Wonderful! First book I have read by Kathryn Hughes and will now read her previous stories.
The book takes us on a journey to solve the mystery of Violet’s disappearance in 1978 and Tara’s search for her mother in 2018. In between we get to know a host of characters that add warmth and dislike to the story and get to visit London, Manchester and most wonderful of all rural Spain. I loved it.

Tara Richards lives with her single mother Violet Skye, a club singer with a really wonderful voice. They are and always have been a unit, always there for each other and so very close. Eventually, when Tara was fourteen years of age, they move in with Alf, a lonely elderly widower and shop owner, renting a bedroom from him, and from there on they enjoy the stability they have always deserved and yearned for. Alf hires a Saturday boy called Tom, Violet lands a much needed permanent job as a singer at the renowned Amethyst Club and gets herself a charming, classy and rich new boyfriend. Tara falls for Tom and they become very fond of each other. Everything comes up smelling of roses at last.
Violet and her new love interest take a touring holiday in Europe but neither of them returns to their respective homes when they are expected to. Eventually Violet goes to live with her Nan, mourning the loss of her Mum but eventually settles in and comes to think or her Nan as her mother. They are also a unit just like she and her mother were. She marries, has a son who eventually goes to university with the ambition of becoming a doctor. Then Tara receives a mysterious letter from Spain and she dares to hope that she may have found her lost mother, last seen in May1978. This is their heart-stopping story, the miracle she has always hoped for, longer for and now may actually be happening. She is shocked to her very core.
I really enjoyed this charming novel where hope rises from despair and new beginnings are forged in the most extraordinary and unexpected way, anticipation becomes reality, dreams come true and a family are at last finally reunited. The storytelling is breath-taking, full of compassion and empathy, superbly paced and totally absorbing. Kathryn Hughes has an immense talent for this genre and delves deeply into the heart and soul of her characters, making them totally relatable, very likable (or not)! And so very endearing, like friends you really care for. My addiction to this novel was total and uncompromising. I loved the quirky Epilogue and found it really thought-provoking and I also liked seeing the real life photographs of different places that were the inspiration for the settings of the novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Headline Review through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest and well considered opinions that are uninfluenced by any other reviews or publicity. This is a multi-layered and involving story that lovers of Women’s Fiction and Family Sagas will really enjoy just as I did. It’s a mighty 4.5* review from me and my Highly Recommended stamp of approval.