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The Cuckoo Sister
You want your sister to have all her heart desires.
But - what if she wants your children?
Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.
But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge.
When Maggie finally cracks, walking out one day and not returning, Rose is right there to step into the breach...
You trust your sister to look after your children. But should you?
But - what if she wants your children?
Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.
But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge.
When Maggie finally cracks, walking out one day and not returning, Rose is right there to step into the breach...
You trust your sister to look after your children. But should you?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2023
888 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
January 4, 2023
Odd
Didn't like the ending what so ever. Basically endorses being a selfish, lying, conniving human being. I ended up disliking all the characters except Laura she seemed the most real and head screwed on.
Didn't like the ending what so ever. Basically endorses being a selfish, lying, conniving human being. I ended up disliking all the characters except Laura she seemed the most real and head screwed on.
February 1, 2023
I can't believe anyone liked this shit. Rose was the actually insane one in this book, not Maggie. Stephen was also atrocious on every level and in the end.
Yeah, this book is not a psychological thriller. It's a problematic messy book that makes light of post partum depression/psychosis and is highly disrespectful to Maggie's plight and the awful ways Rose and Stephen treated her.
I would have enjoyed this far more had Maggie just murdered them both, as that's what Stephen and Rose both deserved.
Yeah, this book is not a psychological thriller. It's a problematic messy book that makes light of post partum depression/psychosis and is highly disrespectful to Maggie's plight and the awful ways Rose and Stephen treated her.
I would have enjoyed this far more had Maggie just murdered them both, as that's what Stephen and Rose both deserved.
January 16, 2023
Chose this from this month’s Amazon Prime First Reads
This is an interesting angle on the ‘cuckoo in the home’ theme with the cuckoo not being a stranger or a friend who turns out not to be but a family member and in fact your Sister….this could have gone either way I felt and it went the right way ( well for me reading it anyway 😊)
It was challenging to keep your emotions at bay reading about the 2 Sisters and why Maggie and Rose both did as they did,the reasoning behind it and the fallout from both of their major life decisions,it was easy sometimes to tut and say ‘well I wouldn’t have done that’ but then as the book goes on you begin to realise things are not as clear cut as you would think and the decisions they both made were not made on a whim at all but many factors are in play…..I don't want to say more on the plot or what happens other than it is intriguing and the author writes both viewpoints sympathetically and passionately
There is a shock near the end,I know some people don’t like reviewers saying that and sometimes I don’t but this shock is worth a mention and it then changes everyones plans and the focus of the book
Well written,engaging and enjoyable and as said at the beginning a really good angle of the ‘cuckoo’ theme
This is an interesting angle on the ‘cuckoo in the home’ theme with the cuckoo not being a stranger or a friend who turns out not to be but a family member and in fact your Sister….this could have gone either way I felt and it went the right way ( well for me reading it anyway 😊)
It was challenging to keep your emotions at bay reading about the 2 Sisters and why Maggie and Rose both did as they did,the reasoning behind it and the fallout from both of their major life decisions,it was easy sometimes to tut and say ‘well I wouldn’t have done that’ but then as the book goes on you begin to realise things are not as clear cut as you would think and the decisions they both made were not made on a whim at all but many factors are in play…..I don't want to say more on the plot or what happens other than it is intriguing and the author writes both viewpoints sympathetically and passionately
There is a shock near the end,I know some people don’t like reviewers saying that and sometimes I don’t but this shock is worth a mention and it then changes everyones plans and the focus of the book
Well written,engaging and enjoyable and as said at the beginning a really good angle of the ‘cuckoo’ theme
September 16, 2023
*Consequences & Deception*
Firstly I must say this is a strong debut but I found the subject uncomfortable.
We have two sisters Maggie the eldest and Rose. Maggie meets Stephen and falls pregnant and he does what is deemed the decent thing even though there is opposition from both sides. I am not sure there was any love at all. Maggie puts her career on hold and is struggling but quickly finds she is pregnant again. Stephen is a hands off parent thinking his job is to provide and put a roof over their head. Maggie’s job is to handle everything else…
One day she has a horrific accident waiting to happen at home which affects the children. She provides first aid and takes them to A&E and calls her sister and husband. In her distress she walks away from the hospital feeling it was in the best interests of the children and disappears from their lives.
She needs to heal and get her head straight and I think it was untreated extreme postnatal depression. She needed support but no one seemed to grasp the seriousness of what was going on. She writes to the family frequently but why are they all acting like Maggie has not been in touch?
In the meantime her sister steps up as it has been a year. Maggie’s best friend Laura never gives up looking for her. And during that time her Sister Rose has completely erased her from the home and is now living the life she thinks she deserves…
When the sisters come face to face again, Maggie is in for many shocks, the children do not recognise her and she is now the stranger
The decisions that are made to come to some sort of agreement, well that did not sit right with me. The one character that felt real was Laura who found their whole way of dealing with things would end in tears….
There is a twist at the end that made me question the motivations of the husband.
Firstly I must say this is a strong debut but I found the subject uncomfortable.
We have two sisters Maggie the eldest and Rose. Maggie meets Stephen and falls pregnant and he does what is deemed the decent thing even though there is opposition from both sides. I am not sure there was any love at all. Maggie puts her career on hold and is struggling but quickly finds she is pregnant again. Stephen is a hands off parent thinking his job is to provide and put a roof over their head. Maggie’s job is to handle everything else…
One day she has a horrific accident waiting to happen at home which affects the children. She provides first aid and takes them to A&E and calls her sister and husband. In her distress she walks away from the hospital feeling it was in the best interests of the children and disappears from their lives.
She needs to heal and get her head straight and I think it was untreated extreme postnatal depression. She needed support but no one seemed to grasp the seriousness of what was going on. She writes to the family frequently but why are they all acting like Maggie has not been in touch?
In the meantime her sister steps up as it has been a year. Maggie’s best friend Laura never gives up looking for her. And during that time her Sister Rose has completely erased her from the home and is now living the life she thinks she deserves…
When the sisters come face to face again, Maggie is in for many shocks, the children do not recognise her and she is now the stranger
The decisions that are made to come to some sort of agreement, well that did not sit right with me. The one character that felt real was Laura who found their whole way of dealing with things would end in tears….
There is a twist at the end that made me question the motivations of the husband.
February 1, 2023
This was not a thriller by any means. More like drawn out family fiction. It was like a first draft. Now throw in some suspense. Some secrets. Some shocking twists. Lacking all of that. So glad I was able to only pay $1. It’s def not worth $5.
January 10, 2023
This book was marketed wrong. It was classed as a psychological thriller when in fact it was a family drama at best. Had I known that I wouldn’t have picked it up. Either way, the story was dull, the characters duller.
February 4, 2023
This is an overly melodramatic and utterly unrealistic novel. Rose and Stephen are very nasty and cruel, and Maggie is simply weak. The only decent character who had any kind of moral integrity was Laura but sadly we see very little of her. The story could have easily been cut by a half to a third as there's a lot of repetition. Not recommended.
January 28, 2023
boring
This book just didn’t hold my attention at all, skipped to the end, I couldn’t be bothered to read it.
This book just didn’t hold my attention at all, skipped to the end, I couldn’t be bothered to read it.
January 7, 2023
One of my Kindle First jobbies this month and I LOVED it !! Yes, the odd mistake in it but overall it was terrific. An author I'll be keeping a beady eye upon.
I have to say I felt for Maggie at the beginning of this but as things went along I wanted to give her a proper kick up the backside and I was totally team Rose. You'll need to read to see who won out in the end and what occurs in the interim but it was highly intriguing and certainly kept this reader gripped till the early hours so I could learn what happened !! I really can't say too much as I refuse to entertain spoilers.
She could do with hyphenating high up and play acting, we had enquires not enquiries, then scared not scarred, draft not draught, dropped a couple of fullstops here and there along with the odd word from a sentence, (as in, "Laura had pointed out that few gifts wouldn't go amiss), Playdoh needs capitalising and finally, "The life he that offered" speaks for itself as well. So some nitpicky errors that oughtn't have made it to publication but most digital books seem to have the very same problems these days. A pity publishers don't get on top of this annoyance as it's very slapdash of 'em.
I'll definitely reading something else by her and highly recommend this one.
I have to say I felt for Maggie at the beginning of this but as things went along I wanted to give her a proper kick up the backside and I was totally team Rose. You'll need to read to see who won out in the end and what occurs in the interim but it was highly intriguing and certainly kept this reader gripped till the early hours so I could learn what happened !! I really can't say too much as I refuse to entertain spoilers.
She could do with hyphenating high up and play acting, we had enquires not enquiries, then scared not scarred, draft not draught, dropped a couple of fullstops here and there along with the odd word from a sentence, (as in, "Laura had pointed out that few gifts wouldn't go amiss), Playdoh needs capitalising and finally, "The life he that offered" speaks for itself as well. So some nitpicky errors that oughtn't have made it to publication but most digital books seem to have the very same problems these days. A pity publishers don't get on top of this annoyance as it's very slapdash of 'em.
I'll definitely reading something else by her and highly recommend this one.
January 18, 2023
Boring story with dull characters.
I rarely abandon a book, but found myself scanning pages rather than reading them. I’m sure it will appeal to plenty of people, but sadly not to me.
I rarely abandon a book, but found myself scanning pages rather than reading them. I’m sure it will appeal to plenty of people, but sadly not to me.
January 3, 2023
Rating: 1.4/5
I can't help feeling that this debut author has been let down by her editing and marketing support teams. There are some good ideas in this book that had the potential to be moulded into a decent novel, but ultimately, execution, fell well short of the mark.
"The Cuckoo Sister" appears to have been marketed as a psychological thriller, but it is nothing of the sort - it is essentially a domestic drama ... or perhaps more accurately a domestic melodrama. This false description only serves to raise false expectations in the mind of the reader that can only heighten the subsequent disappointment.
There is the basis of a good idea and an intriguing plot here and it had the potential to be the kind of psychological thriller that it claimed to be, with edgy and disturbing sibling rivalry at its heart. Sadly, the execution wasn't up to the task. It is too melodramatic, too unbelievable and, at times, simply too puerile. I grew tired of making margin notes where passages struck me as being overly dramatic or trite with dialogue that was stilted and unnatural. Nor was I ever wholly convinced by the characterisation of the two sisters, Maggie and Rose. This novel could have done with some more constructive editing input and perhaps another redraft or two. I hate not finishing a book, so I ploughed on until the end, but it isn't one that will live long in the memory.
I can't help feeling that this debut author has been let down by her editing and marketing support teams. There are some good ideas in this book that had the potential to be moulded into a decent novel, but ultimately, execution, fell well short of the mark.
"The Cuckoo Sister" appears to have been marketed as a psychological thriller, but it is nothing of the sort - it is essentially a domestic drama ... or perhaps more accurately a domestic melodrama. This false description only serves to raise false expectations in the mind of the reader that can only heighten the subsequent disappointment.
There is the basis of a good idea and an intriguing plot here and it had the potential to be the kind of psychological thriller that it claimed to be, with edgy and disturbing sibling rivalry at its heart. Sadly, the execution wasn't up to the task. It is too melodramatic, too unbelievable and, at times, simply too puerile. I grew tired of making margin notes where passages struck me as being overly dramatic or trite with dialogue that was stilted and unnatural. Nor was I ever wholly convinced by the characterisation of the two sisters, Maggie and Rose. This novel could have done with some more constructive editing input and perhaps another redraft or two. I hate not finishing a book, so I ploughed on until the end, but it isn't one that will live long in the memory.
January 3, 2023
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
As a mother, I found this a difficult read because of the circumstances that Maggie’s children, Emily and Elliot, are forced in to. They are innocent victims to Maggie’s suffering that turns into a conflict between sisters.
As a mother, I found this a difficult read because of the circumstances that Maggie’s children, Emily and Elliot, are forced in to. They are innocent victims to Maggie’s suffering that turns into a conflict between sisters.
August 7, 2023
An okay, easy read. Not a thriller by any means, though. The storyline allows you to skim read and not miss anything; I didn't guess the ending, which I was glad about.
March 31, 2023
An interesting premise where the cuckoo in the nest is the sister.
Following an incident at home, two very small children appear to be badly injured. Their mother is fraught with worry and guilt and leaves the hospital before they are treated. She doesn't come back and so her sister moves into her home to take care of the children. The problem is that the sister finds that this home life - complete with her brother-in-law - is perfect for her. She doesn't want her sister to come back.
This intriguing tale is told from the point of view of both sisters, in first-person chapters. Both sisters put the welfare of the children first, but their own personal desires bubble underneath. Neither are particularly likeable. Not really a thriller, the story is more a domestic drama with a weak husband in the periphery. It is quite a slow book with the ideas and arguments being repeated often with no conclusions in a circular fashion. Not much happens either.
However, the most disappointing feature is that there is no medical, social services or legal intervention. A new mother disappears without trace, her phone found in the street, and the police only manage to find a couple of cctv images and give in? No news coverage, even locally? A bit unrealistic in Britain I think.
An easy book to read, if a little long winded, which perhaps gives us something to think about.
Following an incident at home, two very small children appear to be badly injured. Their mother is fraught with worry and guilt and leaves the hospital before they are treated. She doesn't come back and so her sister moves into her home to take care of the children. The problem is that the sister finds that this home life - complete with her brother-in-law - is perfect for her. She doesn't want her sister to come back.
This intriguing tale is told from the point of view of both sisters, in first-person chapters. Both sisters put the welfare of the children first, but their own personal desires bubble underneath. Neither are particularly likeable. Not really a thriller, the story is more a domestic drama with a weak husband in the periphery. It is quite a slow book with the ideas and arguments being repeated often with no conclusions in a circular fashion. Not much happens either.
However, the most disappointing feature is that there is no medical, social services or legal intervention. A new mother disappears without trace, her phone found in the street, and the police only manage to find a couple of cctv images and give in? No news coverage, even locally? A bit unrealistic in Britain I think.
An easy book to read, if a little long winded, which perhaps gives us something to think about.
February 12, 2023
Certainly a very different kind of story!
On the surface, Maggie has it all: marriage to her handsome husband and two adorable children. However, underneath the surface she is struggling. Two very young children, a lack of sleep and missing her career all takes a toll. With no help from her husband Stephen who has a traditional outlook on family life, she cannot see light at the end of the tunnel and then an accident happens. The final straw to break the camel's back results in Maggie leaving - just walking away, secure in the knowledge that her sister, desperate to have what she sees as Maggie's perfect life will step up to care for the children until she is well enough to return to care for her family.
This is a fascinating read and a prime example of what happens when couples stop communicating. Caring for small children isn't always as idyllic as it sounds - it's hard work and so easily chips away at your soul. For women who have had a successful career, it's a very different kind of life. I had huge sympathy with Maggie, and not much time for Stephen. Her sister Rose was a likeable character, at least at first. I was taken by surprise more than once by the turns the story took and quite shocked by the ending, but there is no denying that this is a well-written, attention grabbing novel. One I would recommend and for me, 4.5*.
On the surface, Maggie has it all: marriage to her handsome husband and two adorable children. However, underneath the surface she is struggling. Two very young children, a lack of sleep and missing her career all takes a toll. With no help from her husband Stephen who has a traditional outlook on family life, she cannot see light at the end of the tunnel and then an accident happens. The final straw to break the camel's back results in Maggie leaving - just walking away, secure in the knowledge that her sister, desperate to have what she sees as Maggie's perfect life will step up to care for the children until she is well enough to return to care for her family.
This is a fascinating read and a prime example of what happens when couples stop communicating. Caring for small children isn't always as idyllic as it sounds - it's hard work and so easily chips away at your soul. For women who have had a successful career, it's a very different kind of life. I had huge sympathy with Maggie, and not much time for Stephen. Her sister Rose was a likeable character, at least at first. I was taken by surprise more than once by the turns the story took and quite shocked by the ending, but there is no denying that this is a well-written, attention grabbing novel. One I would recommend and for me, 4.5*.
November 22, 2022
I’m going to be honest, I was triggered by the premise of Alison Stockham’s debut. I have a sister and I remember the childhood squabbles over her stealing my barbies, and my clothes. But the idea of my sister trying to steal my hypothetical husband and children? Noooo! It’s a nightmare scenario, no matter how you frame it, but somehow Alison Stockham writes the characters of Maggie, her sister Rose and her husband Stephen with such nuance that neither of them is in danger of slipping into pantomime villain territory.
The Cuckoo Sister starts with Maggie in the middle of a crisis with her children. We immediately see how alone and desperate she is due to the pressure of caring for two young children. Her husband Stephen is too busy with work to be much help: “He hadn’t seen her desperation, desperation for some space to breathe. He hadn’t seen her drowning.”
The pressure results in Maggie leaving and her younger sister Rose, who’s always envied Maggie’s seemingly perfect life, steps in to help.
Unfortunately, the longer Maggie stays away, the more Rose, Stephen and children Emily and Elliott have time to get used to the changing family dynamics. The fallout of Maggie’s disappearance and return was heart-breaking to read as both women are forced to reckon with the changing dynamics. When I started reading this, I was immediately on Maggie’s side and I loved this quote: “we all wanted you to be something for us. A wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend.” Circumstances have meant Maggie’s never had the time to figure out who she really is. However, we also realize the same is true of her husband Stephen. I think the tragedy of this story was their reluctance to communicate with each other until it was too late.
The relationship between Rose and Maggie was fascinating to read as obviously they love each other, but there’s also that resentment that each one suspects the other of living the dream. Although Maggie’s disappearance gives Rose what she wants, she also realises that dreams are just that...dreams, and a happy ending is a constant work in progress. Overall, this was a beautifully written debut that handles a difficult subject matter with a delicacy that makes me excited to read whatever Alison Stockham writes next.
January 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. There was a certain sense of shock, horror and disbelief as Rose settled into Maggies family, allowed her niece and nephew to call her mama, and basically erased Maggie completely. I felt the author tried to negate some of Roses guilt for this in that Steven hid the letters from Maggie, so he clearly wanted Rose and didn’t want the letters to stand in his way, but Rose knew what she was doing, getting what she wanted and from the sound of it that is what she had done her whole life.
When Maggie came back I felt fired up. I was like yes mama take those babies back… and whilst I understand why she didn’t and concede that this was the best outcome for the children, I was disappointed by this ending. I also thought the kids birth certificates will have the birth moms details on and can’t be kept from them forever and they will surely resent both Rose and Maggie for lying to them their whole lives for what? That being said I didn’t think the ending was bad enough to drop a star so 5 stars it is.
When Maggie came back I felt fired up. I was like yes mama take those babies back… and whilst I understand why she didn’t and concede that this was the best outcome for the children, I was disappointed by this ending. I also thought the kids birth certificates will have the birth moms details on and can’t be kept from them forever and they will surely resent both Rose and Maggie for lying to them their whole lives for what? That being said I didn’t think the ending was bad enough to drop a star so 5 stars it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2023
After accidentally burning her children, enough is enough and Maggie walks out leaving her sister Rose and husband Stephen to look after the children. Rose doesn’t see Maggie struggling, she sees her sister with a handsome husband and two beautiful children, everything she has ever wanted. Was Maggie really wise to let Rose look after her children?
This was one of my January Amazon first reads pick. I found the first half of this book so boring. I was going to give up reading it but I loved the photo I took of the cover when I was skiing so I preserved for the sake of the bookstagram aesthetic 😂
It does pick up once you get to the half way point and it was much more fast paced from then onwards. However I found the big reveal predictable and the ending uninspired.
This was one of my January Amazon first reads pick. I found the first half of this book so boring. I was going to give up reading it but I loved the photo I took of the cover when I was skiing so I preserved for the sake of the bookstagram aesthetic 😂
It does pick up once you get to the half way point and it was much more fast paced from then onwards. However I found the big reveal predictable and the ending uninspired.
May 2, 2023
Should have listened to all the other reviews and not wasted my time 😬, it definitely had potential, the story could have had some twists - like her letters? Plus all the legal actions Maggie could gave technically taken to get her kids back?
And the attempted suicide? She didn’t actually seek professional help - just sat at this stranger’s house for a year?? So many questions and plot holes for me.
And the attempted suicide? She didn’t actually seek professional help - just sat at this stranger’s house for a year?? So many questions and plot holes for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
Older sister leaves her kids with her younger sister
I don’t really know what to make of this book. It’s advertised as a psychological thriller, but it never really pay off as such. I did find it engaging though, and Rose and Maggie were really well written, it just doesn’t quite feel like a thriller.
I don’t really know what to make of this book. It’s advertised as a psychological thriller, but it never really pay off as such. I did find it engaging though, and Rose and Maggie were really well written, it just doesn’t quite feel like a thriller.
March 1, 2023
Dull and beyond! Repetitive, badly written - another reviewer said that it read like a first draft and I agree. There didn’t appear to have been an editor involved at all. Disliked all the characters. Oh dear!!!
March 17, 2023
It just ended. As if the author couldn’t be bothered. Disappointing. Unusual storyline though. So refreshing in some ways.
January 6, 2024
This book was heartbreaking from start to finish. The story of two sisters and how different their lives were .one sister totally jealous of the other one’s life but it was never apparent until one day the older sister disappears as she can no longer live her life as it is and disappears to get her thoughts and life in order as she is at breaking point . The younger one steps in to look after her young children and husband but with an alternative motive she wants the children and her sister’s life for herself and stops at nothing to achieve this .Huge shock at the end very heartbreaking and emotional but in life sometimes you have to forgive and forget and move on life is to short .
January 29, 2023
Title says it all
Maggie struggling with her life as mother of a toddler and baby, wife of an unsupportive husband and adrift from her previous career, has an accident which leads to a visit to A&E. In shame and broken she leaves her children at the hospital in the care of her sister Rose and her husband Stephen and catches a bus to Glasgow. In her absence Rose takes her place so Maggie’s return is a surprise. Maggie has to work out what her role can be and appears very strong even though she has had a long breakdown.
The plot was intriguing although some things were clearly signposted - the number times it was mentioned that Rise was a clever manipulator and was used to getting what she wanted! Practicalities, credibility and complete lack of police involvement aside, there was an interesting storyline of the sister characters. The only character I liked was the dogged friend Laura and her believable reactions.
The self obsession and complete lack of consideration of the parents irked and reduced the emotional investment and I was aware of checking the percentage remaining a few times.
The situation was a good start but the characters could have been better developed and differentiated. Even the remote Scottish character used the same form of endearment (lovely). Too many omissions distracted my empathy.
Maggie struggling with her life as mother of a toddler and baby, wife of an unsupportive husband and adrift from her previous career, has an accident which leads to a visit to A&E. In shame and broken she leaves her children at the hospital in the care of her sister Rose and her husband Stephen and catches a bus to Glasgow. In her absence Rose takes her place so Maggie’s return is a surprise. Maggie has to work out what her role can be and appears very strong even though she has had a long breakdown.
The plot was intriguing although some things were clearly signposted - the number times it was mentioned that Rise was a clever manipulator and was used to getting what she wanted! Practicalities, credibility and complete lack of police involvement aside, there was an interesting storyline of the sister characters. The only character I liked was the dogged friend Laura and her believable reactions.
The self obsession and complete lack of consideration of the parents irked and reduced the emotional investment and I was aware of checking the percentage remaining a few times.
The situation was a good start but the characters could have been better developed and differentiated. Even the remote Scottish character used the same form of endearment (lovely). Too many omissions distracted my empathy.
October 19, 2024
A very quick start I was hooked. Then nothing happened for about 100 pages. A big twist I didn’t see coming - has author left it open for a sequel?
February 18, 2025
Easy read, a little predictable but still enjoyed it 👍🙂
June 28, 2023
22% and I’m done. So boring. NEXT.
SN: one of the dumbest titles for a novel I’ve seen in a while
SN: one of the dumbest titles for a novel I’ve seen in a while
November 26, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.
Maggie never intended to have children but now she has two kids and a marriage that really should have never been. When an accident sends both her children to the hospital because of something she caused, she feels like it's better if she just leaves. When that occurs, her sister Rose takes her place and starts raising the kids with Maggie's husband. This is everything Rose has ever wanted, to have a family to care for, but what if Maggie decides to return?
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a page-turner and the characters were written so well! I feel for all of the characters and what they are going through and the twist at the end really surprised me. Highly recommend this book!
Maggie never intended to have children but now she has two kids and a marriage that really should have never been. When an accident sends both her children to the hospital because of something she caused, she feels like it's better if she just leaves. When that occurs, her sister Rose takes her place and starts raising the kids with Maggie's husband. This is everything Rose has ever wanted, to have a family to care for, but what if Maggie decides to return?
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a page-turner and the characters were written so well! I feel for all of the characters and what they are going through and the twist at the end really surprised me. Highly recommend this book!
May 4, 2023
Interesting but not gripping
There were things about the book I enjoyed. I was curious to see what happened the whole way through. I liked the mix of Maggie and Rose's POV and I think the writer wrote both sides really well. I don't think I could say on the whole that I liked the book though. Too many people just accepted that Rose and Stephen were together, and I do feel like Stephen should have gotten more scrutiny. Ailsa needed to be fleshed out a bit more, there was so much potential for suspicion, for backstory but she was just convenient. I did not find the ending satisfying at all, even though Maggie had decided to be okay with their system, it still felt like she was being punished for having mental health issues. The only reason she was in that situation in the first place was because Rose had threatened to tell the children she'd abandoned them. Blackmailing her sister by misrepresenting her struggle to her own kids made me so frustrated with Rose's actions and while she lost Stephen she still managed to keep the children she stole. During the last couple of chapters I was low-key hoping for a secret murder or trick. It was a well written and interesting read, but I didn't feel it was gripping.
There were things about the book I enjoyed. I was curious to see what happened the whole way through. I liked the mix of Maggie and Rose's POV and I think the writer wrote both sides really well. I don't think I could say on the whole that I liked the book though. Too many people just accepted that Rose and Stephen were together, and I do feel like Stephen should have gotten more scrutiny. Ailsa needed to be fleshed out a bit more, there was so much potential for suspicion, for backstory but she was just convenient. I did not find the ending satisfying at all, even though Maggie had decided to be okay with their system, it still felt like she was being punished for having mental health issues. The only reason she was in that situation in the first place was because Rose had threatened to tell the children she'd abandoned them. Blackmailing her sister by misrepresenting her struggle to her own kids made me so frustrated with Rose's actions and while she lost Stephen she still managed to keep the children she stole. During the last couple of chapters I was low-key hoping for a secret murder or trick. It was a well written and interesting read, but I didn't feel it was gripping.
August 9, 2023
This was supposed to be a psychological thriller. I don't really see it that way. It's a good book, more of an emotional, mystery, family drama. I liked the characters and it was really interesting seeing and understanding why they all did what they did. It's a book about love and I liked the fact that Maggie comes to understand that sometimes love means you have to let go, even your children. I think it is reasonably well written and I did enjoy it even though it wasn't what I was expecting. Really needs to be rebranded as a family drama. Very interesting that a lot of the reviews are bad!
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You want your sister to have all her heart desires. But - what if she wants your children?
Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.
But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge.
When Maggie finally cracks, walking out one day and not returning, Rose is right there to step into the breach...
You trust your sister to look after your children. But should you?
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You want your sister to have all her heart desires. But - what if she wants your children?
Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.
But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge.
When Maggie finally cracks, walking out one day and not returning, Rose is right there to step into the breach...
You trust your sister to look after your children. But should you?
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