Thank you netgalley for this as I love every single one of Amanda's books. What a stunning, thought provoking and lovely book this is.

The story is based around Victoria who lives with her grandmother Prim as her mother died when she was a baby. On the day of the funeral a woman turns up claiming to be Victoria's mother. The events then unfold.......

I read this in one sitting. Amanda never lets you down!

This is my first novel I read by Amanda Prowse and will look for her books now.
I received the opportunity from NetGalley to get an advanced copy. It was that good a story because I finished it in two days. I also enjoyed hearing about Early Grey Tea…shows a cup of tea is always the cup of life .
Victoria lives a comfortable caring life with her grandmother,PrimRose. Many birthdays have passed without her own “mum”, who died when she was a baby still.
Victoria is surrounded by strength and loyalty and most of all, loving people who try and help her survive the passing of her grandmother and to forgive a deep secret.
Her best friend Daksha shows true loyalty and friendship throughout the tragic reality that Sarah, her “mum” does indeed exist.
Victoria rebels against all who lied to her and gives in to a so called boyfriend she had a crush on, Flynn. He arrives drunk at her house and now she has no authority to stop her from doing opposite of her beleifs.
Gerarald (PrimRose’s boyfriend) comes to her rescue and she sees the trust and forgiveness again in him and the other members who saw her grow up .
It takes instances for forgiveness in Sarah, who desperately is trying to gain her love, through old letters sent back and forth to Prim and her daughter Sarah, and sharing them with Victoria so she can understand the whys of this betrayal Victory feels.
I have to add, reading her rebellious actions halfways, I almost shut the book.I was disappointed in Victoria’s decisions with Flyn and thinking out loud,don’t let a boy like this change your spirit and smart ways! Your grandma Prim’s house doesn’t deserve dirt and scum in her house!
This book had me hanging on with emotion, sadness and triumph in these women who bring out the strength of each other.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to give my personal opinion of this novel and look forward to catching up on more of Amanda’s books.

This is a very well written novel.

It would probably appeal to mothers and teenagers as the story is about relationships between mothers and their daughters.

Victoria was brought up by her loving and slightly eccentric grandmother Prim. Victoria's mother died when she was a baby, but she still talks to her photo on the wall, even though she has no memories of her, only what Prim has chosen to share.

Victoria seems immersed in Prim's world of antiques, flowers and wine with dinner, and has few friends of her own age. Other than her grandmother, the only person she really interacts with, is her best friend, Daksha, a chirpy, affectionate girl from a close knit Indian family.

After Prim dies suddenly, Victoria goes on an emotional journey, at first losing sight of all that her beloved grandmother had instilled in her. Yet from this low point, with the unwavering love and support of Daksha and (occasionally armed!) interventions by her grandmother's beau Gerald, Victoria picks up the pieces and finds, not only her own strength, but a new relationship with her lost mother, Sarah.

It is a well written novel with dealing with intense emotional material such as death, grief, loss and the struggles to find strength to go on amidst pain and emptiness.

THE DAY SHE CAME BACK is a heartwarming coming of age story with an intriguing hook: after the death of her grandmother, Victoria finds out her mother isn't dead after all. She also inherits her grandmother's old house, which she isn't sure she wants. Most of the story involves Victoria finding her way, working out why her grandmother lied about her mother, and mourning her grandmother. Victoria has a wonderful friend who helps her. This is a sweet story that fans of women's fiction should enjoy. My only caveat is that Victoria is quite young and her naive (even immature at times) outlook becomes grating at times. Overall, I enjoyed her character's journey and this poignant tale. The epilogue provides a charming look into Victoria's future.

Bestselling author Amanda Prowse knows how to play my heartstrings with her stories of “ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage, and love tested in ways they never imagined.” In this book, we move in with Victoria. Victoria’s mother died when Victoria was a baby. Victoria lives with her vivacious grandmother Primrose in Surrey, England. Victoria is a smart and pleasant young woman, somewhat sheltered, a bit awkward, still growing and maturing.

If you’ve read a book by Author Prowse before, and I hope you have, you know that as soon as you crack the book open, you will keep reading, through smiles and tears, until the satisfying conclusion. So, how is Victoria’s “strength, courage and love” tested? Well, she learns that her whole life has been based on a cruel lie- her mother is not dead. In fact, she’s standing out in the backyard by the lake, as mourners gather after Primrose’s funeral.

Victoria not only has to bear the loss of her beloved grandmother; she must totally rewrite her whole life. I liked that this book moves at a slow pace- it takes time for Victoria to process it all. Victoria is helped by her best friend, and by some other wonderfully conceived friends and neighbors. The mystery of her mother is slowly unraveled, and Victoria finally earns her birthname- a strong and powerful name.

This book highlights the agony of heroin addiction. We also get to visit lovely Oslo. I recommend Ms. Prowse’s latest “domestic drama” and know you will enjoy befriending Victoria. I received an advance digital review copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Victoria at the tender age of 18 had her life fall to pieces. Brought up by her grandparents after the death of her parents, she thinks she’s totally alone after the death of Prim her beloved Grandmother. Suddenly after the funeral she comes face to face with her so called dead mother. The grief and shock sends Victoria’s life spiralling out of control. This gripping book follows Victoria as she tried to make sense of the lies she’s heard all her life. Can she get to grips with the betrayal from those she loved. A well deserved 5 star read

This was a sweet read and I was sorry for it to end. The characters were delightful and charming, the friendships and r e relationships lovely.

My Mom is Alive

Victoria lives a happy life with her Grandmother. She was told that her mother died of a drug overdose when she was a baby. She has just finished school and is looking forward to going on a trip to visit places around the world until their money runs out. One day she goes shopping with her best friend and when she comes home her grandmother has died of a heart attack. At the funeral a strange lady appears and again in her grandmother’s garden. Victoria goes outside to talk to her and the lady says she is her mother.

Victoria is very confused and upset. She not only is grieving for her grandmother who has been a mother to her all her life, but now must find out if her mother is really alive and if she was lied to all her life.

This is a book about a young lady suffering from a loss, trying to figure out how to live alone, and learning that the mother she thought was dead for eighteen years is alive. She must adjust to these changes while learning to accept her mother in her life.

I liked that she had her best friend, and her grandmothers friend to help her. This is a book about love, trust, friendship and family secrets. It was an emotional read and so worth it. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Amanda Prowse, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

This is one of those books you do not want to end!!

Victoria had a special bond with her grandmother who had brought her up after her mother had died! Her life with Prim is all she has known but when tragedy strikes and Prim dies suddenly, Victoria is left grief stricken and suddenly alone.

A stranger (Sarah) who attends Prims funeral claims to be Victoria’s mother ! This turns Victoria’s world upside down. Can this be true? Has everything she believed been a lie?

My own grandmother looked after both my cousins when tragedy hit their family many years ago. The storyline touched me personally because I saw first hand how their feelings of rejection impacted their lives long after their childhood. Amanda’s insight into characters and feelings are so insightful , she has a truly unique gift.

This book was emotional and tackled issues such as addiction, grief, love and forgiveness with such a raw understanding I can recommend it wholeheartedly. Amanda you have done it again, one of my favourite authors who just seems to get better and better!!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this amazing book.

This is the first book I have read by Amanda Prowse. It won't be the last.

Victoria is 18 and lives with her gran, Prim. When Prim suddenly dies, Victoria is bereft. It isn't made easier when a woman turns up at Prim's funeral claiming to be the mother Victoria believed was dead.

Through denial, doubt, and a conflicting myriad of emotions, Victoria is able to come to terms with both her past and her future.

I loved the way that Amanda Prowse wrote the various relationships. Victoria was clearly close to her gran and therefore the letdown, when it came, was very believable. Sarah, her mum, was well written too, awkward and unsure of how to reach out to Victoria, but when they finally found a way to connect, it absolutely made sense.

Daksha, Victoria's irrepressible best friend, was a joy - vibrant, funny, caring, and cake-loving! I also liked Gerald, who seemed completely unflappable and made me laugh as well.

There is a lot in this book about relationships and the choices we make, not always the right ones, as Victoria herself discovers.

You will need a box of tissues handy for this book, but it will leave you with a warm glow at the end despite the rollercoaster of emotions it took getting there.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Amazon Publishing UK, in return for an honest appraisal.

Eighteen year old Victoria comes home after running an errand and find her grandmother, Prim has dies of a heart attack. It shouldn't be a surprise her grandmother was in her eighties. It is, her grandmother was doing her usual things when she left. Now, she's gone.
Now Victoria is truly alone. Prim had been her last surviving family. The devastation is overwhelming.
At the graveyard Victoria notices a no e looking woman who she doesn't recognize. When she goes to see who it is, the woman is gone.
The luncheon is held at Prim and Victoria's home. Duri g a lull in conversation as Victoria is looking out the window she sees the mysterious young woman again. As she approaches the woman to see who she is, she is surprised at the knowledge she has of her home. Than the words she has never expected to hear are spoken to her. I am Sarah, your mother.
A heartwarming, heartbreaking story of love, betrayal. The lies that are said to save the innocent.
Excellent!!

When Victoria's beloved grandmother Prim dies suddenly, everything she has ever known about her life is about to change unimaginably. At Prim's funeral there is a mysterious woman and when Victoria goes to speak to her she reveals that she is her mother. But Prim had told Victoria that her mother died when she was just a baby. There is no way her gran would have lied to her is there?

Victoria is only 18, and is left feeling completely alone and adrift. She does have her amazing best friend Daksha, but in her confusion and grief she pushes her away when she becomes involved with a boy called Flynn. He helps her forget everything for a while, but when he shows himself to be unworthy of her time, she is forced to finally confront all the emotions she has been trying to suppress.

Tentatively, she reaches out to her mother Sarah, and begins to build a picture of why Prim lied to her. As they talk honestly she understands the sacrifice Sarah made, and the reasons why Prim lied to protect her granddaughter.

Dealing with themes of grief, addiction, anger, forgiveness and understanding, this is a warm and beautifully written story of family in all its permutations.

I’d like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Day She Came Back’ by Amanda Prowse in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

When Victoria returns from an afternoon out with her best-friend Daksha, she discovers that her much-loved Grandma Prim has died peacefully in her sleep. During the funeral Victoria notices a strange woman walking in the garden who says she’s Victoria’s mother Sarah. Prim always said that Sarah had died from a drug overdose whilst at Durham University so why did she tell such a huge life-changing lie to her?

For many years I’ve been a great fan of Amanda Prowse’s work and have read practically all of her books but although ‘The Day She Came Back’ was a gentle story and I admit to having a lump in my throat with the description of Prim’s death, it felt as though it had been written for a younger market. I got halfway through the story when I realised I was neither interested in any of the characters who came across as shallow and hackneyed nor what was going to happen to them, to continue reading. In fact, the story felt as if it had been written years ago and re-released as the characters didn’t come over as true to life. I apologise for being so negative and am disappointed that I couldn’t find enough in the story to keep me reading, but this is the first book I haven’t enjoyed and it won’t put me off reading more by Ms Prowse.

This is the story of a young woman, Victoria, who finds that, after her grandmother Prim dies, her mother is alive, and not dead, as Prim had told her. Victoria's mother shows up at Prim's funeral and wants to talk to Victoria but she turns her away. Victoria is angry at both her mother and grandmother for the secrets withheld, and its going to take a long time for her to accept this...

The death of her Grandmother Primrose is hard enough for Victoria to handle but when a woman attends the funeral and tells Victoria that she is her mother she knows she needs answers. The mother Victoria has always thought had died will help her find these answers.
Victoria learns things from her Mother that will forever change her life. Her goal is to find out answers and uncover the secrets that had been kept from her.

This is the first book I have read by Amanda Prowse and I look forward to reading more by her.
Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Prowse for the ARC. This is my personal review for the ARC.

The premise of this book, a young girl finding out the mother she’s been told is dead is actually alive, is good. I felt the book moved slow and found myself skipping over many parts to get to the actual story. Most of the characters are likable, and it’s easy to put yourself in their situations. I received an ARC of this book From NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amanda is one of my favourite author's and her latest release certainly didn't disappoint.

A young girl who is devastated to lose her maternal grandmother who has brought her up since the death of her mother, gets a surprise at her funeral. What follows next is believable and compelling.

I recommend this book as the perfect summer read, whether staycationing or even being further afield.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

What a lovely warm story, so full of unthought of emotions. I adore Amanda Prowse as an author as she tells her stories from deep in her heart. This was so poignant and yet unimaginable, a mother that you believed dead suddenly appears in your life again. Once again a superb story that brings reality to situations with humour, love and of course the tear jerking moments.
Another masterpiece for this wonderful author.

This is an emotional story of family secrets, love and forgiveness, addiction, grief, loss. It is also a story with characters of depth, hope, and moving forward. This was the first book I’ve read by Amanda Prowse - I found it captivating and moving, and I look forward to reading other books by this author.

This was my first Amanda Prowse novel and it won’t be my last. The characters are beautifully developed as are the locations.. Victoria is raised by her energetic grandmother, Prim, when her mother and father die of a drug overdose. When Prim dies suddenly Victoria is left alone in the big ancestral home, Rosebank. She must adjust to her grief with only the help of her best friend Daksha. Daksha and Victoria’ friendship is artfully explored. At Prim’s funeral a woman Sarah, turns up and says she is Victoria’s mother. How can this be? When Sarah proves that she is indeed her mother through a series of letters between her mother and Prim, Victoria must accept that her wonderful grandmother has lied to her her entire life. Sarah wants to have a relationship with Victoria but Victoria is full of rage, heartache and resentment. Victoria makes some unhealthy choices while she is experiencing all these emotions. These choices while inevitably stupid are realistic and understandable for an 18 year old who is lost. Daksha suggests that Victoria meet with Sarah to see if a relationship is feasible. Sarah has her own baggage which she must get through. This is the story of three generational women who made decisions which had far reaching and long term consequences. This was an emotional journey for the characters as well as the readers. This novel covers mother daughter relationships, addiction, family dynamics, grief, love, resilience and strength.