The Golden Child

by Lucinda Berry

One lie to save her future. One decision to destroy his.

Ava and Bentley are Irish twins—eleven months apart, inseparable since birth. Ava is the golden girl: disciplined, driven, bound for success. Bentley is the screwup: reckless, restless, always one bad choice away from disaster.

Until the night Ava makes a mistake that can’t be undone.

After a wild party, Ava 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 her: 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 Ava to go home.

He takes the blame.

But secrets never stay buried. And when someone discovers the truth, their family must make an impossible choice: protect their brilliant, promising daughter… or save the son whose future has always teetered on the brink.

A gripping psychological suspense novel about favoritism, ambition, and the lethal cost of family loyalty, The Golden Child asks one haunting question:

If you had to choose, which child would you save?

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 12, 2027

About the author

USA 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.

Reviews

[shanayaa]

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.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Laura Lovesreading]

I have Goosebumps!
I know this one is going to shock me to my core!
Plotting on how to get an arc of this book!
💙🤍🤍💙

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.
This was my first time reading any of her books, and it may 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.

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Aarjavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

*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..

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kristina Pauls (ARC Reviewer)]

PUBLISH 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.

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Courtney Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Deb Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Christine P]

This book should list trigger warnings.

[Paige Rothwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure this story will hit only children quite the same way it hits readers with siblings. As a girl with both a brother and a sister, there were parts of this book I felt deep in my bones. Other moments had me thinking, I cannot even imagine.

Imagine having a bond with your sibling that feels completely unbreakable. You make one decision because you genuinely believe you are helping, only for everything to backfire. Loyalties shift, secrets grow, and the people who are supposed to love and protect you forever begin turning their backs.

Bentley. Ugh, Bentley. My heart hurt so much for this character. I actually messaged Lucinda after finishing and simply said, “AHHH BENTLEY,” because that was honestly the only reaction I could form.

Lucinda Berry does it again. She is easily one of my top authors because she knows how to capture my attention and make me forget every other thing I am responsible for. This book has so many different layers involving sibling bonds, family loyalty, favouritism, guilt, and the damage caused by one impossible decision.

I read it in less than 48 hours, struggled to predict where it was going, and now somehow have to wait until 2027 before I can properly yap about it.

Thank you to Lucinda Berry, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Liz_Dolphin70_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! It made me stop and think … what would I do in this situation if God Forbid it happened to my family! I love Lucinda Berry’s books, the Family drama and the crazy situations that these people will get themselves into it really makes you stop and think about your own situation. They are very relatable characters and you feel for these people from beginning to the end of the story. I love the characters in this story, the troublesome son and the perfect daughter. No one wants to choose a child over another.
Such a powerful intense book I highly recommend reading all of her stories if you love, intense, thought, provoking, books! She’s definitely an auto-buy Author for me and I will continue thank you to read everything she writes!

[Melissa Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this Advance Reader Copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this thought provoking Lucinda Berry novel. As always, she sets the stage for the reader to feel the conflict and constant pull of the main characters constantly making you question “what would I do if these were my children?”

As a reader I enjoy having to think through controversial situations but I found it difficult to connect with the mother’s positioning and choices throughout the book. I was hoping she would do what was morally right in the end, and she just didn’t.

All in all though I found the characters to be well developed, plot line original (as I always find with Lucinda Berry novels), and novel an enjoyable read.

[Bianca Albu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Golden Child. Lucinda Berry has a way of writing stories that are impossible to put down, and this one was no exception. The chapters flew by, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.

What stood out to me most was the mix of suspense and emotion. It’s not just a thriller full of twists; it also dives into complicated family relationships and the weight of the decisions the characters have to make. I felt invested in the story from beginning to end.

This is definitely one of my favorite books by Lucinda Berry so far. If you enjoy dark, addictive psychological thrillers that keep you thinking even after you finish, I’d highly recommend giving The Golden Child a read.

[Madame Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Golden Child” - “Family Trauma taken to the next level. I for one am definitely not okay.”

★★★★☆ (4,5)

Excuse me while I stare at the wall for the next couple of hours.

Damn.

I’m no stranger to Lucinda Berry’s novels and “emotionally complex” doesn’t cover how heavy and devastating this story is. Families are all complex, their dynamics are complicated and this story doesn’t shy away from showing what happens when sh*t truly hits the fan. For anyone with family trauma, you’ve been warned, this one is tough, but so incredibly well written that I can only praise and recommend this one. (I mean what’s another book emotionally scarring you)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I leave this review voluntarily.

[Cynthia Sauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 stars

This was an interesting read. Definitely a lot to chew on and think about regarding the way parents treat their children, and even the harm that can come from putting a child first, on a pedestal. Not a popcorn thriller but definitely well written and deep.

Another pass from an editor would be advised, there are a few missing words and typos and I also noticed Ava is referred to as Ella in the Readers Guide at the end so perhaps the author did a name change at some point?

[Kswag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely phenomenal. I was in an immediate chokehold with this family’s story. In the beginning it was so easy for me to empathize with Bentley and it was just as easy to dislike in Ava. What I didn’t expect was the deep sorrow I felt in the end for the whole family because it was just a huge traumatic situation. Lucinda wrote this riveting story and once again made this reader walk away wondering what if…. And what would I do?

[Josie ☠️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟 ARC REVIEW 🌟

Thank you to Lucinda Berry and NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Golden Child early!

Lucinda has a way of really making you question every choice you’ll ever make, and this one was no different. This book dives deep into the true meaning of having a “favorite child”. As a twin I definitely had a different perspective. My heart stays with Bentley, and I wouldn’t mind even having a sequel just to see how things truly end up. Solid read!

[Michelle Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and author Lucinda Berry. I always know her books are going to be gut wrenching and she didn’t fail to deliver this time! All the emotions with this one.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book, I was just wondering when the “big twist” was going to happen and it never really did. The ending was really predictable. It was a really fast read though!!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Child completely reeled me in from the very first page. It is an incredibly well written, heart wrenching story that gets you emotionally invested right away. I don't want to ruin the ending, but it was something I kept thinking about for days. Lucinda Berry knows exactly how to build tension and pull at your heartstrings. A gripping, emotional ride that I highly recommend.

[Aurora Bauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Lucinda Berry, her team, and NetGalley for the ARC of The Golden Child.

Second, all of the thoughts, ideas, reactions, and opinions in this review are entirely my own.

Lucinda Berry really does it again with this one. The complicated family dynamics, the trauma, the emotional turmoil. This book left me feeling so many emotions and completely torn once again. This is a solid 4.5-star read for me.

The following review contains a recap and spoilers, so if you have not read the book or do not like spoiler content, this is your warning to look away now.

***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***


Bentley and Ava were more than siblings. They were best friends. Until Bentley decides to take the fall for Ava after she hits Jaxon. When Jaxon dies from complications, Bentley realizes the situation is much bigger than he ever expected and tells his parents the truth, that it was Ava who hit Jaxon.

But Ava denies it.

This betrayal shook me to my core. Through every page, you could feel Bentley's anger, hurt, and frustration. Lucinda Berry did such a great job capturing everyone's emotions and making them feel real in the moment.

Up until this point, Bentley had never really given anyone a reason to trust or believe him. So no one did. They couldn't, especially when Ava had always been the "perfect" child while Bentley was the "wild child." Bentley had been in trouble so many times before, so why would anyone believe that this time was different?

Little did they know, it was.

When Danae figured out the truth, I kept holding onto hope that she would finally say something. Watching her internal struggle and thought process was honestly difficult to read. Knowing she was willing to sacrifice one child to save the other was heartbreaking because, as a mother, you want to believe she would fight for both of them.

At the same time, learning that she had carried resentment toward Bentley for years helped explain why she struggled so much with what to do. It didn't excuse her choices, but it made them easier to understand. Watching her knowingly make the wrong decisions was frustrating. Then, when she allowed Kash to stop paying the retainer for Bentley's lawyer, I was absolutely livid because she knew that decision basically sealed his fate.

I felt so sorry for Bentley because he didn't deserve to be thrown to the wolves by the very people who should have loved and protected him the most.

I also think Lucinda did a fantastic job representing OCD, even without outright saying Ava had it. As someone who struggles with high anxiety and OCD rumination, it was actually refreshing to see those thought patterns represented in a way that felt accurate. However, I do wish there had been more signs sprinkled throughout the story instead of saving most of them for the epilogue. I think spending more time inside Ava's mind would have strengthened the psychological aspects of the story even more.

[Kristen Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

As per usual, Lucinda Berry wrecks havoc on your emotions throughout The Golden Child. The novel explores themes of favoritism, mental illness, and perfectionism. Ava is the 'perfect child' in the family while Bentley is the designated, 'screw up.' The 2 of them are close and have made a pact to protect one another after Ava makes a life-altering mistake. Bentley, already facing the consequences of his past actions, takes the blame for Ava's mistake, only to realize he got far more than he bargained for.

Lucinda Berry is an auto-read author for me. This is my ninth novel by her, and she's the best at exploring mental illness with nuance and compassion. You can tell she genuinely cares about portraying these conditions authentically, and I think her books help readers better understand and empathize with people facing similar struggles in real life. That said, I usually need a break between her books because they're emotionally draining in the best way. Beyond her expert portrayal of mental illness, it's clear Lucinda Berry has extensive experience working with teenagers and children as a psychologist. Ava and Bentley's first-person POVs feel authentic and believable, from their actions and secrecy to the way they think and speak. Their dialogue never feels forced, making it easy to get invested in both of their perspectives. I also enjoyed how the entire story felt believable, unlike most thrillers. I also thought it was interesting how Lucinda tackled the theme of favoritism with such care, especially since it's a topic that often feels too taboo to acknowledge. I think anyone with siblings can relate to at least some of Ava and Bentley's emotions. Even when their parents insist they don't have a favorite, their actions often tell a different story, and Lucinda captures the hurt and resentment that can create.

The biggest issue I had is the narration differences in the 4 POVs. There was a stark difference in how the children and parents were narrated. The children were in first person and the adults were third person. Usually these changes don't stand out to me, but for a novel with so much emotional depth the transition was distracting. In addition to this, the narration of the adults was juvenile.

If you loved Saving Noah, I think you'll love this one as well. While it isn't a typical psychological thriller, it delivers the same emotional weight and leaves you thinking long after you've finished. If you're wanting a fast, twisty read I would skip this one. I only say this because The Golden Child doesn't really have a big twist or 'OMG' moment. Pacing is consistent and there's only a few small reveals as the story progresses.

Also side-note: it may be interesting to see what Ava is up to in the future? I can see this being a possible sequel down the road.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Ayala · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars (ARC via NetGalley)

Lucinda Berry has done it again.

The Golden Child is less about twists and turns than it is about people, their flaws, their loyalties, and the devastating consequences of the choices they make. This is a deeply character-driven psychological drama that asks one impossible question:

If you had to choose between your children…who would you save?

The story centers on the Winslow family after a tragic accident changes everything. What follows isn’t just a mystery, it’s the slow, painful unraveling of a family built on favoritism, secrets, and impossible expectations.

One of Berry’s greatest strengths is her background in psychology, and it shines throughout this novel. Told through four distinct points of view, each character feels authentic, emotionally complex, and painfully human. There isn’t a clear hero or villain here. Instead, every chapter peels back another layer, revealing motivations that are understandable even when they’re infuriating.

And trust me…I was feeling all the emotions.

I was angry. I was dismayed. I was shocked. I felt betrayed. More than once, I had to put the book down just to process what I had read and remind myself that this family was making one terrible decision after another. Berry has a talent for making you question your own morality alongside her characters.

Despite being a relatively short novel, The Golden Child packs an emotional punch. There isn’t a wasted chapter, and the pacing keeps the story moving while allowing the emotional weight of each revelation to land. Rather than relying on cheap thrills, Berry builds tension through fractured relationships, family dynamics, and the psychological consequences of every decision.

This isn’t a feel-good family drama.

It’s an uncomfortable, emotionally charged exploration of parental love, sibling rivalry, favoritism, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love, even when protecting them may be the very thing that destroys them.

If you enjoy psychological suspense that’s driven by morally gray characters instead of nonstop action, The Golden Child is absolutely worth picking up.

Tropes & Themes:

• Family secrets
• Psychological suspense
• Multiple POVs
• Morally gray characters
• Dysfunctional family
• Sibling rivalry
• Parent-child relationships
• Cover-up
• Guilt & consequences
• Character-driven thriller
• Ethical dilemmas
• Domestic drama

Lucinda Berry continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite authors writing psychological fiction. She doesn’t just ask difficult questions, she forces you to live inside them. The Golden Child isn’t always easy to read, but it’s incredibly compelling, and its exploration of family loyalty and moral compromise will stay with me long after I turned the final page.

[Pages in the wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, & Lucinda Berry for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lucinda Berry has a knack for making me feel conflicted. She writes characters who lie, manipulate, hurt the people around them, and somehow still manages to make me empathize with them. A lot of that comes from the fact that many of them are still kids, and it forces you to wrestle with where accountability ends and circumstance begins. The Golden Child is another book by Berry that blew me away with layers within the story, twists that felt slow and unsettling yet still shocking, and a family that you truly feel for.

When Ava calls her younger brother Bentley after accidentally hitting someone with her car, Bentley insists on taking the blame. He’s already headed to rehab after getting caught drinking, while Ava has a college scholarship and her future ahead of her. He figures the worst that can happen is spending a few extra months in treatment. Instead, the town demands justice, the police decide to make an example of someone, and the family is cracking beneath the pressure. The story is shocking and heart breaking and feels like it could have been pulled from reality.

This book had me hooked. Every chapter either dangled another discovery just out of reach or showed the fallout from the last reveal. The ending has had my brain reeling for over 24 hours.

There are some heavy themes explored about family dynamics/expectations and the role they play in developing a person. Does a baby labeled difficult because it cried more than another keep that label in the parent's eyes? Does that transfer to others? How does it impact how people perceive them and their behavior? I love books that have me thinking deeper about the themes for days after I've finished.

If I had one thing I'd change, I would have like to have seen more of Ava's inner monologue and her reflecting on some of her behavior in the past and how it shaped her peers seeing her as odd.

This may be my favorite Lucinda Berry book I've read! Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys fast paced thrillers. If you're like me and your favorite insomnia activity is to think deeper about a book you read, this one is perfect.

@pagesinthewild.books

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried my best to not give spoilers but I somewhat failed and this review will probably spoil aspects of the book...read at your own risk!




One of my favorite things about reading a book by Lucinda Berry is the fact that it will make you think. Love it or hate it, it will bring up emotions and get in your head and make you wonder how you would react in a similar situation. This is one of those books that I finished and now I need a little bit of time to process before I start a new one.

My heart was absolutely ripped out by Bentley and his situation. That poor kid just wanted to help his sister and he was then absolutely failed by every member of his family. I could feel his frustration and hurt and it about had me in tears at some points. I imagine a future for him where he cuts off contact with his whole family and rebuilds his life, becoming some kind of an advocate for kids in rough situations. I want the world for him!

Kash, I'm still trying to fully decide how I feel. I think he was genuinely struggling with how to handle it but ultimately, he failed Bentley just like everyone else.

Ava. Ugh. I sympathized with her to a degree but that went away quickly. She had so many opportunities to do the right thing and instead took the spoiled brat route.

Danae. In my opinion, the most vile of them all. She absolutely failed as a mother, 100%. There was nothing redeeming about her character at all and the way she handled the situation in the end was despicable.

Having never been in that situation, I clearly can't say how I would handle things. I can tell you without a doubt though, that I would never throw one of my kids under the bus in favor of the other. Especially given the full circumstances of this particular situation and what is known. I wish there was more justice in the end and that we got more of a "happy" ending, but unfortunately, I think we got the realistic ending. The truth doesn't always prevail and sometimes people get away with being terrible humans. It just hurts even more when those terrible humans are your family.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[DeeDee Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Lucinda Berry Emotional Gut Punch with lingering emotional thoughts that will stick with me long after.

I received an advance reader copy of The Golden Child from NetGalley. I’m here to give my honest opinion.

At this point, Lucinda Berry is an automatic read author for me. She is probably one of my top three favorite authors and that’s saying a lot because I probably on average read a book every day.

With her books, I don’t need to read the synopsis anymore, I like going in blind and I and know I’m about to have my emotions put through the wringer. One thing I’ve learned after reading several of her books is to never expect a neat, happy ending because that’s just not the kind of stories she tells. And honestly I’m here for it.

The Golden Child is another emotionally intense, thought-provoking novel that dives into the complicated gray areas of family, trauma, mental-illness and impossible choices. Berry has a way of making every character feel incredibly human, flaws and all. I found myself in a love/hate relationship with all the characters at one point or another throughout the story and l was constantly questioning what I would do if I was in their shoes. Especially as a mother I have to wonder if there aren’t similarities that I have with Danae’s character even though I was pretty disgusted by her throughout the book.

The story kept me turning pages because I needed to know where it was headed, even though I knew I was going to be gut punched in the end. As always, the emotional weight of this story I know, will linger for a long time as all of her books have.

This was probably the most relatable book of Berry’s books that I have read so far. It wasn’t my favorite as there was some inconsistencies in the book that distracted me on some parts of the story, but it was still a compelling, and unsettling read that reminded me why she’s one of my go-to authors.

If you enjoy psychological family drama that leave you thinking long after you’ve closed the book, you’ll want to add this one to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Lucinda Berry's new book, The Golden Child. I very much enjoyed this book and could've easily read it in one sitting if I didn't have other things to do, but, life, unfortunately doesn't award us that luxury.

Lucinda Berry used to be an author I would buy and read no matter what. Her last few books haven't been great, some were even terrible, but this book is a great demonstration of her quality work and I hope her books to follow are more like this one, and my favorite book of hers, Saving Noah.

I gave it four stars instead of five because I thought it was ridiculous that even though the mother knew the truth, she went along with the lie to protect her child and there were a few hints dropped that said she favored one over the other and it had nothing to actually do with the character of her children. She also choose not to share what she knew with her husband and soon after, even if she wanted to tell him, it was too late.

But I suppose that's the whole point of this book. What lengths would you go to, to protect your child, even if you knew they did committed a crime and hurt someone? What if it you had to choose to protect one child or the other, who do you choose and how do you know you're making the right decision? Would you cover the truth to protect someone you love, even if it means someone innocent suffers?

For me, I could completely understand protecting someone you love and not revealing the truth, if you had that option, but not at the expense of sending an innocent person you love to prison in the process.

This book had short, easy to read, enticing chapters, which kept me reading more and more into the night, eager to see what happened. It had a few big twists that completely changed the course of the story and I immediately discussed it with my husband when I finished. He doesn't read, but he did say it sounds like it would make a good movie and I agree. This would also make a great book to read for a book club because there's a lot to discuss and offer opinions about.