Interesting, look forward to next novel I found it difficult to follow in places!! ( )

There were three "main" characters: Neva, Grace and Floss, 3 generations of practising midwives from different eras, with Floss being from post WWII era of the 1950's into the 1960's. Neva is Grace's daughter and as the youngest of this trio, practising in the times of "Ob-Gyn doctors rule the roost". The scenario didn't feel like a trope and was conveyed very realistically.

The supporting characters were less-well developed and presented as the type of stereotype cutouts I usually deplore. Nonetheless, the plot progressed smoothly, narrated in separate chapters by each of the MC. Floss's chapters were very well written and her backstory built the tension early on with small reveals. Though I guessed her situation from the snippets in her backstory, the suspense in the storyline was never ruined and the final reveal quite satisfying. That said, I took a rather distracting dislike to Grace. Her behaviour was somehow falsely over-the-top and quite silly at times. I think her relationship with Neva could have been better written to convey the angst between mother and daughter.

What most put me off the novel as a whole was the way the ending wound down to an apparent hurried dénouement that had none of the spark earlier scenes carried. I dithered knocking off 1/2 a star because of such a poorly written finish. However, Hepworth is a very capable writer and overall, the plot was well-laid out with quite a bit of tingly psychological thrill (but not too overdone). ( )

I liked this, and there were parallels with other SH books, but I wasn’t as keen on Neva or Grace as characters as I was on other SH characters. I think I found them a little wishy-washy. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy their stories, more that if I met them I wouldn’t choose to maintain a friendship. Floss was great though, I liked her. ( )

i bought this Gem at a book sale in my hometown. i am so thrilled i did. it has fast become on of my favorites. it has been added to my ever growing stack of beloved books. Thank you Mrs. Hepworth, for such a wonderful treat! ( )

I had the pleasure and honor of receiving and reading an advance reader's edition won from a Goodreads giveaway.

I love this book! Maybe it is the former labor and delivery nurse in me. Maybe because it is an excellent book--a must read.

This is a book that has me asking, just what about it do I love so much? I'm not sure, it's a lot of things. The writing is smooth, easy to read. The story lines first person, which pull you in. Many moments had me laughing out loud. Their are hints of attraction, an underlying question, a mysterious past. It was just truly so good.

This book is written first person POV from three characters. We are alternating between the main character, Neva, and her mother and Grandmother. I thought it would be confusing keeping them all apart, occasionally it was, but all their story-lines are so interesting, I just swallowed the confusion once I really got to know the characters. I devoured the book. My attempts to sleep were wasted, I found myself up in the middle of the night finishing it.

I guess I could just really related to characters that have a secret. Characters that want control in their lives. Along with the struggles the characters are faced with, the reader also reads a couple of tender deliveries from all three generations of midwives. I do love a good delivery story.

In all, Neva and Patrick were my favorite people and favorite story line. Can you say cross between Call the Midwives and Grey's Anatomy. Oh my gosh, it's that good. And what made it even better for me, the instant I was introduced to Patrick, Neva's friend that occasionally crashes on the couch, I could not get the picture of McSteamy out of my head. Oh, picturing him as Sloan . . . He fit the personality, all hard on the exterior, but a softy at heart.

I found Gran's mysterious story line the most intriguing. Her amazing flashbacks came right from the 1950's as she relieved her past choices and how they would affect her current family when the truth was finally told. I will admit, I thought I had her story pegged. I was wrong. But it turned out better than I could have imagined.

This book had one sex scene lasting 2/3 of a page and easily avoidable without taking away from the read for readers that stir clear of those things. And a couple of swear words which surprisingly only appeared in one spot of the book as well.

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