A review by ccreadsss
Every mother's nightmare by S.E. Lynes

4.0

Release: July 8, 2025

Author: SE Lynes

Publisher: Bookoture 

Rating: 4 ★ 

On a sweltering summer afternoon, a mother receives the phone call she’s always dreaded—her daughter has been found alone and disoriented, with no memory of what happened. Panic sets in as she rushes to the hospital, overwhelmed with guilt for ever letting her daughter leave for the weekend. She’s also angry—her son was supposed to be looking out for her, and something clearly went wrong.

As the mother tries to piece together the truth, her worst fears escalate when the police discover a body in the woods near where her children had been staying. Suddenly, it’s not just about helping her daughter recover—it’s about protecting her family at all costs. But as secrets begin to surface, she’s forced to ask the hardest question of all: Who really needs protecting—her daughter, her son, or herself?

I couldn’t put this book down—it completely pulled me in from the very first page. The way the chapters jump through different timelines made it easy to follow and kept the suspense building throughout. I found myself constantly trying to figure out who could be trusted, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would hit.

What stood out to me most was how emotionally connected I felt to the characters, especially the mother. Her strength and determination were so compelling, and I admired how she fought to protect her family, even when the truth started to unravel. The story also touches on some deeper themes, like toxic masculinity, which added another layer to the plot and made it even more thought-provoking.

With a gripping mix of mystery, emotion, and unexpected twists, this is definitely a thriller I’d recommend—and one I’d gladly read again.

Favorite Quote: 

"she closes her eyes to a vision of herself in the dock, hands clasped front of her, head bowed. In response, her entire body flushes hot, an echo of the burning humiliation she felt less than an hour ago. And sure enough, her mind strays to that mortifying ordeal."