Search This Blog
April Reviews Link-Up
May Reviews Link-Up
June Reviews Link-Up
July Reviews Link-Up
August Reviews Link-Up
September Reviews Link-Up
October Reviews Link-Up
November Reviews Link-Up
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas
- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (1)
- Canada (1)
- England (7)
- France (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Italy (1)
- Scotland (2)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Monday, June 20, 2016
Compelling Psychological Thriller Also Sad, Depressing
3:00 PM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Heidi Wood can't resist a stray. The 37-year-old works for a non-profit, collects feral cats, and smothers her only child in plenty of unwanted motherly attention. She's always wanted more children, so when Heidi spies a disheveled young woman at the train station cradling an equally unkempt baby, her heart goes out to them. At first, 16-year-old Willow refuses to let Heidi help her or baby Ruby, who's suffering from a bad cold made worse by exposure to Chicago's inclement winter weather. When the teen finally gives in, Heidi brings both of them to her home. The other Woods are horrified. Who is this stranger invading their already crowded apartment? And what of the wailing baby to whom Heidi is forming an unhealthy attachment? Nothing good can come of sheltering them, not in Chris Wood's mind. But his wife insists. After all, who would be cruel enough to toss a sick baby and her worn-out young mother back onto the cold, mean streets? Certainly not Heidi.
As mother and child continue their stay, secrets about Willow's past slowly come to life. The more Heidi learns, the more disturbed she becomes. She'll protect Ruby at all costs. But what will be the price for her devotion? Her family? Her sanity? Her life?
Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica tells an engrossing story about one woman's obsession with getting that for which her heart has always yearned. It's a twisty tale, compelling, but also sad and depressing. While all the novel's characters are sympathetic, none are particularly likable. This fact made the read feel less fulfilling for me. The plot definitely kept my attention, though. Overall, then, I liked this one just didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a couple F-bombs plus milder expletives), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter (child abuse, spousal abuse, sexual abuse, etc.)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
Bookish Quote of the Day!!1 hour ago
-
-
Daily Prompt 26 April Friday5 hours ago
-
Book Blogger Hop – TV or Book10 hours ago
-
-
-
-
Audiobook: The Mango Tree16 hours ago
-
FO Friday: SaltPixie Studio Rolags16 hours ago
-
Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose17 hours ago
-
The Lady of Larkspur Vale21 hours ago
-
Need a laugh?22 hours ago
-
-
Long Time Dead by T M Payne23 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Final Cut by Marjorie McCown2 days ago
-
-
-
-
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth3 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Reading as a retreat from reality1 week ago
-
Reading Recap March 20242 weeks ago
-
-
March Monthly Wrap-up3 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?6 months ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra10 months ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ▼ 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)