This book had me in too many tears. A wonderful story, very heartbreaking which fortunately had a happy end.

It cached me from the prologue which literally left me with my mouth open - finding out that your sister is actually your mom can raise so many questions which made me very impatient to find all the answers.

Even the title of the book kind of makes you think that's something heartbreaking that's going to happen in the book.

I would read this again and of course, I would highly recommend it.

Thanks, NetGalley, Bookature Audio and the Autor for offering me an advance audio copy of the book in return for my honest review.

"Please Take My Baby" by Emma Robinson is an emotional rollercoaster that skillfully explores the intricacies of family bonds and the challenges life throws at us. The relationships between Harriet, Erin, Ava, and Imogen were beautifully portrayed, showcasing the power of forgiveness and letting go in the face of complex family dynamics. The story delves into the delicate topics of teen pregnancy and dementia, shedding light on the struggles faced by an estranged family, all while providing a valuable representation of postpartum psychosis.

While the narrative occasionally became repetitive, this was a minor flaw in an otherwise powerful and heartwarming tale. The author's ability to tackle taboo subjects and reveal the hidden struggles of parents makes this book an important read. Emma Robinson's storytelling is both challenging and wholesome, leaving me eager to explore more of her work in the future.

Overall, this book was good. I wouldn’t say it was mind blowing or left me wanting more. But it was still enjoyable. I liked the family aspect, and a little bit of suspense and mystery.

Please Take My Baby is an emotive read about the complexities of family life, motherhood, mental illness, and most prevalently post natal depression and psychosis. It’s written beautifully neither demonising nor glorifying mental illness, which I’ve found to be quite a rare thing in fiction.

The family at the heart of the story are solid, believable, compelling and relatable. Particularly our protagonist Erin. A mother, a daughter and as she discovers throughout the course of the story a granddaughter perhaps explaining the fact that her relationship with her “mother” has always felt a little distant.

Would highly recommend this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookature Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

The book was ok but I didn’t find the deep emotions that others that have read this book seemed to have. The opening chapter sucked me in immediately!

This was the story of four women each experiencing similar feelings as mothers and daughters at different times in their lives for their children. Their past experiences help understand current situations and doing what is best for your children. It was a solid read but I didn’t connect with the characters even though I have lived part of this life as an adoptive mom.

This has been posted to Goodreads.

Please Take My Baby is a heartbreaking story of a multi generational family that has been broken by secrets. But truth be told, as a mother, what would you ultimately do for your family and to make sure they are safe?
Erin has to now wrap her head around the fact that the one she’s always known as mother is actually her grandmother. And why has her real mother never been a part of her life?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story - thru tears and all. As a mother it really makes you think.

The narrator also did a fantastic job.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pub date: 17 October 2023

The opening chapter, where Erin tracks down the sister she never knew she had, was a real emotional pull. Followed by a gut-punch of a twist; “I’m not your sister, I’m your mother!”

And that was me in for the ride! WOW!

Erin needs to understand why her birth mother, Imogen gave her up, but Imogen isn’t talking and neither is Erin’s mum, Ava, who has dementia.

This book is beautifully written and super emotional and Erin navigates the path of caring for Ava and searching for the truth about her past, while also learning to let go of her own teenage daughter, Harriet, who is leaving to live in the USA, with her father.

An impactful story with well developed and relatable characters. A really good read.

Sofia Zervudachi‘s narration was excellent.

4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Emma Robinson and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the free audio book in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Sofia Zervudachi who does an exceptional job. I highly recommend the audio book if you enjoy listening!

This is such a heart wrenching tale of mothers and daughters, and the secrets that they hide from each other. Mental health used to have such a high stigma that it was hidden in shame by new mothers and wives. Even today, it's an issue. This is such an important story.

Ava, Marcel, Imogene, and Erin have spent much of their lives suffering in silence and hiding their shameful secrets. As Ava becomes more ill with dementia, the secrets start to unravel.

Highly recommend!

‘Please Take My Baby’ is an emotional read that explores the complexity of motherhood in the face of mental illness.

Erin is a single mother and the caretaker of her elderly mother, Ava, who has dementia. When Ava’s dementia causes her to spill a major family secret, Erin learns that Ava is her grandmother. Her real mother, Imogen, abandoned her as a baby after suffering from postpartum psychosis.

It is, at times, a really hard story to read, but it does justice to all of its characters, neither demonizing nor glorifying the mentally ill Imogen.

Postpartum mental health isn’t taken seriously enough nor is it understood well enough, but things have come a long way from when Imogen was a mother. We see how three different women respond to unplanned babies in ways that feel realistic.

While a lot of the story is incredibly sad, it ends on a hopeful (mixed, not unrealistically positive) note. It was an enjoyable read - definitely not a light beach read, but I think mothers in particular will find it interesting.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.