Really enjoyed this one about a missing child. Most will find it hard to put down. A page turner that draws you in.

Have you ever read a blurb for a book and just immediately wanted to read it? That was me with Little Rumours. I wanted to read this book so badly, but unfortunately, I was very disappointed. I dnf this book around 45% because I could not continue any longer. I ended up looking up spoilers to just see how it ended. And I have to say I am just glad I quit when I did.

That plot twist was just silly. I had to go read several spoiler reviews just to confirm the first one was right. Because I could not believe that it was real.

Since this book was technically a dnf, I gave it a very nice solid 3-star rating to keep it as neutral as I could. I did not want to diminish the rating of the book by rating it lower. But I will say, if I had finished it, it would have been a 1 star.

I really enjoyed this book. I was on the edge of my seat and felt like I had it figured out and of course I did not! I read it in one sitting. I woud definitely recommend this book to all my family and friends.

This was a gripping fast paced thriller. The story is told from the perspective of three mothers who are all very believable. It is a very twisty read. It also covers the topics of abuse.

Exton Cross is a small village where everybody knows everybody and newcomers are frowned upon as outsiders.

Naomi and Aleema have lived there for years with their families but Kelly is a newcomer with her son Joe. She keeps herself to herself and avoids contact with others as much as possible even though all the children are best friends.

When Aleema's daughter goes missing - the whole village turns out to help search including Kelly but Kelly has a traumatic history which she starts to worry is repeating itself.

Her story soon becomes known by the other residents and fingers start pointing at Joe being responsible for the missing girl.


Although this is the usual tale of a missing child, its told from the viewpoint of each of the three mothers so you get to see the impact circumstances can have.

Great characters that make this a cut above the typical missing child plot, which I've found to be quite formulaic by now. This kept me hooked and made me want to keep reading.

A bit slow to start but once it go it going, boom! Great novel here, didn’t like any of the characters 😂 but that didn’t spoil the book and it was devoured in one evening haha more please!

Didn’t enjoy this book sadly I couldn’t get into it and found the author lost it in parts. The acknowledgments really put me off. Left me wondering if she would have done the same for women of other backgrounds

3.5 stars! This was a mysterious and entertaining book. I did not guess the reveals and was very pleased with the ending. I did not connect to any of the characters and I did think it was a bit slow, but overall, an enjoyable read if you like domestic thrillers with neighborhood gossip too!

Three women. Three secrets. One missing child. The recipe for suspense.
Little Rumours is a spellbinding thriller which draws you in from the very start. What exactly did Joe see? Was he seen?
Author Bryony Pearce has written a story so addicting that you may just start reading it with a British accent.
I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy of this fantastic novel, in exchange for my honest review.


Posting to B&N and Amazon, pending their approval

First time reading a book by this author and will definitely be reading more by her. This book kept me wanting to keep reading and not stop

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end

This book sucked me in and kept me up. While it could be a tad slow-burn for me at times, it wasn't enough to make me put it down for a time. Definitely a thrilling and entertaining read.

"Little Rumours” by Bryony Pearce is a book filled with lies, bullying, abuse and psychological discomfort.
Told through multiple voices it all blends in well and makes for a good read.
Quite different to other books I have read, and would recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK, Avon for this opportunity. I love where different stories come together as this one. I love the direction of this book took and was certenly unique.

Wow, I loved this book. I expected to like it, but it actually exceeded my expectations a lot. The story really drew me in. I read a lot of books in this genre, but this felt original and thrilling. Would definitely recommend.

The premise of the book was fabulous and intriguing.
After reading the book here is what I enjoyed:
The amazing plot and writing style of the author.
The way it kept me hooked to see what happens next.
The Epilogue changed the story around for me!
Finished it in one sitting.

Would definitely recommend!

Little Rumours is set in a quiet village in Devon and tells the story of three women whose children are all best friends. I love a suspense novel and this didn’t disappoint. I will definitely be reading more by Bryony Pearce. Pearce has a way of writing domestic thrillers that are full of suspense yet very relatable for the reader. The characters were all quite likeable in their own ways. The thing that the characters had in common was that they all had some sad backstories or mysterious pasts. The ending was fantastic and I loved how all the characters’ stories came together.

Little Rumours is set in a quiet village in Devon and tells the story of three women whose children are all best friends.

Naomi has lived in Exton Cross all her life and knows everything and everyone. Aleema has lived there for three years after moving from Manchester to help care for her sick mother in law but has struggled to fit in with the locals, and Kelly is the loner that has a secret past which no one must ever find out about.

After one of the children goes missing, we get to delve into the three women’s past and present to uncover what has happened to the missing child and who is telling the truth about the disappearance.

This is a good psychological thriller and flows well, with the narrative told by a different mother for each chapter.

Little Rumours is a fantastic take on the story of a missing child. There are three families, each with problems and secrets and each having suffered loss. The author very skilfully tells their stories and captures perfectly their emotions with great sensitivity in her writing.

This is the first book I’ve read by Bryony Pearce and it certainly won’t be the last.

My thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of the book to read and review.

Thoroughly recommended.