I've read a lot of Melissa Hill's books but I didn't enjoy this one as much as her others. I found myself skim reading the second half of the book, the first half was good and gripping but when the court case started I found it got a little boring. It was an interesting topic of writing and I'm sure a lot of research went into it. I will still look out for Melissa's next book but I was a little disappointed with this one. Thank you for letting me read and review this book, look forward to her next one.

Review: I adore Melissa Hills books and was not disappointed with this one. It is excellent. We follow two strong women who are trying to do right by their children. Characters are very strong and real. This one is a real tearjerker. I loved it. Melissa has created a really emotional and believable tale.

Melissa Hill has written a different kind of book, it’s more serious and tugs at the heart strings. From page one I was hooked and couldn’t turn my kindle fast enough. We have two main characters Madeleine whose a mummy blogger and Kate who is a single mum working hard as a nurse to try and provide for her daughter. I felt myself warming to Madeleine more and liked hearing her story. Although as the book progresses, I changed my mind to Kate but then back to Madeleine again. I think wrote the book in a way that the reader wouldn’t be able to side with one person entirely. It made the book more realistic and emotionally captivating. I’d like to read more from Melissa that has a more serious tone to it.

Thanks goes to net galley & the publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Melissa Hill’s novels – one of my favourite Christmas books is A Gift to Remember, it never fails to make me smile. So, when I saw Melissa Hill had a new novel due out I immediately requested a copy on NetGalley.

Keep You Safe is different from the feel-good reads that I’ve previously read but it absolutely lives up to those previous books. This novel explores the issue of childhood vaccinations and the potential repercussions when you choose not to have your child immunised. This is an issue that affects so many people and everyone has an opinion so I was fascinated to read a novel that explores this.

There are two sides to every story and Melissa Hill really captures this very well. Kate is a single mum to Rosie and she and her late husband were unable to give Rosie the MMR due to severe allergies. Kate is easy to like and I felt sorry for her throughout this novel. Madeleine and her husband chose not to give their children the MMR because of their beliefs about the vaccination. So when Rosie and Clara both become ill around the same time it sets in play a chain of events that unravel these two families.

I found this to be such an engaging and engrossing novel. It’s one of those books that I couldn’t stop thinking about in the times when I wasn’t reading it. Everyone in my family has had all the vaccines that were available to them and, while I don’t have children myself, I feel I would have done the same . I couldn’t help myself feeling like Madeleine and her husband were being quite selfish and ignorant in not vaccinating their children but I came to be much more understanding as the novel went on. Melissa Hill does a great job at showing both sides of the argument. I know someone who was vaccinated against a different disease many years ago and he was very badly damaged by it so it gave me some sympathy for the characters, even though the MMR is a different issue.

I actually read this book a while ago now and am only just finishing my review now but I can honestly say that this is a novel that has really stayed with me. I’ve recommended it to a few people too because it’s such a good read. It’s always great to find a book that is easy to read whilst also making you think and having a depth to it that makes it stay in your mind long after you finished reading. If you haven’t already read Keep You Safe I highly recommend you grab a copy and read it soon!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Not extremely impressed with this book. I was interested in this subject mainly because I would like to understand why some people still believe in a discredited theory. This book did not even try to explain that. It is about two women, both have unvaccinated kids. The first woman with her husband had decided not to vaccinate their kids as they believe in the vaccination-causes-autism theory. The second woman's kid cannot be vaccinated because of an allergy. Both kids get measles, the kid of the first woman gets well quickly while the second kid becomes really ill.

The question is was the first woman responsible for it? Is the decision not to vaccinate your kid dangerous to others?

The characters were quite shallow and predictable and the book Was quite chick lit. I did not feel that it gave any answer and I am not any wiser. It asked important questions on collective responsibility and how far we can act without considering other people, but there were no answers. Maybe there are not answers.

Just not for me it felt too much like a agenda and pushing the point across

Kate was always worried about Rosie when she went to school as she was unable to have the MMR jab due to a life threatening reaction to it but she assumed that all of the other children had had it and so there was very little chance of an outbreak

Madeleine and her husband Tom were worried about the affects of the MMR jab and so decided that they would not have their two children immunised and would take the risk of the diseases. When they were on holiday in Florida however there was an outbreak of measles and a couple of weeks later Clara was unwell - thinking that it was just chicken pox Madeleine sent her to school......she had an important television interview so she couldn't stay at home! Two days later Rosie also goes down with it but in her case it is much more serious.

With feelings running high amongst the parents and the whole local community are Madeleine and Tom really to blame - how is Kate a single parent going to manage, especially if she has to spend all her time at the hospital and is not able to work?

A good story not what I was really expecting as so different from previous books by this author and a great twist at the end - the characters were believable and you really felt for poor Kate and Rosie - definitely one I would recommend

I loved Keep You Safe.
We meet Kate and Madeleine, two mothers who for their own reasons decide not to vaccinate their children against the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) great controversy that still exists to this day.
Now both children are ill.
Such an emotional read with different and difficult choices to be made.
A fab read.

Excellent book. I adored the storyline and the characters. A real page turner. I would this recommend this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This is a thought provoking read, concerned with choices which are controversial regarding the voluntary vaccination of children against Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Carla and Rosie are two girls attending the small village school and neither of them have been vaccinated. Carla didn’t have it because her parents chose not to have her vaccinated

Kate and Madeleine are two mothers who for very different reasons decide not to vaccinate their children, Rosie and Clara, for measles. Kate, a single-mother was a rare case as Rosie was allergic to the vaccine so could not have it. Mummy blogger Madeleine, came to the decision with her husband Tom after much research. Now a few years later, Clara and Rosie both become sick, will Kate pay for Madeleine's choice? 
Ooh I adored this novel! This is perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult as Hill presents us with a difficult dilemma that many parents have, whether to vaccinate or not. Both sides are put across in the novel and both sides are well written and thought out and as the reader you feel for both sides. Hill has clearly done a lot of research, there is a lot of information throughout the novel which I loved as it really helps ensure the plot feels authentic. As well as information about vaccines, the human side is presented as well, resulting in this beautifully written, highly emotional read from Hill. 
The only thing that let this down for me is I feel Hill backed out of making a decision at the ending by coming up with an alternative explanation. Bit cryptic I know but I do not want to spoil anything! Although I liked the ending I think it would have been more powerful if there had been a different ending. 
One aspect I did really like is Madeleine's role as a mummy blogger, as a result Hill includes a lot to do with social media and the public commenting on Madeleine's blogs, I thought this was a unique technique that means we get a lot more views than just those of the central characters. 
Speaking of the characters, what a wonderful bunch they are! Exceptionally well written, when reading this I felt sympathy for both parents as well as frustration towards them at times. 'Keep You Safe' is a very emotional read and Kate and Madeleine are more than worthy of carrying it. 
'Keep You Safe' is a sublime read to get caught up in. Full of information and controversy, this is certainly thought provoking and I still cannot get it out of my head. Combined with being beautifully written, this really is a novel that I highly recommend. 

Review at https://mjletstalkbooks.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/keep-you-safe-melissa-hill/

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

I have always been a fan of Melissa Hill's books right since she first published Something You Should Know back in 2003. Each book always has a big twist towards the end, one that you would never have seen coming and that keeps you gripped until you turn the very last page. Her last few books, nice as they were just seemed to run to the same formula and I hate saying it but I felt they became just a bit stale and predictable. This new book Keep You Safe takes the author in a totally different direction from anything she has written before. The cover alone would suggest that gone are the sweet pastel covers with a woman on the cover to be replaced with a more darker picture with the tag line 'A mother knows best doesn't she?'

Melissa Hill has written of a controversial topic very relevant to the society we live in today, in particular it is at the forefront of new mother's minds. The question dominating this book is - to vaccinate or not? To many the answer is clear cut and this debate never comes into question. Rather is it another task in the first few weeks and months of a baby's life to make the trip to the doctor for the routine vaccinations. These people vaccinate their child with no hesitation. Others are rigid in their opinion that vaccination is a big, firm no. But what happens when you aren't allowed either option or a chance to think about which side of the debate your opinion lies on?

Single mum Kate O'Hara's daughter Rosie is one of a small number of Irish children who can't be vaccinated due to the fact she is severely allergic to some of the chemicals that make up the vaccine. Kate only hopes her little girl will be safe. Blogger Madeleine Cooper on the other hand stood firm with her husband and did not vaccinate her two children. She has her own beliefs and is determined never to waver from them. Running a successful blog based on her experiences as a mother gives her the platform to voice her views and share helpful hints regarding rearing children. Both women are poles apart in their stance regarding vaccination. So what happens when both girls fall ill with disastrous repercussions for one. Just who is to blame? Who made the right decision? Can we rely solely on herd immunity? Will one mother feel the guilt for the decision she made? Is the risk of not vaccinating just too great? Should we applaud those who goes against the grain and stick to what they believe is right? So many questions arise within the first few chapters and more come flooding into your mind the further you delve into the story.

Keep You Safe is simply unputdownable and I am loving the new direction Melissa Hill has taken with her writing. Not once did I feel the author came down on any own side, instead a very well rounded view was presented. All sides of the story were covered. Each character was allowed to voice their opinion and at the same time they had realistic worthwhile reasons for their choices. I didn't at any stage feel the author was ramming a certain stance down our throats and the reader was allowed to make up their own mind with regard to the story of Rosie. I'd have to say that my own opinion was fairly cemented in one direction before I began reading this book and I thought I would not be wavered from this.

Yet over the course of the book I was going back and forth almost as much as the tide of public opinion facing both Madeleine and Kate once a court case comes to fruition. Having finished the book I think my opinion remains the same but I did really feel sympathy for both female characters and could understand their positions. To be honest I think as with many things in life there is no clear cut, dead right choice. In the end it probably boils down to personal responsibility and the willingness to stand firm in your beliefs and face the consequences if any arise. Melissa Hill presented the two sides of this story in an unbiased way laying out the results for both sets of families allowing the reader to come to their own decision. There was empathy throughout but at the same time I enjoyed the no nonsense attitude to motherhood employed by Madeleine and also the strong front Kate presented when her life was literally falling apart.

When we meet Kate she is a character who has already been through so much. She had lost her husband to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and is now a single mother working as a nurse whilst at the same time wanting to be there for her daughter Rosie at every available opportunity. As mentioned before Rosie had not been able to have the vaccine and this means Kate is always on edge keeping a sharp eye on Rosie. Kate had not been given a choice and now more than ever she feels it is her job to keep Rosie safe.

Madeleine seems to have it all, she has two beautiful young children and her blog is going from strength to strength and she has numerous television appearances under her belt. Initially I felt because Madeleine had purposely chosen not to vaccinate either of her children that she was one of these hippy types who would rather let nature take its course than have any man made item influence their child's health. I thought it was selfish and irresponsible that she was putting the lives of her own children and those of others at risk unnecessarily. It was only as the story developed that I realised there are two sides to every story, it's only whether you agree with both, one or none.

Clara, Madeleine’s daughter is sent home from school one day not feeling great. Madeleine knew Clara had been slightly under the weather but she had a TV appearance she needed to go to so Clara was sent to school. It's only when Kate notices Rosie is not well and a rash is all over her body that measles is diagnosed and before she knows it Madeleine finds that Clara too has measles. This is where the debate really begins? Should Madeline have sent her daughter to school knowing she was under the weather and therefore exposing other children to illness? Yet one thinks how on earth could she have known it was measles.

Being a teacher myself, I see children sent to school and you know by taking one look at them that they are not well and would have been better off at home and not spreading their germs everywhere. But parents sometimes have no choice if they have no one to mind them and cannot take time off from their work. OK a cold or a sniffle one can manage in school but a vomiting bug or something more serious thae yes there is no way they should be in school. The fact of the matter in this case was how could Madeleine really have known how seriously ill her daughter was, combined with that how would she have known the eventual outcome for both young girls.

I don't blame either woman for their actions and I certainly believe Kate was right at the time in the major decision she was faced with. Even though that choice meant everything she had was put on the line and public opinion could either go against her or very firmly back her up. She put friendships and loyalties on the line but at the end of the day it was all for her daughter. Her heart and soul, her ray of light although that ray had ever diminished. Kate wanted justice for what had occurred and who could really blame her? Anger plays a huge part but at the same time I think Kate was thinking long term and wanted all the best that could be provided for her daughter. Yes I did feel sympathy for the situation Madeleine and her family found themselves facing but on the other hand I was angry at her for the choice she had made as it had affected a little girls life so much and she in some ways she seemed to get away scot free. On reflection I wouldn't have wanted to be in either Kate or Madeleine's position.

One character who I have not mentioned is Lucy. She was friends with both Kate and Madeleine as they all have children in the same class. She was the person who was most torn in two with conflicting and divided loyalties. Lucy provided a great support system to the women when needed most and there was one particular scene near to the end where she spoke so eloquently and with such passion that you knew she too was a remarkable woman.

Keep You Safe without question is the best thing Melissa Hill has written in a long time. It really was that just one more chapter kind of book and before you know it you had a hundred or more pages read so eager were to discover the outcome. Cliché though it may sound this book is ideal for a book club as there is so much to debate and every one has their own opinions on vaccinations. The ending and the last few chapters were brilliant and yes Melissa Hill did shock me but it was so cleverly done. The research throughout for this book was impeccable and I never felt the story was becoming bogged down in medical or law terminology instead the way it was written the story flowed so well and presented you with a gauntlet of emotions with the turn of each page. I really hope Melissa writes more books in this vein in the future because it certainly has put her back on my list of go to authors. If there is one book you read in the next weeks do make sure it is Keep You Safe. Pure and simple it is just brilliant.

This story from Melissa Hill will strike a chord with any parent: which poses the greater risk, the vaccine or the disease you are aiming to protect them from? Mums Kate and Madeleine have completely different reasons for not vaccinating their girls, but both have to face facts when the two girls are struck by measles. I liked the characters of both of the mums, Kate being a hardworking widow striving to provide the best for her daughter after losing her husband suddenly and mad mum blogger Madeleine who has a much more laid back approach to life. I don’t know why, but reading Madeleine’s part in the story I found that she reminded me of Marian Keyes with her witty one liners and brand of Irish humour. I found myself rooting for Kate and Rosie for the vast majority of the story as I am sure many others will too however once we start to see the public façade of Madeleine crack and see her more vulnerable side my heart went out to her. I really disliked her husband Tom throughout the whole book as I found him to be arrogant and self centred – traits which I similarly tarred Madeleine with at first.
Once we reach the court room scenes we start to understand why the Coopers made the decision they did and I thought the scenes where Madeleine takes the witness stand were very emotionally charged. I was so pleased when after many months she finally finds the courage to speak from the heart rather than trying to tick the boxes her solicitor was instructing her to with her answers. I won’t give away the outcome of the story but suffice to say I was happy that the two mothers were able to understand the other’s decision not to vaccinate their children and were able make their peace even though things would never be the same between them.
A very realistic story with everyday people making the decisions that every parent agonises over – and scenarios which make you think about what can happen if things go horribly wrong.
I would definitely recommend this book, especially to parents who have indeed had to make this very same decision themselves.
my review will appear on my blog at www.sandiesbookshelves.blogspot.co.uk

I really enjoyed this book , and the different arguments it presented . Kate and Madeleine both decide not to immunize their children both for different reasons , it was a very emotional read and I can certainly see both sides of the argument and understood the difficult decisions the parents took .and the consequences which come to the forefront when both children fall ill within days of each other . A great read with a very interesting and current subject matter . Thank you for the opportunity to read this ..

A really thought provoking and emotional book. Two families go through two different horrific situations as a result of measles. Two unvaccinated kids - one due to a medical condition, one due to parents personal choice. A very up to date read with social media giving many a voice. I really felt for both sides of this and the ensuing court case is fascinating. A really good, satisfying ending to this story. Highly recommended as a truly unique read.

Wow this was such a good plot! I loved how different the subject matter of this book was, it was one of those that I thought, 'wow I wish I had thought of writing this!'. The subject of vaccination and whether or not the vaccinate children, whether they can come to more harm with or without a vaccination is in and out of the news and so it was great to have a first hand, all be it fictional, account of parents who have struggled with that decision and who must now face the consequences either way.

The main characters of the book are Madeline and Kate. Both of them are mothers and both are very different mothers. Kate is a nurse and she knows what her child wants and needs based on her medical background and personal experience. She is also a single mother and has had certain hardships she has had to face a such. Madeline is very different. She has a successful blog and makes her decisions based around consulting with her online community and her husband. The women re very different, ut really both come across the same struggles and barriers in this book. I liked the fact that theres women were the vehicle for this storyline. They were both easy to relate to and the fact that their children were both sick, made for an emotional read.

There are certain medical and legal terms that are explored over the course of this book, but that didn't make for difficult reading at any point and I enjoyed the fact that this author chose to keep them in there, I didn't feel like anything was dumbed down. I also like the fact that these medical and legal issues were explored through these families made for easier reading too. It was a very personal and a very relatable story, and whilst it left me thinking, it wasn't a taxing read in any way. As I mentioned above, this was a great subject for a novel and I really enjoyed something which dealt with a new and unusual topic. I listened to the audiobook, which was excellently done, and the action kept me wanting more at every moment. I would really recommend this read, it is fresh and different and very well-written.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I was very intrigued by the sound of this book, especially because I have read other books by this author. This one is very different though, in a good way, I can assure you ;).

It tells the story of two mums, Kate and Madeleine, who are doing their best for their children and family. They both decide not to vaccinate their children for several reasons. Then both girl get the measles and a big legal fight starts.

Of course there is much more behind it all and both mothers have their reasons for not getting their children vaccinated. I myself was not vaccinated and I totally understand both points of view. It’s a very controversial topic and I really liked how much thought and research the Melissa Hill put behind this.

Both have their lives and what happened in the past and so it’s clear that they make different decisions. I think that’s only natural and it was very interesting to read about both their lives. There are clearly two sides to this story, which put it on a whole new level of excitement and brilliance.

I was hooked from the start and Melissa Hill’s writing captured this provocative topic in the best possible way. The discussions and scenes in this book are very heated and exciting. There is never a dull moment!

I absolutely adored the epilogue and I just think that all characters, whether I liked them or not, had a really important role and were very well lined out.

This story shows that every parent has a believe and an opinion. They have their reasons to believe in it and that's ok. Things can change, but that's not for sure.

Thought-provoking and addictive!!!

An intelligent book with much more than meets the eye. I found the story heart-wrenching and challenging to read as I found myself in the shoes of the parents. Having had to delay a child's vaccination for health reasons, I found myself able to consider both sides of the arguments. I enjoyed the way that the book developed and how the story unfolded felt very true to life with characters that are just like some of the mums at school!

A really interesting book that throws up lots of angles and perspectives on this very emotive topic. Highly recommended - especially for bookclubs, particularly for the discussion afterwards...

I found this book to be a brilliant read. It was an emotional story about vaccinations, showing both sides. I found it very thought provoking and at times full of emotion. It was a very well researched book. I would highly recommend it.

I have also left my review on www.amazon.co.uk

Many thanks to Melissa Hill and Netgalley for the copy of this book. I agreed to voluntarily read it and to give my unbiased review.

Keep You Safe is the story of two mum’s, Kate and Madeline, who like any parent want to keep their children safe and do the best for them. Both of mum’s decide not to vaccinate their daughters for very different reasons, and when they both contract measles one women’s decision becomes the basis for a legal battle. The story is told alternating from the point of view of each Mother, from the off I found Madeline to be a character I disliked, not because of the choices she made, but because she's not a particularly endearing character, but that said her character fitted the storyline really well. As for Madeline I couldn't help but have a great deal of empathy for her plight, in fact I became so involved in her heart breaking story I became very emotional (tears were shed). I always think if an author has managed to evoke strong emotions in me they've done a remarkable job.


Everyone seems to have an opinion on the Pro and Anti Vaccination debate, Should vaccinations be mandatory or should it be down to personal choice? Are parents who don't let their children have vaccines irresponsible? this book raises so many questions, it’s a minefield that's for sure. Melissa Hill has obviously researched the subject in great depth, and manages to present both sides of the argument in an unbiased tale. Keep you safe is full of emotion and engrossing, it's heart warming and heartbreaking in equal measures, it’s a story that will pull on the most hardened heartstrings and it's definitely a book I would recommend
This review maybe altered slightly and edited prior to publication on my blog