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The Guilt Pill
The Other Black Girl meets The Push in this taut psychological drama about a CEO on maternity leave who goes missing after she becomes addicted to an experimental, guilt-erasing pill, exploring themes of motherhood, privilege, race, and how the world treats women who dare to “have it all.�
What if women could get rid of their guilt?
Maya Patel has it all—her own start-up, a sexy, doting husband, influencer status, and now, a new baby. Or does she? Because behind closed doors, Maya's drowning. Her newborn's taking a toll on her marriage, her best friend won't return her calls, and her company's hanging on by a thread. The worst part? It's all her fault. If she could just be a better boss, mother, wife, daughter, friend� Maybe she wouldn't feel so guilty all the time.
Enter: #Girlboss Liz Anderson, who introduces her to the "guilt pill," an experimental supplement that erases female guilt. At first, it’s the perfect antidote to Maya’s self-blame and imposter syndrome, and she finally becomes the unapologetic woman she’s always wanted to be. But there's a catch: for Maya to truly "have it all," she needs to be ready to risk it all. And as Maya falls deeper and deeper down the pill's guilt-free rabbit hole, her growing ruthlessness could threaten everything she's built for herself—and the family she's worked so hard to protect.
Electric, taut, and sharply observed, The Guilt Pill is a feminist exploration of motherhood, race, ambition, and how the world treats women who dare to go after everything they want.
What if women could get rid of their guilt?
Maya Patel has it all—her own start-up, a sexy, doting husband, influencer status, and now, a new baby. Or does she? Because behind closed doors, Maya's drowning. Her newborn's taking a toll on her marriage, her best friend won't return her calls, and her company's hanging on by a thread. The worst part? It's all her fault. If she could just be a better boss, mother, wife, daughter, friend� Maybe she wouldn't feel so guilty all the time.
Enter: #Girlboss Liz Anderson, who introduces her to the "guilt pill," an experimental supplement that erases female guilt. At first, it’s the perfect antidote to Maya’s self-blame and imposter syndrome, and she finally becomes the unapologetic woman she’s always wanted to be. But there's a catch: for Maya to truly "have it all," she needs to be ready to risk it all. And as Maya falls deeper and deeper down the pill's guilt-free rabbit hole, her growing ruthlessness could threaten everything she's built for herself—and the family she's worked so hard to protect.
Electric, taut, and sharply observed, The Guilt Pill is a feminist exploration of motherhood, race, ambition, and how the world treats women who dare to go after everything they want.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 15, 2025
94 people are currently reading
10.8k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 20, 2025
I really wanted to like this as a sci-fi fan, but this is more contemporary fiction with a sprinkling of sci-fi thriller. So, just a heads up for those (like me) who wanted something more immersed in the sci-fi realm.
As contemporary fiction, I liked this book for how it portrayed the challenges of motherhood while running a growing startup. Combine that with Asian American immigrant stubbornness and you have a realistic character with Maya.
I loved how race was interwoven into the narrative, with Maya being an Indian American woman who grew up working class, who then married an upper middle-class man. The themes of race and class within the Indian immigrant society were very well done imo. Maya's frustrations with having to struggle in childhood while her husband underwent a privileged background felt very authentic.
I also liked how the author used Liz Anderson as Maya's foil, particularly when it came to Liz's status as a white woman business owner who's been in Maya's shoes when it comes to running startups. It was very easy to see how Maya was desperate enough to trust Liz's solution: a questionable medication that could solve all of her problems by minimalizing her guilt and anxiety with not being good enough as a new mother, a wife, a businesswoman, and an influencer.
I think I would've liked this a lot better if Maya's friendship with Liz went even deeper, with Liz introducing Maya to her family and her inner circle. Throughout the novel, Liz's character felt very distant, and it was easy to see that she had something up her sleeve. Even though Maya became addicted to Liz's pills pretty quickly, it felt sort of unrealistic that Maya would trust a relative stranger with her health, especially since her best friend is a doctor.
I did like the book for its themes, so I'd recommend this for someone who likes contemporary thrillers with a bit of sci-fi.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for this arc.
As contemporary fiction, I liked this book for how it portrayed the challenges of motherhood while running a growing startup. Combine that with Asian American immigrant stubbornness and you have a realistic character with Maya.
I loved how race was interwoven into the narrative, with Maya being an Indian American woman who grew up working class, who then married an upper middle-class man. The themes of race and class within the Indian immigrant society were very well done imo. Maya's frustrations with having to struggle in childhood while her husband underwent a privileged background felt very authentic.
I also liked how the author used Liz Anderson as Maya's foil, particularly when it came to Liz's status as a white woman business owner who's been in Maya's shoes when it comes to running startups. It was very easy to see how Maya was desperate enough to trust Liz's solution: a questionable medication that could solve all of her problems by minimalizing her guilt and anxiety with not being good enough as a new mother, a wife, a businesswoman, and an influencer.
I think I would've liked this a lot better if Maya's friendship with Liz went even deeper, with Liz introducing Maya to her family and her inner circle. Throughout the novel, Liz's character felt very distant, and it was easy to see that she had something up her sleeve. Even though Maya became addicted to Liz's pills pretty quickly, it felt sort of unrealistic that Maya would trust a relative stranger with her health, especially since her best friend is a doctor.
I did like the book for its themes, so I'd recommend this for someone who likes contemporary thrillers with a bit of sci-fi.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for this arc.
April 16, 2025
The Guilt Pill by @saumyajdave
Publisher- @parkrowbooks
Audiobook narrator- Sharmila Devar
Pub Date - 4/15/25
Imagine you are the CEO of a successful start up company. You worked your tail off to get there too. Your company is flourishing and you’re all over social media.
Maya Patel is the CEO of Medini, a company with beauty products that are safe for the environment. She lives with her husband, Dev and also has a new baby. Her baby boy is colic and has been causing her so much stress that she feels guilty just for going into the office. Sound familiar?
One day, her friend Liz hands her a pill that she is working on that will remove ALL GUILT. Allowing her to be successful, a good mother and empower her without all the guilt attached. Unfortunately, there are some ugly consequences that follow.
What I loved about this story was how close to home it is for mothers. Mothers who are trying to make it in their professional lives and personal lives. She hit the nail on the head and I absolutely loved it!!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher- @parkrowbooks
Audiobook narrator- Sharmila Devar
Pub Date - 4/15/25
Imagine you are the CEO of a successful start up company. You worked your tail off to get there too. Your company is flourishing and you’re all over social media.
Maya Patel is the CEO of Medini, a company with beauty products that are safe for the environment. She lives with her husband, Dev and also has a new baby. Her baby boy is colic and has been causing her so much stress that she feels guilty just for going into the office. Sound familiar?
One day, her friend Liz hands her a pill that she is working on that will remove ALL GUILT. Allowing her to be successful, a good mother and empower her without all the guilt attached. Unfortunately, there are some ugly consequences that follow.
What I loved about this story was how close to home it is for mothers. Mothers who are trying to make it in their professional lives and personal lives. She hit the nail on the head and I absolutely loved it!!!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 21, 2025
An intriguing premise. What if you could take a pill to make “mommy guilt� go away? This is a dual timeline book- we are aware that Mya is a founder of a consumer goods company on maternity leave with an infant son. She gets a lot of guilt from her mother in law and other moms, we can be mean to each other and question our mothering.
So her business contact Liz gives her access to guilt pills that make this go away, and soon Mya finds herself addicted and taking more than she should.
The speculative fiction element went a different direction than I expected. I was a little disappointed in this but overall it was a very accessible read and gives you some food for thought.
So her business contact Liz gives her access to guilt pills that make this go away, and soon Mya finds herself addicted and taking more than she should.
The speculative fiction element went a different direction than I expected. I was a little disappointed in this but overall it was a very accessible read and gives you some food for thought.
February 13, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Thought-Provoking, Nuanced Exploration of Motherhood and Identity
The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave is an absolute must-read—compelling, deeply emotional, and impossible to put down. Dave masterfully weaves a story that explores the pressures of motherhood, the weight of expectations, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding mental health and medication.
The characters feel real and raw, especially Maya, a psychiatrist and mother caught between science, societal norms, and personal guilt. She comes across a pill that will fully relieve her guilt, and it works, but at a cost.
The novel forces readers to confront their own beliefs about what it means to be a “good mother� and how far one would go to relieve their guilt. The writing is beautiful, and Dave balances drama with real-life complexity, making every page feel urgent and meaningful.
This book lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. If you love thought-provoking, character-driven stories that tackle moral ambiguity with nuance and grace, The Guilt Pill is for you.
The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave is an absolute must-read—compelling, deeply emotional, and impossible to put down. Dave masterfully weaves a story that explores the pressures of motherhood, the weight of expectations, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding mental health and medication.
The characters feel real and raw, especially Maya, a psychiatrist and mother caught between science, societal norms, and personal guilt. She comes across a pill that will fully relieve her guilt, and it works, but at a cost.
The novel forces readers to confront their own beliefs about what it means to be a “good mother� and how far one would go to relieve their guilt. The writing is beautiful, and Dave balances drama with real-life complexity, making every page feel urgent and meaningful.
This book lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. If you love thought-provoking, character-driven stories that tackle moral ambiguity with nuance and grace, The Guilt Pill is for you.
October 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. I absolutely love Saumya Dave's writing and after reading her first two books a few years ago and heard she was coming out with a new book, I immediately had to request it on NetGalley. I feel like Dave and I would be great friends in real life because her writing is so real, raw, and inspirational. The Guilt Pill explores the idea of maternal guilt when balancing work, family pressure, and new motherhood. It explores delicate themes of classism, burnout, and feels of inadequacy as a mother. While I am not a parent, I really resonate with these deeply human feelings. I was right there along with Maya as she dug herself deeper and deeper into this rabbit hole she couldn't get herself out of. I think this book is very well set up for a sequel, and I'm really looking forward to it, because I want to see some characters crash and burn and I'd love to explore more of the relationship between Maya and her mother-in-law, Maya's brother and her family, and Maya's parents individually.
Definitely recommend everyone to pick up this book when it hits shelves in 2025!
Definitely recommend everyone to pick up this book when it hits shelves in 2025!
March 29, 2025
#ad many thanks for my advance copy @htp_hive #partner
& @netgalley for the ALC
What if you could take a single pill and leave all the negative emotions that guilt produce in your rearview? No more guilt for anything. How would it change your life?
The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave is a fascinating look into the life of a new mother and business CEO, who is drowning in societal stereotypes and gender roles, when she’s offered the perfect solution in the form of a pill. The only downside? It only lasts a few hours.
I devoured this one. It’s also thought-provoking in that it had me going down the rabbit hole of how society really hates babies. Just think about it: you’ll never sleep again, you’ll never have time to yourself, forget about having a life now. How many other pieces of “wisdom� have you heard that carry the same tune?
The book tackled these topics in an engaging and intriguing way. I loved the overall message of this one. The nonstop action and compelling narrative makes this impossible to put down. The audio was also perfect. The narrators truly brought this story to life.
I enjoyed exploring how someone who is usually bogged down by the feelings of guilt would act if all of a sudden those feelings were gone. In the end, guilt is a product of so much more and is just a part of us. It’s what makes us do and say the things we do. And without it, well we aren’t the same person anymore.
At the heart, this is a mystery as the FMC disappears we are thrown back in time to see how everything unfolded and how we got to where we are at the present time. The story alternates between the past and the present.
Fun and engaging. Loved it.
& @netgalley for the ALC
What if you could take a single pill and leave all the negative emotions that guilt produce in your rearview? No more guilt for anything. How would it change your life?
The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave is a fascinating look into the life of a new mother and business CEO, who is drowning in societal stereotypes and gender roles, when she’s offered the perfect solution in the form of a pill. The only downside? It only lasts a few hours.
I devoured this one. It’s also thought-provoking in that it had me going down the rabbit hole of how society really hates babies. Just think about it: you’ll never sleep again, you’ll never have time to yourself, forget about having a life now. How many other pieces of “wisdom� have you heard that carry the same tune?
The book tackled these topics in an engaging and intriguing way. I loved the overall message of this one. The nonstop action and compelling narrative makes this impossible to put down. The audio was also perfect. The narrators truly brought this story to life.
I enjoyed exploring how someone who is usually bogged down by the feelings of guilt would act if all of a sudden those feelings were gone. In the end, guilt is a product of so much more and is just a part of us. It’s what makes us do and say the things we do. And without it, well we aren’t the same person anymore.
At the heart, this is a mystery as the FMC disappears we are thrown back in time to see how everything unfolded and how we got to where we are at the present time. The story alternates between the past and the present.
Fun and engaging. Loved it.
August 17, 2024
What. A. Page. Turner. This tackles women's guilt about trying to have it all and the struggle it is to manage it all. Maya is the CEO of a start up, a new mom with a fussy baby. While doing a big tv promotion, she and another high powered woman in tech, become friends and Liz seems to see Maya, her strengths as well as her doubts. Liz' magic pill, that takes away guilt, seems to take away Maya's fears and guilt surrounding motherhood and being the boss. Moreover this also addresses wanting more from our partners, despite the partner's best intentions. Maya, being in and spinning out of control becomes this endless stressful loop while family and friends are concerned and confused. There won't be a guilt pill for readers as they shirk all other responsibilities but there will be a payoff of a satisfying read. Personally, I devoured this in a day and felt no guilt for it.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
March 8, 2025
(4.25 stars) A huge thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, The Hive, and Saumya Dave for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book!
This was such a great read. To me, it read like a women’s fiction/mystery, which is something I’ve never experienced in a book, so that made it feel really fast-paced. When I first saw this book, I was immediately intrigued because guilt is something I struggle with every day. Women’s guilt is something that I don’t feel is touched on or acknowledged nearly enough, and this book did a fabulous job at shedding light on the topic. If you’re a woman and/or a mother, or even if you’re not, I highly recommend reading this book!
This was such a great read. To me, it read like a women’s fiction/mystery, which is something I’ve never experienced in a book, so that made it feel really fast-paced. When I first saw this book, I was immediately intrigued because guilt is something I struggle with every day. Women’s guilt is something that I don’t feel is touched on or acknowledged nearly enough, and this book did a fabulous job at shedding light on the topic. If you’re a woman and/or a mother, or even if you’re not, I highly recommend reading this book!
April 1, 2025
The Guilt Pill was an amazing read in my opinion. The mom guilt representation was spot on. What it’s like for women and new moms in the workplace was spot on. The representation in the book was all around amazing and it was very well done. The amount of things that resonated with me was astronomical. I’ve never felt more seen from a character in any book I’ve ever read. The book did take a weird turn of events I wasn’t expecting and that side of things was left unresolved, which I didn’t really like. Overall I would say the story did tie up nicely though and left you with a feel good feeling. This was a five star read for me and I would recommend it to any woman, new mom, seasoned mom, and everyone in between. I need a trophy copy to tab because I just loved this book so much!
April 10, 2025
I was expecting more of a sci-fi slant. I felt like there was a lot of potential, but it fell flat.
February 6, 2025
Saumya’s previous two books were absolute gems, and I think I loved them because the stories hit so close to home. Maybe this one didn’t quite resonate with me as much?
The guilt pill concept was super intriguing, and the plot had so much potential because it was so fresh and relatable to so many women. Especially first generation American women 💪🏽 But the repetitive structure of the book made it tough for me to stay engaged. I’m curious to know what my new mom friends think!
The guilt pill concept was super intriguing, and the plot had so much potential because it was so fresh and relatable to so many women. Especially first generation American women 💪🏽 But the repetitive structure of the book made it tough for me to stay engaged. I’m curious to know what my new mom friends think!
April 1, 2025
So, I was really intrigued by this book as I really remember those hard first few years with two young kids and the constant guilt first when I was working and then when I became a SAHM during the pandemic. So, when I saw the concept of this book was about a pill for women to take away the guilt, I was so intrigued.
This book was so interesting to read just for the reactions it brought out of me. Reading this book there were moments I would have to put it down because something would remind me of those really dark and sometimes hopeless moments that can happen when you have a newborn and the resentment you may have for those around you because you are running on little to no sleep, everyone else around you making it look so easy and everyone around you having their opinion and just having to share it with you and making you feel like the worst mother ever. How you can have a "support" system in your spouse, family and friends but even with all that you are left feeling alone and like you're drowning. This book had a really raw way of exploring the guilt that can come with a new mother trying to balance it all, still be the powerful working woman she was before and dealing with family pressure until eventually you just crash and burn out. That combined with the misogyny, racism and classism just made this a very thought-provoking emotional read. I can tell you as I read this so many times, I would just think to myself I would have taken the pills too just for a moment to breath freely and not feel so alone and like a failure. My heart just broke for Maya all throughout this book because I felt like she was me at times and I just hate the idea of another woman going through. I just wanted to reach out my hand and try and help her. Unfortunately, what she and so many women go through especially in America is that everyone tells us we can have it all and encourage us to have children but then do nothing to help and support women and in fact they will everything they can to work against mothers and just make things harder for us in what honestly feels like a way to punish us and try to get us to fail.
Overall, the author did an amazing job writing this raw and thought proving book that made me feel seen in a lot of ways and emotional at times as she explored these issues. Now as much as I loved the story, I will say there were a couple small things that I felt were a little unresolved at the end that I wish had been answered but it ultimately didn't take away from the story.
Now I will say I saw this book as having a sci-fi feel to it and I don't think that really fits it is definitely a contemporary fiction and that's not a bad thing but for some they may be expecting one thing and getting another.
This book is about Maya who seemingly has it all. A start-up that is seeing some real success, a doting husband, influencer status and now a new baby. With all that you would think that her life is amazing, and she is so happy right. Well not really because behind closed doors it seems like everything is falling apart and she is drowning. Motherhood is harder than she thought and it it now starting to affect her marriage. Her best friend has her own issues and is unable to be there for her same with her family members and her company is actually going through a real rough patch that could result in them shutting their doors before the end of the year. And who is to blame for all this.... well, her of course. If only she was a better mother, wife, boss, friend and daughter then everything would be okay and not falling apart and she wouldn't feel so guilty about being a failure. But then something amazing happens, she runs into her girlboss idol Liz Anderson who says she has just the thing to help Maya, and it is the "guilt pill" which is an experimental supplement that can get rid of female guilt. It sounds too good to be true. A pill that can help get rid of her guilt, self-blame and imposter syndrome. Something that can help her be that strong, confidant, unapologetic woman she has always wanted to be. But is it worth the risk to take these pills just so she can have it all? To Maya, yes, it is worth the risk and as she takes them and feels the guilt melt away and she finally becomes the girlboss mom she has always wanted. But as those around her become concerned with the changes they see in her she to start to realize that the risk could threaten not just her company but also her family both of which she could lose when all she wanted to do was protect them.
I received this as an ARC from Net galley and HTP in exchange for an honest opinion.
This book was so interesting to read just for the reactions it brought out of me. Reading this book there were moments I would have to put it down because something would remind me of those really dark and sometimes hopeless moments that can happen when you have a newborn and the resentment you may have for those around you because you are running on little to no sleep, everyone else around you making it look so easy and everyone around you having their opinion and just having to share it with you and making you feel like the worst mother ever. How you can have a "support" system in your spouse, family and friends but even with all that you are left feeling alone and like you're drowning. This book had a really raw way of exploring the guilt that can come with a new mother trying to balance it all, still be the powerful working woman she was before and dealing with family pressure until eventually you just crash and burn out. That combined with the misogyny, racism and classism just made this a very thought-provoking emotional read. I can tell you as I read this so many times, I would just think to myself I would have taken the pills too just for a moment to breath freely and not feel so alone and like a failure. My heart just broke for Maya all throughout this book because I felt like she was me at times and I just hate the idea of another woman going through. I just wanted to reach out my hand and try and help her. Unfortunately, what she and so many women go through especially in America is that everyone tells us we can have it all and encourage us to have children but then do nothing to help and support women and in fact they will everything they can to work against mothers and just make things harder for us in what honestly feels like a way to punish us and try to get us to fail.
Overall, the author did an amazing job writing this raw and thought proving book that made me feel seen in a lot of ways and emotional at times as she explored these issues. Now as much as I loved the story, I will say there were a couple small things that I felt were a little unresolved at the end that I wish had been answered but it ultimately didn't take away from the story.
Now I will say I saw this book as having a sci-fi feel to it and I don't think that really fits it is definitely a contemporary fiction and that's not a bad thing but for some they may be expecting one thing and getting another.
This book is about Maya who seemingly has it all. A start-up that is seeing some real success, a doting husband, influencer status and now a new baby. With all that you would think that her life is amazing, and she is so happy right. Well not really because behind closed doors it seems like everything is falling apart and she is drowning. Motherhood is harder than she thought and it it now starting to affect her marriage. Her best friend has her own issues and is unable to be there for her same with her family members and her company is actually going through a real rough patch that could result in them shutting their doors before the end of the year. And who is to blame for all this.... well, her of course. If only she was a better mother, wife, boss, friend and daughter then everything would be okay and not falling apart and she wouldn't feel so guilty about being a failure. But then something amazing happens, she runs into her girlboss idol Liz Anderson who says she has just the thing to help Maya, and it is the "guilt pill" which is an experimental supplement that can get rid of female guilt. It sounds too good to be true. A pill that can help get rid of her guilt, self-blame and imposter syndrome. Something that can help her be that strong, confidant, unapologetic woman she has always wanted to be. But is it worth the risk to take these pills just so she can have it all? To Maya, yes, it is worth the risk and as she takes them and feels the guilt melt away and she finally becomes the girlboss mom she has always wanted. But as those around her become concerned with the changes they see in her she to start to realize that the risk could threaten not just her company but also her family both of which she could lose when all she wanted to do was protect them.
I received this as an ARC from Net galley and HTP in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 21, 2025
This was a good one! More action/mystery than speculative (not a complaint, just an observation!), it follows Maya, a new mom and CEO of a rising sustainable company. She's feeling overwhelmed, as you can imagine, by the pressure to "do it all". There is alot of commentary in here about the pressures of being a woman in business, or a working mom in general. How Maya is taken less seriously than her male counterparts, how she is expected to be the "face" of the company on social media as well as the brains of the operation, how her male colleagues are eager to jump in her stead anytime she needs to miss a meeting, etc. Even Liz, her new "bestie" is a performative white woman who definitely doesn't understand the cultural, racial, or socioeconomic issues that Maya is dealing with, both from the outside world and within her own family.
Enter the "guilt pill", which Liz describes as a supplement with no side effects (sure, Jan 🙄) that will just free Maya of all those pesky societal and familial pressures. We know from the start of the book that Maya goes missing. What has happened? Has the guilt pill made herreally not care about her husband and baby, and she's just taken off? Is something else at play? It certainly makes you want to keep reading to find out!
I think at some points, I had hoped for a little more sci-fi or speculative, but that is just a personal preference (and a character flaw where I need to knowall the things), but it was still a very engaging story. Definitely thought provoking and reflective, and certainly relatable if you are or were ever a woman or mother in this patriarchal capitalist dystopia. And an excellent reminder of how much extra crap WOC have to deal with.
Bottom Line: An exciting and extremely relevant thriller about the guilt society foists upon mothers.
Enter the "guilt pill", which Liz describes as a supplement with no side effects (sure, Jan 🙄) that will just free Maya of all those pesky societal and familial pressures. We know from the start of the book that Maya goes missing. What has happened? Has the guilt pill made herreally not care about her husband and baby, and she's just taken off? Is something else at play? It certainly makes you want to keep reading to find out!
I think at some points, I had hoped for a little more sci-fi or speculative, but that is just a personal preference (and a character flaw where I need to knowall the things), but it was still a very engaging story. Definitely thought provoking and reflective, and certainly relatable if you are or were ever a woman or mother in this patriarchal capitalist dystopia. And an excellent reminder of how much extra crap WOC have to deal with.
Bottom Line: An exciting and extremely relevant thriller about the guilt society foists upon mothers.
March 16, 2025
3.75 stars
This is a fun read that I connected with despite not being part of mom culture, which did initially concern me (as far as my sustained interest in the book was concerned). Prospective readers who are having similar thoughts should know that while mom guilt is definitely on tap here, so is the kind of guilt/uncertainty women feel in multiple roles and stages, which makes this more relatable to the masses.
Maya is a successful entrepreneur whose company is thriving, and this matches her homelife, which includes a husband and newborn son. It also includes regular appearances (mostly in the form of intrusive thoughts) by her parents and in-laws, along with a large cast of other ancillary folks. No matter where Maya goes or how much success she finds, there seems to always be a wheedling voice telling her it's not enough and she's not enough. Fortunately, there's a pill for that!
I won't get too far into the title of this book or the role that all plays here, but unexpectedly, that was the least compelling part of this plot. Maya's development and experiences are much more interesting than anything having to do with the titular guilt pill. This, along with the didactic speeches about women's roles, were a lot at times, and I say that from the leftist of the left positions socially. The content is not the problem: just the ways in which it takes readers out of the narrative and into often long-winded narration.
Despite minor gripes, I enjoyed this and especially enjoyed the way this audio is narrated. I recommend that version when and where accessible.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a fun read that I connected with despite not being part of mom culture, which did initially concern me (as far as my sustained interest in the book was concerned). Prospective readers who are having similar thoughts should know that while mom guilt is definitely on tap here, so is the kind of guilt/uncertainty women feel in multiple roles and stages, which makes this more relatable to the masses.
Maya is a successful entrepreneur whose company is thriving, and this matches her homelife, which includes a husband and newborn son. It also includes regular appearances (mostly in the form of intrusive thoughts) by her parents and in-laws, along with a large cast of other ancillary folks. No matter where Maya goes or how much success she finds, there seems to always be a wheedling voice telling her it's not enough and she's not enough. Fortunately, there's a pill for that!
I won't get too far into the title of this book or the role that all plays here, but unexpectedly, that was the least compelling part of this plot. Maya's development and experiences are much more interesting than anything having to do with the titular guilt pill. This, along with the didactic speeches about women's roles, were a lot at times, and I say that from the leftist of the left positions socially. The content is not the problem: just the ways in which it takes readers out of the narrative and into often long-winded narration.
Despite minor gripes, I enjoyed this and especially enjoyed the way this audio is narrated. I recommend that version when and where accessible.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
April 18, 2025
Maya Patel seems to have it all: a new baby, a thriving company, perfect apartment in NY, & a handsome, successful husband. It's an Instagram=perfect life, but in reality, Maya feels guilty all the time. If she spends time on her company she feels guilty at 'neglecting' her baby, but if she spends all her time with Shaan, she feels guilty & responsible for her staff. Not to mention Maya has hardly any time for herself & yet her husband's life seems to have barely changed. If only she didn't feel so guilty all the time. What if there was actually a solution? "If a pill could free you of guilt � would you take it?"
This was not the usual kind of topic that I choose to read but it turned out to be rather good. Even women who aren't parents can identify with the many demands on our time & being expected to multitask, so being a mother must be a whole other level. It's also about the fact that women are held to much higher standards in business & also the additional pressures & judgement on Maya because she is a woman of colour.
The use of interview transcripts & social media messages alongside the usual narrative worked here given the nature of Maya's business dealings, & it kept things interesting. Overall I thought it was an interesting read although the sudden switch to a thriller in the last few chapters was a bit jarring. I also thought that the ending was a little too neat but they are minor quibbles. 3.75 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This was not the usual kind of topic that I choose to read but it turned out to be rather good. Even women who aren't parents can identify with the many demands on our time & being expected to multitask, so being a mother must be a whole other level. It's also about the fact that women are held to much higher standards in business & also the additional pressures & judgement on Maya because she is a woman of colour.
The use of interview transcripts & social media messages alongside the usual narrative worked here given the nature of Maya's business dealings, & it kept things interesting. Overall I thought it was an interesting read although the sudden switch to a thriller in the last few chapters was a bit jarring. I also thought that the ending was a little too neat but they are minor quibbles. 3.75 stars (rounded up)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
March 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
After becoming addicted to experimental “supplements� (drugs) she was told were safe, CEO and new mother Maya Patel goes missing. These drugs were meant to temporarily erase any guilt that is woven into a female’s existence in order for them to succeed in ways guilt-free men are typically afforded. While this works for Maya at first, the “supplements� offered to her by a fellow business woman threaten everything Maya has built regarding her family, friendships, and career.
This book was an interesting concept, because honestly, who wouldn’t benefit from feeling a little less guilt? While the stakes increased as the story went on, they culminated in a way that felt all too brief and unsatisfying. For the amount of build up that occurred throughout the first 75% of the book, the climax really lasted only a few pages. Additionally, while the exploration of feminism, motherhood, and success were notable, I do wish that the inclusion of race in the climax was a little more purposeful and expanded upon as it is a very important topic to discuss.
I did read this via audiobook, and the single narration was fine. I do think at times the narrator slipped between voices when dialogue was quick and some character voices were difficult to distinguish between each other, but this did not impact my overall rating of the book itself.
Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of this audiobook!
After becoming addicted to experimental “supplements� (drugs) she was told were safe, CEO and new mother Maya Patel goes missing. These drugs were meant to temporarily erase any guilt that is woven into a female’s existence in order for them to succeed in ways guilt-free men are typically afforded. While this works for Maya at first, the “supplements� offered to her by a fellow business woman threaten everything Maya has built regarding her family, friendships, and career.
This book was an interesting concept, because honestly, who wouldn’t benefit from feeling a little less guilt? While the stakes increased as the story went on, they culminated in a way that felt all too brief and unsatisfying. For the amount of build up that occurred throughout the first 75% of the book, the climax really lasted only a few pages. Additionally, while the exploration of feminism, motherhood, and success were notable, I do wish that the inclusion of race in the climax was a little more purposeful and expanded upon as it is a very important topic to discuss.
I did read this via audiobook, and the single narration was fine. I do think at times the narrator slipped between voices when dialogue was quick and some character voices were difficult to distinguish between each other, but this did not impact my overall rating of the book itself.
Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of this audiobook!
March 21, 2025
Maya is a new mom, struggling to get back to “normal� and new CEO of her company making more sustainable toiletries (I think??).
She is putting on a good face for social media and the press, but she’s struggling to keep it all together. She’s drowning in guilt and struggling with the balance of family, career, self-care, all the things !
This is when she’s introduced to the “guilt� pill, experimental medicine to erase all things mom / female guilt. Maya decides to give it a shot and initially she is the fierce woman she always desired to be ! But will getting rid of guilt lead to ruthlessness and greed ? Maya starts to lose herself
This goes from past and present, the past outlining her journey with the guilt pill and present where Maya has gone missing. Loved the podcast, news excerpts, etc type of break in the story.
Like any drug, the more she takes, the more she needs, the shorter the effects last..
The race and culture expectations and lens was engaging here. As a boss lady working mom, I related to a lot of this and thought myself, could I take a “guilt pill�???
Loved how this made me think- similar to John Mars dystopian thrillers, The Measure, etc. audiobook narration was great ! Also following the author on instagram made me love this so much more as she’s so candid about her own post partum experience and how it influenced the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 4/15/25.
She is putting on a good face for social media and the press, but she’s struggling to keep it all together. She’s drowning in guilt and struggling with the balance of family, career, self-care, all the things !
This is when she’s introduced to the “guilt� pill, experimental medicine to erase all things mom / female guilt. Maya decides to give it a shot and initially she is the fierce woman she always desired to be ! But will getting rid of guilt lead to ruthlessness and greed ? Maya starts to lose herself
This goes from past and present, the past outlining her journey with the guilt pill and present where Maya has gone missing. Loved the podcast, news excerpts, etc type of break in the story.
Like any drug, the more she takes, the more she needs, the shorter the effects last..
The race and culture expectations and lens was engaging here. As a boss lady working mom, I related to a lot of this and thought myself, could I take a “guilt pill�???
Loved how this made me think- similar to John Mars dystopian thrillers, The Measure, etc. audiobook narration was great ! Also following the author on instagram made me love this so much more as she’s so candid about her own post partum experience and how it influenced the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 4/15/25.
April 10, 2025
This book was a little too relatable and I’m not mad about it at all. I thought this was a pretty spot on look at the conflicts of motherhood, especially during the first year. Maya was such a complex character and it was so easy to understand her struggles with the mental/physical/emotional toll motherhood can bring while also wanting to maintain herself outside of being a mom, especially with being a CEO/founder of a company. I really liked how it explored the changes you can feel in a marriage after giving birth. There were so many nuances and layers to this part of the story and I was kind of blown away by it. I did find the Liz part of the story exciting at first, but it ended up being a bit of a let down. I think part of that was because we didn’t really get to know Liz very well and also there was not much closure once that part of the story ended. I did really enjoy the police interviews, articles and social media posts sprinkled throughout the book. That added a fun layer of mystery and suspense. Overall, as a deep look into the burdens and blessings of motherhood, I LOVED IT, but the mystery part of it was a little bland.
Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced digital reader’s copy!
Thank you NetGalley and Park Row for the advanced digital reader’s copy!
April 6, 2025
The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave. Thanks to @parkrowbooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maya is CEO and Founder of an eco friendly company. She’s recently had a baby and is balancing motherhood, marriage, and her career, leaving her ridden with guilt. When she connects with famous girl boss, Liz, she’s introduced to a supplement that blocks female guilt.
This book did a great job of showing the pressures of working mothers, especially those that run their own business. The guilt of having to choose between career and motherhood when issues arise is real. Maya’s character makes us think: what if we didn’t have to feel that guilt? Of course the reader realizes right away that it’s not going to end well but there’s still mystery to the story. I enjoyed the business aspects of the story, as well as the influencer parts.
“With just one pink pill, she’s limitless. F*ck the rules. The rules weren’t made to benefit people like her.�
The Guilt Pill comes out 4/15.
Maya is CEO and Founder of an eco friendly company. She’s recently had a baby and is balancing motherhood, marriage, and her career, leaving her ridden with guilt. When she connects with famous girl boss, Liz, she’s introduced to a supplement that blocks female guilt.
This book did a great job of showing the pressures of working mothers, especially those that run their own business. The guilt of having to choose between career and motherhood when issues arise is real. Maya’s character makes us think: what if we didn’t have to feel that guilt? Of course the reader realizes right away that it’s not going to end well but there’s still mystery to the story. I enjoyed the business aspects of the story, as well as the influencer parts.
“With just one pink pill, she’s limitless. F*ck the rules. The rules weren’t made to benefit people like her.�
The Guilt Pill comes out 4/15.
April 6, 2025
Review: The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave
Rating: ★★★☆�
I loved the idea of this book. The Guilt Pill follows Maya Mehta, a CEO and new mom grappling with postpartum depression, anxiety, and the relentless pressure of trying to “do it all.� When a mysterious new pill promises to take away feelings of guilt, Maya is intrigued, and tempted. What follows is a sharp, emotional exploration of motherhood, ambition, mental health, and the dangerous appeal of a quick fix.
As someone who has personally struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety, I felt so seen by the premise. The book touches on so many truths: the impossible expectations placed on working moms, the imbalance between mothers and fathers, and the way our own inner critic can become our worst enemy. Honestly? I’d take a guilt pill in a heartbeat. 😂
But of course, things don’t exactly go smoothly. As Maya learns, the only way out is through l; there’s no shortcut when it comes to healing. (Shocker, I know.)
While I loved the concept and appreciated the representation of mental health struggles, the execution didn’t fully hit for me, which is why this landed as a three-star read. Still, I’m grateful to have read it and to NetGalley for the ARC!
Rating: ★★★☆�
I loved the idea of this book. The Guilt Pill follows Maya Mehta, a CEO and new mom grappling with postpartum depression, anxiety, and the relentless pressure of trying to “do it all.� When a mysterious new pill promises to take away feelings of guilt, Maya is intrigued, and tempted. What follows is a sharp, emotional exploration of motherhood, ambition, mental health, and the dangerous appeal of a quick fix.
As someone who has personally struggled with postpartum depression and anxiety, I felt so seen by the premise. The book touches on so many truths: the impossible expectations placed on working moms, the imbalance between mothers and fathers, and the way our own inner critic can become our worst enemy. Honestly? I’d take a guilt pill in a heartbeat. 😂
But of course, things don’t exactly go smoothly. As Maya learns, the only way out is through l; there’s no shortcut when it comes to healing. (Shocker, I know.)
While I loved the concept and appreciated the representation of mental health struggles, the execution didn’t fully hit for me, which is why this landed as a three-star read. Still, I’m grateful to have read it and to NetGalley for the ARC!
Read
April 22, 2025I will always read a Saumya Dave book; Well-Behaved Indian Women (her first novel) made me sure of that. Although I felt like the psychological thriller part of this book was predictable, it’s always so, so refreshing to be able to relate to characters in the deepest way - especially since books with Indian-American main characters that delve into the pressures of being children of immigrants were so few and far between until relatively recently. Many parts of this book, including family dynamics and pressures of being an Indian woman, hit so close to home, as Saumya Dave’s books always do.
April 21, 2025
I’m a huge fan of Saumya Dave and while I may not have enjoyed The Guilt Pill as much as her other two novels, I still enjoyed it.
I loved how the book addressed guilt and Maya’s internal dialogue around it. Although I am not a mother, there were still aspects of the book that were relatable and that resonated with me. A downside of the book was that I did find it quite repetitive. It also went in a direction that I wasn’t anticipating but was still intriguing!
I loved how the book addressed guilt and Maya’s internal dialogue around it. Although I am not a mother, there were still aspects of the book that were relatable and that resonated with me. A downside of the book was that I did find it quite repetitive. It also went in a direction that I wasn’t anticipating but was still intriguing!
Shelved as 'dnf-did-not-finish'
April 19, 2025I listened to 30% and nothing was really happening, it felt like the same stuff over and over. I was not intrigued enough to keep listening to figure out the “mystery�.
April 24, 2025
A page turner and relatable book!! Loved it!
April 21, 2025
A thought-provoking read that discusses issues of motherhood, female guilt, and addiction.
October 22, 2024
"The Guilt Pill" hooked me with its premise: a pill that erases guilt, designed specifically for women. I really enjoyed how the story delved into the balance between motherhood and being a businesswoman, offering a relatable look at the protagonist’s struggles. However, I found myself wanting more scenes about her everyday interactions and how this lack of guilt affected her relationships outside of her immediate circle. It would have added some extra depth to the world around her.
The back-and-forth between her disappearance and the past events felt unnecessary to me. It repeated itself in a way that didn’t really add much to the story. Still, the core concept made me think about how my own life might change with access to such a pill. While I’m tempted by the idea of saying “no� without feeling bad, I also wonder if guilt serves a purpose—like when my child asks me to play pretend veterinary hospital, and I’d rather do anything else. It’s the guilt that nudges me to say yes, reminding me to stay present for those little moments.
Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. The intriguing concept and strong exploration of the lead’s work-life balance kept me engaged, but the repetitive structure and lack of depth in some areas left me wanting more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for about advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest feedback and review.
The back-and-forth between her disappearance and the past events felt unnecessary to me. It repeated itself in a way that didn’t really add much to the story. Still, the core concept made me think about how my own life might change with access to such a pill. While I’m tempted by the idea of saying “no� without feeling bad, I also wonder if guilt serves a purpose—like when my child asks me to play pretend veterinary hospital, and I’d rather do anything else. It’s the guilt that nudges me to say yes, reminding me to stay present for those little moments.
Overall, I’d give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. The intriguing concept and strong exploration of the lead’s work-life balance kept me engaged, but the repetitive structure and lack of depth in some areas left me wanting more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for about advanced readers' copy in exchange for my honest feedback and review.
November 26, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and HTP books for the ARC of this book!
I don't know why this book is not getting talked about more. Loved it!
I resonated with Maya and I am sure other mothers would feel the same way. Talking about basically post partum depression in this book, is something I don't see often talked about.
Don't walk, run to grab this book!
I don't know why this book is not getting talked about more. Loved it!
I resonated with Maya and I am sure other mothers would feel the same way. Talking about basically post partum depression in this book, is something I don't see often talked about.
Don't walk, run to grab this book!
April 17, 2025
Ever since having my first child last year, I’ve been more interested in books about motherhood and young children. This made The Guilt Pill by Saumya Dave one of my most anticipated books this spring. When Maya Patel has her son, she finds herself struggling to balance parenting with her job as the founder and CEO of a successful startup, Medini. For her, the guilt is crippling. So when her new friend offers her a supplement to suppress the guilt, Maya finally gets the relief she’s been craving. She starts to feel better� but at what cost?
Why I Chose This Book:
I’m a mom now to a ten-month-old, and I’ve certainly felt a lot of the anxieties, overwhelm, and guilt that comes with being a parent. This made The Guilt Pill feel especially relevant to where I’m at now. Its comparisons to other books on my TBR (like The Push) also made me confident it was a book I would enjoy.
What I Liked:
- Examination of motherhood, myriad postpartum difficulties, and striving to effortlessly “do it all.� I just had a baby last year, so I’ve become very familiar with the spectrum of emotions and worries that go into raising a newborn. Like Maya, I developed anxieties and was hyper-fixated on certain fears, and only six weeks after my son was born, I was back at work. My experience has been very different so far, but even so, much of what Maya goes through here rang true for me. It’s hard to be your own person while devoting so much time to a baby; it’s hard to keep up with everything else (work, chores, relationships) when the baby needs so much time. The guilt is real, and I appreciated seeing this topic explored with such nuance and care here.
- Maya’s experiences as an Indian American woman from a poor background. Maya isn’t just a woman or mom; she’s also the daughter of immigrants from India who had to work constantly to provide for their family. Maya has a tougher time, especially as the founder of a company, than most people. And her working class background adds to her feelings of imposter syndrome.
- Mixed media, including police interviews, article excerpts, and social media discussions. Nearly every chapter ends with an extra tidbit, usually foreshadowing Maya’s ultimate disappearance and giving hints (or red herrings!) about the root cause. These were fun to read and just show how off the mark people can be, especially those who don’t actually know the person in question.
- Hint of mystery and thriller vibes. This isn’t really a thriller, but it’s set up around the disappearance of Maya, and most of the book leads up to that event. As the novel progresses, readers wonder what goes wrong� or rather, how it goes wrong. And there are so many rumors that come up about her disappearance: Was it her husband? Is it drugs? Was she cheating on her husband? When the event does finally happen, the thriller vibe amps up even more.
- Relationships with spouse, parents, and friends. Maya’s problems didn’t come from nothing, and her problems don’t only affect her. I liked seeing how her relationships with others weave into the narrative, showing how motherhood really isn’t (or shouldn’t be!) a solo endeavor.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Not enough karma for a certain someone� but the epilogue is intriguing!
Final Thoughts
The Guilt Pill is a book I would encourage all new mothers to read. Maya’s experiences won’t mirror everyone’s; my own foray into motherhood so far hasn’t been nearly as difficult. But I think we all go through similar feelings to some degree, and it helps to understand other mothers and what they’re feeling in that first year postpartum. This is novel is emotional and powerful, and I am excited to read more from Saumya Dave.
Special thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
Why I Chose This Book:
I’m a mom now to a ten-month-old, and I’ve certainly felt a lot of the anxieties, overwhelm, and guilt that comes with being a parent. This made The Guilt Pill feel especially relevant to where I’m at now. Its comparisons to other books on my TBR (like The Push) also made me confident it was a book I would enjoy.
What I Liked:
- Examination of motherhood, myriad postpartum difficulties, and striving to effortlessly “do it all.� I just had a baby last year, so I’ve become very familiar with the spectrum of emotions and worries that go into raising a newborn. Like Maya, I developed anxieties and was hyper-fixated on certain fears, and only six weeks after my son was born, I was back at work. My experience has been very different so far, but even so, much of what Maya goes through here rang true for me. It’s hard to be your own person while devoting so much time to a baby; it’s hard to keep up with everything else (work, chores, relationships) when the baby needs so much time. The guilt is real, and I appreciated seeing this topic explored with such nuance and care here.
- Maya’s experiences as an Indian American woman from a poor background. Maya isn’t just a woman or mom; she’s also the daughter of immigrants from India who had to work constantly to provide for their family. Maya has a tougher time, especially as the founder of a company, than most people. And her working class background adds to her feelings of imposter syndrome.
- Mixed media, including police interviews, article excerpts, and social media discussions. Nearly every chapter ends with an extra tidbit, usually foreshadowing Maya’s ultimate disappearance and giving hints (or red herrings!) about the root cause. These were fun to read and just show how off the mark people can be, especially those who don’t actually know the person in question.
- Hint of mystery and thriller vibes. This isn’t really a thriller, but it’s set up around the disappearance of Maya, and most of the book leads up to that event. As the novel progresses, readers wonder what goes wrong� or rather, how it goes wrong. And there are so many rumors that come up about her disappearance: Was it her husband? Is it drugs? Was she cheating on her husband? When the event does finally happen, the thriller vibe amps up even more.
- Relationships with spouse, parents, and friends. Maya’s problems didn’t come from nothing, and her problems don’t only affect her. I liked seeing how her relationships with others weave into the narrative, showing how motherhood really isn’t (or shouldn’t be!) a solo endeavor.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Not enough karma for a certain someone� but the epilogue is intriguing!
Final Thoughts
The Guilt Pill is a book I would encourage all new mothers to read. Maya’s experiences won’t mirror everyone’s; my own foray into motherhood so far hasn’t been nearly as difficult. But I think we all go through similar feelings to some degree, and it helps to understand other mothers and what they’re feeling in that first year postpartum. This is novel is emotional and powerful, and I am excited to read more from Saumya Dave.
Special thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
February 23, 2025
Rounded up from 2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for this e-ARC of The Guilt Pill in exchange for an honest review.
Maya is the CEO to a successful eco-toiletry brand and a new mom. As she navigates the difficulty of fighting to maintain control of her company in a male-dominated space she is also juggling the guilt she experiences every time she feels like she fails, either as a business owner or a mom. When another female founder offers her a pill that can eradicate guilt designed specifically for women, she takes it, desperate to relieve herself of the guilt that is weighing her down no matter what decisions she makes. What would she be like free of the guilt that seems to be part of the package of being a woman and a working mother?
I wanted to like this book so much. The concept was and is so interesting to me, and particularly as a new mom myself, Maya's experience and struggle with early the postpartum period really resonated. But unfortunately The Guilt Pill really lost me in the execution.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
-Speculative fiction
-Themes of new motherhood
-Themes of addiction
-Family drama
-South Asian FMC
-Big time girlbossing
-Thriller elements
Throughout The Guilt Pill there are these salient moments and lines that really struck a chord for me. Themes around generational trauma, around working mothers navigating impossible expectations, about the loneliness and isolation of those early postpartum days and how articulating that struggle is often met with a wave of toxic positivity. But I'm not sure what this novel's thesis is. When I finished the novel I couldn't figure out what the takeaway was supposed to be.
I really like the structure of the novel - each chapter is punctuated with news clippings, transcripts, and interviews that build suspense and move the storyline along. That worked effectively and kept me moving through the novel to find out what happened.
The early chapters really captured the early motherhood experience and how truly difficult it is, and I found that to be nuanced and well-executed.
Despite the relatability, though, I found that I disliked basically every character in this novel. Maya drove me absolutely nuts. She frequently ruminated on how she watched her mom sacrifice everything to be a wife and mother, but when her parents do anything to alleviate themselves of that she loses her mind. She tells her mom that everyone in her generation should be in therapy when she scoffs at the idea of therapy herself. Her husband is terrible. Her best friend is correctly concerned about her, but also terrible!
The pacing of this novel left me baffled. The front half goes into excruciating detail about baby supplies (shout out to the Snoo and DocATot which are both name dropped), but other major plot points are yada-yada-yada'd away. The takes a wild turn that comes a little out of left field, and there is a traumatic event that is alluded to throughout the book that really doesn't pay off.
This novel felt like it should be more of a character study, and some of the most interesting elements of the book were exploring the relationship between Maya and her brother and parents, but most of the book was spent telling instead of showing and I ultimately don't feel like I have an understanding of who Maya really is beyond the trope of "new mom who also works". I loved the idea of the novel, but unfortunately this was a miss for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for this e-ARC of The Guilt Pill in exchange for an honest review.
Maya is the CEO to a successful eco-toiletry brand and a new mom. As she navigates the difficulty of fighting to maintain control of her company in a male-dominated space she is also juggling the guilt she experiences every time she feels like she fails, either as a business owner or a mom. When another female founder offers her a pill that can eradicate guilt designed specifically for women, she takes it, desperate to relieve herself of the guilt that is weighing her down no matter what decisions she makes. What would she be like free of the guilt that seems to be part of the package of being a woman and a working mother?
I wanted to like this book so much. The concept was and is so interesting to me, and particularly as a new mom myself, Maya's experience and struggle with early the postpartum period really resonated. But unfortunately The Guilt Pill really lost me in the execution.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
-Speculative fiction
-Themes of new motherhood
-Themes of addiction
-Family drama
-South Asian FMC
-Big time girlbossing
-Thriller elements
Throughout The Guilt Pill there are these salient moments and lines that really struck a chord for me. Themes around generational trauma, around working mothers navigating impossible expectations, about the loneliness and isolation of those early postpartum days and how articulating that struggle is often met with a wave of toxic positivity. But I'm not sure what this novel's thesis is. When I finished the novel I couldn't figure out what the takeaway was supposed to be.
I really like the structure of the novel - each chapter is punctuated with news clippings, transcripts, and interviews that build suspense and move the storyline along. That worked effectively and kept me moving through the novel to find out what happened.
The early chapters really captured the early motherhood experience and how truly difficult it is, and I found that to be nuanced and well-executed.
Despite the relatability, though, I found that I disliked basically every character in this novel. Maya drove me absolutely nuts. She frequently ruminated on how she watched her mom sacrifice everything to be a wife and mother, but when her parents do anything to alleviate themselves of that she loses her mind. She tells her mom that everyone in her generation should be in therapy when she scoffs at the idea of therapy herself. Her husband is terrible. Her best friend is correctly concerned about her, but also terrible!
The pacing of this novel left me baffled. The front half goes into excruciating detail about baby supplies (shout out to the Snoo and DocATot which are both name dropped), but other major plot points are yada-yada-yada'd away. The takes a wild turn that comes a little out of left field, and there is a traumatic event that is alluded to throughout the book that really doesn't pay off.
This novel felt like it should be more of a character study, and some of the most interesting elements of the book were exploring the relationship between Maya and her brother and parents, but most of the book was spent telling instead of showing and I ultimately don't feel like I have an understanding of who Maya really is beyond the trope of "new mom who also works". I loved the idea of the novel, but unfortunately this was a miss for me.
April 15, 2025
I am more than excited to review this book. Before I delve into it, I want to go into a little backstory. Social media can be such a toxic and awful environment, but sometimes you get lucky and find a kindred spirit. Several years ago I happened to win a book from this lovely young author during a random give away on Instagram. We started chatting a bit via DM and realized we had quite a bit in common- both of us of South Asian descent, both Jersey girls, both physicians, and both avid readers. Saumya very kindly reached out on ŷ to praise some of my reviews. Having a published author reach out to tell my that she enjoyed my little reviews more than made my day! Over the last few years, Saumya and I exchanged emails and I had the privilege of learning a little bit about this book in its infancy and even got to preview the first few chapters.
Reading this book was such an interesting experience for me. The story brought me right back to my own confusing and stressful time after the birth of my first child. Maya is an up and coming influencer, business woman and new mom. She has literally given birth to a new business and a child almost simultaneously. Like most new mothers, she is struggling. If she ignores her business at such a crucial stage, she runs the risk of losing control of her own company. And yet, as ambitious as she is, she also just wants to nest and snuggle with her newborn son. Saumya nailed it as she depicted Maya's real conflict as she tries to reconcile her old life with her new one. As I read Maya's story it brought me right back to all of the insecurities I experienced after having my first child. Too many stories sugar coat how hard new motherhood is. This book definitely did not do that. I also really liked reading about the way Liz insinuated herself into Maya's life and became her confidant. When you are struggling, having a safe space with someone who understands your situation is such a comfort. Also, Liz was an incredibly intoxicating presence for Maya and how she insinuated her way into her life. Without giving too much away, Liz comes up with a novel way to alleviate all of the new mom guilt, but at what cost? I continued to root for Maya and her husband Dev throughout the entire book. We often see a new mother's struggle with motherhood, but what about the dad's struggle? I liked how Saumya handled the conflict between Dev and Maya as they navigate being lovers and parents. The backstory of Maya's family of origin added a lot of depth to the story. Knowing about Maya's parents helped you understand her work ethic and strong desire to make her business succeed no matter what. I have read all of Saumya's novels and have enjoyed them all. I always appreciate how she incorporates her insights and sensitivity as a psychiatrist into her novels. I think that this novel is bound to be a huge hit and I could not be any more pleased for my lovely friend. Congratulations!!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest opionion.
Reading this book was such an interesting experience for me. The story brought me right back to my own confusing and stressful time after the birth of my first child. Maya is an up and coming influencer, business woman and new mom. She has literally given birth to a new business and a child almost simultaneously. Like most new mothers, she is struggling. If she ignores her business at such a crucial stage, she runs the risk of losing control of her own company. And yet, as ambitious as she is, she also just wants to nest and snuggle with her newborn son. Saumya nailed it as she depicted Maya's real conflict as she tries to reconcile her old life with her new one. As I read Maya's story it brought me right back to all of the insecurities I experienced after having my first child. Too many stories sugar coat how hard new motherhood is. This book definitely did not do that. I also really liked reading about the way Liz insinuated herself into Maya's life and became her confidant. When you are struggling, having a safe space with someone who understands your situation is such a comfort. Also, Liz was an incredibly intoxicating presence for Maya and how she insinuated her way into her life. Without giving too much away, Liz comes up with a novel way to alleviate all of the new mom guilt, but at what cost? I continued to root for Maya and her husband Dev throughout the entire book. We often see a new mother's struggle with motherhood, but what about the dad's struggle? I liked how Saumya handled the conflict between Dev and Maya as they navigate being lovers and parents. The backstory of Maya's family of origin added a lot of depth to the story. Knowing about Maya's parents helped you understand her work ethic and strong desire to make her business succeed no matter what. I have read all of Saumya's novels and have enjoyed them all. I always appreciate how she incorporates her insights and sensitivity as a psychiatrist into her novels. I think that this novel is bound to be a huge hit and I could not be any more pleased for my lovely friend. Congratulations!!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest opionion.
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