Beautiful, heart-breaking and true to life
“To lose your family is heart-breaking. To be forgotten by them is unforgivable”.
Caroline’s writing beautifully conveys the story of Cassie, a 17 year old who decides to embark on a journey to find out the truth about her birth mother after she was adopted at the age of 3. Living in a loving home with her Mum, Dad and sister Erin I initially wondered why Cassie felt so determined to find out just what secrets her parents had sought to protect her from after always knowing growing up that she had been adopted. However, as the story progressed I could really empathise with the anger and frustration Cassie felt about what she was learning even though at times I was willing her to stop and think about the decisions she was making! It definitely made me reflect on what I might do if I was in possession of a secret that could threaten to tear apart the life and identity of someone close to me and destroy all they have ever known.
The story is so powerful and emotive for all of the characters involved and definitely poses the question of how far you will go to protect those you love. I found this book very thought provoking and it gave such a true to life insight in to what it could be like for those who are involved both before and after an adoption takes place. It really made me reflect too on how difficult it must be for those moving forward and those who are left behind. I also really liked how the prologue set a scene before taking you back 4 months previously allowing you to have at the back of your mind whilst reading what could happen to result in that dreaded phone call.
I enjoyed being challenged in my views as the story developed and didn’t see the ending coming at all! I also absolutely loved the clever link back to the first two pages and being able to imagine my own next phase in the life of these characters. If ever there was to be a sequel I would definitely count down the days to its release!
Caroline’s writing beautifully conveys the story of Cassie, a 17 year old who decides to embark on a journey to find out the truth about her birth mother after she was adopted at the age of 3. Living in a loving home with her Mum, Dad and sister Erin I initially wondered why Cassie felt so determined to find out just what secrets her parents had sought to protect her from after always knowing growing up that she had been adopted. However, as the story progressed I could really empathise with the anger and frustration Cassie felt about what she was learning even though at times I was willing her to stop and think about the decisions she was making! It definitely made me reflect on what I might do if I was in possession of a secret that could threaten to tear apart the life and identity of someone close to me and destroy all they have ever known.
The story is so powerful and emotive for all of the characters involved and definitely poses the question of how far you will go to protect those you love. I found this book very thought provoking and it gave such a true to life insight in to what it could be like for those who are involved both before and after an adoption takes place. It really made me reflect too on how difficult it must be for those moving forward and those who are left behind. I also really liked how the prologue set a scene before taking you back 4 months previously allowing you to have at the back of your mind whilst reading what could happen to result in that dreaded phone call.
I enjoyed being challenged in my views as the story developed and didn’t see the ending coming at all! I also absolutely loved the clever link back to the first two pages and being able to imagine my own next phase in the life of these characters. If ever there was to be a sequel I would definitely count down the days to its release!