Book Synopsis:

In an age defined by men, it will take something extraordinary to show four women who they truly are . . .October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.Meanwhile, when rumours of a ‘fallen angel’ cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.

The Gifts is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

The Gifts is a magical, atmospheric and absorbing read which I really enjoyed. I made sure I started it when I knew I’d have lots of reading time as I knew I’d soon be lost in the story.

Firstly I absolutely loved the rich historical detail which helped to bring the story to life. It was fascinating to learn more about the era, especially the medical practices at the time some of which were very eye opening. I found myself wincing at some of the descriptions, not able to believe that that was how things used to be done. Some of the surgical scenes were very vivid and I felt I could smell the sweat and the blood sometimes as I read.

The characters were all very different creations and I enjoyed following them throughout the book. The story is told through 5 characters point of view, four women and 1 men, each one has a different symbol at the start of the chapter so once I got used the quick changes it was easy to keep track of. It was interesting to explore Victorian attitude towards women through the female characters and I loved seeing how they refused to give up their dreams despite societies expectations of them.

I especially enjoyed reading more about the changes in opinion as science advanced and the arguments between science and religion which had previously had such a firm grip on society. There are some quite poignant subjects discussed during the book which took me by surprise but I enjoyed exploring the subjects alongside the characters. I feel that this would make a great bookclub read as there would be lots to discuss.

Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book. The story gripped me from the dramatic opener to the final pages with the beautiful, haunting writing and absorbing storyline. This is a book that I’ll be recommending to everyone as it’s one of my books of the year so far!

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Bonnier for my copy of this book from Netgalley, though as you can see from the picture I was enjoying the book so much I treated myself to a beautiful special edition from Waterstones too!

About The Author:

Liz Hyder has been making up stories for as long she can remember. She has a BAin drama from the University of Bristoland, in early 2018, won the Bridge Award/Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award.Bearmouth, her debut young adult novel,won a Waterstones Children’s Book Prize,the Branford Boase Award and was chosenas the Children’s Book of the Year by TheTimes. Originally from London, she nowlives in South Shropshire. The Gifts is herdebut adult novel.

Book Synopsis:

A twisty and chilling thriller about a woman who did one bad thing when she was young… and must now suffer the consequences.

She thought she’d got away with it. She was wrong.

Hannah Godley is an agony aunt on a London radio show Queen of Hearts. She’s warm and empathetic; a good listener. Her catchphrase is: Be kind, always. But when a stranger phones in to tell a tragic story about her brother who killed himself after he was the victim of a terrible prank by two people, Hannah goes cold. Because she remembers Diane’s brother well. In fact, all these years later, he still haunts her dreams. All because of that one bad thing she did when she was young…

Is Diane just a sad, lonely woman looking for a friend, or does she know what Hannah did, and is looking for revenge? Because as Diane insinuates herself into her life and family, Hannah is going to discover that you can never truly escape that One Bad Thing you did – sooner or later, you’re going to have to pay the price…

One Bad Thing is available in ebook and hardback now. You can purchase your copy using the links below.

My Review:

One Bad Thing is a twisty, gripping thriller that you’ll be unable to out down!

Firstly I’m a huge fan of this author so I was very excited to get a copy if this his latest read. I definitely wasn’t disappointed as this was a fantastic story of obsession and revenge that was very difficult to put down.

The author has created some interesting characters who I enjoyed following throughout the book though wasn’t sure I liked. I must admit it took me a while to like Hannah as I really was sure about her. She seemed genuinely regretful about what she did but I wasn’t sure I could trust her. Diane was a fascinating character who sounded alarm bells for me me straight away as I quickly realised there was something not quite right about her. I wanted to scream at Hannah to stay away from her as I didn’t think she would bring anything but trouble.

Overall I really enjoyed this book which I raced through in a few days. The story is told in two timelines one in the present day and one flashing back to the bad thing Hannah did. I liked the slow build and the way Hannah’s history is slowly revealed so the reader gets more of an overall view of what happened. There were lots of twists along the way that kept me guessing and I only figured everything out in the last few pages which I thought was very clever! I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to Sophie from Head Of Zeus for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

M.K. Hill was a journalist and an award-winning music radio producer before becoming a full-time writer. The first novel in the Sasha Dawson series, The Bad Place, was described as ‘everything a police procedural should be’ by The Times, who also named it as their crime book of the month. He lives in London.

Good morning everyone and welcome to another addition of Jojorecommends! Today I’m featuring the amazing Kimarie Sky and her new EP Emora.

Kimarie Sky is a singer songwriter from Austin TX. I first discovered Kimarie on Twitch when I followed a friend onto one of her streams. I quickly fell in love with her beautiful voice and the chilled vibe on her streams. She plays a variety of originals and some wonderful originals. One of the first times I was on her stream she sang Dream A Little Dream by the Mama’s And The Papa’s to me as I was leaving to go to bed. It was an absolutely beautiful rendition and remains one of my all time favourite twitch moments.

Kimarie streams on twitch three times a week, including a Britain friendly stream on a Tuesday about 9pm.

If you would like to follow Kimarie on social media or watch her on twitch by clicking on the links below.

How To Listen:

Emora has four songs on it all of which are quite upbeat songs with a great, unusual beat to them. On stream Kimarie makes some amazing beats with her guitar which are always great to watch her create.

You can listen to Emora on all the major streaming platforms as linked below or I have included the YouTube videos for two of the songs below.

#Jojorecommends Playlist:

You can now listen to Kimarie Sky and all other previously featured artists on a special playlist I’ve created on Spotify!

JoJo Recommends on Twitch:

Jojorecommends is now a feature on the brilliant Island Vibing Presents twitch podcast which I’m very excited about! I’m still getting used to filming myself but I’m enjoying trying something knew and am grateful for the opportunity! You can now watch last week’s episode by clicking on the link below.

Thank you for reading and happy listening!

Book Synopsis:

Tamworth, Mercia AD825.

The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger.

Their King, Beornwulf lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies.

King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia.

King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land?

Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern?

Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?

My Review:

Son Of Mercia is a action packed, compelling read which provided a fascinating glimpse into Dark Age Britain.

Firstly this is the first book I’ve read in this series and this book is very different from anything else I’ve read before. I felt it was part saga, part action thriller which combined made for a fantastic read!

The author has obviously done a lot of research for this book and I found it fascinating to learn more about Dark Age Britain as it was a period I knew nothing about. I loved learning more about what everyday life was like through to the warfare practices. The author also describes the medicine and surgery practices of the day including some of the herbalism and folk lore cures which I thought interesting.

The characters are great creations all very believable and easy to get behind. I particularly liked the main character Icel who was a bit of an untraditional hero as he is by nature a peace loving guy who, although being a great fighter, doesn’t actually enjoy fighting. It was great to learn more about him and to follow him throughout the book.

The tension in the book slowly increases as the story goes on until the book becomes impossible to put down. The plot is brilliant and I soon felt wrapped up in the Character’s world. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

MJ Porter is the author of many historical novels set predominantly in Seventh to
Eleventh-Century England, Android in Viking Age Denmark. Raised in the shadow of a
building that was believed to house the bones of long-dead Kings of Mercia, meant
that the author’s writing destiny was set.

Book Synopsis:

The seductive and relentless figure of Raymond Chandler’s detective, Philip Marlowe, is vividly re-imagined in present-day Los Angeles

Los Angeles – a city of scheming Malibu actresses, ruthless gang members, virulent inequality and washed-out police.

Roaming the city streets is Philip Marlowe: a quiet, lonely, remarkably capable private detective, living beneath the shadow of his father – a once-decorated LAPD homicide detective now drinking his life away.

Marlowe’s latest client is tyrannical starlet Kendra James. Kendra’s husband was fatally shot near their Malibu home, but even though that murder remains unresolved, the actress is more interested in tracking down her 17-year-old stepdaughter, who hasn’t been seen for weeks.

But things get complicated after Marlowe lands a second missing person search from British academic Ren Stewart, whose ex-husband has kidnapped their seven-year-old son.

Steeped in the richly detailed ethnic neighborhoods of modern LA, Ide’s The Goodbye Coast is a bold recreation that is viciously funny, ingeniously plotted, and surprisingly tender.

My Review:

The Goodbye Coast is an very entertaining, fast paced read that breathes life into an old classic.

Firstly I loved the main character Marlow and enjoyed following him throughout the book. He’s a very funny, likeable character who is very intelligent but also human as he makes mistakes which often lead to the funnier moments in the book. I liked how the author has managed to keep the essence of the classic detective but also make it his own. He’s the best in a mainly unlikeable bunch which made it very easy to root for him.

The plot was brilliant! I thought it was really fast paced with lots of action that ensured I couldn’t stop reading. It is a bit violent in places which might not be to everyone’s taste but I felt the story wasn’t overpowered with this as there was some lighter moments and even some funny ones which helped even it out. It’s a story full of troubled relationship which were interesting to find out more about and to see how they fitted into the story.

The last reveal was brilliant and surprising which I always love as I’m often able to guess where things are going. The story does slow down a bit in the middle but do keep reading as it soon picks up!

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to W&N for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Joe Ide grew up in South Central Los Angeles. His favourite books were the Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories. The idea that a person could face the world and vanquish his enemies with just his intelligence fascinated him. Joe went on to earn a graduate degree and had several careers before writing IQ, his debut novel, inspired by his early experiences and love of Sherlock. Joe lives in Santa Monica, California.

Book Synopsis:

Cottage Two, Bracken Ridge Farm sits at the end of a pitted track, with the glorious Yorkshire moors stretching behind it.  

Just a simple two up, two down, the cottage holds the promise of a new start for two very different women, but it is also full of secrets. 

Fifty years ago, newly-wed Stella is relishing making the little cottage a happy home. But for all the lovingly handmade curtains, and the hot dinners ready on the table for her husband, Stella’s dreams of married life jar painfully with the truth.

Fifty years later, the cottage is a new beginning for Tamzin. Determined to get away from her previous life, she makes the move to the wild and vast Yorkshire countryside. 

When Tamzin finds a sepia photo of a woman, Stella, standing in the cottage’s garden, there’s a sadness in her eyes that Tamzin recognises.  As the cottage reveals more of its secrets, Tamzin is desperate to find out whether Stella got her happy ending.  And as she gradually makes new friends, and starts to win over her mysterious neighbour Euan, Tamzin dares to dream about her own happy ending too… 

Escape the rat race with this heart-warming, page-turning new novel from Jane Lovering. Perfect for fans of Julie Houston, Beth O’Leary and Kate Forster.

My Review:

A Cottage Full Of Secrets is an absorbing read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Firstly I love the idea of running away to a desolated cottage and doing it up into something liveable so I enjoyed living precariously through Tamzin as she attempted to fix up her cottage. Her many attempts to decorate were heartwarming to read about and I loved reading about the results.

The cottage setting was beautifully described so that I felt I could see it clearly. I loved discovering all the beautiful things there especially as it brings the fantastic handy women Jill into the story. I loved exploring the garden alongside the characters and finding out more about the things they find there.

This story has a bit of everything in it I felt. It was part mystery, with the discovery of the items in the garden and Tamzin trying to discover more about Sheila. However I felt it was also a story about finding yourself which was both heartwarming and emotional at times. It was great to see Tamzin come out of her shell .

Overall i really enjoyed this book which I flew through in a couple of days. It was a very absorbing, satisfying read and I can’t wait to read more from this talented author.

Huge thanks to Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Boldwood for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who
won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2012 with Please Don’t Stop the Music. She
lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have
now left home.

Good evening everyone today on JoJo Recommends I’m featuring Blindside which is the new ep from Jennifer Jess.

Jennifer is a pop singer songwriter from Atlanta Georgia. Her new EP Blindside is made up of five songs each very different from each other. There’s some really nice dancy ones and some beautiful soaring ballads. The favourite in our house is I Got me which is very catchy and has got stuck into my head so that I keep singing it at random moments.

Jennifer is also a twitch streamer and although she normally streams too late for me I always enjoy her streams when I can catch them. She has the most beautiful, clear voice with a fantastic range which is wonderful to listen to. The last time I made her streams she was live learning Hotel California and absolutely killed it.

Jennifer was kind enough to answer some questions for me so if you’d like to find out more about Jennifer from the lady herself do read the interview below.

If you’d like to follow Jennifer on social media or twitch click on the links below.

How To Listen:

Jennifer’s music is available on all major streaming platforms which I have linked below. For your convenience I have included the official music video for my family’s favourite I Got Me and one of Jennifer’s most recent covers.

Interview:

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a full time pop singer-songwriter and recording artist from Atlanta, Georgia. I also stream part time on Twitch TV.

What first got you into music?

Growing up, my love for music grew as I listened to my mom and dad’s cassette tapes and CDs. I would look around me and notice that I was a bit more “into the music” than everyone else. I would listen to a song and say “Wow! Did you hear that song, that was so good!” and those around me would nod their heads. I began to realize that my enthusiasm for music was a bit above average. At this point, I knew I wanted to become some kind of performer- then eventually I discovered singing was my ultimate passion.

Who inspired you to make music?

I’m not sure if anyone directly inspired me to be a musician, but I definitely think my mom had a play in it. She would dance around the house singing–always singing. She has an incredible voice to this day. That definitely inspired me.

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

I love pop music. I think I’ve always loved it since I was young. I love the energy it brings. However, I’ve been inspired by all different genres and artists and I think they are all a part of me in a small way. 

What is your creative process like?

My creative process usually begins with a melody. I let the melody drive the song. If music were a painting, I think the melody decides the colors for the painting, and the colors represent the mood of the song. After the melody, I add the lyrics and sometimes they just come to me. Other times, I have to think about them a little bit more. Once I have the song ready, it’s time to record and begin production.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

If I could collaborate with anyone it would probably be Paul McCartney and if he’s not available (lol) then I think a collaboration with The Weekend would be incredible.

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

Honestly, I would love to open for Coldplay because I think they have some of the most amazing concerts and it would be so cool just be a part of the atmosphere.

What is one message you would give to your fans?

My message to my fans would be: You are stronger than you imagine, you are loved and you are important. Also, thanks for listening to my music! 

What is the most useless talent you have?

My most useless talent is that I can fold my fingers into different shapes. They are extremely bendable.

Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

Oddly enough, I don’t sing in the shower that much. At most, perhaps a hum. I would probably hum whatever catchy song was on my mind at that moment. My shower time is my thinking time. Occasionally I play music when I shower.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

If it wasn’t for my music career, I would probably be pursuing acting hardcore or opening up a bakery because I love to bake. 

Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?

Honestly, I haven’t explored the live music scene as much as I would like. I’ve performed at Smiths Olde Bar, Eddies Attic, MadLife stage and studios and more. I think Eddies feel so cozy and comfortable, so at this moment that’s probably my favorite. I do not have any upcoming shows at the moment, but I am live virtually on Twitch TV three times a week.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I think the internet has impacted the music industry in mostly a good way. Making connections is easier than ever in my opinion and its easier to get your music out there to your fans and potential listeners. However, I think my most lasting work relationships and connections have come from meeting in person.

What is your favourite song to perform?

My favorite song to perform at the moment is a recent song I wrote called “In the Rain”. Its a super heart wrenching break up song. I have yet to record it, but I hope to soon!

Which famous musicians do you admire?

I admire so many musicians and its hard to name just a few. However, I grew up listening to Celine Dion and singing her songs for hours in my room. Sometimes I joke that she taught me how to sing, because I would try and copy her voice and eventually I learned how to belt out notes that way. I also admire the Beatles. Their songs will always be a part of me. Currently I’m really digging the music of a South Korean singer by the name of “Key”.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to “never, ever give up”. It seems like such a simple concept, but it was said to me by a high ranking military veteran. He looked me in the eye and said it with such an intensity during a conversation and I will never forget that moment. I think the statement meant more to me coming from him.

What’s next for you?

I have a brand new single coming out within the next couple months called “Imagine You”. There will also be a music video releasing with it as well. This song will be upbeat and fun with some nostalgic vibes.

Thanks for answering my questions Jennifer!

Playlist:

You can now listen to Jennifer and all previously featured artists on a special playlist I’ve created on Spotify.

Jojorecommends on Twitch:

JoJo Recommends is now featured on Island Vibing’s podcast on twitch. The podcast is on every Thursday 3am GMT/ 10 PM EST/ 7pm PST, but you can catch up with the sacred vod anytime!

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

Book Synopsis:

A mother.
A daughter.
A secret waiting to be discovered.

For too long – since the sudden death of her mother as a teenager, since the birth of her daughter, Em, when she was just seventeen – Delphine has been unable to let go of the past, obsessed with protecting Em and clinging to a secret that could ruin everything. She’s been living life in safe shades of grey.

The day that Delphine finally stands up for herself is the day that changes everything.

Delphine begins to remember what it’s like to want more: rediscovering her singing voice, opening herself to friendship, and reviving not only her mother’s roots, but her mother’s memories. As her life begins to fill with colour, can she be brave for herself and for Em? And what would happen if she finally told the truth?

A big-hearted, hopeful novel about finding second chances – and taking them.

My Review:

Em & me is an uplifting, heartwarming read about friendship, love and growth.

In this book we follow Delphine a young, single mother who is working hard to ensure her daughter has a better life then she did. Delphine is a very relatable character who I loved following throughout the book and watching her grow in confidence as she gets the opportunity to explore new things. Her relationship with Letty was particularly brilliant and it was very enjoyable to watch it develop. Letty is a fantastic character who I quickly fell in love with. I loved her attitude and some of her antics made me laugh out loud as I read.

The story is told mainly from Delphine’s point of view with flashbacks to her past so the reader is able to learn more about her. It was very interesting to learn about the secrets everyone was hiding and seeing Delphine come out of her shell a bit. As a mum myself I know it’s easy to lose a bit of your ambitions when you have kids so I found it reallyy uplifting to be able to watch Delphine realise hers.

I felt very sad to finish the book and leave all the characters behind. I’m hoping there may be a sequel as I’d love to be able to spend more time with all of them.

Huge thanks to Harper Fiction for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book!

About The Author:

Beth Morrey was inspired to write her debut novel while pushing a pram round her local park during maternity leave. Getting to know dog owners, joggers and families, she began to sow the seeds of a novel about a woman saved by her community, strangers who became friends.
Previously Creative Director at RDF Television, Beth now writes full time. She was previously shortlisted for the Grazia-Orange First Chapter award.
Beth lives in London with her husband, two sons and a dog named Polly.

Book Synopsis:

A DEVOTED MOTHER
Sam Cooper has a happy life: a good job, a blossoming relationship. Yet, there’s something he can never forget – the image seared into his mind of his mother, Laurie, dying when he was a child. His father allowed his grief to tear them apart and Sam hasn’t seen him in years.

A LOVING WIFE
Until an unexpected call from Firwood hospital, asking Sam to come home, puts in motion a chain of devastating events. On his deathbed, Sam’s father makes a shocking confession.

A LIAR?
Who was Laurie Cooper? It’s clear that everything Sam thought he knew about his mother was wrong. And now he’s determined to find out exactly what she did and why – whatever the cost.

What happens if you discover you’ve been lied to by your own family for twenty-five years?

Sam Cooper is about to find out.

You Never Said Goodbye is available in ebook and hardback on the 17th February 2022. You can pre-order your copy using the links below.

My Review:

You Never Said Goodbye is a tense, action packed thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and I thought impossible to put down.

Firstly I’m a huge fan of this author as I have enjoyed all his previous books so I was hugely excited to be invited onto the blog tour for this book. This story gripped me from the start as there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. I kept promising myself I’d read one more chapter and then look up to realise two hours had past.

The story is told in multiple timelines. One follows Sam as he tries to discover his family secrets and the others, set in present day UK and the US help give the reader some background to the story and helps the reader understand more about why Sam finds himself in his current situation. I really liked Sam who was a very determined character who I thought showed a lot of strength and bravery throughout the book. Honestly I think I’d have run away crying from alot of the situations he finds himself in but he faces them incredibly bravely which made me warm to him more.

Overall I really enjoyed this book which oozed with atmosphere and tension from the start . There was lots of twists and misdirection which took me by surprise and I found myself unable to predict which way the story was going to go.

Huge thanks to Jenny Platt from Hodder for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book.

About The Author:

Luca Veste is the author of several police procedurals and standalone crime novels including The Bone Keeper and The Six. He is the host of the Two Crime Writers and a Microphone podcast and the co-founder of the Locked In festival. He plays bass guitar in the band The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. He lives in Liverpool, with his wife and two daughters.

Book Synopsis:

If you had to make an impossible choice to save your long-lost daughter, you would… wouldn’t you?

It’s a warm early summer’s evening when Mia’s doorbell rings. She opens the door to see a teenage girl standing in the shadow beyond the porch light—and in an instant she knows who it is. Daisy, the daughter she gave up as a baby. Daisy steps forward, as she says tearfully “I’m sorry I didn’t call first. But something happened. And I really needed… you.”

Seventeen years before, knowing she couldn’t possibly give her beautiful little girl Daisy the future she deserved, Mia made the hardest decision of her life—to give her up. And Suzanne seemed the perfect adoptive mother: calm, stable, and full of love for the daughter she’d always dreamed of having.

The two mothers promised to keep communication open, so Daisy could have Mia’s love and support along with Suzanne’s. But as the years passed, Mia moved away, and their visits happened less. Now Daisy is almost a stranger to Mia—angry, closed and broken—nothing like the tiny girl she once couldn’t bear to say goodbye to.

But now Daisy has arrived on Mia’s doorstep, and she says she has a terrible secret. One she can never tell Suzanne. And she believes the only person who can help her is Mia. Her birth mother.

Mia, however, has secrets of her own. Ones she is afraid to let Daisy or anyone else know. And while Suzanne desperately seeks a way to bring her child home, can Mia overcome her past to help the girl they both call their daughter in her darkest hour before it’s too late?

Totally gripping emotional women’s fiction from the author guaranteed to make readers cry. Kate Hewitt’s story will grab you by the heartstrings and never let you go. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Jojo Moyes.

The Child I Never Had is available in ebook and paperback using the links below.

My Review:

The Child I Never Had is a highly emotional, absorbing book that made me think about a difficult subject.

Firstly as a mum myself I found this book very emotional. I can’t imagine giving my kids away, even for the reasons Mia does, so I felt the situation keenly as I felt I could understand what she was going through. The author has taken a fascinating, sensitive subject and written about it beautifully so the reader can see it from both sides. It was interesting to learn more about adoption and to explore what being a mum can actually mean.

I thought this book was well paced as there always seemed to be something happening that kept my interest. I liked being able to follow both Mia and Suzanne throughout the book and thought it was clever how the author managed to give different voices to the two of them. Of the two I much preferred Suzanne who came across as a very sympathetic character who’s feelings for her adoptive daughter’s were beautiful to read about. Although I did understand Daisy’s need to connect with her birth mum part of me felt angry with her for leaving Suzanne too.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author in future. It was one of those books that I was constantly thinking about when I wasn’t reading and one which I found myself discussing with friends to find out their views. For this reason I think it would make a great bookclub read.

Huge thanks to Sarah Hardy for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley.

About The Author:

Kate Hewitt is the bestselling author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. She particularly enjoys writing contemporary issue-driven women’s fiction, and her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers. An American ex-pat, she lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband and five young(ish) children, along with their two Golden Retrievers. Join her newsletter for monthly updates and giveaways at http://www.kate-hewitt.com, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books, movies, music and cooking.