This is the first book I have read from Irish Author Caroline Finnerty and it most definitely won't be my last.
You can guess the main plot of the book from the very first few pages (don't let that deter you) but I was interested to see how it would play out.
A Mother's Secret tell the story of an impossible situation through several main characters point, often emotional and at times gripping. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one day (that's unheard of these days!) and will be seeking out others books by Ms Finnerty.

I absolutely flew through this book, finishing it in two short sittings. Caroline writes gripping, emotional and believable domestic drama, which is absolutely my favourite reading genre.

I did feel one particular strand of the story was quite predictable, and I did figure that out quite early on, but that did not impede my enjoyment at all. I was still absolutely hooked as I followed these two broken families on their journey for answers and solutions, to two situations which in all honesty could happen to anyone in isolation but the unique set of circumstances tying the two storylines together is very unique and clever.

This book tackles huge issues in an accessible and yet still touching way. I find Caroline’s books both easy to read and devastatingly emotional.

This has been a difficult review to write as I really don’t want to give anything away. Throughout the course of the story, I developed sympathies for all three of the main characters: James, Helena and Aidan. I also thought the strand involving Callum was an important one to explore.

Overall, an emotional and important portrayal of family life, being grateful for what you have and building yourself back up from devastation. I have loved this book and will be sure to read more by this author in future.

This is my first book by the author and I am looking forward to reading more of her work.

This is such a beautiful but heart wrenching novel. As soon as Rowan picked up James, I could tell what was going to be revealed and my interest was instantly held, to see how it would all unravel.

I was invested in all of the characters (apart from Rowan’s dad!) And could feel each of their emotions through the pages. I especially enjoyed that we saw Jack and Callum’s feelings, as sometimes in novels like this the focus is on the adult.

I absolutely loved the ending, which was the perfect outcome 💕

I've read several of Caroline's books before, they are such amazing books. The stories they tell so realistic, the characters credible, and the stories stay with you long after you've finished turning the pages.

So beautifully written, the story is compelling, tragic and full of consequence.

I kind of got the idea where the story was going very early on, but it certainly didn't distract from my enjoyment of the book.

Heartbreaking, extremely emotional, and hard to read in places.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Though this is different from the books I normally read I'm glad I read it. It's a lovely story and a very emotional read. The author did a great job with the writing and allowing us to feel what the characters felt. The multiple points of view I really enjoyed. It allowed me to understand why some of the decisions and choices were made. Overall a really good read!

Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Caroline Finnerty for sharing this book with me!

A mother's secret by Caroline Finnerty.
In one split second, Aidan Whelan’s perfect world is changed forever when his wife Rowan and three-year old daughter Milly are involved in tragic accident.
This was a good read with good characters. Likeable story. 4*.

A well written thought provoking and emotional read. Families are torn apart. Definitely an upsetting read and bought tears to my eyes.

What a tangled web we weave…

‘A Mother’s Secret’ is a thought-provoking and compelling story exploring how the consequences of our actions can have far- reaching consequences.

When Aidan, Helena and James discover a devastating secret after a car crash which kills Aidan’s wife Rowan, their lives are thrown into turmoil. Both Helena and James act rashly, with their own experiences of infertility playing a huge part in their decision-making.

Aidan, meanwhile, struggling to come to terms with his wife’s death alongside her betrayal, also has to cope with helping his children grieve the loss of their mother so James’ actions only serve to pile additional heartache on an already traumatic time.

Each character’s flaws are brought to the fore, with the reader totally caught up in the drama and emotion of the plot. This is a tough read in places, especially if any of the storyline resonates with you personally, but it is exceptionally well written and a thoroughly engaging read.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

A Mother’s Secret by Caroline Finnerty is a heart wrenching contemporary novel about family, love and loss. It totally consumed me. This is a very emotional read about a family that is ripped apart by loss and secrets. There are many questions but no answers as the family is suspended in limbo.
A couple are also shattered by events as what was once solid ground is shaken.
There is the whole debate about nature or nurture – what is it that makes you a parent?
We witness the strong love of a three year old for her family. Caroline Finnerty has perfectly captured her mannerisms and speech patterns. Her bubbly personality lodged in my heart.
There is the difficult topic of infertility. Its impact on lives is painful to witness.
Caroline Finnerty has written a powerful tale that is all consuming. I could not put it down as it tugged at my heart. I look forward to reading much more by her.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book I have read by Caroline Finnerty. I definitely will be reading more.
Such an emotional and well written book about two families brought together by a tragedy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy.

This was a fantastic story. Totally heartbreaking for so many reasons. I really enjoyed getting the different POVs of the characters as I felt it helped me truly understand their motivations. It’s not an easy book and very different to what I usually read but it had me hooked.

What an absolutely heart rending book. A unique story of devastation that two families are left in through a sudden and awful accident that leaves one family without their Mother and one family with many questions. This story has 3 main characters , Helena, James and Aidan. Helena is a complex character who is utterly broken after her and James's attempts at beginning a family have finally come to an end. She has to come to terms with the fact she will never have a child. Her marriage is in a bit of turmoil, then her husband James is involved in a car crash. Why was he in the car with Rowan? (Aidan's wife) Will she ever forgive him when. lies and deceit come to light.
Aidan is devastated at the lose of his wife. His 3 children are totally lost and and on top of all that he has the most over bearing Father-in-law who puts him down at every opportunity. Can Aidan ever properly grieve for his beloved wife after learning secrets that he can not believe.
A wonderfully written book that draws you in to each of the characters lives. They each have a story to tell that we really get to know in depth, with compassion and understanding. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A beautiful yet so very sad. tale. A story of family, love, loss and lies.

First, I want to thank Caroline Finnerty, Boldwood Books, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with this book to bring you this review.

O.M.G!! Grab a box of tissues and clear your schedule for Caroline Finnerty A Mother’s Secret! Caroline’s beautifully written story pulled hard on my heart strings so much that she made me ugly cry! Ohh how I love a book that can move me to tears! Caroline’s book is a 5 star must add to your TBR list.

Caroline would like to dedicate this book to her Dad. She thanks you for starting her love affair with books and supporting her in every way.

WOW!! Just WOW!! What a way to start off a book!!! MAN OH MAN my heart leapt out of my chest with this one! I literally felt like I was there watching everything unfold!! I knew right there and then that I was hooked line and sinker into the story and wouldn’t be able to put my Kindle down!

Oh how could you not fall in love with sweet Milly in A Mother’s Secret! She was the cutest and sweetest little girl ever! I loved how Caroline made her dialogue like a little girl would speak. My heart ached for her for so many different reasons. I wanted to hop inside the book and just give her a big hug!

I absolutely loved how this book seemed to have a little bit of everything such as important topics, mystery, suspense, secrets, drama, and heartbreak.

My first read by this author, outside of my normal genre and a very satisfying read. Well written and with the full gamut of emotions; love and hate, joy and grief, caring and selfishness- you get the idea. On the downside I did find it quite slow to get started and the main characters seemed a big slow on the uptake about what the secret was that Rowan was going to reveal. However, on the upside the story moved along at a much better pace once the secret was revealed and the descriptions of the actions and emotions were excellent.

Briefly, after Rowan Whelan is killed in a car crash, her passenger James O’Herlihy injured and her 3 year old daughter Maisie left in a coma. Rowan’s husband Aiden and her two boys all deal with their grief in different ways. Whereas James’s wife Helena, who has been devastated to learn she won’t ever carry a baby full term, has come to realise just how much she loves her husband. But when a secret is revealed the consequences are devastating for them all.

A heart wrenching story about the dreadful way some people can act in the face of desperation and despair, with no though if the impact on others that will be affected by their actions. Brilliantly told and a good read. An author I would definitely explore again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The mother's secret of the title is pretty much revealed right from the epilogue, but it's ok because this book is so much more than that. The "secret" is only the starting point of a journey the author masterfully accompanies us through. A journey through loss, grieving, love, lies and family ties. An emotional read, beautifully written. Definitely recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s so hard to put in words how much I loved this book. It was a touching, realistic story of how one instant can change so many peoples lives. The characters are flawed and so honest.

The author writes about the pain and loss so beautifully. Parts were extremely hard to read & at times I hated one character but it was still probably my favorite read in a long time.

Absolutely brilliant..
My first time delving into work by author Caroline Finnerty and I am engrossed..
Great storyline, fantastic characters and more than a little drama added to the mix.
Imagine being in a car accident before you are able to tell the other person a secret.
The consequences, the betrayals and leaving behind a mess that others need to sort out.
I really felt for the character of Aidan in this storyline.
Married to Rowan, Aidan thinks they have a great lifestyle thanks to his hard work.
When his wife is not around anymore, he realises a little too late how much she did for their family.
He can't begin to imagine how he is going to cope without her.
Helena and her husband James have had their difficulties little realising what is ahead of them and the crash that James has been involved in is only the start of it.
Love love loved this read. Well worth the time

This is another emotional book from an excellent author. I did guess what Rowan planned to reveal to James but that didnt spoil the story in any way . I couldnt imagine how the story could end without heartbreak all round , but it came to a good conclusion in my opinion. This is a book that I would highly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC

I almost gave up reading this book but I am so glad that I carried on reading. Life is a struggle but we all get through it and this story could be so true to some. Well worth a read, very well written but please don't worry if the first few pages make it look ass though you will give up. Brilliant story line and well worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Mother’s Secret’ written by Caroline Finnerty in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Aiden’s life is changed forever when he learns that his wife Rowan and their three-year-old daughter Milly have sustained serious injuries in a car accident. At the hospital he meets Helena whose husband James has also been injured in a car crash, but what Aiden can’t understand is why James was in Rowan’s car as she was driving along the Coast Road.

‘A Mother’s Secret’ is the moving story of two families who strike up an acquaintance in hospital after a traumatic car crash. There are so many themes that have been intricately woven into this heart-wrenching story, the loss of a loved one and a family coping in crisis, the suffering of miscarriages and the desire to hold one’s own baby, all joining together to form a heart-wrenching story of love, loss and pain. I liked all the characters, even James who didn’t always show his better side, and the further I read the more my heart went out to Aiden and his sons who were in their own ways struggling with grief. I’m a great admirer of Ms Finnerty who has the ability to write such a remarkable novel that had me choked with emotion yet still manages to include joy and happiness within its pages. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and wholeheartedly recommend it.