Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

215 reviews

amieleigh8919's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders

jankyjax's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

I have no words. 

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 😂

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Excrement, and Vomit

bmitch21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

theplantlady's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail

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

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infertility, and Excrement

byo_books's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

smileysam's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book despite the sad themes that are very pertinent. It feels reflective and real.

My biggest gripe was the ending, as it felt like there were still lots of loose ends. Initially, I checked online to see if there was a sequel so I could have answers to the questions that were forming, but it appears the author is working on one. I do hope it answers more about Janie’s past and that we get more insight into her psyche. I also want to see the outcome for the Bauer’s play out, instead of an allusion to the outcome.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

oheyjay's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse

pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

natebam's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very disturbing thriller about a child who isn’t what her adoptive parents think she is. 

Very intense and dark at times, not for the faint of heart. 

My first read of Lucinda Berry’s books and it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed how real this book felt and her background in psychology really informs her writing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse