thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel
if it’s a heartbreaking mystery you’re after then this is it! Imagine never knowing what happened to your mother or where she is now. Then you receive a key and letter explaining some of what you have always wondered. Next, you have to take a trip to Spain to find out the real and whole truth.
Prepare for some emotional upheaval with this read!
F you haven’t read a Kathryn Hughes novel up until now, you are in for a treat. Even if you have read one, you are in for a bigger treat than normal with this novel set in Spain.
The central crux of the novel is a woman searching for her mother. They were close and lived together before she disappeared and years later, Tara wonders what caused her mother to simply vanish. Why hasn’t she been in touch? Why has no-one found her? Then she receives a letter which could answer all of those deep burning questions and more…
This was a fascinating read for me. New beginnings, old secrets and more were mixed to perfection. Stories about families are always complex and this one more so than most. The relationship between mother and daughter is warm and inviting, her loss is devastating and the very idea that she may now be found….unthinkable. This is a story with heart and soul and with two timelines and voices which work well. Locations flit from London and Manchester and of course Spain.
The story flowed back and forth with a great buildup about Tara’s mum career as a singer. The story thread about the Amethyst Club was really interesting and evoked another time and place very well. So why should mum Violet then go missing? Imagine then having to go and live with your grandmother, and then receiving a letter from someone in Spain who says they have answers….
Talk about heartbreaking and heartrending! The writing here is full of compassion and empathy and draws you in from the start.
I did hope to find out more about Tara and Violet at the end as the ending felt vague compared to what the story had been built up to until then. It didn’t spoil what was a lovely and interesting story though. Plenty of time for reliving the lovely writing and scene setting and imagining it into your own conclusion though.
A final note – that cover is gorgeous!
lmiddy04's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars - This story hooked me in and I loved the different story lines being told simultaneously. It got a bit confusing with all the details and seemed like the author lost their way for a while, but things were tied up in a neat bow by the ending. It was a clever story - a young girl (now grown with her own son) receives a letter that may lead her back to her long lost mother. The journey and the backstory are unique and I love how it all tied together. But, it seemed to drag about halfway through, which lost my interest, but picked back up towards the end. Overall, an okay read.
kimberlykaye23's review
5.0
There is nothing stronger than a mother’s love. As the story evolves, it is apparent that Violet was doing everything she could to protect her daughter and give her a better life. An accident changes the course of everything, and yet 40 years later Tara travels to Spain and finds Violet. Such a great, story that left me in tears. It wasn’t until the end, that all the characters came full circle. Poor Leo! He saved Violet and she saved him. Will definitely recommend to friends!
kimberlykaye23's review against another edition
5.0
There is nothing stronger than a mother’s love. As the story evolves, it is apparent that Violet was doing everything she could to protect her daughter and give her a better life. An accident changes the course of everything, and yet 40 years later Tara travels to Spain and finds Violet. Such a great, story that left me in tears. It wasn’t until the end, that all the characters came full circle. Poor Leo! He saved Violet and she saved him. Will definitely recommend to friends!
simply_kelly05's review against another edition
4.0
Won a Kindle copy from Goodreads and really enjoyed it. Overall well written journey for Tara to discover the roots to the letter, and easy to relate to her as she goes along. The ending was good, but a tad rushed to wrap it all up.
sslovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely one of my favourite books of the year. What a great story of love and loss and betrayal and kindness. Loved it completely
leona_omahony's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my word this book was just fabulous . I have read all the books by this author and she never lets me down . This was an excellent story which from the first page I just loved . Highly recommend .
sslovesbooks's review
5.0
Absolutely one of my favourite books of the year. What a great story of love and loss and betrayal and kindness. Loved it completely
tinamoo's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story is told over two time periods. In the late 1970’s Tara is living with her single mother Violet Dobbs who is doing her best to make ends meet by singing in nightclubs. Her luck changes when she gets offered a higher class club which means more money. Unfortunately that same night she gets evicted from their flat. They end up living above an iron mongers with elderly widow Alf. One night Violet meets Larry Valentine and everything changes.
In present day Tara receives a telephone call from a solicitor asking her to come in. The result of this phone call marks a big change in Tara’s life which solves a mystery that has haunted Tara for years.
I really enjoyed this book and was really invested in the story. This is the third book written by this author that I have read. She has become an auto buy author for me.
This story is told over two time periods. In the late 1970’s Tara is living with her single mother Violet Dobbs who is doing her best to make ends meet by singing in nightclubs. Her luck changes when she gets offered a higher class club which means more money. Unfortunately that same night she gets evicted from their flat. They end up living above an iron mongers with elderly widow Alf. One night Violet meets Larry Valentine and everything changes.
In present day Tara receives a telephone call from a solicitor asking her to come in. The result of this phone call marks a big change in Tara’s life which solves a mystery that has haunted Tara for years.
I really enjoyed this book and was really invested in the story. This is the third book written by this author that I have read. She has become an auto buy author for me.
More...