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A review by saarahnina
The Second Bride by Katharine Swartz
5.0
Major drama
It all begins with a death certificate, Sarah Mill's death certificate, hidden beneath the floorboards of Ellen's attic. Ellen is a freelancer, and the mother of two girls. She is finally going to get her own home office, it just needs some furnishing. This is how the certificate is discovered.
Ellen couldn't be happier with the prospect of her own room in the house but, this is threatened when Annabelle arrives at the scene. Annabelle is Ellen's stepdaughter, the last time they saw one another was when Annabelle was seven. They don't have any fond memories of that first time. It had been a bitter summer for them both... And now, it seems, Annabelle is back- only older.
Ellen's drama plays alongside the life of Sarah Mill's. Ellen thinks it might be a good idea to involve Annabelle into her project with the death certificate, seeing as Annabelle is studying History A Level (I studied this too!)
We learn of Sarah's life, the events leading to her death, her heartbreaks and hardships. This novel is strong in its range of core messages: sisterhood, loyalty, independence, courage, trust and acceptance. Sarah and her sister, Lucy, have just lost their mother. They haven't got a penny to their name and no living relative, except for an aunt who disowned their late mother. They turn to her, in good faith, and for a time there's hope- even in the dullness of their lives. Ellen learns of Sarah's remarkable,quiet life, while adjusting her own life to make room for a stepdaughter she barely knows.
This book explores the meaning of motherhood the sacrifices, the broken dreams, troubled marriages and ultimately, the disrupted families. The parallels between the two lives, Ellen's and Sarah's, were written well. The chapters were written in a way that made you feel like you didn't know which story interested you more. As a lover of history, my answer is clear: Sarah Mill's story was heartbreakingly tragic. Her hopes quashed, repeatedly: people never failed to disappoint. Yet she held strong, a determined force. Her sister, Lucy, remained her beautiful, sustaining, light. Will this change as well?
'The Second Bride' is far from your average book, fans of Rebecca Burns' 'The Bishop's Girl' would enjoy this. The style and themes are similar- both books have the power of connecting you, and touching your heart.
I received this book through NetGalley and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.
It all begins with a death certificate, Sarah Mill's death certificate, hidden beneath the floorboards of Ellen's attic. Ellen is a freelancer, and the mother of two girls. She is finally going to get her own home office, it just needs some furnishing. This is how the certificate is discovered.
Ellen couldn't be happier with the prospect of her own room in the house but, this is threatened when Annabelle arrives at the scene. Annabelle is Ellen's stepdaughter, the last time they saw one another was when Annabelle was seven. They don't have any fond memories of that first time. It had been a bitter summer for them both... And now, it seems, Annabelle is back- only older.
Ellen's drama plays alongside the life of Sarah Mill's. Ellen thinks it might be a good idea to involve Annabelle into her project with the death certificate, seeing as Annabelle is studying History A Level (I studied this too!)
We learn of Sarah's life, the events leading to her death, her heartbreaks and hardships. This novel is strong in its range of core messages: sisterhood, loyalty, independence, courage, trust and acceptance. Sarah and her sister, Lucy, have just lost their mother. They haven't got a penny to their name and no living relative, except for an aunt who disowned their late mother. They turn to her, in good faith, and for a time there's hope- even in the dullness of their lives. Ellen learns of Sarah's remarkable,quiet life, while adjusting her own life to make room for a stepdaughter she barely knows.
This book explores the meaning of motherhood the sacrifices, the broken dreams, troubled marriages and ultimately, the disrupted families. The parallels between the two lives, Ellen's and Sarah's, were written well. The chapters were written in a way that made you feel like you didn't know which story interested you more. As a lover of history, my answer is clear: Sarah Mill's story was heartbreakingly tragic. Her hopes quashed, repeatedly: people never failed to disappoint. Yet she held strong, a determined force. Her sister, Lucy, remained her beautiful, sustaining, light. Will this change as well?
'The Second Bride' is far from your average book, fans of Rebecca Burns' 'The Bishop's Girl' would enjoy this. The style and themes are similar- both books have the power of connecting you, and touching your heart.
I received this book through NetGalley and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it.