I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway program. This is the first book in this series I have read so I felt a bit lost with some of the characters., but, in general, it was a solid book. I enjoyed seeing Abby and Laura grow as individuals and as a mother/daughter unit even if some of the twists and turns and plot points were predictable.

Abby and her son, Noah, live with Abby's grandmother since her mother left when Abby was two. Laura's reappearance in the Lake District small village presents a challenge for both women. As their stories are told, they have a lot more in common that will work towards their reconciliation. I like this author, and the emotions brought out by her stories.

I enjoyed this one very much, although I have to admit that it was a little slow to hook me. This story is high on character development and lower on action. Abby and Laura, mother and daughter, have a lot in common, but they don’t know it until they get to know one another. And that isn’t easy, because Laura abandoned Abby when she was a toddler, and Abby doesn’t trust her not to abandon her again, so she tries to maintain a distance from Laura.
Both women became pregnant without that ring on their finger and so had a difficult time of it as single mothers. They both also grew up in the small community of Hartley by the Sea, where gossipping was a way of life. Both tried to escape the small community and the gossip, only to return to face the wagging tongues because they were out of options.

There isn’t much about this book I didn’t like. The setting by the sea was calm and beautiful, and I liked the characters, particularly Abby and Laura. Laura refused to reveal the father’s name when Abby was born, but that came out towards the end of the story, and I found out my ‘inkling’ was right. And the story had a happy ending!

This could make an interesting book club selection. I breezed through the book, but I think that there is a lot that book clubs could discuss; mother-daughter relationships, the stigma of single parenthood, forgiveness, and others. There is a set of discussion questions in the back of the book.

This is the third book in a series, but I did not read the previous books and I can tell you it definitely works as a stand alone!

This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes.

Another fun, free library snag!
This is an easy read I started on a plane ride and finished on the beach. It was a story that follows a mother and daughter working together to build up their relationship and a beach cafe owned by a family member of theirs. After many years estranged, these two find that it’s never too late to begin again (with some unexpected twists along the way).

A story of second chances, finding peace, and accepting life. Laura and Abby are mother and daughter that have virtually no relationship. Laura left Abby to be raised by her grandmother at age 2 and never looked back. Now they are back in the small town they both grew up in and trying to find a way to establish a relationship.

I loved that both Laura and Abby are looking to find peace and happiness and that it doesn’t mean they need a man in their lives. They are trying to find it themselves. They both had/have dreams and are trying to find the way to make them happen.

To say that Abby does not trust Laura is an understatement. Not only does Abby worry about Laura leaving her but now she has to worry about her young son getting attached to his Nana and her leaving him also. I liked that Abby was cautious. There was no doubt that she wanted a relationship with her mother but she knew that she had more than herself to think of.

There were many twists and turns that I did not see coming and I loved each one of them. Kate Hewitt wrote a book that I fell into. The small town, the complex relationships, and the love was all part of the perfect story.

Thank you Roxanne Jones at Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Got a kick out of the third book in this series. Kate Hewitt looks at an estranged mother/daughter named Abby and Laura Rhodes. I was more intrigued with the chapters that featured Laura, but Abby was compelling in her own way. I think that Hewitt smartly didn't have everything end up hearts and flowers since her books take a realistic look at things, while still simmering with a bit of romance in the background. The characters/relationships between 6 sets of women through the past 3 books is what is most important. Having a guy in your life is just gravy.

"A Mother Like Mine" has Abby and Laura Rhodes trying their best to have some sort of relationship with each other after Laura has left Abby's care to Laura's mother. Laura had Abby when she was 16 and two years after that moved to Manchester to work in a night club, eventually ending up in America (New York). After being fired from her job for being too old, (she's 42 people) Laura returns to Hartley-by-the-Sea realizing that if she never tries to have a relationship with Abby, all of her sacrifices she did will mean nothing. Abby rightfully so is angry her mother has returned, and her home life has turned upside down. Abby has a young son named Nath that she is trying to raise solo while also running her grandmother's shop. It's not what she dreamed of doing with her her life, but she's content, or so she thinks.

I am not going to lie. I did not care for Laura at all when she swanned in. She demands that Abby sleep with her young son so she gets a bedroom and seems reluctant to even talk to her. If you don't get her side of things via her chapter POV you wouldn't even know how much pain she is in at times. What I loved the most about Laura is she owns the mistakes she made and what she has done. There is no trying to make excuses or anything else. But she's not a saint, she gets frustrated with Abby and seems quite perplexed by children as a whole.

Abby has some issues with being abandoned by her mother and dealing with a boyfriend who died while she was pregnant with their child. It's not said out right, but the boyfriend's parents just left her to her own devices and wanted to pretend their precious son had nothing to do with her. Abby is reluctant to move forward at times and it's great that Laura is there to push her along the way. When Laura is genuinely happy she is now able to read her daughter at times, it will make you smile.

There's a hint of a romance for Laura in this one which I am curious if it will be discussed in the next book (if there is one). And though Abby has a crush on someone, it's not the most important thing in the world. For both women, the business the run, and Abby's son is important.

I loved we got to see updated on previous characters and there's a shocking reveal about someone close to one of our characters too. We do get a wedding (no spoilers) that made me happy to see as well.

Hartley-by-the-Sea has grown on me through three books and I can't wait to see what Hewitt has up her sleeves next.

Going to count this towards The Mostly Dead Writers Society 52 week challenge: Romance.

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

The third in a series where the books all take place in a great small town, but all center around different characters. This one focuses on Abby Rhodes who moved back for many reasons, one to help her grandmother who raised her with the small cafe and also to have a place to raise her young son and put her life back together. Her mother who has been estranged for many years returns with literal and figurative baggage and wants to reconnect and figure out who her own life.

4.5 stars.

A Mother Like Mine by Kate Hewitt is a captivating novel of healing, forgiveness and new beginnings.  Although this newest release is the third installment in the Hartley-by-the-Sea series it can easily be read as a standalone.

Abby Rhodes is a single mom to five year old Noah and she lives and works with  the grandmother who raised her after her mother, Laura, abandoned her.  So, just imagine her shock when she discovers Laura has returned after a long absence and plans to remain in Hartley-by-the-Sea permanently.  An unexpected turns of events finds mother and daughter trying repair their fractured relationship as they work together to make the family cafe a success.  Laura wants nothing more than forge a relationship with Abby, but can they repair the rift between them when she is not willing to answer her daughter's questions about her painful past? Can Abby risk trusting Laura's assertion that she wants to be a permanent part of her and Noah's lives?

Abby is quite upset over Laura's sudden reappearance and she has every reason to be skeptical that her mother will be content to stay in their small hometown. Although she tries to put aside her bitterness toward Laura for her beloved Gran's sake, their discussions are often filled with anger and resentment. Abby really is trying to make an effort to be friendly, but with so many unresolved issues simmering between them, it is virtually impossible for her to remain cordial during their conversations. She is quick to distrust Laura's motives and with her mother's track record for leaving, Abby cannot bring herself to believe Laura won't disappear if the opportunity presents itself.

Laura initially comes across as quite self-absorbed and rather superficial.  She refuses to provide Abby with her reason for abandoning her nor does she appear to realize how her desertion emotionally scarred her daugher.  Laura's expectation to let bygones be bygones without any explanation is unrealistic and makes her appear somewhat indifferent to Abby's very real need for answers. Laura's expectation for Abby's gratitude after she makes a self-serving decision is rather incredulous and highlights exactly why her daughter finds it difficult to trust her.

The changes in the relationship between Abby and Laura do not happen overnight. Abby remains skittish and doubtful Laura is sincere about staying in  Hartley-by-the-Sea. Laura is impatient with Abby's hesitation to take chances of any kind. Abby slowly relaxes her guard where her mother is concerned but things between them remain fragile since Laura is so reluctant to discuss the past.  Will Abby and Laura's relationship truly heal without an open and honest conversation about their unresolved issues?

A Mother Like Mine is a very moving novel of redemption, forgiveness and starting over. Kate Hewitt brings the setting and the eclectic cast of characters vividly to life. The storyline is emotionally compelling with realistic issues to overcome. An absolutely marvelous story that old and new fans of the very charming Hartley-by-the-Sea series are sure to love!

3.8

A Mother like Mine by Kate Hewitt is a heartwarming story of three generations of women who are involved in complex mother-daughter relationships. Mary, the matriarch, runs a small cafe in Hartley by the Sea. She has raised her granddaughter Abby, who also works at the cafe.

The story begins with the arrival of Laura, Abby’s mother. She left when Abby was two and has rarely come back to visit. Naturally, Abby doesn’t trust her and questions her motives for returning.

Gradually, as some tragic events occur, Abby and Laura begin to understand each other and slowly begin answering all the questions from the past.

This was the third in a series, but works well as a stand novel.

Many thanks to Berkley Books and First to Read for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.