Intriguing, insightful and definitely thought provoking. The Herd takes you on an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish. From page one I was drawn into the book and finished it the next day. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

When I first saw the marketing material for "The Herd" by Emily Edwards, I knew it was a book I simply had to read. It really is a book that needs to be debated in book club, or in the wider community as it deals with the very hot topic of "to vaccinate or not to vaccinate". This subject so relevant to our society today, and everyone has an opinion. What I enjoyed about the book was that it wasn't patronising or lecturing or leading you one way or the other. It presented several scenarios, all of which were played out in a dramatic court case at the end. Was pleased about the twist too as it was something that had been playing on my mind.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Whilst I have no sympathy with the anti-vaccine argument, the book raised interesting issues and helped me consider another viewpoint. The characters are good and the way in which a community takes sides is very believable. I would definitely recommend this book.

The book opens in a court room with the former best friends Elizabeth and Bry pitched against one another and the story flits back to the time before and the court room.
This story follows two friends and their children and families.
They live on the same street and are close friends as well as neighbours, until one of the children fall ill and loyalties are pushed aside as lies are uncovered.
The POV changes a lot between the court and timelines and also from different characters, but this helps the reader get the different viewpoints really well.
This was a really character driven novel but also had a strong plot and excellent ending.

The Herd is a heartbreaking but compassionately told story; it deals with an emotive subject that makes for a thought provoking read.With the current debate about vaccination raging; it seems even more relevant, although the focus is on childhood vaccinations rather than Covid. The story centres around Elizabeth and Bry. Until now, they have always been very close friends, but they have very differing views on vaccinating their children. It’s something they don’t discuss as they know it will lead to confrontation,  until the day unforeseen circumstances force the issue. The Herd explores the choices we make and the consequences of those choices when things go tragically wrong.

without a shadow of a doubt, Emily Edwards has effectively and eloquently put forward all the sides of a hotly debated topic. I have my own thoughts about vaccinating, but never the less as I continued to read The Herd, I sympathised with both women's POV at different points in the book. The author depicts her character’s emotions perfectly. The myriad of emotions both women experience as their lives fall apart are like that of any parent, fear, despair, and the overwhelming sense of wanting to protect your child at any cost. Both women have unlikable traits, but as the story unfolds their vulnerable side emerges it, allowing the reader to sympathise with Elizabeth and Bry.

I really liked the fact the author has included the opinions of neighbours, friends, and outsiders whose opinions are based on their own positive or negative experiences of vaccinations. I love a book that has a moral dilemma. Not only does it fire your own imagination, but it makes you question your own beliefs. There are a few things I haven’t mentioned, but I don’t want to spoil the read for others. But this book has so much to offer. I normally find in this kind of read, the subject can mirror the author’s own personal opinions, but Edwards does a fantastic job in presenting the facts in an unbiased fashion. On one hand, I think this would make a perfect book club read, especially if you enjoy a heated debate! But on the other hand, vaccination is a volatile subject and I suspect this would over shadow talking about the book itself! Highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy of this book. It was described as being a great reading group book and I certainly must agree that it deals with a divisive topic.

The premise is that two female friends, with very different parenting styles come into conflict over their differing views about vaccinating their children. Bry is fearful of vaccinating her little girl because her brother has autism and her mother blames the MMR vaccine.

Elizabeth has a little girl who has not been vaccinated because she was sick as a baby and advised that it would be safer not to do so. As a result, they are relying upon those around them to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity. I don’t want to give too much away but it is soon clear that there is a court case as a result of their differing beliefs and the idea that it is a moral obligation to vaccinate your children to protect others.

I very much enjoyed this extremely timely book. With everything that is going on with covid and the talk about protecting the vulnerable with vaccines this will be an interesting read for whatever your opinion as it treads a fine line offering empathy to both sides. A thought provoking and well timed book that walks a difficult middle ground.

Oh, the vaccine debate. So topical in these covid times....

The Herd introduces mummy friends Bry and Elizabeth, two women who want the best for their young daughters - although they fall on opposite sides of the vaccine fence. A tale of fear and half-truths, this will be a popular read with book groups.

A subject that resonates with both the vocal and also the silent majority in the face of the most catastrophic pandemic in recent history. The effects of covid has touched every family, raising the silent elephant in everyones life: to accept vaccination or refuse to be vaccinated. This novel explores the lives and character of two families, close even perhaps inseparable friends, who although very different in personality and income are entwined in the daily saga’s of couples with young children. Both women have a background that reinforces their stance on the subject of vaccination. One has a family member with a serious disability believed to be a result of a vaccination. The other has a child with a history of childhood fits resulting in a medical recommendation to avoid. giving her any vaccinations. An outbreak of measles occurs in their local area of low take up of the MMR vaccination and every parents worst nightmare occurs. The two families are suddenly on opposite sides of a debate that is more real in the current covid pandemic as in any period of recent history. Each is convinced that their belief is right. And so, with exquisitely written three dimensional characters and the premise of a story guaranteed to break hearts the collapse of everything and everybody they hold dear, falls apart with catastrophic consequences. To say I could not put this book down is an understatement. Every nuance of a woman’s love for husband, children, female friends is torn apart as relationships wither under the stress and heartbreak of tragedy. The final conclusion is as superb as unexpected and equally as heartbreaking. Cannot begin to thank author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this moving story that will linger in my memory long after the last page.

Wow! I have just finished reading this book and it is difficult to write a review that will do it justice. To be honest I never would have read this book if it a friend hadn't recommended it but I'm so glad she did.
The story focuses on 2 families who find themselves in the midst of a battle after a measles outbreak leads to a devastating outcome. Decisions surrounding vaccinations form the basis of the story and it is certainly thought provoking. Both sides of the argument are explored in sensitive and balanced way through the main characters.
Quite simply this is a fantastic book that is impossible to put down!

This book is guaranteed to get people talking, as the subject is extremely topical.It’s about two families ,very close friends,who have very differing views on vaccinating their children,and the repercussions of this.It’s hard to say more without giving spoilers and as it’s such a gripping read,I wouldn’t want to do that!What I found interesting were the explanations offered for and against vaccination,given in a very measured,non-judgmental way.I enjoyed the book immensely and would think it would be good for book groups,as it would give rise to a lot of discussion.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Random House UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
What a timely book,where the topic of vaccination is hot.
Bry & Elizabeth are firm friends, they both have young daughters who are playmates. Elizabeth’s daughter had seizures as a small child and can’t be vaccinated against childhood diseases. Then there is Bry, whose brother Matt has severe autism, her mother has spent her life instilling in Bry that her Matty’s autism is due to the MMR vaccine.
Elizabeth and her husband are planning a party for their daughter Charlotte and she sends a carefully worded email to all the other parents asking them to confirm that their children are fully vaccinated.
This book makes the reader look at both sides of the argument, as the story unfolds. Yes, the story is about, vaccinate or not to vaccinate, a parents choice, it’s also though about, grief, parenting, families and friendship.
A thought provoking read, I loved this book,
4.5 stars

Wow! This book is amazing! It starts when we are introduced to a number of different families- all friends with each other and the bond between them is clear. However, things start to become strained when Elizabeth asks the other parents to confirm their children are vaccinated before they attend her daughters birthday party. Her daughter, Clemmie, cannot be vaccinated due to illness when she was a baby. Its clear this group of friends don't know as much avpbout each other as they thought and a serious issue causes a huge divide and devastating consequences.

This book is so well written. It takes such an emotive difficult issue and deals with all sides of the argument so sensitively it shows why this is such a huge debate currently. It tackles the issue of whether vaccination shoukd become mandatory and should parents have the right not yo vaccinated their child if it means it puts others at risk due to lack of herd immunity. Its all done initially in the context of the friendship group, but later in a court setting. Its expertly written, well researched, emotional but all wrapped up in a brilliant engaging story with fantastic characters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley with no promise of a favourable review.

I’d like to thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Herd’ written by Emily Edwards in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Despite being like chalk and cheese, Bry and Elizabeth are best friends and godmothers to each other’s children, but when the subject of vaccinations is concerned they have vastly differing views that bring them into the Court Room. Their friendships are on the line and the community forced to take sides.

‘The Herd’ is a dark novel with a timely discussion on whether a child should be vaccinated or if it will do more harm than good. It’s a difficult book to read given what’s happening in the world at the present time, and although I can see the reasons why both sides are taking a stand I feel very strongly for one side more than the other. The book is well-written with the chapters alternating between the main characters’ everyday lives with their families and what happens for the case to have to to be decided in Court. I found the subject matter too difficult to enjoy but the book is a good solid read and worth spending time on.

I almost gave this up a few times as I wasn’t sure I could handle the argument for non-vaccination but it is worth sticking with, I promise.
The characters have an enormous battle with guilt and whether they are making the right decision for their children. It was thought provoking. I liked the supportive relationships from the husbands.

Elizabeth and Bryony have always been best friends despite being polar opposites in almost every way. They're even the Godmothers of each others children, because they know they can trust each other with everything, even their own children's safety.

But there's one difference that they've avoided talking about because it might be the one thing to explode them forever - a radically different belief over one very important issue. So when Bryony tells what she thinks is just a little white lie to save an argument, she can't foresee the devastating consequences that will change both of their lives as they know it for good.

"Gossip, he's realised, is even more contagious than the virus itself."

A timely and uncomfortable exploration into the affects others actions, including vaccination, can have on others - and the risks you can bring to others based on your own decisions. Now, this is a divisive subject, especially now, but this novel tries to understand both sides of the argument in a thoughtful way. It tries to dissect the many reasons someone might become vaccine-hesitant, through peer pressure, fear or the impact of seeing a rare but very real allergic reaction - and forces you to confront that fear makes people do strange and sometimes dangerous things. Everything in this story is various shades of Grey.

But it isn't just about vaccination - this dark domestic drama addresses the dangers of extremity in any direction, about class and motherhood, about friendship and love. Each character is impeccably created to keep you guessing, neither of them particularly likeable but both somehow sympathetic at points also. They're starkly and soberingly real and familiar.

Between multiple perspectives, this starts off with slow and steady world building, showing us snippets of what's to come and leaving us anticipating the storm brewing around the neighbourhood our story takes place in. And despite the slow pace that had me losing interest periodically throughout, something always drew me back in and still managed to leave me shocked after every bombshell that dropped.

Make no mistake - this isn't the type of book you enjoy. It's dark, difficult and divisive, maybe not the best book to bring to your book club but one that will leave you uncomfortably captivated and stay with you long after the last page has turned.

In 'The Herd', Emily Edwards explores the positives and negatives of vaccination through her protagonists Elizabeth and Bry. Despite them being best friends for years their fears for their children eventually drive them into the court room, where they, and the community around them, hold strongly opposing views.

Heralded as the perfect book club read, this novel will certainly provoke debate. Edwards attempts to provide a balanced perspective with the story punctuated with short chapters from the court, narrated by someone with a different view point, and a different reason for it. The novel is cleverly written and manages not to be preachy, despite the seriousness of the subject. Given the current climate and the divisions that Covid immunisation is causing, I suspect 'The Herd' will become a must read of 2022.

Topical, timely and insightful.

The Herd, following the lives of two families at odds with vaccinating their children, is clever in its portrayal. Whilst I didn't fall in love with any of the characters particularly (we've all been bossed around by an Elizabeth unless we are one), I did feel compelled to follow their stories and could sympathise with each woman's plight.

A great premise, executed extremely well and a cracking page turner with a gripping court scene.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House for the opportunity to read this early copy.

The herd is such an emotive thought provoking read that will make you questions your own beliefs and actions around immunisation especially as a parent! Post natal depression is also factored in and the effect that it can have especially the far reaching consequences years later!
I really felt that The Herd would make such a good book to discuss with friends/ at a book club as the content could be inflammatory,devisive and thought provoking and there would be quite heated discussions.
The herd also makes you question how well you know your friends,acqantancies and family when it comes to issues such as immunisation, the matter of herd immunity was also raised and wearing of face masks which I found particularly poignant with relevance to our current covid 19 situation.
A real talking book of a read that is centred around two families and their children both very different but great friends and how one decision re immunisation can totally tip everything on its head with such harrowing consequences.
A great book that I would thoroughly recommend
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

I literally couldn't stop reading this book once I picked it up. In the current climate of focus on the importance of vaccines, it is like the perfect reflection of the world at the moment. Cleverly written, with engaging characters who seem very familiar, this is a book that will spark big debates in book groups up and down the country. A really excellent read.

Absolutely appalling. Antivaxxers will love -well I didn't. Having seen at first hand what happens when people aren't protected I had to swallow hard many times to get through this book. Yummy mummies with their precious views did not make for an enjoyable read. None of the characters were likeable.. The midwife saying those things to me would have been reported.