Big Little Lies

Goodreads Synopsis:    Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

My Thoughts:

-    Whoa! This book is packed with so much! It was crazy and amazing all at the same time. 

-    So many forms of abuse were covered: sexual, verbal, physical, etc. It was like an overdose of terrible things, but the writing is so good and every issue was handled so tactfully and realistically. 

-    The kindergarten moms were crazy! I'm scared to get involved with parents at school now. 

-    I loved the mystery aspect of the book. I knew there was going to be murder, but who was going to be and why and how? Trivia Night could not come soon enough. 

-    The language was pretty heavy. There were a lot of f-bombs, and there was even a use of a four letter word that is very degrading to women. I was pretty shocked it was in the book.

-    My heart just ached for poor Celeste and Jane. I had a lot of sympathy for Madeline too. What Abigail did was nuts! Yikes! I don't know how I would handle the situations these ladies were in/were in. 

-    I loved that all three women came out stronger and better because of their experiences, and I love that certain people in the community became closer and better as well. Even though all these horrible things were happening, the ending was filled with hope and happiness. 

-    This is my second Liane Moriarty book, and I can't wait to read more. Her books are like crack.