About the book:

In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned — from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren — an enigmatic artist and single mother — who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town–and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia’s past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.

My review:

This book is one the best examples of absolutely beautiful storytelling. Characters are alive, they are among us, they are some of us.

This is one of those books that you enjoy reading to know everything that had happened, is happening and going to happen. The book about friendship, choices, love, different worlds and that everything isn’t as it seems.

Reading this book I felt close to every character. Sometimes I really liked Elena, for her common sense, determination to be an example to her children and have a perfect family. Sometimes I felt Mia’s way was more genuine and free. I guess for me, the ‘truth’ is somewhere in the middle. But how amazing both of these women are!

I absolutely adored all kids, for their differences, their particular styles and ways of thinking. What a beautiful mix of characters.

At first, I didn’t quite like or feel the ending of the book. But gave it a few days to sink in. Now I think it’s perfect. 

My is score is 5* out of 5*.