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The Place That Made Us Swans: A heartbreaking novel that will stay with you long after the final page.
Go on a deeply emotional journey of survival and healing with The Place That Made Us Swans, a sweeping novel of childhood trauma, first love, found family, devastating loss, and the buried truths that shape an entire lifetime.
Now one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, Mary has built a life that bears almost no trace of the child she once was. To the outside world, she is proof that a person can survive the unimaginable and still become extraordinary.
But survival is not the same as healing.
Inside her still lives the girl who learned to listen for danger before she was old enough to understand it. The girl raised in a home shaped by neglect, violence, addiction, and silence. And the girl who found refuge in Logan - the boy who made her feel worth protecting, gave her the first place she could call home, and became woven so deeply into her life that loving him would shape every version of the woman she became.
When the discovery of a secret kept from her for twenty years pulls Mary back towards the Scottish village she spent her life trying to escape, the past no longer feels safely buried. Memories she trusted begin to change beneath her. The people she loved become harder to understand. And Mary is forced to confront not only what was hidden from her, but how much of her life was built around a truth she was never allowed to know.
Spanning decades, The Place That Made Us Swans follows Mary from a frightened child desperate to be loved to a woman trusted with the lives of others, even as she struggles to understand how to carry her own. It is a story about what happens when the person who made life bearable becomes someone you must learn to live without. About the love that saves us without being able to spare us from grief. And about truths that arrive too late to change the past, but soon enough to change everything we believed about ourselves.
Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah, Fredrik Backman, and Delia Owens who love deeply emotional, character-driven stories that stay with them long after the final page.
Now one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, Mary has built a life that bears almost no trace of the child she once was. To the outside world, she is proof that a person can survive the unimaginable and still become extraordinary.
But survival is not the same as healing.
Inside her still lives the girl who learned to listen for danger before she was old enough to understand it. The girl raised in a home shaped by neglect, violence, addiction, and silence. And the girl who found refuge in Logan - the boy who made her feel worth protecting, gave her the first place she could call home, and became woven so deeply into her life that loving him would shape every version of the woman she became.
When the discovery of a secret kept from her for twenty years pulls Mary back towards the Scottish village she spent her life trying to escape, the past no longer feels safely buried. Memories she trusted begin to change beneath her. The people she loved become harder to understand. And Mary is forced to confront not only what was hidden from her, but how much of her life was built around a truth she was never allowed to know.
Spanning decades, The Place That Made Us Swans follows Mary from a frightened child desperate to be loved to a woman trusted with the lives of others, even as she struggles to understand how to carry her own. It is a story about what happens when the person who made life bearable becomes someone you must learn to live without. About the love that saves us without being able to spare us from grief. And about truths that arrive too late to change the past, but soon enough to change everything we believed about ourselves.
Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah, Fredrik Backman, and Delia Owens who love deeply emotional, character-driven stories that stay with them long after the final page.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 25, 2026
The Place That Made Us Swans follows Mary as she goes from a traumatic childhood to a remarkable career as a neurosurgeon. The story shows how the place she came from shaped her journey & continued to do so as she grew.
There's no specific focus on plot twists rather an unravelling of emotional experiences. Garris explores identity, strength, trauma & hope. I think this made Mary feel authentic & her life feel relatable.
The pacing of the story is slow & gentle which gave time for the enotional aspect to develop gradually. I find this is quite common in character led novels.
Overall a beautifully written story of identity & belonging thank you to Martina Garris for the digital ARC.
There's no specific focus on plot twists rather an unravelling of emotional experiences. Garris explores identity, strength, trauma & hope. I think this made Mary feel authentic & her life feel relatable.
The pacing of the story is slow & gentle which gave time for the enotional aspect to develop gradually. I find this is quite common in character led novels.
Overall a beautifully written story of identity & belonging thank you to Martina Garris for the digital ARC.
June 29, 2026
A haunting, unforgettable novel with some of the most beautiful and profound writing I've ever read. I don't think I've highlighted as many passages in any other book. It's harrowing and dark, but also full of love and grief, exploring both with incredible honesty and emotion. A truly stunning read that will stay with me for a long time.
July 14, 2026
This sad, beautiful story is about how trauma affects and shapes so much about a person. It’s about finding the beauty in life after so much pain.
The story dives into the past of Mary, a world class surgeon and explains the heartache, trauma, and characters that helped shape who she is. A story of survival as well as healing.
I loved how beautifully the story was written as well as the point of views from many of the characters. I would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of Kristin Hannah, Jojo Moyes, or Barbara Kingsolver.
The story dives into the past of Mary, a world class surgeon and explains the heartache, trauma, and characters that helped shape who she is. A story of survival as well as healing.
I loved how beautifully the story was written as well as the point of views from many of the characters. I would definitely recommend if you’re a fan of Kristin Hannah, Jojo Moyes, or Barbara Kingsolver.
June 27, 2026
This was a terrific story with an excellent writing style! I found this hard to put down and even found some of it, just hard to read. The author did an amazing job capturing the characters' emotions throughout the book and making you feel alongside them, good and bad!
I would definitely recommend!
I would definitely recommend!
June 20, 2026
Wow.
This book completely caught me off guard.
I started reading expecting a family drama and ended up completely emotionally invested in Mary’s life. Every secret that came to light had me needing just one more chapter.
The writing pulled me in immediately, and I loved how the story unfolded over decades. Watching Mary’s journey through love, loss, heartbreak, and healing was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.
This is one of those books that makes you stop and think about your own life and the people around you.
I don’t want to say too much because I think it’s best to go in blind, but if you enjoy emotional stories, family secrets, and characters that feel incredibly real, I highly recommend this one.
This book left a special place in my heart.
This book completely caught me off guard.
I started reading expecting a family drama and ended up completely emotionally invested in Mary’s life. Every secret that came to light had me needing just one more chapter.
The writing pulled me in immediately, and I loved how the story unfolded over decades. Watching Mary’s journey through love, loss, heartbreak, and healing was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time.
This is one of those books that makes you stop and think about your own life and the people around you.
I don’t want to say too much because I think it’s best to go in blind, but if you enjoy emotional stories, family secrets, and characters that feel incredibly real, I highly recommend this one.
This book left a special place in my heart.
June 27, 2026
Wonder book. I loved it all❤️. It broke my heart time to time but still I'm in so much love with it.
Read
June 20, 2026This book moved me deeply. What touched me most was the honest and heartbreaking way it explores the reality of abuse, something that, sadly, affects far too many families. The author shows the lasting impact that words, actions, and childhood experiences can have, while never allowing the reader to lose faith in humanity.
As I read, I felt a wide range of emotions: sadness, compassion, and at times even anger. Yet beneath the pain, this story carries a powerful message of hope. It reminds us that even when we feel broken, alone, and as though we’ve lost everything, there is still a strength within us that can help us keep going. Even when we think something inside us has died, there is always a small part that refuses to give up and keeps fighting for a better future.
This is not an easy book to read, but it is an important one. It encourages reflection on resilience, the importance of love and support, and the possibility of rebuilding a life despite a painful past. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a story that tackles difficult subjects with honesty and compassion, while offering the hope that even after the darkest experiences, it is possible to find light again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As I read, I felt a wide range of emotions: sadness, compassion, and at times even anger. Yet beneath the pain, this story carries a powerful message of hope. It reminds us that even when we feel broken, alone, and as though we’ve lost everything, there is still a strength within us that can help us keep going. Even when we think something inside us has died, there is always a small part that refuses to give up and keeps fighting for a better future.
This is not an easy book to read, but it is an important one. It encourages reflection on resilience, the importance of love and support, and the possibility of rebuilding a life despite a painful past. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a story that tackles difficult subjects with honesty and compassion, while offering the hope that even after the darkest experiences, it is possible to find light again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2026
A deeply emotional and beautifully crafted novel that drew me in, and still lingers now.
The Place That Made Us Swans is literary fiction with a touch of romance. It is intimate, introspective, occasionally brutal, always beautiful, and rich with emotion. To me, it’s a story about how our experiences shape us, about finding where we belong, and about learning to trust that belonging.
Prose – Martina’s writing is lyrical and heart-felt, without ever being indulgent. There are no cheap hooks here – I was gently drawn in because I began, very quickly, to care deeply about Mary, Logan and several of the minor characters. I found myself repeatedly dropping highlights on gorgeous, reflective metaphors, similes and observations.
Characters – Most of the characters in this book have been through awful things, and their responses are human, relatable, often flawed, but completely believable. No one is wholly good or wholly bad. They all make mistakes (some more than others), but those come from situations and emotions that feel very real.
Themes - The novel explores love, grief, hope, childhood trauma, neglect, and how people rescue each other in a variety of ways. It is not a gentle or ‘cosy’ read, but I found it hugely uplifting all the same.
Structure – After a brief modern-day prologue where we see Mary as one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, but sense her loneliness and hear of a tragic event in her past she won't talk about, we return via shifting flashbacks to her childhood and youth in Scotland. Her love of books and stories as a refuge somehow feels extra poignant when discovered in such a carefully structured, gently unfolding narrative.
You will love it if - you gravitate towards atmospheric, character-led literary fiction. Elements of the story and writing reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, Ruth Jones’s By Your Side, and Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.
It’s a beautifully-wrought novel that will stay with you – and for me, it was an ultimately uplifting read about the power of hope and love, despite the early trauma and grief themes.
Favourite quotes:
“She was empty in a house full of everything.”
“Good memories rarely comfort you. They teach you how to compare.”
“Some people see a wall around another person and turn away. Others stop there a little longer and start wondering who built it.”
“Truth has never liked having its picture taken.”
“People say broken heart syndrome is a poetic exaggeration, because no one wants to admit a heart can be murdered by what it misses.”
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Place That Made Us Swans is literary fiction with a touch of romance. It is intimate, introspective, occasionally brutal, always beautiful, and rich with emotion. To me, it’s a story about how our experiences shape us, about finding where we belong, and about learning to trust that belonging.
Prose – Martina’s writing is lyrical and heart-felt, without ever being indulgent. There are no cheap hooks here – I was gently drawn in because I began, very quickly, to care deeply about Mary, Logan and several of the minor characters. I found myself repeatedly dropping highlights on gorgeous, reflective metaphors, similes and observations.
Characters – Most of the characters in this book have been through awful things, and their responses are human, relatable, often flawed, but completely believable. No one is wholly good or wholly bad. They all make mistakes (some more than others), but those come from situations and emotions that feel very real.
Themes - The novel explores love, grief, hope, childhood trauma, neglect, and how people rescue each other in a variety of ways. It is not a gentle or ‘cosy’ read, but I found it hugely uplifting all the same.
Structure – After a brief modern-day prologue where we see Mary as one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, but sense her loneliness and hear of a tragic event in her past she won't talk about, we return via shifting flashbacks to her childhood and youth in Scotland. Her love of books and stories as a refuge somehow feels extra poignant when discovered in such a carefully structured, gently unfolding narrative.
You will love it if - you gravitate towards atmospheric, character-led literary fiction. Elements of the story and writing reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, Ruth Jones’s By Your Side, and Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.
It’s a beautifully-wrought novel that will stay with you – and for me, it was an ultimately uplifting read about the power of hope and love, despite the early trauma and grief themes.
Favourite quotes:
“She was empty in a house full of everything.”
“Good memories rarely comfort you. They teach you how to compare.”
“Some people see a wall around another person and turn away. Others stop there a little longer and start wondering who built it.”
“Truth has never liked having its picture taken.”
“People say broken heart syndrome is a poetic exaggeration, because no one wants to admit a heart can be murdered by what it misses.”
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2026
This is a heavy book and I decided to read it in a day because I couldn't stretch out the heaviness to multiple days.
This books does not deliver the HEA that we've come to expect in other stories. This books lives in reality. The reality that children suffer. That some parents are neglectful. That those who are supposed to love and protect little ones, are the ones that actually abuse and shatter them. The reality that families can be broken and where safety is a fairy tale. This book packs a ton of emotional hits to the heart, and they don't let up.
This book starts out with Mary being an adult - probably in her late 30's early 40's. After the prologue, we go back to the past to when Mary and Logan where teenagers with flashbacks to when they were younger. While the story does focus on Mary and Logan, we do get multiple other perspectives. And not one character is left unscathed - they all have something devastating enter their lives.
The ending of the book does wrap up almost everything. While I am glad that we got closure with Ravi, I don't feel like there was closure with Victor or Ann. While it can be obvious what happened, I still wanted it spelled out.
Again, this book is an emotionally heavy story, so please be kind to yourself and review the contents.
Contents: Child abuse, neglectful parent, alcoholism, murder, abandonment, assault, deep depression
Quotes:
"...suffering is not proof of being singled out. Sometimes it is only proof that no one has looked closely enough at anyone else."
"Sometimes what hurts most isn't what happened to you, but what never did."
"Some people see a wall around another person and turn away. Others stop there a little longer and start wondering who built it."
"But hope doesn't listen to reason."
"Diamonds catch the light straight away...Opals are different. The colour's hidden inside, and you only really see it when you turn the stone a little. You have to look properly. And I don't know...I just thought maybe people can be like that too. Maybe you can look at yourself your whole life and see nothing special, because no one every held you in the right light."
"Truth has never liked having its picture taken."
"...the truth at the wrong time is not honesty. It is another wound."
"I believe death is not the final word, only a pause in a conversation that will one day continue. That faith doe not take the pain away, but it let's me breathe."
This books does not deliver the HEA that we've come to expect in other stories. This books lives in reality. The reality that children suffer. That some parents are neglectful. That those who are supposed to love and protect little ones, are the ones that actually abuse and shatter them. The reality that families can be broken and where safety is a fairy tale. This book packs a ton of emotional hits to the heart, and they don't let up.
This book starts out with Mary being an adult - probably in her late 30's early 40's. After the prologue, we go back to the past to when Mary and Logan where teenagers with flashbacks to when they were younger. While the story does focus on Mary and Logan, we do get multiple other perspectives. And not one character is left unscathed - they all have something devastating enter their lives.
The ending of the book does wrap up almost everything. While I am glad that we got closure with Ravi, I don't feel like there was closure with Victor or Ann. While it can be obvious what happened, I still wanted it spelled out.
Again, this book is an emotionally heavy story, so please be kind to yourself and review the contents.
Contents: Child abuse, neglectful parent, alcoholism, murder, abandonment, assault, deep depression
Quotes:
"...suffering is not proof of being singled out. Sometimes it is only proof that no one has looked closely enough at anyone else."
"Sometimes what hurts most isn't what happened to you, but what never did."
"Some people see a wall around another person and turn away. Others stop there a little longer and start wondering who built it."
"But hope doesn't listen to reason."
"Diamonds catch the light straight away...Opals are different. The colour's hidden inside, and you only really see it when you turn the stone a little. You have to look properly. And I don't know...I just thought maybe people can be like that too. Maybe you can look at yourself your whole life and see nothing special, because no one every held you in the right light."
"Truth has never liked having its picture taken."
"...the truth at the wrong time is not honesty. It is another wound."
"I believe death is not the final word, only a pause in a conversation that will one day continue. That faith doe not take the pain away, but it let's me breathe."
July 5, 2026
The Place that made us Swans by Martina Garris
⭐️⭐️⭐️
First, thank you for the author for sending me a free e-copy of the book!
Synopsis: This story follows Mary… a young girl with a traumatic past who builds a successful career as a neurosurgeon. It focuses on the lasting effects of trauma, and the importance of love in healing.
What I loved:
❤️ This book discusses some topics that most writers would shy away from. ⚠️TW: kidnapping, child abuse, neglect, death, grief and depression, death of a pet, survivors guilt, chronic illness.
❤️ Even though it was a heavier read, it ended with the main character finding peace and joy.
❤️ I enjoyed the short chapters, multiple POV’S, and dual timelines. I will say, this is one of the only ARCs I have read on my iPad that kept me interested. I usually have such a rough time reading a book on a screen. But this one kept my attention and made me want to sit down and binge it!
Why not 5 stars?:
💔 There were times I really enjoyed the writing and then times it sounded to archaic for me. There were sentences I had to read again to understand because the structure didn’t make sense.
💔 We get a POV from one of the abusers and I hoped it would explain why that character was angry and violent. It didn’t. To me, the abuse that Mary faces doesn’t have a reason behind it. The parental figures are just… evil. And maybe that was the point? That the reason doesn’t matter because the violence is always unjustified…
I just think if you put a POV from the abusive character… it should make them feel more human. I just wanted to know what made THEM think it was justifiable..
We see Mary find peace, but I wanted all of the characters to have that same chance. To work through their trauma and grow and heal. Even the evil ones.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
First, thank you for the author for sending me a free e-copy of the book!
Synopsis: This story follows Mary… a young girl with a traumatic past who builds a successful career as a neurosurgeon. It focuses on the lasting effects of trauma, and the importance of love in healing.
What I loved:
❤️ This book discusses some topics that most writers would shy away from. ⚠️TW: kidnapping, child abuse, neglect, death, grief and depression, death of a pet, survivors guilt, chronic illness.
❤️ Even though it was a heavier read, it ended with the main character finding peace and joy.
❤️ I enjoyed the short chapters, multiple POV’S, and dual timelines. I will say, this is one of the only ARCs I have read on my iPad that kept me interested. I usually have such a rough time reading a book on a screen. But this one kept my attention and made me want to sit down and binge it!
Why not 5 stars?:
💔 There were times I really enjoyed the writing and then times it sounded to archaic for me. There were sentences I had to read again to understand because the structure didn’t make sense.
💔 We get a POV from one of the abusers and I hoped it would explain why that character was angry and violent. It didn’t. To me, the abuse that Mary faces doesn’t have a reason behind it. The parental figures are just… evil. And maybe that was the point? That the reason doesn’t matter because the violence is always unjustified…
I just think if you put a POV from the abusive character… it should make them feel more human. I just wanted to know what made THEM think it was justifiable..
We see Mary find peace, but I wanted all of the characters to have that same chance. To work through their trauma and grow and heal. Even the evil ones.
June 25, 2026
I received an ARC of The Place That Made Us Swans by Martina Garris two weeks ago. I only just finished it yesterday. Some books you post about immediately. This one asked me to wait until I could sit with it properly.
This isn’t a story about rescue. It’s about survival. Mary learns early how to live in a world that doesn’t make space for her. She grows up, becomes a neurosurgeon, and builds her entire life around control. Control in the OR. Control in silence. Control because as a child, she had none.
Martina writes with a kind of precision that feels surgical, which fits Mary perfectly. The prose is quiet. There are no big dramatic twists. Instead, there are small, devastating moments.
What stayed with me most is how the book treats grief and trauma. It doesn’t promise that they get "fixed". It shows how they’re carried. How they soften over time. How healing begins slowly, the same way a fall begins slowly.
The question Mary asks "Where does a fall like that begin?" is the question this novel keeps circling. The answer isn’t neat. But it’s honest. And sometimes that’s enough.
I wasn’t ready for this book two weeks ago. I am now. If you want fast paced plot, this won’t be for you. If you want a novel that understands what it means to survive, and then learn how to live, I’d recommend it.
Content warnings: child neglect, alcoholism, domestic abuse, grief.
This isn’t a story about rescue. It’s about survival. Mary learns early how to live in a world that doesn’t make space for her. She grows up, becomes a neurosurgeon, and builds her entire life around control. Control in the OR. Control in silence. Control because as a child, she had none.
Martina writes with a kind of precision that feels surgical, which fits Mary perfectly. The prose is quiet. There are no big dramatic twists. Instead, there are small, devastating moments.
What stayed with me most is how the book treats grief and trauma. It doesn’t promise that they get "fixed". It shows how they’re carried. How they soften over time. How healing begins slowly, the same way a fall begins slowly.
The question Mary asks "Where does a fall like that begin?" is the question this novel keeps circling. The answer isn’t neat. But it’s honest. And sometimes that’s enough.
I wasn’t ready for this book two weeks ago. I am now. If you want fast paced plot, this won’t be for you. If you want a novel that understands what it means to survive, and then learn how to live, I’d recommend it.
Content warnings: child neglect, alcoholism, domestic abuse, grief.
July 5, 2026
💙 Blurb-
Mary has built the kind of life most people only dream of. She is one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, engaged to a kind, devoted man, and only months away from her wedding. But the family she escaped never stopped shaping her life. The abuse she survived, the lies she was raised to believe, and the boy who once saved her have remained with her long after childhood ended.
When unexpected events draw Mary back to the place she once called home, the story she has always believed begins to fall apart. As old secrets surface, the line between memory and truth begins to blur.
Spanning decades, The Place That Made Us Swans is a deeply emotional coming-of-age novel about family secrets, first love, resilience, found family, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.
💚 Blurb-
This was such a beautiful and well written novel. From the very first chapter I was hooked into the story and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and guessing until the end. The story was well written and easy to follow with good pacing and a great cast of characters. I loved the author's writing style too. I will definitely be reading more by the author. I definitely recommend it to other readers.
💝 Thank you to the author Martina Garris for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Mary has built the kind of life most people only dream of. She is one of the world’s leading neurosurgeons, engaged to a kind, devoted man, and only months away from her wedding. But the family she escaped never stopped shaping her life. The abuse she survived, the lies she was raised to believe, and the boy who once saved her have remained with her long after childhood ended.
When unexpected events draw Mary back to the place she once called home, the story she has always believed begins to fall apart. As old secrets surface, the line between memory and truth begins to blur.
Spanning decades, The Place That Made Us Swans is a deeply emotional coming-of-age novel about family secrets, first love, resilience, found family, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma.
💚 Blurb-
This was such a beautiful and well written novel. From the very first chapter I was hooked into the story and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and guessing until the end. The story was well written and easy to follow with good pacing and a great cast of characters. I loved the author's writing style too. I will definitely be reading more by the author. I definitely recommend it to other readers.
💝 Thank you to the author Martina Garris for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Place That Made Us Swans is a beautifully written coming-of-age novel that explores family secrets, first love, and the lasting effects of childhood. The story is emotional and character-driven, and I found myself invested in the characters’ journeys as they navigated difficult relationships and uncovered long-buried truths.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its atmosphere and emotional depth. The writing is thoughtful, and the themes of resilience, identity, and healing are handled with care. The characters felt authentic, and I appreciated how their growth unfolded throughout the story.
The reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me is that parts of the pacing felt a little slow, particularly in the middle, and I would have liked a bit more development in a few areas. Even so, the ending was satisfying and tied everything together in a meaningful way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with heartfelt emotional themes, family drama, and coming-of-age stories. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
The Place That Made Us Swans is a beautifully written coming-of-age novel that explores family secrets, first love, and the lasting effects of childhood. The story is emotional and character-driven, and I found myself invested in the characters’ journeys as they navigated difficult relationships and uncovered long-buried truths.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is its atmosphere and emotional depth. The writing is thoughtful, and the themes of resilience, identity, and healing are handled with care. The characters felt authentic, and I appreciated how their growth unfolded throughout the story.
The reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me is that parts of the pacing felt a little slow, particularly in the middle, and I would have liked a bit more development in a few areas. Even so, the ending was satisfying and tied everything together in a meaningful way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with heartfelt emotional themes, family drama, and coming-of-age stories. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.
July 5, 2026
Grab your emotional support pet, a box of tissues, and This Book!!
The Place That Made Us Swans by Martina Garris, is a heartbreaking story about a little girl named Mary whose parents are abusive and only keep her around because of the money they get for her.
It’s about a brother and sister whose dad is driven to alcoholism through grief.
It’s about hiding your true life/true self because you’re too afraid to be seen, but then realizing how beautiful it can be to actually be Seen by the right people.
Martina writes in a way that you cannot help but to feel everything the characters are going through.
I have never sobbed so much during the first quarter of a book in my life and then continued to cry throughout the entirety of the book. I could not put this book down!
It has been a long time since a book has moved me in this way. It is tragic and heartbreaking and beautiful.
Thank you Martina for making sure this book made it to my TBR🫶
Trigger warnings- Child abuse/neglect, pregnancy loss, infertility , loss of a spouse/parent , loss of a child/sibling, grief, alcoholism
The Place That Made Us Swans by Martina Garris, is a heartbreaking story about a little girl named Mary whose parents are abusive and only keep her around because of the money they get for her.
It’s about a brother and sister whose dad is driven to alcoholism through grief.
It’s about hiding your true life/true self because you’re too afraid to be seen, but then realizing how beautiful it can be to actually be Seen by the right people.
Martina writes in a way that you cannot help but to feel everything the characters are going through.
I have never sobbed so much during the first quarter of a book in my life and then continued to cry throughout the entirety of the book. I could not put this book down!
It has been a long time since a book has moved me in this way. It is tragic and heartbreaking and beautiful.
Thank you Martina for making sure this book made it to my TBR🫶
Trigger warnings- Child abuse/neglect, pregnancy loss, infertility , loss of a spouse/parent , loss of a child/sibling, grief, alcoholism
July 11, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Place That Made Us Swans is much more than a love story.
At its heart, this is a novel about identity, childhood trauma, family secrets, grief and the enduring impact our past has on the people we become. What begins as one story gradually unfolds into something far richer and more layered than I expected.
Martina Garris explores difficult themes with sensitivity and depth, weaving together loss, healing, forgiveness and the question of whether some connections are ever truly broken. The characters carry wounds from childhood that continue to shape their choices in adulthood, making their journeys feel authentic and emotionally compelling.
I particularly enjoyed the way the story balanced heartbreak with hope. The emotional moments felt earned rather than forced and several twists genuinely caught me by surprise. By the end, I found myself deeply invested in the characters and their futures.
This is a story about finding your way back to yourself as much as it is about finding your way back to another person.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with family secrets, second chances and themes of healing and resilience, this is well worth picking up.
The Place That Made Us Swans is much more than a love story.
At its heart, this is a novel about identity, childhood trauma, family secrets, grief and the enduring impact our past has on the people we become. What begins as one story gradually unfolds into something far richer and more layered than I expected.
Martina Garris explores difficult themes with sensitivity and depth, weaving together loss, healing, forgiveness and the question of whether some connections are ever truly broken. The characters carry wounds from childhood that continue to shape their choices in adulthood, making their journeys feel authentic and emotionally compelling.
I particularly enjoyed the way the story balanced heartbreak with hope. The emotional moments felt earned rather than forced and several twists genuinely caught me by surprise. By the end, I found myself deeply invested in the characters and their futures.
This is a story about finding your way back to yourself as much as it is about finding your way back to another person.
If you enjoy emotional contemporary fiction with family secrets, second chances and themes of healing and resilience, this is well worth picking up.
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August 2, 2026Thank you Martina for giving me the opportunity to read your book!
In this story, I particularly appreciated the thoughtfulness in the writing, especially the many sentences and metaphors about the protagonist's love for books. Besides being beautifully written, they were very compelling and vividly conveyed how much Mary relied on her books to keep going.
The first part of the book is a cruel portrait of abuse and neglect, highlighting the many children in Mary's situation who are abandoned by the system and have no one who looks out for them. While very heavy on the trauma of her characters, the author displayed a story highlighting how even the most exceptional success can't cancel years of physical and psychological trauma. For me, this was the key point of the story, and I really appreciated that the author did not magically make all problems go away once love or money came into the picture.
The Place That Made Us Swans is a story about friendship, resilience, and the will to keep going even when it seems pointless. While I found the plot twists a bit extreme, it still makes you reflect on how much of our lives are determined by sheer, random luck.
In this story, I particularly appreciated the thoughtfulness in the writing, especially the many sentences and metaphors about the protagonist's love for books. Besides being beautifully written, they were very compelling and vividly conveyed how much Mary relied on her books to keep going.
The first part of the book is a cruel portrait of abuse and neglect, highlighting the many children in Mary's situation who are abandoned by the system and have no one who looks out for them. While very heavy on the trauma of her characters, the author displayed a story highlighting how even the most exceptional success can't cancel years of physical and psychological trauma. For me, this was the key point of the story, and I really appreciated that the author did not magically make all problems go away once love or money came into the picture.
The Place That Made Us Swans is a story about friendship, resilience, and the will to keep going even when it seems pointless. While I found the plot twists a bit extreme, it still makes you reflect on how much of our lives are determined by sheer, random luck.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free ebook of The Place That Made Us Swans in exchange for an honest review.
The prologue captured my attention immediately, and I was completely drawn into the story. The first half of the book was exceptionally well written. Martina Garris has a beautiful writing style, and I found myself highlighting so many passages.
However, the second half lost some of its momentum for me. It became easier to anticipate and some aspects of the story needed more clarity as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and admired the author’s lyrical writing. Although the second half didn’t quite have the same impact as the first, it’s still an engaging read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy beautifully written, atmospheric, and character-driven stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5
The prologue captured my attention immediately, and I was completely drawn into the story. The first half of the book was exceptionally well written. Martina Garris has a beautiful writing style, and I found myself highlighting so many passages.
However, the second half lost some of its momentum for me. It became easier to anticipate and some aspects of the story needed more clarity as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and admired the author’s lyrical writing. Although the second half didn’t quite have the same impact as the first, it’s still an engaging read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy beautifully written, atmospheric, and character-driven stories.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5/5
July 17, 2026
It’s not often that a debut novel leaves such a lasting emotional impact. This is a beautiful and deeply moving story about difficult choices, loss, and the incredible strength we all carry within us—sometimes only discovering it in life’s hardest moments. It reminds us that even after losing someone we love, it’s possible to find hope, embrace life again, and become the best version of ourselves.
This is one of those books you may finish reading, but it never truly leaves your heart. Its characters and their journey stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
If you’re looking for a novel that will move you, make you reflect, and leave you with a sense of hope, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. It’s an outstanding debut that promises a remarkable writing career. I’m already looking forward to reading this author’s next book.
This is one of those books you may finish reading, but it never truly leaves your heart. Its characters and their journey stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
If you’re looking for a novel that will move you, make you reflect, and leave you with a sense of hope, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. It’s an outstanding debut that promises a remarkable writing career. I’m already looking forward to reading this author’s next book.
July 7, 2026
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's a story of a girl with a traumatic past who ends up becoming a successful neurosurgeon. Her journey is all about trauma,Love and healing .
The book is slow paced, has multiple POVs, different timelines and short chapters. I found Author's writing style to be aphoristic like it's filled with profound fragments of wisdom. It's a character driven story, a beautiful and emotional read.
I really like the storyline it kept me engaged throughout. Only issue was at some points in the book I had to read few lines twice to get the meaning.
Also Thanks to the author for providing the ebook.
It's a story of a girl with a traumatic past who ends up becoming a successful neurosurgeon. Her journey is all about trauma,Love and healing .
The book is slow paced, has multiple POVs, different timelines and short chapters. I found Author's writing style to be aphoristic like it's filled with profound fragments of wisdom. It's a character driven story, a beautiful and emotional read.
I really like the storyline it kept me engaged throughout. Only issue was at some points in the book I had to read few lines twice to get the meaning.
Also Thanks to the author for providing the ebook.
July 7, 2026
Some books stay with you long after you have finished reading and The Place That Made Us Swans is one of them.
Seeing the world through Mary’s eyes was heartbreaking. As a child deprived of love, safety, and kindness, her story left a deep pang in my heart. The novel is a powerful reminder that while trauma can shape a life, it doesn’t have to define it.
What moved me most was Mary’s resilience. Watching her rise above an unimaginable childhood and create a meaningful future was both inspiring and deeply emotional. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this is a story about resilience, healing, and the extraordinary difference that compassion can make.
Seeing the world through Mary’s eyes was heartbreaking. As a child deprived of love, safety, and kindness, her story left a deep pang in my heart. The novel is a powerful reminder that while trauma can shape a life, it doesn’t have to define it.
What moved me most was Mary’s resilience. Watching her rise above an unimaginable childhood and create a meaningful future was both inspiring and deeply emotional. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, this is a story about resilience, healing, and the extraordinary difference that compassion can make.
June 28, 2026
The Place That Made Us Swans is one of those rare books that quietly finds a home in your heart. Martina Garris beautifully explores love, loss, healing, and resilience through characters who feel deeply real. The writing is emotional, immersive, and filled with moments that stay with you long after the final page. While a few parts felt slightly slow, the emotional payoff was absolutely worth it. A touching and unforgettable read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys heartfelt contemporary romance.
July 3, 2026
This book is one of the best I have read. It’s beautifully written, it has moments of heartbreak, love and peace. You really feel so many emotions when reading this. Once I started reading this, I honestly could not put it down. This book made me cry and made me smile. The start of the book draws you in instantly and the characters are introduced in a way where you do not get lost. There are so many heartbreaking twists that you feel there is something bad is about to happen but I had no idea what. I loved this so much and can’t wait to reread it.
July 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ 4/5
The author sent me this book to read, and here are my thoughts.
A very emotional and thought-provoking book. A beautiful story about young people, personal growth, trauma, difficult challenges, and loss.
At first, the female protagonist came across as emotionally distant and cold to me, but considering everything she had been through, it became understandable and believable. Meanwhile, the male protagonist had a strong “hero” and “protector” complex, which made his character both admirable and, at times, frustrating.
Overall, it was a beautiful read that made me reflect on life, relationships, and how our past experiences shape our choices and our ability to trust others.
Many readers here also highlight the book’s emotional depth, its portrayal of young relationships, and its themes of belonging, trauma, and healing, although some mention that the characters’ emotional distance occasionally made it harder to connect with them.
Would I recommend it? Yes — especially to readers who enjoy emotional, slower-paced stories with strong character development and a powerful emotional core.
The author sent me this book to read, and here are my thoughts.
A very emotional and thought-provoking book. A beautiful story about young people, personal growth, trauma, difficult challenges, and loss.
At first, the female protagonist came across as emotionally distant and cold to me, but considering everything she had been through, it became understandable and believable. Meanwhile, the male protagonist had a strong “hero” and “protector” complex, which made his character both admirable and, at times, frustrating.
Overall, it was a beautiful read that made me reflect on life, relationships, and how our past experiences shape our choices and our ability to trust others.
Many readers here also highlight the book’s emotional depth, its portrayal of young relationships, and its themes of belonging, trauma, and healing, although some mention that the characters’ emotional distance occasionally made it harder to connect with them.
Would I recommend it? Yes — especially to readers who enjoy emotional, slower-paced stories with strong character development and a powerful emotional core.
August 4, 2026
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s my sort of read. I can understand that a person’s life can suffer several heavy blows, but what happened to Mary is shocking. Too much for me to take in just one book.
Honestly, for me, the book is more of a collection of passages that the author has crafted with great care, but which made the plot seem a bit weak.
For me, the “plot twist” kept holding back Mary’s character development.
Honestly, for me, the book is more of a collection of passages that the author has crafted with great care, but which made the plot seem a bit weak.
For me, the “plot twist” kept holding back Mary’s character development.
June 22, 2026
There are books you read, and there are books you experience. The Place That Made Us Swans definitely belongs to the second category....
This story broke my heart, yet at the same time it gave me hope. It shows that even after the darkest moments, it is possible to find light again. Emotional, authentic, and incredibly important🥹
This story broke my heart, yet at the same time it gave me hope. It shows that even after the darkest moments, it is possible to find light again. Emotional, authentic, and incredibly important🥹
July 4, 2026
This book. Wow. I finished it in less than 4 hours. I couldn't put it down. The emotion and the rawness was written so beautifully. Poor Mary goes through struggle after struggle after struggle but she takes live in strides and comes out winning in the end. There were parts of this book that were predictable but it didnt change the emotion or the flow. Very well done.
July 27, 2026
This story is deeply heavy and heartbreaking, full of different tragedies and trauma. Each character linked together in some way and each of them fighting to come out whole on the other side of their loss and hurt they endure. It is a beautifully written book that will stick with you long after you read the final page. 🦢
July 17, 2026
The Place that made us Swans
It took me a few chapters to warm to the style of narrative. But what a story! Mary gripped me in a way not many characters do. Heartbreaking, hopeful, a couple of twists I didn’t see coming.
It took me a few chapters to warm to the style of narrative. But what a story! Mary gripped me in a way not many characters do. Heartbreaking, hopeful, a couple of twists I didn’t see coming.
July 13, 2026
Thank you Martina Garris for giving me the chance to read your book.
I loved following Mary’s journey from everything she went through to what she became!
Very heartfelt and great read.
I loved following Mary’s journey from everything she went through to what she became!
Very heartfelt and great read.
July 26, 2026
The Place That Made Us Swans is a captivating debut novel that caught my attention right from the first chapter. We meet Mary, one of the most renowned and respected neurosurgeons in the world whose professional accomplishments contrast starkly with her personal story of trauma and tragedy. This is echoed in the beautiful cover - the serene, graceful swans who are no doubt paddling furiously beneath the surface.
Mary has survived a childhood of neglect and loneliness, finding solace first in the company of books and the kindness of a teacher and then as a teenager when she meets Logan. But for Mary the brief moments of happiness are short lived.
It is a very moving novel, full of emotion, beautifully written and the heavy themes of childhood abuse, trauma, alcoholism and loss are balanced well with themes of resilience, survival, healing and hope.
Mary has survived a childhood of neglect and loneliness, finding solace first in the company of books and the kindness of a teacher and then as a teenager when she meets Logan. But for Mary the brief moments of happiness are short lived.
It is a very moving novel, full of emotion, beautifully written and the heavy themes of childhood abuse, trauma, alcoholism and loss are balanced well with themes of resilience, survival, healing and hope.
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