Mothers and Daughter by Erica James

Thank you to HQ (Harper Collins) and Readers First for the opportunity to read and review Mothers and Daughters by Erica James. The book was published in hardback and ebook last week. I’m sharing a mini non spoiler review today.

Synopsis:

Even happy families have their secrets…

Since the sudden death of her husband, Naomi has steadily rebuilt the life they shared in the village of Tilsham by the sea.

Her eldest daughter, Martha, is sensible and determined – just like her father was – and very much in control of where her life is going. If she could just get pregnant with her husband, life would be perfect.

Willow, the youngest, was always more sunny and easy-going, yet drifted through life, much to her father’s frustration. But now, with charming new boyfriend, Rick, she has a very good reason to settle down.

The three women are as close as can be. But there are things Naomi has kept from her daughters. Like the arrival of Ellis, a long-lost friend from way back, now bringing the fun and spark back into her life. And she’s certainly never told them that her marriage to their father wasn’t quite what it seemed…

The Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James returns with this gloriously compelling tale of mothers and daughters, secrets and love.

My thoughts:

I’ve read many of Erica’s books over the past few years, and I enjoyed the opening chapters of this book via the Readers First Website, so was pleased to ‘win’ a copy to read and review.

Thankfully I started this book at the start of a three day weekend, so was able to stay up later reading on two nights, because I didn’t want to put the book down, eager to find out what happened next.

Naomi, Martha and Willow have always been close, especially since Colin, their husband/father lived in London during the week. However, Colin died two years ago and a former ‘friend’, Ellis is back in Naomi’s life. But what will Martha and Willow think?

This is a thought-provoking book in a beautiful cover. Martha thought her father was wonderful, not aware of how he regularely lost his temper with her mum. Naomi want to make her own decisions about her future and Willow has a very attentive partner – but does Rick really care about her or want to control her?

A number of characters share the storytelling, as secrets are discovered and new relationships evolve. There is an excellent mix of lighter moments and serious issues, and this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.