Release Date: May 17th, 2022 

Genre(s): Adult Fiction, Thriller

Publisher: Tor Nightfire

Pages: 320

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis

The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything—and everyone—at a safe distance.

When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Soon she’s spending more time at Andrea’s remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn’t even mind that her cousin’s wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry—baby fever comes with the territory.

The more Maeve immerses herself in Andrea’s world, the more disconnected she feels from her life back in the city; and the cousins’ increasing attachment triggers memories Maeve has fought hard to bury. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come… 

Review

I feel like I don’t read thrillers as often as I used to because I often struggle to feel for the characters (and their often terrible decision-making). But Just Like Mother was certainly an exception, a story following the very different lives of Andrea and Maeve, two cousins who grew up together in a matriarchal cult.

In addition to being an addictive thriller, Just Like Mother has the potential for the kinds of discussions you’d have over a literary fiction novel. Conversations on motherhood, family planning, and feminism are more relevant now than ever, and this book does such a great job of exploring those concepts in depth.

One of my most frustrating experiences with reading thrillers is knowing how many escape routes a character just doesn’t think of taking. But I was amazed at how well Just Like Mother covers everything, from why Maeve can’t leave the property to what would help her regain her independence. Plus, gothic novels are my favorite, and I love the modern take on this. 

The one thing I wished for more of in this book was the backstory of the cult. While the chapters set in the past do a great job of progressing the story and showing why Maeve behaves the way she does now, there wasn’t as much about the history and operations of the cult. We know what they do, but not so much their guiding principles aside from a high-level explanation. This would have made it a 5-star for me. 

But that aspect of the book certainly didn’t take much of my enjoyment of Just Like Mothers. This is perfect if you’re looking for something creepy from start to finish. I think this could also be an interesting recommendation for readers who enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale.

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