Oh i am so sad to say that I didn't really enjoy that book. I really wanted to love it or even to like it at the very least as I LOVE Beth Moran books usually... but I don't know what happened here.... This story was way too strange for me, way too sad and heavy. I was just not into the story, I was not attracted by the main characters. I found everything a bit too strange. I really wanted to love it but well I guess, not this time! But I won't give up on Beth Moran because she is a brilliant author, believe me!

Growing up with a mum who is lost in grief and an extended family who are neglectful was not easy for Marion. Now an adult, she heads to England to find out about her Dad and his family, a family she has never known. When she turns up at a holiday park in Sherwood Forest she finally feels like she belongs somewhere. Healing the trauma of her past she is on a journey of self discovery and self identity.

I loved this book.

Wow I loved the story of marion her struggles and how she perceives with what life throws at her her. Scarlett is the woman we all want to met to guide through the ups and downs, and rueben is well just the hero we all need ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've enjoyed all of Beth Moran's books I've read so far.
This was a moving story dealing with childhood loss and trauma and trying to investigate family history. Marion's transformation into a strong young woman who allows her heart to expand to love and forgive makes for great reading.
Although there were many characters and sub-plots in this story, each of them were etched very clearly.
Despite these difficult subjects, there was humour and laughs in this lovely story.

I love Beth Moran's books they are so full of heart and make me feel all warm inside. It focuses on Marion, a young woman who had an appalling childhood, her father died when she was seven, her cousin bullied her and her mother’s extreme emotional and physical neglect. She finds a photo of her father when he was young and comes to Sherwood Forest to find out more about him. It took a while to get in to the story, but once I did, I couldn't put it down.

Even though Beth Moran’s novel (her debut work, re-published under a new title), is set in Sherwood Forest in Nottingham and not in Dublin, I had some Maeve-Binchyeske moments when reading this novel. Perhaps because the novel’s main character is also from an Irish background and because the novel evokes a similar range of emotions in the reader who is invited to trace the joyous journey of self-discovery as so many of Binchy’s characters were.

Moran’s protagonist, Marion, leaves Northern Ireland to find out more about her father’s story, and to escape an increasingly demanding fiancé who has just proposed to her. In the unlikely setting of a Sherwood Forest campsite, where she is unexpectedly recruited as a receptionist, things start to fall into place for her: not only a job but also an adopted family, a newly found confidence, and a way of coping with her emotional legacy, which is revealed to the reader through flashbacks that Marion has.

Although there are some heavy issues alluded to in this novel, and perhaps slightly too many characters with too many additional side stories, the overall effect of this novel is its feelgood factor. A warm, encouraging read, this is a good novel to start to get to know Beth Moran the writer. I am grateful to the publishers and to NetGalley for the free ARC that allowed me to read this book and to publish this review.

A sweet story with a bit of mystery and a large side of trauma. Marion arrives at a campground near Sherwood Forest, not knowing a soul. Through flashbacks we learn that Marion's father died when she was quite young, leaving her with an abusive mother and other family members who added to her trauma.

As an adult, Marion learns that her father is not who he purported to be, and her only clue to his true identity is a photo of him, dressed as Robin Hood in the Sherwood Forest festival. She arrives anxious to uncover information about her father, but there are many who want that info to remain hidden.

That's only part of the story, though. "Because You Loved Me" is also about forgiveness and healing and chosen family, and that's before we even get into the "which guy will she end up with" quandary! There's a lot going on in this book, and while all of the story lines are interesting, some of them aren't as filled out as others are.

Truth be told, I had a hard time really getting into this book. I didn't feel like it really got interesting until over 40% in, and even then I wouldn't say it really "grabbed" me. That could be a "me" thing- maybe this just wasn't the book I was in the mood for. 3.5 stars.

In any case, I'm thankful to the author, publisher, and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
#BecauseYouLovedMe

At first I really struggled to get into the story but once I did it was an unexpected emotional read. It focuses on Marion, a young woman who had an appalling childhood, her father died when she was seven, her cousin bullied her and her mother’s extreme emotional and physical neglect. She finds a photo of her father when he was young and comes to Sherwood Forest to find out more about him. A great read and quite different from Moran's other novel I have read "Let it Snow."

This was not a rom com I could get into. Maybe it is the time I am reading it but it felt so predictable that I felt myself skimming and rushing through it.
I just felt like the writing was kind of so-so and not enough was going on for me to stay interested in the book.

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me and kept me turning pages until I was done. Finished it in two days! The character development was strong, and the premise was unique enough that it didn't feel like anything else I've read.

Book Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brief synopsis:
Marion Miller fleas her oppressive life in Ireland, in hopes of finding herself and peace from her past. Looking for directions in a foreign town, Marion encounters Scarlett, an expert at giving second chances. With a job offer she can’t resist, Marion makes a new life. Her growing found family help her forgive those that have wronged her and discover what it means to life a happy and fulfilling life.

My Thoughts:
This book caught me off guard. I had previously read a book by Beth Moran titled Let It Snow. It was a cute romance and I loved it. So when I saw this title and cover, it led me to believe this would be the same. Be forewarned, while this is a fantastic book, it is heavy and would qualify more as a literary fiction. The content is anything but fluffy and may be hard for some readers.

With all of that being said. I did enjoy this story. I especially appreciated the late coming of age experience Marion has. It isn’t until she is in her late twenties that Marion begins to truly live. Her story is filled with resilience and forgiveness.

My Favorite Quote:
“Sometimes there are no excuses. People do things that are wrong, even wicked, and they aren’t sorry and never brought to justice as far as we can see. But we choose to love anyway. Because love wins. And it is always, without exception better to live with love than with hate”.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I DNF'd around 20%. I really wanted to like this book as I read Let it Snow and that book is weird and entertaining. This book was just weird. The flashbacks give some insight into Marion but doesn't really explain why she seems to be on the run or escaping to a new town. All the characters are pretty much similar and not really distinguishable except maybe for our FMC. I just didn't feel like the story was going anywhere tbh.

Warning: Body shaming and mental health issues are mentioned in this book.

A very moving story, which unearthed a whole heap of emotions.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

DNF @ 27%

I tried; I really did. I went into this book optimistic--the premise sounded interesting enough, and I love a romance story. But the story fell apart pretty quickly.

On a small note, the book used single quotation marks instead of double for dialogue, and I'm never crazy about that.

On a bigger note, it drove me insane just how much of this book was flashbacks/backstory. I appreciate learning who Marion was, but there's no explanation as to who she is now or what she's doing in this new town. And it's not limited to Marion--there's no character development for any of the characters. No sense of who they are or what makes them unique; they were all indistinguishable from each other.

When the body-shaming and mental health stigma started popping up, I knew I was done. I would not recommend picking up this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a lot of hard subjects in it. I loved Scarlett and how she took everyone in and that Marion was able to grow and get her life back

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

What a journey! This is an adorable story which serves you the decent amount of warmness and shiver that came along as the story goes by. I thought I was having a warm and lighthearted book but it turns out it was better than what I imagined.

Marion's growth from a suffering childhood and being invisible adult to fully able to make it on her own is kinda inspiring. I love each Scarlett's life lessons and takes. I bet the campsites are amazing (I wish it's real). All the quirky characters are charming, yet they aren't flawless. I love there's a decent amount of bad and good people, learning about forgiveness and adulting. I couldn't lie that I was anxious to find out what's been hidden about Marion's father from her. Though at first, it's confusing to read but once I pick the pace, it's all worth it. I sort of wished we could get the epilog between Marion and Reuben's relationship, while I know it's not a solely a romance book but their exchanges and little moments together are so cute. I really need a "real date" scene between them.

Plot: Marion leaves her home country of Ireland to go in search of answers about the Father she lost as a child. She leaves behind a Fiance and mother who is still grieving for her husband. She finds herself being offered a job and accommodation at a holiday park in Sherwood Forest run by Scarlett and her daugher, Grace.

Review: This was a lovely story, full of laughs and tears along the way. It was full of a lot of interesting and loveable characters. I loved the backdrop of Sherwood Forest and its band of waffs and strays that work at the park. It was well written and had an enjoyable plot.

Because You Loved Me by Beth Morah
(This novel was first published as Making Marion)
Comes out January 11th, 2023

This is my first book by this author!
It started off pretty slow and I was struggling to get into it but I pushed through and actually found myself invested in the story. It wasn’t my favorite read but I am glad I pushed through and read the whole thing.

Themes:
personal growth
facing harsh truths
overcoming trauma and abuse
finding oneself

Triggers:
Mention of cancer
Blame from mother
Neglected child
Verbal abuse
sexual assault/sexual harassment
suicide
some violence

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

The story is written from the point of view of Marion, a young woman who has left Ireland and come to Sherwood Forest in search of information about her late father. It opens with Marion arriving at a campsite and being mistaken for a new employee.

This was my first of Beth Moran's books and I was expecting a lighthearted read perhaps with a bit of romance. The story details the lives of the campsite owners and employees, their relationships and ups and downs and it also explores Marion's life, her early years and how she came to be in Nottinghamshire. Marion has lived with selective mutism since her dad died which is something that has affected me on and off in my life. Finding out about Marion's life was utterly heartbreaking and I loved watching her grow and begin to find feelings of worth. All the characters were flawed but loveable (well, maybe they weren't all loveable...). Scarlett and Valerie were fab and I wish I had them in my life! There was a lot packed into the novel - illness, death, neglect, abuse, financial worries, family dramas but it was filled with real warmth amd moments of joy. I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend it, especially if you want a read that's cosy but with depth and emotion. I will definitely be reading more by the author. Another winner from Boldwood Books! 4.5 stars

I listened to this up until 25% and then I decided to stop. There is nothing wrong with the story but I just found my mind wondering and not caring about the storyline too much. The jumping back and forth between the past and present was confusing on audio and I felt we had been introduced to so many characters that I was losing the storyline. I think this would be easier to digest in book form so I may pick it up again at some point.