Pastry chef Brittany Young is still grieving for her recently deceased twin when she realizes she is pregnant. Certain she is in no shape to care for a baby, she feels utterly trapped.
Salvation arrives in the form of a wealthy couple, John and Angela Dalton. They offer to adopt the child and raise it as their own. Brittany will come and work for them in their luxurious villa during the pregnancy.
But there is something off about the Daltons. John’s gentle demeanor has a sinister edge, and Angela’s erratic behavior grows more threatening by the day. A series of accidents that can’t be mere coincidence forces Brittany to ask a terrifying question.
Is someone trying to harm her and her unborn child?
As the truth begins to emerge, Brittany realizes she’s trapped in a deadly game. Can she uncover the Daltons’ dark secret before it’s too late? Or will her dream job become her worst nightmare?
This is another strong psychological thriller from Jessica Huntley! Like many of her books, the protagonist (Brittany) is a complex character who begins with a burdened life and is suddenly faced with an enormously stressful situation—in this case, the sudden death of her twin. It’s SO easy to get emotionally invested in her life, and the story will keep you engaged with lots of atmospheric suspense, dramatic dialogue, and unique tropes—a too-good-to-be-true opportunity, a wealthy couple with hidden motives, and an isolated, claustrophobic setting. At 346 pages (just over 8 hours on audio), the story doesn’t overstay its welcome and is a great example of Huntley’s straightforward writing style that’s perfectly structured for a binge read. And like her other books, the story has compelling themes including loss, grief, mental health struggles, control, gaslighting, and manipulation!
The story is told mostly through Brittany’s POV. She’s such an emotionally reactive protagonist, but you’ll be rooting for her the entire time. And she shows some real bravery, especially later on when the odds are stacked against her—the “unlikely heroine” trope SCREAMS in all its glory! The pain she feels for losing her sister is so palpable—if you’ve experienced similar loss, you’ll definitely find her grief-stricken inner monologues to be heartbreaking, so prepare to have some tissues on hand! Her sister’s attitude also fuels her during key moments, as she makes choices based on what her sister would want her to do—even when it’s super risky!
The second (more occasional) POV is Angela Dalton, the wife half of the couple who offers her the “too good to be true” opportunity in her French villa. She’s almost too welcoming at the start, which makes you immediately question her motives. Unfortunately, Brittany is desperate and disregards all red flags. Angela is also very complex and unstable, as she’s been deeply affected by the drowning of her infant daughter and is now on heavy meds that make her moods and behavior unpredictable—expect some very UNHINGED moments! By the midpoint, the dynamic between Brittany, Angela, and her husband John is filled with tension. Brittany’s progressing pregnancy only amplifies Angela’s erratic behavior, and unraveling secrets about the couple causes Brittany to never trust them. Add in other suspicious characters, including the other staff who interact directly with Brittany, and you’ll be questioning everyone’s motives and feel all the claustrophobic tension alongside her!
The short, snappy chapters often end on mini cliffhangers that keep you flipping pages and wondering what possibly could go wrong next for Brittany! The second half has several twists—some are very predictable, but a few are definitely alarming, especially during the climax where things really escalate. The ending gives nice closure with a bit of karmic justice, not just for Brittany but for others as well—similar to Huntley’s other thrillers!
If you’re an audiobook lover, this is definitely one to pick up—Charlie Albers brings both Brittany and Angela vividly to life with such emotional intensity and depth that will make you empathize with both women at times, and it’s often impossible to stop listening to!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Good Parents is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who has performed several of Huntley’s thrillers.
Albers voices Brittany with a raw, emotionally charged voice that captures her desperation and the weight of her grief after losing her twin sister. Albers really makes the bond Brittany had with her twin so evident in her inner monologues and decision-making. As obstacles keep piling up and things go from bad to worse, Albers subtly shifts her tone to make Brittany sound overwhelmed yet determined, which makes you really root for her. It’s a dynamic performance that shows both Brittany’s emotional fragility and inner strength, keeping you invested in her outcome!
Albers portrays Angela with a warm, welcoming voice at the start—almost too pleasant-sounding, which makes you immediately question her motives. But once Brittany’s pregnancy is revealed and Angela becomes more unstable, Albers does a brilliant job of conveying her erratic behavior using jarring shifts in tone and impressive acting skills—her dialogue can switch from warm and welcoming to completely unhinged within the same scene, and Albers handles these transitions seamlessly, and it’s super entertaining!
Albers also gives all of the secondary characters distinct voices—her male voices, especially for John, are convincing, and the French accents she uses for the villa staff sound authentic, creating an immersive, almost cinematic listening experience.
By the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Brittany, using a firmer, more fearless tone—she comes across as focused on surviving and uncovering the truth, and the delivery mirrors her emotional arc perfectly. Overall, the narration really elevates the story and makes the audiobook difficult to put down! Don’t hesitate on this one!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Good Parents is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who has performed several of Huntley’s thrillers.
Albers voices Brittany with a raw, emotionally charged voice that captures her desperation and the weight of her grief after losing her twin sister. Albers really makes the bond Brittany had with her twin so evident in her inner monologues and decision-making. As obstacles keep piling up and things go from bad to worse, Albers subtly shifts her tone to make Brittany sound overwhelmed yet determined, which makes you really root for her. It’s a dynamic performance that shows both Brittany’s emotional fragility and inner strength, keeping you invested in her outcome!
Albers portrays Angela with a warm, welcoming voice at the start—almost too pleasant-sounding, which makes you immediately question her motives. But once Brittany’s pregnancy is revealed and Angela becomes more unstable, Albers does a brilliant job of conveying her erratic behavior using jarring shifts in tone and impressive acting skills—her dialogue can switch from warm and welcoming to completely unhinged within the same scene, and Albers handles these transitions seamlessly, and it’s super entertaining!
Albers also gives all of the secondary characters distinct voices—her male voices, especially for John, are convincing, and the French accents she uses for the villa staff sound authentic, creating an immersive, almost cinematic listening experience.
By the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Brittany, using a firmer, more fearless tone—she comes across as focused on surviving and uncovering the truth, and the delivery mirrors her emotional arc perfectly. Overall, the narration really elevates the story and makes the audiobook difficult to put down! Don’t hesitate on this one!
The audiobook of The Good Parents is narrated by award-winning narrator Charlie Albers, who has performed several of Huntley’s thrillers.
Albers voices Brittany with a raw, emotionally charged voice that captures her desperation and the weight of her grief after losing her twin sister. Albers really makes the bond Brittany had with her twin so evident in her inner monologues and decision-making. As obstacles keep piling up and things go from bad to worse, Albers subtly shifts her tone to make Brittany sound overwhelmed yet determined, which makes you really root for her. It’s a dynamic performance that shows both Brittany’s emotional fragility and inner strength, keeping you invested in her outcome!
Albers portrays Angela with a warm, welcoming voice at the start—almost too pleasant-sounding, which makes you immediately question her motives. But once Brittany’s pregnancy is revealed and Angela becomes more unstable, Albers does a brilliant job of conveying her erratic behavior using jarring shifts in tone and impressive acting skills—her dialogue can switch from warm and welcoming to completely unhinged within the same scene, and Albers handles these transitions seamlessly, and it’s super entertaining!
Albers also gives all of the secondary characters distinct voices—her male voices, especially for John, are convincing, and the French accents she uses for the villa staff sound authentic, creating an immersive, almost cinematic listening experience.
By the final act, Albers shifts her performance of Brittany, using a firmer, more fearless tone—she comes across as focused on surviving and uncovering the truth, and the delivery mirrors her emotional arc perfectly. Overall, the narration really elevates the story and makes the audiobook difficult to put down! Don’t hesitate on this one!
