💔 Book Review: The Heart of a Mother by Julie Clark (Kindle Edition, Obsession Collection)
A tense, emotionally charged short story about maternal love, regret, and the dangerous edge of obsession—Julie Clark delivers a compact but gripping read that lingers after the last page.
🧠 Overview
Published in January 2023 as part of Amazon Original Stories’ Obsession Collection, The Heart of a Mother is a 41-page standalone novella. It follows Hillary Jean, a wealthy Californian who seems to have it all—loving husband, beautiful home, meaningful work—but carries a secret that has haunted her for twenty-five years: the baby girl she gave up for adoption as a teenager.
When a DNA website notifies her of a match, Hillary becomes convinced she’s found her daughter, Joanna. Determined to reconnect, she begins inserting herself into Joanna’s life. But her hunger to make up for lost time—and to claim a place in her daughter’s world—threatens to destroy the very relationship she’s desperate to build.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 👩👧 Maternal longing: Explores the deep, sometimes desperate need to reconnect with a lost child
- 🧠 Obsession and boundaries: Shows how love can tip into unhealthy fixation
- 💔 Choices and consequences: The long shadow of a decision made in youth
- 🌴 California affluence vs. emotional emptiness: Contrasts outward success with inner void
- ⚡ Twist ending: A final reveal that reframes Hillary’s actions and motives
“Her hunger to reconnect threatens to destroy the very thing she hopes to gain”.
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.64/5 from over 8,200 ratings
- 📖 Many readers praise the emotional intensity and character depth packed into such a short format
- 💬 “A story of unconditional love… with a final twist I saw coming, but still enjoyed” — Goodreads reviewer
- 🧾 Some felt the ending was predictable, but most agreed it was a satisfying, self-contained read
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 41 pages, it’s a one-sitting read—more character study than full plot arc
- 📚 Standalone: Works independently, though thematically aligned with other Obsession Collection stories
- 🧠 Emotional triggers: Adoption, parental separation, and boundary-crossing behavior
🏁 Final Verdict
The Heart of a Mother is a tight, emotionally resonant domestic suspense that examines the fine line between love and obsession. Julie Clark uses the brevity of the format to focus on character psychology, delivering a story that’s both heartfelt and unsettling. Perfect for fans of short, high-stakes emotional dramas with a twist.
