I read a lot. I am not
sure how many books it was last year but I think about eighty. For 2023 I am determined to keep track of it.
It is also so good to reflect on the list,
and look back on the books that stayed with you, long after the last page was
read.
That Night at the Beach by Kate Hewitt is one of those books. The core theme is motherhood, and it touched my heart. We are all trying to do our very best. We read books like What to Expect when you are Expecting and continue to read and research, trying to do the best by our children. How much discipline is correct, how much freedom to give them?
In this remarkable book, these themes are explored, but also
so much more.
What I truly loved about the story (which was harrowing at times) was that there was never a clear right or wrong. No clear answers, and that is so true to life. We may think we know, but do we ever really know …
As mothers we never dare to delve into our worst-nightmare scenarios. What if… we might murmur to each other, and then shake our heads, telling ourselves it’ll never happen to us if we’re just good enough mothers. Yet here we are. And the steady beep of the heart monitor is the only evidence the child in front of us is alive…
It’s Labor Day weekend, so of course we went to the beach. Like we do every year. For a barbecue picnic with my best friend Rose. It’s the perfect tradition—drinks, games, burgers, music, laughter. Together with our husbands, my two teenage sons and her two daughters, we all arrived as the sun was still shimmering over the water, the whole evening ahead of us.
But nothing goes to plan. Old secrets emerge, tempers flare. And so we parents decide to leave the beach, telling the teenagers to enjoy themselves, reassuring them someone will be back to collect them in an hour or two.
But when I return a little while later, I know something is really wrong. Our teens are slurring their words, stumbling to the car. It’s clear they have been drinking and I’m shocked. I never expected our kids to behave this way. I’m bracing myself to have firm words with them in the morning, but the next day my concerns fade to nothing, when seventeen-year-old Bella claims my son Finn assaulted her.
Finn insists he would never do that. And I so want to believe him. Because I brought my son up right. Because a mother would know, wouldn’t she?
What I don’t know is that the answer to what happened that night on the beach may be a matter of life and death for one of our beloved children…
This is an absolutely heartbreaking story about friendship, parenting and betrayal. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Susan Lewis.
Kate Hewitt is the author of many
romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American
ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five
children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre,
she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.
Treat yourself to this amazing book, that will stay with you for a good long while. Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BLZLZ964social
As I plan my reading
list for 2023 (which is already has a few must be reads on my pile), I would
love to hear what you are reading. What
books are sitting in your mind, and scratching at your heart.
Kerry x
Book Description:
As mothers we never dare to delve into our worst-nightmare scenarios. What if… we might murmur to each other, and then shake our heads, telling ourselves it’ll never happen to us if we’re just good enough mothers. Yet here we are. And the steady beep of the heart monitor is the only evidence the child in front of us is alive…
It’s Labor Day weekend, so of course we went to the beach. Like we do every year. For a barbecue picnic with my best friend Rose. It’s the perfect tradition—drinks, games, burgers, music, laughter. Together with our husbands, my two teenage sons and her two daughters, we all arrived as the sun was still shimmering over the water, the whole evening ahead of us.
But nothing goes to plan. Old secrets emerge, tempers flare. And so we parents decide to leave the beach, telling the teenagers to enjoy themselves, reassuring them someone will be back to collect them in an hour or two.
But when I return a little while later, I know something is really wrong. Our teens are slurring their words, stumbling to the car. It’s clear they have been drinking and I’m shocked. I never expected our kids to behave this way. I’m bracing myself to have firm words with them in the morning, but the next day my concerns fade to nothing, when seventeen-year-old Bella claims my son Finn assaulted her.
Finn insists he would never do that. And I so want to believe him. Because I brought my son up right. Because a mother would know, wouldn’t she?
What I don’t know is that the answer to what happened that night on the beach may be a matter of life and death for one of our beloved children…
This is an absolutely heartbreaking story about friendship, parenting and betrayal. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Susan Lewis.
Author Bio:
Kate Hewitt is the author of many
romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American
ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five
children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre,
she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.
Treat yourself to this amazing book, that will stay with you for a good long while. Amazon: https://geni.us/B0BLZLZ964social
As I plan my reading
list for 2023 (which is already has a few must be reads on my pile), I would
love to hear what you are reading. What
books are sitting in your mind, and scratching at your heart.
Kerry x
