This was a beautiful story about hard choices, past experiences, loss, and healing. When Meg is dying she leaves videos for 14 year old daughter to explain about her birth. Meanwhile, Cassie has made a new life, when her past comes back to her via an email. Told in alternating points of view, we find out what happened in the past. There were some wonderful characters, Alfie was gorgeous, Becca was genuine and funny, and Mrs. Miah was an exemplary school teacher. The ending was very touching, especially Meg's final video and the party scene. The trauma both Meg and Cassie went through was immense, and the resolution for the other characters worked well. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a chance to review this book.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This was a very emotional read.

When Cassie, married to Simon was pregnant, she discovered that Simon was having an affair, with Meg.

This news was a shock and not coping with it, caused her to have a breakdown. She then agreed to let Simon and Meg have and raise her daughter Grace. She wouldn’t have any sort of contact at all with her daughter.

Now, after a long time has passed, Cassie is married again and has a son, when Simon gets in touch to advise her that Meg has passed away and Grace, her daughter needs her.

Meg left videos of the life she lived and told Grace who her real mother is before passing away.

But, will Cassie accept Grace in her life now after such a long time?

I highly recommend this book.

A novel of despair and hope, 'The Daughter She Gave Away' is my first novel by Lisa Timoney. Narrated in the third person by the two main female characters, we follow the stories of Meg and Cassie as they are forced to make decisions that have ripple effects on all those around them. We first meet Meg, who, after she is diagnosed with a fatal illness, decides that it's time to come clean to her daughter, Grace, about secrets long withheld from her. The secret? She is not her biological mother - she and her husband, Simon, were given full custody when his ex-wife, Cassie, was no longer able to take care of her. However, after Meg's death, Simon reaches out to Cassie in hopes that she will become a source of comfort for Grace. For Cassie, who has since moved on and has a new husband and son, this news is devastating, as she has no desire to revisit the dark times of her past. What follows is an emotional ride, as readers are taken on a rollercoaster of feelings ranging from devastation to happiness.

What I enjoyed most about this book is its ability to evoke a range of emotions from me - sadness, heartache, anger, and even joy. Timoney wrote in such a manner that I could not help but feel for these characters as if they were real.

That being said, it was quite hard for me to actually like most of the characters. Meg, Simon and especially Cassie were all unlikable on various levels. While I have never personally struggled with post-partum depression or any such illness, I cannot imagine abandoning my child just because I was cheated on!

All in all, I give this novel a rating of 3.5 stars - while the feelings I experienced while reading it were quite visceral, there were many instances where I was unable to connect to the characters besides the children, However, I do recommend this to anyone looking for a read to unclog them emotionally.

*A great many thanks to Boldwood Books, Lisa Timoney, and NetGalley for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*

Cassie decides to give away her baby, has she made the right choice. Lots of secrets that being this book to life. An excellent page turner to find out what happens next. She goes on to marry and have another child, but the first baby is always on her mind and due to circumstances she has no
control over she finds her daughter again.

Have your tissues ready, this is a real heartbreaker! Secrets and lies that are meant well but tear families apart are explored in this heartfelt novel. Lisa writes with such grace and feeling, I didn't want this to end, even though I sobbed through a lot of it!

The Daughter She Gave Away by Lisa Timoney ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you want an emotional heartbreaking read, this is definitely the one to read. A cheating husband, his wife, the girlfriend and later the wife's new husband is a tell all from all parties. How they grieve. survive, forgive, heal and grow and that's before bringing children into the mix.

Lisa did a great job writing this story, and one recommend you read. Have 4 boxes of tissues ready in case you are like me and are a crier.

Thank you Netgallery and publisher for the advanced copy for my honest opinion and thoughts.

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Daughter She Gave Away’ written by Lisa Timoney in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Grace is fourteen-years-old when her mum Meg dies and as she watches the videos Meg made for her she learns the secret that she and her dad Simon kept from her. Although Simon is her real dad her birth-mother was Cassie who was married to her dad and while struggling with depression handed her over to his new wife Meg to care for. How can Grace cope with this knowledge when her heart has been broken?

‘The Daughter She Gave Away’ is an emotional rollercoaster that was heart-breaking and brought tears to my eyes as Meg was recording her videos. Told through the eyes of Cassie and Meg, it tells of the relationship between mother and daughter and how secrets kept for years can be destructive until eventually revealed. My heart went out to the characters of Cassie, Meg and seven-year-old Alf who were well-described and true to life, although Luke annoyed me immensely as instead of giving much-needed emotional support to Cassie he gave his ’counsellor-talk’ causing additional upset that Cassie wasn’t able to cope with. I’ve loved reading this wonderful story that’s been written by a very talented author and is one I can wholeheartedly recommend.

Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive.
~Sir Walter Scott

Telling the initial lie often comes back to bite the person in the butt, creating a domino effect with terrible repercussions.

This story is very representative of this old adage. Cassie told her second husband, Luke, a huge lie when she met him before they married. Now, fourteen years later, the effects of that lie are about to wreak havoc on several lives. And, instead of coming clean about her lie, Cassie piles other lies on top of it. The web is getting more and more tangled.

This is one of the rare times I like the book (storyline) but I don't like the main characters. Cassie just digs herself in deeper rather than trying to fix things. Luke, her husband, is a psychologist. He just mutters psycho-babble every time there's any conflict in the household, rather than reacting emotionally.

It's a story full of drama and conflict. It was hard to figure out how everything would be resolved. And, even though I just said that I didn't like the main characters, I was able to empathize with them. I'll probably never know for sure, but I think that this might have been the author's goal.

The ending was dramatic and emotional. It was satisfying, it left the door wide open for hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

This book was wonderful, It was so sad at times and you could feel bad for all parties. Cassie for the trauma she went through and Meg and Simon for their heartbreak and Grace for what she found out about her life that broke her heart. Cassie's little boy was so sweet and I loved how he embraced the idea of a big sister. Cassie's husband was a different story. At times, I felt like Cassie did - that his job a a counselor made him too matter of fact about what she was going through, though he didn't know all the details for quite awhile.
The story was well worth reading and I enjoyed it. I also highly recommend this book and will look for more from this author.

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This book was really emotional, and I found it hard to put down.
It’s about a girl, Grace, who finds out the mom who raised her isn’t her real mom — and she only finds out because her mom is really sick. Things get messy fast. this book had me feeling all the things
If you’re into emotional family dramas, secrets being spilled, and strong but flawed characters . Then check this one out.

A hard hitting emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. I think the female characters were excellent and the story dealt with their inner thoughts and feelings brilliantly. I didn’t like Luke, I felt he spent too long in his counsellor mode, and less thinking about how his wife was, and had been feeling. I would still recommend this book though.

A pleasant and emotional quick read. Well constructed and with interesting character development. Heartwarming but ultimately a bit too twee for me.

Let me just start out by saying this book was gut wrenching. Right from the start we are stabbed in the heart and filled with emotion and it never lets up. In my mind that is what makes this book so powerful to be able to attach to a main character after only a few pages isn't an easy task however that is the kind of character that Lisa wrote and I loved it. This was a very complex family drama story that left me stunned. I loved the characters and the whole plot itself. If you do check out this book get ready for gut punches and tissues as both are inevitable. When our main character (Meg) is diagnosed with cancer she decides that it is time for her to come clean to her daughter, Grace, and confess a big secret that she has been hiding her whole life. As it seems Meg isn't Graces biological mother. It turns out that Grace's father was married before and she is a result of that marriage so Meg decides that Grace should get the chance to meet her real mother. There was lots of different points of view in this story, Grace, Meg, and the bio mom Cassie, and while as complex as this story could have gotten it was very easy to follow. There was so much going on but I loved seeing everyone's situation and how they reacted and why they chose to do what they did even thought their actions weren't always perceived correctly. What I also loved the most was how we got so many different perspectives and each one had very different, all be it justifiable reactions towards the situation that they were in. An interesting thing with this book is that our "villains" of this story are actually good people and did what they thought was best there was no one with ill intentions even if their actions weren't quite honourable.This was a very strong plot and even stronger characters but I loved how our author really made us feel for all of the characters. A very emotional family drama novel that I believe will touch every type of reader. Great read, however I do suggest having a box of tissues nearby if you are going to read this because you will need them for sure. I loved the power and strength that was shown behind the characters. Great read and I can't wait for everyone to be talking about this book.

This is a sad story and focuses on difficult decisions made, implications of those decisions, and how to work through them when you're faced with a challenge and needing to confront your past in order to move forward. Strong focus on mother-daughter relationship.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

"The Daughter She Gave Away" is a poignant narrative that intricately weaves together the lives of two mothers, Meg and Cassie, alongside their daughter, Grace. Meg, confronted with terminal cancer, records a series of video messages for Grace, disclosing a harrowing secret: Cassie, the first wife of Simon, is her biological mother. This revelation disrupts the equilibrium of their familial relationships, instigating profound emotional ramifications as truths concerning love, sacrifice, and the past surface.

Cassie's existence is profoundly altered upon receiving an email from her former husband, Simon, which informs her of Meg's passing and Grace's need for emotional support. Cassie wrestles with the emotional upheaval stemming from her past choices. The narrative poignantly illustrates her internal struggles with guilt and regret, as she is compelled to confront her history with Simon and the daughter she relinquished, all the while managing her current family dynamics.

The author deftly examines the challenges faced by young Grace, as she uncovers her true origins and the ramifications of her mother’s decisions. This journey of self-discovery and emotional recuperation is central to the narrative, as Grace navigates feelings of abandonment and the influence of her mother’s secrets on her life. The characters are multifaceted, and their emotional trajectories are developed with nuance, eliciting empathy despite their imperfections. The pacing of the story kept me engaged, with a rapid plot progression and I couldn’t put it down. This novel prompts contemplation on themes of family, forgiveness, and the ramifications of choices made during moments of crisis. The emotional resonance of the characters and the sensitive exploration of motherhood permeate the novel, rendering it a compelling read that lingers in your mind long after the final page.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

Wow what an emotional rollercoaster this one was! For the reader and all the characters.

Cassie thought she had left her past behind her, settling down with her second husband and having a beautiful little boy, but out of the blue her ex husband contacts her, after 14 years apart. His second wife has died and he needs help, with the daughter Cassie gave birth to all those years before.

What follows is a heartbreakingly beautiful tale of loss, facing your demons from the past and finding a way to move forward.

The author is sensitive in her writing, fully considering how much turmoil young Grace is facing.
The emotions throughout feel very real, taking into account each person that this secret affects.

As you read more you come to care for all the characters, your initial feelings and judgments of them may well change as you get to know them more.

Cassie’s second husband Luke is very supportive and considerate but occasionally I’d have liked to see him step away from his professional side as a counsellor, see his raw emotions rather than practiced responses.

This is a fast paced read and could well be read in one sitting if you can make the time!
Definitely have a box of tissues at the ready though, especially for the last couple of chapters!

I’d love to know how all the characters are getting on a year or so down the line.

Thought this was a heartbreakingly beautiful story as you follow the journey of Cassie and Meg. Well written and impossible to put down.

The Daughter She Gave Away by Lisa Timoney is a deeply moving story about family, secrets, and difficult choices. When Meg receives a terminal diagnosis, her primary concern is protecting her family—especially her 14-year-old daughter, Grace. The truth Meg must share is heavy: Grace is not her birth daughter, but the child of Simon’s first wife, Cassie, who chose not to keep her.

Timoney explores the fragile nature of family bonds with sensitivity and compassion. The decision to reveal such a secret threatens to unravel everything Meg and Simon have built, and the emotional weight of this moment is palpable. Meg’s choice to leave Grace a series of videos is a touching way to prepare her daughter for the future and to express her love.

The story also delves into Cassie’s perspective, adding complexity and emotional depth as she faces her own struggles with the past and her current life. The tension between loyalty, regret, and hope is beautifully portrayed.

This book is a poignant exploration of what makes a family, and the sacrifices we make for those we love. It left me reflecting on the power of truth and the resilience of the heart.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Get the tissues ready for this one! Meg is dying from cancer with not much time left, so makes a series of videos to tell her 14 year old daughter, Grace, the truth: that she and Grace’s dad, Simon, fell in love while he was still married to a woman named Cassie — and that she is not Grace’s biological mother.

The family drama follows more of Grace’s bio mom, Cassie’s life, from the moment when Simon reaches out with the news of Meg’s passing and asks for help with Grace and her emotional state.

Cassie was a mixed bag of emotions for me. She never fully healed from the affair, and those unchecked emotions spill over into her current life as well as onto Grace when she shows up to meet Cassie. She was so unlikable at times, playing the victim and making so many emotionally-driven choices/mistakes before FINALLY taking responsibility and realizing that her actions were affecting more than just her.

I wasn’t always crazy about Luke either since he was so overbearing with his counselor jargon. But I know he was just trying to help Cassie, and then later continue helping her while dealing with his own feelings of being lied to.

Overall, I like the way the story wrapped up, and that Grace found the love and support she had been looking for after everything she had been through. It was definitely a hard read at times, but the ending made it worth it.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced review copy.

If you’re the kind of person who gets sucked into family dramas—like, sit-on-the-couch-for-hours, “just one more chapter” kind of books—then The Daughter She Gave Away is probably right up your alley..
The story follows two moms whose lives get tangled up thanks to secrets, tough choices, and the kind of heartbreak you can’t just shake off. One of them is dealing with cancer and trying to face the truth about the daughter she once gave up. The other’s just living her regular life until, suddenly, the past barges in and nothing feels normal anymore.
The characters are messy and real, which I love. No one’s a straight-up villain or hero—just people making the best (or worst) choices they can. The book digs into some heavy stuff: adoption, forgiveness, and whether you can ever really fix old mistakes. If you like books that make you think about what you’d do in a tough spot, this one’s going to get under your skin.
Bottom line: It’s an emotional rollercoaster about family, forgiveness, and what happens when the past finally catches up. Make sure you have tissues handy.