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Claire Allan
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The Perfect Mother: Discover a BRAND NEW "skilfully and masterfully told" psychological thriller from Claire Allan for 2025 Kindle Edition

by Claire Allan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 216 ratings
See all formats and editions

A BRAND NEW psychological thriller from USA Today bestseller Claire Allan

She would have been the perfect mother. But if she can’t have her happy family, she's not going to let me have mine.

All I wanted was to help women become mothers. When I met Alice Monroe, we instantly connected. She was as passionate about motherhood as I was, and I couldn't wait to support her through this life-changing experience.

But the day that should have been Alice’s happiest, turned into a nightmare. And after Alice’s dreams were shattered, she blamed me. Even though there was nothing I could have done, she wanted to ruin me. I lost my business, my reputation. My world fell apart.

Then, I discovered I was pregnant. That’s why we moved hundreds of miles away to the remote Derry countryside. Now, with this beautiful baby, we can have a fresh start.

But then Alice sends me a message. She knows where we are. And I realise, it doesn’t matter how far we’ve moved, I am not safe from her.

My baby is not safe.

Don't miss the brand-new nail-biting thriller from Claire Allan! Perfect for fans of Valerie Keogh, Andrea Mara and Claire Douglas.

Readers LOVE Claire Allan's gripping thrillers:

‘So skilfully and masterfully told, I was absolutely involved in these women's lives. It's just absolutely brilliant’ – JOHN MARRS

‘A lesson in story-telling... five stars from me’ – ANITA WALLER

'A brilliantly gripping, intense and highly addictive page turner that kept me guessing until the end. Loved it!' – DANIELLE RAMSAY

‘A story that draws you in and doesn’t let go until the very last word’ – DIANE SAXON

'I absolutely loved it... heartbreakingly good' – VALERIE KEOGH

'Compelling, absorbing and totally addictive... a brilliant page-turner that hooks you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the very end' – bestselling author, NATASHA BOYDELL

'I was hooked from the beginning… I literally couldn’t put it down.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I was hooked from the very word go, and I genuinely spent 90% of the novel trying to puzzle together the pieces we had so carefully been given.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Was gripped from the beginning to the end! Absolutely loved this book.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Had me gripped from the first chapter until the very last. One of my favourite reads so far this year!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Gripping... pulls you in from the beginning and holds your attention until the very end. Suspenseful, thrilling, hard to put down.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I devoured this book as I didn't want to put it down... the plot twists had me shocked!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'Absolutely tore through this book in one sitting!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'The twists and turns had my jaw on the floor!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'The final twist is absolute genius! I never saw THAT coming!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'I devoured this book in less than 24 hours!' Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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  1. Print length
    291 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Boldwood Books
  4. Publication date
    February 5, 2025
  5. File size
    3.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D499M9W7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (February 5, 2025)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 5, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 291 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 216 ratings

About the author

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Claire Allan

Claire Allan

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Claire Allan is a bestselling author of pyschological thrillers and, in the past, women's fiction.

A former journalist, she has penned more than twenty novels, including eight psychological thrillers. Her novels have hit the bestseller charts around the world and been translated into multiple languages.

Claire worked as a story consultant on series one of the huge successful BBC drama series 'Blue Lights' with Two Cities Productions. She has also written a number of rom-coms under the pen-name Freya Kennedy, and supported Sunday Times Bestseller Serena Terry while she was writing her Mammy Banter titles.

In 2023 Claire signed a multi-book deal with Boldwood Books to write four thrillers as Claire Allan, and three rom-coms as Freya Kennedy, securing her publishing into 2026.

Claire lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her family.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
216 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • DianeLikesToRead
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
    I loved this story and right up to the end I was on the edge of my seat! This was my kind of book with characters that you love to hate and nonstop action. There was so much going on and I loved every second of it. If you like a twisty thriller, this one is for you.
    Many thanks to the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
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  • Elizabeth Vazquez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quick but thrilling!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
    This was a pretty quick read and a welcome change from the usual romances that I have been reading and of late.

    We follow Mel, a doula who picks up her life, changing her career, and is somewhat being threatened. As far as the suspense goes, I was pretty interested early on in the book, making this such an easy read and it allowed me to complete the book in one sitting! I wouldn’t see it was TOO suspenseful, or maybe I’m just not a true sing person, because my walls were raised nearly instantly once Alice was introduced into the plot. I’m not really sure what it was, but there was something off about her and her lack of trust towards those around her was simply raising red flags for me. I did really like Mel! Her predicament was similar woman around the world a feel, hoping and wishing for some support when bringing a life into this world, and she was honestly doing her best for her current circumstances. I truly felt for when it seemed like everything and everyone was out to get her.

    I will say that towards the end of the book, the suspense/thrill started too bore me. I checked other reviews after I finished the book to see if anyone joined me in my thoughts, and it seems like I wasn’t the only one that believed things to become repetitive towards the end. I was able to pick up on things a lot easier and it took the fun out of the book for me.
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  • Caroline M
    3.0 out of 5 stars Emotional ride
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
    Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this book. I always found the premise of pregnancy and doulas to be intriguing. This was listed as a thriller, but I feel it was less thriller and maybe more general fiction or drama. It is still a great read and it packs a punch with the emotions involved. You can really see both sides clearly. This was a quick read for me and I enjoyed it.
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  • Katherine Conto
    5.0 out of 5 stars A chilling psychological thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2025
    A book you won't want to put down once you pick it up. Reading this book in one sitting is absolutely possible. If I didn't have work and a family to take care of, I would have sat and finished this book in one sitting for sure. The plot twists had me picking my jaw up off of the floor. This might just be my new favorite psychological thriller.

    Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
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  • Ashley Campbell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Suspense, drama and twists!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2025
    The Perfect Mother by Claire Allan is a well thought out psychological thriller with suspense, drama and twists. This book does deal with the sensitive topic of stillbirth so keep that in mind. Mel has found that being a doula and helping give women support and advice for natural childbirth is her perfect job. Her first pregnancy was stressful and she felt completely out of control. When first time mom Alice and her husband enlist Mel's help with a completely natural home birth, Mel finds Alice becoming much more than a client but also a friend. But tragedy strikes as Alice goes well overdue for her due date. Wanting no medical care and with Mel not trained as a medical professional Alice's baby boy Jacob sadly does not survive. Wracked with grief Alice lashes out at Mel and begins a smear campaign online leading to Mel quitting her job. After a year of nasty rumors, dirty looks and phone calls Mel and her husband and their 4-year-old daughter move away to a new house. Now in the middle of nowhere, pregnant again and doing renovations on the house, Mel is stretched thin. But no matter how far they go, Mel and her family are not safe. How far would you go in your grief?
    This book was a page-turner for sure. Fraught with tension and unease the plot had me hooked. I was feeling stressed right along with Mel. This was an easy read but it was also complex with the themes of grief and the broken friendship between Mel and Alice. And the ending.. sheesh. What a good read!
    Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Allan, and Boldwood Books for this ARC. Expected release date is February 5th 2025.
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  • TeeDub
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2025
    I found The Perfect Mother to be interesting and the major twist at the end was surprising. Mel's poor decisions were frustrating but ultimately saved her. The book was hard to put down and I finished it in one day. I highly recommend this book!
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  • Connie Fischer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Scary and Intense
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2025
    Mel is married to Ed and they are parents to Tilly, age 3. Mel had been a teacher for some years and after a difficult pregnancy and delivery, she decided to become a doula and embrace hypnobirthing as a way to help mothers manage anxiety and pain during childbirth.

    Mel met Alice, a woman in her late 30s who had put off having a child as she and her husband wanted to further their careers. Now she has contacted Mel and wants her to be her doula along with hypnobirthing. In addition, the woman refused any pre-natal care and didn’t want a midwife assisting during her birth. She just wanted Mel. Unfortunately, something went wrong at the last minute and Alice’s son ended up as a stillbirth. Alice began attacking Mel on social media and even tried to get her daughter, Tilly. So, Mel and Ed decided to move. Now, they are working on restoring an old home and Mel is pregnant. When she receives a card from Alice, she is terrified that the crazy woman may mean them harm.

    I couldn’t help but think that this book had a bit of a grubby feel to it. Perhaps it’s because the family is living in a crude caravan surrounded by what sounds like lots of mud. As Mel is not a medical professional, I can’t imagine why she would be vilified by social media as being responsible for the death of Alice’s baby. That lies squarely on Alice’s shoulders for her foolish decisions about her pregnancy. I figured out the “bad person” right from the start of the book so it wasn’t a surprise. The story is scary and intense at the end which makes it a good read. Enjoy.

    I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • tony erskine
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Really good read
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  • Gill Brown
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really good
    Reviewed in Australia on February 13, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was really good, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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  • C Knight
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tense read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Mel has been hounded out of town. Her business is in tatters, she’s lost everything except her family so they’ve moved with no forwarding address. But the woman who destroyed has found her and Mel feels threatened understandably. Can she cope with another onslaught given she’s 8 months pregnant?

    I really felt for Mel. All she wants to do is offer a different kind of support when someone is bringing a new life into the word. Not medical support, more alternative, hypnobirthing. I’m in awe anyone who can give birth without pain relief but my two weren’t small!

    I really didn’t trust Alice – maybe I’ve read too many thrillers to not trust the person I expected not to trust. I could be wrong but there were little things that made me uneasy. Maybe it was the way she destroyed the one person who was trying to help her.

    Allan has written a tense domestic based thriller with twists and turns aplenty. The emotions she packed in to the story for both Mel’s current predicament and Alice’s grief and hatred. Based on this, Allan’s back catalogue is going on my purchase list asap!
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  • Bean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Good book read it in two sittings
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  • Bookreader
    2.0 out of 5 stars Depressing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Long-winded and miserable tale that drags endlessly through grim repetitive stuff. Read the opening, skimmed to the end.
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