Cinnamon has been let down by the care system and her family. Abandoned by her birth mother, she was moved around, never really knowing love.
As an adult she allowed peoples assumptions of her to become the truth.
By chance Cinnamon finds a baby and a note. Here Cinnamon decides that she can right so many wrongs of her life and the care system.
There are many hurdles she has to climb, the main one is that she's black and the baby is white.

I loved these authors first book so this was anticipated and rightfully so!
It’s thought provoking, it’s heartfelt tender and I just loved it!

The main character was so sweet, didn’t always make the logical correct choices but I forgave her and watched if it would all work out for her.

I’m so glad I picked this one up at last.

Such an outstanding memorable read.

What would you do if you were sitting at a park during your lunch hour and found a baby in a carrier with no sign of a sitter or parent? When Cinnamon Haynes, a former foster child who once was homeless and struggled for years to come into her own, finds the baby, she doesn't know where to turn. To add to the controversy, the baby is white and she is black. She knows that she's been missing something in the relatively normal life she's carved out for herself, but is it crazy to consider caring for the baby herself?

So starts this heartfelt exploration of motherhood and what makes a mother. Cinnamon who serves as a guidance counselor at a local community college advises young people on making decisions about their future daily. But she never thought that she'd be a mom because her husband Jayson seems more wrapped up in himself, and she figured with her background that she may be unsuitable for motherhood, anyway. Plus, the emotional attachment may be too great when she's already trying to stay confident and in control after many years of feeling like the floor always quaked beneath her.

I really loved this book and loved the main character. She's such a well-drawn character, unique and empathetic, and the choices she makes may seem destructive or simply not well thought-out, but as she goes along in the book, you see how Cinnamon grows with each day that she cares for baby. Despite what her husband or best friend says, she's determined to be there for the baby unlike all the people who failed her during her childhood. Yet she realizes how challenging it could be with the stress on her marriage, society's opinions about a young black woman rearing a white baby, and the way motherhood changes you, whomever you are, beyond anything that you would expect.

Some chapters end with letters that the pregnant teenager who left the baby wrote to her child. They tell her story of her fraught childhood and the reasons behind why she left her child. You gradually learn why she did it and how she feels about it. Her character is distinct from Cinnamon's but just as compelling and likeable. You feel so much empathy towards her plight and how she's torn about giving up her baby.

I loved how the book was written and the engaging language. The characters and scenarios come alive. While some of the situations may seem slightly far-fetched, they all lead to an amazing story. If you are a mother, considering becoming one, or do not know if it's the right path for you, it explores all avenues of motherhood and what makes a family. It will make you appreciate yours even more, whether you're connected to your biological family or the one you've created on your own.

I never shed a tear over books, but I welled up at the end of this one. It's incredibly touching and just such a good story. So good that I raced out before I finished it to get the authors' other novel, which I started last night. I feel so privileged to get the chance to read this--I enjoyed it so much and hope you will, too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this book purely based on the fact that I read the previous one from these authors and wanted to enjoy more from them. However, books featuring children and the topics of motherhood isn't one I've ever particularly enjoyed so I definitely feel I should have read the blurb more rather than auto requesting it.

The writing and social topics that this book does explore, are as always, thoughtful and provocative from these authors.

Strong Jodi Picoult vibes with this story; You Were Always Mine deals with huge life issues that Jodi often addresses in her stories in similar ways. Addressing family life, race, societal expectations, youth, the authors handle the tale so sensitively and respectfully whilst challenging some societal norms.

Far fetched plot and characters I just didn’t care about. Their first novel, despite its flaws, covered some interesting themes but this was the equivalent of a human interest story to wrap up the news. Disappointing.

"You Were Always Mine" by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza is a compelling exploration of motherhood, secrets, and the resilience of family. The authors' storytelling is both emotionally charged and evocative, skillfully unraveling a complex web of relationships. As the protagonists confront their past, the novel becomes a poignant reminder that love and forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds. It's a heartfelt and thought-provoking read for those who appreciate stories about the intricacies of family bonds.

Oh my goodness this book; quite possibly one of the most emotionally powerful, heart wrenching books about motherhood that I have ever read. I could relate to this book in so many ways; aspects of Cinnamon's and Daisy's backgrounds mirror my own. It was hard to read at times but I am so very glad that I persevered. I laughed and cried, and I know that this book will stay with me forever. I think I enjoyed it even more than the authors' previous book. This is a writing team like no other - I hope they will write many more books together as they are absolutely WONDERFUL. I would give this book six stars if I could.

You Were Always Mine explores themes of race, motherhood, identity and trauma.

Cinnamon was abandoned by her mother, her father wasn't around and foster care came to seem preferable to the brief time she spent feeling unwanted and unworthy whilst living with her Aunt Celia.

Now she has more than she ever dreamt of. A handsome husband, Jayson. A wonderful best friend Lucia. And a job she's blagged her way into. The problem is, Cinnamon is trying to live her life with the burden of her past that she's hidden from their closest to her.

A sweet friendship with a young woman, Daisy is to change Cinnamon's life forever. Finding an abandoned baby, together with a note, leads to a huge decision than turns everything upside down. And ultimately leads to Cinnamon truly being herself unapologetically.

Written with raw emotion and a depth that made for an absorbing read, You Were Always Mine had more than its share of tragedy. But the formidable female characters led this story to a wholly satisfying conclusion.

Absorbing, emotional and incredibly moving.

A really thought provoking story about Cinnamon and Daisy. An unlikely friendship of sorts, turns into a life changing moment. Will recommend to all I know.

A book which explores what motherhood means intertwined with issues of race and adoption. While I generally enjoyed the book and its themes, I found the initial premise a bit of a stretch. In a busy city park, was it really plausible that the right person would find the baby left by the birth mother? And the found mother didn’t think to notify the authorities? Regardless of setup, I did very much enjoy the exploration of motherhood in ALL of its definitions and the resolution at the end.

Another great novel dealing with the complicated issue of race. Cinnamon, a black woman, finds a white newborn in the park, and is drawn to keep her and care for her. The reactions of those around her bring up interesting conversations about race and family.

Cinnamon Haynes is an interesting character and one that many will resonate with. You have the job and the home after a mammoth struggle to get there, but then after a period of stability, wonder what else, if anything, is out there, just waiting for you to discover it. Cinnamon is a career counsellor, helping others discover what they want out of life, especially their working lives, but like anyone in her position, finds it challenging to work out her own path.

After her relationship, somewhat failing, she starts to talk to Daisy. She's a teenager with hopes and dreams, but also a baby. She isn't in a position to be a mother and she has big plans for her future. This doesn't feature her baby and leaves it, abandoned in the park, perhaps in the hopes that Cinnamon may find it, which she does. This of course isn't an easy decision and nor is it an easy process for Cinnamon, who wants to keep it and cherish it as though it was her own. She has this to deal with as well as judgements because the baby is white. People also assume she is the nanny.

It's a complex story, not just about race, but also about the backgrounds of the two women, central to the book as well as also how quickly bonds can be formed between an adult and newborn, as well as tackling the dilemma that Cinnamon and her husband face.
Jayson wants to tell the police about the baby, but she doesn't due to the bond she has already formed with Bluebell. It makes you read on to find out what Cinnamon will do. She is desperate to keep the baby, even though not strictly hers or anything to do with her at all, but wants to see Daisy's baby right and be part of her family. She has a tenuous fight on her hands that she truly wants to take on to get the outcome she desires.

'You Were Always Mine' is a strongly complex and thought-provoking, compelling book that focuses on interestingly complicated parts of society. Nothing in their lives is drawn in a straight-line. Life is shown to be much more nuanced and complicated than that, with hardships and huge decisions that are a bit out of the norm of the everyday to make.

Wow! This book deals with character and family. Cinnamon is a great women and I would love to meet her. These two women are forced to put away all the trauma and drama and reunite for the sake of the baby. This book is one you will not be able to put down. Daisy is trying hard to do the right thing but she has so many challenges along the way.

I enjoyed the first book by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza a lot so couldn't wait to see what else they would offer. This was another great read. I liked the plot and characters. The authors handled the difficult topics well and portrayed it through the characters.

At times the pacing felt a little slow but overall it was a good read.

Cinnamon has not had an easy life, brought up in various foster homes, a cruel cold aunt, homeless and living in her car, barely an adult. Now she is married to Jayson, who is a charmer and a dreamer, full of ambition and plans for their future.
Cinnamon is a reader, she takes her book every lunchtime to a bench in the park, to have her lunch and read. She makes friends with a younger woman, Daisy, they chat, both just enjoying the company, aware of their difference, but also aware how little it matters.
Then comes a week Daisy doesn’t show up, Cinnamon is baffled, why has her new friend disappeared? Daisy has though left behind a very precious gift for Cinnamon, she has left her baby, swaddled and hidden behind their bench.
Cinnamon is panicked, the note asks her to take care of the beautiful blue eyed white baby, she considers going to the police, doesn’t want to get Daisy into trouble, she takes the baby, who she nicknamesBluebell home, which causes untold problems, her husband urges her to take Bluebell to the police, cinnamon assures him she can find Daisy in a week.
The story is beautifully told , her determined search for Daisy, in a few days she has developed a bond with beautiful perfect Bluebell, she does not care that when in public people think she is the nanny of this white fair baby, as Cinnamon is black.
The story is sensitive and impactful. covers many topics, race class, miscarriage, abuse, but above all love, Cinnamon falls in love with baby Bluebell, Daisy admires and trusts her friend Cinnamon, colour is unimportant, who gave birth to baby Bluebell is also unimportant, love is all that is needed, and as the two park friends are reunited, together they choose a beautiful name for the baby, I loved this book from beginning to end.
Many thanks to Net Galley and HQ for ab ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for a review. Thanks also to these two authors who have again created a very compelling read.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed 'We are Not Like Them' by this duo I was fascinated to read their latest offering. Again dealing with the subject of colour - but this time when a young black woman fosters a white baby all the problems this incurs, more so than when a white woman fosters a black child.
There is much depth in this story of being fostered from the point of view of the children rather than from the point of view of the adults.
Again plenty of food for thought.
A little slow at the beginning but as Cinnamon grows as a person in her own right the story becomes more fascinating.
Three and a half stars.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Christine Pride/Jo Piazza/HQ for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hmmm.
I liked the first collaboration by these authors and was looking forward to seeing how they’d tackle this one. Unfortunately I could not get over the unlikelihood of the basic premise this entire book is based on.
As a result I could not get into this book. In hindsight, I possibly should have given up on it.
If you can get on board with the unlikelihood of these circumstances a somewhat decent if simple enough narrative unfolds.
It wasn’t for me.

This one was quite the handful, alot of subjects were raised here i.e Race, Motherhood, Abandonment, Privilege, even Homophobia. Where I did feel all was handled respectfully by the authors, I won't lie and say it was always a joy to read.

In theroy, 'a bit of a headache read' shouldn't have been the case in this day and age in regards to the plot but alas, it was, in parts. This is no way reflected on the authors, not at all. A black lady caring for a white baby, loving her as if she were her very own should not be an issue should it? But yet, it is.

Cinnamon made some bad judgements regarding the welfare of the child in her care but if you really look deep, you can understand her despair considering the prejudice she faced from just about everyone, it seemed.

It's hard going, it's an eye opener, but if you stick around long enough, beautifully rewarding at the end.

Thank you #HQStories 🩷

YOU WERE ALWAYS MINE -OUT NOW

- Leanne

@the_book_girls_1

A kaleidoscope of motherhood and all it’s colors.

Thanks NetGalley & HQ for the ARC!

Synopsis -

Cinnamon Haynes has built a stable life for herself after the turmoil of her childhood. But when she finds an abandoned newborn baby in the park, Cinnamon decides to take the baby home, much to the dismay of her husband, friends & others. Meanwhile, Daisy has left behind her worthless old life to dream of a bigger, better future as a pilot. But when she unexpectedly gets pregnant, she makes some unthinkable choices that might come back to haunt her. Two very different women and a baby, what can happen?


Review-

Although the book deals with one of the most popular themes of motherhood, what sets it apart, is the lens with which we get to see it.

We follow –

Cinnamon, a black woman with emotional baggage from the residual trauma of her childhood – the pain of neglect, rejection and abandonment burrowed deep into her heart.

Daisy, a young adult, white, also with a troubled upbringing - about whom we only get to know from the letters she writes to her child.

The authors explore how one mother has to desert her child, while another, who never had the desire to become a mother, will unexpectedly come in possession of a child and has to decide if she wants to adorn a mother’s role.

Delving deep into Cinnamon’s character and her past, we are privy to her deepest desires, thought processes, heartaches, helplessness and most importantly her reaction and shock as she adapts to caring for a newborn baby, her inexplicable bonding with the child, as motherhood gradually grows on her.

What’s more, she has to deal with the brunt of her husband’s non-cooperation, her best friend’s and even the society’s doubtful remarks and moral questioning about her taking in a white baby.

Daisy’s narrative in the form of letters alternates with Cinnamon’s. These contain the most tender and heartfelt confessions of a young mother to her baby - desperate, scared and vulnerable, who has no choice but to abandon her to fate.

The writing is so powerful. It has a certain gravity, a seriousness to its tone that will make you take a deep breath, contemplate & feel the weight of the plot sinking in.

Tackling themes of racial bias, discrimination, effects of foster care, childhood abuse and mental trauma, this book will certainly make you reflect on the fragility, desperation and circumstance driven decision patterns of two unique embodiments of motherhood.


Definitely recommend!