Excellent introduction to Amanda Prowse. Well-rounded characters, moving plot. Could not put it down.

**3.5 stars**
Seeing many Amanda Prowse books around and never having read any, I jumped on the chance to read this emotional book.

Having a blissful few days sailing around the bay, Rachel and her husband James wake up to a nightmare when they discover their young son Oscar gone from the boat. The days following are filled with despair and blame. Rachel can’t cope and eventually decides to travel back to Bristol to be with family and friends. Can she and James ever find their way back to each other.

This was a very heart felt book but I did feel it dragged a little at times and I must admit I did feel so much more for James, as he tried to struggle through, be realistic and supportive, while Rachel pushed him away and drowned in her own grief. I guess that just shows that everyone struggles and copes in different ways. Even though I didn’t love this book, I will try the author again as I believe she does seem to deal with very topical issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read.

The story opens with Rachel and James waking up out at sea on their boat, having spent a couple of days quality family time with their young son, Oscar.  When Rachel goes to wake him up he's not in his bed, after searching the whole boat and not being able to find him panic sets in, the police and coastguard are called and he is declared missing, presumed dead but she refuses to believe he is gone forever.

Rachel and James appear to have the ideal life, they live on the paradise island of Bermuda, James has a high flying job, their house is huge, they have a 7 year old son that they both adore and their housekeeper, Cee Cee who looks after them all, so when this tragedy occurs it completely blows all their world's apart.  Rachel cannot stay where she is constantly reminded of Oscar and the memories they have so she returns to Bristol, leaving James and Cee Cee behind.

The story is told from two perspectives, Rachel and Cee Cee, who we learn has also lived through tragedy herself when she was a young girl, so when she starts writing to Rachel and sharing her experiences with her, it puts things into perspective for Rachel and she begins to move forward.

I cannot begin to imagine what it must feel like to lose a child but it left an ache deep within my heart whilst reading it.  I hoped with all my heart that Oscar would walk back through their door by the end of the story.   This latest book by Amanda Prowse is written with a great deal of depth and emotion and I defy anyone that reads it not to need tissues. Amanda certainly knows how to draw her readers in through her stories and this one is no exception, it's captivating and poignant and will stay with me for a very long time.  A huge 5 stars from me.

I would like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval and will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

Rachel and James’ plight broke my heart. This is a parent’s nightmare, losing a child. How do you come out of that? To make matters worse, Oscar is their only child. Some parents grieved together and stayed together, some, just drifted apart. This was what happened with James and Rachel. CeeCee, their housekeeper also had her story told. It was all round grief, and sorrow in this book. That been said, I hope, there is some solace for grieving parents out there. So sad...

Picked this book up and could not put it down.Amanda Prowse has written another heartbreaking gut wrenching have a box of tissues nearby novel. Thanks#amazonuk #netgalley.for advance copy of this gorgeous book,

The Crofts are living their best lives on Bermuda. Until one day Rachel wakes up on their boat to find their son missing. What follows is a look at how we all handle the grief of the loss of a loved one.

James wants to face this with Rachel, a team, getting through this together but Rachel runs. To Bristol immersing herself in grief and her own confusion. Until she receives a letter from her housekeeper in Bermuda, Cee-Cee.

Cee-Cee has seen her own tragedy and reaches out to Rachel. In this exchange they both learn some things.

The story is told from Rachel’s point of view and Cee-Cee’s point of view, alternating between the two.

A beautiful story and very well written. There are a lot of characters and it is interesting to see just how each of them handles the loss. Some tip toe around it, some are staunch supporters and some just don’t know what to say. Much like a lot of us.

Well Done! This one I will read again!

Netgalley/ Amazon UK/ Lake Union

September 25, 2018

What a beautifully written, sad, poignant yet ultimately hopeful book!

Rachel and James have it all, a wonderfully happy marriage, a home in paradise, wealth and the most wonderful housekeeper who loves and cares for their son as much as they do .. until the unspeakable happens and Oscar is lost at sea. This book explores the raw grief, disbelief, blame, guilt and emotional voids that follow Oscar's loss. I absolutely adored the wisdom of Cee-Cee, their housekeeper, the structure of the book being inter-spaced with her letters to Rachel about her past life, love and losses works fabulously as Rachel slowly starts to inch forward with her life and decisions.

It's a really emotional, heart wrenching story written with so much heart, I'd advise you not to read in public ... tissues essential with this one!!

Many thanks to NetGalley for opportunity to read this fabulous book, My honest thoughts and opinion are expressed in this review.

4.5 big shiny stars

There's a fine line between happiness and heartbreak - and that's what this novel is about .. that fine, stretched-as-thin-as-it-can-get, line.

Rachel and James, along with their seven year old son, Oscar, are living the dream. Each day they wake in the sunny island of Bermuda and revel in where James' hard work has landed them. With their own boat, they like to escape out to the ocean when they can to relax and have quality family time. Only one morning when James and Rachel come out of their cabin, they find no sign of Oscar and their world collapses in on each of them. Somehow, they no longer seem to be a couple but two people only barely surviving . . .

The characters are amazingly familiar - all different, all important in their own way and I can practically guarantee that more than one will ring a bell when you consider your own friends and family. There is one who stands out and I'm certain each and every reader will reach the same conclusion.

Grief is a very personal thing; there is no right way or wrong way about it but it's raw and visceral and not something you can really explain to others. For any author to attempt to explain it on paper must be a daunting thought, but the result is staggeringly good, hitting all the highs and lows bang on. The writing, as always from Amanda Prowse, is faultless and I marvel at her ability to not only touch the soul of the reader, but to fill it to the brim. A special mention has to go to the cover - now knowing what is inside, it is perfection. I think this is a very special piece of work and one which, frankly, I'm not sure I shall ever forget. Yes, I have shed tears but it has left me with a beautiful calmness and perhaps a better understanding of grief. I am absolutely in awe at the skill within the covers, and I found myself closing my kindle with complete and utter satisfaction.

My very grateful thanks to Lake Union Publishing for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

Such a heartbreakingly beautiful story that will make even the most stoic reader break down and cry. What does it feel like to lose a child suddenly? Amanda Prowse brings to life this unthinkable horrific and tragic event through the eyes of Rachel and James. While on a family holiday aboard their yacht, their 7 year old boy Oscar disappears and is presumed to have drowned. Their story alternates with Ceecee, their housekeeper's own story of loss and how to find the strength to keep living.

The prose takes the reader through the overwhelming pain and sorrow experienced when such a loss happens. The portrayal of grief felt painstakingly real to me to the point in which I had to put the book down every so often to collect myself. This is an emotionally hard read but also includes an element of hope and strength.

If you enjoy heartfelt emotional books and particularly ones involving loss and grief, this is the perfect read.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this book.

To lose your child is unimaginable. To lose a child and never know what happen to them is every parents nightmare. For Rachel and James, this nightmare becomes reality as their son, Oscar, disappears without trace whilst they are out on their boat. Rachel yearns for her son and, without closure, can't comprehend life without him and so her life with her husband unravels.
Amanda Prowse always writes emotion to perfection and this book is no exception. It's deep and moving, especialy with Cee-Cee's letters adding another emotional layer.
I did struggle, however, to connect with Rachel. I felt her grief, understood her turmoil, but didn't get to grips with her reaction to James. For me, this pulled me out of the story at times.
Overall, this is a gripping read and one where you probably won't get the closure you crave but one that is completely right for the story. Another brilliant read from Amanda Prowse.

Pulled into the story from the start and found it difficult to put down. Totally unforgettable. The pain was tangible, I had tears streaming down my face in the middle of the night. Amanda really knows how to write and speaks straight from and to the heart. One of the reasons she’s become a favourite of mine.

This is my first Amanda Prowse novel but it won't be my last. This book was so heartfelt and tugged on my heartstrings so much. Rachel Croft goes from having a perfect day in paradise to absolute terror. Her 7 yr old son is missing and she has no idea where to even begin to search. The search proves futile and she leaves Bermuda without her husband and son. As she prepares to leave, her housekeeper bombards her with messages and it shines a whole new light on Rachel. I will highly recommend this book to everyone . Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK
Lake Union Publishing for the chance to read this amazing novel

Amanda Prowse isn't frightened to tackle any subject and this is certainly an emotional one. Read with a box of tissues nearby. Highly recommended

Amanda Prowse never fails to pull a the heartstrings, and this book is no different, The story of Rachel and James coming to terms with the sudden disppearance of their beloved son Oscar, and how they deal with this in their own ways. The addition of Ce Ce and her story was a lovely, yet amotional, one too. This book didn’t disappoint, and I had had high expectations. A definite read - remember your tissues!

This book tells the story of a woman who loses her son in a tragic accident. Prowse takes readers through the horrendous grief, anger and confusion that Rachel faces after her son is killed. This is a beautifully written story about grief and how it permeates every area of a person’s life, work, friendships and marriage all take a back seat to the unrelenting sorrow. One of the most accurate portrayals of loss that I have read

I absolutely adore Amanda’s books and this is by far her most emotional and saddest book.
Losing a child or anyone in fact, is never easy, the plot is based around the lives of Rachel and James who have lost their 7 year old son on a family trip in a boat.
The emotion that pours from every page had me red eyes and runny nose for hours after finishing it.

Warning: Before ever picking up a copy of The Coordinates of Loss by Amanda Prowse it’s probably best to pick up a nice full box of tissues.

Rachel and James Croft had a loving marriage and along with their seven year old son Oscar the perfect family. Living in Bermuda and surrounded by water James had convinced Rachel to get a boat for the family and while packed up for the weekend tragedy strikes. Rachel wakes up on the boat and Oscar is no where to be found.

As the hours, days, weeks and months go by Rachel battles her grief and shuts herself off from her husband, friends and family. With no answers as to what happened that night while they were sleeping Rachel struggles with letting go and accepting Oscar is gone. It’s only through the words of understanding from their housekeeper Cee-Cee that Rachel finally begins to heal.

One thing I’ve learned when picking up a book from Amanda Prowse is that the story will be full of emotion and this was no exception. Obviously there is no “right” way to deal with a loss in one’s life but the author gave us an exceptional view into this couple and their heartache and grief as they struggled to navigate through the ocean of despair.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a heart rending novel about love and loss. Losing a child is unimaginable. After the grief the anger starts and it can tear you apart. Families either pull together or fall apart. The Coordinates of Loss has it all.

Thank you NetGalley for my copy.

When Rachel Croft wakes up on her family's boar in Bermuda, it's to sunshine and yet another perfect day, that is until she goes to wake up her seven year old son, Oscar. But the worst thing imaginable has happened. He isn't there.

Once such a happy family, the dad, James, the mum, Rachel and their seven year old son, Oscar. They live the perfect life in Bermuda and they have Cee-Cee, their housekeeper, who has had her own fair share of heartache. The family set out for a three day trip on their boat. They have a fantastic first night but when they wake in the morning, Oscar has disappeared.

This is a beautifully written story that will tug at your heartstrings and bring a tear to many a readers eye. We feel for Rachel, who is struggling to accept that her son has drowned. James, who is struggling with his own grief, does not know how to help his wife. I really liked Cee-Cee and all the things she said and did to try and help Rachel. Amanda Prowse has dealt with the subject matter with sensitivity. A story that deals with the time parents need to deal with their grief. I really liked the way this book ended. Happy or sad, you will need to read the book to find out.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the Amanda Prowse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say i am a big fan of Amanda prowse and read all her books in-between my usual thrillers. Maybe this was why I struggled to fall in love with the characters as I kept expecting this little boy Oscar to walk back into their lives. My tears were brimming at times as Amanda writes in such a way that your heart aches. By the end of the book I had no relief from the epilogue and still feel utterly heartbroken. Most probably Amanda’s saddest book to date.