Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 One day she has a horrific accident waiting to happen at home which affects the children. She provides first aid and takes them to A&E and calls her sister and husband. In her distress she walks away from the hospital feeling it was in the best interests of the children and disappears from their lives.

But what Rose doesn't see is that Maggie is struggling. Every day is a fog of sleep loss and mess made by two tiny children. Left alone in her distress by husband Stephen, Maggie drifts ever closer to the edge. The decisions that are made to come to some sort of agreement, well that did not sit right with me. The one character that felt real was Laura who found their whole way of dealing with things would end in tears…. Frances Maynard (2016 shortlist) award-winning novel The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr was published by Sourcebooks. Stephen and sister Rose are left to cope with life after Maggie. In contrast to her sister, Rose is a single with her own flat and a good job. She also loves kids and is a good organiser. At times she has envied her sister and longed for family life. Now, despite, the trauma surrounding Maggie’s departure, she has an opportunity to have just that. Everything begins slowly. Stephen offers to financially support her if she gives up her job to become a full time carer to Emily and Elliot. This she does and begins to enjoy this new lifestyle. Her skills soon have the family home well organised. The children gradually beginning to stop asking where their mother is. Stephen was quite blinkered. He saw his role as the provider, not really interested in what had been going on at home during the day, or whether Maggie was coping. Rose, the supportive sister didn’t exactly jump straight into her sister’s shoes. However, right from the moment she disappeared, the idea of replacing Maggie had planted itself firmly in her brain until little by little she convinced herself the role was hers by default. What happened after Maggie’s return left me feeling worried about the long term effect on the children. Stephen and Rose’s solution to the problem, for me, didn’t work and was quite cruel to Maggie. And the final twist at the end, I didn’t see coming. I wasn’t sure how this story would end, but the way it did left me wondering whether I could have been as forgiving as Maggie. A good strong debut from Alison and look forward to reading her next book.

I didn’t really like any of the main protagonists in this story. Maggie’s best friend Elaine, who never gave up looking for her, was the nearest; the only one who seemed to care and was determined to find her. Stephen couldn’t see how his wife struggled. He appeared to think in terms of himself as the breadwinner and that his wife’s job to keep house and look after the children should be accomplished without any trouble. He didn’t see, or rather chose not to, the mental health issues that began to crop up. All he seemed to do was criticise. It was clear the hasty marriage and the living pattern they fell into after the children were born showed up distinct differences in what each of them really wanted. Time away allowed Maggie to heal, and also to become someone other than a 24/7 mother.

Since its foundation in 2010, the Prize has been a starting point in numerous entrants’ success stories giving them the platform to launch successful and ongoing careers as novelists, including: A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot. But what Rose doesn’t see is that Maggie is struggling. It’s a brilliant intense read' Elspells‘Beautifully written, interesting & completely gripping . . . This is definitely one that would be perfect for book clubs’ Little Miss Book Lover 87 Sara Collins The Confessions of Frannie Langton , (2016 shortlist) winner of the 2019 Costa First Novel Award, was published by HarperCollins and translated into more than fourteen languages, optioned for television, filming now. An emotional and relatable story.’ Louise Douglas, author of The Room in the Attic and The Lost NotebookA brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires’ Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark& She Lies in Wait Tim Bates, Head of the Books Department & Literary Agent at Peters Fraser and Dunlop, commented, " Among a very high-quality shortlist, one entry stood out for its originality and confidence. Hannah Stapleton’s BLUE TEARS is a stylish, fresh and, at times, disconcerting debut novel. Hannah has created a fascinating view of the world, and her novel is both provocative and gripping. She is a worthy winner. " The Fiction Prize and its authors Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott Swan Song (2016 shortlist), longlisted for the Women's Prize, was published by HarperCollins is currently being adapted for TV.

Catherine Chanter (2013 winner) The Well was translated into twelve languages. Published in UK by Canongate Books. The novel is now being adapted as a film for direct MGM and Hello Sunshine. One of my Kindle First jobbies this month and I LOVED it !! Yes, the odd mistake in it but overall it was terrific. An author I'll be keeping a beady eye upon. Claire Askew (2016 winner) All the Hidden Truths (2016 winner) was published by Hodder & Stoughton. Maggie has everything her sister Rose always wanted. A handsome husband and two adorable children, Emily and Elliot.

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A brilliant concept delivered with real emotional depth and clout. I felt for each and every character in this story of family, guilt and deepest desires' Gytha Lodge, author of Little Sister, Lie Beside Me, Watching From The Dark & She Lies in Wait The pressure results in Maggie leaving and her younger sister Rose, who’s always envied Maggie’s seemingly perfect life, steps in to help.