Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book as it probably wouldn’t have crossed my reading path.
I expected a light read and this was certainly not, much deeper and darker.

Duckling is at the heart of it a story about found family and about a woman who finds that she is better than she thinks she is. I did go into this book thinking it would be a light and fluffy read but it turned out to be a lot darker than I expected. Not in a bad way, just not how I thought the book would be from the cover and synopsis. Overall though a enjoyable read and I’m glad I have experienced it.

A really good book that I am glad I got the chance to read & review & will recommend to others. Thanks for the opportunity.

Eve Ainsworth tells us the story of Lucy, a 30-year-old woman, who shut herself from the world after a troubled childhood, when she was still just a little Duckling. The past and her relationship with her dad, shaped her to be a loner with a distorted image of herself.

She lived the best part of her adult life on her own, with no friends to call her own, until one evening Cassie, her single mum neighbour, asks to take care of her 7-year-old daughter, Rubi. After some reluctance, Lucy agrees to look after the child – after all, it’s just for a couple of hours… Except Cassie, doesn’t come back that night. Or the morning after…
On her quest to find Cassie, this incredibly clever little girl shows Lucy that she’s so much more beautiful and stronger that she thought herself to be.

Eve managed to accurately represent the personality of children that are raised in underprivileged families, often a bit too mature for their age. An amazing story about love, friendship and finding your self-worth.
Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy. I don't know if this book would have crossed my path if I'd not been emailed about it and now I want to read all Eve's other stuff.

Absolutely loved this book. I read it in a day. Great characters who you really root for.

Duckling is one of those books making me realize how privileged and thankful I am for being able to read books through Netgalley. Not sure if this book would have found its way to me otherwise, but I'm glad it did.

This is a very down to earth, yet sort of sad story about how guilt and unease, even fear, can hold someone back. About not leaving one's comfort zone just for the sake of it.
I enjoyed and keep coming back to the scene Brian's tearoom for a Sunday brunch before all hell broke loose.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

This was an unusual read with an intriguing main character in Lucy who was damaged by her childhood, considers herself a bit of a freak, has no self confidence and as such outside of work keeps herself to herself. Told primarily over a couple of days when Lucy is very unexpectedly asked to look after her young neighbour Rubi for a few hours but this turns into overnight and longer and Lucy becomes increasingly concerned by what might have happened to Rubi’s mum. Lucy was a very memorable character, brilliantly awkward and uncomfortable and Rubi was bright but with great bursts of six year olds insight and worry. With a few other characters about whom Lucy’s perspective changes through the story this is an unexpected gem. 9/10

This was a quick, easy and uplifting read that was well written with a loveable and relatable protagonist and a heartwarming storyline. I will definitely be looking for more from this authore. I loved it.

'Duckling' by Eve Ainsworth is a life-affirming, heart-warming tale of Lucy, a lonely, shy young woman who gets left with her neighbour's child one day. Rubi is a precocious but loveable little girl of nearly 8, who gradually wins Lucy's love, and at the same time teaches her to trust again. Eve Ainsworth is an expert at writing about families, relationships and the challenges and complexities of modern life. I raced through this book, desperate to find out what happens. A fast-paced, moving book, for all readers who love a contemporary mystery with a heart.