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nee_shelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Vomit, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
nikikirch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Excrement, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Animal death, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Vomit, and Miscarriage
alexandraloveee's review against another edition
2.25
Graphic: Death, Grief, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Animal death, Mental illness, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Bullying, Miscarriage, and Child abuse
charp162's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Blood, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Excrement
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Dr. Christopher Bauer and his wife, Hannah, had been trying to have children for a long time, but they had come to terms with the fact that they might never be parents. One night, a young girl, Janie, is brought into their hospital's emergency room in a terrible state.
- Janie is severely malnourished and has multiple fractures. As an orthopedic surgeon, Christopher is assigned to be her surgeon to repair her injuries. Janie is six years old, but she looks far younger. Janie quickly forms a bond with Christopher, and he feels a strong parental connection to her.
- The police are investigating what happened to Janie’s mother and to Janie. Piper, a social worker, is assigned to the case.
- The Bauers end up fostering Janie. What could go wrong?
- I love Lucinda Berry, and I’ve steadily been making my way through all her books.
- This book reminds me of The Push by Ashley Audrain and Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. Another story about a crazy child.
- Excellent writing. Told from alternating POVs (Christopher, Hannah, and Piper)
- Look into trigger warnings! There’s harm done to an animal in this book.
- OMG! I could not handle Christopher. He is an orthopedic surgeon, but simultaneously, the dumbest man alive. He has complete blinders on when it comes to Janie, and I can’t imagine a single reader likes him.
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infertility, Child abuse, Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Mental illness
thatnewbooksmell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Infertility, Medical content, Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Animal death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Vomit, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Self harm, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
hollyyym's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Excrement, Animal cruelty, Torture, Child abuse, Confinement, Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, War, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Vomit
Moderate: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Medical content, and Domestic abuse
lifeofchrstnlvly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.
Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.
As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.
And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
astralfeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Medical content, Excrement, Pregnancy, and Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death, and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Physical abuse, and Body horror
gjenn'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
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Infertility, Grief, Child abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail