Emma-Claire's first book, This Child of Mine, was one of my favourite 2023 reads. It was absolutely gorgeous and I've been waiting to see how she follows it up, so I'm very excited about this one.

There's a character called Victoria which I am totally going to believe was written for me :)

Generally speaking, I am not a fan of books that talk about the pandemic and lockdown, because I feel I've had to live it, I don't want to read about it too. But in the context of this book, it is much needed as it shows the catalyst for everything else that happens, and I'm not sure how easy it would have been to get to that without talking about the struggles the characters felt during that time.

I don't have children of my own, but there are 7 children under the age of 12 in my family and so I do know a small bit about raising them. And from my limited experience, Emma-Claire has expertly explored how parenthood - specifically motherhood - can, whilst being amazing, can be tiring, exhausting, emotional, angry, draining, annoying, and I suppose at times, even if we whisper it to ourselves at times, not worth it. Especially if the other half of the parenting couple is less interested. She's put that front and centre so we can immediately get the feeling as to how our characters are feeling in themselves and to one another.

We follow two families: Victoria and Mark who are expats in Spain, and Nicole and Andy in Scotland. And their respective children. They're both fabulous families, each with their own personalities and characteristics, some good and some not so good. They're very natural and familiar. A lot of readers will identify with them greatly. They complement each other perfectly, and work great as a team. The children are gorgeous and I love this sense of innocence Emma-Claire has infused in it. This innocence that we lose as we become adults and have to focus on things like houses, jobs, money, and illness.

It shouldn't be surprising when I say that there are some difficult topics in this book, including parenthood, surprise pregnancies, lockdown, physical illness, childbirth complications, post-natal depression, relationship difficulties, affairs, long-distance friendships, emigration, the truths and lies of social media, fostering, family differences, hate, anger.

At first I didn't think it was going to be as heart-breaking as her first one, and I was glad for that because my emotions are already up and down without adding this into the mix, but I spoke too soon. The second half in particular, there's something I did not expect! I won't say why or who or what or how, but yes, it gave me what I have already come to expect from Emma-Claire's books, even if there's only been two of them.

She has a beautiful way of composing sentences, a sense of place and people, and setting (I would choose the scenes set in Scotland over the scenes in Spain any day). I just love her ability to write about tough and upsetting situations but infuse them with so much kindness and tenderness and empathy. She's a magical storyteller and I'm already excited about what she comes up with next.

I read it in a day. It's not the easiest book to read, there are uncomfortable and upsetting topics and scenes. But it's infused with so much hope that I couldn't part with it, and even after finishing it, it is lingering in my mind.

Want an emotional novel. It has it all..motherhood,friendship and family.
It’s based around 2 women brought together by trauma.its a great read by Emma Claire Wilson.

✨ 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐚-𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 ✨

My life is a mess. My marriage is falling apart, and I’d hoped the arrival of our baby girl would bring us closer together. Yet, as she grows, I see less of a resemblance to my husband, stirring unsettling questions …
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Firstly I want to say a huge thankyou to Avon, Emma-Claire and NetGalley for giving me this early access to your second novel! After reading This Child of Mine last year, when I received an email offering me early access to your second novel I was very excited and it was highly anticipated!

I don’t want to step by step what this book is about as for me that would just take away the experience as a first time reader and so this review will be more about my thoughts and feelings during my read.

Emma-Claire’s writing I could tell from her first novel was elegant and beautiful. This followed right through to When You Were Mine and I had no doubt this would be the case. This read for me was real, heartfelt and emotional.

When You Were Mine focuses on friendship, motherhood and family. Asking the question I’m sure many of us had asked ourselves before: Does family necessarily mean blood? What does ‘family’ mean to you?

Reading about to separate lives of friends and seeing this come to gather not only made this a page turner for me but I didn’t want it to end. The suspense in the second half of the book made the 2/2 unputdownable and I quickly devoured it in a night.

I can’t say I enjoy much when the dreaded ‘C’ word gets brought up in reads and hate that our today focuses on this pandemic topic but I guess I have to accept it happen and it is now a historical event that I’m sure will pop up in reads from time to time. I must say Emma-Claire handled the topic very well and did not over- indulge in the area.

I found myself relating to this novel in areas and again will be pre-order for this to be on my shelf for a reread in the future.

- Check Trigger Warnings -

An emotional, original read that gripped me from the start with the spot on observations of the stresses of motherhood, covid and tricky relationships.
Two different women, in different countries form a close relationship via social media and it was a joy to see this played out. Having experienced the closeness friendships can bring it was nice to see this intensity on the page. Each women's voice spoke truth of motherhood, marriage and family.
With unexpected twists, and the author's ability to take you on an emotional roller coaster while also making you question your own life and ethics, this is ideal for book club discussions. Hankies are needed.

Although the main theme of this book has been portrayed in many ways before, this had a unique and beautiful ending. It was a very endearing story and the relationship between the two families was simply adorable. The bond of the two main characters Victoria and Nicole was extraordinary, everyone should have a friendship like that. It was a wonderful story about love, friendship and family. It was the first book i’ve read by this author and I can’t wait to try more. It was well written, extremely engaging and devoured in 2 days.

Thanks to Avon Book UK and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

Focusing on parenthood, friendship and the changing faces of family when the worst things happen this book is a great example of the genre.
The characters are well written and the families are going through normal family stuff following the pandemic.
A friendship born out of coincidence carries Vic and Nicole through the tough times, via zoom and with wine in hand but all is not as it seems and as the truth comes out the dynamics change and change again.
A great read.

A heartbreaking, emotional read, well written with great characters that kept me involved in the storyline from the beginning until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

Friends are the family you choose for yourself is a great quote and one worthy of this novel. 2 women brought together in traumatic circumstances remain friends despite living miles apart. They meet up via zoom chats while their children are in bed, discussing everything that's happened since they last spoke
Victoria travels from Spain to Scotland to visit her family estranged from her "ghastly" husband and meets up with Nicole. But Nicole has a family drama of her own when her son Ben is admitted to hospital. What follows would be a nightmare for any family.
Without giving too much away this novel serves up plenty of moral dilemmas, it's shocking to think what happened in the novel possibly happens in real life and how parents would deal with such issues.
Its a great read and I loved the interaction and closeness between Victoria's family.

A lot of themes in this story which all help reflect the complex mixes that make up families and which bring us together. A tricky unraveling and a big jump at the end but all help to show the breadth of what is family and that we all find our place in these families in the end.1

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an engaging read with an interesting storyline. I raced through it but felt too much time was devoted to scene-setting in the first half, leaving the various revelations and meat of the book rushed. However, I was invested in the characters, and Wilson created some excellent supporting characters.

Having read Emma's previous book I was really looking forward to reading When you were mine and it didn't disappoint. The story line is interesting and unusual although I felt that some aspects felt a little forced and over emphasised. I'm sure it would make a good book club read as there are some interesting themes to discuss but for me it lacked some of the depth and development that I really enjoy in a book but that's my personal preference. I look forward to sharing this with others to see their reaction.

It took me a moment to get into the story, but I did find myself emersed in the storyline once I settled into the story. A recommended read.

In "When You Were Mine," the protagonist, Stephanie, confronts a harrowing dilemma upon learning of her pregnancy and receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer on the same day. Faced with the severity of her circumstances, she wrestles with the choice of either carrying her child to term, potentially jeopardizing her own life, or opting for treatment that poses a risk to her unborn child's well-being. Her husband advocates for her health as a priority; however, his concealed truths foster an atmosphere of distrust for Stephanie. This poignant narrative delves into themes of motherhood, friendship, and the intricate dynamics of family relationships, rendering it a moving exploration that resonates profoundly with readers.
As the storyline progresses, unforeseen developments and startling diagnoses cultivate a compelling atmosphere that captivates readers. The author, Emma-Claire Wilson, deftly engages with challenging subjects, weaving together themes of love, infidelity, and childhood illness with sensitivity. The evolving connection between the two families throughout the narrative underscores the significance of support and empathy. "When You Were Mine" serves as an emotionally impactful read that ultimately conveys a powerful message about the essence of friendship and the definition of family, leaving a profound impression on its audience. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

When You Were Mine delves into the themes of friendship, motherhood, and the true essence of family. It poses a question many of us have pondered: Is family defined solely by blood, or is it something more? What does ‘family’ truly mean to you?

The novel intricately explores the separate lives of friends and how their paths intersect, creating a compelling narrative that kept me eagerly turning pages. The suspenseful twists in the latter half of the book made it utterly unputdownable, and I found myself engrossed, devouring the entire story in one night.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

Two women from different backgrounds become friends when they both go into labour early in Spain.

When one of the.mums returns to the UK after her baby moon ends and they stay in touch remotely via video calls and text and use their catch-ups to share their parenting and relationship struggles.

However, when tragedy strikes their friendship is put to the test....

A story that kept me hooked. A parent's worst nightmare, I'm not sure what I would do in their situation!

This is an emotional story which will pull on your heartstrings whilst also being an engrossing read. Not having children myself, I wasn't sure about this book from the blurb alone. However, those fears were unfounded and it quickly drew me in and the writing style made it easy to read. Differing family and friendship situations are explored throughout and many times gave me pause for thought. Overall I enjoyed it and based on this would read more of this author's work

A thought-provoking story about Covid and lockdown with a child. This well written story will stay in my mind for a very long g time. It was sometimes sad and sometimes it was hard to remember how we all got through that pandemic but, we did. I did enjoy this story but, at times it made me uncomfortable. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

📚 Book Review: When You Were Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson
📚 Genre: Women's Fiction / Family Drama
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
When You Were Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson is a powerful and emotional journey through the trials of motherhood, friendship, and the devastating impact of hidden truths. The protagonist’s life is spiraling out of control as her marriage crumbles and unsettling questions about her daughter arise. A visit from her friend Victoria seems to offer a glimmer of hope, but a shocking diagnosis and the necessity to reveal a long-buried secret threaten to destroy everything she holds dear.

Why You’ll Love This Book:
💫Deep Emotional Connection: This book dives deep into the emotional struggles of its characters, making you feel every twist and turn in their journey.
💓Complex Relationships: Explore the intricate dynamics of marriage, friendship, and family, each portrayed with raw honesty and depth.
🎭Relatable Characters: The protagonist's struggles and Victoria's support are relatable and will resonate with readers who have faced their own life challenges.
✍🏻Gripping Narrative: Emma-Claire Wilson’s storytelling keeps you hooked from the first page to the last, with a perfect blend of suspense and heartfelt moments.
🎡Thought-Provoking Themes: The book tackles significant themes such as loyalty, truth, and the sacrifices we make for those we love.

When You Were Mine is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of human relationships and the impact of secrets on our lives. It’s a story of hope, resilience, and the strength it takes to confront the truth, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven stories. Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources and @netgalley for the #ARC #BlogTour

#BookReview #WhenYouWereMine #EmmaClaireWilson #HeartfeltStory #Motherhood #Friendship #FamilySecrets #IGReads #InstaBooks #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #BookstagramCommunity

Two women. Two families. One life-changing mistake.

Nicole's life is a mess. Her marriage is falling apart and the arrival of a baby girl did not bring joy to the home. Especially because as she grows, there is less of a resemblance to her husband. Nicole's friend Victoria lives a seemingly perfect life in Spain. When they reunite, the visit takes an unexpected turn. A shock diagnosis reveals a mistake that changes their lives but could save a family.

If that synopsis sounds deep, it is. I am trying not to spoil the plot while letting you Bookhearts know it is worth reading.

Heart-strings? Tugged. Eyes? Teary. Emotions? Pulled. These are my immediate thoughts upon finishing When You Were Mine. It is the type of book that you cannot help but to imagine what if. I sincerely do not know what I would do in this situation. This made the story all the more interesting.

It may seem like a tearjerker of a read but it really is balanced. The opposite types of marriage, the difference in setting and the different household roles all contribute to a well-rounded story. Beautiful writing, Emma-Claire Wilson, on this powerful novel of motherhood, friendship and what family means.

Happy Pub Day, Emma-Claire Wilson! When You Were Mine is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

When a debut novel is so successful I would imagine an author worries that their second novel might not receive the same admiration.
Author Emma Claire Wilson need not have worried in the slightest
When You Were Mine was every bit as good as her debut novel This Child of Mine
We meet Nicole and Victoria in this story along with both husband's Andy and Mark.
The ladies meet in Spain while giving birth and forge a friendship that would see them through the difficult of times.
When Nicole and her family receive the most devastating news, she must look to Victoria for support, for understanding and for courage.
I thought the friendship between these two ladies is what you hope for in life.
It seemed so special to both women.
They must try to see what is important and somehow navigate the difficult road ahead for them both.
So many emotions with this read. I laughed, I cried and I hoped as I turned the pages.
A beautiful read for me....💞

After absolutely adoring Emma-Claire Wilson’s first novel, I was so excited to read this.
Emma-Claire Wilson has a fabulous knack of tackling delicate, and heart wrenching stories and this book does just that.
I love how strong the friendship came through in this book with Victoria and Nicole, and the story that was developing around them.
This is a beautiful, strong story about friendships, heartache and the family you choose to have around you.
Very enjoyable and heart warming read.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'When You Were Mine' by Emma-Claire Wilson.

Congratulations Emma on another fantastic page turner!!! An absolute must read with vivid descriptions that set the scene for you. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

Grab the tissues and clear your schedules as you will not be able to put this down!!!

The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the amazing author Emma-Claire Wilson!!! I absolutely loved your absolutely amazing debut book 'This Child Of Mine' and when I seen this book I just had to read it. I was a bit dubious wondering with such an amazing debut book how on Earth are you going to make another book just as amazing as that one is but you managed it hook, line and sinker which is not an easy feat at all!! I just cannot wait to see what on Earth you will come out with next with your incredible talent!!!! The storyline is realistic and filled with love, loss, heartbreak, tears, important messages, tragedies, romance, family and more. I was completely absorbed from the first page until late at night when I could only put it down because I'd finished it. It is one of those books that is just impossible to put down!!! I lost count how many times I would promise myself one more chapter just to HAVE to know what happened next so I promised myself just one more, just for this to happen over and over until I had tears streaming down my eyes finishing the last page. Make sure you clear your schedules as you won't be able to put this book down and definitely have the tissues at the ready!!! An emotional read full of love, heartbreak and hope with serious topics weaved perfectly into it. Emma writes about such difficult topics but does so in a sensitive and gentle way weaving them into absolutely incredible storylines!! If you love Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks then Emma-Claire is an absolute MUST READ author for you!! Grab your copy of this amazing book or 'This Child Of Mine' today and I can promise you will not regret it!! It is a gorgeous book and can be read in the sun or curled up next to the fire. I was completely invested in the storyline throughout and on several occasions my heart was in my throat with what was happening. Emma, you really do have such an amazing talent of conveying such heart wrenching topics and via such amazing storytelling skills that your book will leave me thinking about it months after reading it which makes for truly amazing talent. Congratulations Emma.

This would make an absolutely stunning movie that I would love to watch!!

I was completely invested in the characters and I loved both Victoria and Nicole's characters and personalities so much!! Emma-Claire does an amazing job of weaving their stories together ensuring the reader really gets to feel everything that they are both feeling and that they both completely jump out of the pages, as do all of the characters although not all of them are as likeable! Both Nicole and Victoria were realistic, strong and very likeable. Their friendship was absolutely amazing and something that everybody in life should have as it really makes a difference to what someone is going through to have such a huge support as these ladies were to each other. My heart absolutely went out to them both and as a mother myself I really could feel their struggles and pain but also the beauty of their friendship shining through the pages. It's hard to say too much as I don't want to give anything away to future readers but I'd you want to find out what I mean just click the link below to get your copy today!! A great realistic mix of characters who worked perfectly for this storyline.

ABSOLUTELY loved this book Emma and here's to hoping you've started on your next page turner. Watch out JoJo Moyes, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and Diane Chamberlain you have some serious competition here!! This is the exact reason you are one of my favourite authors even when you had me in streams of tears!!!

Overall an unputdownable addictive emotional rollercoaster drama filled with love, family, heartbreak, friendship and loss.

#WhenYouWereMine #EmmaclaireWilson #Avon #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources

@EmmaclaireWilson @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Avon


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This is an emotional read with themes of motherhood, friendship, depression, child illness and so much more.

I love how real and relatable this was. It follows the journey of two friends across two countries with different familial problems and issues.

I enjoyed it and loved the build up. I did not know what to expect. This was a far distant shot from where I thought the story was heading. I did not see that plot twist coming.

It is a book about everyday people with everyday problem. It was set during and after the lockdown which all readers can relate to.

There are difficult topics in the book which the author dealt with in a humane way while caring for the reader’s sensitivity.

If you love books about second chances, great friendship and family then I highly recommend this.

This was truly a wonderful book. Nicole and Victoria meet in unusual circumstances and form a friendship that last over the years. They live in different countries and their bond just grows stronger. They help each other through the difficulties of raising children and struggles in their marriages. Then the unthinkable happens and their. lives are changed forever. It's definitely a page turner that you won't be able to put down!

Though this book was a bit slow to start I did find the story very interesting. It did get to a point where I did not want to stop reading because I wanted to see how the story unfolded.

This story explores deep themes including motherhood, family, marriage, infidelity, friendship, and childhood illness. This was not a light story but one which was deeply emotional and at times very moving.

The theme I enjoyed was the idea that family is not always blood. We can create family out of shared love and mutual respect and being in each other's corners.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and plan to read more of this author's work. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"When You Were Mine" presented an intensely emotional narrative that delved into numerous challenging topics. Although it falls outside my usual genre preferences, the compelling description enticed me, and I'm delighted that I decided to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a beautifully written and emotionally moving novel. All the characters in this book were amazing, because they felt so real to me, and it was impossible not to feel a connection with them. It was as though while I was reading, I felt everything that the characters felt.

The bond between a mother and her children is unlike any other type of love, and I think this book speaks to that.

I was also very moved by the portrayals of friendship and marriage in the book. It was an absorbing read, and somehow, I found it both heartbreaking and heartwarming, at the same time.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for a free copy to review.

I absolutely loved her first book, This Child of Mine, it was such a moving emotional read. I couldn't wait to read her sophomore release.

She's back with another fantastic women's fiction book that is so emotional. She does a fantastic job transporting the reader into her stories, making you feel all the emotions.

I will read every book she writes.

Nicole and Victoria are leading very different lives. One in Scotland, one in Spain. They meet in hospital, having babies on the same day, and have stayed friends ever since. They haven’t been able to spend much physical time together, living in different countries and with having covid restrictions in place for so long, but they both cherish their zoom catch ups and when Victoria announces she’s visiting Scotland again, with her twins, Nicole is over the moon.
I loved how these two ladies became friends and how they are such a support to each other despite having so many miles between them and a pandemic to contend with. They both have their struggles and very much look forward to catching up properly and seeing their children (now three years old) play together. However, when Nicole’s older son is taken ill their plans take an unexpected turn and little do they know just how much their lives are about to change forever.
This is such a heart-wrenching story. My heart broke for both ladies, and Nicole’s husband. (Victoria’s husband, not so much, he’s not quite as likeable.) I can’t even imagine how I would cope if I found myself in their situation. A parent’s absolute worst nightmare! I wondered however they would find a solution which is best for all concerned and I think they handled it perfectly in the end, considering how painful it must be.
I absolutely loved Emma-Claire Wilson’s first novel, This Child of Mine, and I have absolutely loved When You Were Mine. It’s so beautifully written, full of raw emotion, sadness and heartache, but also family, friendship, smiles, laughter, and hope. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

** Thank you to the author and publisher for my ARC via NetGalley **

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

I enjoyed this book.

The story was an emotional read and was about life as a Mum, family and the role friendships play throughout this time.

There was different issues covered throughout like illness, depression as well as others. But it was very well written.

Tissues will be needed.

I highly recommend this book.

I fully realize this is a novel and not rel life... but this does somewhat mirror real live. 2 families who meet by chance, yet thier lives are so drastically different. Fast forward a few years... one mom has a very sick young man, but will her past come back to haunt her? This is honestly where things went a little downhill for me. Without spoilers, there are some unique situations in the story, that might not mirror real life

In the aftermath of the covid lockdowns, the publishing world seemed unsure what to do about documenting that too recent, sometimes too raw period of our collective history. Were readers turning to books only for some much needed escapism? Or were they ready to confront the grief and confusion that had affected so many of our lives? Finally, it looks like it’s safe to go back in the water and reflecting on the covid era is appearing in fiction as part of the lived experiences that novelists chart.
Emma-Claire Wilson is a writer fascinated by our emotional lives, but in her second book, When You Were Mine, she doesn’t shy away from using the post-covid era as the setting for her characters’ emotional journeys. It’s a remarkably fitting backdrop for how her characters seem isolated by their turmoil – and a reminder of how Zoom calls, with their blurred backgrounds and switched-on smiles, can so easily mask real emotions.
Nicola and Victoria have weathered the worst of their lockdowns in Scotland and Spain, respectively. They have kept in touch via weekly Zoom chats since they met in strange circumstances: the both ended up giving birth in the same A&E department in Spain. Victoria because she lives there as an expat and went into labour early and Nicola because she took an optimistically timed babymoon – and then gave birth to her daughter prematurely.
Victoria puts on a brave face for life with her twins, documented on Instagram and encouraged by her husband who is in the business of selling the expat life. He posts pictures of her and the twins playing on the beach and swimming in the sea; but beneath it all, Victoria is silently screaming.
Meanwhile, in far chillier Scotland, Nicola also feels as if her life is falling apart.
When Victoria makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to hop on a plane and visit Nicola it coincides with Nicola’s older son, Ben, becoming seriously ill. And that’s when ghosts from their shared past rise up and threaten to disrupt both women's fragile lives.
No spoilers, but this is a book that will surprise and delight in equal measure. Strong characters and an undercurrent of gutsy humour run through this story that confronts an impossible moral dilemma and had me thinking ‘Actually, what would I do?’ long after I’d turned the last page.

Having read, This Child of Mine I was anticipating this title. It sounded intriguing.
The book was very slow paced and there was a lot of repetition in it. The characters I just didn't make a connection with. With the book having children in it there were emotional scenes. I found parts of the book unrealistic that with the circumstances wouldn't be happening.
I think that the book took place during the pandemic put me off as well due to personal circumstances.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of When You Were Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson. This was my first book by this author and what an emotional ride it was! It was very heartfelt and tissues were needed. The story focuses on motherhood, family, and friendship. It was a great read and explored a variety of issues (surprise pregnancy, lockdown, depression. family. fostering, illness, and relationships). Beautifully written and it made me want to read this author's previous novel, This Child of Mine. A 5 star rating from me.

This paints a journey that is tough and very emotional for both of the families and the dramas that they go through. The uniting of the two mums over an emergency birth of their children, the situation of both their marriages and how the two women cope with the new born children within their families is intense and so real. It has been beautifully written covering marriages, motherhood, social media issues, foster families, anger and love.
It is one amazing read that I just wondered how I would have coped with each of their lives. There are no rule books on parenting or even on making a marriage work and everyone has to find out for themselves.
I look forward to reading more by this excellent author.

My life is a mess. My marriage was falling apart, and I'd hoped the arrival of my baby girl would bring us closer together. Yet, as she grows, I see less resemblance to my husband, stirring unsettling questions. I was hoping a visit from my friend Victoria would bring some stability. With her seemingly perfect life in Spain, she embodies hope for a brighter future. But our reunion has taken an unexpected turn. And when a shock diagnosis shakes our family further, Victoria doesn't know it yet, but she might just hold the key to saving our family.

This is one of those books where the less you know before reading, the better the book will be. This story shows how friends can be family too. Even though I liked this book, I thought the second half was better. It does cover the pandemic, which might put some readers off. The characters are likeable and well-developed. This is an emotional rollercoaster.

Published 1st August 2024

I would lie to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #EmmaClaireWilson for my ARC of #WhenYouWereMine in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘When You Were Mine’ written by Emma-Claire Wilson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Nicole and Andy have been growing apart since she had a brief fling with a male friend but they’re both united in their love for their children. Nicole has formed a close internet friendship with Victoria who she met when they were both in hospital in Costa del Sol after being admitted for emergency births. The arrange to meet when Victoria returns to Dundee to see her adopted family, but neither of them could have anticipated what will happen when Nicole and Andy receive a shock diagnosis.

I was thrilled when given the opportunity to read ‘When You Were Mine’ as I loved the author’s previous novel and I’m delighted that it hasn’t disappointed. It’s an emotional story of motherhood, families and friendship as Nicole and Victoria experience how exhausting and emotionally draining it is to be a mother caring for young children even if they are loved dearly, and especially if the partner isn’t committed to being a hands-on father. It’s a powerful and realistic story that’s grabbed me from page one and when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about the characters. By the time I reached the final chapters I was in tears for what they’re going through but also thankfulness for the friendship they forged and the family that’s been supporting them every step of the way. This is a novel that I didn’t want to end although I needed to know what was going to happen, and the ending is so perfect it will stay in my thoughts for a long time.

A emotional and heartfelt read that played with my heart. I definitely needed the tissues nearby for this book. I love fiction writing like this because it showcases that life isn't always sunshine and roses and it doesn't always have the perfect ending. In this story I learnt that family is definitely more than just blood. I loved how Victoria was respectful and supportive of her friend despite having her own challenges. The plot is every parents worse nightmare but the characters handle the situation so well not that they have a choice but I dread to think of what they were feeling. I was fully invested in the words that flowed beautifully from the start to finish!

I found this book really difficult to get into. The start was slow and repetitive and the storyline did not progress much. It felt
for me a bit disjointed and without direction.
When it started to get going more the pace picked up and I begun to be more invested and interested into the characters.
A story which concentrates on friendship, love, family and people who become your “family” through circumstances.
I am pleased that I didn’t give up reading this at the start. It turned out to be quite a good book which I enjoyed.
4 stars

A really great read. Nicole and Victoria met in Spain when Nicole went into early labour while on holiday and when she returns home to Scotland they remain friends over the internet,and they form a bond as they are both struggling with their relationships. Victoria decides to visit but when Nicole's son Ben becomes seriously ill something comes to light that will shock them all. A story of ,friendships, relationships and personal struggles and it is very emotional but beautifully written. I loved it

Was not sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised this is not my usual genre

Kept me immersed to the end. Thank you for the opportunity to review