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My Mother's Secret
‘They told me he died, but I never believed them. I’d have known,’ she says, her voice little more than a whisper and her eyes searching mine. ‘A mother would know if her child died, wouldn’t she?’
The phone call comes in the middle of the night, rousing Danni from her safe, warm bed. The police have found her mother Diana wandering along the main road, miles from her house, confused and lost.
Danni races to her mother’s side, but when she arrives, as always, her mother doesn’t seem to care. ‘Go away, Danni,’ she says. ‘I don’t want you.’
When she was a child, Danni would lie awake at night wondering what she had done to make her mother so cold. Now she is determined to put the past behind them and make Diana as happy as she can in the time they have left.
But as some of Diana’s memories are slipping away, others are forcing their way to the surface. One night Diana breaks down in tears and reveals her heartbreaking secret. Years before Danni was born, there was another baby who never got to see the world. Now there is one last thing Danni can do for her mother. She will find her brother’s resting place, and bring Diana some peace.
But good intentions can have unexpected consequences, and soon Danni’s life will be changed forever. Are some secrets best left buried?
A completely heartbreaking and compelling story of families, secrets, and the fierce love between mothers and children. Fans of Amanda Prowse, Ali Mercer and Jodi Picoult will smile through their tears.
The phone call comes in the middle of the night, rousing Danni from her safe, warm bed. The police have found her mother Diana wandering along the main road, miles from her house, confused and lost.
Danni races to her mother’s side, but when she arrives, as always, her mother doesn’t seem to care. ‘Go away, Danni,’ she says. ‘I don’t want you.’
When she was a child, Danni would lie awake at night wondering what she had done to make her mother so cold. Now she is determined to put the past behind them and make Diana as happy as she can in the time they have left.
But as some of Diana’s memories are slipping away, others are forcing their way to the surface. One night Diana breaks down in tears and reveals her heartbreaking secret. Years before Danni was born, there was another baby who never got to see the world. Now there is one last thing Danni can do for her mother. She will find her brother’s resting place, and bring Diana some peace.
But good intentions can have unexpected consequences, and soon Danni’s life will be changed forever. Are some secrets best left buried?
A completely heartbreaking and compelling story of families, secrets, and the fierce love between mothers and children. Fans of Amanda Prowse, Ali Mercer and Jodi Picoult will smile through their tears.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 27, 2021
I really enjoyed My Mother’s Secret and was pulled into the story from the beginning. There are many different family dynamics involved. The story is about a complicated mother daughter relationship and a daughter that is trying to do anything she can to be there for her mother. Diana is dealing with multiple health problems. Diana and Danni are both complex characters. Roberts does a great job explaining why the characters make the choices they do. Danni has daughters that she treats very different than her mother treated her growing up. There are many emotional parts of this book, and some I was prepared for while others shocked me.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for My Mother’s Secret.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for My Mother’s Secret.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
January 27, 2021
As a child, Danni would lie awake at night wondering what she had done to make her mother so cold. Now, she is determinedto put the past behind them and make her mother, Diana, as happy as they can be in the time they have left.
Danni has never had a good relationship with her mother. Diana had always favoured Danni's younger brother Adam. Diana has been diagnosed with Dementia and Danni is spending more time looking after her mother with help from Diana's neighbour Martin. Danni has her own family and she's determined to be a better mother to her two girls than her mother had been to her. In caring for her mother, Danni finds out some of her mother's family secrets. This heartbreaking story tells how bad choices in parenting can have an effect on a child and why we all need a good friend like Maxine in our life. This beautiful written story will make you weep.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #JuliaRoberts for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Danni has never had a good relationship with her mother. Diana had always favoured Danni's younger brother Adam. Diana has been diagnosed with Dementia and Danni is spending more time looking after her mother with help from Diana's neighbour Martin. Danni has her own family and she's determined to be a better mother to her two girls than her mother had been to her. In caring for her mother, Danni finds out some of her mother's family secrets. This heartbreaking story tells how bad choices in parenting can have an effect on a child and why we all need a good friend like Maxine in our life. This beautiful written story will make you weep.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #JuliaRoberts for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2021
My Mother’s Secret is the latest family drama from the talented Ms Roberts and revolves around the bond between mother and daughter; a bond that should endure for a lifetime but that sometimes ends up seriously strained by one or both individuals behaviour and explores how the secrets of the past nearly always come back to haunt you. Danielle ”Danni” Harper is a married mother of two beautiful daughters Jade and Amber; her husband Ben is a supportive and empathetic rock which is exactly what Danni needs given the lifelong issues and abuse from her mother Diana. Danni has her own life and a family to care for and even though they live close by Danni rarely sees her mother. It's 2nd April 2018, and the family of four decide to go to the Lincolnshire coast to spend a relaxing Easter Monday. Later that evening, the couple have just dropped off to sleep when they get a rude awakening; the house phone rings in the dead of night. It's the police. They ask her to come over to Diana's and when she pulls up outside she is greeted by PC Hammond who tells her Diana had been found walking down the middle of the dual carriageway wearing nothing but her nightdress and slippers, after they received a call from a passing motorist. The following day Danni manages to get an urgent appointment with senior practice doctor, (Dr) Morton who runs some standard tests and agrees Diana needs to be referred to a specialist. Three weeks later, she sees Dr Ranjid who orders a psychiatric evaluation and a CT scan of her brain to rule out any other possible cause of the symptoms she was exhibiting.
Although he strongly suspected she had Alzheimer’s disease. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's follows. Alzheimer’s is a nightmare for any family, even a close knit one, but having to look after and bear pretty much the sole burden for a parental figure who always treated her in quite frankly a vile and disgusting manner and with the utmost contempt, who favoured her son, Adam. Diana has always treated Danni with a real coldness throughout her life. Danni is miserable but despite this she continues to be there for her mum and amazingly swallows any upset or hard feelings and decides to put the past aside and try to make her mother’s last days on earth as happy and comfortable as they can possibly be. But during her episodes, Diana starts to spill secrets about her past that are earth shattering if true. Trouble is Danni doesn't know if it's a part of the confused and chaotic state of mind emanating from the illness or real memories and sets out to investigate. But will discovering the truth hurt or heal? This is a compelling, captivating and profoundly heartbreaking read and a story most people will be able to relate to on some level. The unravelling of Diana's secrets after so many years creates a feeling of pain and loss and I felt extremely sorry for the position Danni found herself in - effectively having to care for someone who has been emotionally abusive to her all of her life, and I, sadly, can relate. This is a tearjerker that'll move you, provide food for thought and keep you intrigued by the mystery until you've turned the final page. Highly recommended.
Although he strongly suspected she had Alzheimer’s disease. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's follows. Alzheimer’s is a nightmare for any family, even a close knit one, but having to look after and bear pretty much the sole burden for a parental figure who always treated her in quite frankly a vile and disgusting manner and with the utmost contempt, who favoured her son, Adam. Diana has always treated Danni with a real coldness throughout her life. Danni is miserable but despite this she continues to be there for her mum and amazingly swallows any upset or hard feelings and decides to put the past aside and try to make her mother’s last days on earth as happy and comfortable as they can possibly be. But during her episodes, Diana starts to spill secrets about her past that are earth shattering if true. Trouble is Danni doesn't know if it's a part of the confused and chaotic state of mind emanating from the illness or real memories and sets out to investigate. But will discovering the truth hurt or heal? This is a compelling, captivating and profoundly heartbreaking read and a story most people will be able to relate to on some level. The unravelling of Diana's secrets after so many years creates a feeling of pain and loss and I felt extremely sorry for the position Danni found herself in - effectively having to care for someone who has been emotionally abusive to her all of her life, and I, sadly, can relate. This is a tearjerker that'll move you, provide food for thought and keep you intrigued by the mystery until you've turned the final page. Highly recommended.
April 16, 2021
Review coming soon.
January 27, 2021
Wow! This has got to be one of the most saddest and most heartbreaking reads I've encountered in a long time. Be warned, you will need plenty of tissues for this one!
The relationship between a mother and daughter should be one of the simplest a woman should ever have in her lifetime and yet there is nothing more complicated than those you will have with your family. The love should be unconditional and limitless and most of us are blessed with that. But for Danni that is not so. Her relationship with her mother Diana has always been turbulent and strained, who has never hidden the fact that she has favoured Danni's brother Adam over her from the moment he was born. What could be more hurtful than the words Diana spat at her daughter:
"I don't need you Danni. I've never needed you."
Danni has never understood why her mother has not as much hated her as been so indifferent to her. From the moment Danni's baby brother Adam was brought home from hospital when she was 12 years old, Diana has made no secret of the fact that it's Adam she loves and she only has enough love for him. Diana wouldn't let anyone, much less Danni, near her brother and would certainly never let Danni feed him or hold him. As a result, Danni has grown up with a resentment towards Adam for being the one in their mother's favour. But now they are adults and Adam was now living in New Zealand while Danni lived just ten minutes away from their mother. And yet, her visits were sporadic to monthly at best. Even her two daughters, Amber and Jade, had seen little of their nana in the years since they were born, and Diana had shown little interest in her granddaughters.
So when Danni receives a phone call in the middle of the night from the police to say that her mother has been found wandering down the middle of the dual carriageway in her nightdress, she doesn't think twice about rushing to her mother's aid. But Diana is anything but happy to see her daughter - "why did you call HER?" - and though she was used to her mother's rejection it still hurt.
But what came next could not prepare Danni or her family for the journey they were about to embark on. After her mother's nocturnal venture, Danni made an immediate appointment with her mother's doctor for an assessment who, after several cognitive function tests, referred them to a specialist for further testing. But there was no escaping it - Diana had Alzheimer's. The consultant explained to them the seven stages of dementia and that, given by the results of Diana's assessments, that she was in stage four of the disease. If she had just entered stage 4 then she may have years in that stage, but if she were towards the end of it, then the decline would be rapid. Despite her strained relationship with her mother, Danni is devastated. And yet, she steps up to help her mother through this difficult time after receiving her diagnosis.
The next several months are spent ferrying her mother between appointments and her three day a week job at the library, as well as being there for her two girls, who know nothing of the history between their mother and grandmother. Her husband Ben has been a rock, always there offering love and support during her darkest days at the receiving end of Diana's vitriol. Soon after the diagnosis, Danni skypes her brother in New Zealand who is shocked by the news before revealing his relationship with their mother was not the bed of roses she thought it had been. All these years Danni had been jealous of the love Diana lavished on her brother, she never realised that Adam found their mother's love to be suffocating. And yet, despite their mother's devastating diagnosis, Adam never offered to come home. It riled Danni because she needed his help and it was clear that it was him Diana wanted...until he revealed just before Christmas that he had no job and couldn't afford the flight home.
Then during a routine appointment to assess any changes and how the disease was progressing, Diana revealed something to her consultant that resulted in even more devastating consequences. And Danni was in no way prepared for the revelation nor the resulting outcome. Either way, her mother did not have long and Danni knew that Adam needed to come home now.
In the months since her original diagnosis, Danni and her mother had been forced together whether the other liked it or not. Despite everything, Diana was still Danni's mother and she still loved her...and no one deserves the life sentence that dementia brings. As the months wore on, there were times when Diana was lucid and it would seem like there was nothing amiss. And then in a blink of an eye, she could suddenly find herself locked in a past memory, recalling it in clear detail as it if it were unfolding right at that minute. And it is during one of these moments, beginning with the rambling whispers Danni mistakes for a dream on Boxing Day, that she discovers a shocking secret that her mother had never spoken about...until the dementia did it for her.
After many an argument with her mother about the excerpts of this secret and in a moment of lucidity, Diana finally told Danni the secret she had kept for over 40 years. A brother she had never known about, born long before she was, when Diana was just 16. Stillborn, they said, but she never believed them...she'd have known. A mother would know know if her child died...wouldn't she? Besides...she heard him whimper; she was sure she did. Danni is saddened for her mother to have gone through such an experience alone and with no support. So she makes it her quest to discover the truth - did her mother have a stillborn child, or was it a figment of her dementia-addled brain? And if it is true, Danni resolves that the one last thing she can do for her mother is to find her brother's final resting place and bring her mother some peace and closure...before she dies.
But good intentions have unexpected consequences and Danni opens up a can of worms she knew nothing about which changes her life forever. And before the story's end, there will be even more heartbreak that will have you bawling that so much tragedy could befall one family. But in the end, comes a gift so beautiful, so precious that it will make you cry all over again.
My gosh! This book should really come with a box of tissues because believe me, you are going to need them! There is so much tension, emotion and heartbreak as Danni struggles first with the feeling of inadequacy with regards to her mother and then the truth behind the secret she uncovers. It was nothing she had done, nothing she could have done and nothing she could do now...and uncovering that truth doesn't make it any easier. It just makes it so much more heartbreaking.
Anyone who has care for or has lived with a loved one with dementia will recognise the challenges Danni faces in MY MOTHER'S SECRET. The author doesn't hesitate in showing this to readers as well as giving us the more happier and lucid moments as Diana and Danni repair their relationship before it's too late. And then there is the effect that losing a child can have on a parent, particularly in a time when ideas surrounding grief were so far removed from what we have since learnt is actually beneficial to the grieving process. And yet, Julia Roberts still puts her characters through the mill with so much tragedy and heartbreak that the reader cannot help but sympathise with them all. MY MOTHER'S SECRET is both an easy and a hard read.
Despite there being so much sadness, MY MOTHER'S SECRET is a compelling tale with it's wonderfully short chapters that I found myself turning the pages with such a speed of "just one more chapter" until the very end. I cannot tell you how much I loved this book and everyone in it...including the irascible Diana.
Recommended for anyone who loves a good tear-jerker with heartbreaks aplenty but with a happy ending.
I would like to thank #JuliaRoberts, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #MyMothersSecret in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
The relationship between a mother and daughter should be one of the simplest a woman should ever have in her lifetime and yet there is nothing more complicated than those you will have with your family. The love should be unconditional and limitless and most of us are blessed with that. But for Danni that is not so. Her relationship with her mother Diana has always been turbulent and strained, who has never hidden the fact that she has favoured Danni's brother Adam over her from the moment he was born. What could be more hurtful than the words Diana spat at her daughter:
"I don't need you Danni. I've never needed you."
Danni has never understood why her mother has not as much hated her as been so indifferent to her. From the moment Danni's baby brother Adam was brought home from hospital when she was 12 years old, Diana has made no secret of the fact that it's Adam she loves and she only has enough love for him. Diana wouldn't let anyone, much less Danni, near her brother and would certainly never let Danni feed him or hold him. As a result, Danni has grown up with a resentment towards Adam for being the one in their mother's favour. But now they are adults and Adam was now living in New Zealand while Danni lived just ten minutes away from their mother. And yet, her visits were sporadic to monthly at best. Even her two daughters, Amber and Jade, had seen little of their nana in the years since they were born, and Diana had shown little interest in her granddaughters.
So when Danni receives a phone call in the middle of the night from the police to say that her mother has been found wandering down the middle of the dual carriageway in her nightdress, she doesn't think twice about rushing to her mother's aid. But Diana is anything but happy to see her daughter - "why did you call HER?" - and though she was used to her mother's rejection it still hurt.
But what came next could not prepare Danni or her family for the journey they were about to embark on. After her mother's nocturnal venture, Danni made an immediate appointment with her mother's doctor for an assessment who, after several cognitive function tests, referred them to a specialist for further testing. But there was no escaping it - Diana had Alzheimer's. The consultant explained to them the seven stages of dementia and that, given by the results of Diana's assessments, that she was in stage four of the disease. If she had just entered stage 4 then she may have years in that stage, but if she were towards the end of it, then the decline would be rapid. Despite her strained relationship with her mother, Danni is devastated. And yet, she steps up to help her mother through this difficult time after receiving her diagnosis.
The next several months are spent ferrying her mother between appointments and her three day a week job at the library, as well as being there for her two girls, who know nothing of the history between their mother and grandmother. Her husband Ben has been a rock, always there offering love and support during her darkest days at the receiving end of Diana's vitriol. Soon after the diagnosis, Danni skypes her brother in New Zealand who is shocked by the news before revealing his relationship with their mother was not the bed of roses she thought it had been. All these years Danni had been jealous of the love Diana lavished on her brother, she never realised that Adam found their mother's love to be suffocating. And yet, despite their mother's devastating diagnosis, Adam never offered to come home. It riled Danni because she needed his help and it was clear that it was him Diana wanted...until he revealed just before Christmas that he had no job and couldn't afford the flight home.
Then during a routine appointment to assess any changes and how the disease was progressing, Diana revealed something to her consultant that resulted in even more devastating consequences. And Danni was in no way prepared for the revelation nor the resulting outcome. Either way, her mother did not have long and Danni knew that Adam needed to come home now.
In the months since her original diagnosis, Danni and her mother had been forced together whether the other liked it or not. Despite everything, Diana was still Danni's mother and she still loved her...and no one deserves the life sentence that dementia brings. As the months wore on, there were times when Diana was lucid and it would seem like there was nothing amiss. And then in a blink of an eye, she could suddenly find herself locked in a past memory, recalling it in clear detail as it if it were unfolding right at that minute. And it is during one of these moments, beginning with the rambling whispers Danni mistakes for a dream on Boxing Day, that she discovers a shocking secret that her mother had never spoken about...until the dementia did it for her.
After many an argument with her mother about the excerpts of this secret and in a moment of lucidity, Diana finally told Danni the secret she had kept for over 40 years. A brother she had never known about, born long before she was, when Diana was just 16. Stillborn, they said, but she never believed them...she'd have known. A mother would know know if her child died...wouldn't she? Besides...she heard him whimper; she was sure she did. Danni is saddened for her mother to have gone through such an experience alone and with no support. So she makes it her quest to discover the truth - did her mother have a stillborn child, or was it a figment of her dementia-addled brain? And if it is true, Danni resolves that the one last thing she can do for her mother is to find her brother's final resting place and bring her mother some peace and closure...before she dies.
But good intentions have unexpected consequences and Danni opens up a can of worms she knew nothing about which changes her life forever. And before the story's end, there will be even more heartbreak that will have you bawling that so much tragedy could befall one family. But in the end, comes a gift so beautiful, so precious that it will make you cry all over again.
My gosh! This book should really come with a box of tissues because believe me, you are going to need them! There is so much tension, emotion and heartbreak as Danni struggles first with the feeling of inadequacy with regards to her mother and then the truth behind the secret she uncovers. It was nothing she had done, nothing she could have done and nothing she could do now...and uncovering that truth doesn't make it any easier. It just makes it so much more heartbreaking.
Anyone who has care for or has lived with a loved one with dementia will recognise the challenges Danni faces in MY MOTHER'S SECRET. The author doesn't hesitate in showing this to readers as well as giving us the more happier and lucid moments as Diana and Danni repair their relationship before it's too late. And then there is the effect that losing a child can have on a parent, particularly in a time when ideas surrounding grief were so far removed from what we have since learnt is actually beneficial to the grieving process. And yet, Julia Roberts still puts her characters through the mill with so much tragedy and heartbreak that the reader cannot help but sympathise with them all. MY MOTHER'S SECRET is both an easy and a hard read.
Despite there being so much sadness, MY MOTHER'S SECRET is a compelling tale with it's wonderfully short chapters that I found myself turning the pages with such a speed of "just one more chapter" until the very end. I cannot tell you how much I loved this book and everyone in it...including the irascible Diana.
Recommended for anyone who loves a good tear-jerker with heartbreaks aplenty but with a happy ending.
I would like to thank #JuliaRoberts, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #MyMothersSecret in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 31, 2021
“Will the truth hurt or heal?”
Another amazing 5 star read and another used up packet of those handy little tissues, or is it two? – Who knows how many tears this one has made me shed!
The real beginning of this story happened for the family a long time before the book was written, and as I stepped into the pages of their lives, a huge part of it was already drawing to a close, with the eventual ending becoming something of a new start for many of the characters, as well as providing closure for so many events now placed firmly in the past and best left forgotten.
The beautifully written, cleverly crafted scenes which make up this fast changing storyline, are intense, sometimes filled with humour, often full of regret and remorse, but always told with heart and compassion, by an author who held me captive in the palm of her hand all the time I was reading.
The compelling narrative was visually descriptive and skilled in the imagery of words, which added a genuine depth and range to the story, and just when you thought that there wasn’t one more heart-breaking, gut-wrenching thing that could potentially rip the world apart for this family and their close circle of friends, author Julia Roberts, threw not one, but a couple of late and unexpected twists into the mix, just to drag those last few unshed tears from her readers, as I was left to wonder whether this would be the straw which broke their fragile familial bonds, or that which bound them more tightly together.
The guileless spontaneity of Danni’s own daughters, Diana’s granddaughters and the open loving relationship they enjoy with both their parents, but especially their mother, also brings home to Diana just what she has missed out on in that special mother/daughter bond. Memories which she can never and could never make, whilst she spent every waking moment lavishing love and praise on the son she had, and the one she left behind.
The lies, the secrets, the venom, the hatred, the despair, the loss, stretching back over decades, all are laid bare for the world to see, in the profoundly touching and emotionally draining last few weeks of Diana’s life, in a powerful storyline about sibling rivalry, a mother’s constant and unyielding disappointment, family relationships and dynamics, which was crafted by the author, with total confidence. The ravages of cruel, unseen illnesses were sympathetically brought to bear and forced out into the open, with absolute authority, by a multi-faceted, wonderfully defined, complex cast of characters, as building blocks to mending bridges, and healing hearts and minds. Whilst the characters all carried quite complicated personalities, I found that most were fairly easy to relate to and become invested in, even the ‘touchy’ Diana, who learns the lesson almost too late, that not talking together as a family had deprived her of and destroyed, so many years for her, when she might have been part of a loving family, and been loved, instead of hated, in return. Danni has spent a lifetime searching for a sense of belonging, reaching out to a mother who constantly pushes her away, now as the strands of Diana’s story begin to unravel, she is adult enough to be the one to reach out, to try to heal the wounds of a situation, which, it transpires, was the damaging legacy left by the previous generation, that still had the power to hold Diana emotionally captive into her latter years and almost to her grave.
The ending to this tale, whilst sad and inevitable, was peaceful and sows the seeds of change and new beginnings for the rest of the family and their closest circle of friends, which will see them changed forever, moving forward with their lives, together, supporting one another, through the good times and the bad.
“Know the truth and the truth will set you free!”
This book actually took me on quite a personal journey on, oh! so many fronts, and whilst I am certain that it might not have been especially unique, the feelings and emotions it evoked for me, most certainly were!
Another amazing 5 star read and another used up packet of those handy little tissues, or is it two? – Who knows how many tears this one has made me shed!
The real beginning of this story happened for the family a long time before the book was written, and as I stepped into the pages of their lives, a huge part of it was already drawing to a close, with the eventual ending becoming something of a new start for many of the characters, as well as providing closure for so many events now placed firmly in the past and best left forgotten.
The beautifully written, cleverly crafted scenes which make up this fast changing storyline, are intense, sometimes filled with humour, often full of regret and remorse, but always told with heart and compassion, by an author who held me captive in the palm of her hand all the time I was reading.
The compelling narrative was visually descriptive and skilled in the imagery of words, which added a genuine depth and range to the story, and just when you thought that there wasn’t one more heart-breaking, gut-wrenching thing that could potentially rip the world apart for this family and their close circle of friends, author Julia Roberts, threw not one, but a couple of late and unexpected twists into the mix, just to drag those last few unshed tears from her readers, as I was left to wonder whether this would be the straw which broke their fragile familial bonds, or that which bound them more tightly together.
The guileless spontaneity of Danni’s own daughters, Diana’s granddaughters and the open loving relationship they enjoy with both their parents, but especially their mother, also brings home to Diana just what she has missed out on in that special mother/daughter bond. Memories which she can never and could never make, whilst she spent every waking moment lavishing love and praise on the son she had, and the one she left behind.
The lies, the secrets, the venom, the hatred, the despair, the loss, stretching back over decades, all are laid bare for the world to see, in the profoundly touching and emotionally draining last few weeks of Diana’s life, in a powerful storyline about sibling rivalry, a mother’s constant and unyielding disappointment, family relationships and dynamics, which was crafted by the author, with total confidence. The ravages of cruel, unseen illnesses were sympathetically brought to bear and forced out into the open, with absolute authority, by a multi-faceted, wonderfully defined, complex cast of characters, as building blocks to mending bridges, and healing hearts and minds. Whilst the characters all carried quite complicated personalities, I found that most were fairly easy to relate to and become invested in, even the ‘touchy’ Diana, who learns the lesson almost too late, that not talking together as a family had deprived her of and destroyed, so many years for her, when she might have been part of a loving family, and been loved, instead of hated, in return. Danni has spent a lifetime searching for a sense of belonging, reaching out to a mother who constantly pushes her away, now as the strands of Diana’s story begin to unravel, she is adult enough to be the one to reach out, to try to heal the wounds of a situation, which, it transpires, was the damaging legacy left by the previous generation, that still had the power to hold Diana emotionally captive into her latter years and almost to her grave.
The ending to this tale, whilst sad and inevitable, was peaceful and sows the seeds of change and new beginnings for the rest of the family and their closest circle of friends, which will see them changed forever, moving forward with their lives, together, supporting one another, through the good times and the bad.
“Know the truth and the truth will set you free!”
This book actually took me on quite a personal journey on, oh! so many fronts, and whilst I am certain that it might not have been especially unique, the feelings and emotions it evoked for me, most certainly were!
January 30, 2021
In recent times, I’ve been much more inclined to pick up a romantic comedy than a book with an emotional punch as strong as this one. When I read about mother Diana’s “memories… slipping away”, I knew it was going to be rather closer to the knuckle than I might find comfortable, but knowing the author’s rather special touch I really did want to give it a try. I sat down after lunch one day, was drawn into the book from the very beginning, and didn’t move again (my tissues were within easy reach…) until I’d read the very last page. The reading was such an emotional experience – and I do think that this book’s themes will particularly resonate with the more mature reader, as Danni finds herself in that familiar “sandwich” between an elderly and ailing parent and her own family – but I have to say that I thought this book was quite wonderful.
I remember visiting my own mother in her care home and witnessing a resident viciously attacking her daughter – comforting her with the usual “it’s just the dementia”, she surprised me when she said her mother had never liked her, she’d always been nasty, it was just that the dementia meant that she just didn’t have to hide it any more. Danni and Diana’s relationship has always been a difficult and dysfunctional one – her brother was always the favourite, and the book largely explores the reasons why. I have to say that the way Diana’s increasing dementia is depicted has exceptional authenticity – particularly the small things like the forgotten flashes of anger, the moments of complete emptiness, the fear behind the eyes. But it was the love that got me through all that – it’s a love Danni’s never experienced from her mother, but it doesn’t stop her stepping in as unwelcome carer when Diana’s mental state and her health begin to decline.
One reason I loved this book was because the characters and the situations they found themselves in just felt so entirely real – the relationships are so well drawn, the emotional content so raw it hurts, the dialogue with the quality of conversations overheard when you shouldn’t really be listening. But as well as that, there’s a fascinating, well-told and thoroughly gripping story – Diana’s big secret, initially indistinguishable between fantasy and reality, but then driving the narrative as Danni strives to uncover the truth and to bring her mother some peace. The focus on families and the mother-daughter relationship is unflinching and superbly handled – but there’s also a very strong supporting cast that only enhances the story further.
There’s enough, I think, in the book’s description to let you know what to expect – telling you any more would only spoil it, and that would be unforgivable. It is quite a page-turner, with moments of almost unbearable poignancy – but it’s not without its lighter moments, and the balance between the day-to-day ordinariness of life and the digging into the emotional depths is perfectly balanced. Its conclusion made me cry and smile – in fact, I was a bit of a soggy mess a few times as I was reading – but there’s absolutely no manipulation, it’s just a heartbreaking story quite beautifully told. Such a special book, and highly recommended – I really loved it.
I remember visiting my own mother in her care home and witnessing a resident viciously attacking her daughter – comforting her with the usual “it’s just the dementia”, she surprised me when she said her mother had never liked her, she’d always been nasty, it was just that the dementia meant that she just didn’t have to hide it any more. Danni and Diana’s relationship has always been a difficult and dysfunctional one – her brother was always the favourite, and the book largely explores the reasons why. I have to say that the way Diana’s increasing dementia is depicted has exceptional authenticity – particularly the small things like the forgotten flashes of anger, the moments of complete emptiness, the fear behind the eyes. But it was the love that got me through all that – it’s a love Danni’s never experienced from her mother, but it doesn’t stop her stepping in as unwelcome carer when Diana’s mental state and her health begin to decline.
One reason I loved this book was because the characters and the situations they found themselves in just felt so entirely real – the relationships are so well drawn, the emotional content so raw it hurts, the dialogue with the quality of conversations overheard when you shouldn’t really be listening. But as well as that, there’s a fascinating, well-told and thoroughly gripping story – Diana’s big secret, initially indistinguishable between fantasy and reality, but then driving the narrative as Danni strives to uncover the truth and to bring her mother some peace. The focus on families and the mother-daughter relationship is unflinching and superbly handled – but there’s also a very strong supporting cast that only enhances the story further.
There’s enough, I think, in the book’s description to let you know what to expect – telling you any more would only spoil it, and that would be unforgivable. It is quite a page-turner, with moments of almost unbearable poignancy – but it’s not without its lighter moments, and the balance between the day-to-day ordinariness of life and the digging into the emotional depths is perfectly balanced. Its conclusion made me cry and smile – in fact, I was a bit of a soggy mess a few times as I was reading – but there’s absolutely no manipulation, it’s just a heartbreaking story quite beautifully told. Such a special book, and highly recommended – I really loved it.
June 1, 2021
A mother's continual indifference, a daughter's lingering questions, a mental health diagnosis that shattered both, then came the reveal of secrets that had remained buried for so long. Author Julia Roberts explored the complex dynamics between a mother and daughter. I liked how a bit of mystery was maintained in the story, though overall it was quite an emotional read
January 2, 2021
Wow! This has got to be one of the most heart-breaking reads that I have read in a long time. Be warned that tissues are highly recommended whilst reading.
Danni doesn't have the easiest of relationships with her mother. At times I wanted to give her mum a good shake at some of the horrible things that she says to her daughter. Regardless of her having dementia, it was hard not only for Danni to hear her mum being so cold hearted but for the reader also. Many a times I wanted to give Danni a big hug at what she is dealing with.
Over the course of the story, it deals with quite a few hard hitting subjects. In time as Danni discovers things from her mother's past, the bond between mother and daughter seems to thaw and my feelings toward Diana had me feeling so much more empathy for her.
My Mother's Secret was both an easy and hard read. Easy in that from picking it up, I was so engrossed that I didn't put it down until I read the last word. It was also hard though as there were so many times that I couldn't read the words through the amount of tears I shed whilst reading it. By the end I felt like my heart had been torn apart and mended together again. If you are an emotional person like me, this will really put your heart through the wringer but it's one I can't recommend highly enough to read.
Danni doesn't have the easiest of relationships with her mother. At times I wanted to give her mum a good shake at some of the horrible things that she says to her daughter. Regardless of her having dementia, it was hard not only for Danni to hear her mum being so cold hearted but for the reader also. Many a times I wanted to give Danni a big hug at what she is dealing with.
Over the course of the story, it deals with quite a few hard hitting subjects. In time as Danni discovers things from her mother's past, the bond between mother and daughter seems to thaw and my feelings toward Diana had me feeling so much more empathy for her.
My Mother's Secret was both an easy and hard read. Easy in that from picking it up, I was so engrossed that I didn't put it down until I read the last word. It was also hard though as there were so many times that I couldn't read the words through the amount of tears I shed whilst reading it. By the end I felt like my heart had been torn apart and mended together again. If you are an emotional person like me, this will really put your heart through the wringer but it's one I can't recommend highly enough to read.
December 9, 2020
My Mother’s Secret is a heart wrenching. Danielle’s mother is vile to her foremost of her life, favoring her younger brother over her. Yet it’s Danielle who cares for her mother when she begins having medical issues. I did not care for Diane for most of the story, even allowing for dementia and her somewhat altered attitude toward Danielle. I was glad when Danielle finally tells her a few hard truths. The story times even more interesting near the end with a few more surprises. Keep the tissue Handy when reading this tearjerker. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance read.
December 8, 2020
I received an ARC from Bookouture for an honest review. I enjoyed reading this book because when I read what the book was about I wondered why Diane was cold while Danni was growing up. One night Danni received a phone call from the police her mother had an episode and they discovered she had dementia. Danni decided that she would let go of past hurts and just make her as happy as she could in the time they have left.
Diane told Danni that when she was 15 she got pregnant and they told her the baby was stillborn but her mother never believed it. Danni decided that she would find her brother's resting place to bring some peace to her mother and that sounded so nice but it led to some major discoveries, that took me on a journey that was full of surprises and heartbreak.
Diane didn't seem to have a happy life but her daughter Danni had a wonderful husband that was supportive and understanding. There was also Diane's neighbor that was always there when needed and he kept an eye on Diane. There was sadness but there were also the people who just made things better. The author did a wonderful job writing this story. It was Diane's life, her journey, and how she became the person she was. It made me stop and think several times and it was life, with its ups and downs, the good and the bad, and you just have to keep moving forward. I kept seeing as I read it that it brought out compassion for all that she went through.
Diane told Danni that when she was 15 she got pregnant and they told her the baby was stillborn but her mother never believed it. Danni decided that she would find her brother's resting place to bring some peace to her mother and that sounded so nice but it led to some major discoveries, that took me on a journey that was full of surprises and heartbreak.
Diane didn't seem to have a happy life but her daughter Danni had a wonderful husband that was supportive and understanding. There was also Diane's neighbor that was always there when needed and he kept an eye on Diane. There was sadness but there were also the people who just made things better. The author did a wonderful job writing this story. It was Diane's life, her journey, and how she became the person she was. It made me stop and think several times and it was life, with its ups and downs, the good and the bad, and you just have to keep moving forward. I kept seeing as I read it that it brought out compassion for all that she went through.
January 27, 2021
Loving someone is not always easy. Sometimes you give them to much attention and you smother them. Sometimes you don’t give them enough by far and you neglect them.
When it happens to adults, they can talk about it, but when it happens with children, it’s a lot more complicated. Some of them leave home to find someone to love them, others do it to find some space and air to breathe. In both cases it’s not always easy to visit your parents, but when something devastating happens, they still are your parents and you will help them and stand by them no matter what.
It’s a very emotional story and it would be very hard to cope with everything that life throws at you without a loving, supporting and understanding entourage.
Quite a few hearts went through the wringer, but love was, is and always will be the glue to make it whole again.
I love the book and kudos to the author for that one revelation that made my jaw drop to the floor.
5 stars..
Thank you, Julia Roberts and Bookouture
When it happens to adults, they can talk about it, but when it happens with children, it’s a lot more complicated. Some of them leave home to find someone to love them, others do it to find some space and air to breathe. In both cases it’s not always easy to visit your parents, but when something devastating happens, they still are your parents and you will help them and stand by them no matter what.
It’s a very emotional story and it would be very hard to cope with everything that life throws at you without a loving, supporting and understanding entourage.
Quite a few hearts went through the wringer, but love was, is and always will be the glue to make it whole again.
I love the book and kudos to the author for that one revelation that made my jaw drop to the floor.
5 stars..
Thank you, Julia Roberts and Bookouture
January 4, 2021
What a brilliant well written book so beautifully told I just couldn't stop reading, it held my interest throughout and all the characters were so well described all with their own individual stories.
I look forward to reading more from this author and I can thoroughly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
I look forward to reading more from this author and I can thoroughly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
May 25, 2022
I’m at a loss for words …..this book was so powerful and emotional dealing with realistic issues . One that will stay with me for a long time .
November 2, 2023
A beautifully written book! It really pulls on the heartstrings!
January 31, 2021
Review originally published here: https://joyfulantidotes.com/2021/01/2...
My Mother’s Secret is a totally emotional story so come prepared with tissues! The author delves into some deep topics – dementia, cancer, a stillbirth – but does so with a deep respect for the situation and anybody who might have found themselves in the same position. However, don’t expect insight into the medical side of these topics. This story is completely about how a mother and daughter battle through these events while trying to salvage a relationship that’s always been broken.
It was very interesting to follow Diana and Danni’s relationship. It’s a bit different from similar relationships I’ve encountered in the past as Danni is a very forgiving and caring figure. It doesn’t have the big bust-ups that I would have expected a story like this to have. I still haven’t made up my mind if I missed the drama in My Mother’s Secret or not. There certainly are some juicy bits within the pages of this book and there is a great plot development, it’s just that things move a tad too slow and no “action” really occurs until the end. One other gripe I had was that I found the writing to be quite passive. There were many times when the narrative told us what happened rather than leave the plot to unfold in front of our eyes. A change in tact could possibly have added the more dramatic scenes some of us readers yearn for.
But, as I said, this story is really about a mother-daughter relationship, specifically a strained relationship, and how to aim to co-exist in the face of diversity. When it comes to laying out the emotion of this journey to us, the author gets top marks.
While it didn’t have all the elements I was hoping for, I enjoyed the emotion that My Mother’s Secret instilled in me.
My Mother’s Secret is a totally emotional story so come prepared with tissues! The author delves into some deep topics – dementia, cancer, a stillbirth – but does so with a deep respect for the situation and anybody who might have found themselves in the same position. However, don’t expect insight into the medical side of these topics. This story is completely about how a mother and daughter battle through these events while trying to salvage a relationship that’s always been broken.
It was very interesting to follow Diana and Danni’s relationship. It’s a bit different from similar relationships I’ve encountered in the past as Danni is a very forgiving and caring figure. It doesn’t have the big bust-ups that I would have expected a story like this to have. I still haven’t made up my mind if I missed the drama in My Mother’s Secret or not. There certainly are some juicy bits within the pages of this book and there is a great plot development, it’s just that things move a tad too slow and no “action” really occurs until the end. One other gripe I had was that I found the writing to be quite passive. There were many times when the narrative told us what happened rather than leave the plot to unfold in front of our eyes. A change in tact could possibly have added the more dramatic scenes some of us readers yearn for.
But, as I said, this story is really about a mother-daughter relationship, specifically a strained relationship, and how to aim to co-exist in the face of diversity. When it comes to laying out the emotion of this journey to us, the author gets top marks.
While it didn’t have all the elements I was hoping for, I enjoyed the emotion that My Mother’s Secret instilled in me.
January 28, 2021
There’s no doubt in my mind that parents differentiate between children. But why does Danni’s mother, Diana, almost seem to detest her daughter, while lavishing all her love and attention on her son, Adam. Now that Adam is in New Zealand and her mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and cancer, Danni has to step in and take care of her. How her mother unwittingly reveals something in her past, she starts to unravel the thread that leads to the answer to her question.
The author has done a fabulous job of telling a story of the tenuous relationship with a mother and daughter and how the daughter is able to continue to show love and concern to her mother.
By telling how family secrets can cause so much pain and heartache, the author reinforces how truth and open communication can make for better familial relationships.
What I found particularly interesting was the fact that family needn’t be the one we’re born into – as Danni experiences with her husband, Ben and her friend, Maxine.
Danni’s character is truly beautiful – a large hearted and compassionate woman who is determined to be an example of kindness and love to her daughters. Her husband, Ben too is a rock of a partner and father – supportive and kind.
How Danni makes sure that her daughters are constantly assured of her love is also a reminder that we needn’t get stuck into family behaviour patterns.
Altogether, a book that brought me to tears and reminded me that we must always look beyond a person’s behaviour, to find what is the hurt that makes them behave so.
I will certainly be on the look out for more books from Julia Roberts and recommend this one highly.
The author has done a fabulous job of telling a story of the tenuous relationship with a mother and daughter and how the daughter is able to continue to show love and concern to her mother.
By telling how family secrets can cause so much pain and heartache, the author reinforces how truth and open communication can make for better familial relationships.
What I found particularly interesting was the fact that family needn’t be the one we’re born into – as Danni experiences with her husband, Ben and her friend, Maxine.
Danni’s character is truly beautiful – a large hearted and compassionate woman who is determined to be an example of kindness and love to her daughters. Her husband, Ben too is a rock of a partner and father – supportive and kind.
How Danni makes sure that her daughters are constantly assured of her love is also a reminder that we needn’t get stuck into family behaviour patterns.
Altogether, a book that brought me to tears and reminded me that we must always look beyond a person’s behaviour, to find what is the hurt that makes them behave so.
I will certainly be on the look out for more books from Julia Roberts and recommend this one highly.
January 29, 2021
Danni’s family has more secrets than she imagines.
My Mother’s Secret took me by surprise. I hadn’t read the blurb so I wasn’t expecting quite such an emotional read. I loved My Mother’s Secret because I thought it showed real life in a dramatic, affecting and thought provoking manner.
In a sense, My Mother’s Secret is a tale that could have happened to any one of us, with family dynamics and secrets uncovered with empathetic skill by Julia Roberts. This is its absolute strength because the writing is humane, realistic and captivating. Indeed, I found many uncannily close aspects to my own family, particularly the grief of a lost child. I want to say more, but would spoil the read for others. I particularly loved the natural dialogue because I felt as if I were witnessing the events live rather than reading about them and Danni’s first person account adds a depth I felt most keenly. I admit I wept with her on occasion.
The plot of My Mother’s Secret has a deft balance between Danni and Ben’s ordinary, everyday life, of balancing work, an elderly parent Diane, and school runs for example, that so many will identify with, alongside those huge life affecting events that give this story such pace and frequently shocking elements. This has the effect of drawing in the reader completely as they can identify with so much of the story. In fact, I’d love to see My Mother’s Secret brought to the screen either as a television series or a film because I think it would bring comfort as well as entertainment to so many.
As well as being Danni and Diana’s absorbing story My Mother’s Secret is a captivating portrait of a marriage and family too. The emotional strain on Ben and Danni is portrayed with realistic sensitivity so that I empathised with both of them as they struggled to do the right thing, even when their views were diametrically opposed. In fact, I thought each character here was so much more than a character on the page. Diana in particular held me in her thrall because she’s truly awful and yet Julia Roberts made me understand her completely so that she touched me more than I might have imagined.
Underpinning the cracking narrative, there’s a mature and thoughtful secondary theme within My Mother’s Secret of not judging others until you have the full facts that I very much appreciated. Desperately sad and emotional, but equally uplifting is its portrayal of the strength of the human spirit and the bonds that unite us too.
It’s quite difficult to review this book because I don’t want to spoil the plot but I do want to convey what an important story it is. Touching, emotional and convincing, My Mother’s Secret is a story that will resonate deeply with many readers. I thought it was excellent.
My Mother’s Secret took me by surprise. I hadn’t read the blurb so I wasn’t expecting quite such an emotional read. I loved My Mother’s Secret because I thought it showed real life in a dramatic, affecting and thought provoking manner.
In a sense, My Mother’s Secret is a tale that could have happened to any one of us, with family dynamics and secrets uncovered with empathetic skill by Julia Roberts. This is its absolute strength because the writing is humane, realistic and captivating. Indeed, I found many uncannily close aspects to my own family, particularly the grief of a lost child. I want to say more, but would spoil the read for others. I particularly loved the natural dialogue because I felt as if I were witnessing the events live rather than reading about them and Danni’s first person account adds a depth I felt most keenly. I admit I wept with her on occasion.
The plot of My Mother’s Secret has a deft balance between Danni and Ben’s ordinary, everyday life, of balancing work, an elderly parent Diane, and school runs for example, that so many will identify with, alongside those huge life affecting events that give this story such pace and frequently shocking elements. This has the effect of drawing in the reader completely as they can identify with so much of the story. In fact, I’d love to see My Mother’s Secret brought to the screen either as a television series or a film because I think it would bring comfort as well as entertainment to so many.
As well as being Danni and Diana’s absorbing story My Mother’s Secret is a captivating portrait of a marriage and family too. The emotional strain on Ben and Danni is portrayed with realistic sensitivity so that I empathised with both of them as they struggled to do the right thing, even when their views were diametrically opposed. In fact, I thought each character here was so much more than a character on the page. Diana in particular held me in her thrall because she’s truly awful and yet Julia Roberts made me understand her completely so that she touched me more than I might have imagined.
Underpinning the cracking narrative, there’s a mature and thoughtful secondary theme within My Mother’s Secret of not judging others until you have the full facts that I very much appreciated. Desperately sad and emotional, but equally uplifting is its portrayal of the strength of the human spirit and the bonds that unite us too.
It’s quite difficult to review this book because I don’t want to spoil the plot but I do want to convey what an important story it is. Touching, emotional and convincing, My Mother’s Secret is a story that will resonate deeply with many readers. I thought it was excellent.
February 7, 2021
A beautifully written emotional page-turner, Julia Roberts’ My Mother’s Secret is a gripping tale of family, secrets and a mother’s love that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most cynical and jaded of readers.
Danni’s relationship with her mother Diana has never been the warmest. Danni still remembers being a child and lying in her bed at night wondering why her mother didn’t love her. Through the years, their relationship had got more and more strained, but when Danni gets a phone call in the middle of the night from the police who tell her that her mother has been found miles from home, lost and confused wandering along the main road, Danni immediately rushes to her aid, but Diana doesn’t seem to want to know. Danni is hurt, but she can sense that her mother is not well and she vows to put the past behind her and do her utmost to ensure that Diana is as happy and comfortable as she can possibly be in the last few weeks of her life. Only, little does Danni realise that her mother is about to reveal a shocking secret about the past she never would have imagined…
One night, a confused and frightened Diana breaks down in tears and confesses that before Danni’s birth, there was another child who had never seen the light of day. Everybody had told Diana that her baby had died, but she has always known in her heart of hearts that that simply isn’t true. Wouldn’t a mother know if their child had died? Danni is desperate to do whatever she can for her mother, so she vows to find her late brother’s resting place and bring Diana some peace before she dies. However, Danni’s quest for the truth is going to lead her down many a shocking avenue which soon makes her realise that nothing is what it initally seems.
Is Danni ready for the shocking family secrets she is about to uncover? Can mother and daughter heal the rift that has festered between them for so long? Or will Danni’s discoveries end up driving an even bigger wedge between her and her mother?
Julia Roberts’ My Mother’s Secret is a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting tale about devastating secrets, past regrets and the bonds that bind and break us that will make the reader feel every single emotion which the characters in the novel go through, but Julia Roberts’ strengths as a storyteller lie in the fact that she never resorts to clichés or melodrama, but has penned a believable, affecting and engaging tale of family relationships I could not put down.
A superbly crafted novel I won’t easily forget, Diane Chamberlain fans will want to add Julia Roberts’ My Mother’s Secret to their auto-buy list.
Danni’s relationship with her mother Diana has never been the warmest. Danni still remembers being a child and lying in her bed at night wondering why her mother didn’t love her. Through the years, their relationship had got more and more strained, but when Danni gets a phone call in the middle of the night from the police who tell her that her mother has been found miles from home, lost and confused wandering along the main road, Danni immediately rushes to her aid, but Diana doesn’t seem to want to know. Danni is hurt, but she can sense that her mother is not well and she vows to put the past behind her and do her utmost to ensure that Diana is as happy and comfortable as she can possibly be in the last few weeks of her life. Only, little does Danni realise that her mother is about to reveal a shocking secret about the past she never would have imagined…
One night, a confused and frightened Diana breaks down in tears and confesses that before Danni’s birth, there was another child who had never seen the light of day. Everybody had told Diana that her baby had died, but she has always known in her heart of hearts that that simply isn’t true. Wouldn’t a mother know if their child had died? Danni is desperate to do whatever she can for her mother, so she vows to find her late brother’s resting place and bring Diana some peace before she dies. However, Danni’s quest for the truth is going to lead her down many a shocking avenue which soon makes her realise that nothing is what it initally seems.
Is Danni ready for the shocking family secrets she is about to uncover? Can mother and daughter heal the rift that has festered between them for so long? Or will Danni’s discoveries end up driving an even bigger wedge between her and her mother?
Julia Roberts’ My Mother’s Secret is a heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting tale about devastating secrets, past regrets and the bonds that bind and break us that will make the reader feel every single emotion which the characters in the novel go through, but Julia Roberts’ strengths as a storyteller lie in the fact that she never resorts to clichés or melodrama, but has penned a believable, affecting and engaging tale of family relationships I could not put down.
A superbly crafted novel I won’t easily forget, Diane Chamberlain fans will want to add Julia Roberts’ My Mother’s Secret to their auto-buy list.
March 21, 2021
My Mother's Secret is the story of a mother's journey and her relationship with her children. This is a story that shows us how a bad situation can shape a persons entire life, physically, mentally and emotionally. The story follows Danni as she tries to help her mother who discovers that she has Dementia and later on breast cancer. Her mother never wanted her around and did not hide the fact in the way she always talked to her. She focused more on Danni's younger brother Adam who was the apple of her eye.
As Danni struggles to help her mother, she also reflects on how she treats her two daughters and her relationship with her husband. Through this story, the author brings out contrasts in relationships, view points and how different things shape people into who they are today. As Danni's mother's dementia starts to get worse, her mutterings and revelations sow the seed in Danni's mind to seek out the truth. The author handles the health problems in a subtle way and brings out the effects very well making us go through all the emotions that the characters are feeling.
Sometimes, it is best to let some secrets rest, but what happens when one goes looking for the truth? It can have quite an impact on a whole lot of people. I truly enjoyed reading about Danni's family, her support system and how she handles her mother in spite of how she has been treated her whole life. Sometimes there are opportunities for a second chance and perhaps this is Danni's.
As tragedy strikes and secrets come out, Danni is racing against the clock to take care of her mother and her family without hurting anyone badly in the process. This is truly a heat-wrenching read with so many unexpected twists! The author has done a wonderful job with the plot and even though there is tragedy, she brings out the beauty of relationships and love in the end, making this book totally worth the read!
As Danni struggles to help her mother, she also reflects on how she treats her two daughters and her relationship with her husband. Through this story, the author brings out contrasts in relationships, view points and how different things shape people into who they are today. As Danni's mother's dementia starts to get worse, her mutterings and revelations sow the seed in Danni's mind to seek out the truth. The author handles the health problems in a subtle way and brings out the effects very well making us go through all the emotions that the characters are feeling.
Sometimes, it is best to let some secrets rest, but what happens when one goes looking for the truth? It can have quite an impact on a whole lot of people. I truly enjoyed reading about Danni's family, her support system and how she handles her mother in spite of how she has been treated her whole life. Sometimes there are opportunities for a second chance and perhaps this is Danni's.
As tragedy strikes and secrets come out, Danni is racing against the clock to take care of her mother and her family without hurting anyone badly in the process. This is truly a heat-wrenching read with so many unexpected twists! The author has done a wonderful job with the plot and even though there is tragedy, she brings out the beauty of relationships and love in the end, making this book totally worth the read!
January 25, 2021
My goodness what a sad story this was! There was so much heartbreak and so many difficult situations for so many of the characters. It was quite hard to like Diana at first when you read about the way she has shunned her daughter Danni and blatantly favoured her brother Adam over the years. I felt a natural sympathy for Danni who never understood why she was treated this way. She has her own lovely family and is determined her girls will know nothing but love. And yet, it is Danni who steps up when Diana needs her.
Anyone who has cared for a relative with dementia will recognise the difficulties this brings and Julia Roberts does not shy away from showing this clearly, but she also shows the happier more lucid moments in Diana's relationship with Danni and her granddaughters. The author also gently and sensitively explores the effect losing a child can have throughout the parent's life. The author really put her characters through the mill with so many traumas heaped upon them and yet in a way that seemed completely plausible.
Having said that there is a lot of sadness, this isn't a book which upset me, more me made just feel such sympathy for its characters. I found it a very compelling book with its short chapters and first person narrative making it very much a 'just one more chapter' type read. If you enjoy a book with lots of emotion and family secrets, then this is a book for you.
Anyone who has cared for a relative with dementia will recognise the difficulties this brings and Julia Roberts does not shy away from showing this clearly, but she also shows the happier more lucid moments in Diana's relationship with Danni and her granddaughters. The author also gently and sensitively explores the effect losing a child can have throughout the parent's life. The author really put her characters through the mill with so many traumas heaped upon them and yet in a way that seemed completely plausible.
Having said that there is a lot of sadness, this isn't a book which upset me, more me made just feel such sympathy for its characters. I found it a very compelling book with its short chapters and first person narrative making it very much a 'just one more chapter' type read. If you enjoy a book with lots of emotion and family secrets, then this is a book for you.
January 31, 2021
'My Mother's Secret' by Julia Roberts is a contemporary fiction about Mothers and their love for their children,alive or dead. Its also a story of two people's struggles with the past and how they deal with it. The story brings out the impact of parenting both good bad. It talks about families, secrets and complexities of various relationships.
My Mother's secret is primarily a story revolving around Danni and her mother Diana. Danni has always felt the neglect of her mother very heartbreaking but she steps in when her mother requires her help. As Diana is going through Alzheimer's some of the closely held family secrets spill out giving Danni a vague picture of the past. Will Danni uncover the entire past? Read this beautifully written emotional rollercoaster story.
The various themes in the story of relationships, healthy and unhealthy, the impact of friendships and devastating effects of bad parenting all are brought alive through the various characters in the story. Although I started out judging Diana and her behaviour, the author through her story forced me to change my perspective. The secondary characters in the story of Danni's husband, her friend and Diana's neighbour all of them are equally important and enrich the story through their personalities and presence. The only issue I had was that I could not be convinced of the reason for Diana's behaviour towards her daughter. Apart from this minor challenge that I faced, I completely enjoyed the story. The story line is intricate weaving between past events and the present. The characterization is good with each character lending its presence to the story.
If you love to read contemporary women's fiction and do not mind an emotional gripping story then this book is for you.
I thank the author, the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for accepting my request to review the story and the opinions expressed are mine alone.
My Mother's secret is primarily a story revolving around Danni and her mother Diana. Danni has always felt the neglect of her mother very heartbreaking but she steps in when her mother requires her help. As Diana is going through Alzheimer's some of the closely held family secrets spill out giving Danni a vague picture of the past. Will Danni uncover the entire past? Read this beautifully written emotional rollercoaster story.
The various themes in the story of relationships, healthy and unhealthy, the impact of friendships and devastating effects of bad parenting all are brought alive through the various characters in the story. Although I started out judging Diana and her behaviour, the author through her story forced me to change my perspective. The secondary characters in the story of Danni's husband, her friend and Diana's neighbour all of them are equally important and enrich the story through their personalities and presence. The only issue I had was that I could not be convinced of the reason for Diana's behaviour towards her daughter. Apart from this minor challenge that I faced, I completely enjoyed the story. The story line is intricate weaving between past events and the present. The characterization is good with each character lending its presence to the story.
If you love to read contemporary women's fiction and do not mind an emotional gripping story then this book is for you.
I thank the author, the publisher Bookouture and Netgalley for accepting my request to review the story and the opinions expressed are mine alone.
February 24, 2021
Danni's difficult relationship with her mother Diana worsens when her mum is diagnosed with dementia and breast cancer. Diana reveals that she had a stillborn son but is convinced he didn't really die. Is this her mental deterioration or the truth...?
My Mother's Secret is a very emotional book that centres around family dynamics. Danni has always felt unloved, that her mother valued her younger brother whilst rejecting her. With time running out, she is desperate to finally get the love and recognition she has always wanted. Watching a loved one's physical and mental health deteriorate is described with heartbreaking realism.
My own emotions veered from anger to sympathy and back again when considering Diana and the ways that past events have shaped her character and behaviour towards her daughter. Although the past explains her behaviour, it doesn't excuse it in any way. In contrast, Danni is almost saint-like, putting up with her mum's vitriol whilst coping with Diana's tragic diagnosis.
The style of writing feels quite natural which adds an authenticity to the scenarios described. I could particularly identify with Danni as she is around my age, with children as well as parents to care for. To be honest, I wanted Danni to find answers to soothe her heart and finally make Diana treat her with the love and respect she naturally deserved as her daughter.
My Mother's Secret is a tale of sadness, squandered love and new hope
My Mother's Secret is a very emotional book that centres around family dynamics. Danni has always felt unloved, that her mother valued her younger brother whilst rejecting her. With time running out, she is desperate to finally get the love and recognition she has always wanted. Watching a loved one's physical and mental health deteriorate is described with heartbreaking realism.
My own emotions veered from anger to sympathy and back again when considering Diana and the ways that past events have shaped her character and behaviour towards her daughter. Although the past explains her behaviour, it doesn't excuse it in any way. In contrast, Danni is almost saint-like, putting up with her mum's vitriol whilst coping with Diana's tragic diagnosis.
The style of writing feels quite natural which adds an authenticity to the scenarios described. I could particularly identify with Danni as she is around my age, with children as well as parents to care for. To be honest, I wanted Danni to find answers to soothe her heart and finally make Diana treat her with the love and respect she naturally deserved as her daughter.
My Mother's Secret is a tale of sadness, squandered love and new hope
January 27, 2021
My Mother’s Secret by Julia Roberts is narrated through the eyes of Danielle Harper. It follows her journey as she navigates the ups and downs of life after her mother becomes ill.
There are some very well written characters in this book which includes Maxine, Dani, her husband Ben and their two daughters. I absolutely love the connection between Dani and her husband Ben because he always has her back no matter what happens. The relationship between Dani and her daughters was very sweet because I think they all respected each other which helped to create a great relationship. The relationship between Dani and her mother is awful because Diana has always treated her daughter like she wasn’t important. I couldn’t stand Diana even after I found out what she went through when she was younger because that wasn’t a good enough reason to treat Dani the way that she did.
This story is filled with heartbreak, forgiveness, secrets and the love a mother has for her children. This was the first book that I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more.
I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.
There are some very well written characters in this book which includes Maxine, Dani, her husband Ben and their two daughters. I absolutely love the connection between Dani and her husband Ben because he always has her back no matter what happens. The relationship between Dani and her daughters was very sweet because I think they all respected each other which helped to create a great relationship. The relationship between Dani and her mother is awful because Diana has always treated her daughter like she wasn’t important. I couldn’t stand Diana even after I found out what she went through when she was younger because that wasn’t a good enough reason to treat Dani the way that she did.
This story is filled with heartbreak, forgiveness, secrets and the love a mother has for her children. This was the first book that I have read by this author and I would be interested in reading more.
I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.
January 29, 2021
My Mothers Secret is a story about family and being there for each other no matter what.
Danni grew up never feeling love from her mother. She knew her mother was capable of love because she saw how her mother treated her brother. Nothing she did was right, no amount of trying helped, so eventually Danni just gave up.
Now that she’s a mom herself she looks at her daughters and can’t imagine not loving them with her whole heart, so how could her mom have disliked her so much? The two never spend time together but when a late night call from the police sends Danni running to her moms side she realizes something is very wrong. Even though her mom doesn’t want her around Danni has no choice but to take over her mothers care. Maybe spending more time with Danni and her two grandchildren will make her realize she does love Danni after all. As her mother’s mind starts slipping more and more she hears her make a few comments about a baby who has died. Is she confused? Danni starts to discover things about her mother she never knew and her hood is to get all the answers she needs before it’s too late.
Danni grew up never feeling love from her mother. She knew her mother was capable of love because she saw how her mother treated her brother. Nothing she did was right, no amount of trying helped, so eventually Danni just gave up.
Now that she’s a mom herself she looks at her daughters and can’t imagine not loving them with her whole heart, so how could her mom have disliked her so much? The two never spend time together but when a late night call from the police sends Danni running to her moms side she realizes something is very wrong. Even though her mom doesn’t want her around Danni has no choice but to take over her mothers care. Maybe spending more time with Danni and her two grandchildren will make her realize she does love Danni after all. As her mother’s mind starts slipping more and more she hears her make a few comments about a baby who has died. Is she confused? Danni starts to discover things about her mother she never knew and her hood is to get all the answers she needs before it’s too late.
March 1, 2021
My Mothers Secret is a truly captivating, empathetic and authentic book with many twists and turns that I didn’t expect. The book really resonated with me as I have truly experienced the tears, laughter and the whole plethora of emotions that you experience when caring for someone you love who has dementia. Julia really captured some of the many facets that effect dementia sufferers and how this also affects the selfless people who continue to care for them. Their memories have been stolen and the anguish that they feel when they can’t recall things or become frustrated and isolated in their world. Diana’s character at times made me angry that she didn’t value her selfless daughter but made me cry when she realised that her daughter, despite feeling worthless, unloved and ignored in the early years of her life would do anything for her in the hope that she could regain a loving mother/daughter relationship. Another absolute gripping page turner which really drew me into the story so much so that I read the book in two sittings which is very rare for me. Congratulations Julia, a truly fantastic read
December 16, 2020
This book was so sad! So very, very, sad. I really felt for Danni. Mostly because of the situation she had been thrown into with her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but the other reason was the state of their mother/daughter relationship. I asked myself a few times, how can all their issues be repaired? In my head, I couldn’t see a solution. All I could see were rising tensions and vitriol.
I loved main character, Danni’s interactions with her husband, her two girls and Maxine; they were a delight to read. I also felt a sense of realism with it all, such as the financial constraints that Danni’s family were suffering at such a time when money would make a few things easier for them. This gave the whole book an authentic feel to it.
Julia Robert’s tells a fantastic tale of dealing with lifelong rejection. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Diana’s secret. The investigative journey that Danni took to reach the truth really had me flipping over the pages at speed. Word of advice, make sure you have tissues at hand. ‘My Mother’s Secret’ is a tearjerker of a read!
I loved main character, Danni’s interactions with her husband, her two girls and Maxine; they were a delight to read. I also felt a sense of realism with it all, such as the financial constraints that Danni’s family were suffering at such a time when money would make a few things easier for them. This gave the whole book an authentic feel to it.
Julia Robert’s tells a fantastic tale of dealing with lifelong rejection. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Diana’s secret. The investigative journey that Danni took to reach the truth really had me flipping over the pages at speed. Word of advice, make sure you have tissues at hand. ‘My Mother’s Secret’ is a tearjerker of a read!
February 2, 2021
This is completely different from my usual genre, preferring to read crime novels and something to get my teeth into and try to solve!
It is a sad tale, with a lot of heartache for Danni, I think most of us have experienced having or knowing a relative with dementia and the demands it makes. One minute they’re lucid and the next they are away in their own worlds, locked inside a body with a brain that is struggling to function.
Saying that I don’t think there was really any excuse for the way her mother treated her, she’d not always been ill, she was just bitter at what life had thrown at her, which wasn’t the child’s fault at all. I was, in some parts, getting quite cross with Diana, and felt really sorry for Danni, in fact if she’d treated me like that, I’d have left her to it! However, she does mellow towards Danni and I think at the end there is perhaps true affection, well as much as Diana is capable of.
I was gobsmacked with the twist and didn’t see that coming, it was such a good ending.
My thanks to Julia, and the publishers for the arc.
It is a sad tale, with a lot of heartache for Danni, I think most of us have experienced having or knowing a relative with dementia and the demands it makes. One minute they’re lucid and the next they are away in their own worlds, locked inside a body with a brain that is struggling to function.
Saying that I don’t think there was really any excuse for the way her mother treated her, she’d not always been ill, she was just bitter at what life had thrown at her, which wasn’t the child’s fault at all. I was, in some parts, getting quite cross with Diana, and felt really sorry for Danni, in fact if she’d treated me like that, I’d have left her to it! However, she does mellow towards Danni and I think at the end there is perhaps true affection, well as much as Diana is capable of.
I was gobsmacked with the twist and didn’t see that coming, it was such a good ending.
My thanks to Julia, and the publishers for the arc.
January 28, 2021
My Mother’s Secret really tugged at my heartstrings, a real emotional tear-jerker!
My heart aches for poor Danni! Her mom’s words and behavior towards her throughout her life made me physically wince and gasp, especially when she was younger. The long-lasting psychological harm and damage was apparent throughout Danni’s life and yet she was still there for her mother. Finding out about her mom’s diagnosis later was also a hard time for Danni. Despite knowing the symptoms of the disease, hurtful words still hurt, Alzheimer’s is way too frequent of a visitor to many of my family members and I am too familiar with the unexpected anger and turbulent mood swings.
I am so impressed with the author for creating a character that I could feel such empathy and compassion for, and one that I felt such strong emotion towards as each twist, turn, and secret in her life was revealed.
I highly recommend this book, as emotional as it is.
#MyMothersSecret #NetGalley
My heart aches for poor Danni! Her mom’s words and behavior towards her throughout her life made me physically wince and gasp, especially when she was younger. The long-lasting psychological harm and damage was apparent throughout Danni’s life and yet she was still there for her mother. Finding out about her mom’s diagnosis later was also a hard time for Danni. Despite knowing the symptoms of the disease, hurtful words still hurt, Alzheimer’s is way too frequent of a visitor to many of my family members and I am too familiar with the unexpected anger and turbulent mood swings.
I am so impressed with the author for creating a character that I could feel such empathy and compassion for, and one that I felt such strong emotion towards as each twist, turn, and secret in her life was revealed.
I highly recommend this book, as emotional as it is.
#MyMothersSecret #NetGalley
December 7, 2020
Danni has always had a strained relationship with her mother and even though they live close together they rarely see each other. Danni receives a late night call that her mother was found wandering around in the middle of the night. This leads to a dementia diagnosis and Danni having to spend more time with her mom then in the past.
During one of her “episodes “ her mom mentions having given birth to a son when she was a teenager. Danni wonders if this is true or a made up story, while digging into this story Danni is reunited with family, exposed to family secrets and this takes unexpected twists and turns.
Such an emotional read, so much love, loss and secrets to uncover.
This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last, as the emotion is poured out into every single page !
During one of her “episodes “ her mom mentions having given birth to a son when she was a teenager. Danni wonders if this is true or a made up story, while digging into this story Danni is reunited with family, exposed to family secrets and this takes unexpected twists and turns.
Such an emotional read, so much love, loss and secrets to uncover.
This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last, as the emotion is poured out into every single page !
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