Not sure why there's some low rating but I actually enjoyed reading this book!

Three families living in the small town called Exton Cross. Naomi has lived in Exton Cross all her life. Aleema is trying to be a part of the small town and Kelly is new to the town with a dark secret. Their children, Leon, Mia and Joe become friends. Then one day, one of them goes missing.

The story started out slightly slow and a bit boring but gradually, it started reaching the climax when Kelly's dark secret was revealed later in the middle of the book. The plot is really good as well and the writer does a good job of drawing the reader into the story. The story is told from the perspectives of Naomi, Kelly and Aleema and so as a reader, you could get an insight of what each of these characters are thinking. I was really literally hooked into the book and couldn't put it down, wanting to know what is going to happen next! And there were some parts where it was emotional and slightly heartbreaking. The ending was good. I have read this author's previous book and in my honest opinion, I think this book is better than her previous book.

Overall, I actually enjoyed this fast paced thriller that is unputdownable and would keep you are the edge of the seat. Worth five stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for giving me the invitation to review this book. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

In Little Rumours Kelly and her 11 year old son, Joe are living under assumed names, running from their past. Circumstances bring their past to light. Bryony Pearce gives the reader a fast paced story that is difficult to put down. I want to thank NetGalley and Avon for an early copy to review.

The only Bryony Pearce book I’ve read before is a YA fantasy about the aftermath of a group of teens opening the gates to hell. This is a very different story.

It’s a really good one though. It’s easy to pick favourites between the three mums we see the story through. Kelly who has a dark secret she’s so desperate to protect that she shuns the attempts of anyone in the village to befriend her. Aleema who feels totally out of place having moved from Manchester to her husband’s home village to look after her mother-in-law. And, Naomi who has lived all her life in the village and sees all of the people there through rose-tinted glasses.

Their children are best friends though and bring out the best in each of them.

The characters are what makes this story. Naomi is easily the most irritating, but she does believe that everything she does is for the best, so it’s hard not to feel sorry for her as reality comes crashing in.

The plotting is tense and tight and while there are hints to what has actually happened it’s revealed in a clever way to keep the reader guessing throughout. And, in the way of the best thrillers even if you guess whodunnit the writing is compelling enough to keep you gripped to the final pages anyway.

Such a good story. So many twists an turns. I recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this thrilling story

All my thoughts and opinions are my own and are not Influenced by other reviewers

I have to say, I loved this one. Little Rumours follows three women in a small town, where everyone knows everyone. Naomi is your typical helicopter mom, Aleema is the newer mom in town and since she is Muslim, the towns racism comes out. Then there’s Kelly, who’s under witness protection with her son because her husband was a serial killer. A lot to unpack here.

Although these three women don’t have much in
common and ultimately don’t add much to the success of this book, it’s the power of friendship and the resilience of children that really make you appreciate the story. When Aleemas daughter goes missing, fingers are being pointed in all directions. In such a small town, who would abduct an innocent little girl? Although the outcome was fairly predictable, the journey on the way there was definitely filled with twists and who dunnits. I’m thrilled to have gotten an ARC of Little Rumours thanks to Netgalley, it was definitely one of the better thrillers I’ve read in a long time!

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. One being that although it was another missing child story, it was so different from the ones I've read before. I also loved the way one point of view was from a different culture which I feel is not done enough in the average psychological thriller. It was a compelling suspense where I was questioning everyone.

Every small town has their secrets and when a new family moves in the jungle drums begin to beat. On top of that a child has gone missing. Now the rumour mill is in full flow and the knives are out. This is the story of three women who live in this town, how they are perseeved by the rest of the town. A gripping domestic thriller that had me reading late into the night.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I began this book with good intent, but after the first few chapters it failed to sustain my interest. I just couldn’t get into the story and had no interest in the characters. This book just wasn’t it for me.

This is my first book by Byrony Pearce and it was a good read. Slow to begin and then the pace quickened. Plenty of twists and turns, suspense and kept you wanting to know more. The characters were interesting and well developed. Good storyline. Will be looking for other books by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Avon books UK for an Arc in exchange for an honest opinion

My thoughts: Holy heck I don’t even know where to start. I freaking LOVED this book so much. There’s so many twists and turns and suspense all wrapped up together. I had an inkling of what happened, but even at that, I was only like 20% right. Idk how y’all are gonna wait for this but do not forget to get this book!!

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Avon Books UK and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Suspenseful, fast-paced, enthralling, chilling it gripped me immediately.

A good story with complex characters and a missing child. Be prepared to be glued to this one because you can't possibly put it down until you come to the end. And when you do come to the end, you wish there was more because you've somehow gotten so caught up with the characters that you want to stay in their lives. I loved the setting and the new words I learned as an American reader!

I loved everything about this book. It was so enthralling I read it within a day. The lives of three women are entwined in loss and trauma each one dealing with it in different ways. Their children suffer in silence in a small town where differences are not celebrated and rumours suffer. A little girl goes missing and that same town implodes on itself and further pulls apart family safety. It is a story of trauma and what it takes to overcome. You need to read it.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc

Three mothers Aleema, Naomi and Kelly live in a close knit community. Their 3 children are friends. When one of the children goes missing everyone is a suspect and everyone seems to have something to hide.
This book was fast paced with well rounded characters. A story perfect to be adapted to a television mini series .
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC

Thanks NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Bryony Pearce for an ARC to review.
Reminds me with Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine, Kelly relocates her life carrying new identity to a new home to bury her horrible past. She's trying to shield her son Joe from danger whether from his past or from anyone recognising them here.
When one of Joe's best friends goes missing, suspicions fall onto Kelly and Joe.
A gripping, on the edge of your seat page turner.
I loved it.

The blurb of this book says there are three mothers, three secrets and one missing child. Each of the vastly different women tell the story from their own point of view. There are secrets in this town and I kept turning the pages to find out which child would go missing and why.

A solid thriller that will have you engrossed until the final page, left me wanting to check out more books by this author, I give it an easy 5 stars

What a fascinating book ! Sometimes I read a story and it is so multi- faceted that it really makes you think !
Five stars all the way.

It started a little slow for me as I got to know each of the three women. I loved how each was so different in personality and looks. The author had great descriptions so it was easy to picture each one. The violence was borderline but acceptable. I enjoy non violent books especially involving animals.

Kelly and her son, Joe , have returned back to a same British town. Kelly has a lot of past baggage to deal with and a big secret she is hiding. I think I had the most empathy for her. Joe seemed very likable and has strong friendships with Leon and Mia

Naomi is the mother of Leon and Aleema is the mother of Mia. Aleema is a devout Muslim, which was very interesting to read about. I felt like the author did her research and it was educational. Leon seemed to feel like an outsider and his close friends were very important. Mia was happy hanging out with the two boys and maybe
felt more excepted by them

It was different that the children in the story, all preteens, were the best of friends and their mothers did not like each other. This really shows up as one of the children goes missing. The town all searches and accuses. I enjoyed the roller coaster ride of if the child would be found and who was responsible. The story ended with a surprising twist that made complete sense. A great 5 star book of friendship, family, mistrust and fear
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review!

Thrillers featuring missing children are always a nail biter. The stakes are extra high, the characters even more on edge. Then there is always this one character, who has a closet full of secrets, and who could help but just won't. This book has all of the above and more. I really liked the character of Aleema, an outsider in a small community where most people have been friends since birth. What I didn't like were any of the other characters. Literally, none of them- they were all selfish and self-serving. As for the end, I guessed it at the very beginning and spent most of the book being frustrated that no one else got it. Overall it was a good effort and the author does a great job of portraying small town small mindedness and building up the suspense.

Little rumours is a compelling story about lies, secrets and controlling relationships. The 3 women, although different, share experiences of loss, control, abuse and an overwhelming love and desire to protect their children. When Mia disappears, the small village starts to implode on itself and hidden grudges surface, complicating matters. Its an emotional, sensitively written book that makes you question your own morality.