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A Hope For Emily
Looking back, I wish I could find my way back to that moment. I’d snatch it and hold onto it and live in it for the rest of my life, if I could. When Emily could still throw her arms around me. Oh God, just give me that moment, or one like it again. That’s all I want.
From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision—one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James—and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves—what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
A beautiful story that will break your heart into a million pieces, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Susan Lewis.
Readers are loving A Hope For Emily:
“Omg, what an emotional journey… Had me in total tears by the end. Written beautifully.” NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars
“A beautifully written novel of love, hope, fear and heartbreak… This is an amazing journey and I promise you will need tissues close by while consuming the pages in this story.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“A heartbreaking, emotional, ‘all the feels’ kind of book. So many emotions were poured into this story… The story definitely pulls at your heart strings and makes you feel that sadness for any mother and family going through this situation.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“This is a fast-paced book with skilfully developed characters. Everyone should read this tear-jerker.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“This was such a heartbreaking story… Another amazing read by Kate Hewitt.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“A really emotional, tearjerker, heartbreaking read! Told with compassion and feeling… [it] will pull at your heartstrings… Will have you in tears right till the end!” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“Heartbreakingly sad and yet uplifting.” NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars
Praise for Kate Hewitt:
“I don’t think I have ever cried as much… heartbreaking and unputdownable… To say this story is a five-star read is an understatement. There are not enough stars in the world to show how much this book has touched me.” Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, 5 stars
“Never has any book been able to just wipe me out with such gut-wrenching sadness. A book of love, loss, and loyalty… BEAUTIFULLY DONE.
From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision—one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James—and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves—what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
A beautiful story that will break your heart into a million pieces, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Susan Lewis.
Readers are loving A Hope For Emily:
“Omg, what an emotional journey… Had me in total tears by the end. Written beautifully.” NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars
“A beautifully written novel of love, hope, fear and heartbreak… This is an amazing journey and I promise you will need tissues close by while consuming the pages in this story.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“A heartbreaking, emotional, ‘all the feels’ kind of book. So many emotions were poured into this story… The story definitely pulls at your heart strings and makes you feel that sadness for any mother and family going through this situation.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“This is a fast-paced book with skilfully developed characters. Everyone should read this tear-jerker.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“This was such a heartbreaking story… Another amazing read by Kate Hewitt.” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“A really emotional, tearjerker, heartbreaking read! Told with compassion and feeling… [it] will pull at your heartstrings… Will have you in tears right till the end!” Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
“Heartbreakingly sad and yet uplifting.” NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars
Praise for Kate Hewitt:
“I don’t think I have ever cried as much… heartbreaking and unputdownable… To say this story is a five-star read is an understatement. There are not enough stars in the world to show how much this book has touched me.” Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, 5 stars
“Never has any book been able to just wipe me out with such gut-wrenching sadness. A book of love, loss, and loyalty… BEAUTIFULLY DONE.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2020
2896 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
888 books1,714 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
February 27, 2020
EXCERPT: You know the worst thing, that possibility you dread, the terrible what-if that keeps you up at night, heart racing, palms icy, the one thing you tell yourself will never happen, because it can't, it just can't, you wouldn't survive it, you wouldn't know how?
Well, sometimes it does happen. And you do survive it, even if you can't understand how your body is still functioning - heart thudding steadily, breaths in and out, even your stomach gurgling, I mean, how? How can my body feel hungry when a doctor, a doctor I've put all my trust and hope in for over two years, has given me the worst news he possibly could?
No further tests. Those three words feel like a weapon wielded cruelly, a physical violence perpetrated against me, against my daughter. Emily.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision—one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James—and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves—what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
MY THOUGHTS: 'Life is hard, and painful and messy and disappointing, but amidst all that, there's hope, fluttering and ragged, the last thing left in the box.'
I have been in Rachel's shoes. For four long years, between the ages of four and eight, my youngest son spent more time in hospital than he did at home. Every day he would have in excess of 100 grand mal seizures. He had them awake and asleep. He was permanently on oxygen. The neurologist told me to resign myself to him becoming brain damaged and having to wear a helmet for the remainder of his life. He recommended institutionalising him. And like Rachel, I fought. I removed my son from his care. Our family GP found us another specialist, out of our area, who supervised my son's treatment via a pediatrician, and who made the world of difference to our lives.
So it is no wonder that I cried buckets throughout A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt. It brought everything back to me. I relived the weeks on end by his bedside, sleeping in a chair beside him. But I also recalled the good days, the days when we could take him out for an hour or two and, occasionally home. Rachel did not have those memories to hold on to, the possibility of there being another good day tomorrow or the day after, and that is where we differ.
But you don't have to have been through something like this to feel her anguish. I defy any mother, any parent, to read A Hope For Emily and stay dry eyed.
This is, ultimately, a story of hope and strength, of love and friendship, of a mother leaving no stone unturned in an effort to save her daughter.
😢😭😢😭
#AHopeForEmily #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction. Her latest releases are A Vicarage Homecoming and Not My Daughter. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Well, sometimes it does happen. And you do survive it, even if you can't understand how your body is still functioning - heart thudding steadily, breaths in and out, even your stomach gurgling, I mean, how? How can my body feel hungry when a doctor, a doctor I've put all my trust and hope in for over two years, has given me the worst news he possibly could?
No further tests. Those three words feel like a weapon wielded cruelly, a physical violence perpetrated against me, against my daughter. Emily.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision—one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James—and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves—what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
MY THOUGHTS: 'Life is hard, and painful and messy and disappointing, but amidst all that, there's hope, fluttering and ragged, the last thing left in the box.'
I have been in Rachel's shoes. For four long years, between the ages of four and eight, my youngest son spent more time in hospital than he did at home. Every day he would have in excess of 100 grand mal seizures. He had them awake and asleep. He was permanently on oxygen. The neurologist told me to resign myself to him becoming brain damaged and having to wear a helmet for the remainder of his life. He recommended institutionalising him. And like Rachel, I fought. I removed my son from his care. Our family GP found us another specialist, out of our area, who supervised my son's treatment via a pediatrician, and who made the world of difference to our lives.
So it is no wonder that I cried buckets throughout A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt. It brought everything back to me. I relived the weeks on end by his bedside, sleeping in a chair beside him. But I also recalled the good days, the days when we could take him out for an hour or two and, occasionally home. Rachel did not have those memories to hold on to, the possibility of there being another good day tomorrow or the day after, and that is where we differ.
But you don't have to have been through something like this to feel her anguish. I defy any mother, any parent, to read A Hope For Emily and stay dry eyed.
This is, ultimately, a story of hope and strength, of love and friendship, of a mother leaving no stone unturned in an effort to save her daughter.
😢😭😢😭
#AHopeForEmily #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of women's fiction. Her latest releases are A Vicarage Homecoming and Not My Daughter. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 21, 2020
Poignant, thought provoking, heartwrenching, agonizing.This book left me completely shattered! Kate Hewitt’s books should come with a box of tissue and this one should have come with two! She really knows how to pull at the heartstrings. I felt so much for these characters their pain was palpable. Rachel’s five-year-old daughter Emily is in a coma, suffering from a degenerative neurological disease with no true diagnosis. Emily was born a healthy little girl who could walk and talk and play and laugh. Then at approximately 3 ½ she started having headaches and seizures. This led to countless doctors appointments and hospital visits. It also led to the unraveling of Rachel‘s marriage. But through it all Rachel stands strong and never gives up hope for her little girl.
As a mom I could not help but put myself in Rachel’s position, that’s what led to tears flowing down my face at 4:30 in the morning. How do you give up hope? How do you say goodbye? How do you let go? And then how do you MoveOn? The story is told from the perspectives of both Rachel and Eva who is Rachel‘s ex-husband‘s new wife. The bond that these women formed was remarkable. I’m not even certain I always 100% agreed with their actions, but the pole of motherhood is strong. This is one of those books that really makes you think, what would you do if you were in this situation? I don’t think however you could ever know how you would react unless you’re living it(and let’s hope none of us ever have to go through this). this was a beautifully told story about motherhood, friendship, tough choices, and above all hope.
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. Helen Keller
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
As a mom I could not help but put myself in Rachel’s position, that’s what led to tears flowing down my face at 4:30 in the morning. How do you give up hope? How do you say goodbye? How do you let go? And then how do you MoveOn? The story is told from the perspectives of both Rachel and Eva who is Rachel‘s ex-husband‘s new wife. The bond that these women formed was remarkable. I’m not even certain I always 100% agreed with their actions, but the pole of motherhood is strong. This is one of those books that really makes you think, what would you do if you were in this situation? I don’t think however you could ever know how you would react unless you’re living it(and let’s hope none of us ever have to go through this). this was a beautifully told story about motherhood, friendship, tough choices, and above all hope.
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. Helen Keller
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
April 3, 2020
Kate Hewitt writes so very beautifully. 4.5 stars
January 9, 2020
This is a story that alternates between Rachel, the mother of Emily and ex-wife of James and Eva, who is James’ new wife. It certainly is a tale of an unlikely friendship but I loved getting to know these two women better and getting to know in their own words how someone handles an issue like both women are faced with.
For Rachel, my heart absolutely broke. To have given birth to a happy, healthy baby and then a few years down the line, to have your world ripped apart as your child starts to lose the ability to do things. Whats worse is that there is no real diagnosis. I admired her strength of going to the hospital without fail each day to sit by her daughters bed.
Eva on the other hand, is helpless as she watches her husband trying to cope with what is happening with his daughter, of which he has resigned himself that there is no more to be done and is reluctant to speak of his daughter with his new wife. She is very much torn when Rachel asks her for her help.
The bond between these two women was so heart warming. I could see things from all sides and I doubt that any of us would truly know what we would do in their situation unless the worst was to happen in our life. As lets face it, a child dying should never happen. Sadly it does though and this story is a reminder of how precious life is.
A Hope For Emily not only broke my heart but shattered it. Whilst the majority of the story did pull on my heart strings in places, overall it was an endearing and powerful read. When the tears did come though, they didn’t stop. It is such an emotionally charged novel that you would have to have a heart made of stone not to feel something for these characters and feel for what they are going through. An absolute tear jerker of a read of which I highly recommend having a box of tissues on standby.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
For Rachel, my heart absolutely broke. To have given birth to a happy, healthy baby and then a few years down the line, to have your world ripped apart as your child starts to lose the ability to do things. Whats worse is that there is no real diagnosis. I admired her strength of going to the hospital without fail each day to sit by her daughters bed.
Eva on the other hand, is helpless as she watches her husband trying to cope with what is happening with his daughter, of which he has resigned himself that there is no more to be done and is reluctant to speak of his daughter with his new wife. She is very much torn when Rachel asks her for her help.
The bond between these two women was so heart warming. I could see things from all sides and I doubt that any of us would truly know what we would do in their situation unless the worst was to happen in our life. As lets face it, a child dying should never happen. Sadly it does though and this story is a reminder of how precious life is.
A Hope For Emily not only broke my heart but shattered it. Whilst the majority of the story did pull on my heart strings in places, overall it was an endearing and powerful read. When the tears did come though, they didn’t stop. It is such an emotionally charged novel that you would have to have a heart made of stone not to feel something for these characters and feel for what they are going through. An absolute tear jerker of a read of which I highly recommend having a box of tissues on standby.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
February 22, 2020
It should come as no surprise that I am a huge fan of Kate Hewitt. I’ve read her last few releases and they have been all five star reads for me, so when I saw Hewitt had a new release, A Hope for Emily, coming out, I was happy and yet sad at the same time. Happy and sad, you ask? Let me explain. I was happy it was a new release I could read and yet sad because I knew it was going to make me ball my eyes out, which is nothing new for me, or for many other readers when they read a story from Kate Hewitt. There is just something about Hewitt’s writing that just stands out. I can read many good books and have many five star reads and books on my keeper shelf, but there is always that one author who goes above and beyond and writes a story that just gives you all of the feels and all of the raw emotion and can just completely break you in a heartbeat. This is what Kate Hewitt does to me - Every. Single. Time. I have said this once before and I know I will say it many many times again, there are definitely NOT enough stars in the entire universe to express how much I have come to love Kaye Hewitt’s unputdownable, heartbreaking stories.
I don’t think there is anything as powerful as a mother’s love. The things a mother will do for her child/children. Hewitt really hits home with this statement in A Hope for Emily. Rachel would lay down her life for her five year old daughter Emily who is in a state of unresponsive wakefulness and has been for the past four months. Emily’s doctors have given up hope as she continues to deteriorate. But, Rachel is willing and more than capable of fighting for her daughter, when everyone else has given up, including her ex-husband, James. Can a mother’s love save her child, or is it the right time to let go?
Kate Hewitt really writes about a sensitive topic in this story. When is a quality of life not worth continuing with life sustaining measures? I know everyone will have a different opinion on this and I have my own opinions on it as well. But, there is a part of this story that really resonated with me and made me more aware of something I had to deal with recently. Last May my dog was diagnosed with cancer and only given a handful of months to live. Yes, I know it is NOT the same thing as a child, but to me, my dog was my child. I would have done anything I could and spent any money I had on him. I ultimately decided to go with radiation treatments and chemotherapy even knowing I would only be extending his life and he would never go into remission. This story really made me think about what I did for my dog and if I was really doing it for him or for me? Was I being selfish because I couldn’t let him go? In the same token, is Rachel being selfish trying everything she can to save her daughter? It is definitely something to think about.
Rachel is a fierce mother and will go to battle for her daughter, Emily. Her ex-husband, James, recently remarried does not discuss his daughter and seems really closed off emotionally. James is not very likeable and comes across as cold-hearted and emotionless, but in a way I can also understand why James is the way he is. Eva loves her husband, James, but she can’t understand why her husband is so closed off and feels like she is missing out on a big piece of his life when it comes to his daughter. So, when Rachel seeks Eva out for help, Eva does what she can and in doing so we come to know Eva on an even deeper level. I have to say each character brought so much to the table and so much realism in their actions and beliefs. It was hard NOt to like everyone even though I may not have agreed with some of the things they did.
I don’t think there is anything as powerful as a mother’s love. The things a mother will do for her child/children. Hewitt really hits home with this statement in A Hope for Emily. Rachel would lay down her life for her five year old daughter Emily who is in a state of unresponsive wakefulness and has been for the past four months. Emily’s doctors have given up hope as she continues to deteriorate. But, Rachel is willing and more than capable of fighting for her daughter, when everyone else has given up, including her ex-husband, James. Can a mother’s love save her child, or is it the right time to let go?
Kate Hewitt really writes about a sensitive topic in this story. When is a quality of life not worth continuing with life sustaining measures? I know everyone will have a different opinion on this and I have my own opinions on it as well. But, there is a part of this story that really resonated with me and made me more aware of something I had to deal with recently. Last May my dog was diagnosed with cancer and only given a handful of months to live. Yes, I know it is NOT the same thing as a child, but to me, my dog was my child. I would have done anything I could and spent any money I had on him. I ultimately decided to go with radiation treatments and chemotherapy even knowing I would only be extending his life and he would never go into remission. This story really made me think about what I did for my dog and if I was really doing it for him or for me? Was I being selfish because I couldn’t let him go? In the same token, is Rachel being selfish trying everything she can to save her daughter? It is definitely something to think about.
Rachel is a fierce mother and will go to battle for her daughter, Emily. Her ex-husband, James, recently remarried does not discuss his daughter and seems really closed off emotionally. James is not very likeable and comes across as cold-hearted and emotionless, but in a way I can also understand why James is the way he is. Eva loves her husband, James, but she can’t understand why her husband is so closed off and feels like she is missing out on a big piece of his life when it comes to his daughter. So, when Rachel seeks Eva out for help, Eva does what she can and in doing so we come to know Eva on an even deeper level. I have to say each character brought so much to the table and so much realism in their actions and beliefs. It was hard NOt to like everyone even though I may not have agreed with some of the things they did.
February 11, 2020
Only a mother would fight until her last breath. And this book showed me that in a fictional tale where the mother kept her hope alive up to the last minute that her child would awaken.
Emily had a degenerative neural disease, one of those which didn't have a diagnosis. Her mother Rachel kept fighting for her, without allowing the docs to give up, yet had to give up and put her daughter to palliative care. An experimental therapy in Italy, and her fight began again. Her ex husband didn't want the therapy for his daughter, and it was left to his new wife Eva to convince him.
Having read many books by author Kate Hewitt, I had cried through each one of them, except for this book. I was so proud of Rachel for standing up for her daughter when the world and its renowned doctors gave up. I had tears and lump in the throat at times on reading this, but the author wrote this with a finality that I had to stay with this mother right to the end of the story.
The power of the words were such that even though I cried, I wasn't allowed to stay there. I had to get up and stand as a support to the mother. Emotions were strong, and they coursed through me like a lightning bolt. I didn't like when the father opposed, when the docs gave up. I cheered when Rachel found support in Eva, in her mother, and her neighbor.
Everyone spoke about moving on, I wondered how a mother could, who loved her child from conception when she was a little bean. The whole story was so beautifully depicted that even in loss, there was acceptance and a quiet conviction everything had been done to the best of their efforts.
A beautiful story of hope... And a mother's love.
Emily had a degenerative neural disease, one of those which didn't have a diagnosis. Her mother Rachel kept fighting for her, without allowing the docs to give up, yet had to give up and put her daughter to palliative care. An experimental therapy in Italy, and her fight began again. Her ex husband didn't want the therapy for his daughter, and it was left to his new wife Eva to convince him.
Having read many books by author Kate Hewitt, I had cried through each one of them, except for this book. I was so proud of Rachel for standing up for her daughter when the world and its renowned doctors gave up. I had tears and lump in the throat at times on reading this, but the author wrote this with a finality that I had to stay with this mother right to the end of the story.
The power of the words were such that even though I cried, I wasn't allowed to stay there. I had to get up and stand as a support to the mother. Emotions were strong, and they coursed through me like a lightning bolt. I didn't like when the father opposed, when the docs gave up. I cheered when Rachel found support in Eva, in her mother, and her neighbor.
Everyone spoke about moving on, I wondered how a mother could, who loved her child from conception when she was a little bean. The whole story was so beautifully depicted that even in loss, there was acceptance and a quiet conviction everything had been done to the best of their efforts.
A beautiful story of hope... And a mother's love.
February 23, 2020
A Hope For Emily
by
Kate Hewitt
is a tragic and heartbreaking, but beautiful story.
When James and Rachel's daughter, Emily, is diagnosed with an unknown illness, they watch their beloved child slip into a coma. As the time passes, Emily condition remains the same but James and Rachel's marriage crumbles. While James moves on, Rachel remains transfixed, unable to separate her life from Emily's, as her daughter has been her whole world since the day she was born. When Rachel is gifted a chance to improve Emily's life from an unexpected source, an emotional battle ensues. Does she keep fighting for Emily or is it time to say goodbye?
Told from two different viewpoints that complement each other, A Hope For Emily conveys so many varied emotions and it was impossible for me to remain impassive. On several occasions I found myself pondering what my course of action might be, given a similar set of circumstances.
Kate Hewitt’s writing is so heartfelt and realistic, making this novel a remarkable reading experience. A Hope For Emily is my first book by by this immensely talented author and I will be reading more from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
When James and Rachel's daughter, Emily, is diagnosed with an unknown illness, they watch their beloved child slip into a coma. As the time passes, Emily condition remains the same but James and Rachel's marriage crumbles. While James moves on, Rachel remains transfixed, unable to separate her life from Emily's, as her daughter has been her whole world since the day she was born. When Rachel is gifted a chance to improve Emily's life from an unexpected source, an emotional battle ensues. Does she keep fighting for Emily or is it time to say goodbye?
Told from two different viewpoints that complement each other, A Hope For Emily conveys so many varied emotions and it was impossible for me to remain impassive. On several occasions I found myself pondering what my course of action might be, given a similar set of circumstances.
Kate Hewitt’s writing is so heartfelt and realistic, making this novel a remarkable reading experience. A Hope For Emily is my first book by by this immensely talented author and I will be reading more from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 31, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 amazing stars!
I love this author, her books are brilliant, you get so immersed in the characters and story.
I whizzed through this in a day.
The story is heartbreaking and yes I shed a few tears at the end which is not like me at all!
Even though you pretty much know how it will end, you get drawn into the lives of Eva, Rachel, James and Emily and share the same hope and sadness as they do.
Highly recommended.
I love this author, her books are brilliant, you get so immersed in the characters and story.
I whizzed through this in a day.
The story is heartbreaking and yes I shed a few tears at the end which is not like me at all!
Even though you pretty much know how it will end, you get drawn into the lives of Eva, Rachel, James and Emily and share the same hope and sadness as they do.
Highly recommended.
September 29, 2020
Be prepared when you pick up this book to shed tears. This story is told by Rachel (the mother of Emily) & Eva (married to James, Rachel's ex husband). Rachel and James' daughter Emily has been very ill and is being moved to a palliative care unit, despite many treatments Emily is in a coma. Trying not to lose hope Rachel wants to take Emily to Italy to have a experimental treatment done to see if it would help little Emily.
Rachel, James and Eva have been through so much hurt, when they come together to help Emily, a new friendship is formed between Rachel and Eva. This is beautifully written story, with characters that are likable, secrets, hopes for the future. I did find a couple parts stretched on and I would have loved to have seen where Rachel's and Andrew's relationship will head.
This is a must read. I have now added a couple more of Kate Hewitt's books to my to-be-read list. After this book I need a feel good happy book to read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel, James and Eva have been through so much hurt, when they come together to help Emily, a new friendship is formed between Rachel and Eva. This is beautifully written story, with characters that are likable, secrets, hopes for the future. I did find a couple parts stretched on and I would have loved to have seen where Rachel's and Andrew's relationship will head.
This is a must read. I have now added a couple more of Kate Hewitt's books to my to-be-read list. After this book I need a feel good happy book to read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2020
How I love the books by this author! She makes every emotion feel so real.
When someone you love becomes ill, it's devastating. But when it happens to a young child, it makes it seem even worse.
Maybe it's because I am a mama too that it touched me so deeply? You already worry when your child is feeling a bit under the weather. I cannot imagine how it must feel when there is something seriously wrong.
What do you do as a parent? Do you try everything to help your child even if you don't know if the outcome will be positive or not? Do you want to put them through more tests and maybe even experiments? Or do you have to realise that sometimes enough is enough and accept how cruel life can be?
Will that last sparkle of hope ignite a fire in your heart or will it quietly snuff out and die ...?
An incredibly beautiful and mind-blowing story that makes you see that life can be as great as it can be ruthless. 5 stars.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
When someone you love becomes ill, it's devastating. But when it happens to a young child, it makes it seem even worse.
Maybe it's because I am a mama too that it touched me so deeply? You already worry when your child is feeling a bit under the weather. I cannot imagine how it must feel when there is something seriously wrong.
What do you do as a parent? Do you try everything to help your child even if you don't know if the outcome will be positive or not? Do you want to put them through more tests and maybe even experiments? Or do you have to realise that sometimes enough is enough and accept how cruel life can be?
Will that last sparkle of hope ignite a fire in your heart or will it quietly snuff out and die ...?
An incredibly beautiful and mind-blowing story that makes you see that life can be as great as it can be ruthless. 5 stars.
Thank you, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
March 1, 2020
I have read other books by this author, so I knew that when I started it, I would need a box of tissues, a stiff upper lip and a few hours peace and quiet to full immerse myself in this emotional story. The book focusses on 4-year-old Emily and her parents, Rachel and James. Emily has a rare illness which has left her in a coma. The doctors say she will never recover from this, and her parents are faced with making a heart-breaking decision. Rachel and James are no longer together, but feel they should be united in the decisions for Emily’s care. However, James cannot agree with Rachel’s decision for Emily to begin experimental therapy overseas in the hope of saving her life. Rachel decides to enlist the help of James’s new wife Eva to try and convince James that it’s the right thing to do…
Being a mother myself, I couldn’t think of anything more heart-breaking of having to make such a monumental decision. The tears began flowing very early on in the book, and I knew I was right in keeping the tissues close to hand! Whilst Rachel and James have very different opinions on what should happen to Emily, there is obviously no right or wrong answer. James, in my opinion, was in no way portrayed as the ‘bad one’ of the story however, and I felt for him just as much as I did for Rachel. They were just parents wanting to do the best for their little girl.
Rachel and Eva’s relationship as ex-wife and current wife was heart-warming. I didn’t expect for Rachel to find an ally in her ex-husband’s new wife, but she did and their friendship was lovely to read. The two women were so relatable and as I was reading, I felt like I could see myself in either one of them.
The author writes with such emotion and obviously puts her heart and soul into the books she writes. Understandably, there may be some trigger points for some readers with the storyline of a sick and dying child, but it is all written so sensitively that I would still recommend reading it. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a story that will keep you hooked from the very first page. Heart-warming, enlightening and well written!
Being a mother myself, I couldn’t think of anything more heart-breaking of having to make such a monumental decision. The tears began flowing very early on in the book, and I knew I was right in keeping the tissues close to hand! Whilst Rachel and James have very different opinions on what should happen to Emily, there is obviously no right or wrong answer. James, in my opinion, was in no way portrayed as the ‘bad one’ of the story however, and I felt for him just as much as I did for Rachel. They were just parents wanting to do the best for their little girl.
Rachel and Eva’s relationship as ex-wife and current wife was heart-warming. I didn’t expect for Rachel to find an ally in her ex-husband’s new wife, but she did and their friendship was lovely to read. The two women were so relatable and as I was reading, I felt like I could see myself in either one of them.
The author writes with such emotion and obviously puts her heart and soul into the books she writes. Understandably, there may be some trigger points for some readers with the storyline of a sick and dying child, but it is all written so sensitively that I would still recommend reading it. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of a story that will keep you hooked from the very first page. Heart-warming, enlightening and well written!
February 2, 2020
Emily is a young girl who has slipped into a persistent vegetative state with seemingly no explanation as to why. Her mother, Rachel, has remained faithfully -- obsessively -- by her side ever since, while her father, James, seems to have moved on with his life. He's even divorced Rachel and remarried Eva, a 36-year-old digital marketing guru who really wants a baby of her own. Told in alternating chapters from Eva's and Rachel's points of view, this book is an absolute tearjerker that will make you ask the question, how much would you sacrifice to save your own child.
This book was definitely not an easy read. As the mother of two -- one with his own life-shortening illness and the other the same age as Emily -- I might have taken this book a bit more personally than most readers. It was definitely easy to relate to Rachel and how much she would sacrifice and what she would risk to give her baby any chance of a life. Even as her character tended to feel more cold and removed, it was easy to understand why.
I struggled more with the James-Eva relationship and their whirlwind romance and marriage and their seemingly inability to talk to each other outside of the most superficial topics. I understand that Eva felt her biological clock ticking, but they seem to have almost nothing in common, so that felt a bit forced.
Definitely keep a box of tissues nearby and don't read around other people if you're an ugly or loud crier.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It had not influenced my opinion.
This book was definitely not an easy read. As the mother of two -- one with his own life-shortening illness and the other the same age as Emily -- I might have taken this book a bit more personally than most readers. It was definitely easy to relate to Rachel and how much she would sacrifice and what she would risk to give her baby any chance of a life. Even as her character tended to feel more cold and removed, it was easy to understand why.
I struggled more with the James-Eva relationship and their whirlwind romance and marriage and their seemingly inability to talk to each other outside of the most superficial topics. I understand that Eva felt her biological clock ticking, but they seem to have almost nothing in common, so that felt a bit forced.
Definitely keep a box of tissues nearby and don't read around other people if you're an ugly or loud crier.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It had not influenced my opinion.
February 24, 2020
I found the concept of this story to be intriguing and knew there were many ways this story could go, depending on how the author wanted everything to play out. This is going to be extremely hard for me to review for multiple reasons. I abhor spoilers, but when I’m giving a book a mediocre review I want to give my reasons. Afterall, to each his own and there are many readers out there that may really like this story. I’ll do the best I can.
As I said, the concept is great. The biggest problem I had is my dislike of the characters. The book goes back and forth between the thoughts and views of two women, Rachel and Eva. They are the ex-wife and current wife of James. All three of these people have no quality to had me rooting for them. Eva came the closest, but for someone who was supposed to be a strong-minded business woman she sure didn’t speak up for herself very often. I will say I was a fan of Rachel’s mom, who we didn’t see too terribly much. But she had a knack of supporting her daughter while not feeding into Rachel’s obsession. I’m telling you, this is a book full of people who supposedly love and care about each other and little Emily (who is in a sort of coma), but do not express their feelings or thoughts to each other AT ALL. It got to be annoying.
One of the things I had an issue with is something I know is a bias, it really doesn’t have to do with the characters or the writers. That is, I did not in any way agree with the course of action Rachel was pushing so hard for when it came to Emily’s care. Yet, while I didn’t agree with Rachel, I couldn’t get on board with the way James was handling her through it all. Of course, a reader does not have to agree with the actions of the characters in order to enjoy the story. But I was so annoyed with all the characters that I just couldn’t get into this book.
There is quite a disconnect among the characters even when it comes to things that don’t have to do with Emily. The relationships just didn’t seem realistic to me. Yes, I know it’s fiction. But it’s a serious story and I think it’s meant to be believable. This is not a case of me being unable to suspend my disbelief since it’s not that type of book.
It’s not all bad. I did find this story to move slowly, but the author’s writing is smooth and has a good rhythm. As I’ve mentioned, I liked Rachel’s mom. There is also a character that comes in later, Rachel’s new neighbor, that I enjoyed. But overall, these couple side characters couldn’t redeem the story as a whole.
I’ve read other books by this author that I really enjoyed, so I’m sure I’ll try another book from her in the future. This one just wasn’t for me.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
As I said, the concept is great. The biggest problem I had is my dislike of the characters. The book goes back and forth between the thoughts and views of two women, Rachel and Eva. They are the ex-wife and current wife of James. All three of these people have no quality to had me rooting for them. Eva came the closest, but for someone who was supposed to be a strong-minded business woman she sure didn’t speak up for herself very often. I will say I was a fan of Rachel’s mom, who we didn’t see too terribly much. But she had a knack of supporting her daughter while not feeding into Rachel’s obsession. I’m telling you, this is a book full of people who supposedly love and care about each other and little Emily (who is in a sort of coma), but do not express their feelings or thoughts to each other AT ALL. It got to be annoying.
One of the things I had an issue with is something I know is a bias, it really doesn’t have to do with the characters or the writers. That is, I did not in any way agree with the course of action Rachel was pushing so hard for when it came to Emily’s care. Yet, while I didn’t agree with Rachel, I couldn’t get on board with the way James was handling her through it all. Of course, a reader does not have to agree with the actions of the characters in order to enjoy the story. But I was so annoyed with all the characters that I just couldn’t get into this book.
There is quite a disconnect among the characters even when it comes to things that don’t have to do with Emily. The relationships just didn’t seem realistic to me. Yes, I know it’s fiction. But it’s a serious story and I think it’s meant to be believable. This is not a case of me being unable to suspend my disbelief since it’s not that type of book.
It’s not all bad. I did find this story to move slowly, but the author’s writing is smooth and has a good rhythm. As I’ve mentioned, I liked Rachel’s mom. There is also a character that comes in later, Rachel’s new neighbor, that I enjoyed. But overall, these couple side characters couldn’t redeem the story as a whole.
I’ve read other books by this author that I really enjoyed, so I’m sure I’ll try another book from her in the future. This one just wasn’t for me.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
You can find more of my reviews at All In Good Time.
January 27, 2020
First of all, thanks NetGalley, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture for the advanced copy.
Let's see if I can give a review without giving anything away...great book, really enjoyed the characters, kept me hooked to find out Eva's motive, as a mother I could sympathize with Rachel, it made me wonder how would I reacted in a similar situation (hope to never find out)...might have dropped a tear or two.... I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.
Let's see if I can give a review without giving anything away...great book, really enjoyed the characters, kept me hooked to find out Eva's motive, as a mother I could sympathize with Rachel, it made me wonder how would I reacted in a similar situation (hope to never find out)...might have dropped a tear or two.... I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.
April 17, 2020
Such a lovely book that gently builds up to an emotional end. Keep tissues to hand as you will need them
January 28, 2020
When I pick up a book by Kate Hewitt, I make sure to grab a box of tissues along with it. This doesn't stop me from getting my hands on the book when it becomes available.
Rachel was the happiest of mothers, although her marriage left a lot to be desired and eventually ended. One endearing thing that Rachel has been doing is writing her daughter letters even before she was born.
Things go well for several years, but suddenly Emily is faced with an autoimmune illness. Symptoms go from bad to worse when she ends up in a coma. Unfortunately Emily's disease is quite rare and doctors simply do not have any answers or hope. Although Rachel and ex, James, have been apart for a while, and he has even remarried, they are united when it comes to Emily. That is, until Rachel finds what she think might help, and possibly cure Emily. This is when their unity comes to an end and James says no. Rachel appeals to his wife, Eva for help.
What transpires from here - if the story wasn't already heartbreaking - is a journey of sadness coupled with an unlikely friendship. I was right about those tissues as I was truly gutted. Nonetheless, I found this to be a compelling read that made me think - and made me thankful for the blessings I have in my family. Kate Hewitt has done it again, and I cannot wait for her next book.
Rachel was the happiest of mothers, although her marriage left a lot to be desired and eventually ended. One endearing thing that Rachel has been doing is writing her daughter letters even before she was born.
Things go well for several years, but suddenly Emily is faced with an autoimmune illness. Symptoms go from bad to worse when she ends up in a coma. Unfortunately Emily's disease is quite rare and doctors simply do not have any answers or hope. Although Rachel and ex, James, have been apart for a while, and he has even remarried, they are united when it comes to Emily. That is, until Rachel finds what she think might help, and possibly cure Emily. This is when their unity comes to an end and James says no. Rachel appeals to his wife, Eva for help.
What transpires from here - if the story wasn't already heartbreaking - is a journey of sadness coupled with an unlikely friendship. I was right about those tissues as I was truly gutted. Nonetheless, I found this to be a compelling read that made me think - and made me thankful for the blessings I have in my family. Kate Hewitt has done it again, and I cannot wait for her next book.
January 19, 2020
What can I say about this book only that Kate Hewitt just knows how to write these wonderful, heartbreaking, emotional reads. So well written that held my interest throughout and kept me on the edge of my seat engaging with all these different characters who had their own story to tell.
I can thoroughly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed and I will be recommending this to my various Facebook Book Groups.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
I can thoroughly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed and I will be recommending this to my various Facebook Book Groups.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
February 22, 2020
It's impossible, I think, to not be pulled into this story if you are a parent, especially if you're a mom. When little Emily started to have symptoms, her parents would just attribute them to her being so small and still developing abilities, for example it's not so worrisome for a 2 year old to stumble or use the wrong words.
As things get worse for Emily and doctors have no real answers, there are more and more trips to the doctors and hospitals, more and more tests, which are sometimes invasive to the little girl, always without answers.
When Emily lapses into a coma, Rachel spends much of her time at the hospital with her little girl while James mostly stays away, and the couple rarely see each other. One day when they are both at their home at the same time he informs Rachel that he is DONE. He can't do this anymore.
Three months later he marries Eva, who he tells about Emily on their second date. After that, he doesn't tell Eva much about what is happening with Emily, while Rachel is dealing with the loss of her marriage and the declining state of Emily's undiagnosable illness.
After several months of marriage, Eva is still being left in the dark about Emily and James never tells her anything about Rachel. James and Rachel share joint custody, but now that is only about Emily's medical care. When Rachel is not at the hospital, she is searching online for anything that might help her daughter. When she finds information about a doctor in Italy who may be able to help Emily she tries desperately to get James to agree to take Emily to Italy for the experimental treatment.
He refuses to agree to it and when Emily's team of doctors says there is no possibility of any further action helping, they move her to hospice care against Rachel's wishes, as she wants the doctors to keep trying!
Rachel is desperate for help when she shows up at James and Eva's apartment one evening while James is at the hospital. She and Eva have never met but Rachel is desperate. She tells Eva about everything and begs her to talk to James about the treatment in Italy. Rachel doesn't know that Eva has a past heartbreak over a lost baby and is currently trying to get pregnant.
Eva and Rachel end up becoming good friends, which I'm not sure I would be able to do, but it is a wonderful thing to see in the story. This is a book that every mother should read, just keep the tissues close. I highly recommend this book, without any doubts! It kept me up much later than usual, I couldn't put it down!
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, and I have never read anything by the authors mentioned in the section that says "you might like this author if you like..."
As things get worse for Emily and doctors have no real answers, there are more and more trips to the doctors and hospitals, more and more tests, which are sometimes invasive to the little girl, always without answers.
When Emily lapses into a coma, Rachel spends much of her time at the hospital with her little girl while James mostly stays away, and the couple rarely see each other. One day when they are both at their home at the same time he informs Rachel that he is DONE. He can't do this anymore.
Three months later he marries Eva, who he tells about Emily on their second date. After that, he doesn't tell Eva much about what is happening with Emily, while Rachel is dealing with the loss of her marriage and the declining state of Emily's undiagnosable illness.
After several months of marriage, Eva is still being left in the dark about Emily and James never tells her anything about Rachel. James and Rachel share joint custody, but now that is only about Emily's medical care. When Rachel is not at the hospital, she is searching online for anything that might help her daughter. When she finds information about a doctor in Italy who may be able to help Emily she tries desperately to get James to agree to take Emily to Italy for the experimental treatment.
He refuses to agree to it and when Emily's team of doctors says there is no possibility of any further action helping, they move her to hospice care against Rachel's wishes, as she wants the doctors to keep trying!
Rachel is desperate for help when she shows up at James and Eva's apartment one evening while James is at the hospital. She and Eva have never met but Rachel is desperate. She tells Eva about everything and begs her to talk to James about the treatment in Italy. Rachel doesn't know that Eva has a past heartbreak over a lost baby and is currently trying to get pregnant.
Eva and Rachel end up becoming good friends, which I'm not sure I would be able to do, but it is a wonderful thing to see in the story. This is a book that every mother should read, just keep the tissues close. I highly recommend this book, without any doubts! It kept me up much later than usual, I couldn't put it down!
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author, and I have never read anything by the authors mentioned in the section that says "you might like this author if you like..."
February 22, 2020
A HOPE FOR EMILY is beautiful, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but beautiful. Kate Hewitt’s novels are a must-read for me for exactly this reason. She writes novels full of emotion that pull you in and don’t let you go. Hewitt is able to write stories and create characters and situations that are realistic, so much so, that you can actually see yourself in their position.
Rachel and James were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, and both embraced life as parents, especially Rachel. When Emily starts having health problems, they take her to doctor after doctor, with no definitive diagnosis. As Emily gets progressively worse, James and Rachel’s marriage ends, and James eventually moves on and re-marries. When Emily slips into a state of unresponsive wakefulness with no real diagnosis, Rachel will do anything she can to give Emily a chance to come back to her. When James refuses to consider further treatment, Rachel finds an unexpected ally in Eva, James’s new wife. How far will a Mother go to give her child a chance? Is there a point when a parent should give up?
Hewitt creates a story full of emotion, with characters that are so well-written that you feel like they are people you know. The story hits close to home, especially since I am a mother. I kept putting myself in Rachel’s shoes and wondering how I would react in the same situation. Though everything with Emily seems to be the main focus, her situation and the ripple effects are what make the story.
Tissues are a must with this one, but don’t let that stop you from picking it up. Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
#AHopeforEmily #Bookouture #NetGalley
Rachel and James were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, and both embraced life as parents, especially Rachel. When Emily starts having health problems, they take her to doctor after doctor, with no definitive diagnosis. As Emily gets progressively worse, James and Rachel’s marriage ends, and James eventually moves on and re-marries. When Emily slips into a state of unresponsive wakefulness with no real diagnosis, Rachel will do anything she can to give Emily a chance to come back to her. When James refuses to consider further treatment, Rachel finds an unexpected ally in Eva, James’s new wife. How far will a Mother go to give her child a chance? Is there a point when a parent should give up?
Hewitt creates a story full of emotion, with characters that are so well-written that you feel like they are people you know. The story hits close to home, especially since I am a mother. I kept putting myself in Rachel’s shoes and wondering how I would react in the same situation. Though everything with Emily seems to be the main focus, her situation and the ripple effects are what make the story.
Tissues are a must with this one, but don’t let that stop you from picking it up. Once you start reading, you won’t want to put it down until the end.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
#AHopeforEmily #Bookouture #NetGalley
February 22, 2020
Looking back, I wish I could find my way back to that moment. I’d snatch it and hold onto it and live in it for the rest of my life, if I could. When Emily could still throw her arms around me. Oh God, just give me that moment, or one like it again. That’s all I want.
From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision – one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James––and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves––what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
****
This is my third book by Kate Hewitt, and despite the subject matter, I couldn't put it down, and dare I say, I really enjoyed it.
Kate wrote with great depth which made the reader able to relate to Rachel, Eva and James's different view points in a situation where there really is no right answer.
I am really enjoying these types of books at the moment. Would they be classed as 'Women's Fiction'? But whatever genre they fall into, Bookouture, keep doing what you're doing!
From the moment Emily was born, reaching out with her tiny little star-shaped hand towards her mother, blinking with long eyelashes over soft blue eyes, she became Rachel’s whole world.
But Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves four-year-old Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision – one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with.
Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James––and it’s his new wife, Eva.
As an unlikely but powerful friendship develops between the two women, both Rachel and Eva will have to ask themselves––what is truly the right choice for the tiny, fragile little girl who lies between them?
****
This is my third book by Kate Hewitt, and despite the subject matter, I couldn't put it down, and dare I say, I really enjoyed it.
Kate wrote with great depth which made the reader able to relate to Rachel, Eva and James's different view points in a situation where there really is no right answer.
I am really enjoying these types of books at the moment. Would they be classed as 'Women's Fiction'? But whatever genre they fall into, Bookouture, keep doing what you're doing!
February 24, 2020
Wonderful writing
Kate Hewitt writes such beautiful books and this is no exception. My absolute favourites of hers are Then He Fell and A Mother's Goodbye. She writes in a way that pulls on your emotions and actually places you inside her main characters. It's a great gift. This story centres on a little girl called Emily, who has an unexplained neurological condition which is slowly robbing her of all her faculties. Her mother, Rachel, is an amazing character and very relatable. The slight weak link in this book is Rachel's ex husband, James. Within the space of a year he has divorced Rachel, met someone new and got married again. They are even trying for a baby. I didn't like him but maybe I wasn't supposed to. His new wife, Eva, seems a bit selfish at the start, but becomes very likeable as the story goes on. In fact the build up of friendship between the two women is one of the strongest themes of the story. The book does make you think about how you would react in certain situations and my heart really went out to Rachel, watching her ill little girl in bed day after day. Recommended.
Kate Hewitt writes such beautiful books and this is no exception. My absolute favourites of hers are Then He Fell and A Mother's Goodbye. She writes in a way that pulls on your emotions and actually places you inside her main characters. It's a great gift. This story centres on a little girl called Emily, who has an unexplained neurological condition which is slowly robbing her of all her faculties. Her mother, Rachel, is an amazing character and very relatable. The slight weak link in this book is Rachel's ex husband, James. Within the space of a year he has divorced Rachel, met someone new and got married again. They are even trying for a baby. I didn't like him but maybe I wasn't supposed to. His new wife, Eva, seems a bit selfish at the start, but becomes very likeable as the story goes on. In fact the build up of friendship between the two women is one of the strongest themes of the story. The book does make you think about how you would react in certain situations and my heart really went out to Rachel, watching her ill little girl in bed day after day. Recommended.
February 17, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Well what can I say about this book. It was a really emotional ride from beginning to end! This book is definitely not going to be for everyone, there are several subjects touched on in this book that may be too close to comfort for some, but I really enjoyed it.
This story is based around a five year old girl called Emily who had an undiagnosed neurological condition and she has been in a permanent unresponsive state for about 6 months. The story is told from two female perspectives, Emily’s Mum Rachel and Rachel’s Ex husbands (James) new wife Eva.
It’s an emotional story about a Mother’s strength, hope and unconditional love for her child. Despite the prognosis looking bleak for Emily, Rachel refuses to accept that nothing else can be done for her little girl and seeks out alternative treatments finding a doctor who is willing to help her in Italy.
I was torn in so many different directions throughout this book, often having conflicting feelings at various stages for each of the three main characters. I really enjoyed learning about them (past and present) and bearing witness to the strains that a serious, life threatening illness can have on relationships.
Whilst this story was definitely heart wrenching and emotional, ultimately it is a beautiful story and I really enjoyed the journey I went on with Rachel, Eva and James.
The only small criticism I have was that I felt the book ended quite abruptly and left me wondering what happened next to the main characters!
Having never read a book by Kate Hewitt before, I did really enjoy her style of writing and will definitely be looking out for some more of her books!
Rating - 4⭐️
Well what can I say about this book. It was a really emotional ride from beginning to end! This book is definitely not going to be for everyone, there are several subjects touched on in this book that may be too close to comfort for some, but I really enjoyed it.
This story is based around a five year old girl called Emily who had an undiagnosed neurological condition and she has been in a permanent unresponsive state for about 6 months. The story is told from two female perspectives, Emily’s Mum Rachel and Rachel’s Ex husbands (James) new wife Eva.
It’s an emotional story about a Mother’s strength, hope and unconditional love for her child. Despite the prognosis looking bleak for Emily, Rachel refuses to accept that nothing else can be done for her little girl and seeks out alternative treatments finding a doctor who is willing to help her in Italy.
I was torn in so many different directions throughout this book, often having conflicting feelings at various stages for each of the three main characters. I really enjoyed learning about them (past and present) and bearing witness to the strains that a serious, life threatening illness can have on relationships.
Whilst this story was definitely heart wrenching and emotional, ultimately it is a beautiful story and I really enjoyed the journey I went on with Rachel, Eva and James.
The only small criticism I have was that I felt the book ended quite abruptly and left me wondering what happened next to the main characters!
Having never read a book by Kate Hewitt before, I did really enjoy her style of writing and will definitely be looking out for some more of her books!
Rating - 4⭐️
February 16, 2020
First, I want to thank Kate Hewitt, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt is yet another book that touched my heart in so many ways. So many times, I wanted to reach into the book and give Rachel and sweet Emily a big hug.
Kate would like to dedicate this book to Mindy. She knows you have not been in touch for a long time, but she thinks of you often.
Right from the beginning of the book Kate hooked me on the book. Rachel discusses how she found out she became pregnant with Emily. This part of the story made me smile from ear to ear. In the story you will find Rachel writing letters to her daughter whom she refers to as her little bean. It is so cute. The letters that she writes her puts a personal touch on the story. It shows the love and the bond between the mother and the daughter.
However, then my heart broke into a million little pieces. I can relate to Emily as she and I both suffer from debilitating migraines. I suffer from them 10-20 times a month. However, a girl at the age of 5 having them with other neurological disorders my heart went out to her. What is even sadder is the doctors at the best hospital couldn’t find a treatment for her.
Kate did an incredible job pulling out the raw emotions in the characters. Also, how it affected everyone else in the family good and badly.
A Hope For Emily by Kate Hewitt is yet another book that touched my heart in so many ways. So many times, I wanted to reach into the book and give Rachel and sweet Emily a big hug.
Kate would like to dedicate this book to Mindy. She knows you have not been in touch for a long time, but she thinks of you often.
Right from the beginning of the book Kate hooked me on the book. Rachel discusses how she found out she became pregnant with Emily. This part of the story made me smile from ear to ear. In the story you will find Rachel writing letters to her daughter whom she refers to as her little bean. It is so cute. The letters that she writes her puts a personal touch on the story. It shows the love and the bond between the mother and the daughter.
However, then my heart broke into a million little pieces. I can relate to Emily as she and I both suffer from debilitating migraines. I suffer from them 10-20 times a month. However, a girl at the age of 5 having them with other neurological disorders my heart went out to her. What is even sadder is the doctors at the best hospital couldn’t find a treatment for her.
Kate did an incredible job pulling out the raw emotions in the characters. Also, how it affected everyone else in the family good and badly.
June 24, 2020
I’m giving this book only a 3-star rating because although I found the story interesting, the characters just okay and the plot well developed - it just moved way too slow for me. All in all, heartbreaking and eventually uplifting.
February 19, 2020
This book had me hooked from start to finish. I love books that do that and this one did not disappoint. Emily is a young girl who experiences seizures to the point that they put her in a vegetative state. Her mother Rachel does what any mother would do and is by her side every day, hoping that something will change. Rachel will go to the ends of the earth for her children and feels that James, Emily's father, should do the same, but he does not. It takes an unlikely friendship between Rachel and Eva, James' new wife, to show James what kind of father Emily needs.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.
June 1, 2020
Holy heckballs that was emotionally draining! A mother with a child who unexplainably and slowly falls into a persistive vegetative state. She doesn't have answers, but she has hope. An ex-husband who seems to have checked out of the relationship with the wife and his daughter...but that's not really fair to say either. He is just farther along in the process of acceptance and letting go. The ex-husband's new wife, who has a tenuous relationship with him due to the fact that he won't include her in anything to do with his child. She can't ask questions, she can't offer an opinion, and he won't let her offer any support. Then comes an experimental treatment that the mother is all for, but the father sees no point - and they have joint decision making for her medical care. And therein lies the story of all three of them. It was heartaching, for there can be no winners in this.
February 20, 2020
This is such a lovely book. It is full of emotion which at times can leave the reader feeling completely devastated whilst ensuring you keep reading and reading. I read it in a couple of sittings as I felt so gripped I couldn't put it down and walk away. I am not a parent and I felt very strongly throughout, can only imagine how much deeper those feelings will be for someone who is a parent.
Kate Hewitt writes beautifully and takes the reader on an emotional heart-wrenching, mind-blowing journey. Have a box of tissues nearby, they are needed as much as the mug of tea and biscuits!
Kate Hewitt writes beautifully and takes the reader on an emotional heart-wrenching, mind-blowing journey. Have a box of tissues nearby, they are needed as much as the mug of tea and biscuits!
February 24, 2024
Sad story.
February 18, 2020
Rachel’s daughter, Emily, is in an unresponsive state and has been for several years. Emily’s doctors have exhausted all efforts to try to diagnose what caused her condition. Rachel is not willing to give up on her daughter and wants to try an experimental treatment. Rachel’s ex- husband, James, is against the treatment. Rachel must decide what is best for Emily and how to give it to her.
This is a heart tugging story. As a mom, I felt for Rachel while at the same time not knowing what I would do in her shoes. The story skillfully shows Rachel’s side is the story but does not directly tell James’s side. It is indirectly told via Rachel and James’s new wife, who is a big part of the story also. I rated this book 4 stars because I would have liked to hear from James directly.
This is a heart tugging story. As a mom, I felt for Rachel while at the same time not knowing what I would do in her shoes. The story skillfully shows Rachel’s side is the story but does not directly tell James’s side. It is indirectly told via Rachel and James’s new wife, who is a big part of the story also. I rated this book 4 stars because I would have liked to hear from James directly.
February 4, 2022
Heart wrenching, reading from the antagonists view point left me with raw emotion.
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