Dear Thing – by Julie Cohen

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

After years of watching her best friends Ben and Claire try for a baby, Romily offered to give them the one thing they most wanted.

But Romily wasn't prepared for the overwhelming feelings that have taken hold of her and which threaten to ruin her friendship with Ben and Claire – and even destroy their marriage.

Now there are three friends, two mothers and only one baby, and an impossible decision to make . . .

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

OMG! I don’t even know where to start this review! Maybe by saying that I absolutely adored every single word of it.

The story follows Romily, ben and Claire. Romily and Ben are best friends. Ben and Claire have been trying for a baby for a really long time, but no success! On a night out with Ben, Romily offers to be their surrogate.

Why is she doing this?! Well, her feelings for Ben might not only be on a friendship level! Romily knows she can have children, she has a daughter called Posie. Posie is great fun and she brought a young and fresh factor into the story. Claire is really suspious at first, but they go for it.

What follows after are months full of emotions, deep feelings, friendships, fear and so much more. I loved that we got to read about all their emotions. Romily’s feelings towards the baby change and when Posie’s father is back in the picture everything gets even more complicated. And what about her feelings for Ben?!

Claire is a music teacher and really passionate for her job. She goes through a lot there, helping one child and she just desperately wants a child. When Romily has a fall while being pregnant, she almost loses it.

And Ben, he is just so happy with everything, finally being able to be a dad.

When Claire finds Romily’s letters to the baby the trouble and the drama starts. All of them are confused about their feelings and don’t know what to do. But there was a decision to make…

I really think Julie did something incredible in this book. Three wonderful characters, who are very different and unique and she managed to capture all their feelings in a beautiful way. There are a lot of emotions included and Julie’s writing is very authentic, vivid and fresh. Also the way she touches the topic of surrogacy and includes in this story is touching and very open.

I really adored the letters that Romily wrote to the unborn child and it just makes the title so gripping and sweet.

This story covers love, family, hidden feelings, guilt, jealousy, deep emotions and so much more. This novel is great on so many levels, a magnificent read, I couldn’t put it down!

Rating:

 

My possible cast:

Romily: Alicia Vikander

Claire: Elizabeth Chambers

Ben: Armie Hammer

Posie: Alexa Gerasimovich

Julie on Twitter:@julie_cohen

Website: http://www.julie-cohen.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Day of Second Chances - by Julie Cohen

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Can you imagine keeping a secret so devastating, you couldn’t even tell the people you love?

Honor’s secret threatens to rob her of the independence she’s guarded ferociously for eighty years.

Jo’s secret could smash apart the ‘normal’ family life she’s fought so hard to build.

Lydia’s secret could bring her love - or the loss of everything that matters to her.

One summer’s day, grandmother, mother and daughter’s secrets will collide in a single dramatic moment.

Is it too late for second chances?

Readers of Jojo Moyes, Liane Moriarty and Lisa Jewell will love this surprising, moving story.

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review*

Three women, three generations, three stories, three ranges of emotions. All of them under one roof – that’s going to be interesting. All three women have a secret…

Honor is in her eighties and lives all alone. She is very clever and independent. When she falls, she goes to live with her daughter-in-law Jo.

Jo lost her first husband Stephen, married for the second time, had two kids with Richard and is now alone again. Turns out Richard was a jerk.

Lydia misses her Dad badly and I wouldn’t say her relationship to her mum is the best. Lydia is the typical teenager and her secret doesn’t make it easier.

Having all three women under one roof, makes them interact more and get to know each other in a different way. They alternate telling the story, so we get inside in each women’s emotions. We learn a lot about their past as well. Also when it comes to Stephen’s death.

The story is bound to a lot of deep and moving feelings. Julie’s writing expresses that beautifully. All characters have something special. This novel has it all: humour, emotions, suspense, family bonds and romance.

Yes, I don’t believe I’m saying this, but The Day of Second Chance was my first Julie Cohen book. I have some on my bookshelf, can’t wait to read them.

Rating:

  

My possible cast:

Lydia: Sierra McCormick

Jo: Jennifer Aniston

Honor: Maggie Smith

Julie on Twitter: @julie_cohen

Website: http://www.julie-cohen.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US