This book gave me a full roller coaster of emotions. It is the story of Janie, an abused child who is taken in by a couple desperate for a child. They lovingly work with her through all of her mental health issues, and as her actions get scarier, they still manage to love her through it.
There were parts of this book that I was utterly horrified, incredibly sad, and in amazement at the work social workers do day in and day out. I am so glad that I was able to read it - thank you to the publisher and author. I really hope that there is a sequel so we can learn what happens to this family next. Since that can't be released tomorrow, I am going to look for more books by Lucinda Berry to read soon.

I was intrigued by the cover of the novel at first, but once I started reading, I could not put the book down. Janie is an abused child brought into the hospital after being found covered in blood. No one knows where she came from or the whereabouts of her mother. Chris and Hannah are a married doctor and nurse who decided to foster Janie. They are not all prepared for what is to come when living with this badly abused little girl. I voraciously read this novel trying to figure out what was exactly going on and at the end, I was shocked. I received an ARC from Net galley.

Oh wow this was absolutely phenomenal!! I couldn’t put it down from the beginning! Let me say that I do appreciate the foster care theme just because it’s something thats a definite need in our society and I think that it could get help keep the ball rolling in that giving the idea to consider foster care for those unable to have kids or want more kids even. Anyways, this was a great thriller! I read it in legit 2 days desperate to find out what happened next. The way that the author went back and forth between the social worker giving ideas and implications of what happened and then Christopher and Hannah’s chapters just were so riveting and had me trying to guess what happened! Loveddddd!! 😍😍😍 an absolute must read!!

Rounded down to 3.5 because it just ends... I'd like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read this book as the premise reminded me of Baby Teeth which I loved and couldn't put down. This book was the same, as soon as I started it, I was hooked and finished it in one sitting, the plot kept me engaged and the characters were interesting end like I said before, I had me hooked, until the very end, It just ended, I was hoping for more of S conclusion otherwise a great book.

5 utterly disturbing stars to The Perfect Child! Who would have thought that you could be absolutely terrified by a 6 year old? Berry takes us on a winding and exhausting journey through the life of Hannah and Chris Bauer, who seemingly got everything they thought they wanted, and the nightmare they could never have dreamed of. I could not put this book down, and am hoping for a sequel with the cliff hanger ending.A

Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Description
A page-turning debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own—and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.

Christopher and Hannah are a happily married surgeon and nurse with picture-perfect lives. All that’s missing is a child. When Janie, an abandoned six-year-old, turns up at their hospital, Christopher forms an instant connection with her, and he convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own.

But Janie is no ordinary child, and her damaged psyche proves to be more than her new parents were expecting. Janie is fiercely devoted to Christopher, but she acts out in increasingly disturbing ways, directing all her rage at Hannah. Unable to bond with Janie, Hannah is drowning under the pressure, and Christopher refuses to see Janie’s true nature.

Hannah knows that Janie is manipulating Christopher and isolating him from her, despite Hannah’s attempts to bring them all together. But as Janie’s behavior threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind Janie’s past may be enough to push them all over the edge.

What a read. It was maddening and ugly and had me from the start. How does one even begin to have anger, sadness, and grief all in one book and still need to hurry and finish to just know? I 've not read from Lucinda Berry before this, yet I will. She paints and you see and feel. Brilliant and raw.

** Thank you, NetGalley for the advance copy for review**

“She’s just a girl. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Ok, I really loved this book. Lucinda’s books never disappoint me and she keeps going darker and I just love it.

Yes, these characters will drive you up the wall. Yes, you will hate them. Yes, you will want to reach through your kindle and strangle them. Guess what, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO! If, when you’re done reading, a character can make you feel so outraged, I’d say the author has done her job extremely well.

I figured out the twist early on when all signs were pointing to it, BUT THEN, Lucinda throws in another little twist and I really really hope there is another book to go along with this. While the ending was left open, I thought it was fitting for the story. I would like to know what happens next. I need more justice and closure!

You can’t go wrong with anything Lucinda writes. I look forward to each book she puts out because I know it will keep me glued to my kindle!

An absolutely gripping, yet wonderful, read!

Hannah and Christopher (Chris) Bauer are in their early 40's. Hannah works as a nurse and Chris, her husband, is an orthopedic surgeon. We see an empty nest due to miscarriages and fertility problems. Both Hannah and Chris want a child VERY much.

The story is narrated by Piper, a social worker for the Bauer's. Piper is at the police station being interviewed about the Bauer's.family. (This is one book that I have read in a while where the story -by Piper- and the actual goings on of the Bauer family - does not confuse the reader.) A 6 year old girl (the hospital named her "Janie") was malnourished, filthy, bloody and with broken bones - is brought into the ER. This, at the hospital where both Chris and Hannah work. Chris, (being Janie's orthopedic surgeon) is smitten with the little girl, and he becomes a favorite for Janie. Janie is adept at manipulating people who care about her and wins over Hannah, also. Chris and Hannah take Janie to the park. Eventually, after a trying foster care period, the Bauer's adopt her.

After a lot of turmoil with Janie (don't want to ruin the story by being too specific!) and her tantrums, Hannah becomes pregnant. Chris silently worries how Janie will take to this news. Hannah is wary of having a miscarriage again so waits 3 months to tell most people. At Hannah's baby shower, Janie acts up - after all, she is not the center of attention!

Hannah and Chris have a son, Cole. Hannah has already gone on an LOA from work so she stays with Janie and Cole all day. Janie plays her (not so funny) games with Hannah and is a sweetheart whenever Chris comes home from work. My problem is - why do they put up with so much undesirable behavior by Janie for SO LONG! And not to mention the antics at school!!!!!

The story goes through many curves and twists and leaves you constantly on edge. Extremely interesting and yet possible, maybe? You will keep on guessing about the well developed characters and their conflicts until the last page! I believe this is Lucinda Berry's debut novel! Maybe... Book of the Year!

5 stars all the way.....

Many Thanks (as always) to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC!