When You Were Mine

by Emma-Claire Wilson

Don't miss this next emotional tear-jerker of motherhood, friendship and what family really means to us all. Pre-order now!

One mistake could change their lives forever…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.

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.

But if I want her to help, a big secret has to come out. Revealing the truth risks everything – my marriage, our friendship, our families. Can we weather this storm, or will it shatter us beyond repair?

An emotional and powerful novel of motherhood, friendship and what family means to us all. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Susan Lewis.

Genres: Fiction

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jess ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 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.

🚨𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖠𝗅𝖾𝗋𝗍 - Available for Pre-order!🚨
- Check Trigger Warnings -

[Trina Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kathy Sulewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novel about motherhood, family, friendship all coming together in unusual circumstance

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

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.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 **

https://chataboutbooks.blog/2024/07/3...

[James Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about a book that so enthralled me that before I knew it I’d finished it in three days? A book so real, so fresh and so emotionally engaging that I even read it whilst walking home from work around roadworks just to find out what would happen?

Suffice it to say, I adored this book. I haven’t got hooked on a plot or a group of characters like this in a very long time, only classics such as Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein or The Picture of Dorian Gray have gripped me in the same way. The characters are so tangible and relatable you feel like they exist, I feel like if I explored Dundee or Spain long enough I’d find Nicole and Victoria, sat with a glass of wine in hand outside some cafe.

The book deals with heavy themes, centred around the characters of Nicole and Victoria as they traverse motherhood and family life during lockdown. The settings of Scotland and Spain are written in such vivid detail I can picture them perfectly without trying, and the same goes for a plethora of characters who prove devastatingly relatable despite my having little in common with them on paper.

You won’t regret reading this book. The author is also simply the sweetest person ever and I am so glad I decided to race down to my local bookshop after work to meet her and buy this, the whole experience has inspired my love of writing and restored my love of reading.

5/5 stars, I will be reading the author’s debut novel and looking out for anything else she writes in the future!

[Evie Fields · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Spoiler Alert: This review contains details about the plot of “When You Were Mine” by Emma Claire Wilson.**

Emma Claire Wilson’s “When You Were Mine” delves into the dramatic implications of a baby switch against the backdrop of the pandemic. While the novel’s central plot revolves around this twist, it also explores broader themes such as family dynamics, the nature of friendship, and the complexities of relationships.

The book's setting during the pandemic adds a layer of contemporary relevance, creating a sense of immediacy and realism. The prose is undeniably elegant, providing a detailed and immersive look at the characters' lives. However, the narrative's slow progression can be frustrating. The story drags through a significant portion of the book, focusing heavily on mundane details rather than advancing the central plot. This slow build-up might test readers' patience as they await the pivotal reveal.

The baby switch, which serves as the book’s main premise, is preceded by a considerable amount of build-up. When the revelation finally occurs, it feels both predictable and exaggerated. The characters' reactions, though understandable given their exhaustion and stress, seem overly dramatic and undermine the impact of the twist.

Alongside the baby switch, the novel examines themes of family and friendship, questioning whether familial bonds are solely defined by blood or by shared experiences. It also delves into the challenges faced by the characters in their relationships, both within their immediate families and with close friends. These elements provide depth to the story but are sometimes overshadowed by the slow pace and the book’s focus on the baby switch.

Another notable issue is the book’s use of Spanish, which contains grammatical errors and incorrect word choices. This detracts from the story’s authenticity and suggests a lack of attention to detail in representing the language accurately.

In conclusion, *When You Were Mine* offers a compelling premise with its exploration of family, friendship, and relationship issues. However, its slow pace and occasional narrative flaws may limit its appeal. The potential of its themes is evident but could benefit from a more dynamic structure and meticulous attention to linguistic accuracy.

*Disclaimer: While I used AI to help me write this review, all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.*

[Keka Mondal · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 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

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Ade · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though When You Were Mine 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 "When You Were Mine" and plan to read more of Emma-Claire Wilson's work.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Teresa Ryder · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Emma Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[AtomicBiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Sally Cowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's writing style made this book a glorious reading experience. The meaning of life, marriage, love, and understanding are the main themes of the book. I am thankful that I had the opportuity to read this book.

[Lainy J Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good read, which had me desperately hoping for a happy ending to the various twists and turns. The main characters were credible and likeable. Another success for this author and I look forward to book number three!

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time, the bird was too late to catch this worm (3.5 stars rounded up)

It all felt a bit surreal. I had wanted to meet Emma-Claire Wilson ever since reading, and loving, her debut book, This Child of Mine. Even though it’s marketed as romantic fiction, which is not a genre that I normally read. Well, now I had the opportunity to do so, for the launch of her second book. Which was to take place at my local bookshop. A shop that I actually have this author to thank for making me aware of its existence.

I had, however, been wondering how I could introduce myself to her. “Hi, Emma. We haven’t met, but I’m the man who wrote about your last book and made you cry,” is factually accurate, but at the same time it makes me sound like a really horrible person. In the event though, no introduction was necessary. Because she recognised me. Me! And she’s such a lovely lady that I came away humbled.

So I really, really wanted to be able to say that I loved everything about Emma-Claire’s second book, When You Were Mine. But I’m afraid that – oh, God, how can I put this kindly? – I can’t. Not quite.

The issue for me is this. When You Were Mine tells in parallel the stories of Nicole and Victoria. Emma lives in Scotland, Victoria in Spain. Their friendship is one conducted entirely over online chats during the lockdown of 2021. One of the women is trying hard to repair her marriage after having a brief affair, the other is wondering whether – despite the image of a wonderful life that her husband is trying to portray on social media – her marriage has any future.

It’s an interesting study into how firmly a friendship may bond, despite – or is it because of? – each of the two women only seeing what the other chooses to reveal. And perhaps, if you’re a regular reader of romantic fiction, there’s enough here to keep you interested.

But, as I said earlier, this isn’t my usual genre. And for me, if you compare the early chapters of this novel to those of This Child of Mine, I’m afraid there is no comparison. In that book, I was well and truly glued to the pages from the moment that Stephanie and her husband James, and through them, the readers were asked to make an impossible decision. But When You Were Mine has no such early hook. I hasten to say that there’s some wonderful writing here and there – the description of Victoria’s roar of frustration to the open sea is so well done that it’s given me some inspiration for my own writing – but this on its own wasn’t enough. And when, at about half-distance, a chapter came that really gave away how the story was going to go, dare I say that I actually found myself feeling a little bit bored.

Until, that is, I reached Page 187. Because then … bang. There, all at once, is everything that I had been waiting for. The pull – hard – on the heartstrings. The real shocker of a revelation. And the killer question: what does one character, and then another, do now? What should they do? What would you do?

From that point, any thoughts of boredom were well and truly banished from my mind as the pace of the book increased and the hold on my heart refused to release its grip. But there’s a subject to get your head wondering too: what does it actually mean to be family? Can those people that you choose to have in your life be equally, or more important than those to whom you are biologically related?

I couldn’t read fast enough, which is probably how I came to reach the end without being aware of having so much as blinked. But even allowing for this, I did feel that the final chapters seemed a bit rushed. The argument that family is more about who you choose, and who supports you than it is about blood is wonderfully made. As is the description of the natural bond between a biological brother and sister. But to have both of those points made two pages apart was a bit too much. I’d barely got my head around one idea before the alternative was thrust at it.

Choosing a rating for When You Were Mine is really difficult, because it’s a book of three unequal sections. I really loved the middle, but felt that it was too slow at the beginning and a bit too hurried at the finish. Think of it as going on a week’s cruise, only the ship broke down in the harbour and didn’t leave until the third day. Yes, you still had all of the on-board facilities and yes, you still had the anticipation, but you didn’t actually get the point of the holiday until later than you had hoped. Once the boat had departed, the last day and a half in particular felt manic as the crew tried to fit in as much of the planned itinerary as they could.

None of this was enough to stop you enjoying yourself, or from booking another cruise with the same operator again. But the fact remains, if someone were to ask you how your holiday had been, your answer would be “it was lovely, but …”

And that, really, is the best summary I can give for how I feel about When You Were Mine. I still enjoyed it, and would – will – read Emma-Claire’s next book without hesitation. But if someone were to ask me in conversation what I thought about this one, my answer would probably start something like “it’s good. But …”

My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this catchy, emotionally engaging novel about motherhood, friendship and ‘family.’ The two main characters are easy to love and face relatable challenges, as well as an interesting moral dilemma. I finished the book this morning and have been thinking about the characters all day!

[WYNDI S HARP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confused At Times

This was a very intricate story and one I had never come across before or anything similar, however, characters names got changed several times, which became confusing because I had to reread it.

[Alices~Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. A quick read and maybe a little predictable but still a good book

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow.

[Brooke Powley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book! I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book about family and friendships. I think I would like to get to know most of the characters in the book.