Scan barcode
A review by julieannasbooks
Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
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.
CW: