2019-01-09
Good read!
I very much enjoyed reading this book and learned to love all of the characters.. I hope there is a follow up!!
Updating
Description
'Just read it...Outstanding' Matt Haig
'To say I love this book is an understatement...It moved me to tears' Reese Witherspoon
'Beautifully written, completely charming, and extremely wise on the subject of adolescence and influence' Nick Hornby
Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned - from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.
Enter Mia Warren - an enigmatic artist and single mother- who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregard for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
When old family friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town - and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at an unexpected and devastating cost...
What readers are saying:
'Highly recommended, beautifully written and thought-provoking'
'An engrossing read'
'Absolutely brilliant'
'Great characters, interesting plot that leaves you desperate to read more and written beautifully. I loved it and highly recommend it!'
Apple Books: Customer Ratings
Ratings & Reviews
4.5 of 5 (155 Ratings)
Apple Books: Customer Reviews
2018-07-24
Fantastic!
Excellent book. Thoroughly recommend.
2018-07-18
Outstanding
I couldn’t put this book down, do everyone a favour and spread the word, fear, compassion, braveness and sadness all rolled into one, tears for me for the poignant characters and what could have been
2018-07-16
Brilliant
Being an avid thriller reader mainly, I was not sure I would like this style of book but having read a glowing review in The Times magazine I thought I’d have a go at something different.
I’m very glad I did as this is a brilliantly told story that pitches you into both sides of the various arguments and leaves you having to think very hard onto whose side you’re on. Down to the way the story unfolds and the people are depicted its impossible not to be drawn towards both sides in each of the conflicts, which I think is the authors point in that there’s no right way but instead various ways of doing things.
Highly recommend and will seek out her debut novel also.
2018-05-16
Good read
A nice story , easy read
2018-05-05
Little fires everywhere
Well written, thought provoking and touching.
2018-02-13
Compelling
I really enjoyed the book - a gripping story well written which leaves you with much to reflect on about people and life.