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The Forgotten Gift
What would you do to protect the ones you love?
1861. George’s life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She’s beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a wealthy family has never offered him. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning days after rejecting George, he finds himself swept up into a murder investigation. George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?
Now. On the surface, Cassie is happy with her life: a secure job, good friends, and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long-forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family’s history she’s desperate to learn more. But the secrets in Cassie’s family aren’t all hidden in the past, and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home – and which will turn everything she knows on its head…
Discover a family’s darkest secrets today
1861. George’s life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She’s beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a wealthy family has never offered him. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning days after rejecting George, he finds himself swept up into a murder investigation. George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?
Now. On the surface, Cassie is happy with her life: a secure job, good friends, and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long-forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family’s history she’s desperate to learn more. But the secrets in Cassie’s family aren’t all hidden in the past, and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home – and which will turn everything she knows on its head…
Discover a family’s darkest secrets today
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2020
669 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen McGurl
26 books482 followersKathleen McGurl lives in Bournemouth with her husband and cat. She has two grown-up sons who have now left home. She always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines and written three books for writers. These days she is concentrating on longer fiction and has published several dual timeline novels with CarinaUK and HQ. She works full time in the IT industry and when she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 4, 2023
I really should begin with the fact that I went into this book blind. I saw the stunning cover, the title and the author and I wanted to read it!! I've read quite a few of Kathleen McGurls' books and loved them all, so I figured this one had to be good and I loved it!! I actually read it by accident. What I mean is that it was available on Libby anytime, so I figured that I would read it after I finished the stack of books that were on my table now. However, for some reason I had to put it on hold on my Libby app, which I did, then one day it popped up and I went to push " Deliver Later" and somehow pushed " Borrow"! Oops! I wasn't ready for it. Oh well, it was a good Oops because I finished it yesterday night and my stack of books will be read ASAP!
" Indeed I have come on a long journey since being the naive, gauche young man who began this journal. I have learned so much about human nature, about what it is to love and be loved, what it is that makes a person who they are and what a parent truly is." - George Britten
This is a duel timeline story which easily flows from the past 1861 to the present day. Sometimes with duel timelines, one timeline over shadows the other, but in this book, neither was over shadowed!
In 1861 we have a very disfunctional rich family, the Brittens! The parents are awful and have two well adjusted sons, Charles and George. George was doted on since birth while poor George was ignored by his parents and raised by Mrs. Peters, the head housekeeper. Sibling rivalry? Nope! Charles and George miraculously got along perfectly fine. George is 19 years old and a sweet, gentle, kind soul who could never harm anyone or anything. A new, pretty maid came to work at the house called Lucy and George fell in love with her. Sadly it wasn't to be. After a few weeks of being there, Lucy became violently ill, soon died and it was discovered that she was poisoned! George admitted to the crime and was imprisoned! What? George? This is where I started playing the game CLUE because there were many suspects and everytime I guessed who killed Lucy, I was wrong! I stayed with my original suspect and in the end, I was right!! George's story is told through his journal and it's really fun! Of course in any story, there's sadness, but he always saw the bright side!
Present day we have Cassie, a 37 year old lady who seems very happy and lives a secure life. She's very close to her parents and loves looking into her ancestors. As she's digging into her ancestors lives on her Dad's side, she finds that her great, great, great grandfather is George Britten. As she digs further, she discovers something about her own Dad that changes her world. If you are looking into your ancestry, be sure that you really want to, because you never know what you could find out!!
I really loved this book and had fun with it. It's a work of fiction that takes place in England. At some points in this book I was laughing out loud and other times I was wondering what else might be discovered. It's full of all kinds of twists and turns. It'll keep you guessing that the very end! If you want to read a good mystery, I recommend this one! It's worth it!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
" Indeed I have come on a long journey since being the naive, gauche young man who began this journal. I have learned so much about human nature, about what it is to love and be loved, what it is that makes a person who they are and what a parent truly is." - George Britten
This is a duel timeline story which easily flows from the past 1861 to the present day. Sometimes with duel timelines, one timeline over shadows the other, but in this book, neither was over shadowed!
In 1861 we have a very disfunctional rich family, the Brittens! The parents are awful and have two well adjusted sons, Charles and George. George was doted on since birth while poor George was ignored by his parents and raised by Mrs. Peters, the head housekeeper. Sibling rivalry? Nope! Charles and George miraculously got along perfectly fine. George is 19 years old and a sweet, gentle, kind soul who could never harm anyone or anything. A new, pretty maid came to work at the house called Lucy and George fell in love with her. Sadly it wasn't to be. After a few weeks of being there, Lucy became violently ill, soon died and it was discovered that she was poisoned! George admitted to the crime and was imprisoned! What? George? This is where I started playing the game CLUE because there were many suspects and everytime I guessed who killed Lucy, I was wrong! I stayed with my original suspect and in the end, I was right!! George's story is told through his journal and it's really fun! Of course in any story, there's sadness, but he always saw the bright side!
Present day we have Cassie, a 37 year old lady who seems very happy and lives a secure life. She's very close to her parents and loves looking into her ancestors. As she's digging into her ancestors lives on her Dad's side, she finds that her great, great, great grandfather is George Britten. As she digs further, she discovers something about her own Dad that changes her world. If you are looking into your ancestry, be sure that you really want to, because you never know what you could find out!!
I really loved this book and had fun with it. It's a work of fiction that takes place in England. At some points in this book I was laughing out loud and other times I was wondering what else might be discovered. It's full of all kinds of twists and turns. It'll keep you guessing that the very end! If you want to read a good mystery, I recommend this one! It's worth it!
Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫✨
November 10, 2020
LOVELY STORY ABOUT THE MEANING OF FAMILY
This is my first McGurl novel, and I am so happy I picked it up. Apparently, McGurl is known as the queen of parallel timelines (personally, I think Gill Paul deserves a mention here as well) and this novel really showed that to the fullest. Family is the most important theme of this book and it's one I really approve of.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Dual timelines: Dual timelines (or parallel timelines) can go either way in my experience. For some stories it enhances the reading experience. For others it diminishes it. This is an example of the former. Both stories were really strong and had a clear connection to one another. It basically felt like reading two great books at once.
Cassie's story: While both stories, both Cassie and George's stories, were really strong, I want to highlight Cassie's story. Because at first I wasn't really that into it. I didn't really feel it. But the fact that it picked up and became just as engaging and moving as George's story was a real plus for me.
Theme: To me, family is the most important thing. And I adore books that explore the concept of family - the family we're born into and the family we make for ourselves. Several times the concept of nature versus nurture was brought up and examined, which was a really good point and which fitted in so nicely with the story.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Similarities: While the dual stories were both really strong, I did find it a bit unrealistic that the two stories were so similar. George and Cassie share a lot of the same experiences, and while one would have been fine and plausible, the number of similarities here were too many in my opinion.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Blog Post: 15 Books to Read if You Love Jane Austen
This is my first McGurl novel, and I am so happy I picked it up. Apparently, McGurl is known as the queen of parallel timelines (personally, I think Gill Paul deserves a mention here as well) and this novel really showed that to the fullest. Family is the most important theme of this book and it's one I really approve of.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Dual timelines: Dual timelines (or parallel timelines) can go either way in my experience. For some stories it enhances the reading experience. For others it diminishes it. This is an example of the former. Both stories were really strong and had a clear connection to one another. It basically felt like reading two great books at once.
Cassie's story: While both stories, both Cassie and George's stories, were really strong, I want to highlight Cassie's story. Because at first I wasn't really that into it. I didn't really feel it. But the fact that it picked up and became just as engaging and moving as George's story was a real plus for me.
Theme: To me, family is the most important thing. And I adore books that explore the concept of family - the family we're born into and the family we make for ourselves. Several times the concept of nature versus nurture was brought up and examined, which was a really good point and which fitted in so nicely with the story.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Similarities: While the dual stories were both really strong, I did find it a bit unrealistic that the two stories were so similar. George and Cassie share a lot of the same experiences, and while one would have been fine and plausible, the number of similarities here were too many in my opinion.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Follow me for more book loving content!
Blog ✨ Facebook ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter
Blog Post: 15 Books to Read if You Love Jane Austen
November 19, 2020
This was a nice, pleasant story but sadly, nothing more. I was anticipating something to “kick start” and fire up the narrative, but this was absent throughout the story. Therefore, if you are after a gentle, unobtrusive read, this will suit you perfectly. For me, it was just a little too bland that needed spicing up considerably.
The theme of this dual-narrative is finding your family connections. Switching between the nineteenth century and present day, both George and Cassie’s circumstances change when they realise the life they knew is not the truth. Cassie’s story progresses far quicker than George’s; consequently, I felt more invested in her narrative and believe George to lack some gumption. Admiring Cassie’s choices and the difficult decisions she has had to make, I thought the writer’s portrayal of motherhood and family ties in today’s society was really rather touching. On the other hand, I though George was quite a sap and needed to show more backbone. Despite being imprisoned, I still thought he was a quite a weak character that I could not care for.
I was not too impressed with the cover of this book. Too many books feature characters facing the wrong way! Whilst I can understand what the cover is referencing, I don’t think this reflects the main plot enough. This is disappointing and I think adds to why I believe this is just a mediocre read.
Despite this, I love the significance of the title. At first, I thought the title was reference to a beautiful mirror that George purchases before his life changes. However, the ‘forgotten gift’ is also a clear nod to the theme of family and relationships. Embracing one’s family, even if it is complicated, is just as important as knowing where your heritage. I really appreciate the symbolism of it and wished that the novel’s cover had picked up on this too.
Whilst this may seem like a negative review, I did enjoy this read. Although no surprises and mysteries, I like the family values that McGurl emphasises. Both characters grow through their own stories and I appreciated seeing this change. It was also refreshing to have a story with the central characters being both male and female; I liked the different perspectives but also similarities that emerged between the two.
My first experience of McGurl’s writing and I am not disappointed, but surprised. It is a gentle, historical read that focuses more on characterisation than action. Definitely providing some escapism, this slow, thoughtful narrative explores the importance of knowing your family.
With thanks to HQ stories, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The theme of this dual-narrative is finding your family connections. Switching between the nineteenth century and present day, both George and Cassie’s circumstances change when they realise the life they knew is not the truth. Cassie’s story progresses far quicker than George’s; consequently, I felt more invested in her narrative and believe George to lack some gumption. Admiring Cassie’s choices and the difficult decisions she has had to make, I thought the writer’s portrayal of motherhood and family ties in today’s society was really rather touching. On the other hand, I though George was quite a sap and needed to show more backbone. Despite being imprisoned, I still thought he was a quite a weak character that I could not care for.
I was not too impressed with the cover of this book. Too many books feature characters facing the wrong way! Whilst I can understand what the cover is referencing, I don’t think this reflects the main plot enough. This is disappointing and I think adds to why I believe this is just a mediocre read.
Despite this, I love the significance of the title. At first, I thought the title was reference to a beautiful mirror that George purchases before his life changes. However, the ‘forgotten gift’ is also a clear nod to the theme of family and relationships. Embracing one’s family, even if it is complicated, is just as important as knowing where your heritage. I really appreciate the symbolism of it and wished that the novel’s cover had picked up on this too.
Whilst this may seem like a negative review, I did enjoy this read. Although no surprises and mysteries, I like the family values that McGurl emphasises. Both characters grow through their own stories and I appreciated seeing this change. It was also refreshing to have a story with the central characters being both male and female; I liked the different perspectives but also similarities that emerged between the two.
My first experience of McGurl’s writing and I am not disappointed, but surprised. It is a gentle, historical read that focuses more on characterisation than action. Definitely providing some escapism, this slow, thoughtful narrative explores the importance of knowing your family.
With thanks to HQ stories, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2020
I’ve read a few Kathleen’s books before and I usually enjoy them immensely but, this was started off well but, halfway through it lost pace and I found my attention wandering and I just didn’t enjoy it. All I wanted to do was finish it and read something better. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
November 13, 2020
Rating 4.5/5*
I’m convinced that Kathleen McGurl is the Queen of dual timeline family dramas – and reading this fantastic book only reinforced that. Cassie is researching into her family history and has found some mysterious aspects that she’d never expected. However, as she finds out more about the past she’s also having to face revelations about her own family, some of which could have life changing consequences on their relationships . . . .
This story is told from the contemporary point of view of Cassie and the historical journal of George. They both have discoveries to make, surprises to uncover, relationships that change and decisions to make. The two threads from the different timelines are cleverly linked and woven together into an enthralling read that kept me turning the pages to discover what happened next. I found it an intriguing and fascinating read and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries, family dramas, romances or any combination of these genres!
Thank you for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
I’m convinced that Kathleen McGurl is the Queen of dual timeline family dramas – and reading this fantastic book only reinforced that. Cassie is researching into her family history and has found some mysterious aspects that she’d never expected. However, as she finds out more about the past she’s also having to face revelations about her own family, some of which could have life changing consequences on their relationships . . . .
This story is told from the contemporary point of view of Cassie and the historical journal of George. They both have discoveries to make, surprises to uncover, relationships that change and decisions to make. The two threads from the different timelines are cleverly linked and woven together into an enthralling read that kept me turning the pages to discover what happened next. I found it an intriguing and fascinating read and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries, family dramas, romances or any combination of these genres!
Thank you for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.
November 12, 2020
1861: George's life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She's beautiful and charming and he sees a future with her. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning the day after she rejected George, he finds himself caught up in a murder investigation. But George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?
Now: Cassie is happy with her life. She has a secure job, good friends and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family history, she's desperate to find out the more. But the secrets are not all buried in the past and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home.
What a beautifully written story this is. The plotline is intriguing with a fast pace. Secrets are revealed and there's a few surprises along the way. We get two stories and two points of view that are seamlessly woven together. The characters are well rounded and believable.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #KathleenMcGurl for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now: Cassie is happy with her life. She has a secure job, good friends and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family history, she's desperate to find out the more. But the secrets are not all buried in the past and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home.
What a beautifully written story this is. The plotline is intriguing with a fast pace. Secrets are revealed and there's a few surprises along the way. We get two stories and two points of view that are seamlessly woven together. The characters are well rounded and believable.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HQ and the author #KathleenMcGurl for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2020
Psssttt! Wanna know a secret? Then you’ll need to pick up The Forgotten Gift and let Kathleen McGurl tell you about two families and the deepest darkest secrets they want hidden.
The queen of dual timelines has done it again; penned another intriguing historical fiction set in England. The novel opens with an extract from the last will and testament of George Thomas Bitten written in 1874. He bequeaths 100 pounds to the chaplain of Millbank Prison and a hand mirror with a silver frame inlaid with sapphires and pearls to Emily, Chaplain Nathaniel’s wife, in recognition of their friendship and support during George’s time of greatest need. Readers are immediately hooked: How does George know the chaplain of a prison? What did George experience that he felt the need to leave such a luxurious gift?
Next, we meet Cassie in present-day England. She’s a happy, genealogy obsessed 37 year old with a loving family, great friends and a “means to an end” job. Once she digs around and discovers her great-great-great-grandfather’s will online, she uncovers more than she bargains for and she’s not the only one hiding a secret!
Readers then journey back to 1861 to the Bitten mansion and learn about Lucy, George’s recent infatuation. Sweet Lucy befriends this lonely English fellow and offers George everything he doesn’t get from his wealthy family; love and attention. Unfortunately, she’s poisoned just as their relationship gets serious and readers are swept up in a fury of allegations and a murder investigation.
McGurl has successfully taken strands from George and Cassie’s lives and expertly woven them together in a devastating yet heartwarming account. In addition to her seamless and engaging storyline, the author has crafted believable characters who are courageous and kind. Readers will rapidly identify with them and experience the gamut of emotions as they deal with devastating and heartwarming life events. I feel like I’ve just enjoyed two amazing stories instead of one. You’ll need to read this beautiful and bittersweet tale to discover, not only how the mirror connects these two families, but also how in burying secrets, sorrow and heartache intertwine each. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that this book is to be published on November 11th – Remembrance Day – with a title like “The Forgotten Gift.”
The queen of dual timelines has done it again; penned another intriguing historical fiction set in England. The novel opens with an extract from the last will and testament of George Thomas Bitten written in 1874. He bequeaths 100 pounds to the chaplain of Millbank Prison and a hand mirror with a silver frame inlaid with sapphires and pearls to Emily, Chaplain Nathaniel’s wife, in recognition of their friendship and support during George’s time of greatest need. Readers are immediately hooked: How does George know the chaplain of a prison? What did George experience that he felt the need to leave such a luxurious gift?
Next, we meet Cassie in present-day England. She’s a happy, genealogy obsessed 37 year old with a loving family, great friends and a “means to an end” job. Once she digs around and discovers her great-great-great-grandfather’s will online, she uncovers more than she bargains for and she’s not the only one hiding a secret!
Readers then journey back to 1861 to the Bitten mansion and learn about Lucy, George’s recent infatuation. Sweet Lucy befriends this lonely English fellow and offers George everything he doesn’t get from his wealthy family; love and attention. Unfortunately, she’s poisoned just as their relationship gets serious and readers are swept up in a fury of allegations and a murder investigation.
McGurl has successfully taken strands from George and Cassie’s lives and expertly woven them together in a devastating yet heartwarming account. In addition to her seamless and engaging storyline, the author has crafted believable characters who are courageous and kind. Readers will rapidly identify with them and experience the gamut of emotions as they deal with devastating and heartwarming life events. I feel like I’ve just enjoyed two amazing stories instead of one. You’ll need to read this beautiful and bittersweet tale to discover, not only how the mirror connects these two families, but also how in burying secrets, sorrow and heartache intertwine each. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that this book is to be published on November 11th – Remembrance Day – with a title like “The Forgotten Gift.”
October 20, 2020
The Forgotten Gift by Kathleen McGurl Publisher: HQ Harper Collins
Review as posted on my website: www.cindylspear.com/news
Kathleen McGurl has an amazing talent for writing dual time line fiction. These heart-stirring family mysteries explore genealogy themes that keep you turning the pages. The Forgotten Gift is one such treasure that flows back and forth between two separate stories (in alternating chapters) with such ease you never lose track. The strong connections, plus the skill and writing style of the author, propel the plot forward at an appropriate pace. At the core of the mystery are the wild and binding threads of family history: branches of a family tree that have become tangled with fascinating secrets that must be unknotted and rectified.
A powerful Prologue thrusts us immediately into the past (1874) with ancestor, George Thomas Britten. The mystery begins with an extract from George’s will. He has bequeathed a special gift of money to his friend, Nathaniel Spring, a prison chaplain. And to Nathaniel’s wife, a silver-framed hand held mirror decorated in pearls and sapphires. Like the solicitor, we begin to wonder why George would bestow money to this man and such a personal gift to his wife. We are immediately intrigued by this action but eventually learn for whom this mirror gift was originally intended and more about this friend who George claims has saved his life. We discover that George has been caught up in a murder investigation and eventually we gain an understanding of how this has happened.
As the story unfolds, the purpose of the mirror (its meaning for its owner and the anguish it eventually causes) is played out brilliantly on this canvas of words. Secrets are revealed, plots untwisted and many surprises arise. George tells his own story through the use of journal writing and, since it is in first person, we get his direct emotional experiences.
Although George’s intriguing story is enough to keep us interested, another main character shares the limelight. As in any dual timeline novel, we fast forward to a present-day thread. In this case, starting in Chapter One, we meet a future family member named Cassie Turner who has been exploring her father’s family tree (that includes George Britten). Her own story of family discoveries and exposed secrets take us on an emotional ride. This thread, though told in third person, is equally as strong as George’s as it is wonderfully and carefully shared over the course of the novel.
Throughout the telling of the two stories and two point of views, we see how the past affects and shapes the lives of future generations. And this is the heart and soul of ancestry exploration. You never know what you will find in the past when you start digging.
A powerful theme based on the ‘nature versus nurture theory’ runs through this novel and is explored in a unique way. The age-old debate of ‘is it genes or environment that makes us who we are’ is clearly executed. We are shown from various angles how these ideas play out through inner and outer dialogue and through the experiences of the characters. The genius of this novel is in how it inspires a tremendous amount of thought on the topic.
The Forgotten Gift also delves into the meaning of family. What makes a set of parents? Are blood relatives more important in the development of a person over adopted ones? Is the old proverb 'blood is thicker than water' where family ties are stronger than other social ties, true? As Cassie and George both learn, meanings are never that straightforward and life is often complicated. Things are not always as they seem and people are not always who they appear to be. Trust is a fragile gift. Close connections are not always as a result of being blood related. Birthing a child does not always mean you will make the best parent. Every situation and relationship must be measured for its uniqueness. There’s no one size fits all - in what or who makes the best family. We get to see this in Cassie’s life and George’s. What works best for one is not necessarily ideal for another. Each circumstance needs to be treated respectfully and carefully; weighing the pros and cons. The Nature versus nurture argument is not so cut and dry.
This novel may be fiction but I appreciate how the characters reveal their concerns and deal with the dilemmas that adopted children must face. The internal conflict often felt over devotion to adopted parents versus birth parents is very real. The rights of the child and both sets of parents are explored masterfully. We see clearly that people aren’t always who they say they are and why. We learn about sacrifices and how exposing secrets can both hurt and heal.
This novel delivers sound character development. Restoration for Cassie is vital and occurs as she learns the real meaning of family. For George, too, the secrets in his family that once turned his world upside down, eventually liberate him and help him to rectify some wrongs. His loyalty, once misplaced, finds its real home. He learns that approval cannot be earned. Some things will not change; best to move on and be with those who accept you for who you are. George may have been a victim initially but eventually he learns how to become a victor.
As Kathleen unfolds the two stories side by side, the threads that were once relaxed enough to allow the telling of each, begin to intertwine and tighten towards the end of the climax. As this tension increases and our hearts race to the finish, by the end all threads are completely woven together to become one: and the characters’ similarities and differences are revealed. The nature versus nurture is explored with great skill and the resolution renders some surprising revelations. This book is a page turner: passionate, insightful and riveting. I easily give it five stars and highly recommend it.
Many thanks to author Kathleen McGurl and her publisher Harper Collins for an ARC for review purposes.
Review as posted on my website: www.cindylspear.com/news
Kathleen McGurl has an amazing talent for writing dual time line fiction. These heart-stirring family mysteries explore genealogy themes that keep you turning the pages. The Forgotten Gift is one such treasure that flows back and forth between two separate stories (in alternating chapters) with such ease you never lose track. The strong connections, plus the skill and writing style of the author, propel the plot forward at an appropriate pace. At the core of the mystery are the wild and binding threads of family history: branches of a family tree that have become tangled with fascinating secrets that must be unknotted and rectified.
A powerful Prologue thrusts us immediately into the past (1874) with ancestor, George Thomas Britten. The mystery begins with an extract from George’s will. He has bequeathed a special gift of money to his friend, Nathaniel Spring, a prison chaplain. And to Nathaniel’s wife, a silver-framed hand held mirror decorated in pearls and sapphires. Like the solicitor, we begin to wonder why George would bestow money to this man and such a personal gift to his wife. We are immediately intrigued by this action but eventually learn for whom this mirror gift was originally intended and more about this friend who George claims has saved his life. We discover that George has been caught up in a murder investigation and eventually we gain an understanding of how this has happened.
As the story unfolds, the purpose of the mirror (its meaning for its owner and the anguish it eventually causes) is played out brilliantly on this canvas of words. Secrets are revealed, plots untwisted and many surprises arise. George tells his own story through the use of journal writing and, since it is in first person, we get his direct emotional experiences.
Although George’s intriguing story is enough to keep us interested, another main character shares the limelight. As in any dual timeline novel, we fast forward to a present-day thread. In this case, starting in Chapter One, we meet a future family member named Cassie Turner who has been exploring her father’s family tree (that includes George Britten). Her own story of family discoveries and exposed secrets take us on an emotional ride. This thread, though told in third person, is equally as strong as George’s as it is wonderfully and carefully shared over the course of the novel.
Throughout the telling of the two stories and two point of views, we see how the past affects and shapes the lives of future generations. And this is the heart and soul of ancestry exploration. You never know what you will find in the past when you start digging.
A powerful theme based on the ‘nature versus nurture theory’ runs through this novel and is explored in a unique way. The age-old debate of ‘is it genes or environment that makes us who we are’ is clearly executed. We are shown from various angles how these ideas play out through inner and outer dialogue and through the experiences of the characters. The genius of this novel is in how it inspires a tremendous amount of thought on the topic.
The Forgotten Gift also delves into the meaning of family. What makes a set of parents? Are blood relatives more important in the development of a person over adopted ones? Is the old proverb 'blood is thicker than water' where family ties are stronger than other social ties, true? As Cassie and George both learn, meanings are never that straightforward and life is often complicated. Things are not always as they seem and people are not always who they appear to be. Trust is a fragile gift. Close connections are not always as a result of being blood related. Birthing a child does not always mean you will make the best parent. Every situation and relationship must be measured for its uniqueness. There’s no one size fits all - in what or who makes the best family. We get to see this in Cassie’s life and George’s. What works best for one is not necessarily ideal for another. Each circumstance needs to be treated respectfully and carefully; weighing the pros and cons. The Nature versus nurture argument is not so cut and dry.
This novel may be fiction but I appreciate how the characters reveal their concerns and deal with the dilemmas that adopted children must face. The internal conflict often felt over devotion to adopted parents versus birth parents is very real. The rights of the child and both sets of parents are explored masterfully. We see clearly that people aren’t always who they say they are and why. We learn about sacrifices and how exposing secrets can both hurt and heal.
This novel delivers sound character development. Restoration for Cassie is vital and occurs as she learns the real meaning of family. For George, too, the secrets in his family that once turned his world upside down, eventually liberate him and help him to rectify some wrongs. His loyalty, once misplaced, finds its real home. He learns that approval cannot be earned. Some things will not change; best to move on and be with those who accept you for who you are. George may have been a victim initially but eventually he learns how to become a victor.
As Kathleen unfolds the two stories side by side, the threads that were once relaxed enough to allow the telling of each, begin to intertwine and tighten towards the end of the climax. As this tension increases and our hearts race to the finish, by the end all threads are completely woven together to become one: and the characters’ similarities and differences are revealed. The nature versus nurture is explored with great skill and the resolution renders some surprising revelations. This book is a page turner: passionate, insightful and riveting. I easily give it five stars and highly recommend it.
Many thanks to author Kathleen McGurl and her publisher Harper Collins for an ARC for review purposes.
November 29, 2020
A real page turner.
A magnificent dual timeline set in the mid to late 19th century and present day.
In 1861 young George begins a journal of his life, he also falls for the new maid, Lucy; however, their future is doomed.
Present day; Cassie is researching her father's family tree, and discovers a few hidden secrets from the past, and also a few surprises crop up in her current life.
The past and present are cleverly woven with lots of unexpected connections.
I loved this book, and found it hard to put down; highly recommended.
A magnificent dual timeline set in the mid to late 19th century and present day.
In 1861 young George begins a journal of his life, he also falls for the new maid, Lucy; however, their future is doomed.
Present day; Cassie is researching her father's family tree, and discovers a few hidden secrets from the past, and also a few surprises crop up in her current life.
The past and present are cleverly woven with lots of unexpected connections.
I loved this book, and found it hard to put down; highly recommended.
November 21, 2020
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Secrets, scandals, and surprising reveals make “The Forgotten Gift” a superb book to read! The author narrates the story with two parallel arcs of different timelines. While they may initially feel disconnected, the author does an excellent job of connecting everything.
Moreover, I loved the characters. Cassie is lovely in the role as she tries to figure out her family tree and learns a few surprises along the way that changes her life. I enjoyed the relationship she shares with her mother, Tony, and Andy. My favorite character, however, was George. I loved the way the author wrote Geroge and thought he was the highlight of the story. He is naive, charming, selfless, and just a wonderful person. He does his best to help everyone, even if he doesn’t know them well, like Pinkton. It was fascinating reading all the things he endured. There are quite a lot of surprises, and shocking reveals that changes his life. Even the supporting characters like Nathaniel Spring and Lucy add nicely to the story.
Also, I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. She wrote the story in a simple yet elegant manner that is easy and quick to read. I liked the way she sets the similarities between the challenges George and Cassie face. I would love to read some of the author’s previous works, as she is has a beautiful talent for writing dual storylines.
Overall, “The Forgotten Gift” is a lovely contemporary tale that the reader can connect with, and one that I will not forget anytime soon. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 18, 2020
I have read a couple of Kathleen’s books now and I have thoroughly enjoyed them. I read the synopsis for ‘The Forgotten Gift’ and it certainly appealed to me on so many different levels. I couldn’t wait to start reading and so without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what I hoped was going to be a cracking read. I was spot on too because this really was a cracking read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to put this book down for long. As the story continued, I had more questions that needed answering and I had to keep reading to see if my questions were going to be answered and whether or not I was on the right track. I loved the fact that Cassie was researching her family tree and that she uncovers a big family secret that had been kept hidden for years. I am also researching my family tree and it really is fascinating. I have come across many family skeletons as the saying goes. I loved the historical aspect to the story. In fact I cannot think of one single thing that I didn’t like about this book.
‘The Forgotten Gift’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of Kathleen’s books in general. The story is written using two different timelines- there are chapters focussing on the past and on George’s story and there are chapters focussing on the present and on Cassie’s story and her discovery of what happened in the past. I did wonder if this might prove to be a bit confusing but I needn’t have worried because the chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly. The chapters focussing on the past are written using more formal and historical language and the chapters focussing on the future are written using more modern language. I genuinely felt as though I was part of the story myself and that’s down to Kathleen’s realistic and very vivid storytelling. I was gripped by the story from start to finish.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Forgotten Gift’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of this author’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first couple of chapters, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to put this book down for long. As the story continued, I had more questions that needed answering and I had to keep reading to see if my questions were going to be answered and whether or not I was on the right track. I loved the fact that Cassie was researching her family tree and that she uncovers a big family secret that had been kept hidden for years. I am also researching my family tree and it really is fascinating. I have come across many family skeletons as the saying goes. I loved the historical aspect to the story. In fact I cannot think of one single thing that I didn’t like about this book.
‘The Forgotten Gift’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of Kathleen’s books in general. The story is written using two different timelines- there are chapters focussing on the past and on George’s story and there are chapters focussing on the present and on Cassie’s story and her discovery of what happened in the past. I did wonder if this might prove to be a bit confusing but I needn’t have worried because the chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly. The chapters focussing on the past are written using more formal and historical language and the chapters focussing on the future are written using more modern language. I genuinely felt as though I was part of the story myself and that’s down to Kathleen’s realistic and very vivid storytelling. I was gripped by the story from start to finish.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Forgotten Gift’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of this author’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
December 6, 2020
Set in two different time lines each story was a distinctive one.
1861 and we have George, young, innocent and somehow a misfit in his family. Parents are very indifferent to him and it is only his elder brother who keeps him moored to a family spirit. Parents act very strangely but then their inexplicable behaviour is sort of rationalised much later.
George falls in love with a domestic in their house. In a bizarre set of circumstances, Lucy dies of poison and George confesses to the murder, believing he is protecting his mother.
He ends up in prison but is released on the working of his brother who does not for a moment believe that George is responsible for the death. Neither brother speaks of what is uppermost in their minds and George gets on with his life.
Fast forward to present times and Cassie faces a conundrum. Contacted by the child she gave up as a day old infant she is delighted that it is not difficult to bond and get to know the lovely young lady her daughter has turned out to be.
Not such a good surprise is to know that the father she always knew is really not her father, and that her actual father is a shady character in a prison.
Tracing your ancestors may be a good idea for some but for others it can turn out to have unpleasant surprises and for Cassie the story of George was a major one. Underlying both time lines the importance of family and the family support so important to one is seen in both stories. The lack of in one story, and the overwhelming support in another.
It was an excellent read set in the two time frames both very well done.
1861 and we have George, young, innocent and somehow a misfit in his family. Parents are very indifferent to him and it is only his elder brother who keeps him moored to a family spirit. Parents act very strangely but then their inexplicable behaviour is sort of rationalised much later.
George falls in love with a domestic in their house. In a bizarre set of circumstances, Lucy dies of poison and George confesses to the murder, believing he is protecting his mother.
He ends up in prison but is released on the working of his brother who does not for a moment believe that George is responsible for the death. Neither brother speaks of what is uppermost in their minds and George gets on with his life.
Fast forward to present times and Cassie faces a conundrum. Contacted by the child she gave up as a day old infant she is delighted that it is not difficult to bond and get to know the lovely young lady her daughter has turned out to be.
Not such a good surprise is to know that the father she always knew is really not her father, and that her actual father is a shady character in a prison.
Tracing your ancestors may be a good idea for some but for others it can turn out to have unpleasant surprises and for Cassie the story of George was a major one. Underlying both time lines the importance of family and the family support so important to one is seen in both stories. The lack of in one story, and the overwhelming support in another.
It was an excellent read set in the two time frames both very well done.
January 12, 2021
I always look forward to the depth of story in Kathleen McGurl's novels. The Forgotten Gift is no exception. This layered tale of present-day Cassie and 19th century George takes us through family secrets, scandals, redemption, and ultimately love. This character-driven story is gentle in its reveal, it's not a twisting turning journey but more of a rolling valley voyage. We start with George's last Will and Testament and we wind back to what brought him to his bequeath decisions. We start with Cassie in her satisfactory job at a sports centre, a healthy loving relationship with her parents, and we wind back to nineteen-year-old Cassie when she made a decision that would stay with her forever. She receives a letter and now she has to face that decision.
An engaging true-to-life emotional story.
An engaging true-to-life emotional story.
December 30, 2020
This is my first ever read by the Queen of dual timelines, and I LOVED it. If you are like me, you'll sometimes find dual timeline novels confusing, but McGurl manages to write in a way where the two stories stay separate, but are linked by the themes they present.
Our narrators are contemporary Cassie and George, via his journal from 1861. They both have enthralling stories, with discoveries to make and relationships that entwine. McGurl cleverly links and weaves together the two time lines, which at times had me rapidly turning the pages to see if what I thought would happen did.
"If you don't use it, it doesn't fulfil its purpose and then it's not a notebook, but just an object. To me, it's more beautiful for having my notes written in it."
The thing I found most endearing about this book is it's central theme of family. It's at the heart of it. Not only the family we are given at birth, but also the family we choose.
I promise you, you will not be disappointed if you pick up this new release.
Our narrators are contemporary Cassie and George, via his journal from 1861. They both have enthralling stories, with discoveries to make and relationships that entwine. McGurl cleverly links and weaves together the two time lines, which at times had me rapidly turning the pages to see if what I thought would happen did.
"If you don't use it, it doesn't fulfil its purpose and then it's not a notebook, but just an object. To me, it's more beautiful for having my notes written in it."
The thing I found most endearing about this book is it's central theme of family. It's at the heart of it. Not only the family we are given at birth, but also the family we choose.
I promise you, you will not be disappointed if you pick up this new release.
December 23, 2020
Review:
Kathleen McGurl is one of my go to authors when I want to read a duel-timeline. The Forgotten Gift is fantastically written. I love the way this author is able to tell two stories, years apart, and have them merge in the end!
The characters are excellent. I love a character driven novel and that is what we get here. Beautifully written so that it feels like I’m reading a true story.
I loved the mystery. I love the historical accuracy. Honestly, everything about this book is just awesome. This isn’t going to be a long review because I think you should just pick it up and read it!
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased. *
Kathleen McGurl is one of my go to authors when I want to read a duel-timeline. The Forgotten Gift is fantastically written. I love the way this author is able to tell two stories, years apart, and have them merge in the end!
The characters are excellent. I love a character driven novel and that is what we get here. Beautifully written so that it feels like I’m reading a true story.
I loved the mystery. I love the historical accuracy. Honestly, everything about this book is just awesome. This isn’t going to be a long review because I think you should just pick it up and read it!
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased. *
November 18, 2020
This is another wonderful time slip novel from Kath McGurl that kept me turning the pages and reading till the early hours of the morning. It’s an emotional and gripping read, dealing with parent/child relationships of all kinds. These things are not always straightforward and as this story shows, relationships come from the heart and not just by blood. Especially felt for the hero in the historical part of the book – honest, courageous and so deserving of a happy ending. I loved it and couldn’t put it down!
November 14, 2020
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon! Whenever I read one of the author’s books, it reminds me just how much I always enjoy a well told dual-time story – and she does it so very well. In the 1860s we meet George, a second son who’s shown very little interest or affection by his cold and remote parents, capturing his life in his journal – and then developing a passion for scheming housemaid Lucy with devastating consequences. And in the present day, we meet Cassie – such a likeable and sympathetic character – rather going through the motions, content spending her days working at the local leisure centre, calling in at the pub with her workmates on the way home, where she’s developed an interest in genealogy and is researching her father’s family tree.
On the surface, it’s that research that ties the stories together – George is one of those ancestors, and the census results throw up all sorts of questions about his chequered history and some of the mysterious bequests in the will she then uncovers. But the stories are linked by a lot more than that – Cassie has a few surprises on the way, and the threads mirror each other so cleverly with questions about parenthood and family (especially fathers), love and loyalty, that I thoroughly enjoyed. There’s even some nice echoing of the themes of friendship and support too – Andy, the leisure centre manager, comes through for Cassie (with a little nicely developed attraction in the mix), and George finally finds a support network that rather saves him too.
The 1860s story is really excellent – the period detail and the manners and morals of the time really well represented. While the parents are pretty horrendous characters, and you really feel for George as he tells his story through the pages of his journal in a clear and consistent voice. His only real sin is his naivety and need for approval (love might just be too much to ask for…) – but there are the good characters too, not just ciphers but really well drawn, and I was entirely gripped by the story that unfolded.
But I really enjoyed all the twists and turns of Cassie’s story too – and the mark of a writer who writes this story so very well is that no one thread predominates or is more enjoyable than the other, both stories are equally emotionally engaging, and there’s absolutely none of that wrenching you can sometimes feel when the narrative moves from one story to the other.
Superb storytelling, excellent characters, two threads beautifully entwined – and a conclusion that really was everything I wanted it to be. Recommended to anyone who might enjoy the same books that I do – I thoroughly enjoyed it.
On the surface, it’s that research that ties the stories together – George is one of those ancestors, and the census results throw up all sorts of questions about his chequered history and some of the mysterious bequests in the will she then uncovers. But the stories are linked by a lot more than that – Cassie has a few surprises on the way, and the threads mirror each other so cleverly with questions about parenthood and family (especially fathers), love and loyalty, that I thoroughly enjoyed. There’s even some nice echoing of the themes of friendship and support too – Andy, the leisure centre manager, comes through for Cassie (with a little nicely developed attraction in the mix), and George finally finds a support network that rather saves him too.
The 1860s story is really excellent – the period detail and the manners and morals of the time really well represented. While the parents are pretty horrendous characters, and you really feel for George as he tells his story through the pages of his journal in a clear and consistent voice. His only real sin is his naivety and need for approval (love might just be too much to ask for…) – but there are the good characters too, not just ciphers but really well drawn, and I was entirely gripped by the story that unfolded.
But I really enjoyed all the twists and turns of Cassie’s story too – and the mark of a writer who writes this story so very well is that no one thread predominates or is more enjoyable than the other, both stories are equally emotionally engaging, and there’s absolutely none of that wrenching you can sometimes feel when the narrative moves from one story to the other.
Superb storytelling, excellent characters, two threads beautifully entwined – and a conclusion that really was everything I wanted it to be. Recommended to anyone who might enjoy the same books that I do – I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 3, 2020
I got The Forgotten Gift by Kathleen McGurl from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.
1861. George’s life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She’s beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a wealthy family has never offered him. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning days after rejecting George, he finds himself swept up into a murder investigation. George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?
Now. On the surface, Cassie is happy with her life: a secure job, good friends, and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long-forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family’s history she’s desperate to learn more. But the secrets in Cassie’s family aren’t all hidden in the past, and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home – and which will turn everything she knows on its head.
The Forgotten is a story based on two timelines, with the first set in the 21st century and the other set in the mid 19th century, and like most stories with two timelines, the latest one is looking for clues to what happened in the earlier one., then the earlier one says what actually happened/
In each time line there is told through the eyes of one person, the latest one is told through Cassiee, is a woman in her 30’s who is looking into her family genealogy as well as dealing with issues in the present.
The Older timeline is told through the eyes of George however this is told through his journal, which makes it very easy work out whose timeline you are in when reading the book.
For me the only weakness the story which is more of a personal preference was that people were ever good or bad, there were very little shades of grey to me this would have taken the book to another level.
Having said that, I loved the way that the story examined how there are many types of families out there and that they could have any number of secrets that people try to keep, however they have a habit of coming out.
Who should read The Forgotten Gift? The forgotten gift is a story about families and how they all have hidden secrets from other members of the family. To this end if you love books that show how secrets are kept but they do have a habit of coming out this book is for you.
As well as being about family secrets it is also a story of hope and how if we keep going then there will always be a solution to the problem, if either these appeal to you then you should read Kathleen McGurl’s latest book The Forgotten Gift.
1861. George’s life changes forever the day he meets Lucy. She’s beautiful and charming, and he sees a future with her that his position as the second son in a wealthy family has never offered him. But when Lucy dies in a suspected poisoning days after rejecting George, he finds himself swept up into a murder investigation. George loved Lucy; he would never have harmed her. So who did?
Now. On the surface, Cassie is happy with her life: a secure job, good friends, and a loving family. When a mysterious gift in a long-forgotten will leads her to a dark secret in her family’s history she’s desperate to learn more. But the secrets in Cassie’s family aren’t all hidden in the past, and her research will soon lead her to a revelation much closer to home – and which will turn everything she knows on its head.
The Forgotten is a story based on two timelines, with the first set in the 21st century and the other set in the mid 19th century, and like most stories with two timelines, the latest one is looking for clues to what happened in the earlier one., then the earlier one says what actually happened/
In each time line there is told through the eyes of one person, the latest one is told through Cassiee, is a woman in her 30’s who is looking into her family genealogy as well as dealing with issues in the present.
The Older timeline is told through the eyes of George however this is told through his journal, which makes it very easy work out whose timeline you are in when reading the book.
For me the only weakness the story which is more of a personal preference was that people were ever good or bad, there were very little shades of grey to me this would have taken the book to another level.
Having said that, I loved the way that the story examined how there are many types of families out there and that they could have any number of secrets that people try to keep, however they have a habit of coming out.
Who should read The Forgotten Gift? The forgotten gift is a story about families and how they all have hidden secrets from other members of the family. To this end if you love books that show how secrets are kept but they do have a habit of coming out this book is for you.
As well as being about family secrets it is also a story of hope and how if we keep going then there will always be a solution to the problem, if either these appeal to you then you should read Kathleen McGurl’s latest book The Forgotten Gift.
December 5, 2020
My Blog
The Forgotten Gift by Kathleen McGurl is an engrossing piece of historical fiction.
Right from the powerful prologue, the book piqued my interest as it did Cassie’s. Who is this woman to whom George has bequeathed such a handsome sum every year? How is he related to Nathaniel, chaplain of Millbank Prison?
This is the first time I am reading Kathleen McGurl. She is called the Queen of dual timelines. I have no doubt why. The dual timelines in the book are well-executed. Strands from both the timelines are taken and woven together seamlessly to craft an absorbing and smoothly flowing story.
The entire book is intriguing. It compelled me to keep on turning the pages. However, there are twists galore starting from 70% resulting in a surprising climax.
Further, all the characters felt real to me, but I liked George Britten the best. He was a sensible, loving, and kind boy, born to rich parents but unloved by both. Oh, the sacrifices he made which turned him into a man so soon.
Moreover, The Forgotten Gift deeply explores what makes a family – ties to the heart, or ties to blood?
The story may be unoriginal, but it is very well-written.
The Forgotten Gift turned out to be a particularly good read for me. It was not only a mystery well resolved but also an emotional and uplifting read. Most significantly, wicked people get their comeuppance here.
Recommended for lovers of historical fiction.
November 11, 2020
Kathleen McGurl is one of the premier Queen’s of the dual time-line novel genre. This is not the 1st book of hers that I have read and it will not be the last. I am always excited for a new book from her.
The book is told through two different time periods. 1860’s Victorian England and the present. The story starts with the last will and testament of George Britten. The will has a mystery of it’s own. Why would George a middle class Victorian gentleman know, let alone leave a 1oo pounds and a valuable mirror to a prison chaplain and his wife? Enter the modern day protagonist and George’s descendent Cassie. Cassie has a happy mundane life. Her hobby of Genealogy research makes her curious about George and his bequests. Thus begins a story of family secrets and the ties that bind.
The reason that I keep reading Kathleen McGurl’s books is for the mystery, the time periods and the family dynamics that she likes to write about. If you are a fan of dual time books and have never read Kathleen McGurl, giver her books a try. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Thanks to Netgalley, Kathleen McGurl and the publisher for a chance to review this book.
The book is told through two different time periods. 1860’s Victorian England and the present. The story starts with the last will and testament of George Britten. The will has a mystery of it’s own. Why would George a middle class Victorian gentleman know, let alone leave a 1oo pounds and a valuable mirror to a prison chaplain and his wife? Enter the modern day protagonist and George’s descendent Cassie. Cassie has a happy mundane life. Her hobby of Genealogy research makes her curious about George and his bequests. Thus begins a story of family secrets and the ties that bind.
The reason that I keep reading Kathleen McGurl’s books is for the mystery, the time periods and the family dynamics that she likes to write about. If you are a fan of dual time books and have never read Kathleen McGurl, giver her books a try. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Thanks to Netgalley, Kathleen McGurl and the publisher for a chance to review this book.
November 5, 2020
At first, I thought this book was going to be a romance novel that I might not like. What I got instead was a sweet tale with a duel timeline.
In the past, George Britten has a lot of issues with love, family, and falsehood. George has to learn to grow up quickly at 19 and begin pretty much on his own. His story is interesting because of the hows and whys he has to do things on his own.
In the future, we find a descendant of George's. Cassie has discovered George and starts to research his life. In the process, she discovers secrets about her past will have to be dealt with in the present.
In both timelines we see our main characters struggle with how to cope with things they cannot change, and watch them discover how they can overcome these obstacles.
What is The Forgotten Gift? I felt in reading this that it was a few things. There was one item that was a physical object, but I felt there were also matters of the heart that were forgotten and ended up being a gift. I thought the author was very creative in title choices.
I ended up giving this book 4 stars because I really enjoyed the storylines. I received a copy of The Forgotten Gift in exchange for my honest review.
In the past, George Britten has a lot of issues with love, family, and falsehood. George has to learn to grow up quickly at 19 and begin pretty much on his own. His story is interesting because of the hows and whys he has to do things on his own.
In the future, we find a descendant of George's. Cassie has discovered George and starts to research his life. In the process, she discovers secrets about her past will have to be dealt with in the present.
In both timelines we see our main characters struggle with how to cope with things they cannot change, and watch them discover how they can overcome these obstacles.
What is The Forgotten Gift? I felt in reading this that it was a few things. There was one item that was a physical object, but I felt there were also matters of the heart that were forgotten and ended up being a gift. I thought the author was very creative in title choices.
I ended up giving this book 4 stars because I really enjoyed the storylines. I received a copy of The Forgotten Gift in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2020
Kathleen Mcgurl has a talent for dual timelines. She avoids the danger of one story becoming more important than the other, as I found myself equally engaged in both George's and Cassie's stories. I love the idea of researching the past and wondering about the dark secrets that a forebear might have hidden. As always with a good story there are highs and lows, shocks and surprises, to keep the reader turning the page. Once again I was totally absorbed by this author's storytelling. Can thoroughly recommend.
November 11, 2020
This was a captivating read once I got into it. I enjoy dual timelines and this story involves Cassie in the present day and George in the mid to late 1800s. Both of stories that are similar in some ways as regards to family relationships. Although, in other ways very dissimilar! It’s difficult to say too much without giving away the storyline but I can say it became a real page turner. It does have a happy ending. I will look for more of this author’s books. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 18, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.
This author’s books never fail to be enjoyable. Her characters are always compelling to read about and the stories full of depth and interesting. In this book we follow Cassie in the present who is about to come face to face with the child she gave up for adoption as a baby; at the same time we are following George, an ancestor of Cassie’s, as we learn his story, one that Cassie has been trying to uncover as she traces her family’s genealogy. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and both stories were equally interesting. All in all another great book by this author.
This author’s books never fail to be enjoyable. Her characters are always compelling to read about and the stories full of depth and interesting. In this book we follow Cassie in the present who is about to come face to face with the child she gave up for adoption as a baby; at the same time we are following George, an ancestor of Cassie’s, as we learn his story, one that Cassie has been trying to uncover as she traces her family’s genealogy. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this book and both stories were equally interesting. All in all another great book by this author.
December 3, 2020
Thanks to Net galley and HQ Digital for an advanced copy of The Forgotten Gift in exchange for my honest review.
The premise of the story was great, the character development was done nicely, and it seamlessly and cohesively went back and forth between the two time periods and the two main characters George and Cassie. My only fault with the story was that it seemed a little unnecessarily wordy and predictable. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Kathleen McGurls work.
The premise of the story was great, the character development was done nicely, and it seamlessly and cohesively went back and forth between the two time periods and the two main characters George and Cassie. My only fault with the story was that it seemed a little unnecessarily wordy and predictable. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Kathleen McGurls work.
March 11, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
Easy to read, duel time-line historical fiction story. Loved the historical sections with George but found both he and Cassie a little naive. Would recommend for an easy, enjoyable, quick read.
Easy to read, duel time-line historical fiction story. Loved the historical sections with George but found both he and Cassie a little naive. Would recommend for an easy, enjoyable, quick read.
February 20, 2024
I just cannot get enough of this author. Yet another lovely story that will stick with me for a long time.
February 12, 2021
This is the first book by Kathleen McGurl that I have read and I really enjoyed it. It is a dual timeline book (my favorite kind of historical fiction) with one timeline being present day and involving Cassie, a 30-something woman who loves to research her genealogy. The second timeline story takes place in 1861 and involves George, an unloved second son of a wealthy family. The book is about family secrets and both timelines have more than a few of them. Such a great story! I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
February 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. The interweaving of the two periods of time was completed so well and both stories were meaningful. Will be reading more of Kathleen's books.
November 2, 2020
A true gem of a book, dipping from the life of George, a second son in the 1860s, to Cassie, who in the present day works in a leisure centre. A brave telling of the emotions associated with adoption and when family is not entirely as first thought.
I really couldn't put this book down, and certainly didn't want it to end.
#Netgalley with thanks
I really couldn't put this book down, and certainly didn't want it to end.
#Netgalley with thanks
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