Context makes the character. In her own world, Amanda—a respected family therapist and mom-influencer—is likable and potentially invaluable to Emily. Another side emerges when Emily sees through her manipulations and refuses to roll over.

In The Good Mother Test, Emily tackles her career as a single mom with conviction and high hopes, but it’s quickly clear that challenges, small and large, pop up without warning. In a culture where social media provides “friends” by the bushel, someone comes into Emily’s life by happenstance.