This review will be published on the below mentioned blog and other social media on 27 July

Book Title: Another Woman's Child

Author: Kerry Fisher

Genre: Fiction

Publishing Date: 05 Aug 2020

Line Summary:

The story is about the life of Jo after she decided to take her dead friend Ginny's teenage son victor to her family! The consequences following the decision and the secrets that changed everybody's life!

My Review:

This book helps me coming out of my horrible reading slump! The storyline was good! The thing I got most impressed was the "Jo" character, a very deep and accurate one! Could relate to her insecurities in so many places!! The narration is slow at the beginning but after a few chapters it picked up! The twist is not actually a twist, could guess it at the early stage of the story but the character's reaction to that secret is engaging! The climax is kind of “all good in the end “ cliche but I liked it! A very nice family drama to enjoy! If you have difficult teenage kids I would suggest you read this! it's not giving any advice at all, but would help you understand you are not alone! I wish it to be more engaging and a little bit fast, other than that I like it !!

Thoughts while reading:
The story has a very slow start but if you have the patience to hang in there it would pick up very soon!

I love Jo's character, more relatable, more natural with all mom flaws! The way she was looking for approval from everyone even though she hated herself for it was perfectly captured !! Her character has more depth and more accurate! I was marveled at the level of patience she showed to her teenage daughter! I would daresay her character alone hold the story from start to end!

The story shows two extreme mom characters, one who is always insecure and accepting other's blame for her kid and another one who always defends her kid instead of realizing the truth !! Both of them are more natural!!

Victor's character is too noble for a teenager whose mom just died but his uncomfortable was impressively described! And the selfishness of men was perfectly captured in Patrick's Character!

Jo's reaction after found out the truth is somehow off-putting and the loop of emotions was boring after some time

The racism and the prejudice addressed in this story is admirable! The way it just crept into everyone especially when it easy to blame is represented in an impressive way!

The climax is somehow cinematic but I like it anyway, as I love happy endings !! But the story is slow-paced for me and very easily predictable from the beginning and so lacks engagement! Hence the 3 stars!!

Kerry Fisher has done it again. Another extremely compelling novel! Kerry is extremely talented at tackling real life issues and creating characters that are both hated and liked! I found the main character, Jo, to be incredibly frustrating throughout this book. She really got on my nerves! By the end I reflected that this was what made Kerry's books so good. Not all characters are likeable.

A very topical storyline is covered throughout. I won't say much more as I don't want to give it away. But Kerry addresses privilege and diversity extremely well. Kerry Fisher writes contemporary fiction well and her reviews always claim that she has the Jodi Picoult flare for writing and it's very true, she does. I would also suggest listening to this on Audiobook when it's available as Kerry's books are extremely well narrated (and I even read this in her usual narrators voice!)

I really struggled to get into this book. Each scene seemed drawn out more than necessary for the story. I also struggled with Jo as a mother. She was ashamed of her daughters bad behavior at school but let her go to parties where drugs and alcohol were. I’ve read other books by Kerry Fisher and enjoyed them but could not get into this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this book, was a nice read with great characters. Would recommend.

This book starts off a little slow for my liking and it took me a little while to get into the characters. The book starts off with a woman name Ginny dying. In her last words she leaves her teenage son, Victor, in the care of her best friend Jo. I found this book to be a little of a slow burn which was very surprising for me because it seems to have
everything that I look for in a novel, but I just couldn't seem to grab onto the characters. I found myself putting it down a lot which I don't normally do with this kind of story. There was a lot to this story, family problems, racism, and relationship struggles which normally makes for an amazing read but it just didn't hold my interest. While there were a few plot twists I called them all from the very beginning so it was a little anti climactic. Pretty average read and nothing out of the ordinary this is one book I suggest to read if you don't want to put much attention to it. Like other reviews I found the ending to be a little predictable I wish there were more twists or she made it a little harder to figure out. I'm very glad I got the chance to check out this novel thank you Kerry Fisher and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

Another Woman's Child by Kerry Fisher is a domestic drama that is multilayered and thematic. At the heart of the story is Jo, a beleaguered mother of a difficult teenage girl, who suddenly finds her life turned upside down when her close friend Ginny dies, leaving Jo and her husband as custodians to her seventeen year old son, Victor. Jo's already fragile family life is put under further strain with the arrival of the teenage boy, whose paternity remains unknown, and Jo and husband Patrick find themselves defending Victor against the racist remarks that accompany his integration into the family. When Jo discovers some letters that Ginny has left behind, her world will be further rocked by the startling revelations that are contained within.

This is a thought-provoking read that addresses multiple facets of family life and relationships. I was particularly struck with the casual racism that permeates the narrative, and found the novel as a whole to be both timely and relevant. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher's for an advanced copy of this book.
The story line gets a total A+, even with being able to figure out the "twist". Could not stand the character of Phoebe - I understand that teenagers are trying to figure out who they are, but she seriously sucked lol. I had a rough time getting into this one in the beginning but enjoyed the ending.

I was really tempted to DNF this book, there is just something about it that didn't work for me.

When Ginny is on her death bed she askes her best friend Jo to take in her 17-year-old son Victor. No one, except for Ginny, knows who is dad is. Jo and her husband Patrick fight over taking him in, but in the end, they do bring him home. With their own daughter, Phoebe, being a troubled/ difficult teenager and a new person in the house the tensions rises higher than before. Stricken with grief and struggling with what to do Jo powers on until a revelation might undo it all.

A story about grief, casual racism, teenage drama, and self-esteem, but mostly grief and self-esteem. This could have been a great book, but I just couldn't get into it. The main character of Jo really gets on my nerves and all of the teenage drama seems so over the top, I guess it happens but the way it is in this book, in these situations, it seems rather unlikely. The ending is also too much for me, all of a sudden all is hunky-dory (never thought I'd use this but just fits with the feelings I have about this book). I am sure there are people out there who will enjoy this book and identify/ symphatise with Jo, but it just wasn't for me.

Every one should read this amazing masterpiece of a book. Very timely and thought provoking. The author is a genius. I've loved all of her books - they make me ponder and question and they stay with me. This book is a gem - the writing is beautiful, the story brilliant and apt for our times raising some very important points. An absolute triumph.

At the heart of this novel is Jo, her husband Patrick and their only child Phoebe, who is a teenager fighting for independence from her parents and generally full of attitude.
Once, years ago, Jo and Patrick were house mates with Ginny and Cory. Each individual in the household was different in many ways, yet the group dynamics worked really well, so much so that they became lifelong friends because they liked each other, respected each other and enjoyed their times together. Ginny and Jo are best friends. Of course Ginny is diametrically opposite to Jo, she is a born leader, full of self-confidence, has a great job and is really outgoing whereas Jo is totally opposite, insecure, a follower and less gregarious.
When the four friends separate on their different life journeys Jo is shocked to hear Ginny’s news that she is pregnant and not in a relationship. Her Son Victor was born in Canada but Ginny and Victor return to Cardiff to her parents for support later on. Still the friends catch up regularly and Victor grows up into a fine young adult knowing he is dearly loved. Then Ginny breaks the bad news that she has breast Cancer and in palliative care. She asks Jo and Patrick to take on her son when she passes away. Sadly that day came all too soon and Jo’s family of three became a family of four.
Jo can’t help wondering if she is up to the job and what the consequences of the changes in family life will bring with it. But her heart breaks for Victor. He is so like his Mum and so mature for his age. Phoebe soon acts up, using her friendship with Victor to get her parents to let them go to parties together so that Victor can make friends. With this, unfortunately Phoebe takes massive advantages from the trust endowed upon her and soon gets herself into masses of trouble. Then Cory drops a literal bombshell on the struggling family. He has been given the task of divulging a humungous secret to Jo and Patrick. It looks as though the family will be torn apart. Jo has serious decisions to make – and fast! Read on and find out what happens next and how the story ends. It is a corker of a story with a rollercoaster of action.
I love how this author always hits the mark with her contemporary domestic dramas covering issues that raise their ugly heads within families and often with devastating consequences. This story includes topical issues like drug abuse, racism, and teenage rebellion. Kerry Fisher is a popular and extremely talented storyteller. Time and time again she reaches into the tenacity her characters show in the most honest, courageous and heart rending ways. Her writing is full of empathy, compassion and understanding. Her characters are beautifully developed so that they come alive with their labours of love and worthiness. I thought Jo and Victor were perfect examples of this. Jo develops massively throughout her journey and Victor is a real sweetheart, polite, caring, forgiving and loyal.
Thank you for my copy of this novel received through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Bookouture, sent to me in return for an honest unbiased review. I enjoyed it and my review reflects this. I highly recommend this novel as an uplifting and heart-warming read with a really lovely, satisfying ending

Kerry Fisher has such a tremendous gift and talent for writing in a way to touch your heart, move your soul, and make you think about what’s really important. After reading this book I can say “Yes! Kerry has done it again!” More important than ever, I can say “Yes! Kerry has done it the BEST!” Another Woman’s Child will quickly become the most important and well loved book of the decade! After reading Another Woman’s Child by Kerry Fisher, you will never be the same and will be a better person for having read it!

I live in America, and it pains me to see the country so divided because of racial issues and the “cancel culture” mentality. Kerry Fisher has managed to clearly make the point that WHO a person IS matters much more than what color the person is. America NEEDS this book! Another Woman’s Child breaks down all barriers of racial issues with a realistic and moving story of a family that struggles to accept unexpected surprises, and learns to embrace differences. Yes, cultural and ethnic values are important, but skin color does not define who we are. Love, acceptance, kindness, and understanding show people much more about who we are than cultural and ethnic similarities and differences do. The world NEEDS this book because not only is it a gripping and emotional page turner that will keep you hooked from the very beginning, but it also speaks to the heart about how we see ourselves and how we should treat others.

Ginny and Jo have been best friends for years, and couldn’t have been more different. They both recognized their differences, but the strength of their friendship was never centered around their similarities and differences. Ginny, Jo, Patrick, and Cory once lived together, celebrated their unique differences, and supported one another through the best of times and the worst of times. Even though they have each moved on since their years as roommates, they still have unshakable bonds. Jo and Patrick found love in one another and were happily married and had a daughter. Ginny moved to Canada and shocked them all with the news that she was pregnant, but refused to share any information about the uninterested and uninvolved father. Cory, destined to forever be a bachelor, lived a life much different than the other three.

When Ginny dies at a tragically young age, her son is left without anywhere to call home. Despite Jo and her husband’s hesitation, Ginny’s dying plea had been that they take in her son, Victor. Already struggling with a defiant teenage daughter of their own, Phoebe, they initially have conflicting opinions as to whether on not they should open their home to Victor. Neither of them is prepared for raising another child, although he is nearly an adult, but even more so they are not sure how to go about being supportive to a mixed race teenage boy. Considering they are white and live in a mostly white community, Victor stands out and draws unwanted racial attention from self serving and intolerant people. Jo has always avoided confrontation and since her husband Patrick was against Victor coming to live with them, the pain of losing her best friend has never felt greater because she has no idea how to move forward and feels lost and alone. She knows that her life will never be the same, but her already fragile and unstable home life and mind are nowhere near ready to accept the shocking surprise that threaten to tear her family apart.

In Another Woman’s Child, Kerry Fisher shows us that how we handle life and the surprises that come our way is sometimes more important than the best laid plans we had for life.

Thank you Kerry Fisher, Bookouture, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. My opinions and feedback are honest. I highly recommend this book!

Loved this very emotional book by Kerry Fisher. which features great character development including a very stroppy teenager, .secrets from the past and a great plot twist. Also, the racial issues featured in this book are very timely.

Fast moving book that is full of family drama. Another Woman's Child pulls you in from the first page and keeps you turning until the end. The characters are well written and the story flows seamlessly. Kerry Fisher does not disappoint!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Another Woman's Child draws you into the middle of family drama when a woman takes in her best friends son. Jo's best friend, Ginny has died and now she has Ginny's bi-racial teenage son living in her home. Jo's home has plenty of drama as her teenage daughter seems to be rocketing out of control. Jo's life quickly becomes a battle against racism, drugs, and backbiting friends while her home is teetering on a sandy foundation as secrets threaten to bring it all crashing down around her. Jo is a complex character that has you running a gamut of emotions. I read this wanting to hug Jo and then wanting to rage at her that she is messing up. But Jo always has you rooting for a happy ending in a story that will make you smile, rage, and even bring a tear to your eye. Jo's character growth is inspirational as she goes from being a people pleaser to just finding her own voice and strength. A good read that will leave you thankful for family and looking up this author's other books. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Sorry but I could not get into this story or any of the characters. DNF at 35%. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. That’s just what I love to read - family drama, secrets that can rock lives and life lessons that make people better humans. Very timely racial messages- I kept thinking of certain people I have known who would react exactly as some of the racist “friends” did. Ugh. I love it when characters learn who their real friends are and it’s not who they thought. These kind of stories are great because they aren’t far-fetched. Crazy stuff like this happens all the time. When my husband’s father died and we were packing up things with his mother we came across a photo of two young children and we asked who they were. My mother in law shrugged her shoulders and said they were kids from his first marriage. WHAT? That was the first time my husband ever heard it. And then two years later we found out by accident that my husband’s parents weren’t his biological parents. One of his aunts is his bio mom and no one would say who his dad is. So yes, family drama is everywhere and I love to read stories about it and see how authors deal with it. This one is a gem!

Another woman's child
By zkerry Fisher
This book was very gripping is a fast-moving book story moves very fast you like to know the characters really well is the about a young family they taken the mum's friends son it's just about family life real life ups and downs teenagers getting into trouble misbehaving a little bit what kind of trouble do they get in school what do they do in the normal life or what typical children doing today is a real page turner in places you have to keep reading to find out what's happening very good it got me I would like to it to a gone into the past a bit more about a little bit but the liked how the story progressed I like to have you heard about the children before hand right the characters were so real so true to life very interesting read I would recommend it to you or Carrie Fisher is a really good I was in hooked on the first few pages to the last very good book

One of the things that struck me about this book was Jo’s daughter Phoebe. 16 years old and every parent’s nightmare. Full of back-chat and completely scathing of anything her poor long suffering mum ever has to say, to describe Phoebe as a bit of a handful would be an understatement. Jo’s husband tends not to get involved in the day to day upbringing of his daughter, preferring to stay in the background, so it always seems to fall on Jo’s shoulders to do all the worrying and desperately try to keep Phoebe on the straight and narrow without appearing overbearing.

Add to the mix the fact that Jo’s very best friend since Uni – Ginny has just died, leaving behind her only son Victor, himself just a teenager. As you can imagine Jo has a lot of emotion to deal with. Ginny’s dying wish, plea even, was that Jo should take on Victor, welcome him into Jo’s family and ensure he’s OK. Ginny brought up Victor alone, she never mentioned who his father was, only that he was a one-night stand and Ginny never wanted him to be a part of Victors life to the extent she never even told him he was a dad. There was only Victors grandfather and Ginny’s brother left to look after Victor. Neither were suitable in Ginny’s opinion and she more or less insisted that Jo must look after him.

And so the reader is invited in to Jo’s household to eavesdrop and watch over as one family drama after another unfolds. Luckily in some respects Victor is a quiet, intelligent lad. Despite his own grief at the loss of his mother and the strangeness of coming to live with someone else’s family, Victor does his very best to fit in. Always polite and keen not to make a fuss, he’s quite the model guest.

I really enjoyed this book. Being a fan of many of Amanda Prowse books, this one has many similarities in that it’s basically about family life, the dynamics, the problems and all the emotion that goes with it. Poor Jo is in an almost permanent state of flux most of the way through. She feels guilty in one way in expecting her husband and daughter to welcome Victor into the family, but on the other hand feels she owes it to her best friend’s dying wish and to Victor of course.

She has all the trials and tribulations that her daughter and her daughters friends bring to the story. It encapsulates all the perils modern day family rearing entails. Drugs, racism, addiction, teenage problems, even parents of children’s friends can bring trouble along in that school gate competitive world that sometimes goes on between parents.

I did think that perhaps the ending was all a bit too neatly sewn up for my liking, but that’s just my preference – I prefer true to life rather than a happy ending but it was still nice to see and made you go ahhh, especially after all the angst Jo had gone through.

If you like a good family drama with varied themes threaded through, I’m sure you’ll love this book as much as I did.

*This review to be part of Bookouture's blog tour for the book so will be published to my blog on 5 August.

Jo is a mom and wife juggling work and family. She has her hands full with her own teenage daughter when she discovers that her best friend Ginny has died, leaving her teenage son motherless. Jo decides to take in Victor, Ginny's son and raise him as her own. This act of kindness threatens the stability of Jo's marriage. A drama fueled tale about secrets and their devastating consequences. Well written and a fast paced read. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to.read and review this book.

Guys I couldn't let this book down! This is my first Kerry Fisher but it had me feeling some type of way . The story focuses on Jo, Ginny's best friend who had been requested to look after Victor (Ginny's son) after Ginny passes away. The characters were developed so well and the plot was okay and somewhat predictable which could have used a plot twist