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Hush Little Baby
If I stay, he will kill me. If I leave, he'll destroy Addie and Drew.
Jillian Kane appears to have it all - a successful career, a gorgeous home, a loving husband, and two wonderful children. The reality behind closed doors is something else entirely. For nine years, she has hid the bruises and the truth of her abusive marriage in order to protect Addie and Drew, knowing, if she left, Gordon would destroy her-destroy them.
When, in an act of desperation, she flees, her worst nightmare is realized, and she finds herself on the run with her two young children, no money, and no plan. With Gordon in hot pursuit, there is only one inescapable certainty: No matter where she goes, he will find her. Kill her. And take her children.
A riveting page-turner, Hush Little Baby exposes the shame and terror of domestic violence as well as the disturbing role manipulation and sabotage can play in the high-stakes game of child custody. Suspenseful and unforgettably moving, it's a novel about the unbreakable bonds of family and the astounding, terrifying devotion of a mother's love.
Jillian Kane appears to have it all - a successful career, a gorgeous home, a loving husband, and two wonderful children. The reality behind closed doors is something else entirely. For nine years, she has hid the bruises and the truth of her abusive marriage in order to protect Addie and Drew, knowing, if she left, Gordon would destroy her-destroy them.
When, in an act of desperation, she flees, her worst nightmare is realized, and she finds herself on the run with her two young children, no money, and no plan. With Gordon in hot pursuit, there is only one inescapable certainty: No matter where she goes, he will find her. Kill her. And take her children.
A riveting page-turner, Hush Little Baby exposes the shame and terror of domestic violence as well as the disturbing role manipulation and sabotage can play in the high-stakes game of child custody. Suspenseful and unforgettably moving, it's a novel about the unbreakable bonds of family and the astounding, terrifying devotion of a mother's love.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
4,783 people are currently reading
15.1k people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Redfearn
11 books2,025 followersSuzanne Redfearn is the award-winning author of Six novels: Hush Little Baby, No Ordinary Life, In an Instant, and Hadley & Grace, Moment in Time, and Where Butterflies Wander. In addition to being an author, she’s also an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. She lives in Laguna Beach, California, where she and her husband own two restaurants: Lumberyard and Slice Pizza and Beer. You can find her at her website, www.SuzanneRedfearn.com, on Facebook at SuzanneRedfearnAuthor, or on Instagram at SuzanneRedfearn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,093 reviews
October 6, 2013
*****5+++++ Suspenseful - Heart pounding Stars*****
ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - October 8, 2013
Just...Wow - That was all I could think after finishing this book. I was in tears and terrorized myself while reading. I continued to put myself into the character's thoughts and shoes to understand the terror of abuse and how hard it is to RUN and SURVIVE!!
This is Suzanne Redfearn's debut novel and I have to say....DAMN!! This is going to be a breakthrough novel for her! Her writing is intense and riveting - when I read this...I was living it through her eyes and emotions.
Suzanne brings us through the journey of Jillian trying to get away from her abusive husband along with saving her children, her parents and any friend willing to step in to help her.
Jillian looks like she has it all - she is a very successful VP in an architectural firm who's husband dotes on her along with her two children. He is seen as a hero in the police force, a devout Christian, a great little league coach, and the list goes on, but behind closed doors he is physically and mentally abusive who only has one thing in mind...getting his wife pregnant again. He threatens her life and the life of their children if she ever leaves him, he kicks, strangles, punches etc (only where the bruises could be hid).
When Jillian finally gets the courage to tell him that she wants to leave him....he locks her out of the house and empties the bank accounts immediately moving his mistress in the house. Jillian tries to fight to get her children back even though she questions her worth as a mother but Gordon blocks every attempt setting her up to make it look like she is insane and an unfit mother.
It gets to a point that Jillian has had enough and takes the children and RUNS, but it doesn't take long for Gordon to find them. Through some luck, Jillian is able to thwart him and finds a somewhat safe place to hide. Through the couple months she is hidden, she connects with her children and watches them grow emotionally without the stress of an overbearing father.
There is so much more to the story than what I have written, but the only way to experience the same angst I went through is to pick up a copy of the book!!
This book engrossed me from the minute I picked it up until the end - like I said before - I was right there experiencing what Jillian did!!
Ms Redfearn is definitely going places after this spectacular novel.
ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - October 8, 2013
Just...Wow - That was all I could think after finishing this book. I was in tears and terrorized myself while reading. I continued to put myself into the character's thoughts and shoes to understand the terror of abuse and how hard it is to RUN and SURVIVE!!
This is Suzanne Redfearn's debut novel and I have to say....DAMN!! This is going to be a breakthrough novel for her! Her writing is intense and riveting - when I read this...I was living it through her eyes and emotions.
Suzanne brings us through the journey of Jillian trying to get away from her abusive husband along with saving her children, her parents and any friend willing to step in to help her.
Jillian looks like she has it all - she is a very successful VP in an architectural firm who's husband dotes on her along with her two children. He is seen as a hero in the police force, a devout Christian, a great little league coach, and the list goes on, but behind closed doors he is physically and mentally abusive who only has one thing in mind...getting his wife pregnant again. He threatens her life and the life of their children if she ever leaves him, he kicks, strangles, punches etc (only where the bruises could be hid).
When Jillian finally gets the courage to tell him that she wants to leave him....he locks her out of the house and empties the bank accounts immediately moving his mistress in the house. Jillian tries to fight to get her children back even though she questions her worth as a mother but Gordon blocks every attempt setting her up to make it look like she is insane and an unfit mother.
It gets to a point that Jillian has had enough and takes the children and RUNS, but it doesn't take long for Gordon to find them. Through some luck, Jillian is able to thwart him and finds a somewhat safe place to hide. Through the couple months she is hidden, she connects with her children and watches them grow emotionally without the stress of an overbearing father.
There is so much more to the story than what I have written, but the only way to experience the same angst I went through is to pick up a copy of the book!!
This book engrossed me from the minute I picked it up until the end - like I said before - I was right there experiencing what Jillian did!!
Ms Redfearn is definitely going places after this spectacular novel.
October 1, 2013
6 LEAVES-YOU-WONDERING STARS!!!
Every once in a while, I stumble across a book that I don't just read, love, and move on from. Instead, it becomes a declaration of truth that exposes what is covered up within society. A statement of hope that encourages us to stand up for what is just , not what is deemed "right" by others. A realization of the two most chilling and provocative words in the English language: "What if...?"
Mark my words: this author is going places.
“Frozen smiles, polite nods, a few princess waves and we’re in the car and on our way. A beautiful day. A beautiful family.
I’m happy to pretend.”
Know that saying ‘appearances can be deceiving?’ This fast-paced, psychologically thrilling suspense book boosts it up to a whole new level. My heart was beating 250 per minute and I could not tear my eyes away until I finished the book in one sitting.
To the outside world, Jillian Kane appears to have the perfect life: a solid career as an architect, a loving mother to her two children, and a doting and supportive husband. No one knows that deep within the household, Jillian is a victim of domestic violence, leading her to falter in her parental duties and question her sanity.
“For the next few weeks, I’ll obsess on preventing another attack, catering to Gordon like he’s a king – loving him and worshipping him with abject devotion. I will work out, wear sexy lingerie, attempt to be more beautiful than I am. I will smile and purr, forsaking my dignity, my pride, and any sense of self that remains, all in a vain attempt to prevent it from happening again.”
Like a beaten dog, Jillian cowers and submits to the whims of her bastard of a husband. I was extremely furious with her for not fighting back and repeating the cycle over and over again and part of the reason is that as a woman, I, myself, felt degraded and soiled by Gordon’s actions. Like Jillian, I felt the hopelessness as horrific events unfolded and I was unable to do anything, anything to prevent them from occurring, only to watch her sink deeper and faster into her hellhole.
“It can all be taken from you. Everything you think is yours, everything you think you’re entitled to because you earned it, worked for it, all of it can be destroyed. Look carefully at the person you think you love, be wary of your husband or your wife, because, if they choose, they can destroy you.”
I am a romance reader so I desperately hoped for a happy resolution, though I knew instinctively that there wouldn’t be one. The very little romance presented in the book wasn’t even there to serve a romantic purpose; no, it was there to convey just how much role manipulation and aggressive control one has over another.
“He’s robbed me of my name, my identity, my accomplishments, my family – and he’s robbed Addie and Drew of their futures.”
Although these are fictional characters, the dark themes the book deals with are very real and the truly mindblowing moral I’ve garnered after finishing this book is quite simple: everyone is capable of evil, and only some are capable of good. I can never really view my conscience as “conscience” again, for in times of danger and despair, all of us are thrust in a position where it is fight or flight, lion or lamb. Yet in outwardly appearance, fear of doing wrong, personal morals, and compassionate natures keep that darkness deeply buried within ourselves, only to be triggered when we feel the need to survive, the desire to protect, and the urge to hurt. Even now, I cannot dissect the meaning of the ending. Is there regret? Is there relief? Will she ever be free?
What if she never married Gordon?
What if she never ran?
What if the trigger was never pulled?
What if…?
*********************************************************
I have nothing else to say.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advance copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
Every once in a while, I stumble across a book that I don't just read, love, and move on from. Instead, it becomes a declaration of truth that exposes what is covered up within society. A statement of hope that encourages us to stand up for what is just , not what is deemed "right" by others. A realization of the two most chilling and provocative words in the English language: "What if...?"
Mark my words: this author is going places.
“Frozen smiles, polite nods, a few princess waves and we’re in the car and on our way. A beautiful day. A beautiful family.
I’m happy to pretend.”
Know that saying ‘appearances can be deceiving?’ This fast-paced, psychologically thrilling suspense book boosts it up to a whole new level. My heart was beating 250 per minute and I could not tear my eyes away until I finished the book in one sitting.
To the outside world, Jillian Kane appears to have the perfect life: a solid career as an architect, a loving mother to her two children, and a doting and supportive husband. No one knows that deep within the household, Jillian is a victim of domestic violence, leading her to falter in her parental duties and question her sanity.
“For the next few weeks, I’ll obsess on preventing another attack, catering to Gordon like he’s a king – loving him and worshipping him with abject devotion. I will work out, wear sexy lingerie, attempt to be more beautiful than I am. I will smile and purr, forsaking my dignity, my pride, and any sense of self that remains, all in a vain attempt to prevent it from happening again.”
Like a beaten dog, Jillian cowers and submits to the whims of her bastard of a husband. I was extremely furious with her for not fighting back and repeating the cycle over and over again and part of the reason is that as a woman, I, myself, felt degraded and soiled by Gordon’s actions. Like Jillian, I felt the hopelessness as horrific events unfolded and I was unable to do anything, anything to prevent them from occurring, only to watch her sink deeper and faster into her hellhole.
“It can all be taken from you. Everything you think is yours, everything you think you’re entitled to because you earned it, worked for it, all of it can be destroyed. Look carefully at the person you think you love, be wary of your husband or your wife, because, if they choose, they can destroy you.”
I am a romance reader so I desperately hoped for a happy resolution, though I knew instinctively that there wouldn’t be one. The very little romance presented in the book wasn’t even there to serve a romantic purpose; no, it was there to convey just how much role manipulation and aggressive control one has over another.
“He’s robbed me of my name, my identity, my accomplishments, my family – and he’s robbed Addie and Drew of their futures.”
Although these are fictional characters, the dark themes the book deals with are very real and the truly mindblowing moral I’ve garnered after finishing this book is quite simple: everyone is capable of evil, and only some are capable of good. I can never really view my conscience as “conscience” again, for in times of danger and despair, all of us are thrust in a position where it is fight or flight, lion or lamb. Yet in outwardly appearance, fear of doing wrong, personal morals, and compassionate natures keep that darkness deeply buried within ourselves, only to be triggered when we feel the need to survive, the desire to protect, and the urge to hurt. Even now, I cannot dissect the meaning of the ending. Is there regret? Is there relief? Will she ever be free?
What if she never married Gordon?
What if she never ran?
What if the trigger was never pulled?
What if…?
*********************************************************
I have nothing else to say.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Please note that all quotes are from an advance copy and are subject to change in the final edition.
December 1, 2014
A book that has stayed with me long after finishing. I was so engrossed in this book that I missed phone calls and was even late for an appointment. Well written and easy to read I look forward to reading more from Suzanne Redfearn.
August 24, 2014
This book was won through Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
What a wonderful debut psychological thriller. It was a fast paced page turner which left me holding my breath several times. I could picture this in my mind as if the movie were already made.
Jillian Kane has the picture perfect life and marriage....though that picture has been air brushed to cover up all the flaws and ugly truths. This is the story of living with the choices we make, until you can not live with them any longer. It is the story of finally saying enough is enough and doing whatever you need to do to protect your family. Jillian faces demons, both her own and others and becomes the woman and mother she wants to be. We all make mistakes, but it is whether we learn and grow from them that makes the difference.
The characters were well developed and believable. This could be the family next door. There were plenty of twists and turns and the ending took me a bit by surprise. I will watch for more from this very entertaining writer.
"I glance again at the riddled ink on Paul's arms and think perhaps my tattoos are simply less obvious, that I'm as marked as he is by my young, impulsive choices......My choices don't brand my skin, but instead, scar my life"
What a wonderful debut psychological thriller. It was a fast paced page turner which left me holding my breath several times. I could picture this in my mind as if the movie were already made.
Jillian Kane has the picture perfect life and marriage....though that picture has been air brushed to cover up all the flaws and ugly truths. This is the story of living with the choices we make, until you can not live with them any longer. It is the story of finally saying enough is enough and doing whatever you need to do to protect your family. Jillian faces demons, both her own and others and becomes the woman and mother she wants to be. We all make mistakes, but it is whether we learn and grow from them that makes the difference.
The characters were well developed and believable. This could be the family next door. There were plenty of twists and turns and the ending took me a bit by surprise. I will watch for more from this very entertaining writer.
"I glance again at the riddled ink on Paul's arms and think perhaps my tattoos are simply less obvious, that I'm as marked as he is by my young, impulsive choices......My choices don't brand my skin, but instead, scar my life"
November 11, 2013
Pretty good. There were some things I didn't care for however. I hated how Paul and Goat were so easily written off. I didn't really care for the character development either. It felt fake... One moment she's talking about how she misses her Kate spade purses and getting manicures and suddenly she's become this down to earth woman. This is one of the things that bugs the crap out of me with some authors. Show, not tell. Don't tell me she's miraculously changed... Show me in her actions and through character interactions. I didn't see much of that. This is mainly why I could not give this higher than 3 stars.
May 1, 2021
A domestic thriller full of suspense, dramatic, teaming with unexpected and unforseen turns!!!
A family daunted by the madness and violence of a husband and father..
What can I say more??
It's a story about a young mother and her heroic fight against fear and abuse..
Also very well written too!!
Although the chapters are short, the tension in the plot gradually increae more and more till it reach the satisfying and explosive end!!!
"In an Instant" a Goodreads winner will be my second novel by Suzanne Redfearn which I want to read..
And I'm looking forwards to it!!
Dean;)
A family daunted by the madness and violence of a husband and father..
What can I say more??
It's a story about a young mother and her heroic fight against fear and abuse..
Also very well written too!!
Although the chapters are short, the tension in the plot gradually increae more and more till it reach the satisfying and explosive end!!!
"In an Instant" a Goodreads winner will be my second novel by Suzanne Redfearn which I want to read..
And I'm looking forwards to it!!
Dean;)
October 12, 2016
Jillian appears to have it all - a handsome husband, two children and a successful job as an architect. On the outside this family appears to have it all, but in reality their life is not as happy as it appears. Gordon, her husband, is a police officer who has been physically abusing her for 9 years. He knows where to hit so the bruises never show. She is afraid of what will happen if she tries to leave, she is scared of what will happen if she stays. Gordon is smart. He knows how to make her look and feel crazy in public. He is the charming church going husband with a wife who scratches his face when she gets upset.
Jillian finally decides enough is enough and tells him she is leaving only to find herself locked out of their home, his mistress moved in and with no access to her children. In a desperate attempt, she takes her kids and runs.
This is where the book began to lose me. The first chapter grabbed me. I felt bad for her, I kept wondering what was going to happen next. Would he turn on their children? But then it just got to muddled for me. I don't want to give away any more of the story than I have. I found that the story had too much story in it at times with an affair, murder, kidnapping, new job, arrests, court, etc. Can all of these things happen? Yes, but it seemed like a lot was crammed in and maybe for some this added to the drama and made the book more interesting but for me I just thought MEH...Enough already. My main problem was that it felt like the author was trying too hard to make the book so dramatic.
This book was good not great. True, there were parts that were hard to put down. In some sections the book is a page turner, but then there were the parts of the book that just seem to convoluted.
see more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Jillian finally decides enough is enough and tells him she is leaving only to find herself locked out of their home, his mistress moved in and with no access to her children. In a desperate attempt, she takes her kids and runs.
This is where the book began to lose me. The first chapter grabbed me. I felt bad for her, I kept wondering what was going to happen next. Would he turn on their children? But then it just got to muddled for me. I don't want to give away any more of the story than I have. I found that the story had too much story in it at times with an affair, murder, kidnapping, new job, arrests, court, etc. Can all of these things happen? Yes, but it seemed like a lot was crammed in and maybe for some this added to the drama and made the book more interesting but for me I just thought MEH...Enough already. My main problem was that it felt like the author was trying too hard to make the book so dramatic.
This book was good not great. True, there were parts that were hard to put down. In some sections the book is a page turner, but then there were the parts of the book that just seem to convoluted.
see more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
April 22, 2019
Long after I read this book, I still could not quite get over the undertones and microaggressions in this book which I swear were not part of the book plot itself. I really think this may be how the author thinks, which actually disturbed me a bit. They were not added to enhance a character or explain a plot, but they were there - and it threw me a bit. There was a barb about the difference between Democrats and Republicans, making fun of a Native American in traditional dress, calling a Native American a "red" - little things that were just smattered in and not really to enhance a character (which would have made a huge difference and would have been understood as character development and I could definitely fly with that) - all it really did was make me wonder about the political affiliation of the author and take me out of the story. So, there's that. This plot line is about a battered wife who tries to break away from her husband, but finds it is nearly impossible. She kidnaps her kids after he kills her lover and things are good for a moment. Then her child gets really sick, she ends up giving herself up to help her child. Then all the sudden everything goes her way. Huh. The ending is silly as the tying up of loose ends is a bit underwhelming considering all the build up. Overall, not a bad read, but it left a weird taste for me that I still can't quite put my finger on.
January 3, 2015
At first I thought this book would rock, because it seemed like it would be very realistic. But then, the author started creating all this extra, crazy drama for the protagonist's life. It just stopped being believable and the wrap-up was particularly unconvincing. I think a book about a perfect-seeming family hiding domestic violence should be something everyone could sort of relate to, no matter their class level. But so much of the resolution of this book was wrapped up in economic conditions almost nobody in this country experiences and which did not even seem realistic for this book. For example, I seriously doubt that a woman who has let her job without explanation and is then charged with kidnapping is going to be offered her job back no questions asked.
September 8, 2014
This has been a sheer treat and delight to read.
A friend recommended this book and I'd like to thank her for that. She even encouraged me to bump it up my list of reads.
In an abusive relationship along with having two children too is very hard to make decisions to leave. But what if your husband was a doting Father, worked in the Police force and was highly respected? Friends, family? And what if you think you are a hopeless Mother, not getting anything right?
This book is much more than this though, throw in a lover, pregnancy, death, murder and cancer and you have opened lots of plots.
I would highly encourage you to read this. Gripping story from beginning to end.
A friend recommended this book and I'd like to thank her for that. She even encouraged me to bump it up my list of reads.
In an abusive relationship along with having two children too is very hard to make decisions to leave. But what if your husband was a doting Father, worked in the Police force and was highly respected? Friends, family? And what if you think you are a hopeless Mother, not getting anything right?
This book is much more than this though, throw in a lover, pregnancy, death, murder and cancer and you have opened lots of plots.
I would highly encourage you to read this. Gripping story from beginning to end.
July 31, 2019
4.5 ⭐
Não consegui parar de ler este livro, com capítulos curtos e rápidos, que lê-se num instante.
Retrata um tema ainda muito presente (infelizmente) na nossa sociedade, a violência doméstica.
Estes livros são muitos bons para sentirmos empatia com o outro. Acho que devem dar uma oportunidade a esta história. Gostei muito.
Não consegui parar de ler este livro, com capítulos curtos e rápidos, que lê-se num instante.
Retrata um tema ainda muito presente (infelizmente) na nossa sociedade, a violência doméstica.
Estes livros são muitos bons para sentirmos empatia com o outro. Acho que devem dar uma oportunidade a esta história. Gostei muito.
April 8, 2022
In the beginning it was a little slow going. But I ready the last 70% in one day because I needed to see where this was going. Jillian irritated me to no end. But she got stronger and did what needed to be done. Gordon was a master manipulater and got what he deserved.
March 27, 2022
This author gave an excellent portrayal of a marriage hidden with domestic violence. I have read other books sleeping with enemy and black and blue come to mind. Those also great books but I thought this book showed the manipulation, shame, sabotage and reasons women stay- the kids! Of course this book doesn't end as many real life domestic violent relationships do- for many the custody battles never end and use kids as way to get at the women. This book does show how custody and kids play such a factor in abusive relationships. I also really liked the Aesop's fable brought into the story. A very realistic account to whet many women go through and if they could would do what this women did-run!
December 26, 2020
5 stars audio
4 stars story
4 stars story
July 9, 2017
A início estava paradote, até custou a arrancar. Mas às tantas já não o conseguia largar.
Um livro que daria um filme fantástico, sobre violência doméstica e a mais pura maldade humana... Nunca deixa de me surpreender...
Aconselho..
"Em todos nós existe o mal, e em alguns de nós, existe o bem".
Um livro que daria um filme fantástico, sobre violência doméstica e a mais pura maldade humana... Nunca deixa de me surpreender...
Aconselho..
"Em todos nós existe o mal, e em alguns de nós, existe o bem".
December 3, 2024
well I hate a domestic violence book and I didn’t know this was that. It was fast paced and kept me entertained but god these books make me so mad.
March 2, 2017
"O Fim do Silêncio" tem tanto de real como bem escrito. É isto que penso que destaca esta obra de outras sobre violência doméstica.
Este é o primeiro livro da autora. Sendo novel nesta arte, Suzanne Redfearn revela uma escrita madura, segura e, nalgumas situações, contundente. Noutras passagens deleita o leitor com uma candura própria de poesia. E realço novamente que estamos a falar de uma estória em que o enfoque é dado a abusos e violência doméstica. Alie-se isso ao suspense presente desde em toda a obra e temos uma fantástica estreia, num livro que dá que pensar e que nos deixa a pensar mesmo depois de finda a leitura...
Este é o primeiro livro da autora. Sendo novel nesta arte, Suzanne Redfearn revela uma escrita madura, segura e, nalgumas situações, contundente. Noutras passagens deleita o leitor com uma candura própria de poesia. E realço novamente que estamos a falar de uma estória em que o enfoque é dado a abusos e violência doméstica. Alie-se isso ao suspense presente desde em toda a obra e temos uma fantástica estreia, num livro que dá que pensar e que nos deixa a pensar mesmo depois de finda a leitura...
February 28, 2014
You need to hold onto your seat for this one; HUSH LITTLE BABY is a wild, wild ride. It's a novel that truly haunted me (in the very best of ways) from the first word until the very last, with short chapters that constantly propel the reader forward, desperate to know more. HUSH LITTLE BABY is the story of an abused wife on a desperate run from a deranged spouse, with her two young children in tow. As the reader I felt terrified for our protagonist, Jillian Kane, truly distressed by the horrific position she was in. But I also felt hopeful for her, that she could change her lot in life and find happiness. The novel centers on Jillian and her husband's abusive relationship, while also touching on familial bonds and parenting issues, and the trust we put in both strangers and friends. With each turn of events, I felt my heart pounding more and more, and was worried and disturbed in a way that only the very best suspense novels can do. The novel races through at full speed, and I found myself, more than once, attempting to take a break from reading, but then reaching for the book again before I had a chance to rise up from my chair. It's completely addictive. I read it within just a few days, which is something I don't often do. I'd give HUSH LITTLE BABY well more than 5 stars if I could.
May 28, 2017
Porque ninguém sabe o que se passa verdadeiramente nas casas dos outros. Porque a violência doméstica é uma realidade. Porque todos sabemos julgar sem conhecer todos os factos, todas as verdades. Gostei da história, da força e da coragem da Jill. Pudessem todas as histórias de violência doméstica ter um final igual...
January 9, 2021
I rate books from 0 to 5 in 20 categories.
*Cover 2
*Beginning 3
*Editing 4
*Plot 1
*World-building 1
*Main character 1
*Supporting characters 2
*Antagonist 2
*Love Interest 0
*Pacing 3
*Emotional Investment 1
*Setting 1
*Diversity 3
*Dialogue 2
*Action 2
*Writing style 3
*Memorable 0
*Unputdownable 3
*Sentimental Value 0
*Ending 2
36/100 = 2 Stars
Conclusion: I want to be diplomatic, but it isn't going to be easy.
*Cover 2
*Beginning 3
*Editing 4
*Plot 1
*World-building 1
*Main character 1
*Supporting characters 2
*Antagonist 2
*Love Interest 0
*Pacing 3
*Emotional Investment 1
*Setting 1
*Diversity 3
*Dialogue 2
*Action 2
*Writing style 3
*Memorable 0
*Unputdownable 3
*Sentimental Value 0
*Ending 2
36/100 = 2 Stars
Conclusion: I want to be diplomatic, but it isn't going to be easy.
February 3, 2016
I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars. I felt it was slow to start, and got slow in the middle. There was definitely parts of the book that you couldn't turn the pages fast enough but not enough of them. Other parts it seemed to me that it went on too long, and really wasn't that important to the story. Overall, I would say it was a good story but not worthy of the reviews I have read.
August 20, 2016
A very well written fictional book about domestic violence. Some parts were heart pounding, unpredictable, and thought provoking. Other parts reminded me of the movies on Lifetime Movie Network with the same theme. Regardless, it's a great book.
4.5★s. Highly recommended if you want to read something intense.
4.5★s. Highly recommended if you want to read something intense.
May 10, 2020
My rating on this one may have been affected by my mood. It’s been difficult to find a book that I just can’t put down. Also, I read the author’s other book, In an instant, and LOVED it. Maybe this one just couldn’t hold up. I liked this book, but didn’t love it. There really isn’t a single reason - maybe it just moved a little slowly. And the ending was somewhat anticlimactic. So this book was just meh for me, but it might have just been me.
October 6, 2013
First of all, HOLY CRAP, this book was good. I feel like I say this a lot, but it really is rare for me to pick up a book and read it all the way through. I started reading this late Friday (10/4) and finished it Saturday 10/5. Talk about an engrossing page turner!
Without rehashing the entire story, Jillian Kane is stuck in what appears to be a happy marriage but behind closed doors is a nightmare. Her husband is abusive to her-- cruel, mean and violent. His punishments for the children aren't physical, but mental. To everyone, he's a great dad and doting husband. To Jillian, he's a monster.
When she decides she has to leave, there isn't a question that she has to take the children. Gordon won't hear of it, and Jillian knows that he will kill her before he lets her have them.
An interesting aspect of this book is how beat-down Jillian is... she doesn't even think she can save her children. She doesn't think she is a good mother. She feels she's a consistent failure and hasn't nurtured relationships with Addie and Drew. She knows Gordon is the better parent, more patient, more loving.
Because this is what Gordon wants her to think. He wants her to feel that if she runs, she has nothing.
Thus begins a heart thumping, fast-paced tale of a woman who would do anything to protect her children, and in the process, proves she's the best gift those children ever had.
I mentioned a few times that reading this book about gave me a heart attack. Take that as a hint as to the rythm and heightened sensitivities and utter alarm in the Redfearn's words. I was living this book while I was reading it and was exhausted when I'd read the last word.
Really wonderful novel-- very well written, high marks from me!
Without rehashing the entire story, Jillian Kane is stuck in what appears to be a happy marriage but behind closed doors is a nightmare. Her husband is abusive to her-- cruel, mean and violent. His punishments for the children aren't physical, but mental. To everyone, he's a great dad and doting husband. To Jillian, he's a monster.
When she decides she has to leave, there isn't a question that she has to take the children. Gordon won't hear of it, and Jillian knows that he will kill her before he lets her have them.
An interesting aspect of this book is how beat-down Jillian is... she doesn't even think she can save her children. She doesn't think she is a good mother. She feels she's a consistent failure and hasn't nurtured relationships with Addie and Drew. She knows Gordon is the better parent, more patient, more loving.
Because this is what Gordon wants her to think. He wants her to feel that if she runs, she has nothing.
Thus begins a heart thumping, fast-paced tale of a woman who would do anything to protect her children, and in the process, proves she's the best gift those children ever had.
I mentioned a few times that reading this book about gave me a heart attack. Take that as a hint as to the rythm and heightened sensitivities and utter alarm in the Redfearn's words. I was living this book while I was reading it and was exhausted when I'd read the last word.
Really wonderful novel-- very well written, high marks from me!
November 27, 2013
For most of us, we fortunately have no concept of why it is like to live with an abusive husband. Jill has been married to Gordon for 9 years. From the outside, it looks like she has the perfect life. She has a successful career, an adoring husband and two beautiful children. They live in a beautiful house with beautiful things and no one knows that things are not as they seem.
This engrossing novel tells Jill's story of one beating more than she can accept and she leaves. She has left before, not successfully so she knows she has to get it right, disappear with the kids not to be seen again or Gordon will kill her. Through Gordon's manipulation, Jill has been seen as a bad mother who neglects her children and endanger them. Only when she believes that he had killed a friend does she follow through and with no money, no plan she runs. With what seems like everyone against her, their lives become very different as they run, have a few narrow escapes and they settle into a small town with a group of people that become their haven and she is safe. But that all ends when the unforeseen makes it all alive again and she finds herself in handcuffs. Jill knows she had quite the battle ahead of her to make things right.
This was such a good book, I didn't want to put it down. The cycle of an abusive wife is so complex. Why do they stay? None of us should judge that as most of us have no concept to the walking on eggshells, trying so hard not to make a mistake, forgiving them when they seems remorseful and repeating the same cycle over and over. I think this novel is a really good portrayal into this life, probably people we know are living this and we have no idea the hell their life is.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
This engrossing novel tells Jill's story of one beating more than she can accept and she leaves. She has left before, not successfully so she knows she has to get it right, disappear with the kids not to be seen again or Gordon will kill her. Through Gordon's manipulation, Jill has been seen as a bad mother who neglects her children and endanger them. Only when she believes that he had killed a friend does she follow through and with no money, no plan she runs. With what seems like everyone against her, their lives become very different as they run, have a few narrow escapes and they settle into a small town with a group of people that become their haven and she is safe. But that all ends when the unforeseen makes it all alive again and she finds herself in handcuffs. Jill knows she had quite the battle ahead of her to make things right.
This was such a good book, I didn't want to put it down. The cycle of an abusive wife is so complex. Why do they stay? None of us should judge that as most of us have no concept to the walking on eggshells, trying so hard not to make a mistake, forgiving them when they seems remorseful and repeating the same cycle over and over. I think this novel is a really good portrayal into this life, probably people we know are living this and we have no idea the hell their life is.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
May 22, 2021
2.5 STARS
"Her worst nightmare is realized and she finds herself on the run with her two young children, no money, and no plan." While this did happen in the book, there's a lot that happened before this, and even more story that happens after. Jillian herself is drawn fairly realistically. She isn't perfect, she's selfish at times, she doesn't always put her kids first. It made her more relatable, there are no perfect victims.
The book is fairly short, but it did drag at times, especially when Jillian is hand-wringing. I loved it when her mother and her friend gave her some "snap out of it!" tough love.
The ending was really out there, for as smart as Gordon was throughout the book, he seemed struck by stupidity.
"Her worst nightmare is realized and she finds herself on the run with her two young children, no money, and no plan." While this did happen in the book, there's a lot that happened before this, and even more story that happens after. Jillian herself is drawn fairly realistically. She isn't perfect, she's selfish at times, she doesn't always put her kids first. It made her more relatable, there are no perfect victims.
The book is fairly short, but it did drag at times, especially when Jillian is hand-wringing. I loved it when her mother and her friend gave her some "snap out of it!" tough love.
The ending was really out there, for as smart as Gordon was throughout the book, he seemed struck by stupidity.
February 14, 2015
I have never read such a heart-pounding, stomach-wrenching, nail-biting, edge of my seat, can't put down thriller! I had to force myself to slow down because I was tripping over every word to get to the next.
Just like the husbands we see in Sleeping with the Enemy or Enough, Gordon is a powerful man who is viewed as a pillar of the community. His expectation of perfection manipulates every situation to his advantage while putting up a perfect facade. His wife, Jillian, believes she can control his rage by being perfect, but as a working mother, things fall through the cracks. A forgotten lunch, a missed pick-up, a child's public tantrum are all chalked up to a bad day for a regular working mom. But Gordon's keeping a list, retaliating, and leaving no loose ends. The fact that he is a cop lends an extra layer of protection to his cruelty. He has created a perfect image of himself and a very tarnished image of his wife. His abuse knows no bounds whether they be physcial, emotional, financial, or reproductive.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.c...
**I received this novel in exchange for an honest review**
Just like the husbands we see in Sleeping with the Enemy or Enough, Gordon is a powerful man who is viewed as a pillar of the community. His expectation of perfection manipulates every situation to his advantage while putting up a perfect facade. His wife, Jillian, believes she can control his rage by being perfect, but as a working mother, things fall through the cracks. A forgotten lunch, a missed pick-up, a child's public tantrum are all chalked up to a bad day for a regular working mom. But Gordon's keeping a list, retaliating, and leaving no loose ends. The fact that he is a cop lends an extra layer of protection to his cruelty. He has created a perfect image of himself and a very tarnished image of his wife. His abuse knows no bounds whether they be physcial, emotional, financial, or reproductive.
Read my full review here: http://www.ivoryowlreviews.blogspot.c...
**I received this novel in exchange for an honest review**
April 15, 2016
Looking on the outside, you might think Jillian has the perfect life. She has a great career which pays handsomely, a beautiful home, 2 adorable young children, and a loving husband. Take a look behind closed doors and she still has all those things ... except her husband is extremely abusive .. and he wears a gun and badge.
To the outside world Gordon is a terrific guy, a wonderful husband and doting father. Because of her shame, she has covered up all the bruises, broken bones, marital rape. And he has her right where he wants her.
Jillian wants out! If she stays, he will wind up killing her. If she runs, he will track her down and kill her .. and take the children.
One terrible night .. she runs. And her nightmare is much, much worse than she could ever have imagined.
The author has done a terrific job in exposing the shame and terror of domestic violence. The fear and tension rolls off the pages. It's a moving fictional story of what lengths one mother will go to protect her children and herself.
This book is extremely well written. You won't want to put this one down! 5 Stars.
To the outside world Gordon is a terrific guy, a wonderful husband and doting father. Because of her shame, she has covered up all the bruises, broken bones, marital rape. And he has her right where he wants her.
Jillian wants out! If she stays, he will wind up killing her. If she runs, he will track her down and kill her .. and take the children.
One terrible night .. she runs. And her nightmare is much, much worse than she could ever have imagined.
The author has done a terrific job in exposing the shame and terror of domestic violence. The fear and tension rolls off the pages. It's a moving fictional story of what lengths one mother will go to protect her children and herself.
This book is extremely well written. You won't want to put this one down! 5 Stars.
October 8, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Hush Little Baby is one of the most intense books I have read. I actually felt afraid when I picked up my Kindle, so emotionally invested in this story that it was like I felt Gordon could jump out from the pages and be in my living room while I was reading. I was talking to my husband about it and all my friends about it, recommending everyone read this book. The storyline is so gripping, so compelling, that it was impossible not fall into the character’s lives. At the end, I was so sure I was right there in the hospital with Jillian and Gordon. I think the hair on my arms were stick straight for the last four chapters, and I’m not sure I breathed all that well during them either. One of the best books I have read in 2013.
Hush Little Baby is one of the most intense books I have read. I actually felt afraid when I picked up my Kindle, so emotionally invested in this story that it was like I felt Gordon could jump out from the pages and be in my living room while I was reading. I was talking to my husband about it and all my friends about it, recommending everyone read this book. The storyline is so gripping, so compelling, that it was impossible not fall into the character’s lives. At the end, I was so sure I was right there in the hospital with Jillian and Gordon. I think the hair on my arms were stick straight for the last four chapters, and I’m not sure I breathed all that well during them either. One of the best books I have read in 2013.
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