LOVE, MOM

I really enjoyed finding out the mysteries in this book, the short chapters, and the writing. However, there were some moments that things felt rushed and a couple of the twists felt unnecessary. Overall, it was an enjoyable listen.

Mackenzie Casper, daughter of a famous thriller writer, begins to suspect her mother’s so-called accidental death may not be what it seems. After the funeral, Mackenzie starts receiving cryptic letters signed “Love, Mom,” which turn out to be diary entries that unearth a hidden history of secrets. As Mackenzie digs into the past, she uncovers a chilling truth. The revelation upends everything she believed about her family and herself as she races to reclaim the truth and justice. I tried to read Love, Mom a few months ago and got one page in and thought “nah” and considered it a DNF. Fast forward to now… the book is being republished, and I spotted an ARC on NetGalley, hit request without really knowing why, anddddd I was approved. At that point, I knew I had no choice but to dive back in and see what this book is about. And let me tell you…I am SO glad I did. This book turned out to be a dark, twisty, edge-of-your-seat ride that kept me guessingggg. I cannot for the life of me guess the twist- ever, but literally this one, WOW lol The blend of family secrets and betrayal that goes deep is what made this book really good. Super glad I gave this one a second chance! If you love psychological thrillers with family drama and secrets, this one deserves a spot on your never-ending TBR. I received an advanced copy of the book and am leaving this review voluntarily. Trigger warnings: death of a parent, grief, identity theft, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, murder, violence, child loss

Just an okay read overall, and definitely didn’t live up to the hype for me. The book starts off slow—almost too slow—but it does eventually build momentum. I’d say the last third is where it truly becomes a page-turner. The short chapters help; they make the book easy to digest and offer plenty of stopping points when the first two-thirds start to drag. On the flip side, those same quick chapters make it tempting to say “just one more” once the story finally picks up. The twists in the final stretch are genuinely great and catch you off guard in the best way. Well written and easy to follow, but uneven in pacing Trigger warning: involves sexual assault

This book was great when I was in a slump and needed something different, it definitely helped me get back into reading!

Love, Mom by Iliana Xander is a gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The tension is electric, the plot full of twists, and the characters are vividly drawn.

I was on the edge of my seat, gasping more times than I can count, completely swept up in Mackenzie’s unraveling family secrets and her mother’s dark past. Xander brilliantly explores the dangerous intersections of fame, obsession, and deception.

If you love thrillers that make your heart race and keep you guessing until the very last page, this one is a must-read.