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A Part of Me
A compelling and emotional novel that What do you owe to a child you let go?
A widow in her sixties, Geraldine is financially secure, happy, and about to marry her second husband, William. She’s come a long way from being a motherless fourteen-year-old giving a baby up for adoption—but over the decades, she’s made a special effort to support vulnerable girls as a way of compensating for her lingering guilt.
Miles away in London, Beth has endured a painful divorce and the death of her adoptive mother—and now faces kidney disease. A transplant means waiting indefinitely for a stranger to die . . . unless someone volunteers as a living donor. She will not consider putting her three children at risk or burdening them with the truth, but with both her adoptive parents gone, could the time be right to track down the birth parents she knows nothing about?
When biological mother and daughter finally meet, the emotions that accompany the reunion are complicated further by haunting Is Beth driven by selfishness as much as—or more than—a desire to connect? Will Geraldine’s urge to help Beth by being tested as a potential donor jeopardize her new life with William? What does she owe, and to whom?
Thought-provoking and absorbing, this novel explores the meaning of family, the nature of guilt and regret, and the conflicts raised by the miracles of modern medicine.
A widow in her sixties, Geraldine is financially secure, happy, and about to marry her second husband, William. She’s come a long way from being a motherless fourteen-year-old giving a baby up for adoption—but over the decades, she’s made a special effort to support vulnerable girls as a way of compensating for her lingering guilt.
Miles away in London, Beth has endured a painful divorce and the death of her adoptive mother—and now faces kidney disease. A transplant means waiting indefinitely for a stranger to die . . . unless someone volunteers as a living donor. She will not consider putting her three children at risk or burdening them with the truth, but with both her adoptive parents gone, could the time be right to track down the birth parents she knows nothing about?
When biological mother and daughter finally meet, the emotions that accompany the reunion are complicated further by haunting Is Beth driven by selfishness as much as—or more than—a desire to connect? Will Geraldine’s urge to help Beth by being tested as a potential donor jeopardize her new life with William? What does she owe, and to whom?
Thought-provoking and absorbing, this novel explores the meaning of family, the nature of guilt and regret, and the conflicts raised by the miracles of modern medicine.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2024
123 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 14, 2024
I was so involved in this book and spent the end of it sobbing. What a story of complicated families, loss, finding and emotions. Amazingly well written and I want to read more by Vivien Brown.
May 8, 2024
Vivien Brown’s best-seller Lily Alone, in which a toddler girl is trapped in a London flat, waiting for the return of her mother, explored loneliness and grief and the hopelessness of being alone.
A Part of Me is a follow-up in terms of the characters, but very much a stand-alone novel. Once again, the author explores the theme of human emotions, this time concentrating on our need to belong; to a family, to a community.
Lily and her mum Ruby have found their community with Geraldine, Lily’s grandmother, and her new husband William, and are settling down to life in Brighton.
Having grown up in care, Ruby is happy to have a family of her own now. Unlike her chum, Vicky, she was never adopted.
Meanwhile, in a Norfolk village far from Brighton, Beth Hogan is grieving the failure of her marriage, the loss of her beloved adoptive mother and her own failing health – she has chronic kidney disease and needs a transplant.
With her mum gone, there is nothing to stop her searching out her birth family.
And so with the help of her elder son, Jack, she begins her detective work, which soon leads to Brighton, and the little family Geraldine has created for herself …
This was a very emotional and heartwarming read.
All the characters are very empathetic – each and every one has made mistakes in their lives, but their compassion and caring shine through in their action towards each other.
When Vicky falls by the wayside (adoption in her childhood hasn’t brought a wholly happy-ever-after) her friends are there to pick her up and dust her down.
Ruby grows in strength and wisdom, and proves herself the best “adoptive daughter” Geraldine could have, despite the fact she never became her daughter-in-law, as they’d both once hoped. But she is still very much open to love.
There is not a huge amount of suspense in this story but the characters pull you in and draw you along as they explore their own needs and desires.
As the story progresses and the two threads of the plot are drawn together, can we hope for a happy outcome for Geraldine and her new family, for Beth and her children?
I can’t give away the ending, but there are surprises to come, not all of them welcome, before the ends are all tied together in a powerful and moving resolution.
This is another heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking and emotional read from Vivien Brown.
A Part of Me is a follow-up in terms of the characters, but very much a stand-alone novel. Once again, the author explores the theme of human emotions, this time concentrating on our need to belong; to a family, to a community.
Lily and her mum Ruby have found their community with Geraldine, Lily’s grandmother, and her new husband William, and are settling down to life in Brighton.
Having grown up in care, Ruby is happy to have a family of her own now. Unlike her chum, Vicky, she was never adopted.
Meanwhile, in a Norfolk village far from Brighton, Beth Hogan is grieving the failure of her marriage, the loss of her beloved adoptive mother and her own failing health – she has chronic kidney disease and needs a transplant.
With her mum gone, there is nothing to stop her searching out her birth family.
And so with the help of her elder son, Jack, she begins her detective work, which soon leads to Brighton, and the little family Geraldine has created for herself …
This was a very emotional and heartwarming read.
All the characters are very empathetic – each and every one has made mistakes in their lives, but their compassion and caring shine through in their action towards each other.
When Vicky falls by the wayside (adoption in her childhood hasn’t brought a wholly happy-ever-after) her friends are there to pick her up and dust her down.
Ruby grows in strength and wisdom, and proves herself the best “adoptive daughter” Geraldine could have, despite the fact she never became her daughter-in-law, as they’d both once hoped. But she is still very much open to love.
There is not a huge amount of suspense in this story but the characters pull you in and draw you along as they explore their own needs and desires.
As the story progresses and the two threads of the plot are drawn together, can we hope for a happy outcome for Geraldine and her new family, for Beth and her children?
I can’t give away the ending, but there are surprises to come, not all of them welcome, before the ends are all tied together in a powerful and moving resolution.
This is another heartwarming, sometimes heartbreaking and emotional read from Vivien Brown.
May 4, 2024
What a roller coaster of emotions. If you enjoy hearing the stories in Long Lost Families on TV you will love this book.
When Geri gives up her daughter Sandie it is the bravest act because Geri is still a child herself and she knows that her widowed father would never allow her to keep her child. So Geri has to bury all her emotions and continue with her life carrying the burden of her guilt in having given up her beautiful baby girl, hoping all the time that Sandie has had a happy life with the couple who adopted her.
So, Sandie becomes Beth and is brought up in a loving home in a close knit community in Norfolk and although she knows that she is adopted she never has any thoughts of finding her birth parents.
All of that changes when her adopted Mum dies and Beth not only starts to wonder about her birth mother but also has more pressing reasons to trace her blood relatives. Beth has severe kidney damage and her only real hope of a normal life is a kidney transplant. She can’t bear to expect her children to take this enormous step but might her birth parents or other relatives provide the solution to her problem?
Beth’s son Jack, who is a nurse helps her to trace Geri but when all the family meet together and Beth realises that Geri never wanted to give her up and feels so guilty for having given her away her emotions are turned upside down. Getting to know Geri and her family becomes more important in the short term than her quest for a kidney donor but when Jack inadvertently lets slip that Beth is seriously ill lots of emotions rise to the surface. Geri wants nothing more than to make things up to Beth but not everyone is happy about that decision.
This family saga is so well written and the ending left me feeling so emotional. I felt like I had been on a journey with all the family.
When Geri gives up her daughter Sandie it is the bravest act because Geri is still a child herself and she knows that her widowed father would never allow her to keep her child. So Geri has to bury all her emotions and continue with her life carrying the burden of her guilt in having given up her beautiful baby girl, hoping all the time that Sandie has had a happy life with the couple who adopted her.
So, Sandie becomes Beth and is brought up in a loving home in a close knit community in Norfolk and although she knows that she is adopted she never has any thoughts of finding her birth parents.
All of that changes when her adopted Mum dies and Beth not only starts to wonder about her birth mother but also has more pressing reasons to trace her blood relatives. Beth has severe kidney damage and her only real hope of a normal life is a kidney transplant. She can’t bear to expect her children to take this enormous step but might her birth parents or other relatives provide the solution to her problem?
Beth’s son Jack, who is a nurse helps her to trace Geri but when all the family meet together and Beth realises that Geri never wanted to give her up and feels so guilty for having given her away her emotions are turned upside down. Getting to know Geri and her family becomes more important in the short term than her quest for a kidney donor but when Jack inadvertently lets slip that Beth is seriously ill lots of emotions rise to the surface. Geri wants nothing more than to make things up to Beth but not everyone is happy about that decision.
This family saga is so well written and the ending left me feeling so emotional. I felt like I had been on a journey with all the family.
July 1, 2024
A Part of Me by Vivien Brown is a compelling and emotional novel that delves into the complexities of family, guilt, and modern medicine. The story centers on Geraldine, a financially secure widow in her sixties about to remarry, who has long harbored guilt over giving up a baby for adoption at fourteen. She has since devoted herself to supporting vulnerable girls.
Meanwhile, Beth, who has suffered a painful divorce and the loss of her adoptive mother, now faces kidney disease and the daunting prospect of needing a transplant. With her adoptive parents gone and unwilling to burden her children, Beth decides to seek out her birth parents.
The reunion between Geraldine and Beth brings a whirlwind of emotions and questions about their motivations and the impact on their lives. Geraldine's consideration of becoming a donor for Beth complicates her new life with William, raising questions about what she owes to her biological daughter and herself.
This thought-provoking novel explores the meaning of family, the nature of guilt and regret, and the moral dilemmas posed by modern medical advancements.
Meanwhile, Beth, who has suffered a painful divorce and the loss of her adoptive mother, now faces kidney disease and the daunting prospect of needing a transplant. With her adoptive parents gone and unwilling to burden her children, Beth decides to seek out her birth parents.
The reunion between Geraldine and Beth brings a whirlwind of emotions and questions about their motivations and the impact on their lives. Geraldine's consideration of becoming a donor for Beth complicates her new life with William, raising questions about what she owes to her biological daughter and herself.
This thought-provoking novel explores the meaning of family, the nature of guilt and regret, and the moral dilemmas posed by modern medical advancements.
May 3, 2024
A moving book about family, forgiveness and love. Beth was adopted as a child, but lived an extremely happy life with her adoptive parents, so had no desire to seek out her birth mother and father. However the death of her mother, and her own diagnosis of serious kidney disease, prompted her to investigate her roots. Meanwhile, widowed Geraldine has found a second chance at happiness with her marriage to William. The story revolves around the daughter and mother’s reconciliation and their relationship. Both families are involved in the rediscovery and new friendships are established. We know from the prologue that an accident has occurred but have to wait until the end to discover the outcome. The issue of transplants is explored both from the point of view of the would be recipients, desperately hoping for a lifeline, and the donor’s family, having to make difficult decisions at a time of shock and grief. I thoroughly enjoyed this uplifting and compassionate novel.
May 9, 2024
This was an emotional read with issues such as kidney disease, teenage pregnancy, forced adoption, self harm. As well as happy blended families. Geraldine was forced into giving up her baby for adoption in 1968 when she found herself pregnant aged 14. While she never forgot her baby, she has had a happy life. Beth is 50 something, recently divorced with three happy, well adjusted teenage/young adult children. Illness brings them together. The prologue is in a hospital waiting area where there has been an accident. We don't know who was hurt, nor how badly. The rest of the story is in two timelines- Geri in the 1960s and the present day in Brighton and London. A sad but satisfying story. #bloodhoundbooks #apartofme
May 27, 2024
A wonderful tale of families, love and sacrifice.
The story moves between the recent present and the sixties, skilfully introducing a host of thoroughly believable characters navigating complicated paths and having to deal with all sorts of issues such as adoption, teen pregnancy, serious illness and organ donation.
This is an emotional read, exploring deep subjects, but with a pleasingly light touch. And the ending is inspired! I went straight back to the first chapter after I had finished the book - you will have to read it for yourself to find out why.
I have previously read 'Lily Alone' by this author and it was great to meet up with some of the characters from that excellent book again.
The story moves between the recent present and the sixties, skilfully introducing a host of thoroughly believable characters navigating complicated paths and having to deal with all sorts of issues such as adoption, teen pregnancy, serious illness and organ donation.
This is an emotional read, exploring deep subjects, but with a pleasingly light touch. And the ending is inspired! I went straight back to the first chapter after I had finished the book - you will have to read it for yourself to find out why.
I have previously read 'Lily Alone' by this author and it was great to meet up with some of the characters from that excellent book again.
May 9, 2024
What a beautiful book, an emotional journey of discovering family with heart-wrenching unexpected events that will leave you wishing for a different ending, that's how invested you will feel on the story while reading it.
A study of family, who you get to call family and what would you do for your own child, even if you haven't see her for half a century.
Beautifully written, with relatable characters, with a story you'll get into and that grabs you since beginning to end.
A study of family, who you get to call family and what would you do for your own child, even if you haven't see her for half a century.
Beautifully written, with relatable characters, with a story you'll get into and that grabs you since beginning to end.
May 10, 2024
The book tells the emotional story of Geri giving up her daughter Sandie for adoption. Sandie, now Beth, faces health challenges and seeks her birth family for support. A reunion with Geri leads to emotional revelations and family dynamics. The narrative evokes deep emotions and explores themes of family and reconciliation.
May 9, 2024
A story of hope, loyalty, obligation and what it means to be family. Themes are adoption, organ donation, finding and connecting with one's birth family. The book's characters really came alive and I was totally immersed in the story. A very good read.
May 13, 2024
I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.
This was a very touching story.
The author did a good job of making me feel emotionally invested in all of the characters.
I would definitely read more by this author.
This was a very touching story.
The author did a good job of making me feel emotionally invested in all of the characters.
I would definitely read more by this author.
January 3, 2025
I think this book would have been a 4 star had I been more diligent about reading and staying with it and the characters. I was too distracted while reading f it and it took me too long - really not the books fault, but mine.
October 18, 2025
Listened to this as an audiobook while working. Unsure if it just wasn't a good fit for that because I kept zoning out and did not have any interest in rewinding it to catch what I missed. It seemed to be emotional? The narrator also didn't seem like they put too much effort into distinguishing the different characters. Giving it a 3 because I can't do a 2.5.
April 19, 2024
This is a gorgeous book about families and loyalties. The characters are written so beautifully, you feel you know them. Perfect for fans of Patricia Dixon.
June 19, 2024
Good book
This was a very sweet story of love and loss in many different ways. It's also about organ donations and attempted suicide. The ending took me by surprise. Good book!
This was a very sweet story of love and loss in many different ways. It's also about organ donations and attempted suicide. The ending took me by surprise. Good book!
May 28, 2024
Well, this was a real struggle for me to read - not because it was awful in any way - but this was such an emotional one that I had to battle my head (which wanted to race through it) and my heart (which was breaking and couldn't cope)
Geraldine, now in her sixties has a good life. About to embark on her second marriage to William, she couldn't be happier.
But as her past catches up to her, she must decide what risks she's willing to take and which secrets she will uncover.
This focusses on quite a few sensitive topics - teenage pregnancies, adoption, long term illness and organ donation along with mental health and family bonds and trusts.
With a son who has a long term kidney condition - I found this a really tough read - and spent a fair amount with the tissues to hand!
But, these issues were explored with a great deal of compassion, sensitivity and empathy which I really loved.
Geraldine and Beth were just such relatable characters and it was easy to take them into your heart and empathise in their mental struggles and understand their dilemmas and decisions.
This was so well written and I "loved" every second.
I liked that there was a little humour infused in the heavy storyline which diffused some of the tension.
But overall this was an emotional one for me.
I'd love to explore more work from this author (maybe a little less close to home) and see how this compares.
A great read - but grab those tissues before you start!
Geraldine, now in her sixties has a good life. About to embark on her second marriage to William, she couldn't be happier.
But as her past catches up to her, she must decide what risks she's willing to take and which secrets she will uncover.
This focusses on quite a few sensitive topics - teenage pregnancies, adoption, long term illness and organ donation along with mental health and family bonds and trusts.
With a son who has a long term kidney condition - I found this a really tough read - and spent a fair amount with the tissues to hand!
But, these issues were explored with a great deal of compassion, sensitivity and empathy which I really loved.
Geraldine and Beth were just such relatable characters and it was easy to take them into your heart and empathise in their mental struggles and understand their dilemmas and decisions.
This was so well written and I "loved" every second.
I liked that there was a little humour infused in the heavy storyline which diffused some of the tension.
But overall this was an emotional one for me.
I'd love to explore more work from this author (maybe a little less close to home) and see how this compares.
A great read - but grab those tissues before you start!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews