I really liked this book. Two parallel stories that tie together with the back drop of adoption and birth parents. Well written and great character development. It has a little romance, suspense and sheds light on some important historical issues.

This is a dual time line novel with interconnected storylines between the past and the present. In the present day, Cassie has a keen interest in geneology and has traced her father's ancestors back to the 1870's , where she discovers George Britten' s will and is intrigued why he has bequeathed a some of money to a prison chaplain and a jewelled mirror , of some value to his wife. How would a gentleman as affluent as George be acquainted with a prison chaplain? It's a mystery she is keen to solve.
Each chapter slowly unravels the mystery as we move between the Victorian era and the modern day , with plenty of twists and turns along the way . There are paralells cleverly interwoven between the timelines. George reveals his story through journal entries , which was a nice touch.He is living under the roof of his parents when he is first introduced, a very naive and unworldly but kindly youth.He is such a likeable character, unable to understand the uncaring and indifferent attitude his parents have towards him but ever hopeful of winning their approval , especially that of his coldhearted mother. He falls under the spell of beautiful housemaid Lucy, who befriends him . His warmhearted feelings are not reciprocated on her part . When she falls ill and later dies , it is believed she has been the victim of poisoning and George is mistakenly prosecuted for the crime.
The descriptions of life in a Victorian prison are harrowing and the vindictiveness of the guards was uncomfortable reading .
It took me a while to warm to Cassie's character. She has a very loving relationship with her parents and they are wonderfully supportive of her. As she uncovers the secrets of the past, she unwittingly uncovers a secret far closer to home. I was a little disappointed at her initial reaction and although I could empathise I didn't like her much at that point of the story. She definitely redeemed herself by the end of the storyline.
This was a well plotted and researched novel that reminded me of Lucinda Riley and Nicola cornick in style.. I thoroughly recommend it .I was
Completely transfixed by the storyline and didn't want to put it down once I'd started it. It was finished within a day.

I enjoyed this book and the 2 stories that were somewhat interconnected being told simultaneously, much like with the seven sisters series by Lucinda Riley. I liked how the modern day version although personally I thought a tad unrealistic in terms of what ended up happening, I did at least enjoy how normal the family was and how it wasn't this upper class family who you couldn't relate to, as with the aforementioned Lucinda Riley series. My only complaint would be that the ending seemed a bit rushed with what happened with Andy and Cassie, and it feels as though that should've been developed a bit more, but the story of George had a perfect ending. All in all a good read I would recommend

Psssttt! Wanna know a secret? Then you’ll need to pick up The Forgotten Gift and let Kathleen McGurl tell you about two families and the deepest darkest secrets they want hidden.

The queen of dual timelines has done it again; penned another intriguing historical fiction set in England. The novel opens with an extract from the last will and testament of George Thomas Bitten written in 1874. He bequeaths 100 pounds to the chaplain of Millbank Prison and a hand mirror with a silver frame inlaid with sapphires and pearls to Emily, Chaplain Nathaniel’s wife, in recognition of their friendship and support during George’s time of greatest need. Readers are immediately hooked: How does George know the chaplain of a prison? What did George experience that he felt the need to leave such a luxurious gift?

Next, we meet Cassie in present-day England. She’s a happy, genealogy obsessed 37 year old with a loving family, great friends and a “means to an end” job. Once she digs around and discovers her great-great-great-grandfather’s will online, she uncovers more than she bargains for and she’s not the only one hiding a secret!

Readers then journey back to 1861 to the Bitten mansion and learn about Lucy, George’s recent infatuation. Sweet Lucy befriends this lonely English fellow and offers George everything he doesn’t get from his wealthy family; love and attention. Unfortunately, she’s poisoned just as their relationship gets serious and readers are swept up in a fury of allegations and a murder investigation.

McGurl has successfully taken strands from George and Cassie’s lives and expertly woven them together in a devastating yet heartwarming account. In addition to her seamless and engaging storyline, the author has crafted believable characters who are courageous and kind. Readers will rapidly identify with them and experience the gamut of emotions as they deal with devastating and heartwarming life events. I feel like I’ve just enjoyed two amazing stories instead of one. You’ll need to read this beautiful and bittersweet tale to discover, not only how the mirror connects these two families, but also how in burying secrets, sorrow and heartache intertwine each. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that this book is to be published on November 11th – Remembrance Day – with a title like “The Forgotten Gift.”

Not sure where to start with this. I've read some of McGurl's books before. This outstrips them all. A duel timeline narrative featuring George, in 1861, the unloved but far from unlovable younger son to afluent landowners. It switches between his narrative of events, which have devastating consequences, to modern day Cassie, a possible relative who has made some life choices that have resulted in her living the single life, working in a dead end job at a local sports centre.
The writing is fantastic. The pace fast. The plot gripping. My late night bedtime read that is meant to help me drop off to sleep 😳 Anyone got any matchsticks?