Book: Long Lost Girl
Author: Jill Childs
Pub Day: May 17th 2022
About the Book:
When three-year-old Sara disappeared from their lives, it tore the Turner family apart. Years later, they are still startling at every knock, convinced it is Sara at the door. But the only trace of the cherished little girl is a fading photo in the hall, a single white knitted baby shoe tucked behind the frame.
Then, one day, as they pick at sandwiches in a crowded local café, a beautiful girl approaches, claiming to be Sara. With her wide green eyes and soft, straight hair, could she really be their long-lost girl? But where has she been all this time, and what happened to stop her from coming home?
Soon, Sara is turning up for Sunday lunch, and then moving her things into the little bedroom upstairs. But as Sara makes herself at home, not everyone is happy that she’s back in their lives once more. Long-held secrets are threatening to surface, and someone in this tight-knit family doesn’t want them to be told…
A gripping and emotional read about three generations of family secrets. Fans of Jodi Picoult, Kelly Rimmer and Kerry Fisher won’t be able to put this book down.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Long Lost Girl' by Jill Childs.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Jill Childs, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 17th May 2022.
This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Mistress' and 'I Let Him In' which I also recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Jodi Picoult, Kelly Rimmer and Kerry Fisher won’t be able to put this book down.' I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and Kerry Fisher so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Jill Childs and if this is half as good as 'The Mistress' and 'I Let Him In' 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 and 71 chapters. The chapters are short 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 based in London, 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in a mix of third and first person perspective and the protagonists are Paula Turner, Sara Turner and Ruth. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. 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. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
OMG!!!! WHAT DID I JUST READ!?!?! MIND BLOWN!!!!
Another fantastic book from Jill with vivid descriptions which put you right in the picture. It really felt like Paula and Rute were talking directly to me from across the table over a cup of tea. The synopsis and cover suit the book perfectly.
The storyline is absolutely addictive and had me sucked in from the first page until the explosive ending. It is a heartbreaking story about regret, family, secrets, what ifs, deceit, twists and much more. I couldn't stop turning the pages until early hours of the morning so if you pick this up I seriously advice you to clear your schedules and also have the tissues at the ready. It is filled with heartbreak, hope, love, loss, secrets, family and a few humongous twists that I did not see coming. A huge well done to Jill on not just one but several bombshell!!! I would have never guessed either of the twists in a million years. Very rarely I am shocked by books having read so many but this absolutely had me a cracker and completely blew my mind. If you are fed up of guessing the ending by 50% then this one is for you!!! There were moments of tension, suspense and others of sadness that really caught in my throat. Whilst I loved the ending it was also heartbreaking for Ruth for never getting something she so desperately wanted at the same time but also life changer for Paula. It is so hard to talk about it without giving anything away so I will just say if you want a book with twists you will NEVER see coming this one is for you!!! This is definitely a book that will leave you thinking about trust, assumptions and Kindess.
Do not start this until you have cleared your schedules as you won't be able to put it down!!
I absolutely adored both Paula and Ruth. They were both strong realistic characters and I was completely invested in them both. It was heart wrenching reading their stories but beautiful to watch them come together in their grief. I wasn't a huge fan of Sara and struggled to click with her as I didn't trust her. Again, I can't even say how I felt at the end of the book as it will give too much away so I will leave it at that. My heart really did go out to Ruth along with the many women who would have been in the same position, I'd like to say many years ago but sadly I wouldn't be surprised if similar situations still continue. Although I liked Paula, I did find her to be a bit judgemental at times but at the same time, considering the circumstances it is hard to know if I would react in some of the situations. Needless to say whether you loved or hated them, the characters were perfect for this absolutely fantastic storyline.
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jill on one of the most shocking twists I have ever read and an absolutely addictive book!!
Overall an addictive, page turning, heartbreaking story with bombshells you will never see coming!!!
Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Women's Saga, Women's Psychological Fiction, Women's Literary Fiction, Suspense and Thriller amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Jodi Picoult, Kerry Fisher, Kelly Rimmer, Nicholas Sparks, Kerry Wilkinson and anyone looking for a book that will shock you.
351 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle or free on kindle unlimited (at time of review) 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
@JillChilds @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
Jill has always loved writing - real and imaginary - and spent 30 years travelling the world as a journalist, living overseas and reporting wherever the news took her. She's now made her home in London with her husband and twin girls who love stories as much as she does. Although she's covered everything from earthquakes and floods, riots and wars, she's found some of the most extraordinary stories right here at home - in the secrets and lies she imagines behind closed doors on ordinary streets, just like yours. If you've enjoyed reading one of Jill's books, please do leave a review.
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jill.childs.71
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Bookouture Email signup: https://www.bookouture.com/jill-childs
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09T786YKGsocial
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