With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC, which I found extremely interesting and highly informative on the disease, Huntington’s Disease.
It wasn’t mawkish or sentimental but told the story simply, although parts of the story were very moving, other parts of the storyline were very funny and entertaining. I enjoyed reading the book and found it very entertaining.
Highly recommended.

The title and premise of this book had me intrigued.- I couldn’t wait to delve into it. It didn’t disappoint. A heart warming, yet equally heart wrenching familial inter generational tale of 3 characters and how Huntingdon disease affects them either as a carrier, caregiver or sufferer. I love show every angle was explored, and felt emotional as the characters faced tough decisions- I can only imagine how hard this must be for someone facing these choices, and this book really brought that home. You can’t help but feel for the characters and have an emotional response, yet ultimately it’s a tale of hope and love.

Thank you for the chance to read and review this beautiful book.

Told from three points of view, Peggy is the granny, Beth the mother and Flo the granddaughter. Peggy nursed her husband as he battled through Huntington's disease not telling her daughter. Now Beth and her husband are gone Peggy discovers Beth knew and Flo has a 50/50 chance of getting the condition. She never told Beth and now she has to battle with telling Flo and the consequences. The chapters alternate between Peggy and Flo, we hear from Beth in diary entries from a kid to up until she died.

This book is emotive and totally pulls at the heartstrings. In Peggy we see the role of the carer, the struggles she faced in the time with her husband, love, devotion and watching this condition take away a piece of the person in different ways. In Beth we see the kid watching her father become unwell and how it affected her growing up and then her own experiences. Flo is oblivious to everything, living with the man of her dreams and ready to uproute before everything comes crashing down.

I think with this book it is the dimensions to it all, living with the condition, living with someone knowing they have it, growing up with it but not knowing and how that is viewed through a youngsters eyes. The impact it has on relationships, both families and partners. And the personal battle, journey and emotions if you had a bombshell like this dropped on you, you may potentially have a life changing condition and you are helpless to do anything about it. Would you find out or live in ignorance? No matter what you choose you also cannot control how the people in your life will react and that was a huge eye opener, none of us know what is around the corner.

Books like this make me want to read up more on the condition especially when treatments are mentioned and research. There is still so much work that needs done and in the last few years they have made some great progress, it is a fascinating read both this story and the academic articles out there. I do enjoy a book that provokes an emotive response but also makes you want to go and look into the condition the book centres on. My first dance with this author, it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time.

I loved this book. It may be laugh and also cry (several times). I'd heard about Huntington's Disease, but had never considered before the anguish that goes with making the choice to be tested for it. Imagine finding out suddenly, when you've just got engaged that your mother and grandfather both had HD. You have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene that causes the disease yourself. What do you do - do you get tested? Would you want to know what was coming later in life?
Flo has to make this decision, she goes through a whirlwind of emotions and ups and downs. She is supported by her grandmother, and friends throughout. This is (despite the topic) an uplifting book that I'm very glad I had the opportunity to read.

It was back in 2017 when I read Alice Peterson's last novel A Song For Tomorrow, so I was more than a little excited when I heard about If You Were Here and saw that gorgeous cover! As soon as I read the blurb, I just knew that this was my type of book; you know that little feeling you get when you just know for certain a novel is made for you - all those little elements you love: life changing decisions, over coming adversity, family secrets (and knowing Alice Peterson, a splash of romance thrown in for good measure). It was these reasons why I just had to skip waiting for the paperback release and read digitally (I only do this if I really cannot wait for something, as I'm a physical book in hand girl at heart!).

If You Were Here is a story about three generations of women and how Huntington's Disease affects them as individuals and a family. From a non-gene-carrier and caregiver, Peggy, who spent years watching her husband Tim suffer and deteriorate from this cruel disease - nursing him through to the very end. To her daughter Beth (who we hear from through her diaries following a road accident 5 years previous) who was living in secret with the disease. And Flo, who at twenty seven has not just found out about her granddad and mother having Huntington's Disease, but discovering too that this means she could also be a carrier, and having to come to that difficult decision of deciding whether to take the test or not.

I enjoy a book that really makes me think, and puts me in that position of asking myself "What would I do if I were in these characters shoes? What decisions and choices would I of made?" If You Were Here is certainly that kind of novel. When it comes to knowing our fate (if we were able to) I have always been absolutely adamant that I wouldn't want to know mine. With something like Huntington's Disease though, there actively is that option to know. When presented to you like that it's not as easy to make that decision, is it? For me, just thinking about knowing, or not knowing, brings me fear in very different ways - there's a fear of the unknown hanging over you, but there's fear of going ahead and knowing. I can honestly say after reading this novel I have so much respect for people and families in these positions. The women in this novel are incredibly brave and strong, as are those in the real world, and there were certainly times when I had a lump lodged in my throat, and eyes filling up.

Peterson beautifully brings together and tells all three of these women's stories, giving us a glimpse into how Huntington's Disease plays a part in their life. It's brilliantly done in really making us understand how something hereditary like this affects a whole family - generation to generation. You can feel the emotion coming off the pages. From the uncertainly, anger and fear that Flo is going through, the constant putting off telling Flo that Beth kept on doing, to Peggy's heart-break and guilt as that of a spectator. Right or wrongly, you understand why these characters have made the choices they have, said the things they have and realise there is actually no right or wrong in something like this. It took me a good few days to read this book, and by no means was that because I didn't enjoy it; there are stories that need to be savoured and I felt that If You Were Here deserved to be one of them.

There is also a beautiful 'will they won't they' love story running throughout this novel. I think Flo and housemate James's relationship was actually my favourite out of everyone's. I instantly fell for him and felt from the very start that he would play a crucial part in this story, and he did; he was that person for Flo to shout at, cry on, or laugh with, and I adored these tender moments. I wanted to shout at her to see what was under her nose, make her just see the way that I could vividly picture him looking at her and for him to just say something. What I could never do was predict what was around the corner in this novel, or how it was going to end. Happiness or sadness? Would Flo decide to take the test or not? All I know is that when I turned the last page I just wanted more of these wonderful characters and their story.

The work gone into researching this book is clear to see and is indeed going to help in raising awareness of Huntington's Disease. Whilst it is written with much care, understanding, sensitivity and empathy from the author, there is no sugar coating the facts and the realities of this disease. If you are part or a book club, or run a book club, this would make a perfect choice for the many discussions it can bring to a table.

I knew instantly when I read this quote that I wanted to share it towards the end of my review. It came very early on in the book but stayed with me throughout and says so much. Admitedly, it's something I need to remember when I'm next having a meltdown over a bit of mess...

"These days, people strive for perfection, not realising all they really need is health and happiness. A spotless kitchen isn't going to cut the mustard. A meal in a Michelin-starred restaurant won't either. It's the people sitting around your kitchen table who count."

If You Were Here is a poignant, inspiring and thought-provoking story about the utter strength and courage we find within ourselves in times of uncertainty, appreciating what you have, and just living in the moment!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this title in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Alice Peterson writes with such empathy and sensitivity, this book told the incredible story of three generations of one family, Tim and Peggy, their daughter Beth and her daughter flo, who were all living under the shadow of huntingdons disease. Huntingdons was explained well and what could have been a sad depressing read, was actually a really informative uplifting tale, that showed the importance of family dynamics , love, respect and truth, throughout what was a harrowing time over the generations, showing that people are so resilient and strong in the face of adversity and capable of such triumph and love. Thank you so much net galley for this advance copy to read, its one book I will highly recommend to all!

Peggie is lovely Grandmother to Flo, who is getting ready to start a new life with her fiance in New York. Peggie need to tell Flo before she heads off for her new life, but Peggie is worried about the reaction Flo might have. Flo is excited to be leaving her job and starting a whole new life with Theo. She is going to miss her friends and granny... but is exited to be going to the Big Apple.
Alice Peterson has not written in a while but she has turned out a pure belter with this one. She has taken the subject of Huntingtons disease and shown the world what it is like to live with someone and watch helplessly as that person slowly deterates and the only thing you can do is care for them as they lose use of every mussel.
Alice also talks about the marathon, which is right up my street. She doesn't romanticise it, but true fully describes the training and hardcore mental and body walls you hit before even starting to run on the day. I loved every page if this book, it made me laugh and cry and i seriously could not recommend it enough

Told from 3 perspectives, dealing with a devasting illness. This book will make you cry. The characters are believable and the story is thoughtfully and well written. You will be crying and laughing throughout. Well worth a read.

Massive applause to Alice Peterson for taking such a difficult, emotive topic (Huntington's Disease) and creating such a beautiful book. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, full of loss but also full of love, built upon fear but also guided by hope. This is an amazing book with a very fitting ending and I would highly recommend it.

When Peggy’s daughter Beth dies suddenly she is left to look after her granddaughter Flo. Sorting through her things reveals a secret, that her daughter had the same genetic condition that claimed her husbands life. Peggy has to decide if she is going to tell her or not. Flo is happy in her life, moving to New York to be with her fiancée and Peggy realises that she must tell her that her life could be at risk.
Flo struggles with the news, and must find her own path, there is a test she can take but will she take it? Would you?

What a fantastic book, the second I have read by this Author and it didn’t disappoint in any way. The writing is beautiful and flawless, the story is told very well and occasionally had me laughing out loud. I absolutely loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Simon Schuster Uk for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a very heart rending story of a families battle with Huntington’s Disease told from the view point of granny Peggy who endured years of watching her husband suffer from the disease she nursed him through and granddaughter Flo whose life is turned upside down when she learns she has a 50/50 chance of developing this horrific disease.

I enjoyed this book from the start, it was easy to get into and I thought it was quite a decent read until near the end when I realised just how much the story had gripped me. I’m not one to get emotional at books but this is one of the very few tear jerkers I’ve read. I’ve no personal experience of HD however the author has done some fantastic research and told this story extremely well, making a hard to read subject into an easy, although emotional, story. Both Peggy and Flo are fantastic characters and the surrounding cast are perfectly balanced. I highly recommend this book and I’m very grateful to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read it.

This book has turned me into crying mess. What a fantastic story and I can only imagine how difficult and emotional research had to go into it to create it. It covered such a difficult topic but it was written so well, so sensitively. I've basically read over 75 percent of it today, most in one sitting. This family, these strong women you meet will never leave you. My second book by Alice Peterson and again it left me ugly crying. Beautiful book!

Such a powerful book about how a hereditary disease can change people. The emotions involved with the decisions are so well written that you feel every moment of Flo's pain and turmoil.

What a poignant, beautiful, moving book! Apologies to the family that my day off did not result in a shiny house and lovely cooked dinner, as, having decided I would read the opening of this book over breakfast, I could not put this it down and had to read to the end.
Over the book, we meet Flo and her grandmother, Peg along with her mother, Beth, via her diary entries. You really do feel like you have entered the world of these women and they become personal friends.This book shares with you their strength as well as their frailties; you really root for them and feel every bit of their journey. Having recently watched the London marathon, I really felt that theme of finding strength in adversity and was completely invested in the events of the book. I also adored the characters of Ricky, James, Maddie and ... who am I kidding, I loved them all! This novel is character driven and the characters just ooze the kind of warmth that we all seek in our life; I laughed, I cried, I held my breath. I loved it.

What an absorbing story this is. The characters feel so real and honest that I felt I was in their lives living with the horrendous generic condition of Huntingdon’s.

Peggy lost her husband to the disease after years of watching him deteriorate in the saddest of ways and then she had to bear the agony of seeing her daughter Beth decide whether to get tested. As it turns out Beth is positive and through many diary entries we discover the turmoil she endured deciding when to tell her own daughter Flo. Unfortunately Beth died in a tragic accident so the burden then fell on Peggy.

This story tells of the difficult emotional decisions around getting tested to find out if you have Huntingdon’s and the highs and lows that go hand in hand with this. Many live their lives without the need to know, while others yearn to find out their fate. What is certain is that it affects family members and friends.

Hope is the one thing that stood out for me in this tale and that each sufferer had someone close to lean on during the good and dark days. Another amazing book by the talented Alice Peterson who really does write from the heart.

My thanks to Net Galley for the digital ARC in exchange for my own opinion.

Flo is about to get married when she finds out that she may have inherited a genetic condition from her late mother. Flo has no symptoms of the disease, but learns that if she has inherited it, it would ultimately be terminal. As she begins reading her mother's diaries, Flo wonders if she would rather know if she has the condition, or if she would prefer not to take the test.

There were many parts of this book that I enjoyed, in particular the relationship between Flo and her grandmother Peggy who has always tried to be supportive of her grand-daughter. Peggy's own heartbreak at losing both her husband and her daughter to the disease was very carefully portrayed and completely believable.

I felt a bit frustrated at times and wanted the plot to move forwards more quickly, as there was a lot of indecision from Flo. Perhaps this is a reflection of my own personality (a quick decision maker) that I found it hard to imagine taking as long as Flo to make up my mind about whether to take the test. However, the genetic counselling sections felt very realistic and well researched.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is one of those books that breaks us the dark thrillers that are out there at the moment.

It's the story of Flo, Peggy and Beth and how Huntingtons Disease affects them individually as a family....Peggy's husband had it, her daughter Beth had it, Flo could have it...but only a test would give her the answer, but is it better to live in hope or fear....

This is a really heart warming and poignant story and it's true what people say, the right people will be there for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion

I love books that share something that isn't wildly popular. In this book, it was Huntington disease, and it was incorporated very well into the story. The love stories, friendships and family relationships were all very cute and different. It made me think about trying to be closer to my family. It was a very enjoyable read.

Finding out in your 20's that you could be genetically predisposed to Huntington's is a devastating situation to be in, finding out that the people you love have kept this from you is unthinkable - this happened to Flo and led her on a journey of discovery; about her grandparents, her mother, her fiance and friends but most of all about herself.

Told from three perspectives, Flo herself, her grandmother Peggy and through reading the diaries of her dead mother Beth, If You Were Here is a moving account of a young woman faced with the possibility that her body is a ticking time bomb. Google searches tell Flo that she can take a test to find out whether she will develop Huntington's the dilemma is should she? - is it worse to fear becoming ill or to know for a fact that you will?

The writing is beautiful, the story is told with compassion, sensitivity and a sprinkling of humour. I have nothing but thanks and deep respect for this author who transported me slap bang into the lives of these wonderfully drawn characters. The sensitive handling of this story and the obvious research which went into this book utterly blew me away.

A book which I read in two sittings, which took me on the whole gauntlet of emotions and one I will be recommending far and wide - unreserved 5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and publisher Simon & Schuster UK for the ARC of this book and allowing me to submit my honest unbiased review.

Flo, newly engaged and looking to move to New York, is faced with a life changing dilemma. Unsure of which way to turn, Flo’s grandmother Peggy gives her diaries written by her late mother. After reading the diaries, and with the help of family and friends, Flo knows she has to make a decision which will change the course of her life forever.

A beautifully written story, at times heartbreaking, I would definitely recommend this book.