Member Reviews
Emma Robinson; In my top 20 favourite authors for certain! When I read that she had a new book coming out, I set it for preorder and requested an ARC. As is her typical fashion, this author has a gift of writing about the human condition and resulting emotions in such a sensitive and thought-provoking way. Rather than keeping them tucked away, she tackles relevant and relatable topics head on, taking you along for the ride. This one kept me reading, thoroughly engaged and I would highly recommend it.
I was thankful to receive an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it.
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. Kiera and Grace have been best friends since preschool and their mom's, Julia and Samantha are best friends too. The story is told in parts by Julia and Samantha.
Kiera is in a coma from being stabbed with a knife and that's when all the secrets come out. The book is mostly about bullying and it did have a good storyline. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
When you see a book with the name 'Emma Robinson' printed on it, you would be forgiven for assuming a tissue box is needed. But hold your horses on this one.
'Only For My Daughter' is an outstanding novel written by the author that is so different to her usual publications. But don't fret, there is the usual highlight on female friendships, mother and daughter bonds and just out-right feel good stuff.
This felt like a twisty psychological thriller at points with the lies and secrets and just outright wanting to know what had happened.
Absolutely loved this new direction from Emma and cannot wait to see if she carries on with this writing style!
Opposites attract they say, and that is true.
You do have to have some things in common. That’s the first step towards friendship, but when both people want to be in the limelight, I doubt the friendship will last. You need balance in any relationship.
The shy one will be able to lean on the confidence of the outgoing one and the loud one will be tempered by the quiet one. The practical one needs the spontaneous one, …
Sometime friends don’t have the same background or don’t move in the same circles and that’s when problems start appearing. When you want to become part of the popular group, it’s easier to deny your friendship to someone less popular, because you are afraid they won’t accept you anymore either.
Dealing with this is always a bit easier for an adult, but children and certainly teenagers can be so cruel. They don’t realise the damage they are creating and how hurtful it can be.
True friends should always stick together, but when something devasting happens friends can turn into enemies …
Old friends, new friends… But which are the ones you can count on in the end?
A very beautiful story that focusses on some ugly themes. I loved it. 5 stars
Thank you
Two mothers become friends when their daughters start at nursery. Samantha is very organised and confident. Her husband has a fantastic career and they have a lovely home and are able to afford outings and lovely holidays. Julia is kind and modest. Her husband is a policeman who is conscientious and a slave to his job. Samantha’s daughter Keira is a born leader, confident, outgoing and protective of her new friend. They do everything together; Julia’s daughter Grace is thrilled to bits to have made such a forever friend. Grace is a gentle, sensitive, quiet little girl, happy just to be with Keira. Their heads are always together plotting what adventure they are going to have together next. These two families become good friends despite the fact that they only met because their daughters became friends.
Years later when their daughters are ready to go to a senior school at the age of eleven, Keira attends a different school than Grace. Sadly Grace flounders and does not settle down. She finds it hard to make friends. Gradually her sadness and anxiety weighs her down. She is bullied and frightened, vulnerable and no longer the happy child she used to be. Even when she changes school to be with Keira, matters become worse not better, as their friendship falters. Keira is now friendly with a larger friendship group and Grace is devastated. She cannot understand why Keira needs more friends when they used to be happy just the two of them together. She is hurt and dejected.
One day when Julia is at Samantha’s beautiful house the phone rings. Samantha learns that Keira is in hospital. She has lost lots of blood and is in a coma. Samantha dashes to the hospital where she hears that an anonymous caller had dialled 999 to summons an ambulance. Samantha finds out that Keira has been stabbed. That night Samantha asks Julia to bring her some clothes so that she can stay in the hospital with Keira. Julia is more than willing to help her friend. Later, back home again, Julia finds Grace’s clothing smothered with blood. Grace was terrified and frozen with selective mutism. She is very upset and is in shock. This is the story of a criminal act against a 15 year-old girl.
I cannot praise this sad but thrilling story enough. The storytelling was wonderful, fluid and well informed. The characters were keenly envisaged and developed with care throughout the story. They were relatable and became like your own friends, treasured and cared for. The storyboard was skilfully managed and the pace of the novel constant and absorbing. Contemporary issues were introduced; bullying, cherished friendship breakdowns, drug abuse, teenage sexual coercion, violence and threats. Impressionable girls are vulnerable and can be led astray and keep secrets.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Bookouture through my membership of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. These are my own well considered opinions. This is a multi-layered and captivating story filled with interesting and diverse characters and plenty of interest to keep you turning the pages. I recommend this novel as unmissable, full of tension and an excellent read. It’s a 4.5* review from me.
I’ve read a few books by this author and have enjoyed everyone. Love this style of writing straight to the point, not too descriptive but you still have feelings and great empathy with the characters. I was absorbed by page one and could not put this book down highly recommend
This tale of emotional friendships and love between mothers and daughters.
I absolutely love this authors books so everything stopped once I had a chance to read this one and I definitely wasn’t disappointed and read it in almost one sitting. This author has a knack of writing about the human condition and emotions in such a sensitive and thought provoking way and also covering topics that are relevant and relatable to every day life and addressing them rather than keeping them hidden away.
This story explores the subject of bullying and making new friends and also that adult relationships can be just as complex as that of teenagers and how the desperation to fit in can lead
To disastrous consequences and upset.
This was an emotional rollercoaster and tissues were most definitely required. I am looking forward to the next book by this author already.
As usual Emma Robinson has written the type of book that takes a topical subject and weaves an emotional heart wrenching but realistic story around it that also brings the reader in several directions before the end. Definitely a five star read.
My Review:
Loved, loved, and really loved!!!!! Warning, a box of tissues was needed to get through this entire book. My tears were never ending and it pulled on every heart string in my body. For me this book was about friendships and truly finding out who are there for you no matter what. It is very rare that you find a friendship like these characters had in real life. I have to admit I only have one friend that has been through thick and thin with me for the past 18 years. I’m lucky to even have found that. This book also had a bit of mystery to be solved. Who was behind the attack? I had no clue who did and why but I was shocked as ever when I found out the whole story. Bits and pieces of the story were given throughout the book but when you got to the end you found out that there was more to the story than what was being told. This was my first book by this author and it certainly won’t be my last. I enjoyed every minute of this book and can’t wait to read more of this authors books.
In conclusion, the plot, the characters and all the twists in this book made this book an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A book to give you a massive book hangover. Emotional, raw, beautiful, well written, great characters a beautiful storyline and it will make you cry make sure you have tissues.
I received this arc through net galley and the publishers.
We meet grace and Keira, friends since they were four, until life got a bit more challenging. We also meet their mothers.
When Keira ends up injured, what is grace’s involvement in it. How far will each mum go to protect her daughter.
I raced through this book as I needed to know what had happened I would highly recommend this to others
Another fantastic book, heart wrenching and uplifting, I loved it. Emma is one of my favourite authors and he characters are so well written.
Wow! Good deep book!! This book touched on some deep subjects! I've been reading a lot of English/London books they all talk about people carrying knives?! I'm gonna have to Google that because it hasn't been just one book talking about it! Its definitely a scary thought! This book had suspense, intrigue, heartache and heartbreak! It could have triggers for some people so beware! The storyline was so very interesting! I definitely enjoyed reading this book! I highly recommend reading it! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!
I would recommend this book as well-written, escapism I highly recommend this book for a nice lighthearted read with a very deep meaning which will stay with you once you have finished reading the book. Be prepared to shed a tear or two!
Only for My Daughter by Emma Robinson is a compelling story that will certainly keep you turning the pages, but it is first and foremost a story of friendship, mothers and daughters, and the ties that bind.
When fifteen year old Keira is seriously injured in a park and falls into a coma, her morher's world comes crashing down. Samantha cannot fathom how her beautiful daughter's life now hangs by a thread. Keira's friend Grace, meanwhile, has returned home covered in blood, and her mother, Julia, cannot get answers from her, leaving her to wonder about Grace's involvement in events. The lives of the women and their daughters have always been intertwined, but never more so than now. Is their collective history enough to sustain them through a crisis that promises to change their lives forever?
Emma Robinson's novels are always compulsively readable, delving into the depths of human behavious and emotions, and this latest is no exception.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.
This book destrpyed me but in a really good way. It was well written with a heartbreaking, yet gripping storyline and well developed characters. I cried so much whilst reading this book and it will be with me for a long time. A truly heartwrenching, yet amazing read.
I can always Rely on Emma Robinson to write a book on contemporary issues. Only For My Daughter is a reading maze. I went down one path, thinking it was the correct one, only to be stymied and have to retrace my steps and go down another path. It’s a mind twister, sorting out what really happened. Two friends, estranged, who,e the mothers are also distanced. I identified with Grace. I know what it feels like to be iced out of a friendship and be made fun of. Adult friendships are not any easier.
The ending was tidy and hopeful. I still, recommend just having guy friends; it’s a lot easier.