A Mother's Secret by Minna Howard

☆☆☆1/2
Kindle Edition, 214 pages
Expected publication: March 5th 2020 by Aria
About the Book:
Verity seems to have it all. A beautiful home, two grown-up sons and a husband who has always been her rock. But one day, the doorbell rings. And it changes Verity's life forever. Saskia has nowhere else to go. Before she died, her mother left her with her father's name and nothing else. The only way for Saskia to take care of herself – and her unborn baby – is to find the father she never knew. And the family that didn't know she existed. This family secret means the end of everything they've ever known. But could it also be the chance for a new beginning?

Poor Saskia, everything that can go wrong does go wrong for this young lady. Her mother dies leading to her finding out who her father is...maybe...as another man might be as well. Then she is pregnant and her boyfriend leaves her for a woman, and a job, in the U.S.A. Then there is a fire in the building she is living in. Man oh man, bad luck much!?

Relationships are the magic of this story and dialogue is the driver. Author Minna Howard has done a nice job with both of these aspects. The story is told entirely in the present tense. Quite frankly, it was a relief not to bounce around multiple time lines for a change.

As the story unfolds, we are able to become invested in the lives of Verity and Saskia. We are privy to their emotions and thoughts. There are highs and lows and moments of humour to alleviate the tension. The relationship between Verity and her husband, Nathan, is especially interesting. Even though there is this new child coming in the family Verity handles it well and there’s a positivity and respectful approch to the drama and to the relationship that I appreciated. Both Verity and Saskia are strong women and their relationship with each other was inspiring.

Thank you NetGalley, Minna Howard and Aria for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#AMothersSecret #NetGalley