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hailstone123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sianm90's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Emotional family drama from the male and female perspectives; you'll need tissues.
A two-hander of viewpoints that will touch you. The story doesn't let up, and both sides bring honest and raw sentiments with them.
Kerry works diligently as a cleaner to raise her son by herself, taking pride in her flat, while holding onto hopes of the long-gone baby brother she lost in the care system when still a child herself.
Noah Martineau is a well-spoken and successful barrister, married family man, who knows he was adopted but has never sought to know anything more about his origins. Keeping his feelings close to his chest, a letter out of the blue startles him into searching for more information about his history.
The two stories will of course collide, as the two disparate individuals reconnect.
Kerry is hard to dislike from the first, a hard-working mum, product of the care system and battling her own demons, her love for her lost little brother is unmistakable and genuine. Noah is a very different personality, with his feelings kept tightly under wraps, even from himself.
The feel of the London of Kerry (run down estate, cheeky but loving son) and Noah (expensive house, privileged but down-to-earth family) is a meeting of two worlds, the differences between their lives are marked, even though we can't hear the difference in their voices, that are often referred to.
With a few plot surprises that move the story into darker territory, the themes of family, love and honesty saturate the book, but it doesn't become sentimental. Towards the end we are given scenes that moved me quite deeply, and had me in tears.
It's a redemptive tale, but one that wrings you out along the way. This and Gayle's last have really impressed me with his insight into the male psyche and he brings out the thoughts and fears that too often seem to remain hidden.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
A two-hander of viewpoints that will touch you. The story doesn't let up, and both sides bring honest and raw sentiments with them.
Kerry works diligently as a cleaner to raise her son by herself, taking pride in her flat, while holding onto hopes of the long-gone baby brother she lost in the care system when still a child herself.
Noah Martineau is a well-spoken and successful barrister, married family man, who knows he was adopted but has never sought to know anything more about his origins. Keeping his feelings close to his chest, a letter out of the blue startles him into searching for more information about his history.
The two stories will of course collide, as the two disparate individuals reconnect.
Kerry is hard to dislike from the first, a hard-working mum, product of the care system and battling her own demons, her love for her lost little brother is unmistakable and genuine. Noah is a very different personality, with his feelings kept tightly under wraps, even from himself.
The feel of the London of Kerry (run down estate, cheeky but loving son) and Noah (expensive house, privileged but down-to-earth family) is a meeting of two worlds, the differences between their lives are marked, even though we can't hear the difference in their voices, that are often referred to.
With a few plot surprises that move the story into darker territory, the themes of family, love and honesty saturate the book, but it doesn't become sentimental. Towards the end we are given scenes that moved me quite deeply, and had me in tears.
It's a redemptive tale, but one that wrings you out along the way. This and Gayle's last have really impressed me with his insight into the male psyche and he brings out the thoughts and fears that too often seem to remain hidden.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
bookwormclare01's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
carladelgado's review against another edition
5.0
An incredible read. I was hooked with the promising synopsis but I was not prepared for the book itself. Very brilliant and well-written.
bethsbooketlist's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
oyindamola19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
wabel's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
infires_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ruthiew's review against another edition
3.0
Nice story. Became a bit of a drag in the middle after it was so obvious how it would end. Wish there was a little more of a twist.
Would also have been nice to expand on how Noah and Kian dealt with their grief for Kerry rather than skipping a full year ahead.
Would also have been nice to expand on how Noah and Kian dealt with their grief for Kerry rather than skipping a full year ahead.