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marthaos's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
This was a disturbing but thought-provoking read, a story well told that had my attention from the start.
Susannah Rice, a high-profile paediatric doctor with media presence has two young children. When one day, the unthinkable happens, and she forgets her baby in the back seat of the car while she attends to a medical emergency in the hospital, all sorts of questions are asked. Is this top doctor incapable of being a mother, is she guilty of the death of her infant? And so begins a gruelling trial where every aspect of her personal life is brought to light.
There is another narrative involving Adelaide, a chief reporter put on this case, who has her own backstory that relates to the main story that she is covering. As the case moves on, Adelaide finds her emotions, which she so far kept in check, rising to the surface, and she finally has to confront them in order to move on with her life.
I found the book really gripping but so disturbing. What does it mean to be a mother in this fast-paced world we live in? Are we expected to keep up with the endless rush or can we take a step back and live at a slightly slower pace? Any mother will relate to the questions brought up in this book. It is a book about choices, pressure, crises, near-misses and forgiveness. It raises some very important questions and while it doesn’t answer them explicitly, it leaves a very strong impression, forcing the reader to consider these questions for themselves.
I found some of the characters a little one-dimensional, but the main characters were well-realised. There were some very touching moments in the book and what is really staying with me is the privilege of getting to engage in the everyday simple things. The beautiful moments that each day holds can be so easily overlooked, taken for granted in the busy rush that we call life.
A very good read, and I would definitely be encouraged to seek out more by this author.
Susannah Rice, a high-profile paediatric doctor with media presence has two young children. When one day, the unthinkable happens, and she forgets her baby in the back seat of the car while she attends to a medical emergency in the hospital, all sorts of questions are asked. Is this top doctor incapable of being a mother, is she guilty of the death of her infant? And so begins a gruelling trial where every aspect of her personal life is brought to light.
There is another narrative involving Adelaide, a chief reporter put on this case, who has her own backstory that relates to the main story that she is covering. As the case moves on, Adelaide finds her emotions, which she so far kept in check, rising to the surface, and she finally has to confront them in order to move on with her life.
I found the book really gripping but so disturbing. What does it mean to be a mother in this fast-paced world we live in? Are we expected to keep up with the endless rush or can we take a step back and live at a slightly slower pace? Any mother will relate to the questions brought up in this book. It is a book about choices, pressure, crises, near-misses and forgiveness. It raises some very important questions and while it doesn’t answer them explicitly, it leaves a very strong impression, forcing the reader to consider these questions for themselves.
I found some of the characters a little one-dimensional, but the main characters were well-realised. There were some very touching moments in the book and what is really staying with me is the privilege of getting to engage in the everyday simple things. The beautiful moments that each day holds can be so easily overlooked, taken for granted in the busy rush that we call life.
A very good read, and I would definitely be encouraged to seek out more by this author.
clariceyj's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
jdurkan91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Breaking Point / Edel Coffey
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
~ Our society thinks almost exclusively in terms of entertainment now. You have reality TV to thank for this. So, if you think of it as a reality show it might help - you're a contestant and you don't want to get voted off… ~
This was Breaking Point, and now I am broken.
This was very different but very of the now. Susannah on her way to work - through a chain of change - forgets to leave her daughter to daycare and it is too late by the time she realises. What follows then is the witch hunt.
I won’t lie, I was gripped by the two POV characters and then through their connection.
This book though reads as the demonisation of working mothers, of what the family is now, and of court as entertainment.
Do I agree with the ending? Kinda seems like a cop out but it felt right? I did enjoy this. Though as I was about quarter of the way through, I did note this - Oh wonderful, now it’s two dead babies. This was rough. I will state though, there was no massive shocks, it was very easy to read.
Adelaide’s character arc though I appreciated and glad she got her flowers.
maireador20's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.0
kategolledge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
marnirosexx's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bethchatsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a gripping and immersive story that really addressed the complexities around the busy western world and it’s impact on parenting.
Susannah on the surface looks like she has it all: she’s a successful paediatrician who is also a TV personality, she has a lovely husband and two beautiful daughters.
However a tragic accident befalls the family and the youngest daughter one day is left in Susannah’s car during a heatwave and heartbreakingly dies. This isn’t the end of the story for Susannah as she is put on trial for neglect of her child.
This is a book that dissects and explores the conversation around motherhood and women’s place in the working world. It also looks at the busy American workplace and how the pressure to live and achieve the American dream and the financial demands of raising a family in America is putting families health and wellbeing (psychologically and physically) in jeopardy.
This is so well written and fast paced and enjoyable. I loved the connection between Susannah and Adelaide the news reporter and how we got to understand both of their relationships to motherhood and their careers. I am very excited to see what more will come from this author.
Thanks to Sphere, the author Edel Coffey and Secret Readers for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Susannah on the surface looks like she has it all: she’s a successful paediatrician who is also a TV personality, she has a lovely husband and two beautiful daughters.
However a tragic accident befalls the family and the youngest daughter one day is left in Susannah’s car during a heatwave and heartbreakingly dies. This isn’t the end of the story for Susannah as she is put on trial for neglect of her child.
This is a book that dissects and explores the conversation around motherhood and women’s place in the working world. It also looks at the busy American workplace and how the pressure to live and achieve the American dream and the financial demands of raising a family in America is putting families health and wellbeing (psychologically and physically) in jeopardy.
This is so well written and fast paced and enjoyable. I loved the connection between Susannah and Adelaide the news reporter and how we got to understand both of their relationships to motherhood and their careers. I am very excited to see what more will come from this author.
Thanks to Sphere, the author Edel Coffey and Secret Readers for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
miacasey16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
elliethecatlover's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Medical content, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy