Thank you to #NetGalley for the advance copy of #TheHerd by #EmilyEdwards.

A very pertinent novel at this time. Friends Elizabeth and Bryony are on opposite sides in one small but divisive issue and when the fall out happens it has reverberations that affect everyone.

Very interesting read.

There's a note at the beginning of the book where Emily Edwards writes that the idea for The Herd was first conceived in 2018. At this time, there is no way Edwards would have known how relevant her novel would be, but the timing is perfect and it is this that made the novel so compelling. The discussions on both sides of the argument encouraged me to be more open minded and I quickly realised how complex the debate actually is, and Edwards conveys this brilliantly.

In The Herd, Edwards had created some incredibly convincing characters and I enjoyed feeling as though I was involved in the lives of each family. I did end up taking sides and there was one particular character I found really annoying - but that she was able to annoy me highlights the strength of Edwards' writing.

Overall, The Herd is quite an emotional story, much more so than I expected. The most emotional scenes were described so beautifully and my breath was taken away by how hard hitting it could be.

The Herd by Emily Edwards
Pub Date Today 3rd Feb 2022
It would help if you never judged how someone chooses to raise their child.
Elizabeth and Bryony are opposites, but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priorities.
But what if their choice could harm your child?
Little do they know that they differ radically over one significant issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined.
A dramatic immersive, thought-provoking novel showing both sides of an endless controversial debate, an honest story full of emotion and sensitivity.
It asks significant ethical questions through memorable characters.
The Herd is a well-researched novel, which I highly recommend.
I want to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and author Emly Edwards for a pre-publication copy to review.

My thanks to Random House U.K. Transworld Publishers for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Herd’ by Emily Edwards in exchange for an honest review. I did purchase its finished edition on publication.

I also took part in The Pigeonhole’s group read and was pleased to have the opportunity to share my experience with other readers via comments.

Jodi Picoult, who is well known for tackling controversial medical and legal issues in her fiction, said of ‘The Herd’: 'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.’

This debut novel is set in the U.K. between July and December 2019, and while set before the pandemic its themes are certainly relevant to the situation of the past two years and beyond.

The plot focuses on two women, who have been best friends since university. They are very different with Elizabeth being one of those super-organised types very involved in local politics while Bryony is laidback and Bohemian. They live in the same street and are godmothers to each other’s young daughters…. yet there is one issue that will severely test their friendship. No further details to avoid spoilers.

In her Author’s Note Emily Edwards gives details of a debate in 2018 between her husband and birth doula that had inspired her to write ‘The Herd’. Given its 2019 setting, there is a touch of irony for its characters near future.

Given its themes, ‘The Herd’ is likely to be very popular with reading groups that are seeking to read a novel that explores this controversial topic in a balanced way. It certainly is one that offers plenty of scope for discussion. As a result I am likely to be proposing it to my own group later in the year.

While enjoy is the wrong word to describe my experience of ‘The Herd’, I felt that it was a timely thought-provoking novel that held my attention throughout.

CW's: vaccinations (pro and anti), autism, death.

This book is extremely thought provoking and definitely one that is bound to spark up a wide range of debates. The publication of this book is very timely as it could be said to have a correlation with the current COVID vaccine debate we are all experiencing.

Elizaebth and Bry have always been close. Until now. They have very differing views on child vaccinations and is something that they have never discussed their whole friendship until a heartbreaking event brings the topic to the forefront.

Emily Edwards has effectively and compassionately raised awareness for not just one side of this 'debate', but both which I will always say is an extremely hard concept to master. Her writing is simple yet intellectual which fit perfectly for me as this was the first novel I had ever read around this topic. I am yet to be a parent so I can only imagine what lengths a parent would go to to lessen that overwhelming sense to protect their child. As the story unfolded I found myself empathising with both Bry and Elizabeth because at the end of the day, they both wanted to do the same thing which was to do what they saw as the best way to give their child the protection all parents want to give.

This is definitely a book that gets you thinking. It makes you reflect and wonder what you would do if you were ever in either Bry or Elizabeth's situation. This book has a hell of a lot to offer and I feel it would be a perfect book club pick due to spark a (friendly) debate.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

A fab debut from Edwards! The moral dilemma which is even more prevalent in our current times - vaccination. I'm not a parent so maybe I wasn't quite the target audience for most impact but nevertheless I still enjoyed it. I felt the court case was unnecessary and therefore was disappointed by the anti-climax of the ending. Overall, loved it!

I really enjoyed this thriller that's rather topical at the moment with an anti-vaxxer theme except with childhood vaccinations. A little white lie has huge ramifications for Elizabeth and Bryony's friendship, ending in a court case. Sure to provoke heated debate at a book club!

Right now this is a topical story revolving around to vaccinate or not. It is an emotional book I would have no hesitation in recommending.

The Herd will, I’m fairly sure, find its way to many a book club and the ensuing discussion will no doubt be interesting. It’s a timely release, focusing on the issue of vaccination and to what extent our responsibility is personal or social.
The book opens with us knowing that a group of former friends are facing each other in court. Of course we want to know why and what chain of events led to this particular scenario.
Elizabeth and Bry are our primary focus. Two very different mothers, with different views on vaccination. With a daughter prone to febrile convulsions, Elizabeth is understandably nervous about people not vaccinating their children. Her best friend has lived for years with the understanding that her brother’s autism was caused by vaccination. She has opted not to.
What transpires is one of those horribly unlucky events. A measles outbreak occurs, many in the community are ill but Elizabeth’s daughter ends up blind. She wants revenge on the ones she blames-the parents who would not vaccinate their daughter.
The book took a while to get going but the establishment of the characters was engaging. By the time we got to the court scene it seemed that we’d be waiting for some kind of twist. When it came I found myself a little irritated because it seemed so at odds with what we’d been told throughout and made a mockery of the situation.

This book has everything it needs to make for a gripping story. It’s original, well plotted and completely captured my attention. The main focus is the ongoing and increasingly controversial topic of vaccination, albeit in reference to protection against the usual childhood illnesses rather than the current covid 19 virus.

At the beginning, the two main characters, Elizabeth and Bry are very close best friends who seem to do everything together and support one another through thick and thin. As events unfold, their relationship begins to unravel and the reader is torn between agreeing with one or the other. There was never going to be a winner in the long run.

It’s tense and exciting, keeping me from sleep as I finished the last few chapters. I thoroughly recommend it.

A deeply moving and thought provoking novel. Always remember that there are two sides to every argument and that simply dismissing the views of those who differ serves no purpose. At first, I struggled to follow the different characters and see exactly where the story was leading. However, once fully emerged in it I found it gripping and heart wrenching. I fully empathised with both mothers. What mother has not felt trepidation when vaccinating her innocent child? Both sides of the vaccination debate are conveyed very convincingly. This is a very relevant and well researched novel, which highly recommend.

No one could ever imagine Elizabeth and Bryony’s friendship being jeopardised, but one small white lie does just that when it has a catastrophic effect on the wellbeing of one of their children.

I picked up this book, read the blurb and settled down to read with my mind fully made up on where my loyalties would lie. Like most people, I have a view on vaccination so for me I thought this was an easy decision. But, oh no, I lurched from throwing my support behind one character and then the other. Emily Edwards’ brilliant writing had my head in a spin. I could almost feel the horror of the emotional pain and distress described but my feelings about the both of the main characters were influenced by the choices they had made.

Whilst I knew I was being skilfully manipulated by Edwards’ depiction of the characters, I couldn’t stop myself from adopting the view I think the writer intended in that particular chapter. This was so clever because it made me really question my beliefs and how I might so easily misjudge people. You can’t help but put yourself in the horrendous situation the characters find themselves in and question the choices you might make.

This is such a difficult book to review without revealing too much. It is a sad, emotive subject and I knew there would be no winners whatever the outcome. I did, however, wonder how the author was going to bring it to a satisfying and, most importantly, a respectful conclusion but she certainly did.

This is a highly emotional read especially in light of present circumstances and the differing views on vaccinations. The writing is superb and treats this subject with compassion and honesty. I just couldn’t put it down and have no hesitation in awarding it a well-deserved 5 stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hmmmm, I almost didn’t read this when saw the blurb and realised it was all about vaccines and the title ‘The Herd’ related to herd immunity ( lesson learnt re reading blurb although It probably isen’t! ) even more turned off when reading the authors info at the beginning it mentioned having a chat to her ‘doula’ had inspired the book ( google doula if not heard of them ) but an author friend who had read it convinced me to give it a go and all told am pleased did
Now there is not a more on topic thing that vaccines is there but also there is not a more boring, overdone, wretched topic either ( alongside Covid and Brexit ) that has broken friendships and even families and so the author to give her her due is brave to tackle it
Even though there are opinions in the book it is pretty much 50/50 so if you are wary its going to be anti or pro vax then don’t be, it genuinely seeks to offer both sides of the arguement, morally and otherwise based around the story told, I liked it was so impartial and the author chose not to add her feelings/views into the story ( as quite a few tend to on various topics nowadays ) bravo to her on that front
It took maybe 10% to get into it, its full of yummee mummee and posy dadee characters that I couldn’t relate to but as the story progresses that doesn’t matter so much as the story builds
There are very clever short chapters on people drawn into the story but not directly involved and their feelings on the matter ( which by now you can tell I am not going to mention 🤗 )
A very tense and extremely well done end court case with a finale that will as the blurb suggests create a lot of discussion in book groups
So yes I am glad I gave the book a go and listened to advice to try it and it did turn out to be a worthy amd interesting read

8/10
4 Stars

Wow this one, well what a topic (I’m known as an antivaxxer 😂) and so this was a fantastic book for me!!!!!…loved every word of it and wish there was more out there like this one! A brilliant story about friendship and values and tragedy and in general a corker of a book! A must read for this year for sure!!!

The Herd dragged me in instantly with the characters and the story and the astute relevance during this global pandemic. Edwards successfully describes suburban life and friendships in a way that makes you feel she is describing your own world.

The story centres on two young families and their choices around vaccination for their children. The two women at the centre of the story are both characters many of us will find familiar and I think that's what dragged me in.

I completed this book in record time for me, just 3 days! A real page turner. Highly recommended

I was so surprised by this book. When I initially started reading it I wasn’t entirely sure it was for me but then I got into it and honestly it had me all over the place. You’re never sure which side you’re on, you don’t know who’s telling the truth who’s doing what and who is doing right or wrong by who and it all adds to the insane tension and clever writing of the book. It had me hooked, could not put it down and really glad I got to read it. This is exactly like one of Jodi Picoult’s novels where even after you aren’t sure who you would be more like in the novel. Definitely recommend but there is some sensitive topics around child vaccination and illness just as a warning.

The Herd is a thought provoking and emotional book which I enjoyed. I liked reading both of the main characters' opinions regarding vaccinating children. It kept me gripped throughout and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

"The Herd" is a deeply thought-provoking novel which made me look at my own beliefs. I hadn't expected to feel challenged quite so much as I did, which is testament to the skill of the writer. I thought the book was very cleverly laid out, enhanced by the inclusion of people in and around the courthouse sharing their thoughts and opinions. In style, it reminded me of early Jodi Picoult. I expect this will be a big hit with book groups, as the opportunities for discussion are plentiful. An engaging and timely read!

An enjoyable read with a very current subject matter, I enjoyed this book and did have sympathy with the mothers and the difficult choices they had to make. I remember well the problems caused by the link that was made between the MMR vaccine and autism as my children were at the age of vaccination at that time and it was a dilemma for many parents. Well written and an unexpected twist. Recommended.

If ever there was the perfect and the worst contender for a book club read, all in the same book! It is definitely going to be hotly debated in book clubs across the world, and those book clubs hopefully will set some ground rules as, well basically, it's all about vaccines. And we all know how controversial that topic is these days.
We start with a couple of best friends. Elizabeth and Bryony. Chalk and cheese but best friends nonetheless. Also godmothers to each other's daughters. But where Elizabeth is worried for the health of her daughter as she is unable to be vaccinated due to a health condition, she insists that she only mixes with children who have been vaccinated, in order to protect her. Bryony has been brought up to be anti-vax and she has good reasons for that.
We start with a court case. Who and what and why will become evident later. But it is obvious that something has happened to Elizabeth's child. As we go back in time to the days before the incident, we see what happened in the run up to the party. And then, interspersed throughout the book are shorts where we hear the opinions of one of the people attending the trial.
I am not going to say any more about the story, mainly due to spoilers, but also as I am not going to debate the vaccine issue here. Suffice to say that it was, at the end of the day, a well balance book with a main storyline that tugged at my heartstrings and left me completely on the fence all the way through. It's not preachy, which it so easily could have been given the topic.
And the ending was just perfect. Shocking and emotional but, didn't see that coming.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.