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Single Mother
I will do anything to protect my daughter. She’s all I’ve ever wanted and all I really have, but the moment I opened that letter and accepted the inheritance, I walked us right into a dangerous trap.
I know I should have got her to tell me who she’s been talking to on the phone late at night, and where she was the day I went to pick her up from school and couldn’t find her, but she’s not spoken a word since she found that little pile of bones buried in the garden.
And now she’s missing…
A jaw-dropping, addictive and totally twisty psychological thriller that will have you sleeping with the light on! Perfect for anyone who loved The Girl on the Train, Friend Request or The Wife Between Us.
I know I should have got her to tell me who she’s been talking to on the phone late at night, and where she was the day I went to pick her up from school and couldn’t find her, but she’s not spoken a word since she found that little pile of bones buried in the garden.
And now she’s missing…
A jaw-dropping, addictive and totally twisty psychological thriller that will have you sleeping with the light on! Perfect for anyone who loved The Girl on the Train, Friend Request or The Wife Between Us.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2021
721 people are currently reading
1942 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Hayes
45 books1,420 followersHello!
Thanks for stopping by my Goodreads page!
My latest psychological thriller THE ENGAGEMENT is out on 10th January 2023 from Amazon, available in ebook, paperback and audio formats. I do hope you love it!
If you love a good 'domestic noir' thriller that will mess with your mind and keep you turning the pages, then my books are for you! You can check out all my titles on my Amazon page here:
https://amzn.to/3jZ83zU
I do hope you'll love getting stuck into my books and enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. And do let me know what you think - it's great to hear from readers! You can get in touch via my website where you'll find lots of info about me and my books - www.samanthahayes.co.uk or come and 'Like' my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor or follow me on Twitter too @samhayes or @samanthahayes.author on Instagram.
Happy reading!
Samantha xx
Thanks for stopping by my Goodreads page!
My latest psychological thriller THE ENGAGEMENT is out on 10th January 2023 from Amazon, available in ebook, paperback and audio formats. I do hope you love it!
If you love a good 'domestic noir' thriller that will mess with your mind and keep you turning the pages, then my books are for you! You can check out all my titles on my Amazon page here:
https://amzn.to/3jZ83zU
I do hope you'll love getting stuck into my books and enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. And do let me know what you think - it's great to hear from readers! You can get in touch via my website where you'll find lots of info about me and my books - www.samanthahayes.co.uk or come and 'Like' my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor or follow me on Twitter too @samhayes or @samanthahayes.author on Instagram.
Happy reading!
Samantha xx
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
March 2, 2021
Happy pub day to this delicious, heartbreaking, gripping thriller!🥳🎊🥂
Wow! Tears spilling like a torrent! I cannot help! Those mother and daughter were incredible! I truly loved them ! I just got lost the depths of emotional characterization of the story as soon as I got this book into my hands!
This book is not only great mystery reading, it was also great written, extremely heartfelt, tear jerker! Three generation’s story: the suffer, the pain, the abuse, the bullying they endure broke my heart several times!
It starts with poignant story of Mel and Kate. Mel is single mother, barely makes ends meet, taking care of her daughter after ending her relationship with the abusive bastard who called himself husband grabbed his jail card and got out of the picture.
She works at care house for elderly. But her boss is cutthroat Nazi bitch who scrutinize each move she makes to find a mistake to dumb her ass and finally she finds a chance to sack her by blaming Mel for theft!
Mel is already exhausted not to give a proper life for her daughter even though how hard she tries! And her daughter Kate has been bullied in school for a long time, rejecting her mother’s attempts to talk to the principal because talking will make things worst for her!
At the right time she gets a letter from a law company about unknown relative! She thinks it’s a scam but her best and only friend Michael forced her to connect with them and he is right: it’s not a scam. Actually it is an answer to solve for entire financial problems.
She does not only inherit a quiet satisfying amount of money but she also inherits a hotel which comes with one full time resident who is living there rent free and as long as she works she has to serve(including meals, laundry, cleaning) for that woman! She needs to renovate undertake renovation work and rebuild the floating hotel business. She is not allowed to sell the place!
But beggars can’t be choosers! Of course she accepts the offer! It can be clean skate for her and daughter but she has no idea what kind of troubles await them. The unfriendly staff who sabotage her is not the main problem she needs to deal! She accepts the offer for presenting her daughter a better life but somebody kidnapped her! She is missing!
As she starts looking for her she will also find the great mystery about her childhood which will shake her to the core and force her rethink everything she believes in her life!
I’m rounding up 4.5 to 5 stars because the last twist is well played and the dramatic depth of the characters, their heart wrenching stories are perfectly crafted!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this reviewer arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions!
Wow! Tears spilling like a torrent! I cannot help! Those mother and daughter were incredible! I truly loved them ! I just got lost the depths of emotional characterization of the story as soon as I got this book into my hands!
This book is not only great mystery reading, it was also great written, extremely heartfelt, tear jerker! Three generation’s story: the suffer, the pain, the abuse, the bullying they endure broke my heart several times!
It starts with poignant story of Mel and Kate. Mel is single mother, barely makes ends meet, taking care of her daughter after ending her relationship with the abusive bastard who called himself husband grabbed his jail card and got out of the picture.
She works at care house for elderly. But her boss is cutthroat Nazi bitch who scrutinize each move she makes to find a mistake to dumb her ass and finally she finds a chance to sack her by blaming Mel for theft!
Mel is already exhausted not to give a proper life for her daughter even though how hard she tries! And her daughter Kate has been bullied in school for a long time, rejecting her mother’s attempts to talk to the principal because talking will make things worst for her!
At the right time she gets a letter from a law company about unknown relative! She thinks it’s a scam but her best and only friend Michael forced her to connect with them and he is right: it’s not a scam. Actually it is an answer to solve for entire financial problems.
She does not only inherit a quiet satisfying amount of money but she also inherits a hotel which comes with one full time resident who is living there rent free and as long as she works she has to serve(including meals, laundry, cleaning) for that woman! She needs to renovate undertake renovation work and rebuild the floating hotel business. She is not allowed to sell the place!
But beggars can’t be choosers! Of course she accepts the offer! It can be clean skate for her and daughter but she has no idea what kind of troubles await them. The unfriendly staff who sabotage her is not the main problem she needs to deal! She accepts the offer for presenting her daughter a better life but somebody kidnapped her! She is missing!
As she starts looking for her she will also find the great mystery about her childhood which will shake her to the core and force her rethink everything she believes in her life!
I’m rounding up 4.5 to 5 stars because the last twist is well played and the dramatic depth of the characters, their heart wrenching stories are perfectly crafted!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this reviewer arc copy with me in exchange my honest opinions!
November 30, 2020
Melanie “Mel” Douglas has experienced a hard-knock life. Abandoned as a baby and the product of children’s homes and foster families, she’s never known stability or ease. Now a struggling single mom to 12-year-old Kate, she’s on her own after years in an abusive marriage to Billy, who’s serving time for it. Her life only gets worse when one day she’s falsely accused of stealing from her workplace and let go. When her good friend, and fellow product of the foster system, Michael, encourages her to read a formal looking letter from a law office that he’d found in her trash - one she’d dismissed as a scam - she discovers that she’s been bequeathed a hotel and a large sum of money from an anonymous benefactor. According to terms of the will, everything is hers to keep, as long as she remodels and continues to operate the hotel and bar - and she allows one unnamed individual to maintain residence there. Eager to get away from Billy, who she suspects is out of prison, and not having any other real options, Mel and Kate start their new life in the charming seaside town of Halebury.
I’ll start with the positives. It’s an intriguing mystery, since it’s unknown who left this hotel and money to Mel and why - especially since she has no known family. Is this a good idea for Mel to agree to this inheritance? Is it too good to be true? That remains to be seen. I like her. She’s a survivor and I like her attitude. She’s also a great unreliable narrator. As for the other characters, they’re all interesting. There’s Nikki, the barmaid, Rose, the cook, and Tom, the hunky handyman, who’ve been taking care of the hotel. All of them seem pretty nice, but are clearly keeping secrets about the history of this place and have their suspicious moments. Can they be trusted?
As an aside here: WHAT for the love of everything is the fascination so many authors have with the hunky handyman trope??! Is there no other way to introduce an attractive man into a story involving a single female protagonist? 🙄 OK. Rant over. Back to the review ...
There’s also the mysterious, mildly creepy, completely silent resident in Room 12, the two Brays: Don and Nige, who send off major ominous vibes, and kind but suspicious hotel patron, Angus, to complete the messy stew of potential suspects when an alarming discovery is made and young Kate goes missing. Hayes does a good job of casting a suspicious light on virtually everyone, so you’re never sure who to believe. She also keeps the threat of Mel’s ex, Billy, present … is he out of prison? Has he been contacting their daughter behind her back? Is he going to make Mel pay for putting him in prison?
Now the “could be better” part. The story is largely predictable and the twists just aren’t very twisty. I could tell almost immediately who was up to no good and it was simply a matter of finding out the how and why. I didn’t mind it so much - it was still rewarding enough to find that part out, but it wasn’t particularly surprising. The big reveals just kind of happened without much build-up, so the excitement factor could have been higher. There are also aspects of the story that are just outright unbelievable, so you just have to go with it and move on.
Did it blow my socks off? No. Did I have fun reading it? Yes. It’s an engaging mother-daughter mystery and I really enjoyed seeing how Mel and Kate’s story played out.
WARNING: There are themes involving domestic violence, children and abuse that could be upsetting to some.
★★★ ½ (rounded up to 4)
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is set for publication on January 5, 2021.
I’ll start with the positives. It’s an intriguing mystery, since it’s unknown who left this hotel and money to Mel and why - especially since she has no known family. Is this a good idea for Mel to agree to this inheritance? Is it too good to be true? That remains to be seen. I like her. She’s a survivor and I like her attitude. She’s also a great unreliable narrator. As for the other characters, they’re all interesting. There’s Nikki, the barmaid, Rose, the cook, and Tom, the hunky handyman, who’ve been taking care of the hotel. All of them seem pretty nice, but are clearly keeping secrets about the history of this place and have their suspicious moments. Can they be trusted?
As an aside here: WHAT for the love of everything is the fascination so many authors have with the hunky handyman trope??! Is there no other way to introduce an attractive man into a story involving a single female protagonist? 🙄 OK. Rant over. Back to the review ...
There’s also the mysterious, mildly creepy, completely silent resident in Room 12, the two Brays: Don and Nige, who send off major ominous vibes, and kind but suspicious hotel patron, Angus, to complete the messy stew of potential suspects when an alarming discovery is made and young Kate goes missing. Hayes does a good job of casting a suspicious light on virtually everyone, so you’re never sure who to believe. She also keeps the threat of Mel’s ex, Billy, present … is he out of prison? Has he been contacting their daughter behind her back? Is he going to make Mel pay for putting him in prison?
Now the “could be better” part. The story is largely predictable and the twists just aren’t very twisty. I could tell almost immediately who was up to no good and it was simply a matter of finding out the how and why. I didn’t mind it so much - it was still rewarding enough to find that part out, but it wasn’t particularly surprising. The big reveals just kind of happened without much build-up, so the excitement factor could have been higher. There are also aspects of the story that are just outright unbelievable, so you just have to go with it and move on.
Did it blow my socks off? No. Did I have fun reading it? Yes. It’s an engaging mother-daughter mystery and I really enjoyed seeing how Mel and Kate’s story played out.
WARNING: There are themes involving domestic violence, children and abuse that could be upsetting to some.
★★★ ½ (rounded up to 4)
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is set for publication on January 5, 2021.
December 4, 2020
3.5
Life has been very difficult for many years for single mother Mel and daughter Kate. She’s financially strapped and then out of the blue she’s loses her job as a carer. On top of that she’s constantly worrying about her abusive ex Billy, currently in prison, who casts a shadow over their lives. However, a solicitor’s letter regarding an inheritance which includes a large sum of money and the Moreton Inn near Lyme Regis offers a way out of their hand to mouth existence- how timely!
The book starts well and grabs your interest especially once they arrive at the hotel which has a neglected air and is full of gloomy secrets and a mysterious non speaking permanent guest who is so intriguing. There are parts of the book that I really like however, it’s inconsistent and there are occasions where my attention wanders. There’s a big cast of characters and some of them especially those of less than honest intent did not feel real but more like stereotypes. I do like the character of Mel and teenager Kate is well portrayed. This is a novel about trust as a central issue as Mel has many good reasons to be lacking in belief but at times she accepts things far too readily which seems at odds with her life experiences especially with Billy. As the storyline progresses I have some issues with the plot as there is so much going on it’s becomes dizzying and you get so many twists and turns my head spins and some are far fetched and others are predictable. The final twist is good and I didn’t see that one coming! Every now and again the dialogue makes me wince and it just strikes an off note.
Overall, this is an author I really like and I’ve read other books by her that have left me speechless. This one doesn’t have that vibe for me though if you can suspend disbelief you may enjoy it as many others have. It’s not a bad book by any means, I like it rather than love it and it’s an entertaining way to take your mind off current events.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
Life has been very difficult for many years for single mother Mel and daughter Kate. She’s financially strapped and then out of the blue she’s loses her job as a carer. On top of that she’s constantly worrying about her abusive ex Billy, currently in prison, who casts a shadow over their lives. However, a solicitor’s letter regarding an inheritance which includes a large sum of money and the Moreton Inn near Lyme Regis offers a way out of their hand to mouth existence- how timely!
The book starts well and grabs your interest especially once they arrive at the hotel which has a neglected air and is full of gloomy secrets and a mysterious non speaking permanent guest who is so intriguing. There are parts of the book that I really like however, it’s inconsistent and there are occasions where my attention wanders. There’s a big cast of characters and some of them especially those of less than honest intent did not feel real but more like stereotypes. I do like the character of Mel and teenager Kate is well portrayed. This is a novel about trust as a central issue as Mel has many good reasons to be lacking in belief but at times she accepts things far too readily which seems at odds with her life experiences especially with Billy. As the storyline progresses I have some issues with the plot as there is so much going on it’s becomes dizzying and you get so many twists and turns my head spins and some are far fetched and others are predictable. The final twist is good and I didn’t see that one coming! Every now and again the dialogue makes me wince and it just strikes an off note.
Overall, this is an author I really like and I’ve read other books by her that have left me speechless. This one doesn’t have that vibe for me though if you can suspend disbelief you may enjoy it as many others have. It’s not a bad book by any means, I like it rather than love it and it’s an entertaining way to take your mind off current events.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
EXCERPT: Mel turns to Tom, crouching down by the trench to see what he's looking at. She feels her heart hammering in her chest, as if it's pumping its way up her throat.
'Oh Christ!' Mel says, covering her mouth when she sees it. Her stomach churns. 'Is that...?' She can't bring herself to say the words.
ABOUT 'SINGLE MOTHER': I will do anything to protect my daughter. She’s all I’ve ever wanted and all I really have, but the moment I opened that letter and accepted the inheritance, I walked us right into a dangerous trap.
I know I should have got her to tell me who she’s been talking to on the phone late at night, and where she was the day I went to pick her up from school and couldn’t find her, but she’s not spoken a word since she found that little pile of bones buried in the garden.
And now she’s missing…
MY THOUGHTS: I think that I am reading far too many of this type of book because I found this, excluding the final twist, very obvious. I am also unsure why this is being promoted as a psychological thriller. The only psychological aspect to Single Mother is 'Miss Sarah's' mutism, and even then that's debatable.
There were a lot of things in this book that grated on my nerves. Among them were: Mel's frequent hysterical outbursts; the way she pussyfooted around her ten year old daughter, especially in regard to the spare phone; the silly assumptions she makes about the deceased Joyce a couple of direct questions to the staff could have cleared up; that Mel doesn't think there is anything odd about a dead mouse folded neatly in her towel, curry in her cake or glass in her soup; the staff allude to things...'You mean you don't know?', then say things like, 'Best you don't ask.' and so Mel doesn't; but mostly the way she uses Michael, takes advantage of him, but never even thinks of repaying his many kindnesses. In case you're in any doubt, I didn't like Mel. I thought her self-centred and, dare I say it? Thick.
There's no real depth to any of the characters, and in places the dialogue made me wince. On the positive side it is a quick and easy read. And it was enjoyable in places. But suspenseful? No, not even when Kate went missing. Thrilling? No.
Single Mother is another example of a good idea that has failed to be fully developed. While I have long been wanting to read something by this author, I don't know that I will be reading more. A slightly better than average read.
⭐⭐.8
#SingleMother #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: up in the Midlands with my parents and younger brother, stumbling through school in a very average way until I walked out in a fit of teenage angst aged 16. Still, I was picked up in a Ferrari, which made it seem much more rebellious than it probably was.
My parents divorced when I was young, with my mother's side of the family filled with creatives - so Monday to Friday my life was all starving, angst-ridden bohemian artists, a tiny, tumble-down cottage with every surface covered with tubes of paint and canvases, no heating and often not much money for food. The weekends were different, however, when I'd spend time with my dad, a successful businessman. Living the high-life in his grand house complete with butler, and flying off to Europe in his private plane or taking holidays on his Caribbean yacht was quite a contrast for a kid to deal with. It probably explains a lot.
So to make sense of it all, I wrote. I can't ever remember not wanting to be an author.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Single Mother by Samantha Hayes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Oh Christ!' Mel says, covering her mouth when she sees it. Her stomach churns. 'Is that...?' She can't bring herself to say the words.
ABOUT 'SINGLE MOTHER': I will do anything to protect my daughter. She’s all I’ve ever wanted and all I really have, but the moment I opened that letter and accepted the inheritance, I walked us right into a dangerous trap.
I know I should have got her to tell me who she’s been talking to on the phone late at night, and where she was the day I went to pick her up from school and couldn’t find her, but she’s not spoken a word since she found that little pile of bones buried in the garden.
And now she’s missing…
MY THOUGHTS: I think that I am reading far too many of this type of book because I found this, excluding the final twist, very obvious. I am also unsure why this is being promoted as a psychological thriller. The only psychological aspect to Single Mother is 'Miss Sarah's' mutism, and even then that's debatable.
There were a lot of things in this book that grated on my nerves. Among them were: Mel's frequent hysterical outbursts; the way she pussyfooted around her ten year old daughter, especially in regard to the spare phone; the silly assumptions she makes about the deceased Joyce a couple of direct questions to the staff could have cleared up; that Mel doesn't think there is anything odd about a dead mouse folded neatly in her towel, curry in her cake or glass in her soup; the staff allude to things...'You mean you don't know?', then say things like, 'Best you don't ask.' and so Mel doesn't; but mostly the way she uses Michael, takes advantage of him, but never even thinks of repaying his many kindnesses. In case you're in any doubt, I didn't like Mel. I thought her self-centred and, dare I say it? Thick.
There's no real depth to any of the characters, and in places the dialogue made me wince. On the positive side it is a quick and easy read. And it was enjoyable in places. But suspenseful? No, not even when Kate went missing. Thrilling? No.
Single Mother is another example of a good idea that has failed to be fully developed. While I have long been wanting to read something by this author, I don't know that I will be reading more. A slightly better than average read.
⭐⭐.8
#SingleMother #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: up in the Midlands with my parents and younger brother, stumbling through school in a very average way until I walked out in a fit of teenage angst aged 16. Still, I was picked up in a Ferrari, which made it seem much more rebellious than it probably was.
My parents divorced when I was young, with my mother's side of the family filled with creatives - so Monday to Friday my life was all starving, angst-ridden bohemian artists, a tiny, tumble-down cottage with every surface covered with tubes of paint and canvases, no heating and often not much money for food. The weekends were different, however, when I'd spend time with my dad, a successful businessman. Living the high-life in his grand house complete with butler, and flying off to Europe in his private plane or taking holidays on his Caribbean yacht was quite a contrast for a kid to deal with. It probably explains a lot.
So to make sense of it all, I wrote. I can't ever remember not wanting to be an author.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Single Mother by Samantha Hayes for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
January 6, 2021
Single Mother is the perfect mix of personal drama and suspense. I liked Mel from the beginning, and of course liked Kate. Even when Mel makes questionable decisions, she is always looking out for her daughter. Kate really struggles with fitting in and making friends. I liked seeing how much things changed for her after the move. Kate is strong and independent. Sarah doesn’t speak but has lived at the hotel as long as anyone can remember. Everything about Sarah is mysterious. There was so much suspense throughout the book that I didn’t want to put it down.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Single Mother.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Single Mother.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
December 16, 2020
Single mother Mel, struggling to pay the bills and bring up twelve year old daughter Kate, has just lost her job when she finds out she has been left an unusual inheritance by an anonymous donor. Mel was a foster child and never knew her family so has no idea who could have left her an inheritance. She's told she has been left a run-down hotel in a coastal town and a generous sum of money but if she accepts the inheritance she can't sell the hotel but must restore it and continue to look after the long term resident who lives there. At the same time she discovers that her violent ex-husband Billy has been released from goal and decides moving to the hotel will be a good way for her and Kate to hide from him.
The long term resident turns out to be a strange, creepy old woman who never speaks a word but seems to develop a relationship with Kate. Renovations to the hotel uncover some long kept secrets and Mel is concerned that Billy may be snooping around looking for them. This was a fun read with some predicability as well as some less than believable twists but was nevertheless engaging with interesting characters.
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy to read
The long term resident turns out to be a strange, creepy old woman who never speaks a word but seems to develop a relationship with Kate. Renovations to the hotel uncover some long kept secrets and Mel is concerned that Billy may be snooping around looking for them. This was a fun read with some predicability as well as some less than believable twists but was nevertheless engaging with interesting characters.
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy to read
October 12, 2023
My thanks to Bookoutre, Samantha Hayes and Netgalley. Well, I know this had some stellar review's, but I'm here to call bullshit! I loved the concept of this story. But, as for the way the author went about it? No. Hell no! The whole thing was flawed from the start. Everything was so obvious. I kept wanting to knock them upside the head and say "get a clue." Sadly, I don't think the author was clever. It's supposed to be a mystery. Hard to be mysterious when you're leaking clues all over the place! If I ever decide to read anything from this author again, then be assured that I've finally got dementia, and now home health aides are picking my books for me! Not recommended.
As an addendum, this is the review that got me banned from receiving any arcs from Bookoutre.
They banned me from receiving any other arcs from them.
Sad when a publisher can't deal with negative review's.
As an addendum, this is the review that got me banned from receiving any arcs from Bookoutre.
They banned me from receiving any other arcs from them.
Sad when a publisher can't deal with negative review's.
November 28, 2020
Samantha Hayes is back! Mel (Melanie) Douglas is the single mother of 12 year old Kate. They live in a small rundown flat and money is tight. Mel receives a solicitor’s letter about a potential inheritance. At first she thinks it’s a scam, but when she loses her low wage job she thinks again and contacts the solicitor who informs her that the inheritance is genuine. She is bequeathed a guest hotel, the Moreton Inn, on the coast near Lyme Regis and a significant sum of money to renovate it. The solicitor cannot tell her who left her this bounty though as he doesn’t know. The donor wished to remain anonymous. There is one stipulation, there is a permanent resident who is to remain in place!
On top of her money worries Mel is nervous about her ex, Billy, who has just been released from jail. He has abused her in the past and she is scared of him finding her again. So it’s a no-brainer and Mel and Kate head off to their new home and settle in. Mel is soon enjoying the hard work of bringing the solid but very dated inn into the modern era. There is also the stirrings of romance between Mel and Tom - a handyman/contractor working on the hotel extension. But the peace is not to last. The first paying guest is not who he claims to be and she thinks Billy has already tracked her down. Kate and her new friend, Chloe, make a shocking discovery and Mel has reason to be suspicious of Tom too. But it’s when Kate disappears that Mel’s world falls apart. She is convinced Billy has taken her and wants to ride off to the rescue straight away. Oh oh, that’s not a good idea!
It’s an interesting cast of characters. Mel has had some hard knocks in life and is quite cynical and very feisty (which I loved) and Kate is such a good kid. Unfortunately Mel doesn’t know who to trust as the mysteries surrounding the history and previous owner of the hotel deepen. The permanent resident, Miss Sarah, is an enigma. She doesn’t utter a word and is very reserved. You get the impression early that she has suffered something terrible, but I’m not telling. Suffice it to say the hotel has a dark history. This was a fun and heartwarming story, a bit fantastical but within the realms of plausibility. Some surprising and not so surprising twists round out what was an enjoyable reading experience. I can recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller or romantic suspense (the romance was not a big element, phew). My thanks go to Netgalley, Bookouture and Samantha Hayes for making available a copy of this book for review. My opinions Are my own.
On top of her money worries Mel is nervous about her ex, Billy, who has just been released from jail. He has abused her in the past and she is scared of him finding her again. So it’s a no-brainer and Mel and Kate head off to their new home and settle in. Mel is soon enjoying the hard work of bringing the solid but very dated inn into the modern era. There is also the stirrings of romance between Mel and Tom - a handyman/contractor working on the hotel extension. But the peace is not to last. The first paying guest is not who he claims to be and she thinks Billy has already tracked her down. Kate and her new friend, Chloe, make a shocking discovery and Mel has reason to be suspicious of Tom too. But it’s when Kate disappears that Mel’s world falls apart. She is convinced Billy has taken her and wants to ride off to the rescue straight away. Oh oh, that’s not a good idea!
It’s an interesting cast of characters. Mel has had some hard knocks in life and is quite cynical and very feisty (which I loved) and Kate is such a good kid. Unfortunately Mel doesn’t know who to trust as the mysteries surrounding the history and previous owner of the hotel deepen. The permanent resident, Miss Sarah, is an enigma. She doesn’t utter a word and is very reserved. You get the impression early that she has suffered something terrible, but I’m not telling. Suffice it to say the hotel has a dark history. This was a fun and heartwarming story, a bit fantastical but within the realms of plausibility. Some surprising and not so surprising twists round out what was an enjoyable reading experience. I can recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller or romantic suspense (the romance was not a big element, phew). My thanks go to Netgalley, Bookouture and Samantha Hayes for making available a copy of this book for review. My opinions Are my own.
December 10, 2020
Hi review below for ‘Single Mother’ and next up ‘Circle Of Doubt’ by Tracy Buchanan
‘Single Mother’ by Samantha Hayes published by Bookouture on Jan 5th
357 Kindle Flicks
Great storyline for this book where we meet single Mum, Mel, counting the penny’s before pay day, even affording food is a struggle, to make things worse she is then sacked from her job and fears she will be destitute, she doesn’t know how she will provide for her daughter when she receives a letter saying she has inherited a hotel down South plus £350,000
However the benefactor remains anonymous and well you can already see where a story is going to appear.....the benefactor does become apparent and along with Mel’s ‘revamping the hotel’ we have a tale of secrets, abuse, lies and long lost folk....it is also a story of trust but will say no more on that
There was 1 cliche too many towards the end of the book as ‘it all came to light and got sorted’ but decided to not on dwell too much on that and focus on the tense and exciting end and then, of course, the ‘twist’ which you were led to, then cleverly led away from then BOOOM was there for all to see and was a shock
Good characters, not overly brimming with instant lovability but played their parts well in this firm psychological thriller that had promise and mostly kept it
8/10
4 Stars
‘Single Mother’ by Samantha Hayes published by Bookouture on Jan 5th
357 Kindle Flicks
Great storyline for this book where we meet single Mum, Mel, counting the penny’s before pay day, even affording food is a struggle, to make things worse she is then sacked from her job and fears she will be destitute, she doesn’t know how she will provide for her daughter when she receives a letter saying she has inherited a hotel down South plus £350,000
However the benefactor remains anonymous and well you can already see where a story is going to appear.....the benefactor does become apparent and along with Mel’s ‘revamping the hotel’ we have a tale of secrets, abuse, lies and long lost folk....it is also a story of trust but will say no more on that
There was 1 cliche too many towards the end of the book as ‘it all came to light and got sorted’ but decided to not on dwell too much on that and focus on the tense and exciting end and then, of course, the ‘twist’ which you were led to, then cleverly led away from then BOOOM was there for all to see and was a shock
Good characters, not overly brimming with instant lovability but played their parts well in this firm psychological thriller that had promise and mostly kept it
8/10
4 Stars
November 22, 2020
This psychological thriller certainly had me reading late into the night, determined to finish it and find out what was going to happen. An interesting plot and lots of interesting characters but maybe a little too hard to believe but I am willing to forgive that.
>Single parent Mel is struggling to get by while bringing up her daughter Kate, so when she receives an inheritance letter she can hardly believe it.
Mel has inherited a small seaside hotel, left to her in a strangers will. Could this be the chance to escape the money problems and the threats of her dangerous ex Billy. The hotel needs an over haul and Mel is keen to throw herself into the hard work in an effort to escape her past troubles. But everything is not perfect and Mel senses the whispers from locals and an uneasy feeling that her daughter is hiding something from her. Things start to improve but are brought to a sudden halt when a disturbing discovery is made under the foundations. The police are called and Mel's problems just seem to escalate.
Lots of twists and turns in this one and probably a few too many for me but still a good read from an author I plan to read more of.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
>Single parent Mel is struggling to get by while bringing up her daughter Kate, so when she receives an inheritance letter she can hardly believe it.
Mel has inherited a small seaside hotel, left to her in a strangers will. Could this be the chance to escape the money problems and the threats of her dangerous ex Billy. The hotel needs an over haul and Mel is keen to throw herself into the hard work in an effort to escape her past troubles. But everything is not perfect and Mel senses the whispers from locals and an uneasy feeling that her daughter is hiding something from her. Things start to improve but are brought to a sudden halt when a disturbing discovery is made under the foundations. The police are called and Mel's problems just seem to escalate.
Lots of twists and turns in this one and probably a few too many for me but still a good read from an author I plan to read more of.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
I choose my wines like I choose my men, he’d told her. Full-bodied and fruity. And always very expensive.
‘Excellent. On both counts,’ he says through a mouth so pursed, Mel wonders if his lips have a drawstring.
weird is the new normal around here
Some people just make it their business not to like others in life, Kate. Remember, it says nothing bad about you, but everything rotten about them.
My Review:
This maddeningly paced book was all kinds of twisty and flinchingly cold prickly, and at times, quite disconcerting. And man-oh-man, did I want to give several annoyingly frustrating characters a few good pinches and the wiffle/waffling main character a few smacks with my favorite purple crocs to dislodge her cranium from her colon. However, you could not have pried my beloved kindle from my hands with a crowbar as I was entrenched, incensed, and deeply invested. I was on a mission to get to the bottom of this lethally muddled and more than a bit creepy conundrum before allowing the sandman to make an appearance. And I did but, oh, my. Now I may not sleep due to ruminating about the ending. I had my wild theories and reasonably well-considered hypothesis, and while I could smugly crow that I was right about most of it, I must confess that when I am wrong, I am very very wrong… and I was devastatingly off the mark with my favorite character. Never saw it coming, and I just love when that happens.
I choose my wines like I choose my men, he’d told her. Full-bodied and fruity. And always very expensive.
‘Excellent. On both counts,’ he says through a mouth so pursed, Mel wonders if his lips have a drawstring.
weird is the new normal around here
Some people just make it their business not to like others in life, Kate. Remember, it says nothing bad about you, but everything rotten about them.
My Review:
This maddeningly paced book was all kinds of twisty and flinchingly cold prickly, and at times, quite disconcerting. And man-oh-man, did I want to give several annoyingly frustrating characters a few good pinches and the wiffle/waffling main character a few smacks with my favorite purple crocs to dislodge her cranium from her colon. However, you could not have pried my beloved kindle from my hands with a crowbar as I was entrenched, incensed, and deeply invested. I was on a mission to get to the bottom of this lethally muddled and more than a bit creepy conundrum before allowing the sandman to make an appearance. And I did but, oh, my. Now I may not sleep due to ruminating about the ending. I had my wild theories and reasonably well-considered hypothesis, and while I could smugly crow that I was right about most of it, I must confess that when I am wrong, I am very very wrong… and I was devastatingly off the mark with my favorite character. Never saw it coming, and I just love when that happens.
February 22, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. Single Mother is a slow burn mystery. This is a compelling story of three generations of women and the trials and tribulations they’ve endured. As the story progressed, I began to care about Mel and Kate, a mother and daughter that had lived through hardships and pain. Their life appears to take a turn in the right direction when Mel learns of a mysterious inheritance. This event leads to unanswered questions and long, buried secrets. The book is a tearful tale of desperation, betrayal and redemption.
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. Single Mother is a slow burn mystery. This is a compelling story of three generations of women and the trials and tribulations they’ve endured. As the story progressed, I began to care about Mel and Kate, a mother and daughter that had lived through hardships and pain. Their life appears to take a turn in the right direction when Mel learns of a mysterious inheritance. This event leads to unanswered questions and long, buried secrets. The book is a tearful tale of desperation, betrayal and redemption.
Merged review:
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. Single Mother is a slow burn mystery. This is a compelling story of three generations of women and the trials and tribulations they’ve endured. As the story progressed, I began to care about Mel and Kate, a mother and daughter that had lived through hardships and pain. Their life appears to take a turn in the right direction when Mel learns of a mysterious inheritance. This event leads to unanswered questions and long, buried secrets. The book is a tearful tale of desperation, betrayal and redemption.
December 8, 2020
I always enjoy reading Samantha Hayes books and was delighted to receive a copy of her new book Single Mother.
Mel is a single mother with a twelve year old daughter Kate. She has very little money and has just lost her job. When a letter arrives from a lawyer telling her that she has inherited a hotel and a large sum of money she sees this as a way of making a new start. Mel was abandoned as a baby and would like to find out who has left her this inheritance and maybe find out who her family are.
I really enjoyed this book and it’s characters. It has twist and turns and some surprises.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mel is a single mother with a twelve year old daughter Kate. She has very little money and has just lost her job. When a letter arrives from a lawyer telling her that she has inherited a hotel and a large sum of money she sees this as a way of making a new start. Mel was abandoned as a baby and would like to find out who has left her this inheritance and maybe find out who her family are.
I really enjoyed this book and it’s characters. It has twist and turns and some surprises.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2021
Single Mother is the seventeenth mind-boggling family-based psychological thriller from Ms Hayes. Single mother Mel Douglas has had, by anyone's standards, a tough life. She had been working as a caregiver at The Cedars, a nursing home for the elderly but was fired when her boss, Josette, informed her that one of the residents, 96-year-old Bob, had had £300 stolen from a jacket pocket in his wardrobe and his son had made a formal complaint about it. This makes it difficult to be able to continue putting food on the table for her twelve-year-old daughter Kate and pay the bills. She's in dire straits when she receives a surprising letter from Green, Lupton and Hedge solicitors of Solihull who specialise in Wills and Probate. The letter states that she is to inherit the Moreton Inn hotel in Halebury, West Dorset along with £378,542 but some stipulations have been set out by the anonymous benefactor with regards to the hotel. The Letter of Wishes sets out that the some of the money must be used to carry out much-needed renovations on the property, the hotel must remain in Mel’s possession and a woman, the seemingly mute Miss Sarah, who is a permanent resident at the Inn must be able to continue to reside there free of charge.
Mel is sceptical as she has no family who could've bequeathed her such an estate, but when she begins to receive calls from her ex-boyfriend and abuser Billy she realises he's out of prison and looking to get in touch with her about seeing Kate. So she decides to take a chance and accept the property and money as moving will mean Billy won't know where to find them. Making the move from Birmingham to the South Coast she prepares to take on the challenges of Moreton Inn and make a fresh start away from her problems but someone doesn't want her taking ownership of the property and many strange events begin to occur. It culminates in the remains of an infant being unearthed from the foundations of the extension that had just been built. What exactly is happening here and can Mel and Kate survive to tell the tale? This is a sinister, compulsive and atmospheric thriller with a whole lot of tension and a thoroughly enthralling plot. The suspense was ratcheted up little by little as the story progressed, and I never would have guessed the skeletons in the closet that were about to be revealed. It's addictive, with a cast of believable characters and enough twists, turns and reveals to keep you on the edge throughout and the author really understands how to pen a book that gets under your skin. Highly recommended.
Mel is sceptical as she has no family who could've bequeathed her such an estate, but when she begins to receive calls from her ex-boyfriend and abuser Billy she realises he's out of prison and looking to get in touch with her about seeing Kate. So she decides to take a chance and accept the property and money as moving will mean Billy won't know where to find them. Making the move from Birmingham to the South Coast she prepares to take on the challenges of Moreton Inn and make a fresh start away from her problems but someone doesn't want her taking ownership of the property and many strange events begin to occur. It culminates in the remains of an infant being unearthed from the foundations of the extension that had just been built. What exactly is happening here and can Mel and Kate survive to tell the tale? This is a sinister, compulsive and atmospheric thriller with a whole lot of tension and a thoroughly enthralling plot. The suspense was ratcheted up little by little as the story progressed, and I never would have guessed the skeletons in the closet that were about to be revealed. It's addictive, with a cast of believable characters and enough twists, turns and reveals to keep you on the edge throughout and the author really understands how to pen a book that gets under your skin. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2020
A “twisty psychological thriller,” to be sure! Single Mother is one of those books where you are screaming at single parent Mel that she’s making a huge mistake! Escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend fresh out of prison, she accepts a sketchy inheritance and moves herself and her daughter to an old, seaside hotel. The hotel is the inheritance, and many odd things come with it, including less than trust-worthy employees and a strange old woman who lives there rent-free and never speaks. During her renovation of the hotel, secrets reveal themselves, and Mel’s problems continue to intensify.
The twists and turns in this story just kept coming, and the last threw me for a loop! This author has quite an imagination. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for my honest review. I gave it four stars! #netgalley #SingleMother
The twists and turns in this story just kept coming, and the last threw me for a loop! This author has quite an imagination. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for my honest review. I gave it four stars! #netgalley #SingleMother
November 28, 2020
I enjoyed this book but found it rather predictable. It centers on Mel, single mom to 12-year-old Kate, who is barely keeping it together financially until she is willed a hotel by an unnamed stranger. Mel is skeptical but really sees no other choice than to accept the inheritance. The hotel is outdated and not making money, and Mel throws herself into fixing it up. There are some weird things happening, though, from having to agree to allowing a mute woman named Sarah to stay in the hotel, to Mel's ne'er-do-well ex-husband potentially tracking them down, to odd things that happen in the weeks after they arrive.
The premise made the book seem suspenseful, but I really didn't think it was. I figured out the culprits and the reasoning behind pretty much every odd happening throughout the book. There was a big twist at the end that surprised me, but honestly it just made me feel sad and didn't add to or detract from the overall level of mystery in the story.
That being said, I liked Mel and thought she had chutzpah- she was smart and driven and worked hard, and her relationship with her daughter Kate felt authentic. She was flawed but in a believable way. There was also a feel-good aspect to the story that I enjoyed- I read the whole book in just a few hours.
So overall, if you are looking for a creepy and atmospheric mystery, this is probably not the book for you, but if you are looking for a story with a likeable protagonist that will make you feel good at the end, I think you'll enjoy this read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The premise made the book seem suspenseful, but I really didn't think it was. I figured out the culprits and the reasoning behind pretty much every odd happening throughout the book. There was a big twist at the end that surprised me, but honestly it just made me feel sad and didn't add to or detract from the overall level of mystery in the story.
That being said, I liked Mel and thought she had chutzpah- she was smart and driven and worked hard, and her relationship with her daughter Kate felt authentic. She was flawed but in a believable way. There was also a feel-good aspect to the story that I enjoyed- I read the whole book in just a few hours.
So overall, if you are looking for a creepy and atmospheric mystery, this is probably not the book for you, but if you are looking for a story with a likeable protagonist that will make you feel good at the end, I think you'll enjoy this read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2021
Mel has nowhere to turn. She is a single mother of a preteen and is struggling beyond belief. Then she gets unfairly fired from her job. She was already pinching pennies to keep them fed and housed. However, she receives a letter from a solicitor stating that she has received a rather large inheritance.
Mel is confused. As someone who grew up in the foster care system she cannot imagine how this could be. She does investigate things and it seems to be true. Despite things suddenly changing for her and her daughter Kate, she begins to have grave concerns about Kate.
Meanwhile there is another character who is rather interesting in this developing drama. So, Mel starts to unravel her new life, watches carefully for changes involving Kate, and deals with old and new people in her life. All the while she struggles with fear from someone from her past, someone who might play into some of the drama she begins experiencing.
What a story! Intense on many levels, with an air of mystery that I did not expect. In fact, there were some significant twists and turns that really caught me off guard, making me even more interested in this story. While the drama played along nicely at an excellent pace, the last few chapters really sped things up, even changing the direction of the story. The ending was a true shocker. Well done!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Mel is confused. As someone who grew up in the foster care system she cannot imagine how this could be. She does investigate things and it seems to be true. Despite things suddenly changing for her and her daughter Kate, she begins to have grave concerns about Kate.
Meanwhile there is another character who is rather interesting in this developing drama. So, Mel starts to unravel her new life, watches carefully for changes involving Kate, and deals with old and new people in her life. All the while she struggles with fear from someone from her past, someone who might play into some of the drama she begins experiencing.
What a story! Intense on many levels, with an air of mystery that I did not expect. In fact, there were some significant twists and turns that really caught me off guard, making me even more interested in this story. While the drama played along nicely at an excellent pace, the last few chapters really sped things up, even changing the direction of the story. The ending was a true shocker. Well done!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 6, 2021
Mel is a single mom to preteen Kate. They've been through it all .. Mel grew up in foster care and wanted much better for her daughter. A divorce followed by financial problems is not what she had in mind.
When she receives a letter informing her of an inheritance from an unknown benefactor, she can hardly believe that it's true. She's the new owner of a dilapidated seaside hotel that comes complete with a life-long resident who never speaks. A chunk of money goes a long way in getting the hotel in shape ... this could be the new life she wanted.
But then, something's going on with Kate. She's talking on the phone late at night .. but Mel doesn't know who. Kate wasn't where she should be when Mel picked her up at school. And she hasn't spoken a word since she found some bones buried on the grounds of their new home.
And now Kate is missing.
Where is she? Did she run off .. or was she taken? Why was someone buried on the premises? Who has Kate been talking to? Who is the silent resident who watches through a window? Who as her anonymous benefactor? So many questions ... so few answers.
The plot is well crafted, and although it started a bit slow, the suspense began to build and maintained its level until the unexpected conclusion. Characters are many, varied, and solidly drawn. The backdrop of a rundown hotel, and a small town swimming in secrets, gave me chills. Twists and turns are guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to each and every page.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
When she receives a letter informing her of an inheritance from an unknown benefactor, she can hardly believe that it's true. She's the new owner of a dilapidated seaside hotel that comes complete with a life-long resident who never speaks. A chunk of money goes a long way in getting the hotel in shape ... this could be the new life she wanted.
But then, something's going on with Kate. She's talking on the phone late at night .. but Mel doesn't know who. Kate wasn't where she should be when Mel picked her up at school. And she hasn't spoken a word since she found some bones buried on the grounds of their new home.
And now Kate is missing.
Where is she? Did she run off .. or was she taken? Why was someone buried on the premises? Who has Kate been talking to? Who is the silent resident who watches through a window? Who as her anonymous benefactor? So many questions ... so few answers.
The plot is well crafted, and although it started a bit slow, the suspense began to build and maintained its level until the unexpected conclusion. Characters are many, varied, and solidly drawn. The backdrop of a rundown hotel, and a small town swimming in secrets, gave me chills. Twists and turns are guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to each and every page.
Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 6, 2021
Single Mother by Samantha Hayes was definitely not a typical thriller and the blurb was misleading but not in a bad way. I went into this book expecting one thing and was left shocked by where the story took me.
In Single Mother we follow Melanie Douglas and her young daughter Katie who just cant seem to catch a break. From dead end jobs to a deadbeat abusive Ex life has been no walk in the park. Just when Mel thinks she has finally hit rock bottom, a letter from a solicitor makes its way through her mail slot. Melanie has inherited a hotel... but how and from whom?
Hoax or the chance of a lifetime? Melanie takes the leap but it may be more than she ever bargained for. Pick up the book, check into Moreton Inn and discovers its dark secrets.
Thank you Bookouture for having me as part of this blog tour.I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
In Single Mother we follow Melanie Douglas and her young daughter Katie who just cant seem to catch a break. From dead end jobs to a deadbeat abusive Ex life has been no walk in the park. Just when Mel thinks she has finally hit rock bottom, a letter from a solicitor makes its way through her mail slot. Melanie has inherited a hotel... but how and from whom?
Hoax or the chance of a lifetime? Melanie takes the leap but it may be more than she ever bargained for. Pick up the book, check into Moreton Inn and discovers its dark secrets.
Thank you Bookouture for having me as part of this blog tour.I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2021
Mel, a single mother with a twelve year old daughter Kate, is struggling to make ends meet. When a letter arrives from a lawyer telling her that she has inherited a hotel and a large sum of money she can hardly believe it.Mel busies herself into fixing the hotel up but then some weird things start happening and when bones are discovered buried near the new construction all hell breaks loose
Single Mother by Samantha Hayes has great characters and is an excellent psychological thriller with lots of secrets and twists and turns, some implausible but still an entertaining read.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
Single Mother by Samantha Hayes has great characters and is an excellent psychological thriller with lots of secrets and twists and turns, some implausible but still an entertaining read.
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 14, 2021
Melanie Douglas and her 12-year-old daughter Kate are living a hardscrabble existence since Mel's abusive husband, Billy, went to prison. Things get even worse when she's fired from her job as a carer and their situation becomes really bleak; now they might not even be able to pay the rent on their dingy flat. A light at the end of the tunnel appears in the form of a letter offering an inheritance and, just like that, Melanie is the owner of Moreton Inn in Halebury and her bank account is flush. The odd part of this is that Melanie has no relatives having grown up in foster care, and the hotel and money come with some stipulations. Melanie and Kate move hastily as they want to get away and hide from Billy who is newly released from jail and will probably come looking for them. Melanie throws herself into renovations and is settling into this much better life when things are thrown into turmoil by Kate's shocking discovery of bones buried near the new construction. NO SPOILERS.
First, the description/synopsis of this book is misleading, so you might want to lower your expectations about this being a twisty psychological thriller. The characters and events were entirely predictable and I never really felt the tension or suspense that was promised by the blurb. There's a bit of mystery regarding Melanie's backstory, but I think readers will immediately guess most of what happened. This was actually more a family drama with Mel trusting the wrong people, making some bad decisions, and Kate behaving badly. It was a quick, easy read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours and I enjoyed it despite the lack of surprises or thrills.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this e-book ARC to read and review.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...?
First, the description/synopsis of this book is misleading, so you might want to lower your expectations about this being a twisty psychological thriller. The characters and events were entirely predictable and I never really felt the tension or suspense that was promised by the blurb. There's a bit of mystery regarding Melanie's backstory, but I think readers will immediately guess most of what happened. This was actually more a family drama with Mel trusting the wrong people, making some bad decisions, and Kate behaving badly. It was a quick, easy read that kept me entertained for a couple of hours and I enjoyed it despite the lack of surprises or thrills.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this e-book ARC to read and review.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amz...?
December 16, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Single Mother.
I've read the author's previous books before so I was pleased when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Mel is a single mother, raising a 12-year old daughter, Kate, who is being bullied at school.
As she deals with losing her job as a carer, worries that her abusive ex has found her, an inheritance falls into her lap.
Mel is suspicious of looking a gift horse in the mouth but she can't deny that this is just what she needs. An escape.
Finally, things are looking up.
The inheritance stipulations are odd, to say the least, but Mel throws herself into renovating the old inn with gusto.
There are the usual quirky locals, the mute woman who lives at the inn, the cliche creep, and a potential love interest.
And always, the looming presence of Mel's ex, Billy.
When a skeleton of an infant is found, events quickly escalate and Mel discovers that the inheritance was not just luck. It was destiny.
Mel is a relatable character, though I found her kind of annoying, even bland. She drinks too much and says "I see" a lot, which I know isn't the character's fault, it's the author's.
I also found the way she treated her only child simpering; typical of a parent with only one child, Mel talked often about how she didn't want to annoy or trigger Kate's mood swings.
I respect and understand that, but who is the parent? Acting in this manner gives me the impression that the child is in charge, not the parent.
The story had your standard tropes found in so many books like this; misunderstandings are left hanging, chapters usually end with a disagreement or a shocking reveal that is left open ended as Mel returns to her chores, which rang false to me.
Personally, I couldn't ignore the fact that once she is told she may have a half brother or sister staying at the hotel, but Mel doesn't so much ignore as try not to dwell on this shocking revelation.
Okay, I understand she's overwhelmed but the tone of the writing seems almost dismissive of all these revelations.
The plot is a bit hard to suspend disbelief for and there are some heavy, painful subjects I didn't expect like sexual abuse and domestic abuse so readers should be aware.
But, I was curious as to how the story would end because the ending was satisfying with a twist I sort of saw coming.
I've read the author's previous books before so I was pleased when my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Mel is a single mother, raising a 12-year old daughter, Kate, who is being bullied at school.
As she deals with losing her job as a carer, worries that her abusive ex has found her, an inheritance falls into her lap.
Mel is suspicious of looking a gift horse in the mouth but she can't deny that this is just what she needs. An escape.
Finally, things are looking up.
The inheritance stipulations are odd, to say the least, but Mel throws herself into renovating the old inn with gusto.
There are the usual quirky locals, the mute woman who lives at the inn, the cliche creep, and a potential love interest.
And always, the looming presence of Mel's ex, Billy.
When a skeleton of an infant is found, events quickly escalate and Mel discovers that the inheritance was not just luck. It was destiny.
Mel is a relatable character, though I found her kind of annoying, even bland. She drinks too much and says "I see" a lot, which I know isn't the character's fault, it's the author's.
I also found the way she treated her only child simpering; typical of a parent with only one child, Mel talked often about how she didn't want to annoy or trigger Kate's mood swings.
I respect and understand that, but who is the parent? Acting in this manner gives me the impression that the child is in charge, not the parent.
The story had your standard tropes found in so many books like this; misunderstandings are left hanging, chapters usually end with a disagreement or a shocking reveal that is left open ended as Mel returns to her chores, which rang false to me.
Personally, I couldn't ignore the fact that once she is told she may have a half brother or sister staying at the hotel, but Mel doesn't so much ignore as try not to dwell on this shocking revelation.
Okay, I understand she's overwhelmed but the tone of the writing seems almost dismissive of all these revelations.
The plot is a bit hard to suspend disbelief for and there are some heavy, painful subjects I didn't expect like sexual abuse and domestic abuse so readers should be aware.
But, I was curious as to how the story would end because the ending was satisfying with a twist I sort of saw coming.
December 7, 2020
When I read the synopsis for 'Single Mother', I was immediately excited to read it! The book had a strong, intriguing idea but it was not executed properly. There was too much explaining and not enough showing. The ending was predictable from start. The conversations didn't feel real between characters, it felt very fake. Single Mother had a lot of promise but, there were many flaws within it.
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of the Single Mother!
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of the Single Mother!
January 27, 2021
Read all my reviews at https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com
Single Mother is a thrilling story about a woman named Melanie who is a single mum to her 12-year-old daughter Kate. After getting fired from her job, Mel doesn't know what she is going to do. Then her gay bff, Michael, finds a letter from an attorney in her garbage. Mel tells him she passed it on as spam mail. But Michael pushes her to research it a little more. Mel finds out that she has inherited a hotel with a restaurant and bar as well as a nice sum of money. Still skeptical, Melanie and Kate move into the hotel. A part of the arrangement with the original anonymous benefactor of the hotel is that there is a woman who lives in the hotel who must be able to stay there for free. Melanie has also agreed not to sell the property and to keep it running.
Single Mother is a page-turner with twists and turns around every corner. If you are a fan of suspense and intrigue, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley, Samantha Hayes, and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Single Mother is a thrilling story about a woman named Melanie who is a single mum to her 12-year-old daughter Kate. After getting fired from her job, Mel doesn't know what she is going to do. Then her gay bff, Michael, finds a letter from an attorney in her garbage. Mel tells him she passed it on as spam mail. But Michael pushes her to research it a little more. Mel finds out that she has inherited a hotel with a restaurant and bar as well as a nice sum of money. Still skeptical, Melanie and Kate move into the hotel. A part of the arrangement with the original anonymous benefactor of the hotel is that there is a woman who lives in the hotel who must be able to stay there for free. Melanie has also agreed not to sell the property and to keep it running.
Single Mother is a page-turner with twists and turns around every corner. If you are a fan of suspense and intrigue, this is the book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley, Samantha Hayes, and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2021
I found this book so slow. Literally until 50% of the book nothing happens. And at this 50% mark you think something good will come out of it, but it is still slow and tedious.
Then there is a big finale, and then another 3-5 chapters adding more to the story and tying up other loose ends. It was just so strange to have the story work like that. I also found myself not at all likeing Mel, which made it hard to care for her story.
Then there is a big finale, and then another 3-5 chapters adding more to the story and tying up other loose ends. It was just so strange to have the story work like that. I also found myself not at all likeing Mel, which made it hard to care for her story.
April 6, 2021
Single Mother was a near-great for me. The book started off in a great way & was compelling. I love books that open with chapters that shock & have me all excited about discovering the rest of the plot. I liked the premise of the book & reading the letter by the author at the end always helps with getting more insight into their thought process. This book initially felt like a cozy mystery with the setting but then soon started to cross over into the psychological thriller genre. The characters were great & I liked that the main character was emotionally stronger than most & doesn't do stupid things like run toward danger - a concept so overdone & which seriously gets on my nerves. Mel's response to most situations felt natural & real. I had reservations about Katie at the start but soon started liking her. The rest of the characters were great. The plot was long & twisted but ended very well. The last few chapters were twisted & extremely suspenseful. A few times I hazarded a guess & got them all wrong. Overall I liked the book a lot!
Thank you NetGalley, Samantha Hayes & Bookouture for an arc!
Thank you NetGalley, Samantha Hayes & Bookouture for an arc!
December 24, 2020
Another great read from Samantha Hayes.
Mel is struggling to make ends meet as a single mother but when she gets sacked from her job as a carer, it gives her the push she needs.
Mel had received a letter about an inheritance so goes to see the solicitor to find out if it’s real or a scam. It turns out to be real and a new life awaits Mel and her daughter.
They move down South and take over a hotel that needs a lot of work but life is good for them both. Until Kate makes a gruesome discovery outside the hotel.
There’s also a woman there who doesn’t speak and Mel can’t work her out.
I won’t say any more as it would spoil it but the story just gets better and better.
I loved the way that Mel’s past is slowly revealed through the story and that she turned her life around.
This is a great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Mel is struggling to make ends meet as a single mother but when she gets sacked from her job as a carer, it gives her the push she needs.
Mel had received a letter about an inheritance so goes to see the solicitor to find out if it’s real or a scam. It turns out to be real and a new life awaits Mel and her daughter.
They move down South and take over a hotel that needs a lot of work but life is good for them both. Until Kate makes a gruesome discovery outside the hotel.
There’s also a woman there who doesn’t speak and Mel can’t work her out.
I won’t say any more as it would spoil it but the story just gets better and better.
I loved the way that Mel’s past is slowly revealed through the story and that she turned her life around.
This is a great read.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
January 7, 2021
Single Mother is another first-rate thriller from Ms. Hayes. The intriguing prologue immediately draws you in and compels you to keep reading as you need to make sense of what you just read. Who was the woman? What - or who - was in the bag?
Single mum Mel will do anything to protect her daughter. Particularly from her abusive father Billy. She will sacrifice anything to make sure she’s safe. So when she loses her job, finds out Billy might have been released from prison and discovers she’s inherited a hotel from a mysterious benefactor all in the space of one day, she does the only thing she can do: move to the hotel where her ex can’t find them.
But once at Moreton Inn she finds it isn’t quite the sanctuary she’d hoped it would be. The hotel holds dark secrets and not everyone is pleased with her windfall. Once again Mel finds herself fighting to protect her daughter. But this time, the odds are life and death.
Samatha Hayes is one of those authors who I jump at the chance to take part in blog tours for as I know I am getting great quality writing, fascinating characters and a supercharged plot. She just keeps getting better and I think this could be her best book yet. Jaw-dropping, twisty and emotionally charged, it had me on the edge of my seat. And even though I guessed a lot of the twists, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment or mean this wasn’t still full of surprises.
Mel is a great character. As someone who was a single mother for many years and left an abusive ex, I saw a lot of myself in her and thought the author portrayed her as the perfect mix of feisty and determined yet vulnerable and afraid. She’s still dealing with the trauma from her abusive relationship and for me it was the small details that made it so realistic and resonate with me so much; things like finding joy in putting on body spray because her ex wouldn’t have allowed it. Even over a decade later, I will still find myself getting a kick from the fact I can do something my ex wouldn’t have allowed.
Another character I enjoyed was Miss Sarah. She was eerie, ghostlike and very gothic and I loved the mystery surrounding her. She has so much presence and impact every time she’s on the page despite the fact she never says a word. I got literal goosebumps on my arms a few times and didn’t want to turn out the light for fear of imagining her standing there in the dark!
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a dash of spine-tingling fear, then this is the book for you. Just be prepared to get sucked in because once I started, I didn’t want to put this one down.
Single mum Mel will do anything to protect her daughter. Particularly from her abusive father Billy. She will sacrifice anything to make sure she’s safe. So when she loses her job, finds out Billy might have been released from prison and discovers she’s inherited a hotel from a mysterious benefactor all in the space of one day, she does the only thing she can do: move to the hotel where her ex can’t find them.
But once at Moreton Inn she finds it isn’t quite the sanctuary she’d hoped it would be. The hotel holds dark secrets and not everyone is pleased with her windfall. Once again Mel finds herself fighting to protect her daughter. But this time, the odds are life and death.
Samatha Hayes is one of those authors who I jump at the chance to take part in blog tours for as I know I am getting great quality writing, fascinating characters and a supercharged plot. She just keeps getting better and I think this could be her best book yet. Jaw-dropping, twisty and emotionally charged, it had me on the edge of my seat. And even though I guessed a lot of the twists, it didn’t dampen my enjoyment or mean this wasn’t still full of surprises.
Mel is a great character. As someone who was a single mother for many years and left an abusive ex, I saw a lot of myself in her and thought the author portrayed her as the perfect mix of feisty and determined yet vulnerable and afraid. She’s still dealing with the trauma from her abusive relationship and for me it was the small details that made it so realistic and resonate with me so much; things like finding joy in putting on body spray because her ex wouldn’t have allowed it. Even over a decade later, I will still find myself getting a kick from the fact I can do something my ex wouldn’t have allowed.
Another character I enjoyed was Miss Sarah. She was eerie, ghostlike and very gothic and I loved the mystery surrounding her. She has so much presence and impact every time she’s on the page despite the fact she never says a word. I got literal goosebumps on my arms a few times and didn’t want to turn out the light for fear of imagining her standing there in the dark!
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a dash of spine-tingling fear, then this is the book for you. Just be prepared to get sucked in because once I started, I didn’t want to put this one down.
December 17, 2020
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of SINGLE MOTHER by Samantha Hayes in exchange for my honest review.***
Single mom Mel wants a better life for her daughter Kate, who’s being bullied at school. Mel inherits a hotel, although she’s an orphan, she’s a little leery of the strange stipulations. Then Kate is kidnapped.
I flew through SINGLE MOTHER in a single sitting, though at times I rolled my eyes in disbelief. I don’t want to talk too much about the plot for fear of spoiling. Some of the twists and turns surprised me, some were predictable.
Both Kate and Mel were sympathetic characters, easy for me to root for. SINGLE MOTHER was the perfect stay at home during a pandemic and snowstorm read for today.
Single mom Mel wants a better life for her daughter Kate, who’s being bullied at school. Mel inherits a hotel, although she’s an orphan, she’s a little leery of the strange stipulations. Then Kate is kidnapped.
I flew through SINGLE MOTHER in a single sitting, though at times I rolled my eyes in disbelief. I don’t want to talk too much about the plot for fear of spoiling. Some of the twists and turns surprised me, some were predictable.
Both Kate and Mel were sympathetic characters, easy for me to root for. SINGLE MOTHER was the perfect stay at home during a pandemic and snowstorm read for today.
March 11, 2021
CW: mentions of domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse; features adoption and abandonment
This was not the ending that I had expected!!! At all. But, I absolutely adored the way she decided to tie up the loose ends. It made up for all of the other elements that I was able to figure out from pretty early on in the novel. Not to mention all the infuriating moments that Mel needed to be a little more forceful (*cough* Kate's phone *cough*, the details she kept from Kate and the reasoning behind it), I just wanted to take and yell 'WAKE UP!'
As with The Liar's Wife, our MC has escaped an abusive relationship and started fresh, until her abuser somehow, in whatever capacity, reenters her orbit. Single Mother, however, takes a 180-degree approach and doesn't focus on this tidbit as we're often too busy trying to put out the many other fires that seem to need our attention more.
Hayes' writing is, if nothing else, addicting. She knows how to get you sucked in, wanting to get to the next little thing until the mystery is solved and I love her for that. I absolutely would not mind reading more by her. Who knows, maybe the next one might be my next favourite thriller?
P.S. Why does Samantha always find a way to make me feel grossed out by the men in her book? I mean, every single time! But there's always ONE that is salvageable thankfully. Yeesh!
This was not the ending that I had expected!!! At all. But, I absolutely adored the way she decided to tie up the loose ends. It made up for all of the other elements that I was able to figure out from pretty early on in the novel. Not to mention all the infuriating moments that Mel needed to be a little more forceful (*cough* Kate's phone *cough*, the details she kept from Kate and the reasoning behind it), I just wanted to take and yell 'WAKE UP!'
As with The Liar's Wife, our MC has escaped an abusive relationship and started fresh, until her abuser somehow, in whatever capacity, reenters her orbit. Single Mother, however, takes a 180-degree approach and doesn't focus on this tidbit as we're often too busy trying to put out the many other fires that seem to need our attention more.
Hayes' writing is, if nothing else, addicting. She knows how to get you sucked in, wanting to get to the next little thing until the mystery is solved and I love her for that. I absolutely would not mind reading more by her. Who knows, maybe the next one might be my next favourite thriller?
P.S. Why does Samantha always find a way to make me feel grossed out by the men in her book? I mean, every single time! But there's always ONE that is salvageable thankfully. Yeesh!
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