***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of LITTLE LOVELY THINGS by Maureen Joyce Connolly in exchange for my honest review.***

Claire’s young daughters go missing when she suffers a severe allergic reaction while driving.

I loved the premise of LITTLE LOVELY THINGS and couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the story. The writing style turned me off, but I figured one I got into the plot, I wouldn’t care as much. Unfortunately, the further I read, the more I distracted I became.

LITTLE LOVELY THINGS felt like a British story set in the United States. I understand and expect that I won’t know all the words and phrases when reading Brit Lit. When I’m reading a story written by an American (or so her biography leads me to believe) set in America, I expect primarily American used terminology. I even wondered if Chicago might also be a town in England I didn’t know.

I did enjoy the characters and plot, but because the reading experience brought me no pleasure, I can’t see rating higher than two stars. If you’re not a reader distracted by what I described, you’ll likely enjoy LITTLE LOVELY THINGS more than me.

Lovely Little Things
By Maureen Joyce Connolly
Just an amazing read. I cried and it was dark and I wondered how do you forgive this? He daughters are taken as she falls ill in a restroom. When she passes out in a restroom, she awakes to find her children are missing. A parent's worst nightmare. Claire just touched me deeply. This heart-wrenching story was beautifully written with well-developed characters that kept me guessing until the very end. Just a story you have to read and have the tissues handy.
Thank you, NetGalley, the Publisher and Maureen Joyce Connolly for the advance copy. Wonderful read.

I was unable to wrap my mind around the story. I didn't like how it jumped to different topics and I was lost several times.

I was completely spellbound by this book...a riveting and heart-wrenching story that illustrates how our lives can change in an instant. One minute Claire is the mother of two daughters, happily married, a busy medical resident, in the next moment she is grief-stricken, a shell of her former self. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, turning pages so quickly it was as if they turned themselves. Along with a compelling story, the characters are so wonderfully written that their emotions became mine, as if I were in their skin. This is a beautifully written story as well, lyrical at times but always keeping the story moving at a fast pace.

This book is ablsolutely one of the greatest books I have ever read. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat guessing what would happen next?

This book is so good. As a mom to 3 little ones, it was difficult to read in the beginning because of the heavy topic but I'm glad I stuck with it. It was hard to put down and kept me guessing. It details the stages of grief very well and shows the consequences of tragedy on a marriage. The characters were likeable and the story was well written. Overall a very good book!

I read this book in two days, I simply couldn't put it down and had to step back a few days and then re-read the story for this review. It was riveting and the descriptions very poignant. I especially loved the changing POV that went from chapter to chapter, eventually coming together to complete the story. Ms. Connolly was able to capture the feelings of anxiety, terror, despair and deep depression that come along with knowing that your children are in danger, especially in the case of kidnapping, and being absolutely powerless for it. There were several chapters where we got to see things from the point of view of the eldest daughter and these were especially heartbreaking. For me, this book was an absolute nightmare. I felt angry, sad, depressed, and then angry again. I was practically screaming at the book!. As a mom of two kids it really pulled my heartstrings. I completely understand how the mom (Claire) felt when she was constantly asking herself how she could let this happen, how could people think she allowed this happen, why wasn't anyone doing anything? Why couldn't SHE do anything?! I could see the slow breaking down of her relationship with her husband Glen and the eventual slump of muted acceptance. It utterly tore me apart. I kept reading well into the night because I had to know what happened, I had to find out if the children were saved, I had to know if this family got their happy ending.

If you enjoy a suspenseful story with interesting characters, a very slight hint at the paranormal, and an amazingly realistic view at the aftermath of family tragedy then this is a book you won't want to miss.

Maureen Connoly’s Debut novel is about a couple whose children are abducted from a gas statation while the mother is sick inside the bathroom. It takes a look at how they react to an awful situation as well as what the children go through. She does a great job conveying the emotion of the book. Be forewarned this book is very dark. It keeps the reader guessing wheat will happen next.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was beyond thrilled when I got approved for an ARC of Lovely Little Things on NetGalley. Had no idea what I was getting myself into though. Reading stories of parents and tragic heartbreak are the hardest stories to read. Being a parent myself, trying to put myself in their shoes gives me some of the most powerful emotions when reading a book.

Little Lovely Things left me with such an emotional book hangover it was unreal. One particular chapter had my anxiety so round up that my heart was pounding and I couldn’t catch my breath and I don’t know if I’ve ever had such a physical reaction while reading a book. The author did such a good job of detailing scenes and emotions and thoughts that I really felt like I was there, in that moment.

Another note to the detail from the author, she used different backgrounds that require quite a bit of research to include in this book so you could tell this book wasn’t something she took lightly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars) 2019 is going to be a year of powerful debut authors and Little Lovely Things by Maureen Joyce Connolly is definitely going to be a front runner for book for the year.

Was beyond thrilled when I got approved for an ARC of Lovely Little Things on NetGalley. Had no idea what I was getting myself into though. Reading stories of parents and tragic heartbreak are the hardest stories to read. Being a parent myself, trying to put myself in their shoes gives me some of the most powerful emotions when reading a book.

Little Lovely Things left me with such an emotional book hangover it was unreal. One particular chapter had my anxiety so round up that my heart was pounding and I couldn’t catch my breath and I don’t know if I’ve ever had such a physical reaction while reading a book. The author did such a good job of detailing scenes and emotions and thoughts that I really felt like I was there, in that moment.

Another note to the detail from the author, she used different backgrounds that require quite a bit of research to include in this book so you could tell this book wasn’t something she took lightly.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5 stars) 2019 is going to be a year of powerful debut authors and Little Lovely Things by Maureen Joyce Connolly is definitely going to be a front runner for book for the year.

I actually really enjoyed this!! I love this genre so I was super excited, and I always get a little nervous reading books that haven't had tons of raving reviews (since it hasn't been published yet) but it really really exceeded my expectations!

A parents worst nightmare. Having your children taken from you in broad daylight. Claire finds herself feeling sick while driving to work and having her young daughters in tow. Having to pull over at a gas station where she ends up passing out and only to wake to what can be her worst nightmare as she realizes her daughters are gone. This story will wrap you with so many emotions

This debut author, Maureen Joyce Connolly hit it out of the park with this story of unimaginable tragedy, hope, love, forgiveness, unlikely friendships, chance encounters, and miracles!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC digital copy of Little Lovely Things in exchanged for an honest and unbiased review.

Little Lovely Things by Maureen Joyce Connolly is a well crafted debut novel that was so incredibly hard to put down. Claire Rawlings, mother of two and medical resident faces her worst nightmare and the author takes us all along for the ride.

Claire Rawlings is feeling feverish and things she might pass out on the way to her residencey with her two young daughters are in the car with her. She pulls over and runs to the bathroom at a gas station, where she passes out . When she awakens, her car and her children have gone missing.

In one split moment, everything can change. This book grabbed me by my heartstrings and didn't let go. This heart wrenching story was beautifully written with well developed characters that kept me guessing until the very end.

I just finished this book and I must say that I really liked it. It held my interest to the very end. I enjoy mysteries and this is one that kept me going to the very end.

This book was really good! I enjoyed reading it even though in certain parts it felt like it would break my heart (it did). Still, it was psychologically fascinating with great characters and excellently written. Can't wait to see what comes next from this author because I am a fan!

OH MY! A parent's worst nightmare!
Claire is a busy mother with two beautiful little girls. She is finishing her residency program and is finally almost able to see herself as "Dr. Rawlings". Life is so good.
Then... The unthinkable happens.
Her two daughters are kidnapped!
Claire cannot believe that they are gone! How will she go on? Can her marriage survive? How does she begin to put her life back together?
This is a story of survival, hope, guilt, blame, renewal and friendship.
Each chapter is told by different characters in this journey. Each person has an important role in this book as it spans over 4 years.
I was quick to finish this story to find out how it would all end while holding my breath so many times as I was reading. Definitely kept me turning the pages!

Many thanks to Maureen Joyce Connolly and Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book,Little Lovely Things delves into places that no parent is comfortable going. The story focuses on two little girls that are kidnapped. The aftermath and their lives. Well worth the read, a tear jerked be warned.

I wanted to like this book, I really did because the premise is great and fresh from other thrillers’ missing-kid storylines. Unfortunately the story took a turn I didn’t expect—one where you’re aware of everything going on—and I felt nothing for Claire; she hid her emotions so well that they didn’t reach out to me, and some characters were connected together with such surreal force that I’m left wondering what the book was really about.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the advance copy.

I enjoyed the storyline, but this book didn't hook me until about half way through. I struggled with how I knew what was happening- the reader knows what's going on and I wish there was a bit more mystery to the story. Or maybe going in I thought it was more of a mystery when it's not supposed to be. It hurt my heart in places, so for me, that's a positive because it means I connected with the characters. Little Lovely Things was super well written, I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from Maureen Joyce Connolly.