“For fans who appreciate emotionally wrenching reads such as those by Sarah Jio or Kristin Hannah.” -Library Journal “Fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah now have a new go-to author.” –Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Secrets of Midwives From the bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say, Before I Let You Go, and the upcoming The Warsaw Orphan, comes a poignant post-WWII … Orphan, comes a poignant post-WWII novel that explores the expectations society places on women set within an engrossing family mystery that may unravel everything once believed to be true.
With her father recently moved to a care facility, Beth Walsh volunteers to clear out the family home and is surprised to discover the door to her childhood playroom padlocked. She’s even more shocked at what’s behind it–a hoarder’s mess of her father’s paintings, mounds of discarded papers and miscellaneous junk in the otherwise fastidiously tidy house.
As she picks through the clutter, she finds a loose journal entry in what appears to be her late mother’s handwriting. Beth and her siblings grew up believing their mother died in a car accident when they were little more than toddlers, but this note suggests something much darker.
Beth soon pieces together a disturbing portrait of a woman suffering from postpartum depression and a husband who bears little resemblance to the loving father Beth and her siblings know. With a newborn of her own and struggling with motherhood, Beth finds there may be more tying her and her mother together than she ever suspected.
Don’t miss Kelly Rimmer’s upcoming and unforgettable novel, The Warsaw Orphan.
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Fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah now have a new go-to author.
A wonderfully poignant story that had me curled up on the couch turning pages rapidly to finish it.
A dual timeline story told from three POVs: Grace, Beth and MaryAnne, covering relevant and heartbreaking topics that affected women across the years.
A lovely story of family, support and learning to depend on those we love.
Recommend!
An immersive look inside the lives of two women in two very different eras, both of them struggling with the reality and the stigma of postpartum depression. The story is intricately woven between the two women’s experiences and is an eye opening read written in a beautiful and captivating way.
Loved it! Would make a great movie!
Very good that tells a story of a mother with postpartum depression who faces a difficult decision about abortion in the late 1950s when it was illegal.
Amazing
Subject of postpartum depression and abortion not cherry, but lend to thought provoking, informative story. Well written book. Will read this author again.
You won’t be able to put it down!
If you’re pro-life, this book is not for you.
The best book I’ve read all year! Two stories in one and both were excellent!
Great story reminiscent of Jodi Picoult and Kristen Hannah
Gripping. I did not want to put it down!
*spoiler alert* This is the second book I have read by Ms. Rimmer. Her third is on my TBR list. I love her depth of emotion. I love the way she creates her characters with warmth and an intensity that makes one feel like a participant in the story. Ms. Rimmer communicates each situation or point-of-view realistically and with fervor. I will read her books as long as she continues to write them.
However, I was extremely disappointed in the last three pages. When I read the words “Planned Parenthood” my heart dropped into my stomach. I wish Patrick had donated money to a Crisis Pregnancy Center. They can give great help without ending a life. The baby that died in the abortion was also a tragedy in itself.
Ms. Rimmer should write another novel about pro-life and pro-abortion. She is an excellent writer when it comes to giving both sides of intensely personal attitudes.
Starts out slow but it surprised me how much I enjoyed it. You will be thinking about this book long after you are done.
I love her writing. She reminds me of Jodi Picoult…who is also one of my favorites
Not quite as good as “The things we cannot say” which prompted me to get another of Rimmer’s books but still a good read. Tackles issues of family and women with realism. I will get more of her books.
Wonderful look into understanding mental health.
It was good, liked the characters, and easy to finish. I did not love the ending or some of the ways the characters played out.
An amazing story. I was wrapped up in it from start to finish.
Great ending to a good story.