Suburban “moms”, little lives and little lies. When I looked at reading this I didn’t know about the TV series (I watch very little) but when I saw Nicole Kidman was Celeste, the character fitted well in my mind’s eye. A story of hidden truths, of what goes on unknown to others, irrespective of who has the best car/house/bank balance and of friendships that break or endure. The main storyline is interspersed with “statements” from witnesses to the event, an event we don’t find out about until late in the book. To me, at the beginning I found this a little difficult to get into but was soon into the flow of things- so don’t give up! The characters are likeable albeit a little tenuous in some cases. Others come across as more real and feisty- in a good way, and some appear just up for a fight. True colours always show when there is animosity! A story to make you think. An enjoyable read with a difference.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I think the thing I loved most about this book was the fact that you didn't know who the victim was all the way through the book. I found myself hoping it wasn't certain characters.

I loved the friendship between Jane, Madeline and Celeste. I think Madeline was my favourite.

It was my first book by this author and I can't wait to read some more.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review and have given it 5 big fat stars.

Like many I was curious after watching the hit show Big Little Lies and wait to dive into the book.

I was not disappointed! This is my first read from Liane Moriarty and she sure did deliver.

It was well written, well crafted and totally mesmerizing!! I was hooked from beginning to end. The author tackled some tricky issues and managed to navigate them with both humor and poise. It made for a brilliantly entertaining read, one that I couldn't put down. The suspense is built up from the beginning and carried through until the big reveal and even though I already knew what had happened, I felt like I was discovering it for the first time. Simply brilliant!

First class writing and I loved every single word!

I really liked the way that this book was written. The switching from viewpoint to viewpoint lends itself to the gossipy nature of the women and men involved in this story. Initially although it appears that a murder has been committed, the book feels lighthearted. However, do not be fooled, the theme of the story is much darker and the reader is drawn in to the 'little lies' told by many of us. Some people have much deeper and darker secrets than others. Ultimately the tension builds as the story progresses and the true nature of the horror of one of the women's lives is uncovered. Also tackled is the subject of small town gossip, of people who spread rumours without knowing the truth and who make judgements about others causing anxiety and misery in their wake. thought provoking and well written. I would recommend this book

I'd seen the star studded first episode of Little Big Lies and so reading this book, i was able to put faces on names and I could hear their voices in my head as I read. This book hooks you from the first page. It starts with a murder, one of the parents of Pirriwee Public school is dead. The story works backwards, leaving you guessing at who is dead and who might have had an ulterior motive. It did a very good job of keeping me at the edge of my seat. The mom fights in the playground, the lies, affairs, domestic abuse all from the least expected suspects.
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time, Liane carries you on a journey that will leave you reeling. This is definitely a must read!

I absolutely loved this book. My first ever by the author but I rushed out to buy TMG as soon as I'd finished. Wickedly funny and with wonderful characters, the observational humour was so spot on that I found myself peering round at the school gate mums in a whole new light. Would definitely recommend

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

School politics, helicopter parents, cliques and Chinese whispers........the problems all began at Pirriwee Public Kindergarten's orientation day when a little drama spiralled out of control.

It is Madeleine's 40th birthday and she is struggling to come to terms with this milestone. Glamorous and socially confident, she has made lifelong friends and lifelong enemies along the way, but life has become more complicated lately. Nathan, her first husband, walked out on her when their first daughter, Abigail, was a baby. Since then he has remarried to Bonnie and they've had a daughter. Similarly Madeleine has remarried and had a daughter. Both girls will be starting Pirriwee kindergarten at the same time. Worse still, Abigail adores her new stepmother, Bonnie - a hippy-dippy, alternative type and Madeleine fears that Bonnie is the mother that Abigail would prefer.

Jane is a newcomer to the peninsula and is on her way to the orientation day with her son, Ziggy. She comes to Madeleine's rescue when she twists her ankle badly. Madeleine recognises a soulmate in Jane, a struggling single mother, as Madeleine had been when Nathan left her and Abigail. Madeleine takes her under her wing, introducing her to the Blue Blues beachside cafe, its owner Tom and her best friend - the very beautiful, but damaged Celeste. Jane is slightly in awe of her new sophisticated friends, but they bring her a higher standing and a sense of belonging.

Celeste appears to have the perfect life - great beauty and huge wealth, a loving and highly successful husband who dotes on their twin boys, but why then does she always appear to be so flustered and preoccupied?

In the playground Jane is finding her way round the school politics. Renata, a high-flying career woman is Queen Bee, bolstered by the Blonde Bobs with their special status of being the fundraising mums. The Mummy Wars begin when Renata's daughter, Amabella, claims that Ziggy has tried to choke her, which he vigorously denies. Fuelled by gossip and power struggles the outraged mums take sides and one thing leads to another.

Throughout the story biased comments and rumours by some of the parents are related to the police in the form of asides, so we know where this is leading - that someone will end up dead.

Jane, Madeleine and Celeste hide dreaded secrets behind their masks of normality, but seething resentments and a sinister undercurrent portend the calamitous event.

This story has a satisfying darkness and a mounting anticipation. It's a story of bonds and rifts, smoke and mirrors. That the playground is a jungle for parents will resonate with many mums where lies can be gossip or little white lies or simply suppressing the truth, but sometimes the biggest lies are not the ones we tell, but the ones that cannot be spoken.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Penguin UK and Liane Moriarty for a copy of the ARC in return for an honest review. I highly recommend this book.

I have mixed feelings about this. The characterisation is not very deep and the ploy thin. But, it is a good one to pack when you are away as it will not keep you awake when reading in bed and is pleasant enough for the beach.

Absolutely loved this book, a real page turner and I didn't want to come to the end.

Great book! Couldn't put it down! Loved the story, the characters and the way it was told. Thought the journalist's​ interview interspersed with the story was great. It dealt with domestic violence and other difficult topics sensitively.

Another great read from Liane Moriarty. A fine story that anyone who has waited for their children outside a school can relate too. Rich v poor. Helicopter v uninvolved. Working mum v stay at home mum. The friendships and animosity are all here leading up to the 'event' at the trivia night. Unputdownable.

All I can say is Oh My! This book just makes you keep reading. Having heard of the story before I got the book I knew some of what was going to happen in the book and knew who was going to die but I didn't know how etc and I couldn't put the book down until I found out.

The story follows the lives of Madeline, Celeste and Jane as their kids start the journey through school in kindergarten. You also see some of the story through the other parents of the school. The story covers many controversial topics such as bullying and domestic violence but with great sensitivity and poise.

The characters have great depth and the psychological twists and turns are great.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with loads of twists turns romance and mystery!

Have to admit I started this a bit snootily - I wasn't expecting it to be such a clever read with great character development and some delicate and honest treatment of domestic violence in its reality. Recommended

What an excellent well written book! The story follows a story around women and their children in a small town and a murder that happens which unravels through reading the book! Even if you have seen the tv series (and loved it)

Big Little Lies was such a fab book I couldn't put it down. As usual with Liane great twists and turns throughout and it draws you in from the first few pages. Another fab book by this author.

It took some time to get into the plot but once in it is a story that you can't put down.

Didn't know what to expect with this book and as it went on I thought it was a bit long winded. Boy was I wrong. The plotline was amazing and the way the story was interspersed with the current dialogue was amazing and kept me guessing the end all the way through. Loved every one of the characters and their stories. An excellent read.

Great read, on so many levels!
This made me chuckle, I'm sure most mums can relate in a variety of ways! Playground politics, mums wear the pants and rule the roost! There is however a sobering moment, what goes on behind closed doors and all that... she tells it like it is, real everyday living. One thing is for certain though, you go back to school when the children do!

I couldn't put this down and had to read it in one sitting it was brilliant..so clever!

This is a book that is very hard to put down .It was one of the most entertaining books I have ever read ,a story filled with murder and mystery but funny as well Loved it !!!!!