“You will think I am evil, but I am not. I am not.” — Ashley Audrain, The Push

Some books are hard to forget, and The Push by Ashley Audrain is one of them. It’s not your typical story about family or love. This book looks at the hard side of being a mom. It talks about fear, doubt, and what happens when no one believes you.

The main character, Blythe, wants to be a good mother. But from the start, something felt wrong with her daughter. This story is dark, emotional, and full of tension. It made me question what was real and what wasn’t.

The writing is simple but powerful, and the short chapters keep you turning the pages. In this blog, I’ll share what the book is about, what I liked, what I didn’t, and if I think it’s worth reading. If you’re curious about The Push, keep reading for my full review.

About The Book

The Push is a psychological drama novel written by Ashley Audrain. This gripping debut explores the darker sides of motherhood, love, and mental health. Told in a raw, emotional voice, the book follows Blythe Connor, a woman determined not to repeat the mistakes of the women who raised her.

Blythe wants to be a loving and devoted mother, but after the birth of her daughter, Violet, things don’t feel right. Violet is cold, distant, and difficult, and Blythe starts to believe something is wrong. But her husband, Fox, thinks she’s imagining it.

As Blythe begins to resolve under the pressure of parenting and past trauma, readers are forced to ask: is Violet truly dangerous—or is Blythe losing her grip?

Ashley Audrain’s novel explores motherhood, trauma, mental illness, and the deep fears no one talks about. It’s a chilling and emotional story about love, trust, and what happens when no one believes you.

Plot Summary

• Blythe Connor: The protagonist, a woman determined to be a better mother than her own. Her past haunts her as she struggles to bond with her daughter.
• Violet Connor: Blythe’s daughter, who shows signs of being emotionally distant and possibly harmful.
• Fox Connor: Blythe’s husband, who dismisses her concerns and believes Violet is perfectly normal.
• Sam Connor: Blythe and Fox’s second child, a boy with whom Blythe finally feels the bond of motherhood.
• Cecelia and Etta: Blythe’s mother and grandmother, who had troubled relationships with motherhood themselves.

From the start, Blythe senses something off about Violet. She doesn’t cry, doesn’t want to be held, and shows cruel behavior that only Blythe seems to notice. Fox brushes it off, leaving Blythe isolated in her worry. When they have a second child, Sam, everything feels different—until a tragic event turns their lives upside down.

As Blythe struggles with grief and doubt, she begins to question everything she thought she knew—about Violet, her own past, and herself. The story unfolds through a personal letter to Fox, with tension building as Blythe’s world slowly unravels. In the end, readers are left wondering: was she right all along?

My Review

Writing Style and Tone

Ashley Audrain’s writing in The Push is sharp, emotional, and intimate. The story is told through short, powerful chapters, which makes it easy to read but hard to put down. The tone is heavy and tense from the beginning, and the second-person point of view—written as a letter from Blythe to her ex-husband—makes the book feel personal and haunting.

The style pulls you deep into Blythe’s thoughts and fears. You experience her joy, doubt, pain, and isolation in a way that feels real. The voice is raw and honest, which makes you want to believe her even when her actions feel unsure. The book reads like a confession, and it keeps you guessing the whole way through.

Themes & Emotional Impact

• Motherhood: This book explores a side of motherhood that’s rarely talked about. Blythe doesn’t feel the instant connection with her child that many people expect, and that honesty makes the story both brave and painful.
• Generational Trauma: Blythe’s fear of repeating her mother’s mistakes shows how deeply family patterns can shape a person’s life. The book raises the question: Can we ever truly break free from our past?
• Belief and Doubt: One of the hardest parts of Blythe’s story is that no one believes her—not even her husband. The feeling of being unheard adds to her fear and confusion, making her doubt herself.
• Loss and Grief: Without giving too much away, the story involves deep loss. Blythe’s grief processing is heartbreaking and written in a way that feels true to real life.

The Push has a strong emotional impact. It made me feel sad, tense, angry, and unsure, sometimes all at once. You’re left wondering if Blythe is right or if she’s falling apart. That uncertainty makes the story powerful and unsettling.

What I Liked

• The book bravely and honestly tackles hard topics like motherhood, trauma, and mental health.

• Blythe is a strong but broken character, and her pain feels real.

• The short chapters and second-person point of view pull you in fast.

• The story keeps you guessing—is Violet really dangerous, or is Blythe struggling with her past?

What Didn’t Work for Me

• The book is very dark, and some parts are hard to read, especially for parents.

• The ending felt sudden and left me wanting more closure.

• Some readers may find Blythe unreliable or frustrating, especially in the middle of the book.

EXPLICIT SPOILER WARNING

• Sam’s death is devastating. I felt the weight of his tragic fall from the window while in Violet’s care. It was impossible to shake the feeling of helplessness.

• Blythe begins to suspect that Violet intentionally caused the fall, and while I could understand her reasoning, it was painful to watch as no one believed her.

• The breakdown of Blythe’s marriage to Fox is heart-wrenching. When Fox left her to start a new family with another woman, I couldn’t help but feel the deep emotional pain she went through.

• The final chilling moment left me shaken. When Blythe sees something truly disturbing in Violet, I was left with so many questions. It gave the story a haunting finish, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it after I finished the book.

Ratings and Reader Opinions

“Living every day in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage.” — Ashley Audrain, The Push

Goodreads Rating & Reader Opinions

Goodreads Rating: 3.96/5
Total Ratings: 200,000+ reviews

Goodreads Reviews

• “A chilling, emotional ride. I couldn’t put it down.” – 5 stars
• “Dark and honest. Not easy to read, but so powerful.” – 4.5 stars
• “Hard to connect with Blythe at first, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this book afterward.” – 4 stars

Amazon Reviews

• “One of the most intense stories I’ve read in years.” – 5 stars
• “Deep, raw, and thought-provoking. A must-read.” – 5 stars
• “Not for the faint of heart, but so well written.” – 4 stars

What Other Authors Have to Say About the Book

Many bestselling authors have praised The Push for its bold look at motherhood and mental health.

• Lisa Jewell, author of Then She Was Gone, said:
  “I was gripped. Audrain’s writing is stunning, and the story is unforgettable.”
• Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, said:
  “A poetic, chilling look at motherhood. Beautiful and brutal.”
• Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale, said:
  “Raw and honest. The Push will stay with you long after you finish it.”

The Push has become a powerful conversation starter among authors and readers alike for its unique perspective and emotional depth.

Is Reading The Push Worth It?

“You will think I am evil, but I am not. I am not.” — Ashley Audrain, The Push

Reading The Push is not always easy, but it is meaningful. It offers a sharp, honest look at the fears, doubts, and quiet battles many mothers face. This book pulls you into Blythe’s mind and makes you feel every part of her journey—the love, the loss, and the fear that maybe she’s not imagining things after all.

What makes The Push worth reading is its honesty. It tells a story that many people avoid—a mother who does not instantly bond with her child, who feels unseen, and who fears the cycle of trauma will never end. The writing is emotional and powerful. The story builds slowly but stays with you.

Still, this book may not be right for everyone. It is dark, emotional, and heavy, with disturbing scenes. It asks hard questions and gives no easy answers, but that’s what makes it so impactful.

If you like stories that explore difficult truths and show a side of parenting that isn’t picture-perfect, then The Push is worth it.

If you like these genres or story arcs, you should try it:

• Psychological fiction about motherhood and trauma
• Domestic thrillers with emotional depth
• Stories with unreliable narrators
• Character-driven novels about mental health and identity

Similar Books If You Enjoyed The Push

If you liked The Push, you might also enjoy:

• Verity by Colleen Hoover
• We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
• The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani
• Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
• Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Which Ashley Audrain Book Should You Read Next?

Currently, The Push is Ashley Audrain’s debut novel. However, she has announced a second novel in progress titled The Whispers, which will explore relationships between women, trust, and hidden truths.

If you enjoyed The Push, her next book is worth keeping an eye on.