First of all thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an ARC to give an honest review!

Baby Teeth is told in alternative characters between Suzette the mom and Hannah the seven year old child. There were plenty of cringing, nail biting, on the edge of your seat moments in this book. What Hannah does and thinks is so creepy! Loved the creep factor to everything. That being said the rest of the book just didn’t flow well. The Dads responses to most things was very unrealistic. Another thing is one sentence they would be doing one thing and then the next sentence they would be doing something completely different. The transition from scene to scene was not a smooth transition. I had to reread parts just to make sure I was reading it right.
The book was also a tad bit long. There were certain parts I feel could have been shortened so the ending could be more elaborated on. Because the ending kinda let me down. I’m still left wondering if the mom was also mentally off or if she was just a selfish person. I ended up feeling sorry for Hannah and honestly would have loved an epilogue on her future self. I would love to read another book like this but one that’s executed better.

Baby Teeth is unlike anything I’ve read before. Told through alternating narratives, SAHM Suzette and seven year-old Hanna, Baby Teeth is spooky, entertaining and heavy. Hanna doesn’t speak any words and yet Baby Teeth gives us a front row seat into her complicated, terrifying mind where she admits to wanting to harm and ultimately murder her own mother. Suzette’s OCD and anxiety are the forefront in her story as she tries to navigate the love she has for her child and the fear she has for her safety. Hanna’s father, Adam, is blissfully unaware for most of Baby Teeth. His ignorance is frustrating and yet believable, as works outside the home he gets only a small glimpse into Hanna’s carefully calculated behavior in the evenings. Hanna is depicted in a way that is difficult to imagine
As a mother to a seven year old, I found myself torn between wanting to love Hanna as a mother would and truly being afraid of her mature and morbid thoughts. Baby Teeth has stayed in my mind for days as I’ve tried to process what really happened in this story. It was a difficult and challenging read, mostly uncomfortable for the reader. And yet, so entertaining, interesting and thought – provoking. While this is not typically my favorite genre, I recommend this if you enjoy physiological stories that border on horror.
** Thankful to the publisher and Netgallery for providing a copy of Baby Teeth in exchange for an honest review **

WOW! I cannot stop thinking about this book... It was so creepy and makes me glad I don't have children. I really liked how the story was told from both points of view - Hanna as the child and Suzette as the mother. Hanna, a 7 year old, really did not like her mother.... to the point of attempting to murder her (and actually coming pretty close for a 7 year old). It was a little unrealistic that a 7 year old could be so manipulative and diabolical, but it wasn't outrageous in my opinion. I really hope this turns into a movie - it would be a good one! Also, ended on a minor cliffhanger, so hoping there is a sequel!

Thanks to Zoje Stage, the publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book sent shivers down my spine! Hanna is evil, I'm sorry to say that about a child but she is. Her attitude, her behavior, the way she treats her mother...........if she were my child i might be tempted to beat her little rush until she couldn't sit down. Suzette has been through so much in her life and to end up with a child like Hanna is very sad. Not many books in my lifetime have been able to creep me out but this book definitely did!!!!!

Just finished the ARC of Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage. Hard to believe this is the author’s first book because the writing style is excellent and I enjoyed the alternating narratives between the mother and daughter. I requested this book due to all the positive reviews and people raving about it in my book club. However, if I had read the description before requesting it, I would have known this book was NOT for me! I definitely did not enjoy the storyline, it made me feel sick, and I will be having nightmares for weeks to come. That being said, I can imagine people loving this book! It is suspenseful and a psychological thriller that will have everyone talking.

Hanna is definitely creepy, but that said I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I found the story to be mostly unbelievable. That being said, I feel a sequel would help to finish off Hanna's story. I felt the author had the power to write a truly evil child but I think she may have been afraid to go there. I guess I was just expecting more.

3.5 stars Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage delivered a fast-paced, twisted tale that will set the reader on edge. Dark, creepy and disturbing you won't be able to look away. . What do you do when daddy's little girl wants mommy dead?

Perhaps I am the only one, but I did not enjoy this book at all. No characters to be sympathetic to or to even understand, just a horrible feeling and dark cloud overhead the entire time.

You guys. Baby Teeth is probably one of the weirdest books I have ever read in my entire life. I had read the description prior and knew the book was about a child who wants to kill her mother, but I honestly never expected it to be so outlandish.

The chapters are alternative perspectives between Suzette and Hanna - Alex is mostly out of the picture at work or whatever, and is completely oblivious to everything happening around him. It's a twist on the classic "daddy's little girl" and also pitting females against each other, except in this case one of the females is a seven year-old child. Seriously, so weird. This book has been compared to We Need to Talk About Kevin, which I haven't read, but I've watched the movie - and I can totally see the comparison, though I feel Kevin (as a film anyways) did it much better and seemed much more real, I guess.

I mean, it's obviously been a while since I was seven, but the thought process of this child - is there any kind of realistic significance to what's going on? I can't figure out if this novel is a take on mental illness, or spiritual possession, or it's just all for fun. It's definitely a horror novel in many ways, but very much psychological thriller as well. I was just so over it almost as soon as I began and it seriously took me over two weeks to read it, which is very much unlike me. (I'm also bitter because this was the last book I read in May, which caused me to only read five books, instead of six, which has been my monthly average so far this year. Ugh!)

I also felt the writing was very choppy and honestly, hard to follow at times. Suzette's condition was such a major point, but I felt like something was missing from the story when discussing it. Like, it was discussed a lot without there being valuable content behind it. There was also no true climax to the story really, and the entire thing just fell totally flat for me. It definitely missed the mark, which was unfortunate because the marketing behind it was soooo promising!

Sadly, I would not recommend.

This book is CREEPY AF! And I gobbled up every deliciously freaky disturbing morsel of it.

Hanna is Looney Tunes - she's like the Poltergeist girl, Firestarter and The Shining twins all wrapped into one with a hearty dash of Chucky. I loved every minute. What is creepier than a cute little kid who wants to kill her mom? I dare you to find something more disturbingly fantastic. Serious anxiety and massive doses of weird are peppered throughout in just the right amounts. I didn't want it to end, but I thought it was flawless from start to finish.

Suzette and Alex seem to be super cool modern parents. I picture them as hipster artists, living in a gorgeous modern home designed by Swedish green architect Alex. Suzette's incredible drawings hung on the walls and her beautiful interior design skills evident throughout. They are so in love and seem to have a perfect little beautiful girl named Hanna. She's adorable and so smart and oh, maybe just a smidge of BAT SH*T CRAZY.

Her "quirks" start pretty tame - she doesn't speak. And 6 years old - not a peep. Cue the creepy child music... soon, she's writing weird, angry messages to her mom, and getting kicked out of schools. Her mom has taken her to endless doctor appointments and had her development skills tested to no avail, but is still convinced there is something wrong with her child. And slowly, with every act of rebellion towards her, Hanna is beginning to scare her. Like, a lot.

The fact that Hanna ADORES Alex, and will do anything for him, is Suzette's biggest struggle. How does she get it through to her husband that the child he thinks as a sweet loving little girl, is trying to kill her? Everything Hanna does is when it's just the two of them. She is calculated, and devious. Is she a witch? Possessed by the devil? Psychopathic? Suzette is losing the battle trying to figure out what is wrong with her child. It's only a matter of time before she plunges a knife through her mother's heart!

There's a lot of talk about this book. I think if you don't like creepy murderous kids, it's probably not the book for you. But this books takes risks, and for us thriller/horror fans, they are applauded. Zoje Stage is at the top of my list of new favorite writers. The marketing campaign behind this book is smart and you can even follow one of the 'characters' adventures on Zoje's Instagram - which is hysterical!

I loved every minute of this book. I will be first in line when Zoje Stage writes the next one.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley. Thank you to the publisher St. Martin's Press. The title and description are what caught my attention. Absolutely loved this gripping novel! Full of suspense between mother and daughter. Just when you think that the little girl has gone too far, she pushes beyond any mold of reason. Honestly, I do wonder what will become of the characters and would love a part two as Hanna grows into her teen years.

The story is told in alternating viewpoints of the mother and child. Hanna loves her father a bit too much to be considered healthy at all. And she is unreasonable in her obsession. She doesn't want to share him with her mother at all. Suzette struggles to get her husband and Hanna's father to see the truth about the situation with Hanna's behavior. Mother faces issues of guilt as Hanna's behavior spirals out of control into dangerous territory, repeatedly. The father is oblivious since Hanna acts more like a saint in his presence, while she's a devil towards anyone else.
This book was disturbing, in that "can't put down...what next?! level of suspense. I am in awe of the author's story and writing in this debut novel. The title is perfection! I look forward to more works from this author.

If the description of the book appeals to you, I think you'll enjoy it. I'd put it in the category of un-put-downable, but to be honest, at the same time it isn't the type of book that sticks with you long after reading it. I'd recommend it, again, for someone who likes the description, and is looking for a quick, enjoyable read. Without giving anything away, I was disappointed by the ending, BUT would be thrilled if there were a sequel.

This book was right up my alley, a creepy kid, a couple that saw the child in two different very ways. I enjoy a book that keeps moving and I want to finish as soon as I can to find out how it ends. This book did that for me. I am sure it is not for everyone but if you enjoy a little creepy and some twists this is a good one.

My Review of “Baby Teeth” by Zoje Stage St. Martin’s Press July 17, 2018

WOW! WOW! WOW! Kudos to Zoje Stage , author of “Baby Teeth” for writing such a chilling, horrific, frighteningly intense and captivating story. Kudos to St. Martin’s Press for their marketing strategies. The letters, the postcards, everything leading up to reading this novel was such a tease and so amazing. The Genres of this Novel are Fiction, Mystery and Thriller with Suspense thrown in.

The author describes her colorful dysfunctional cast of characters as complex, and complicated . Suzette is having a really difficult time being a Mom. She suffers from Crohns disease for years, and when she is stressed this triggers her symptoms. Suzette is very artistic has a creative loving husband. Hannah is their seven-year old selectively mute daughter. Hannah seems so sweet and loving to her dad, but hasn’t bonded with her Mom well at all. Lets just say that this sweet little girl has been thrown out of schools, and is extremely manipulative.

Hanna just wants to love and live with her Daddy. Is that too much to ask? Mom has to home school Hanna, but Hanna has other ideas. Dad doesn’t see what Mom sees. This reminds me of the Twilight Zone Episode “It’s A Good Life” (1961). (about a little boy) This also makes me think of “The Exorcist”. Actually, I think this novel has all the ingredients of being a movie, one that you perhaps shouldn’t watch before you go to sleep.

I highly recommend this intriguing , sharp, twisted, edgy, page turner for those readers who enjoy a chilling and thrilling read. I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Just a little bit too creepy for me! I think this will be a hit for many people, however, I was a bit uncomfortable. I definitely applaud Stage for the unique and fresh premise which is my reason for the 3 stars, but the plot itself was a bit lost on me.

Thank you so much to netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the kindle version of babyteeth! Wow! From the first page I was hooked! I couldnt believe the depth of evil and jealousy of Hanna! I felt so sorry for her poor mother! She tried so hard to help her and felt so alone! I was drawn into each chapter of the book and wondering what was going to be happening next! I couldn’t believe how Hanna’s jealousy progressed! Ok I won’t give anymore away! Make sure you read this book when it comes out ! I will be recommending this book to friends and family!

Couldn't finishing book. It just didn't work for me on any level. You may have a different experience than I did.

Baby Teeth felt like a book of many levels to me. There's the thriller aspect, where Hannah is just terrifting. It fell a little short on the thriller aspect to me. While the thought of your child acting with such hatred to you is horrible, I felt like the things she was doing while channeling her alter-ego came up weak.
There's also the whole parenting side of the story. Is Hannah acting this way due to environmental factors? Was she crazy? Could she actually be possessed? There were many parts that put the parents under scrutiny by the reader.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. It made you think, yet also was light entertainment. I did have slight issue with the end. Why? Well, I won't give spoilers so I guess you'll just have to read it to find out!

A seemingly perfect family is the center of this thriller of a debut from former filmmaker Zoje Stage.
Baby Teeth takes the love-hate relationship between a mother and her daughter to a new level and will make you question just how far can a mother stretch her love for a child who keeps pushing her.

Told from the point of view of emotionally-exhausted Suzette and precocious but silent Hanna in interchanging chapters, mother and daughter play protagonist of their own stories, and each other’s antagonist.

Stay-at-home mom Suzette loves her daughter, but Hanna is making it hard for her. Gone is the dark-haired angel she brought to life replaced by an intelligent but devious, cunning and manipulative child with the full intent to harm her. With a husband who is too blind to see that there is something wrong with their child, Suzette is backed into a corner helpless as she fears for her life and watches as her idealized, perfect family falls apart.

Hanna loves her father and she wants him all to herself. With the help of a late 17th century witch as her imaginary friend, she finds her voice and plot ways to get rid of her mother, the only person who stands in the way between her and daddy.

I have to be upfront, Baby Teeth was a tough book to read. There were parts I loved and parts I didn't. I will try to detail both polar ends as much as possible in this review without spoiling the story starting with the things I liked about this book.

Baby Teeth is a well-written book. Zoje Stage is sure to hook readers, reel them into her story with her snappy, straightforward writing. It's jarring, but she does not sugarcoat things, neither does she go into unnecessary detail - what you see is what you get no matter if you like it or not.

Another thing that I really love about Baby Teeth are the characters. Stage's characterization of both Suzette and Hanna is so strong you could just imagine them pop out of the pages. These two characters are the heart and soul of this book, driving the plot and moving the story with every step, every decision they make, which is a testament to just how perfect Stage played Suzette and Hanna against each other.

Now, for the parts that could have been done better.

From start to finish, I had one major problem while reading Baby Teeth - I couldn't suspend my disbelief - and the reason for this, Hanna. Though she speaks like a 7-year old, the way she thinks is more apt for a 12-year old, which is why I just can't picture her as she is described in the book. The whole time I was reading the book I find myself asking myself this question: "Can a 7-year old really make very detailed plans?" And the answer I keep on getting from both a personal and professional viewpoint: "No". It just stopped me from fully enjoying the story, which takes a big chunk of how I rate books.

Still, Baby Teeth is a worthy read. It's a strong, controversial debut, and I'm sure other people will love it. I guess, it just wasn't for me.

This was one of the most disturbing and messed up books I've read in a LONG time. Enjoyable writing style, I'd pick up something else by this author.

As a mother, this book really bothered me. I think all parents deal with issues, many of them they can't readily share with others for fear of being judged. If society was more open and understanding about mental health, perhaps parents wouldn't have to navigate through a mine field of shame and guilt. Hanna is clearly troubled. I would have liked the story to really hone in and when and why her anger at her mother manifested and when she transferred all of her love to her father.

Suzette made me so frustrated. She kept anguishing over the events caused by Hanna and the injuries Hanna gave her but never once did she consider installing a few video cameras, a Net Nanny, to catch Hanna in the act. Maybe this could have been solved much sooner, maybe Alex wouldn't have kept thinking Hanna was a sweet adorable child, would have seen she was a nasty little monster.

And Alex...I wanted to throttle him. Such an oblivious idiot. I kept fearing he might actually be in cahoots with Hanna. Now THAT would have been a disturbing twist!

The ending was doubly disturbing. I fear for this family when Hanna comes home.