5 Star Review of...
Michael R. French’s
THE GOOD MOTHER TEST
What makes a good mother you ask?
That’s a great question and we ask that YOU leave your answer in the comments - thanks!
And now onto Crystal Otto's 5 star review as part of the WOW! Women on Writing book blog tour for author Michael R. French with his latest book The Good Mother Test!
About the Book: When Emily, a bright but impulsive UCLA student, gives birth to her daughter Violet, she vows to be the kind of mother she never had: endlessly loving and fiercely protective. But single motherhood is a test with no right answers.
As Violet’s brilliance and independence unfold, Emily’s instincts clash with a world obsessed with achievement. Then Violet’s father, Doug, returns, now partnered with Amanda, a celebrated therapist unable to have children of her own. What begins as an amicable co-parenting plan becomes a psychological struggle for Violet’s heart and future.
Told through the eyes of both mother and daughter, The Good Mother Test is a deeply moving contemporary novel about family, ambition, and the fragile line between devotion and control. It asks the reader what makes a good mother, and what happens when love itself is put to the test.
The Good Mother Test
Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One
Find out more by visiting: www.goodmothertest.com
Crystal's 5 Star Review:
I've read most of Michael R. French's books and loved them! French writes beautifully with just enough detail to keep me engaged and his flow is consistent throughout his books. When he popped into my inbox in December with an opportunity to read and review The Good Mother Test, I literally tossed my phone onto the couch and looked at the ceiling asking "why me God?". The day the email arrived, I had found my mother on the floor of her home. The paramedics were called, I spent the day at the hospital, and I had just come home to check a few things (including emails) after learning my mother had a brain tumor and would be in a coma for her remaining days. My mother and I had always had a tumultuous relationship. Due to her mental illness, I had always felt like the mother: cleaning up her messes, trying to smooth over her broken relationships, forgiving her for outbursts, and trying to help others see her in the best light - even when I was the one seeing her at her worst. The very last thing I wanted to do while sitting next to my own mother on her death bed was to read a book titled: The Good Mother Test. I took a few deep breaths remembering how much I adore French's other books and I picked up my phone to finish reading about this new book. Ah...single motherhood...that speaks to me. Co-parenting, psychological struggles, and that unhealed inner child...I guess I can find something interesting in this book. I replied to the email. The book arrived after my mother died and before Christmas. We had her funeral between Crystal and New Years and I decided to start reading right after sending out the last obligatory thank you note. My own situation aside, here is my review:
Michael R. French did a fabulous job writing The Good Mother Test from the perspective of a mother and a daughter (neither of which he has ever been). The book had great flow and I didn't feel any chapters were lacking when it came to holding my attention. Even though the characters were very different (primarily in socio economic ways) from my friends and myself, they were very believable and relatable. I would recommend this book for older readers as there are adult topics, but as an adult mother, I found The Good Mother Test to be a beautiful story. I can definitely relate to vowing to be endlessly loving and fiercely protective of my children. I also think that no matter how hard we try as parents, our children are going to come up with ways they can do better than we did. Isn't that what progress is about any way? That was the best part of reading French's latest book - it made me think. I spent a good deal of time reflecting on my childhood, the childhood I provide for my children, and how my children may think about their own parenting journeys some day. The Good Mother Test is 5 stars in my book - and it's a book I'll be thinking about for years to come! Well done Michael R. French!
I like to think I'm a good mother.
So I will ask you, what makes a good mother?
Leave your answer in the comments.
The Good Mother Test is available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can add it to your list at Goodreads.
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948749-90-9
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-948749-92-3
Audiobook: Coming Mar 10, 2026 Narrated by Laurie Bower
Library of Congress Number: 2026900284
About the Author:
Michael R. French graduated from Stanford University, where he studied English and creative writing under Wallace Stegner, and later earned a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. After serving in the U.S. Army, he married Patricia Goodkind, an educator and entrepreneur, and began a family.
French is the author of more than twenty books, including award-winning young adult novels, adult fiction, biographies, and self-help titles. His work has been warmly reviewed in The New York Times and honored with multiple literary prizes. He has also written or co-written several screenplays, including Intersection, which has received awards at more than twenty film festivals.
His passions include travel, collecting rare books, and spending time with family and friends. He describes his worst traits as impatience and saying “no” too quickly, and his best as curiosity, risk-taking, and learning from failure.
Words of Praise:
“…A highly readable, relatable novel about ordinary people interacting, clashing, and blending their lives in however a messy or successful manner they can, and will attract readers interested in the psychological dovetailing of family and relationship-building which all boils down to luck and trust. These elements move full circle to guide characters and readers in an unexpected journey towards new beginnings and hope, making for a hard-hitting, satisfying read.”
-- Midwest Book Review
“French shows a skillful hand with characters’ voices and dialogue, effectively
capturing very different perspectives in both third and first person.
The scenes of tension and suspense work well.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Blog Tour Dates:
February 23rd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning with coffee than a muffin? Join us on the WOW! blog today and celebrate the launch of Michael R. French's book The Good Mother Test. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book too.
February 24th @ Bring on Lemons with Sara Erdmann
Wisconsin mother and reader Sara Erdmann shares her review of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test with readers at Bring on Lemons. You won’t want to miss what this mother of 5 has to say!
https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
February 25th @ Fiona Ingram Author
Fiona Ingram puts Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test in the spotlight at her blog today - stop by and learn more about this accomplished author and his latest highly acclaimed book!
February 27th @ A Wonderful World of Words
Joy at a Wonderful World of Words puts Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test in the spotlight at her blog today - stop by and find out why this book belongs on everyone’s TBR pile!
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
March 1st @ Book Bunnies
Stop by Book Bunnies and read this review of The Good Mother Test. Michael R. French has done it again and created a touching and unforgettable tale you won’t be able to put down!
March 2nd @ Chapter Break
Julie at Chapter Break interviews author Michael R. French about his latest book, The Good Mother Test. Stop by and gain more insight into this highly acclaimed author and his latest book baby!
https://chapterbreak.net
March 5th @ Storey Book Reviews
Today’s spotlight at Storey Book Reviews shines on none other than author, Michael R. French and his latest book, The Good Mother Test. Don’t miss this shining star in today’s author spotlight!
https://www.storeybookreviews.com
March 8th @ Sarandipitys
Today’s spotlight at Sarandipitys shines on none other than author, Michael R. French and his latest book, The Good Mother Test. Don’t miss this shining star in today’s author spotlight!
March 11th @ Bring on Lemons with Crystal Otto
Wisconsin mother, reader, student, and musician Crystal Otto shares her 5 star review of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test. Stop by Bring on Lemons to learn why you need to get your hands on this amazing book today!
March 14th @ World of My Imagination with Nicole Pyles
Nicole shares her review of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test. Stop by World of My Imagination to find out what Nicole has to say today!
March 15th @ Substack with Nicole Pyles
If you didn’t get enough of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test yesterday, stop by Nicole’s substack today and learn even more!
March 17th @ Bring on Lemons with Tina Brouchoud
Wisconsin mother and avid reader Tina Brouchoud shares her honest review of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test. Stop by Bring on Lemons to hear an interesting perspective on this fantastic book!
https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
March 21st @ Karen Siddall
Fellow author Karen Siddall shares her review of Michael R. French’s The Good Mother Test. Stop by Karen’s website to hear what she thinks of French’s latest book!
About the Author of Today's Post:
Crystal Casavant-Otto writes.
Everything...
If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It? is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2026...or maybe 2027. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing, Bring on Lemons, and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intelligent, recalcitrant, and delightful humans who give her breath and keep her heart beating day after day.
Crystal wears many hats (and not just the one in this photo) including student, church worker, musician, singer, mom, and more! She fully believes in being in the moment and doing everything she can to improve the lives of those around her! The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers!
If you've never heard Crystal sing, mark your calendars and join her many fans (most of whom she gave birth to) at the Capitol Civic Center on May 19th! Both Crystal and her daughter, Delphine will be singing solos on stage that evening. Delphine will be singing Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables and Crystal will be singing the solo part in Schubert's Kyrie from the Mass in G.
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