I was very intrigued to read Our Little World after reading descriptions about it on Goodreads. It instantly was added to my TBR and I love to read any coming-of-age story especially when it comes to thrillers. I loved how the book was set in the early 80s and had a bunch of 80s nostalgia to it. However, the thriller dragged on and was very slow-moving. It took a while for me to actually get into the story and by the end of the book, I wasn't even surprised or shocked when we finally found out "who done it" and killed the little girl from the beginning of the book. I loved how the book looked into the lives of all the different neighbors and how not one of them was safe as far as suspecting they were the killer. The main sister who had diabetes hit home with me as I had a similar story to hers as far as finding out I was diabetic. It shed light on the horrible disease and how hard maintaining your diet truly is as a child and in general. My heart was pulled tremendously during those chapters. However, because most of the characters fell flat to me and I honestly didn't care about most of them this was an average read for me. Not bad but not necessarily a favorite either. I had such high hopes for this one. Maybe too high of hopes. The adults/parents in the novel are absolutely horrible and dislikeable people. The novel does a great job of describing the innocence of youth.

80s girls, this book is for you! Bee is 12 years old in the summer of 1985 when the little girl from across the street goes missing. The shockwaves ripple through the quiet little neighborhood, impacting relationships, even in Bee’s own home with her parents and sister. Unconditional love and the bonds of family are tested in the aftermath.

The nostalgia in this coming-of-age novel is on point, and the prose is beautiful and emotional. As an awkward tween in the mid-80s who also has a close-in-age younger sister, I found the complex mix of emotions – love, loyalty, jealousy, insecurity – to be compelling and completely authentic.

This is Karen Winn’s debut novel, and it’s impressive. I can’t wait to see what the future holds in store for this author! Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for providing me an advance copy of this book.

When 4 year old Sally goes missing, the impact ripples from the families closest to her throughout the whole town. Part mystery, part coming of age - Our Little World by Karen Winn explores the relationship of Bee and Audrina, two sisters who live across the street from Sally. Beautiful Audrina, even her name is beautiful, captivates everyone she meets. Bee, or rather Borka, doesn't think she is or ever will be as special as Audrina. Bee and Audrina's is as simple and as complex as every sister relationship can be. This coming of age novel encompasses jealousy, intrigue, secrets and love as the sisters navigate the disappearance of Sally with each other, their parents and Sally's family. It also explores the reaction of the rest of the town. How do people react in the face of tragedy? What are their motives? The NJ (my home state) setting perfectly depicts my memories of growing up in the 80's, especially the kids on bicycles and the fireflies! Its hard to believe this is a debut novel, as I was totally engrossed from page one and could not put it down. I highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group, Dutton for the advanced copy of this book for my review.

I had a lot in common with the main character B in this story. We’re of a similar age and it was interesting reading about the food, movies, and books from 1985. However, B was an odd person. She did things that I didn’t understand. This story was unsettling and I found the chsrsfrrs to be stilted and disjointed. I finished it, but I didn’t care for it.

I am stunned that this is a debut novel. It’s storytelling is engrossing and the characters so alive. This is a hauntingly beautiful book. I’m going to have this in my head for a long time to come. Sign me up for her next novels and to see this book in a movie.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect and I am so glad I decided to pick it up. This is a debut by Karen Winn that will take you back to the 1980s, where everyone knew their neighbors and crime "never" occurred. Bee and her younger sister, Audrina were living a normal life (with normal sibling drama) when things change forever. One summer day changed everything when they headed to the beach with their neighbors Max and his sister Sally, who ends up going missing. This started a riff in the sisters' bond, exposed neighbors' secrets and shook up a neighborhood where nothing bad ever happened.

This story brought out so many feelings: nostalgia, hopefulness and hopelessness, a love and disdain for the characters. This book was very character driven and I was so impressed that this was Winn's debut novel. I would not hesitate to pick up another book by this author.

Thank you, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Our Little World is a gripping, emotional, haunting, and powerful book. Set in 1985, the story is told from the point of view of Bee, a 12-year-old girl, who lives with her parents and sister in a small town in New Jersey. This is a coming of age story for Bee, as she learns to navigate the world from childhood to being a teenager. We are given an intimate, honest look in to her life as a sister, a daughter, a friend--all relationships that are fraught with pitfalls, tenderness, and heartache. I was especially intrigued by the relationship she had with her sister, Aurdrina, who was the pretty and popular sister. Their clashes felt real, taking my breath away with the conflicting range of emotions between Bee and Drina. This gritty family drama contains a dark mystery at its core--a crime that divides the family, their friends, and their whole community, and further pushes Bee into a world that she can barely comprehend at her age. This is an extraordinary debut novel, multilayered and complex. I look forward to reading more books by this very talented author.

Our Little World
by Karen Winn

Thank you, @kbookwriter, @mbc_books, @duttonbooks for the @netgalley widget and the gifted ARC copy

Thank you, also Karen, for all your support and kindness when I lost my daughter a few months ago. Your compassion and sincerity is truly special and I appreciate it more than you know.

This is a treasure of a book. It is told through the eyes of a young teen girl, “Bee” and her perception of the neighbors, school, and small town in New Jersey. Her relationship with her family, especially her younger sister, Audrina, is such an integral part of the story. During the summer of 1985, a new family with Max, (Bee’s peer), and his 4 year old sister Sally move in across the street, the kids become friends and begin enjoying the summer of swimming and fun. Until the day little Sally goes missing. This begins a time of insecurity, doubts and tragedy.

I was immediately pulled into this book from the beginning and didn’t want to put it down. It is so compelling and intriguing and I loved the references to the 1980’s. The characters and their relationships are so vividly developed and authentic. Any reader is going to relate to the events and feelings of this coming of age story.

This engrossing family drama publishes on 5/3/2022 so be sure get this on your TBR!

Highly recommend

Wow! Powerful coming-of-age novel about the complications of families and relationships and the loss of innocence. Well written and full of nostalgic details of the 1980s. The tragedy of a missing child is resolved by the novel's end, which made for a satisfying closure to a mystery that greatly affected the characters' lives. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such a lovely and well written book. I don’t have a sister, but even still it did a wonderful job capturing the complexities and complications of siblings. And making the older sister Bee be jealous of her younger sister was afresh take on a family rivalry.

I also the author captured the innocence of that time and how a child’s perspective and understanding of the world is limited. The title is very fitting.

I don’t want to get into details or spoilers but I certainly would recommend this book.

What a debut novel, Karen Winn!! Well done! Well done!

"Our Little World" is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age novel with a very complicated, very dark underbelly that captivates as often as it shocks. For you see, this little 1980s New Jersey small town world that Winn has created for us is chock-a-block full of intrigue, betrayal, and jealousy, as well as a "healthy" dose of family ties and family lies! Oh, and as if that's not enough, Miss Winn has thrown in a murder...or two, for good measure!!

As both an avid reader AND a New Jersey girl myself, I found much within the setting and the cultural references that felt totally familiar!
I always enjoy reading about my home state when it's presented in such a way that it's clear that not all of its citizens say "Fuggedaboutit!" and "Yous guys!"

I highly recommend "Our Little World' and cannot wait to see what other little worlds Karen Winn can whip up for us in the future! Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and her publishers for offering me an opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This novel has a release date of May 3, 2022.

#OurLittleWorld
#KarenWinn
#PenguinGroup/Dutton
#NetGalley
#coming-of-age-stories
#the80s

Our Little World is an emotional coming-of-age novel about the love-hate relationship between sisters, lies, and family secrets. Set in the mid-1980s when Bee was 12 years old, she tells about how hard it was growing up, especially when you live under the shadow of the "favorite" sister and dealing with the guilt she felt after the death of her sister Audrina. This book kept me turning pages. I will be watching for more from this author. Thanks to Karen Winn, PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook for an honest review.

I walked into “Our Little World” blindly with absolutely no expectations of what I’d be reading. This is Karen Winn’s debut novel and I was excited to be introduced to a new writer. Growing up in the eighties, I welcomed a story about two sisters coming of age in suburban New Jersey. Bee is the smart, bookish sister while younger sister, Audrina, captures the spotlight. (Like Bee, I spent all of my time reading and riding my bike). Neighbors move in next door, and Max is Bee’s age. But when Max’s sister (Sally) goes missing, the tone and pace of the novel completely changes. I felt swallowed up in this story and might have forsaken some work (shh!) to keep reading.

While the novel does focus on Sally’s disappearance and how it affects both her family and Bee’s, this is really a story about what it’s like to live in your more popular sister’s shadow. The author captures of the nostalgia of the eighties but also the angst of growing up in any decade. Remember your first crush, your first kiss, the first time you realize your parents are humans who can and do make mistakes? It’s all in “Our Little World.” Karen Winn’s prose is amazing—she has really done an excellent job in evoking the tenderness of her protagonist’s voice. Bee has plenty of heart and you cannot help but ache for her when she faces disappointment after disappointment. Even when she chooses to hide a clue about Sally’s disappearance, you can empathize as to why. Did I love this story! These characters are going to stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, Karen Winn for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Our Little World by Karen Winn is a tragic novel in many ways, heartbreaking to read. My thoughts went in the direction of what would I do if my child disappeared and was never found? Or if I had a child who died of cancer? It's horrible to think about, yet made for a very compelling story.

Thank you to the author,PENGUIN GROUP Dutton, Dutton and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was a good keep you guessing book about family drama and secrets but with a well crafted plot and engaging characters.
Thanks for letting me review this book to Netgalley and the publisher

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the digital ARC of ”Our Little World.”

What an impressive debut novel from Karen Winn! I was hooked from the first page. The story of Sally’s disappearance was expertly woven through the lives of sisters Audrina and Bee. It explores the ups and downs of sisterhood, family struggles, and brought me right back to my childhood in the 80s. This book was strong from start to finish and easily five stars. I look forward to future novels from this author!

As people age, some look back on childhood through a rosy, idyllic lens. Our Little World poses a darker reality.

Through her vivid recollections, we inhabit the most intimate recesses of 12-year-old Bee’s mind as she navigates family and friend relationships in the mid-1980s. We know her experiences aren’t uncommon, but to her, the charged dynamics with her pretty, popular sister are consuming. Their issues are further complicated when a new family moves in with an attractive boy their age, and his 4-year-old sister.

When the girl disappears during their lake outing, the whole little community is upturned. Debut author Karen Winn truly immerses us in the mind of a young teen struggling with self-esteem and fitting-in, while trying to understand and deal with a horrifying incident she has directly impacted. When her own sister later becomes ill with a chronic disease, her emotional turmoil increases.

Our Little World skillfully illustrates the complexity of family – and especially sister - dynamics and how they can shape us going forward. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the writing brings the nostalgic era to life. Thanks to Netgalley and Dutton for an ARC of this May 3 release.

Wow, really enjoyed this one. So heartbreaking and beautiful. The story of two sisters, who simultaneously love and hate each other. Like all sisters, right?

Bee is 12 years old, the older sister of Audrina, who is just a year older. Bee is a typical older child, the caregiver and leader of the two. Audrina is the golden girl, the one who never makes a mistake and is always the most beautiful one in the room. Their routine and idyllic summer is shattered when their next door neighbor's four year old daughter goes missing. Nothing is the same ever again.

Audrina and Bee grow older, changed by the disappearance forever. As they get older, they grow closer and then further apart. It seems they are never on the same page.

I don't want to give anything away, but WOW. Such a heartbreaking story. I have three siblings and I can 100% relate to the unforgivable hurt followed by unconditional love that occurs between Audrina and Bee.

Highly recommend!!! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a well written story that engaged me from the beginning. The characters were well fleshed out & the story likes were intriguing. I thought that the time period was an interesting choice having been a child of the 80s myself. I highly recommend reading this novel to figure out what happened & why. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced cop[y in exchange for my honest review

Wow! This book sucked me in from the very first sentence of the first page! I loved the time frame this novel was set in and the characters were so well developed I had very strong feelings (in both directions) for them all. Its not often an author can pull that off so flawlessly. The twists had me guessing right until the very end. Loved this book and was very entertained!