A poignant tale which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Beautifully written

The Girl She Left Behind by Joe Bartlett is not the easiest book to read but it certainly packs a punch and holds your interest throughout. It deals with the darker side of life, topics like narcissism, broken dysfunctional families and suicide are all part of this heart breaking novel, that being said though, Jo Bartlett writes about them with sensitivity and sympathy. She draws her characters so well and realistically that you cannot but be moved and invested in the story. I loved it and couldn't put it down, it was amazing and tugs at so many emotions.

Heartbreaking and a huge change com Jo’s usually writing. I still enjoyed the story and really felt for the family.

Love this ladies books
This is a stand-alone book and it didn’t disappoint
So many emotions had me sucked in from the first page to the last
Thanks NetGalley

A book that stands out from the crowd. The characters and the setting are written exceptionally well.
Sad and heartbreaking but also uplifting and inspiring!

Jo Bartlett’s The Girl She Left Behind is a hard-hitting, emotional and thought-provoking read that will break every reader’s heart.

Phoebe Spencer had known from a very early age that she needed to put as much distance as possible between herself and her emotionally manipulative mother. Phoebe has built a new life for herself, yet she still cannot shake off the feeling that she is merely running away from her problems. She had always hoped to never have cause to revisit her past ever again – until she hears that her sister Lucy has disappeared and left her four year old daughter Darcy behind.

Phoebe knows that Lucy would never abandon her child and when she begins to fear the worst, she realizes that she will have to step up and do everything she possibly can for her niece – even if it means confronting the past and facing up to some harsh and uncomfortable truths. With her mother intent on taking control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe realises that if she wants to do right by Darcy, then she must prepare herself to pay the highest price of all.

Is Phoebe strong enough to be there for Darcy through thick and thin? Or will this end up being a battle she simply cannot win?

Jo Bartlett’s The Girl She Left Behind is a slight departure for this popular author of the Cornish Midwives series, however, readers both old and new to her work will certainly not be disappointed. Jo Bartlett tackles some difficult issues with intelligence, sensitivity and flair and will have readers reaching for the tissues on many occasions as they find themselves completely consumed by this complex, astute and powerful novel.

With The Girl She Left Behind, Jo Bartlett proves herself to be a writer of extraordinary scope and talent and I cannot wait to read what she writes next.

This book is about grief. There is alot of sensitive subjects in this book and the author has done a great job. What I loved the most about this book was the characters. Jo's writing had me emotionally connected and I honestly couldnt put it down.

Loved this such a sad story. The mother was a very well described and unlikeable character.. really enjoyed the journey through the shock sadness grief forgiveness and ultimately finding happiness again

Phoebe Spencer left home a long time ago, desperate to get away from her mother's emotional manipulation. Then Phoebe hears that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared, leaving behind her four-year old daughter, Darcy. As days passed, there's still no sign of Lucy and everyone fears the worst. And as their mother makes it clear she wants to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe must do all she can to protect the girl her sister left behind – no matter the cost to her.

I gotta admit it - this is a heartbreaking read but oh boy, it sure is SLOW. I kept finding myself postponing it and leaving it that it took me 3 weeks to finally finish it. If this is written as a novella in about 100 pages, I'd be very happy about it.

For about 300 pages, I find almost everything repetitive. From Janet's (Phoebe's mother) narcissistic acts and manipulations to Phoebe's non-stop judgement towards how she should have been helping Lucy from the start and to how the small town folks react is exhausting.

Nevertheless I still feel heartbroken for Darcy as she consistently asks for her missing mother. No child should ever feel like that and it breaks my heart to see her that way.
𝓜𝔂 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐⭐⭐/5

Thanks @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for a copy of this ARC in return for an honest review on NetGalley.

The Girl She Left Behind by @jo_bartlett123 tells the story of Phoebe, a busy professional in London who gets a call that her younger sister, Lucy, has disappeared and left her young niece, Darcy, with a neighbour in her former hometown. Phoebe knows that like herself, Lucy had some mental health challenges, which were inevitable with their complex childhood growing up with a mentally ill parent, and so worries about the meaning of this disappearance start immediately. Yet, Phoebe can't let herself believe that Lucy would actually leave behind her sweet young daughter and fights to ensure the police complete a full investigation into Lucy's disappearance, despite their initial findings which pointed to suicide. Phoebe continues to search for answers, while taking care of a small child she barely knows, avoiding her parents who are quite delusional and trying to figure out her next steps in a life she hadn't expected to find herself living.

This story tackles an obviously difficult topic to read about, but Bartlett was able to weave in some really beautiful descriptions, some interesting supporting characters and provide multiple points of view through third person narration, keeping things lighter than other books I've read on this topic. That being said, there were times where a little more depth of emotion and a little less descriptive writing may have been helpful. I also had a few moments where I felt uncomfortable with how the characters handled situations, like breaking the news to the child or handling topics related to the police investigations, but at the same time, I think Bartlett showed that no matter how we handle a difficult situation, there are always things we could do differently.

Overall, I thought The Girl She Left Behind was a good book and different from others I've read by this author. Thanks to @Netgalley and the publisher @theboldbookclub for giving me the chance to read and review this one! It is out now, so grab your copy!

The book is a powerful story with darker themes than expected, delving into the legacy of a difficult childhood and emotional impact rather than fast-paced action. Phoebe returns home to care for her niece Darcy after her sister Lucy disappears, escaping their manipulative mother's influence. Secrets unravel about the sisters' traumatic past, bringing tears to the reader. Phoebe's bond with Darcy and budding romance with Jamie provide hope amidst the turmoil. The characters are deeply realistic, and the writing is emotionally captivating, making it an unforgettable read with a strong recommendation.

The Girl She Left Behind is a heartbreaking story dealing with family, dysfunctional family, narcissistic parents and the result of that. Phoebe and Lucy grew up with a narcissistic mother and a father who supported her and not his girls. They had many issues resulting from their upbringing and Phoebe left their village and moved to London. Lucy remained in Appleberry and had child, Darcy. Phoebe gets a message to come home, Lucy is missing, a possible suicide and in the letter she left behind, she asked Phoebe to take care of Darcy. She comes home, expecting Lucy will eventually return. With the help of Lucy's neighbour and some friends, she settles in and raises Darcy while waiting patiently for Lucy to return.

I enjoyed this story, although it was not an easy book to read. We don't find out what happened to Lucy until the end of the book, so it kept me guessing. Phoebe was a great character to get to know. She basically gave up her life in London to take care of Darcy. I enjoyed meeting their friends and seeing how they loved Phoebe and Lucy and saw them very differently from how the girls saw themeselves. Jamie is Lucy's neighbour. He is a jack of all trades: a therapist, runs a farm, nursery camp and works with rescue animals. I kept hoping he and Phoebe would get together and you will have to read the book to see what happens. Phoebe's dog Norma was a great character. Although not a service dog, she sure rescued Phoebe at one time and now Darcy. Jo Bartlett does a great job depicting Janet, the girl's mother. I know some people with narcissistic personalities and I could see them in this book. She also did a wonderful job depicting the harm she did to her daughters and the resulting aftermath many years later. I recommend this book, but suggest you have tissues on hand, as it has many emotional moments.

This standalone novel truly deserves the adjective, emotional, and must come with a clear trigger warning before you read it. However, once I plunged in, I found it to be an enjoyable and thought provoking read. As you soon discover, Phoebe has had a bleak childhood. On the surface, her family was an ordinary middle class family. Nevertheless, Phoebe and her sister, Lucy, suffered from emotional neglect at the hands of their mother. Their relationships as siblings were complicated. Their father opted to enable their mother to keep the peace.

The mystery of Lucy's disappearance dominates the story, never far from Phoebe's mind. Scarred by past relationships, she has to learn to be able to take support from her friends and to accept help. The centre of Phoebe's life shifts as she takes on the care of her niece, Darcy. There are some sad and touching parts to the story but also moments of happiness and contentment. Beneath the surface may lurk shadows of the darker themes of abandonment, neglect and coercion but there also shines the innocence of childhood and the hope of moving on.

In short: family relationships and a sense of belonging

This was a difficult book for me to read. It deals with mental health and suicide. Maybe this book is not for everyone.

When Phoebe Spencer, left home for London, a long time ago she thought she was leaving her family problems behind. Growing up with a narrcisistic mother had taken its toll on Phoebe and her younger sister, Lucy. While they had been close as children, their mother’s interference and their life choices had made their relationship quite weak. Then she hears that Lucy has disappeared, leaving her four-year-old daughter, Darcy, behind, with the express instructions that Phoebe was to be incharage of the little girl.

At first, Phoebe thinks Lucy will come back soon, but days pass, there’s no sign of her. Slowly and reluctantly, Phoebe and everyone realizes Lucy might never return. With their mom wanting to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe steps up to protect her niece, no matter what it takes. She also struggles with the fear that she would be an inadequate parent to Darcy. However, her oldest friend and some new ones provide Darcy with the encouragement and support she needs to fight her own demons and be there for Darcy.

The writer has skillfully crafted a story filled with suspense and deep emotions, delving into the intricacies of family connections and the lasting ties that bind us. The story unfolds smoothly, immersing readers in the challenges faced by the characters and the growing tension within the family. Phoebe’s inner struggle, caught between her wish to move on from the past and the unexpected responsibilities she must shoulder, brings additional layers of complexity to the narrative.

The characters’ experiences and unexpected turns in the plot make it a memorable read, touching on themes of mental health, the effects of emotional abuse on children, love, sacrifice, and the strength to tackle challenging moments.

Oh Wow this book is so powerful, I have genuinely only just get my breath back from reading this heart wrenching story. I have read a few @jo_bartlett123 books but this is so different and left me deeply emotional. The MCs Phoebe and Lucy were so beautifully written and I felt the raw emotion of their difficult childhood and the knock on effect of what they faced. I think I will struggle to forget this story and it just shows how strong the family bond can be and how equally damaging dysfunctional parenting can be. If you want to read a deep, thought provoking family story then this may be the one #thegirlsheleftbehind
#jobartlett #Goodreads #netgalley
TW: Suicide, Narcissism

The Girl She Left Behind is Jo Bartlett’s latest novel and what a hard-hitting one it is! Yesterday should have been my turn on the book tour, but I couldn’t rush through as I perhaps might’ve done! I needed time to absorb the words and dry my tears: I was compelled to finish it no matter what!

It's tough to say that I loved the book because the story is so heart-wrenching. Nevertheless, I found myself glued to it.

Furthermore, the book highlights the dire need for the government to allocate more resources to the NHS to help address the mental health crisis that many people are currently facing.

A heartbreaking story of a dysfunctional family that will keep you gripped from the first pages. Very different to the usual books by this author but a book that I couldn't put down with great characters, you couldn't help but love Darcy, and a hard hitting storyline dealt with very sensitively

I need some tissues! Pass me the whole box!!!


The Girl She Left Behind by Jo Bartlett was a beautifully written but heartbreaking emotional roller coaster ride. This is a book that dealt dysfunctional family. Phoebe and Lucy Spencer were sisters their mother was a narcissistic and their father who supported her and not his girls.

Phoebe Spencer was so desperate to get away from her mother's emotional manipulation and leaves what she called home and moved to London. She knows her life will be better away from her family, but sadly she can’t help feeling she’s simply running away from her problems….......

Time goes by and Phoebe hears that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared, leaving behind her four year old daughter, Darcy.
But, Phoebe's certain Lucy will be back soon, she would never leave here beautiful daughter Darcy alone.

But, as the days pass there's still no sign of Lucy, everyone begins to fear the worst.

Where is she?

Phoebe has to consider the terrible truth that Lucy might never come home. Their mother makes it very clear she wants to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe must do all she can to protect the girl her sister left behind, no matter the cost to her.

Wow......This book is so good but very emotional Once I opened my kindle I could not put this book down! Just Beautifully written from the very first page till the last page.

Hats off to Jo Bartlett who wrote this book especially as it was a very delicate story.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

I finished this book a while ago but have left a while before reviewing as wanted to pause before hand as it was such a heartbreaking and hard hitting read.

The author has a really got way of into their readers heads and triggering real raw emotions in this story which is a lot darker Han anything I have read before.

This story contains some emotional themes including suicide and narcissistic behaviour which have been covered in a very sensitive way. And the authors note at the start of the book is particularly
Heartbreaking and sets the rationale behind the story.

Very thought provoking read that will sit with me for a very long time.