Why she left by Leah Mercer.
Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years grieving for her daughter Isobel who left the family home as a teenager and completely disappeared. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her daughter’s bright future and of a happy family destroyed in an instant.
So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of joy. Isobel tells her that they need a safe place to stay whilst she gets back on her feet. Having lost her daughter once, Ruth is determined to keep her family together and enrols her grandson at the school, in the hope that they stay for good.
But as mother and daughter begin to heal the wounds of the past, a violent attack brings old secrets to the surface once more. It is clear that someone is prepared to destroy everything Ruth holds dear. Can Isobel confront her darkest secret before it is too late? This was a really good read. Little slow but readable. Likeable characters. I liked the ending. 4*.

This is the second book I have read by this author. So I was looking forward to this one.
It started off really slowly but then suddenly the pace picked up and I was invested.
A range of interesting characters but some really not very likeable. Each with their own back story and secrets which slowly become clear.
It was not obvious from the start where this story would go, but I enjoyed the journey and was not disappointed.
I liked the style of the writing and the plot was good, with lots of twists and turns and intrigue.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This family drama was highly enjoyable; Isobel, Ruth's daughter left home and Ruth has spent many year's wondering why. One day, Ruth opens her front door and finds Isobel and her teenage son, fifteen-year-old Isaac, standing on the step. Ruth, the head of a private school, Burlington Square in London, forms a bond with Isaac and enrols him at the school, hoping that Isobel is back for good. Told from the viewpoints of Ruth and Isobel Why She Left was a riveting read with a surprising twist at the end.

Disclosure: Thank you to Bookouture for providing a digital ARC of Why She Left by Leah Mercer, via Netgalley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Isobel is back. With a fifteen-year-old son in tow. Ruth is not sure why her daughter left, but now that she is back, she will do anything to get them to stay.

The private school where Ruth serves as headmistress is her family’s legacy. The very first thing that was does is to install her grandson Isaac at the school. Isobel is none too happy. For years she struggled to raise her son and give him all the things that she should could provide and the two have always been very close. She had a reason for leaving in the first place, and it was easy to know that it was connected to her time as a student at the school. Now Isaac is already growing close to his grandmother and Isobel feels like she’s losing a piece of him.

As I was listening to this audiobook it was very clear to me that Isobel had a very difficult past with the school and with the turn of events it was interesting to see how she could resolve those things and move forward for herself and Isaac. However, this is one of those books where you listen to both sides of the story from Isobel and Ruth and realize that you don’t like either of them. This only made this dramatic story even more intriguing because there was Isaac and his future to consider.

Family drama and a bit of mystery in this story of family secrets had a few surprising twists and kept my attention throughout as I couldn’t wait to see how things would resolve.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

EXCERPT: Isobel slumped in a chair in the corner of the hospital ward, her hand clutching Isaac's. Thankfully, his face had a bit more colour now. He'd even opened the one eye he could for a second, then sunk back to sleep. The doctor had given him an alarming number of painkillers and sedatives, but he'd said Isaac should be all right....despite a potential eye haemorrhage and two broken ribs, all caused by what the medic had termed 'blunt force trauma.' For one heart-stopping moment they thought that his spleen may have ruptured, but scans had shown only a bruised kidney and no internal bleeding. He'd be in pain for weeks, and there could be long term complications that she'd need to watch out for. But in time, he should recover.

She'd finally been able to breathe again until she remembered the paramedics words that this wasn't an accident.....that someone had done this to him. Then anger surged through her so strongly it almost lifted her off the chair.

Who would do this? And why? To beat a boy so badly it had to be someone full of venom. Someone violent. Someone with a reason to target him. Someone....she shivered, her mind flashing back to the man on the corner. To the brick through the window; to the constant feeling she was being watched.

ABOUT 'WHY SHE LEFT': Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years wondering why her daughter Isobel left. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her family’s bright future which vanished in an instant.

So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a teenage grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of relief. Despite the years of hurt she never stopped loving Isobel and wants to help rebuild her life. Enrolling her grandson at the school, Ruth wants to make sure they stay for good.

Isobel has spent her life running from a painful secret. A secret which could have destroyed her family. Now, as she flees a bad relationship, she knows that her childhood home is the only place where she can be safe.

But as Isobel looks at her son in his crisp new uniform, she is taken straight back to the reason she ran all those years ago. Soon it becomes clear that she is not the only one tormented by the past. Someone is prepared to destroy everything Ruth and Isobel hold dear. Can Isobel confront her darkest secret before it is too late?

MY THOUGHTS: I found Why She Left to be quite a depressing read, and I am left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed, something I am not familiar with when reading Leah Mercer's books.

I didn't find the plot at all suspenseful, mainly because it seemed to go over the same ground repeatedly. The characters, with the exception of Isaac, are all self-obsessed, angst fueled individuals, intent on holding on to what they have amassed, perpetrating their various grudges, and concealing their secrets, rather than doing anything constructive about their problems or trying to repair their relationships. And believe me, they do have problems. This is a shattered family, torn apart by the very things that they are trying to hold on to, and yet still they persist. Status and reputation is everything. The characters endless internal thoughts were largely so negative that I was glad to finally close the cover on this.

There are no dramatic revelations, no startling surprises, no unexpected twists, and definitely no levity. Why She Left is a pretty predictable family drama, its only redemption being the ending.

Reading is a personal and subjective experience, and what appeals to one may not please another. So if you enjoyed the excerpt from Why She Left, and the plot outline appeals, please do go ahead, check out some of the more positive reviews, and read it. Just because this wasn't for me, doesn't mean that you won't enjoy it.

⭐⭐.3

#WhySheLeft #NetGalley

I: @leahmercerauthor @bookouture

T: @LeahMercerBooks @Bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #familydrama

THE AUTHOR: Leah can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page.

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot-lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop. Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing both a digital and audio ARC of Why She Left written by Leah Mercer, narrated by Mira Dovreni, for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

This was less a domestic thriller--lacking twists and turns and suspense--and more of a family drama, which was not what I was expecting when I started reading. A little disappointed, although if you like emotional dramas then you'll enjoy it. It was well written at least.

Why She Left is a moving, captivating story of family, love, loss, and potential second chances. Ruth never knew what occurred 15 years ago, when her 16-year old daughter, Isobel, left with just a note and never returned. They had planned for their future, for Isobel to take over as headmistress at the family-owned school, and her sudden absence shocked Ruth. Now, Isobel is back but with many secrets, and even more secrets are lurking throughout the school and it's residents and friends.
I truly enjoyed Why She Left, and the story kept me engaged from page one. You find out quickly why Isobel left, but not really the full story behind it. The story is woven between the POV of both Ruth and Isobel, but there are other characters to pay attention to behind the scenes. Some of the other secrets shocked me the more I read on. Leah Mercer has done great work with this new novel focused on family secrets, and I look forward to reading more of her books!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A compelling family drama with plenty of secrets and twists and turns to hold your interest. It worked well being told by both Ruth and Isabel so you got to understand both sides and had some good characters although not all totally likeable, but then you don't like everyone in life!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, although I did find it a little obvious and predictable. Well written, but a little disappointing..

For some, they are so focused on who they are tied up with what they do that they cannot see the forest for the trees. Hence comes this newest domestic drama from Leah Mercer. An interesting and original read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

I did enjoy this book a lot. The one thing I didn't like, actually two things, was the mothers. Both mothers. Ruth is Isobel's mother and Isobel is Isaac's mother. Ruth is a very cold and selfish woman in my opinion. Even at the end she did not grow on me at all. She was just not at all likable. Nothing came before her precious school. Not even her own flesh and blood. Nothing. Isobel talked about how close her and Isaac were yet it seemed to me she didn't know her son at all. Not at all. I know that some things happen and parents do not know but this was a bit ridiculous. If what she said about them being so close was true she would have known where her son was and what he was doing. At least part of the time. As for Isaac I'm afraid that he was fairly dumb in ways. He knew what they was running from yet he did something that left absolutely no doubt as to where they were? He was suppose to be a very smart young man. Really just a kid but he would have known better. He just would have. But still it was a good story. It was a good book. I did enjoy reading this one. I just didn't like any of the characters. It happens.

This book is not really a thriller. It's a bit of a family drama. A whole lot of family drama. Isobel is running away from an abusive man. She goes back to her childhood home to a mother she left years ago while she was still just a child. Her mother lets her and Isaac in and seems like she wants them there but she is not excited or happy. When Isobel was a child they were so close yet now her mother closed her heart to her youngest daughter without knowing why she left in the first place. I just didn't understand that. It's her personality though. She loves the school more than anything. As did her dad.

Then we have Cecily. I wanted to like her and in so many ways I did. She gave up her life for her mother and this school. She did all the things that Isobel would have done if she had not of left. Yet Cecily is not exactly done right by her mother. But then again Cecily was a bit selfish too. She was pretty cold and calculating in the things she did. I liked her in that she gave up her life to help her mother. In that she was a daughter that Ruth should have been very proud of.

This book will keep you turning the pages. You will want to know who did what and why. You will want Isaac and Isobel to smooth things over. You may even want her and Ruth to smooth things over. It's possible I suppose. I just didn't like them and the ways they wanted us to think they were. I did think that both mothers loved their child in a way. In their own way. But in selfish ways too. Maybe Isobel was not exactly selfish. I'm not sure how to explain her. I guess you have to read and figure that out for yourself.

I liked Alex. He had the right idea. He was the one that I rooted for.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LeahMercer, #bookouture for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

4/5 stars for me. It's a good story just filled with some people you may not like. Or you may.
I'm part of a blog tour for this one and will post the links for that and my Amazon review when I can.

Leah Mercer has a knack for writing stories that tug on your heart. Isobel returns home because she has no where else to go. Home is not a happy place for her.

There are several smaller stories within the story. I enjoyed the characters and how they developed throughout the story. It’s not a light read but a story of overcoming and letting go of your past.

This started of very slow and I wasn't sure but then it started getting going.

The story revolves around family dynamics and the school known as the square.

I am glad that I did continue and I would recommend.

I was given an advance copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own

Honestly, I don’t know what to feel about this book. The premise is interesting, I was really excited to be introduced to the characters and to know more about the conflicted relationship between Ruth and Isobel. I wanted to know why Isobel left her home, her mother, everything, only to come back 15 years later.

But, no matter how intriguing the plot or how superb the writing is — I wasn’t into it. I felt too far away from the heart of the story. The revelations were obvious and underwhelming. It failed to reach a certain amount of satisfaction. Like, I was only 40 pages in and I wanted it to end already. I’ll read more books from this author, hopefully, I’ll find her other works more delightful.

A fairly decent tale with mysterious secrets in a family’s past which are gradually revealed and unravelled and explored are the, sometimes complex, family relationships between mothers and daughters.
The story is based around a prestigious private school, where reputation is everything and the good family name is to be upheld. Behind the facade, however, there are some dark secrets which have been brushed under the carpet rather than dealt with, which of course make their way into the present and have potential to create big problems.
The characters are engaging enough and there are some minor twists and turns along the way, although I found these in the most to be fairly predictable. That withstanding a good read and I felt compelled to race to the end until,all the loose ends were tied up.

Why She Left is a tale of family secrets. It is full of suspense, twists and turns and has great characters. I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Why She Left’ written by Leah Mercer in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Burlington Square School has been in Ruth’s family since being founded by her grandfather and has been headmistress for many years since. She doesn’t know why Isobel the younger of her two daughters ran away from home fifteen years before and is shocked when she opens the door to her especially when she introduces Isaac, the grandson Ruth didn’t know she had, asking to stay until she can find somewhere to live. Isaac and Ruth immediately form a friendship but Isobel can’t bring herself to tell her mother the truth of their past.

‘Why She Left’ is the story of a family and their secrets told from the perspectives of Ruth and Isobel with input from the older daughter Cecily. It’s well-written with a compelling story but at times I found it a bit slow and drawn-out and although the story kept me involved with dramatic occurrences and unexpected twists and turns, I kept waiting for something more to happen. Perhaps not one of my favourite books by this author but still an enjoyable novel and worth taking the time to read.

If you like Lisa Jewel’s books check out Why She Left by Leah Mercer. It’s a mystery/thriller with well-developed (though some unlikeable) characters.

After running from an abusive boyfriend, Isobel returns home with her teenage son Isaac. She hasn’t been home for 15 years. Her mother, Ruth, the headmistress of private school Burlington Square in London, is shocked to see her daughter after so long without a word. The reason Isobel left is slowly revealed throughout the novel.

The story is told from the perspectives of both the mother and daughter. While I wanted to shake them both at certain points, this was a page turner that kept me guessing throughout. I especially loved the relationship that developed between Isaac and Ruth. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.


Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ebook and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years why her daughter Isobel left. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her family's bright future which vanished in an instant. So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a teenage grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of relief. Despite the years of hurt she never stopped loving Isobel and wants to help rebuild her life. Enrolling her grandson at the school, Ruth wants to make sure they stay for good.

Isobel left home when she discovered she was pregnant. Now she has returned with her teenage son Isaac. Ruth runs an upper class, prestigious school which has a good reputation. She's enrolled Isaac into school and soon disaster strikes.

This is more a family drama than a mystery. The premise showed so much potential but unfortunately it didn't quite meet expectations. The story is told from Isobel and Ruth's perspectives. I was pulled in at the beginning, then it got a bit repetitive and predictable. The ending had some good twists.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #LeahMercer for my ARC of #WhySheLeft in exchange for an honest review.

Isobel left home fifteen years ago and hasn't been back since. She turns up at her mother's house with her son, Isaac, out of the blue, and we follow her journey from there. This is two from two perspectives, from Isobel and Ruth's, Isobel's mother. There are family secrets, love, relationships, betrayals and drama throughout.

This is mainly set around the eerie school where Isobel was supposed to take over from her mother, Ruth, who is the headmistress. Still, given her disappearance, her sister Cecily has stepped in, awaiting her mother's retirement.

Isobel has returned from a difficult situation, but we never learn how bad that really is and whether she is justified to be scared and run. However, this doesn't really add anything to the book.

The characters are varied. Ruth is a hard headmistress obsessed with her elite school, which she is desperate to keep in the family. Isobel is scarred from her past and highly protective of her son Isaac. Isaac wants some freedom and suddenly falls into this prestigious family with an excellent school; he feels happiest here. Still, things never go the way you expect.

Cecily has given up everything to support her mother and keep the school running, taking over what should have been Isobel's role. But, she finds herself trapped until she is suddenly free, but we never learn where she has gone, which is disappointing.

Alex is a strong character with a dark past that doesn't become apparent until the end. This gives a great and unexpected ending that nobody saw coming. It was obvious what direction it was headed but not the reasons why and what Alex sees as the future for the school.

I enjoyed this; it was a quick read, with outstanding writing, lots of twists and turns and a suspenseful family drama. It makes one question whom you can really trust. Who has their own agenda, and who is safe?

Many thanks to the publisher, author and Netgalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.