A very disturbing but clever book about motherhood and a group of children who become afflicted with the urge to drink human blood. It’s a book that requires a strong stomach but it’s worth persevering with for its sharp insights into motherhood and what it takes to be a parent.

I am sorry to say that I really didn't like this book. It was full of unlikable characters, and just wasn't a good read for me.

Experience an extraordinary journey like no other with this captivating arc that breaks new ground in storytelling. From the very beginning, you'll be drawn into a world of boundless creativity and imagination.

This arc showcases the author's exceptional talent for crafting captivating narratives that will keep you hooked until the last page. With each twist and turn, you'll find yourself eagerly anticipating what happens next, unable to put it down.

The diverse cast of characters adds depth and richness to the story, making their journeys feel real and engaging. You'll become emotionally invested in their lives as their paths intertwine, creating a sense of familiarity and excitement.

One of the standout features of this arc is its ability to transport you to extraordinary realms. The vivid descriptions and imaginative world-building will immerse you in a breathtaking universe, filled with wonders and surprises.

At its core, this arc explores profound themes that will resonate with readers. Love, sacrifice, redemption, and the complexities of power are skillfully woven into the narrative, provoking thought and leaving a lasting impact.

With its unique storytelling and immersive experience, this arc is a must-read for those seeking an exceptional literary adventure. Get ready to be captivated by its magic and to be taken on a journey that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

3.5 Stars. A bold and unique premise attracted me to this book by an author I had not read before.
The three POV characters were frustrating at times and not always likeable. I found it confusing at first trying to keep track of which parents had which children. I would like to see lists of characters at the begining of books.
Thought provoking and entertaining at times, with witty dialogue and laugh out loud moments, especially the scenes where the children were interviewed. Well developed plot with insightful observations about the pressures of modern day motherhood and all its surrounding social commentaries and expectations.
A whodunnit murder mystery with a surprising jaw dropping ending that I did not see coming.
Definitely one of the weirdest books that I have read so far but interesting.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is deep, dark and strange. Not a comfortable read at all. It was a bit more dystopian feeling than I had hoped, as this genre isn’t a favourite of mine.

Characters are generally unlikeable - but there is no redemption for this.

An interesting premise, but not as well executed as I would have hoped.

The plot is as deep and dark as it gets, multi-layered with 'who knew what when?' as the strands come together and the finer details get filled in. This is an absolutely compelling, gripping book full of mystery and suspense. Only a few authors can write deeply involving psychological drama of the very highest quality.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I 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 to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I found this a strange read. I do not read horro stories or those about vampires and this is what I got.The children were all treated as 4 year old brats and rulers of the home I found it strange that th even just ignored what went on and might as well not have even been around and the women all treated their children like royalty.
The murder and yesteryear part was well told but it played a small part to the vampire children. I did not like the mums either as they were so unreal with their behaviour and attitudes to each other.
I would have preferred more of the genre mystery and less of the horror genre.

A very bizarre story but also darkly funny . I found the blood and the children a little bit disturbing but the plot was interesting. I found it hard to put down as I got hooked and wanted to see how it would end . I enjoyed the book even though it wouldn’t be normally something I would pick to read

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Vintage for the ARC of this book.
Sorry this book was not for me at all. I found it hard to like any of the characters at all they were all too self obsessed and didn’t focus at all on their children which at under school age they should have done. The husbands were also extremely useless and disconnected from their families.
Not a writer I want to read again.

Cutting Teeth by Chandler Baker is a gripping and darkly humorous exploration of motherhood, identity, and the complexities of parenting. Darby, Mary Beth, and Rhea, three friends navigating the challenges of raising young children, find their personal quests disrupted when a disturbing medical condition spreads among the pre-schoolers: a craving for blood.

Baker skilfully delves into the pressures and desires of these mothers as they grapple with reclaiming their individuality amidst the demands of motherhood. The author weaves a suspenseful narrative, combining the unsettling medical mystery with a murder investigation, as the children become both witnesses and suspects in a tragic crime.

The characters are multidimensional and flawed, with Baker capturing the nuances and contradictions of their experiences. The blend of humour and darkness adds depth to the story, creating a thought-provoking exploration of societal expectations and the sacrifices made in the name of motherhood.

Cutting Teeth is a compelling and engaging novel that tackles provocative themes with skill and sensitivity. Chandler Baker's sharp writing and keen observations make this a standout read for those interested in exploring the complexities of modern motherhood.

I'm not really sure what I was expecting to be honest! I thought this was an interesting read and the storyline was good however I do think I was expecting more around the children and their 'condition'. I did enjoy seeing how the mums story unfolded and did not expect the ending to be as it was.

Unexpected..
Original and unexpected, this richly imagined tale of a seemingly perfect nursery - the Little Academy- may well have the reader’s teeth on edge, if they can get past all of the blood. Nothing is as it seems and when a murder occurs suspects are beyond numerous - that includes the children. Satirical, darkly humorous and edgy, with an underlying narrative on the despairs of motherhood itself. These children may well drain the life out of you.

What a weird and creepy book. I kept getting a bit confused with the different characters, and with the plot to be honest. I can’t say I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it’s worth 3 stars because some parts made me laugh out loud. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

I didn’t really “get it”.

I thought this would be a bit of a horror and then I thought it was a satire and a play on the deeper issues, and then I didn’t know.

I think this is a murder mystery using a known phenomenon as an anchor point.

For me it felt confusing, and too packed with characters and events to make any real sense of the meaning.

Miss Ollie is the perfect kindergarten teacher but the littles ones in her class are prone to biting - hard enough to draw blood. And then she is found dead in her school. The biting gets worse, a syndrome where children need blood is identified and soon parents are supplying their children with drinks of blood. Meanwhile the police investigation into Miss Ollie's death appears to be focusing on one of the children.

What I liked about this book: I liked the focus on the different parenting styles, the relationships between the parents and all the politics of the school playground. In that sense there is a similarity with the works of Liane Moriarty. I didn't identify the murderer.

What I didn't like: The blood. To misquote Macbeth, 'who knew the book had so much blood in it?' Somehow I had't picked up on this - I think I saw the comparison to Liane Moriarty and thought 'that''ll do me - and i wasn't prepared for how nauseating it was. There's also an awful lot of repetition as we are prone to the thoughts of the various parents.

Overall, I found it an uncomfortable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

I did not enjoy this book as much as I was expecting. Not realizing that children biting and craving the taste of blood is a known syndrome, I thought at the beginning that this was going to be more of a horror story rather than a murder mystery! It is all that and more. I deals with just how far a parent will go to protect their children. I did struggle with the characters and how they were intertwined with each other. I had to re read sections to understand the complexity of all the relationships, and because of that I felt I lost the 'thread' of the story a little. Although I finished the book it was not really a story for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for the advance copy.

Cutting Teeth, Chandler Baker

I was excited about reading Cutting Teeth, especially as it said it was to be particularly enjoyed by fans of Lianne Moriarty and Big Little Lies.

I’m not sure if it was me, but I kept getting lost with the characters and found myself having to read and re-read and search back for who everyone was. It didn’t help that I didn’t particularly like the characters, and I felt there was not enough information about them.

I struggled with the storyline (despite this being a known syndrome), but for me, it felt unrelatable and despite really wanting to enjoy it, I didn’t. I felt that this book was pitched at an adult market but would be appreciated more by young adults/teens.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a copy of this book, I rate it 2 stars.

This is a juicy but bizarre book. The plot is insanely genius and the descriptions are riveting. A book that will be good to review in book club as there will be plenty to discuss!

A very unusual story exploring a syndrome involving children craving blood to drink. It seems so unlikely that i googled it and it is a real syndrome. The story revolves around a search for a killer and the terrifying thought that it could be a small child.
I found it slow to start with but it gained pace and my interest as it progressed. I found that the reader is almost forced into detective mode trying to work out who committed the crime.
There are really funny statements based on excellent observation of parents of small children! These suddenly appear in the middle of quite serious investigations.

Being a mother myself, I could relate mostly.
I would drawer the line at letting my kid drink my blood though.
The book moved along at a good pace. I had my suspicions who the murderer was and eventually
was proved right, although I did doubt myself towards the end.
The story was a bit bizarre but enjoyable.