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The Perfect Child cover art

The Perfect Child

Written by: Lucinda Berry
Narrated by: Christine Williams, Erin Bennett, Dan John Miller
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Publisher's Summary

A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.

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.

©2019 Heather Berry. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What the critics say

"A mesmerizing, unbearably tense thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder and sleeping with one eye open. This creepy, serpentine tale explores the darkest corners of parenthood and the profoundly unsettling lengths one will go to to keep a family together—no matter the consequences. Electrifying and atmospheric, this dark gem of a novel is one I couldn’t put down.”—Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author

“A deep, dark, and dangerously addictive read. All-absorbing to the very end!”—Minka Kent, Washington Post bestselling author

What listeners say about The Perfect Child

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Highs and lows

Oh my goodness! How did this book ever get its title? So many times, like never before, my hand automatically went over my mouth because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I listened to the last 4,5 hours in one sitting because I couldn’t turn it off. However, when the ending came, it had me as surprised as the rest of the book. 😢

Halfway through, I went and pre-ordered her next novel. Best new author whom I’ve read in a very long time!

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is there a part 2!

the story was interesting but the ending makes no sense. I don't think I recommend.

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wow! what a read

i downloaded this audiobook as it was on as a daily deal so i didnt expect too much. but wow what a story. being a child psychologist this was right up my alley. i have been wanting a book that i cam just get lost in and havent found one in a while.

this was so gripping and had my attention the whole way through! like others have said, i HATED the dads character. i am also extremely disappointed at the ending. its been set up like there will be a sequel but cannot find anything to say that there will be one. so many loose ties. but i still think its worth 5 stars.

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WHAT A STORYYYY!!!!!

omg! this book kept me il all night. I just had to keep listening! great character development, it really felt like this could happen or has happened to someone. in parts i almost felt like the writer was writing from experience or a real life situation they were aware of. amazing book!

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Wow... just wow...

Although the author succeeded in making me feel so miserable and disturbed, I just couldn't stop listening.

People complain about the ending, but I feel like it suits the rest of the story pretty well, leaving you feeling horrified and hating the whole situation that the characters had to go through.

Overall, great job. Will definitely read more of her books

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Riveting!

I thoroughly compelling story. I like the way it was told by three different people.

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Good book but not happy with the ending

It kept my interest but I felt so let down that there was no closure in the end. It was a good story except for that. Narrators were good.

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    3 out of 5 stars

What’s with the ending?

I initially thought this book was going to be great. There was Great character development, told by 3 perspectives. (I found Christophers character just so naive and annoying. )
But the ending was rushed and disappointing. The book literally just ended out of nowhere and I was sorry I wasted my time .

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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🙄

Ugh I thought this was going to be more of a suspense thriller but it was more like a lifetime special!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Meh…

I was expecting more. The story was fine, I stayed entertain. I thought the ending would leave me shook, but not really. If there is a second book, I won’t be reading it. Sorry!

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