fidoe's review against another edition
2.0
Week 9 Book 10
Because of You by Dawn French
Rating: 2/5
This was a highly rated award winning book I saw on Kindle so I picked it up. It revolves around two women who give birth around midnight at the turn of the century in the same city, hospital and floor. One woman gives birth to a beautiful baby girl. The other loses her baby. The next day one woman walks out with a baby and the other is anguished at her loss. But tables have turned. The little girl grows up, oblivious to the truth. And when she finds out, everyone's life goes topsy turvy. A compelling premise but weak execution. Felt disappointed.
Because of You by Dawn French
Rating: 2/5
This was a highly rated award winning book I saw on Kindle so I picked it up. It revolves around two women who give birth around midnight at the turn of the century in the same city, hospital and floor. One woman gives birth to a beautiful baby girl. The other loses her baby. The next day one woman walks out with a baby and the other is anguished at her loss. But tables have turned. The little girl grows up, oblivious to the truth. And when she finds out, everyone's life goes topsy turvy. A compelling premise but weak execution. Felt disappointed.
elliejabuelly's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chloemilyx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
freyajayne's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
victoria14's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Couldn’t reconcile the crime with the portrayal of the main character. We are supposed to see her as the hero of the book - didn’t feel realistic. All characters were stereotypes of class. Hope did a terrible thing and we are supposed to forgive her and think she is a fabulous living person. If she was truly such a wonderful person she would have given her back.
colettepwr's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
readingthruthewards22's review against another edition
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”?
fateleanor's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
3.5
A good story, if not a little unbelievable!