesn’t like to cook, but cooks Thanksgiving dinner every year. She’ll even say something to the effect of something she’d written two sentences earlier. Seems kind of sloppy. Not enjoying this at all. Almost 50% in and nothing has happened. I feel like most of the first part is just filler. I’m done. This doesn’t have great reviews so DNF it is. She relates herself over and over. Has to be her worst book ever written.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this I felt the ending was a bit rushed and I felt I had unanswered questions of what happened with some of the characters. I did enjoy all the Hermes bag talk as I love handbags. Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened and narrator was very good however it just seemed like there was so much explaining…..what could have been said in 2 sentences became 2 paragraphs…Nothing really happened until the last half of the book and even then it was predictable and not super entertaining.

[Jodi Lerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Danielle Steele book. It wasn’t her typical story.

[Kelly Ann Meegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Danielle Steel packs another great story into the bookends. It was worth the 📚 read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good one by Danielle Steel.

[Teresa Becton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I use to read a lot of DS books. This one is boring and predictable! Rich entitled characters in this book…bla bla bla…

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining but not a “good” book.

[Misty James · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st book where I was like, this is it? Still a good story but could have been so much better.

[Deity World · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good and some bad combined felt it wasn’t one of her best

[Stiliyana Angelieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Магична любов е от онези романи, които се четат тихо, но оставят дълъг отзвук. Данел Стийл разказва история за любовта не като приказка, а като вътрешно пътуване – през загуби, страхове и онези малки избори, които променят живота завинаги.

Романът носи усещане за мекота и дълбочина едновременно. Любовта тук не е гръмка, а зряла и „магична“ именно защото лекува. Героите са уязвими, истински, понякога колебливи – и точно затова близки. Сюжетът се разгръща плавно, с емоционална прецизност, която оставя пространство читателят да диша между редовете.

Това е книга за вторите шансове, за смелостта да отвориш сърцето си, когато е било наранено, и за онзи тих момент, в който разбираш, че любовта не идва, за да те спаси, а за да вървите заедно напред.

Подходяща за бавни следобеди с чаша капучино, „Магична любов“ е роман, който не бърза – и именно затова остава.