This book is exactly it says it is.. It tells the story of three generations within one family as various secrets are unravelled and revealed..It also highlights how things have changed over the years and the story is told from three main characters perspectives - the gran, the mum and the daughter. Very good at keeping you guessing what is true. The author writes from the grans perspective is a very clever way as she suffers from dementia and the writing reflects the confusion this creates. Overall, a good book with believable characters and storyline that keeps you wondering throughout.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't finish this book. I feel like I couldn't really even start it. There is so much talking with no description or anything to draw you in. I feel like it could be a radio show since the characters are saying everything. Couldn't get past that.

Date reviewed (Canada) - January 22, 2021
Date reviewed (UK) - January 22, 2021
... I am bi-country on a VPN digital basis at the moment due to #COVID19

Publication date: September 1, 2021

When life for the entire galaxy and planet has turned on its end, you are continuing to #maskup and #lockdown to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #secondwave is upon us, AND the worst sciatica attack in your life means you MIGHT sleep 3 hours a night,  superspeed readers like me can read 250+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

Mary has a secret that she mustn’t tell. But in a care home, with her mind wandering, she’s starting to slip up. Clearing out her grandmother’s old room, Lucy finds something hidden that wasn’t supposed to be found – a locket sheltering a shameful family secret.

She can’t tell her mother. Not with their father gone, one brother absent and another acting up. Her mother was struggling with her mental health just a few years ago. Lucy will have to make sense of it all herself.

In a beautifully told drama of family secrets, Helen Stancey once again picks through every day of life to uncover poetry, pain and ultimately love.

This book had so much promise but for me, it was just too sweet and treacly. I know all about the pain of memory loss and family secrets but this was upper-middle-of-the-road for me as it was just ... silly at times. 
As a librarian, if I do not learn something new or get engaged in the characters, I make a decision: I did not truly read/finish the book (I skimmed through it) as there are too many good ones out there to read and review. That also applies to just being a lover of books --- if it isn't interesting, on to the next one!

I will recommend it to people in search of a different author or different kind of read, but only with reservation as it is not the best thing to foist on people who may have memory issues arisen in their personal family.

2.5 stars rounded up as I am in a generous mood today.

Date reviewed (Canada) - January 22, 2021
Date reviewed (UK) - January 22, 2021
... I am bi-country on a VPN digital basis at the moment due to #COVID19

Publication date: September 1, 2021

When life for the entire galaxy and planet has turned on its end, you are continuing to #maskup and #lockdown to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #secondwave is upon us, AND the worst sciatica attack in your life means you MIGHT sleep 3 hours a night,  superspeed readers like me can read 250+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

Mary has a secret that she mustn’t tell. But in a care home, with her mind wandering, she’s starting to slip up. Clearing out her grandmother’s old room, Lucy finds something hidden that wasn’t supposed to be found – a locket sheltering a shameful family secret.

She can’t tell her mother. Not with their father gone, one brother absent and another acting up. Her mother was struggling with her mental health just a few years ago. Lucy will have to make sense of it all herself.

In a beautifully told drama of family secrets, Helen Stancey once again picks through every day of life to uncover poetry, pain and ultimately love.

This book had so much promise but for me, it was just too sweet and treacly. I know all about the pain of memory loss and family secrets but this was upper-middle-of-the-road for me as it was just ... silly at times. 
As a librarian, if I do not learn something new or get engaged in the characters, I make a decision: I did not truly read/finish the book (I skimmed through it) as there are too many good ones out there to read and review. That also applies to just being a lover of books --- if it isn't interesting, on to the next one!

I will recommend it to people in search of a different author or different kind of read, but only with reservation as it is not the best thing to foist on people who may have memory issues arisen in their personal family.

2.5 stars rounded up as I am in a generous mood today.

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as it kept me guessing until the end, read it one sitting as couldn’t leave it down x

What a different and compelling book!  The writing is beautiful and insightful with many clever life observations and original quotes.  It is written from differing perspectives, one of which at first seemed odd but soon made a lot of sense.  Brilliant.

Lucy is a young woman living at home with her weary mother and intuitive younger brother.  Her father is no longer a true part of their lives.  Her beloved grandmother, Mary, has recently moved to a nursing home.  When clearing out Mary's drawers, Lucy makes an astonishing discovery which leads her to genealogical research.  She just cannot believe what she sees so takes it upon herself to embark on her project to find proof of deep secrets.  Her forays take her to visit with several people who may or may not have further useful information.  She is lead down unexpected rabbit holes, breathtaking rabbit holes.   

Mary is losing her faculties and her obsessive behaviour and mutterings appear confusing.  Her gruff roommate also has mental health issues.  Ageing is well portrayed, as sad as it can be in an institution.  The plot is well thought out, as are the subplots.  In the midst of sadness and heartache there is also hope.  Love the clever title!

Looking for your next unique read?  Pick this up.  It's well worth your time, perfect for readers who enjoy twists.

My sincere thank you to Fairlight Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review.  Much appreciated.