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elliethecatlover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Medical content, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
beth_48's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Infertility, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
sooz_767's review
4.0
Any story involving a death of a child is going to be hard to read and triggering to many, but the story didn't linger on the death itself and even the grief of the parents wasn't the main focus, this was definitely a wise choice by the author and made this more readable.
I really do like a courtroom drama every so often, so this hit the mark for me and I'll definitely check out more from this author.
Graphic: Child death and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicide
dlsmk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
estherb's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
piperkitty's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
What's the perfect mother supposed to be like? Trying to be a wonder woman, Sushann makes massive mistakes that will change her forever.
Heartbreak this book pulls on your heart. Deals with the sensitive issue of child death. We are told this through two different ladies' points of view. One, Susahhan, who's famous and has it all been on autopilot, made her makes the biggest mistake of her life. Whereas Adaline, a report, had been through this ten years ago with her baby, and who was the one to tell her the news, but this Dr Sue herself, Adeline finds herself working in this case for the paper, which brings up memories. I feel for both ladies in this situation; I want to cry and shout and scream for them. It's a situation all parents fear and are terrified of. This is such a thought-provoking and compulsive page-turner.
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
onewoman_bookclub's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
samsweebooknook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Susannah Rice seems to have it all - two beautiful daughters, a happy marriage, a successful career as a doctor, and a public persona Dr. Sue who is loved by all. But things take a turn when one day, exhausted from juggling it all, Susannah makes the tragic mistake of leaving her youngest daughter in the car as she heads into work. As Susannah and her family come to terms with their loss, she faces scrutiny from every angle, including that of news reporter Adelaide Gold.
It goes without saying that there is a trigger warning for infant death so please proceed with caution if this might affect you.
A raw and heartbreaking subject matter but Coffey handles it sensitively and respectfully. As a mum, it does terrify me to hear of stories like this - whether it be fiction or real life - as it serves as a reminder of how easily mistakes can happen when you're under the intense exhaustion that often accompanies motherhood. The first few chapters were particularly heartbreaking, where Susannah is in work and the reader is waiting for the discovery of what has happened to little Louise.
What struck me most about the book was the judgement and the pressure on women (including working mum's, stay at home mum's and those who have decided against having children). A relatable but sad insight to the society we currently live in.
With it being set in America it also gave a heartbreaking insight into the lack of maternity leave compared to the UK & Ireland - mothers having to return to work while they are still recovering from the birth. I couldn't imagine having to leave my baby to return to work that early.
I flew through this book - reading it in two sittings so I could find out how things panned out in the court case. A really gripping and engaging debut novel.
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Suicide
bookellys's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Suicide attempt