Trigger warning: suicide, narcissism and mental health
I found this such a heartbreaking read but also must congratulate Jo Bartlett for writing about such difficult topics in such a sensitive way. I loved how she didn’t just write about Lucy and her disappearance but also how this affects everyone concerned. Phoebe hasn’t really been there for her sister Lucy but when she hears that she has disappeared she steps in to take care of her niece Darcy. Phoebe has to deal with a whole host of emotions whilst trying to keep positive for Darcy. Their mother has been emotionally manipulating them forever and they both dealt with this in their own way. This is something that is explored and also how Phoebe is determined to find answers. I couldn’t put this down and defy anyone who reads it not to be touched by it. I found myself openly crying at some points. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you to Boldwood Books, Netgalley and Jo Bartlett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I love Jo Bartlett's book so was pleased to be granted this latest one. 'The Girl She Left Behind' is very different in tone to Bartlett's previous books, but still a great read. It was sensitive and well written, and I enjoyed the reappearance of characters from a previous book. Bartlett creates empathy and the book was paced well.

I found this story to be very different from the usual books by this author.

This raw and heartbreaking story, leaving me at times in tears and having to put the book down to breathe.

The story line follows along with 2 sisters, Phoebe and Lucy. a disappearance, a emotional disturbed mother and Darcy Lucy's 4 year old daughter.

A gripping read, just have the tissues at hand.

I did enjoy this book and it had likeable and well written characters, but it was very slow and that let it down for me.

Lucy and Phoebe had a terrible childhood, thanks to their narcissistic mother. Lucy has a four year old daughter, Darcy, and by all accounts is a brilliant mother. So I found it difficult to believe that she would leave her daughter and take her own life.

The growing bond between Phoebe and Darcy was really sweet. An emotional read that was nice enough, if it hadn’t felt so long and slow.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jo Bartlett and Boldwood, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the copy of The Girl She Left Behind by Jo Bartlett. I’m not sure why this book never piqued my interest. Maybe it was too slow to unfold, but it felt like nothing was really happening so the book felt really long. Maybe I’m too used to fast-paced books, so it might be a “me” problem! If you love emotional reads, you will love this one!

Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this.

Phoebe gets the call to say her younger sister is missing and she's next of kin to her young niece, but coming home is very difficult and takes a lot of courage, support and strength- Enter Jamie.

I loved Jamie and his understanding and his easy-going nature that brought such a calming influence.

Phoebe's old (and new ) friends were such great characters, and everyone needs mom friends like that.

This was a tough read, a realistic read that covered very serious topics with sensitivity and compassion, and Jo Bartlett did a great job.

The girl she left behind is a poignant heart wrenching read that will stay with you long after you have read it!
Subjects such as narcissistic personality, suicide and abandonment are tackled realistically but sensitively and the long term effects of your upbringing and how that affects you throughout adulthood.
Great characters and a wonderful sense of friendship, support and coming together in the hardest of times.
This book could of easily been depressing but although it tackled such life changing events you were left with a feeling of hope and positivity
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

A heartbreaking read covering a sensitive topic, it's hard to say I enjoyed it but it did keep me involved in the storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Phoebe comes home to take care of her niece Darcy after her sister, Lucy, goes missing. very good story, I read in two afternoons, it was hard to put down.

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide, narcissism and severe mental health issues, child abandonment.

I was immediately swept up into the story of Phoebe, Lucy and their mother. The first pages and the whole beginning were powerful, shocking and tragic. I needed to move on with this, and I was compelled to. It's really different to Jo's other books in style, as it's so heartwrenching, powerful, emotionally charged and wrapped me up in its hold and wouldn't let go.

I really felt for little Darcy, and was so concerned for her welfare.

To me, it was reminiscent of a Cathy Glass book: equally poignant, powerful and heartwrenching. It had me holding my breath, yet wanting more and more and more. I was utterly gripped. It made me feel immense sadness, struggle to hold back tears, and feel concern for the characters. Each word was perfectly chosen to have impact.

The author note was self explanatory, but the novel raises awareness of suicide and narcissism in a sensitive way.

An utterly oustanding and unforgettable novel. It really gets deep into difficult issues and gets under your skin. I felt uneasy at times, yet absolutely hooked. My favourite book of the year so far.

Thanks to Jo Bartlett, Boldwood Books, and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars.

Wow wow WOW I loved this book I couldn’t put it down till I finished it.I cried with Phoebe, I hoped with Darcy and I pried with Jamie. You have to read this book, it’ll take on a rollercoast that will turn on all your emotions, till the last one.
Terrific!

This is such a heartbreaking read, a sensitive subject which the author dealt with perfectly.

Throughout the story we see the effects of Lucy’s actions not on herself, but also on her family, her young daughter and friends. The letters from Lucy were so emotive, and got across the message that it is never the easy option.

I also like that the trauma, both her and Phoebe experienced from their mother was demonstrated to have had an effect long into adulthood. I did give a cheer over the Facebook status! Perfect Karma.

This is a really sensitively written novel that deals with trauma and family dynamics. Written in an easy to read format, I wasn’t sure at first, but I really did enjoy it overall.

This book is heartbreaking. Going through the grief of losing a sister/friend, while having to tackle the narcissism of a member of the family. It was hard to go through sometimes, a bit slow and repetitive. But this book really touched me deep. The author knew how to write about such a deep and sensitive subject !

Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for access to this arm in exchange for my honest review.

Phoebe Spencer left her home she had to because of the emotinal manipulation
Then she heard about a youngest sister called Lucy
She left the baby called Darcy and she was only 4 years old
And phoebe had to protect Darcy
I had an ARC

"The Girl She Left Behind" is a story about 2 sisters, how their lives are shaped by their parents and one goes missing. This book had me captivated since the first chapter, it's written beautifully and with such emotion that I couldn't put it down. A must read for anyone who loves a book that keeps you hanging on!

*trigger warning- mentions of suicide
This tells of two sisters with a narcissistic mother. One sister Lucy, who has a daughter, has gone missing, the other one Phoebe is left wondering if she has committed suicide due to the note she left and where her coat was found. She knew Lucy didn't want their mother to get her hands on her young daughter Darcy in the same way she had affected them all their lives. Phoebe returns from her life in London, she had tried to get away from the long claws of narcissism and now wonders if she is cut out to look after young Darcy, but soon finds a side of her she didn't know existed. Her mother however can't help but interfere which muddies the waters of the search and where on earth is Lucy?

For anyone who isn't aware of the effects a NPD mother can have, this brings it home as it's well researched and there are certain tells if you know about NPD. The little things such as not having any pictures of the children around the home and even the conversations about trying to find Lucy are centred around her mother- “ What will people think about me with her missing?” (it's something worth looking up if you are not familiar as it's so impactful as to change and destroy lives). It's a great premise and one dealt with very sympathetically on all counts. I admired Phoebe and how she dealt with Darcy and it made me reflect a little. It's traumatic in parts, but it's a real page turner. A clever, thought provoking read, one that kept me gripped to the very end.

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I picked The Girl She Left Behind just because of the cover. I soon read the blurb and thought it would be an amazing book.
The book follows Phoebe who comes home to take care of her niece Darcy after her sister Lucy goes missing. Phoebe left home many years ago because of the manipulation and psychological abuse for her mother. As days past there is no sign of Lucy, and everyone fears the worst.

I did not particularly enjoy the book. It was very slow and felt more like a 700 page book instead of a 300 page book. I would like to point out that I enjoyed how the author portrayed Phoebe and Lucy’s mother. It really put into perspective how horrible the girls life must of been living with her.