Welcome to my stop on the blog tour celebrating the release of The Perfect Son by Lauren North! Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation! Stay tuned for information on how to win a copy at the bottom of this post!
Just a note: Dickens did not eat the cupcake. He was sniffing it, and it was orange (dreamsicle), so he actually ran away!
About the Book:
A disturbing and shocking debut novel of psychological suspense about a recently widowed mother, her young son, and the lengths she’ll go to in order to keep him safe.
When Tess Clarke wakes up in the hospital the day after her son Jamie’s eighth birthday, she’s sure of these things: She’s been stabbed, her son is missing, her brother-in-law and her grief counselor are involved. But no one is listening to her.
After her husband, Mark, died suddenly in a terrible accident a few months earlier, the only thing keeping Tess together is Jamie. As they struggle to make sense of their new life without Mark, they find joy in brief moments of normalcy like walking to school and watching television together. Life is hard without Mark, but Tess has Jamie, and that’s what matters.
But there in the hospital, confused and surrounded by people who won’t listen, Tess’s world falls apart. To save her son, she must piece together what happened between Mark’s death and Jamie’s birthday, but the truth might just be too much for her to bear.
My Thoughts:
Tess Clarke wakes up in the hospital just after her son, Jamie’s, birthday the day before. She has been stabbed and now her son is missing.
Tess’ husband, Mark, passed away in an accident a few months ago, and taking care of Jamie is the only thing getting her out of the bed in the morning. They lean on each other through their grief, and it’s been working okay for them all things considered.
No one is listening to Tess now, though, and her world is completely obliterated. She is trying her best to figure out what happened between Mark’s death and Jamie’s disappearance before it’s too late.
The Perfect Son is a captivating story with an enthralling premise. I had to know what happened to Jamie. To me, it was more mystery than psychological thriller, and that’s ok because I was so invested in the characters. Tess and Jamie are developed with so much heart, you can’t help but love and care for them.
Overall, I found The Perfect Son to be an intriguing and compelling character-driven mystery.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading, and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation.
Lauren studied psychology before moving to London where she lived and worked for many years. She now lives with her family in the Suffolk countryside. Readers can follow Lauren on Twitter @Lauren_C_North and Facebook @LaurenNorthAuthor
***Book Giveaway***
For a chance to win a finished copy of The Perfect Son, please visit my instagram page! Giveaway generously sponsored by the publisher.
Omg sounds so great I need to read this. Fantastic review
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Thanks, Shalini!
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This is the perfect Betrayal.. I read it..
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Oh, different title outside of the US?
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Yes….
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Does Dickens have a favorite flavor?!
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Definitely not orange, Carol! 😂 I think he’d like a fish flavored cupcake!
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I just got this on audio and now I’m looking forward to this one. Excellent review, Jennifer💜
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Thanks, Jonetta! I think you’ll love this. It’s such a good story and full of intrigue.
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Your review has me very intrigued, Jennifer! Now I want to know what happened to Jamie. Have a wonderful Friday! I don’t blame Dickens for wanting to check out that beautiful cupcake!
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Thanks, Kris! It was an intriguing story! Such an original premise! I love it when the bakery has this kind of cupcake, and it’s only for summer! I’ll miss them! Happy Friday and weekend to you! ♥️
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I love the sound of this book! Psychological thrillers are my favorite.
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I hope you get a chance to check it out! To me, it’s more of a mystery with a touch of thriller than a true thriller, but I absolutely loved it!
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I would want to find out the mystery too, this sounds like a great concept! And your photo is divine😁
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Aww, thank you, Tammy! It definitely was a great concept for a premise!
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Wait! What?? Dickens doesn’t like dreamsicle?? What is wrong with him?? Hahaha awesome review Jen! I hope I have this one and if I don’t I’m going to get it right away! Happy Friday my friend!🌞🌻💜
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Thanks so much, Sus! I hope you have this one too! It’s a goodie! I’m kind of glad Dickens doesn’t like the Dreamsicle! It’s one of my favorites! 😂 ♥️ I hope you had a great weekend!
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Wow, that is one gorgeous photo! I love the colours and the way you balance the roses on one side with the cupcake on the other. Dickens eating the cupcake (or at least checking it out) completes the picture nicely 😺
I do like a character-driven mystery and this sounds like a good one!
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Thank you- so kind of you! I love what people see in my photos. I put them together until I think they look good, but I always feel like I have no idea what I’m doing!
Yes, it was a wonderful character-driven mystery with great tension. I enjoyed it!
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Going by the cover I was expecting an evil son (shows where my mind goes, lol).
I can’t imagine the helpless feeling a mother would have in this situation- sounds like another good one, Jennifer!
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It was a great mystery, Jacquie! I thought it was going to be about the same thing!
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This sounds so intense – now I’m also curious to find out what happened to Jamie!
P.S. Dickens looks so adorable sniffing that cupcake ❤
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It definitely had a tense feel, LP! And thank you! He’s such a cutie! ♥️
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I’ve added this to my TBR list. That kitty is darling!
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Aww, thanks so much! I hope you get a chance to check this one out!
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This sounds amazing, wonderful review Jennifer. I absolutely love that picture with Dickens licking the icing on the cupcake. 😘
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Thanks, Carla! It was a wonderful mystery! I had a lot of fun with this one. I thought the premise was really captivating and emotional.
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I really enjoyed reading your full review here, Jenni!! Haha I always love seeing your kitties and sweet treats!
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Aww, thank you so much, Nina! Dickens is so silly!
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On the whole I prefer mysteries to psychological thrillers, so this sounds good! Haha, great pic – cheeky Dickens! I love my cats but not enough to let them eat my cupcakes… 😉
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😂 My love knows no bounds! He just had to give that a good sniff, and today, he almost ran away with a piece of the bouquet while I was picture taking. He is a rascal! This was a great mystery, FF. It had a fresh feel.
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Sounds so good and captivating. I have to add it to the Jan/ Mar books to read list. Terrific review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I hope you enjoy it too! You are getting booked out, my friend! ♥️
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This one is definitely going on my TBR because I love a good mystery and I love how intense this story sounds.
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Aww, that makes me so happy, Suzanne. I hope you enjoy it too. I really did.
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Fantastic review as always Jennifer! This one sounds really good. Oh my gosh, this kitty is over the top cuteness!!
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Thanks so much, Kim! It really was a great read! And thank you! I think he’s pretty cute too! ♥️
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Silly Dickens! Such an adorable pic. Too funny he ran away. 😂 The books sounds excellent too. Thank you for sharing it, Jen! ❤
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Thanks, favorite M! I really enjoyed the mystery of this one! ♥️
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This one is on my list mostly because I’ve seen it around so much lately!
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I hope you get a chance to check it out!
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Ah, i had this one on my list, and it came out two days ago in the UK. I was just wondering after i saw your review why it’s not on my Amazon wishlist, but realized it doesn’t have a kindle version yet. Hope it comes soon!
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Oh, yes, I hope you get a chance to read this one soon, Norrie! It’s a good mystery!
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