I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of The Girl She Left Behind by Jo Bartlett, her new standalone novel: published on 31st January by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Many thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I’m sure there will be many who enjoyed their visits to the midwives of Port Agnes as much as I did – and perhaps, like me, you’re looking forward to the continuation of her new series that began so wonderfully with Welcome to the Cornish Country Hospital (you’ll find my review of that one here). But I was so pleased when Rachel’s email arrived in my in-box announcing a brand new standalone novel, and one that the publishers were describing as “gripping and heartbreaking” – I so love Jo’s writing, and this was a book I was particularly looking forward to…
Brand new from best-selling author Jo Bartlett, an emotional and uplifting read, guaranteed to break your heart and put it back together again.
A family in turmoil…
Phoebe Spencer left home a long time ago, desperate to get away from her mother’s emotional manipulation. She knows her life is better away from her family, but she can’t help feeling she’s simply running away from her problems…
Then Phoebe hears that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared, leaving behind her four-year old daughter, Darcy. Phoebe’s certain Lucy will be back soon – she’d never leave Darcy alone – and then Phoebe can get on with her life again.
But as the days pass there’s still no sign of Lucy, and everyone begins to fear the worst. Phoebe has to consider the terrible truth that Lucy might never come home. And as their mother makes it clear she wants to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe must do all she can to protect the girl her sister left behind – no matter the cost to her.
A brand new emotional read from bestselling author Jo Bartlett.
This was a book that really did break my heart, and it was a powerful story with far darker edges than you might be expecting if you’ve read others from the author – although she’s really never shied away from real-life problems and situations, with a particular sensitivity to her emotional touch. Some of the early reviews even talk about it as veering towards thriller territory – but it’s perhaps rather more about what’s in the shadows, the legacy of a difficult childhood, and the emotional impact as the threads of a mystery are slowly disentangled than edge-of-the-seat and fast paced action. It does rather defy categorisation – “family drama” should maybe be in there somewhere too – but I have to say I thought it was an absolutely stunning read.
Phoebe moved to London as soon as she was able, escaping the manipulative control of the mother who’d made her young life a misery – but sister Lucy stayed, making a home for herself and young daughter Darcy, supported by friend and neighbour Jamie, but frequently struggling with life’s demands. And when she disappears, Phoebe has little choice but to return, taking on the care of the child she hardly knows – to keep her away from their mother’s grip and influence, and provide a place of safety – while searching for Lucy and hoping she will return. With secrets he’s unable to share, she’s supported – practically and emotionally – by Jamie, unexpectedly finding herself building a close relationship with the abandoned child and finding the strength and determination to protect her, both from their mother’s self-centred interference and the possibility that Lucy will not return.
The facts that emerge about the sisters’ experiences with their mother are horrifying – and the betrayal that proved to be the catalyst for Phoebe’s departure from her home town and left her struggling to form future relationships had me in tears. The part played by their father saddened me deeply too – enabling the abhorrent behaviour through looking away and pursuing an easy life. But in the present day, there’s real joy to be found in the growing love between Phoebe and her young niece, as she puts her own life on hold and grasps onto every sign that provides hope of Lucy’s return. Her growing relationship with Jamie is well drawn too – a growing attraction to a genuinely lovely man, whose secrets we begin to understand through the sharing of his viewpoint – along with the supportive friendships she finds through the mothers of Darcy’s friends.
Every character is searingly real, their experiences something you can really feel and touching you to the heart – with some of the themes, around loss and memories of the living, having a particular personal resonance. And the writing is quite wonderful, with plenty of the author’s usual warmth and lightness but tempered by those edges of darkness. The whole book is a considerable emotional journey – totally immersive, and gripped me from the very beginning through to its very last page. An unforgettable read, and the author’s writing has never been better – a very strong recommendation from me.
About the author
Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast. Boldwood published the first title in The Cornish Midwife Series – part of a twelve-book deal – in April 2021.
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