Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
This week I’m sharing the opening paragraph from The Trophy Child by Paula Daly, a favourite author of mine and in this book she’s sharing something that I find disquieting – the helicopter parent.
Blurb
A doting mother or a pushy parent?
Karen Bloom expects perfection. Her son, Ewan, has been something of a disappointment and she won’t be making the same mistake again with her beloved, talented child, Bronte.
Bronte’s every waking hour will be spent at music lessons and dance classes, doing extra schoolwork and whatever it takes to excel.
But as Karen pushes Bronte to the brink, the rest of the family crumbles. Karen’s husband, Noel, is losing himself in work, and his teenage daughter from his first marriage, Verity, is becoming ever more volatile. The family is dangerously near breaking point.
Karen would know when to stop . . . wouldn’t she? Amazon
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
Part 1
1
Monday, September 21
The girls’ changing room smelled heavily of sweat, mud and a sickly-sweet deodorant that was beginning to irritate the back of her throat. She didn’t have a lot of enthusiasm for hockey. Not a lot of enthusiasm for school, full stop, now that she was on a probationary period. It was to be a period of indeterminate length, during which her behaviour would be monitored by a variety of well-meaning professionals.
Verity Bloom: not quite a lost cause.
Not yet.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I wonder what was behind the author’s choice to feature the ‘second’ child in this opening rather than Bronte – well whatever the reason, I’m strongly suspecting this will be a great read as long as Karen’s behaviour doesn’t annoy me too much!
What do you think? Have you read The Trophy Child? Do you want to?
Cleopatra Loves Books 
Hi Cleo,
I really liked this as a very first line “A doting mother or a pushy parent?”
There is a very fine line between the two and I suspect that Karen is about to cross it in a very spectacular and catastrophic way.
I have come across the name of Paula Daly before, but haven’t read any of her books, although I have “What Kind Of Mother Are You?” on my list.
Do I sense a common theme emerging here?
Enjoy the book and have a good week 🙂
Yvonne
LikeLike
Just What Kind of Mother Are You is brilliant – you really should read it! I love stories about mothers…
LikeLike
Yes I’d continue.
LikeLike
Excellent 🙂
LikeLike
Being a good parent is tough, but I also have concerns when I observe a “helicopter” parent. I’ve seen the damaging effects. This book intrigues me. I want to read it.
LikeLike
You are right of course and we all have our own style but the combination of inflicting potential damage while thinking you are being superior puts my teeth on edge.
LikeLike
This sounds really great and I plan on reading this book soon. Its on my TBR so I hope to get to it before publication date.
LikeLike
I can’t wait to get stuck in – I think I’m going to enjoy it!
LikeLike
I’d definitely read on. It’s already on my TBR pile. I enjoyed Keep Your Friends close.
LikeLike
Haha it does look good – I enjoyed Just What Kind of Mother Are You? the most so I have high hopes.
LikeLike
Sounds good. Possibly another for my tbr. Will wait to see your review
LikeLike
I’ll do my best to tempt you then Ali 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one sounds quite suspenseful, Cleo, with all sorts of family dynamics coming into play. I really hope you’ll enjoy it, and I’m looking forward to your review.
LikeLike
I do love family stories when they are well done and Paula Daly’s previous books have had me hooked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This book screams family drama and I’m a sucker for those. Like you, I wonder why we met Verity in the opening…
LikeLike
I like family dramas too and Paula Daly has proved she can spin a good story using all those dynamics!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, I’ll be reading this one. It reminds me a bit of Megan Abbott’s book, YOU WILL KNOW ME, about gymnastics and parents and pressure. Can’t wait to see how the story plays out!
LikeLike
I haven’t read the Megan Abbott book although it was recommended to me – I can’t wait to see what happens here either.
LikeLike
I’d read more based on that intro. Hope u r enjoying it.
LikeLike
thank you Diane
LikeLike
Helicopter parent…first time I heard this was on a TV reality show…Chrisley…
sherry @ fundinmental
LikeLike
Awful people! Thanks for visiting Sherry 🙂
LikeLike
I like the sound of this one. Will add it to my reading list.
LikeLike
Excellent news Catherine – I’m fairly certain I will love this one!
LikeLike
Paula Daly has been a favorite, must-read author ever since I read her first book, Just What Kind of Mother Are You? I had to go on to read every book since then.
I have The Trophy Child, ready to read…as soon as I can. Probably next week. Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read it!
LikeLike
Like you I’ve read each one of this author’s books and they have all had me thoroughly entertained – Just What Kind of Mother are You? had me have a cooking disaster as I attempted to do both at once – not a good idea 😉
LikeLike
I’m on the fence with this. I’d have to read a little more to see if it clicks with me.
LikeLike
Fair enough 🙂
LikeLike
Starting with Verity certainly brings out the idea that she is not the doted on child and has some serious difficulties. The whole concept is intriguing. I had to look up “helicopter parents” in several places before I came up with how it came into being — really fascinating. This doesn’t sound like a happy book but very intriguing. I hope you’re enjoying it. Here’s my link for today: http://wp.me/p4DMf0-1uf
LikeLike
It does sound intriguing and because I’ve read Paula Daly’s previous books I think it will probably be quite entertaining too
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy books about family relationships so this story appeals to me… so long as I wouldn’t want to give Karen a good shake! Helicopter moms can definitely be annoying.
Thanks for visiting my blog. Your comments are appreciated.
Sandy @ Writing With a Texas Twang
LikeLike
I’m glad I’m not the only one to struggle with helicopter mums Sandra! Thank you so much for the visit 🙂
LikeLike
I really like Paila Daly so I’d automatically carry on reading. I think her stories are clever and never end up where I expect them too.
LikeLike
That’s so true – I’ve loved each and every one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like fun! Don’t you just hope the pushy mother will be the murder victim? Or is that just me…? 😉
LikeLike
Such an inviting cover. I’m always drawn to ones similar to this. Opening the book is like opening a door into someone’s life. This sounds interesting and I like that the author chose to feature the second child.
LikeLike
I’ve seen the real-life consequences of this type of parenting so I wouldn’t want the book, though I suspect it makes for a cracking good read. This is my TT – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/teaser-tuesday-7th-february-2016/
LikeLike
I guess sometimes a parent has regrets about certain things she didn’t do during the first child. There is pressure on us to have success children who can amaze others with their skills.
LikeLike
The whole helicopter parenting trend is very intriguing. I think I’d really like this one!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
LikeLike
I like the intro! From the blurb, she sounds more like that tiger mom than a helicopter parent, but maybe the blurb is misleading. I would read this one. I agree with Stefanie’s comment about the pressures on parents to raise successful kids. I only have one child, but there are definitely things I would have done differently had I been able to have another. Karen seems to have taken things to the extreme, but her story sounds like an interesting one and in some ways relatable.
LikeLike