I found this Interesting and topical - very well written would recommend this book.

I can imagine this happening throughout schools and nursery’s - the characters are great and realistic.

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This seems to be the author's first foray into Adult fiction and, at least for me, a very successful one. The premise of this book is whether childhood vaccination should be down to parental choice or become compulsory. It is also about what happens when views are almost mutually opposed . Whilst not being based on the pandemic's vaccination programme there are lots of similar issues around society's expectations.

The characters are cleverly created and mostly likeable although very different from each other. The relationships between them and especially between Clemmie and Alba are well portrayed.

Whilst some of the narrative is predictable it does have a very unexpected twist in the final pages.

This is a very of the moment story- 2 mums who have been best friends since university, opposite in many ways including with views on vaccines. Ultimately this is a heartbreaking read at times but it is written so well that it sweeps you up. This would be a great book club pick.

Ooh, this one was delicious and timely. Vaccinations for children are a hot button topic normally and so much more so because of Covid. The two mums in the book aren't as great friends as they think they are. One of them in particular is controlling and tightly wound.
My sympathies see-sawed between the two families both before and after the terrible incident at the heart of the book. It's not a binary choice between the more careful family and the laissez-faire one. In the end, though, the author shows us whose side she is on.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book.

Topical and thoughtful read about vaccination.

A very interesting subject especially now with the Covid vaccination dilemma facing us. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories twists and turns. The writer described the families and their interactions very well and I was totally sucked in to the situation. It does show what a little knowledge and the internet no doubt, can do to muddy the waters of health issues. That Dr who published erroneous information on vaccines and autism has caused such trouble and heartache for some. This book though it be fiction, should be read by all new parents, it may help them realise how important vaccination is in this day and age of travel and general mixing of populations.

I had my doubts about this book and am glad that I gave it my time. It is an intriguing tale that it quite thought provoking. Superbly put together and very much in the moment with COVID vaccinations as a daily topic.
Brilliant read for any adult. 9/10

A tale of our time, about choices and decisions regarding vaccination. Every choice has consequences, every decision we make has an effect on others..
I enjoyed exploring the themes of entitlement, fear, and misinformation.
What made me lose interest slightly was both Bry and Alba being referred to as 'The girls' or 'Ash's girls'....this choice of wording gave the story a very old fashioned feeling, Bry is a Woman, not a girl. Also, Alba was such a vivacious, lively character for the first part of the book, and then seemed to become an afterthought. Bry and Ash seemed much more concerned about holding onto a friendship with Elizabeth and Jack, than paying attention to their own daughter.
Overall, a good, interesting, and current theme, slightly poorly executed.

All parents face the dilemma of vaccination, something that has been a divisive subject for years. This is a brilliant examination of an ongoing debate with a great legal battle for those who like a courtroom drama.

Elizabeth and Bryony are best friends, neighbours and Godmothers to each other’s daughter. They trust each other to put the safety of their children above all else. Afraid of judgement, Bryony doesn’t reveal the entire truth about her daughter’s vaccinations and the result is catastrophic for everyone.

This is such a timely read given the health choices we have all been forced to confront over the past few years. The narrative goes back and forth easily, and the foreshadowing of some awful event compels you to read on. The values of motherhood are held up against a deep friendship, these two woman are polar opposites in terms of their lives and parenting styles. Despite the differences, the characters are believable and reading from both sides of the story propels you into the situation. Intense, thought- provoking and compelling, this is a book you'll think about a long time after you finish reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing the book.

The Herd is a different type of book I usually read but I really enjoyed this highly debatable read, this would be an ideal book club read as it splits the readers completely.
Elizabeth and Bryony have been friends for years, they are godmothers to each other’s daughters and live on the same street. They are divided though by the MMR vaccine. Elizabeth can’t vaccinate her daughter due to the infant fits she had as a baby and Bryony doesn’t want to vaccinate her daughter due to what happened to her brother when she was young. Both have good arguments but when Bryony lies about her daughter being vaccinated so she can attend Elizabeth’s daughters garden party it leads to very different lives for both women.
This was an interesting read and didn’t feel it was stagnant at any part, the characters were believable and likeable which really helped. I was prepared for the court part of the book to be boring but no this held my attention all the way to the end.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for this Arc I received in exchange for an honest review.

The debate about vaccination has divided opinion. There are people on both sides with total belief that they are right. This story addresses both sides of the argument comprehensively allowing the reader to make their own mind up.
In current covid times, the subject of vaccination is debated daily. My children are grown up but I know adults and parents up and down the country agonise whether to vaccinate themselves or their children. There will always be people who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons and the question is "Should we vaccinate the majority to have 'herd immunity' in order to protect those who can't be vaccinated?"

This story works because the characters seem real and flawed. They all believe that their opinion is correct. I found myself arguing with them for their views. My niggle about one character is explored at the end (I don't want to spoil the story). A satisfying ending.

I've always enjoyed 'horns-of-a-dilemma' types of books. This is one of those books. There were a couple of points that bugged me from fairly early on but a little research on my part sorted one and the other irons itself out as the plot continues, quite dramatically in fact. Very enjoyable and especially apt at present.

I thoroughly was into this book, hook line and sinker.
I didn’t understand exactly how this was going to pan out for me as it was close to what’s happening in the U.K. at the moment with “herding” as regards to jabs/vaccines and Covid.
Except this is MMR and how many parents were scared or ignorant or didn’t want the MMR for their babies for all sorts of reasons.

The fictional families could have been so true to events it was unreal. I could just see the dilemma that many parents experienced. I was one of them. My choices weren’t what some had chosen to do within the pages if this book.

It also shows us….be honest.
It also shows us on how relationships and friendships are fragile and how us parents want what’s best for our child even if others choices are different they still have the same love, the same protectiveness over their child/children as you yourself does.

I got well and truly into this story. Focusing around the main two characters (mothers /friends) and could definitely see both sides.
Each one desperately living their offspring. Mistakes easily made having a domino effect on another with consequences unforgivable. And, unfortunate. But with well meaning at that time.

An engrossing captivating storyline that will truly having you question things.

I’m definitely keeping this author on my radar.

The Herd is very much a book for now with the debate about vaccinations and misinformation so prevalent.
But it is more than just that, its a story family and friendship, of how you can't always take someone and how they behave at facevalue.

Thought provoking.

I was given a copy of The Herd by NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random house publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
If ever there was a book for the time we are living in this is it. The whole debate and consequences of whether to vaccinate or not are covered in this incredible read.
Ideal for a book club read.

The Herd just kept getting better and better until with its final brilliant flourish it relinquished the grip hold it had me in from start to finish.

It examines such a current issue and shows a demonstration of the increasing intolerance for difference of opinion that seems to be the world we're living in.

Elizabeth and Bryony are best friends, and godmothers to one another's daughters. They are polar opposites but have fierce loyalty and love. Until their daughters become sick and Elizabeth unleashes her anger and blame fully onto Bryony.

The beauty of the writing in this wonderful novel, is that the main characters have depth, complexity and characteristics that make them flawed and therefore relatable. We may not like some of Elizabeth's behaviour for example, but when we learn that she had undiagnosed PND, it puts a different slant on things. And we may disagree with Bryony choosing not to vaccinate her daughter, but we cannot fail to be moved by the heartbreak of her brother's disability with its far-reaching effect on the whole family.

I for one, did not see the final brilliant twist in court. I thought I knew, but I didn't, and stories so rarely surprise me anymore, so it made it all the more enjoyable.

There's so much more that's brilliant about The Herd, my advice would be to read it for yourself and enjoy every moment.

‘The Herd’ by Emily Edwards is set in the U.K. between July and December 2019, and while set before the pandemic its themes are certainly relevant to the situation of the past two years and beyond.

The plot focuses on two women, who have been best friends since university. They are very different with Elizabeth being one of those super-organised types very involved in local politics while Bryony is laidback and Bohemian. They live in the same street and are godmothers to each other’s young daughters yet there is one issue that will severely test their friendship.

This book is extremely thought-provoking and definitely one that is bound to spark up a wide range of debates. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was quite the topical read as we all navigate our way through this pandemic, worrying about how safe our vulnerable loved ones are and what we can and should do about it.

Edwards paints a desirable family life. You will recognise the rich, charmed lives from any recent domestic thriller - something has to give, and give it does.

Bryony has been brought up to believe that her violent older brother is autistic due to the MMR vaccine given to him at a year. She has been completely indoctrinated in this view from a young age, and believes it whole-heartedly. She chooses not to vaccinated her daughter Alba.

Meanwhile best friend Elizabeth’s daughter suffered from febrile seizures as a baby and thus is also unvaccinated.

For me, this is where the book falls apart. These two women made the exact same decision for the exact same reason. So the tension that builds seems rather forced. You’ve made the exact same decision as your best friend for the exact same reason and you never discuss it? Despite being in and out of each other’s pockets for years? It’s not very realistic. Yes, vaccination is a hot topic, and an emotional one, but when you agree with someone you are more likely to talk about it than not in my opinion.

The picture painted of the dads who chat about vaccination on their runs, but who don’t really know their kids’ medical history and don’t really delve into these decisions made by the women on behalf of their children is also frustrating. Why are the women so hysterical and why is childhood vaccination solely their domain?

On the other hand, if you can ignore these issues, it’s a gripping read and an emotional one. I did cry at the end, out of love and frustration for the two little girls caught at the heart of the drama.

This was a book that I had requested and then on further inspection wished I hadn't as due to the subject matter I presumed I wouldn't enjoy it.
However, I was recommended to read it despite the subject matter.
The book is about vaccines and herd immunity. Despite my initial thoughts once I hot to around 10% I was hooked.
It us a very cleverly written book with a few central characters and I felt the author split the opinions 50/50, even though I felt myself siding towards one mother.
I've found it hard to review this without any spoilers, so all I can say is read it yourself as I would definatley recommend it.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.

This is definitely a extremely thought provoking read. It makes you have a serious think of the impact of the choices you make not only as a parent, but as a member of society. Fast paced will well developed characters. Definitely one I'd recommend, although perhaps not to someone who suffers from health anxieties.