A review by abbie_
The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

I made a good decision on reading all of Maggie O’Farrell’s backlist! This is my third by her and it’s a gripping dual POV narrative following two women, 50 years apart, figuring out motherhood. I loved Lexie’s storyline, a single woman in the 50s and 60s defying all convention, making a name for herself in journalism, raising a baby as an unmarried, single mother and basically just doing whatever she wants. The second storyline follows Elena, a painter who is struggling to get back to grips with her work after the traumatic birth of her son. Juggling that with her boyfriend who is acting increasingly strange, experiencing flashbacks to a childhood he previously couldn’t remember which knock him for six each time. 

An engaging read which you should check out if you enjoy family secrets and themes of motherhood!
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