mandikaye 's review for:

A Mother's Guide to the Apocalypse by Hollie Overton

5.0

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I devoured this book. Like, stay-up-way-too-late-turning-pages-with-wild-eyes devoured. I had to know what happened to Olivia. I needed to know what Mel’s deal was. And honestly? I was side-eyeing every single character by the end because no one is quite what they seem. And honestly? That’s half the thrill.

We only get Olivia’s voice in the prologue—and then she’s gone. Not just from the timeline, but from her own story. Everything we think we know about her comes through other people: forum threads, old documents, and the oh-so-contradictory accounts from Sam and Mel. And honestly? That silence is what makes it so powerful. You’re just as desperate as her daughters to figure out who she really was. And what really happened to her.

This story blends doomsday dread with a slow-burning family mystery in a way that just works. The sisters—Rosie, Bettie, and Cassie—are trying to piece together the truth through their grief, their rage, and their deeply chaotic sibling energy. Their dynamic is raw and real and full of moments that made me laugh, wince, and want to hug all three of them. 

I love that the narrative doesn’t give us easy answers. It plays with memory, survival, and trust in this slippery, haunting way. Is Olivia a martyr or a runaway? Is their father a liar or a man barely hanging on? Even when you think you’ve figured it out—nope. There’s always one more layer to uncover. 

Absolutely gripping, emotionally sharp, and just the right amount of apocalyptic vibes kept me guessing (and spiraling) to the last page. 

I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review—and honestly, I will never trust a prepper forum again.