This was a very complex fiction book, I loved the romance as it was a slow progression and I also enjoyed the relationship and connection between the mother and the daughter as I think it shows the progression of how relationships can change when they both are dealing with traumatic situationships and how they are growing out of them.

This is a general fiction novel about a woman called Delphine, and her daughter Em. It has a lovely story, which is heartwarming and inspiring. I really enjoyed it.

Delphine is a single mother who works hard to support herself, her daughter and her father. She has gone through a lot in her life. This is the story about how she picks herself up and betters herself, fulfilling her dreams, and becoming who she has always wanted to be.

The audiobook narrator is wonderful, and her voice suited the story perfectly.

Many thanks to the author, narrator, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

A moving, ultimately uplifting story that was beautifully read. I'll look out for more of Beth Morrey's work, both in print and audio format. I found her characters well rounded and engaging.

Really enjoyed this one on audio - the narrators voice sounded familiar and so suited this story.
Loved Delphine's story - pregnant at 16 and struggling financially to bring up her child Em and look after her father. She knew she wanted more and the book is the story of her trying new things, of coming out of her shell and of her achievements.
I loved Saving Missy which I read last year and wasn't sure this would be as good - but it was. Beth writes such marvelous characters.
Loved Delphine's relationships with the other female characters in the book.

I would love to be able to write a full review but I lost audio a few chapters in and it wouldn't play anymore - I enjoyed what I had listened to so will get a copy of the physical book!

Such an easy listen! The story was heartwarming & relatable! It was lovely to root for the main character.

I also think the narrator did well. It was engaging & well performed!

Full review to follow on my blog this week at www..Instagram.com/the.readinglife

Em and Me is the second novel by Beth Morrey and the audiobook is read by Pearl Mackie. Single mother Delphine lives with her widowed father and 11 year old daughter Em. Since the death of her mother and her pregnancy at the age of 17 Delphine's life has been on hold. Working at a cafe to make ends meet she abandoned her academic dreams and is focused on caring for Em and her father. However, a new job, friends and hobbies open up Delphine's world and give her the confidence to begin to realise her dreams. This was an engaging and joyful listen full of interesting characters and a feel good plot. I found myself really rooting for Delphine and the cast of interesting and likeable characters. The author writes with ease and empathy and her words were brought to life beautifully by Pearl Mackie. A recommended listen.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this digital audiobook.

I have never read a book by Beth Morrey before, but I had heard great reviews of this one and added it to my TBR Mountain far too quickly. I was later gifted an audio copy from the publisher, HarperCollins, so I switched between the hardcover and the audio copy, which meant I could continue reading while driving.

This has a beautiful cover which attracted me alongside the great reviews. Since her mother's death when she was thirteen and the birth of her daughter, Em, at seventeen, Delphine Jones has been unable to let go of the past. She is obsessed with protecting Em and has been living in the shadows, doing whatever is necessary to provide for her and to help her father, with whom they also live.

Delphine begins to want more after her daughter, Em, starts secondary school and she meets her English teacher. She remembers what it was like to be ambitious and to want more, rediscovering who she is and making new friends. Through some twists and turns, her long-held secret is finally revealed.

Delphine became independent after her mother's death when she was so young, and her father didn't cope well with her death. This further intensified with her surprise pregnancy and subsequent birth of her daughter. I loved the characters and the relationships between Delphine and Em and her father.

Em is a determined, intelligent and somewhat sneaky young lady. She works hard to listen out for opportunities for her mother and pushes her to start again and have a second chance.

There is a large cast of other characters, but I enjoyed Letty, Delphine's new friend and a delightfully fun character.

I loved the strong female relationships and bonding. Beth Morrey delves into the characters' emotions, and it's so beautifully written. The ending is heartfelt and warming, exactly as it should be for this story. It's emotionally intelligent and nuanced.

I really enjoyed this novel and would love to read others by Beth Morrey in future. I loved seeing Delphine grow and succeed against the odds and make something of her life while she was young. The future seems bright for her, and this is an uplifting, feel-good read enhanced by Pearl Mackie's lovely narration.

A really moving story of family, friends and moving forward. Delphine lives with her 12 year old daughter Em and her dad who has never recovered from the death of her mum. An emotional, down to earth and believable read.

Narrator 5 stars

Story 5 stars
I absolutely loved this. I found the story and its evolution so beautiful. This was my first Beth Morrey book but promptly after finishing this and went to the Kindle store and brought her others.

A multi-level book chronicalling the life and troubles of Delphine. Exceptionally academically and musically gifted, daughter of a French woman and English dad, her mother dies when Delphine is 13, and thereafter Delphine and her dad struggle to make ends meet, and to survive this emotional turmoil.
Delphine slowly reawakens her academic ambitions, befriends and eccentric French speaker, thus rediscovering her French language, starts to play the piano and sing again.
Told in dual timelines, Delphine through the ages, and in the now, Delphine rediscovers herself and emerges from her deep emotional stupor.
This really is a wonderful story of self discovery

I really enjoyed Pearl Mackie’s narration. And her French was excellent.

This is a nice enough tale about a single mother's struggles to do the best for her family, whilst seeking to better herself in life; although she takes some coaxing and maneuvering by friends and family to actually put herself forward for most of the 'bettering' opportunities which come her way. I can't in all honesty say that this was a riveting read - it all felt a little ordinary, with nothing much happening to make it an interesting or compelling read.

Slightly annoying were the untranslated french phrases - listening to the audio gave no option to copy the text and translate via google - being ignorant of the meaning probably doesn't detract from the context of the book (I think) but it all seems a little pointless putting it in there if you are not going to offer insight into what it actually means.

I wish I could say I enjoyed this book more, but it's not one where anything happens to make me remember it long term. Thanks anyway to NetGallery and HarperCollins UK Audio for allowing me to get a copy of the book.

Delphine Jones has become stuck. She lost her mother when she was a teenager and her father has never recovered, she had her daughter when she was just seventeen and she has just lost her job. But she doesn't give up hope on getting everything her teenage self wanted.

When everything seems to be at its worse, that's when new opportunities present themselves.

This is a perfect example of how it's difficult to review brilliant things. It's such a character-full story with real heart that grips you from the start and sits with you long after you've finished.

Delphine is an endearing character and her story resonates profoundly, both in the contemporary setting and the secondary school flashbacks. Em is clever but reflective. Lettie and Ros are thoroughly good fun. Dylan is an absolute mess and deeply lovable.

It's also a nice representation of the education system and the realities of teaching. The hardships are not glossed over but they're also not dwelled upon. Teaching is challenging but amazing and Ros encapsulates that perfectly.

Pearl Mackie's audio narration is faultless. She understood the changing tone throughout and voiced this accordingly. Each character has a unique voice/accent/tone to differentiate between them, which helps with making this an easy listen.

If you like chick lit then this book is for you. Story of a half french girl who has a baby at 16 and brings her up herself dealing with lidless trials and tribulations. Finally gets herself together and goes back to school and the things she loved and finds her life is really rather good. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

What an absolutely lovely read, this book tells the story of Delphine and her daughter Em as they struggle and then triumph through life’s ups and downs.

The narrator does a great job and has an amazing voice which makes listening even more of a pleasure.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

A tale of new loss, 1st love, mistakes and new beginnings. In Em & me Delphine, a single mother to Em, a preteen, both living with her Delphine's father, who has been a shell since the early death of his wife Jojo.
We follow a chain of events that see's Delphine, the sole breadwinner losing her job after an altercation at work. But this turns out to be the catalyst for new beginnings and growth, thanks to the support of her daughter Em, an old teacher and new friends. With struggles and loss along the way, Delphine looks back at the past so that she can finally move forward and be who she was always meant to be.
I absolutely loved this audiobook, winding along with every twist and turn in it's journey till it's satisfying conclusion.
The narrator, Pearl Mackie, brought so much life into it, each character separate and with their own accent, not to mention Peal switching from English to French with impressive fluidity.
The story itself, though with moments of palpable sadness and despair, left the reader with an uplifting message: it is never too late to try again and change your path.

Perfect for an audiobook, the narration was exceptional and really bought the characters alive. Great story and a pleasure to listen too

A compelling read…. A big-hearted, hopeful novel about finding second chances – and taking them. I listened to this as an audio book and felt the narrators really helped bring the story to life. The narrator narrated the book beautifully, and I loved the depictions of the different characters.

I had read and very much enjoyed Saving Missy so was delighted to be approved to read Beth Morrey's latest book, Em & Me. This is a lovely story of Delphine and her daughter Em, beautifully told and featuring wonderful characters and a moving storyline.
Extremely well narrated which definitely enhanced my enjoyment of this audiobook.
With grateful thanks to NetGalley and Beth Morrey for my copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book grabbed my attention right from the very first paragraph!

Dephine Jones lost her mother tragically when she was very young, and from that moment, her life changed. Whilst being an very gifted and bright scholar, she needs to take care of her grieving father and all the complications and emotions that - and being a teenage girl - brings.

Fast forward a good couple of years and Dephine is still looking after her father who is a social recluse, and she is now a single mother (of a wonderfully bright and funny daughter named Em), but stuck in a dead-end job. Where are all the hopes and dreams of the star-student from years ago? One day she decides that enough is enough - and it marks another change of direction in her life.

I want to keep my review #spoilerfree, so let me keep it high-level. It is a story of second chances, healing and inspiration filled with beautiful dialogue and fascinating, lovable characters. Yes, I cried. Some may say that it was a bit predictable, but it does not distract from the engrossing story. I was obsessed for a good couple of days!

I listened to the audiobook edition (with thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley), as narrated by Pearl Mackie, and it was an absolute joy to listen to. Really enjoyed her French accent as well.

I am so keen to read more Beth Morrey! AND, Beth published a playlist on her website to accompany "Em & Me" https://www.bethmorrey.co.uk/News/

Pub Date 03 Feb 2022 (UK)
General Adult Fiction
#NetGalley #EmMe