The Good Mother Test: Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One

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, fiercely protective, and always worthy of her child’s trust. But single motherhood is a test with no right answers. As Violet grows into a gifted and unpredictable child, Emily’s instinct-driven parenting collides with a world obsessed with achievement, social expectations, and expert advice.

When Violet’s father, Doug, reenters her life—now...