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Finding Georgina
What happens after you get what you've always wanted? In Colleen Faulkner's thought-provoking and emotionally compelling novel, a mother is reunited with the daughter who was abducted as a toddler--only to face unexpected and painful challenges . . .
It's the moment Harper Broussard always dreamed of. Her daughter Georgina, snatched fourteen years ago during a Mardi Gras parade, is standing before her, making cappuccinos behind the counter of Harper's favorite New Orleans coffee shop. Harper's ex-husband, Remy, has patiently endured many "sightings" over the years, and assumes this is yet another false alarm.
Yet this time, Harper is right.
The woman who kidnapped Georgina admits to her crime. Georgina, now known as Lilla, returns to her birth parents. But in all of Harper's homecoming fantasies, her daughter was still a little girl, easily pacified with a trip to the park or a cherry snowball. In reality, she's a wary, confused teenager who has never known any mother except the loving woman who's now serving time. Harper's younger daughter, Josephine, has spent her life competing with the ghost of a perfect, missing sister. Trying to bond with the real, imperfect version isn't any easier. And though Remy has agreed to give their strained marriage another chance, he and Harper struggle to connect.
Clinging to dreams of reuniting has been Harper's way of surviving. Now she must forge new ones on an often heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful journey--one that will redefine her idea of motherhood and family.
It's the moment Harper Broussard always dreamed of. Her daughter Georgina, snatched fourteen years ago during a Mardi Gras parade, is standing before her, making cappuccinos behind the counter of Harper's favorite New Orleans coffee shop. Harper's ex-husband, Remy, has patiently endured many "sightings" over the years, and assumes this is yet another false alarm.
Yet this time, Harper is right.
The woman who kidnapped Georgina admits to her crime. Georgina, now known as Lilla, returns to her birth parents. But in all of Harper's homecoming fantasies, her daughter was still a little girl, easily pacified with a trip to the park or a cherry snowball. In reality, she's a wary, confused teenager who has never known any mother except the loving woman who's now serving time. Harper's younger daughter, Josephine, has spent her life competing with the ghost of a perfect, missing sister. Trying to bond with the real, imperfect version isn't any easier. And though Remy has agreed to give their strained marriage another chance, he and Harper struggle to connect.
Clinging to dreams of reuniting has been Harper's way of surviving. Now she must forge new ones on an often heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful journey--one that will redefine her idea of motherhood and family.
500 pages, Library Binding
First published February 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 22, 2024
Fourteen years earlier Harper and Remy’s daughter , Georgina, a two year old, was abducted from the Mardi Gras. Harper has dreamed of getting her daughter back, and has nearly driven Remy mad with her supposed sightings. Now, Harper is certain it is Georgina working in her favourite New Orleans coffee shop. This time Harper is right. The woman who kidnapped Georgina confesses to her crime.
It takes some time but at last Georgina comes home. But things do not work out at all as she expected. Georgina, who is now called Lilla, is an angry confused teenager. As far as she is concerned Sharon, her abductor who has been jailed, is the only mother she has known. Jojo, Harper youngest daughter, has always lived in the shadow of Georgina’s disappearance. So she has mixed feelings about her sister’s return. Will this family be able to reconcile and feel like a normal family?
This story is told from three points of view, that of Harper, Lilla and Jojo. It had me thoroughly involved from the start. I liked seeing the situation from the different perspectives. The characters are interesting and had me thinking about them when I was not reading. I had an idea of how it would end but I ended up surprised by the way it did end. Still thinking about the ending and my response to it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Reactions felt realistic in each case. An engrossing read.
It takes some time but at last Georgina comes home. But things do not work out at all as she expected. Georgina, who is now called Lilla, is an angry confused teenager. As far as she is concerned Sharon, her abductor who has been jailed, is the only mother she has known. Jojo, Harper youngest daughter, has always lived in the shadow of Georgina’s disappearance. So she has mixed feelings about her sister’s return. Will this family be able to reconcile and feel like a normal family?
This story is told from three points of view, that of Harper, Lilla and Jojo. It had me thoroughly involved from the start. I liked seeing the situation from the different perspectives. The characters are interesting and had me thinking about them when I was not reading. I had an idea of how it would end but I ended up surprised by the way it did end. Still thinking about the ending and my response to it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. Reactions felt realistic in each case. An engrossing read.
March 1, 2018
You’ve followed cases, you’ve seen the news. Everyone is happy when a lost/kidnaped child is found and comes home. We all think how great that is and then we move on with our lives. But who really thinks about what comes after? After that child comes home after a month, a year or several years and has to find their place in a family they may not know.
Georgina was stolen from her stroller at a Mardi Gras parade when she was two. For fourteen years, her family had no idea what happened to her. Her parents couldn’t cope together and her younger sister JoJo lived in her shadow being strangled by the overprotectiveness of her mother, Harper.
One day by chance Harper sees a girl working in a coffee shop and she is sure it is her daughter Georgina. It’s been 14 years And she’s been wrong before, horribly embarrassingly wrong. But her mother’s instinct won’t allow her to let it go. And then they all live happily ever after. But do they?
How can Georgina accept this family as hers? She already has a mother, the only mother she’s ever know and is torn between love and hatred for Sharon. How could the woman she’s known and loved her whole life have stolen her from someone else? Her whole life has been a lie. Everything is different now; new house, new school, new religion, new family, even her name is different. She’s caught between wanting to throw herself in Mom Sharon’s arms and never speaking to her again. The reader can’t help the heart wrenching feeling as Georgina comes to term with her new now.
And JoJo is no longer the only child with the appearance of the golden child. It’s her sister’s fault she can’t go anywhere by herself or do anything. How does she adapt to being the little sister to someone she doesn’t know and doesn’t really want to know.
For her parents, their prayers have been answered and their baby is home. But she isn’t their baby anymore. This stranger is someone they don’t know. It’s hard for me to know how parents would react in this situation, and fortunately most of us never have to find out. I think for the most part, it was portrayed pretty accurately. I was so invested in this story and often cringed at the moves Harper made. She was strangling and smothering the poor girl and expected way too much too soon. But it’s likely I would do the same. How do we know how we would react to a lost child coming home; you’ve already missed so much of their life. There isn’t a manual that tells you how to act when you’d kidnaped child comes home.
And Remy, did not care for the man and I will leave it at that. I even mustered up some sympathy for Sharon. What she did will never be ok, but in a weird way I kind of get it. Although I was a little stunned at the nerve of her a time or two.
Couple of things though; why on earth after years of moving around constantly, would Sharon return to scene of the crime? That seems super stupid to me. And also, there is no way something like that would be kept out of the media; they’d have people all over sensationalizing on Georgina’s return. So I didn’t find that part really realistic.
All in all though I loved this book as I did the two other books I have read by this author. She really packs an emotional ride, the reader can’t help being involved with the characters as if we know them. I would give this one a solid 4 1/2
Georgina was stolen from her stroller at a Mardi Gras parade when she was two. For fourteen years, her family had no idea what happened to her. Her parents couldn’t cope together and her younger sister JoJo lived in her shadow being strangled by the overprotectiveness of her mother, Harper.
One day by chance Harper sees a girl working in a coffee shop and she is sure it is her daughter Georgina. It’s been 14 years And she’s been wrong before, horribly embarrassingly wrong. But her mother’s instinct won’t allow her to let it go. And then they all live happily ever after. But do they?
How can Georgina accept this family as hers? She already has a mother, the only mother she’s ever know and is torn between love and hatred for Sharon. How could the woman she’s known and loved her whole life have stolen her from someone else? Her whole life has been a lie. Everything is different now; new house, new school, new religion, new family, even her name is different. She’s caught between wanting to throw herself in Mom Sharon’s arms and never speaking to her again. The reader can’t help the heart wrenching feeling as Georgina comes to term with her new now.
And JoJo is no longer the only child with the appearance of the golden child. It’s her sister’s fault she can’t go anywhere by herself or do anything. How does she adapt to being the little sister to someone she doesn’t know and doesn’t really want to know.
For her parents, their prayers have been answered and their baby is home. But she isn’t their baby anymore. This stranger is someone they don’t know. It’s hard for me to know how parents would react in this situation, and fortunately most of us never have to find out. I think for the most part, it was portrayed pretty accurately. I was so invested in this story and often cringed at the moves Harper made. She was strangling and smothering the poor girl and expected way too much too soon. But it’s likely I would do the same. How do we know how we would react to a lost child coming home; you’ve already missed so much of their life. There isn’t a manual that tells you how to act when you’d kidnaped child comes home.
And Remy, did not care for the man and I will leave it at that. I even mustered up some sympathy for Sharon. What she did will never be ok, but in a weird way I kind of get it. Although I was a little stunned at the nerve of her a time or two.
Couple of things though; why on earth after years of moving around constantly, would Sharon return to scene of the crime? That seems super stupid to me. And also, there is no way something like that would be kept out of the media; they’d have people all over sensationalizing on Georgina’s return. So I didn’t find that part really realistic.
All in all though I loved this book as I did the two other books I have read by this author. She really packs an emotional ride, the reader can’t help being involved with the characters as if we know them. I would give this one a solid 4 1/2
May 16, 2018
After reading other reviews, I agree with the criticisms, but this is why I don’t read reviews before I read a book. I really enjoyed it, in spite of the flaws. Yes, the father is selfish. Yes, the mother is obsessive. And yes, Sharon did a terrible thing. But the story was still excellent, and I totally loved it. I liked, and empathized with Lilla/Georgina and I liked Jo-Jo, and think she was a realistic 14 year old.
June 18, 2018
I couldn't put this book down, I wish it hadn't ended, and I wish I could follow this family for a few more years of their lives. I want to know more! For me, it was just a very good look into how a married couple deals with the discovery of, and reunion with, the daughter who was kidnapped 14 years ago. The behaviours, the thoughts, the actions and interpretations from all 4 family members paint a very real perspective. Just very engrossing and very easy to read.
October 16, 2024
In the blink of an eye, Harper has everything she's wanted for the past fourteen years—she's found her daughter, who was abducted at the age of two. Georgina is living with her again; her ex-husband has moved back into the house; things will be perfect now. Except: Georgina isn't two anymore—she's sixteen, and as far as she can remember she's only ever had one parent, and that parent is not Harper. Harper has imagined Georgina coming home, but she's never imagined that Georgina wouldn't want to come home, or that she would want to be called by a different name, or that she wouldn't be Catholic.
I'm reminded, of course, of Twice Taken, which may be the reason I picked this up. I've read quite a few books along these lines, although I think always or almost always from the child's perspective. Here we get multiple perspectives—Harper, Georgina/Lilla, Harper's younger daughter JoJo. I can't say that I was entirely there for it. I don't think we got all that much into Georgina/Lilla's head, or into JoJo's, and Harper was...I don't know how to put this other than to say that she was so Midwestern Basic that I found her completely unrelatable. (At one point someone suggests to Harper that she might like a particular book because it's the sort that gets discussed a lot in book clubs, and that felt so very very on point.) I don't mean that as snark—if Midwestern Basic is your thing, fab! I know some lovely Midwestern Basic folks. (I just don't understand them very well.) And the characters in this book don't even live in the Midwest. But Harper is so locked into her limited worldview and her idea of how her daughter should fit into her family and into the world. I'm not a parent, and maybe if that someday changes I'll view books like this differently, but I would have found Harper easier to take if she'd tried earlier—much earlier—to meet her reunited child where she was rather than stubbornly holding on to the idea that they would be singing in the church choir and going to book club together, hand in hand.
It's fair to say that I wasn't really the reader for this book, but it's tackling some interesting questions. Every so often a real-life version of this crops up in the news, and it's hard to think beyond, just...how devastating for everyone involved. Even if there are clear rights and wrongs, there's no way forward that doesn't turn lives upside-down.
I'm reminded, of course, of Twice Taken, which may be the reason I picked this up. I've read quite a few books along these lines, although I think always or almost always from the child's perspective. Here we get multiple perspectives—Harper, Georgina/Lilla, Harper's younger daughter JoJo. I can't say that I was entirely there for it. I don't think we got all that much into Georgina/Lilla's head, or into JoJo's, and Harper was...I don't know how to put this other than to say that she was so Midwestern Basic that I found her completely unrelatable. (At one point someone suggests to Harper that she might like a particular book because it's the sort that gets discussed a lot in book clubs, and that felt so very very on point.) I don't mean that as snark—if Midwestern Basic is your thing, fab! I know some lovely Midwestern Basic folks. (I just don't understand them very well.) And the characters in this book don't even live in the Midwest. But Harper is so locked into her limited worldview and her idea of how her daughter should fit into her family and into the world. I'm not a parent, and maybe if that someday changes I'll view books like this differently, but I would have found Harper easier to take if she'd tried earlier—much earlier—to meet her reunited child where she was rather than stubbornly holding on to the idea that they would be singing in the church choir and going to book club together, hand in hand.
It's fair to say that I wasn't really the reader for this book, but it's tackling some interesting questions. Every so often a real-life version of this crops up in the news, and it's hard to think beyond, just...how devastating for everyone involved. Even if there are clear rights and wrongs, there's no way forward that doesn't turn lives upside-down.
February 25, 2018
Finding Georgina by Colleen Faulkner
What if:
*Your toddler was taken from you fourteen years ago?
*You believed she was dead but never truly gave up hoping she was not?
*You believed you had found your child, now sixteen, and she did not at all resemble the memory of her you have kept alive?
*You were faced with integrating you long-lost daughter back into a family with members that have changed – perhaps just as much she has?
How would you cope?
How would the father of your lost child cope?
How would your other-daughter cope?
How would your lost-daughter cope?
This story is told from the viewpoints of
*The mother: Harper
*The unlost-sister: Josephine-Jojo
*The lost-sister: Georgina-Lilla
The emotions are raw, the characters are fully fleshed out, the issues are real, and the dynamics are difficult, the story is not easy reading. The author has done a good job of telling the “what if” story that should have a happy ending for all but makes the reader really look at “what if”…
I had a bit of trouble with Harper…she seemed to be a needy, demanding, controlling sort of helicopter mother. I can see why, in some ways, Remy made the choices he did about his wife but can’t really figure out his reasoning or “needs” in relationship to the family he helped create. I found Jojo to be well portrayed as a somewhat rebellious teenager – not unexpected with Harper as her mother. I found Georgina-Lilla to be an emotionally mature and strong young woman who did her best when she found herself in a very difficult situation. I enjoyed peeking in on the sisters as they learned to know and deal with one another. Having no idea what a REAL family has to contend with if/when they are reconnected with a lost child that was taken so young and kept so many years I am unsure how realistic this story is but it did make me think and ponder and wonder just how I would react if I found myself in any one of the characters’ shoes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
What if:
*Your toddler was taken from you fourteen years ago?
*You believed she was dead but never truly gave up hoping she was not?
*You believed you had found your child, now sixteen, and she did not at all resemble the memory of her you have kept alive?
*You were faced with integrating you long-lost daughter back into a family with members that have changed – perhaps just as much she has?
How would you cope?
How would the father of your lost child cope?
How would your other-daughter cope?
How would your lost-daughter cope?
This story is told from the viewpoints of
*The mother: Harper
*The unlost-sister: Josephine-Jojo
*The lost-sister: Georgina-Lilla
The emotions are raw, the characters are fully fleshed out, the issues are real, and the dynamics are difficult, the story is not easy reading. The author has done a good job of telling the “what if” story that should have a happy ending for all but makes the reader really look at “what if”…
I had a bit of trouble with Harper…she seemed to be a needy, demanding, controlling sort of helicopter mother. I can see why, in some ways, Remy made the choices he did about his wife but can’t really figure out his reasoning or “needs” in relationship to the family he helped create. I found Jojo to be well portrayed as a somewhat rebellious teenager – not unexpected with Harper as her mother. I found Georgina-Lilla to be an emotionally mature and strong young woman who did her best when she found herself in a very difficult situation. I enjoyed peeking in on the sisters as they learned to know and deal with one another. Having no idea what a REAL family has to contend with if/when they are reconnected with a lost child that was taken so young and kept so many years I am unsure how realistic this story is but it did make me think and ponder and wonder just how I would react if I found myself in any one of the characters’ shoes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
April 16, 2018
A thought provoking story.
This was hard for me to finish, not because of the storyline but because I found the mom to be absolutely annoying. I couldn't stomach her. And the dad was a whole other joke. If those two characters had better personalities, it probably would have been a better story. But when I finished the book the only thing I could think of was how much I grew to despise the dad. His selfishness and the moms pathetic and at times oblivious mentality overshadowed Georgina's story for me.
This was hard for me to finish, not because of the storyline but because I found the mom to be absolutely annoying. I couldn't stomach her. And the dad was a whole other joke. If those two characters had better personalities, it probably would have been a better story. But when I finished the book the only thing I could think of was how much I grew to despise the dad. His selfishness and the moms pathetic and at times oblivious mentality overshadowed Georgina's story for me.
May 5, 2019
Very easy to read. Loved it.
April 5, 2018
An interesting concept but all the characters were so damn unlikable it made it hard to get into. I could understand Harper-Mom's anxiety and overparenting because her child was abducted but her devoted love to Remy who was a selfish ass hole was a problem. I just never bonded with Georgina/Lilla, kidnapped or not I think she would have been an unpleasant person, took after her father a bit too much. Jojo was pretty much acting like the spoiled rich brat she was so she kinda gets a passs on that. Just meh story overall.
June 4, 2018
All the characters in the book seemed to be doing their best in a difficult, to say the least, situation. While reading the book, I kept expecting Remy to do something terrible, but I disagree with all the reviewers who felt he was selfish or a jerk or worse. He appeared to be the anchor of the family, before and after the return. Anyone who isn’t a saint would need some space sometimes from Harper, although she also was trying to lighten up a bit. I think the book was a very plausible approach to what could happen in these circumstances. The only question I have is how did they recognize her.
March 24, 2018
Colleen Faulkner you made me cry, worst of all... you planned it. Imagine your two year old is kidnapped and you know she is most likely dead. Then you see her working in a coffee shop and it really turns out to be her. This family has been warped and shaped by the kidnapping 14 years ago. Harper is a helicopter mom, Remy is overwhelmed. JoJo is used to being only child and Lilla/Georgia has been ripped from the only Mother she has ever known. What a brew of characters and emotions. Told from different points of view and really well written and plotted.
September 27, 2018
I didn't think that I would like this book, but I ended up really enjoying it. The book makes the reader think about how many people can be impacted by one crime, and how each person has been affected. There is no easy, happily ever after here - the lives of the birth family are forever altered by the choice made by the kidnapper. Returning home just isn't that simple. I really loved how the author captured the point of view of each character.
April 25, 2018
It's ok if you don't love me back. I have enough for the both of us.
Mother and daughter relationship. It can be a love/hate relationship. "I love my mom," "I hate my mom," "My mom never lets me do anything". "My mom doesn't understand me". But what happens when your two year old daughter is taken from you and 14 years later you find yourself at a coffee shop face to face with the daughter that you thought you would never see again.
The Broussard family is about to go through a roller coaster of emotions. The what if's, and how come, and I thought, and this is not how it is supposed to be. Harper, Remy and their daughters JoJo and Georgina's account of how families go thru crisis with their emotions.
Harper and Remy are divorced after their daughter Georgina's abduction. They couldn't bear each other's pain but loved each other fiercely. Their arrangement is unconventional as they live only blocks away and have dinner several times a week. The pain of losing a daughter and not knowing is to much to bear. But this arrangement works for the family that they have left.
When Harper spots Georgina working at a neighborhood coffee shop, she is beside herself. When it is confirmed that she is her daughter and her daughter is taken from the home that she has always known, emotions on both sides are on high alert. What do you call the parents that birthed you? How are you supposed to feel about the woman who abducted you but you only know as mom.
Faulker details every emotion that you are right there with her characters that you have grown to feel for. Sometimes you find yourself saying to Mother Harper get a grip or Father Remy, get over yourself. But you also know that these are real feelings. Whether they are right or wrong, they are feelings that anyone of us goes thru. It makes you take notice of what others might feel in that given situation. I know it did me. I was not abducted, but I came to live with my mother and her family after 10 years of living with my dad and his new family. I could empathize with this family on both fronts. As a mom, loving your child so much you stifle them, wanting to protect them, and over analyzing everything. And as a daughter, how do I love a family that I have no history with. What is my place. I liked how family counseling was put at the forefront in this story.
With all families there are many hurdles and I think anyone could relate to this to some level. It will leave you laughing and in tears as families do. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Mother and daughter relationship. It can be a love/hate relationship. "I love my mom," "I hate my mom," "My mom never lets me do anything". "My mom doesn't understand me". But what happens when your two year old daughter is taken from you and 14 years later you find yourself at a coffee shop face to face with the daughter that you thought you would never see again.
The Broussard family is about to go through a roller coaster of emotions. The what if's, and how come, and I thought, and this is not how it is supposed to be. Harper, Remy and their daughters JoJo and Georgina's account of how families go thru crisis with their emotions.
Harper and Remy are divorced after their daughter Georgina's abduction. They couldn't bear each other's pain but loved each other fiercely. Their arrangement is unconventional as they live only blocks away and have dinner several times a week. The pain of losing a daughter and not knowing is to much to bear. But this arrangement works for the family that they have left.
When Harper spots Georgina working at a neighborhood coffee shop, she is beside herself. When it is confirmed that she is her daughter and her daughter is taken from the home that she has always known, emotions on both sides are on high alert. What do you call the parents that birthed you? How are you supposed to feel about the woman who abducted you but you only know as mom.
Faulker details every emotion that you are right there with her characters that you have grown to feel for. Sometimes you find yourself saying to Mother Harper get a grip or Father Remy, get over yourself. But you also know that these are real feelings. Whether they are right or wrong, they are feelings that anyone of us goes thru. It makes you take notice of what others might feel in that given situation. I know it did me. I was not abducted, but I came to live with my mother and her family after 10 years of living with my dad and his new family. I could empathize with this family on both fronts. As a mom, loving your child so much you stifle them, wanting to protect them, and over analyzing everything. And as a daughter, how do I love a family that I have no history with. What is my place. I liked how family counseling was put at the forefront in this story.
With all families there are many hurdles and I think anyone could relate to this to some level. It will leave you laughing and in tears as families do. I highly recommend.
A Special Thank You to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
May 26, 2021
Brilliant, really really good. Told in alternating points of view. I found it gripping and insightful.
October 14, 2019
Interesting story. Two year old child is kidnapped, then returned to bio family 14 years later. As expected, it is not a “and they lived happily ever after” situation. Lots of adjustments for the family to make. Conflicted feelings on all sides.
I have no idea how this would play out in real life but I have a feeling that the way it is portrayed in the book could be pretty accurate. The characters are all believable. The chapters alternate among the different family members, except the father/husband. Not sure why he was left out.......his mind set was gleaned from the others but I think it would have been good to hear his voice.
Not a conventional ending/solution but one I think could work for this family.
This book was a huge step up from a previous book I read by this author.
I have no idea how this would play out in real life but I have a feeling that the way it is portrayed in the book could be pretty accurate. The characters are all believable. The chapters alternate among the different family members, except the father/husband. Not sure why he was left out.......his mind set was gleaned from the others but I think it would have been good to hear his voice.
Not a conventional ending/solution but one I think could work for this family.
This book was a huge step up from a previous book I read by this author.
November 28, 2019
I haven’t read a book as compelling as this one in a while. It drew me in, and it held my attention throughout. Perhaps it was because I’m a mother myself, but the story affected me deeply. I felt for both the biological mother and her kidnapped daughter. I didn’t like the ending at all—this the reason for four stars instead of five, but I realize that to be realistic, this was not a story that could be wrapped up easily. Even now I’m wondering if it’s truly worthy of the five. It was really, really good. Glad I read it. I just can’t get past my resentment over the ending.
June 1, 2018
This is a book I was thinking about when I wasn’t reading it. Faulkner does an amazing job of portraying the complexities of a situation where a two year old was abducted from her stroller at a Mardi Gras parade, and reunited with her birth family when she is fourteen. I felt for everyone, including the abducting mother, as they struggled to come to terms with their multiplicity of feelings. Wonderful read!
July 7, 2018
I really wanted to love this book. The characters all lacked the depth I craved from them. I just wish it was a little more.
February 10, 2018
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose to read this story because of the topic, and I chose to love this story because of the topic. Think about it the scenario, there are so many emotional points of view to consider that it is almost as overwhelming as the topic.
Faulkner chooses three different points of view to tell the story. Georgina (Lilla) - the child who was abducted at the age of two and it now sixteen, Harper - The mother who had her child taken away from her, and JoJo - the fourteen year old sister who has been living with Georgina's ghost her entire life.
Starting with Georgina, I really felt for her struggle. In one swift moment her happy life that she had known for sixteen years, technically fourteen, was completely torn upside down. Her loving mother is suddenly in jail and she is swept off to live with a family she does not know or remember. Expectations are placed on her that she can't possibly meet as she struggle to come to terms with what happened and figure out how she fits in to her new reality. I felt her journey was honest and realistically portrayed.
I struggled a little more with Harper. Her expectations of her happy family reunion were so far from realistic it was rather sad. The fact that she insisted Georgina be called by her birth name even though that is not the name she was raised with, the fact that she insisted shew as catholic although raised Jewish, and the fact that she was controlling and over protective. I found myself judging her frequently until I stopped to think about it. Who am I to say how I would act in that situation. It does make sense that she was over protective of the daughter left behind and that she wanted her returned daughter to fit right in to her family life. As far as her anxiety and overthinking, wouldn't I do the same in her situation? Although I would like to think I would handle it better, I am pretty sure I would also be a train wreck.
I felt JoJo's journey to be the most identifiable. As the youngest she was the most immature however surprisingly offered the most insight to the situation. I completely understand how she struggled to live with the ghost of Georgina to suddenly have the ghost living under her roof. I understand her tentative steps to get to know her while at the same time trying to maintain the somewhat normalcy her life had before. As far as her understanding of her parents she was the only one who could see in to their relationship objectively.
The jury is out on Remy. While I found him the only voice of reason at first, I felt his action above everyone else's ended up being the most selfish and self serving.
This story made me think and I like that. An event like this impacts multiple people and the ripples just keep going. I really really enjoyed this read
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose to read this story because of the topic, and I chose to love this story because of the topic. Think about it the scenario, there are so many emotional points of view to consider that it is almost as overwhelming as the topic.
Faulkner chooses three different points of view to tell the story. Georgina (Lilla) - the child who was abducted at the age of two and it now sixteen, Harper - The mother who had her child taken away from her, and JoJo - the fourteen year old sister who has been living with Georgina's ghost her entire life.
Starting with Georgina, I really felt for her struggle. In one swift moment her happy life that she had known for sixteen years, technically fourteen, was completely torn upside down. Her loving mother is suddenly in jail and she is swept off to live with a family she does not know or remember. Expectations are placed on her that she can't possibly meet as she struggle to come to terms with what happened and figure out how she fits in to her new reality. I felt her journey was honest and realistically portrayed.
I struggled a little more with Harper. Her expectations of her happy family reunion were so far from realistic it was rather sad. The fact that she insisted Georgina be called by her birth name even though that is not the name she was raised with, the fact that she insisted shew as catholic although raised Jewish, and the fact that she was controlling and over protective. I found myself judging her frequently until I stopped to think about it. Who am I to say how I would act in that situation. It does make sense that she was over protective of the daughter left behind and that she wanted her returned daughter to fit right in to her family life. As far as her anxiety and overthinking, wouldn't I do the same in her situation? Although I would like to think I would handle it better, I am pretty sure I would also be a train wreck.
I felt JoJo's journey to be the most identifiable. As the youngest she was the most immature however surprisingly offered the most insight to the situation. I completely understand how she struggled to live with the ghost of Georgina to suddenly have the ghost living under her roof. I understand her tentative steps to get to know her while at the same time trying to maintain the somewhat normalcy her life had before. As far as her understanding of her parents she was the only one who could see in to their relationship objectively.
The jury is out on Remy. While I found him the only voice of reason at first, I felt his action above everyone else's ended up being the most selfish and self serving.
This story made me think and I like that. An event like this impacts multiple people and the ripples just keep going. I really really enjoyed this read
April 5, 2018
When Harper Broussard walks into the local coffee shop one day and spots the new barista behind the corner, she immediately knows that this is her 16-year old daughter who was abducted when she was only two years old. It turns out that her daughter, Georgina, has been living with her abductor all those years and never suspected that the woman was not her true mother. Georgina is reunited with her blood family, which includes Harper, her ex-husband, and their 14-year old daughter Jojo, but the transition is far from easy. The story is told from three points of view: that of Harper, Georgina/Lilla, and Jojo.
For the most part I enjoyed this story and seeing how everyone in the family reacted and tried to adapt to their new reality. My problem lay in the characters themselves. Georgina/Lilla’s character was great and I thought the author really nailed her emotional journey well. Jojo was also very realistic… your typical narcissistic teen who is trying to break out from under her helicopter mom’s wings and figure out how to go from being an only child to a child with a sister. I also liked Anne and wish she’d had a bigger part in the story because she seemed level-headed, wise, supportive and caring… a good friend to Harper and someone I’d want on my side. Remy, the ex-husband, seemed the most grounded to me at the beginning, but by the end I was kind of like “What the heck is going on in this man’s head?” And don’t get me started on Harper. I realize she has spent 14 years not knowing what happened to her abducted daughter, but my goodness woman, get a grip! I felt like giving her a good shake on several occasions.
Despite my character-bashing, I did enjoy the storyline and watching how the family learned to interact with one another and figure out what exactly their new family should look like. It made me stop and ponder how I would handle the situation that Harper finds herself in. (Hopefully better than Harper, LOL!)
3.5 stars
For the most part I enjoyed this story and seeing how everyone in the family reacted and tried to adapt to their new reality. My problem lay in the characters themselves. Georgina/Lilla’s character was great and I thought the author really nailed her emotional journey well. Jojo was also very realistic… your typical narcissistic teen who is trying to break out from under her helicopter mom’s wings and figure out how to go from being an only child to a child with a sister. I also liked Anne and wish she’d had a bigger part in the story because she seemed level-headed, wise, supportive and caring… a good friend to Harper and someone I’d want on my side. Remy, the ex-husband, seemed the most grounded to me at the beginning, but by the end I was kind of like “What the heck is going on in this man’s head?” And don’t get me started on Harper. I realize she has spent 14 years not knowing what happened to her abducted daughter, but my goodness woman, get a grip! I felt like giving her a good shake on several occasions.
Despite my character-bashing, I did enjoy the storyline and watching how the family learned to interact with one another and figure out what exactly their new family should look like. It made me stop and ponder how I would handle the situation that Harper finds herself in. (Hopefully better than Harper, LOL!)
3.5 stars
March 9, 2018
Finding Georgina is a solid 4.5 star read. Colleen Faulkner does a wonderful job giving us a ringside seat to a family drama that most of us can only pray we never experience. Georgina, taken as a toddler, is finally found at the age of 16 and life as her real family knows it is about to be perfect, right???
This story examines the situation from JoJo's viewpoint (the 2 year younger sister), Harper's (the mother) and Georgina / Lilla (name give by the woman who took her.) It's a good look at how life might change if this happened to someone now.
My biggest issue in the book was Harper. I found her very self-centered and extremely unable to compromise. Of course, I haven't lived this situation and so I might very well have turned into a Harper although I hope not.
I really liked JoJo, the younger sister who is suddenly expected to accept her sister with open arms and like they were the best sister-friends ever. That would be hard for anyone to do, especially someone who had gotten used to being the only child.
Remy, in my opinion, was just a jerk. He might have been part of the reason for Harper being Harper, but I doubt he had much to do with her attitude.
I loved Harper's friend whose name I have now forgotten. She was down to earth, had lots of good suggestions and tried hard to help normalize life for JoJo and Georgina.
All in all a very good look at the story of what if a stolen child were to be found much later. I would definitely recommend this book! Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for allowing me an early copy.
This story examines the situation from JoJo's viewpoint (the 2 year younger sister), Harper's (the mother) and Georgina / Lilla (name give by the woman who took her.) It's a good look at how life might change if this happened to someone now.
My biggest issue in the book was Harper. I found her very self-centered and extremely unable to compromise. Of course, I haven't lived this situation and so I might very well have turned into a Harper although I hope not.
I really liked JoJo, the younger sister who is suddenly expected to accept her sister with open arms and like they were the best sister-friends ever. That would be hard for anyone to do, especially someone who had gotten used to being the only child.
Remy, in my opinion, was just a jerk. He might have been part of the reason for Harper being Harper, but I doubt he had much to do with her attitude.
I loved Harper's friend whose name I have now forgotten. She was down to earth, had lots of good suggestions and tried hard to help normalize life for JoJo and Georgina.
All in all a very good look at the story of what if a stolen child were to be found much later. I would definitely recommend this book! Thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for allowing me an early copy.
July 1, 2021
This story is three points of view Harper-the mom whose daughter was kidnapped, Lilla/Georgina- the daughter who was kidnapped at 2 1/2 now age 16, and JoJo-the younger sister who was an infant when big sister was kidnapped, now age 14. I had never read a story about a kidnapped person being reunited with their family and to be honest had never even thought about it. This book gave me all the feels. I know some people found Harper and JoJo annoying but I 100% understand every action, attitude and emotion they were having. My heart bled for the internal struggle of Lilla loving the only mother she ever knew but at the same time knowing she was her abductor and hating what she had done, for ruining the lives of so many people. Helicopter mom Harper was completely understandable to me. I think if your kid had been taken you would never again want a child out of your sight no matter the age. I also completely understood the jealousy and inner turmoil of JoJo who all her life competed with a "dead" sibling only to be thrust second again to the "found" sibling. The only one I couldn't really understand is the dad. I understand he was the laid back one but the choice he made at the end was so selfish and it wasn't explained out to my liking why he made the choice he did. Highly recommend this book for those who are wanting an emotional read. There's not much action in this one, it's a journey of inner struggles of finding your path after you've been lost for so long.
November 15, 2021
My take on Faulkner’s Finding Georgina is that the story is engaging but not satisfying! 3.5 stars, if you could distinguish 1/2 stars… I loved that this book pulled you into the story and the lives of these characters.
What I didn’t care for at all was the ending. For me, it really didn’t make sense. You either commit to something or you don’t. The path chosen seems like a lame way to proceed given all that has happened. Others might disagree, but that’s how I feel about it. Remy was selfish and couldn’t have really loved Harper, especially after knowing his decision would inflict further pain upon her with its consequences. The whole rationalizing of it by the Dad and later JoJo was laughable.
The interaction with Sharon was also unrealistic. No mother who lived through what Harper did would ever have allowed further contact. I also felt that some of Lilla’s choices and actions were quite immature given how “mature” her character was described and thought to be by others.
The author’s writing style is easy to read though, and the storyline does resonate with mothers who totally get that crazy kind of maternal love a mama has for her child.
What I didn’t care for at all was the ending. For me, it really didn’t make sense. You either commit to something or you don’t. The path chosen seems like a lame way to proceed given all that has happened. Others might disagree, but that’s how I feel about it. Remy was selfish and couldn’t have really loved Harper, especially after knowing his decision would inflict further pain upon her with its consequences. The whole rationalizing of it by the Dad and later JoJo was laughable.
The interaction with Sharon was also unrealistic. No mother who lived through what Harper did would ever have allowed further contact. I also felt that some of Lilla’s choices and actions were quite immature given how “mature” her character was described and thought to be by others.
The author’s writing style is easy to read though, and the storyline does resonate with mothers who totally get that crazy kind of maternal love a mama has for her child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2019
I am an avid reader of contemporary fiction and I am EXTREMELY picky about the quality of writing. No fluffy romance novels with predictable plots and outcomes for me! This is, hands down, one of the best books I have ever read. I fell in love with the story line, the characters and most of all, the style of Ms. Faulkner's writing which is incredibly readable and descriptive. I finished the book in record time because I couldn't put it down and then, over Thanksgiving, passed it along to my 90-year-old mother (also an avid reader and the reason I am) and she stayed up 3 nights in a row until midnight until she finished it. I think this is a "don't miss" opportunity to read a great story with wonderfully "real" characters with whom everyone can identify. I had already read another of her books, "Our New Normal," and since finishing both of these, have ordered two more of her books which I hope are equally good. Enjoy!
September 29, 2021
Engaging read
Ok, so I did wonder how realistic the story was. A woman is sick and deranged with grief, kidnaps a toddler, but for 14 yrs proceeds to raise the child as an exceptionally good mother. She did some things to keep from getting caught, but nothing that indicated a state of mind that kidnaps.
There was also the sheer coincidence that the daughter was even found, but easy to suspend belief on that for sake of story.
The story is engaging, and the characters real enough to get irritated with. I found myself totally exasperated with the birth mom, not wanting to see myself in her. I was also critical of the dads behavior, again recognizing my own tendencies.
I usually stick with Kindle Unlimited selections, but I came across a sample of this book and the story drew me in. It was worth the purchase price. It's a great reminder of how vital it is to deal with things as they are,not how we desperately want them to be.
Ok, so I did wonder how realistic the story was. A woman is sick and deranged with grief, kidnaps a toddler, but for 14 yrs proceeds to raise the child as an exceptionally good mother. She did some things to keep from getting caught, but nothing that indicated a state of mind that kidnaps.
There was also the sheer coincidence that the daughter was even found, but easy to suspend belief on that for sake of story.
The story is engaging, and the characters real enough to get irritated with. I found myself totally exasperated with the birth mom, not wanting to see myself in her. I was also critical of the dads behavior, again recognizing my own tendencies.
I usually stick with Kindle Unlimited selections, but I came across a sample of this book and the story drew me in. It was worth the purchase price. It's a great reminder of how vital it is to deal with things as they are,not how we desperately want them to be.
April 13, 2018
I can't tell you the last time I read a book in twenty four hours. This book has a rare combo - really good writing and a compelling, moving plot.
The quick summary with no spoilers: a family has found a daughter that went missing as a young girl, 14 years earlier. Her return of course raises many issues- where has she been? What does she remember? How to bring her back into the family?
Told from three perspectives (mother, daughter, and second daughter), I really connected with each character. Beautiful descriptions of New Orleans were a nice bonus.
I had a small issue with the ending- won't go into it to avoid spoilers- but let's say I felt like one of the characters acted in a way that didn't feel congruent with the rest of the book. But honestly, it's a small criticism - this is an overall "can't put it down" read for me.
The quick summary with no spoilers: a family has found a daughter that went missing as a young girl, 14 years earlier. Her return of course raises many issues- where has she been? What does she remember? How to bring her back into the family?
Told from three perspectives (mother, daughter, and second daughter), I really connected with each character. Beautiful descriptions of New Orleans were a nice bonus.
I had a small issue with the ending- won't go into it to avoid spoilers- but let's say I felt like one of the characters acted in a way that didn't feel congruent with the rest of the book. But honestly, it's a small criticism - this is an overall "can't put it down" read for me.
March 29, 2020
I loved this book -- I assume we were supposed to feel sorry for Harper, but I could hardly stand her. She had NO feelings for anyone except herself and in my opinion Remy was punished every day he spent with her. Jojo was a typical teenager, but having to beg for every deviation from the norm must have worn her out. Lilla was amazingly mature and put-together, despite moving from an independent young woman to an atmosphere of being treated like she was still a toddler. Thank heavens she made the decision she did at the end of the book. She'll be better off emotionally. I had to feel sorry for the abductor mother -- she was mentally ill and had 20 or so years to reflect on what she did, which was reprehensible, but she provided love and security for Lilla. Not easy to imagine what one would do or how one would act in a similar situation.
May 6, 2018
I tried, because the premise was interesting. (Though a bit overused -- it seems like every YA book I pick up is about mistaken identity/return of kidnapped kid).
I got to about page 50 and had to stop because of the character of the mother. She was so unlikeable, so self-involved, that I couldn't imagine spending another page with her. The kind of "love" she had for her daughter was the worst kind and not love at all -- it was all about wanting her daughter to love her, without a shred of compassion or empathy or genuine understanding for the pain her daughter was in.
I hope that at the end, the daughter is reunited with her other mother, but somehow I doubt it.
Big pass.
I got to about page 50 and had to stop because of the character of the mother. She was so unlikeable, so self-involved, that I couldn't imagine spending another page with her. The kind of "love" she had for her daughter was the worst kind and not love at all -- it was all about wanting her daughter to love her, without a shred of compassion or empathy or genuine understanding for the pain her daughter was in.
I hope that at the end, the daughter is reunited with her other mother, but somehow I doubt it.
Big pass.
March 10, 2018
The author tackles a tough subject from all angles, and I mean all angles. As a mother, I began reading this often heart-wrenching story with the feeling that I knew how I was going to feel. I was wrong.
Told from the viewpoints of three characters, the book explores how a 14-year-old tragedy continues to affect an entire family, and how a homecoming isn’t always the happy event you might expect.
This is a wonderful book with fully-fleshed-out characters, with twists I didn’t expect, and an ending that was both thoughtful and satisfying. I rate this a highly recommended read.
Told from the viewpoints of three characters, the book explores how a 14-year-old tragedy continues to affect an entire family, and how a homecoming isn’t always the happy event you might expect.
This is a wonderful book with fully-fleshed-out characters, with twists I didn’t expect, and an ending that was both thoughtful and satisfying. I rate this a highly recommended read.
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