A review by nedreadsbooks
The Push by Ashley Audrain

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Meet Blythe Connor, a new parent who is desperately excited to be a warm and supportive mother, unlike her own.. But for some reason, the connection with her daughter, Violet, just isn't there. Violet seems to be acting strangely - distant, disruptive, almost.. calculated. Blythe's husband, Fox, says it's all in her head, and Blythe doesn't know what to believe. Audrain's debut novel blurs the lines between the real and the imagined, and leaves the reader guessing the whole way through.

Thank you to Ashley Audrain, Penguin Random House Canada, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

For all my psychological thriller fans out there - this one's for you! Impossible to put down, this book dives into the nature vs. nurture debate through flashbacks of Blythe's family history. Audrain does a wonderful job of hinting at facts, thoughts and feelings and leaving the reader searching through the haystack of possibilities to try to find the needle of truth. Also - there's just something way more creepy about thrillers when they involve children.

This one does hve some seriously dark content, so here's my two cents for prospective readers: I would skip this one if you are a new mother, are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.. If you are looking for a deep dark dive into a raw side of motherhood, however, this novel is sure to please! 
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