When the grandmother who raised her dies, Victoria discovers that the mother whom she thought was dead is very much alive. Victoria is a strong young woman descended from a line of strong women. Each of them, Victoria, her mother and her grandmother is both admirable and flawed. Ultimately, Victoria must come to understand and accept both the strengths and weakness of her predecessors to understand their choices and reconcile her past and her future. This book is a moving saga of love, forgiveness and family.

The Day She Came Back what a wonderful title for this story! The characters in this story ,they are so believable and real. What a time to go through,lose your grandmother who you not only considered her that but as a mother! Then the world starts to fall apart! So many emotions are shown in this emotional,moving complex story! First time reader of "Amanda Prowse" and it sure will not be the last! Grab you some tissues cause I sure needed them! What do you do when your told something all your life,you believe and then find out its all been a lie? That's a lot to take in,now do I trust this woman who appears in my life when I don't know who she is but I should had lies hadn't been told? Exciting read,hold on to your heart!

I couldn’t wait to read this when I was approved for a NetGalley ARC! The concept seemed unusual to me—one with potential for so many questions needing answered and mysteries to solve. I was disappointed though. I enjoyed it but it could have been better.

My thoughts:

1. I wanted more time with Prim! She was such a great character! The first chapter needed a lot less dialog between Victoria and her best friend, and more pages of Primrose.

2. Flynn—ugh. He’s the YA fiction star of a mess of teen disasters. Much of this book felt like YA fiction.

3. It did not make sense to see Victoria and her mom trying to find their way to a relationship when Victoria hadn’t read all the letters explaining Prim and Sarah’s decisions. I understand the author wanted to draw that out but it was an unrealistic problem that bothered me and kept the book from being as good as I’d expected.

I did enjoy the characters of Gerald and Bernard. The scenes in Oslo were wonderful, too.

Thanks to the publishers at NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.

I have read a few of Amanda's books now and those that I have read, I have enjoyed even if they have turned me into an emotional mess on occasion!! I mean that in the nicest possible way. I haven't quite read all of her books yet but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for 'The Day She Came Back' and it certainly sounded like another emotional read. It was an emotional read and so much more. I really enjoyed reading 'The Day She Came Back' but more about that in a bit.
I did like the character of Victoria and I warmed to her eventually. At the start of the book, we learn that Victoria lives with her grandmother, Primrose who has been both a mother and a grandmother to her. Unsurprisingly they share a very close bond. However, Primrose sadly passes away and Victoria feels as though she has had the rug ripped out from under her. In that respect, I felt a certain amount of empathy with Victoria as when I lost my Dad unexpectedly, I felt as though the bottom had fallen out of my world. Anyway enough of me. Victoria also reunites with a woman at her grandmother's funeral. The woman claims to be the mother that Victoria was led to believe was dead. Secrets and lies come tumbling out of the closet and Victoria begins to wonder if she can trust anything that anybody tells her. Will Victoria get to the truth? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I must admit that it took me a while to get into this story, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired when I started to read the book and cannot be taken as a criticism of the author. 'The Day She Came Back' wasn't one of those books that I could read all in one go because it was such an emotional story. I had to read a bit, put the book down and then come back to it later. It was as if I needed to reflect on what I had read and think about what I might have done in Victoria's situation. I managed to binge read the book over the course of a few days.
'The Day She Came Back' is very well written but then I think that to be true of all of Amanda's work. She certainly knows how to grab your attention, draw you into the story and then take you on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride of a read. I hope that makes sense. All I can say is thank goodness for Kleenex tissues because I found myself becoming far too emotional on more than one occasion. 'The Day She Came Back' isn't a particularly fast paced story which may well appeal to readers who prefer a slower pace of book. I did feel as though I was part of the story and I found myself becoming very involved with the characters and caught up in their lives.
In short, I did enjoy reading 'The Day She Came Back'. I have to say that although I enjoyed reading it, it isn't my favourite of Amanda's book. I will be reading more of Amanda's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. She writes amazing stories, that I don’t want to put down.
This book is about addiction, recovery, healing and so much more! The story has a secrets that is covered up with a lie.
I don’t want to give anything away, I just want you to read it for yourself. It was delightful. I highly recommend this book.
This is a NETGALLEY gift from the publisher and all opinions are my own.

This was a great, engrossing read. 18 year old Victoria has grown up with her beloved grandmother, Prim, after her parents died as a result of drug overdoses when she was a baby. When her grandmother dies she is left alone in the world, with a big house, a sensible outlook on life, a best friend (Daksha) and some of her gran's old friends, especially "Gerald the Toy Boy". I don't want to disclose spoilers, but this is a wonderful story as Victoria comes to terms with a past that isn't quite what she was told. We see her going off the rails a bit, becoming all too human, but gradually her essential common sense and strength of character wins through. Some funny moments too, especially as Gerald comes to the rescue, in an all too human, touching read. #netgalley #thedayshecameback

Yet another brilliant story. Full of emotions and beautifully written. I didn’t want to put it down.

I loved this book. It was not too fast, not to slow, and perfectly paced for the best plot points. It is a family drama/coming of age story about a 19 year old woman finding her way alone in the world. It is about all the things you learn as a young woman, like love, friendship, kindness, and forgiveness. I first read Amanda Prowse’s book The Food of Love back in 2016 and couldn’t wait to read this book. I loved that this character learned these valuable life lessons over the course of this book and the epilogue really helped tie this book together. I thought this was such a sweet book and the settings in Surrey and in Oslo were beautifully written with lots of description.

Its been a while since I read an Amanda Prowse book .... the last one I read i loved but I've had so many books on my To Be Read pile that I've missed out. The Day She Came Back is another winner from Amanda. Easy to read, good storyline, great characters and an all round good book to digest.

The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse is an emotional, rollercoaster of a read. I have read books by Amanda previously and have always found them a profound read as she is so insightful with her writing.This story is no different. Victoria absolutely adores her fun-loving grandmother Prim and spends as much time as she can with her. Prim passes away, leaving a shattered but strong Victoria. A strange woman attends the funeral claiming to be the mother Victoria believed to be dead. As they get to know each other Victoria realises she has had life changing secrets kept from her by her Grandmother of all people and she needs answers, but who will she get the absolute truth from?
This book almost had me in tears,Amanda has written this with so much depth to the emotions and Victoria herself is so real she could be having a brew with me. The reason this is as good as it is, is that although Victoria has so much to deal with and struggles to get to the bottom of it all there is always a little light and the end of the tunnel, so i am always hoping maybe she will find what she needs. With thanks to Books On The Bright Side , Netgalley and Amanda Prowse for the copy of the book for this blog tour today.

The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse is a bittersweet contemporary novel about love and hard choices. It is beautifully written and will lodge in your heart and soul.
Love is the most powerful force. A maternal love will do whatever is required to keep children or grandchildren safe. When love is our motivation sometimes seemingly impossible choices are made.
The reader witnesses the beautiful bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Their love radiates from the pages of the novel.
Loss hurts. When death comes stealthily with no time to say goodbye, guilt remains. It is guilt for what we did or didn’t do. Guilt will eat us up. We need to let go of guilt and focus on our memories.
We all need good friends – good friends who will see us through the good and the bad times. False friends leave a bitter taste.
A major theme is of restoration of relationships. As tentative steps are taken, the reader reads on with baited breath.
We see the destructive power of drug addiction. How lives are consumed by desire for the next ‘fix’ regardless of what their priorities should be.
There are hard choices to be made in the name of love. The reader sees the pain these tough choices can cause and we can empathise with the feelings of all the characters involved.
Amanda Prowse is a new author to me. I loved The Day She Came Back and her style of writing. The novel was beautifully written and has left me with love and hope in my heart.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This book had greater potential than I think was realized. Sometimes the writing was strong, strong enough for me to wonder why it wasn't that strong throughout the novel. The plot points potentially interesting, but their telling dragged and felt tedious. The most interesting and authentic storyline was the Joshi family. I was disappointed in this book, but I thank you for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Victoria never knew her parents, they died when she was a baby. Victoria still had a happy childhood as she was given a loving home by her grandparents. Her grandad died when she was a child and she became even closer to her grandmother Primrose. Primrose was a lively energetic lady and it comes as a huge shock to Victoria when she dies. Although in theory Victoria is now an adult she is devastated by losing Primrose. Victoria has a special girlfriend who tries her best to help Victoria cope the change in her circumstances which becomes complicated by an unexpected attendee to Primrose’s funeral.
I love books by Amanda as each story is completely individual and her characters are always well rounded and believable

I love Amanda Prowse. She is a wonderful author who weaves beautiful stories by taking you along the journey with her well developed, never disappointing, characters. We are first introduced to Victoria and her much loved grandmother, the woman who raised her when her mother died. Or did she? Victoria's life is filled with sadness, tragedy and sorrow, so when her beloved grandmother passes away, she yet again has to deal with the emotions that comes along with mourning the death of a beloved family member, only to discover that there is much more. She discovers secrets that are earth shattering and change everything she knew and believed. Love, heartbreak, family secrets, trust, lies, drama and all kinds of feelings, good and bad, are explored. And as the reader, you will feel them along with Victoria. I totally recommend this book and look forward to the next book by this author.

I would like to thank Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing U.K. and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC in return for an honest review. Just published on 7/7/2020, The Day She Came Back was an unusual “domestic drama.” Victoria has just finished school and rather than go to university, she wants to go traveling with her best friend. Victoria has lived with her grandmother, Prim, for her entire life, after her parents died shortly after her birth. Prim suddenly dies and Victoria is visited by a stranger who claims she is Victoria’s mother. Victoria is torn between getting what she always wished for and resenting Prim and her mother for lying to her.

This is a moving story about the impact of lifelong lies and how they affect the life of a young girl and turn her life upside down.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Day She Came Back is another wonderful story from author Amanda Prowse. Her publisher has written, “. . . Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined.” And her superpower is that she makes these ordinary women extraordinary, the women you want to meet, the woman you want to be.

Victoria has led an ordinary life, rather small and narrow, but has felt loved, happy and protected. Raised by her elderly grandmother, Prim, with only one really close friend, Daksha, an ordinary job in a shop, and the usual teenage girl crush on the jock at school, Flynn, who doesn’t even know she exists. School is over, she’s eighteen, and looking to expand her horizons, starting with a year of travelling and adventure with Daksha. Victoria is happy. Well, happy enough. Her mother is dead, and Victoria never knew her. She’s dreamed of that mother she never knew, of a miracle where her mother just shows up and says, “Hey, I’m your mother. I’m not really dead after all. I’m here, and I love you.” But that’s not going to happen. Or is it?

Victoria is in town kind of flirting with Flynn who has suddenly noticed her. She delays going home because this time with Flynn is so new and scary – and a little bit exciting. But when she finally get home and pops to the garden room ready to tell Prim all about it, she discovers Prim in her favorite chair, passed away.

Prim is literally the only family Victoria has. Daksha is possibly the best friend ever and her family is there for Victoria, but it’s not quite the same. Flynn starts paying a lot of attention to her, but she’s afraid to enjoy it, wonders why he says he likes her now, and has no experience whatsoever with the hazards of young love. And most shocking of all, she sees a woman lurking at the edge of Prim’s funeral. A woman who comes to the house afterward and says, “Hey, I’m your mother, I’m not really dead after all. I’m here, and I love you.”

What happens next in this book is a heart-wrenching, heart-warming journey with Victoria as she works her way through all of this. It’s part coming of age, part learning to grieve, part finding out about secrets that could change her life forever. Having her mother now – if this woman is in fact her mother and not just someone trying to take advantage of her – is wonderful, right? Yes, certainly, maybe, but then why would Prim have told Victoria her mother had died? Prim was always, always, always there for her, but if she lied . . . ?

Wonderful story, wonderful characters, wonderful author, made me laugh and cry and love Victoria so much. Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of The Day She Came Back. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. All opinions are my own.

The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse was the first book by this author that I found a little disappointing. It just didn't feel fully fleshed out for me, as all of her other novels have been. I feel that this would have been better classified as a YA novel, as it dealt primarily with Victoria, and 18 year old and her relationship with her grandmother who raised her and her mother, who she was brought up to believe died of a drug overdose, but appears at her grandmother's funeral. Victoria doesn't handle things well (who would?) but goes quite off the rails for a bit. I found the novel to be predictable and I had to push myself to finish reading it. I've read Ms. Prowse's previous novels voraciously and was surprised at this one, it didn't seem up to the standards of her others. Thank you to the author, Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The story is about Victoria who has been living with her grandmother Prim – a wonderful, caring lady who Victoria has always trusted and loved. Believing that her mother has passed, Victoria is shocked and distraught when she learns that secrets have been kept from her, and she discovers a new world which she had not known existed.
The book is sensitively written, as you would expect from Amanda Prowse. Characters are well drawn and develop in depth as the story unfolds. Victoria has been shielded by her grandmother, but left to make her own decisions she becomes bitter, and foolishly isn’t always wise. Feeling betrayed by people she has known and trusted, now seems set on a collision course in her determination to find her true identity and uncover the secrets of her past.
A beautifully written emotive story about a young woman’s journey, discovering who her true friends are and those she can trust. Full of warm, caring characters and others who are out for their own gains.
I recommend this book highly for an engaging and entertaining read.

The Day She Came Back tells a story that has many unexpected plot twists and turns. The characters are authentic; one feels their pain, laughter, and tears. At first, I had trouble following the story, but quickly I was hooked.

I look forward to reading more from this author, as well as a sequel!!