A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.
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, … 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.
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This was a horrific story. Which is what made it such a page-turner. I couldn’t put it down and at other times didn’t want to know what came next.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I like that it had multiple readers, and the British accents were a bonus. The story was good, had some surprising twists, and was a fun listen.
Interesting, good character development,
but no ending. It just quit.
Could not put this one down
Couldn’t finish. Did not like this one. Could tell it was turning into an evil child, ridiculous story. I know it’s fiction, but only so long I could take it.
Haunting
This book f**ked with my head. No joke. There were times I sympathized with Christopher and Hannah, and times I wanted to smack the crap out of them (mainly Chris). I thought this would be the one book I absolutely could not finish, but it was so well written I couldn’t stand not knowing what happened next. I won’t lie…it’s intense, and will most likely offend/trigger many people. If you have thick skin, I definitely recommend giving this book a chance.
3.5 stars, reminiscent of Baby Teeth.
A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!
Reading the reviews, I am fascinated by how many readers do not realize this is a non-fiction novel. This is very real, in many adoptions. It is called Reactive Attachment Disorder although i think the new DSM calls it by a new name. This is the reality of many adoptive parents. It is not a “thriller” or “psychological mystery”. It is about the realities of traumatized children, their complete brokenness and their inability to heal and function within a family setting.
And the greater tragedy is that the system continues to try to put these children in a family. They need more support and therapeutic intervention then the love of a family. They system is a travesty to all those involved in it. Children and Parents.
Thank you to the author for writing about a truly horrifying story, for being so graphic, so real and so true to the circumstances surrounding many adoptive families.
Disturbing – This book was difficult to read, yet I could not stop reading it. I knew from the start that Janie was very disturbed. I was extremely frustrated with Christopher for what I felt was a lack of respect for his wife, Hannah. I understand the desire to help a child, but parenting requires two people working in unison – listening to each other and meeting each other’s needs. The fact that Christopher was on a solo mission is probably truer to reality that I would like to admit – so sad. Having said that, I also know that the foster care system is very broken. This book is too real – and so very scary. Read with caution!!!
I enjoyed the book because it was interesting and had good characters. The story was unpredictable. The only thing, I did not like about the story is that I feel the ending left me hanging and I hate that. I would have given it 5 stars if it hadn’t been for the hanging ending.
Compellingly disturbing or disturbingly compelling – I can’t decide.
An adopting family horror story in color.
First, I want to thank Lucinda Berry, Thomas and Mercer, and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Lucinda Berry’s Perfect Child is a must-read book of 2019! It is one of those books that you will long remember after you finish reading it. You will fall in love with Janie’s sweet character at first and then learn how troubled she really is. It is one book that will stay with you for a long time after. One of the many reasons Lucinda has become one of my new favorite authors in this genre.
I do want to warn the readers that there are some very graphic scenes of child self-mutilation, violence, and child neglect and abuse.
Perfect Child is broken down into three points of view. There is the view of Piper Goldstein in interview form (the social worker), Hannah Bauer, and Christopher Bauer (also known as Dr. Chris to Janie).
Janie’s interaction with Dr. Chris melted my heart from the beginning. He went above and beyond to make sure she felt safe during her medical procedure. Janie instantly took a liking to him. They had an incredible bond.
Perfect Child needs to be made into a NetFlix or Lifetime movie!
Man, this book really had an impact. On the plus side, it was gripping in a kind of “can’t-turn-your-head-away-from-the-scene-of-an-accident” kind of way. I mean, I was really caught up…couldn’t wait to find time to read and find out what’s going to happen next, how’s this going to turn out. The characters, although bordering on too stupid to live, engaged me and I cared about them. The demon child was the most evil kid I’ve ever seen, worse than THE BAD SEED. But then….that ending. Seriously? You’re gonna engage me deeply and then leave me a la coitus interruptus? NOTHING resolved. Abrupt, like you just decided to quit. And then I read there’s a sequel so maybe your cliffhanger is manipulative, trying to get me to buy the sequel. Not happening. It’s a shame because this was my first read from this author and I liked her well enough to read all her other stuff. Now I don’t know. The ending was so awful that it’s completely put me off…. Sorry, Ms. Perry.
This book was unputdownable. Yes, a sad, and tough subject, but well written, intense, and easy to read/Follow. I love Lucinda’s books, she never shys away from anything taboo or dark! I was puzzled by the ending? Will there be a sequel? Who was the man on the tape? Etc.
I couldn’t put this well written book down. It will be an eye opener for people not familiar with reactive attachment disorder.