Book Review: In Her Own Backyard by Ashley Hanna-Morgan

In Her Own Backyard by Ashley Hanna-Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new mom suffering severe postpartum depression searches for clues to a local woman’s disappearance.

In Her Own Backyard by Ashley Hanna-Morgan is a riveting tale of a mother’s struggle with severe postpartum depression after the birth of her second child and her discovery that a young woman who lived in their home before they bought it had disappeared without anyone raising an alarm. Social worker Marlowe Moore is deep in the grasp of depression, anxiety, and trouble nursing her new daughter. Baby Valorie demands to eat, sleep for an hour, and eat again, and completely refuses bottle-feeding. Her three-year-old daughter, Violet, is also experiencing big feelings as she transitions from ‘only child’ to ‘big sister.’ But when a neighbor casually mentions that a young woman who had rented a room from the previous owners of Moore’s new home had disappeared one day, Marlowe and her circle of women friends and moms get concerned when they realize Aria Middleton had never even been reported missing.

Marlowe’s pregnancy and postpartum experiences are so realistic and relatable; every mother will see something of themselves in her childbearing and childrearing story. Her depression was overwhelming and gut-wrenching to read about; I ached for this young woman. However, her focus on finding out what happened to Aria provided a challenge external to her mental health struggles and helped her regain her stability. Her spouse, Aaron, is sweet and wonderful, but he is still unable to fully relate to what Marlow is experiencing, no matter how much he wants to or how hard he tries.

The plot is well-paced, and I had a hard time finding a good place in my reading to take a break. I enjoyed how the women all came together to support Marlowe (and each other) and to collaborate on finding Aria. They use clever methods to find answers and gather clues, and I loved how they reached out to people with whom they had the remotest contact for help in their search. My only quibble was that a noticeable amount of the dialogue, especially between Marlowe and her husband and Marlowe and her daughter, Violet, sounded like clinical examples of appropriate responses to certain situations; it didn’t sound natural or organic. On the other hand, this same style of language was fascinating when Marlowe described what she was going through and the impacts on her daily life. I loved the story’s eerie, brooding atmosphere and rising tension, and was delighted with the many surprises and plot twists. The final confrontation was absolutely gripping.

I recommend IN HER OWN BACKYARD to thriller readers, especially those with an interest in motherhood and the processes and impacts of childbearing.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

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Book Review: The Good Mother Test by Michael R. French

The Good Mother Test: Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One by Michael R. French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Storytelling that made time and place disappear.

The Good Mother Test by Michael R. French is an absorbing tale of mothers and daughters, family relationships, and family dynamics played out by truly engaging and sympathetic characters. When Violet was born, Emily made a promise to be the kind of mother she never had, and she followed through on that vow starting right away. Unfortunately, Violet’s father, Doug, sees her devotion as going too far and as a personal rejection, and he breaks up the marriage. Sharing custody is trying under the best of circumstances, but when one parent refuses to honor plans and commitments, it can become doubly difficult. Doug does whatever he wants, whether it is in Violet’s best interests or not, while talking a good game, and when he introduces another woman into the equation, life takes a different turn for both Emily and Violet.

French crafts some truly great characters for his relatable tale of raising an exceptional child in today’s world. There are so many more things for parents to worry about now, just in raising a healthy, well-adjusted child, but Violet is gifted, and properly supporting her potential adds a whole other layer of considerations to her parents’ plates. I loved the growth that both Emily and Violet undergo, their love for each other, and their natural closeness as mother and daughter. Doug and Amanda provide an alternate, contrasting life for Violet, and a natural conflict arises. Violet’s and Amanda’s final confrontation is riveting, especially considering where the scene plays out.

I recommend THE GOOD MOTHER TEST to readers who enjoy psychological family dramas, stories of mother-daughter relationships, and blended families.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

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