Before I Was Yours

I read this novel whilst on vacation just recently. Talk about pulling at the heartstrings! I happened to be on a coach tour, which wasn't the best place to read such an emotional book.

I have a few friends that have adopted and each had a sad story to tell. One was about the same age as Jonah and things were very difficult for the first few years. Even to the point of nearly giving up. Fast forward, he is the son that would make any parent proud.

An excellent read and one of those hard to put down books. It is the first time that i have read any novels by this author and is a name that i shall be watching out for in the future. I am not going to write what happens in the story, as i do not wish to spoil for others, but i do highly recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

My review can be seen on Goodreads and Amazon.

Actually 4.5 stars but I have rounded up.
Having read and enjoyed What Milo Saw and The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells, also by this author, I knew what I was getting myself into when I started this one. Also a little nervous as she had already set the bar quite high. Not long through this book, I saw any concerns I might have had fly away as I immersed myself totally into the lives of the characters and the story that ensued.
We follow as Mister Sir accompanies 7 year old Jonah from his home in Africa to live with an Aunt in England. We watch as he realises that there is no Aunt and follow him as he abandons Jonah in the airport arrivals lounge.
We then meet Sam and Rosie. desperate for a child but unable to have one of their own despite trying several rounds of IVF. They have now gone down the route of adoption and, as we meet them, they are having the initial interviews and preparations that are necessary before they can start to meet children at the open days that are arranged.
Long story short and Jonah is placed with Sam and Rosie and the rest of the book deals with what happened next. A what happened next that made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry and pretty much all the other emotions available as things didn't really go according to plan (understatement!) and hard, very hard, decisions needed to be made.
Oh my goodness. When I finished this book I was emotionally spent. Very satisfied, but completely knackered as the author really did drag me through the wringer.
I found the character of Jonah to be believable and easy to connect to. Sam likewise, but I did take a while to warm to Rosie. Maybe it was because she was so desperate to have a child that this just overshadowed everything else about her. As the book went on, her true personality started to show a bit more and, despite some of her dodgy behaviour, I did eventually grow to like her.
My favourite pairing was Jonah and Alice, his friend. I found their relationship to be enchanting and so believable. Sadly, I didn't really get on with DI Taylor and found his character and some of the things he did to be unconvincing especially towards the end. I also really felt for Rosie and Sam. What they were going through both individually and as a couple. How life kept kicking them in the teeth. How certain things both divided them and made them stronger as a unit. How things changed so much for them in only a short space of time. How they just got on with things best they could as much as they could.
Ok so there was a lot towards the end that I found to be completely unbelievable logistics-wise and there was just no way that the characters could have achieved what they did but... and for me it's a big but, I was so wrapped up in the emotion of the story and what was happening, and I know I shouldn't cos this kind of thing usually really grates on me, but I can just about accept it as poetic license and, as such, I forgive the author their sins.
So, when we eventually peeled off all the layers of Jonah's heritage, when we found out why his mother did what she did and the whole truth came out, boy was it emotional. Ignoring the way it happened and just embracing what happened, I'm just glad that the tissue box was handy and that I was in the privacy of my own home when I finished the book.
All in all, reservations apart, another cracking book from an author who is now firmly cemented on my watch list. Roll on next time!

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Virginia Macgregor has a deceptively simple style that draws you in. She has an uncanny way of getting into the head of young children and writing believable and heartfelt stories that make you want to give the characters a big hug. I absolutely adored the portrayal of Jonah and felt Sam and Rosie's pain in struggling to have children.

Although the story centres around Jonah, Sam and Rosie, Macgregor introduces a wide variety of characters who play their part and have their own distinct voices. From Jonah's beloved Mama to social worker Trudi and policeman Peter, I loved them all.

Another 5* gem from Virginia Macgregor with some heartfelt moments and insights into the difficult world of adopting a child with an unknown background...

This book tugged at my heartstrings from the very beginning and had me in tears before the end. Emotional and emotive read. Loved this book.