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No Child of Mine #3
You Said Forever
***BY POPULAR DEMAND*** THE THIRD AND FINAL BOOK IN THE BESTSELLING NO CHILD OF MINE TRILOGY from Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Lewis. Books one and two - No Child of Mine and Don't Let Me Go - are available to buy in paperback and ebook NOW'A master storyteller' Diane Chamberlain *********Charlotte Goodman is living the dream. Surrounded by family, friends and a stunning vineyard overlooking the ocean, it would be difficult for anyone to believe that she has a troubled past. However, haunted by the theft of a young girl, Charlotte begins to realise the enormity of something she did many years ago, and soon finds herself having to make the most harrowing decision any woman would ever have to face.Praise for Susan 'Spellbinding! You just keep turning the pages' Daily Mail'One of the best around' Independent on Sunday'Heartbreakingly real family drama' Essential
- GenresFiction
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2017
159 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Susan Lewis
67 books1,203 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 13, 2022
Third and final book in the No Child of Mine trilogy and a fantastic wrap up.
The way Susan Lewis writes really pulls me in and I have been really invested in this story and the characters.
Each book holds its own in the overall plot and the development of the characters has been phenomenal, you can see the level of research Lewis has put into this.
Content warnings all over this trilogy for sexual abuse of a minor so be wary of that.
Five star book and a well recommended trilogy.
The way Susan Lewis writes really pulls me in and I have been really invested in this story and the characters.
Each book holds its own in the overall plot and the development of the characters has been phenomenal, you can see the level of research Lewis has put into this.
Content warnings all over this trilogy for sexual abuse of a minor so be wary of that.
Five star book and a well recommended trilogy.
February 6, 2017
Unputdownable. I appreciate the strength of Susan Lewis writing. You Said Forever is my favourite book by my favourite author. I do follow Susan Lewis on Goodreads. Plenty of twists and turns in this emotional story. Charlotte a social worker in England snatched a child from an abusive family. After appearing in court Charlotte had got a way with taking the child. Charlotte adopted the little girl and named her Chloe. Charlotte and Anthony start a new life buying a vineyard in New Zealand. When they have children of their own Chloe starts to have problems. I don't want to say much more as so much happens and I don't want to spoil it for other readers. Please buy You Said Forever you won't be able close it.
September 29, 2017
WARRNING IS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE.
You said forever is the third book in No Child of Mine Trilogy. This novel is as heartbroken as the previous two. I’ve just finished it and I cried so much, that had to stop because couldn’t see the words. It is not an easy subject since is about child abuse and how affect their little souls, even though they were recuse, however Susan Lewis handled this horrendous subject really well in my humble opinion. I couldn’t help myself not care for the two main characters, Charlotte and Cloe and their bond they share since they first met. In You said forever, however this bond was threatened and hard decisions had to be made even if this means broke a promise.
In this novel, we will see how Chloe’s character had evolve, she is eight years old and is facing a terrible time, where she is feeling alone, rejected and that her mother doesn’t love her anymore. Charlotte is torn apart with her love for Chloe and for her other two children. Would she had to choose between her children? Most of all is she will be able to do so without break her heart?
I highly recommend to read this brilliant Trilogy in order, to appreciate the story better. The first is No child of mine and the second is Don’t let me go.
You said forever is the third book in No Child of Mine Trilogy. This novel is as heartbroken as the previous two. I’ve just finished it and I cried so much, that had to stop because couldn’t see the words. It is not an easy subject since is about child abuse and how affect their little souls, even though they were recuse, however Susan Lewis handled this horrendous subject really well in my humble opinion. I couldn’t help myself not care for the two main characters, Charlotte and Cloe and their bond they share since they first met. In You said forever, however this bond was threatened and hard decisions had to be made even if this means broke a promise.
In this novel, we will see how Chloe’s character had evolve, she is eight years old and is facing a terrible time, where she is feeling alone, rejected and that her mother doesn’t love her anymore. Charlotte is torn apart with her love for Chloe and for her other two children. Would she had to choose between her children? Most of all is she will be able to do so without break her heart?
I highly recommend to read this brilliant Trilogy in order, to appreciate the story better. The first is No child of mine and the second is Don’t let me go.
November 6, 2017
I will be honest, I had to force myself to finish this book. There's nothing wrong with the writing or style but the story simply didn't "get there" and seemed to labour on and on, dragging out the protagonists' woes.
I did like the various POVs that built the overall story and you certainly could feel the struggle and anxiety of the cast in the book.
It wasn't until near the end and a big choice decision is made, that I was sucked into the emotions of the characters, but it was a long price to pay to reach that point.
I did like the various POVs that built the overall story and you certainly could feel the struggle and anxiety of the cast in the book.
It wasn't until near the end and a big choice decision is made, that I was sucked into the emotions of the characters, but it was a long price to pay to reach that point.
April 15, 2018
I only realised this was the third book in a trilogy when I read the author's notes at the back but it does stand alone well. The subject of child abuse is handled with sensitivity and I enjoyed the setting of the vineyard. Maybe that was described more fully in the first two in the series, but I would have enjoyed more detail. I was swept up in the awful dilemma that the parents of Chloe face as to whether or not to reverse adoption. What a responsibility to face; an issue that doesn't immediately spring to mind but which must happen to some families.
My only gripes were the notes that eight-year-old Chloe writes to herself. The language is often too advanced for a child of that age - even one who has gone through such a lot. For example in Chapter 12: "I definitely don't want to be saddled with a bad expression..." Would a young child use that verb? The other mini-struggle I had was when Charlotte (the mother) returns to UK with Chloe. Suddenly there were several new characters to get to know. Maybe they were fully introduced in parts 1 and 2 - but when I picked up "You said forever", there was no mention on the cover or blurb that this was the third in a series. That is nit-picking, though, and overall I enjoyed this story by a prolific, sensitive author.
My only gripes were the notes that eight-year-old Chloe writes to herself. The language is often too advanced for a child of that age - even one who has gone through such a lot. For example in Chapter 12: "I definitely don't want to be saddled with a bad expression..." Would a young child use that verb? The other mini-struggle I had was when Charlotte (the mother) returns to UK with Chloe. Suddenly there were several new characters to get to know. Maybe they were fully introduced in parts 1 and 2 - but when I picked up "You said forever", there was no mention on the cover or blurb that this was the third in a series. That is nit-picking, though, and overall I enjoyed this story by a prolific, sensitive author.
December 3, 2017
Having read the previous books in this series I was eager to find out how both Charlotte and Chloe were doing and felt with this next installment that I was catching up with friends. These characters in this series are well built up now and you do feel like you know them all personally, you can know what to expect from them when something happens, though that doesn't spoil or affect the story in any way. I am glad Susan didn't just create a "happy every after" for this family as we all know life doesn't work like that, this allowed the writer to explore and create much more out of the ongoing storyline and branch out. I would like to see maybe one more in this series so we can see where Charlotte, Anthony and family go on to next. If Chloe can ever escape the horrors of her past and lead a normal family life with the rest of the family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
I did not know anything about this book, not that it was part 3 in a series about an abused child, her rescuer and her family life. I grabbed it to read because of the NZ wine country setting. I battled through, so much seemed unrealistic and unbelievable. Most reviews here are 5 stars so i'm obviously in a minority, but it didn't even make me want to go back and read the first 2 books.
August 3, 2017
Best triology ever!!!
So happy that there were three books to read in this series. Such a good compelling emotional story line. Abosukety loved it and defiantly one of my top favourite books. Can't wait to read more of susan lewis
So happy that there were three books to read in this series. Such a good compelling emotional story line. Abosukety loved it and defiantly one of my top favourite books. Can't wait to read more of susan lewis
September 15, 2017
The first 2 books in the series were OK, but this one is pretty much rubbish. Predictable plot and terrible lazy characterisation.
July 11, 2017
It was only after I started this one that I found out that it was the third book in a series. This did not distract from the story and I think it still works well as a standalone novel. Saying that I will be going back to read the 2 earlier titles. This was quite a sad and traumatic story involving the fostering of an abused little girl. Really don't understand why the family ended up in New Zealand though. This book kept my interest the whole way through and think this is another winner from a fab author.
November 15, 2018
I liked this as a story but it did not grip me. It is obviously a sequel to previous books describing how a social worker got an abused child away from their abuser and talks of the difficulty of adopting a child and how their past often follows them despite everyone's best interests. I have read quite a few of Susan Lewis books but this was not one of my favourites. Slightly contrived story line.
June 12, 2017
Definitely though provoking and moving.
Some of the circumstances around Charlotte's adoption of Chloe seemed a little far-fetched for me, but in all, I thought it was an interesting read. There were many real topics that featured in the story.
Some of the circumstances around Charlotte's adoption of Chloe seemed a little far-fetched for me, but in all, I thought it was an interesting read. There were many real topics that featured in the story.
September 21, 2017
As the third book in this series by Susan Lewis, it had been a long wait for it to appear, but my goodness it was worth the wait.
I have thoughly enjoyed reading of Chloe/Ottilie's life up to the age of nine, although enjoyed is probably not the right word.
It's been painful reading of most of her life, but enjoyable to see things working out for her, simply by her being loved.
If you haven't read the first two books, please make sure you read No Child of Mine & Don't Let Me Go before you go on to this one.
I promise it's worth it.
I have thoughly enjoyed reading of Chloe/Ottilie's life up to the age of nine, although enjoyed is probably not the right word.
It's been painful reading of most of her life, but enjoyable to see things working out for her, simply by her being loved.
If you haven't read the first two books, please make sure you read No Child of Mine & Don't Let Me Go before you go on to this one.
I promise it's worth it.
June 3, 2018
From the very beginning I was absolutely swept into Charlotte and Chloe's world and was so excited to find out what happened after happy ever after. Like with the first two books this glimpse into such a twisted world was horrifying and distressing but absolutely engrossing. Brilliantly written with a plot that makes the book almost impossible to put down (I read it in 6 hours!) I would recommend this series to everyone.
July 24, 2018
Ive been meaning to read this book for a while now and I was not disappointed. Its the third book in this particular tale from Susan Lewis and it was as much an emotional rollercoaster as the previous two. I wont say much for fear of spoilers but I will say the harrowing subject of child abuse was handled sensitively by the author so dont let that put you off reading such a well writyen book.
December 21, 2022
Pretty good until three quarters of the way through the author drops a bombshell that definitely should have been mentioned before as it would have affected the child’s and the parent’s lives and altered the run of the story. It really was very odd! But altogether an easy holiday read.
October 27, 2023
Really enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy.
April 1, 2018
You said forever is about a heartbreaking decision a mother who adopted an abused little girl has to make. The story was so realistic and interesting throughout the whole time, it was hard to stop read it. The end was a little predictable though and the book itself was a little long. Some parts where a little vague, because the writer used a lot of different names in my opinion. But at the end I think this book is worth reading. Also I found out later that this is the third book from a series and I think I will read those other two books as well, so I can understand the story better and know what happened in the lives of the two main characters before this book.
August 25, 2017
It was good to catch up with Charlotte, Chloe and Anthony and to find out what happened to them all.
However at times this book felt a little disjointed and I had to go back and reread bits because I felt like I had missed something.
Enjoyable reading
However at times this book felt a little disjointed and I had to go back and reread bits because I felt like I had missed something.
Enjoyable reading
June 24, 2017
A great read to conclude this series of books. this is the 3rd in a trilogy of books, pertaining to the same characters no child of mine is the first book, then, i let you geafollowed by this reed.
March 4, 2018
Although very readable can’t quite give it a four! Maybe I am a bit of a harsh judge! Haunting subject, not sure the voice of an eight year old was believable.
August 21, 2018
The writing was mediocre. Story OK. Told the story of a girl who was rescued from abusive father. I did not realise it was part of a trilogy. Was OK. No inclination to read the other two.
April 14, 2020
You Said Forever is the third book of the No Child of Mine set by Susan Lewis.
Five years have passed since social worker Alex fled the UK with a three year old victim of abuse Ottile.
It really did seem like a happy ever after, Charlotte and Chloe now live in New Zealand, Charlotte is married and has another 2 children. The family own a wine business.
But as we know happily ever after a don’t last forever, over the last couple of years the cracks have started to show, can Charlotte, Anthony and Chloe overcome their difficulties?
I read the first book in this trilogy a few years ago not realising there was a second book, I stumbled across this book by accident, It’s always interesting to have a peak at a character life a few years later as it’s usually hit some stumbling blocks. This was an interesting read and I would say a realistic account of the experience of adoption and abuse. I really felt for the family although at times could have slapped them for burying their heads in the sand which never works. I liked the end although it was a little too polished.
I doubt this book would have been successful as a stand alone as it’s not that gripping but as a revisit, quite good. I wish I’d read the second book before the third but think I will definitely track down Don’t let me go.
Five years have passed since social worker Alex fled the UK with a three year old victim of abuse Ottile.
It really did seem like a happy ever after, Charlotte and Chloe now live in New Zealand, Charlotte is married and has another 2 children. The family own a wine business.
But as we know happily ever after a don’t last forever, over the last couple of years the cracks have started to show, can Charlotte, Anthony and Chloe overcome their difficulties?
I read the first book in this trilogy a few years ago not realising there was a second book, I stumbled across this book by accident, It’s always interesting to have a peak at a character life a few years later as it’s usually hit some stumbling blocks. This was an interesting read and I would say a realistic account of the experience of adoption and abuse. I really felt for the family although at times could have slapped them for burying their heads in the sand which never works. I liked the end although it was a little too polished.
I doubt this book would have been successful as a stand alone as it’s not that gripping but as a revisit, quite good. I wish I’d read the second book before the third but think I will definitely track down Don’t let me go.
November 7, 2017
I did not know that this was the third and final book in the trilogy - No Child of Mine when I started this novel but it worked well as a stand alone due to the many references to what had gone before.
Charlotte is haunted by her actions of many years ago, when working as a social worker in England, she snatched a young child from an abusive family. Following a court case she is allowed to adopt the little girl and calls her Chloe.
Charlotte and her husband Anthony emigrate to New Zealand with Chloe and start a wonderful new life buying and running a vineyard overlooking the ocean.
The strong bond between Charlotte and Chloe is threatened when Charlotte has two children, a boy and then a girl and Chloe begins to feel rejected and unloved. Chloe starts to have problems at school, her friends drop away one by one and she becomes disruptive and uncooperative.
Charlotte loves all her children and struggles to cope with this new and challenging behaviour being displayed by Chloe.
This novel is about a mother trying to do the right thing. It describes the far reaching consequences of Chloe's early life and the effect it has on her future. Charlotte has to make many difficult decisions but does she really believe in some of her choices ?
Charlotte is haunted by her actions of many years ago, when working as a social worker in England, she snatched a young child from an abusive family. Following a court case she is allowed to adopt the little girl and calls her Chloe.
Charlotte and her husband Anthony emigrate to New Zealand with Chloe and start a wonderful new life buying and running a vineyard overlooking the ocean.
The strong bond between Charlotte and Chloe is threatened when Charlotte has two children, a boy and then a girl and Chloe begins to feel rejected and unloved. Chloe starts to have problems at school, her friends drop away one by one and she becomes disruptive and uncooperative.
Charlotte loves all her children and struggles to cope with this new and challenging behaviour being displayed by Chloe.
This novel is about a mother trying to do the right thing. It describes the far reaching consequences of Chloe's early life and the effect it has on her future. Charlotte has to make many difficult decisions but does she really believe in some of her choices ?
August 24, 2017
I have to say after reading don't let me go I always wondered what would happen to these characters and was pleased and pleasantly surprised to discover that another book had indeed been written about this set of characters. This was the first set of books I ever read by Susan Lewis and I have to say they captivated me from the start. I am going to be as careful as I can in this review as I do not want to give anything away.
This book in my opinion was the most heartbreaking of the three, the emotions came threw clearly and certain parts of the book had me in tears. It was a great book and very suspenseful because the author did a fantastic job of leaving the reader wondering just what was going to happen and what the final decision would be. Although I have never been threw the experiences that Charlotte had to face I felt like I was with her character threw the whole book. Susan Lewis is a very good character developer and makes you feel all there emotions as if they were your own. This authors writing is engaging and makes you want to keep reading without putting the book down. I will be reading more of her books for sure.
This book in my opinion was the most heartbreaking of the three, the emotions came threw clearly and certain parts of the book had me in tears. It was a great book and very suspenseful because the author did a fantastic job of leaving the reader wondering just what was going to happen and what the final decision would be. Although I have never been threw the experiences that Charlotte had to face I felt like I was with her character threw the whole book. Susan Lewis is a very good character developer and makes you feel all there emotions as if they were your own. This authors writing is engaging and makes you want to keep reading without putting the book down. I will be reading more of her books for sure.
November 30, 2021
I picked this up from the library because I’ve read Susan Lewis books before and remembered I enjoyed them. I didn’t realise this was book three. I’ve not read the first two.
This book is the most powerful love story of them all. Not just couple love. But family love. Particularly the family that isn’t blood. I come from a family full of steps and half’s some of whom are more important or special than some of the blood family.
I’m going to have to read the first two now to get the full back story.
I literally cried from when Anthony called to say he was on his way to London until the end of the book. Heartbreaking. Understandable. Love conquers all.
This book is the most powerful love story of them all. Not just couple love. But family love. Particularly the family that isn’t blood. I come from a family full of steps and half’s some of whom are more important or special than some of the blood family.
I’m going to have to read the first two now to get the full back story.
I literally cried from when Anthony called to say he was on his way to London until the end of the book. Heartbreaking. Understandable. Love conquers all.
December 2, 2023
Eh..
What can I say about this book...?
Susan Lewis has the Dan Brownesque ability to keep the reader reading. Unfortunately, she also shares the same trait as Brown which is to leave the reader asking "What the F***.?!" when the book ends.
The subject matter is horrible - it's about child abuse
However, the story arc goes something like this:
Drama..
Drama, Drama.., Drama! DRAMA, GODDAMITT!!! Then, Oh.!
Overly simplistic solution to all the drama.
Then.. Disney Ending, Yay!! Everything works out and is rosy and they All Lived Happily Ever After. Sparkle, Joy!
Really.?!
The 2 stars are for the story pacing and that is it.
Cannot believe that I read this book to the end
What can I say about this book...?
Susan Lewis has the Dan Brownesque ability to keep the reader reading. Unfortunately, she also shares the same trait as Brown which is to leave the reader asking "What the F***.?!" when the book ends.
The subject matter is horrible - it's about child abuse
However, the story arc goes something like this:
Drama..
Drama, Drama.., Drama! DRAMA, GODDAMITT!!! Then, Oh.!
Overly simplistic solution to all the drama.
Then.. Disney Ending, Yay!! Everything works out and is rosy and they All Lived Happily Ever After. Sparkle, Joy!
Really.?!
The 2 stars are for the story pacing and that is it.
Cannot believe that I read this book to the end
April 14, 2022
An emotional rollercoaster that had me screaming silently at a supposedly professional child welfare individual that cannot see that providing a traumatised child with two siblings in quick succession and then virtually abandoning her to a nanny while you devote all the time she thought she'd get from you to your new husband, small baby and all-consuming business was never going to end well! The plot did keep my interest though, so even though there were some glaring believability issues, as with the rest of the trilogy, I stuck with it.
February 3, 2023
What a great ending to the 3rd and final book of "The No Child Of Mine" trilogy. Loved it! I have to admit, it was frustrating at times. A lot of Charlotte and Anthony's problems would have been minimal if they just would have communicated. They didn't talk much to each other in the beginning about what was going on with everything they were both dealing with (alone). However, Susan Lewis, has a way of bringing everything together that fits just right. Great book so entertaining and now I want to visit New Zealand.
June 3, 2020
I was very impressed when I got to the end of this book to discover that it was book 3 of a trilogy. The book stands so well on its own! I got irritated by the phrases "clicked on" and "connect to" in relation to characters taking or making phone calls (who says that?!) but really enjoyed where the story ended up. It is clever how Susan Lewis almost offers you an alternative ending in the use of Polly's blog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews