(Goodreads)

Wow. This novel was exceptional. Each characterization of each of the novels many main characters was done with such precision and care. I got angry at some of them (Ahem, Elena Richardson, I’m looking at you and hubby there) and empathized with both Bebe and Lexi (some choices are so hard to make), but I think Mia resonated the most to me. Her life was absolutely one that I simultaneously would have loved and hated. Traveling because you could, but still taking your kid with you, but also only doing it because you HAVE to, not because you want to.

The Richardsons’ were a well ordered family, that cookie cutter type that we all see in Home and Garden magazines: perfect lawns, big house, 2 kids of each gender, good jobs, etc. Enter Mia Warren, single mom, nomad, photographer. Mia’s past is unknown but Elena makes it her job to know it. And it comes with disastrous results. Occurring at the same time, Elena’s good friend is embroiled in a custody case that divides this perfect little town in Ohio. And that has some interesting some results.

I can’t speak too much on this novel, unfortunately, because any little thing could be a spoiler and this book was just too good to spoil. I think Ng is quickly becoming my favorite author. I remember hating Everything I Never Told You, but then quickly falling in love with it. Now, whether my review of that book holds with this view I have of it now is another thing entirely. But truly, Little Fires will stay with me for a while. The last few pages (or for me, minutes) of this novel were just so utterly and beautiful and devastatingly written, that I actually sat in my car for a few minutes just to soak it all in.

Be sure to check out Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You (here at , if you haven’t already. She really is coming to be a great novelist.

 (find here on Goodreads)

From here, I will leave you. Until next time!