With Love from the Inside

by Angela Pisel

Angela Pisel’s poignant debut explores the complex relationship between a mother and a daughter, and their quest to discover the truth and whether or not love can prevail—even from behind bars.   Grace Bradshaw knows the exact minute she will die. On death row for murdering her infant son, her last breath will be taken on February 15 at 12:01 a.m. Eleven years, five months, and twenty-seven days separate her from the last time she heard her precious daughter’s voice and the final moment she’d heard anyone call her Mom. Out of appeals, she can focus on only one thing—reconnecting with her daughter and making sure she knows the truth.             Secrets lurk behind Sophie Logan’s big house and even bigger bank account. Every day when she kisses her husband good-bye, she worries her fabricated life is about to come crumbling down. No one knows the unforgivable things her mother did to tear her family apart—not her husband, who is a prominent plastic surgeon, or her “synthetic” friends who live in her upscale neighborhood.             Grace’s looming execution date forces Sophie to revisit the traumatic events that haunted her childhood. When she returns to her hometown, she discovers new evidence about her baby brother William’s death seventeen years ago—proof that might set her mother free but shatter her marriage forever.             Sophie must quickly decide if her mother is the monster the prosecutor made her out to be or the loving mother she remembers—the one who painted her toenails glittery pink and plastered Post-it notes with inspiring quotes (“100 percent failure rate if you don't try”) all over Sophie’s bathroom mirror—before their time runs out.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Book Club, Audiobook, Contemporary, Thriller, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2016

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking. Gut-wrenching. Tragic. But somehow still hopeful?

This one should come with the warning - tears are inevitable. This is an incredibly sad story. I questioned, more than a couple of times, if there was even the possibility for some sort of happy ending; for anyone involved. My answer to that question has to be - I guess it depends on how you look at things.

Grace is sitting on death row, has been for seventeen years, after being convicted of poisoning her toddler son. Her husband has since past away, but he never wavered in the belief that she was innocent. Her daughter, Sophie, is pushing thirty and Grace hasn’t seen or heard from her in over eleven years. One day, she just stopped all communication with her mom and disappeared. The crux of the story hinges on whether Grace will get that final chance to reconcile with her daughter before that dreaded day. With all of her appeals exhausted, that day is looming like a dark cloud.

The story is told from two perspectives - Grace and Sophie. Sophie was my favorite by far. Here’s a woman that’s living the perfect existence by all outward appearances, but she’s a complete wreck inside. After her father died, she started to see things differently - to doubt her own mother. The way other people looked at the situation swayed her in to believing she was guilty. Sophie thought her only choice was to leave it all behind and move on - to forget. But now, eleven years later, her secrets are rotting her from the inside out.

My biggest contention with this story was the way the truth came out. It felt too easy and it reeked of convenience. If the answer was truly that simple, why didn't Grace’s lawyer figure things out sooner? Why did it take Sophie for things to finally come together?

I couldn’t understand Grace’s headspace either. How could she be so calm and positive? The author paints this picture of a woman behind bars that’s light, nostalgic and warm. Where’s the outrage and the anger over losing her entire family? How is this woman just lying down and accepting her fate like it’s no big deal? I found her sappiness to be a little much at times.

I never would have guessed that Thomas would be the character that showed the most growth. At least, in my eyes, he was. In the beginning, he was almost too good to be true. Workaholic status aside, he doted on Sophie constantly. My initial thought - what's he hiding? Who knows, maybe that skepticism is creeping over from all of my darker reads. There were little things here and there that only fed in to my feeling that he was going to hurt Sophie somehow. I won’t give away any of the details, I’ll just say, I was completely off-base and happy to be. Even after having been kept in the dark and betrayed in some ways, Thomas was still there for Sophie in every single way. Him showing up at the prison - priceless. Their little family at the end - perfection.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Trying to think of how to say what I want to say. The description of the book drew me in, a mother on death row for killing her young son, her now grown daughter leading her own life, her previous life as a murderers daughter, hidden. All come to a head when an execution date is sent and the lawyer tracks down the daughter.

My problem is that after the first third of the book, some of the dialogue was too over the top, too good to be true, too gushy, maybe? Plus than we start with all the Christian underpinnings, and I don't read Christian fiction because I don't like to be hit over the head with religious messages. I would rather find my own. And the biggest problem, no where in the description does this state that this is in fact Christian fiction and it really should. There are many readers who love this genre and would seek out this book.

Anyway a decent story for sure but one not too my reading taste.

ARC from Netgalley.

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars! This was an intriguing, suspenseful and emotional read that explores the depths of the mother/daughter bond when pushed to the limits.

Grace is a forty nine year-old woman who has been on death row for seventeen years for the murder of her infant son. She has recently been given her execution date. Sophie is Grace's thirty year-old daughter who hasn't visited her mother in prison in eleven years.

I was completely captivated from chapter one. The telling of the story was done very well - I enjoyed the double narrative, alternating chapters between Grace and Sophie. The letters included in Grace's chapters were such an excellent way to develop her side of the heartbreaking story.

There were a couple circumstances that seemed slightly unrealistic to me which is why I took away one star. I'm not sure why the author chose to have a big part of this story happen during Christmas, specifically Christmas Eve. In my mind, it made for a few somewhat far-fetched situations. Grace's lawyer cancelling family plans on Christmas Eve to help Sophie who he just met. Sophie's husband letting Sophie leave on Christmas Eve to 'sort things out' with no real explanation. Incorporating Christmas seemed unnecessary to me and took away from the story's believability.

One of my favourite quotes: "As I looked back over my life, I realized my purpose was to give you yours."

This book really pulled at my heartstrings. I bawled like a baby when I finished the last chapter. Please be forewarned to have plenty of Kleenex available when reading this. I was impressed to discover this is a debut novel - I'll definitely be keeping this author on my radar!

[*TANYA* · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I cried and cried and cried some more!! I loved this book. The story was so different and unlike anything I’ve read before.

[PacaLipstick Gramma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was interesting and a good start.

As I began reading, I found myself not really liking Sophie. The more I read, the more I disliked her. She called the women in her "exclusive" neighborhood as being fake, presenting a facade. And what was she? Fake, a fraud, and full of secrets. It's like the pot calling the kettle black.

The "religious" tone was too much for me. I wouldn't call this Christian fiction, but overtly religious nonetheless. Generally I stay away from these kind of books, as I feel it is an author trying to push their faith and religious dogma down my throat. It doesn't work for me. Inspirational realism does.

This is a story about a mother accused, tried, and sentenced to death for the poisoning of her baby. Many times we were told it was ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in anti-freeze, so why did the author persist in telling us that it was windshield washer fluid, where only trace amounts MAY be found. The story takes place in the present. The baby died 17 years before. At the time, 17 years ago, it would have been 1999, or even 1998. The author claims at the time when the child died there was no genetic/current testing available to prove that the mother did not poison her child.

Whoa... wait a minute. I remember several years ago watching a Forensic Files program, which is based on real facts, real pathologists, doctors, and whomever. Not some scripted show. I remember a story about this. A minimal amount of research turned up Patricia Stallings who in 1991, was accused of poisoning her child with anti-freeze. It was PROVEN in a court of law that the mother did NOT poison her child, and that it was a genetic disease inherited if both parents carry the gene. So, I'm just not sure how much research the author did, if at all. And why she insisted it was windshield washer fluid escapes me.

I also thought that her "doctor" husband had his brother, a district attorney, do a background search on Sophie. Laughable. He knew her maiden name, for crimany sakes, he MARRIED her, I'm guessing is technologically savvy, but doesn't know how to a background search? In this day and age?

The book just kept getting more laughable as I went along. I wanted to quit, but I did want to find out what happened to the mother, Grace.

I was also disappointed that the author did not say anything about Patricia Stallings. I am not an author, but I read a lot, and enjoy watching actual documented forensic crime shows. A SIMPLE internet search pulled her name up.

I was generous with my 2 star rating. The author can write, but the storyline and execution was a flop.

I would not recommend this. Again... thank you to my local library.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tragic story of a mother accused of killing her infant son, William, and the terrible cost of the accusation to her husband and daughter. Although she adamantly proclaimed her innocence, Grace was convicted of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome and after serving 17 years is now awaiting execution. She hasn’t seen her daughter Sophie for 11 years and longs to see her one last time. Sophie has been living a life of lies due to her shame over her mother’s imprisonment. There’s a clock ticking the days and hours away until Grace’s execution. Is it too late for this mother and daughter to reunite and forgive?

There are stories within stories in this well plotted book. There’s the story of Grace and her connection with other women prisoners with each of their unique tales and the terror when the date of her execution is announced. There’s the story of Sophie and the relationship with her husband that is marred by the lies she has hidden behind for so many years. There’s a story of a little boy named Max who has severe medical problems and is abandoned by his mother but who has gained Sophie’s love.

I think this is an excellent debut by this author and I’m interested in reading any future work by her. I cared very much for each of the characters and my heart was racing during the last few chapters as I waited, along with the characters, to learn whether the governor would grant Grace clemency. The author has a very deep understanding of women in prison and did an excellent job of bringing out all of their humiliation, fears and hopes. Recommended.

This book was given to me by the publisher through First to Read in return for an honest review.

[Ilena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, I've now taken some time to collect myself. I just ugly cried for about 20 minutes immediately after finishing this book. I haven't cried this hard since I read Me Before You. Mostly, because I don't let myself read these types of books unless I go in having a semi-sunny disposition. Otherwise, it would just drag me into the depths of despair, drawing me right under the covers contemplating all the things that are wrong with this world.

But there is an upside.

When you read the lengthy synopsis, I think you get a good feel as to what the story is going to be about and who the main players are. What it doesn't state is that this is a love story. It doesn't say that even though this life is hard, there are glimmering slivers of hope. It doesn't say how much you will fall in love with Grace Bradshaw and Sophie Logan. The title of this novel quietly hints at, what I feel, is the major theme of the story: that there is a duality to life. And in this narrative, it is "inside" versus "outside." The yin and the yang.

The Inside:
(1) Grace Bradshaw lives inside prison walls and has been since she was sentenced to death row. Grace Bradshaw mostly lives inside her head. She's been able to develop many coping mechanisms to deal with the harsh realities of prison life and specifically, prison life on death row. There are moments where Grace practices meditation devices (like recalling family memories) when she's being cavity searched and she writes in a journal while she awaits execution, which shows us many of the thoughts that take up residence in her head.

(2) Her daughter, Sophie Logan (obviously, her married name), has created her own mental prison. Not having confessed to the catastrophic events of the past, not even to her husband, she lives in agony. It's almost as if she is truly living a dual life because no one knows the real her: a woman who suffers, who is withdrawn, and a little bit dead inside. Long ago, for reasons I don't want to spoil, she stopped visiting her mother but thoughts of her and her family necessarily creep up all the time.

The Outside:
(1) In one scene, Grace Bradshaw looks at her reflection in the mirror and notices how much prison has aged her. She's also had to live with people seeing her as something that she isn't - because from the start she contends that she is innocent. And there's no ignoring that even her own daughter doesn't believe she's innocent. Sophie can't seem to reconcile the sweet mother of the past with the killer she hasn't visited in years.

(2) Sophie Logan and her doctor husband look like they have the perfect life from the outside. They live in the huge house, in a nice neighborhood, and attend balls and galas that are strictly reserved for the elite community. On the outside, she looks like she's got her it together, putting together fundraisers and acting as a mother figure to a sick boy, Max, at the hospital. But she is broken beyond belief.

I can't believe this is Angela Pisel's debut novel. The writing is absolutely beautiful. She's able to convey so many emotions and actions in such a succinct manner. Her descriptions of prison life are so nuanced, it's evident she spent a lot of time on research. And by doing so, she has done this story justice. For instance, one of the things I found fascinating was the $15.00 allowance allotted to prisoners for their last meal.

This book is heartbreaking. But it's so earnest and brutal that it makes for an important read. The story of these two women was told in a way I've never read before, and for that, I'd like to thank Angela Pisel from the bottom of my heart. With Love From the Inside covers important topics both when it comes to matters of the heart and shedding light on our broken justice system.

I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angela Pisel’s debut novel is one that is hard to put down! It is a story of enduring love and forgiveness between a mother and daughter.

Grace Bradshaw was convicted of murdering her infant son and now sits on death row awaiting execution. Sophie Bradshaw Logan is her daughter.

Sophie was a young girl when her mother was sent to prison. At first she dutifully visited and stood by her mother who maintained her innocence. Sophie’s father worked desperately to prove his wife’s innocence until the day he died. As the years passed, Sophie’s feelings toward her mother became confused. Feelings of doubt began to surface in her mind. She left home to attend college and then she began a new life — free of the stigma that had surrounded her.

Eleven years had passed since Grace had seen her daughter. Grace’s love and concern for Sophie never wavered. Each day she wrote a journal entry in hopes of giving it to Sophie. Grace wanted to make sure her daughter knew the unshakable truth about her life and her feelings for her family. And then, as the day of execution drew nearer, new evidence surfaced.

Pixel’s characters are realistic, the portrayal of prison life is vivid, and the sense of urgency is palpable. Told in alternating chapters, the reader is drawn in to a poignant story whose ending will leave you breathless.

Thank you to First to Read, author Angela Pisel, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for giving me the opportunity to read this powerful novel.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you are for the death penalty or against it, "With Love from the Inside" will undoubtedly make you revisit your conviction and, at least to some degree, question what you have previously believed. It's impossible to read this book and walk away unmoved.

This is a story about a mother accused of killing her infant son and subsequently spending seventeen years in prison on death row. Without giving away too much, I can tell you that I grew to love this person, to admire her, cheer for her, pray and hope for her, and ultimately be inspired by her. I can't remember reading a novel which brought me to such extremes so quickly - joy and sadness, hope and despair, faith and disbelief. The story of Grace and her estranged daughter Sophie was so poignant it rendered me heartbroken, yet powerful enough to keep me awake longer than I wanted to be. It was, at times, a stressful read. I took breaks to calm myself and remind myself that, whew, it was fiction. . . . The most gut-wrenching element of the novel? It didn't feel that way. With Love From the Inside could happen within our judicial system, and probably has.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am crying as I write this review because of this fabulous novel. I picked this novel up as an ARC from books a million because I liked the cover and the about blurb. I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Would this be heart sickening like THE CHAMBER or thought provoking like CHANGE OF HEART (two other novels written about death row). I have to say this was both. I enjoyed the writing style and the variation on the POV. There were a lot of great plot twists and I loved most of the characters.

I can't wait until this novel comes out in August so I can share it with my customers. I read it in one sitting because I wanted to know the ending

Read with a box of tissues close by

[J. · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a miss! The structure was off: should have been all 3rd person and only the journal in 1st person. It was overly sentimental and vague. Snooze. Earn my empathy, don't beg me for it. I prefer more complicated characters. Perfect people in unfortunate situations is boring, safe, and false.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was absolutely heartbreaking in so many ways. I won’t spoil the book, but I will say that the characters and the situations they’re put in are extraordinary. I can’t even imagine what I would do if my mother were on death row. Sophie has lost her whole family in one way or another, and the choices she makes to cope with that are so sad. Grace’s situation is also difficult, with no one to support her or love her or visit her for years, and with her execution date looming. Despite the absolutely depressing nature of this book, I really loved reading it.

Why? Well, first, I loved how well-rounded the characters were. From Grace and Sophie to Grace’s fellow death-row inmates to Sophie’s housewife friends, every character seemed to have dimension. No one was all good or all bad, which is so important in a book like this. I also loved the way the story was told, alternating between Grace’s and Sophie’s perspectives, giving us flashes of each of their states of mind as well as moving the story forward from each woman’s point of view.

This book is about a death row inmate and her daughter, yes, but it’s also about forgiveness, friendship, and family. It’s about the difference between justice and the factual truth. In short, it’s about life, death, and everything in between.

I really enjoyed reading this and gave it four stars. It isn’t exactly a light summer read, but it’s thought-provoking and well-written, and definitely worth a read.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I like how the relationship between Grace and Sophie throughout the book and how it all comes together in the end. Both Sophie and Grace are very strong women. Sophie has tried to get past what happened to her brother and forget about her mother but it's something she will have to visit again. Grace is trying to leave a story about the past 17 years for Sophie once she is gone. I really liked both the characters and Sophie's husband Thomas. This story pulled me in and care for all the characters. I was cheering for a happy ending. I won't say what happened. This was a tough subject to cover and Angela does a great job.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Pisel delves into the heart-wrenching subject of a prisoner on death row with compassion. Both Grace and Sophie are detailed, realistic characters whose flaws are balanced by their capacity to seek the truth. The mystery of what actually happened to the baby is interesting, but takes a back seat to the main story of family love and forgiveness. The author weaves humor into the story in the perfect places to keep things from getting too heavy. Grace's journal allows the reader to stay involved and invested in the tale. Pull out the tissues and be prepared for tears — both of sadness and joy.

Convicted for murdering her infant son, Grace Bradshaw's biggest regret is that she is no longer in contact with her now-adult daughter Sophie. Grace has exhausted every appeal, and her execution date has been set. Sophie Logan is now married and no one, not even her husband, knows about her mother. As Grace seeks to find Sophie to say goodbye, Sophie must come to terms with what happened, even if that means questioning long held beliefs about her mother's guilt.

[Myndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word: gut-wrenching. From cover to cover, it is exquisite and insightful, and, in equal measures, infuriating. Or rather, the subject matter and the painfully realistic ending are infuriating. The writing is wonderfully emotive, evoking a visceral response to all that the characters suffer. So much loss, so much injustice, and it’s all so enragingly consistent with the failings of our legal system, and really, the failings of our humanity.

But. It is also so much about love and forgiveness. About rising to the occasion and letting our circumstances provide us an opportunity to be more and do better. It’s about accepting when a situation is out of our hands, realizing that worrying and blaming and being angry changes nothing and helps no one. Life is unfair and the worst can happen to those who least deserve it, but even in the end, we get to choose how we want to live in the world, what we want to leave behind, and what kind of feeling we want to leave with. It’s about always operating out of a place of love and forgiveness and empathy. Especially when it’s hardest to do so.

I did not blubber through this whole book. I did at the end, and I dare you to even try not to. This is not an easy, light, fun read. It is emotional and serious and painful and may very well make you want to scream at the injustice of it all, but it just might make you think about your own life perspective, it might change the way you feel about the system as it is.

I love books that help you to empathize with those who, on the surface, seem not to deserve our empathy or understanding. We all need to remember that there are many sides to every story and all of those sides are worthy of our consideration. And that love is always the right answer.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Reeka (BoundbyWords) · Rating 3 out of 5]

As seen on my blog:



3.5 STARS

Before you read this novel, put your mother on your speed dial if you haven't already, and have your phone READY. You've been forewarned.

With Love from the Inside will tie your heart into knots, and prod relentlessly at your tear ducts. Told from two perspectives, this narrative follows the life of a mother on death row, convicted of murdering her infant son, and a daughter that has done nothing but attempt a life of moving forward. It is a fast-paced story line that will have you begging for "just TWO more minutes! PLEASE canwestoptheworldforONEsecond." I promise you that your appreciation for time will be forever changed.

Sophie Logan has been harboring eleven years worth of hate for a mother that Sophie believes has done the unthinkable, all while Grace Bradshaw holds on to the hope that her daughter will find the space in her heart to fit forgiveness, and faith. When both mother and daughter become aware of a dreaded final date, there is a rush to recount memories, to question truths, and to bare souls. Angela Pisel strung together some extremely beautiful lines in this novel, just enough to hit you square in the soul, but otherwise, there was not much literary flare to make note of. 

Pisel wrote With Love from the Inside with an urgency to get to the conclusion, so while the intended punch in the gut was achieved, the road to get there wasn't paved with in-depth character development or lengthy back stories. It was the kind of narrative that allowed you to easily place yourself in the main characters' shoes, to reminisce on your own childhood memories about someone who may have loved YOU beyond control. Someone you took for granted. Someone who has now been given an exact life expiry date. It was devastating to think about. And I was devastated while reading the majority of these pages. But the end message was SO strong, it would be a shame to miss out on the much-needed perspective it lends. It definitely did that for me!

Now...I'm off to call MY mother.

Recommended for Fans of:  Contemporary, Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult, The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld (my review here).

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

With Love from the Inside by Angela Pisel is a most intriguing debut novel telling the story of Grace Bradshaw, a mother who has been on death row for nearly two decades. As Grace’s scheduled execution date draws near, and having exhausted any hopes of appeal, the mother who was sentenced to die for the death of her infant son is racing against time to find her daughter Sophie to tell her the truth about her brother’s death. Sophie, who returns to her hometown, becomes involved in seeking facts about her brother’s death and while her findings may be all that is necessary to exonerate her mother, Sophie uncovers something that may change her life forever. Told in alternating points of view, this is an excellent debut for Pisel whose writing both captivates readers and portrays the main characters with a masterful touch. I highly recommend With Love from the Inside to mystery fans and I look forward to what Pisel writes for her second novel.

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for fans of Diane Chamberlain or anyone who likes mother-daughter stories with strong female characters.

I picked this book up due to the prison element and was surprised that the aspects of the story I liked the most were what I expected to like the least.

SUMMARY: mother is on death row almost two decades for killing her infant son. Her husband is dead and her daughter doesn’t talk to her, believing she is guilty. Initially the book is a series of “letters” (all written in a journal) to the daughter. It’s mostly a time table of her final weeks on death row (she’s been given an execution date). The alternating chapters are the daughters life. She’s about to turn 30. She’s married and suspects her husband for having an affair. She’s very close to a little boy in his hospital that’s been sick for a long time. Hearing her mother has a date drudges things up for her — problem is no one in her life, esp not her friends, husband or his snooty rich family know about her mother. They think she’s an orphan. After learning her husband wasn’t having an affair but that he’s in big trouble because his patient died and the family is suing and everything’s he’s worked for is on the line... she goes to talk to her mothers lawyer about what’s happening only he insists she’s innocent and can convince her of that. As that happens she faints, which leads her to find out she’s pregnant. Talking to her dr she learns she’s a carrier for a rare disease—blah blah that’s what her brother had! Mom IS innocent! The science wasn’t around back then. The rest of the book is trying to get the mother off death row and save her life.


Things I liked: the kindness shown to the mother in prision, how she built a life for herself there, her practice of acceptance and use of meditation. For me personally, the mothers comments and perspective helped me understand all the feelings my mother had all my life from the day she gave me over to adoption services.

[Sarah Swann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this! I ended up picking it up on Audible when it was a daily deal and the audiobook was great. It really kept me in suspense on whether or not they were going to be able to save this woman, and if she really did do what she was accused of. The ending was good and overall I just really enjoyed it. Will definitely look for more books from Angela Pisel!

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com...

“Grace Bradshaw, Lakeland State Penitentiary, Death Row. It’s how my mail- mostly legal correspondence from my in-and-out state-appointed attorneys- had been addressed for the past seventeen years.”



Sophie has built a seemingly beautiful, fruitful life for herself with successful husband Thomas, of the ‘attractive hands’ that according to other women in her social circle ‘were created to do fine things.’ Thomas doesn’t know the truth about Sophie’s past, or her mother’s horrific crime. Having reinvented herself, to escape her painful family tragedy she has buried the loss of her baby brother and death row inmate mother convicted of murdering him. When Thomas, a prominent plastic surgeon, makes a mistake that costs a child and her family dearly, Sophie’s hidden life will come to the surface and have to be faced.

Through Grace’s journals the reader is privy to events that led up to the death of baby William and with Sophie’s mother’s execution biting her heels, stepping back into her past and searching for proof of what happened will make her decide whether her mother is truly evil or should be saved. Her fond memories of a loving mother don’t seem to match up with a child killer, and there could be something that connects the two medically.

Returning to the hometown she abandoned may cost her the privileged life she created, and all her inventions may be her undoing. This is more than a mother/daughter story, it reminds me of legal novels in the vein of Jodi Picoult. The ending left my heart drenched, but it was honest. This would be a good book club selection.



Publication Date: August 9, 2016



Penguin Group Putnam

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

[Bonnie Brody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gracie has been in jail for 17 years awaiting execution for the alleged murder of her son William. The charge is murder via Munchausen by proxy: "a psychiatric disorder in which someone inflicts harm to someone in their care to garner sympathy and attention". Gracie has an older daughter, Sophie, from whom she has been estranged for the whole time she has been incarcerated. Sophie has believed her mother is guilty and has distanced herself from Gracie as far as she can, telling those closest to her that her mother is dead.

Gracie, with the help of her lawyer, locates Sophie, and Sophie begins to belief that her mother is not really guilty of murdering her younger brother. Rather, she believes that her brother had a rare disease, the gene for which Sophie herself carries.

The novel alternates between chapters from Sophie's view and Gracie's. The reader is privy to their perspectives on each other and the times spent together during Sophie's childhood and their estranged years. As Sophie becomes more and more convinced that her mother is innocent, their is a race against the clock to get the governor to reverse the execution.

I found the novel to have very strong religious overtones which I didn't like. I also found that their were many red herrings, issues brought up that had no relevance to the story at hand. It is a rather simplistic novel and might make a good beach read. Personally, it didn't do a thing for me.

[Ionia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book emotionally wrecked me. Who doesn't love that in a book? This is one of those books that you can't wait to tell everyone about and you wait until your friend is on the last couple of pages awaiting their reaction, holding your breath.

Try as I might, I couldn't quite decide what I thought might happen at the end. This story is about family, marriage, motherhood, forgiveness, hope and hopelessness all at the same time. From the beginning I was hooked on the lives of the two main characters and didn't want to put this book down.

The author did such a good job creating believable characters that struck the heart, I found myself in tears by the end, which is something that rarely happens. If you are looking for a great any time of the year read, might I recommend this book.

This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgally. All opinions are my own.

[Andi (A Literal Hottie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literal Hotties December book.

I listened to this book on a road trip this weekend and it made the time fly, the readers were both great but especially Gracie's reader. The story was both interesting and heart breaking. Sophie was complicated enough that while I pretty much hated her I could see where she was coming from throughout. Gracie is the woman I would hope to be in her circumstances. I absolutely loved her strength and love for her daughter.

I highly recommend this one for sure... but be prepared to cry.

[Lupita Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more like a 3.5! I found this novel immensely interesting. Considering that very few is written about munchausen syndrome by proxy within novels. The Mother/daughter dynamic from death row is also one that I haven't read about. Definitely one to read for the plot. I will add I hated the ending!! Won't say why

[BookishBitchyWitchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me.
The story was a little far fetched, predictable and leaves you with tons of unanswered questions.
I just couldn't connect.

[katie_katb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it all within a 24 hour period. It was so good. It really tugged on my heart strings. I was at the edge of my seat almost the whole book wondering how it would end. Ugh. So crazy to think people really do go through this kind of thing. It breaks my heart. All in all this is such a good book and it grabbed my emotions in a way I didn’t expect.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember the last time I read a book where the tears just wouldn't stop, and I had to hold back ugly sobs at the end. I read the entire book on a plane to Pittsburgh last week, and I remember nothing of the flight, as I was so fully engrossed - what a powerful, emotional read that I still can't stop thinking about!

Angela Pisel's story telling and characters are magnificent - she explores the lives of a mother (Grace), who is on death row for poisoning her infant son, a Munchausen-by-proxy theory by the prosecution, and her daughter (Sophie), who was twelve years old when her mother was convicted and who faithfully visited her mother along with her father. After her father died however, she convinced herself of her mother's guilt and ceased to even acknowledge her existence. She married a prestigious surgeon and let both he and his family think that both of her parents were deceased. From this point on, Sophia's history is a deeply buried secret from all, and Grace has exhausted all her appeals, and a date has been set for her execution.

Both Sophie and Grace's characters are so well-developed and credible. Grace’s POV is presented in emotionally rich descriptions of her life on the inside, as well as in journal entries, which she writes to express her love for Sophie. In alternate chapters, Sophie’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel after an unexpected letter from Grace’s attorney. Pisel masterfully weaves their two stories together, and I went back and forth with my opinions as to what happened to baby William, and what the outcome would ultimately be, and in the end, I was surprised several times. This book brought out all of the feels: joy, doubt, disappointment, loss, despair, but most predominantly, love.

Truly one of the most touching, stories about faith, forgiveness, and kindness that I have ever read. I can't recommend this book enough. 5 must-read stars!

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about the relationship between a mother and daughter. Sad, emotional and very poignant it brings about some home truths about how much stress a relationship can take before one or the other steps away from it. Whether you can mend it or not, depends on the people involved and how far they are willing to go to try to repair damages.

Grace is on death row for the murder of her little baby son. The family disintegrated once she was accused and though Sophie her daughter did try, she found it very hard going. As a teenager it was difficult to live without a mother and when her father died as well, Sophie was left alone to cope as best as she could. Growing up, getting married to a surgeon who loved her and understood her was fine but her earlier life was a book she did not want anyone reading about. It was a secret that she had to live with.

A chance letter from her mother's attorney opened the wounds once more and Sophie had to decide whether she wanted to visit the mother she had not seen in years. Grace's execution date was growing closer and Ben her attorney was one of the few people who was clearly convinced of her innocence.
Delving further into the case it was obvious that Grace's defense had done a very poor job of her case and it was sad that despite the evidence unearthed, that it proved of no help to Grace herself.

Reconciliation and a chance to meet her daughter was enough for Grace at this point and though it was very sad, it brought closure to Sophie and also brought the couple of Sophie and Thomas much closer together than before.

Sensitively told especially for a debut novel.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOILER alert!

I picked this book up at the library, I had never heard talk about it but I'm always on the look out for new authors. This book seemed different from what I would normally chose. But I am grateful I picked it up as it was really an excellent, extremely well written book, albeit heartbreaking !
The premise if the story was unique yet I'm sure this situation could very well have been a be a real one. Very tragic, heartbreaking and highly emotional. However, that being said, there were moments of kindness and messages of love given even in the midst of terrible things.
To be incarcerated yet still look for the positive amidst so much negativaty and horrible living quarters, speaks volumes about Grace (mother charged with murder) and her desire to ensure her 30 yr old daughter never felt guilt or regret. By the last few chapters, I was literally sobbing!! My husband heard me crying and thought something was wrong - till I pointed to the book and he got it... I could barely speak - that's how hard I was crying !
This book tore me apart, made me angry at how the system sometimes just doesn't make its wheel's grind to do the right thing because it's easier especially when politics are involved, to take the path of least resistance. My heart broke for Grace and Sophie and for all the years they missed together.