A beautifully written novel focused on the sensitive topic of fleeing an abusive marriage. Despite the heavy content, Pauline Tait did a great job here of remaining respectful and avoided using too much triggering language. The plot left me guessing just enough to keep me hooked until the end, and I found myself invested in Kate, the main character, wanting her to succeed and be happy.

A life of their own is a story about domestic abuse survivors and finding eventual happiness. It’s short. It packs quite the punch. It’s the type of book that lingers even after you’ve read it months prior and you’ll likely continue to think about it.

This tackles a rough, yet important topic. I maintained interest in the book, yet it seemed like the character development could have been better, and the ending... unrealistic and too pretty. Everything is better because her new man is rich and knows the law? No... That's not how real life works. But ok.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the pdf so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

This book is very hard to review but all I can say is that it tells an important story but I felt that some of the language used was dated. Also it all seemed to end perfectly.

I especially want to thank SylverWood books and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.

I love the blurry cover of this book where I see the heroine almost in profile.

It features Kate running away from home with her two children. Will she be able to keep them safe and ensure that they are never found? She wants to start a new life away from New York, starting from scratch. What she didn't know when she arrived in her new environment was that she would find herself in a life that she had abandoned long ago.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving at certain passages, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters. I love the author's writing so addictive.

Well written, interesting, captivating.

The kind of story that stays with you! It happens in real life and not many people know about it.

Warning : deals with abuse.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

TW: domestic violence

I wish I could give this book more than three stars but something about it just doesn't work for me. As a long-ago victim of domestic abuse, I get it. I get her fear. I get her inability to tell others while it was happening. I get her wanting to get as far away as she can. And I get her not turning him in. What I don't get is Kate's desperate need to get to Colorado.

The book starts off with a bang. Living in New York City, Kate is married to a monster and has finally wheedled away enough money to get herself and her two young children out of the house and on a train to ... Colorado, where an ex-boyfriend lived. They hop a train, then another, then another and so on until they reach their destination near Colorado Springs.

Kate quickly finds a cute bed and breakfast run by an older couple who take her and her children under their wings. How perfect! And if Kate does some housework her small family can stay there indefinitely. Perfect!

And so it goes that everything lines up perfectly for Kate. And I mean everything. Annoyingly so. Until the climax, which I could see coming from page 1. *sigh*

Here's one of my problems with this read: We know Kate was in an abusive relationship but almost no details were given about his treatment of her. The book would have been much stronger had the author spent more time on the front end of this story.

My second issue was how perfectly everything went for Kate after she left New York City. She needed perfect, but in real life that rarely happens.

And finally, and it's just a small tick, but the author uses English idioms and spellings in a book based in the U.S. I don't think in Colorado kids call their parents "mum," nor do they "tuck in" for supper. I expect and even enjoy that when I'm reading a novel is set in the U.K. I expect local language nuances and I didn't get that with this read.

All of that said, this book will be devoured by certain readers, and I do think it belongs on the shelves of those who enjoy romances because the writing style is quite good. It just wasn't for me so much.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say that unfortunately this is not my kind of book. The premise was interesting but when the gorgeous, muscular love interest from the protagonist's past miraculously appears so early on in the book I knew it wouldn't be my cup of tea.

I enjoyed the book and getting to know the characters. Would recommend. Once I started I didn't want to put it down

This book, A Life of Their Own, by Pauline Tait, was a truly heartfelt piece of writing. It explored what it means to put your love for your children above all else, knowing that because of your actions you might not survive, yet their wellbeing is worth the risk. Fearing for her life she flees New York leaving her abusive past behind her. She reaches Colorado and begins a new life, experiencing the first acts of kindness that she has experienced in a very long time showing that second chances are within everybody's reach. Her past hasn't totally disappeared however and does come back to haunt her, however Matthew, her former love, who she never truly forgot about defends her. This is a lovely short read yet tear jerking in parts. It shows true resilience and that love, kindness and respect will conquer evil when we're determined to succeed. It's an excellent emotional read.

This novel was hard-hitting and a great book if you want something that will hit you hard. We follow and mother and daughter trying to flee from domestic abuse. Very captivating.

The book started out great but when Kate runs in to Matthew the story took a bit of a nose dive. Way too convenient and coincidental. Same thing with the kids never asking any questions about their dad (There should have been more about him in the story btw) or where they were going etc. Also, the story takes place in New York and Colorado so why is there so much British speak? Overall a good book but could have been better.

The premise of this is great and based on a very difficult topic - domestic abuse. It's only a short book, so perfect if you're looking for a quick read to take on holiday, or even to read on your commute!
I was hoping for more character development in this, as our main character has suffered from years of abuse and she is finally free, yet her character arc seemed a bit stunted from when she met the love interest. Now, I do understand the point that the author was trying to put across - that being able to love yourself (and someone else) and be comfortable following that level of abuse is possible - but sadly it just felt like the main character's problems were all fixed because her new partner was mega-rich and happened to do law as well. The parts with the abusive partner towards the end were extremely anticlimactic
This should've been good but it just wasn't for me, unfortunately.


Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I found this book to be a heartwarming story. I would absolutely recommend this book and look forward to the next book by this author

Kate was physically and emotionally abused by her husband, Adam. Her children, Jake (8) and Lucy (5), were verbally abused by their father - Adam. Eventually, Kate breaks free of Adam and her life in New York and takes her children to Colorado Springs where she had visited a long time ago.

Eventually she sees Matthew, a long lost love she hadn't seen for 9 years. They are the love of each other's lives. Yet, Kate has been so hurt by Adam that she is slow to begin again with Matthew, again. Matthew is patient and helps Kate assimilate into his life. Eventually, Kate works for Matthew and his father's ranch on the business end. Her children adapt to the ranch and the people and Kate is almost ready to move on with Matthew.....

Of course, the story returns to Adam and.....

A wonderful suspense story with a few interesting twists.

HIGHLY recommend!!!

Many Thanks to Pauline Tait and NetGalley for a fast, wonderful read!

When Katy and her children goes out on a bus , they are going away for a long time
They are going away for their safety
It was a bit scary

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Sorry for the delay in my review, life has gotten in the way.

Unfortunately, there is a large number of us women that can relate to the storyline here... escaping an abusive situation is NEVER easy... and we always fear the outcome or what may happen.

This story was beautifully and accurately written. it touched my heart, that's for sure.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review -
I absolutely devoured this book -
Kate and her children grab a bus and run from an abusive husband and father. With little funds she finds herself in Colorado at a guest house run by a lovely older couple. Then she runs into her old flame and even tho they each had married others the feelings for each other still run deep.
Can Kate leave her horrible past and begin again?

Happiness at last

Kate and her two small children Jake and Lucy were living a very secluded and controlled life with her abusive husband Adam in New York.

Kate decides to leave Adam and takes her children with only a change of clothes in their school bag and instead of catching the school bus they catch the greyhound bus. Leaving letters with her friend Alice for Adam and the school she and the children slip away. She goes all the way to Colorado Springs where she heard so much about from her former boyfriend in collage Matthew.

This starts a new life for Kate and the children Matthew is still in Colorado Springs. It takes a long time for Kate to trust anyone again, however, when Matthew stands up for her to Adam she knows she is where she needs to be. Her little family have found a place to belong, a place they are loved, a life of their own.

I loved this heartwarming story of love and trust, kindness and patience. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Silverwood Books, Pauline Tait, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of the book.

It was a beautifully written novel by an extremely talented writer. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline make for a roaring success. Highly recommended.