Little Broken Things

Quinn Cruz receives an urgent message from her estranged sister Nora asking for help, followed by an unexpected delivery: a six-year-old girl named Lucy. Nora disappears after leaving Lucy in Quinn's care, providing no explanation about the child's identity or the nature of the danger they face. The sisters' mother, Liz, becomes entangled in the situation as Quinn struggles to protect Lucy while searching for answers about her sister's disappearance. The story moves between the perspectives of Quinn, Nora, and Liz as they confront both present dangers and long-buried family secrets. Set against the backdrop of a small Midwestern town, Little Broken Things explores the bonds between mothers and daughters, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. The novel examines how family trauma reverberates across generations, and the possibility of healing even after deep betrayals.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning family drama with elements of suspense. Many note it feels more like women's fiction than the thriller marketing suggests. Readers appreciated: - Complex mother-daughter relationships - Authentic portrayal of small-town dynamics - Strong character development, especially Quinn and Nora - Emotional depth around adoption and family bonds Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Marketing misrepresents it as a thriller - Some plot points remain unresolved - Multiple POVs can be confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Sample reader comments: "Expected more suspense based on the blurb" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but moves too slowly" - Amazon reviewer "The relationships between the women kept me reading" - BookBrowse reviewer Several book clubs report it generates good discussions about family secrets and motherhood.

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The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth A story of family bonds unfolds as two sisters navigate their mother's decline and discover secrets from her past.

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens A college student's investigation into a dying convicted murderer's case reveals connections to his own family's hidden history.

📚 Author Nicole Baart initially wrote Christian fiction before transitioning to mainstream suspense novels with Little Broken Things 🏠 The novel's setting of Blackhawk Lake is inspired by the real Spirit Lake in Iowa, where the author resides 👥 The story explores themes of motherhood through three different perspectives: Quinn, Nora, and Tiffany, each representing different approaches to maternal protection 🖋️ Baart wrote the first draft of Little Broken Things in just six weeks, though she spent nearly a year revising it 🔄 The book's title has multiple meanings, referring not only to physical objects but also to broken relationships, trust, and family bonds that need mending