Thank you to #NetGalley for my advance copy of #MothersAndDaughters by #EricaJames
Martha and Willow are two of the most unlikely sisters, while Martha has everything planned and organised Willow drifts through life.
Their mother Naomi has been a widow for a couple of years when she meets Ellis a man she knew many years ago.
This is a story of trust and understanding and love.
A perfect read for Mothers Day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Erica James’ writing has been described as ‘gentle and enchanting’; she has described herself as a ‘storyteller’ and it’s these qualities that have seen me reading many of her novels in the past ..they usually feature lovely settings and the kind of romance an old cynic like me enjoys. So joining the blog tour for Mothers and Daughters seemed like perfect timing when I am seeking out more distracting and comforting reads.
This is the story of Naomi, a widow, and her daughters Willow and Martha. Naomi has met Ellis and isn’t sure about introducing him to the family; Willow has met Brett; Martha wants a baby…
Oh my goodness this story packs a punch. It has the lovely storytelling you come to expect from the author; it has some really absorbing family dynamics…and it has some much darker themes which simmer below the sunshine. This is like swimming in a patch of gorgeous warm water and discovering that icy bit underneath. There are dark secrets in this family which are dealt with skilfully and intuitively.
I loved the character of Willow and Ellis in particular - Willow is gentle and self- effacing and nervous of doing things wrong …Ellis is the good guy we all want to meet and I’ll be honest with you one of his gestures brought tears to my eyes…there’s romance in me yet! But there are also a couple of seriously unpleasant characters who like that warm sea are not all they seem.
There’s real tension in this book as well as a driving concern for all these characters to have a happy ever after..
Oh and the setting is the real star - a gorgeous house by the sea..twinkling seas, distant boats on the horizon and a seat in the garden watching the view .. give me the house keys right now!
A very enjoyable read ..
With thanks to HQ and Netgalley for a digital copy of the book.

4.5 stars
This was an engaging story concerning the relationships between mother and daughters but also between siblings. It also relates how certain actions can have a knock on effect on others. Naomi was a widow and had two daughters, Martha and Willow. The sisters were the opposite of one another, unfortunately for Willow, her sister was the favourite of her father. There are secrets in the family that are eventually revealed, also a disturbing relationship and that you are never too old to find love. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is such an immersive read, it deserves 5 Stars without a doubt. The story of widowed Naomi, and her daughters Martha and Willow is beautifully written. The family dynamics are so well drawn, and the characterisation of the three women is wonderful. The menfolk, Ellis- new on the scene, Tom- husband of Martha, and Rick- the recent partner of Willow, are all very different personalities. They too are fully rounded characters in this story of secrets and lies that abound in virtually every family. The plotting and pace are excellent, and the narrative never flags.
I felt I knew these people, and was intrigued to find out how their stories would play out, so closely intertwined were they with one another. This kept me reading well into the night. When I finished it, I was reluctant to pick up a new book for a couple of days, so immersed was In this family story. The characters remained in my mind, I was so reluctant to let them go, always a sign of a really good book.
Erica James is a favourite author of mine, and she has produced a winner yet again.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book, I highly recommend it.

Love for three women in a tight-knit family. Erica James's books are always a delight to read and often about family dynamics. In this story, Naomi and her two daughters have become very close after the sudden death of Naomi's husband. But Naomi has a secret: she has a new man in her life. A pretty seaside setting and the way the women interact make this a very readable book. A good one to take on holiday.

A touching and honest portrayal of a mother and her two daughters dealing with that thing called life.

Naomi has been widowed for two years. Her daughters are chalk and cheese; Martha, the eldest, is a chip off the old block with her father’s characteristics, holding down a responsible job, and with a solid marriage the only thing not going her way is her need for a child. Younger sister Willow is more of a free spirit, floating through life from job to job, which was a constant frustration to her father. Naomi loves her two girls, but when she meets an old friend it upsets the equilibrium and, although they think they know everything about their mother, Naomi, like most of us, has her secrets – and she’s not the only one.

This is a wonderful family saga and Erica James has the ability of getting to the heart of families with an honesty I’ve long admired. Siblings are often very different to each other and the author does an excellent job of bringing life to her characters. It’s not all sweetness and light in their world, hidden secrets tend to reveal themselves in time and there are some shocking issues in this one. It is a lovely story of trauma and survival and I admired each of the women, but can’t help but feel that it’s a little fortuitous that everything worked out so easily. In my experience, it’s not that easy – but this is fiction and very well written fiction at that. Very enjoyable and a definite recommended read to every who enjoys a good family saga. 4.5*

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

I really enjoy Erica James's books and this one was no exception. Having lost my own father not too long ago it helped me to look outwards from my own experience and think about what it would have been like for my mother and siblings.
James writes about family in a really authentic way. I thought the way she portrayed the older sister was really accurate and just when it could have veered into two dimensional characterisation but as the plot thickens it is lovely to see her development.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book from the start. The style of writing drew me in and made me part of the story. The characters are very believable and in the case of Martha, very frustrating. I had lots of moments when I wanted to discuss it with someone to express my feelings about the characters!
A brilliant read.

A fabulous & heartwarming family story with believable characters. The book covers a lot of issues that come up in day to day lives and also those that are harder to talk about like manipulative behaviour, rape and miscarriage.
I totally enjoyed reading the way Naomi & her daughters found their way, all changing in the process.

I have only fairly recently discovered Erica James' wonderful writing which is ridiculous really given that Mothers and Daughters is her 24th novel! Her books about love, secrets, family drama and friendships are just my kind of read.

Mothers and Daughters is one of these books where you will probably, at least initially, relate to one character more than the others, perhaps depending on your own age and stage of life. I'm in between the ages of the mother and daughters in the book but was definitely more on the side of Naomi and so pleased for her finding love in later life and enjoying a fulfilling relationship with old friend Ellis. Martha quite annoyed me to begin with being so suspicious and judgemental about her mother's newfound happiness. But by the end you will fiercely love them all.

Naomi, Martha and Willow are all strong and complex female characters with all kinds of issues and secrets, strengths and flaws. Even Willow who seems to drift rather aimlessly through life has an inner strength at her core.

Erica James writes with wonderful insight into relationships of all kinds - romantic, familial, friendships, loving relationships and abusive relationships. Telling her story with multiple narrators builds up a complete and rounded picture of events through various viewpoints.

I stayed up late into the night to finish this one as I was so caught up in the lives of the three women. Mothers and Daughters is really captivating read, a book to lose yourself in, from a natural and gifted storyteller. I loved it from start to finish!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The book has happiness and sadness.

The story shows the love a mother has for her daughters and what she can do to ensure they are safe.

I loved the setting. Some hard topics are covered.

Naomi is a mother to Martha and Willow, her husband passed away a few years ago, and she’s got a secret that she’s not wanting to tell anyone.

Both Martha and Willow are settled and expecting they’re first child. Naomi has met Ellis, someone she knew from years ago. But Martha isn’t happy and with her husband and sister decides to visit her mother to see who this person is and why her mother is keen on him.

From this stage, things start to change in their family, old secrets are told and it looks as though what happened in the past is happening now again!

A brilliantly story of family, history and home.

Recommend this book.

A very moving story you just don`t want to put down.
Naomi is 63 and lost her husband two years ago and living in a small seaside village, her two daughters Martha and Willow are totally different, Martha is married has a good job and desperate for a baby while Willow is living day to day just got a new boyfriend who is controlling and finds she is pregnant and doesn`t want to tell her sister.
An old boyfriend of Naomi turns up renting next door to her and she finds she has feelings for him.

Loved all the character's and the relationship between mother and daughters, a very moving book which covers difficult subjects of domestic violence, death of spouse and unwanted pregnancy which was told very sympathetically done.
A great book would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Put on Goodreads

Naomi Miller lives in the seaside town on Tilsham. Naomi lives in the family home ‘Anchor House’, alone as her daughters have both flown the nest and her husband, Colin passed away a few short years ago. Naomi’s daughters both live in London, but here the similarity ends. Martha is head strong and determined, whilst Willow is easy going and flighty.

Ellis an acquaintance from years ago, moves into the house next door to Naomi and their relationship is soon rekindled. Meanwhile in London, Martha and her husband have struggles of their own. Willow has moved in with her boyfriend Rick, who doesn’t seem to be as he first appeared.

This book is an engaging family tale, following the relationships between the three women, and that with their partners. Although it sensitively explores subjects such as betrayal, domestic abuse, and coercive controlling behaviour, it’s still an enjoyable read.

Absorbing
This is the first book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the interweaving stories of the two sisters and their mother. Family is at the heart of this book and in the end triumphs over the adversity suffered by the women. The writing style reminded me of Sarah Morgan, one of my favourite authors, and I will certainly be looking out for her books in future. Recommended read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fantastic family drama, it’s been a while since I last read Erica James and now I’m asking myself why?
This was a great story of a mother and her two daughters . Naomi has gone to great lengths to hide some pretty shocking truths from Martha and Willow.
It’s amazing the strength a mother has when trying to do the best she can both as children and adults.
This book had lots of twists in it some I definitely didn’t see coming..
An amazing book with a beautiful happy ending.
Thank you HQ and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this fabulous book.

Its been a few years since I last read a book from Erica James, and her new novel was a real joy to read.
Naomi was widowed a couple of years ago and worries about her two very different daughters Martha and Willow. The story weaves around their lives, what is happening now, what happened before. Sensitively written around relationships, (don't want to give away too much)...... mainly set on the Sussex coast, and in London. Full of warm wisdom, depicting the connection and love between mother's, daughters and sisters, with some very unexpected twists, it had me enthralled and gripped to the very end.
Highly recommended its a great read and a real comment on females in relationships.
Thank you NetGalley for the early read, really loved and enjoyed this one!!

A great story by Erica James, following the lives of a mother and her two daughters. It uncovers secrets from the past, new romances, and also looks at domestic abuse and controlling behaviours in relationships, and how this can start off with minor things but can soon escalate to more. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced read.

This is such a delightful book which held my interest all the way through. The story touches on many difficult subjects in a very calm manner. We have domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy amongst others. Even though these are hard hitting subjects they are dealt with with incredible compassion. I loved the relationship between Naomi, Martha and Willow and all the difficulties that come with having two children who are completely different. A lovely story which will stay with me for a while

I very much enjoyed this book. It was a great family drama but also brought in some serious topics of family dynamics. The love a mother has for her children and how self-blame came into play both with Naomi the mother but also Willow who appeared to have inherited many of her mother’s traits. History definitely repeating itself.
Willow was clearly subjected to gas lighting and coercive controlling behaviour from her boyfriend whose baby she was having but she found an inner strength to make the break away from him. Something which her mother was never able to do.
Many secrets are revealed by Naomi, Martha and Willow. Naomi’s rekindling of love with Ellis played a large part of the story too

Another wonderful book from Erica James. She does not disappoint. She examines the relationship between mothers and daughters highlighting that no matter their age mothers still want to protect. It also delved into relationships and how they shape how we can behave and what we perceive as being normal. If you haven’t read Erica James before then this is one of the best. Loved it from the start.