Fabulous! A preschool is upended when the teacher is murdered and the children develop a rare taste for blood...
The prestigious Little Academy is undergoing some issues. It seems a few of the 4 year-olds have developed pediatric Renfield Syndrome (yes, it's real. Rare but real.) Anyway, these little biters and their mothers are suspects when their teacher, Miss Ollie, is found murdered in the supply closet. Now some of the moms have issues of their own. Trying to get their selves back (whether it be businesses or sex lives) is not an easy task when you're keeping up with the Joneses. And then the children start displaying their bizarre taste for blood and it becomes a race to find out who killed Miss Ollie and why. It's definitely not the children. Right?! Part mystery, part mom manifesto and all amazing. Chandler Baker always hits it out of the park. Bonus is that January Lavoy, GOAT narrator, is reading this novel!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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“If witness protection really wants know the quickest way to make a woman disappear just make her a mom.”
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Cutting Teeth was my first Chandler Baker, but it will not be my last, I need to go back and read her backlist. I absolutely loved everything about this book. This book is about Little Academy, where all seems to be perfect until the 4 year old class’s teach Miss Ollie is murdered, not only are the children questioned, some in fact have a taste for blood.
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This story has so many different elements to it which makes it so good. It’s part satire, part domestic drama, part the struggles of motherhood, part juggling friendships, part thriller, part murder mystery, part comedy and dare I say part horror..? The main focus is on 3 friends Rhea, Darby and Mary Beth, their significant others and their 4 year old children. There are a lot of names dropped in the beginning but really you just need to know the three families. The mystery/horror aspect of Cutting Teeth is perfect giving the perfect amount of suspense, creepiness and who dun it vibes. I had my suspicions, and was correct in a sense, but there are so many twists and turns that I wasn’t entirely correct. I will say, I loved the why and the path we as readers take to get to that ending.

There are so many quotes in this story that hit home for sure relating to moms. Chandler speaks real talk and doesn’t sugar coat the million different feelings we have on a daily basis. As a first time mom with a teething ten month old I was in stitches reading parts of this book. When an author uses terms like “poodini” and “poop bandit” you know you are in for a ride. Then again as a first time mom with a ten month old there were so many parts that resonated with me to my core, made me think about how much of my life really has changed since becoming a mom. I love when a book can do that.

I listened to this one via audio. It was recorded by January LaVoy who was incredible, the voices of each of the characters including the kids was just right. Also fun fact - Chandler Baker herself has a guest role in the audiobook.

This was a really fun read, it was easy to follow, there was the perfect amount of drama surrounding the murder, the humor was spot on and timed perfectly, and there was even “recordings of interviews” thrown in after some chapters to give it a little extra something. Purely genius and I loved every second of it.

Cutting Teeth releases July 18th, all you murder/horror/thriller loving mothers are going to need to get this one! Huge thank you to Netgalley, MacMillan Audio and Chandler Baker for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Cutting Teeth

I was way less interested in the renfield syndrome “vampire” plot line than the other plot of the story. I felt like it was thrown in to make the book and story stand out and apart from the rest.

Otherwise I really liked the story and I think it could have been excellent if the other plot was the whole idea.

The whole behind the story of parents doing anything for their children was excellent and I truly could related to a lot of mommy parts.

Unfortunately, Cutting Teeth was not for me. The story follows three mothers whose children attend the same preschool. The kids in the preschool class start to crave blood and the parents allow them to feed on them. Then, the preschool teacher is killed so it turns into a murder mystery. I feel like I'm missing some sort of deeper meaning with the vampirism plot. The mystery was okay so I think I would have possibly enjoyed it more if it concentrated more on that. I did enjoy the narrator.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me access to the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Blood hungry 4 year olds? Count me IN! This book was a fun ride that kept me hooked. In this story, all the 4 year olds at a daycare center start becoming thirsty for blood and one day... the teacher ends up dead. I was sucked in just waiting to see what was going on.
My jaw dropped at the end! I highly recommend this book!!

This book is so clever and unique I listened to it straight through. The characters and their children are fascinating as the story has the "perfect" preschool vibe with parents trying to fit in. I felt like it was very tongue in cheek at times and I love that in a good "people behaving" badly novel. There's an Easter egg in the audiobook that I missed and now I can't wait to go back and find it! January Lavoy does an amazing job as the narrator.

This was a slow read for me. The last couple of chapters got mote intense ; however, the majority of rhe book was about a group of young kids that were biting and thirsty for blood. I almost stopped listening a few times and gave up.

Cutting Teeth follows a group of moms whose children attend preschool together. When their preschool teacher is found dead, no one, not even the children are above suspicion. That is because, not only are there secrets the adults are keeping, the children have developed a craving for blood. What started out as a common childhood event of biting has turned into something much different. I think that the authors use of very relatable parent emotions and situations kept this book on track for me. Ultimately, how far will a parent go for their child. Especially when they are only 4 years old. I have to say I loved this book and the authors ability to shock but also hold back information kept me turning the pages. I recommend this one for all thriller readers but especially the moms.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy. This is my honest review.

If you're a parent how far would you do anything for your children? Before you answer that, hold on to your hats and read this book! The four-year olds in this story are literally blood-thirsty and then their preschool teacher ends up dead. Could these little cuties be guilty?

This is a crazy, wild, thriller that will leave you questioning so many things. I felt like I was riding a roller coaster in the dark the whole time! An excellent story and great narration!!

The only thing I am left questioning is what caused the blood cravings? Was it the medical condition or was it something based on a suggestion from either the dead teacher or pastor Ben? Regardless, this was a great read even without that info!

This book follows multiple moms who are just trying to make it through each & every day. They will do anything for this kids & sending them to Little Academy is at the top of that list. But then… their teacher is found murdered in the supply closet & the only people believed to have seen what happened were the kids. The problem is no one is speaking up & through ALL this the kids have developed a taste for blood. Literally. 🩸

This one is truly wild & while it did hold my attention.. I feel like I still have unanswered questions. This definitely isn’t your typical thriller. It’s more of a mystery/who-dunnit type of book.

Anyone can read this but if you have kiddos certain things might hit differently. Mommin ain’t easy 🤪🙃

You'll LOVE this if you're into drama, gossip, Desperate Housewives, multiple POVs, mystery, whodunnits & a little humor.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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So I had no idea what I was getting into with this book, but it’s so complex and good that it’s hard to describe, but I will do my best.

A strange phenomenon is taking over the 4 year olds pre-school class at Little Academy where they are desiring blood. Yes, blood, like little vampires. Then the preschool teacher is found murdered and so it goes into a mystery thriller with a set of moms and dads trying to protect their kids while also dealing with the whole little blood sucking vampire thing and they are also trying to continue this façade of being the perfect parents with the perfect kids.

It’s weird and good and the audiobook is great!

Themes: 👧🏻👦🏻🧛🏻‍♀️🧛🩸🔪💀🕵🏻‍♀️

My feelings: 🙂🙃🤓😎🥸🫡🫢🤔🤫👍🏻

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This started as a great premise with potential horror elements that turned into the mommy lit that Baker so far has been known for in previous adult novels. Not that there's anything wrong with that--once again, her dead on-the-nose details of characters and setting are written with laser precision--it's just here it's a bait and switch.

In scenes where the kids crave blood, it can send chills down your spine. But just when you think the book might steer into its horror elements, it turns back towards family dynamics, where draining and refrigerating blood into thermoses for the kids to take to school becomes one more chore put upon the mothers by their indifferent (when not incompetent) husbands.

Just like "The Whisper Network" and "The Husbands," there's a murder mystery at the heart of "Cutting Teeth," but vampiric children stands out as too much of a plot device to be woven seamlessly into this tale.

January LaVoy is phenomenal as the narrator for the audiobook. Just the story itself is a bit of a letdown.

The normal squabbles among the preschoolers at Little Academy have advanced to biting. Their teacher have might put a stop to it if she hadn’t been murdered. Now these kids have developed a thirst for blood.

I thought I’d be getting a baby vampire story, but instead got a social satire about how mothers are expected to give up everything for the benefit of their children.

4 year olds are known for being troublemakers but the children at the Little Academy have taken it to a whole new level. These 4 year olds crave blood.
But what wouldn’t you do to keep your four year olds happy? These parents even let their children drink their blood. As if that isn’t bad enough, their preschool teacher turns up dead and the only witnesses are these four year olds and since they have this strange medical problem, they are also the only suspects.

The mothers portrayed in this story are Darby, Mary Beth and Rhea. They are trying to keep their families running on top if all of the excessive standards that are expected from this private school.

So no only do they need to figure out how to help their children, they also have to figure out what happened to the preschool teacher.

This was a very interesting story. Not just a murder mystery but a murder mystery with children who drink blood.

What's not to love about possible preschool vampires, mysteries, and a story where no one and nothing is as it seems? Cutting Teeth will keep you on the edge of your seat and smack you right in the face with hard-hitting truths about motherhood. Strip away the mystery at hand, and you'll find relatable characters who all try their hand at being the best mother, and simultaneously, woman, they can be. A must-read!

Chandler Baker's "Cutting Teeth" delves into the intricate world of motherhood, where the idyllic setting of the Little Academy is overshadowed by an unsettling phenomenon. The preschoolers at the academy develop a peculiar medical syndrome—a craving for blood. Initially dismissed as a harmless quirk, the situation takes a chilling turn when a young teacher is found dead, and the only witnesses are ten adorable four-year-olds. As suspicion falls on the children as potential suspects, the mothers find themselves under scrutiny as well.

As the biting episodes continue, and the pressure to be the perfect mother intensifies, they navigate the uncharted waters of sacrifice, often in unexpected ways. The metaphorical notion of their children bleeding them dry becomes uncomfortably literal as the police investigate the murder and scrutinize the mothers' every move.

While the dark undertones may unsettle some readers, the book offers a unique perspective on the joys and struggles of parenting. By addressing the unspoken challenges and vulnerabilities of mothers, "Cutting Teeth" opens up a dialogue about the realities of raising children and the blurred lines between sacrifice and self-preservation.

I received this audiobook for my fair and honest review.
The narrator did a fantastic job and in no way does the 3/5 stars reflect on the narrators execution of this twisted tale.
There are some elements of this story that do not fit. I was left scratching my head through most of the story. It has 4 different plots going at the same time. This made the book very hard to follow. The story was too long and most of it didn’t tie in. These could have been taken out and made into an entirely different book. I had to force myself to finish it.

What would you do for your child?

I did not know what to expect from this one but it was definitely not typical or boring. It switched between relatable mom of young children thoughts to vampiric children and a murder mystery! I have a four year old so it was terrifying at parts to picture him in this class! There were way too many parts where I thought, “ ugh been there” or “yupppp accurate”. Every young mother in this century has had these thoughts! What would I do if everyone tried to make my preschooler drinking my blood socially acceptable…🤷🏻‍♀️ my only criticism was confusing the three lead characters but that was probably my fault for multitasking and listening to the audiobook. I think this book is going to be a big old bloody 😜success! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it!

I really loved the idea of Cutting Teeth, but the narrative felt a bit slow throughout. I really wanted more development on the children, rather than the focus on the parents. Raya was a particularly aggravating character to read about. Also, I didn't love how the mystery wrapped up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review!

Thank you Net Galley & Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of this book. I was looking forward to reading this one from Chandler Baler because I enjoyed The Whisper Network, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this storyline and did not finish. I thought it had great opportunity for a story of motherhood and the hardships but the biting/blood from the preschoolers just was not for me.