Scan barcode
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
You Were Always Mine by Nicole Baart came highly recommended to me by my friend Holly and I’m so glad I was able to read this book! What an emotional roller coaster this book of domestic suspense took me on! That’s the genre I landed on, after seeing other reviewers comment on how this one is hard to place. It is not a psychological thriller in the modern sense of the word, though I think it would classify as one if it were written two decades ago. It doesn’t have that wild twisty ride of a thriller. It really is more of a novel of suspense filled with a deep, emotional character study about this woman who is put in an impossible situation, and does what she thinks is best for her children.
This is a beautiful story with a dark psychological suspense undertone that will have you hooked until the very last reveal. I can see why Holly loves this author so much—she has a way with writing characters and moral dilemmas that were thought-provoking, insightful, and added to the authenticity of the story.
About the Book
Jessica Chamberlain lives with her two sons in a small Iowa town. Recently, Jessica and her husband Evan separated under one of those impossible circumstances where they realized they’d just stopped trying in their marriage. Evan was wrapped up in his career as a family practitioner and Jessica was wrapped up in motherhood and their two sons.
And then one day not long after Evan moved out, Jessica receives a phone call. They’ve found a body in Minnesota with no personal belongings to identify, save for a slip of paper in his pocket that led them to her. In a single instant Jessica’s world will change. How can this seemingly unrelated crime possibly derail her life? As the pieces fall into place, Jessica realizes that the mystery may lead back to her and Evan’s adopted son Gabriel.
Gabriel became the Chamberlain’s through a closed adoption. It is what everyone wanted at the time. But now it seems there may be more to the story of Gabriel’s birth, and Jessica can’t protect them from the truth much longer. With a ferocity that only a mother can show, Jessica tries desperately to hold her family together in the most trying of times. Will the love of a mother be enough to weather this storm?
Reflection
What a beautifully written novel this is! Baart writes with authenticity that had this story creeping into my heart and taking hold of my thoughts. This felt like a story that could be happening in my town, even. And that made the subtle horror of the situation have a monumental impact.
One element that seems all too familiar and was written so well was the relationship between Jessica and Evan. I have a good friend that did pre-marital counseling with her husband, and one of the issues that she said they spoke to their counselor about was always prioritizing their marriage, even before their children. It seemed so counter-intuitive. But actually one of the main reasons marriages fall apart is that partners forget to prioritize themselves. And when that happens, their children aren’t getting the best of a unified family anymore. In this story, we see the aftermath of this realization. Jessica wonders who it was that stopped trying first, and if it is too late to reconcile. This situation happens more than we realize. Even with love there from both sides, there needs to be a continued effort to choose to stay together.
And then we have the dynamic of Gabriel’s adoption. One thing that resonated in this story is how difficult of a position an adoption is all around. Both parties are having to make a decision on behalf of a child who isn’t old enough to decide for themselves whether the biological mother should be involved. Jessica feels so strongly that a closed adoption is the way to go. And Jessica is a truly outstanding mother—that is without a doubt. But what an impossible decision that is! I loved the way Baart discusses both sides of this issue. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer. Every situation is unique. And what should be done if one party changes their mind later? What then?
I am so thrilled to have this book out in the world. I think the story will have meaning and provoke thought on these complex issues in so many readers. I know that I won’t think about adoption the same way again, because I now see so much of the nuance. What a credit to Baart’s writing!
Thank you to the team at Atria Books for my copy to review.
This is a beautiful story with a dark psychological suspense undertone that will have you hooked until the very last reveal. I can see why Holly loves this author so much—she has a way with writing characters and moral dilemmas that were thought-provoking, insightful, and added to the authenticity of the story.
About the Book
Jessica Chamberlain lives with her two sons in a small Iowa town. Recently, Jessica and her husband Evan separated under one of those impossible circumstances where they realized they’d just stopped trying in their marriage. Evan was wrapped up in his career as a family practitioner and Jessica was wrapped up in motherhood and their two sons.
And then one day not long after Evan moved out, Jessica receives a phone call. They’ve found a body in Minnesota with no personal belongings to identify, save for a slip of paper in his pocket that led them to her. In a single instant Jessica’s world will change. How can this seemingly unrelated crime possibly derail her life? As the pieces fall into place, Jessica realizes that the mystery may lead back to her and Evan’s adopted son Gabriel.
Gabriel became the Chamberlain’s through a closed adoption. It is what everyone wanted at the time. But now it seems there may be more to the story of Gabriel’s birth, and Jessica can’t protect them from the truth much longer. With a ferocity that only a mother can show, Jessica tries desperately to hold her family together in the most trying of times. Will the love of a mother be enough to weather this storm?
Reflection
What a beautifully written novel this is! Baart writes with authenticity that had this story creeping into my heart and taking hold of my thoughts. This felt like a story that could be happening in my town, even. And that made the subtle horror of the situation have a monumental impact.
One element that seems all too familiar and was written so well was the relationship between Jessica and Evan. I have a good friend that did pre-marital counseling with her husband, and one of the issues that she said they spoke to their counselor about was always prioritizing their marriage, even before their children. It seemed so counter-intuitive. But actually one of the main reasons marriages fall apart is that partners forget to prioritize themselves. And when that happens, their children aren’t getting the best of a unified family anymore. In this story, we see the aftermath of this realization. Jessica wonders who it was that stopped trying first, and if it is too late to reconcile. This situation happens more than we realize. Even with love there from both sides, there needs to be a continued effort to choose to stay together.
And then we have the dynamic of Gabriel’s adoption. One thing that resonated in this story is how difficult of a position an adoption is all around. Both parties are having to make a decision on behalf of a child who isn’t old enough to decide for themselves whether the biological mother should be involved. Jessica feels so strongly that a closed adoption is the way to go. And Jessica is a truly outstanding mother—that is without a doubt. But what an impossible decision that is! I loved the way Baart discusses both sides of this issue. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer. Every situation is unique. And what should be done if one party changes their mind later? What then?
I am so thrilled to have this book out in the world. I think the story will have meaning and provoke thought on these complex issues in so many readers. I know that I won’t think about adoption the same way again, because I now see so much of the nuance. What a credit to Baart’s writing!
Thank you to the team at Atria Books for my copy to review.
susan_loves_stories's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mcearl12's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really enjoyable read, well-written, I didn’t want to put it down. What keeps me from giving it 4 stars is the ending...it felt like someone decided it shouldn’t be too long and tied all the loose strings together all at once.
oddleenough's review against another edition
5.0
Errmerhgerd. This book. It hit me right in the feels. I swear I ugly cried. It hooked me right in. I just had to get to the end. I wish adult responsibilities didn’t get in the way of my reading time. I had an inkling of how it was going to end but I didn’t foresee all of it! Wow. I’ve loved Baart since I randomly picked up Sleeping In Eden. She never disappoints.
booklovinalicia's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
This premise of this thriller is unique, but for some reason I just couldn't completely immerse myself in the book. The mystery element did hook me, but the slow, overly detailed "in-between" parts frustrated me and took away from the what I felt was the "meat" of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for allowing me a copy to read and give my honest review.
Read my full review on this and other books at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
This premise of this thriller is unique, but for some reason I just couldn't completely immerse myself in the book. The mystery element did hook me, but the slow, overly detailed "in-between" parts frustrated me and took away from the what I felt was the "meat" of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for allowing me a copy to read and give my honest review.
Read my full review on this and other books at www.booklovinalicia.blogspot.com
bookswritingandmore's review against another edition
4.0
Jessica was just getting used to being separated from her husband when the police tell her, he's dead. Dead? How? She can't wrap her head around it. It doesn't make any sense to her. In the process of burying her husband, she must find a way to be strong for her son's Max and Gabe.
Looking for jaw dropping suspense and secrets,a detailed storyline with plenty of twists and turns to make you jump out of your seat while reading? Look no further. An intense -heart pounding novel awaits you.
Looking for jaw dropping suspense and secrets,a detailed storyline with plenty of twists and turns to make you jump out of your seat while reading? Look no further. An intense -heart pounding novel awaits you.
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A mystery thriller that at the same time as keeping the reader guessing also informed me about an interesting side of adoption in our country.
Jessica Chamberlain has recently separated from her husband due to an extreme rough patch in their marriage. In the first few chapters she is informed that he has passed away and things could possibly be a little shady. She tries to comfort her two sons while at the same time getting a few mysteries solved.
I have to be honest and say that I guessed the culprit a bit early on and was disappointed when I got it right so fast. There were a few things that stuck out and helped me nab the killer pretty quickly. It made me sad, but didn't ruin the reading experience because there was more than a mystery in this book.
A mystery thriller that at the same time as keeping the reader guessing also informed me about an interesting side of adoption in our country.
Jessica Chamberlain has recently separated from her husband due to an extreme rough patch in their marriage. In the first few chapters she is informed that he has passed away and things could possibly be a little shady. She tries to comfort her two sons while at the same time getting a few mysteries solved.
I have to be honest and say that I guessed the culprit a bit early on and was disappointed when I got it right so fast. There were a few things that stuck out and helped me nab the killer pretty quickly. It made me sad, but didn't ruin the reading experience because there was more than a mystery in this book.
ny_sunflower's review against another edition
5.0
This is my 2nd book I have read by Nicole Baart and I am a fan for life.
This book definitely was one I didn’t want to put down. This book was a cross between drama and a thriller. It had twists that I didn’t see coming.
I was excited to be able to be on the street for this book and glad to tell everyone to read it.
This book definitely was one I didn’t want to put down. This book was a cross between drama and a thriller. It had twists that I didn’t see coming.
I was excited to be able to be on the street for this book and glad to tell everyone to read it.
baconsaur's review against another edition
4.0
Great story, I read it in one sitting. Did not see the end coming and enjoyed it all the way through. Loved seeing all the Iowa references, the setting was excellent!
clairrus's review against another edition
Refreshing to read a book like this and actually have no idea about how it was going to end. Kept me guessing right until the end