The Perfect Child / When She Returned

by Lucinda Berry

The Perfect Child:

A page-turning debut of suspense about a young couple desperate to have a child of their own—and the unsettling consequences of getting what they always wanted.

Christopher and Hannah are a happily married surgeon and nurse with picture-perfect lives. All that’s missing is a child. When Janie, an abandoned six-year-old, turns up at their hospital, Christopher forms an instant connection with her, and he convinces Hannah they should take her home as their own.

But Janie is no ordinary child, and her damaged psyche proves to be more than her new parents were expecting. Janie is fiercely devoted to Christopher, but she acts out in increasingly disturbing ways, directing all her rage at Hannah. Unable to bond with Janie, Hannah is drowning under the pressure, and Christopher refuses to see Janie’s true nature.

Hannah knows that Janie is manipulating Christopher and isolating him from her, despite Hannah’s attempts to bring them all together. But as Janie’s behavior threatens to tear Christopher and Hannah apart, the truth behind Janie’s past may be enough to push them all over the edge.

When She Returned:

One woman’s reappearance throws her family into turmoil, exposing dark secrets and the hidden, often devastating truth of family relationships.

Kate Bennett vanished from a parking lot eleven years ago, leaving behind her husband and young daughter. When she shows up at a Montana gas station, clutching an infant and screaming for help, investigators believe she may have been abducted by a cult.

Kate’s return flips her family’s world upside down—her husband is remarried, and her daughter barely remembers her. Kate herself doesn’t look or act like she did before.

While the family tries to help Kate reintegrate into society, they discover truths they’ve been hiding from each other about their own relationships. But they aren’t the only ones with secrets. As the family unravels what happened to Kate, a series of shocking revelations shows that Kate’s return is more sinister than any of them could have imagined.

Genres: Thriller, Dark

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

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

[Lyanne Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi, I just finished reading your book, The Perfect Child. If I may, does Christopher find out about Piper failing to help Janies mum? Does he go to jail for Allisons death? Did Janie get the professional help needed, why didn’t Piper not help Becky from the start? 😟

[Mary RaCo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, disturbing and really creepy story . Well written in a good fastpaced, hard to put it down. I like to read a variety of genres but when I read thrillers I expect good ones, those that give you the chills and this book is all of that. I'm looking forward to read more books from the author. One of the best books I've read in this genre 2019.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot, characters and writing were very good but what a dark and depressing story.

Chris and Hannah were an interesting and likable couple at the beginning of the story. As things progressed I found my opinions changing. Chris’ blind eye was part ignorance part ego. Hannah was too trusting and too passive. Even as the situation grew dire neither one of them could get out of their own way.

The way the story is told you know things are going to end badly it’s just the how and who that need to be supplied. Along the way there are some twists but a fair amount of repetition too. Then, with minutes to spare, things unfold. Except they don’t. We learn the reason behind the investigation and other things... and then nothing.

What’s going to happen? Not sure? What was the message I’m supposed to take from this? Again, not sure? The system’s broken? Some people are beyond repair?

I rolled through this quickly. I did find it interesting. I didn’t love the ending but understand that maybe this topic is too complicated to wrap up in a neat bow. I would read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Thomas & Mercer for a copy in exchange for a review.

[Vanessa Ringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is Lucinda Berry okay? Her mind thinks of some messed up stuff.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read this book if you're considering adoption! LOL. In all seriousness this was well written. The Perfect Child was my first intro to Berry, but now I'm a fan.

[Abbie Mellican · Rating 3 out of 5]

this definitely could’ve been a 4 but the ending was anticlimactic. overall good though really sucked me in but also was disturbing, i’ve never read about a creeper child.

[Tina Hughson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great author.

[Amy Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read, enjoyed the twists and turns. I actually gasped out loud.

[Yumi Rosal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stressful read. I feel nothing but sympathy for Hannah and I had to stop numerous times because of the annoyance I felt for her husband. The writing was perfect to set the thrilling and eerie atmosphere. The ending seemed sloppy which had me rating this 4 stars (endings are as important as the other parts of the book, people). Other than that, everything else was perfect for a thrilling and gripping read.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 2020 and it gave me full body chills. It made me never want to adopt a child or think about adopting a child. All jokes aside, this book was WILD! I heard it's comparable to Baby Teeth. I have not read Baby Teeth yet.

The top 5 themes I noticed throughout this book included:
1) Chaos and order
2) Communication – verbal and nonverbal
3) Family – blessing
4) Manipulation
5) The Brokenness of Child Protective Services

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this on a whim through KU since I could read and listen. I had zero idea what I was getting into. This is my first read my Lucinda Berry and she will be a go to author for me now. A psychological thriller that will leave you breathless - and yes you will need to pick your jaw up off the ground and get A Welcome Reunion as soon as you finish. This was a buddy read me and it has ALL of the emotions.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to mix thrillers into my reading list, and every time I do, the plot twists always catch me off guard—and this one was no exception! It will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. Buckle up—you’re in for one wild ride!

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an entertaining and suspenseful read! I really found myself enjoying it. The main couple is sweet, at first. I liked hearing about their journey. I'm adopted myself (and I was totally a bit of a problem child adoptee, not one of the ""good ones""). Although Janie's situation was much much much more severe than mine was, I found myself really rooting for her quickly. I call it orphan solidarity.

It became obvious, though, that this was gonna be one of those books where the adopted child has severe emotional disturbances deeper than trauma. It was interesting how this played out at the ending. Nothing felt resolved. We never got to see how the characters finished their story. I know that many books end like that, but for a topic like this it's hard for me, as a reader, to grapple with.

I love the writing. I loooove the short chapters. It was so nice to bang out three chapters on a break at work. I would certainly read more from this author!

[Jacquelyn Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me hooked from first page to the last. I stayed up half the night to finish it and ended up laying in bed forever after finishing still thinking about it. I was unprepared for the realness of the mothers experience and the author kept it from feeling trite and pandering. Overall I give this book 5 stars and will be reading the authors other books.

[Krista Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best thriller I’ve ever read, even though Janie creeps the crap out of me. At one point I was even afraid to find out what crazy stuff she was going to do next. 😅...If you’re a Thriller lover you “Must” read this book.

[Meg Emerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read both of these books in a week. I maybe should have separated them. Written very similarly. I liked them but I feel like they drug on a little. And I was frustrated with the male characters in both books. I have read other books by this author and liked them!

[Kim Roby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good psychological thriller with some twists and turns. My only complaint was the ending felt unfinished.

[Sandra Krech · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disturbing.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes you for a trip that's for sure. Good read

[jennifer s rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m surprised I didn’t get fired !! I could not put this one down .. one moment it tugs at heartstrings .. the next you’re mad as hell ! Great great read

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

crazy how i still manage to be such a good person after so much wrong has been done to me .. small girl, big heart ♥ .

[Sissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh was ok at the start but got boring at the midden. So I DNF it,

[Claire Daubney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I could not put down

[j a n a · Rating 5 out of 5]

i kissed my mental stability goodbye.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given five ⭐️ if it wasn’t ended the way it was…apparently I now need to read a sequel?

[Gloria Rohde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled with it initially but then certain things started happening that didn’t add up and it caught my attention!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book

[Nicole B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Perfect Child- 4.5 stars
When She Returned- 3.5 stars

Felt like both of their endings were rushed. They were good books but just had bad endings

[Kelsey McKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A follow up to The Perfect Child. Janie is back with a new name, but the same scrambled set of mortals that made me want to toss her out of a moving train in the first place.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was definitely disturbing but I didn't want to put it down. I couldn't give it 5 stars because the ending was disappointing....not sure I would even count it as an ending.