Statistically Speaking

by Debbie Johnson

As a high school history teacher, Gemma Jones loves the certainty of the past: specific names, solid dates, proven statistics. Maybe that's because her own past resembles a jumbled-up sock drawer, one where it's impossible to find a match.

On paper, Gemma's life is just like any other successful, single thirty-something. Her students adore her. She lives in a cute beach-side cottage next door to the world's sweetest neighbor, Margie. And she's definitely caught the eye of Karim, the resident hot PE teacher at her school. But every day of her life she can't get one thing out of her mind: the baby she gave up for adoption when Gemma was just sixteen years old.

This is the year that Baby—the only name Gemma has for her little girl—will turn eighteen. And it might be the year she actually meets her daughter face-to-face.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Adult, Chick Lit, Adoption

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2022

About the author

Debbie Johnson is an award-winning author who lives and works in Liverpool, where she divides her time between writing, caring for a small tribe of children and animals, and not doing the housework.

She writes feel-good emotional women’s fiction, and has sold more than 1,000,000 books worldwide. She is published globally in many different languages, and has had two books optioned for film and TV.

Her books include the best-selling Comfort Food Cafe series, The A-Z of Everything, Maybe One Day, The Moment I Met You, Falling for You and the Starshine Cove books.

She is also the author of supernatural crime thriller, Fear No Evil, and urban fantasies Dark Vision and Dark Touch.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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The Book Review Crew Blog

Life isn’t rainbows and unicorns. It’s sludge-grey drizzle and feral rats. Then, again, I am not in the best of moods.

I enjoyed this book very much. Gemma was a quirky character and I loved her. I can see how she would get on some readers' nerves but to me, she was just trying to get over a troubled past the best way she knew how. I admired how well she's done in life despite having a mentally ill and drug-addicted mother. I guess now would be a good time to mention the heavy topics in this one including mental health issues, addiction and teenage pregnancy.

I could relate to Gemma's counting of everything. Now that I'm older I hardly ever do it but I can remember being a little kid and counting everything, even syllables in words. The counting had to end in an even number or a multiple of five. It was just my childhood mind trying to control a world that was out of control for me. This book reminded me that family isn't always blood and that we can create our own tribe as we see fit.

There is a bit of romance in this story but it isn't the focal point of the book. It's more about women helping women, friendship, motherhood and facing our fears. The writing flows nicely and the characters are true to life and so is the story. I have this author's other book The Moment I Met You on my to-be-read pile. I might just have to bump it up my list.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

«PS—I have met you now. You are amazing. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and the best thing I have ever done. You will never be mine, but I will be forever yours.
Lots of love,
Your mum»

the book and story itself wasn’t as interesting as finding out about the kid. i didn’t enjoy some conversations as they kind of felt weird and pushed but others were beautiful and engaging. in 50% i thought i figured this whole book out. i was sure that nothing could have shocked me until … happened…

SPOILERS

i think that if she really was the child, new parents of hers would recognize the mom. or at least, she would recognize them. i wonder if the girl also was thinking about the potential connection with the “mom”. i still can’t figure out how so many details were connected.

end just broke me. i cried during the whole last chapter.

[Susan Kay - on semihiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about female friendships, found family, finding oneself, and reconciliation with the past. There is a romance subplot, but it is very much more a contemporary story that focuses on the FMC figuring her shit and dealing with longstanding issues for which she didn't have the tools to tackle. It's a well written character-driven story with likeable characters. A heartwarming read.

[ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc!

This book started off so strong! The opening hooked me with its charming premise and relatable main character. I was fully invested in Gemma’s life, her relationships, and the mystery of reconnecting with her daughter. I went from wanting to give this 5 stars to being so disappointed by the last 100 pages.

Somewhere along the way, the story shifted gears, and it felt like the plot got away from what made it so engaging in the first place. The pacing dragged, the narrative became dull, and it was a huge letdown.

While I was entertained enough to finish, the ending didn’t live up to the promise of the beginning. It wasn’t a bad read, but it left me feeling underwhelmed.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely lovely. I think everyone’s heartstrings are pulled when it comes to adoption stories and this one by Debbie Johnson was brutally developed. I think we all needed a bit more in the baby’s story and wish it started earlier but it was really really sweet.

[Andrea | andrea.c.lowry.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Statistically Speaking is a heartwarming and beautiful story about the close bonds between female friends who are always there for each other as they tackle difficult life decisions.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Found Family
Adoption and Foster Care
Bit of romance
Trauma and healing
Anxiety
Forgiveness
Self Discovery
Character Driven

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

Williams did such an amazing job with each character’s voice while bringing their personalities to life.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow Burn and character driven

I feel like throughout this book that a lot of information and details were added that were unnecessary, causing me to lose interest at times.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are looking for a story where you want to hug every character, then grab this sweet story about self-discovery.

3.5 stars

Thank you Harper Muse for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 ⭐

This was just so heartwarming.

I got the feeling I was going to love this book about 5/10 minutes in the audiobook at the ten tiny fingers, ten tiny toes quotation. It was just such a sweet -or better bittersweet- image this baby girl beautiful, healthy, perfect.

The humanity in this book was beautiful.
A nice story about everyday life, families, adoption, love.
Love for the family you were given, the family you gave life to, the family you found and built for yourself.
But most of all it's a story about love for one self. Allowing love in your life, understanding that everyone deserves love.

«The world feels brighter. And warmer. And safer. And I make a mental note: on this day in history Gemma Jones finally loved someone and felt loved in return.»

This book has amazing characters:
: ̗̀➛ the MFC: Gemma is a tall, beautiful, nerdy redhead with a thing for counting things and remembering the dates of everything that's happened in history. She's so determined and precise. She thinks she doesn't need (or deserve) anybody. She's more fragile than she knows.
: ̗̀➛ the Scottish neighbour: such a sweet lady.. I kept seeing Mrs. Graham from Outlander in my mind. She's the first member of the found family. She (and the dog) was the reason Gemma began to put roots.
: ̗̀➛ Karim, also know by the name of King "I love you" the 1st: husband martial for sure. This man loves her so much, he's so patient, he understands how she works, communicates, is always by her side when it matters and knows when not to be too close because she needs her space.
: ̗̀➛ all the other female characters (I won't go in depth with them as not to spoil anything). They are all so powerful and open and strong and fragile in so many different ways.

The story about "baby" broke my heart from chapter 1. Gemma did the right thing giving her baby to adoption but I can't imagine the heartbreak of it all.

Also that ending had me screaming at the audiobook player to just give me a little more. One more scene. Please.

How dare you Debbie Johnson to just leave it like that?
It was awful. It was perfect.


I'll definitely read more from the same author.



Thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to listen to the audio version of this arc. All opinions are my own. ✨📑🤓


Ⓟⓡⓔ—Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ

Everyone needs a bit of literary fiction every now and then... This book seems brilliant. The cover called to me even before knowing what this was.

1 chapter in and the tears are already coming.
I guess I need to stay on the lookout for Debbie Johnson. First time reading (or better listening) something of hers and I already get a feeling this won't be the last 💗

[Milly Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEVOURED this. I was sent an ARC to review and I read every word of this gorgeous book. I know Debbie's books well and so I strapped myself in for an emotional ride and I was sobbing after the first chapter. I felt Gemma's sadness weaving like a thread through her life and her hope spark up when she meets a girl who she is convinced is her daughter. No spoilers here but this is a wonderful, Alton Towers emotional ride and one that 'stayed with me long after the last page is turned' is a cliche, but it really did. Joyful and hopeful and just a fabulous read, beautifully and skilfully written - you're always in safe hands with her.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartfelt and chockful of mental health rep I liked this one, but I felt like it was longer than it needed to be. The beginning and ending were both strong and compelling. The middle loses steam a few times due to repetitiveness and unnecessary length. I liked the cast of characters, and I thought they each had reasonable reactions to difficult situations.

Gemma is sixteen and gives birth. She puts her baby up for adoption to give them both a chance at a brighter future. Being in foster care herself and the daughter of a mentally ill drug addicted mother she doesn't see another viable option for her daughter to have a shot at a better life.

Eighteen years later, Gemma has overcome many obstacles. She is a history teacher, but the past has left scars. Gemma is emotionally stunted from her dysfunctional upbringing. However, with a few new friends, a hot new love interest, and a part time pup emotional growth can occur, but growth is a painful process. Her daughter is about to become of age to request Gemma's contact information and that both excites and terrifies her.

I listened to the audiobook version of this, and Louise Williams was excellent at bringing unique voices to each character.

This one had a lot of emotions and laughter in it and was enjoyable. I only wish the pacing had been a little tighter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing the Advance Listening Copy

[Janssen]

I was worried this would be too quirky for me, but I blew through it!

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heart-warming story of self-discovery had me teary in several sections, with themes of adoption, mental illness, neurodiversity, family and friends.

The audiobook was engaging and the narrator, Louise Williams brought the story to life and presented the various characters well.

This audiobook has inspired to read more from Debbie Johnson.

With thanks to Harper Muse for the audio review copy, via NetGalley. This review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

[bookishcharli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn if I didn’t break down crying while reading this one. This should definitely be on your summer reading list to break up all the romcoms and beach reads. This beautiful book is filled with love, heartbreak, friendship and family, and I couldn’t have had a better read to pull me out of my reading slump a few weeks ago! Prepare yourself for an emotional roller coaster while reading this one, but heck if the smiles and laughs aren’t worth every tear. Definitely read this book!

Thank you to Orion publishing for sending me a proof of this one.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Statistically Speaking is the thirteenth stand-alone novel by best-selling British author, Debbie Johnson. Thirty-four-year-old high school history teacher Gemma Jones has been living and teaching in Liverpool for longer than she normally stays. There’s her downstairs neighbour, Margie, whose dog she takes for runs, and whom she surreptitiously helps out; there are her students, smart and interested; and there’s dishy PE teacher, Karim, who keeps asking her out for drinks and is a challenge to celibacy “like having a box of chocolates open on the kitchen table while you eat celery sticks”: is she putting down tiny roots?

But she’s also feeling unsettled because the baby she gave away when she was sixteen will now be on the cusp of adulthood. So when a new student arrives in her class, tall and red-haired like Gemma, she can’t help wonder, especially when she learns that Katie Bell, history nerd, was adopted, and born on the same day as Gemma’s baby. Could she be?

While Gemma’s life has turned out well despite her fraught childhood (a mother often not on intimate terms with the real world), foster homes, and early motherhood, her wariness of rejection means she always keeps people at a distance. But she’s having trouble doing that with Margie, Katie and her adopted mum, Erin, and Karim...

Johnson explores many of the issues around adoption from multiple perspectives: that of the adopting parents, the birth parents, and the child. She gives the reader appealing characters, entertaining dialogue, and a tale with a few twists and turns before the feel-good resolution. Very enjoyable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Focus

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Statically speaking by Debbie Johnson - Gemma hasn’t had it easy. At 16 she was in foster care and pregnant. The hardest thing she ever did was giving up her baby.. years later, a school teacher and still keeping people at a distance, but when a girl with long red hair just like hers enters her class and she was adopted.. Gemma goes into a tailspin.

This book was so good. It had so many layers of personalities that the book felt like a 3D model of what a found family looks like. It must be so jarring to meet a person and not know if they are your child. It was gut wrenching but so heartwarming at the same time. I felt Gemma melt my heart with every single page.

It was really character driven and some of the characters were really quirky. I really enjoyed it. I loved how it all played out too.

4 stars

[Angie Miale · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson is good, but not great. It has a really compelling opening. It starts out with the birth of a baby to 16 year old Gemma, and a letter she writes to her baby, who is then adopted. I had really high hopes for the book, but after this great opening it sort of fizzled. Gemma was confusing character, sometimes she seemed silly, other times romantic, other times a nervous wreck. The story was all over the place, there is a romantic interest that absolutely sneaks up on you. The last few pages are also lovely, the theme is very pro-adoption without being anti-choice, and it’s quite, quite British. I was a little disappointed that the whole “statistic” theme was lacking. Good in the beginning, but it’s like she kind of forgot to keep doing it. From the club I was expecting more of a neurodivergent character, like Cassandra in Reverse, Eleanor Oliphant or Interesting Facts About Space. Great idea but it just didn’t land for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.

[Natasha Niezgoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found family is truly such a gift!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a hard book to rate. I enjoyed it yet I didn't. The story was enjoyable and addictive, but it repeated themes a number of times.
I listened to the audio book and thought the narrator and experience was wonderful.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kada sam pročitala sinopsis knjige, tema me jako zaintrigirala i odmah sam poželela da pročitam ovu priču.
Ne znam ni sama šta sam očekivala, znala sam da neću dobiti romantičnu priču već bolnu istinu o realnom životu. Ono što nisam znala je da ću dobiti knjigu o emocijama, mislima i osećanjima koja prate teške životne odluke i njihove posledice. Knjiga je ogromna preporuka od mene, jer se dotiče jako bolnih i teških tema o kojima svest ljudi treba da se probudi.

Džema dobija devojčicu u 16.godini i daje je na usvajanje. Nastavlja život po pravilima, programirano i u svojoj zoni komfora, kako bi sebi stvorila bezbedan kutak, profesorka je na Univerzitetu, nema puno prijatelja, drži se na margini svog života, emocionalno nedostupna i hronično anksiozna. Sve naizgled deluje prihvatljivo, dok se u njen razred ne pojavi devojka koja fizički podseća na nju, a po starosti je baš kao i "njena" ćerka.

Stavila sam "njena" pod navodnike, jer je samo jedno od pitanja koje se ovde poatavljaju ima li pravo da se uopšte nada da će ikada pronaći svoju ćerku, ako je jednom ostavila, a ona je negde drugde srećna, prihvaćena, voljena? Da li je razlog zbog kojeg je bila primorana da napusti bebu opravdan? Da li je primorana? Da li je samokažnjavanje dovoljno za iskupljenje, da li je ono potrebno uopšte?
Sijaset je teških, životnih pitanja koja se prožimaju kroz radnju, o kojima možemo diskutovati, razumeti razloge ili ne. A odgovori su komplikovaniji nego što možemo zamisliti, ako se kod nas dok čitamo pojavi i tračak empatije prema glavnoj junakinji.

"Zauvek tvoju" vam peporučujem od srca, kao knjigu o emocijama, prepunu životne mudrosti i divnih poruka.

P.S. Ako tragate za savršenim muškarcem, ovde ćete ga pronaći!😉

[Patricia Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blending themes of adoption, found family, and romance with an endearing and eccentric cast of characters--including a rescue dog named Bill--Debbie Johnson's emotional and funny women's fiction novel explores what it means to really grow up and open your heart to love.

First, I would like to thank Netgalley and Harper Muse for giving me this opportunity to read this free arc. It's a nice book I picked from Netgalley, and I've had a good time reading this one. It's a woman's fiction, which I like, and it has a little bit of romance. I would like to recommend reading this book, so I'm going to give it 4 stars in total. I like the main character here, which is Gemma; she's a high school history teacher. Her students adore her. She lives in a cute beachside cottage next door to the world's sweetest neighbor, Margie. And she's definitely caught the eye of Karim, the resident hot PE teacher at her school. But every day of her life, she can't get one thing out of her mind: the baby she gave up for adoption when Gemma was just sixteen years old.

[cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was fine at first, fine at the end, and the middle was a bit of a jumbled mess. gemma was messy, albeit somewhat entertaining. the pacing felt a bit off, especially around the halfway mark, and it made it a bit hard to even WANT to get through the book.

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for a honest review

[Lani O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautiful. I picked up the book because I thought the cover looked interesting and thought it might be about math. It's not about math.

The main character gets pregnant when she was 16, and in the system after her mother wasn't capable of taking care of her. She gives the baby up for adoption, not being in a place to care for her baby. She becomes a well-adjusted history teacher, and begins to wonder what happened to her baby. She deals with issues of trust and opening up, regrets, love, friendship, coping mechanisms, addiction, the adoption system, and so much more. Very insightful book, and the main character is very witty and likable.

At one point, my husband asked if I was crying at it, and I tried to explain to him that I just read a part that was bittersweet, but needed, but hard to read, but good and beautiful. That pretty much explains a lot of the book. I loved it and would recommend it.

[Courtney Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read my first book by Debbie Johnson just last month when I read A Very Irish Christmas. I absolutely loved it so when I saw another one by her, I jumped at the chance to read it (bonus points that it was also dubbed a "quirky British novel" as if I wasn't already sold!). When I was already chuckling and liking the MC right from the first few pages, I knew I was in for another treat.

This is such a heartfelt story, and I was captivated with these characters from beginning to end. You can't help but love Gemma and hope for her to find the answers she's looking for and the happiness she deserves. Karim is a wonderful, witty, and charming man, and I fell for him quickly. Margie is the sweetest motherly neighbor. Katie and her adoptive mom Erin are instantly endearing and hard not to love as well (the wonky cushion and the dance it out's were some of my favorite highlights).

I kept wondering which route Debbie was going to take these characters; was Katie the daughter Gemma gave up, or was it all a lot of crazy coincidences? If she wasn't, would Gemma find and meet the real Baby? No matter what, this plot had one of my favorite tropes: found family. All of these characters are carrying their own past traumas/ struggles/ emotional baggage in some way. I just wanted all of these beautiful souls to find happiness within themselves and with each other.

Debbie's writing and storytelling are so easy to fall into that she's now officially cemented herself as an autobuy author for me and one who I will watch for releases and proceed to read her backlog.

🔸 I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.🔸
🔹 Thank you to Net Galley, Harper Muse, and Debbie Johnson for this eARC.🔹
🎉 Publication date: December 3, 2024.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fue un libro doloroso, agridulce, esperanzador e inspirador, lleno de amor.

Gemma era una adolescente que sufrió mucho en su niñez y también en su adolescencia. Su madre era bipolar y adicta, por lo que vivió en casas de acogida. A los 16 años, quedó embarazada y supo que no quería que su bebé viviera lo mismo que ella, así que tomó la difícil decisión de darla en adopción.

Ahora, Gemma es maestra de historia. Tiene una buena vida, o eso podría parecer, pero los sucesos de hace 18 años la dejaron marcada y vive con mucho miedo: miedo de volver a amar a alguien, de no amar a nadie, de volverse importante para alguien y de perder a más personas. Es una contradicción andante, pero se entiende por todo lo que ha pasado.

Su hija está por cumplir 18 años, y Gemma siente tanto miedo como ilusión de que se comunique con ella.

Intenta no acercarse mucho a las personas, pero cuando conoce a Katie, una de sus alumnas que se acaba de mudar, siente una conexión especial, ya que le recuerda cómo sería su hija. El mismo día, conoce a Erin, con quien inmediatamente hace clic y se vuelve amiga. Todo parece indicar que su vida está por cambiar para algo mejor y que finalmente está abierta a dejar que la gente se le acerque. Resulta que Erin y Katie son madre e hija, lo cual está bien, pero Gemma se entera de que Katie es adoptada y que su cumpleaños es el mismo día en que ella dio a luz. Ahora no puede sacar de su mente la posibilidad de que Katie sea su hija. No sabe qué hacer: ¿debería compartir sus sospechas o sería mejor volverse más cercana a ellas para obtener más información o debería alejarse?

La llegada de Erin y Katie, junto con su amistad con Margie, su vecina, su perro Bill y su reciente pretendiente, Karim, le cambiarán la vida para siempre. Juntos pasarán por muchas experiencias y le enseñarán el poder de la amistad y el amor.




"... So that’s why I am writing this. So you can feel better. So you will always know that I didn’t give you away because I didn’t love you, or because you did anything wrong. I do love you, more than I’ve ever loved anyone. It’s weird and huge and really unexpected, how much I love you"


"...I’m going to stop now, and I am going to just say this— you are loved, and you are perfect, and you are going to be brilliant.
I’m sad I won’t be around to see that, how brilliant you’ll be, but I think maybe you’ll be less brilliant if you get stuck with me as your parent. Having a mum around isn’t always for the best if it isn’t the right mum.
Shine on, lovely Baby. I wish all the awesome for you.
Lots of love, Your mum (my name is Gemma, by the way)

PS— I have met you now. You are amazing. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and the best thing I have ever done. You will never be mine, but I will be forever yours."







Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma Jones is a thirty-something history teacher who loves specific names, solid dates, and proven statistics but her past is a messy sock drawer.

At age sixteen, Gemma made the excruciating decision to give up her baby girl for adoption but she has thought of her little girl throughout her life, and this is the year that she turns eighteen years old and this has her wondering where and how her daughter is doing.

A new girl named Katie comes into her class, and it has Gemma wondering if this is her little girl, she has red hair like Gemma and the same birth date as the baby she gave up eighteen years ago.

Statistically Speaking, it was such a heartfelt story. It crept into my heart with all of the characters and blossomed into a spot that wasn’t filled and just kept me smiling and amazed at how Gemma grew as a character and is learning that she needs community and her newfound “family” that she didn’t have as a young girl. After years of being alone, she is finding that she is at a crossroads of does she wants the same thing she has always gone after or does she want to accept what is being offered to her, which is a community that supports her 100%. 4.5 stars

My gratitude to Netgalley and Harper Muse. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this novel and narrator Louise Williams does a nice job.

The opening pulled me right in with 16 year old Gemma giving birth and then giving up her daughter for adoption. Fast forward 18 years and Gemma has a solid career as a teacher, however, has never laid down roots. She's running from forming attachments.

I loved her friendship with neighbor Margie and Margie's dog Bill. Gemma showed a lot of heart in the way she interacted with them.

Gemma's story is an engaging one that shows how the impact of adoption and coming from an unstable childhood continue their impact for many years.

Some foul language.

My gratitude to publisher Harper Muse for a complimentary audiobook copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Audra Israk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I finish 2 books on the second day of 2025? Yes. Yes, I did. Don't judge me.

Thanks to NetGalley for this Arc!

This isn't my normal read but I enjoyed it. This is the story of a teacher who had a rough upbringing and gave a child up for adoption at 16 and lives her whole life wishing she knew her. The year her daughter is to turn 18 she meets someone who may be her daughter. She also tackles her first real love herself <3

The book is the story of overcoming trauma and becoming your best self. Sweet read.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute British modern fiction. Gemma is 16 and decides to give her baby up for adoption right after giving birth. She knows she can’t raise a baby with her messed up life and being in and out of foster care due to an unstable mom. Gemma goes on to finish college and becomes a high school history teacher. She finds it very hard to stay in one place and make commitments. Finally, she makes a friend in Liverpool and helps this elderly woman with her dog. There is a new girl at her school and this girl could be her daughter. Lots of drama and different events that end up helping Gemma to make her own “found” family. Enjoyable book.

[Rachel B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was great. It’s more women’s fiction than romance, I think. This book follows Gemma as she comes to terms with the baby she gave up for adoption turning 18 years old. She has no idea where her daughter ended up and is still dealing with the aftermath of that and a traumatic childhood spent with a mentally ill, addicted mother and in foster care. Gemma now has a stable and steady life as a teacher but she is single and struggles to make meaningful connections with other people. She lives in Liverpool (the author does a great job describing this city and its people) and her neighbors and a student start to worm their way into her life. And then she becomes closer to her co-worker, Karim, who is such a phenomenal character.

The romance aspect of this book may not be the star of the show but it’s really sweet. The readers get to see Gemma grow as a person and it’s a really uplifting, hopeful story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Weronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

We meet Gemma at sixteen while she’s giving birth, knowing all along she will be giving up her daughter for adoption. A foster kid herself, she would not be able to give the baby the life she deserves. Fast forward eighteen years, Gemma is a history teacher when she learns her new student Katie, bearing very close resemblance to her, is adopted. Gemma believes Katie may be the daughter she gave up.

Overall this was a great story, I liked Gemma and really felt for her struggles. I appreciated the clear shift in POV from the first few chapters when she’s sixteen to later on in her thirties. Gemma shows a lot of growth throughout the whole book, it’s a constant reminder of how far she’s come in life after a fractured childhood and losing contact with her own mother. Then gaining her independence and opening back to people and creating wonderful friendships. The characters make this story and take it to the found family level. It was humorous but realistic. There’s a minor love story woven in there, Karim the PE teacher was just a sweet guy, his encouragement brought out the best in Gemma and I really liked that.

Needless to say, I ended up enjoying this novel a lot, it was heartfelt and a bit emotional. I definitely wasn’t expecting a comfort read but this was just that. I recommend it to anyone looking for a low stakes story with a happy ending.

Thank you to Harper Muse for the review copy.

[Sarah Beth G. (a.neverending.tbr) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Even though I usually prefer a stronger romance plot, there was just enough here to keep me interested. Gemma as a character is unique with both her past and her emotional coping processes. She has quite a growth journey over the book. I appreciated her internal monologues as she finds her place in this world. The small romantic moments were a great addition for this romance lover. Kareem was a sweet and patient man as he broke through Gemma’s walls. There is great mental representation and a found family theme.

The narrator was a good choice and I enjoyed her voicing of all the characters.

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Content Notes: Closed door romance, some strong language