Ouch. That hurt. Yet I couldn’t tear my eyes from the page. Loved it!! It was drama, truth, heartfelt……IDK of another coming-of-age story that addresses such a tough subject so skillfully. This book could be classified as more than one genre but the adjective I best find fitting is “immersive”⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was terribly sad while also being very compelling- I finished it in one day. It centers on 2 families: Lorrie and Eden have been best friends since their kids, Knox and Summer, were babies and they are now getting ready to graduate and have started dating. When an incident between Summer and Knox occurs, it rips the friendship apart. You also get chapters told from the POV of one of Lorrie’s other kids and from their neighbor, Jules.

I could emphasize with all of the main characters in this story and felt deeply for what they were all experiencing. While some of the decisions made might not have been decisions I would personally make, I understood why they did the things they did, and the whole thing just made me sad. This is definitely a domestic drama vs a thriller and it will make you feel a whole range of emotions. I wish the end had turned out differently and am going to tell myself that things are worked out in another way as these characters live their after-book lives :)

Overall, I think this is a book worth reading that is very relevant in the current day and age. I think these characters will stick with me. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! So different from books I usually go for and the story drew me in right from the start. I was always guessing what direction the plot would go in next, it was not predictable. Each characters story was wrapped up well although some bittersweet.

The story goes in depth on the aftermath of sexual assault and rape, so I would not recommend to someone who is unsure if they want to read about those topics.

I appreciated that the reader gets a realistic point of view of the aftermath of sexual assault and how the victim is continually re-traumatized in the days and weeks following. It’s a side that often isn’t spoken about and this book gives multiple point of views.

If just looking at the cover, you may suspect a thriller but NOPE! It most definitely is not! Two lifelong friends are thrilled when their children start to date...until one makes an accusation that pits the friends against each other.

The dual POV made you sympathetic for both characters as the book progresses.

Loved the quick chapters, relatable characters, and true emotions the author shared.

SUCH A GOOD FAMILY....
......is such a great book about 2 families! I especially enjoy reading books about moms & their families. I happen to read this ARC over Mother's Day weekend and it was the perfect read for this holiday.

I immediately related to Lorrie who was throwing "the 13th annual killer Family Christmas Eve" as my family has the annual Rockin w Team Gutterman NYE party! Pilates is also mentioned in the first chapter so I know my fellow PELOTON Moms Book Club readers will enjoy!

All of the characters were well-developed. From being such an avid reader, I was able to suspect a few plot developments! But I don't think they're super obvious.

I really appreciated the authors letter at the end who explains "as the mom of two boys, I think a lot about how to raise them to be kind & empathetic people in a world that can often force kids into rigid & sometimes toxic gender roles.

Caitlin Weaver did a wonderful job wrestling with the uncomfortable topics that parents & families unfortunately wrestle with. Her portrayal of 18 year old Summer made me reminisce of my own first serious boyfriend & relationship my senior year of high school.(Fortunately I did not experience what she did with Knox).

Lorrie & Eden's friendship felt real as did the parents relationships with their kids.

For those who enjoy books about families, you must read this!

This was my first book by Caitlin Weaver and it did not disappoint!
What an emotional rollercoaster!
This tells the heart wrenching story of a devastating act that was sure to blow 2 families lives apart forever.

This was an excellent character driven story about a difficult topic. I was thoroughly engrossed in this book, and I enjoyed how the author didn't focus as much on the details of the event, but instead, we saw the impact not only on the two people involved, but on their respective families.

What a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Could not put it down

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to review

4 star read

such a great thriller!!!! my hands were gripping my kindle with anticipation, and i couldn't stop thinking about this book after i finished!!!

This was very heartbreaking and absolutely an emotional read. Telling the story of two mothers fighting for both their own children, willing to do anything to protect them.. it gives us multiple POVs retelling what happen and how they all deal with that one devastating action..

***Please check for trigger warnings***

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy!

When Eden, a former model and new mom, moves into her neighborhood, she never expects to vibe with the local moms. But Lorrie, her neighbor across the street, breaks the ice at the park, sparking a lasting friendship. Fast forward almost 18 years, their teens, Knox and Summer, are dating, surprising everyone. Dreams of shared futures crumble when Summer accuses Knox of rape. What follows is a heart-wrenching battle between lifelong friends, each defending their child.

This gripping tale tackles tough topics like sexual assault, rape, and addiction, diving into parental instincts and moral dilemmas. It’s a fast-paced read with a realistic narrative that keeps you hooked. Caitlin Weaver skillfully navigates sensitive issues, evoking empathy and showcasing the fragility of seemingly perfect lives.

Big shoutout to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for this riveting ARC that kept me up way past my bedtime!

A story of the perfect American Housewives tale turned upside down and inside out. Best friends for over 18 years. Who have raised their kids together and been inseparable a bond like sisters.
You hope you raise your children right and to do no wrong but you never can be sure that they will always follow with how you want them to be.
This story isn’t going to be for anyone. Rape is the main context of the story. It’s told by a different person point of view but not in a confusing way. It honestly made me feel sorry for everyone involved. Rape is never an easy subject to broach. But Caitlin Weaver does it in a way it’s not harsh.
She shows you that no matter how perfect your life seems to be. One wrong decision can change everything in an instant.
This story will not be for everyone. But those who feel they can read with an open heart will enjoy this book. It really tugs at the heart. An emotional story for sure. But one you can’t seem to put down. I will definitely look for more of her books.

Really gets you thinking. Loved Archie and glad to have his pov. Could almost use some pages of both summer and Knox in therapy summer talking about healing and Knox working on fighting his demons.

Very heavy topic, handled in a respectful way and important for women to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author portrayed these characters.

Thank you to Caitlin Weaver, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

This was a captivating story, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened with multiple relationships in the story. Best friends torn apart by their children’s choices. Contained sensitive subject material.

This book kept my attention and interest and it was a quick read, but I found a lot of it cliché and I wasn't a big fan of the author's writing.

When Eden, former model and new mother, moves into her new neighborhood she thinks shell never be able to have anything in common with the moms in the area. But when Lorrie, her across the street neighbor, sits down next to her at the park, they begin a long friendship. Now almost 18 years later, their teenagers are prepping to graduate high school and much to everyone's surprise, Lorries son Knox and Edens daughter Summer. have started dating. While Lorrie and Eden are picturing a wedding and future shared grandbabies, all their plans come crashing down one night when Summer accuses Knox of rape. Now the two friends find themselves on opposite ends of a fight no one wanted, each defending and protecting their own child. Following multiple narrators and taking place before and after the event, this book dives headfirst into hard hitting issues like sexual assault, rape, and porn addiction. And asks the question, how far would you go to defend your child?

I really enjoyed this book! I found it fast paced and I really enjoyed the writing style. I think the author did a great job of going into hard issues in a real life way. I stayed up way too late, way too many nights because I could not put this down!

Thank you to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

This story is about Lorrie and Eden, two neighbors and best friends, they’ve always joked about their kids being together until they finally do. But not everything is as good as they thought…
I read this story very quickly and it was entertaining but not exactly what I expected from it. I would have expected more family or neighborhood dramas but this was completely different. I feel like it is important to mention that the principal theme of this book is rape and to mention it in the blurb so the readers will know what to expect. This book wasn’t really for me but I can see the potential. I felt like it was very intimacy centered and sometimes for no reason? I also wasn’t a fan of the spicy scenes and overall this made me a bit embarrassed.
I also felt like the story was too centered on the mothers instead of the children involved themselves and that Summer should definitely be more present and have more chapters dedicated to her.
Thank you to NetGalley and Caitlin Weaver for the ARC!

Lorrie’s son Knox is dating Summer, her best friend and neighbor Eden’s daughter and she couldn’t be happier about the match. Then one night Knox comes home very late and he’s hiding scratches on his neck. The next day Summer accuses Knox of something terrible. Knox denies it. Both mothers want to protect their children. How can they all move forward?

The story is told from the points of view of all the characters listed above plus Jules, a neighbor for whom Summer baby sits as well as Archie, Knox’s younger brother. It is as an OK thriller. I like books that deal with this subject and this one was fairly well done.

Heavy topic but solid writing. Character development was well thought out and the book was engaging. The ending left you hanging and could have wrapped up the book better.