Member Review

The story starts with foster child Gemma, a new mom at sixteen who gives her child up for adoption. Cut to 18 years later and Gemma has a fulfilling job as a high school school teacher, but is detached from other's lives by choice. She has always wondered about the baby she gave away, but never more so than now after she realizes a new student could potentially be her biological daughter. There's a lovely romance here, yes, but this book is more about all of Gemma's relationships and how her past has impacted how much she allows others into her life. This is a cautious and anxious woman with a troubled familial history, who feels that by avoiding others she is avoiding hurt. But what is she giving up in return? Throughout the story there are nice messages of support and acceptance, especially if you're brave enough to open yourself up to it. I loves the focus on found family and on forgiveness, both for yourself and for others. And I don't usually pay attention to chapter titles but I liked these, they were fun sign posts in navigating each chapter. This is a great book for those needing a literary hug, for those recovering from their past while allowing themselves to be hopeful about the future, and for those that sometimes need a nudge to open their hearts to others. New-to-me author, I'd read her again. Ebook ARC provided by NetGalley for this review.