Don't you just HATE interfering people? Of course there are times where people interfere out of the goodness of their own hearts, and in a completely unobtrusive manner. Those times are rare, but let's be positive here.

All children scream, cry and have tantrums, don't they? Is a child's scream really worth calling the police for? How do you know where the fine line between child tantrum and child abuse begin? You don't. Do you take the chance and call the police based on your own anxieties regarding the situation, even if you haven't got all of the facts? Well, Gemma's neighbour decided that that route was the right one to go down. I however, have my own opinion on certain events in this book, and I am sure you will too when you read it.

Nobody really knows what happens behind closed doors, because if you did, you'd be considered a stalker and seeing as Gemma's life is about to be turned upside down, I really don't think a stalker would help her out much, do you?

The plot behind 'Little Liar' had me gripped as I wanted to find out what the truth was. I wanted to find out what was running through Gemma's mind and to be frank, I just HAD to know what was going through Gemma's neighbours' mind. There is so much information to sink your teeth into where this book is concerned, and the author maintains that gripping storyline with a brilliantly paced plot, leaving room for reader interpretation and vivid imaginations. In theory, the truth behind the matter is actually right in front of our eyes, but due to the hint of psychologically challenged situations, us readers are led to believe that the colour red isn't in fact red at all.

'Little Liar' had me hooked, leaving me with bated breath every time I turned the page. For that reason alone, I found myself feeling a little disappointed with the last portion of the story, as I felt that the book came to an end with a huge question mark looming over its chapters. I was incredibly impressed by this strong, cleverly written storyline which is what made my disappoint even more evident in my eyes.

That said, that's just me and everyone is different, but all in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Don't get me wrong, my nerves were shot to shizzle, but what more could you ask for where a psychological thriller is concerned?!

Every parent’s nightmare, to be accused of hurting your children and though you know you are blameless your’re trapped in the police/social services/child protection systems. But who is guilty and what secrets are of their own are they hiding, and will nature rule over nurture? Compelling read
#LittleLiar #NetGalley
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Interesting story about trying to do whats best.

Rosie is a difficult child. She tantrums. So when one day the neighbor, Mira, overhears it sets off a chain of events that can't be stopped. All she wanted was to know that Rosie was safe.

Gemma, Rosie's mother, then faces scrutiny from the police and social services. She isn't really a danger to Rosie... or is she?

Couldn't put this down, can't wait to read more from Boyd.

Little Liar is a great psychological thriller with a storyline like a couple of others I have just read that leaves you thinking that this could easily happen to anyone.
Gemma Bradley is the joint main character in this book, Gemma appears to have it all...the perfect job, the great wage, the fantastic house, the supportive husband and two perfect children. Unlike the other main character, the nosy neighbour, Mira, who despite her past I still could not get myself to like this woman!
The book starts with Rosie, Gemma's eldest child who at the age of 10 still has tantrums, Mira gets concerned!! hearing Rosie screaming in what she thinks is pain and involves the police and from here things escalate out of Gemma's hands. Things come to light as the story progresses from both Gemma's and Mira's past that make them behave the way they do and this only becomes apparent as the layers of lies are uncovered.
This was a great thriller that I really enjoyed, the cover drew me in at the start and the writing style made me love it more and will be reading more by Clare Boyd in the future.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma seems to have a perfect family life, but when her nosy next door neighbour Mira hears her daughter Rosie screaming once too often, she is reported to the police and social services.
I felt so sorry for Gemma, Rosie was a total brat and I am amazed Gemma managed to keep her cool for as long as she did! And Mira was an interfering neighbour you wouldn't want to have next door! However, as with all good domestic dramas, all is not as it seems and there are several layers to be uncovered until the full truth is discovered. Once the police and social services had got involved, Gemma was living in a nightmare and I could feel her terror.
I really enjoyed this book, lots of tension and drama. Would certainly recommend.

A very unsettling feeling I had at the pit of my stomach.
For any mother in this world, the accusations that Gemma has to face are a bit too much to hold onto. It is painful to watch your own child being uncomfortable in any situation but when you are implied to cause that problem. Well, let us just say, it is almost unimaginable.
Gemma like any mother is forced to self doubt her relationship with her own Child, Rosie as well as how the people around her view her as a mother. The support system that she has around her life is amazing including the love of her life whom she draws her strength from. She is an overwhelmed mother in terms of duties, a challenge most working mothers are faced with.
As for Mira, I do not want her to my neighbor, ever. Her character is not likeable from the beginning. She has a lovely husband and is haunted majorly by her own past. Her thinking and reasoning is majorly controlled by that but is till don’t like her.
Rosie as a character is very challenging. She is a child and I’m thinking….I’m I allowed not to like her? She borders being over controlling. Do not think even the word brat covers that. She just keeps lieing to a point I just could not take it no more.
Generally, the characters are relatable. These matters are experienced in certain households. The story line is gripping and rushes you through pretty much, the first half of the book.
The ending…not so much.. I wish I could get that bang kind of ending. Do not get me wrong though, I would still read a book that Clare writes.
Generally a good book but churn me till the end on the next book.

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"Tell me. Explain to me. Describe to me."

The words used by the social services people when they interview Rosie, the 10-year-old daughter of Gemma and Peter Bradley. The neighbor next door, Mira Entwistle, has called the police about the screaming she's heard, and suspects that Rosie may be an abused child. Life in Virginia Close, Denton, is about to take a detour. For it seems that there are many secrets that may have led to this eruption in domestic life.

What a tense and almost, at times, excruciatingly painful drama to read! I felt so much sympathy for the parents of Rosie, and wondered when she would get the psychiatric help she obviously sorely needed! Being a parent is very hard, and that girl drove her mother to the near brink of madness with her acting out and tantrums. I wasn't sure what was going to happen and held my breath preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best. Suffice to say that Mira has her own demons -- no spoilers.

This was a domestic psychodrama that kept me glued to the pages. I was suspicious of the main characters and not quite sure what to make of any of them. Who am I to judge another? Their motives, their emotional reactions, their deeds? What a great choice this would be for a book group as there are many themes that most mothers especially could possibly relate to. And, haven't any of you heard a child's scream or cry from next door that you wondered about? After all, we hear stories everyday about mistreated children whose situations were never reported to any authorities! But, geez, who among us wants to see the police or DFS on our doorsteps after our children have misbehaved? Anyway, I thought this all was pretty scary stuff and I'll be thinking about it for a long while. Point being -- a mother is accused of hurting her child, lies are told, things go from bad to worse. We all want children to be safe, especially in their homes. Would YOU make the call? And, if so, what would be the trigger?

I look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is Ms. Boyd’s first work of art and boy is she strong out of the gate. Any mother can relate to the chaos of kids and wondering what outsiders are thinking. You never imagine someone will call the police. This book left me wanting more. My only complaint was I didn’t feel the loose ends were tied up. But overall great book

I'm left at the end questioning a few things. Rosie, oh my dear, you are a big reason why I am conflicted. I feel there could have been more depth and resolution given to your story and I'm a bit disappointed that there wasn't, you are definitely a very interesting little character! Had the book delved more into her "issues", I think I would have absolutely loved this book! Did I enjoy this book though? Yes, absolutely. It kept me engaged and intrigued until the end, I really wanted to know how it was all going to end up. I am looking forward to seeing what this author comes up with next! A very promising debut! And it's only .99 cents, so worth it!

A big thank you as always to Bookouture, my favorite publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy of this book, always greatly appreciated!

A child's scream pierces the night, Mira does what any good neighbour would do: she calls the police. She wants to make sure that Rosie, the little girl next door was safe. Opening her door to the police the next morning, Gemma's picture perfect family is forced under the scrutiny of social services. Gemma must fight to defend the family she loves and protect her daughter from the terrible secret she's been keeping. Then Rosie disappears without trace, Gemma thinks she is to blame. But then she finds a pink diary containing the truth.

Rosie is not a likeable child. She tells lies and keeps secrets. In fact one of the characters in this book are likeable. Thie first part of the book is well written but then it seems to fall flat and stays like that to the end. The book was not really my cup of tea but there will be lots more readers who will really enjoy this story.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Clare Boyd for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Bookouture for mt copy of this book. Firstly HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY! I was brought in by the cover on this and then the blurb and I knew I had to read it.

I don't quite know where to start with this review. I really really didn't like Mira. I felt she interfered where it wasn't her place and she didn't know the whole story. I tried to see if from her point of view to hear the screams and not know what was happening. I tried to put myself in her shoes but it was really tough. As the book progressed and we learnt more and more about Mira I could understand her better but that initial dislike was still there.

Gemma on the other hand I just felt this wave of sadness for. She  has worked her whole life to be where she is. She has gone through such struggles and now she has to go through this too. I just wanted to wrap the poor woman in a blanket and tell her it will all be ok.

It was also very interesting to see the police procedure through this. It was interesting to see the way they viewed Gemma and how without knowing someone you can get something so very very wrong.

The thing about this book and a few books I have read recently is that it could happen. It could so easily happen to you, your friend, your family members. I don't have children but I know of children that have acted just like Rosie and it's so very scary. Clare writes this book so brilliantly. The fear and doubt are just so perfectly there.

This was a fantastic debut book and I cannot wait to see what Clare brings for us in the future.

As a mother, I've definitely had those moments where chaos ensues at home with unruly kids, tantrums and a shouting match inevitably results as well as the unsettling thought of ' oh my word, what must the neighbours think, they're likely to call the authorities one of these days' crossing my mind. That is exactly what happens in this story, when Mira, an interfering neighbour with issues of her own, contacts the police when she hears 10 year old Rosie screaming next door, deciding to make it her mission to save her.

Poor Rosie's mother, Gemma, has her hands full as it is, trying to be a good mother to little Noah and to her unmanageable, terror of a child Rosie, without the interference of her neighbour and social services as well.

The situation soon spirals out of control, escalating at a rapid pace when secrets and lies come to light. I was curious to see how this would all turn out.

Unfortunately, the story ended too suddenly for my liking, without the satisfactory details I was waiting for, leaving me at a loss.

A side note regarding the blurb: I would not go as far as to classify this read as a thriller, rather, more like a domestic drama with a few twists and a good dose of tension at times. I also find it bothersome that the blurb reveals too much, giving away details that happen well into the story.

I see there are mixed opinions of this one. I rate it 3⭐️, the conclusion of the book having downgraded my rating of an otherwise good story. However everyone has different preferences. I urge you to give this one a try and let me know what you think.

I would sincerely like to thank the author, Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of it.

My heart is still pounding from reading this book.
This story took me by surprise as I didn’t think a situation could escalate so quickly and have such awful consequences for a loving mother.
At times, two of the main characters made my blood boil and I really sympathised with Gemma.
The story is told mainly from Gemma’s point of view but there’s also chapters where Rosie has written in her secret diary. These really frustrated me as whilst I knew it was written by a child, I just wanted her to talk to her mother and not the interfering next door neighbour.
This is a great story but could put some people off motherhood! Joking aside, it does show the difficulties faced by parents and the expectation that people have that everything has to be ‘perfect.’
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I liked this book quite a bit. I am not sure I loved it because I saw too much of myself in Gemma Bradley and my relationship with my oldest daughter. Gemma loved her daughter Rosie dearly but they didn't get along very well. Rosie threw tantrums, very loud screaming tantrums that troubled the next door neighbor Mira. One day,unable to stand more, Mira called the police and Gemma's very orderly life began to crumble. Gemma was arrested and accused of child abuse. Was Rosie abused or was she a liar?
This book deals with several modern themes. Gemma grew up with a single mother, a very stoic woman who didn't show a lot of emotion. Gemma was a perfectionist and she projected that on her family. She was a working mother of necessity to pay for the family's lifestyle. She confused giving things with love. Mira was the nosy neighbor with a troubled childhood and a secret in her past that she has kept from her husband for 25 years. How much does our past affect our lives today?
At times I felt sorry for Gemma and at other times I wanted to throttle her. Peter needed to be a stronger character to help his wife more. Mira felt much more sinister from the beginning than she really was, most of the time anyway. Rosie's diary played an important insight into the book.
The blurb I read about this book was very misleading. It was not really a thriller. Rosie being missing was not a major part of the story. Gemma's big secret was not as horrible as it sounded. However it still was a very satisfying book that came to an appropriate conclusion. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a voluntary review.

As a mother of two daughters who (occasionally!) shouts this was such a good book!!!!! When a neighbour hears a child shouting and calls the police there are terrible consequences ! A gripping family drama which is great!

Thank you to NetGalley, and Bookouture for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I knew I would be interested in this book from the synopsis, and it certainly delivered.a very compelling and moving story. Quite often it takes me a while to get into a new book, but I was straight in from the first page. It isn't perhaps a psychological thriller in the creepy sense, but it is full of chilling intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. It's sad and very thought provoking story line, will leave you mulling things over in between and/or after you've finished reading. I did feel the secondary story line could have been developed a little more, and I felt that ended slightly disappointingly. However the last twist will give you a smile and freeze you on the spot!

Little Liar is an intruiging read. . A well written slow burner, easy to read and kept me in suspense wondering how it was going to turn out in the end, slightly disappointed but would still recommend reading it.
I would read more by the same author.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy. 3.5*

Gemma is a mother struggling with a stressful successful career with the joys and pitfalls of motherhood. She is pregnant with her third child, Noah her little boy is easy and loving but Rosie her ten year old is a troublesome tantrum throwing manipulative girl. Her husband is supportive but thinks Rosie can be soothed with chocolate and basically giving in to her demands. Their days are structured with after school clubs, sports, dance and fitting in a family swim.

Mira is the troubled neighbour with a devoted husband. She has a troubled past which rears it's ugly abusive past when she hears the screams from next door and believes Gemma is physically abusing Rosie.She calls the police and social services become involved. Things spiral out of control rapidly.

This book had great promise and Clare Boyd is a talented writer. None of the characters were likeable including Rosie, must be awful if I dislike a child. The husband could have done with taking his head out of the bottom of a wine bottle and maybe taking some of the pressure off his wife. The ending left me cold wanting much more of a reaction from certain characters.

I really enjoyed this book and I read it very quickly when I was ill in bed. It is not a proper thriller, although the atmosphere is quite dark and claustrophobic but that is always the case when someone is accused of something that they think they have not done.

Gemma has a good job, a good marriage, two kids and a third on the way. But one day her neighbour calls the police after hearing Rosie, Gemma's 10 year old daughter, scream in pain. Rosie is then interviewed and someone claims that her mother slapped in at least one occasion.
The future for Gemma looks bleak, not only she could face a jail sentence but she might lose custody of her two kids and even of the unborn one.

Rosie is not an easy kid and Gemma loses her temper a lot with her, but she does not think sh is actually physically abusive, yet all the evidence are against her and even her husband starts to doubt her. There are a few twists and a big secret that Gemma and her husband has been hiding from the entire world.
The subplot is the secret hidden by Mira, the neighbour who called the police, and her own unresolved mental health issues.
Overall a good family drama with a few surprises that will keep you interested, if you are looking for a proper edge of the seat thriller you might be disappointed.

Reading the blurb I wa# looking forward to a psychological thriller as stated. Unfortunately this book did not deliver. I kept reading because the story was somewhat interesting and I was hoping it’d get better and more thriller like. Honestly. It was a waste of my time. I should have discontinued reading and moved on to another title. Others may enjoy, but this book wasn’t for me. The storyline was all over the place and it didn’t wrap up nicely.