Because of You is the first novel I have read by Dawn French so I was a little unsure of what to expect but when I read the synopsis it appealed to me and let me telly you now that I have finished this book that it sure was a thought provoking read that is going to leave a mark on me.
Anna and Hope are both in hospital and their lives are about to change, both are in labour but one of them will leave with a beautiful baby girl whilst the other leaves with a world of pain and a broken heart.
Fast forward 17 years and the truth comes out and is set to impact all of those involved. Can forgiveness be given and can a wrong be put right?
Wow
Wow
Wow
I am not sure where to begin with my review for Because of You because I have so many different emotions rolling around in my head and my heart right now. This sure is a life affirming book and it questioned everyone of my morals.
The opening of the book has a dramatic start and I was gobsmacked with Hope’s actions which was why as the storyline progressed, I surprised myself with how much I come to love her character and almost felt like what she had done was understandable. I knew undoubtedly that what Hope done was unquestionably wrong and that I should see her as a criminal or a villain certainly not someone who I would expect to actually like but when you see the whole picture it soon makes you take everything into perspective and understand the reason for her actions.
My heart really went out to Anna, what she was going through is something no one should ever face and to then not have the love and support of a loving partner by her side just made it even more unbearable and I think it is because of how self absorbed and pig headed her husband is that pushes the reader to justify Hopes actions almost like she has protected Minnie.
I really do not want to give any major spoilers away but what I will say is there is a part in this book that absolutely floored me and I even had a tear escape too as my heart broke a little at Hope’s actions but that is all I will say on that matter as the reader needs to be in the dark about this for it to have the same impact as it had on me.
I loved watching the mother daughter bond blossom over Minnie’s 18 years, they were a strong loving unit and Minnie grew up to be an incredible young lady who lived a wonderful life surrounded by nothing but love and support.
There was always an unpredictability about the storyline never quite sure when or if the truth was going to come to light and this kept me intrigued the whole way through as I greedily sped through each chapter trying to find out what was going to happen next.
This is up there with my top three books of the year and I will definitely be recommending this one to all who will listen and gifting a copy or two as Christmas presents this year as I guarantee this book will have people captivated and in shock by how it can play with your emotions and morals. Anyone who watched the series recently The Secrets She Keeps and was hooked then this is definitely the book for you.

Have your tissues ready when you read this one. It is really moving and will hit you right in the heart.
#BecauseofYou is a well told story about the love of a mother for her child. The characters are well developed and incredibly likeable - with the exception of one of the father's who you are all going to love to hate and a buffoon of a police officer you will want to slap (but who turns out to be nice though very dim!)
This is a fresh and meaningful look at what it is to be a mother and what children really need when they are growing up. I really liked the novel and found myself feeling a lot of genuine love and sympathy for the main characters. I will certainly be recommending this one and look forward to seeing what everyone thinks. I think it will receive a lot of well deserved love.
This is a book that you can happily buy for your Mum and your daughters. They will all get a lot from it and will be very happy that you gave it to them. It is handily out in time for Christmas!
Thank you to Dawn French, to her publishers and to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book.

A really great story showing how grief can drive you to do something awful but yet one of the best things you have done! A beautiful and very emotive story.

I was extremely excited to be chosen to read an advanced copy of Dawn French's new book, Because of You, having read all of her previous novels, and enjoyed them immensely.
The story centres around two women, due to give birth on New Year's Eve/Day, 2000.
Anna, wife of wannabe politician Julian, and Hope, the girlfriend of gentle Isaac.
Tragedy surrounds both women, yet out of the despair, one baby, Minnie, emerges.

It took me a little while to really get into the book, but within a few pages, I was truly immersed in the story.
A story about mothers and daughters, and love that grows. How real relationships are formed. Matters of the heart.
Dawn French has created beautiful, rounded, characters, that cause you to either to care deeply about them, or want to throttle them (Julian, anyone?)
Every step of the way, I wondered when the truth would be exposed. I had an inkling, but I wasn't sure.
The book is written from the point of view of Hope, Anna and Minnie, in turn, with snippets of Julian and Isaac too, giving you a complete picture of the thoughts of everyone throughout a surreal situation.
I don't want to give too much away, but suffice to say, I had tears in my eyes by the end of the book. Absolutely wonderfully written.

What a wonderful book. Hope was a lovely person deep down, albeit a kidnapper in unimaginable circumstances, she made Minnie the fantastic person that she turned out to be. I found this a profoundly emotional deep read telling of the love between mother’s and daughters. A book that I did not want to put down and at the end I just wanted it to continue. I felt for all the characters and visualising them was so easy. It was difficult to really say who was a loser, who was a victim and indeed if there were any winners.
Highly recommend this book to all female readers who will understand fully the maternal bonds this describes so clearly.

"This is a book about mothers and daughters, love and loss, mistakes and regret"

It's hard to say much about it without any spoilers and especially because the book blurb doesn't give much away. It's a lovely story and well worth reading.

This is the first of Dawn French's books that I have read and definitely won't be the last. I expected it to be a funny read and it is in parts but it's also emotional and tugs at your heart strings, I would have a box of tissues beside you when reading.

I enjoyed Dawn's style of writing it really draws you in and along with the story being so good it made it a quick read. I thought all the characters were written well and they all added depth to the story but I especially loved the characters of Hope, Minnie and Anna and the bond that they all eventually shared.

"NEVER EVER forget the WAWA!"

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC