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In The Best Interest of the Child

(In The Best Interest of the Child #1)

Felicia Denise (Goodreads Author)

4.68 · Rating details · 28 ratings · 14 reviews

Severely injured in an accident that forever changed her life, 10-year-old Olivia becomes another faceless, underserved child in foster care. With no time to mourn or grieve, the young girl is easy prey for uncaring social workers and ambivalent foster families.

Olivia quickly learns to hold her tongue and mask her emotions. Even when exposed to neglect, bullying, and assau ...more

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Kindle Edition, 310 pages

Published September 30th 2016 by Crybaby Books

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· 28 ratings · 14 reviews

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May 24, 2019 James rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1-fiction, 8-authors-i-know, 9-read-2019-05-may

What a surprising book! I knew it would be good because I've read author Felicia Denise's reviews of other novels, interacted with her on social media, and visited her blog; however, there were so many different levels and components in the story, I really connected with it beyond expectations. And that's saying a lot because I am very far removed from the primary topics and experiences it covers. Kudos to the author for capturing this reader's attention and making my flight across the country q What a surprising book! I knew it would be good because I've read author Felicia Denise's reviews of other novels, interacted with her on social media, and visited her blog; however, there were so many different levels and components in the story, I really connected with it beyond expectations. And that's saying a lot because I am very far removed from the primary topics and experiences it covers. Kudos to the author for capturing this reader's attention and making my flight across the country quite entertaining and heartwarming.

Olivia was victimized in foster care ~25 years ago. Her father was killed, her mother's memory practically erased in an accident. Despite everything that happened to her, Olivia pushed herself to become a successful lawyer who helped other children in similar situations. The only issue... her emotional confidence and ability to open up to others never fully developed. She threw herself into work and closed the doors to many things in life. But then life throws her a curveball with a case about a young girl in a very similar situation who needs help. Olivia agrees to take the case, but it's far worse than she imagined: corruption, evil, family, secrets, and theft. On the flip side, the temporary family who is looking out for the young girl's interest is amazing, and there's a sexy uncle with a crush on Olivia. What's a girl to do?

My favorite aspect of this book is the writing style Felicia Denise has chosen to employ. After much build-up regarding the awful side of the family who is trying to gain custody / oversee the case (hard to explain, but I don't want to give anything away), readers will feel anger and frustration over the lengths selfish people go to steal from others. At the same time, we watch Olivia assemble information to protect the child, but we don't necessarily know what facts she's learning from all her meetings. We see her interact with others but through summaries while she's getting to know the temporary family. It's a wonderful approach because when the case goes to court to make the decision, EVERYTHING comes out and Olivia looks AMAZING. I had this jittery excited moment where I'm thinking... "Go Olivia, go!" I loved this approach and commend the author on igniting my passion for her story.

At some point, Olivia decides to give in to her feelings for the girl's uncle whom she's met and gone on a few dates with. The book completely changes in this chapter when we see Olivia's barriers removed, and readers are treated to a passionate, vivid physical encounter, what I imagine is along the lines of a romance novel. I'm not a huge reader in that genre, so I can't really compare... but it was quite strong and had a lot of contrast to the emotional tugging over what was happening to the young girl and Olivia's heartbreak. I didn't expect it and was like... wait... did I change books? All good tho, as it was tightly written, showcased the author's range, and made me thoroughly excited for Olivia.

Well-written, tons of heart, lots of pain (in a good way), and provides proof that readers should chance reading different styles. I look forward to my next book by this author, as I hear there may be a sequel coming! ...more

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Oct 31, 2016 Katherine (KWBookReviews.com) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-of-color, for-review, thrillers, its-so-good-ill-read-more-than-once

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

“In The Best Interest of the Child” is a romance/psychological novel by Felicia Denise. Olivia Chandler, the protagonist, is a child advocate attorney with a difficult past. At the age of ten, she was involved in a car accident which resulted in having her entered into the foster care system. She suffers through years of abuse and is nearly raped but when she leaves foster care she is determined to become a child attorney. As an adult, she firmly believes in her right to fight for kids like her who, at the time, can’t fight for themselves. When Judge Dennison, Olivia’s mentor and friend, assigns her a case with a little girl named Rena who is danger of being put into foster care, Olivia’s life unexpectedly changes.

Not only is Rena’s situation eerily similar to her own but while working on the case, Olivia experiences trauma when remembering her own childhood. Doing the best she can, the Bellamy family, the people who are currently taking care of Rena, treat her like a member of their own family. This is hard for Olivia, since she has never been surrounded by that much love in a long time. Also, to make things even more complicated, a member of the family named Bruce Bellamy is very interested in Olivia and isn’t afraid to show it. She knows she likes him back but says she is too involved in her work to be dating right now. Although he can’t take no for an answer.

Will Olivia be strong enough to fight for Rena’s right to stay out of foster care and with the Bellamys? Will she be able to let herself be with Bruce, a man she really likes? Most importantly of all, will she be able face and conquer her own psychological suffering?

“In The Best Interest of the Child” is well written with round, interesting characters. Olivia Chandler is honestly the type of woman I aspire to be in life. She is strong, confident and not afraid to show people what it means to act like a genuine human being. She is definitely flawed- she has a very hard time addressing her past (which I mean, who could blame her?) But by the end of the novel she understands that not everything is always okay, which is okay. She understands that like Rena, she needs time to grieve since she didn’t get to when she was a kid.

I completely agree with the idea that to be apart of a family, you don’t have to be blood related which is one of the prominent themes in this novel. The Bellamy family, as quirky as they are, certainly know how to love people for who they are. I loved seeing the way they would all interact with each other, it was touching and funny at times. Bruce Bellamy especially hit a chord with me. He is practically every girl’s dream and I love that he was able to shine with Olivia, and that they both realized they needed each other to stay sane.

Overall, I really, really liked this book! I thought it was different and unique from any court story I had read before and I fell in love with all of the characters. Denise’s gift of storytelling is beautiful. The story had a very nice pace, it wasn’t so fast that you figured everything out right away but it also wasn’t so slow that you got bored at any point. And, spoiler alert, although it was a good ending, there is a cliffhanger which made me scream (but in a good way!) I wanted to read the whole book in one sitting but had to pace myself because I wanted to savor the wonderful words that Felicia has written. I am so glad I did, because I feel like I got so much out of it- not only did I learn more about what goes on in a court, I also learned what it means to be an admirable woman. I CANNOT wait to read the next book! I suggest this book to anyone who is 18 or older, only because it does involve/mention violence, rape, and other emotional triggers. Otherwise, I think you’ll become obsessed with this book very quickly- I know that I did! ...more

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Nov 26, 2016 A.C. Melody rated it it was amazing

Title: In The Best Interest of The Child
Author: Felicia Denise
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Psychological/Romance
Rating: 5 Wholehearted ♥‘s

I want my own Bellamy! Before you get any ideas, it’s not just for the man, himself – but his entire cray-cray, laugh-out-loud, we do everything with passion family! Grab your box of Kleenex, you’re going to cry, especially when you laugh. Grab your beverage of choice and a guilty pleasure kind of snack, because oh yeah…it’s that kind of book.

Olivia Chandler has bee ...more

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Nov 27, 2017 L.S. rated it it was amazing

I fell upon this book by chance, seeing it listed under the 'customers also bought' category. The title just drew me in, and the story that followed did much the same thing. It didn't matter that I knew nothing about the topic (foster care and the legal system in the US) because the author filled in the gaps for me, but she did it through an engrossing story and a shedload of captivating characters.
Olivia Chandler is not your everyday child advocate; she doesn't just empathise with these kids, ...more

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Jan 17, 2017 Didi Oviatt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

LOVED IT!! In The Best Interest of the Child by Felicia Denise is a powerhouse novel, overflowing with emotion and real life messages that quite frankly NEED to be said. This book gives insight into legal AND personal prospective when it comes to DCS and the U.S. foster program. It does it in such a way that makes you feel very personally attached, not only with facts but also with very heart wrenching emotion.
The main character, Olivia Chandler, is a very prominent child advocate attorney, and ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Marquessa rated it it was amazing

In The Best Interest of You to Read This Book!

Debut novelist Felicia Denise definitely knows how to capture her readers’ attention with the depths of the characters she presents along with the layers of subplots that support the main storyline very well.

Without giving away too many Easter eggs, Olivia Chandler, lawyer and child advocate, is a complicated and tough woman who has no time for games. But the reader soon discovers the "why" behind Olivia's approach to life and those around her. It's ...more

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Sep 09, 2017 Jeanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fun

This story explores and interesting topic, family court, that frequently is cited as not in the best interests of children. One attorney made a difference. I wish this was an example of things to come but I really am afraid this wonderful story is an exception rather than the rule.

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Jan 21, 2017 Kiru Taye rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-s-fiction

This story is full of heart. Olivia is a woman who works so hard to protect children but she carries the weight of her past and we wonder if she'll ever find love and happiness. That's until Bruce.

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Jun 18, 2017 Angelina Kerner rated it it was amazing

Book Title: In the Best Interest of the Child #1
Book Author: Felicia Denise
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Source: K.U.
Rating: 5 stars

NOTE: This book is intended for 18+ only due to language, sexual activity and scenes of child abuse and near-rape. Those with emotional triggers should reconsider purchasing this book.

Side note: R&R Blog Tours shared with me a sign-up for a cover reveal for the second book in the series by Felicia Denise. I decided to read the first book before being ...more

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Jan 23, 2020 Natasha Blackthorne rated it it was amazing

Wow, what a heroine. Olivia Chandler is an amazing woman. She's got such a wonderful mind and heart. Not to mention her iron-will and determination to see a goal to the end. But she's so understated, so natural, so relatable that this fact slips up on the reader as the compelling, emotional story moves along. I just couldn't wait to turn the pages and continue the journey with her. I love this kind of story within a story. The mysteries she must solve are not only to save a young girl but are al ...more

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Jan 28, 2018 Becca McCulloch rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A dedicated child lawyer finds love and healing

A sweet (and spicy) love story housed within a story of child protection. Olivia had faced the dangers when child protection falls short of its goals. She passionately commits to protecting children through the practice of law. The legal pieces were my favorite, the spots where the writing really glimmers. As a warning, there are two explicit sex scenes, which took me by surprise. Overall, a lovely story about how we can (and should) protect our ch ...more

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Oct 31, 2016 Ida Louise rated it it was amazing

Fantastic debut for Felicia Denise. Incredible character study. Olivia is an advocate for children not only in her work but in all of her life. Now face to face with a client who’s story is a mirror of her life, Olivia must revisit her past or never move beyond it. Without meaning to, she allows Bruce into her life and it will never be the same. Two hearts moving past issues of being abandoned to give each other new life.

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Nov 26, 2019 Nana Prah rated it really liked it

An emotional, heartwarming story. The heroine has had a tough childhood, but made it through and now helps others to stay out of the foster care system.

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Oct 23, 2017

Aug 03, 2017 Felicia rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

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Apr 30, 2017 Papatia Feauxzar rated it really liked it

Great read with a good pace. Olivia is a fixer while also dealing with her personal issues.

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About Felicia Denise

Felicia Denise

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Writing has been a hobby of Felicia’s since grade school, but other than serving as editor and writing for her high school newspaper, she never publicly shared anything until the early 2000s when she began writing fan fiction.

At the urging of a good friend, Felicia took on the challenge of NaNoWriMo in 2015, writing what would become her first published book, In the Best Interest of the Child. It ...more