Author: Alice Peterson
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: 2nd May 2019
Rating: 5 Stars
When her daughter Beth dies suddenly, Peggy Andrews is left to pick up the pieces and take care of her granddaughter Flo. But sorting through Beth’s things reveals a secret never told: Beth was sick, with the same genetic condition that claimed her father’s life, and now Peggy must decide whether to keep the secret or risk destroying her granddaughter’s world.
Five years later, Flo is engaged and moving to New York with her fiancé. Peggy never told her what she discovered, but with Flo looking towards her future, Peggy realises it’s time to come clean and reveal that her granddaughter’s life might also be at risk.
As Flo struggles to decide her own path, she is faced with the same life-altering questions her mother asked herself years before: if a test could decide your future, would you take it?
An emotional, inspiring and uplifting novel, IF YOU WERE HERE will break your heart and put it back together again.
Five years later, Flo is engaged and moving to New York with her fiancé. Peggy never told her what she discovered, but with Flo looking towards her future, Peggy realises it’s time to come clean and reveal that her granddaughter’s life might also be at risk.
As Flo struggles to decide her own path, she is faced with the same life-altering questions her mother asked herself years before: if a test could decide your future, would you take it?
An emotional, inspiring and uplifting novel, IF YOU WERE HERE will break your heart and put it back together again.
Just wow, I knew Alice Peterson was a fabulous writer, but this may just be my new favourite book from her, although A Song For Tomorrow is still one of my favourites.
This is certainly a thought provoking and emotional book - there were tears pricking my eyes at various points of this. If I was in Flo's situation I honestly don't know what I would do.
It's a fascinating look a one specific genetic condition, that doesn't have huge amounts of awareness, and raises all manner of questions. I think this would definitely be a great book club read.
We take in three generations of the Andrew's family, Granny Peggy and grand daughter, Flo, and we learn about Beth's life through her diaries,.
The diaries are in some respects the best bit of the book, you get a first hand look into what life as a person with the condition is like, and we also see how it affected her father.
But then again seeing the range of thoughts and emotions of Flo as she comes to terms with the information she has never been given before is also amazing, as is seeing how she reacts. The final section of the book I had a massive lump in my throat the whole time - it is just that well written.
And granny Peg, what a character she is, I loved seeing her world expand and her friendship with her new neighbour was a lovely one to see develop.
There is so much packed into this amazing story, I read the majority of it in a long stint in the garden, not overly noticing that it was getting cooler around me. It is gripping, it makes you think, it makes you feel - its just a complete story that is wonderful.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
This is certainly a thought provoking and emotional book - there were tears pricking my eyes at various points of this. If I was in Flo's situation I honestly don't know what I would do.
It's a fascinating look a one specific genetic condition, that doesn't have huge amounts of awareness, and raises all manner of questions. I think this would definitely be a great book club read.
We take in three generations of the Andrew's family, Granny Peggy and grand daughter, Flo, and we learn about Beth's life through her diaries,.
The diaries are in some respects the best bit of the book, you get a first hand look into what life as a person with the condition is like, and we also see how it affected her father.
But then again seeing the range of thoughts and emotions of Flo as she comes to terms with the information she has never been given before is also amazing, as is seeing how she reacts. The final section of the book I had a massive lump in my throat the whole time - it is just that well written.
And granny Peg, what a character she is, I loved seeing her world expand and her friendship with her new neighbour was a lovely one to see develop.
There is so much packed into this amazing story, I read the majority of it in a long stint in the garden, not overly noticing that it was getting cooler around me. It is gripping, it makes you think, it makes you feel - its just a complete story that is wonderful.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
Don't you love it when a beloved author brings you another book you can fall in love with?
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