I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘To Save My Daughters’ written by Louise Guy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

June Marlow is arrested for the murder of her husband Alan who’s about to attack her with a knife, leaving her no choice but to defend herself and her two daughters Lu and Cole. Twenty years later as June is due for release from prison, a television channel requests permission to use her story on their current affairs show ‘Southern Insight’ hosted by reporter Tori Blackwood. Initially June agrees in the hope that her experience will help other women who’re suffering from domestic abuse, but then refuses as she’s been keeping a secret over the years that she doesn’t want revealed.

I’ve read some wonderful novels by Louise Guy but for some reason ‘To Save My Daughter’, a story that evolves around the lasting impact of domestic abuse, didn’t do anything for me. Although Cole’s first meeting with June in prison was touching, none of the characters were particularly noteworthy and generally came across as mediocre. This novel has been well-written and will appeal to a lot of readers but I’m afraid I’m not one of them as I struggled to get into the story which is a rare occurrence for me. Nevertheless, this is purely my own opinion and I recommend readers give it a go and make up their own minds. I’ll still be looking forward to reading the next novel by Louise Guy.

Really loved this book! Lots of deep and complex characters who were really put through the ringer. It did drag a bit at the end but that ending was perfection! Would love to read more by this author because I really enjoyed this book!

June Marlow has spent twenty-eight years in prison for killing her abusive husnand. She was trying to protect her two daughters. June has served her time and she's due to be released. Her daughters had been raised by their grandmother. Her mother and daughter, Lu,visited June over the years, but herotherdaughter, Cole, hadn't seen her mother since the night her father was killed.


This book touches on the feelings and emotions of domestic violence. A local TV station wants to do a report on the family's reunion. This is a well-written story. It's quite an emotional read. The women where strong characters. There were a few twists, but there was one really good one near the end.

Published 21st February 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author ##LouiseGuy for my ARC of #ToSaveMyDaughters in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to read this book based on the synopsis alone. I'm a sucker for anything prison or jail-related, and with the premise of domestic violence, this sounded promising. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I found some aspects underdeveloped.

One of my main issues was how quickly Cole forgave and reconnected with her mother. The resolution felt rushed, and it was unrealistic that their strained relationship could be mended in just one conversation and a single visit. The ending also wrapped up too easily, and the twist was predictable, which took away some of the tension.

While I didn’t initially want to read about a lesbian relationship, I was able to overlook it since it wasn’t the main focus of the story and wasn’t described in detail beyond a kiss. I do wish books came with content warnings—it would make things so much easier for readers who prefer to know about sensitive topics in advance.

Despite these flaws, I would still recommend this book. The premise was intriguing, and while some elements could have been stronger, it has a broader appeal beyond just fans of prison-related stories.

Thank you NetGalley, and Boldwood books for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

How far would you go to keep your daughters safe?
For June Marlow it means killing her husband and the father of their two girls.
But June pays the ultimate price by spending twenty eight years in prison.
While her mother Elena brings up her daughters it's only the youngest Lu that believes June should never been put in prison in the first place.
Now waiting to be released can Elena and Lu convince estranged daughter Cole to forgive their mum!

This is such a heartwarming and heartbreaking story and one that had a few twists that I didn't see coming.

June is being released after thirty years for killing her husband, she was abused and acted in self defense but one of her daughters doesn't believe her. How will her homecoming go?

June is convicted of killing her husband as she had no proof of the abuse he subjected her to and had never told anyone and was frightened he would attack her two daughters.
After thirty years she is about to be released and only one daughter has supported her from the beginning.
A TV show wants to record her release and the trauma her and her family were put through and to show people other ways to go if you are in an abusive relationship.
Just couldn't put it down.
A great twist at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

*3.5 stars*
I’m quite torn with this book, I love Louise Guy’s work but this one just missed the mark, maybe it was a bit too saccharine for me.
The premise was great, with domestic violence hidden in the past, how many women have been sent to jail instead of being heard?
I love Lu’s character but I had a hard time feeling anything for Cole. For sisters who were close I felt Cole continually ghosted Lu and only had contact on her terms. There were a few other issues with Cole’s character that didn’t gel with me but I feel they are part of the story which I don’t want to giveaway and of course we are only seeing a small snapshot of their lives, just prior to their Mother’s release from prison.
All in all it was an easy read but one which won’t stay with me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed To Save My Daughters, it’s such a heart-rending story.

June, is a mother, and she will do whatever it takes to ensure her daughters are safe from their father.

The story is about the abuse a spouse gives their partner which the family have no idea about.

It is portrayed from the points of view of her children, one of who is a therapist and the other is a loved one.

The story has love, sorrow and secrets and to unite the family when June is near to her term inside ending.

Then a TV station wants to showcase those that are wrongfully convicted and decide to take on June and her case in order to do this. During the research and at the time of filming secrets are revealed, some good and some bad.

I highly recommend this book.

Well, just wow. First off, not my typical kind of read, but dang this was an amazing book. The ups and downs were incredible, many boxes of tissues were needed. It definitely has all the feels. These woman were portrayed amazingly, so strong yet, emotional. I highly suggest this book.
Thank to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this advanced copy.

This is my 3rd book by Louise Guy and once again, she hits out of the park. June Marlow was arrested for murdering her husband and spent many years in jail. Both daughters remember the scenes differently so which is correct? Was it self defense? Was it planned? This had me on the edge of my seat all the way through and I really love how she tells a story. The ending was shocking! Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy. To be published February 21, 2025.

I received a free copy of, To Save My Daughters, by Louise Guy, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. June Marlow killed her abusive husband in self defense, but was still sent to prison, leaving her two daughters behind. June is getting released from prison soon and is ready to see her daughters. Wow this was a heavy read, but so good.

June Marlow was arrested for killing her husband 30 years ago. She said she did it in self-defense, but no one believed her because her husband was well thought of in the community, and she hid the facts of the abuse that was happening. Her two daughters were there the night it happened, and they went to the Granny's house, and she went to prison. Thirty years later, she is still in prison, and a news station wants to do a story about mothers in prison from being abused, how it affects the family, and the trauma and what it does to them.
When they started talking about it, Cole, the oldest daughter of June, has never gone to see her mother, and hasn't seen her since the night she killed her Dad. Lu, the youngest daughter, and her Granny would go visit her. Tori, the reporter, wants June, Cole, and Lu to be part of the show. They agree, and then it gets emotional, secrets come out, what the trauma did to each one. They had no idea where this was going to go, but they faced it, and sometimes it was hard to read, but they each had to go through it to come out at the end of this part of their journey. For things to change, then you have to change. It is a book that some people are going to have a hard time reading, others, will read it and see there is more help now when you are being abused, and there is help for the children, and it causes trauma that is now out in the open, and people can face it and make it through.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

Heart tugging story of motherhood and familial relationships.
Typical formulaic women's fiction.
But a quick light read.
I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

A really great read.A fantastic story full of drama with many twists and turns that will make you want to keep reading. June's story is heartbreaking and what she went through to protect her daughter's from their abusive father took great courage and strength and when the truth finally comes out about what happened will it bring the family back together so they can get some happiness and closure.

June Marlow had spent twenty eight years in prison for killing her abusive husband in self defense. She was protecting her two daughters, ten year old Nicole and six year old Lu. But the courts didn't believe her case of self defense; June's mother, Elena, cared for and brought the two youngsters up to where they were now, both adults. And now it was almost time for June's release back into society. While Lu and her grandmother had both visited June over the long years, Nicole couldn't forgive her for killing the father she had adored. She had no memories of the night, but didn't want to see or talk to her mother. What would happen now June was about to be released? And would the secrets June continued to hold close to her chest, remain hidden?

To Save My Daughters is an immensely powerful and highly topical story which was well-written, with great care and compassion by Aussie author Louise Guy. The characters played their roles extremely well, leaving no room for doubt about the heartache that had rippled through, not just June's family, but others as well. I always enjoy Ms Guy's novels, and this one was no exception. Highly recommended.

Be aware, that although this story is about domestic violence, there is nothing "in your face" at all.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

This powerful and emotionally raw story explores a mother’s unwavering love and sacrifice for her children while shedding light on the struggles of those in abusive relationships.

After years of suffering, June Marlow kills her husband in self-defense but lacks the evidence to prove it. Now, twenty years later, as she nears her release from prison, her daughters, Luella and Nicole, are forced to confront the trauma of that night and the lasting impact on their lives. Lu, an artist, channels her pain into her work, while Nicole, a trauma therapist, helps others but struggles with her own unresolved emotions. Nicole, who has no memory of the night their father died, resents her mother for breaking their family apart. However, when she counsels a young girl with a similar past, she begins to process her own experiences.

The heartfelt ending focuses on healing, resilience, and the power of family coming together after tragedy.

To Save My Daughters by Louise Guy is the dramatic, heart-rending story of a mother named June who will do anything to protect her precious daughters from their father,
This is a story of spousal abuse hidden from the family. It is shown from the children's standpoint, a therapist's standpoint, and a loved one standpoint. But it is shown in the eyes of love, caring, sorrow, and bringing the family back together when it is time for June's release.
A local TV station has decided to highlight this family in an expoza of women wrongly incarcerated, the good, bad, and especially the truths come out for that have been hidden for so long.
Come inside and met the mother named June, who did everything in her power To Save My Daghters and the repercussions from it.

#ToSaveMyDaughters
#LouiseGuy
#Booldwood
#NetGalley

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. I love Louise Guy's books and was delighted when Boldwood invited me to read her latest novel. 'To Save My Daughters' did not disappoint. The story was gripping, emotive, and well-paced, and Guy, as ever, created a well-written, three dimensional, authentic cast of characters, using multiple narratives to great effect. Guy's books are a standout in family dramas.

June is about to be released from prison after killing her abusive husband. But her daughter Cole is still angry and hurt - she blames June for taking away her dad and for not being there during her childhood.

When a TV reporter wants to do a story on the family, Cole refuses. But then she meets two young girls at work who are going through a similar situation, and it makes her rethink her feelings about her mom.

Just when I thought the story was going to be a simple, emotional reunion, some shocking twists threw me off guard! I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Louise Guy, and Boldwood Books for the advance copy