All children deserve happy memories, whether they’re real or fictional.
Charlotte's dream of motherhood seemed out of reach until she discovered an adorable little boy on an adoption website. It felt like fate. Soon after welcoming him into their home, his severe behavioral issues threaten to tear their new family apart. Desperate to save their future, Charlotte reluctantly turns to an unconventional treatment.
As the plot thickens, Charlotte must face an unsettling truth: the world she helped create could be more terrifying than ever imagined. Has she rewritten their story for the better or unleashed a nightmare with no escape?
Don’t miss this psychological thriller with unexpected twists and an unforgettable ending. Order your copy today!
P.B. Alden is the dynamic pen name behind the creative partnership of Beth Buttery and Patricia Branigan. With a shared passion for riveting storytelling, they have embarked on an exhilarating writing journey that has captivated readers.
Their debut mystery novel, Donuts and Deceit, is a delightful blend of humor and suspense. It showcases their innate ability to craft engaging narratives that leave readers guessing until the delectable end. With each turn of the page, P.B. Alden weaves a tapestry of intrigue, inviting readers into a world where secrets lurk beneath every corner.
Drawing from a friendship that has withstood the test of time, spanning over a decade, P.B. Alden exemplifies the power of synergy and collaboration. Their shared creative vision and mutual understanding have allowed them to nurture a great working relationship, fueling their ability to deliver exceptional storytelling to their readers.
This story takes you on a rollercoaster ride! I had not heard of RAD before so it was interesting to learn about that struggle. This is a fast-paced, compelling story that keeps you riveted right to the end!
Thank you to NetGalley, authors Beth and Patricia Alden and Butterybraniganbooks publishing for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.
It was a very eye opening view into the world of parenting a child with RAD. I had never heard of RAD before and I’ve studied mental illness and disorders for over 20 years.
The authors provided the readers with a gripping account of little Henry, his abusive history and his life with RAD. After reading, I now want to research more into the ‘treatment’ that the adopted parents provided for Henry. Is this a legit form of treatment being used in 2024? I love that this book makes me want to venture further into this illness and what if any other treatment options there are.
I’m not sure how I feel about the treatment imposed on Henry. Having children of my own I would absolutely do anything to make their lives easier and happier but to recreate their entire first 3 years seems so drastic. Again, why I feel I need to delve so much deeper into Rad!
It isn’t very often a book relating to mental health keeps my interest due to the abundance of schooling and training I have done in that field, but his book did!
While I found the book to be rather slow, when the authors got to the ‘good parts’ the writing was fantastic. The character development was very well done and as a reader you could emphasize with every character in the book.
I’ll put it out there that Emily made my blood boil as did Grandma and their complete ignorance of mental health and adoption.
I’d love to read more from these authors. I feel they totally have the potential for a 5 star book. I feel the way they write has Lucinda Berry vibes and I’d recommend this book for sure.
Charlotte and Drew have wanted to start a family for many years. After seeing an adorable picture of Henry on an adoption website, the couple instantly becomes excited to make Henry part of their family. When reading through his file, Charlotte and Drew quickly understand that Henry had a difficult start to his live. After seeing a psychologist, Henry is diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder. Life has become very difficult with Henry and the couple are desperate for a solution.
The couple ends up agreeing to an unconventional treatment that offers substantial hope for Henry. As time goes on, Charlotte realizes that the treatment may have created a horrifying reality. She is unsure if the treatment helped Henry or made things worse.
What a very interesting idea for a story! I really enjoyed this relatively untouched (in the thriller genre) mental health diagnosis. The author did an excellent job at explaining the psychological/scientific areas, without being too technical.
It is a rollercoaster of a ride. And I absolutely loved the creepy vibes! It's one of those books that I will be thinking about for some time. Made me think what would happen if something like this happened in our current society.
Thank you Buttery Branigan Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The fast pace of the book kept me engaged the entire time. Loved the RAD treatment concept. Easy to connect with all the characters in the story. I like the moral and ethical dilemma, what would you do?
This book is insane in the best way possible. It’s got all the twists and turns and suspense a great thriller must have. On top of that, I felt so invested in the characters and the story, not only because of the amazing writing and how much I cared for the characters, but because of how much this story touches your emotions. This is a tough subject to read about and experience but nonetheless it was an amazing read. I just finished it and my jaw was dropped the entire time I read the last few chapters. It also feels like one of those books you could picture easily in your head; now I would LOVE for this to be turned into a movie. It would do wonders on screen. So so good, obviously there are some trigger warnings for this one but if you are comfortable with them, I highly suggest this read!!
also just want to take a moment to shoutout that ending tho! my favorite, truly the cherry on top of the amazing book
Ok so I'm going to keep my review short here. I liked the book, it was really cleverly written. It brought RAD fo my attention which I wasn't aware of. It definitely brought the creepy domestic thriller vibes throughout.
However, I did find this book quite triggering for me. Some of the topics were a bit raw for me personally. However I'll base my rating on writing only, not my own personal feelings.