Book: Someone Else's Child
Author: Alison Ragsdale
Pub Day: Jan 21st 2022
About the Book:
The first time I saw you, I knew you were meant to be ours. I took you in my arms, your little hands in tight fists, and I knew I was going to do everything in my power to be the mother you needed and deserved…
When Catriona loses her baby girl at birth, it shatters her. But like a light in the darkness, Catriona is given the chance to adopt beautiful baby April, and now she cannot imagine life without her.
The family’s picture-perfect home is filled every day with April’s warm giggles and joyful games. But when her daughter is just eight years old, Catriona gets the call that she has been silently dreading. April’s birth mother, Lauren, would like to meet her.
Lauren breezes into their home and April just sparkles around her. Their matching turquoise eyes and chestnut hair feels like a knife to Catriona’s heart. Lauren appears to have her life back on track, with a good job and a new house in an upscale neighbourhood. Pushing to spend more and more time with April, one day Lauren says the unthinkable: April belongs with me.
Who can truly give the little girl the love and family she deserves? Catriona is sure Lauren is keeping secrets. Catriona only wants what is best for her darling daughter, but does that really mean she has to let her go forever?
A totally unforgettable, emotional, and beautiful novel that will break your heart into a million pieces and put it back together again. Powerful and ultimately uplifting, fans of Kate Hewitt, Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain will be captivated.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Someone Else's Child' by Alison Ragsdale.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Alison Ragsdale, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 21st January 2022.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read the first book in the series called 'Her Last Chance' which I highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Powerful and ultimately uplifting, fans of Kate Hewitt, Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain will be captivated. ' I am a huge fan of Kate, Jodi and Diane so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Alison and if this is half as good as 'Her Last Chance' 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, 34 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 based in Plockton, Scotland. 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 third and person perspective and the main protagonist is Catriona. The benefits of third person perspective with 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.
'Someone Else's Child' discusses some topics that may trigger 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 Alison discusses/includes loss of a child.
Well ladies and gents if you are looking for a tear jerker you have come to the right place!!! This book has been beautifully written and it completely drew me in with its vivid descriptions. The storyline and synopsis worked perfect for this book.
The storyline is stunningly devastating and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout. It is such a powerful storyline that will stay with me for a long time. It was filled with love, heartbreak, family and loss and I was completely absorbed throughout. If you have ever read 'P. S I love you', 'Me before you' or 'My Sisters keeper' and enjoyed them then this book is definitely for you!! I love the fact that Alison focused on mutism plus open adoption procedures and the fact that she most definitely did her research shines through!!! It is great that she is bringing such awareness while weaving it into such a beautiful storyline, that takes talent. It is filled with a mother's love for her children and what she would do for them. An absolute roller coaster ride of emotions, make sure you have the tissues ready because you will need them!!!
The characters were well defined, realistic and strong. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and suffering that Catriona was going through, especially as a Mum myself, such a strong and passionate woman. However it wasn't just Catriona that was strong but also April who had all that to go through whilst being just a child. I also felt sorry for Duncan at times yet at others I easily could have throttled him!! I do think it is hard to see things from a dad's perspective at times and realise how much they are going through when we are going through so much already, although he didn't help himself to be fair!! Catriona, April and Duncan were an almost perfect family unit and to watch them go through all that was absolutely heart wrenching. I could not stand Lauren and I definitely wouldn't have given her the benefit as Catriona did on many occasions. I won't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers. However where there was dark the light shone through and I was very glad of Peg and Catriona's friendship and the support Peg gave while Catriona was going through a hell that no mother should.
This book absolutely grabbed my heart and mind and didn't let go while bringing tears to my eyes and I do not cry easily unless it comes to animals. So do make sure you have tissues at the ready!!
Although this book brought me to tears I also think that it ended perfectly and would absolutely love to see this made into a film!!! Alison this is why your my go to author for a tear jerker!!
Congratulations Alison on yet another gorgeous success and here's to your next one 🥂!!
Overall a devastatingly, heartbreaking and yet beautiful story that will leave you in tears.
Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction and Domestic Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans Kate Hewitt, Jodi Picoult, Debbie Maccomber, Nicholas Sparks and Diane Chamberlain.
322 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle 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.
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@AlisonRagsdale @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
A former marketing executive, originally from Edinburgh, Alison now lives near Washington D.C. with her husband and dog. She was educated in England and holds an MBA from Leicester University. For more information on upcoming books go to www.alisonragsdale.com. SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlisonRagsdale
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