Thank you Egret Lake Books and Early Readers for the chance to read this story. This book is about moms and daughters. Old life tramas. How even small ones can determine the way we cope and relate to others in our future. It's also about women empowering themselves. This book is packed with lifes lessons without being over bearing. It's quick to read with short chapters and heartwarming in places. This would be a good book for a book club discussion. ( )

What a great debut from Shayla Dugan. Such an engaging story of mother/daughter relationships told by three generations. Dugan was able to tell the story of Ida, Gabrielle and Juniper from each perspective with ease. Even though the ages varied from 13-75, I found each story to be relatable and connected to each character. ( )

Have you been searching for a gripping and thought-provoking read? Look no further than "When We Were Silent" by Fiana Phillips. Despite my initial doubts about a heavy topic, I was thoroughly captivated by India Mullen's exceptional narration. Her voice is truly remarkable, and it drew me in from the start. In fact, she has now become my favorite audiobook narrator.

The novel takes place in Dublin and tells the stories of several girls who attend the prestigious Highfield Manor School. The two main characters, Shauna and Louisa (Lou), will leave you heartbroken by the traumas they have endured in their young lives. Fast forward thirty years, and Lou faces a life-changing decision that will have profound consequences for herself and her daughter. Does she have the courage to confront Highfield Manor and its current and past teachers?

Phillips' book is a potent and emotionally charged narrative, bravely tackling the challenging themes of exploitation and retribution. These are issues that often go unspoken, but this novel shines a piercing light on them. It is a must-read for those seeking a story that will leave a lasting impression. I cannot stress its importance enough. Give it a chance, and you will be moved. ( )

Learning to Swim is a great book focusing three generations of women learning to deal with life's struggles. All three characters are lovable and well developed. The story begins when Gabby decides it's time to leave her loveless marriage. She sets out with her teenage daughter to find a fresh start and to take care of her ailing mother, Ida. Ida is a high achieving, sassy woman who is struggling with the realities of ageing that require her to rely on her daughter. The story is heartwarming and well written. The writer draws you in and my only complaint is it left me wanting more. I would have loved to see more development of Ida's story as a young woman, what shaped her and led her to an Olympic gold medal. I felt like the second have of the book was a little rushed and a lot of the story line played out too quickly. But it was a great novel and I would look for more from this author. ( )

Gabrielle is firmly in the sandwich generation - she has an ailing mother, Ida, who needs heart surgery and an anxious teen daughter, Juniper. Gabrielle has also just jumped out of her loveless marriage and is trying to figure out who she is on her own. Add in a difficult relationship with her mother and things are challenging to say the least. I was sad to reach the end of the novel because I wanted more interaction with the three generations. At the same time, I felt that there were such good resolutions to all the challenges the three women faced. My only complaint was the absolute speed with which the final portion of the story sped by. Law doesn't work that fast. ( )