Hobbies and Crafts

Having read the basic storyline of this book I thought it would appeal to me, being the mother of two daughters. Although I don't normally read novels, I thought it would make a refreshing change to the factual/auto/biography books that I usually read which it did, and I don't regret having read it. However, I didn't like the constant use of bad language in the earlier chapters and, like other reviewers, I thought there were many gaps that could have been filled. I had never heard of the condition synasthesia and I thought more background information about it could have been incorporated into the story to help the reader understand the affected characters more. Also, like other reviewers, I did feel the actual abduction and what happened to Anna and Sophie in the time immediately afterwards wasn't sufficiently covered in detail and was a little far-fetched and unbelievable that it all happened so easily and smoothly (and possibly illegally?). I found myself sympathising with both Laura and Anna at different times, feeling sorry for them and understanding their emotions and reactions, but then felt annoyed with them on other occasions. It did keep me interested in finding out what happened at the end and I was glad with the way the author brought it to a close but really couldn't have imagined it any other way! Does this make it predictable?

This Child of Mine ....review. My book was late arriving here in Cyprus so this review is a bit late

I'll begin by stating that this book is not my preferred genre and I didn't think I'd enjoy it. I thought I'd struggle to finish it but I didn't. I found it both funny and sad, well harrowing at times.
The subject is a very serious one and lots of peoples lives were affected by the main event. Not least of all Sophie/Jody. I had lots of sympathy for Anna even though she had done a dreadful thing, but for what she thought were the right reasons. Joan was very selfish as was her daughter from beginning to end. When Sophie appeared again in her life she completely ignored her youngest daughter. Such was the true character of the woman.
Others have commented about the children and their language at Anna's school. Some reading this perhaps can't believe it to be based on reality but from my own experience of teaching at a school similar to Anna's it surprisingly/sadly is. I felt those sections lightened the storyline which was much needed with the harrowing events that were to come. Ina similar so was the addition of Lexie's character.
The piece with the children in Kilduff I found a totally unnecessary inclusion.

I haven't read anything by this author before and although I thoroughly enjoyed it I won't be looking out for others by her. As I stated earlier this type of novel is not my preferred genre.
I look forward to reviewing other books in this Book Club. Thank you for allowing me to partake

Afraid not my type of book. It tries to deal with a very difficult subject but felt it eas lightweight. I nearly didn't finish it but felt obliged to do so. I won't be reading any other novels by sinead moriarty :-(

I was delighted that you sent me a book all the way to New Zealand! It's not my usual read, either, but as you had promised to send anywhere, I thought I'd see if that was true!
I found this book very hard to put down, but I couldn't totally understand why because the characters aren't particularly well-developed and the story line is reasonably predictable. I was waiting for the reveal that Sophie and Hope were born at the same hospital on the same day, but that never happened!
Overall, a fairly light, but nevertheless enjoyable read.

I was very pleased to receive this book as I always have one on the go. It was not a book I would have chosen to buy. At first I thought I would not like it, mainly because of the bad language which I do not like and wondered if it was going to continue throughout the book. I was pleased that was not the case. It was easy to read and I quite enjoyed it as it went on, even though it seemed to easy for Sophie to find out about her real mother and actually get into contact with her. I was disappointed with the ending as I find it hard to believe that it could happen without the police being involved and no action taken against Anna. But then again I do like true stories. I felt sorry for Mandy as she was pushed to one side when Sophie came on the scene. Pleased I read it to the end though. Thank you.

I was interested to learn this book concerned people with synaesthesia as I had seen a programme about an artist with this some time ago and it sounded rather a magical thing to have. I had not considered the reverse side, with certain colours linked to bad moods actually making you feel unhappy!
The book was set up well in the beginning, with the contrast between Laura feeling trapped by her pregnancy and Anna desperate for a baby after miscarriages, but I soon felt it was becoming almost a caricature of life. The scenes set in Anna's school were funny but I am sure no teacher would have let the children carry on with the conversations they were having.
As others have said, I did want to read to the end, and also couldn't believe no action was taken against Anna, even to the end she didn't really understand how awful her action was.