I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.
When her loving, free-spirited grandmother Primrose passes away, Victoria is bereft, yet resilient—she has survived tragedy before. But even her strength is tested when a mysterious woman attends Prim’s funeral and claims to be the mother Victoria thought was dead.

As the two women get to know each other and Victoria begins to learn more about her past, it becomes clear that her beloved grandmother had been keeping life-changing secrets from her. Desperate for answers, she still struggles to trust anyone to tell her the truth.

To live a full and happy life, Victoria knows she must not only uncover the truth, but find a way to forgive her family. But after so many years, is trusting them even possible?
I really enjoyed this book from the beginning. It had me spellbound from the start. I will definitely read more books by Amanda Prowse.

The Day She Came Back by Amanda Prowse
As always, Ms. Prowse wrote a story that grabs you from the first page. Death is a hard thing to deal with. Victoria has dealt with a lot of it in her young life. First her mother, then her grandfather and now the grandmother that raised her. How much more can an 18 year old girl take? As much as we thought we knew at 18 years old, we really didn’t know that much. Are we truly ready to “adult” and all the responsibilities that go with it? Inheritance can bring “friends” and “relatives” out of the woodwork. Can you decipher the good from the bad? And what happens if one of the so-called “relatives” is back from the dead! How does one accept this? How does one deal with the lies and betrayal? How does one move on from here?
Well done Ms. Prowse. Well done!

I have read everything that Amanda has written so far and was therefore delighted to have the chance to read this, her latest, book. I love the way this author writes with such beautiful descriptive prose and always a great story line. It did take me a little longer than usual to get into this story as it initially felt as though it was aimed at the YA market, a genre that I don't tend to read , and I found it hard to engage with characters in their mid teens. However, after just a few chapters the story really did come alive for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated the fact that Amanda portrayed these young people really well and was totally in their mindset. Victoria and her best friend, Daksha, were typical teens and their loyal and loving relationship was a lovely part of the story. As the book progressed it became ever more intriguing and the characters leapt off the page. It was good to see some of the older generation i.e. the lovely gentlemen, Bernard and Gerald, staying quietly in the background as they observed the terrible situation that the teens got themselves into and were then there to lend a mature and loving hand of friendship and kindness to help them when needed. Sarah, the mother who comes back into Victoria's life after being absent for 18 years has a very interesting backstory to tell as to why she handed over the raising of Victoria to her own mother, Prim, all those years ago. The author has clearly done a lot of research during the writing of this book especially with regard to Oslo and I fell in love with the place from her descriptions of the country and its people. Never having been there myself this is another for the bucket list! I was very happy with the conclusion of this lovely story and especially enjoyed the Epilogue which tied everything up perfectly. I eagerly look forward to Amanda Prowse's next novel. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Eighteen year old Victoria has lived with her gran since the death of her parents from drug related causes when she was just a baby. Her grandmother Prim has been a wonderfully supportive influence in her life encouraging Victoria to be the best she can and always being there for her. So you can imagine her devastation when her grandmother dies suddenly and unexpectedly and a woman comes to her funeral who claims to be Victoria's mother. Not only is she dealing with her grief over her grandmother's death but also with the realisation that she has been lied to all her life.

All the emotions of shock, grief, even guilt will be so recognisable by anyone who has experienced a loss. Anger, guilt, fear, confusion: they're all laid bare and all totally convincing. It made me feel very protective of Victoria, wondering how it would feel to be completely alone and how to cope so young. Victoria is the same age as my younger daughter and I was trying to imagine her having to cope with all that Victoria went through. One particular part of the story that really resonated with me was when Victoria realised "that she was now the sole custodian of the family history, the keeper of all these memories". Anyone who has lost a parent will recognise that feeling that it's not just their physical presence which has gone, but also all their stories.

Following Prim's death and the meeting with the woman claiming to be her mother, Victoria showed her immaturity with some of her decisions and in the way she treated some people including her loyal and loving friend Daksha and her grandmother's companion Gerald. I was on occasion annoyed and disappointed with her but then I had to remind myself that she was really young and hurting. She really needed someone to guide and advise her. It was good though to see her learn from her mistakes and begin to mature over the course of the novel.

The Day She Came Back is a novel about love, sacrifice and the power of forgiveness. As with all of Amanda Prowse's books, I found it to be a very compelling read and one where I really believed in her characters, particularly because of the sensitive and insightful way she writes about their emotions and actions. This is a powerful and compelling family drama, an emotional and uplifting read.

The Day She Came Back By Amanda Prowse
It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Amanda's books. After 10 years of reading no books, I returned to reading 2 years ago, I've read more books by Amanda than any other author. I've loved every book of hers I have read so far, and loved this book just as much.
Victoria lives with her grandmother Prim, because 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 story that follows is gut wrenching, as Victoria tries to figure out the truth. I loved the story, the characters and the location.
Loved it, loved it, loved it 5/5

Another thought provoking book from this wonderful author. The Day She Came Back was an enjoyable book with a different storyline than I have seen before. If you like Amanda Prowse books then you will love this one and if you are new then you will want to read more by the author. A delightful and not too heavy read.

Amanda Prowse is an author whose writing gently draws you in and holds you within the story. I loved the ease of how I settled right in from the first few pages alone. Even only just meeting Victoria and her grandmother Prim, they felt like I had known them for years.

The setting was so idyllic with the beautiful family home, Rosebank, definitely capturing my imagination. For Victoria to find herself the owner at the young age of eighteen, is a huge responsibility, especially when dealing with grief. Again, this is an author who writes from the heart. The utter devastation and anxiety of losing a loved one, leapt from the pages and I felt every emotion that Victoria was going through.

Something that really stood out to me was the friendship between Victoria and her best friend Daksha. They have been friends for forever and you could feel their closeness. The reason why their relationship stood out to me is that Daksha at times shows the true meaning of friendship. Telling your best friend things they don’t want to hear is never easy but that’s what a true friend will do. Seeing this pair going through some ups and downs as Victoria tries to deal with her grief as well as get her head around an enormous lie, was both captivating and emotional.

This is a story that will have you questioning if you would do things differently. Who knows what we would do in the same position. I can’t say I totally agreed with Prim and Victoria’s mother with how they handled things but I could understand why. The relationship between a mother and daughter is not always an easy one so you can’t help admiring both these women. I also greatly admired Victoria for how she handles things. She doesn’t always make the best choices but the way she deals with the outcome shows what a wonderful young lady she is.

The Day She Came Back grabbed hold of me and kept me there until I turned the last page. I was captivated by these very different women and the dynamics of their relationships. As I have mentioned before, Amanda writes from the heart and as with all her books, this was another compelling and emotive read. Another winner for me.

I’m a fan of Amanda Prowse books but I must say it took me several attempts to connect with this one. I’m glad I persevered though as I enjoyed it once into it. The story begins with Victoria, who is approaching her 19th birthday, returning home to find her beloved grandmother Prim has passed away at the age of 84. Prim has brought Victoria up from a small baby as her parents both died from drug related incidents. Prim’s death leaves Victoria bereft and alone and she relies heavily on her best friend Daksha for company. Following Prim’s funeral Victoria notices a stranger standing in the garden looking at the lake. When challenged the mysterious Sarah tells her who she is which sets off a rollercoaster of emotions for both of them. This is where the story of secrets, lies and betrayal really begins. I liked the warm characters of Gerald and Bernard who I felt played important parts. An enjoyable read but in some areas very predictable but that aside I would recommend. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC

As always with Amanda Prowse's work, character and relationships are at the heart of this novel and there are some wonderful characters to adore and take into your heart. Victoria is feeling desolate after the loss of her wonderful Grandmother, Primrose, has left her seemingly alone in the world. Events transpire that leave her feeling confused and making decisions that go against her character and leave her further muddled and full of recrimination. Her emotions are reeling and she doesn't know how to think or feel.
Her mother's story is devastating and you find yourself really taking to all three generations of women. There is also a wonderful supporting cast in the endearing Gerald and the friend we all need in our lives: Daksha.
This book shows the sheer intensity of loss but also the power that love and friendship has to help us rebuild and regroup when we need it most.

This author has a way of making the characters in her books so vivid, that one cannot, not get immersed in their lives.
Just before turning eighteen, the unthinkable happens and Victoria's grandmother Prim dies, her only living relative.
Victoria was raised by her grandparents, after her mother as she was told, died of an overdose shortly after she was born, and her father had also died.
Prim, the main and most important person in Victoria's life alongside her best friend Daksha, are everything to her, and the loss of her grandmother, and alone for the first time in her life, brought about many fears and questions, particularly after seeing a woman at the funeral who she did not know, yet somehow felt familiar.
This books presents you with a lot of emotions as Victoria, mourns her grandmother and tries to find her way in life, now that she is alone.
We follow her through many mishaps, doing things she never would have done, had her grandmother lived, the wonderful and close bond she and her best friend Daksha had, and the many other people who were trying to be there for her.
Trying to come to grips with a discovery she has made, Victoria takes a trip to s
Sweden to pursue what she has found out.
This is becoming one of my favorite authors, for her in depth characters and story lines.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the copy of this book.

Once again this author makes us feel all of our emotions and we feel richer for it! This feels like a ‘coming of age’ book to me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and whizzed through it.

Amanda Prowse never fails to delivery and this book is no exception, Victoria considers herself to be a plain sort of girl or as her grandma says of all the women in the family potatoes until they mature into chips. Daksha is Victoria's best friend and between them, they are planning a trip of a lifetime before they grow up completely. Prim, Victoria's Grandma and guardian is all for the trip and encourages them, Victoria is not too unhappy about leaving her grandma as she knows she has the friendship of Gerald and handyman Bernard to look out for her. Although Victoria has grown up without parents she has been smothered in love from Prim and her grandpa when he was alive. Everything is going along fine, Victoria even has a conversation with a boy that she has always admired from afar but thought was way out of her league. this conversation delays her getting home on time and when she finally arrives her world is turned upside down and will never be the same again.

Amanda Prowse knows how to get you involved in the lives of her characters, she writes so well about ordinary, normal people that you can really believe in. One of today's great writers, and I always look forward to reading her books!
You could feel the confusion and anger Victoria was going through, it is so well written.
Thank you netgalley.

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I usually find Amanda Prowse novels both absorbing and really satisfying. Even one dealing with anorexia managed to convey the teenage victims inner-anguish whilst showing her parent’s anguish bBut I’m afraid I just found this one exasperating. Victoria is 18 years old but thinks more like a slow 14 year old. Meanwhile her grandmother and her beau are typical of 80 year olds from around 1980. Instead of their past conjouring up images of flappers and David Niven era war heroes they should really be Greenham common/ Grease Lightening characters.
The selfish, maundering girl finds herself bereft when bereaved and when her dearest wish comes true spends page after page bemoaning her lot.
When we arrive in Oslo the descriptions leap off the page and Sarah borders on likeable for the first time. The end seems remarkable neat and happily-ever –after ish.
Not one of her better ones. Don’t let it put you off because there are lots that are really good, realisitic and more gritty than this. It certainly shows the author is versatile and doesn’t write to a hackneyed formula.

Not my favourite of Amanda's books. Young adults might enjoy this story, but sadly it wasn't for me. At the start, the relationship between Victoria and her grandmother was touching. The rest of the story left me cold, as it was hard to relate to any of the characters. I would also have liked more description of dramatic Oslo, a city I have enjoyed visiting, as there didn't seem to be much sense of place. They could have been anywhere.

One of the most powerful books I've read in a long time. The "drama" starts right in the beginning - chapters 2 & 3.

The writing highlights Victoria's raw emotions as she learns elements of her past were a lie and she is left reeling with these discoveries. The author captures perfectly this confused 18, almost 19 year old who was used to a life with an 80+ year old, her grandmother's ways, habits etc and suddenly has to find herself and find understanding of the circumstances of her birth amidst the chaos she finds herself in.

Her mini "rebellion" is captured perfectly and you feel every emotion she is experiencing so keenly. Her anger, her confusion, her feelings of betrayal and heartbreak.

Its such an emotional read and one that should not be attempted without tissues or plans to only read a few pages at at time. Hands down this must be in my opinion one of the best, if not the best, works to come out of the pen of Ms Prowse.

PS I especially loved Victoria's "revenge" on Courtney and Flynn's kind of confession at the end.

A beautiful book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for granting me the opportunity to read this book.

How do you forgive the family that lied to you and love the mom you never had?

Victoria has led a very love filled relaxed life in Epsom, Surrey brought up by her grandparents after being told her mother, Sarah and father, Marcus are dead. Prim, Victoria's grandmother, will never speak of Marcus, blaming him for causing her daughter's death by introducing her to drugs. When Victoria comes home one day and discovers Prim has passed away her world turns on its head and she is left alone, the closest she has to family now is her best friend Daksha, who rallies round as best she can, always with the offer of a cup of tea not far away. On the day of Prim's funeral a woman turns up, claiming to be the mother that she thought was dead. Victoria cannot understand why Prim, the one woman she thought she could trust, would lie to her, but to ever be happy again she needs to find out why. Can she ever trust anyone again?

This story is split between Epsom, Surrey and beautiful Oslo, Norway which Amanda frequently speaks about so lovingly. It's a tale of addiction, love, loss and trust. We all believe we can trust those that we love implicitly, when that trust is broken what do we have left?

Amanda Prowse is one of my go to authors when I need a change of genre from the thrillers and crime that I'm used to, I know without even reading the blurb that I'm going to love the book because, as I've said before, Amanda brings her characters to life through the pages of her books and makes them so realistic that I feel I'm living their lives with them. She covers topics that resonate with us all as we, or someone we know, face these at some point in our lives, she delivers them so on point and so beautifully that it's impossible not to be affected in some way, and once again, I cried so many times through this one. 

I'd like to thank Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

This was an enjoyable and easy read. Lovely storyline written by a fantastic author. Her books never disappoint

Another great story from Amanda Prowse. Victoria has learned to live with the fact that her mother died many years ago. But when her grandmother Primrose dies, she is forced to face that much of what she knows is based on a lie. .Forced to deal with the truth, Victoria finds it difficult to trust anyone.