nikireads100's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so good. The best thing I can say is that I knew what was going to happen, and when it happened I was still in awe. I loved the short chapters, and way that their was little clue given though out, but nothing that could truly give it away. This book had to read in little spurts in order to process everything going on and at the same time, you will mot want to put it down.
kt_brown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dekovash's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and the way the author story from so many different angles. I am hooked on Liane Moriarty!
sleepylilsloth's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
agbernardo98's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
5.0
I gave Moriarty a second chance after DNF'ing Truly Madly Guilty and jumped into Big Little Lies. I also read this on audiobook and this time around, I knew a little bit about what I was getting into, because I saw the first Hulu season on DVD (on loan from my library) and thought it was really good. The book, as usual, is even better!
In the book, we’re introduced to three women and their families- Madeline Mackenzie, Celeste Wright, and Jane Chapman.
Madeline is a feisty mother and wife who works part time and cares for her three children- Chloe, Fred, and Abigale- and husband Ed. Her ex-husband Nathan and his perfectly nice yogi wife, Bonnie, seem to be the bane of her existence, who have a child the same age as Chloe, and who will be in the same class. Abigale has also taken a shine to Bonnie, and Madeline can’t understand how Abigale could choose to spend so much time with the man who left her and Abigale. On the way to the kindergarten orientation, Madeline gets hurt and Jane comes to her aid.
Jane is a single mom and new to town. Her son Ziggy is just starting school, and she’s doing what she can to make sure he’ll fit in and do well. Madeline takes Jane under her wing, relaying the politics of the school and local community (a battle of career mom vs. stay at home moms), and introducing her to her best friend, Celeste.
Celeste is a mother of twin boys, Josh and Max, and a retired lawyer, as well as a wife to Perry. They’re a beautiful family and live in luxury, but behind closed doors, Celeste and Perry don’t have the picturesque relationship they seem to. Harboring the dark secret of their abusive relationship, Celeste has decided that she needs to find a way to get out of the twisted version of marriage by herself.
Leading the blonde-bob pack of career moms is Renata Klein. Renata’s daughter Ammabella is also starting her first day of school with Madeline’s, Jane’s, and Celeste’s children. At the end of the orientation, Ammabella accuses Ziggy of choking her, and immediately the buzz starts and people start taking sides. Madeline and Celeste both rally in Jane’s corner, and as the three of them grow closer and Jane’s past is revealed, these women have to figure out the truth to clear little Ziggy’s name.
Moriarty had me hooked on this book. From the beginning, I loved her main characters who each had their own pasts and baggage to carry. I loved hearing their stories unfold, and their witnessing their friendship grow. I also liked the story line as it arched toward the night of the incident. In this case, the pacing was excellent, and the additional commentary from the locals was both humorous and intriguing. This added to the suspense without any redundancy, and there were new elements periodically throughout the gripped the reader. The ending was full of suspense, shock, and drama- it blew me away. Due to the nature of it’s content, I’d give it a PG13 audience, but I’d certainly recommend the read!
In the book, we’re introduced to three women and their families- Madeline Mackenzie, Celeste Wright, and Jane Chapman.
Madeline is a feisty mother and wife who works part time and cares for her three children- Chloe, Fred, and Abigale- and husband Ed. Her ex-husband Nathan and his perfectly nice yogi wife, Bonnie, seem to be the bane of her existence, who have a child the same age as Chloe, and who will be in the same class. Abigale has also taken a shine to Bonnie, and Madeline can’t understand how Abigale could choose to spend so much time with the man who left her and Abigale. On the way to the kindergarten orientation, Madeline gets hurt and Jane comes to her aid.
Jane is a single mom and new to town. Her son Ziggy is just starting school, and she’s doing what she can to make sure he’ll fit in and do well. Madeline takes Jane under her wing, relaying the politics of the school and local community (a battle of career mom vs. stay at home moms), and introducing her to her best friend, Celeste.
Celeste is a mother of twin boys, Josh and Max, and a retired lawyer, as well as a wife to Perry. They’re a beautiful family and live in luxury, but behind closed doors, Celeste and Perry don’t have the picturesque relationship they seem to. Harboring the dark secret of their abusive relationship, Celeste has decided that she needs to find a way to get out of the twisted version of marriage by herself.
Leading the blonde-bob pack of career moms is Renata Klein. Renata’s daughter Ammabella is also starting her first day of school with Madeline’s, Jane’s, and Celeste’s children. At the end of the orientation, Ammabella accuses Ziggy of choking her, and immediately the buzz starts and people start taking sides. Madeline and Celeste both rally in Jane’s corner, and as the three of them grow closer and Jane’s past is revealed, these women have to figure out the truth to clear little Ziggy’s name.
Moriarty had me hooked on this book. From the beginning, I loved her main characters who each had their own pasts and baggage to carry. I loved hearing their stories unfold, and their witnessing their friendship grow. I also liked the story line as it arched toward the night of the incident. In this case, the pacing was excellent, and the additional commentary from the locals was both humorous and intriguing. This added to the suspense without any redundancy, and there were new elements periodically throughout the gripped the reader. The ending was full of suspense, shock, and drama- it blew me away. Due to the nature of it’s content, I’d give it a PG13 audience, but I’d certainly recommend the read!
kspadini1010's review against another edition
5.0
I could NOT put this book down! Perhaps it's because I find drama, gossip, and soap operas entertaining, but I got sucked into this book right away and whipped right through it! I thought I knew what was coming, yet my stomach still felt twisty in anticipation as I got close to the end! I will DEFINITELY follow this author from now on!
let_mama_read's review against another edition
5.0
Sorry, but this is not going to be a literary review or anything like that. Very few books can make me shout out loud, while I'm reading it. This one did. Several times. I don't care who you are or what you typically like to read, but stop what you're doing right now and read this book!
sephranix's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I think this book just fit the mood I've been in recently.