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The Golden Child
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Expected 14 Jan 27Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 05:08:49
10 copies available
U.S. only
An intensely gripping, unbelievably tense new psychological thriller from global besteslling author Lucinda Berry that asks one haunting If you had to choose, which child would you save?
Ella and Bentley are Irish twins - eleven months apart, inseparable since birth. Ella is the golden disciplined, driven, bound for success. Bentley is the reckless, restless, always one bad choice away from disaster.
Until the night Ella makes a mistake that can’t be undone.
After a wild party, Ella gets behind the wheel - and hits a classmate. Panicked and terrified that her future will implode before it begins, she calls the one person who has never failed Bentley.
He’s there in minutes. He sees the blood. The fear in his sister’s eyes. And he makes a split-second decision that will change all their lives.
He tells Ella to go home.
He takes the blame.
But secrets never stay buried. And when someone discovers the truth, their family must make an impossible protect their brilliant, promising daughter? Or save the son whose future has always teetered on the brink...
Ella and Bentley are Irish twins - eleven months apart, inseparable since birth. Ella is the golden disciplined, driven, bound for success. Bentley is the reckless, restless, always one bad choice away from disaster.
Until the night Ella makes a mistake that can’t be undone.
After a wild party, Ella gets behind the wheel - and hits a classmate. Panicked and terrified that her future will implode before it begins, she calls the one person who has never failed Bentley.
He’s there in minutes. He sees the blood. The fear in his sister’s eyes. And he makes a split-second decision that will change all their lives.
He tells Ella to go home.
He takes the blame.
But secrets never stay buried. And when someone discovers the truth, their family must make an impossible protect their brilliant, promising daughter? Or save the son whose future has always teetered on the brink...
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
Lucinda Berry
29 books24.8k followersUSA Today bestselling author Lucinda Berry is a former psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. She’s written multiple bestsellers reaching millions of readers worldwide. Some of her bestselling works include The Perfect Child, Saving Noah, When She Returned, The Best of Friends, and Keep Your Friends Close. Her books have been optioned for film and translated into several languages.
If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases and other author news, visit her on social media (@lucindaberryauthor) or sign up for her newsletter at https://lucindaberry.com.
If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon. To hear about her upcoming releases and other author news, visit her on social media (@lucindaberryauthor) or sign up for her newsletter at https://lucindaberry.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 622 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
➴ 4.25/5 stars
Okay, when I say I was literally dreaming about getting this ARC, I am not even exaggerating. I was genuinely dreaming about it. So when I actually got the email saying I'd been approved, I was over the fucking moon. I think I screamed, smiled like an idiot for an hour, and immediately pushed every other book aside because Lucinda Berry?
That's my auto-buy, auto-read, no-questions-asked author.
At this point, I don't even read the synopsis. If her name is on the cover, I'm picking it up.
Now, was this my favorite Lucinda Berry book?
No.
Did I still enjoy the hell out of it?
Absolutely.
It just didn't hit me in the exact way her other books usually do.
If you've ever read Lucinda Berry, you know she has this terrifying talent of making you physically uncomfortable. She doesn't just tell stories, she forces you to sit with ugly truths that nobody wants to talk about. Saving Noah, Phantom Limb, those books genuinely made me feel sick to my stomach. They lingered in my head for days. This one absolutely did that too, just in a slightly different way.
The story follows Ava, who ends up killing someone and desperately turns to her brother Bentley for help. And because Bentley is well, Bentley, kind-hearted, loyal to a fault, and willing to do absolutely anything for the people he loves, he steps in without hesitation.
Huge mistake.
Because from that moment onward, everything spirals completely out of control.
The lies keep piling up. The pressure keeps building. Every chapter somehow becomes more intense than the last, and eventually Bentley reaches a point where he simply can't carry the weight anymore. He wants the truth to come out. He wants someone, anyone, to finally listen.
But here's where Lucinda Berry absolutely pissed me the fuck off (in the best way possible).
This book isn't really about murder.
It's about favoritism.
And holy shit, this book made my blood boil.
It explores just how unbelievably far some parents will go to protect the child they've unconsciously or consciously chosen as their favorite. And honestly? It made me feel sick.
Because you brought both of those children into this world.
How the fuck is one automatically worth protecting more than the other?
That question haunted me throughout the entire book.
I will admit one thing, though. The biggest reason this wasn't a full five-star read for me was because I guessed the major twist pretty early on. I kept waiting for Lucinda Berry to completely pull the rug out from under me like she usually does. I was sitting there thinking, "Okay... here's where she's about to destroy me."
And...
She didn't.
Or at least not in the shocking way I expected.
The emotional punches absolutely landed, but the mystery itself felt a little too predictable. I had already pieced together where things were heading, so the reveal didn't completely knock the wind out of me the way I hoped it would.
But honestly?
I was so emotionally invested in Bentley that I almost didn't care.
God, Bentley absolutely shattered my heart.
That poor man spent the entire book paying the price for loving his sister.
His whole life gets destroyed because he chooses loyalty over self-preservation, and watching everyone immediately assume the worst about him was genuinely heartbreaking.
And what made it even worse?
Nobody wanted to hear him out.
Not once.
People had already decided who Bentley was based on the version of him they'd created in their own heads. Reckless. Difficult. The problem child.
So when everything went wrong, they didn't ask questions.
They just blamed him.
That hurt more than the actual crime, honestly.
Because reputation is a funny thing.
Once people convince themselves you're a certain type of person, they'll twist every single piece of evidence until it fits the story they've already written about you.
And Bentley never even stood a chance.
Now,
Can we PLEASE talk about the parents?
Because OH. MY. GOD.
Danae absolutely drove me up the fucking wall.
I genuinely don't think I've rolled my eyes this aggressively while reading a book in a long time.
She was so convinced Ava could never do anything wrong that she didn't even stop for a single second to consider another possibility.
Not one.
Meanwhile, at least Kash had enough common sense to hesitate.
He actually questioned things.
Danae?
Absolutely not.
She had already made up her mind.
And that infuriated me.
What pissed me off the most was this ridiculous expectation parents sometimes have that both of their children should fit into this perfect little fantasy they've created in their heads.
Newsflash!!!
They're two completely different human beings.
They're going to think differently.
They're going to behave differently.
They're going to make different mistakes.
You can't keep punishing one child simply because they don't fit the version of perfection you imagined before they were even born.
That isn't parenting.
That's projection.
And watching Bentley desperately try to prove his innocence while the people who were supposed to know him best refused to even listen was honestly devastating.
Lucinda Berry has this incredible ability to write morally uncomfortable stories that force you to question everything you think you know about family, loyalty, justice, and love. Even though I predicted the twist, I still couldn't stop reading because I needed to know just how badly everything was going to unravel.
And trust me!!
It unravels.
⚘ "Overall, this may not be my favorite Lucinda Berry novel, but it's still an incredibly compelling, emotionally exhausting read that had me angry, frustrated, heartbroken, and questioning just how damaging favoritism can really be.
If you're looking for a psychological thriller that will make your stomach twist, have you screaming at fictional parents, and leave you wondering how far people will go to protect the child they've chosen over the other.
Pick this one up." 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 25 July, 2026
this better leave me staring at the wall for three business days 🤭
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, when I say I was literally dreaming about getting this ARC, I am not even exaggerating. I was genuinely dreaming about it. So when I actually got the email saying I'd been approved, I was over the fucking moon. I think I screamed, smiled like an idiot for an hour, and immediately pushed every other book aside because Lucinda Berry?
That's my auto-buy, auto-read, no-questions-asked author.
At this point, I don't even read the synopsis. If her name is on the cover, I'm picking it up.
Now, was this my favorite Lucinda Berry book?
No.
Did I still enjoy the hell out of it?
Absolutely.
It just didn't hit me in the exact way her other books usually do.
If you've ever read Lucinda Berry, you know she has this terrifying talent of making you physically uncomfortable. She doesn't just tell stories, she forces you to sit with ugly truths that nobody wants to talk about. Saving Noah, Phantom Limb, those books genuinely made me feel sick to my stomach. They lingered in my head for days. This one absolutely did that too, just in a slightly different way.
The story follows Ava, who ends up killing someone and desperately turns to her brother Bentley for help. And because Bentley is well, Bentley, kind-hearted, loyal to a fault, and willing to do absolutely anything for the people he loves, he steps in without hesitation.
Huge mistake.
Because from that moment onward, everything spirals completely out of control.
The lies keep piling up. The pressure keeps building. Every chapter somehow becomes more intense than the last, and eventually Bentley reaches a point where he simply can't carry the weight anymore. He wants the truth to come out. He wants someone, anyone, to finally listen.
But here's where Lucinda Berry absolutely pissed me the fuck off (in the best way possible).
This book isn't really about murder.
It's about favoritism.
And holy shit, this book made my blood boil.
It explores just how unbelievably far some parents will go to protect the child they've unconsciously or consciously chosen as their favorite. And honestly? It made me feel sick.
Because you brought both of those children into this world.
How the fuck is one automatically worth protecting more than the other?
That question haunted me throughout the entire book.
I will admit one thing, though. The biggest reason this wasn't a full five-star read for me was because I guessed the major twist pretty early on. I kept waiting for Lucinda Berry to completely pull the rug out from under me like she usually does. I was sitting there thinking, "Okay... here's where she's about to destroy me."
And...
She didn't.
Or at least not in the shocking way I expected.
The emotional punches absolutely landed, but the mystery itself felt a little too predictable. I had already pieced together where things were heading, so the reveal didn't completely knock the wind out of me the way I hoped it would.
But honestly?
I was so emotionally invested in Bentley that I almost didn't care.
God, Bentley absolutely shattered my heart.
That poor man spent the entire book paying the price for loving his sister.
His whole life gets destroyed because he chooses loyalty over self-preservation, and watching everyone immediately assume the worst about him was genuinely heartbreaking.
And what made it even worse?
Nobody wanted to hear him out.
Not once.
People had already decided who Bentley was based on the version of him they'd created in their own heads. Reckless. Difficult. The problem child.
So when everything went wrong, they didn't ask questions.
They just blamed him.
That hurt more than the actual crime, honestly.
Because reputation is a funny thing.
Once people convince themselves you're a certain type of person, they'll twist every single piece of evidence until it fits the story they've already written about you.
And Bentley never even stood a chance.
Now,
Can we PLEASE talk about the parents?
Because OH. MY. GOD.
Danae absolutely drove me up the fucking wall.
I genuinely don't think I've rolled my eyes this aggressively while reading a book in a long time.
She was so convinced Ava could never do anything wrong that she didn't even stop for a single second to consider another possibility.
Not one.
Meanwhile, at least Kash had enough common sense to hesitate.
He actually questioned things.
Danae?
Absolutely not.
She had already made up her mind.
And that infuriated me.
What pissed me off the most was this ridiculous expectation parents sometimes have that both of their children should fit into this perfect little fantasy they've created in their heads.
Newsflash!!!
They're two completely different human beings.
They're going to think differently.
They're going to behave differently.
They're going to make different mistakes.
You can't keep punishing one child simply because they don't fit the version of perfection you imagined before they were even born.
That isn't parenting.
That's projection.
And watching Bentley desperately try to prove his innocence while the people who were supposed to know him best refused to even listen was honestly devastating.
Lucinda Berry has this incredible ability to write morally uncomfortable stories that force you to question everything you think you know about family, loyalty, justice, and love. Even though I predicted the twist, I still couldn't stop reading because I needed to know just how badly everything was going to unravel.
And trust me!!
It unravels.
⚘ "Overall, this may not be my favorite Lucinda Berry novel, but it's still an incredibly compelling, emotionally exhausting read that had me angry, frustrated, heartbroken, and questioning just how damaging favoritism can really be.
If you're looking for a psychological thriller that will make your stomach twist, have you screaming at fictional parents, and leave you wondering how far people will go to protect the child they've chosen over the other.
Pick this one up." 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 25 July, 2026
this better leave me staring at the wall for three business days 🤭
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2026
I want to start out by saying that my review is definitely going to be an outlier.
I chose to read this book after seeing several glowing 4-5 star reviews that hyped it up for me.
So perhaps I went into this with too high expectations.
I was impressed to learn that in addition to being an author of several books, Lucinda Berry is also a psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma.
With that background, it makes sense that she would be able to write great psychological thrillers.
Unfortunately, I was wrong in that assumption.
This was my first time reading any of her books, and it will also be my last.
Life and work can be stressful enough; when I read I do it because it’s a hobby that I enjoy and it allows me to escape to nearly any place or point in time.
I also realize that all books can’t have happy endings, especially when you read a lot of thrillers and suspense.
But the ending in this absolutely sucked IMHO.
I am still aggravated as I type this, and like I said, I read for enjoyment and to relax, not to feel angry.
Ava is truly a piece of shit human being.
I can’t really explain my feelings towards this book without including spoilers, but I wish I’d DNF’d it when I wanted to.
I finished it because it was an ARC from NetGalley.
I hardly ever give a book less than three stars (if I can tell it’s going to be one or two stars, I DNF).
But this one gets two stars from me.
Like I said, I realize that I’m an outlier.
A lot of people seemed to enjoy this book, so take my review with a grain of salt and read other reviews.
Every book can’t work for every person.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I chose to read this book after seeing several glowing 4-5 star reviews that hyped it up for me.
So perhaps I went into this with too high expectations.
I was impressed to learn that in addition to being an author of several books, Lucinda Berry is also a psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma.
With that background, it makes sense that she would be able to write great psychological thrillers.
Unfortunately, I was wrong in that assumption.
This was my first time reading any of her books, and it will also be my last.
Life and work can be stressful enough; when I read I do it because it’s a hobby that I enjoy and it allows me to escape to nearly any place or point in time.
I also realize that all books can’t have happy endings, especially when you read a lot of thrillers and suspense.
But the ending in this absolutely sucked IMHO.
I am still aggravated as I type this, and like I said, I read for enjoyment and to relax, not to feel angry.
Ava is truly a piece of shit human being.
I can’t really explain my feelings towards this book without including spoilers, but I wish I’d DNF’d it when I wanted to.
I finished it because it was an ARC from NetGalley.
I hardly ever give a book less than three stars (if I can tell it’s going to be one or two stars, I DNF).
But this one gets two stars from me.
Like I said, I realize that I’m an outlier.
A lot of people seemed to enjoy this book, so take my review with a grain of salt and read other reviews.
Every book can’t work for every person.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
September 10, 2026ARC provided by Poisoned Pen Press / Sourcebooks via NetGalley
The Golden Child was such a good, thought-provoking read. I finished it in one sitting because the pacing and escalation were done so well. Even though I had a pretty good idea where things were heading, I was completely invested in seeing how each person in the family would handle the situation.
All four perspectives felt believable, and some of the decisions genuinely made me angry and frustrated. I didn’t agree with every choice, but that actually made the story feel more realistic instead of neatly wrapped up.
Lucinda Berry is officially becoming an automatic read author for me.
I’d recommend this to readers who like psychological family dilemmas, morally difficult choices, and tension that keeps building without needing a huge mystery.
The Golden Child was such a good, thought-provoking read. I finished it in one sitting because the pacing and escalation were done so well. Even though I had a pretty good idea where things were heading, I was completely invested in seeing how each person in the family would handle the situation.
All four perspectives felt believable, and some of the decisions genuinely made me angry and frustrated. I didn’t agree with every choice, but that actually made the story feel more realistic instead of neatly wrapped up.
Lucinda Berry is officially becoming an automatic read author for me.
I’d recommend this to readers who like psychological family dilemmas, morally difficult choices, and tension that keeps building without needing a huge mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you had to choose, which child would you save?
I LOVE Lucinda Berry. She’s one of my auto-read authors so when I found out she was releasing a new book, I knew I had to read it. I went in blind to this and captivated by the cover. There’s so many different topics that this book delves into, such as favoritism and family complexities.
Ava and Bentley are known to be Irish twins. The two couldn’t be anymore different. Ava ends up making a mistake, where his brother ends up taking the blame for it. From there, secrets begin to unravel and the family has to decide which of their children is worth protecting.
I loved all of the characters in this book. Each one was one that could be deeply rooted for, especially Bentley. My heart went to him and his character felt authentic.
Lucinda definitely delivers a dark and twisty physiological thriller that kept me guessing. As always, she came through. This is one of my favorite books written by the author and I can’t wait to continue reading more.
Pub date. January 14th, 2027
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A brother takes the blame after his sister makes a terrible mistake. However, he does not know exactly what he has gotten himself into until it’s too late.
To me, this wasn’t really a thriller. It was more a moral dilemma of right vs wrong. I just had a hard time feeling bad for Bentley. He was so incredibly naive to the real world and also just not the best human being. I think that is what made this book so interesting is you had to really think about whose side you were on within the whole mess.
This is a quick, interesting read that kept me hooked!
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
To me, this wasn’t really a thriller. It was more a moral dilemma of right vs wrong. I just had a hard time feeling bad for Bentley. He was so incredibly naive to the real world and also just not the best human being. I think that is what made this book so interesting is you had to really think about whose side you were on within the whole mess.
This is a quick, interesting read that kept me hooked!
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2026
4 - 5 stars
Ava and Bentley are Irish twins born eleven months apart. Ava is the golden child, perfect from birth in the opinion of her parents, Danae and Kash. Her brother Bentley- not so much- he is the family mess-up. However, is this actually the case? Is Ava as golden as they think and is there way more to Bentley than his mother, in particular, believes? The siblings are close and have never let each other down and so one night when Ava makes a terrible mistake, she calls Bentley. However, what they agree will have terrible repercussions especially as someone discovers their secret. What will their parents do? Save Ava’s golden future at Amherst or their son?
This is a very unsettling, dark domestic psychological drama and makes me reflect on my own experience of family dynamics. Thankfully, nothing like this. Lucinda Berry’s latest novel has multiple layers as she explores this family’s dynamics and the differing styles of parenting. As the plot unfolds the relationships change especially between Ava and Bentley with parts breaking my heart. It’s a very powerful and emotional aspect of the story. Child is pitted against child and against parents and as it spirals out of control it’s shocking. At times it makes for uncomfortable reading and I feel both anguished and angry as truths are revealed but betrayal is off the charts.
It’s extremely well written from the perspective of each character, it flows well and I fly through it keen to witness the outcome. Each character has their own unique voice. I dislike one from the start and that dislike deepens but that’s also true of others, who seem to be decent human beings initially but who become cold and hardened. It’s increasingly tense and intense, anxiety grows, truth is distorted or ignored, the family unit disintegrates around the central premise of whose truth to believe. There’s guilt and not just in terms of the law but the guilt of favouring one child over another.
Another element is social media, much of the drama plays out via online posts which further increases the likelihood of fractures. I’ll never understand the desire to post every single thing online or trash talk people and the author uses this aspect of our modern world effectively.
Overall, this is a gripping and reflective novel especially looking at the parent’s behaviour and the ending is one that knocks me sideways. I’d love to read what happens a few years down the line but maybe that’s best left to the imagination.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph at Random House UK for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Ava and Bentley are Irish twins born eleven months apart. Ava is the golden child, perfect from birth in the opinion of her parents, Danae and Kash. Her brother Bentley- not so much- he is the family mess-up. However, is this actually the case? Is Ava as golden as they think and is there way more to Bentley than his mother, in particular, believes? The siblings are close and have never let each other down and so one night when Ava makes a terrible mistake, she calls Bentley. However, what they agree will have terrible repercussions especially as someone discovers their secret. What will their parents do? Save Ava’s golden future at Amherst or their son?
This is a very unsettling, dark domestic psychological drama and makes me reflect on my own experience of family dynamics. Thankfully, nothing like this. Lucinda Berry’s latest novel has multiple layers as she explores this family’s dynamics and the differing styles of parenting. As the plot unfolds the relationships change especially between Ava and Bentley with parts breaking my heart. It’s a very powerful and emotional aspect of the story. Child is pitted against child and against parents and as it spirals out of control it’s shocking. At times it makes for uncomfortable reading and I feel both anguished and angry as truths are revealed but betrayal is off the charts.
It’s extremely well written from the perspective of each character, it flows well and I fly through it keen to witness the outcome. Each character has their own unique voice. I dislike one from the start and that dislike deepens but that’s also true of others, who seem to be decent human beings initially but who become cold and hardened. It’s increasingly tense and intense, anxiety grows, truth is distorted or ignored, the family unit disintegrates around the central premise of whose truth to believe. There’s guilt and not just in terms of the law but the guilt of favouring one child over another.
Another element is social media, much of the drama plays out via online posts which further increases the likelihood of fractures. I’ll never understand the desire to post every single thing online or trash talk people and the author uses this aspect of our modern world effectively.
Overall, this is a gripping and reflective novel especially looking at the parent’s behaviour and the ending is one that knocks me sideways. I’d love to read what happens a few years down the line but maybe that’s best left to the imagination.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph at Random House UK for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Want to Read
July 17, 2026I have Goosebumps!
I know this one is going to shock me to my core!
Plotting on how to get an arc of this book!
💙🤍🤍💙
I know this one is going to shock me to my core!
Plotting on how to get an arc of this book!
💙🤍🤍💙
August 15, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
No good deed goes unpunished…
Ok, this book made me so angry. I was stressed, shocked, and in disbelief. I felt like I was inside each of the character’s heads and they felt so incredibly real. At times, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I’m very familiar with how love can rapidly devolve into lies and betrayal. Maybe that’s why this one hit so hard for me. I know this transformation all too well. There really aren’t many greater pains than seeing someone you’ve invested your life into suddenly turn on you and create the conditions for your downfall.
Lucinda Berry is very talented. This one doesn’t break any molds, but it doesn’t have to. It just does a really good job at being what it is. But it does so with realism that lands with resonance. Definitely go read this one when it’s released.
No good deed goes unpunished…
Ok, this book made me so angry. I was stressed, shocked, and in disbelief. I felt like I was inside each of the character’s heads and they felt so incredibly real. At times, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I’m very familiar with how love can rapidly devolve into lies and betrayal. Maybe that’s why this one hit so hard for me. I know this transformation all too well. There really aren’t many greater pains than seeing someone you’ve invested your life into suddenly turn on you and create the conditions for your downfall.
Lucinda Berry is very talented. This one doesn’t break any molds, but it doesn’t have to. It just does a really good job at being what it is. But it does so with realism that lands with resonance. Definitely go read this one when it’s released.
Want to Read
August 16, 2026I already know this one will hurt 😭
July 4, 2026
*Thank you to Lucinda Berry, Netgalley and Penguin Random House for gifting me this early copy of The Golden Child to read*
This story is told from the perspective of 4 people.. It delves deep into the topic of family, favouritism, complexities within the family and I loved seeing that. This is a psychological thriller to its core. This novel is full of complex characters and the development of some of the characters was truly well done. If you need a book that hooks you right away, I would highly recommend this! I finished this book in 1 sitting; that’s how good it is.
My favourite character in this story was Bentley and that is because of the fact that he is not perfect. He is just a human and seeing that made me root for him throughout the whole story.. The first line of the book was amazing and it just made me want to keep reading.
The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. The ending left me completely stunned and that just shows how strong the author's story telling is.
The overall mood of the book was dark and twisty, with unexpected plot twists woven throughout the entirety of it.
One small thing that I loved was the dog in this book.. He’s named Happy and he’s border collie mix.. I just love when animal companions are present in books.
This was my first Lucinda Berry book and I am really excited to read more of her work..
This story is told from the perspective of 4 people.. It delves deep into the topic of family, favouritism, complexities within the family and I loved seeing that. This is a psychological thriller to its core. This novel is full of complex characters and the development of some of the characters was truly well done. If you need a book that hooks you right away, I would highly recommend this! I finished this book in 1 sitting; that’s how good it is.
My favourite character in this story was Bentley and that is because of the fact that he is not perfect. He is just a human and seeing that made me root for him throughout the whole story.. The first line of the book was amazing and it just made me want to keep reading.
The last few chapters had me on the edge of my seat. The ending left me completely stunned and that just shows how strong the author's story telling is.
The overall mood of the book was dark and twisty, with unexpected plot twists woven throughout the entirety of it.
One small thing that I loved was the dog in this book.. He’s named Happy and he’s border collie mix.. I just love when animal companions are present in books.
This was my first Lucinda Berry book and I am really excited to read more of her work..
August 20, 2026
📚 Book Review 📚
This is my first book by Lucinda Berry and this is certainly a tense, messed up story full of emotional dilemmas.
The main question is do parents secretly (or in this case not so secretly), have a favourite child? A brilliant concept and trust me, this family were hideous and made me so cross. I didn’t like these characters at all, with the exception of Bentley who I just felt crushed for throughout the book.
This was an easy book to read but it doesn’t start to pick up until halfway through and I was waiting for a twist, which never came. There was nothing I gained when I’d finished the book, that I hadn’t already established when I started reading. My views on the family were pretty much the same.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and will be reading more from Lucinda but I was waiting for surprises which never came.
I’d like to thank Poisoned Press, Netgalley and the author for the arc and fantastic opportunity of being among the first to read and offer my honest opinion.
Book released 12th January 2027
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is my first book by Lucinda Berry and this is certainly a tense, messed up story full of emotional dilemmas.
The main question is do parents secretly (or in this case not so secretly), have a favourite child? A brilliant concept and trust me, this family were hideous and made me so cross. I didn’t like these characters at all, with the exception of Bentley who I just felt crushed for throughout the book.
This was an easy book to read but it doesn’t start to pick up until halfway through and I was waiting for a twist, which never came. There was nothing I gained when I’d finished the book, that I hadn’t already established when I started reading. My views on the family were pretty much the same.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and will be reading more from Lucinda but I was waiting for surprises which never came.
I’d like to thank Poisoned Press, Netgalley and the author for the arc and fantastic opportunity of being among the first to read and offer my honest opinion.
Book released 12th January 2027
⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 7, 2026
3.5 stars. I found this book incredibly hard to rate/review. I love Lucinda and this was another tense and messed up story. But I really hated the whole story. The characters were awful and the end of the book made me scream. So I guess Lucinda achieved what she set out to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this book, though the some parts of the book had me frustrated with the parents. I felt sorry for Bentley, he made some mistakes during his childhood which in turn he lost a lot of trust from his parents. At the beginning of the book he protects his sister by taking the blame for a car accident that wasn't his fault, thinking he'll just get a slap on the wrist like he's used to, but things don't always go as planned. Lot's of back and forth with family drama had me wanting to shake the characters. The ending was shocking, but I wasn't exactly surprised though, I would have liked to see more of a HEA and justice. I definitely recommend giving this one a read!
July 7, 2026
Lucinda Berry has a way of taking every parent’s worst nightmare and turning it into an emotionally devastating story, and The Golden Child is no exception. This book is so much more than a psychological thriller. It’s a thought-provoking look at complex family dynamics, favoritism, guilt, and the impossible choices parents may be forced to make. The multiple points of view added so much depth to the story, allowing me to understand each character’s motivations—even when I didn’t agree with their choices. I was so invested in the characters that I never wanted to stop reading. Then those final chapters… wow. I definitely didn’t see everything coming, and the ending left me thinking about it long after I turned the last page. If you enjoy character-driven psychological thrillers that focus just as much on emotion and family relationships as they do on suspense, I highly recommend picking this one up. Thank you to Lucinda Berry, NetGalley, Michael Joseph, and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC.
Read
August 8, 2026Moon or sun
dark or light
i didnt want to forget
jump to mud
stil i cant breath
dark minute pass it
mistake stile weare my past
never live
never
stuck as long shadow
cute future live
tear my road
truth done justic break
broken used tree
earth or sky
dream can be fly
dark or light
i didnt want to forget
jump to mud
stil i cant breath
dark minute pass it
mistake stile weare my past
never live
never
stuck as long shadow
cute future live
tear my road
truth done justic break
broken used tree
earth or sky
dream can be fly
September 3, 2026
Omg. I am STUNNED! I haven’t read many books by this author but I am putting all of her books on my TBR now.
This story is about one family trying to navigate through an unspeakable tragedy that was inflicted by their child. It centers around the two siblings: Ava and Bentley. Ava is 11 months older than Bentley and has always been the “perfect” child. Bentley has always been the carefree child who got into some trouble. One night after a party, one of them hit another student on the side of the road while driving and the other took the blame. Although faced with prison, things change and nothing will ever be the same for this family.
My heart broke for Bentley throughout the majority of this book and I want to SCREAM at Danae (mom) and Kash (dad) and Ava. I am so pissed at the ending which is what makes me give this 5⭐️. This is going to sit with me for a while.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is about one family trying to navigate through an unspeakable tragedy that was inflicted by their child. It centers around the two siblings: Ava and Bentley. Ava is 11 months older than Bentley and has always been the “perfect” child. Bentley has always been the carefree child who got into some trouble. One night after a party, one of them hit another student on the side of the road while driving and the other took the blame. Although faced with prison, things change and nothing will ever be the same for this family.
My heart broke for Bentley throughout the majority of this book and I want to SCREAM at Danae (mom) and Kash (dad) and Ava. I am so pissed at the ending which is what makes me give this 5⭐️. This is going to sit with me for a while.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
reading-next-arc-approvals
July 23, 2026PUBLISH DATE: Jan 12, 2027
BOOK TITLE: The Golden Child
AUTHOR: Lucinda Berry
PUBLISHER: Poisoned Pen Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 272
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
BOOK TITLE: The Golden Child
AUTHOR: Lucinda Berry
PUBLISHER: Poisoned Pen Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 272
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Want to Read
August 7, 2026Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, for sending me this ARC. Super excited for this one! ✨
Pub Date Jan 12 2027
Pub Date Jan 12 2027
August 16, 2026
This book was pretty insane, easy to read and captivating. I finished it quickly. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read for free.
July 28, 2026
Do parents truly have a favorite child even though they won't admit it? And are people shaped over time by how they are perceived? This is the dilemma that this family faces when a terrible accident occurs, and the kids devise a plan whereby the son (Bentley) takes the fall for his sister's (Ava) mistake. It seemed like the right thing to do in their minds, as Bentley has always been in some kind of trouble or another, and Ava is the A+ student well on her way to college. But when someone dies as a result of the accident, Bentley is no longer willing to spend time in prison for something that he hasn't done. He tells Ava that she needs to confess, but when the time comes to tell their parents, she totally gaslights her brother. And right then, it becomes obvious who the parents believe. And from this point, everything in this family spirals. And Ava isn't as innocent as she leads everyone to believe. This family will never be the same again. Fast-paced and truly engaging, this story will have you examining what your parenting style is and if deep down you truly have a favorite but just don't want to say it out loud.
Thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the invitation to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the invitation to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
August 26, 2026
I don’t know what I was expecting from this book but I actually really hated it. I forced myself to finish it solely because I’ve been DNFing too many books lately but this one was…not good.
Between the back and forth 1st to 3rd POVs, the fact that there was no real action, and the fact that every single character was insufferable, I will definitely not recommend this book to anyone.
Between the back and forth 1st to 3rd POVs, the fact that there was no real action, and the fact that every single character was insufferable, I will definitely not recommend this book to anyone.
August 7, 2026
This was not very good at all 🙃 bummed because I really enjoyed some of this authors other books, but this genuinely was bad. Ooof
*thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book!
*thank you to Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book!
August 7, 2026
I don’t have siblings, so I’ve never known what it’s like to grow up as either the favourite or the family “drop kick”. But Lucinda Berry wrote this family so well that I never felt like an outsider looking in.
What resonated with me most was the pressure of expectations. I was considered one of the “gifted” kids growing up, and somewhere along the way I learnt that top grades meant success, while anything less felt like failure. I really understood Ava because of that. Then, as I got older, I found myself relating more to Bentley. It made me think about whether we become who we are or who everyone expects us to be.
The family dynamic was easily my favourite part of this book. This wasn’t a family torn apart by one tragic event. The cracks were already there. A marriage barely holding together. Kids instinctively knowing which parent they could tell certain things to. Parents keeping huge secrets from each other because they thought they were protecting the people they loved. I couldn’t help thinking how differently things might’ve played out if they’d simply been honest with one another.
I also loved how thought-provoking this was. It had me thinking about favouritism, nature versus nurture and how quickly the labels we’re given can become the labels we give ourselves. Lucinda Berry never tells you who’s right or wrong. She simply lets the story unfold and leaves you to wrestle with those questions yourself.
Like Saving Noah, this is another Lucinda Berry book that will leave a lasting impact on me. It’s the emotion and the thought-provoking way she tells a story that keeps me coming back to her books.
What resonated with me most was the pressure of expectations. I was considered one of the “gifted” kids growing up, and somewhere along the way I learnt that top grades meant success, while anything less felt like failure. I really understood Ava because of that. Then, as I got older, I found myself relating more to Bentley. It made me think about whether we become who we are or who everyone expects us to be.
The family dynamic was easily my favourite part of this book. This wasn’t a family torn apart by one tragic event. The cracks were already there. A marriage barely holding together. Kids instinctively knowing which parent they could tell certain things to. Parents keeping huge secrets from each other because they thought they were protecting the people they loved. I couldn’t help thinking how differently things might’ve played out if they’d simply been honest with one another.
I also loved how thought-provoking this was. It had me thinking about favouritism, nature versus nurture and how quickly the labels we’re given can become the labels we give ourselves. Lucinda Berry never tells you who’s right or wrong. She simply lets the story unfold and leaves you to wrestle with those questions yourself.
Like Saving Noah, this is another Lucinda Berry book that will leave a lasting impact on me. It’s the emotion and the thought-provoking way she tells a story that keeps me coming back to her books.
July 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I kept waiting for the twist… for the wow moment… for something that would completely change everything.
It never came.
Overall, this was an easy book to read. It definitely kept me turning the pages because I was eager to find out what was really going on. The problem was, I eventually realized I’d already figured it out from the very beginning and it there wasn’t really anything to figure out.
I enjoyed the writing style and flew through the book, but I wanted more (or like any) surprises. By the time I reached the ending, I was hoping for a shocking twist that never happened.
Not a bad read by any means—just one that didn’t quite live up to the suspense I was expecting.
I kept waiting for the twist… for the wow moment… for something that would completely change everything.
It never came.
Overall, this was an easy book to read. It definitely kept me turning the pages because I was eager to find out what was really going on. The problem was, I eventually realized I’d already figured it out from the very beginning and it there wasn’t really anything to figure out.
I enjoyed the writing style and flew through the book, but I wanted more (or like any) surprises. By the time I reached the ending, I was hoping for a shocking twist that never happened.
Not a bad read by any means—just one that didn’t quite live up to the suspense I was expecting.
August 1, 2026
Review of advanced copy from Net Galley.
I want to start by saying I have given all of her book 4-5 stars. I absolutely love her books. However, this book did not meet my expectations. I don’t want to give any spoilers but this book fell flat for me. The twist was expected and the story just seemed repetitive. Though I will continue to buy her books - this one was just an outlier for me.
I want to start by saying I have given all of her book 4-5 stars. I absolutely love her books. However, this book did not meet my expectations. I don’t want to give any spoilers but this book fell flat for me. The twist was expected and the story just seemed repetitive. Though I will continue to buy her books - this one was just an outlier for me.
Did Not Finish
July 28, 2026This book should list trigger warnings.
Read
August 16, 2026I’ve put off writing a review for long enough…the time has come.
I read The Golden Child in one sitting, something i haven’t done in the LONGEST time. And i think that’s a good hint to how enthralled and utterly obsessed i was. I felt as though i was going through the story with the characters. I both hated and loved them all, empathizing emotionally with each one.
Lucinda Berry, being a former physiologist, wrote each character with such care and precision that they all felt like real human beings i could touch and interact with. I applaud her immensely for it. But it got to a point where i was so so SO angry towards some of the characters, how they were acting and how the story was going that i physically felt it in my stomach. The pure rage and anger i felt had me shaking, bawling and complaining to all of my friends and family. I was so disappointed and disgusted with how some of these characters were moving, i truly felt like throwing up at times.
Despite that, isn’t this the point of reading? Loving a character/book so much that you can’t handle when they’re mistreated or not put to justice? I think that’s a testament to Lucinda Berry’s writing and craftsmanship and the pure beauty of reading. The fact that i literally couldn’t deal with how the story was going and was pushed to tears multiple times (many being tears of rage). The fact that WORDS ON PAPER evoked such complex and intense emotions from me is really something to feel grateful about, and not pissed off.
And because of my statements above, i genuinely don’t know if i can rate this book. I’ve never been more conflicted in my life. At times, when i think about it, i truly believe it deserves a 1 star from me. But at other times, i think nothing less than a 5 stars would be diabolical. So here we are, days later from finishing, and still no star rating. But i don’t think i can truly rate this book. I was in such a state all throughout the book that i don’t think i can choose just any number. I hope my thoughts were explained correctly, if not, we’ll blame it on my mindset while reading this book…because, what the fuck?
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I tried my best!
I read The Golden Child in one sitting, something i haven’t done in the LONGEST time. And i think that’s a good hint to how enthralled and utterly obsessed i was. I felt as though i was going through the story with the characters. I both hated and loved them all, empathizing emotionally with each one.
Lucinda Berry, being a former physiologist, wrote each character with such care and precision that they all felt like real human beings i could touch and interact with. I applaud her immensely for it. But it got to a point where i was so so SO angry towards some of the characters, how they were acting and how the story was going that i physically felt it in my stomach. The pure rage and anger i felt had me shaking, bawling and complaining to all of my friends and family. I was so disappointed and disgusted with how some of these characters were moving, i truly felt like throwing up at times.
Despite that, isn’t this the point of reading? Loving a character/book so much that you can’t handle when they’re mistreated or not put to justice? I think that’s a testament to Lucinda Berry’s writing and craftsmanship and the pure beauty of reading. The fact that i literally couldn’t deal with how the story was going and was pushed to tears multiple times (many being tears of rage). The fact that WORDS ON PAPER evoked such complex and intense emotions from me is really something to feel grateful about, and not pissed off.
And because of my statements above, i genuinely don’t know if i can rate this book. I’ve never been more conflicted in my life. At times, when i think about it, i truly believe it deserves a 1 star from me. But at other times, i think nothing less than a 5 stars would be diabolical. So here we are, days later from finishing, and still no star rating. But i don’t think i can truly rate this book. I was in such a state all throughout the book that i don’t think i can choose just any number. I hope my thoughts were explained correctly, if not, we’ll blame it on my mindset while reading this book…because, what the fuck?
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I tried my best!
August 30, 2026
Talk about a book that kept me on the edge of my seat! 😳📖 Lucinda Berry can do no wrong in my opinion!
The Golden Child follows Ava, a standout student with a bright future ahead of her—until one night after a party changes everything. After Ava hits a fellow classmate, she panics and calls the one person she knows will always have her back: her brother, Bentley. He’s already the black sheep of the family, so what’s one more lie? But that one lie is about to change everyone’s lives forever.
Family dynamics are put to the ultimate test as loyalty is challenged, guilt takes over, and long-buried issues begin to surface. Parents are forced to question just how far their loyalty should go, and the biggest question becomes: Can you really favor one child over another? And how far would you go to protect the one you love most?
I absolutely devoured this book! As I do with all of Lucinda Berry’s books, I was completely pulled into the story and kept turning the pages because I had to know how everything was going to play out. 👀
If you love psychological thrillers filled with family secrets, complicated relationships, and twists that keep you guessing, add this one to your TBR! 🖤
Thank you to Lucinda Berry and NetGalley for the ARC! 💕 The Golden Child releases January 12, and I cannot wait to get my finished copy! 📚✨
The Golden Child follows Ava, a standout student with a bright future ahead of her—until one night after a party changes everything. After Ava hits a fellow classmate, she panics and calls the one person she knows will always have her back: her brother, Bentley. He’s already the black sheep of the family, so what’s one more lie? But that one lie is about to change everyone’s lives forever.
Family dynamics are put to the ultimate test as loyalty is challenged, guilt takes over, and long-buried issues begin to surface. Parents are forced to question just how far their loyalty should go, and the biggest question becomes: Can you really favor one child over another? And how far would you go to protect the one you love most?
I absolutely devoured this book! As I do with all of Lucinda Berry’s books, I was completely pulled into the story and kept turning the pages because I had to know how everything was going to play out. 👀
If you love psychological thrillers filled with family secrets, complicated relationships, and twists that keep you guessing, add this one to your TBR! 🖤
Thank you to Lucinda Berry and NetGalley for the ARC! 💕 The Golden Child releases January 12, and I cannot wait to get my finished copy! 📚✨
August 12, 2026
4 Stars
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley, and I really enjoyed the concept of this one. Lucinda Berry always manages to create characters that make me feel something, and this book was no exception. In true Lucinda fashion, she somehow made me absolutely hate one person… and this time, she managed to make me hate two. 😂
There were so many moments where I found myself wanting more—more answers, more explanation, and more from certain situations and characters. There were definitely things I questioned and a few moments where I wished things had gone differently, but I still really enjoyed the overall story and where it went.
One thing that did bother me was the switching between first person for Ava and Bentley and third person for Cash and Danae. I found myself having a hard time adjusting back and forth, and I think choosing one perspective or the other would have made the reading experience smoother.
Overall, this was another solid read from Lucinda Berry. The premise pulled me in, the characters kept me invested, and I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. My biggest complaint is honestly that I wanted more. More answers, more closure, and just… MORE. 😂
This was an ARC provided by NetGalley, and I really enjoyed the concept of this one. Lucinda Berry always manages to create characters that make me feel something, and this book was no exception. In true Lucinda fashion, she somehow made me absolutely hate one person… and this time, she managed to make me hate two. 😂
There were so many moments where I found myself wanting more—more answers, more explanation, and more from certain situations and characters. There were definitely things I questioned and a few moments where I wished things had gone differently, but I still really enjoyed the overall story and where it went.
One thing that did bother me was the switching between first person for Ava and Bentley and third person for Cash and Danae. I found myself having a hard time adjusting back and forth, and I think choosing one perspective or the other would have made the reading experience smoother.
Overall, this was another solid read from Lucinda Berry. The premise pulled me in, the characters kept me invested, and I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. My biggest complaint is honestly that I wanted more. More answers, more closure, and just… MORE. 😂
August 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted ARC!
When I saw this available as a Read Now on NetGalley, I immediately picked it up. I’d really enjoyed the first book I read by this author, so I was excited to see what this one had in store.
I went into this expecting a psychological thriller, but it ended up feeling more like a family drama centered around impossible choices and moral dilemmas. We learn what happened within the first few chapters, so instead of trying to figure out who did it, the story focuses on the fallout and the impossible decisions this family has to make.
More than anything, this book made me feel. My heart absolutely broke for Bentley from beginning to end, and I found myself constantly questioning what I would do if I were in any of these characters’ shoes. There were definitely a few moments that surprised me, even though the mystery itself wasn’t really the focus.
The ending was a little lackluster for me, and I would have loved just a little more from the final chapters. Even so, I was completely invested in seeing how everything would play out.
If you go into this expecting a traditional thriller, you may be a little surprised. But if you enjoy stories that make you question right and wrong, explore complicated family dynamics, and leave you thinking about what you would do in the same situation, I think this one is definitely worth picking up.
When I saw this available as a Read Now on NetGalley, I immediately picked it up. I’d really enjoyed the first book I read by this author, so I was excited to see what this one had in store.
I went into this expecting a psychological thriller, but it ended up feeling more like a family drama centered around impossible choices and moral dilemmas. We learn what happened within the first few chapters, so instead of trying to figure out who did it, the story focuses on the fallout and the impossible decisions this family has to make.
More than anything, this book made me feel. My heart absolutely broke for Bentley from beginning to end, and I found myself constantly questioning what I would do if I were in any of these characters’ shoes. There were definitely a few moments that surprised me, even though the mystery itself wasn’t really the focus.
The ending was a little lackluster for me, and I would have loved just a little more from the final chapters. Even so, I was completely invested in seeing how everything would play out.
If you go into this expecting a traditional thriller, you may be a little surprised. But if you enjoy stories that make you question right and wrong, explore complicated family dynamics, and leave you thinking about what you would do in the same situation, I think this one is definitely worth picking up.
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