Feral Creatures of Suburbia

by D. Liebhart

MOTHERS WILL DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN... BUT THE GREATEST THREATS ALWAYS COME FROM WITHIN.

Julie White’s once-sweet son has morphed into a teenage terror. She hoped it was normal growing pains but a glimpse into his private messages shatters that illusion. Now she wonders if her moody teen is actually a ticking time bomb…

Varvara Perlman’s researcher job is hard, but caring for her emotionally-complex daughter is harder. After dismissing the latest call from the school counselor as another ploy for attention, she can only hope it’s not too late when she finally understands. This latest crisis may not only be real, but deadly…

Crystal Carrasco is as warm and fuzzy as steel wool. Nothing gets to her, not even her own terminal illness diagnosis. When she realizes her newly-married son will cancel his upcoming honeymoon if he finds out, she decides to do the only thing that makes sense. Do whatever it takes to hide the truth…

Three ordinary women linked by one heart-stopping crisis. When faced with the unthinkable, how far will they have to go to protect their children?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Drama, Mental Health, Mystery Thriller

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 27, 2024

About the author

D. Liebhart is a nurse and writer. She writes (and sometimes lives) stories about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, where they learn that life is rarely predictable and answers to the most complex questions are almost never black and white.

House on Fire, her first novel, won the 2023 Page Turner Award for both fiction and debut. It was long-listed for the 2022 Petrichor Prize and received an honorable mention from Writer’s Digest. Her essay Thalassophobia (a true account of a very out-of-the-ordinary honeymoon) won the 2021 Linda Julian Creative Nonfiction Prize from Emrys Journal.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR ABOUT HER BOOK REVIEWS: My reviews don't include storyline summaries because I personally prefer not to know much about a book or film before I dive in. I want to go on the adventure without knowing anything about where things are headed. I also don’t include summaries because excellent ones abound in other reviews. No one needs my very similar (and likely less excellent) attempt.

I have a personal rating system that attempts to acknowledge that a lot of opinions about books are a matter of preference rather than a matter of quality. Something might not be my cup of tea. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. It just means I personally didn’t like it. I recently had a conversation with another writer about a very popular novel (nominated for top awards). She loved it and I absolutely hated it. Not every book is for every reader.

The Liebhart Cuppa Tea Rating Scheme:
1 - Not my cup of tea
2 - Tepid but drinkable
3 - A decent cuppa, no frills
4 - A lovely cuppa, no biscuit
5 - A lovely cuppa, with a Biscoff biscuit (or two) on the side

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A contemporary indie drama focussed on tricky mother-child relationships. As the title indicates, quite a few ‘feral creatures’ in this plot. Complex characters, interesting plotline with real-world issues, excellent ending. Much recommended!

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Plot Preview:

Albuquerque, USA.
Underconfident Julie doesn’t know how to deal with her teenage son Logan anymore. Once an adorable child, he has morphed into a potential hazard for himself and the community.
Intellectual Varvara faces enough struggles in her job as a medical researcher, but her toughest task is knowing how to handle her “over-dramatic” daughter Myra.
Blunt-to-the-point-of-rudeness Crystal has had a long successful career as an emergency nurse. But when she receives a terminal diagnosis just around her son’s wedding, she knows she must do all she can to hide her illness from her son for as long as possible.
Three mothers. Three children. One crisis that brings all of them together.
The story comes to us in the third-persona perspectives of the three mothers and of Myra.

Bookish Yays:
😍 Three mothers with three teen/adult children, but three distinct mother-child storylines. One focuses on protecting others from their child, another is about protecting their child from hurt, and the third wonders whether their child needs protection or not. Tough love, blind love, overprotective love – each has its own complications. The individualistic nature of the three character perspectives keeps the novel interesting.

😍 The main characters: Most characters in this book are as endearing as the protagonists in a contemporary domestic thriller. 🥴 But when this is combined with a layered portrayal and an difficult dramatic situation, the proceedings become interesting. I loved the complex personae of the three mothers, who, though aggravating, have their strengths as well.

😍 Though there are four perspectives, their presentation is always in the same rotational order – no random shuffling. I love how the events interlink slowly over the course of the novel. It is initially tough to figure out why Myra was the only child to have her own narrative, but all becomes clear later. I did prefer the moms’ perspectives much more than Myra’s.

😍 Loved the plotline and the writing approach. The titular use of ‘feral creatures’ is justified through the plot, though it is tough to decide who is feral and who isn’t. I enjoy these kinds of novels where I can put myself in a character's position and wonder what I'd have done under similar circumstances.

😍 The ending is excellent. I love that there's no redeeming arcs or unrealistic behavioural turnarounds for those who are supercilious in their attitude towards others. Character personalities are maintained till the end. We see the added layers under their exterior façade as the story proceeds, but their core remains the same throughout. This is my favourite part of the writing – the believability of the people and their actions.

😍 The medical content in the book, whether through Crystal’s job or her illness or her SM channel, is excellent and enlightening. I later discovered that the author is a nurse. No wonder the information feels so real!

😍 The focus on the struggles of parenting today’s teens (Long sigh!) whose access to information is instantaneous and whose online lives are mostly unknown to parents. It also helps that each of the three women is in a different parenting situation, thereby giving us an insight into various parenting modes.

😍 The cover: stunning. Always love it when indie authors invest in the cover as well!


Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 It is a little tricky to keep track of the numerous characters and their interconnections. The digital copy with its ‘Search’ facility helps. Of course, after a point, the relation across the people and their perspectives becomes clearer and easier.

😐 There’s inclusive rep across the major and minor characters in terms of race, gender and sexual preference. The racial reps aren’t forced in and don’t go over the top. However, Myra’s sexual preference seems to have been mentioned just for inclusivity points; it is never used in the story. Another character is trans; his arc is used much better.


Bookish Nays: (Might not be a nay to many.)
🙄 Myra was too much of a teen to be relatable, and also kinda annoying. I’m not fond of YA novels, and her track was YA to the core. The word ‘asshat’ comes too many times in her vocab. I didn’t get why that word had to be used when she was already throwing F-bombs regularly.


All in all, the yays far overpower the rest. The book has strong Jodi Picoult vibes, with its complicated characters, multiple perspectives, intense drama, and ethical dilemmas.

This indie novel never once felt indie. The cover, the writing, the plot development, the layered character detailing, the realistic drama – almost everything felt spot on. I enjoyed most of the book but the final few chapters truly elevated my experience. This is the author’s second novel, but the first time I’ve read her. Based on this experience, I’d love to keep an eye out for her future works.

Definitely recommended to those who enjoy contemporary drama with several relevant social themes. This isn’t for those who want a happy mommy-child story or who prefer likeable characters. Do check the triggers though – there are quite a few.

4.5 stars, happy to round up. (Go, indie authors!)


My thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing the DRC of “Feral Creatures of Suburbia” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is currently available free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.





Content Warnings: (THESE CONTAIN MAJOR SPOILERS!)
Homophobia, transphobia, anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, mental health issues, self-harm, suicidal tendencies, bullying, terminal diagnosis, school shooting, cancer, death.

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Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a book that has multiple POVs where reading it feels like piecing a puzzle together - especially when it's done THIS well. The way D. Liebhart weaves lives together is truly masterful. I haven't been this moved by a book in a long time.

Feral Creatures of Suburbia is the story of three mothers - Crystal, Varvara, and Julie - who are forever linked by secrets and one event that changes everything. Each going through their own individual challenges, each woman is linked as they navigate diagnoses, betrayals, and life altering decisions.

Heartbreakingly real in a way only a tale about the current climate and what it is like to be a teenager in America could be, this novel touches on deep topics including gun violence, suicide, and mental and physical health hospitalization. Each character was infuriating in their own way, but I couldn't help but empathize and see them for what they are: flawed human beings. I am not a parent, and don't plan to be, but I think this book handled parenthood and the blinders parents get when it comes to their children so well. Each Mom dismisses, holds, or withholds a secret regarding their child and even though we are outsiders can see what is coming a mile away, it's hard to place blame as we wonder what we would do in each of their situations.

Reminiscent for me of both Tuesday's with Morrie and Little Fires Everywhere, I truly could not put this book down and it is certainly one I will keep thinking about.

possible trigger warnings: suicide, mental health, hospitalization, gun violence.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to the publisher and the author! I will be recommending this one up and down!

[NurseKelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


What a powerful hard book. This book follows three women - mothers in Albuquerque & their children - as they explore the complexities of raising teens amidst school shootings, social media, cell phone use, bullying, peer pressure, suicidal ideation & grief. This one hooked me from the very first page. It read like a Jodi Picoult novel, most similar to Nineteen Minutes, and like Jodi’s books, it doesn’t veer away from hard topics - it drives straight into them at full speed.

This book both taught me & terrified me as a mom to children who will one day be teens. It spoke so candidly about the internal struggle of advocating for your children without isolating them, how hard it is not to tie your self worth & identity into your children’s behavior choices & how much fear wrapped in hope drives all of our thoughts.

This book hurt at times but also needed to be read. This story is important. This perspective necessary if uncomfortable.

If you’re a mom/parent, if you grew up in the late 90s/early 2000s & remember the rise of social media & the explosion of school shootings…you’ll see yourself in this book & maybe, along the way, gain some perspective & grant yourself some grace in knowing you’re doing the best you can in so many impossible situations.

[Eyva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, D. Liebhart and Netgalley for sharing a advance copy of this book.

4/5 ⭐

I haven't read D. Liebhart's books before, but the plot description for "Feral Creatures of Suburbia" was so interesting, I thought it would be a good book. I couldn't have been more right, this is the first book I've read this year that kept me up at night, wondering how hard motherhood is and how parenting is the toughest job ever. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done in some of those situations that Julie, Varvara and Crystal found themselves in. I wonder whether there is any correct way to handle the problems they found themselves in. I enjoyed reading every chapter and there were times, I wanted to read everything at once because the story was so intriguing.

I couldn't remember reading any memorable quotes, but because it's such a serious story, I could give that a pass. I wish a certain character were disciplined in the story for their views, even though it would have taken me out of the story, now that I am thinking about it.

I don't know whether this is massively overlooked by government, like in the region the story was set it, but I wish for more programs to help parents deal with their kids when they displays attitudes similar to the kids in this story. When a young kid does something stupid, I often think about the parents, but reading this story, it gave me a new perspective on how hard it is to discipline a young kid, how there are no easy way to do it and even when we take an action, we can't be certain how that will shape up their view.

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and touches on some very sensitive subjects such as violence, suicide and mental health. Told in multiple pov that each story flows effortlessly. You will need a box of tissues... just saying.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I went into this book knowing nothing more than it is the story of three mothers: I was drawn in by the cover art and title.

The main characters are strong women dealing with life and the things that sometimes come up that are difficult to talk about. At its core, Feral Creatures of Suburbia is about the struggles we go through alone out of fear or embarrassment. It's about issues that could happen to anyone, and that is part of what draws you in. It is relatable.

As the story began unfolding, I was blown away by how intense my emotions were. These women could be real people in almost any community. I felt their fears, their love for their children, and their uncertainty about their decisions.

I feel like this is a 5-star book, but there were several triggering ideologies presented throughout that could be an issue for some. Racism, suicidal ideation, and violence are present, but none in an overly graphic way.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Jodie Pochon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I definitely enjoyed parts of this book, on the whole, it didn’t quite work for me. I felt like the author tried to do a bit too much at once, and none of the stories really felt complete to me.

Crystal’s diagnosis and agonisingly difficult decision whether to tell her son or not really pulled at my heart strings. After having lost my own mum to cancer, I completely felt the pain and confusion of the character. To be honest, I would have been happy for this whole book to be just based on this character!

Myra, the teenaged character was extremely irritating, and I feel these parts kind of took away from the themes of parent and motherhood. Also, how many times do we need to read the word, ‘asshat’? I felt like her friend: a trans teenager, could have been explored more, rather than feeling like an add on. Myra’s mum (Varvara) was interesting, but I found it difficult to connect with her character and also struggled to understand the need for the Weston Weiner storyline.

I did find Julie and Logan’s storyline engaging, but again, it almost felt like it needed to be a separate novel, because it felt unfinished and not explored deeply enough.

I can see how parenthood and friendship were evident themes that ran through the different storylines, and there were some clear links between the different characters. However, the links just weren’t strong enough for me. This was an interesting book with lots of positives, but overall, it was just too many things at once that didn’t quite come together effectively.

Thank you to the author and Booksirens for providing me with a free advance reader copy of this book. I have written this honest review voluntarily.

[Sharon Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can This Really Be the End!

At times we become so immersed in a book we are never ready for the end. Feral Creatures of Suburbia was such a read. The characters were so real, they became your friends or your nemises. Richly developed with all the angst of modern day situations. Thank you, Ms. Liebhart, for such an insightful story.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three mothers have communication problems with their only children. One is dying and doesn’t want her adult son to know. One’s daughter seeks attention I’d destructive ways avoid her social issues. One discovers her son is an antisemite who may be planning something dangerous.

For the first quarter of FERAL CREATURES OF SUBURBIA (best title of the year), I struggled to embrace the story. Though fairly predictable, this novel still interested me.

D Liebhart’s gorgeous wordbuilding was my favorite part of FERAL CREATURES OF SUBURBIA. She could have written the most boring book (which she did not) and her writing would have jumped off the page.

While the mothers in the story were well-defined, were only privy to daughter Myra’s first person point of view. I would have liked to get inside Logan’s mind to see what made him tick.

[Jennifer Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Goodreads! I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting. There was so much I loved about this book. The writing, the storyline, the characters, how such heavy topics were handled. At times I laughed, I cried, got super mad, and just felt all the emotions. Great job. Loved this one!

[Melisa Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book

This book was so good! The story is about a small group of nurses and their families dealing with life and death issues. The characters are well defined and the subject matter is difficult and compelling. I highly recommend this book.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great Surprise

I went into this book blind and ended up really liking it! This story is told through various viewpoints which took a minute for me to keep track of but suddenly, I found myself lost in the story. Understanding how the character’s stories intersect creates tension and I found myself eager to continue reading. Definitely pick this one up!

[Brittany Devereaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook from a Goodreads giveaway. I always enjoy a book with more than one POV and this has several. This book shines a light on the important topic of mental health struggles in teenagers. I do feel like parts of the story didn’t feel as complete as they could have, but overall I did enjoy this book and appreciate the opportunity to receive, read and review!

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complex, engaging and powerful novel which deals with heavy issues. Really enjoyed the multiple POVs different voices and feelings as it puts their stories in a more intimate setting. This book delves into the complex relationships between parents and teenaged children, the difficult challenges facing adolescents with peers/school and coping with the dying process.
One of the FMC is dealing with a terminal diagnosis. I found Crystal to be a wonderful, straightforward character with a huge heart. Crystal and Varvara’s relationship was beautiful and their ability to share humor in a devastating situation was heartwarming.
The mention of Asperger’s and the autistic traits Crystal exhibited was an educational benefit to the story.
The ending was beautiful yet heartbreaking and I was sobbing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a long while since I happened across a book that makes me not only want to return to it every chance I get to continue reading, but makes me think about the story all the times I can’t. As the parent of a teen, it will likely also leave me thinking far beyond it’s finish. This is exactly what books should do!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Parts of it were pretty emotional and very different than her first book.
The author is a nurse and includes a lot of medical stuff in her books which I personally like a lot.
I also like that each chapter is written from a different perspective. I highly recommend both this book and her first book House on Fire. I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review, thank you D.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Publication Day

I read House on Fire by the same author last year and while I thought the writing was excellent, I found the subject matter super depressing (I knew it would be going in), I had issues with some of the plot points and I was disappointed with the ending. In my opinion, Feral Creatures of Suburbia was far superior and a 5 star read for me! I literally couldn't put the book down. I woke up early and stayed up late reading which is always the sign of a great book!

The book is told from the point of view of three moms: Julie, Vergara and Crystal. Julie is a single mom whose son Logan goes to middle school with Vergara's daughter Myra. Julie learns that Logan is racist, misogynistic and antisemitic from a peak at his private messages with his best friend on Instagram and she is very worried about what her son might be capable of. Vergara has a very supportive stay at home husband and father but they both worry about Myra who is depressed and withdrawn. Crystal has an older, recently married son who went to the same school as the other women's children. She finds out that she has terminal cancer and decides to hide her diagnosis from her son so that he doesn't cancel his upcoming honeymoon. All three women are career women who work at the same hospital and Vergara and Crystal are good friends as well as colleagues. While Crystal's caustic humor may have made her my favorite character, I felt that all of these women were unique and well developed.

The fourth point of view is from Myra, Vergara's daughter. It seemed that in addition to Myra's depression, she may have also been on the spectrum. I probably didn't relate to Myra's chapters quite as much as the mothers, but I understood by the end of the book why Myra's viewpoint was necessary. This book is about mothers and the great lengths that we go to insure our children's wellbeing and happiness. It's torturous to be a mother sometimes because we worry so much about our children. This book definitely captured all those feelings and I love the way that Myra grew to appreciate her mother and knew how much she loved her by the end of the book.

While the subject matter of this book is difficult, it is such an important read especially at this time. I both laughed and cried while reading this book and it will stick with me for a really long time. I think it would be a perfect book for a book club discussion.

Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, D. Liebhart and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I am so glad to have been given the opportunity to read this very thought-provoking book.

[Emily Poche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Victory Editing Net Gallery Co-op for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

(Trigger Warnings: cancer, terminal illness, hospice care, suicide, self-harm, bullying, transphobia, antisemitism, racism, gun violence, school shootings.)

Feral Creatures of Suburbia is the story of a community in the suburbs of Albuquerque dealing with the oncoming violent episode at a prep school. At the same time the main characters remain tethered together through family, friendship, and their work lives. Balancing their relationships with the turmoil going on in their private lives becomes difficult and starts to impact their choices.

I think that the author clearly had a lot of tenderness for the characters, including the character who ends up being the mother of one of the violent offenders in the book. It was clear that the author was inspired by the works of Sue Klebold, which was confirmed after the fact by the acknowledgments.

The main issue for me was that the character of Crystal seemed to exist to link some characters together, but at the end of the story her elaborate secondary plot did little to move the story forward. There was a lot of labor put into the story, but it seemed disconnected and almost like it was shoehorned in so the author could add some thoughts about death and dying. It didn’t hurt that Crystal was a difficult character who was abrasive, selfish, and stubborn. Her personality was so odious that when she started her ‘life lessons’ I felt totally disengaged. The idea of this super-smart healthcare worker who people respect even though they’re dismissive, condescending, and rude is overplayed. The idea of the intellectually superior jerk is annoying at worst and dangerous at best. She was not a nuanced character but it was clear the reader was supposed to really find connection. She was an off putting focus character and it made me disconnected to the other narrative, which centered on the parents and children.

I think another point that was less successful was that the generational gap between Mayra, the gen Z character and the author was glaring. The worst offense was the sentence that stated “His oatmeal is slay…” It showed the author knew enough to look up slang but the awkward misuse broke the first-person narrative illusion.

Overall, I think the book is a good choice for someone who enjoys a story of parent-child relationships. It also touches on some phone/connectivity issues that teens face at schools today that didn’t exist in past decades.

[Brandy Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed to have a lot going on. The characters are the most unlucky people alive, who are all connected in some way.
That being said, I did feel like the author did an amazing job making everyone relatable. I feel like the women were struggling with motherhood, raising teenagers especially. As a mother to not quite teenagers myself, the feeling of questioning your parenting skills really hit home.
I liked how Julie was so afraid of how she had raised her son alone, that she had messed up, etc. She felt down to earth and very much like a lot of moms. It was heartbreaking for me at the end when she was trying to do the right thing, even though she knew it would drive them apart. I hate that people were so rude to her in person and online, but it just shows how people are in the world we live in.
I also felt a kinship with Crystal when she is diagnosed with cancer. As a survivor myself, it is so hard to come to terms with what is going on with your body and the feeling of how on earth can I tell my kids this. I did like Crystal was so very straightforward. As an ICU nurse, she had first-hand experience dealing with dying, so she knew logically what was happening and what her odds were.
All in all, a great read. The characters felt real and relatable. I did feel like there was a lot going on in the story, but I did appreciate hie the author brought it all together. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thank you to LibraryThing and the author for giving me a chance to read an advanced reader copy of the book.

[Jessika Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book was so beautifully written. The author intertwined the story of three mothers and the struggles of raining children so perfectly. This story touches on the complexity of raising teens in this day and age, friendship, racism, misogyny, grief, mental health, heartbreak, school shooting, therapy, and so much more. As a mother, this book really touched my soul.

The mother that touched my heart the most was Julie. She is a single mom who has raised her son to the best of her ability. As she feels her son and her relationship fading, she stumbles upon her son’s internet history and discovers he’s a bigot & a white supremist. It’s sooooo hard listening to her struggle with the person her son has become and do so much internal battling on how it’s her fault.

Being a mom is so hard. This book was able to capture so many emotions and struggles and deep difficult topics and it was done so masterfully. The way the stories of each character intertwined while also telling their own stories was perfection. I found myself relating so much to all the characters. Even the teenage daughter. I was laughing and crying and my heart was all in.

This was one of those books that o didn’t want to rush it, I wanted to sit and savor each chapter. I highly recommend this read. ✨

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to be granted the opportunity to read an advanced copy of D. Liebhart’s newest, Feral Creatures of Suburbia. It did not disappoint! The first sentence hooked me in and I found myself consumed with care and worry for Varvara, Crystal, and Julie as they navigated their busy lives and careers while also trying to do what they felt was best for their children. The book is a real page turner as I found myself on the edge of my seat with anticipation and found it difficult to put down.

D. Liebhart has a way of weaving storylines and characters together in a way that isn’t expected. She is clearly a keen observer of the world around her and is able to transcribe her scenes to page in a way that crafts a vivid picture. All of the characters are beautifully developed and full of life, whether a protagonist or a minor supporting character. Even the teenaged characters are multidimensional and express a great range of emotions. The push pull dynamics between the mothers and their children was quite palpable.

Just as House on Fire had me questioning what I would do if I were Bernadette, I found myself feeling great empathy for Varvara, Crystal, and Julie as they tackled complex issues that each of their children were facing. Although they sometimes got it wrong, it’s difficult to say whether I would have done things differently had I been in their shoes.

One thing worth noting. As someone who doesn’t have children of my own, I was taken aback at how much this book resonated with me. I came away from reading this book with a better understanding of the complexities of parenthood, as well as the many struggles facing children today. It was painful to see the women as they tried to do what they felt was best for their kids under the circumstances only to have it backfire in heartbreaking and shocking ways.

Feral Creatures of Suburbia is a fabulous book by a terrific writer! I cannot recommend it enough!

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most thought-provoking, gripping and emotional books I have read in a while, this story will stay with me for a long time.

Rotating between four POVS, three middle-aged women and a teenage girl, this novel does not shy away from exploring difficult themes, and does so in a way which is sensitive and informative. All POVs blend together seamlessly and without confusion, in a way which many other books simply do not manage. I found myself entirely attached to each of the MCs and there was not a single POV I was less interested in. All characters felt fully fleshed out and unique, which allowed me to care deeply for them.

This is a novel which will make you think and have you on edge until the very last page.

Due to the subject matter of this book, I feel it appropriate to mention there are numerous aspects which may be triggering and upsetting to readers such as self harm, suicidal thoughts, transphobia, racism, antisemitism and gun violence.

I received an advance reader copy of this book, which in no way affects my review. This review is voluntary.

[Catherine Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

D. Liebhart’s Feral Creatures of Suburbia is a brutally beautiful book. Liebhart skillfully weaves nearly every element of the experience of womanhood into this captivating novel. The plot was riveting and pulled me through every emotion as events unfolded. The characters were complex and authentic, and portrayed both with compassion and honesty. Liebhart treats difficult subjects with such honesty and compassion, and she is fearless about tackling them¬—from death to racism to school violence. Feral Creatures of Suburbia is relevant and relatable and it will make you think. Liebhart exposes the complicated nature of things that are easy to dismiss as clear or simple. An insightful author, she exposes the messy and unpredictable experience of living. I could not put this book down.

[Regina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Feral Creatures of Suburbia by D. Liebhart there are three main female characters. Each brings her own set of ideals of what a family should be with upbringing a child. Each is a mother who is trying her best to raise a loving child during their teenage years. Do you really know what is happening in your child's mind is brought up time after time. How to you handle the child's growing pains/issues of those teenage years and handle your own daily problems that life throws at you. Can you reach out to a friend and will they understand enough just to be a friend. The author cleverly included many scenarios of motherhood. I enjoyed this second book by this author and would highly recommend reading this one as well.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I want to say, yes, it’s a good book. It was a compelling read and I absolutely cried. I had my doubts going in because it did seem to start with some virtue signaling that usually becomes the focus of a book rather than the characters. But I kept on. The characters, were all flawed.
Without spoilers, I’ll say you could be annoyed one character was portrayed a certain way, but if one is honest with oneself, that character absolutely exists in this world and should honestly stand as a cautionary tale.

Gave four stars because for the love of editors, it’s HIPAA not HIPPA.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I’m going to be honest here. I almost didn’t read this book because I didn’t like the title and I didn’t think the name meshes with the cover art. Yes, I am one of those people who struggles with judging a book by its cover, lol. So glad I got past that and just ordered the Kindle version so I didn’t even have to see it. This turned out to be quite a read. Thought provoking, frustrating, aggravating, poignant, happy, sad… ALL the feels, just like real life. I will definitely read more by this author.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried some ugly tears reading this! This is an emotional story about the very real consequences teenagers face in their day to day lives and the parents that must allow them to leave the safety of their homes and become adults in a scary world. I could feel the struggle of these parents trying to determine what actions of their children required attention and which actions were typical teenage behavior. How do you know if you are doing and saying the right thing to save your child? How do you know if you are raising a good person or a monster? How do you know when they've become a danger to themselves and others?

I found each of the women's POV interesting and relevant to the story. The author did an incredible job of weaving each story into one cohesive story.

Thank you @victoryeditingngc and @netgalley for the ARC.

[Ravin Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book as both a mom and an educator was so impactful! How do you protect your child from themselves? Do you ever really know all of your child? I finished this book in tears and with so much compassion and empathy for the characters. It took awhile to get to the suspense of the book because you had to learn all the character dynamics but it helped bridge the empathy at the end of the book.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book drew me in. I wasn’t sure what to expect. The characters all had interesting story lines and I was curious to see how they would intersect with each other. I found myself reading faster anticipating what was to come and wanting to find out what happened to all of the characters. This book tackles a lot of serious subject matter and does so in a way gives readers room to think about consequences, but without a heavy in depth story line for those readers that prefer a story that contains less graphic or harder to consume details.

Thanks to Goodreads for a copy of this book.

[Kammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

think this is definitely a book every parent, adult, EVERY ONE should read to understand their world today. This book bought a variety of emotions on many levels from sympathy to anger. Life is making their transition through adolescence into adulthood, adult hood into making life alternating changes and the difficulties we all have. Encourage open conversation, listen fully and maybe we can save a child, stop the anger and the honor the differences between the generations with love and respect.