A beautiful novel that tells a heartbreaking and heart healing story. Very well written and easy to become invested in the characters and their journey.

I found When I First Held You to be a deeply affecting and original read. I was so moved by it and unlike many books I've read recently, this one stood out and left a lasting impression.

Judith and Jimmy are both three-dimensional characters who felt very real. They aren't perfect, far from it, but they are likeable and relatable, with flaws that make them all the more human.

The author’s note reveals that Anstey Harris was writing from a personal place, as she herself was born in an unmarried mothers' home. This gives the story an added layer of empathy and realism, highlighting the harsh realities faced by women like Judith in the 1960s. It wasn’t that long ago, but the choices available to single mothers were heart-wrenchingly limited, and the novel captures this beautifully.

The writing flows beautifully, smoothly blending past and present while gradually revealing details that add layers to the story. One of Harris's biggest strengths is how she balances these timelines without losing the emotional heart of the book.

While heartbreaking at times, the novel also offered moments of hope and healing. It was a truly memorable and well-written book and I'm excited to read more books by Anstey Harris.

Themes of love, loss, and grief abound in this novel. A thought provoking novel on the power and importance of relationships to humanity.

This book did not work out for me. I don't think it was the book's fault, nothing wrong with the story or the writing, I just wasn't a fan of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you for sharing this book with me! It was a great read with a compelling hook and well crafted characters.

This is a beautiful story. The story is told from a dual timeline. The characterisation is excellent. It’s a heartbreaking and heartwarming book.

As a historical fiction fan and lover of all things Scotland, I knew I wanted to read this one set in Glasgow during the 60s. Judith and Jimmy fall in love while protesting nuclear war. When they are raided and Jimmy is arrested and sent to prison, Judith is left alone and pregnant. Forced to give up her baby in a home for unwed mothers, she is left with the trauma and heartbreak of both losses. Years later, Jimmy returns and old wounds are ripped open. This was such a powerful and emotional read of struggle, loss, mourning, heartbreak, love, and forgiveness. Well written and compelling, it is one of those stories that stay with you after you have finished it. Thanks so much to Anstey Harris, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.

When I First Held You tells the story of Judith recently bereaved after the of her decades long parent: the famous landscape artist Catherine Rolf and the sudden appearance of her first love James.

There is an exploration of a period of history that if written about in this review is somewhat spoiler for a reveal that occurs someway into the novel. The author has been motivated to explore this part of British history due to her own beginnings and life.

Although the story is an important one to be told and the characters are loveable, there was a magic spark missing from the writing style for me that prevents me awarding a higher star rating.

I would certainly recommend this book to others that have an interest family drama and historical fiction as some of this story plays out in the 1960s.
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Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

Reading this book, left me just feeling wow.

This novel is about loss and love and how we are both broken and mended over time. This is beautifully written and also heartbreaking. Reading this, I find myself at a loss of words of how to describe this, except that I find this a must-read.

Interesting read from Anstey Harris based on a time when women had some freedom but maybe less choices than they have today. Judith is working in her Repair shop and recovering from the death of her long term partner Catherine when a face from the past comes to her door, forcing her to address issues from her youth. Reflections of a time when young people were drawn to anti - nuclear causes, relationships were freer than they had been and forced adoptions were commonplace.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review

Absolutely loved this book!

The writing style was really good and I look forward to reading any other books from this author in the future :)

It's easy to fix broken things, but how do you fix broken people? This novel is absolutely gorgeous.

A dual-timeline novel alternating between 1960s Glasgow, when Judith and Jimmy fall in love, and present day, when the two reconnect after 50 years apart. This is a novel about adoption, but this is also a lesson in how harrowing it was to be an unwed mother in the 1960s (let's face it, not that long ago).

All of the characters-- from the main players to the supporting cast-- are fully formed. The descriptions, particularly of Glasgow in the sixties, transported me there. This is a very personal story for Anstey Harris and it shows.

Lovingly written and lovingly read.

This story covered some heavy topics and handled them very well. Was an amazing read, keeps you enthralled and full of twists and turns.

I couldn’t read this book quick enough and looked forward to picking it back up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I highlighted this book on my Booktube channel. The video can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/0UGiE3mbWOs

When I First Held You’ is the latest book by Anstey Harris.

In 1960s Glasgow, anti-nuclear activists Judith and Jimmy fall in love. But their future hopes are dashed when their protestors’ squat is raided and many, including Jimmy, are sent to prison. Pregnant and with no word from Jimmy, Judith is forced to enter an unmarried mothers’ home, give up their baby and learn to live with her grief. More than half a century later, Judith’s Mending Shop restores broken treasures, just as Judith herself has been bound back together by her late, much-missed partner, Catherine. But her tranquillity is shattered when Jimmy―so different and yet somehow the same―reappears, yearning to unpick the painful past. Realising they each know only half of the other’s story, Jimmy and Judith finally break the silence that tore apart what might have been their family. Amid heartbreak and hope, how much can now be mended?

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Anstey, but I’ve always had a soft spot for her debut novel called ‘The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton’

In her latest book we meet Judith who met James during the 1960s, they were young protesters who fell in love and when James is arrested, Judith is left behind pregnant. She returns home hoping for her parents support but instead is sent to a mother and baby home, where her baby is adopted. Judith has never given up on finding her daughter and when James comes into her life, they face old ghosts as well as connect with Ruby, their granddaughter.

The story is seen through the narrative of Judith and Ruby as they meet and begin a new relationship. Both are tentative whilst James just jumps straight in. He’s unaware of the hardship that Judith went through after his arrest and it’s quite hard reading in parts, as Judith tries to keep her baby only for it to taken away.

The story is also written in past and present tense and really highlights the trauma a single woman has to go through when pregnant. The pressure and judgement from society and the church that forces women into these homes and tears families apart makes for really sad and upsetting in parts.

A tender and beautifully written story about the horrific times women had to go through, ‘When I First Held You’ is an emotional story about, love, loss and reconciliation that will tug at your heartstrings.

You can buy ‘When I First Held You’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

I have followed Anstey Harris's writing for some time, she has such passion and grace in her prose. When I heard about this book, I knew i had to read it- and what a story. Heartbreaking and tender in equal turns, this tale of life in an unmarried mothers' home and what happens afterwards will leave you emotionally broken but with hope for the future.

This book was hauntingly beautiful - I was hooked from the beginning!
One of the things that stood out for me was the characterization of the book, I felt like I knew Judith and Jimmy.
Although the story flows between different timelines as a reader you are never lost. As a reader you can understand the feeling of lost chances and the misunderstandings which is brilliantly encapsulated.
I will forever recommend this book, if you're looking for an emotional read.

Thank you so much for the ARC. It’s a story about how two individuals met and fell in love as anti nuclear protesters. Unfortunately they separated and reunited after 50 years. The writing really touches your soul and makes your heart ache with tears flowing down your eyes. It’s not all sadness too as there’s laughter. Really worth the read,

I loved this book. Anstey is a gifted storyteller, her books draw the reader in. I read this book over the last two days and I'm so sad that the story has come to an end. Such beautiful, engaging and memorable characters.

A heartbreaking story told with great sensitivity which draws on the real life experiences of unwed mothers in the 60's in Scotland. The characters are richly developed and I was invested from the beginning. The story follows Judith and James when they first meet as idealistic young adults and when they reunite 50 years and a lifetime later. The story moves between the times and unfolds Judith's story with care and an unexpected twist and betrayal. Beautiful narrative and prose, not to be missed.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this eARC.