When Cecily receives a letter summoning her to Greece, she drops everything and makes the trip. Her husband, Norman, knows what is happening, but their daughters, Lily, Felicity and Julia, are completely puzzled by their mother’s trip. The three daughters each have their own stories, but the focus is on Cecily and what she discovers while away. I liked the story line, it felt the characters could have been developed more. I did like the section looking back at the home for unwed mothers. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a beautifully told story about forced choices. I shed some tears when the mother talked about her past. The ending was a bit of a twist I didn’t see coming, but not like an adrenaline yes! type of twist.
By the time the book ended I said “That’s it? That’s how this ends?” To day I was a bit upset may be an understatement. I went in expecting the typical HEA, but got a different version of that. Everyone is okay even though there is a missing piece. Funny how this came after I attempted a puzzle that ended up having a missing piece.. anyway. This is a very basic novel, but has a life meaning stowed away. I don’t think I wasted my time reading it, but I wouldn’t read it again.

Comfortable Reqd

Although it doesn’t have a typical happily-ever-after ending, the narrative is compelling and satisfying. The characters and the resolution are flawed and real.
I think my favorite part is the extended metaphor of the jigsaw puzzle and the difference in how the husband and wife see it throughout the story.

I wanted to like it more. The idea of the storyline drew me in, but the book kind of fell flat for me.

I devour every word Imogen puts to paper, and this book was no exception. Thank you to the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this book are real and loveable and cringe-worthy at times, as real people often are! The story of family dynamics and secrets tugs at your heart and makes you want to join them all for tea and a chat.
A charming story of mothers and daughters and their imperfections. Thoroughly enjoyable

Slightly slow moving. Liked the characters but no one handled anything the way I would do a little frustrating. But very good story an ending I had not expected.

4.5/5⭐️


How would a happy family of 5 react if a half-sister/daughter contacted them 50 years after being given up for adoption?

I enjoyed this book because it told the story of lives that were messy and imperfect, it was full of surprises, and it didn’t have the ending that one might expect. Very well-written with characters that you cared about and a heartbreaking backstory. I cheered for this family and was thoroughly engrossed in their story.

I would definitely read more from this author.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #AmazonPublishingUK for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

Kindle

I wish I could do 3.5 stars. I disliked all of the characters but the premise is really interesting. The part in the middle was my favorite and read very well. The last third seemed to just be lamenting what a bitch Marnie was - and they were not wrong.

A quick read about how families can be interpreted in many different ways. Although anyone with deductive reasoning skills can figure out what the “big secret” is based on the back cover description, the book is exceptionally well written. I found Cecily’s journey to be honest and real, if just a touch predictable.

3.5 ⭐️ Read this one quickly. A good read and far more of a different ending than I had expected. This basically falls into historical fiction since the author created this work from actual events regarding adoptions in the UK in the 1960s. I’ll definitely read more of her work.