Baby Teeth is excellent! Zoje Stage is so creative in her ability to portray a child's psyche. The detail in Hanna's thinking was brilliant and realistic. It's rare to read the perspective of a psychopathic child in such a vivid way...And the parental guilt, foregiveness, and selfishness. The mother daughter dynamic really made this a great read! The last couple chapters were the best! Heart wrenching! I'm still not sure what to feel about the ending...but the fact that I have sympathy for the darkest character tells you that this is well done!!!

I had to stop reading this. My Kindle tells me I was at 33% and I just couldn’t go further. The writing itself wasn’t terrible but I could not get myself invested in any of the characters. The kid is creepy but very unbelievable for a 7 year old. And the mother goes back and forth between wanting to connect with her child and hiding in fear in the bathroom. Nope. I have too many books in my to-be-read pile to spend time slogging through a book I don’t like.

Hanna is daddy's precious little girl. She believes there's no room for him to love any one but her. She needs to make mommy go away and never come back.

Baby Teeth is a creepy thriller but unfortunately it doesn't completely capitalize on that uneasiness and leaves you a little deflated by the end. The ending was drawn out and it fell short for me. I was hoping there would be some big twist at the end but nothing. No suspense throughout the book either.

The story is told from the perspectives of Suzette and Hanna. The writing was ok. There were times where I was lost for a second. Wasn't sure if she was talking in the past or present.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of Zoje Stage's "Baby Teeth" in exchange of an honest review.

Two people combine, and then they make another, and the child changes their relationship irrevocably, but their happily-ever-after doesn't play out they way they'd envisioned. What do you do when your bundle of joy not only won't speak, but also seems to have it in for you? Suzette not only has to deal with her child Hanna's burgeoning psychopathic tendencies, but with her own chronic illness, and with the fact that husband Alex simply doesn't see anything off in Hanna. Alternating viewpoints help readers connect with what's going on in Hanna's head, a luxury Suzette doesn't have. They also suggest that we may not leave the characters at their ultimate resolution. Occasionally tough reading, but fascinating.

I had heard so many good things about BABY TEETH that I was really excited to be approved for a free E-ARC of this book. I mean, c'mon, a novel about a little girl who wants to kill her mother, how can I resist?

If I were to give a two-word review of BABY TEETH, it would read thusly: SO BORING.

Seriously silly characters, phony-sounding dialogue, and so little suspense I read this one quickly just so I could move on to something even moderately interesting.

Two stars for the cool cover and provocative title.

This is a psychological thriller told in dual perspectives: the mother, Suzette, and the 7 year old daughter, Hannah. Hannah is trying to get mommy out of the way, so she can have daddy all to herself. The premise is nothing new but I found myself confused and, frankly, kind of bored through most of the book. I felt that Hannah's point of view was at times juvenile and believable and at other times way to intellectually mature. The character wasn't consistent. Overall, I did finish this book, but I am hesitant to recommend it.

To say that this book was creepy would be an understatement. It was INCREDIBLY creepy. I really thought that the premise of this story was intriguing (and messed up - in a good way) and I'm really glad that I got a chance to read it. 

The strongest aspects of this story were the development of the characters and the way the plot developed. I thought writing the story from the perspective of both Hanna and Suzette was a clever one, as it gave us a lot of insight into what was happening in their heads. I wish the author hadn't spent so much time describing all of the details of Suzette's medical condition - even for me, it was a bit dull and I found that it didn't necessarily add all that much to the story. A brief mention of the condition would have sufficed. I definitely preferred reading from Hanna's perspective and the author captured her voice perfectly. 

In terms of the plot, it was really well executed with a gradual building of tension that eventually led to the main climactic event. There was just the right amount of tautness to keep the reader on edge, wondering how the story would unfold. I think that there were moments that had the reader questioning whether everything was really as simple and clearcut as initially presented - was the mother really the victim, and was the child really evil? - but this idea wasn't developed further. I wish it had been because it would have added more depth and nuance to take the story to that next level.

With all that being said, I really enjoyed reading this novel. It was a very interesting concept and the author definitely delivered on the tension and creepy factor. For me, this story gets a 4/5 star rating!

Zoje Stage's "Baby Teeth" was the perfect read for this spooky time of year! I was immediately drawn into the story and loved the alternating perspectives from which the story is told (through both the daughter's perspective, Hanna, and her mother Suzette's perspective). As a wife and a mother, I found that I could relate to Suzette, as there are definitely times that my own children react differently to me and my husband. Overall, the story line was scary and fun---I kept trying to decide whether or not Hanna could truly be so evil or if Suzette was experiencing issues on her own. Overall, this novel deserves the buzz and hype that it is currently receiving. I am grateful to Zoje Stage, the publisher (St. Martin's Press), and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC, and I look forward to reading more works by Stage in the future.

Imagine if your child was a sociopath. Not your adult child, your seven-year-old. Would you recognize them for what they are right away, or would you consider several (or several dozen) other alternatives before you come to accept it? Well, in Baby Teeth, this is Suzette's dilemma. Her daughter, Hanna, displays two faces -- the angelic one that she shows to her father (Alex) and the defiant, calculating and sometimes even diabolical one she shows to her mother and the rest of the world.

Hanna does not speak, but she is highly intelligent, a fact both her parents detect easily, making it less easy to accept that she may have a mental disturbance. But as time goes on, and Hanna resolves to "get rid of" her mother to have her father to herself, not only does Suzette have to consider whether Hanna is ill, but she begins to wonder if she is just evil.

I was engrossed in the battle of wills between Hanna and Suzette, and felt Suzette's frustration as she tried to convince Alex that Hanna is not the sweet little girl she pretends to be. I especially liked that the author portrayed the conflict Suzette feels, particularly when mothering a difficult child sometimes make her wish she wasn't a mother at all. There were a few little clues and cues that suggested Hanna's condition might be a result of an illness Suzette has, and her own difficult history with her mother.

And I liked that Suzette was no martyr. She sometimes wished her daughter away, pining for the heady days of courtship with her husband. And at times she delighted in besting Hanna who made it clear they were in a tug-of-war for Alex's attention and affection. The book didn't pretend to answer the question of why some people seem to have no consciences, but it did paint a convincing picture of what childhood for those people might have looked like.

Chilling, entertaining, convincing. I recommend this one.

This book was basically OK. It held my interest. However, I really couldn't sympathize with any of the characters. Basically to me the book seemed to be about a sociopathic child born to a couple of individuals who had no business being parents to begin with. And don't get me started on the ending.

Unlike some reviewers, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the father in the book. I was expecting him to be completely hands off and believe his child could do no wrong, and to a great extent, he was. However, he struck me as someone who was actually willing to learn. Yes, he was unwilling to believe that anything sinister was wrong with his daughter, but when faced with the evidence, he was willing to act. With so much of the book told from the wife's perspective, we only saw him through her eyes (and the daughter's) so I wasn't expecting him to support her in anyway, so it was a nice surprise when he did. While I certainly wouldn't call him an admirable character by any means, he was marginally more likable that the other two.

This book was a total mind****. I couldn't put it down. It was FABULOUS.
I love a psychological thriller that makes me seriously uncomfortable and totally on edge. Isn't that what we're hoing for in this genre?

Utterly disturbing and equally as fascinating, the twists and turns of this tale brought out every emotion. Pushed limits, and tested resolve and perception.

Reminiscent of the classic play; The Bad Seed by Maxwell Anderson, BABY TEETH reminds us that evil comes in all shapes and sizes, and sanity can be a very fragile thing.

BABY TEETH delivers BIG TIME.

A peak inside warped minds. Something that makes you feel a little stable and balanced in this chaotic world. Something outlandish and yet absolutely possible. Something that holds your attention completely. Full of tension. Actions and thoughts so outside the norm that you're stunned and impressed by the cleverness and courage of Suzette and Hannah through this depraved struggle for control.

There wasn't a moment I didn't find myself absorbed in Zoje Stage's words. Like a spectator after trainwreck, I couldn't look away. No matter how shocking or surprising, I had to know what was next, who was mental and who- if anyone, was going to survive.

Baby Teeth definitely gets props for originality. I’ve certainly never read a book about a creepy kid quite like Hanna. The title and cover are also wins for the novel. However, the blurb made the book sound much more exciting than it actually was. I never felt fear for Suzette’s safety, probably because her character was borderline too stupid to live. Just none of her or her husband’s behaviors made sense, so it was hard to feel sympathy for them. If it wasn’t for the chapters told from Hanna’s POV I may have stopped reading. The ending was annoying too. Writing was solid though and this book may work for others. It seems like a love it or hate it kind of read.

Review posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Suzette Jensen had a hard childhood dealing digestive issues which led to her being very insecure about her own body. Nevertheless, she brought Hanna into the world, pleased and proud to start a family with her husband Alex. Estranged from her own mother, Suzette is determined to raise her beautiful daughter with the love, care, and support she was denied. But Hanna proves to be a difficult child. At seven years old, she has yet to utter a word, despite being able to read and write. Hanna lashes out in anger, becoming more aggressive every day. Suzette has a hard time convincing her husband that their sweet daughter is anything but. When daddy (Alex) is home, Hanna is a completely different child. She is happy and sweet. However, Suzette fears her life may be in grave danger.

Disclaimer* Do not read this book if you're fairly sensitive to violence or abuse of any sort. This book is definitely one of those controversial books that get certain readers angry about what is being written.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy but entertaining read. The perspective switches between Suzette and Hanna throughout the book. I guess it gave a better understanding of the amount of evil Hanna has in her. It was a bit thrilling and I found myself enjoying what Hanna had planned next for her mother. I found the ending a bit odd because of the parents' actions but I will leave them for readers to find out themselves. The only con to this book was the unnecessary context about Suzette's digestive disorder. I felt like it didn't add anything to the story besides the fact that she was self-conscious of her body. Overall, I recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Zoje Stage for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Seven-year-old Hanna doesn’t not have much to say. Nothing, actually. Ever. While she seems to otherwise develop normally, she can’t—or won’t—talk. Her parents, Suzette and Alex, subject her to test after test to find out why. But mutism isn’t Hanna’s only problem, not even her biggest. She wants her father all to herself, even if that means getting rid of Suzette. Is there such a thing as evil? Demons? Witches? After spending time with Hanna, those are the questions most will be asking!
Baby Teeth is written using alternate point of view of Suzette and Hanna. Suzette--smart, likeable, hardworking, loves Hanna despite her behavioral problems, and works hard to be a good mother—sometimes lets her frustration and get the better of her. Hanna--smart and diabolical--still has the emotional, intellectual, and physical limitations of a seven-year-old, manifested in the sometimes-childlike simplicity of her plotting and beliefs in spells and curses. Her evil plans often fail the way one would expect when made by a seven-year-old, adding a layer of childlike inculpability.
Even in the failed plans Hanna’s intent is clear, and Suzette is caught between Hanna’s wrath and her husband, who is reluctant to believe his beautiful daughter is capable of such things.

This book was such a wild ride!

Hanna was so disturbing. I was actually scared when I read about the creepy things she would do. She tortured her mother in ways that weren’t always obvious. It’s hard to believe that a child could think up these ways to harm their parents. I can’t imagine going through something like that.

I had no idea how this book was going to end. It wasn’t a clear cut story where you know in general what will happen (for example in romances where the couple either gets together or not, or a mystery where the detective will find the killer). I didn’t know if everyone was going to die or live or some other unknown solution! I’ll admit I was surprised at the ending.

One strange thing about this book is that it has two different names. It is called Baby Teeth in North America, but it is called Bad Apple in the UK. I didn’t really understand why it is called Baby Teeth, but I can understand the Bad Apple reference, since Hanna really is a bad apple. If anyone knows the reasoning behind the different names I’d love to know!

I would love to see this story continued in a sequel! I highly recommend this book for a creepy thrilling read.

Baby Teeth stars a pint-sized sociopath with designs to kill her mother, the mother herself, and the father who is completely oblivious to his wife and daughter’s true selves. You know, totally normal family dynamic type stuff. The story is made up of alternating chapters that switch between the crazed daughter who is too smart/demonic to be believable, and her mother, who is convinced she will never be a good enough wife and mother. While a super interesting premise — mostly because the kid is not alright — the plot definitely drags at times.

Believe every reaction you have seen because Baby Teeth is one effed-up story. Hanna's thoughts about her mother are just plain disturbing and seemingly justify the fear Suzette feels when alone with her daughter. Plus, Hanna's manipulation of her father is sickening. It would be easy to describe Baby Teeth as the story of a child sociopath. However, to do so leaves out key elements of the story which not only add depth but make you realize that not all is black and white in the Jensen household.

It is as if Ms. Stage took Oprah's long-ago advice of putting yourself and your relationship with your significant other ahead of that of your children and started conjuring various scenarios of how that might work. What she put to paper is inventive if disturbing with no clear right or wrong answer to any situation. Therein lies all of the tension and drama of the story, for it is not just about Hanna's proclivity for manipulation and violence but also the family dynamics wherein the primary caregiver is extremely sick most of the time. I envision book clubs having a field day with the Jensens' marriage.

There is so much within Baby Teeth to discuss and no easy answers that would allow all readers to come to the same conclusions. In fact, I suspect Ms. Stage leaves certain parts deliberately vague specifically to prod discussions. There are some very difficult scenes within the story that may be a trigger for some readers, so one should not open the novel unless prepared to be thoroughly shocked at everyone's behavior at some point in time. For all that though, I was mesmerized by Hanna and Suzette as they battled for Alex's affection. My sympathies varied depending on the scene, and just when I thought I was committed to one particular character, something would happen that would make me question my choice. It is a fascinating study of relationships, sociopathy, and psychology that is akin to watching the train wreck through your fingertips. You cannot look away from the horror before you no matter how much you think you desire it until you resign yourself to having a macabre curiosity and sit back to enjoy the ride.

Thank you NetGalley for this free ebook.

I will start with I enjoyed this book, but it is not for everyone.

This is pure psychological horror and uses kids to deliver a thrill. As a mom to a young daughter that is very temperamental and strong willed I was shaking in my boots.

The mom is suffering. Suffering from a bad childhood, suffering from severe physical terminal illness, suffering from depression/anxiety/lack of self confidence. Her daughter finds out every weakness and tries to exploit them to drive her mother out of her life. She is a daddy's girl and she does not need or want her mommy around.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing free access to this title in exchange for my honest review

This book was fascinating and frustrating all at the same time. All together, it was an incredible story, and
a really good thriller! It was frustrating because I wanted someone to help the daughter. The parents were co=dependents to this poor child's destructive/violent behavior. .It felt like they were in this cycle of behavior that they couldn't get out of. I loved the writing....it flowed well and held my interest from the first page. The plot...I couldn't get this story out of my head and that tells me this plot was great but the characters, while written with full personalty were so frustrating to me! I kept yelling in my head to knock off the childish crap and be an adultt!!
All in all, I really like this book and because of it's haunting nature and good writing will give it a 5 star

Baby Teeth is deliciously disturbing.

If you are familiar with and enjoyed "The Bad Seed" (book and movie) and/or Lionel Shriver's, "We need to talk about Kevin" this book is for you.

Hanna is a selective mute, deeply disturbed and has been kicked out of numerous schools. Suzette is forced to home school her. Hanna's tricks are becoming more dangerous and Suzette is her target.
Suzette's sanity and health are at risk and she has nowhere to turn.

Alex is blinded by the love he has for his daughter and Hanna only shows him her sweet side, playing the perfect, sweet daughter whenever he is around.

Hanna hates her mom and wants her gone and she will do anything to make it possible but will her father, Alex open his eyes before it's too late?

Baby Teeth is a good read. I struggled initially but once I found the flow of the novel, I was mesmerized and turning pages in anticipation of what would happen next. The book is told from alternating points of views and it's absolutely intriguing to see the side of " evil" when Hanna "speaks". This creepy story about this malevolent child will keep you entertained.