readingthruthewards22's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
This is a special read; emotional, sad, bitter, sweet and real; like motherhood, you know what to expect but it will touch your heart no matter what happens.
I’ll admit that I really didn’t know the plot when I started listening to this audiobook, I never read/listened to any of the previous books of Dawn French but I was intrigued with the plot, so I couldn’t wait to discover the story.
This story touched me from the first moment, the grief of a mother who has just lost her daughter makes her to do an unbelievable thing. She is hurting so much that stoles a daughter from another family at the hospital. It was interesting how the author created a really difficult and weird situation but at the same time making the reader to empathize with the grieving mother and “understand” why she took the baby. I don’t think there is anything more painful in this world that having a stillbirth. Having said this, you can expect some tears while reading this book, but also there is humor and happiness; the bond Hope has with her “daughter” Minnie, not perfect but strong. Or the emptiness that Anna has in her life after her daughter was taken, time passes but the pain is always there.
I don’t think that I found any character in the story that didn’t have any flaws, but let’s be honest, if you are human you don’t expect to be perfect but to do things the best you can. This is what this book tries to transmit. Hope did something terrible, but loved her daughter Minnie with all her heart; Minnie is far from perfect but loves her mother even when she knows that is not her real mother and at the same time can’t stay away from Anna, her blood mother.
This is not an easy read, have some tissues on your side while you are reading/listening it, but it’s precious, like motherhood it will have a piece of my heart forever.
Ready to discover “Because of You”?
I’ll admit that I really didn’t know the plot when I started listening to this audiobook, I never read/listened to any of the previous books of Dawn French but I was intrigued with the plot, so I couldn’t wait to discover the story.
This story touched me from the first moment, the grief of a mother who has just lost her daughter makes her to do an unbelievable thing. She is hurting so much that stoles a daughter from another family at the hospital. It was interesting how the author created a really difficult and weird situation but at the same time making the reader to empathize with the grieving mother and “understand” why she took the baby. I don’t think there is anything more painful in this world that having a stillbirth. Having said this, you can expect some tears while reading this book, but also there is humor and happiness; the bond Hope has with her “daughter” Minnie, not perfect but strong. Or the emptiness that Anna has in her life after her daughter was taken, time passes but the pain is always there.
I don’t think that I found any character in the story that didn’t have any flaws, but let’s be honest, if you are human you don’t expect to be perfect but to do things the best you can. This is what this book tries to transmit. Hope did something terrible, but loved her daughter Minnie with all her heart; Minnie is far from perfect but loves her mother even when she knows that is not her real mother and at the same time can’t stay away from Anna, her blood mother.
This is not an easy read, have some tissues on your side while you are reading/listening it, but it’s precious, like motherhood it will have a piece of my heart forever.
Ready to discover “Because of You”?
chtfc's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
magicsarah's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Pregnancy
biblioph1le's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the audio version of this, with Dawn French bringing it to life.
lizziesellers91's review against another edition
I can't really give it a rating. Tried to power through but had to stop about 1/4 of the way as its a little triggery while pregnant. Might try and pick up again after!