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Our Stolen Child
I grip my husband’s hand tight. The doctor is frowning. “Mr and Mrs Marcello… I’m so sorry.” She tells us there’s been a terrible mistake. Our last embryo—our last chance—was accidentally given to someone else. The child we made four years ago calls another woman “Mommy.”
Quinn cries silent tears as she folds a tiny knitted cardigan, bought in a moment of hope, and packs it away. All she’s ever wanted is to be a mother. Although her husband James brings her comfort, the knowledge they have no embryos left, and that their child is out there being raised by another family, is tearing them both apart.
When the lawyers tell them there’s a chance to get custody, James is unsure. But Quinn knows she has to take it: if only to look her little girl in the eyes, just once. Meeting Emily and the woman who raised her, Quinn’s heart cracks wide open. Emily looks just like Quinn, right down to her curly hair. And when the little girl flings her arms around Quinn’s waist, she can’t shake the feeling this is where Emily is meant to be.
As the two families reckon with an unimaginable decision, a secret from James’ past surfaces… one that forces Quinn to question everything she thought she wanted. But how will they decide what’s right for the little girl they all love so dearly? And where does Emily truly belong?
An absolutely unputdownable, heart-wrenching read about two families torn apart by one terrible mistake. Anyone who loves Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, Diane Chamberlain and Catherine Ryan Hyde won’t be able to put this down.
Quinn cries silent tears as she folds a tiny knitted cardigan, bought in a moment of hope, and packs it away. All she’s ever wanted is to be a mother. Although her husband James brings her comfort, the knowledge they have no embryos left, and that their child is out there being raised by another family, is tearing them both apart.
When the lawyers tell them there’s a chance to get custody, James is unsure. But Quinn knows she has to take it: if only to look her little girl in the eyes, just once. Meeting Emily and the woman who raised her, Quinn’s heart cracks wide open. Emily looks just like Quinn, right down to her curly hair. And when the little girl flings her arms around Quinn’s waist, she can’t shake the feeling this is where Emily is meant to be.
As the two families reckon with an unimaginable decision, a secret from James’ past surfaces… one that forces Quinn to question everything she thought she wanted. But how will they decide what’s right for the little girl they all love so dearly? And where does Emily truly belong?
An absolutely unputdownable, heart-wrenching read about two families torn apart by one terrible mistake. Anyone who loves Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, Diane Chamberlain and Catherine Ryan Hyde won’t be able to put this down.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2022
2788 people are currently reading
1121 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Wiesner
17 books956 followersMelissa Wiesner’s mother didn’t allow her to watch much TV as a child and instead, made her play with paint, colorful pipe cleaners, random bits of fabric, and all manner of other crafty things. This set Melissa up for a lifetime of creative pursuits, and it was only a matter of time before things took a bookish turn.
A night-owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the award-winning author of both emotional women’s fiction and romantic comedies. Melissa’s book, His Secret Daughter was an Amazon bestseller, The Second Chance Year was a Book of the Month add-on pick, and It All Comes Back to You will soon be translated into almost a dozen languages.
Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.
Sign up for Melissa's newsletter! https://www.melissawiesner.com/contact
Website: melissawiesner.com
Instagram: @melissawiesnerauthor
Facebook: MelissaWiesnerAuthor
A night-owl, Melissa began writing novels when her early-to-bed family retired for the evening. She is the award-winning author of both emotional women’s fiction and romantic comedies. Melissa’s book, His Secret Daughter was an Amazon bestseller, The Second Chance Year was a Book of the Month add-on pick, and It All Comes Back to You will soon be translated into almost a dozen languages.
Along with her charming husband and two adorable children, Melissa splits her time between the big city of Pittsburgh, PA and rural West Virginia.
Sign up for Melissa's newsletter! https://www.melissawiesner.com/contact
Website: melissawiesner.com
Instagram: @melissawiesnerauthor
Facebook: MelissaWiesnerAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
September 20, 2022
In a Nutshell: A family drama that raises many thought-provoking questions. Predictable, especially after the midway mark, but the pacy writing kept me happy. Do check out the trigger warnings though.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
✔ Extremely quick-paced. It is easy to complete this within 3-4 hours.
✔ Raises interesting questions and makes you think.
✔ Details out the trauma of childless parents and the struggles of IVF.
✔ Some of the challenges of parenting are also brought out well.
✔ Despite knowing what would happen by the end, I stayed invested in the story.
✔ There are two kids in the story, Emily and her cousin Liam, and both are adorable.
✔ The three main characters are complicated. While James’ and Nora’s shortcomings make themselves clear soon, Quinn’s take time to appear, but they are indeed present. I especially liked how she didn’t even realise for a long time that she was being judgemental about frustrated mothers while blaming the whole world for being judgemental about childless women.
✔ Some scenes seem over the top, especially where intrusive strangers asking too many personal questions and passing judgemental remarks. I might have counted this as a negative in some other book but the fact is, I've had almost every single one of those conversations in real life. I liked this touch of reality in an otherwise somewhat farfetched story.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ By narrating the story from Quinn’s perspective and highlighting Nora’s shortcomings repetitively, the story indirectly forces us to choose Quinn’s side. I think this was unfair towards Nora because whatever happened certainly wasn’t Nora’s fault and there was no need to portray her so negatively. I would have been more impressed had there been alternate perspectives of both the women, narrating their struggles with the goof-up made by the fertility clinic.
❌ It tries too hard to settle things well, especially in the way everything is tied together so perfectly by the end. A realistic ending always works better for me. But I suppose most readers do like their HEAs.
❌ Hated James’ character arc. The blurb makes a mention of “a secret from James’ past”. This is so easy to guess from the writing that after a point, you can complete the story by yourself – there are hardly any surprises. I know why this angle was taken, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
❌ I object to one of the points made by Quinn’s lawyer during the legal hearing. I can’t believe how easily everyone was convinced by that silly argument.
All in all, despite the shortcomings, I did like the book. As it focusses on a dilemma that has no easy resolution, we too are kept wondering which decisions will be the best one. A quick and emotional story, better read without overanalysing the shortcomings and ignoring the implausible neat ends. I would have rated it a bit higher had it not been so “perfect” at the end.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “Our Stolen Child”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Possible Triggers:
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Quinn and James Marcello have been trying to conceive via IVF since 5 years. Their last resort is an embryo they had frozen five years back. To their horror, the fertility clinic informs them that their embryo had been successfully implanted in another woman long back and is now a four-year-old girl named Emily. Thus begins the dilemma. Whose daughter is Emily – of her biological parents Quinn & James, or of Nora, the woman who carried her for nine months without knowing of the switched embryo, gave birth to her, and has been her mother since then?
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of Quinn, with the prologue and the epilogue being written in the first person perspective of Nora.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ Extremely quick-paced. It is easy to complete this within 3-4 hours.
✔ Raises interesting questions and makes you think.
✔ Details out the trauma of childless parents and the struggles of IVF.
✔ Some of the challenges of parenting are also brought out well.
✔ Despite knowing what would happen by the end, I stayed invested in the story.
✔ There are two kids in the story, Emily and her cousin Liam, and both are adorable.
✔ The three main characters are complicated. While James’ and Nora’s shortcomings make themselves clear soon, Quinn’s take time to appear, but they are indeed present. I especially liked how she didn’t even realise for a long time that she was being judgemental about frustrated mothers while blaming the whole world for being judgemental about childless women.
✔ Some scenes seem over the top, especially where intrusive strangers asking too many personal questions and passing judgemental remarks. I might have counted this as a negative in some other book but the fact is, I've had almost every single one of those conversations in real life. I liked this touch of reality in an otherwise somewhat farfetched story.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ By narrating the story from Quinn’s perspective and highlighting Nora’s shortcomings repetitively, the story indirectly forces us to choose Quinn’s side. I think this was unfair towards Nora because whatever happened certainly wasn’t Nora’s fault and there was no need to portray her so negatively. I would have been more impressed had there been alternate perspectives of both the women, narrating their struggles with the goof-up made by the fertility clinic.
❌ It tries too hard to settle things well, especially in the way everything is tied together so perfectly by the end. A realistic ending always works better for me. But I suppose most readers do like their HEAs.
❌ Hated James’ character arc. The blurb makes a mention of “a secret from James’ past”. This is so easy to guess from the writing that after a point, you can complete the story by yourself – there are hardly any surprises. I know why this angle was taken, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
❌ I object to one of the points made by Quinn’s lawyer during the legal hearing. I can’t believe how easily everyone was convinced by that silly argument.
All in all, despite the shortcomings, I did like the book. As it focusses on a dilemma that has no easy resolution, we too are kept wondering which decisions will be the best one. A quick and emotional story, better read without overanalysing the shortcomings and ignoring the implausible neat ends. I would have rated it a bit higher had it not been so “perfect” at the end.
3.5 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the DRC of “Our Stolen Child”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Possible Triggers:
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
September 17, 2022
Quinn and James Marcello have gone through their finances in their attempts to have a child. They have also stripped their emotions raw. With one last embryo, making this IVF treatment their very last chance, they are truly hopeful that this time they will have a child. However, when they are about to begin the procedure, they get the most shocking news. Their embryo is missing.
While awaiting news of the location of their embryo, they keep their hopes alive. But, their next bit of news is even more shocking. The embryo had been implanted in another woman's womb several years previously, and there is now a nearly four-year-old child being raised by someone else.
Thi is unbelievably unimaginable to Quinn and James. Their daughter has been here for close to four years and now Quinn will move heaven and earth to involve herself in the child's life. The little girl's name is Emily, and Quinn will not rest until she at least meets her daughter. However, that just is not enough, thus a lawsuit for Emily's custody is set in motion by Quinn, with James simply going along for the ride.
What a different concept for an utterly compelling story. This is not unheard of in real events, as news reports will show. Melissa Wiesner has captured emotions that might truly be felt if such a terrible situation occurred. The ethical question continually raised in this book is whether biology matters. Who has more rights, the gestational parent or the biological parents? Legal rights have to be explored, but hopefully not at the cost of the child's welfare. Also, as Quinn and James has already put their marriage under a considerable amount of stress with IVF treatment after treatment, this impending court case might just be too much weight for their marriage to bear.
It was impossible not to feel for both mothers - for Quinn, but also for Nora, who carried Emily in her womb, and who has been raising Emily these nearly four years. There is also Nora's brother, the father of Emily's little cousin and best friend. The story goes past exploring Quinn and Nora's emotions, but other emotions as well. However, as sad as many moments in this story are, there is a thread of hope carried through, and it is only by reading this book that the reader will find out what happened with Emily, Quinn, Nora and the rest of their families.
Kudos to Melissa Wiesner for writing such an emotionally riveting read. I love it when an author makes the reader feel, especially when it comes to the heartbreak one or both mothers experienced through the pages of this book. I do love how everything turned out and the warm and satisfying conclusion truly touched my heart.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
While awaiting news of the location of their embryo, they keep their hopes alive. But, their next bit of news is even more shocking. The embryo had been implanted in another woman's womb several years previously, and there is now a nearly four-year-old child being raised by someone else.
Thi is unbelievably unimaginable to Quinn and James. Their daughter has been here for close to four years and now Quinn will move heaven and earth to involve herself in the child's life. The little girl's name is Emily, and Quinn will not rest until she at least meets her daughter. However, that just is not enough, thus a lawsuit for Emily's custody is set in motion by Quinn, with James simply going along for the ride.
What a different concept for an utterly compelling story. This is not unheard of in real events, as news reports will show. Melissa Wiesner has captured emotions that might truly be felt if such a terrible situation occurred. The ethical question continually raised in this book is whether biology matters. Who has more rights, the gestational parent or the biological parents? Legal rights have to be explored, but hopefully not at the cost of the child's welfare. Also, as Quinn and James has already put their marriage under a considerable amount of stress with IVF treatment after treatment, this impending court case might just be too much weight for their marriage to bear.
It was impossible not to feel for both mothers - for Quinn, but also for Nora, who carried Emily in her womb, and who has been raising Emily these nearly four years. There is also Nora's brother, the father of Emily's little cousin and best friend. The story goes past exploring Quinn and Nora's emotions, but other emotions as well. However, as sad as many moments in this story are, there is a thread of hope carried through, and it is only by reading this book that the reader will find out what happened with Emily, Quinn, Nora and the rest of their families.
Kudos to Melissa Wiesner for writing such an emotionally riveting read. I love it when an author makes the reader feel, especially when it comes to the heartbreak one or both mothers experienced through the pages of this book. I do love how everything turned out and the warm and satisfying conclusion truly touched my heart.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
June 28, 2023
3 1/2 Stars Rounded to 4
September 20, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Our Stolen Child' by Melissa Wiesner.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Melissa Wiesner, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th September 2022.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Her Family Secret' and 'The Girl In The Picture' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Anyone who loves Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, Diane Chamberlain and Catherine Ryan Hyde won’t be able to put this down.' I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Melissa Wiesner and if this is half as good as 'Her Family Secret' and 'The Girl In The Picture' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 29 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 🇺🇸 .
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Quinn Marcello and . The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Our Stolen Child' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Melissa discusses/includes loss of a child.
Another absolutely gripping book Melissa well done!!! This book is beautifully written with such emotion it will have tears streaming down your eyes. The stunning cover and synopsis suit the plot perfectly.
The storyline is a rollercoaster of emotions including heartbreak, tension, love and just so so much more. It is hard to explain in words tge emotions this book brings out. It is so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I was absolutely captivated and absorbed throughout, a beautiful page turner. It is genuinely one of those books you just can't put down. It is also extremely thought provoking and most definitely unique! I have never come across a storyline like it in a book before!! Although the book and storyline itself is unique sadly what happens in this book isn't completely unheard of and there have been cases similar to this one in the news. I was just absolutely addicted to this gorgeous novel. It is an absolutely sensational family drama with twists and turns I just did not see coming so A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Melissa as it is getting harder and harder to shock me as recent reviews show. I am a Mum myself and OMG just the thought of being told one of my children was not actually my own, I genuinely couldn't imagine the pain. It would absolutely tear me apart. It is so hard to even think what I would do in Norma's position. Would I allow the biological family to see them at the risk of them getting attached and taking them away from me? How would I feel if I discovered it was my child that had been given away? Would I fight tooth and nail to see them or would I decide it was best not to barge into their lives and turn it upside down? Wow!!! I just could not put myself in that position, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes!! It asks the ethical question whether biology matters. Should the gestational parent or the biological parent have more legal rights? There are so many questions raised in this book and it makes a perfect book for anyone in a book club to discuss. It makes me want to be in a book club discussing it!! Melissa has such evocative way of writing that it really does bring out all the emotions in her readers. This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking, uplifting and just an absolutely stunning addictive page turner. I absolutely LOVED the ending and I had tears streaming down my face by the end which is very rare for me so well done (I think 🤔) Melissa for making me cry lol 😂). I would absolutely love to see this book created into a movie!!!,
Clear your schedules and grab the tissues before even turning the first page of this stunner and get ready for an absolute rollercoaster of emotions!! One of the best books I have ever read and definitely the most thought provoking!!
The characters were realistic and each had their own unique personalities. My heart really did go out to both Nora and Quinn as mothers and as a mother myself. For Quinn, Emily is her biological child and it would be heartbreaking knowing your child is in the world, growing up and doing things that you will never see or be a part off. For Nora, Emily was physically a part of her when she was in her womb and then she spent four years raising her as her own. It isn't just Nora who would lose out as a mother but also Norma's brother who has been such a huge part of Emily's life. Liam (Nora's brother) is really sweet and is an absolutely fantastic father to Connor. I really liked his character and was invested in him along with Quinn and Nora. There was one character I could not stand but I can't say absolutely anything about them as it will spoil the story so you'll just have to read it yourself to find out! There are so many people who would be affected if either Nora kept Emily and Quinn never plays a part in her life or if Nora loses the child she has raised to Quinn. Whose side would you be on? Would you want Quinn or Nora to take over Emily's life? I'll give you a hint........... Read this fast paced, emotionally charged page turner to find out 😉
OMG Melissa!!! When will I learn? Always have a box of tissues at the ready and clear my schedule when I pick up one of your books as they are guaranteed storyline that I will completely lose myself in and end up in tears!!
.This is EXACTLY why you are one of my favourite authors and bring out the same emotions as reading a Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks book brings out in me. They have definitely got competition in you!!
Congratulations Melissa on yet another absolutely stunning, riveting success. This would make an absolutely gorgeous movie and I am looking forward to your next successful novel!!!
Overall a must read, gorgeous, addictive page turner that will take your breathe away and have you absolutely sucked in with tears streaming down your face!!
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Literary Fiction, Women's Literary Fiction, Family Drama and Literary Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Nicholas Sparks, Kerry Fisher, Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult’s 'My Sister’s Keeper', Catherine Ryan Hyde and absolutely anyone who loves an absolutely breathe taking, emotionally charged and addictive page turner!!!
289 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £7.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#OurStolenChild #Bookouture #MelissaWiesner #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@MelissaWiesner @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
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https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
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Review for 'Our Stolen Child' by Melissa Wiesner.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Melissa Wiesner, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 13th September 2022.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Her Family Secret' and 'The Girl In The Picture' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its stunning eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Anyone who loves Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, Diane Chamberlain and Catherine Ryan Hyde won’t be able to put this down.' I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Melissa Wiesner and if this is half as good as 'Her Family Secret' and 'The Girl In The Picture' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue, 29 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 🇺🇸 .
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonists being Quinn Marcello and . The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'Our Stolen Child' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Melissa discusses/includes loss of a child.
Another absolutely gripping book Melissa well done!!! This book is beautifully written with such emotion it will have tears streaming down your eyes. The stunning cover and synopsis suit the plot perfectly.
The storyline is a rollercoaster of emotions including heartbreak, tension, love and just so so much more. It is hard to explain in words tge emotions this book brings out. It is so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I was absolutely captivated and absorbed throughout, a beautiful page turner. It is genuinely one of those books you just can't put down. It is also extremely thought provoking and most definitely unique! I have never come across a storyline like it in a book before!! Although the book and storyline itself is unique sadly what happens in this book isn't completely unheard of and there have been cases similar to this one in the news. I was just absolutely addicted to this gorgeous novel. It is an absolutely sensational family drama with twists and turns I just did not see coming so A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Melissa as it is getting harder and harder to shock me as recent reviews show. I am a Mum myself and OMG just the thought of being told one of my children was not actually my own, I genuinely couldn't imagine the pain. It would absolutely tear me apart. It is so hard to even think what I would do in Norma's position. Would I allow the biological family to see them at the risk of them getting attached and taking them away from me? How would I feel if I discovered it was my child that had been given away? Would I fight tooth and nail to see them or would I decide it was best not to barge into their lives and turn it upside down? Wow!!! I just could not put myself in that position, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes!! It asks the ethical question whether biology matters. Should the gestational parent or the biological parent have more legal rights? There are so many questions raised in this book and it makes a perfect book for anyone in a book club to discuss. It makes me want to be in a book club discussing it!! Melissa has such evocative way of writing that it really does bring out all the emotions in her readers. This book is heartwarming and heartbreaking, uplifting and just an absolutely stunning addictive page turner. I absolutely LOVED the ending and I had tears streaming down my face by the end which is very rare for me so well done (I think 🤔) Melissa for making me cry lol 😂). I would absolutely love to see this book created into a movie!!!,
Clear your schedules and grab the tissues before even turning the first page of this stunner and get ready for an absolute rollercoaster of emotions!! One of the best books I have ever read and definitely the most thought provoking!!
The characters were realistic and each had their own unique personalities. My heart really did go out to both Nora and Quinn as mothers and as a mother myself. For Quinn, Emily is her biological child and it would be heartbreaking knowing your child is in the world, growing up and doing things that you will never see or be a part off. For Nora, Emily was physically a part of her when she was in her womb and then she spent four years raising her as her own. It isn't just Nora who would lose out as a mother but also Norma's brother who has been such a huge part of Emily's life. Liam (Nora's brother) is really sweet and is an absolutely fantastic father to Connor. I really liked his character and was invested in him along with Quinn and Nora. There was one character I could not stand but I can't say absolutely anything about them as it will spoil the story so you'll just have to read it yourself to find out! There are so many people who would be affected if either Nora kept Emily and Quinn never plays a part in her life or if Nora loses the child she has raised to Quinn. Whose side would you be on? Would you want Quinn or Nora to take over Emily's life? I'll give you a hint........... Read this fast paced, emotionally charged page turner to find out 😉
OMG Melissa!!! When will I learn? Always have a box of tissues at the ready and clear my schedule when I pick up one of your books as they are guaranteed storyline that I will completely lose myself in and end up in tears!!
.This is EXACTLY why you are one of my favourite authors and bring out the same emotions as reading a Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks book brings out in me. They have definitely got competition in you!!
Congratulations Melissa on yet another absolutely stunning, riveting success. This would make an absolutely gorgeous movie and I am looking forward to your next successful novel!!!
Overall a must read, gorgeous, addictive page turner that will take your breathe away and have you absolutely sucked in with tears streaming down your face!!
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Literary Fiction, Women's Literary Fiction, Family Drama and Literary Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Nicholas Sparks, Kerry Fisher, Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult’s 'My Sister’s Keeper', Catherine Ryan Hyde and absolutely anyone who loves an absolutely breathe taking, emotionally charged and addictive page turner!!!
289 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) and £7.99 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#OurStolenChild #Bookouture #MelissaWiesner #NetGalley #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour
@MelissaWiesner @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
https://kcmw86.wixsite.com/bookworm86
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__...
https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhi...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...
September 14, 2022
Where do I even start on giving my thoughts on this book. Firstly I will say it is an incredible read, from the eye popping twist at the beginning right until the very end. I could not put this book down.
After finding out she has one last shot at having a child, Quinn is heart broken when she learns that the embryo was misplaced and had actually already been implanted during a mix-up. The story that follows is utterly heart wrenching and I found my head was in torment all the way through.
This story had me engrossed, the writing was so powerful that I felt like it was happening to me. This book had me feeling a lot of emotions and by the end I was in tears. Happy tears mostly but the book really made an impression on me and my feelings and that doesn’t happen to me a lot.
As a thriller book lover Im not sure how I would place the book genre wise, but I think it would be a book to suit everyone.
With a fast pace from the offset, this also had my heart pounding, my nails bitten in nervous tension and had me teary eyed quite a lot.
Team Quinn or Team Nora? How could you choose?
Order your copy here and decide for yourself – Our Stolen Child: An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking page-turner https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B7RY6SF...
After finding out she has one last shot at having a child, Quinn is heart broken when she learns that the embryo was misplaced and had actually already been implanted during a mix-up. The story that follows is utterly heart wrenching and I found my head was in torment all the way through.
This story had me engrossed, the writing was so powerful that I felt like it was happening to me. This book had me feeling a lot of emotions and by the end I was in tears. Happy tears mostly but the book really made an impression on me and my feelings and that doesn’t happen to me a lot.
As a thriller book lover Im not sure how I would place the book genre wise, but I think it would be a book to suit everyone.
With a fast pace from the offset, this also had my heart pounding, my nails bitten in nervous tension and had me teary eyed quite a lot.
Team Quinn or Team Nora? How could you choose?
Order your copy here and decide for yourself – Our Stolen Child: An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking page-turner https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B7RY6SF...
September 15, 2022
Our stolen child by Melissa Wiesner
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When will I ever learn… I must confess I looked at the cover of this book and thought it might be interesting but I really didn’t expect what followed.
Our stolen child is a story about two families and one embryo which due to a mix up at a fertility clinic rip two families apart.
This is an incredible read, from the twists at the beginning right until the nail biting ending.
I honestly could not put this book down and read it entirely within 24 hours !
I really don’t want to give much away as I want all future readers to view this story without any preconceptions but I must warn you that the story that follows is utterly heart wrenching, engrossing not to mention powerfully and masterfully written.
It has a very fast pace but is written in a very easy to read format. My only disappointment with this book is that I read it too quickly and I want to read more so please publish a sequel soon.
This book is phenomenal and I would highly recommend !
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When will I ever learn… I must confess I looked at the cover of this book and thought it might be interesting but I really didn’t expect what followed.
Our stolen child is a story about two families and one embryo which due to a mix up at a fertility clinic rip two families apart.
This is an incredible read, from the twists at the beginning right until the nail biting ending.
I honestly could not put this book down and read it entirely within 24 hours !
I really don’t want to give much away as I want all future readers to view this story without any preconceptions but I must warn you that the story that follows is utterly heart wrenching, engrossing not to mention powerfully and masterfully written.
It has a very fast pace but is written in a very easy to read format. My only disappointment with this book is that I read it too quickly and I want to read more so please publish a sequel soon.
This book is phenomenal and I would highly recommend !
September 9, 2022
Heartfelt And Intriguing Tale That You Still Want To Throw Out The Nearest Window. This is truly a heartfelt and intriguing tale that explores the ethics, legalities, and emotions of both sides of an issue that is close enough to being all-too-real as to be scary. In this era of IVF, frozen eggs/ embryos, surrogate parents, and similar and related concepts, the central premise here of a lab screw up resulting in one couples' embryo being implanted into nd successfully borne by a complete stranger... is truly scarily plausible, at minimum. Wiesner does a truly phenomenal job throughout this tale of showing the very real questions and emotions of such an issue from nearly every (female) angle - emotional, legal, ethical, relational, etc. The male characters... are a bit more one dimensional and lacking. They work well enough for the purposes of this story, but they're never given the thought or care that the female characters are.
And yet, that isn't what actually makes you want to throw this book out the nearest window. *That* comes from just how desperate both of these women are to have kids, that they'll put themselves and everyone around them through such trauma and drama. I understand the perils of the childless, to a point. But as someone who is happily child *free* (yes, there is a difference - the "less" are those such as the women here that can never let go of the desire to have children, the "free" are those who have chosen to not have kids or who have embraced and celebrate that they will never have kids)... I admit that I'll never understand the childless crowd. There is so *much* to be said about being childfree and how satisfying and fulfilling the childfree life can be, and Wiesner's tale here shows just how fraught and horrifying the childless life can be.
But that last paragraph was a bit of a digression. Seriously, Wiesner does a phenomenal job here with the tale she has chosen to tell, to the level that it is abundantly clear that she herself is somewhere in the less/ free space or is *close* to someone who is. Very much recommended.
And yet, that isn't what actually makes you want to throw this book out the nearest window. *That* comes from just how desperate both of these women are to have kids, that they'll put themselves and everyone around them through such trauma and drama. I understand the perils of the childless, to a point. But as someone who is happily child *free* (yes, there is a difference - the "less" are those such as the women here that can never let go of the desire to have children, the "free" are those who have chosen to not have kids or who have embraced and celebrate that they will never have kids)... I admit that I'll never understand the childless crowd. There is so *much* to be said about being childfree and how satisfying and fulfilling the childfree life can be, and Wiesner's tale here shows just how fraught and horrifying the childless life can be.
But that last paragraph was a bit of a digression. Seriously, Wiesner does a phenomenal job here with the tale she has chosen to tell, to the level that it is abundantly clear that she herself is somewhere in the less/ free space or is *close* to someone who is. Very much recommended.
September 26, 2023
This book was awesome. First time reader of this author. It had a loving feeling to it. It was a great read.
September 18, 2022
Our Stolen Child
by Melissa Wiesner
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date : Sep.13 2022
Publisher : Bookouture
Description :
I grip my husband’s hand tight. The doctor is frowning. “Mr and Mrs Marcello… I’m so sorry.” She tells us there’s been a terrible mistake. Our last embryo—our last chance—was accidentally given to someone else. The child we made four years ago calls another woman “Mommy.”
Quinn cries silent tears as she folds a tiny knitted cardigan, bought in a moment of hope, and packs it away. All she’s ever wanted is to be a mother. Although her husband James brings her comfort, the knowledge they have no embryos left, and that their child is out there being raised by another family, is tearing them both apart.
When the lawyers tell them there’s a chance to get custody, James is unsure. But Quinn knows she has to take it: if only to look her little girl in the eyes, just once. Meeting Emily and the woman who raised her, Quinn’s heart cracks wide open. Emily looks just like Quinn, right down to her curly hair. And when the little girl flings her arms around Quinn’s waist, she can’t shake the feeling this is where Emily is meant to be. As the two families reckon with an unimaginable decision, a secret from James’ past surfaces… one that forces Quinn to question everything she thought she wanted. But how will they decide what’s right for the little girl they all love so dearly? And where does Emily truly belong?
😭 MY REVIEW 😭
Where does Emily truly belong? When I started this
unputdownable, heart-wrenching read I had no idea who I would be rooting for. But as I got further into the book the question that stayed in my mind does DNA or almost 5 years spent raising a child make you the mom? Having raised my granddaughter since she was born and who is now 5 this story hit home for me. For me if you have raised that child from birth to that child being almost 5 then you become that mom. Not only did you bond with that child but that child has bonded with you. Your all that child has known and loved. Your who that child wants when they are hurt, sick, or scared. And unlike some people may think, children are not resilient. Especially when it comes to trama.
I think the one thing that would have really made this story more of a heartbreaking tear jerking read that would have pushed it over the top was if we had chapters from Nora. I kept reading expecting any minute the chapters would turn to Nora but they never do until the Epilogue. Never less the author does a great job of keeping you turning the pages. The ending is very different and one you don't really expect. So who ends up with Emily? If you want to know then you are just going to have to read it because I am not going tell you.
******Disclosure*******
I received a free E -ARC copy of this book from netgalley prior to release. Many thanks to NetGalley ,the publisher and the author for the chance to read and review a copy of this interesting book in exchange for my honest review. I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions I have expressed are my own. As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !
#NetGalleyReviewer
#OurStolenChild #NetGalley.
by Melissa Wiesner
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pub Date : Sep.13 2022
Publisher : Bookouture
Description :
I grip my husband’s hand tight. The doctor is frowning. “Mr and Mrs Marcello… I’m so sorry.” She tells us there’s been a terrible mistake. Our last embryo—our last chance—was accidentally given to someone else. The child we made four years ago calls another woman “Mommy.”
Quinn cries silent tears as she folds a tiny knitted cardigan, bought in a moment of hope, and packs it away. All she’s ever wanted is to be a mother. Although her husband James brings her comfort, the knowledge they have no embryos left, and that their child is out there being raised by another family, is tearing them both apart.
When the lawyers tell them there’s a chance to get custody, James is unsure. But Quinn knows she has to take it: if only to look her little girl in the eyes, just once. Meeting Emily and the woman who raised her, Quinn’s heart cracks wide open. Emily looks just like Quinn, right down to her curly hair. And when the little girl flings her arms around Quinn’s waist, she can’t shake the feeling this is where Emily is meant to be. As the two families reckon with an unimaginable decision, a secret from James’ past surfaces… one that forces Quinn to question everything she thought she wanted. But how will they decide what’s right for the little girl they all love so dearly? And where does Emily truly belong?
😭 MY REVIEW 😭
Where does Emily truly belong? When I started this
unputdownable, heart-wrenching read I had no idea who I would be rooting for. But as I got further into the book the question that stayed in my mind does DNA or almost 5 years spent raising a child make you the mom? Having raised my granddaughter since she was born and who is now 5 this story hit home for me. For me if you have raised that child from birth to that child being almost 5 then you become that mom. Not only did you bond with that child but that child has bonded with you. Your all that child has known and loved. Your who that child wants when they are hurt, sick, or scared. And unlike some people may think, children are not resilient. Especially when it comes to trama.
I think the one thing that would have really made this story more of a heartbreaking tear jerking read that would have pushed it over the top was if we had chapters from Nora. I kept reading expecting any minute the chapters would turn to Nora but they never do until the Epilogue. Never less the author does a great job of keeping you turning the pages. The ending is very different and one you don't really expect. So who ends up with Emily? If you want to know then you are just going to have to read it because I am not going tell you.
******Disclosure*******
I received a free E -ARC copy of this book from netgalley prior to release. Many thanks to NetGalley ,the publisher and the author for the chance to read and review a copy of this interesting book in exchange for my honest review. I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions I have expressed are my own. As always if you like the book you read please take the time to leave a review for the author in places like goodreads & Amazon. It does not have to be long. Just a few sentences saying you liked the book will do. Authors really appreciate every review they get !
#NetGalleyReviewer
#OurStolenChild #NetGalley.
August 7, 2022
I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
“Our Stolen Child” is by Melissa Wiesner. I misread the Publisher’s summary of this book, so I was expecting a twist to surface a lot earlier than it did. So, this book focused less on one thing and more on another, which actually made it a better book in my opinion. Most of the book focuses on an ethical (or if one wants) moral question - who is a parent - the person who is biologically related to a person or the person who raised said person? What legal rights does a genetic parent have over a birth parent? I found the legal discussions of this topic to be rather interesting - and it did remind me of some of Jodi Picoult’s writing and how Ms. Wiesner’s book made me think about the situation. I was pleased with the outcome amongst the grown-ups, though the Epilogue section felt a bit too perfect to me (good for the overall story, but it was a bit odd for my taste).
“Our Stolen Child” is by Melissa Wiesner. I misread the Publisher’s summary of this book, so I was expecting a twist to surface a lot earlier than it did. So, this book focused less on one thing and more on another, which actually made it a better book in my opinion. Most of the book focuses on an ethical (or if one wants) moral question - who is a parent - the person who is biologically related to a person or the person who raised said person? What legal rights does a genetic parent have over a birth parent? I found the legal discussions of this topic to be rather interesting - and it did remind me of some of Jodi Picoult’s writing and how Ms. Wiesner’s book made me think about the situation. I was pleased with the outcome amongst the grown-ups, though the Epilogue section felt a bit too perfect to me (good for the overall story, but it was a bit odd for my taste).
December 31, 2025
Whew!!! What an emotional roller-coaster this was. At different points of the book, I wanted to fight every. single. character!!!! The ending needed to be predictable because my heart would not have been able to take any twists or turns. This is one of those, "I don't know what I would do in that situation." Do you make life altering decisions with your heart or your head....where everyone and anyone could be affected?
October 17, 2022
Our Stolen Child by Melissa Wiesner was beautifully written from start to finish and you will need tissues and lots of them. I was gripped form the beginning till the end and I loved it.
Big thank you to netgalley and bookouture for the arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions
Big thank you to netgalley and bookouture for the arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions
June 25, 2024
Great !
This book shows that anything is possible! Sad that she wasn’t able to have a child, but at the end it does show that she wasn’t going to hurt the little girl to be happy. Definitely a great ending!
This book shows that anything is possible! Sad that she wasn’t able to have a child, but at the end it does show that she wasn’t going to hurt the little girl to be happy. Definitely a great ending!
January 1, 2024
Quick and easy read
I’ll be looking up more by this author
I’ll be looking up more by this author
March 22, 2025
Round up 4. Interesting story that reminds me how blessed I am. The infertility journey is a tough one.
August 1, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. It tugged at my heartstrings.
August 4, 2025
If you’re doing fertility treatments- I would imagine this book could be triggering! It is unlike any other book I’ve read in the past and I appreciate it that everyone gets a bit of a happy ending.
Read
September 3, 2022Our Stolen Child by Melissa Wiesner is a thought provoking and emotional read. The storyline had me so gripped, I read it in one evening. A powerful and beautifully written story.
March 16, 2025
Rounded up predictable yet delightful tug on all of the heartstrings.
March 21, 2023
When Quinn and James discover that their very last viable embryo was mislabelled and implanted into someone else and they have a biological daughter their world is turned upside down! They decide to fight for custody. Nora is fighting to keep the child she carried and birthed and has mothered the last 4 years.
My heart is bursting and breaking all at the same time. I did not want to pick a side, I saw each woman's perspective and ached for both of them. Then a devastating discovery changes everything! The ending could not have been more perfect and I loved it, I cried happy tears! I loved most of the characters and disliked one for reasons that will be obvious when you read this book. This was heart wrenching, gripping with some tense suspension and I couldn't put it down. It was the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won't be the last. It's been on my mind since i finished it on Thursday.
Thank you netgalley and bookouture for the arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
My heart is bursting and breaking all at the same time. I did not want to pick a side, I saw each woman's perspective and ached for both of them. Then a devastating discovery changes everything! The ending could not have been more perfect and I loved it, I cried happy tears! I loved most of the characters and disliked one for reasons that will be obvious when you read this book. This was heart wrenching, gripping with some tense suspension and I couldn't put it down. It was the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won't be the last. It's been on my mind since i finished it on Thursday.
Thank you netgalley and bookouture for the arc copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
September 30, 2025
It takes a lot for me to give a book a 5 star rating so when I tell you that "Our Stolen Child," by Melissa Wiesner was a fabulous book, meriting 5 stars, you KNOW I loved it. This book grabbed me from the first page, and did not let go until I finished it a day later. There were a few twists that added to my experience, and some bits of predictability, but those did not take anything away from my love for it.
Quinn and James have been married for more than 5 years, and spent those years trying to conceive a baby, mostly via in vitro fertilization. They had frozen embryos, but only had one viable embryo left when they went to the clinic to have it implanted. Quinn had been injecting herself with all the intense hormones to prepare her body to accept and implant the embryo, dreaming of the baby it could provide, a baby that would be 100% theirs, genetically. Now, imagine learning from the doctor at this appointment that the embryo is missing, that there had been a new employee and some kind of issue with labeling, and the embryo is nowhere to be found. A few hours later, the news is even worse. That embryo is now a nearly 5 year old little girl living a town or two away, being raised by a single mother. Quinn and James are horrified and heartbroken, thinking a little girl is out there who is theirs, who may look as they do, have their personalities, etc, but whom they did not get to diaper, bathe, see take her first steps, her her say "Mommy" and "Daddy," etc. They hire a lawyer to gain visitation at a minimum, and full custody, if possible.
The couple, per the court, is awarded a weekly visitation, but only in the presence of the child's (Emily's) mother or an adult of acceptance to the mother. Emily looks exactly like Quinn, with dark curls and dark eyes. She is sweet and loving child, clearly loved by an extended family, which is all well and good, but the genetic parents want their child! This is a really tough situation. There are no good guys or bad guys. No one knew the wrong embryo had been implanted, so how could the gestational mother who is raising Emily have stolen her? That was a stretch for me. I felt for all of them, but then, James began to act strange, missing visits with Emily, until Quinn senses that something is not right with him. I hated that storyline, but will not share it here.
I felt that underlying the events of the novel, it was really about family, and what that means. How does one make a family if they have lost their parents and had no siblings? What makes a mother? Is it the woman who gave birth to a child, the woman who is raising the child, or the woman whose embryo created that child? I have strong feelings about parenting, as the mother of 3 wonderful adult children whom we adopted when each were infants. They are my children in every way but DNA. We made sure our adoptions were squeaky clean, so that no-one could come back and attempt to take our babies back, and no one ever tried. IN the book, the situation is different and truly complicated. The lab storing and cataloguing the embryos was responsible for the mix up, not any of the parties trying to hold onto this child. A lawsuit against them would absolutely be on point and an easy win for the harmed parties, and really, were they not all harmed in one way or another? But, the bigger issue is what is best for the child, who has known one mother, one home, one loving extended family? How would her mother be expected to relinquish her? How would her genetic mother be expected to give up the fight to get her child back? There could be no happy ending to that situation, and I did cry while reading this one, but in the world of fiction, there can often be a happy ending, none-the-less. In this case, I sensed it was coming, and it made me happy.
Melissa Wiesner is fast becoming a favorite author. This is the 2nd or 3rd of her books I have read. Her books are fast paced, highly gripping, and raise questions about real life conundrums. I can highly recommend this one with 5 shiny stars!
Quinn and James have been married for more than 5 years, and spent those years trying to conceive a baby, mostly via in vitro fertilization. They had frozen embryos, but only had one viable embryo left when they went to the clinic to have it implanted. Quinn had been injecting herself with all the intense hormones to prepare her body to accept and implant the embryo, dreaming of the baby it could provide, a baby that would be 100% theirs, genetically. Now, imagine learning from the doctor at this appointment that the embryo is missing, that there had been a new employee and some kind of issue with labeling, and the embryo is nowhere to be found. A few hours later, the news is even worse. That embryo is now a nearly 5 year old little girl living a town or two away, being raised by a single mother. Quinn and James are horrified and heartbroken, thinking a little girl is out there who is theirs, who may look as they do, have their personalities, etc, but whom they did not get to diaper, bathe, see take her first steps, her her say "Mommy" and "Daddy," etc. They hire a lawyer to gain visitation at a minimum, and full custody, if possible.
The couple, per the court, is awarded a weekly visitation, but only in the presence of the child's (Emily's) mother or an adult of acceptance to the mother. Emily looks exactly like Quinn, with dark curls and dark eyes. She is sweet and loving child, clearly loved by an extended family, which is all well and good, but the genetic parents want their child! This is a really tough situation. There are no good guys or bad guys. No one knew the wrong embryo had been implanted, so how could the gestational mother who is raising Emily have stolen her? That was a stretch for me. I felt for all of them, but then, James began to act strange, missing visits with Emily, until Quinn senses that something is not right with him. I hated that storyline, but will not share it here.
I felt that underlying the events of the novel, it was really about family, and what that means. How does one make a family if they have lost their parents and had no siblings? What makes a mother? Is it the woman who gave birth to a child, the woman who is raising the child, or the woman whose embryo created that child? I have strong feelings about parenting, as the mother of 3 wonderful adult children whom we adopted when each were infants. They are my children in every way but DNA. We made sure our adoptions were squeaky clean, so that no-one could come back and attempt to take our babies back, and no one ever tried. IN the book, the situation is different and truly complicated. The lab storing and cataloguing the embryos was responsible for the mix up, not any of the parties trying to hold onto this child. A lawsuit against them would absolutely be on point and an easy win for the harmed parties, and really, were they not all harmed in one way or another? But, the bigger issue is what is best for the child, who has known one mother, one home, one loving extended family? How would her mother be expected to relinquish her? How would her genetic mother be expected to give up the fight to get her child back? There could be no happy ending to that situation, and I did cry while reading this one, but in the world of fiction, there can often be a happy ending, none-the-less. In this case, I sensed it was coming, and it made me happy.
Melissa Wiesner is fast becoming a favorite author. This is the 2nd or 3rd of her books I have read. Her books are fast paced, highly gripping, and raise questions about real life conundrums. I can highly recommend this one with 5 shiny stars!
February 13, 2024
I’ve been on a total Melissa Wiesner kick lately. Her books are super easy to read and I find myself tearing through the pages eager to find out more.
This book was no different though I almost had to put it down and walk away from it after the first few chapters.
I went into it with some idea of what the book was about, but after a few chapters my chest felt tight and I didn’t like the feeling. I tend to lean away from things that make me feel icky but I wasn’t sure what my body was trying to communicate to me.
After exploring the sensation more I realized that the book mirrored my life so freaking close it was causing me discomfort. It was like Melissa had watched my journey over the past 14 years and decided to write a freaking book about it, tweaking some details and changing a few facts to throw me off.
I then asked myself if reading the book would help or hurt me, and the answer was reading this book though emotional could help me release layers of trauma so that I could reach deeper healing in my life.
I’m so glad I read the book. It was fabulous!!! Melissa really researched infertility, the law, and the emotional aspects of living through such a traumatic journey. I survived it all personally so I could see myself in each scenario. Melissa did an excellent job!
The book is about a couple, Quinn and James who after years of unsuccessful IVF treatments decide to transfer their one remaining embryo in hopes of conceiving.
Imagine their surprise and shock when they learn that the embryo is missing. And then discover that it’s been located but it’s no longer an embryo but an almost four year old girl!
Wrap your head around that one!!!! They navigate all the feelings- shock, anger, joy, hope, uncertainty. What is the right thing to do. Is there a right thing to do?
They want to meet the child, to know the child and to share their life with the child. They are open to co parenting but are met with excessive resistance which causes them to push back harder for the well being of their child.
The book navigates the lawsuit that follows their decision. It touches on loss, infertility, medical mistakes, divorce, infidelity, and love. The thing that unites us all together at the end of the day.
Such a great read!!!
This book was no different though I almost had to put it down and walk away from it after the first few chapters.
I went into it with some idea of what the book was about, but after a few chapters my chest felt tight and I didn’t like the feeling. I tend to lean away from things that make me feel icky but I wasn’t sure what my body was trying to communicate to me.
After exploring the sensation more I realized that the book mirrored my life so freaking close it was causing me discomfort. It was like Melissa had watched my journey over the past 14 years and decided to write a freaking book about it, tweaking some details and changing a few facts to throw me off.
I then asked myself if reading the book would help or hurt me, and the answer was reading this book though emotional could help me release layers of trauma so that I could reach deeper healing in my life.
I’m so glad I read the book. It was fabulous!!! Melissa really researched infertility, the law, and the emotional aspects of living through such a traumatic journey. I survived it all personally so I could see myself in each scenario. Melissa did an excellent job!
The book is about a couple, Quinn and James who after years of unsuccessful IVF treatments decide to transfer their one remaining embryo in hopes of conceiving.
Imagine their surprise and shock when they learn that the embryo is missing. And then discover that it’s been located but it’s no longer an embryo but an almost four year old girl!
Wrap your head around that one!!!! They navigate all the feelings- shock, anger, joy, hope, uncertainty. What is the right thing to do. Is there a right thing to do?
They want to meet the child, to know the child and to share their life with the child. They are open to co parenting but are met with excessive resistance which causes them to push back harder for the well being of their child.
The book navigates the lawsuit that follows their decision. It touches on loss, infertility, medical mistakes, divorce, infidelity, and love. The thing that unites us all together at the end of the day.
Such a great read!!!
September 15, 2022
Becoming a parent is easy. Well, for a lot of people it is. For some though it’s a battle. A battle against your own body, with the medical world on your side. It’s a struggle that can last a very long time and even than there are no guarantees. You might still end up without that so much wanted bundle of joy and time is running out.
One day it will be your last chance to become a parent. You keep everything crossed that this might be the day, until the doctor announces some very, very devasting news.
Your world is turned upside down and you are determined to fight. To fight for what is rightfully yours and has been taken from you, stolen.
I seriously would not know what it would do to me if I were in Quinten and James’ shoes. I admire them for not wallowing in their pain, but take action immediately.
Would I want my chid back? Of course. Who would not? The question is though would it be in the child’s best interest? Would it be a good idea to uproot them? To take them away from the only parents they have ever known, they have always counted on?
That’s something to think deep and hard about, but I do understand how Quinn and James felt.
I guess what is best for a child is to have as many people who love and care about them in their life.
In my opinion Quinn sometimes is a bit harsh when she talks about people with children. There is nothing wrong with a mother or a father taking a bit of me-time. It does not mean they love their children any less. It’s just a right you have, whether you have kids yes or no.
On the other hand her feelings are easily hurt when someone tells her she could not know something, because she has never been in that particular situation.
I am glad she realised what she was doing and I applaud her for how she dealt with everything in the end.
A very beautiful story with Connor and Liam being my favourite characters. 4 stars.
Thank you
One day it will be your last chance to become a parent. You keep everything crossed that this might be the day, until the doctor announces some very, very devasting news.
Your world is turned upside down and you are determined to fight. To fight for what is rightfully yours and has been taken from you, stolen.
I seriously would not know what it would do to me if I were in Quinten and James’ shoes. I admire them for not wallowing in their pain, but take action immediately.
Would I want my chid back? Of course. Who would not? The question is though would it be in the child’s best interest? Would it be a good idea to uproot them? To take them away from the only parents they have ever known, they have always counted on?
That’s something to think deep and hard about, but I do understand how Quinn and James felt.
I guess what is best for a child is to have as many people who love and care about them in their life.
In my opinion Quinn sometimes is a bit harsh when she talks about people with children. There is nothing wrong with a mother or a father taking a bit of me-time. It does not mean they love their children any less. It’s just a right you have, whether you have kids yes or no.
On the other hand her feelings are easily hurt when someone tells her she could not know something, because she has never been in that particular situation.
I am glad she realised what she was doing and I applaud her for how she dealt with everything in the end.
A very beautiful story with Connor and Liam being my favourite characters. 4 stars.
Thank you
March 3, 2024
“What if you had no idea you had a child, and then all of a sudden, four years in, you found out your child existed? Would you be able to go on with your life knowing that somewhere out there is a child who is made up of all the best parts of you…and that child belongs to someone else?”
Quinn Marcello is the biological mother of Emily; Nora Robinson is a genetic stranger to Emily. “A baby’s first word is usually Mama. Who would be Mama?...Nora was the one who Emily called Mommy. All because five years ago, someone in a lab somewhere mislabeled a test-tube…It wasn’t every day that embryos ended up in the wrong woman’s uterus, and quite a few people were interested in the outcome of their case–attorneys, fertility clinics, couples going through IVF treatments…If the court were to grant custody to Ms. Robinson…this would set a dangerous precedent of finders keepers that could have far-reaching effects on the entire field of assisted reproductive technology.”
“Everything she had ever wanted in life…was to be a mother. But how could she live with herself if she got what she wanted at the expense of so many other people? At the expense of what was best for her own child?...She’d been so fixated on getting custody of Emily that she’d lost sight of what was best for her.”
Melissa Wiesner’s Our Stolen Child is about the battle between heartbreak and anger, joy and hope, genetic parents and gestational parents, and “the importance of the people who came before you…there’s more to family than where you’re from. More than hair and eye color…biology is a powerful connection.” But the bravery to let go can be an incredibly selfless act. Sometimes the most painful choices become the best surprises.
Quinn Marcello is the biological mother of Emily; Nora Robinson is a genetic stranger to Emily. “A baby’s first word is usually Mama. Who would be Mama?...Nora was the one who Emily called Mommy. All because five years ago, someone in a lab somewhere mislabeled a test-tube…It wasn’t every day that embryos ended up in the wrong woman’s uterus, and quite a few people were interested in the outcome of their case–attorneys, fertility clinics, couples going through IVF treatments…If the court were to grant custody to Ms. Robinson…this would set a dangerous precedent of finders keepers that could have far-reaching effects on the entire field of assisted reproductive technology.”
“Everything she had ever wanted in life…was to be a mother. But how could she live with herself if she got what she wanted at the expense of so many other people? At the expense of what was best for her own child?...She’d been so fixated on getting custody of Emily that she’d lost sight of what was best for her.”
Melissa Wiesner’s Our Stolen Child is about the battle between heartbreak and anger, joy and hope, genetic parents and gestational parents, and “the importance of the people who came before you…there’s more to family than where you’re from. More than hair and eye color…biology is a powerful connection.” But the bravery to let go can be an incredibly selfless act. Sometimes the most painful choices become the best surprises.
October 6, 2024
Trigger Warning: IVF and Infertility
I can't even begin to fathom how either if these women felt. I am childless by choice. But to want a child so bad only for your own body to reject you is absolutely heartbreaking. Both women went through several years of IVF.
One day, the embryo stuck for Nora. Only it wasn't Nora's embryo. How a facility can mess up so astronomically is mind blowing. I actually did some research and this has actually happened in real life. Anyway, it wouldn't be for 4 years when James and Quinn find out their last shot at pregnancy has been stolen from them. Not only that but the embryo is now a 4 year old child.
For so long, Quinn has wanted nothing more than to be a mother. And to find out she has a biological 4 year old daughter she missed out on potentially birthing is gut wrenching. However, it is also absolutely frightening for Nora to find out someone wants to take her daughter away.
Here's the problem. Nora birthed this child. Raised her for the past 4 years. Saw every first. Is mommy. Quinn, on the other hand, had absolutely no say, no idea. She didn't give this baby up for adoption. She didn't get away her embryo. It's an absolutely messed up situation because how can you take away a child that has only known one person as mommy but how can Quinn not try to intervene.
In the end, I truly believe Quinn made the right choice. Emily belonged with Nora. That is her mommy. It would have completely destroyed Emily's life to take her away. I can't fathom how terrible and hard this choice was but I genuinely think it was the right one for the child.
I can't even begin to fathom how either if these women felt. I am childless by choice. But to want a child so bad only for your own body to reject you is absolutely heartbreaking. Both women went through several years of IVF.
One day, the embryo stuck for Nora. Only it wasn't Nora's embryo. How a facility can mess up so astronomically is mind blowing. I actually did some research and this has actually happened in real life. Anyway, it wouldn't be for 4 years when James and Quinn find out their last shot at pregnancy has been stolen from them. Not only that but the embryo is now a 4 year old child.
For so long, Quinn has wanted nothing more than to be a mother. And to find out she has a biological 4 year old daughter she missed out on potentially birthing is gut wrenching. However, it is also absolutely frightening for Nora to find out someone wants to take her daughter away.
Here's the problem. Nora birthed this child. Raised her for the past 4 years. Saw every first. Is mommy. Quinn, on the other hand, had absolutely no say, no idea. She didn't give this baby up for adoption. She didn't get away her embryo. It's an absolutely messed up situation because how can you take away a child that has only known one person as mommy but how can Quinn not try to intervene.
In the end, I truly believe Quinn made the right choice. Emily belonged with Nora. That is her mommy. It would have completely destroyed Emily's life to take her away. I can't fathom how terrible and hard this choice was but I genuinely think it was the right one for the child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2022
First, I want to thank Melissa Wiesner, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review.
Ohh I knew just from the beautiful cover and the title alone that I needed to stock up on tissues for Melissa Wiesner’s Our Stolen Child! WOW!! I am not a Mom but wow this story touched me and pulled on all my heart strings. If I was crying over the storyline I can’t imagine how Melissa got through writing the story!
Many of Melissa’s readers who have struggled with IVF will be able to relate to this storyline. Even the twist she has up her sleeve.
Words could not express how much my heart ached for all that Quinn was going through in Our Stolen Child. I felt like I was right next to her as all this was unfolding and wanted to be there to support her. Heaven forbid James would be (oh he rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and at one point I yelled at my kindle!)
At the same time I was totally conflicted with the big twist and didn’t know how I felt about that.
One thing is for sure, sweet Emily made my heart melt! She was the cutest little girl ever and so innocent in all of this!
I have a very soft spot for Pittsburgh as my sister and her family live there so I smiled when I learned that was the setting of the book. Small world but I actually know where Squirrel Hill is.
Oh the ending came as a totally pleasant surprise!! I was smiling ear to ear and crying happy tears.
This is a beautifully written story that is a must read book!
Ohh I knew just from the beautiful cover and the title alone that I needed to stock up on tissues for Melissa Wiesner’s Our Stolen Child! WOW!! I am not a Mom but wow this story touched me and pulled on all my heart strings. If I was crying over the storyline I can’t imagine how Melissa got through writing the story!
Many of Melissa’s readers who have struggled with IVF will be able to relate to this storyline. Even the twist she has up her sleeve.
Words could not express how much my heart ached for all that Quinn was going through in Our Stolen Child. I felt like I was right next to her as all this was unfolding and wanted to be there to support her. Heaven forbid James would be (oh he rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and at one point I yelled at my kindle!)
At the same time I was totally conflicted with the big twist and didn’t know how I felt about that.
One thing is for sure, sweet Emily made my heart melt! She was the cutest little girl ever and so innocent in all of this!
I have a very soft spot for Pittsburgh as my sister and her family live there so I smiled when I learned that was the setting of the book. Small world but I actually know where Squirrel Hill is.
Oh the ending came as a totally pleasant surprise!! I was smiling ear to ear and crying happy tears.
This is a beautifully written story that is a must read book!
September 20, 2022
Our Stolen Child, Melissa Wiesner
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction.
Annnd once more – why women's fiction? I can#'t see any reason why a man wouldn't want to read this?
So, the book. It made me cry, there are no winners in situations like this. It did make me feel very much sad for both sides, for the trauma and strain on everybody. I love Jodi Picoult's novels, and this really did remind me of one of those. The story is set so much that you feel for both sides, there are unexpected twists, I couldn't just say X was right and Y wasn't. It was a terrible mistake, a tragedy that couldn't have been foreseen.
I was thinking “how would I feel if I were Quinn?” Of course I'd want my baby, the child that calls another woman mummy. Quinn had already lost four years of her. But then Nora, who carried Emily, believing she was her embryo, who's loved and cared for her since birth – where does that leave her. Then Emily herself, she sees Nora as mummy, but doesn't she have the right to know James as Quinn who should have been her parents and of course are, biologically.
Its a story that really tugs at the emotions, where there is no “good “ answer. Someone is going to be heartbroken whatever the result. Yet Melissa manages to navigate a way through the quagmire, though there's much heartbreak all round before the ending.
Stars: A five, a gripping, emotional tale that had me glued to the page.
ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction.
Annnd once more – why women's fiction? I can#'t see any reason why a man wouldn't want to read this?
So, the book. It made me cry, there are no winners in situations like this. It did make me feel very much sad for both sides, for the trauma and strain on everybody. I love Jodi Picoult's novels, and this really did remind me of one of those. The story is set so much that you feel for both sides, there are unexpected twists, I couldn't just say X was right and Y wasn't. It was a terrible mistake, a tragedy that couldn't have been foreseen.
I was thinking “how would I feel if I were Quinn?” Of course I'd want my baby, the child that calls another woman mummy. Quinn had already lost four years of her. But then Nora, who carried Emily, believing she was her embryo, who's loved and cared for her since birth – where does that leave her. Then Emily herself, she sees Nora as mummy, but doesn't she have the right to know James as Quinn who should have been her parents and of course are, biologically.
Its a story that really tugs at the emotions, where there is no “good “ answer. Someone is going to be heartbroken whatever the result. Yet Melissa manages to navigate a way through the quagmire, though there's much heartbreak all round before the ending.
Stars: A five, a gripping, emotional tale that had me glued to the page.
ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
March 23, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
An unthinkable scenario plays out in this novel involving IVF. A fertility clinic puts the wrong embryo in the wrong woman and the mistake is discovered much too late.
Nora Robinson gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, via IVF, 4 years ago. Quinn and her husband James are going through their last round of IVF, as they have 1 embryo left and 1 last chance to be parents. But when Quinn goes in to have the embryo implanted, she learns that her embryo was accidnetally given to Nora, 4 years earlier. Quinn then decides that she wants to seek custody of the little girl, Emily, as she is her biological mother. Thus begins an intriguing, heart wrenching story of love, biology, and the fall-out of consquences stemming from a truly unimaginable mistake.
This story is very reminiscent of a Jodi Picoult book, presenting a crazy moral question, of who should raise this girl? The only mother she has ever known? Or her biological mother who has lost any other chance at being a mother.
Certain parts of this novel drove me crazy. Quinn's behavior at some point was borderline irrational. There is some more drama involving some more characters in the book - such that this is a page-turning, soap-opera-like story. The ending is a little tidy, a little out there, a little unbelievable, but the book is entertaining for sure and is a unique story that will keep readers turning pages late into the night!
Special thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
An unthinkable scenario plays out in this novel involving IVF. A fertility clinic puts the wrong embryo in the wrong woman and the mistake is discovered much too late.
Nora Robinson gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, via IVF, 4 years ago. Quinn and her husband James are going through their last round of IVF, as they have 1 embryo left and 1 last chance to be parents. But when Quinn goes in to have the embryo implanted, she learns that her embryo was accidnetally given to Nora, 4 years earlier. Quinn then decides that she wants to seek custody of the little girl, Emily, as she is her biological mother. Thus begins an intriguing, heart wrenching story of love, biology, and the fall-out of consquences stemming from a truly unimaginable mistake.
This story is very reminiscent of a Jodi Picoult book, presenting a crazy moral question, of who should raise this girl? The only mother she has ever known? Or her biological mother who has lost any other chance at being a mother.
Certain parts of this novel drove me crazy. Quinn's behavior at some point was borderline irrational. There is some more drama involving some more characters in the book - such that this is a page-turning, soap-opera-like story. The ending is a little tidy, a little out there, a little unbelievable, but the book is entertaining for sure and is a unique story that will keep readers turning pages late into the night!
Special thank you to Netgalley and Bookoutre for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
December 16, 2025Um livro OK. Quinn e James estão tentando ter um bebê e, para isso, terão que fazer fertilização in vitro. Acontece que o último embrião some, de forma que não dá para ser implantado. Quinn fica extremamente fragilizada com o acontecido, pois sabe que sua chance de ser mãe pode acontecer apenas se for por meio da adoção. Após cinco anos, a clínica entra em contato para informar que o embrião fora implantado em outra mulher: Nora - que tem uma filha encantadora chamada Emily. Daí a história narra como Quinn tenta se aproximar da filha, a dificuldade de Nora de dividir a atenção e o carinho da filha com outra mulher desconhecida, o significado de ser mãe… James não está tão animado e não consegue se aproximar tanto de Emily. Depois sua esposa descobre que não só ele a está traindo, como também engravidou a mulher e quer que ela aceite o bebê e abra a mão da guarda da filha. Quinn conhece o tio de Emily, irmão da Nora, e se aproxima dele. Chega o dia do julgamento e, no tribunal, Quinn cuida da menina, enquanto Nora está no banheiro, por cinco minutos, ela entrega uma granola com amendoim para a criança alérgica. Ao ver que Emily está quase morrendo, ela abre mão da guarda da menina por saber que Nora - a pessoa que carregava a caneta para salvá-la - está mais apta para cuidar da criança. Ela se separa de James e começa a se envolver com o tio de Emily. Alguns anos se passam, e ele está com o plano de pedi-la em casamento, envolvendo toda a família. Agora Nora a adora e elas mantêm um bom relacionamento, e Quinn continua a ser carinhosa com Emily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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