More than us

by Dawn Barker

When parents disagree on how to care for their child, is it justifiable to take extreme measures?

Emily and Paul have a glorious home, money in the bank and two beautiful children. Since leaving Scotland for Paul to play football for an Australian team they have been blessed. But sadness lies behind the picture-perfect family - sixteen-year-old Cameron has battled with health troubles his entire life. There's no name for what he has, but his disruptive behaviour, OCD and difficulty in social situations is a constant source of worry.  

When Paul's career comes to a shuddering halt, he descends into a spiral of addiction, gambling away the family's future. By the time he seeks help, it's his new boss Damien who recommends and pays for a rehab facility. 

While Paul is away, Emily has to make a tough decision about their son. She keeps it from Paul knowing he'll disapprove. And when a terrible accident reveals the truth, Paul takes his son and goes on the run, leaving Emily to care for fourteen-year-old Tilly, who unbeknown to her parents is fighting battles of her own. 

Can the family join together for the sake of their loved ones, or will their troubles tear them apart?

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2018

About the author

Dr Dawn Barker is a psychiatrist and author. She grew up in Scotland, then in 2001 she moved to Australia, completed her psychiatric training and began writing.
Her first novel, Fractured, was selected for the 2010 Hachette/Queensland Writers Centre manuscript development programme, was one of Australia's bestselling debut fiction titles for 2013, and was shortlisted for the 2014 WA Premier's Book Awards.
Her second novel is Let Her Go.

Dawn lives in Perth with her husband and three young children.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Powerful and Thought Provoking Read

More Than Us is a poignant read about a family in turmoil, it's a pacy read that drew me in right from the very first few pages.

Emily and Paul were happy, when they had their first child Cameron they was over the moon.
But Emily started to notice Cameron wasn't quiet like the other children. No one could seem to tell her exactly what was wrong with him. Except he had rages, didn't like certain food and liked things his way.
Emily was really struggling to bond with Cameron it was like she was suffering from postnatal depression.

Then Emily fell pregnant and had Tily. They bonded instantly.

Emily and Paul are struggling. Paul has lost his job playing soccer due to an injury.
Their world is about to turn upside down!
When Paul disappears with Cameron not telling Emily.

There are some sensitive subjects such as depression, mental health, marriage troubles, special needs, Dawn handles them sensitively and realistically. It really shows Dawn has had lots of experience as a psychiatrist.

More Than Us is a powerful read told in the points of view of both Emily and Paul, which I loved, as you got to see both sides of the coin. It's easy to read this and think, what would I have done?
It's a thought provoking read that really gets under your skin.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gripping book, I was eagerly turning the pages as I wanted to see what happened next.
The beginning sets the scene, then we are taken back in time to the lead up to the whirlwind that blows their marriage and world apart.

If you enjoy powerful, poignant, thought provoking reads then you will want to read this one.

Thank you to Canelo for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website:-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily and Paul led a privileged life whilst he played football in Australia. When an injury stops him playing their life starts to hit hurdles. They are all keeping secrets from each other and Paul goes through a troubling situation. At times you wonder where the story might head and what Cameron their son is going through.
Once I got into the story I couldn't put it down.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read one other book by Dawn Barker and I was really impressed by it, so I was pleased to get to read this one thanks to NetGalley.

Emily and Paul are a married couple who have lived a comfortable life thanks to Paul's career in Australian football. They have two children, including 16-year-old Cameron, who presents with disruptive behaviour and symptoms of a variety of possible mental health problems. I am always a little critical when authors refer to mental health issues in their novels, as I often pick holes in the plot due to being a mental health professional myself and wanting mental health to be properly represented. Fortunately, Dawn Barker is also a qualified psychiatrist and she has done a great job of weaving the theme of mental health throughout this book.

I was gripped by this book; I was invested in all of the characters, especially when Paul starts behaving unusually and his wife starts to have difficulties coping by herself - I won't say too much about Paul's difficulties as I am afraid this would spoil the story line! In short though, the family is hit by troubles and the plot explores whether the family are able to work their way through their issues whilst remaining as a family unit.

I found the writing very emotive, and was pleased to see a couple of different topics addressed, mainly the topic concerned with Paul - read to see what I'm talking about!

[Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. I would def recommend to my friends. Could not put this down.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Than Us,  Dawn Barker

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Parenting and Families

This was a fascinating read. I started thinking I'd just read a few chapters, and many hours later.....
I love books that make me think “what would I do if...” and here I fell quickly into feeling with Emily, adores her family and just wants Cam to be happy- and its clear he's not. Problems are rarely in isolation though and its family issues that can play a big part in them, Cam's issues play on family and create friction, Paul's career comes to an end with injuries finally spelling the end and he reacts by spiraling into addiction, creating even more problems for Emily and stressing the family structure further.

When it comes to a head I so felt for them all, Cam so unhappy, tilly reacting as many pre teens would by controlling one of the few things she could, Paul and Emily both just wanted the best for their family, for their children to be happy and healthy but found themselves in very opposing views.
Would I do what Emily did? I don't know – I suspect I would. What about Paul, he seemed to be doing what was best fort the family but it took him down what could be a dangerous road – and its one that's very real, one I'm very cautious about. I can't say more without giving things away but I could see how what seemed like the answer to a prayer, a great help could easily take over lives.

The only real issue I have with the story is that the ending felt very, very rushed and I wasn't really convinced things would be different. Paul's thoughts seemed to have taken a 180 overnight. I just couldn't see him letting go of something that had him gripped as the answer to his family. It is possible, but it felt a little like St Paul on the road to Damasacus. ( Oh - same name, maybe that's some clever allusion that missed me?)


Stars: Five, a wonderful read, breathtaking in places with superb pacing, keeping me glued to see just what happened next, wondering if there was a way this lovely, loving family could stay together, get through the problems they had.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and Publishers

[Sophie Bristow Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a powerful Australian family drama. There was much friction between the children's parents ~ often using them as pawns in their tug of war disagreements. Alcohol and gambling addictions are featured in the story.
It was the two children that my heart went out to whilst reading this compelling story. The parents took a long time to see how they were suffering in silence but in the end they realised and did their upmost to help them.
An enjoyable read, recommended.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mental health issues are discussed more openly in the 21st-century, and this story examines the two extremes of ignoring mental health problems or labelling every behavioural difference as a mental health issue for a fictional family in Austrailia.

The scenarios portrayed are believable, and the differing parental reactions to their children's behaviour are well-researched both regarding mental health facts and differing viewpoints on psychological health. The family experiences addiction, depression, obsessive behaviour and low self-esteem issues and the circumstances surrounding them are authentic, and the strain on family relations is convincing.

Written from the two parents points of view, they view the same issues differently, which makes for discord, fear and finally understanding. There is no jargon overload, despite the book's detailed content. What comes across is the human reactions to the problems they face and their differing ways of solving them.

A sensitively written story that examines mental health issues in children and parents and how they are perceived and resolved.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily and Paul have what is to them the perfect life. They have a gorgeous house, are well off economically and have two children, 8 year old Tilly and 16 year old Cameron. They leave Scotland to live in Australia when Paul is sent to play football (soccer) there. Everything seems wonderful but even the most outwardly perfect lives contain inner problems and challenges.

Cameron does not like the texture of cupcake icing on his tongue and the family is used to doing things "his way" and is disagnosed with a number of mental health issues. We are bought right into the action by the author, Dawn Barker, who is herself a mental health professional and the medical side of the story is very well explained and woven into the story.

A captivating novel. This is the second Dawn Barker book I have read and reviewed. 5 stars for the storyline and character portrayal as well as the hospital and home life atmosphere. I felt for all the characters.

Thanks to Dawn Barker and Canelo for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for the title.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many interesting issues running through this novel which poses some thought provoking questions about children with special needs and whether they should be medicalised or dealt with from a different perspective. Dawn's experience as a psychiatrist gives it a feeling of authenticity and truth. You see the story through two perspectives: Paul's and Emily's, and this moves the narrative on at a steady pace.

You get to see that all of the family members have issues and feelings of lack of control. Cameron's needs impact on all of them and it shows how devastating it can be when both parents have opposing ideas on how to proceed. I found Emily's misplaced guilt and need to not be seen as a failing parent to be quite powerful as she was pushed to the limit. All the characters are vulnerable in their own way as Paul's downward spiral into addiction shows.

In short: An excellent family drama with a depth of feeling and thought- provoking issues.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

[Caz Parry · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Contains spoilers*

This novel raised numerous issues, and the way it was written, alternating between the two parents’ extremely opposed point of view kept me interested..
Many of us have had experience of mental health issues, and Ms Barker’s work is obviously very knowledgeable based on her own career.
For me, however, the final few chapters were unsatisfactory. Why, when I had felt concerned that Paul was so threatened by the sinister Phoenix group , were there not any issues with him just phoning up.?. The two youngsters also had really significant problems to deal with, and yet they were very rapidly dealt with, and, in my opinion, after all the traumas, Emily was too ready to forgive and move on. This is why I have rated it only 3 stars.
I felt that was a shame, as prior to that there had been some fascinating conflicts, which from a personal point of view, I recognised as being very real.

Thank you Canelo for my ARC

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn Barker is a Psychiatrist and it was perhaps her style within this book - influenced by her work - that really gripped me. Without even realising it, you’re learning as you read and whilst lots of books are about teaching, this one was so subtle you’d almost miss it because the storyline is gripping.

It’s a pacy read, focusing on a family in turmoil and actually something that could easily happy to just about anyone reading the book. It also highlights how easy it is for the good life to turn into the sour life and how the golden walls that a family can build around themselves can so quickly be pulled down.

What is also particularly nice is the contrast and comparison between life in Australia and life in Scotland - you get a taste of both backgrounds as well as Barker’s own expertise having lived in both areas before.

[Sue Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a little slow to get into BUT ....keep going....it really does get better and by a few chapters in I was hooked and stayed up late to finish it. Wonderful characterisation of a modern day family coping with issues we find all around us. Yes' it's set in Australia but you forget that and it really could be anywhere, happening to any family with teenagers.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not long finished this, kept me wanting to read on. Quick ending but a good read.

[Dorothy Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up all night reading this, was so engrossed in the story.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Dawn Barker. This story was fast moving, kept me interested and guessing and changing my mind all the way through.
Dawn please write more stories. I love your work

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 3 out of 5]

O matko, jak mnie ta książka irytowała - tak mniej więcej od 1/4 do prawie samego końca. Mówiąc dokładniej - wątek Paula i jego sekty. O jak ja nie lubię takiego prania mózgu i jak mnie wkurzał ten człowiek, ślepy na absolutnie wszystko. A już nic nie wkurza mnie tak bardzo, jak próba narzucenia swoich poglądów innym i wymuszanie na nich, że tylko nasz styl życia jest tym jedynym. Ugh. Mocno kibicowałam żonie w jej próbach uratowania rodziny i kibicowałam, że kopnie go w tyłek albo uda się jej wbić rozum do głowy. Ostatecznie zakończenie przypadło mi do gustu, ale autorka ma chyba talent do kreowania postaci, które doprowadzają mnie do szału, bo przy poprzedniej książce miałam podobnie. Plus taki, że ciężko o niej zapomnieć i ten tytuł naprawdę upierdliwie za mną chodził.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of #MoreThanUs from #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book more than I did. It didn't grip me as much as I had expected it to. The story was good but it was rather slow paced and I found myself putting it down quite easily. I would give the author a chance again in the future though as the story itself was very good. However I found the ending a little flat. It all seemed to get wrapped up neatly.

[Mrs K J Mortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this in one sitting. You can sympathise with both Emily and Paul, their different perspectives are both well thought out. This book left me thinking about modern life and whether we are too quick to diagnose and label children who struggle to fit in. A really interesting and thought-provoking read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I really enjoyed this family saga.

[Stephanie Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I think really addresses society today, and family norms. I really did enjoy this book, and I felt that it flowed well.
The book tells the story of a husband and wife that have two children, a boy and a girl. The boy has mental issues that the doctors have been unable to diagnose, and the daughter struggles with body image issues and an eating disorder. The father begins to loose control to an addiction and is forced to go to a rehab with radical ideas of how all people should live. All vegan, no electronics, no education needed, etc. These ideals and the way the father changes begins to tear the family apart. In the end they have to figure out how to put their family back together.
I really did feel that the book touched on an interesting subject that is debated so often. Could we ever go back to how people survived in the old days....that's the question!

[Elayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you first start reading this book, you are convinced that Cameron is autistic and has OCD. But as you read on, you realise that this is too simplistic - and anyway, the experts have said he isn't on the spectrum.

Now the spectrum is very wide indeed as I know from my own family and so it is difficult to be so definitive. It is clear Cameron has some social difficulties and has some of the repetitive behaviours one might expect, but on the other hand, the meds don't work and his behaviour remains challenging. His father is convinced that what he really needs is time away from his, in his view, overfussy mother, and no medicines.

So the parents disagree as to what is the best way to help their son, which is not unusual, and in this novel leads to extreme behaviour.

I thought the story rang true until we got to the last section about the cult. It  just seemed to be too easy to join, especially as most of the members were rich. This seems to have been a twist added in for the sake of not having a straightforward storyline.

If you want to know how realistic the behaviour of Cameron is, then look back at the blog published on this site, on 23rd June by the book's author, who is a practicing child psychiatrist.