Caroline Bond

The Forgotten Sister by Caroline Bond is a novel that centres on a teenager named Cassie and her quest to uncover her past. Adopted at a young age, Cassie discovers she was separated from her older sister, who was seven at the time and not adopted with her. Initially unaware of her sister's existence, Cassie's desire to find her birth mother is complicated by her adoptive parents' reluctance to reveal her sister's existence, opting instead to conceal it. Throughout the narrative, Cassie confides in her younger sister, Erin, highlighting the deep connections and potential bonds between siblings, reflecting on what might have been with her older sister. Eventually, Cassie locates her older sister and they begin to meet secretly, following a social media search that brought them together. However, their reunion is fraught with challenges, leading to events that ultimately expose their secret to their parents.… (más)

The Day We Left begins with Lizzie, 31 weeks pregnant with twins, starting the day in a panic because she's overlaid. Later on that day, she unexpectedly goes into early labour. The twins, Oli and Joe, are tiny and have to spend weeks in the hospital. Fast forward sixteen years and Lizzie is now Beth, living with Oli who has grown up strong, and Joe, always the weaker of the twins. We follow the boys through their twenties until they (and us) are confronted with the secrets of their past.

The story moves along nicely, aided by lovely short chapters, as each twin tries to find their own way in life. Whilst Joe seems to have the harder time of it, it was interesting to witness Oli's side of things and how he often felt pushed aside. Caroline Bond always writes family dynamics really well and the relationship between the twins, and between them and their mother, were really intriguing.

There are some hefty issues in this story but it's still a really light and easy read. There are no real surprises but this is more about family and how circumstances and decisions affect everyone involved, rather than twists and turns. This story felt true to life, with all the ups and downs that come with it. I enjoyed The Day We Left.… (más)

Two women from different backgrounds and situations form an unlikely and surprising friendship and go on a road trip together. They are both running away from their pasts but can they run forever?

This story is reminiscent of Thelma and Louise and is obviously inspired by it. I really enjoyed it. I loved the bond between the two women and their interaction. Some of their adventures are quite funny! I especially liked it when they ended up in Bamburgh in Northumberland, a place I know quite well. It’s a well written tale with plenty to engage the reader. It’s definitely about the power of friendship and having the courage to take the bull by the horns. Quite a powerful read, really. A page turner.… (más)

I read The Forgotten Sister by Caroline Bond three years ago. Ever since I've been meaning to read another of her books because I loved it so much but sadly I didn't get round to it until now, with Thea and Denise, and I'm kicking myself because this is an author who really is right up my street.

Thea and Denise. Think Thelma and Louise but considerably less dramatic or crime-ridden. Our eponymous heroines meet by chance and become friends, somewhat unlikely ones as Thea is quite glamorous and confident in comparison to Denise's more downtrodden demeanour. I think it's a case of right person and right time as each provides the other with the friendship they need at a difficult time in their lives.

I thought this was a brilliant book. The story goes along at a great pace and I was hooked right from the beginning. Part 1 sets the scene and brings the women together and then from Part 2 onwards it's a rollercoaster of events and emotions as Thea and Denise head off on an impromptu road trip together.

It's the ideal read for women of 40+, dealing with mid-life issues such as the impending menopause, relationships that have become stale and taken for granted, and maybe the prospect of having to start all over again. I found it uplifting, enriching and inspirational and I think that Caroline Bond is a fabulous writer tackling relatable family-led topics and doing it intuitively and incredibly well. I loved Thea and Denise and will try very hard not to leave it another three years before I read another book by this author.… (más)