Brilliant book but tough subject matter

What a book! A story of nature vs nurture, whether motherhood and also just naturally being a good person come naturally, or whether we can be the products of our upbringing and our family past. We meet Multiple generations of women of the same family - mostly told through the lens of Blythe, new mother - who all experience darkness.
This book is one where I exclaimed to myself out loud on many occasions. There were moments I felt I could barely keep listening (though there was no way I was going to stop listening) and I found myself listening to other parts and nodding my head (the first-time/new mum fog of tiredness and worries) but this is a dark, dark book, absolutely not for the faint hearted, or those in the headspace for such a topic. Would thoroughly recommend otherwise.

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Amazing!

I can’t say enough good things about this book, starting with a beautifully accurate account of post natal depression and a new mother’s experience, it is both gripping and moving. There is such depth of character as the story looks back over generations of mother daughter relationships. There are no major twists but a slow burning sinister plot line. I finished this is 2 days and wish it lasted longer. Amazing book

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Wow!

This is the best book I've ever read/heard. Need more please!! The story isn't over yet.

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Chilling

The audible version of this book was so well read I was fully immersed.

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Emotive, psychological, well written

This made for a gripping and emotive read, slightly uncomfortable at certain points but compelling and well narrated. 5 stars

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Wow

I usually listen to audiobooks is short to medium chunks, as otherwise I find my mind starts to wander and I lose track of who is who and what is happening. In this case I binge listened over two days of a bank holiday whilst doing housework and gardening and I was riveted. For a debut novel it is very well paced and well written and the story is good. I will definitely be reading more by this author as soon as the next book is published. Disturbing and heartaching

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*Intense & Dark*

This story is about 3 generations of Mothers.

Etta - Mother to Cecilia
She is where it all began, she found happiness at a young age with Louis who was destined to be a doctor but her father had other ideas. Sadly tragedy strikes.

Cecilia - Mother to Blythe
Bore the brunt of what it’s like to never feel wanted by her own mother when tragedy strikes

Blythe - Mother to Violet
She grew up with the same coldness for a mother and when she becomes pregnant she is hopeful that things will change, then tragedy strikes

Each mother experiences tragedy and cruelty and in the case of Etta & Cecelia it seems they had nothing to give and nothing was dealt with, re their emotions etc, Blythe on the other hand has help but seemingly wanted to hang onto her feelings.

Blythe is the narrator of this book and it feels intense and she flips backwards and forwards to the other mothers that make up her line. What we then have to wonder is her own relationship with her daughter Violet is a product of her upbringing or is it something that will haunt her family line. Also how culpable is her husband who seems to feel Violet can do no wrong….

This is a promising debut for Ashley Audrain

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Fabulous

Loved this wonderfully evocative story of motherhood. One of my favourites of 2021. Reminded me in parts of We Need To Talk About Kevin

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Gripping

Dark story but well written and quietly gripping up to the last sentence. Recommend it.

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Fantastic

This book was amazing and the narration was excellent. So gripping . couldn't stop listening.

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