A review by astoriareader
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • 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

SYNOPSIS
  • 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?

MY THOUGHTS
  • 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.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ fans of The Push by Ashley Audrain and Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage will like.
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