The Push

Book: The Push

Author: Ashley Audrain

Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had.

But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter–she doesn’t behave like most children do.

Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she’s imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well.

Then their son Sam is born–and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she’d always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.-Goodreads

Review: The Push is marketed as a thriller (I'm even in a FB group for 'thrillers' and people recommend this all the time). I may be in the minority here but this is more of a dark character study about a failing marriage than a 'thriller'. It covers a lot of topics-post partum depression, a mother's failure to bond with her child and communication issues between spouses. There is certainly some disturbing material but overall, this did not read like a thriller to me. It's not face paced, there are no twists and turns and we pretty much know the outcome of the author's relationship with her husband immediately. That being said, I still enjoyed this even though it was just not what I was expecting. Audrain did a really good job describing a failing marriage and struggles being a mom and I think many women can empathize with the main character. 

Overall-well written, just know it's not a fast paced thriller. 

Grade: 4/5