When this book popped up on the tours facebook group I was instantly drawn to it, I loved Emma Robinson's previous book and knew I had to read this one too, and I have zero regrets! Emma remains one of my favourites.
Synopsis
It’s in that moment, I realise – I have nowhere to turn. If my precious daughters and I are going to have a roof over our heads, we have to return to my childhood home. The one I’ve not felt welcome in since my father died. The one where the woman who destroyed our family still lives…
Today marks the end of my life as I know it. I have absolutely nowhere to go, no-one to turn to. My husband’s lies have ruined our family and wrecked our marriage. And now he’s disappeared, leaving just a promise to make it all right.
My daughters, Olivia and Alice, need me like never before. I will do whatever it takes to stay strong, to keep them safe and loved. So I turn to the one place I hoped never to return to. When my dad died, he left me his house, with one proviso. His second wife, my stepmother, was to be allowed to live there for as long as she wanted. She hasn’t welcomed me there, or shown a single sign of leaving, since.
But I have no choice. I need to ask for her help.
Little do I know that everything I thought I knew about the woman who destroyed my life when I was a child is about to come crashing down. Living together now, the secrets that have kept us apart for all these years are finally revealing themselves. Will our fragile bond break completely, or could it be the only thing that saves me and my daughters…?
An emotional story about family secrets and lies, and the lengths a parent will go to, to protect their children. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Kate Hewitt.
My review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keeping secrets to protect your kids can be so detrimental as Gabbie discovers after leaving her husband with her 2 young daughters. She flees to the only place she can, her childhood home where her stepmother still lives, and the stepmother she believes ruined her life.
As secets are revealed about her past, Gabbie soon realises that nothing was how it seemed and she recognises that she's making the same mistakes with her girls.
At first, I didn't like Jill and thought she was a bit mean, but once her intentions were revealed, I saw things from her side and agreed with her wholeheartedly.
Gabbie had some realisations to make and get her head and heart in the same space for things to fixed and improved and she grew and did what was required of her.
I could relate to Gabbie with her schooling and the bullies (although not the reasons why she was bullied) and even with the bully apologising for making her life a misery.
Keeping secrets for protection can actually do far more harm than good and can ruin relationships and break trust. The balance is so tricky about what to tell and what to hide, and that's what's stayed with me since finishing this book.
*This is not a thriller. It's a family suspense/drama, so keep that in mind going in.
Author Bio
Emma Robinson is the author of several women’s fiction novels. She also blogs about the funny side of parenting and has contributed to podcasts such as Funny Women. Whilst her early novels are humorous, her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma enjoys writing stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances.
Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog.
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Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Emma Robinson here
Buy here
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love here
It’s in that moment, I realise – I have nowhere to turn. If my precious daughters and I are going to have a roof over our heads, we have to return to my childhood home. The one I’ve not felt welcome in since my father died. The one where the woman who destroyed our family still lives…
Today marks the end of my life as I know it. I have absolutely nowhere to go, no-one to turn to. My husband’s lies have ruined our family and wrecked our marriage. And now he’s disappeared, leaving just a promise to make it all right.
My daughters, Olivia and Alice, need me like never before. I will do whatever it takes to stay strong, to keep them safe and loved. So I turn to the one place I hoped never to return to. When my dad died, he left me his house, with one proviso. His second wife, my stepmother, was to be allowed to live there for as long as she wanted. She hasn’t welcomed me there, or shown a single sign of leaving, since.
But I have no choice. I need to ask for her help.
Little do I know that everything I thought I knew about the woman who destroyed my life when I was a child is about to come crashing down. Living together now, the secrets that have kept us apart for all these years are finally revealing themselves. Will our fragile bond break completely, or could it be the only thing that saves me and my daughters…?
An emotional story about family secrets and lies, and the lengths a parent will go to, to protect their children. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Kate Hewitt.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keeping secrets to protect your kids can be so detrimental as Gabbie discovers after leaving her husband with her 2 young daughters. She flees to the only place she can, her childhood home where her stepmother still lives, and the stepmother she believes ruined her life.
As secets are revealed about her past, Gabbie soon realises that nothing was how it seemed and she recognises that she's making the same mistakes with her girls.
At first, I didn't like Jill and thought she was a bit mean, but once her intentions were revealed, I saw things from her side and agreed with her wholeheartedly.
Gabbie had some realisations to make and get her head and heart in the same space for things to fixed and improved and she grew and did what was required of her.
I could relate to Gabbie with her schooling and the bullies (although not the reasons why she was bullied) and even with the bully apologising for making her life a misery.
Keeping secrets for protection can actually do far more harm than good and can ruin relationships and break trust. The balance is so tricky about what to tell and what to hide, and that's what's stayed with me since finishing this book.
*This is not a thriller. It's a family suspense/drama, so keep that in mind going in.
Author Bio
Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog.
Website
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Emma Robinson here
Buy here
You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you'll love here
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