By: Emma Robinson
Narrator: Sofia Zervudachi
Bookouture Audio
ISBN: 9781837903306
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: 10/17/2023
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
As I hand my newborn baby to my mother, I see the softness in her face as she gazes down at the tiny, helpless girl in her arms. And I feel my heart shatter as I say the words that will change all our lives… ‘Please, take my baby.’
I know she will be better off without me.But as I leave her behind that dark night, I wonder, will I ever see my baby again?
Will I have the chance to explain to little Erin why I had to go? Even if I do find the strength to return, what will my mother have told her?
Only one person really knows what happened, and why I had to do what I did.
I know the truth will come out some day. I don’t expect forgiveness. The only thing I hope is that my family can survive the fallout…
A heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting tale about the sacrifices mothers make for their children, this story will make you hold your loved ones tight. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Kate Hewitt.
My Review
Master storyteller, Emma Robinson returns following My Stepmother's Secret with her latest, PLEASE TAKE MY BABY —a heartfelt, beautiful, emotional story of three mothers— four generations of women whose lives connect unexpectedly at just the right time when they need each other the most.
COMPELLING —a poignant testament to the immeasurable and restorative power of love. A captivating tale of life, loss, sacrifice, love, and the power of family.
Four women:
Ava
Imogen
Erin
Harriet
Set in London, Erin is a divorced single mom of Harriet, and her ex-husband, Simon, is currently remarried, and they are expecting. He is looking at a new job and wants to take their daughter Harriet to live with them in California.
Erin is stressed and worried about losing her daughter and, at the same time, wants to do what is best for her. All the while, she is caring for her elderly mother, who has dementia. She goes to The Oasis, a drop-in center for dementia sufferers and their carers.
She finds a photo in an old biscuit tin of her mom, Ava, with a baby. That baby's name was Imogen. However, her mom's memory goes in and out, making it difficult to learn more about her. How will she find the answer to the dark secrets of her mom when they are buried within? She seems to be agitated when bringing up the subject.
Erin is determined to find this woman, who may be her sister and her mother's daughter before it is too late. There are so many unanswered questions.
But what she does not expect when she finds her is that she is not her sister. She is something more.
What happened to Imogen? Why did she leave? Why did she give up her baby? Is she too hurt to revisit the past? Things are not as they seem, and three mothers have spent their lives thinking something different. What if someone could put all the pieces together for a second chance before Ava loses all her memories?
From past to present, the author takes us back to Imogen as a young girl who gets pregnant. Her parents were very strict. She had the baby, but she was so young and did not know how to care for her little girl. Her mom helped, but then the father would not allow her to keep coming back when she left, or she could take the baby. Imogen had no where to turn.
We also learn about Ava and what she went through as a mother with depression. All the while, Erin is struggling as she is close to Harriet, and she may move. Erin has always put her daughter first as a mother, so she has had to pass up promotions in the hospitality industry.
There is much more to the story than you can envision, and I was surprised with each twisty turn. I enjoyed the strong theme of memory. Ava and Imogen see the events from different perspectives. As with dementia, it is difficult to determine which memories may surface and where those memories live.
The author delivers a page-turning novel about the complex, intense, love, and heartbreaking relationships between mothers and daughters.
Emma Robinson does a beautiful job diving deep into motherhood with compassion and sensitivity. As with her other books, this one will pull on your heartstrings. From love, sacrifice, longing to belong, and what it means to be a mother. This was one of my favorites of hers, with a sense of mystery and intrigue and a happy ending! I adored Erin's character.
PLEASE TAKE MY BABY is a bittersweet, emotionally intense, and uplifting novel recommended for readers who appreciate stories by Sally Hepworth, Lisa Genova, JoJo Moyes, and Jodi Picoult.
I was fortunate to read the e-book and listen to the audiobook narrated by Sofia Zervudachi for an engaging performance—I loved the audio!
Thanks to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC for an honest review.
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 17, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars
About the Author
Emma Robinson is a USA Today Bestseller with a passion for stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances. Whilst her early novels are humorous; her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming.
Emma currently lives in Essex, England with a husband, two children and a small black dog.
Website: www.emmarobinsonwrites.com
Facebook: facebook.com/motherhoodforslackers
Twitter: @emmarobinsonuk
Instagram: emmarobinsonuk
