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A Mother's Story: A powerful and emotional story of motherhood from multimillion copy bestseller Amanda Prowse Kindle Edition
***
I deserve all this because I did the worst thing a woman can do. The very worst.
Jessica's wedding was like a fairytale. Her dress strewn with crystals. Her dad made a tearful speech. Her husband Matthew declared himself the luckiest man alive.
But when their beautiful baby girl is born, Jessica is gripped by panic. She can't tell anyone how she feels. Even when her life starts to spiral out of control...
This is her story. A mother's story.
***
Reviews for Amanda Prowse:
'Prowse handles her explosive subject with delicate skill... Deeply moving and inspiring' DAILY MAIL.
'Powerful and emotional family drama that packs a real punch' HEAT.
'A gut wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' IRISH SUN.
'Captivating, heartbreaking, superbly written' CLOSER.
'Very uplifting and positive, but you may still need a box (or two) of tissues' HELLO.
'An emotional, unputdownable read' RED.
'Prowse writes gritty, contemporary stories but always with an uplifting message of hope' SUNDAY INDEPENDENT.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHead of Zeus
- Publication date12 Feb. 2015
- File size2.1 MB
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Product description
Review
Amanda Prowse is the author of several novels including the number 1 bestsellers What Have I Done?, Perfect Daughter and My Husband's Wife. Her books have sold millions of copies worldwide, and she is published in dozens of languages.
Described by reviewers as 'the queen of family drama', Amanda's characters and stories are often inspired by real life issues. The research for her books has led to partnerships with ITV and Femail among others.
Amanda lives in Bristol with her husband and two sons. As her many twitter followers know, she almost never switches off. But when she does, she can be found drinking tea in her favourite armchair, scribbling ideas for her next book.
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
A Mother's Story
By Amanda ProwseHead of Zeus Ltd.
Copyright © 2015 Amanda Prowse,All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-78185-659-8
CHAPTER 1
It was a beautiful May day. Orange-tipped butterflies danced in the clear blue sky, kissing the sunny yellow flowers on which they rested. The apple trees were in full bloom, abundant with pink and white blossoms, some of which had fallen to form a floral carpet across which the guests tramped.
The crisp, clear sound of a fork hitting the side of a glass echoed around the marquee. Conversation levels dropped to a burble and those who had migrated to other tables, crouching on the coir matting to chat to their friends, made their way back to their own. Clusters of girls rushed back from the loo arm in arm, holding sparkly clutch bags and with perfume freshly spritzed. Three pretty waitresses navigated their way through the maze of tables, distributing chilled flutes of fizz in readiness for the toasts. Jessica felt a current of joy travel through her. Her day was perfect.
It was the kind of wedding she had seen in magazines, the kind of event that featured in movies – a million miles from what she had envisaged for a girl like her. Jessica, whose mum and dad thought pasta was an exotic food, who had grown up in a world of coupons, saving stamps and thrift, whose school uniform came from the second-hand shop and who had received a book token for every birthday as far back as she could remember. She was at the most exquisite wedding she had ever attended and she was the bride! It was, as her mum had reminded her earlier in the day, like a blimming fairy tale.
Matthew's childhood had been very different. Jessica was marrying a man whose parents nipped to France in the way hers nipped to the supermarket. They were the sort who knew which wine to drink with fish, and at the supper table they made jokes about the cabinet of the day and shared amusing snippets they had picked up from Radio Four. It was a world away from her home life. When she'd been introduced to his family for the first time, she'd felt awe and fear in equal measures. One year on, both had subsided, a little.
Polly hurried round the back of the top table and placed her head on her best friend's shoulder. Her large green fascinator sent feathery fronds up the bride's nose, which Jessica snorted away. She could smell the boozy fumes that wafted from her friend's mouth. This was not unusual for Polly: since their teens, both girls had lived by the mantra 'it's wine o'clock somewhere!'
'There is something you need to know, Jess,' Polly said in a solemn whisper.
'What's that?' Jessica was intrigued.
'We probably should have discussed it before now, but the fact is, now that you are a married woman, your husband might want to do S-E-X with you.' The s-word was mouthed, not spoken.
'Really?' Jessica placed her hand over her mouth and widened her eyes.
'Yes.' Polly nodded. 'It's what married people do. My parents have done it twice, as I have a sister, and I don't think your parents have done it for a while.' Both girls glanced at Mr and Mrs Maxwell, sitting further along the table in their finery, and giggled.
'Stop laughing, Jess. This is very importatant, impor ... tatant. Importatatnt.' Polly tried but failed to get the word right, making Jessica giggle again. 'Whatever! Doesn't matter.' Polly waved her hand in front of her face. 'The rule is: just lie back and think of England. Don't say a word, don't move and it should be over before you've managed to sing the second verse of "Jerusalem". In your head, of course – not out loud, that's a no-no. Got it?' Polly straightened up and kissed her friend on the cheek.
'I think so ...' Jessica bit her lip. 'Is the second verse the "Bring me my bow of burning gold" one?'
'Yep. You might want to practatise.' Polly winked.
'Because it's importatant?' Jessica asked.
'Zactly!' Polly fired imaginary pistols at her mate as she backed away from the table.
Jessica laughed at her dear, sloshed friend, who had in fact, as a young teenager, been a mere two park benches away from her when she'd had her first sexual experience after a rather flirtatious game of rounders with the choir of St Stephen's. Things would have got a lot more steamy had it not been for the intervention of Reverend Paul, who had shown up at a crucial moment, shushing them from the park like an agitated giant crow, just in time to save their souls and their reputations.
Polly teetered across the dance floor in perilously high heels. Jessica watched as she sucked in her stomach and jutted out her ample chest as she walked past Matthew's boss, Magnus, who she had a crush on. The fact that he was older than her father, married and rather arrogant didn't seem to deter her. Jessica loved Polly like a sister. Only last night they had sat in their pyjamas in Matthew's parents' spare bedroom and written a list of all their sexual conquests, each fondly remembering the lamest of victims that the other had conveniently chosen to forget. Rather embarrassingly, they realised that there were at least two shared names on their lists; this had sparked a fit of uncontrollable laughter, which even the smallest of things was prone to do. Polly, who jumped from job to job and was currently temping as a PA, made Jessica laugh like no one else could. So much so that sometimes Jessica barely made it to the bathroom in time, much to her shame.
Jessica patted her tiara, making sure the delicate headpiece and her perfectly curled chocolate-coloured locks were just so. Swallowing her nerves, she touched the pad of her middle finger to her bottom lip, which was still slightly sticky with gloss, meaning her mouth would shine during the close-ups that would inevitably be snapped during the speeches.
Looking at her mum, Coral, who sat a few seats away on the top table, Jessica tensed her cheeks and pulled a wide mouth, indicating both excitement and nerves. Coral winked at her daughter and took a deep breath. She too was trying her best to hide her anxiety. Jessica felt a wave of love for her mum, who she knew had been anticipating this day with trepidation, fretting over her outfit, her hair and what the rest of her family might do or say to embarrass them. It was a minefield. Jessica had tried to reassure her that if Uncle Mick did decide after a couple of glasses to do his fart trick, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Both she and her dad had been sent into a tailspin wanting to contribute financially and yet not wanting to set a budget that might thwart Margaret's grand ambitions for her only son. Jessica had watched them trying to navigate the unfamiliar world of canapés, wedding favours and linen samples and knew it took all of her mum's strength not to suggest that she could make the buttonholes, write the place cards and knock up a platter or two of sausage rolls to save a few quid.
Jessica had, during the process of planning the wedding, learnt how to communicate with her mother-in-law. Quite unlike her own mum, Margaret didn't want to be bothered with detail; she simply wanted her decisions approved so that she could rush them into action with gusto. She raced everywhere, as though time was always in short supply, and she always, always looked neat. She was fastidious about her appearance, her little waist often emphasised by a huge tan leather belt that wouldn't have looked amiss on Lennox Lewis. Coral was the exact opposite, pausing often, sometimes lumbering and frequently distracted. She worried about whether a bow would sit right and whether Aunty Joan could manage to last all day with her dodgy hip, but the bigger questions left her in a state of flux, nervously chewing her nails.
Jessica looked out at the expectant faces of the beautifully turned-out guests who were all beaming in her direction as they sat in the elegant ivory marquee on her in-laws' lawn. She felt like a princess and couldn't help smiling as she thought back to that fateful rainy day a year ago, sitting in Sainsbury's car park.
The rain was pounding on the car roof, sounding like small pebbles hitting metal. She'd watched as Matthew sprinted across the grey tarmac in his sneakers and tried the car door handle. Finding it locked, he knocked on the glass of the passenger window.
'The door's locked, Jess! Open up!'
She shook her head, which he may or may not have seen as she slunk down further into the driver's seat, her bony shoulders hunched and the sleeves of her sweatshirt pulled over her hands.
He knocked harder. 'Jess! I'm getting soaked, it's tipping down! Open the bloody door!' This time he bent down, joined his fingers in a salute against his forehead, then rested them on the glass as though it were sunny and not pissing down with rain. 'Jess! What are you doing? I'm getting drenched and so is the shopping.' As if proof were needed, he held up a soggy French stick that looked rather sorrowful and was bent in two.
Jessica folded her arms across her chest, which heaved in an effort to contain her tears. 'I'm not opening it. So go away!'
'What? For God's sake, Jess, look at me!' With his one free hand, Matthew pulled his sodden jersey away from his chest and watched as the waterlogged wool remained misshapen. 'Open the sodding door. This isn't funny.'
'Do I look like I'm laughing, Matthew?' she shouted as she leant across the passenger seat, her voice catching in her throat.
Matthew dropped the bag of groceries onto the ground and laid the soggy French stick on top of it. Then he skirted around the front of the car, squeezing through the space between 'Ross', his Fiat Panda, and the car in front. Bending down until his face was level with hers, he pushed the wet hair back from his forehead and tapped on her window. Jessica turned to face him and couldn't help the twitch of laughter on her lips as she watched the rain running off the end of his nose in a steady stream. He looked even sexier than usual, if that was possible.
'Go away, Matt!'
'What do you mean, "go away"? I nip into Sainsbury's to pick up some supper and by the time I get back I've been barred from the car? From my car!' he shouted and laughed, more than used to his girlfriend's slightly erratic behaviour. She was what Jake had described upon first meeting her as 'a bit of a handful'.
'I came in to find you, Matt, and I bloody saw you,' she barked.
'Saw me what?' Matthew raised his hands as he stuck out his bottom lip and tried to blow the rain away.
'Talking to Jenny! I saw you both in the champagne aisle.' She emphasised the word champagne, as though this gave the observation added salaciousness. How could she explain that she still felt nervous and inadequate around these posh girls whose confidence danced out of their well-spoken mouths, and that every swish of their blonde ponytails left her feeling insecure? This was especially so with Jenny, the sweet, leggy American, whose easy manner and fabulous teeth set her apart. Jessica doubted her childhood had been one of sitting on the step of the pub, sharing a packet of Hula Hoops while her dad played skittles in the back.
'That's because I was buying a bottle of champagne! And it was only Jenny, I've known her forever,' Matthew offered, shaking his head in confusion.
'Well I know that, clever clogs. As I said, I saw you! And it's not what you purchased that bothered me. It was Jenny throwing her arms around your neck, kissing your face. And she had her leg resting up on your thigh, what's that all about? And then I saw you look left and right to check I wasn't watching – well, I was – and then you put your finger on your lips as if to shush her. I'm not stupid, Matt. I know something is going on. Or are you going to tell me I imagined the whole thing?' Jessica felt her mouth crumple in the beginning of tears. This little development was no good at all. She really liked him, more than liked him, she loved him! She dug her fingernails into her palms as a distraction.
Matthew stared at her open-mouthed as if figuring out what to say next. There was a sudden thunderclap overheard. Jessica jumped. She hated thunder. Matthew ran back round to the passenger side of the car. He pulled the bottle of champagne from the bag and held it up to the window.
'You didn't imagine the whole thing. But I bought this for you, you idiot.' He smiled.
Jessica felt her stomach bunch, still unused to these extravagant gestures.
'Why don't you give it to Jenny!' She tried to halt the smile that threatened – he had bought her champagne!
'Jenny? No! You've got the wrong end of the stick.' Matthew shook his head and placed the bottle on the ground. 'If you're not going to let me in, then just open this window a little so you can hear me properly. Please. I hate having to shout, and people are watching,' he yelled.
'I don't care who's watching!' she shouted back, which was a lie. She cared a lot. She rolled Ross's passenger window down by two inches.
Matthew bent down and spoke through the gap. 'Thank you for opening the window.' He smiled. 'I bought champagne because we are celebrating; you and I. Jenny threw her arms around my neck because she knows we are celebrating. And the reason she knows is because she has spoken to Jake, who couldn't keep a bloody secret if his life depended on it.'
'What are we celebrating?' Jessica looked across at her rain-soaked, bedraggled boyfriend as he clung to the window, his fingers gripping the rim of the glass in a monkey-like pose, his body pressed against the side of his car in the driving rain. She watched as he arched his body backwards and reached into his wet jeans pocket. Using two fingers, he pulled out a small square red box.
Jessica flung her hand over her mouth as her tears finally found their release. Oh my God! This is it!
Matthew suddenly dipped down until all that was visible were his head and shoulders. He shook his head to rid his eyes of the rain. Jessica wound down the window fully, caring little that Ross's upholstery was getting a good soaking. Matthew pushed his forearms into the car and, leaning through the open window, carefully opened the little red box that rested in the centre of his palm. In it nestled his grandmother's Art Deco engagement ring. The square emerald was flanked by two baguette-shaped diamonds and the whole beautiful composition sat on a worn platinum band. It was stunning. It was the ring she had admired when last at his parents' house. Now she knew why it had been sitting there on the mantelpiece, not waiting to be cleaned, as his mother had burst out, but waiting to be collected, by Matthew, in preparation for this moment. Although being locked out of the car on a rainy Tuesday in the car park had probably not figured in his plans.
'Jessica Rose Maxwell ...' Matthew paused to compose himself. He gave a small cough and started again, seemingly unaffected by the rain that continued to plaster his hair to his face and his clothes to his body. 'Jessica Rose Maxwell, I love you. Even though you drive me crazy and are undoubtedly the most bonkers person I know. You are also the funniest and the most beautiful. I can't stand the idea of not spending every night with you or not seeing your face on the pillow next to mine when I wake up. I want you to have my babies. And I can't imagine any other future than one with you. I love you.' He pushed the box further into the centre of the car until his arm was fully outstretched. 'Will you marry me?'
Jessica opened Ross's door and tried to jump out, but was anchored by the seatbelt that had tightened across her chest. She laughed as she waited a second and then pushed the button for release. Slipping from the car, she ran through the downpour, edging around the bonnet and into Matthew's arms.
'This is just what I have always dreamt of, being proposed to in Sainsbury's car park!' She kissed him hard on the mouth. 'I love you too!'
'Is that a yes, then, Ms Maxwell?'
'Yes! It's a yes! Of course it's a yes!' Jessica jumped up and down in the rain until she too was soaking wet. She threw her arms wide. 'I'm getting married!' she shouted at the elderly man in an oversized high-visibility jacket and peaked cap who was collecting stray trollies in the car park.
'Congratulations!' he shouted back through the haze of droplets, and waved.
Jessica leapt into Matthew's arms; luckily he was used to this and caught her with ease.
'I'm sorry about your French stick.' She kissed him again.
'Jess, if that's the worst thing we have to contend with in our married life, then I'd say we are going to be just fine.'
Matthew lifted her higher above his waist and held her firmly, with her bottom resting in his hands, as she wrapped her legs around his torso.
(Continues...)Excerpted from A Mother's Story by Amanda Prowse. Copyright © 2015 Amanda Prowse,. Excerpted by permission of Head of Zeus Ltd..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- ASIN : B00NLGBKTK
- Publisher : Head of Zeus
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : 12 Feb. 2015
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- File size : 2.1 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 369 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1781856574
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: 29,161 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- 107 in Medical Fiction (Kindle Store)
- 119 in Medical Fiction (Books)
- 611 in Women's Humorous Fiction
- Customer reviews:
About the author

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles, compilation of novellas and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart-topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.
Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award and she has had two books selected as World Book Night titles; 'Perfect Daughter' in 2016 and 'The Boy Between' in 2022.
Amanda is a huge supporter of libraries and having become a proud ambassador for The Reading Agency, works tirelessly to promote reading, especially in disadvantaged areas. Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...
Praise for Amanda Prowse:
'A powerful and emotional work of fiction' - Piers Morgan
'Deeply moving and emotional, Amanda Prowse handles her explosive subjects with delicate skill' - Daily Mail
'Uplifting and positive, but you will still need a box of tissues' - Hello!
'A gut-wrenching and absolutely brilliant read' - The Irish Sun
'You'll fall in love with this...' - Cosmopolitan
'Deeply moving and eye opening. Powerful and emotional drama that packs a real punch.' - Heat
'Magical' - Now magazine
List of Books in Order
Novels
1. Poppy Day
2. What Have I Done?
3. Clover’s Child
4. A Little Love
5. Will You Remember Me?
6. Christmas for One
7. A Mother’s Story
8. Perfect Daughter
9. The Second Chance Café (was 'The Christmas Café')
10. Three and a Half Heartbeats
11. Another Love
12. My Husband’s Wife
13. I Won’t be Home for Christmas
14. The Food of Love
15. The Idea of You
16. The Art of Hiding
17. Anna
18. Theo
19. How to Fall in Love Again (Kitty's Story)
20. The Coordinates of Loss
21. The Girl in the Corner
22. The Things I Know
23. The Light in the Hallway
24. The Day She Came Back.
25. An Ordinary Life
26. Waiting to Begin
27. To Love and Be Loved
28. Picking Up the Pieces
29. All Good Things
30. Swimming to Lundy (Published 6 August 2024)
31. This One Life (Published 7 January 2025)
Novels Coming Soon or Scheduled for Publication
32. Ever After (Due August 2025)
33. Little Doves (Due January 2025)
Non-Fiction
The Boy Between (non-fiction)
Women Like Us (autobiography)
Novellas
The Game
Something Quite Beautiful
A Christmas Wish
The Ten Pound Ticket
Imogen's Baby
Miss Potterton's Birthday Tea
Mr Portobello's Morning Paper
Note: A collection of these seven novellas are also available in a single volume entitled 'Something Quite Beautiful'
Novellas (Part of ‘The Wishing Tree’ Collaboration Series
I Wish…
A Whole Heap of Wishes
A Wish for Forgiveness
Notes on Books.
All books are standalone stories but some do share characters and for these, For the small number that are actually series linked, it is suggested that they are read in this order:
'Clover's Child' is the prequel to 'Poppy Day' and 'Will You Remember Me?' is the sequel to 'Poppy Day'
'A Little Love' should be read before 'Christmas for One'
'Anna', 'Theo' and 'How to Fall in Love Again - Kitty's Story' are best read in that order
Amanda welcomes queries from any readers on her books like where they should start reading or which book they might like next. Please get in touch on any social media channel.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book compelling and well-written, with a gripping story that builds steadily. They appreciate how it tells the story of post-natal depression in a heart-rending way, and one customer notes how the author writes with understanding of women's emotions. The book receives positive feedback for its believable characters and well-researched content, with one customer mentioning how it keeps readers hooked throughout.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book compelling and well written, with one customer describing it as a powerful read.
"A fantastic book could not put it down o my God no words can be said about this story every mother should read post natal depression and a lovely..." Read more
"...I think the structure works well, with first person and third person narrators...." Read more
"...A great and emotional read from start to finish" Read more
"...leaves you guessing right up until the end makes this book a real page turner as you feel so involved with the characters and their stories and just..." Read more
Customers praise the book's gripping and insightful narrative that builds steadily throughout, describing it as a brilliant and well-written story.
"...this story every mother should read post natal depression and a lovely end" Read more
"Such a sad but very real story, and told from Jess perspective is insightful. A great and emotional read from start to finish" Read more
"...It did end relatively happily but was not 'twee'. I would definitely recommend this book. I suspect that women will like this book more than men." Read more
"...The double storyline, one relating the development of Jess and Matthew's relationship before and after the birth of their daughter, and the other..." Read more
Customers describe this book as a heartbreaking story about postnatal depression, with several mentioning it made them cry.
"...So thought provoking and sad as she struggles to try and hide her struggles...." Read more
"...-natal depression (PND) shows such a depth of understanding, giving an honest insight into how this illness feels for the mother whilst also..." Read more
"...On the positive side, this book highlights postnatal depression, which is obviously a good thing given the prevalence of the illness, and if it..." Read more
"...The description of the depression was certainly harrowing but I kept thinking that in this day and age surely no one would be so ignorant of what..." Read more
Customers praise the book's writing quality, describing it as beautifully and sensitively written with compassion, making it an easy and heartwarming read.
"A beautifully written portrayal of a woman struggling with severe post natal depression...." Read more
"...A great and emotional read from start to finish" Read more
"...The absolute horror of post natal depression is also beautifully written but harrowing to read...." Read more
"...The quality of the writing is good; I especially appreciated the descriptions of Jess' descent into depression and the way the writer so accurately..." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and well-researched, appreciating its thoughtful approach to the subject matter.
"...A moving, involving and informative novel." Read more
"...Superbly written with just the right amount of detail and compassion, this is a highly recommended read." Read more
"...It was an incredibly lonely time and this book has helped, more than anything else I've tried, me to accept that I was ill and I wasn't the only one..." Read more
"This is a well researched book covering the difficult subject of post natal depression (PND)...." Read more
Customers find the pacing of the book moving and engaging, with several noting they were totally hooked from start to finish.
"...A moving, involving and informative novel." Read more
"...ever seen Jessica's bad place from a distance and not ever visited, it resonates ! I couldn't put this down and read it in one day...." Read more
"Great story, although it felt uncomfortable at times. The build up was good but once the climax was reached everything seemed rushed after...." Read more
"...I liked the way the chapters were past and present with a little twist at the end. A good read." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them believable, with one customer particularly noting how the main character Jessica feels very real.
"...Her sensitive portrayal of a normal, everyday family torn apart by post-natal depression (PND) shows such a depth of understanding, giving an..." Read more
"...The absolute joy meeting the 2 main characters, and becoming totally absorbed in their relationship, to the absolute horror of post natal depression..." Read more
"...I thought the writer had such empathy with the main character and there were a couple of unexpected twists...." Read more
"...And of course, not forgetting Lily, who was a cute little character." Read more
Customers find the book believable and honest, with one mentioning how the true life experiences make it authentic.
"...This book is a very honest account of how some women do feel after having a baby and I would recommend it to anyone...." Read more
"...about mental health and creates such rounded characters making them seem so real...." Read more
"...exploring a harrowing storyline and making the whole thing feel quite believable...." Read more
"This book has good detail and understanding of post natal depression and the the trauma women go through with this condition...." Read more
Top reviews from United Kingdom
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- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2025Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseA fantastic book could not put it down o my God no words can be said about this story every mother should read post natal depression and a lovely end
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 February 2016Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseJessica has it all – gorgeous husband, beautiful house, no money worries. What should have been a high point in her life – the birth of a beautiful child – starts a downward spiral that leads to horrific consequences.
The subject of post-natal depression is very personal to me. I have suffered myself and for a few years I volunteered for an organisation that helps mothers who feel isolated and depressed after the birth of a baby. A friend who also used to work for that organisation recommended this book to me, and I have to admit I was afraid to read it. Afraid of being taken back to those dark days. But then I felt cowardly and thought I ought to try, and if it got too difficult I’d have to stop reading.
I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out exactly what Jessica has done, and how she goes from a warm-hearted young woman to the depths of despair.
I think the structure works well, with first person and third person narrators. However, the pre-baby scenes are written in a style that some may find too fluffy and light. As a result they may, like me, find zany, sweet Jessica difficult to relate to, which rather undermines the later post-baby scenes.
I’m pleased this author has chosen to write about an illness that affects so many women, and if it encourages more openness about post-natal depression then that’s a worthy thing for fiction to do.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2025Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseA beautifully written portrayal of a woman struggling with severe post natal depression.
So thought provoking and sad as she struggles to try and hide her struggles.
You feel as the reader that you are going through the nightmare with her.
For anyone who does not understand mental health struggles this book is a must.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2024Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseSuch a sad but very real story, and told from Jess perspective is insightful. A great and emotional read from start to finish
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 March 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseI certainly can't agree that this is Amanda Prowse's best work. The first part of the book, dealing with the early days of the relationship between Jess and Matt, and the back story, read like some saccharin sweet piece of romantic fiction from the 50's, with all the references to how lucky Jess was to have this wonderful husband, and how she loved keeping the beautiful house for him, even giving up her job! The description of the depression was certainly harrowing but I kept thinking that in this day and age surely no one would be so ignorant of what was wrong or how severe the illness was. And the ending , which came at 64% on the Kindle seemed highly unlikely too, though I can't say any more as I don't want to give it away.
I was really annoyed that the rest of the book, which I had assumed would be what I'd paid for, turned out to be a preview of "Poppy Day' which was published in 2012 and so therefore has probably been read by most readers of this book! Sent back for a refund.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2016Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseAmanda Prowse should be commended for how she tackles what is still such a taboo subject in this book. Her sensitive portrayal of a normal, everyday family torn apart by post-natal depression (PND) shows such a depth of understanding, giving an honest insight into how this illness feels for the mother whilst also acknowledging the devastating impact on everyone close to the person suffering from PND.
The story of Jessica and Matthew pulls you in from the start as they are such a likeable couple, and I particularly liked the juxtaposition of their story alternating with entries from Jessica's diary during her road to recovery. The way Amanda leaves you guessing right up until the end makes this book a real page turner as you feel so involved with the characters and their stories and just want to know exactly what happened. The only slight downside was what seemed like a rather abrupt ending, which left me feeling like I wanted just a little more.
You can't help but be moved by this story, but also shocked at the realisation that PND is still destroying lives because people don't feel they can ask for help even in this day and age. If reading this book raises awareness and opens peoples' eyes to the reality of this tragic illness, then that can only be a good thing. I would definitely recommend reading it.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 October 2015Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseWhere do I start to tell you why I loved this book so much?
The absolute joy meeting the 2 main characters, and becoming totally absorbed in their relationship, to the absolute horror of post natal depression, and it's consequences. You will be totally captivated.
There is such light and shade in this book. The courtship, marriage, the wonderful friendship between Matthew and Jess is beautifully written. The absolute horror of post natal depression is also beautifully written but harrowing to read. I have no idea if the writer herself ever suffered from pnd but either way you are left with a sense of relief that you, as a mother, didn't.
I was thoroughly gripped from the first word to the last. So much so that I have just finished reading it and it is 4:45
am. I just could not go to sleep without getting to the end. Each time I promised myself one last chapter I just couldn't do it.
I can promise you this is one of those books you will keep and read again. I will do just that. 100% recommend you do the same.
Enjoy.
Top reviews from other countries
- Simon LambertReviewed in France on 22 March 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging but rewarding.
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseAt the end of the text, the reader is asked if they have enjoyed the book. I'm not sure that enjoyed is the right word. That is not to say that it is not a good book. It is an excellent book, well constructed and thoroughly researched. I was fully aware of post natal depression but not of the extent of the dark depths to which it can take the sufferer. I was horrified but couldn't put the book down. Not only did it give an insight into a very frightening syndrome, it also offered hope by challenging preconceptions of who might provide support to a sufferer. Not for the faint hearted but highly recommended.
- Chris MorrisonReviewed in Australia on 22 March 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseAnother great read by Amanda Prowse.
"A Mother's Story" is an emotional insight into an all too familiar scenario.
How often have we read in the media, an account of similar happenings, and our thoughts immediately are anger that any mother could inflict harm onto their innocent offspring/s?
As a society we can do better by becoming more aware of the early warning signs of postnatal depression and take steps to hopefully avert any possible harrowing, heartbreaking, outcomes.
Thankyou Amanda Prowse for this beautifully told fictional story, raising awareness of the dangers of ignoring the red flags raised by mother's suffering from postnatal depression.
- tngirl2Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Not an easy read, but an important one.
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThis is an important story to read. Postpartum depression is very real and the author does an amazing job telling the story. In the beginning the reader doesn’t totally know what is happening, I love that the back story is told slowly. I love how real the story. This is not an easy read, but it is wonderful.
- Linda McleanReviewed in Canada on 11 September 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars this was absolutely a fantastic novel I suffered this depression but in a less ...
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchasethis was absolutely a fantastic novel I suffered this depression but in a less severe way. it sure does answer a lot of questions that i thought was just me . i regret not enjoying my little ones like so many people do. now i know why
- ramendra singhReviewed in India on 29 April 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars An emotional story filled with delusion and ennui
Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseStarts on a romantic note but creeps into delusion. Struggle of a woman who desperately tries to cope with her life after becoming a mother and fails desperately. A supportive husband keeps the life going but that's not enough.