I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Patience is an emotionally charged and suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author's ability to weave together a complex plot with intricate character development is truly impressive. The main character, Patience, is a flawed and relatable protagonist who undergoes a remarkable transformation throughout the story. The supporting cast of characters is equally compelling, each with their own unique backstory and motivations.

The pacing of the novel is excellent, with just the right amount of tension and action to keep the reader engaged from beginning to end. The themes of family, betrayal, and redemption are explored in a nuanced and thought-provoking manner, making Patience much more than just a typical thriller.

Overall, I highly recommend Patience to anyone who enjoys a well-written and suspenseful story with complex characters and themes. Victoria Scott is a talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

A beautifully written story of Patience and how she is experiencing the world around her - and how her family don’t always understand her illness or

This was a great book to read. It's moving, and thought provoking, and beautifully written. I highly recommend it.

I loved this book and was hooked from the start. Such a wonderfully written story full of hope, courage and honesty.

Patience is beautiful and thought provoking... Just what is normal? A lovely read that makes you feel so many emotions. Also loved the Take That references.

A touching story of love and hope with an unforgettable narrator. The perfect thought-provoking, uplifting read.

Okay, heads up. I am a huge Take That fan, and I have cerebral palsy. So this book sounded perfect for me!
I loved it, the different perspectives of the various family members really helped me gain an understanding of Patience and the impact of her condition on her relatives.
I had not heard of Rett's Syndrome before reading this book, and upon it's introduction, I immediately looked it up online. The premise of the story centres around Patience, and the dispute about her care among her family. Her chapters are heartfelt, traumatic and so moving to read. She is unable to communicate her needs and feelings to those around her, and I admit this was agony for the reader to share the pain with her whilst others decided her fate.
The personality of Patience shines through, as does her love of Take That. I do wish there were more references to the band though, I can't lie! I felt for Patience as she is put through repeats of the Progress Tour DVD, that's my least favourite tour!
On a serious note, Scott deals with the subject matter beautifully, weaving a little humour to lighten the intensity throughout.
I loved this, and Patience will stay with me for a while yet. Wonderful.
Also posted to my Instagram and Facebook pages 'Curling Up with a Coffee and a Kindle'

I really loved this book, it was written so well, and totally engrossed me.

Patience has Rett syndrome, a rare condition that has devastating effects. Completely physically dependent, locked in and unable to communicate.

The story is told from her perspective and that of her parents and older sister Eliza. This to me made it fascinating, and added a depth to the writing that engaged me from the start.

Each person is struggling in their own way and tensions have pushed this family apart. Things become even more tense when Louise wants Patience to take part in a gene therapy trial that might reverse some of the effects of her condition. Pete, her Dad, is adamant that she should not take part. And Eliza, her sister, is caught in the middle. The skill of the writing is that the reader has empathy for all sides.

Written with sensitivity, heart and compassion, this is a book that will take you on a journey with heartache and sadness along the way, but ultimately with a wonderful dose of hope to uplift.

I enjoyed this story of a young woman who is totally immobile and cannot communicate with her family and carer because she has Rett's Syndrome. The story is written from different characters' perspectives and the voice of Patience is wry and funny. Her mother and father are going through difficult times in their own private lives as well as their shared married life. Her sister is struggling to make sense of the world and her place in it. For all that it is a serious subject, the book is quite light and the ending happier than you might think. I do recommend it.

Patience, a debut novel by Victoria Scott is a sensitive and thought-provoking glimpse at life with a severe disability and how it impacts the whole family particularly when faced with a dilemma about a medical trial that could change everything for good or bad. Patience was such a beautiful character, humorous and likeable, and fully aware of what is going on around her. Each chapter looks at the situation from the point of view of each member of the family including Patience and it was lovely hearing her ‘voice’ even though Rett syndrome had taken her actual voice from her as a toddler.

I knew nothing about Rett syndrome, so did some reading around it to familiarise myself with what it is. When the family is faced with the chance to put Patience on a medical trial that could change everything for her, I must admit I spent the time when I didn’t have the book in my hands pondering what I would do in the same situation, and even days later I’m still unsure about what I would do. It was easy to see that the decision to sign Patience up to the trial would create disagreement within the family, and it was heart-breaking to see what it did to all of them, with the exception of Patience who found that her sister Eliza was the only person who spoke to her about the trial in an attempt to reach a decision.

It’s rare in fiction to read about a character with a disability, let alone a severe disability and I loved that we heard about it from Patience herself, who was such a wise and delightful character. I also loved that Victoria Scott drew inspiration from her own sister who has Rett syndrome. This book had me up reading until 3am because I could not go to bed until I knew what happened. It is a book, and a main character, that will stay with me for a long time, and I have to say it is easily one of my favourite reads this year.

Absolutely amazing book. It is so well written - the characters really come to life. It was touching and thought-provoking with a lovely ending. Absolutely recommend.

The story of two sisters one of whom has Retts disease. This book is about the effect that Patiience has on the family relationships and the coping systems they all have. As the book begins, Eliza's long term relationship is coming to an end . The reasons are gradually revealed.
Their parents cannot agree on the use of a new therapy for Patience and this creates problems between them. The descriptions of friendships and relationships was excellently done. Very believable and easy to read the reasons for not talking about feelings is clear because sometimes the care for Patience takes precedence.
That Rett's disease was not identified until relatively recently was a suprise for me (I have worked in childrens' hospital care for many years) It was extremely well described though.
This book is written from the personal experience of the author, that shines through. It follows the ups and downs of being a family of carers, with some insight into the life of the person being cared for, warts and all. It is a read which gives you food for thought, I will be thinking about it for a while
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4205969610

A beautiful story which will stay with me for some time. One I will be recommending.

Patience has Rett syndrome - her parents are offered the opportunity for her to be part of a gene therapy trial. This brings fractures to the family to the fore - is it worth the risks for the potential gains? Do they risk the current status-quo where Patience is happy and able to live comfortably. While this decision is being made her sister’s life is imploding, her mother is having a breakdown and their parents’ relationship is breaking down. Patience is aware of all that is going on around her but has no way of communicating.

The outcome is heartwarming and unexpected.

A story of hope in such uncertain times.

A resounding 5stars for this powerful book about Patience and her family coping with Retts Syndrome of which I knew only a little about. The book has been written by Victoria from a very personal perspective as her own sister suffers from this genetic disorder and especially the impact on those closely connected to the sufferer. I love the conversations that Patience has with herself in her head and these are so insightful and should make us all think that although a disabled person might appear to be not 'with it', they quite possibly are and we should treat them to the respect they deserve. An amazing tribute which is totally honest and at times brutally so about the condition and the effect on those dealing with it, whether the patient, the family or the carers. A must read.

This story is thought provoking and gives a real insight into the world of disability and the effect on the whole family.
Patience has Rett's Syndrome, caused by a faulty gene. It means that while she can think perfectly well, her body doesn't function. She can't move independently or talk. Her family know that she like Take That, butterflies and The Muppets and often smiles and laughs.
The story is told by Patience and her family in turn. Mum, Louise, who cares for her on a daily basis. Dad, Pete, working abroad to provide enough money to keep the family going. Eliza, her sister, who has her own life and troubles and Patience, locked in her own body.
Then one day, Louise finds out about a medical trial for gene therapy which could greatly improve Patience's life. But also could have unknown side effects. Should she have the therapy?

This book was a joy to read - one of those books that makes you go to bed late because you don’t want to stop reading. You want to know what will happen because you come to care about the characters. Although Patience is at the centre of this story, the lives which revolve around hers are explored with detail and sensitivity too. I knew literally nothing about Rett’s Syndrome before this and the writer used the knowledge she has gained from her personal experience to educate readers about the condition. There’s almost an element of the autobiographical about it, although details have been changed. A lovely book, interesting, engaging and well written.

If you were offered a chance to cure your child's disease, would you take it? The Willows have been through a lot. Louise has devoted her life to caring for her disabled youngest daughter. Pete works abroad, almost never seeing his loved ones. And their eldest, Eliza, is burdened by all the secrets she's trying to keep from her overloaded family. Meanwhile, Patience observes the world while trapped in her own body. She laughs, she cries, she has opinions and knows what she wants. But those who love her most - and make every decision about her life - will never know.


Victoria Scott is a spectacular talent. She writes with heart, humour, compassion and raw honesty, managing to educate while also entertaining. I was completely invested in the lives of this family. An extraordinary story about family, love and hope, this is a book that will linger long after reading and hold a special place in my heart.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Patience is one of those books that you will find a place in your heart and it will stay there forever. It is a powerful story full of raw, honest emotion that will pull at your heartstrings and your mind will be given plenty to contemplate and ponder over. It’s also a story filled with warmth, humour and moments of magic that will light up your life.

It’s hard to believe that Patience is the author’s debut novel as it is such an accomplished read. They do say write about what you know and Victoria Scott has channelled all her inside knowledge of growing up and living with a disabled young woman, all this experience has created Patience and I can’t thank Victoria enough for bringing to light this wonderful book.

Patience is a young woman who has been living with Rett syndrome for 30 years and this is her story and her family’s story coping with life and it’s ups and downs. The chapters in the story are told from different members of the family and are leading lady, Patience, has been given her own voice.

When Patience mum hears of a new ground-breaking gene therapy trial to reverse Rett all her hopes and dreams for Patience feel within grasping distance. However, this therapy is not without risks and a divide in the family supporting the trial brings many heart breaking and soul searching moments. Can a therapy to help Patience and others like her break the minds of those around them?

I loved this young woman Patience from the start and found myself getting emotionally charged from the first chapter. Patience is unique, she’s funny, she’s outspoken, she’s got a voice and opinion but due to her condition no-one else can hear her. The strain within a family bringing up a disabled child must be constant and the author has highlighted this with honesty and compassion. I also felt the overwhelming helplessness at times and also a love so strong nothing will come in it’s path.

I simply adored this story. A story of a family coping, adapting, facing obstacles, new beginnings, hope but most of all a family enjoying the uniqueness of each individual person.

Truly wonderful!

I absolutely loved this unique and very special book. Patience has Rett Syndrome and is a wheelchair user and non-verbal. The story is told from several perspectives, her mum’s, her sister’s, and Patience herself. I really loved the way Patience had a voice, and it gives us an insight into her personality and what life is like for her. I work with children with additional needs, and I’ve often seen how people will talk about them in front of them and how others treat them, and I think this aspect to the book is really thought-provoking, as well as thoroughly entertaining, as Patience has a brilliant personality. She’s a huge Take That fan, and she has a great relationship with her carers.

We get great insight into the lives and struggles of her parents, and her sister, but above all, this is a gorgeous and heartwarming story. The author has taken a sensitive and authentic approach to disability, and while giving us a real insight to the reality of it, has also shown us how truly special people with profound additional needs are, and how they can enhance the lives of everyone that knows them.

A gorgeous read, I enjoyed every page of it, and I know that this is a book that will stay in my heart for a long time.