The Child Between Us

Audiobooks are great for opening my mind to different genres that I might not usually read. The Child Between Us is one of those books, classed as Literary Fiction / Women's Fiction.

The blurb doesn't tell you very much, a choice line - 'The Child Between Us is a heart-wrenching story about an impossible choice and what it really means to be a mother'.

Cassie is a twin, she gets a call out if the blue telling her twin sister who disappeared from her life six years ago has died. Cassie isn't prepared for the life changing impact, secrets and after effects.

It's a deeply emotional story, grief, motherhood, forgiveness, love, family, illness, lots of the biggies. It flows well, but it's a gentle pace, I might have struggled to stay fully invested if I was reading it.

Emotionally it really works, I was close to tears for a lot of the listen. If anything I could have done with a bit more variety, it tends to be fairly consistently anxious and fretful with moments of hope and an undercurrent of love.

The narration was very good, one of the accents came across as slightly inaccurate, but nothing to detract from my enjoyment.

I feel mean not giving five stars, it was a very good, emotionally involving listen. I like a bit more drama, a bit more of a rollercoaster.

Recommended, especially if you like emotional family dramas.


Thanks to Netgalley and Saga Egmont Audio

4.75⭐️ 🎧

I had the audiobook read by Paula Masterton, who does a fantastic job.

An emotional family drama, set in Scotland. Cassie discovers that her identical twin sister who disappeared 6yrs ago has died, leaving her 5yr old daughter Marina in her care. The blurb is wishy washy emotive language which doesn’t tell the reader anything,but at the same time hints at too much, so this is all I’ll mention, it’s already more than you will get from the blurb.

It’s a beautifully written heart wrenching character driven story. The budding relationship between Cassie and Marina is pitched so well, totally believable, and heart warming.
The characterisation is excellent, and was enough to totally hook me, as the pace is slower. I think the narrator really helped to add emotion and atmosphere.
It follows a predictable pathway, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment, I was totally invested in the story and characters, I loved it ! you’ll need tissues for this one. The ending was perfect for me. I highly recommend this audiobook, it’s not a feel good, but has beautiful uplifting moments along the way.