Searching For a Silver Lining – by Miranda Dickinson

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

It began with a promise ...

Matilda Bell is left heartbroken when she falls out with her beloved grandfather just before he dies. Haunted by regret, she makes a promise that will soon change everything...

When spirited former singing star Reenie Silver enters her life, Mattie seizes the opportunity to make amends. Together, Mattie and Reenie embark on an incredible journey that will find lost friends, uncover secrets from the glamorous 1950s and put right a sixty-year wrong.

Touchingly funny, warm and life-affirming, this is a sparkling story of second chances. Perfect for fans of Cecelia Ahern, Searching for a Silver Lining will take you on a trip you'll never forget.

My Opinion:

Two women, two different generations, two different stories, but their stories kind of become one big story.

Let’s start at the beginning. Matilda Bell’s grandfather died and just before that she had a real fall out with him.

She is determined to make it right.

That’s where Reenie Silver comes in. She was part of a popular band in the 50ies called The Silver Five. Together they go on a journey to fin all her band members, make peace with them and bring them back for a concert.

The journey is full of ups and down for both women, they go through a lot, but the great thing about that is that they have each other. It’s wonderful to read about their growing bond. Reenie is trying to put things right after 60 years and Matilda apart from helping her learns more about her grandfather and of course also has a love interest. The people they meet on the way are very interesting and add a lot to the story.

I really love the idea behind this book and it’s impressive how Miranda always comes up with something new and unique.

It’s great to follow these lovely characters around the UK and discovering more and more about them. I think the title is perfect for this book and both women and their stories. Miranda’s writing has the capability to put a smile on your face, it’s full of emotions and depth.

There was something stopping me from completely diving into the book and it’s really hard to explain. I guess it was especially Mattie’s grandfathers part and past that didn’t come through for me. It’s still a gorgeous story with a very unique touch.

Rating:

My possible cast:

Matilda: Gal Gadot

Reenie: Ellen Burstyn

Miranda on Twitter: @wurdsmyth

Website: https://miranda-dickinson.com

Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US

The Secret of Midwives – by Sally Hepworth

Original Cover

My own story

The blurb:

A novel about three generations of midwives (a woman, her mother, and her grandmother) and the secrets they keep that push them apart and ultimately bind them together

THE SECRETS OF MIDWIVES tells the story of three generations of women devoted to delivering new life into the world—and the secrets they keep that threaten to change their own lives forever. Neva Bradley, a third-generation midwife, is determined to keep the details surrounding her own pregnancy—including the identity of the baby’s father— hidden from her family and co-workers for as long as possible. Her mother, Grace, finds it impossible to let this secret rest. For Floss, Neva’s grandmother and a retired midwife, Neva’s situation thrusts her back 60 years in time to a secret that eerily mirrors her granddaughter’s—a secret which, if revealed, will have life-changing consequences for them all. Will these women reveal their secrets and deal with the inevitable consequences? Or are some secrets best kept hidden?

My Opinion:

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

Three generations of women, three midwives, three stories. I really liked the concept of this story from the start. The three women took turns telling the story, so the chapers were dedicated to one, moving on with the next chapter and the next woman.

Neva Bradley is the youngest. When the story starts she is already 30 weeks pregnant and finally has the courage telling her parents. Of course her mum Grace is curious about the father, but there is no father, at least that’s what Neva says. A mystery and one I was really curious about. I kept speculating throughout the whole story, I had my suspicions, but of course I got surprised with the actual “father”. Neva is much closer to her dad than to her mother Grace, which was shown pretty clearly in this story.

Grace, is of course also a midwife. She is dealing with her husband Robert, who might lose his job and their relationship seems tense. Then there are these allegations made against her, because of a risky home birth. She might lose her job, which would be really bad for her and Robert.

Floss is a retired midwife and also Floss carries around a secret. This secret is intense and will have a lot of impact on all their lives.

In Neva’s life there is Patrick. He went through a lot and always found help in Neva. He stays with her half the time and is very surprised when he hears about her pregnancy. His reaction is the best though and with his feelings for her, it really made me happy. They are made for each other and had shared some wonderful moments and scenes in this book. Patrick is such a gentleman and just so attentive, sweet and caring! I have to say I fell for him as well! It’s hard for him, the story with the unknown father comes between them of course and when someone he knows as well could be the father, he is so torn. I was just hoping for them and wanted them to find a way!

I really liked that all three women were taking turns in telling the story. The storyline flowed beautiful and the transitions from chapter to chapter ran smoothly. Sally’s writing is very gripping and engaging, the scenes felt so real and authentic and I loved how all three of them had their own story to tell and it still felt like one big piece. I enjoyed Neva the most and felt like her feelings came across beautifully.

A fantastic read, with great characters and riveting storyline! I’m really looking forward to reading more of Sally’s stories.

Rating:

My possible cast:

Neva: Rebecca Rittenhouse

Grace: Julianne Moore

Floss: Senta Berger

 

Patrick: Eric Dane 

Sally on Twitter: @SallyHepworth Website: http://www.sallyhepworthauthor.com Goodreads - Amazon UK - Amazon US