In the interests of transparency, I have to admit that Emma-Claire is a very good friend of mine and one of my writing tribe and I have shared closely in the publication journey of this book. I know exactly what this book means to her and how hard she has worked to get to this point and I so want it to be successful for her. It is always difficult for me to review books in these circumstances. I have this platform to share reviews of books so I obviously want to be able to use it to support my friends but I also am always honest about the books I review and I can’t compromise that for anything if I want my readers to trust me, so I always approach the reviewing of my friends’ books with some trepidation.

I knew this book was also going to be particularly difficult for me because of the subject matter. Having suffered from baby loss myself, it can be hard to read that as a storyline in a novel but I knew that Emma-Claire had come to it from a place of understanding and enlightenment and I share her view that this is a topic that is still shrouded in too much silence and misunderstanding and should be more widely discussed to lift the aura of taboo that surrounds it. This book is filled with honesty and a deep compassion which meant I was able to get through it without breaking down.

Steph and James are a couple deeply in love who just want a baby to complete their perfect family. Unfortunately, on the day that Steph finds out she is finally carrying their longed-for child, she also discovers she has a serious illness, the life-saving treatment for which will almost certainly end her pregnancy. They have an impossible decision to make.

This is a situation that no one ever wants to contemplate finding themselves in but is a tragic reality for some people and, once you sit down and consider what you might do in those circumstances, you realise how impossible the choice would be. Emma-Claire does a fantastic job of conveying just how hopeless trying to logically balance the pros and cons of the choice would be, and just how easily these circumstances can tear the strongest couple apart. How do you come to terms with sacrificing either your child or the person you love most in the world? How do you reconcile yourselves to such an insurmountable loss? No one who hasn’t been through such things can truly wrap their head around what it would be like to be faced with this scenario, but reading Emma-Claire’s depiction of this story might be the closest you will come, I hope. The pain and hopelessness bleeds off the page and into your heart until it feels like it is being ripped asunder, just as Steph’s is.

I will admit, I didn’t always understand Steph and her reasoning along the way. Sometimes she acted in a way that was very different to the way I think I would have and, at points I wanted to give her a little shake and explain why she was approaching things in the wrong way. I was a bit frustrated and afraid for her. But that is the genius of this book. How she was behaving, although frustrating, was totally believable and illustrative of just how impossible it is to make informed and rational decisions when faced with this situation. How people will react purely based on emotion in those moments, unable to look at the bigger picture and weigh up the evidence in a balanced way. It may look like insanity from the outside, but when you are in the middle of it, it seems like the only possible thing to be done. Understanding this, and reacting with love and patience to the people dealing with it, will go a long way to helping anyone going through this kind of trauma cope.

Whilst this book deals with a traumatic topic and will wring every emotion out of you along the way, it also manages to be uplifting and deliver a note of hope along the way. Baby loss is not the end, Emma-Claire and I are testament to that. Life goes on, and it can be a good life if you can find your way through. Books like this can offer a glimpse of that hope when all may seem hopeless, and I think this is really, really important. This book gets the balance just right, it is beautifully done and a tribute in itself to the strength and resilience and determination of couples, and particularly women, everywhere who has faced up to baby loss. To come out of the other side still standing, still living, is nothing short of heroic in my eyes and I cannot think of a better example of this fortitude and grace than this book and the person who so bravely and intelligently wrote it. It may not be an easy thing for some people to read but it is so important and so worthwhile, I truly hope everyone will do so.

So, on behalf of this mother of a child who never got to grow up, I think you, Emma-Claire, for portraying this experience with such skill and sympathy and making me feel a little less alone in the world and a little more seen and understood.

Thanks netgalley for my early review Copy.

What a emotional book. I really enjoyed the read but make sure u got the tissues ready.

This Child of Mine is not my normal type of book but the description grabbed me and I am so glad I read it. It was an emotional, heartbreaking read which I would highly recommend but make sure you have a good supply of tissues to get you through it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

Omg! I'm out of tissues after reading this book, it touches on quite a few hard topics. Stephanie finds out that she is pregnant after struggling for quite some time and she is ecstatic but then Stephanie and her husband find out that Stephanie is seriously ill and that if she carries the baby to term Stephanie will not survive. I don't think there was anything that life didn't throw at Stephanie and through it all she remained brave and strong. The story is very deep and in-depth but is told with understanding and compassion. It shattered my heart but I unfortunately know how unfair life can be, it still broke me this story. I loved every single thing about it though as it is so beautifully and well written. A story of family, love,loss and hope. Keep the tissues handy.

This book had a lot of things to think about. The handling of an impossible dilemma for a couple who after trying for a baby for a long time, find she has cancer. The love of a woman for her unborn child, while battling with the decision to continue her pregnancy or be treated for her cancer. The love of her husband with his own secrets and difficulties from his past. The relationship between the couple to cope with all of this. Beautifully written, it was an emotional, raw and honest read, full of love and hope, and difficult times.
A very good debut novel. I will look out for this author’s next book.
4 stars.

Just wow. What an emotional and beautiful read. Not my usual genre and so glad I had the chance to read this. So well written

Heart breaking and hugely emotional. Be aware that if you have anxiety around pregnancy or childbirth then this is your warning. I have a daughter who's just given birth and another just announced she is pregnant. This was an emotional read and I had to guard my thoughts each time I put the book down. However, what an amazing first novel. I can only think that Emma must have had some personal insight into the trials and resilience of a young mother with health issues. Well done.

I was instantly drawn to this book and I desperately wanted to know Stephanie's story.
I could totally sympathise with Stephanie and completely feel her hurt, anger, resentment, and fear! Imagine having your dreams realised and immediately dashed! I tried to put myself in her shoes and wondered what I would do and found it almost impossible.

The twisty 'secrets' had me on the edge of my seat and fearing the worst!

The infertility topics and various forms of loss were covered in a sensitive manner and gave such an insightful look into the lives of the characters and those facing similar scenarios.

The heart wrenching ending was so touching, and the perfect way to give hope.

Well done Emma on a gorgeous debut! You did great!.

Firstly let me start by saying you will 100% need the tissues when reading this book. This is one of those emotional books that will have you blubbing even before you finish the first chapter, well that’s what happened to me. This is such a heart wrenching read at times and one that makes you think imagine if that was me, what would I do ? From the very start this book had me utterly captivated and by the end I was an emotional wreck. This is the authors debut novel and what a debut it is.

This Child of Mine is a heart-wrenching story, but one which is ultimately uplifting.
Stephanie has been dealt a sh*t hand, to put it mildly. She is pregnant after years of trying but fate has intervened and is trying its best to snatch away the very thing she wants most in this world. I can’t even begin to imagine how you would process being pregnant and diagnosed with a life-threatening illness at the same time. Save yourself or save your baby? I honestly don’t know how I would feel in her situation but could totally understand her reluctance to just put herself first. I could also totally understand her husband’s perspective. A heart-breaking situation to find yourself in.
As if that wasn’t bad enough her life is devastated further and it’s no wonder she feels numb and unable to see any hope in her future.
There is though. There is always hope!
This is where the story really began to melt my heart and leave a smile on my face.
Such a beautiful ending.
I absolutely LOVED it!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**

When Stephanie is told that she's pregnant and that she is sick on the same day, she faces an impossible choice....

After trying for a baby for so long, finding out I was pregnant was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But in the same breath as the news I had been waiting for years to hear, the doctor told me I was seriously ill. If I carry the baby to term, I will almost certainly die. If I proceed with treatment, my baby will not live. My husband- the father of this child - is telling me to save myself. But with all the secrets I know he is keeping from me; I can't trust him anymore. What would you do?

This is a beautifully written but heartbreaking read. Stephanie has an almost impossible choice to make - save her unborn baby or save her own life. She makes her decision, but not everyone agrees with her choice, especially her husband. This is a story of hope, love and loss and it moved me to tears several times. I felt every emotion that Stephanie and her husband James went through. I was fully invested in this story. Despite there being many difficult topics, this book has been written sympathetically. Just make sure you have the tissues handy before you start reading this book. This is the best book I've read this year so far, and I've read some really good ones.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #EmmaClaireWilson for my ARC of #ThisChildOfMine in exchange for an honest review.

I fancied a change from my normal thrillers so decided to give this child of mine a read. It was very different to the books I usually read but I have to say I really enjoyed it.

Finally pregnant after years of trying Stephanie and James cannot wait to become parents. Everything starts off well and they enjoy the journey leading to becoming parents, however things soon change when Stephanie is given a devastating diagnosis where she is forced to choose between saving her life of protecting the health of her unborn baby.

James and Stephanie have different views, and it’s clear James is hiding secrets of his own. Having no children of my own I have no idea what I would do if I was faced with this decision and I could see both James and Stephanie’s points of view.

I tell you what this book was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. I thought the way Emma-Claire Wilson dealt with a range of such complex issues very well and with great sensitivity.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for this review.

I am blown away that this is a debut novel! It was absolutely incredible and shows such talent, it is hard to believe that this author has not written several others. I hope she will continue to write more, I will absolutely be reading them if she does!

Definitely a novel with triggers, my emotions were strong and overwhelming at times. I felt so connected and empathetic towards these realistic characters and my heart ached for them. All was not sad in this book, though. We got to follow the journey that Steph and James traveled, and see how love, forgiveness, and hope led them past and over obstacles in their way. Not every couple can withstand loss or big negative life circumstances like Steph and James did. Absolutely beautiful and heart wrenching novel that completely touched me. I have high hopes for this new author and am excited to see what comes next.

Oh my giddy Aunt! What an emotional and powerful read this is!!
I don’t even know where to begin with this book as I feel totally blown away, and emotionally drained by it.
The very first thing that struck me with this book is how easily I felt every single emotion of Stephanie and James as they go on their journey throughout this book, needless to say the amount of tears I shed on their behalf too. Their story is heartbreaking, and being able to imagine people going through this made me feel so sad.
I’d love to go into more detail but I don’t want to give anything away as there is so much more to this story than the blurb tells you, and quite frankly, even though Stephanie and James’s story has made my heart break, it has also swelled as there’s some absolutely beautiful and moving moments in it too.
My words will never do this book justice, but if you love a tender, moving story that grips at your heart, this book is definitely for you.
My rating comes very easy for this book…a big sparkly 5 stars!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

First, I want to thank Emma-Claire Wilson, Avon Books, and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with this book so I can bring you this review!

Ohh Emma-Claire Wilson you know how to write a beautiful emotionally filled story that pulls hard on my heart strings! This Child Of Mine I needed to escape my reality for a while and have a good ugly cry. However, next time I read this author I will remember to stock up on tissues.

The cover artists at Avon Books did an amazing job capturing the theme of the book. Not to mention the colors were beautiful! Great job.

Emma-Claire wrote some very personal topics dealing with women issues. She did a phenomenal job expressing the raw emotions of each character involved. Stephanie was incredibly brave and immensely strong! I don’t know what I would have done in her shoes. She had my back the whole story!

This story had a lot of ups and downs, twists, turns, secrets, revelations, and heartbreak.

There were some beautiful and touching scenes where you can’t help but smile at how things work out in the long run.

I really enjoyed this.
It was a heartfelt and emotional read, of how an expectant mother has to make an unthinkable choice, and how her relationships with friends and family deal with the aftermath of that decision.
I am not a mother, so I can't imagine the difficulty of the protaganist's situation, but Wilson writes with such pain and the power of her descriptions fill in the rest.
The drama is shocking and unexpected (no spoilers) and I finished the book emotionally tired!
I look forward to Wilson's next offering.

This Child of Mine by Emma-Claire Wilson. ⭐⭐⭐

. Definitely a double, triple box of tissues tear jerker.

Steph has always wanted to be a mom. After miscarriages she ends up pregnant and makes it to 15 weeks she's over joyed. She goes to the Dr and get horrible news. She must decide between her baby or her life. Could you make that choice? Is one more important than the other? How can you even make that choice.
Pre-order your copy today so you can find out what she decides to do. It releases July 6th.

This Book will break your heart but it will make you heal in every way. I highly recommend you read this book.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This was a heart wrenching roller coaster ride of a story. I read this book in two days; I couldn’t wait to see what happened. The author weaves a gorgeously sad sale that sucks you in from page 1. I highly recommend, just make sure you have tissues around. Can’t wait for the author’s next book.

An impossible choice. Deep grief. And hope. All the things facing Stephanie and James when they're told that she's both pregnant and has ovarian cancer. What would you do? These two differ but then the choice is taken from them and they must cope with the aftermath. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a tough and emotional read that pulls at the heart.

Steph and James have tried for years to have a baby, after numerous miscarriages she is finally pregnant with their rainbow baby, but on the day of a scan she is given the devastating news that she has cervical cancer. They have an unthinkable decision to make, have treatment but terminate the pregnancy or continue with the pregnancy but risk Steph"s life.
Oh my goodness this was such a good book but very heartbreaking. You feel every emotion that Steph and James are feeling. Despite having many difficult subjects the book has been written with such compassion. Make sure to have tissues at your side. A great debut novel