A woman ends up pregnant after a casual fling, but the father’s girlfriend has much more sinister intentions in this plot-driven suspense debut.
A modern spin on Fatal Attraction meets The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, perfect for fans of The Last Mrs. Parrish.
Still recovering from a devastating breakup, 34-year-old Savannah Mitchell has finally managed to put her life back together when she gets the shock of her life—after a brief fling with a man named Max, she is pregnant.
When she gets in touch to tell him, he reveals that he’s just gotten back together with his ex, Madison, and he will need time to break it to her. Surprisingly, Madison isn’t upset—in fact, she’s excited, and wants to help.
Max insists Madison has the best of intentions, but Savannah finds her efforts—popping by uninvited, demanding lifestyle changes, and pretty much trying to take over the pregnancy—anything but helpful. When Savannah finally stands up for herself, Madison’s treatment of her goes from casually cruel to downright dangerous.
All Savannah wanted to do was form a friendly co-parenting relationship with the father of her child—but his new girlfriend obviously has much more sinister plans in mind.
She has no plans to co-parent at all.
Book Info: Print length: 326 pages. Publisher: Crooked Lane Books. Publication Day: 10th Feb 2026
WOW – I can’t believe this is a DEBUT thriller.
The Better Mother is one of the most gripping, anxiety-inducing, psychological thrillers I’ve read in a long time.
The story centres around 34 year Savannah Mitchell. She has barely recovered from heartbreak when her boyfriend of 4 years ups and leaves shattering her dreams and turning her world upside down. She has a brief fling with Max, a handsome man she met in her best friend’s restaurant when she discovers she’s pregnant. Motherhood has always been her dream and she contacts Max to let him know. He seems pleased and happy to co-parent, but has recently got back with his ex Madison and she wants to be involved too.
Seems to good to be true right? Exactly as Madison is bat-sh*t crazy with a super power of being able to gaslight, manipulate and terrorise Savannah throughout her pregnancy with intentions that become clear throughout the story.
Seriously, if you are looking for a fast-paced, chilling, unnerving, tension filled, adrenaline packed thriller, then grab yourself a copy of The Better Mother now.
