knik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Murder, and Excrement
dilani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Mental illness, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit, Murder, and Excrement
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Miscarriage, Self harm, Confinement, Physical abuse, Ableism, Body horror, Abandonment, Infertility, Mental illness, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Excrement, Medical content, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Sexual content, Addiction, and Alcohol
kaylasbookgram's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What did I just read?!?! I don’t think I’ve been this hooked on a book like this since I read Verity By Colleen Hoover. This was my first Lucinda Berry book and most definitely won’t be my last, especially if all her books are as great as this one. This book was impossible to put down the second I started it.
Hannah and Christopher are a lovely couple who are struggling with infertility. As they start to consider the option of international adoption a little girl is admitted to the hospital whose mother was murdered and has clear signs of abuse. After being part of her surgical team Christopher falls in love with the little girl and talks his wife into fostering and then adopting her. What they didn’t fully expect was the toll it would take on their marriage. The little girl ends up pitting the couple against each other and causing Hannah to eventually have a mental breakdown.
I absolutely couldn’t stand Christopher. Even with the therapist confirming Hannah’s fears he still refused to support her or even be there for his wife. I felt so bad for Hannah and understood her terror although I definitely think she went to far in her actions near the end. The ending of the book was extremely frustrating because it just ended pretty much in the midst of a thought. Left us wondering what happened I think a more satisfying ending was definitely needed. Overall I enjoyed this book and it got a 5 star review in my book.
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Excrement, Gaslighting, Infertility, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Blood, Medical content, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gore, Mental illness, and Miscarriage
amieleigh8919's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
jankyjax's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book took me on an absolute roller coaster.
I’ve never been so absolutely irate at a fictional character before. I wanted to punch Christopher in the damn face for being so absolutely ignorant and blind to what was going on around him.
My emotions were all over the damn place reading it and I had to give myself breaks 😂
Graphic: Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Excrement, Physical abuse, Vomit, Child abuse, and Death
bmitch21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, Excrement, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Mental illness
theplantlady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Moderate: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Just started reading this book for my book club. Main characters are Hannah Bauer, Christopher Bauer,Janie and Piper Goldstein. This book is not for you if child abuse is a trigger, it starts off rough. I am on page 36, chapter 6. The description of Janie's abuse is sad and bothersome, but once you get past this chapter, the book is a fast read. I just finished reading this book! Mrs. Berry you did an outstanding job with this plot and storyline, this book was so unpredictable! The story takes off with Janie (an abused child) extremely disturbed and the adoptive parents Chris and Hannah Bauer. Piper is the social worker who was on the case. The plot is two people making attempt to love a damaged child, but is love enough? I found myself racing toward the climax because I could not figure out where this story was going. This book is jaw dropping, spine tingling, and mind blowing! I love the way the story ends kind with a cliffhanger, Mrs. Berry kind of answers the question what is wrong with Janie, but leaving room with a maybe?jj_tj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Excrement, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Infertility
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infertility, Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Torture, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Animal death, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Self harm