What do you think?
Rate this book
All The Little Things
Rachel has made poor decisions in the past, but she has always tried her best for her daughter. When Vivian needed a fresh start, Rachel didn’t hesitate to move them far from London. She just wishes she could shake the nagging doubt that Vivian is hiding something. Vivian isn’t like other teenagers. On the surface she seems the same as her friends, but she knows she is different. When enigmatic Alex takes an interest in her, Vivian’s cool demeanour hides an intensity of feeling she has never known before. His touch sets her skin on fire. Mother and daughter are both keeping secrets. But just how dangerous are they? As lust and anger give way to violence Rachel will have to decide: is she prepared to give up everything for her child? Even her own life?
439 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2021
211 people are currently reading
2804 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
December 6, 2022
This one is so messed up!
The story starts slow and it will sound like it's just another teen drama. But. Yes, keep on reading the book. First, because the characters are convincing and the writing doesn't make anything boring. Did I just mention that word? Because it doesn't fit here.
Of course, you will come across the characters as unstable, immature but, as transparent as the story seems, you will not be able to figure out things until 80 percent of the book as why the story goes on the way it does.
But trust me, things make sense in its own weird, senseless, psychological thriller kind of way towards the end.
Get ready to get acquainted with one of the most unforgettable character in 2021.
I finished up the book in just a few hours. I read each and every word cover to cover. It's that good!
I want this as a movie please!
Thanking the publisher for this advance reading copy.
I haven't read something this creepy and interesting in a very long time.
Did you say it's a debut?
I mean wow! Kudos, new author!
I am so ready to read whatever the author writes in the coming future. I am so impressed.
The story starts slow and it will sound like it's just another teen drama. But. Yes, keep on reading the book. First, because the characters are convincing and the writing doesn't make anything boring. Did I just mention that word? Because it doesn't fit here.
Of course, you will come across the characters as unstable, immature but, as transparent as the story seems, you will not be able to figure out things until 80 percent of the book as why the story goes on the way it does.
But trust me, things make sense in its own weird, senseless, psychological thriller kind of way towards the end.
Get ready to get acquainted with one of the most unforgettable character in 2021.
I finished up the book in just a few hours. I read each and every word cover to cover. It's that good!
I want this as a movie please!
Thanking the publisher for this advance reading copy.
I haven't read something this creepy and interesting in a very long time.
Did you say it's a debut?
I mean wow! Kudos, new author!
I am so ready to read whatever the author writes in the coming future. I am so impressed.
March 18, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
4,5 ⭐️
Talk about toxic relationships! "All the little things" must be one of the most disturbing books I've read lately. But "good" disturbing as it kept me glued to my Kindle.
Rachel and her daughter Vivian moved away from London 6 years ago in need of a fresh start, but why? What motivated the sudden move? When a young guy takes an interest in both mum and daughter all their secrets threaten to come to light.
This was certainly more of a character's story than a plot driven one. It's not full of twists and turns but more of a slow burn drama of a really toxic mother/daughter relationship. Although I guessed the reveal quite early on, the fantastic depiction of both main characters kept me in suspense until the explosive ending. Soon it becomes clear that their relationship is like a train waiting to derail, so you can't help being in tension the whole time, cause when it derails you know it's gonna be in a spectacular fashion.
I had a bit of a hard time trying to understand Rachel's carefree approach to parenting. I could not understand her blasé attitude towards Vivian even when there was hard evidence that she was going through something.
Hell hath no fury like a teenage scorned...and there are some pretty devious ones here! It might be that my teenage years are already far away and a bit fuzzy, but I don't remember teens playing that kind of mind games with each other. I don't like teenagers or teens' stories but these ones made an unnerving read for sure.
As the story went on it kept getting darker and more twisted. Vivian is a character I will not forget in a really long time!
This was Sarah Lawton's debut, and a fantastic one at that. Is it just me or 2021 is being a phenomenal year for new authors in the suspense genre?
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4,5 ⭐️
Talk about toxic relationships! "All the little things" must be one of the most disturbing books I've read lately. But "good" disturbing as it kept me glued to my Kindle.
Rachel and her daughter Vivian moved away from London 6 years ago in need of a fresh start, but why? What motivated the sudden move? When a young guy takes an interest in both mum and daughter all their secrets threaten to come to light.
This was certainly more of a character's story than a plot driven one. It's not full of twists and turns but more of a slow burn drama of a really toxic mother/daughter relationship. Although I guessed the reveal quite early on, the fantastic depiction of both main characters kept me in suspense until the explosive ending. Soon it becomes clear that their relationship is like a train waiting to derail, so you can't help being in tension the whole time, cause when it derails you know it's gonna be in a spectacular fashion.
I had a bit of a hard time trying to understand Rachel's carefree approach to parenting. I could not understand her blasé attitude towards Vivian even when there was hard evidence that she was going through something.
Hell hath no fury like a teenage scorned...and there are some pretty devious ones here! It might be that my teenage years are already far away and a bit fuzzy, but I don't remember teens playing that kind of mind games with each other. I don't like teenagers or teens' stories but these ones made an unnerving read for sure.
As the story went on it kept getting darker and more twisted. Vivian is a character I will not forget in a really long time!
This was Sarah Lawton's debut, and a fantastic one at that. Is it just me or 2021 is being a phenomenal year for new authors in the suspense genre?
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2023
*Twisted*
Where to even start!!! I finished this a couple of days ago but tried to get my head around the whole nightmare scenario. A great debut novel by Sarah Lawton
This story is told from two points of view. Rachel the mother and Vivian her daughter. Occasionally there is a snippet from Rachel’s mother.
Rachel has a daughter quite young with an abusive partner and ends up back living with her mother who was against the pregnancy.
In order to make ends meet she she works while her mother takes up the slack. Her mother tries to warn Rachel about Vivian’s behaviour. Rachel glosses over it choosing to bury her head in her work. When something disturbing happens at the school Rachel is forced to do something.
Her idea is to move and have a fresh start. Without her mother to talk to she settles down to life with her daughter, now aged 15.
There are red flags 🚩🚩🚩 everywhere about Vivian, but Rachel buries down any nagging feelings.
Vivian is not the warm and fuzzy type and is cold and there is something very dark about her. What is she hiding? Vivian who already hates any form of physical contact like hugs etc is baffled by a member of the opposite sex, just his gaze is enough which ignites something in her. As he gets close to her she becomes all consumed in him and cannot get enough of him, but then he drops off the face of the earth, why???
Rachel is an artist and illustrator and when a talented student approaches her for lessons she finds herself attracted to him all the while trying to remain professional.
Neither mother or daughter discuss their secrets as they both dive into their physical relationships. What they do not realise is secrets have a way of coming out then things happen that Rachel cannot ignore. As she is forced to face the truth her mother’s words come rushing back to her as explosive secrets are about to be revealed. Who will be around to face up to Rachel’s mistakes and her blatant living in denial that could have prevented the turn of events that affect three families…
This is a tense psychological drama/thriller that was twisted, with a few shocks along the way….
Where to even start!!! I finished this a couple of days ago but tried to get my head around the whole nightmare scenario. A great debut novel by Sarah Lawton
This story is told from two points of view. Rachel the mother and Vivian her daughter. Occasionally there is a snippet from Rachel’s mother.
Rachel has a daughter quite young with an abusive partner and ends up back living with her mother who was against the pregnancy.
In order to make ends meet she she works while her mother takes up the slack. Her mother tries to warn Rachel about Vivian’s behaviour. Rachel glosses over it choosing to bury her head in her work. When something disturbing happens at the school Rachel is forced to do something.
Her idea is to move and have a fresh start. Without her mother to talk to she settles down to life with her daughter, now aged 15.
There are red flags 🚩🚩🚩 everywhere about Vivian, but Rachel buries down any nagging feelings.
Vivian is not the warm and fuzzy type and is cold and there is something very dark about her. What is she hiding? Vivian who already hates any form of physical contact like hugs etc is baffled by a member of the opposite sex, just his gaze is enough which ignites something in her. As he gets close to her she becomes all consumed in him and cannot get enough of him, but then he drops off the face of the earth, why???
Rachel is an artist and illustrator and when a talented student approaches her for lessons she finds herself attracted to him all the while trying to remain professional.
Neither mother or daughter discuss their secrets as they both dive into their physical relationships. What they do not realise is secrets have a way of coming out then things happen that Rachel cannot ignore. As she is forced to face the truth her mother’s words come rushing back to her as explosive secrets are about to be revealed. Who will be around to face up to Rachel’s mistakes and her blatant living in denial that could have prevented the turn of events that affect three families…
This is a tense psychological drama/thriller that was twisted, with a few shocks along the way….
April 21, 2021
Rachel has made poor decisions in the past, but she has always tried her best for her daughter. When Vivian needed a fresh start, Rachel didn’t hesitate to move them far from London. She just wishes she could shake the nagging doubt that Vivian is hiding something.
Vivian isn’t like other teenagers. On the surface she seems the same as her friends, but she knows she is different. When enigmatic Alex takes an interest in her, Vivian’s cool demeanor hides an intensity of feeling she has never known before.
Mother and daughter are both keeping secrets. But just how dangerous are they? As lust and anger give way to violence Rachel will have to decide: is she prepared to give up everything for her child? Even her own life?
Uff! What a toxic relationship!! This is at another level.
It’s very well written plot. The chapters alternate between Vivian and Rachel’s points of view, giving us an insight of their relationship as well as their past and present.
Initially what starts off as a normal teenage rebellion, soon escalates into something more disturbing and creepy. It doesn’t take much to figure out that Vivian is very manipulative and takes advantage of Rachel’s rather carefree attitude towards parenting.
The entry and inclusion of Alex into the plot is what takes this plot a step higher. Each of characters including the secondary ones are so complex and manipulative in their own way. There is an air of tension maintained throughout the book, which is very intriguing and keeps you engrossed till the end.
While it was easy to figure out the reveal quite early into the plot, the ending was still unexpected and dramatic.
Overall, a fantastic debut novel and I’ll be definitely looking forward for more from this author!
Thank You NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC!
Vivian isn’t like other teenagers. On the surface she seems the same as her friends, but she knows she is different. When enigmatic Alex takes an interest in her, Vivian’s cool demeanor hides an intensity of feeling she has never known before.
Mother and daughter are both keeping secrets. But just how dangerous are they? As lust and anger give way to violence Rachel will have to decide: is she prepared to give up everything for her child? Even her own life?
Uff! What a toxic relationship!! This is at another level.
It’s very well written plot. The chapters alternate between Vivian and Rachel’s points of view, giving us an insight of their relationship as well as their past and present.
Initially what starts off as a normal teenage rebellion, soon escalates into something more disturbing and creepy. It doesn’t take much to figure out that Vivian is very manipulative and takes advantage of Rachel’s rather carefree attitude towards parenting.
The entry and inclusion of Alex into the plot is what takes this plot a step higher. Each of characters including the secondary ones are so complex and manipulative in their own way. There is an air of tension maintained throughout the book, which is very intriguing and keeps you engrossed till the end.
While it was easy to figure out the reveal quite early into the plot, the ending was still unexpected and dramatic.
Overall, a fantastic debut novel and I’ll be definitely looking forward for more from this author!
Thank You NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC!
June 7, 2024
what the fuck was this
March 26, 2021
All The Little Things is just my kind of read…messed up, screwed up and slowly, slowly injecting the creeping dread into my brain until it develops into an itch I just can’t reach. When you have read as much crime fiction as I have over the last few years it really takes something to kick you on the arse, to make you pay attention. All The Little Things did just that. It had the added element, a calling card left in a deserted room. It left clues for me to discover, to strip layer after layer until I had been exposed to its dark secrets. The writing style, the narrative, it is a winning combination that never fails to draw blood.
All The Little Things will creep up on you, catch you off guard and kick your heart into a galloping crescendo. You know when an opening chapter lays the foundations to be a rollercoaster ride, you attention is now in rapturous enchantment. My attention didn’t wander, it didn’t ebb, instead it was transported into the pages and became at one with the story.
So, what is it that kept me so intrigued you ask? Multiple layers of deceit. The mysterious reasons behind running away from London. The odd stranger that has taken sudden interest into both mother and daughter, Rachel and Vivian. The toxicity seeping through to the surface threatening to infect all around. It’s a slow burn of a story but one that is absolutely worth the cerebral investment. The narrative is really where this story is at its strongest – the feeling of a threatening shadow just creeping into the corners of your vision was palpable. What’s going to be revealed? This is a story that will have to be torn out of your hand to get your attention on something else!
Rachel and her daughter Vivian left London approximately six years ago searching for that fresh start. What was the trigger that had them running? All is hunky dory until a stranger takes more than a passing interest in the mother and daughter. Just what is happening and how will Rachel react to the comings and goings.
The characterization is first rate, and it was a strong point of the entire story. Rachel is an odd parent to say the least. She has strange outlook on parenting – blasé about it all. Wouldn’t you as a parent want to get to the bottom of what is going on in your teenager’s life? She’s a prickly character and one that comes across as more standoffish than anything else. There is tension by the bucket load. Be prepared for the story to get exponentially more twisted and darker. It’s a rollercoaster with no harness!
All The Little Things is a tour-de-force, a deeply twisted book that will keep you up all night. Something genuinely fresh in an overpopulated genre.
All The Little Things will creep up on you, catch you off guard and kick your heart into a galloping crescendo. You know when an opening chapter lays the foundations to be a rollercoaster ride, you attention is now in rapturous enchantment. My attention didn’t wander, it didn’t ebb, instead it was transported into the pages and became at one with the story.
So, what is it that kept me so intrigued you ask? Multiple layers of deceit. The mysterious reasons behind running away from London. The odd stranger that has taken sudden interest into both mother and daughter, Rachel and Vivian. The toxicity seeping through to the surface threatening to infect all around. It’s a slow burn of a story but one that is absolutely worth the cerebral investment. The narrative is really where this story is at its strongest – the feeling of a threatening shadow just creeping into the corners of your vision was palpable. What’s going to be revealed? This is a story that will have to be torn out of your hand to get your attention on something else!
Rachel and her daughter Vivian left London approximately six years ago searching for that fresh start. What was the trigger that had them running? All is hunky dory until a stranger takes more than a passing interest in the mother and daughter. Just what is happening and how will Rachel react to the comings and goings.
The characterization is first rate, and it was a strong point of the entire story. Rachel is an odd parent to say the least. She has strange outlook on parenting – blasé about it all. Wouldn’t you as a parent want to get to the bottom of what is going on in your teenager’s life? She’s a prickly character and one that comes across as more standoffish than anything else. There is tension by the bucket load. Be prepared for the story to get exponentially more twisted and darker. It’s a rollercoaster with no harness!
All The Little Things is a tour-de-force, a deeply twisted book that will keep you up all night. Something genuinely fresh in an overpopulated genre.
July 15, 2021
I don’t know how I found this book, but I am so glad that I did! I loved it from the first page to the last! When I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about it and becoming irritated because I didn’t want to do anything else besides finish reading this book.
If you were a fan of The Push by Ashley Audrain, then you will probably enjoy this book as well. I highly recommend reading this book, you will not be sorry!
If you were a fan of The Push by Ashley Audrain, then you will probably enjoy this book as well. I highly recommend reading this book, you will not be sorry!
March 4, 2021
Thanks you NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC. This was a very tense ride. I know a book is good when I can’t wait to get back to it!
Seriously dark and with tensions that keep mounting, with that deep nagging feeling that something is not all that it seems here. The first part of the book I did (briefly) wonder if this was going to be for me as it concentrated on the complex relationships and friendships between teenage girls but soon the full extent of the plot started to be revealed.
Rachel knows deep down inside that something is wrong with her daughter Vivian. There has been a past event that has brought them to move from London. In the middle of this, a boy shows up at her art class and involves himself into both of their lives. I like that the book went back and forth between the mother, daughter and the past. It created a good build up for what was happening in the book. I struggled a bit understanding Rachel as a mother and found her to be self-centered and just blase about both the present and past. Vivian is just left to her own devices to create what she sees from her own slanted view. I liked the writing, but was not really crazy about the tone at times.
Rachel and her daughter Vivian have left London to start a new life in a small town. Rachel is worried about Vivian, but at first things go quite well and she’s happy to see Vivian seems to have found friends at school and life feels good.
Then things start falling apart slowly but surely, but Rachel keeps telling herself everything is ok … she’s in denial.
I don’t want to go into the details and spoil the story. Neither of the characters are likeable, one of them in particular is quite disturbing. There are secrets from their London life that loom large and history seems to be repeating itself, making the story unputdownable. I could feel the ending would be uncomfortable, vaguely guessing what would happen. That did not spoil things at all. I think this is the author’s first novel and I’m impressed. I’m rounding up my review to 4.5, not liking either character stopped me from giving it 5 stars. Highly recommended!
Seriously dark and with tensions that keep mounting, with that deep nagging feeling that something is not all that it seems here. The first part of the book I did (briefly) wonder if this was going to be for me as it concentrated on the complex relationships and friendships between teenage girls but soon the full extent of the plot started to be revealed.
Rachel knows deep down inside that something is wrong with her daughter Vivian. There has been a past event that has brought them to move from London. In the middle of this, a boy shows up at her art class and involves himself into both of their lives. I like that the book went back and forth between the mother, daughter and the past. It created a good build up for what was happening in the book. I struggled a bit understanding Rachel as a mother and found her to be self-centered and just blase about both the present and past. Vivian is just left to her own devices to create what she sees from her own slanted view. I liked the writing, but was not really crazy about the tone at times.
Rachel and her daughter Vivian have left London to start a new life in a small town. Rachel is worried about Vivian, but at first things go quite well and she’s happy to see Vivian seems to have found friends at school and life feels good.
Then things start falling apart slowly but surely, but Rachel keeps telling herself everything is ok … she’s in denial.
I don’t want to go into the details and spoil the story. Neither of the characters are likeable, one of them in particular is quite disturbing. There are secrets from their London life that loom large and history seems to be repeating itself, making the story unputdownable. I could feel the ending would be uncomfortable, vaguely guessing what would happen. That did not spoil things at all. I think this is the author’s first novel and I’m impressed. I’m rounding up my review to 4.5, not liking either character stopped me from giving it 5 stars. Highly recommended!
February 25, 2021
The story of a mother and daughter , you gradually become aware of their difficult relationship. They moved to a village 6 years ago after an accident . The narrators are the mother (Rachel) and daughter (Vivian) who tell thir stories in turn, Rachel'"s story includes the abusive relationship which produced her daughter, Vivian appears to be a typical teenager at first, but as the book progresses the impression is that something is not right. Why did they move out of London ? Why does Vivian seem so angry and possessive about relationhips and why does the relationship between mother and daughter seem not quite right.
The suspense builds up gradually and the crimes and events are revealed gradually. Now I have finished the book I can say that I enjoyed it and can appreciate the build up of the story, but around half way I was getting a little bogged down with the book . The voices of the teenage Vivian and her mother do ring true. their relationship is fairly disjointed and you hear from both about this. Some chapters are set in the past and although you know that an event has taken place which preceded the move, it is not until later on that you know what actually happened. Vivian , especially comes to self realisation in the book.
The book is not very long, but is not an easy read . Plenty to think about when reading and I found it almost a relief to finish. The situation is as oppresive as the described weather
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
The suspense builds up gradually and the crimes and events are revealed gradually. Now I have finished the book I can say that I enjoyed it and can appreciate the build up of the story, but around half way I was getting a little bogged down with the book . The voices of the teenage Vivian and her mother do ring true. their relationship is fairly disjointed and you hear from both about this. Some chapters are set in the past and although you know that an event has taken place which preceded the move, it is not until later on that you know what actually happened. Vivian , especially comes to self realisation in the book.
The book is not very long, but is not an easy read . Plenty to think about when reading and I found it almost a relief to finish. The situation is as oppresive as the described weather
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 15, 2021
Really impressed with this as a debut novel! This was such a slow burn that built up into a heart-pounding, page-turning, nothing else matters until I finish kind of book by the end. You know how there are some books that when you're reading the climax you seem to read faster than normal and are almost in a frenzy along with the characters. Lawton got me with this one. I was holding my breath and oblivious to anything around me.
I could tell where the story was going early on, but I didn't find that to be much of a fault. It was more like eager anticipation to see how we would get there and when the characters would catch up to our knowledge/suspicions as readers. I love dramatic irony and wish it was used more as opposed to implausible plot twists that plague the genre lately.
The writing was also perfectly my style. I can't put my finger on it, but it was just so very easy for me to read and feel immersed in. There characters also felt real to me, even if they weren't people I would identify with or behave like generally. I'm excited to see what else I can expect from this author.
I could tell where the story was going early on, but I didn't find that to be much of a fault. It was more like eager anticipation to see how we would get there and when the characters would catch up to our knowledge/suspicions as readers. I love dramatic irony and wish it was used more as opposed to implausible plot twists that plague the genre lately.
The writing was also perfectly my style. I can't put my finger on it, but it was just so very easy for me to read and feel immersed in. There characters also felt real to me, even if they weren't people I would identify with or behave like generally. I'm excited to see what else I can expect from this author.
August 15, 2024
OMG WTH DID I JUST READ. It started off okay. But then some shady stuff started happening. Right from the start u can tell viv is not capable of empathy and feeling emotions so you just know something is gonna go wrong. But WTH. TOO MUCH HAPPENED. I WAS SHOCKED. I EXPECTED SOMETHING BUT NOT LIKE 4 DIFFERENT THINGS. Overall if ur in a slump, read this. The slump will be gone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
predictable but still intriguing.
May 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this one! Lots of intrigue and very tense. It kept me turning the pages right till the very end !
May 9, 2021
The prologue provides a superb opening to the novel. We are not told whose perspective it is written from, which only adds to the mystery. It establishes some of the dark themes in the book, including death and betrayal.
As the book progresses, the character development is very good. This is due in part, I think, to the fact that we are exposed to the events of two timelines – past and present – in quite a lot of detail. We also see the book from the perspective of mother and daughter. They were complex characters with a lot of issues, but this is not to say these were likeable characters or easy to sympathise with. I struggled to connect with them in many ways. Vivian is selfish, depressed and rude, as teenagers sometimes are, but we soon discover this is not a “typical teenager attitude” issue – this is a girl who in many ways, mirrors the behaviour of her own mother, Rachel, and in turn the way Rachel treated her mother (Carol).
I didn’t find this is as fast paced or intense as my usual read in this genre, but maybe that was just my feeling as I didn’t gel with the characters. I stuck with it though, and I’m glad I did, as the ending was fantastic. Explosive, unexpected and shocking, it provides a perfect climax to the story and it definitely ended in a different way to what I had predicted. It is also rounded off well with the section titled “Six months later…”
Overall, this has been a dark read about fraught familial relationships, past mistakes and devastating secrets. I would recommend this books to fans of this genre.
As the book progresses, the character development is very good. This is due in part, I think, to the fact that we are exposed to the events of two timelines – past and present – in quite a lot of detail. We also see the book from the perspective of mother and daughter. They were complex characters with a lot of issues, but this is not to say these were likeable characters or easy to sympathise with. I struggled to connect with them in many ways. Vivian is selfish, depressed and rude, as teenagers sometimes are, but we soon discover this is not a “typical teenager attitude” issue – this is a girl who in many ways, mirrors the behaviour of her own mother, Rachel, and in turn the way Rachel treated her mother (Carol).
I didn’t find this is as fast paced or intense as my usual read in this genre, but maybe that was just my feeling as I didn’t gel with the characters. I stuck with it though, and I’m glad I did, as the ending was fantastic. Explosive, unexpected and shocking, it provides a perfect climax to the story and it definitely ended in a different way to what I had predicted. It is also rounded off well with the section titled “Six months later…”
Overall, this has been a dark read about fraught familial relationships, past mistakes and devastating secrets. I would recommend this books to fans of this genre.
February 8, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I absolutely loved this story, but I did not love the characters. I felt so bad for Rachel the mother, dealing with a teenage daughter that seems so unable to love or show love or empathy or anything. I really felt for her and could only imagine what that would do to a mother. You love your children more than anything in the world, but what about if that child is so not nice?
The story is told from 3 points of view. 2 in the present, first person by the mother Rachel and first person by the 15 year olf daughter Vivian, and then there are third person chapters about what happened in London years ago, when Vivian was just a small child.
I loved the first person narration as that really gets you inside a character's head and boy what a character this Vivian was:
"I don't see the point of grief: everyone dies eventually."
And her mother.... always in denial about what her daughter is really like:
"It doesn't mean anything. She's her own person. There's not a problem."
Imagine as a mother, repeating that again and again whenever something strange happens around your child or when your child behaves in an unexpected manner.
Brilliant story and exciting until the very end. Will be looking out for more books by this author.
I absolutely loved this story, but I did not love the characters. I felt so bad for Rachel the mother, dealing with a teenage daughter that seems so unable to love or show love or empathy or anything. I really felt for her and could only imagine what that would do to a mother. You love your children more than anything in the world, but what about if that child is so not nice?
The story is told from 3 points of view. 2 in the present, first person by the mother Rachel and first person by the 15 year olf daughter Vivian, and then there are third person chapters about what happened in London years ago, when Vivian was just a small child.
I loved the first person narration as that really gets you inside a character's head and boy what a character this Vivian was:
"I don't see the point of grief: everyone dies eventually."
And her mother.... always in denial about what her daughter is really like:
"It doesn't mean anything. She's her own person. There's not a problem."
Imagine as a mother, repeating that again and again whenever something strange happens around your child or when your child behaves in an unexpected manner.
Brilliant story and exciting until the very end. Will be looking out for more books by this author.
October 1, 2024
"There is something delicious about secrets"
WOW! This one blew me away! Addictive and hard to put down, this story pulled me in right in the beginning and never let me go. I loved the twisted mystery, every turn I was never sure what was coming next. Between wolfish smiles and silly dramas, it was hard to know who was playing what game.
And I really liked Rachel, the mom. She had the best heart and she tried to navigate the world with her teenage daughter. I also like the flashback chapters. They were a bit jarring at first, because I didn't see their value, until we were a few in and then I could see that it was rounding out Vivian's childhood and Rachel's story as well.
So well done, well written and heart-pounding race to try to understand what was going on. I loved this one! Read it all in one sitting!
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
WOW! This one blew me away! Addictive and hard to put down, this story pulled me in right in the beginning and never let me go. I loved the twisted mystery, every turn I was never sure what was coming next. Between wolfish smiles and silly dramas, it was hard to know who was playing what game.
And I really liked Rachel, the mom. She had the best heart and she tried to navigate the world with her teenage daughter. I also like the flashback chapters. They were a bit jarring at first, because I didn't see their value, until we were a few in and then I could see that it was rounding out Vivian's childhood and Rachel's story as well.
So well done, well written and heart-pounding race to try to understand what was going on. I loved this one! Read it all in one sitting!
An e-ARC was provided to me by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
January 27, 2021
Seriously dark and with tensions that keep mounting, with that deep nagging feeling that something is not all that it seems here. The first part of the book I did (briefly) wonder if this was going to be for me as it concentrated on the complex relationships and friendships between teenage girls but soon the full extent of the plot started to be revealed. The family ties between mother and daughters are also intrinsic to the story which I found very thought provoking and with their loyalties stretched to the maximum, poignant and heart wrenching. I thought the deep and mysterious character Alex was cleverly built upon and didn’t guess the ending which is always a bonus. An excellent and gripping read.
February 16, 2021
Thank you for Canelo Publicity Team for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This book is soooo twisted. Told from the POV of the two main characters Rachel the mother that escaped an abusive relationship and Vivian the daughter of Rachel, the story does a deep dive in matters of family and how much children tell their parents.
The twists in this story are plentiful and it’s beautifully executed. It is a slow burning thriller but still a quick read. Definitely a must read if you like books that leave you shocked when you finish it and want to stare into nothingness for five minutes afterwards trying to wrap your mind around what you just read...
This book is soooo twisted. Told from the POV of the two main characters Rachel the mother that escaped an abusive relationship and Vivian the daughter of Rachel, the story does a deep dive in matters of family and how much children tell their parents.
The twists in this story are plentiful and it’s beautifully executed. It is a slow burning thriller but still a quick read. Definitely a must read if you like books that leave you shocked when you finish it and want to stare into nothingness for five minutes afterwards trying to wrap your mind around what you just read...
January 31, 2021
A gripping psychological thriller filled with secrets, both past and present which of course can only end badly. Question is, who for?!
Oh my goodness. Safe to say I wasn't ready for that - Disturbing with a capital D!
What a read; So creepy and unnerving but SO GOOD! So good infact I started and finished it within a few hours, just couldn't bring myself to put it down. I'm voting for a movie release! 🎥🙊
Very much looking forward to future books from Sarah Lawton!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
Oh my goodness. Safe to say I wasn't ready for that - Disturbing with a capital D!
What a read; So creepy and unnerving but SO GOOD! So good infact I started and finished it within a few hours, just couldn't bring myself to put it down. I'm voting for a movie release! 🎥🙊
Very much looking forward to future books from Sarah Lawton!
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
February 8, 2021
Rachel and her daughter Vivian fled London after the death of Rachel's mother and an incident involving Vivian which is touched upon but not fully explained until the end of the book. Vivian is now 15 and best friends with 4 girl's from school. A lot of teenage issues discussed which made me wonder if this book was for ne, but I'm glad I persevered as by half way through I was engrossed. A gripping thriller with secrets from both mother and daughter. All tied up with an exciting ending
Received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
Received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
Read
July 5, 2021This book was just, wow! It is everything you want in a book, just when you thought you couldn't take another turn it did. The suspense killed me and I could not put the book down at all. I needed to know what the truth really was, who these characters were deep down.
I was shocked at the end after everything that had happened in the novel, I liked the way it ended but when reading the epilogue I could have easily read on!
Hands down will highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!!
I was shocked at the end after everything that had happened in the novel, I liked the way it ended but when reading the epilogue I could have easily read on!
Hands down will highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!!
December 10, 2020
I received an advanced readers’ copy in exchange for an honest review
I loved this book. I didn’t know where it was going half the time but that was a good part of the fun. The teenage female protagonists/anti-heroes are great girls to spend time with and I didn’t want to let them go. Can’t wait to read more from this author
I loved this book. I didn’t know where it was going half the time but that was a good part of the fun. The teenage female protagonists/anti-heroes are great girls to spend time with and I didn’t want to let them go. Can’t wait to read more from this author
April 29, 2021
Omg what a shockingly messed up story! Read in one sitting as it hooked me that bad. I was gasping and on edge at the end of most chapters. The characters were really believable and I loved the mom and daughters life like dramas going on. What an ending too! I was literally so shocked I wanted more and didn't want it to end. Brilliant author.
June 4, 2022
2.5 stairs rounded up. Took me forever to finish this book, was almost a DNF.
January 26, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
I thought I knew what the plot twist would be, but I was wrong!
definitely some crazy shit in this book
I thought I knew what the plot twist would be, but I was wrong!
definitely some crazy shit in this book
April 9, 2021
While I had the plot figured out pretty quickly, the author still did a good job of making the reader question yourself. I was engrossed throughout with the entire building plot and characters, so it became a quick read.
The story circles around a mother, Rachel, and her 15-year-old daughter, Vivian. They have recently relocated from London to a suburb for a fresh start. The fresh start "from what" is left to unfold as the story progresses. There are little clues along the way that Vivian may have issues, but just as clear is the fact that Mom could be one card short of a deck as well. Neither are good at dealing with the present and make a habit of skating around issues and incidents. Neither female character was likable, which made me enjoy the continuous reading to see their motivation.
There were lots of little clues that COULD cause one to wonder. But there were also plausible explanations for all the little uncertainties. I know the optimists say "don't sweat the little stuff", but if you ignore all the little things, you can eventually find that it isn't sweat forming on your forehead, but the raindrops from the impending storm and a dam is about to break.
Thank you Goodreads for an ARC of All the Little Things in exchange for an honest review. It was 8-10 hours well spent.
The story circles around a mother, Rachel, and her 15-year-old daughter, Vivian. They have recently relocated from London to a suburb for a fresh start. The fresh start "from what" is left to unfold as the story progresses. There are little clues along the way that Vivian may have issues, but just as clear is the fact that Mom could be one card short of a deck as well. Neither are good at dealing with the present and make a habit of skating around issues and incidents. Neither female character was likable, which made me enjoy the continuous reading to see their motivation.
There were lots of little clues that COULD cause one to wonder. But there were also plausible explanations for all the little uncertainties. I know the optimists say "don't sweat the little stuff", but if you ignore all the little things, you can eventually find that it isn't sweat forming on your forehead, but the raindrops from the impending storm and a dam is about to break.
Thank you Goodreads for an ARC of All the Little Things in exchange for an honest review. It was 8-10 hours well spent.
March 26, 2021
A thrilling, fast paced and unexpected read
Content warnings - parental neglect, self harm references, grief, loss of a parent, violence, sexual content, mature language, domestic violence (set in the past, not the main context of the story)
I could not put this book down. It was truly a tense and gripping thriller from this debut author. The story has three perspectives from a mother, Rachel, daughter Vivian and past perspective set in London mostly from Rachel’s mums perspective.
This book is set in those summer weeks were it is sickly hot without a storm and the book reads just like that build up. The tension, the frustration at the too hot weather were everyone is too irritable. It’s written well and fast paced and the dual narration marriages really well so you don’t feel like you miss anything.
This is definitely a story of escaping after trauma and not really dealing with it properly. Throughout the whole story you are left wondering what really happened in London, what lead to this character being like this. I really loved the spiral down into one of the characters depth and change of behaviour. The enhancement from sort of regular frustration at the world attitude to completely psychotic was so cleverly done. When I thought I had the big reveal worked out I couldn’t have been more wrong which actually I really loved because seeing it go a different way would have been very disturbing.
This book is ideal for those that love thrillers and can handle tense and toxic environments in books.
Content warnings - parental neglect, self harm references, grief, loss of a parent, violence, sexual content, mature language, domestic violence (set in the past, not the main context of the story)
I could not put this book down. It was truly a tense and gripping thriller from this debut author. The story has three perspectives from a mother, Rachel, daughter Vivian and past perspective set in London mostly from Rachel’s mums perspective.
This book is set in those summer weeks were it is sickly hot without a storm and the book reads just like that build up. The tension, the frustration at the too hot weather were everyone is too irritable. It’s written well and fast paced and the dual narration marriages really well so you don’t feel like you miss anything.
This is definitely a story of escaping after trauma and not really dealing with it properly. Throughout the whole story you are left wondering what really happened in London, what lead to this character being like this. I really loved the spiral down into one of the characters depth and change of behaviour. The enhancement from sort of regular frustration at the world attitude to completely psychotic was so cleverly done. When I thought I had the big reveal worked out I couldn’t have been more wrong which actually I really loved because seeing it go a different way would have been very disturbing.
This book is ideal for those that love thrillers and can handle tense and toxic environments in books.
April 1, 2021
Vivian is a liar. She is obsessive, jealous, and has a bad attitude about everything. She is not comfortable being near anyone and bottle things up. She is also a neat freak, and steals. Rachel, her over-protective mother, who also drinks a lot, covers for all her actions, as a sign of love. They have a very tumultuous relationship. Then Alex shows up.
The story keeps weaving back and forth to when Vivian was a small child, and keeps you in suspense, as to why.
This was a very good read.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
The story keeps weaving back and forth to when Vivian was a small child, and keeps you in suspense, as to why.
This was a very good read.
I received this book free from Goodreads for a honest opinion.
March 5, 2021
All The Little Things is jammed packed with family drama, not your ordinary quarrels, but knife twisting, backstabbing toxic relationships. It’s fantastic!
Mum Rachel and daughter Vivian moved away from London to get a fresh start. Or so they think. You find out later on in the book why they moved, and even more later on what really happened. Rachel knows that Vivian is a challenging girl, she always has been. But she seems naive to what Vivian is really like and only discovers this much later. Far too late.
All The Little Things darts back and forth between Rachel’s and Vivian’s point of view – reading from Vivian’s view is disturbing, so you are warned! You also go back in time to Vivian’s childhood and where this all stems from.
It’s so hard not to give you spoilers on the characters, but I found Vivian a deeply troubled girl, and her mum Rachel, up in the clouds, in denial. When the mysterious Alex appears in their lives, Vivian and Rachel at the same time begin a relationship with Alex without the other knowing. Ummm I wonder how this will end??
Great writing to think up the plot for this novel! It’s dark, twisted and extremely unnerving. Sarah Lawton is an exciting debut novelist to watch in the future!
An unputdownable novel truly deserves a 5 star review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
You can read my full review here https://rachelbustin.com/books/all-th...
Mum Rachel and daughter Vivian moved away from London to get a fresh start. Or so they think. You find out later on in the book why they moved, and even more later on what really happened. Rachel knows that Vivian is a challenging girl, she always has been. But she seems naive to what Vivian is really like and only discovers this much later. Far too late.
All The Little Things darts back and forth between Rachel’s and Vivian’s point of view – reading from Vivian’s view is disturbing, so you are warned! You also go back in time to Vivian’s childhood and where this all stems from.
It’s so hard not to give you spoilers on the characters, but I found Vivian a deeply troubled girl, and her mum Rachel, up in the clouds, in denial. When the mysterious Alex appears in their lives, Vivian and Rachel at the same time begin a relationship with Alex without the other knowing. Ummm I wonder how this will end??
Great writing to think up the plot for this novel! It’s dark, twisted and extremely unnerving. Sarah Lawton is an exciting debut novelist to watch in the future!
An unputdownable novel truly deserves a 5 star review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.
You can read my full review here https://rachelbustin.com/books/all-th...
September 28, 2024
Hmm I expected a lot more from this thriller. The story is told primarily from the POV of Rachel and her even more annoying teenage daughter Vivian, but every character comes across as varying degrees of manic. It's a quick read but also quite one-dimensional. Once you figure out who the Evil One is, you pretty much know what's happening and how the story will play out.
There were some good scenes and stuff that I didn't see coming, but on a whole this was a largely forgettable story.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "There is something delicious about secrets that you can wheedle out of people, or just uncover through snooping, because then you have influence over them. Really good secrets mean they will do quite a lot for you."
✨ "I've always felt that there's this monumental lie that people tell you about motherhood. They tell you that you will love your child beyond anything in existence, that the moment you set eyes on them, you will be swept away on this sea of everlasting joy and adoration. The agonies of birth brushed under the carpet, forgotten in an instant. Rubbish."
There were some good scenes and stuff that I didn't see coming, but on a whole this was a largely forgettable story.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "There is something delicious about secrets that you can wheedle out of people, or just uncover through snooping, because then you have influence over them. Really good secrets mean they will do quite a lot for you."
✨ "I've always felt that there's this monumental lie that people tell you about motherhood. They tell you that you will love your child beyond anything in existence, that the moment you set eyes on them, you will be swept away on this sea of everlasting joy and adoration. The agonies of birth brushed under the carpet, forgotten in an instant. Rubbish."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews