Hush Little Baby

A Novel

By: R. H. Herron

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Named an exciting new release by CrimeReads, BookRiot, Fresh Fiction, and The Tempest

From the author of Stolen Things comes a twisty thriller that asks how tightly we are bound to our pasts, how much we can trust those around us, and how far a mother will go to protect her child.

Jillian Marsh is a survivor. She escaped her toxic upbringing at the hands of her religious zealot mother as a teenager, and after hitting rock bottom due to alcoholism in her twenties, she not only got sober, she built a successful marriage and medical career, even if she wasn’t able to make amends for all the mistakes she made during her drinking days. But nearly a decade later, things are once again going downhill for Jillian. Her wife, Rochelle, has left her while Jillian is pregnant with Rochelle’s biological child, and she feels constantly unsettled in her now-empty house—items missing from their usual place, burning candles she can’t remember lighting, the screen from her bedroom window removed. Even her mommies-to-be group isn’t the solace it once was. Bree, Camille, Maggie, and Jillian vowed to not only support one another in motherhood but in their sobriety, careers, and maintaining their independence after their babies are born . . . a sisterhood that begins to unravel when the secrets between the women come unwillingly to light.

As things in Jillian’s home begin to escalate, she’s forced to ask herself: Is one of her supposed friends not as trustworthy as she seems? Could Rochelle be gaslighting her in order to claim full custody of their daughter? Or, worst of all—is Jillian turning into her own mother, and imagining all of it in some sort of subconscious sabotage against her unborn child?

When the missing items turn into unambiguous threats, and as the circle of those she can trust continues to dwindle, Jillian knows only one thing for sure: she will do anything to protect her baby.

An unusual thriller beautifully written and read

A great artist can share the deepest parts of themselves so that their art kindles our shared humanity,

Ms. Herron wrote this book so beautifully and from the depths of her soul so that a 77 year-old straight nan who has never had to contend with the standard major addictions could relate to and have his humanity deeply touched by a 48 year-old gay recovering alcoholic woman writing a thriller about motherhood.

If I could give the reader a “6” I would. The reading was perfection in every way. I believe I enjoyed this book much more having heard it told by this reader than had I read it myself.

So suspenseful!

You’d think that the end was coming when it’s only just past halfway done, then you’re in a roller coaster of absolute edge of your seat suspense and good luck pausing any of the last third of this story! What a ride!

Riveting

Kept me glued through the whole thing. I also would have thought she was a Doctor. Nicely done.

Oh my

Where do I begin… what a roller coaster of emotions. Never has a book made me hold back tears for the last half of the book. Maybe because I am a mother and the love I have for my children had me screaming from the pit of my belly. Maybe because I am a recovering addict I could feel the pain and fear the main character dealt with on a daily basis. Recovery, because we do recover, is a daily battle. Maybe because I can understand the pain the main character felt for her mistake. Knowing you hurt someone so badly and you can’t take away their pain is so hard. Wanting to punish yourself forever for something you have done isn’t going to help you. Accepting your faults and never doing them again. That is how you heal.
Motherhood is such an incredible gift. It is filled with love, excitement, happiness, fear, sadness, anxiety and so much more. When my first born was put in my arms and they told me I could take her home… I was the most scared I have ever been in my entire life. Really? You’re just going to send this little, amazing, beautiful bundle of life out into the world with me? 15 years later I still hope I am doing everything right as her mother. But protecting her and loving her comes naturally.
All this being said… this was a scary, beautiful, wild ride of a book. I feel lucky to have listened to it.
So if you are wondering if you want to get this book. Just do it. Grab a box of tissues though.

Couldn’t stop listening

Great story, great narrator. Easy to fallow while doing other things! Super suspenseful and not cheesy :D