Molly

by Abigail Hammond

Molly always knew she was adopted. What she didn’t know was that she had a twin sister—a twin sister her mother kept while Molly was given up.

With her own wedding on the horizon, Molly decides to pick up a cold trail in search of family who’d let her go, family she never knew she’d lost, in an effort to reconnect and invite them into her life.

Her search takes her to the coastal town of Harborview, where her arrival stirs up a storm of emotions and memories within those she meets, a storm she’s somehow at the center of. But that’s not the only storm picking up, as Molly is haunted by a recurring nightmare she doesn’t understand.

Molly thought her trip to Harborview would be straightforward and simple, but as things unravel, she discovers the truth is anything but.

Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2025

About the author

My name is Abigail Hammond, but I always go by Abby. One of my thumbs is shorter than the other. I have absolutely no idea why, but it's useful for those awkward times when you meet new people and you're supposed to share a fun fact about yourself.

Thankfully, having unmatched thumbs in no way hinders my ability to write, so I'll keep working on more books! My team consists of my amazing husband who handles the cover art and illustrations for my books, and my dog, who is my chief distraction officer. We live in sunny California and consume way too many tacos. Seriously, we eat tacos for dinner almost every day.

Reviews

[Abigail Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually try to write something funny in the review sections of my own books, but this book is different. I wrote Molly while I was taking a "break" from writing and working on books for 2025. I hadn't intended to publish it, but was just writing a story for fun that I had been thinking about over the past year and had really wanted to tell, a story that really moved me. I'd planned on keeping this story for myself, only getting copies printed for my family members who wanted to read it, because I knew it would be a shorter book and, honestly, one that I couldn't quite figure out how to market. It's not full of trendy tropes. There's no romance or space travel or wizards in it. The story itself takes place over the course of one week, and it's full of heart and complex, messy emotions; real emotions people experience everyday.

Once I finished it, I had my husband read it, and he told me it was his favorite of the books I've written. His encouragement pretty much convinced me to go ahead and fully publish it. :)

That being said, I hope you love Molly, her story, and the cast of characters that accompany her. I'm passionate about every book I write, but this one is what I'd truly call my passion project. I spoke with a friend of mine who met their biological parent as an adult about this story prior to writing it, and I'd like to end with some things my friend said that were guiding thoughts for me throughout writing the story. The summation of our conversation was this:

"It's difficult to find a clean, understandable narrative in these circumstances, and it's also easy to vilify someone who's doing what they believe they have to just to survive. That being said, the process of finding family you've never met teaches you a lot about yourself and opens up a lot of hurts. It affects you much more than you'd expect. But at the end of the day, you don't need to know who your family is to know who you are."

God bless :)

[B H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is a book that inspires hope. It’s about finding light even in the darkest of places, about learning to trust yourself and others again, and about the quiet strength that can emerge from pain. This is a book that will resonate long after the final page, leaving readers both heartbroken and hopeful in equal measure. Hammond has created a masterpiece of emotional storytelling, one that will undoubtedly stay with readers for a long time.

An incredibly powerful, heart-wrenching, and ultimately hopeful read with unforgettable character development and an unexpected twist. Molly is a must-read for anyone looking for a book that will move them, inspire them, and leave them breathless.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love loved this! Such a genuine look on what it is to be human and to have empathy. This story was moving and felt so real. The plot twist at the end made me cry in public.

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end.

Such a touching story🥺

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ARC review; 4.5 stars rounded up] When I read the description for this book, I wasn't sure I would like it: there was no romance, no sci-fi, no bells and whistles. However, while different from Hammond's usual ventures, it still has the same charm. I instantly fell in love with the characters and passion I felt in this book and I think this book means a lot more to me than anyone could ever know. As someone who is adopted, I've felt the same way as Molly has felt before, and seeing her work through her feelings made me feel emotional because I've been there. Although blessed with a wonderful family, coming to understand my birth mother's feelings has been a difficult journey for me and I felt that through these pages. A little bit of mystery and a lot of magic, Molly is a read for everyone, but I can't help but feel this book was largely written just for me. This will become an instant comtemporary classic for me!

[Nick Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually I approach a review in terms of writing style, pacing, dialogue, grammar etc. This book has no issues in these categories, but it would be silly to say they are the reason this book needs to be read.

Molly is a book that will leave you thinking long after you’ve read the last page. It’s a story that is simple at it’s core while still undeniably deep. If you are looking for a book that will move you emotionally and even change you, don’t pass it up.

[Marcelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not good at writing reviews, but I really wish I was—because I so badly want to do this book justice! Molly is a moving story that will leave your heart full. I don’t usually like books that make me cry, but when I cried reading this book, it didn’t leave me feeling depressed, but hopeful. Please excuse my poor attempt at reviewing this book, but just take my word for it and go read it!!

[Christine Choptovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book about family history and is especially poignant regarding adoption. Molly has always known that she was adopted. Her fiancée Elijah convinces Molly to submit a DNA sample to see if she can find out if she has any living relatives. She’s pleased to find her birth mother Mary and then shocked to learn that she also has a fraternal twin sister! This makes her feel abandoned and rejected because she was given up for adoption but her birth mom kept her sister. She does some research on the internet and finds out that Mary lived in the village of Harborview. After consulting with Elijah, they decide she should go there and see if she can meet Mary and her sister Kirsten. If things go well, she would like them to attend her wedding. When she arrives in Harborview, she decides to stay at the bed and breakfast run by the gregarious Evie. Molly wonders if Evie knows Mary because Evie seems to recognize her. The story proceeds from there. The book delves into the difficulties a pregnant teenager faces and the consequences of what can happen when a Mom decides to give up a child for adoption. A hauntingly beautiful story!

I received an ARC of the novel and this is my honest opinion.

[Eliza~the book addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, where to start with this book. I finally got around to reading it and find myself left without words. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and it was such an amazing read. My thoughts on how the story would go in the beginning turned out to be almost entirely off. And I didn’t see the twist until literally right before it happened.

This was such an emotional read—I don’t think a book has made me cry anywhere near as much for a long time. The beginning of the book felt like a cozy sort of mystery that evolved into a much thicker plot. When it ended I was thinking how much it reminded me of a Ghibli plot (won’t say which one to avoid spoilers) despite being a very different plot and then I saw it referenced in the afterward which was cool.

Overall an amazing quick and emotional read that I don’t have much to critique on. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty picky about adoption-centered stories and the need for them to be told sensitively due to my own family's experiences, so I was excited to explore Molly's story and get my hands on Abby's next book (especially because it's a very different genre/topic than she usually writes!)
I tore through this in about 48 hours and finished it with some tears on the plane. It ended up being so much more emotional than expected! I loved it, and I think it really does a good job of the complex emotions and trauma of adoption. Abby does such a good job of portraying these feelings and processes, and a plot twist I didn't predict. It will leave you emotional but also inspired. Another fantastic book!

[findingthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw that this would be a bit different from Abigail’s Hammond other books I was very excited for the unknown. This story will leave you feelings both heartbroken but whole all at once. The decision Molly takes after finding out that her biological family is bigger than what she thought it was, was courages. But through out the story she’s feels quiet the opposite. The unexpected turn of events will leave you crying. In the end things are not what they seem, and they are not how she would see them but with the help of someone else’s point of view she proceeds to do what she was planning to do from the beginning and get the closure and answers she is looking for.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars!

Molly is an incredible story about facing the past and learning to cope with the worst. I'm keeping my review spoiler-free, but this book did make me cry. The story was emotionally driven, and the characters all had an important role to play in helping Molly discover her lost family.

I also enjoyed the "flashback" scenes that took place 22 years before the events of the story. It really showed how complex Molly's mother was, even with all her flaws, and I was able to sympathize with any of the characters.

Also, I'm sold on any book that focuses on twins! Their story was so well done!

[Matt Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the author's afterword, Abigail Hammond says "I hope this story will stick with you for a while."
I'm here to say her hopes are not in vain.
Hammond has produced an easy-to-read, fulfilling journey of a novel in a compact form. The story really shines with its characters, particularly one outcast teenager named "Claire." Even if the book merely consisted of the many realistic and intimate moments between its well-developed characters, it would be worth the price of admission. But the story brings much more than that- it really packs a punch!
My advice to a would-be reader- buy this novel, and read it quickly!

[glee book adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and will not be my last! This book was hard to put down; between the immersion writing, and growing storyline. Molly's journey to find self-actualuzation, begin healing her inner-child, a search to find her birth-family, uncovering her birth-families secrets, and alot of mystery/magic. written with different POVs.  This story is full of emotions, jaw dropping, and had me crying by the end of the book for so many reasons. Honestly, there are a million reasons you should read this book 💞

[Larissa Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written and caught me by surprise. As I read each chapter I kept trying to figure out what was going to happen. The book caused my jaw to drop a few times, which I absolutely love.
This book had a lot of suspense and kept up late reading a few nights because I needed to know!
I love how the book was written and gave different perspectives.
This is the second Abigail Hammond book I’ve read and can’t wait to read more.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Hammond is a, new author for me. Molly is the novel I was told to start my Abigail Hammond journey with. Molly is such a heart wrecking story, but left me reaching for a tissue but with the building of characters and plot one has to carry on reading through the ugly tears. Abigail really has a way with words that tug on the emotions. If you don't mind a little cry then wow this novel is your next read. Don't let it pass you by.

[Gracie Kj · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I stayed up until 1am finishing a book. But Molly is an amazing book with beautiful characters. This story draws you in and you won’t want to put it down. Thank you Abigail Hammond for such another amazing book💕

[Kristina Morud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with Abigail Hammonds writing. Molly was a book that kept me wanting to read more. The twist and turns had me wanting to find out more. I loved the story being told in 2 different perspective. Amazing! You won't be disappointed picking up this book.

[Jon Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read that caught my attention and kept me reading. It was hard to put down. Just a great story with great characters.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is a book unlike any other's that I've ever read. It hurts, oh it hurts, but it also inspires some hope. Sometimes even after a decision is made you can find some healing - it may take years, but it's still worth it.

There is a quiet strength that emerges after pain, after unimaginable loss and each woman in this story truly embodies that. The character development is truly unforgettable, and the plot twist was one I never saw coming. This book left me breathless (in the best possible way) and these characters, and this story will stick with me for a long time.