A book which held my attention throughout. I most felt for Willow, followed by Naomi. I never warmed to Martha, not even after she had her epiphany. I felt it was a bit strange to have the two pregnancies in it (happening at the same time I mean). All in all, a good read, with thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Erica James portrays so well the minutiae of family life. This is an absorbing story of a mother and two completely different daughters at a difficult time in their lives. It covers difficult subjects such as cohersive behavior in a wise and compelling way. No one knows what goes on in a family behind closed doors but this intelligent read goes into the heart of this family and shows how events can work out. A worthwhile read.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the Arc in return for an honest review.

Firstly thank you for the ARC. I really enjoy Erica James books and this one didn't fault. Ericas books just get better and better

A really enjoyable read. Some of it is a little predictable but that doesn't detract from the excellent story telling and well formed characters. I loved the way Naomi gradually finds her voice. Wa and insightful.

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Erica James has always been an author I’ve enjoyed reading. She creates credible and sympathetic characters and her plot lines are truly captivating.

This book about a widow and her two daughters, offers a multi-layered and challenging story. Personally, I am no longer happy to read stories which focus on the dark side of human behaviour - especially in families.

The dark secrets which emerge during this story are important and the author handles them well but it’s not what I would normally choose to read. Nowadays, I prefer escapist, fun fiction. So, it’s not my cup of tea bit it’s a really well written story.

Naomi's two adult daughters are very different from each other but they are quite a close family unit following the sudden death of her husband two years ago. However secrets were at the heart of this family unit and affected them in different ways and as patterns are in danger of being repeated, truths emerge. After misunderstandings and painful interludes the novel reaches a satisfying conclusion.

*****

An involving and compelling family drama that looks at the relationships between a mother and her daughters and the secrets that families keep. Naomi was widowed 2 years ago and the chance meeting with an old friend, Ellis, leads to a new relationship. Naomi's daughters, sensible Martha and more laid back Willow have their own challenges and the news of their mother's new relationship leads to the uncovering of family tensions and secrets. This is a beautifully written novel that sensitively explores family relationships and issues around domestic abuse, coercive control and conception. I've read a few Erica James novels and this is one of the best. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Naomi's husband died two years ago very suddenly. She has recently met an old friend and fallen in love but she has still to tell her two grown up daughters who she suspects will not be very happy and will see it as her betraying their father.
But no one knows what goes on between closed doors in a relationship and Naomi has kept secrets from her girls about their father. Will she have to break their hearts to find hers ?
Martha is desperate for a baby but it's taking so long and her and her husband are not used to their plans not going the way they want them.
Willow seems to be becoming more remote from he family as her boyfriend becomes more demanding of her time.
This was such a good read. Naomi is a good mother and even although her girls are grown up they still need her help and advice. I enjoyed reading this and it kept me guessing about things all the way through.

A great story from Erica James which does not disappoint. Mothers, daughters, secrets and relationships all blended together with a lovely ending. Having a daughter myself I can totally relate to this story.

Another brilliant read by Erica James. A story of her mother and two daughters . It covered some interesting topics. Controlling behaviour, motherhood and how we protect our children even as adults. Both Willow and Martha were interesting characters. Made you think as women we take the blame too often .A very good read.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read a good few of this authors other books I was delighted to have an early read, what a fabulous down to earth book full of love and promise and a few twists here and there I really enjoyed this and can highly recommend.

Wow I’ve always loved Erica James books but mothers and daughters has surpassed them all and is now my favourite!
A lovely read that highlights the love a mother has for her daughters and the lengths she will go to in order to protect them even to the detriment of herself! A gorgeous seaside setting,mother daughter relationships,pregnancy, and second chances at love are all effortlessly intermingled with less savoury topics such as gas lighting and coercive controlling behaviour.
Naomi mother of Martha and Willow has been widowed for a few years and holds a secret re her marriage one that she is unwilling to voice! Her daughters are both settled and expecting babies and Naomi has recently rekindled her love for an old flame Ellis. Martha calls for a family meeting to discuss her mother’s relationship and to vet Ellis and from this point onwards family dynamics change, secrets are revealed and it appears history is repeating itself once more!
A brilliantly told read of family dynamics, history and an underlying sense of home and belonging, would love to read a sequel to this book as I’m sure there’s lots more to come!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

I always look forward to a new Erica James book and this did not disappoint. A lovely story of family relationships with a mother and her two daughters, new partners and new babies . A lot happens throughout, not too much dwelling on any sad bits and a lovely ending. I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend.

I always look forward to a new book from Erica James and was excited to read this one.

Naomi has found love again after her husband’s death. While Martha, married to Tom, is desperate for a baby and Willow has finally found a boyfriend who loves and adores her. But when deeply hidden secrets come to light, will the revelations bring the women closer together or cause a rift in their relationship?

An excellent story of life, love and family relationships which is an interesting and engaging read.

The Mother in this novel is called Naomi and as our story starts she has been widowed for a few years. It is a lonely life for single ladies in the quiet village of Tilsham by the sea and she has met up with her former friend from years ago when he moved in next door to her family home. They have lots of catching up to do. He is a widower and lonely as well. She soon realises that their friendship is growing into other emotions; she is in love with Ellis and he has the same feelings for her. She dreads telling her two daughters but soon it will be time to make the introductions.
Her firstborn Daughter is called Martha. Her Father was so proud of her and without any doubt she was his favourite. She is both practical and driven, a clone of her father really. She is very bright and has a good job. She loves her work and is very keen to get on. She and her husband have been trying to start their family but, after almost a year, nothing has happened. She is feeling the pressure and so is her husband.
Her second Daughter is called Willow. She is a real ‘people person’, full of empathy, very kind hearted but is without any real focus or ambition. She drove her father mad. She has never really settled down and dug in. However her new boyfriend Rick is grounded has a responsible job and a lovely home. What’s more he idolises Willow. It is time for Willow to settle down and she knows Rick will always cherish her and look after her.
Then comes the day that these three women come together to meet Ellis. Martha is horrified and prickly at first, but chilled out Willow is open minded and happy for her Mother. The jury is out, Naomi hoping she will not have to choose between them: Daughters or Ellis. Everyone is harbouring secrets, even though they are a tightly bound trio. Ellis will have to convince them that he will be the rolling diamond who can adapt to their family.
Although the story is slow to begin with, it picks up and becomes a page turning family drama with a very satisfying ending. The storytelling and storyboard are compelling and the eclectic characters are skilfully envisaged and carefully developed. I really liked Willow best of all the females and Ellis was a splendid role model who was level headed and noble. He was generous and caring; in fact everything that Naomi needed. I loved the times when each secret was divulged. The character I did not like at all was Rick. He was determined to come between Naomi, Martha and his fiancée Willow. He was jealous of their solid and loving relationships. I also enjoyed how the story was turned around so that the family became even stronger than before.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher HQ through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest and considered opinions that are uninfluenced by any other reviews or publicity. This is a multi-layered and engaging story filled with interesting and diverse characters, all hiding behind their secrets and for very good reasons.

As a fan of Erica James’ writing, I started this book with high expectations which were surpassed as I continued reading. This story was an excellent tale with romance and family relationships aplenty. Good to read of romance between older characters too. All in all an unmissable book for anyone who enjoys this genre.

Yet another excellent read by Erica James.

Naomi is 63 and widowed with two daughters ...who,are polar opposites of each other.

Marcia the oldest is married to Tom ... both with high profile jobs and are trying for a baby. Willow comes across as the scatty one.

Naomi meets an old flame and starts a relationship with Ellis, Marcia particularly is offended that Naomi can consider a life with another man,

The story tells of the abuse Naomi suffered from her late husband and Willow's abusive relationship with her new partner.

A good read , highlighting coercive abuse, and gas lighting where the perpetrator tries to take control of another persons life.

As usual Erica James never disappoints.
Mothers and daughters explores relationships within a family setting whilst uncovering long buried secrets.
A fabulous story of life, love and family.
One of my favourite books of hers.
Highly recommended

Immersive….
A tale of life, loves, mothers and daughters told through this seemingly happy family in which each member has their own secrets to hide. Characters are entirely credible and engaging and the sweeping storyline seamlessly glides along with the reader. A tale entirely in keeping with this authors’ canon and a wholly immersive read.

Mother's and Daughters by Erica James

Even happy families have their secrets…A sweeping family drama of old secrets and new beginnings from the Sunday Times bestselling author Erica James…
Since the sudden death of her husband, Naomi has steadily rebuilt the life they shared in the village of Tilsham by the sea.
Another great book by Erica James . I've read most of her books and have never read one I didn't enjoy.
She somehow manages to capture the very essence of family life , with it's ups and downs and peculiarities .
Loved the character Naomi .