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A review by michelles_book_nook
A Welcome Reunion: A Short Story by Lucinda Berry
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⚠️ CW: violence, murder, child abuse, mental health and mentions of self harm and rape ⚠️ If you loved The Perfect Child but wanted more from the cliff hanger ending then you need to read this book. Janie is the last person Hannah and Christopher Bauer want to see again but Janie’s moved back to Clarksville and she’s no longer the frail child that Hannah and Christopher adopted over 11 years ago who destroyed their lives. Now Janie is out of juvenile detention and publicly promoting her new tell-all memoir. At just 18, Janie has a violent and tragic story to share brimming with grisly details. However, Janie has now taken a new name and claims to have reformed her sociopathic ways and she’s ready to make amends. But when the Bauers refuse to meet with her, she takes matters into her own hands. After Piper, the social worker, formerly assigned to the case makes disturbing revelations about Janie’s calculated behavior, the Bauers brace for Janie’s next move, determined to protect their family at all costs. This short read was a great follow on from The Perfect Child and I loved the gripping tale of what happened next with Janie and the Bauer's. It's one of those that is really hard to review without giving spoilers but I loved the terrifying return of Janie. Overall, I highly recommend this one!
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Self harm