Someone Else’s Child was heart-breaking to read, Catriona and Duncan had so much tragedy in 8 years and it almost broke them. Not only did their living twin Hope die in tragic circumstances and the family not doing very well with processing it, but now April’s birth mother wants to visit her, and promises her so much that it seems April is being pulled away from Catriona.

I cannot imagine living through what Catriona and Duncan went through, it was so sad to read that I was grabbing tissues frequently. It was an emotional read that really got to me and I had to tell my husband what I was reading just to relieve myself from the emotions I was feeling about it.
Alison Ragsdale wrote this perfectly, it pulls you in from the very beginning and doesn’t want to let you go, even when you have finished the book.

Loved it. Really opens your eyes and heart about what families go through when faced with issues in this book. (Not giving away details as I don't want to spoil the book for others)
At one point I got mad cause I thought It was going in a different direction than I wanted it too. Lol
I gave it 4 stars cause a few times I thought pieces of the story was missing.
This was my first book by Alison Ragsdale and I look forward to reading more of her stuff.

Someone Else's Child follows the struggles of Catriona and Duncan as they start and grow their family. Their perfect world is shattered at the birth of twin girls. She is given the chance to try and fill the gaping hole in her life with the adoption of April. Tragedy strikes again and while still trying to piece their lives together, April’s biological mother returns.

Alison Ragsdale brings to life a mother’s greatest fears both as a biological mother and an adoptive mother. She describes perfectly the feeling of a child who is given the opportunity to meet a biological parent and the fear from the adoptive parent that the child will choose the other. The story often leads the reader thinking what else can happen to them. I did not feel that the title was exactly perfect fit for the story. As the tragedies began to unfold, I seem to be waiting for someone else to appear. Once I could concentrate on what was actually happening it became a wonderful read. Thank you Alison Ragsdale, NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alison Ragsdale is a very good writer and an exceptional story teller.
I was very intrigued by the premise and highly captivated by the first part of the book. Then I'm afraid a struggled a bit with it: I felt like too many bad things were happening to this family, and it was really hard for me to read about them. Maybe I just wasn't in the right state of mind to enjoy it completely,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this domestic drama. A touching story about the ins and outs of being a family. And questions how strong that bond is. Great characters and nice storyline.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Alison Ragsdale always reaches deep into your soul with her truly emotional novels and this one is no exception.
From the very beginning, I was drawn into this poignant and touching novel. I fell in love with the characters and felt like I knew them. Throughout there were some happy and then some truly heart-wrenching scenarios as well.
I would highly recommend this novel but be sure that you have tissues close by.

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for fair and honest review.

I know this book has a lot of 5 star ratings but I personally thought it was depressing. Too many sad things to happen to one family. I was really looking forward to reading it, but unfortunately it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Just too sad.

I will be the first to admit, when I see Alison Ragsdale is coming out with a new book it immediately goes onto my TBR and will be a must read. When I saw Someone Else’s Child, I knew I had to read it. Thank you to #netgalley and #bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read this one. All opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way influenced by my receiving the ARC.

Someone Else’s Child is a heartbreaking, heartwrenching story from the very beginning. Being a mother, all the things that occur has you in tears and reaching for a Kleenex at the start. To follow the story of Catriona, Duncan, Faith, Hope and April, the family dynamics and everything that occurs from the opening page will have you continually turning pages without a break because you know that something has to change.

Alison Ragsdale is an extremely talented author that knows how to use the exact words to pull on your heartstrings and not let go. I can not recommend this book highly enough.

Opfh, what an emotional read this is!
Alison Ragsdale really puts you through the mill with your emotions as you follow the story of Catriona and Duncan and what they go through as parents. Just when you think you’ve come to terms with one heart wrenching moment, along comes another one, my heart absolutely ached for little April.
The characters throughout this book are so well written and likeable that you really feel what they are going through and want the best outcome for them all.
This is a very touching read, but one that I’ve really enjoyed.

Devastated at the lost one of her twin daughters at birth, Catriona can't resist the opportunity to adopt a beautiful baby girl, only two days younger than her survivor twin Hope. Nine years later, April finds that she is not Catriona and her husband Duncan's biological child, goes into shock, and she refuses to speak. Just when April's birth mother- Lauren, contacts the adoption agency saying that she would like to meet her daughter. And Catriona's heart shatters bit by bit, as she sees her carefully built family break.

Quite slow at first, this book is a mixture of emotion, family, and love. A readers heart would go out for the bond between Cat and April. For most of the story, we see Cat's heartbreak as she looses everything she wanted so badly, her motherly affection doesn't cease to touch your heart. I really can't put my feelings into words, at this point, but I can say that Cat is a wonderful character, so kudos to the author.! I am not a crier, but, I am sure that if I was, I would cry more than once. The story is one of tragedy, grief, and pain, but Ragsdale has completely balanced out all the tragic scenes, giving you many bits where you can smile. The ending, in my eyes, was perfect, showing a bright future, full of forgiveness, acceptance, remembrance, and underlying sorrow of the past. Definitely read this.

Someone Else’s Child by Alison Ragsdale

Published: January 21, 2022
Bookouture
Pages: 322
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Alison Ragsdale is a former marketing executive, originally from Edinburgh; Alison now lives near Washington D.C. with her husband and dogs. She was educated in England and holds an MBA from Leicester University.

“He had let this happen.”

Catriona is a devoted mother to two daughters, one by birth and one through adoption. She thinks her life is as close to perfect as possible. Until an unexpected tragedy nearly rips her family apart. Now, secrets from the past threaten the fragile future, and all that hangs in the balance.

This was an extremely emotional novel. The premise is tragic, but the process is beautiful. The characters were realistic, and their grief was palpable.

Catriona was a loving mother. She involved herself in every aspect of her daughter's life, and she thrived in the chaos of motherhood.

Duncan is a good dad and a hardworking man. He didn’t spend as much time with his family, thinking there would always be tomorrow, and quickly learning not to postpone what could be done right now.

Hope was vibrant and full of life. She was the older sister, full of sass and an adventurous spirit.

April is every bit the baby of the family. She looks up to her big sister and follows her without question. She is also more perceptive than anyone could have realized.

There is so much tragedy, grief, heartbreak, and ultimately healing and redemption in this novel. Not my typical genre choice. This was an emotional journey from start to finish.

When children experience loss, their emotions process in ways that could seem nearly impossible to understand as an adult, and April’s grief was brutally silent.

Catriona was beautifully written as a grieving mother, who still had to wake up and parent. She had to attempt to process her own hurt, with the pain inside her child.

Between processing feelings, and trying to find a way to keep move forward, the balance is precarious. But the emotions, the forgiveness, and the growth is real.

This was a truly beautiful story from start to finish. The novel started with hope, and it ended with hope. Despite the journey, hope was found.

This book is a must read but be warned it will take you on an emotional rollercoaster and you will need tissues!

It is a lovely story about family and second chances, after the death of their own child they get another chance with april who they adopt. the story is so well written you will be drawn in right from the start and wont want to put it down again. I found myself wanting to hug my own children that little bit harder once I had finished - but what can I say other than Wow - this book is fantastic!

Alison Ragsdale has become one of my most favorite authors to read! She captivates her readers with her magical story telling. This newest book has you hooked right from the start. A family tragedy that nearly brings them to the brink of losing what’s right in front of them…each other. You will not be disappointed and be left needing a few tissues.

I love the drama that this book starts with and the determination Lucy has to continue.

I really liked the descriptions of situations and people in this book. This book has a bit of everything, it's humourous, emotional, romantic, exciting, though provoking and a great bit of girl power.

I really loved the air punch moment near the end of the book, if you read it you'll know what I mean.

Brilliant books and I will be recommending to all.

Oh my heart!! I knew this would be an emotional read but the tissues were needed from the beginning! The book is a heartbreaking but beautiful story about family, loss, love and friendship.

It starts with every parents worst nightmare and from there, Catrionas life keeps falling apart around her. Just when you think losing a child is enough, life throws more devastating challenges at her and I was completely drawn in, feeling all the emotions with her. The hurt, the anger and the joy. I cried with her and smiled with her.

This was my second book by this author and it was just as emotional and brilliant as the last. I will definitely be reading more of hers! What a fantastic story to start the new year!

I enjoyed this emotional story. This is my first book by this author which I enjoyed and look forward to reading more from her in the future. This is a well written story about a family who loses a child and is given a second chance at being a parent. The problem for this family comes in when the birth mother pops up. This is an emotional roller coaster ride story that is inspiring and full of courage. But it also has a side where the birth mother could be keeping secrets and there is something about her that doesnt make sense. I enjoyed the characters and what they brought to the story. Their growth as well as the growth of the plot is great and made the story easy to read. I was pulled into the story by them from the beginning. It is a fast paced story that is hard to put down. You don't want to miss this one. I highly recommend this book.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Someone Else’s Child’ written by Alison Ragsdale in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Catriona and Duncan give birth to daughters Hope and Faith but within hours Faith has died. They’re given the chance to adopt April who’s been born just two days after their twins and although she can’t take the place of Faith she’s much loved and makes their family complete once more. Eight years later Hope is in their boat shed helping Duncan repair his boat when she’s swept into the river adjoining their garden and despite all their efforts drowns. Catriona blames Duncan for taking his eyes off Hope and as their marriage disintegrates he moves out, April stops talking and withdraws from Catriona. Then April’s birth-mother, Lauren, comes into their lives and Catriona has to decide what’s best for April, to continue hoping she’ll talk again or to let her live with Lauren and her half-brother Connor.

‘Someone Else’s Child’ is the incredibly moving story of a family pulled apart after the death of not one but both of their twin daughters and the heart-breaking decisions they have to make. It’s a beautiful novel, well-written with love, pathos, and the determination to do what’s best for their adopted daughter. I was so absorbed in the story of this family that when I wasn’t reading I was thinking about them and by the time I reached the epilogue I was exhausted with the anxiety I had for each and every character involved. Many thanks to the author for writing this heart-wrenching story that will stay in my thoughts for a long time to come.

Oh my goodness this was such an amazing book! Filled with emotional moments, I did have to keep stopping to hug my boys! At times it was heartbreaking but as always there were many uplifting parts too. I could not stop reading this story as I was incredibly emotionally attached to the characters and the situation was on a knife edge.
Simply brilliant

Catriona and her husband Duncan have two daughters, one biological (Hope) and one adopted (April). The daughter are close in age (2-3 days apart) and are the best of friends. When April’s birth mother reaches out and wants to meet her, Catriona does not know what to do.

I can’t imagine what I would do in a similar situation. I admire Catriona and her ability to hold it together throughout everything. I love April and felt for her with all the changes. I loved this book and the characters. This book is about a mother protecting her children no matter the personal cost.

Another emotional story from Alison Ragsdale that should only be read with a supply of tissues nearby. . It is a talented author that can reduce a reader to tears and in spite of that ,tell a beautiful story. This is a book that I will highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC