Nobody talks about my mother. Absolutely nobody. I have no idea what she was like. I'd always thought they kept quiet about her because they were sad. But what if it was because they were guilty?

I watch them at the school gates, all the mothers with their daughters. I see the hugs and all those thoughtful little adjustments to scarves and ponytails. How their love seems to overflow, they have so much of it to give.

And then I walk home to my aunt's cold house, where there are a hundred rules for me to follow and only a single photograph of my mother to look at.

She is never spoken about in this house. They tell me that it will be easier if I don't think about her.

It is strange though, isn't it? That I know nothing about my own mother?

But they don't know about the diary I've found up in the loft. Maybe they even forgot it was there. It doesn't matter anymore if they won't tell me anything. Because within these pages is what I've waited fourteen years to find out. And maybe some things I wish I could forget.

All I wanted was to bring our family closer together, but could what I find tear us apart instead?

A heart-breaking and powerful novel about family secrets and how we live with decisions we never thought we would have to make. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Amanda Prowse.

What readers are saying about Ali Mercer:

'Heartbreaking and heart-warming... A powerful family domestic drama filled with emotion and secrets... A captivating story that kept me hooked until the end.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Absolutely gripping and emotional... More family drama than a prime-time soap opera ... This instantly hooks you.' Heidi Lynn's Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I was intrigued immediately... An emotional rollercoaster where you are not let off until the final page... Make sure you have the tissues handy ' Once Upon a Time Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐