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Lily Alone
What sort of mother would leave her all alone… a gripping and heart-wrenching domestic drama that won’t let you go.
Lily, who is almost three years old, wakes up alone at home with only her cuddly toy for company. She is afraid of the dark, can’t use the phone, and has been told never to open the door to strangers.
But why is Lily alone and why isn’t there anyone who can help her? What about the lonely old woman in the flat upstairs who wonders at the cries from the floor below? Or the grandmother who no longer sees Lily since her parents split up?
All the while a young woman lies in a coma in hospital – no one knows her name or who she is, but in her silent dreams, a little girl is crying for her mummy… and for Lily, time is running out.
Lily, who is almost three years old, wakes up alone at home with only her cuddly toy for company. She is afraid of the dark, can’t use the phone, and has been told never to open the door to strangers.
But why is Lily alone and why isn’t there anyone who can help her? What about the lonely old woman in the flat upstairs who wonders at the cries from the floor below? Or the grandmother who no longer sees Lily since her parents split up?
All the while a young woman lies in a coma in hospital – no one knows her name or who she is, but in her silent dreams, a little girl is crying for her mummy… and for Lily, time is running out.
- GenresFictionContemporaryDrama
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2017
48 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 53 reviews
July 17, 2017
To be honest I was a bit unsure about wether I wanted to read this book because from the blurb it does sound like it is a story about child abuse.Happily there is not any abuse in this book,it is a story about families,how people of all ages can be neglected,not making snap judgements about others,mistakes love,relashionships and forgiveness.It is not a thriller but some of the earlier chapters are quite intense and had me holding my breath and almost screaming no don't do that at my kindle.
Why does Lily who is almost three wake up and find that she is all alone?.She's afraid of the dark,can't use the phone and not allowed to speak to strangers.
Meanwhile a mysterious young woman lies in a induced coma in hospital.No one knows her name or who she is.But in her silent dreams a little girl is crying out for her mummy.
This emotionally charged story is voiced by a mixed bag of likeable,realistic characters.There is Lily,her Mum,Dad, and Grandmother,Lily`s Dad`s fiance,The Old lady downstairs and her son and one of the nurses who works at the hospital.Although the story is voiced by a number of characters it is easy to follow and the flow of the story is never broken whenever there is a change in character.
My favourite parts of the story where the chapters about Lily and her Mum Ruby.The author kept the reader guessing by not revealing why Lily was left on her own until towards the end of the book.It is a well written story that I really enjoyed reading,the only part that I felt a bit disappointed by was how the story ended,it was a bit too unrealistic and happily ever after for this reader but that's just my personal opinion.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK/Harper impulse for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
Why does Lily who is almost three wake up and find that she is all alone?.She's afraid of the dark,can't use the phone and not allowed to speak to strangers.
Meanwhile a mysterious young woman lies in a induced coma in hospital.No one knows her name or who she is.But in her silent dreams a little girl is crying out for her mummy.
This emotionally charged story is voiced by a mixed bag of likeable,realistic characters.There is Lily,her Mum,Dad, and Grandmother,Lily`s Dad`s fiance,The Old lady downstairs and her son and one of the nurses who works at the hospital.Although the story is voiced by a number of characters it is easy to follow and the flow of the story is never broken whenever there is a change in character.
My favourite parts of the story where the chapters about Lily and her Mum Ruby.The author kept the reader guessing by not revealing why Lily was left on her own until towards the end of the book.It is a well written story that I really enjoyed reading,the only part that I felt a bit disappointed by was how the story ended,it was a bit too unrealistic and happily ever after for this reader but that's just my personal opinion.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK/Harper impulse for a arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for a honest review
June 25, 2017
This is completely gripping and has you on the edge of your seat throughout. At points the book is absolutely heartbreaking and had me crying my eyes out. Fantastic!
July 30, 2017
Ruby Baxter is the victim of a hit-and-run accident and ends up in hospital in a coma. With no identification on her, nobody knows who she is or where she came from. And all the while her two year old daughter Lily is home alone.
This scenario is so incredibly scary because it’s sadly all too believable. In this day and age when people mind their own business and a true sense of community like in the old days is long forgotten, it’s perfectly feasible that nobody would notice a child left alone in a flat. These things can and do happen. Lily’s chapters were particularly gripping and tense as the reader spots the dangers but she so very clearly doesn’t. I almost found myself yelling “NO! Don’t touch that!”
The harrowing circumstances Lily finds herself in will change the lives of all those involved and connected to her in some way. But why do they not notice sooner that something is wrong? Where is Lily’s father? Or her grandparents? What about the neighbours?
For some reason I thought this was a psychological thriller. Don’t even ask, I have no idea. It’s not, in case you wondered. It is an incredibly well written domestic drama with a multitude of realistic characters. There’s Agnes, the neighbour, who is old, lonely and suffering from arthritis. Her son William has been at a loss since his divorce. Lily’s father Michael is flying home with his new fiancé Patricia and determined to make sure his daughter is a part of their lives. There’s also Lily’s paternal grandmother, Geraldine. And at the hospital we find Laura, an A&E nurse, Fiona, Gina and also Paul, the hospital chaplain. All these lives will be affected somehow because of Lily’s and Ruby’s circumstances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as we explore how one little mistake can have such devastating consequences. The only thing that niggled at me was I sometimes felt Lily sounded older than her years. What two year old knows about scary mummy movies? Feel free to enlighten me. I don’t have children so what would I know?! That’s a small thing though and it didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. Highly recommend!
This scenario is so incredibly scary because it’s sadly all too believable. In this day and age when people mind their own business and a true sense of community like in the old days is long forgotten, it’s perfectly feasible that nobody would notice a child left alone in a flat. These things can and do happen. Lily’s chapters were particularly gripping and tense as the reader spots the dangers but she so very clearly doesn’t. I almost found myself yelling “NO! Don’t touch that!”
The harrowing circumstances Lily finds herself in will change the lives of all those involved and connected to her in some way. But why do they not notice sooner that something is wrong? Where is Lily’s father? Or her grandparents? What about the neighbours?
For some reason I thought this was a psychological thriller. Don’t even ask, I have no idea. It’s not, in case you wondered. It is an incredibly well written domestic drama with a multitude of realistic characters. There’s Agnes, the neighbour, who is old, lonely and suffering from arthritis. Her son William has been at a loss since his divorce. Lily’s father Michael is flying home with his new fiancé Patricia and determined to make sure his daughter is a part of their lives. There’s also Lily’s paternal grandmother, Geraldine. And at the hospital we find Laura, an A&E nurse, Fiona, Gina and also Paul, the hospital chaplain. All these lives will be affected somehow because of Lily’s and Ruby’s circumstances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story as we explore how one little mistake can have such devastating consequences. The only thing that niggled at me was I sometimes felt Lily sounded older than her years. What two year old knows about scary mummy movies? Feel free to enlighten me. I don’t have children so what would I know?! That’s a small thing though and it didn’t ruin my reading experience at all. Highly recommend!
July 28, 2017
3 year old Lily awakes to find herself home alone..where is her mummy? Her mother Ruby has been hit by a car and lies in intensive care. this is the story of the people around Lily and Ruby and how people come together. a good story but at times hard to read about poor Lily trying to do things on her own. thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for a copy of this book to read and review
January 16, 2018
I enjoyed the book with lily about her on her own and the parent getting her on her own . Daddy comes into it and takes over .
May 1, 2019
This book was good, in a not typical thriller way..
Lily was left alone as the title suggests however the reasons aren't very clear and don't become so until near the end.
Her parent's were both quite young and had since separated so there was tension on both sides because of the separation and the reasons why, also neither was speaking to the other, so when Lily's dad did get in touch wanting to see his daughter after quite some time had passed then her mum was reasonably upset and angry.
This was the catalyst for lily being left alone.
Social workers become involved and for once it's nice to see this from the family's side rather than the professional's side.
Read this book you will enjoy it :)
Lily was left alone as the title suggests however the reasons aren't very clear and don't become so until near the end.
Her parent's were both quite young and had since separated so there was tension on both sides because of the separation and the reasons why, also neither was speaking to the other, so when Lily's dad did get in touch wanting to see his daughter after quite some time had passed then her mum was reasonably upset and angry.
This was the catalyst for lily being left alone.
Social workers become involved and for once it's nice to see this from the family's side rather than the professional's side.
Read this book you will enjoy it :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 29, 2017
I wasn't sure about reading Lily Alone when I read the blurb as I thought it might be a little disturbing. Lily is almost three years old and she wakes up one day with her Mum no where to be seen. When her Mum doesn't come home Lily begins to get scared. A lady is rushed to hospital after a hit and run accident with no ID on her. In a coma, no-one makes the connection to begin with that she is Lily's Mum, or that Lily even exists.
We read about Lily's journey on her own, will she be found in time? The book was an easy read, and whilst I can't say enjoyable because of the subject matter, it was well written and I enjoyed the book. I did feel the ending was a little flat however.
We read about Lily's journey on her own, will she be found in time? The book was an easy read, and whilst I can't say enjoyable because of the subject matter, it was well written and I enjoyed the book. I did feel the ending was a little flat however.
November 3, 2018
This review was originally posted on my blog: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/
I was drawn to this novel as soon as I read the synopsis – the idea of a young child being found home alone and there being no sign of where her mother had gone sounded like such an intriguing plot. I’m happy to say that this book lived up to expectations! I’ll be honest and say that I was expecting this to be more of a thriller or crime novel but it’s more of a family drama but that didn’t stop me getting completely engrossed in the book. I was rooting for Lily to be found and to be safe, and also for her mother to be found safe and well. This is a really engrossing novel and one I recommend.
I was drawn to this novel as soon as I read the synopsis – the idea of a young child being found home alone and there being no sign of where her mother had gone sounded like such an intriguing plot. I’m happy to say that this book lived up to expectations! I’ll be honest and say that I was expecting this to be more of a thriller or crime novel but it’s more of a family drama but that didn’t stop me getting completely engrossed in the book. I was rooting for Lily to be found and to be safe, and also for her mother to be found safe and well. This is a really engrossing novel and one I recommend.
October 29, 2017
I didn't feel I got to know the characters very well, something I seem to struggle with in third person narrative. I also found the story dragged in places and felt overly-lengthy in parts where I felt it didn't need to be. I wouldn't class this title as a psychological thriller, it was more contemporary, and I didn't feel satisfied with the ending. I did not feel suspense or tension, and felt there was a lot of "telling" rather than showing. Overall, the plot and subject matter didn't fit the genre, and to me, was too light and fluffy for a crime novel. Had the publisher marketed it to the appropriate audience, I would not have picked it up.
January 12, 2024
This book's blurb suggests it is a psychological thriller but the library classified it as 'adventure'. It doesn't fit into either category. The story involves two families of characters, plus some hospital workers, and the narration passes from character to character. William and his mother Agnes are a likeable pair, both rather on the scrapheap but who are able to step up when needed. The larger Payne family are less sympathetic and I found their narratives began to drag.
The connecting character is Lily, an almost-three-year-old who seems to have been abandoned. I liked Lily, who is positive and resourceful within her limitations.
The ending is realistic, if not entirely happy.
The connecting character is Lily, an almost-three-year-old who seems to have been abandoned. I liked Lily, who is positive and resourceful within her limitations.
The ending is realistic, if not entirely happy.
September 17, 2017
this was a very hard book to review it was very 50/50 for me I like the plotline the mystery and the concern you end up having for this little girl but I have to be honest and say for me it was to slow paced for me and by 40% of the book I just couldn't go any further I do believe others may enjoy this book and might have more patients than me but unfortunately this book just wasn't for me.
February 10, 2018
Needed a good edit.
April 1, 2018
Nice story with a happy ending for all concerned.
July 15, 2018
Big predictable
A mindless read but could see what was coming next. Nothing hidden. not one I would read again. Y y
A mindless read but could see what was coming next. Nothing hidden. not one I would read again. Y y
July 30, 2018
I found this a real tearjerker – I just couldn't stop crying, especially during the scenes that were told from either Lily or her mum Ruby's points of view. I was a nervous wreck by the time I reached the halfway point! And yes, I loved every minute of it.
This is a family drama with an element of suspense. Lily, who's not quite three, is at home alone. Her mother Ruby is in a hospital bed, unconscious and with no ID. Her father Michael abandoned his family and is no longer on speaking terms with Ruby. Her grandmother Geraldine has been made to feel she's no longer welcome in Ruby's home. The neighbours barely speak to the young mum. No one knows Lily's alone. Will someone find her before it's too late? And what of the mother who left her in the flat alone? Because there will be consequences...
I really have to praise the author's writing. The style is very polished, the different POVs distinct with fluid jumps between them. There is a mixture of third and first person here (all Ruby's scenes are in first person present tense), which works brilliantly: it felt very smooth and well-paced. I particularly enjoyed Lily's scenes (if enjoyed is the word, since I was usually sobbing through them!). It's not an easy thing to convey a very young child's inner monologue convincingly, but in Lily Alone it's done very well. I really believed in Lily and felt totally invested in her story, with fingers crossed for a happy ending for her throughout. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
This is a family drama with an element of suspense. Lily, who's not quite three, is at home alone. Her mother Ruby is in a hospital bed, unconscious and with no ID. Her father Michael abandoned his family and is no longer on speaking terms with Ruby. Her grandmother Geraldine has been made to feel she's no longer welcome in Ruby's home. The neighbours barely speak to the young mum. No one knows Lily's alone. Will someone find her before it's too late? And what of the mother who left her in the flat alone? Because there will be consequences...
I really have to praise the author's writing. The style is very polished, the different POVs distinct with fluid jumps between them. There is a mixture of third and first person here (all Ruby's scenes are in first person present tense), which works brilliantly: it felt very smooth and well-paced. I particularly enjoyed Lily's scenes (if enjoyed is the word, since I was usually sobbing through them!). It's not an easy thing to convey a very young child's inner monologue convincingly, but in Lily Alone it's done very well. I really believed in Lily and felt totally invested in her story, with fingers crossed for a happy ending for her throughout. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
August 1, 2018
'Lily Alone' by Vivien Brown, really tugged at my heart strings and caught at my imagination. Little Lily really is all alone when she wakes one day in an empty house with nothing but her teddy bear for company. Why is she alone? What has happened to her mum? And who is the woman who lies in a coma in hospital not far away?
I love the way this story rippled, like a stone in a pond, around the central figure of Lily who is completely unaware of the stories unravelling around her. Her dad, Michael and fiancée Patsy, all ready to challenge his estranged ex-girlfriend over the custody of his daughter; her grandmother, regretting their separation as it means she rarely sees Lily; William, the bachelor, who saves Lily...and hopes also to save himself with a beautiful new woman in his life. So many individual stories, held together by the life and fate one lost little girl. Fortunately, this story does have a happy ending!
I love the way this story rippled, like a stone in a pond, around the central figure of Lily who is completely unaware of the stories unravelling around her. Her dad, Michael and fiancée Patsy, all ready to challenge his estranged ex-girlfriend over the custody of his daughter; her grandmother, regretting their separation as it means she rarely sees Lily; William, the bachelor, who saves Lily...and hopes also to save himself with a beautiful new woman in his life. So many individual stories, held together by the life and fate one lost little girl. Fortunately, this story does have a happy ending!
January 14, 2018
I started reading this book whilst on the treadmill at the gym. I was very quickly immersed in it, it was fast paced and every page had an edge to it, of anything is possible... Every character had a question mark over them, would they be the ones to find Lily? Her elderly neighbour hearing strange noises and crying or her son who was coming to visit his mum after so long. Lily’s own absent dad and his fiancé or perhaps nurse Laura who was looking after Ruby?
Would Ruby wake up and tell them who she really was? Little Lily’s parts were so well done, from the imaginings of a 3 year old child. Vivian Brown made her reactions and behaviour so real.
I loved this book so much and would highly recommend it.
Would Ruby wake up and tell them who she really was? Little Lily’s parts were so well done, from the imaginings of a 3 year old child. Vivian Brown made her reactions and behaviour so real.
I loved this book so much and would highly recommend it.
December 21, 2021
I struggled to get into this story initially,found the first few chapters were slow and almost tedious.However about a third of the way through, the pace picked up and I ended up really enjoying it, In fact I couldn’t put it down,so eager was I to find out the reason why almost 3 year old Lily was left all by herself at home.This book is a finely drawn character study of people who are both realistic and likeable.All of their back stories were interesting and I found myself really caring what happened to them.The ending was positive with hints of a bright future for little Lily.I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 15, 2017
This is the story of 2-year-old Lily, whose mother Ruby is the victim of a hit and run accident, and ends up in a coma with no identification, meanwhile Lily is left home alone.
As a mother, this story affected me deeply. The idea of a child left alone in a flat and that no one could notice is horrifically scary.
This book really kept me gripped the whole way through and at times wanting to reach into the pages to protect Lily. This is my first book by this author but definitely won't be the last.
As a mother, this story affected me deeply. The idea of a child left alone in a flat and that no one could notice is horrifically scary.
This book really kept me gripped the whole way through and at times wanting to reach into the pages to protect Lily. This is my first book by this author but definitely won't be the last.
April 4, 2023
⭐️3.5⭐️
This book was a gift. I didn't know about it at all.
I enjoyed it, though. It wasn't perfect, but it was worth a read, I think.
I know how 3-year-olds are, and I am not so sure how they would react in this situation. Mostly, they would act like Lily, but I think some parts weren't realistic enough.
And what bothered me about this book is... I love reading different povs, but in this book, they were confusing. One moment you are reading about X and the next you're in a flashback of character Y. It could have been written more neatly.
This book was a gift. I didn't know about it at all.
I enjoyed it, though. It wasn't perfect, but it was worth a read, I think.
I know how 3-year-olds are, and I am not so sure how they would react in this situation. Mostly, they would act like Lily, but I think some parts weren't realistic enough.
And what bothered me about this book is... I love reading different povs, but in this book, they were confusing. One moment you are reading about X and the next you're in a flashback of character Y. It could have been written more neatly.
June 18, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
As the title states, the book begins with Lily, 3 years old, and alone. A young woman is taken to the hospital, murmuring Lily. An older woman who hardly sees her son feels her life is over. With these and other well-drawn characters, a tale is skillfully woven by Vivien Brown. Well worth the read!
As the title states, the book begins with Lily, 3 years old, and alone. A young woman is taken to the hospital, murmuring Lily. An older woman who hardly sees her son feels her life is over. With these and other well-drawn characters, a tale is skillfully woven by Vivien Brown. Well worth the read!
July 8, 2017
A gripping and tense psychological read. I really enjoyed "Lily Alone" by Vivien Brown. My heart was in my mouth for a few chapters, worrying about the dangers that faced Lily, not yet three years old.
A good, solid read that I highly recommend to others. I look forward to reading more by this author in the near future.
A good, solid read that I highly recommend to others. I look forward to reading more by this author in the near future.
October 13, 2017
I found the book to be different from anything I've read lately, and that is a good thing. Brown introduced just the right amount of characters and connected them nicely. My biggest qualm is that I would have liked to know more about the main characters. I give it 4 stars and recommend it if you like drama-type novels. It's set in England, so that is an added plus as well.
January 18, 2018
Emotional
An amazing read. I couldn't put it down, read the whole book in one day! Some hard emotional moments,and at times a little humorous. Little Lilly is a character that you will all just fall in love with.
Would recommend to all my bookworm friends and family. Would give more stars if I could.
An amazing read. I couldn't put it down, read the whole book in one day! Some hard emotional moments,and at times a little humorous. Little Lilly is a character that you will all just fall in love with.
Would recommend to all my bookworm friends and family. Would give more stars if I could.
January 17, 2019
Not worth the time to read
I thought this word be a really good book from the title and reviews. I could not wait to read it. The beginning was great. The rest of the book was bad. The author added details that did not apply. Details that were never mentioned again or explained. I kept reading book hoping it would get better. WHY DID THIS MOTHER LEAVE HER CHILD ALONE? The answer is so stupid and I am mad at myself for wasting my time reading this book. The author needs to do much, much, much better if she ever writes another book.
I thought this word be a really good book from the title and reviews. I could not wait to read it. The beginning was great. The rest of the book was bad. The author added details that did not apply. Details that were never mentioned again or explained. I kept reading book hoping it would get better. WHY DID THIS MOTHER LEAVE HER CHILD ALONE? The answer is so stupid and I am mad at myself for wasting my time reading this book. The author needs to do much, much, much better if she ever writes another book.
June 21, 2019
A book in two halves. First half gripping, heartbreaking and unputdownable. Second half it slopes off into a soap opera with too many half baked characters. From reading about little Lily alone in her flat written so endearingly from Lily’s viewpoint to reading about a nurse’s date with a vicar was almost laughable! Who cares about them?! Shame
June 15, 2017
One decision made in anger and resentment can change your whole life. That is what Ruby, Lily’s mother, is going to find out and all she can hope that it’s not to late for her or her daughter to get help before it’s too late. This book is not a thriller, if you know that before starting to read the story, it really is a very good read. It’s easy to get pulled into the story of little Lily, alone at home, not knowing why her mum has left her and isn’t coming back. My hear went out to that little girl, not knowing or understanding what to do all by herself. Lonely, hungry and hurting herself. The neighbors not realizing that there is something horrible wrong, going on with their life. Well, this book describes some of the problems society has today, the not caring, not helping and always ready to judge about anybody. But it also shows that hate and the want for revenge can make you blind and blindside you into doing stupid things. I liked how the story enfold and how the life of the characters are slowly entwining with each other. I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK!
July 31, 2017
This book was so much more than I expected. Totally gripping from the first to the last page. The book gave me a really good warm feeling. We all ned connections and this book illustrates this beautifully. Loved it
October 21, 2017
Strongly
When I read the blurb for Lily Alone I was so excited to read it, it sounded such an amazing read and I was not wrong, straight away I was drawn in my little Lily and her mum Ruby, such an addictive read and would definitely recommended it.
When I read the blurb for Lily Alone I was so excited to read it, it sounded such an amazing read and I was not wrong, straight away I was drawn in my little Lily and her mum Ruby, such an addictive read and would definitely recommended it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 53 reviews