Mothers

by Cath Weeks

For fans of Liane Moriarty and the award-winning TV series Big Little Lies, this is an emotional, gripping and suspenseful family drama of secrets, betrayal and intrigue... Would you let your daughter go?

Steffie has always been proud of the decisions she's made as a mother - even when she battled with her husband's infidelity and resolved to raise their ten-year-old daughter, Jemima, alone. But when Jemima has the chance to leave home and train as a professional ballerina, Steffie finds herself faced with that most unbearable of parental decisions: should she keep her child safe, or give them the wings to fly? She knows what's right. And so does her husband. But when tragedy strikes, can Steffie ever forgive herself? Especially given the devastating secret she's kept hidden for so many years... <

Genres: Chick Lit

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 6, 2017

About the author

Cath Weeks, also known as Cate Ray, is a British suspense author. Her unique debut, 'Blind', was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read award and she was named an "Author to Watch" by ELLE magazine. A favourite with book clubs, her novels have been selected by Evening Standard, Closer, and Woman & Home. Find out more at Cate Ray's official website: www.CateRay.co.uk

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of this was pretty slow for me, I must admit I love this authors books normally so I kept on reading.

A very interesting premise. Relationships with your children. This focuses more on the relationship between a mother and young daughter who is talented as a ballet dancer. But tragedy happens.

I didn’t enjoy this as much as I wanted to, but nevertheless it was a pleasant read as the author writes so well.

So a 3.5 for me, more than ok.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first line of this novel intrigued me. ‘For a long time afterwards, Steffie feared dust.’ I simply had to keep reading after that, to find out why dust was such a problem as to instil fear. That is in the prologue. The reader knows something has been concealed. The narrative then shifts to a police interview transcript. A tragedy has happened but the reader does not know how or why. These interview transcripts from various people involved with The Phoenix Academy of Performing Arts begin each chapter. The story takes us back to the decision Steffie had to make about letting her only child, Jemima, participate in a very highly competitive audition for her to attend the dance academy. If she gets in, Jemima will be boarding at the school. Can Steffie bear to part with her ten year old daughter? Ballet is all Jemima wants to do. Surely Steffie has to give her an opportunity? But nothing prepares Steffie or the other parents and hopefuls for the events that follow.
This story captured me from the first sentence and kept my attention throughout. It highlights the sacrifices that come with having a gifted child, and the competitiveness among parents and students for places at such a prestigious school. If you’ve ever been involved in Eisteddfods and auditions you will know just how competitive the atmosphere can be. It also raises questions about how people deal with change, as well as how people deal with the tragedy and the truth. And maybe how sometimes a suspicion that something could go wrong can turn into reality.
I found this a thoroughly engaging read and will be interested to read other books by this author. Beautifully done, it shows the different way people handle a competitive situation and the pressure sometimes put on children by parents, as compared to those who are seeking to let their child blossom to best use their talents. I liked the way the secret that is raised in the first sentence is finally revealed. But then I loved pretty much everything about this book. Definitely a recommend read, even if like me you have no interest in ballet.

[Mickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The danger in indulging your child's dreams was that eventually those dreams would lead them far from home. After all, few aspirations were met by pulling up the sofa cushions or gazing down the plughole. Home might be where the heart rested, but ambition lay down the road, beyond reach. That was the whole point of it."

In this book, we follow Steffie as she tries to stand back and watch her daughter live her dreams. A gifted dancer, Jemima is offered a chance to audition for a prestigious dance school, something that could change her life forever.
At the beginning of each chapter there is a brief transcript from a police interview, each a different person being interviewed, and all talking about an "event" that happens on the day of the auditions. The story leading up to the audition is pretty slow, but these small comments made by people at the school are what kept me reading. While the story is great from the audition onwards, it was a little disappointing given the build up. There is a twist at the end, and to be honest, I wasn't a fan. It seemed like a strange twist.

[Renee Alarid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really need to sit on this for a while since I just finished the book. At first, the book was a little hard to get into but then the story picked up and I was hooked.

Mothers is a story about a daughter and her relationship with her Mom. The daughter Jemima is an excellent dancer so much that she went to audition for a privilege dance school. The premise of the book is would you let your daughter leave or would you shelter her a little longer.

The story goes a little askew from there, Cath Weeks added a storyline about Noella, Jemima’s dance teacher, the storyline between Steffie and Greg and an affair. Also, add an accident that doesn’t really matter at the end...because every storyline gets resolved. The author even adds a weird phobia and a secret...which comes out of no where and doesn’t have a place in the actual story.

Too many storylines.... not enough depth behind any of it. I am really confused and actually gave it 2.5 stars. The editor should have suggested to the author to keep it simple, focus on the bond between a mother and child.

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the beginning of this book a bit slow but it soon had me hooked and I’m glad I continued to read to the end
The main story revolves around Steffie and Her daughter Jemima who is a gifted ballet dancer.
Jemima has the opportunity to be enrolled at a prestigious dance school. However tragedy strikes leaving the reader intrigued.
This story portrays the bonds between mothers and children. The emotions involved in letting them fly!
This book had a few unexpected twists which really added to the story and the ending was superb great writing from Cath Wells I will be looking out for more of her books

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book initially interested me due to the ballet/dance aspect, but the writing is average and it took a long time to get to the main event, which you know is coming due to the less than subtle hints given along the way with the use of police interview transcripts etc. Character development started off well but was a bit lacking as it went on; I didn't really care about the characters. The rather strange back story of the ballet teacher didn't really add much to the narrative. There's a surprise plot twist towards the end that I didn't see coming but other than that, I found it quite a grim and rather bland read.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the start of this book a bit slow but it did get better, I like the fact that where the book was set in Dorset, Wimborne I know very well as I lived there for a time and my parents live in Dorset. The scary thing was that I have regularly been to the Royal Surrey Hospital too as that is where I am having treatment for endometriosis. I do like a book that has places you know of in it. I loved the bond mother and daughter have between them it is very poignant. Beautifully written.

[Jessica Power · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay, although the theme were especially interesting to me. It also felt like a book of thirds; the first 10 chapters were hard to grab much interest. The middle was intriguing and began to build a better story. The last few chapters were equally drawn out with lots of metaphors and yet also not long enough to explain all the questions developed whilst reading. Left a little disappointed and just wanted to get it finished!

[Lorna Wall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started well and seemed intriguing but it ended really suddenly and didn’t feel resolved at all. The comparison to Dorothy Koomson and Liane Moriarty led me to buy this but it’s nowhere near the quality of their writing.

[chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok ..it did have me gripped quite a few times but also bored at others . The ending was a real suprise which I didn’t expect though !
All in all a not to bad book but I’ve read much better and kind of wish I didn’t waste my time

[Rachel Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't overly crazy about this book but it was ok.
There were alot of things that I couldn't really figure out why they were in the story, it just didn't really tie in with anything.
I found myself rushing towards the end trying to finish it so I could start something else

[Linda Tilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Until now, Steffie has been proud of the decisions she's made as a mother - But now Jemima has the chance to pursue her own dreams of becoming a ballerina, which means her leaving home at the age of ten. And Steffie finds herself faced with that most unbearable of parental decisions: to keep her child at home, or to give them the wings to fly. She knows what's right. And so does her husband. But will Steffie ever forgive herself if something goes wrong? Especially given the dangerous and devastating secret she's kept hidden for so many years."

This was an unusual story and told in short chapters and was a very easy read. You straight away relate to Steffie and wanting the best for her daughter, but at what cost, and the details of what happened at the audition unravel slowly and the book draws you in straightaway. However, for me, it ran out of steam two thirds of the way through the book and I was disappointed with the ending.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cath Weeks uncovers with scalpel-like precision the complexities of class, parenting and childhood insecurities. Absorbing drama.

[Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a fantastic book really enjoyed it

[Rachel pearson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not for me . The writing style wasn’t for me .

[Lynne Easy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with quite a different storyline!

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry got really bored with this one ok if you are into ballet and secrets

[Jane Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found it really slow and although there was a surprise I just felt it was al a bit of an anti climax from reading the blurb

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pushy parents!
I felt that the ending was quite rushed and there was a great deal of build up to post-accident Jemima. A nice read

[Marie Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a bit boring.

[Diane Murphy]

I wasn’t sure if I would like this book but I did really enjoy it. It isn’t a who done it exactly but is a complex unravelling of secrets that characters.
Will seek more of Cath’s books.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird and unexpected twist which I found totally unconvincing. Shame.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it a lot. Read it quickly.

[LiveForPages · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steffie and her husband try to put their difference and failing marriage aside to try and give their daughter the very best. Jemima, merely 10 years old is a gifted child when it comes to ballet and now has the opportunity to be a part of a highly prestigious institute.

This book has all the elements of a great book, family tension, parenting styles and well an "accident" at the ballet school. Somehow all that built up kind of fell flat for me. It's not that it was predictable but also that it was in some ways a letdown.

After the first couple of chapters and once you are introduced to the characters the book does manage to keep up you going. Decent read.

[Sandra Clarke]

I really enjoyed Liane Moriarty big little lies so when this was compared to this I was intrigued to read it. But unfortunately didn’t quite live up to that book!
Mothers was an easy read, I didn’t get bored and wanted to get to the end. I was hoping for more of a twist to the story and felt the ending quite boring. Not a gripping read but enjoyable none the less.

[Debra Carty]

Interesting read - it was compared to Big Little Lies but I couldn't see the resemblance.