This is an easy to read, warm-hearted family saga and although I found it difficult to accept how quickly some of the conflicts were resolved, as the essence of the resolutions felt credible I was, for the most part, able to set aside my doubts and believe in the fresh beginnings promised for the characters. The central characters are Naomi, a strong and resilient character, widowed after a long marriage to Colin.

It was a lovely family drama that rests on the importance of communication and this evolves over the story. In the end, all she really wants is for everyone to be happy – she just needs to realise that people have to come to it their own way. Younger sister Willow is more of a free spirit, floating through life from job to job, which was a constant frustration to her father.Naomi and her daughters Martha and Willow are introduced; this is a powerful and dramatic storyline that is splendidly presented. With an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. They loved each other dearly and balanced one another out, with Martha being pedantic, sensible, prone to organizing everything, and Tom happy to cook and care for her when she needed it. Introducing new members into an established family can sometimes cause fractions and difficulties I thought this was brilliantly explored in the book. Despite being sisters, Willow and Martha are opposites in how they live their life and what gives them enjoyment.

It’s my first read from James and I hope it won’t be my last, because this book was such a good novel. Her characterisation is excellent, the setting beautiful and the slow reveals are delicately and sensitively handled. Martha is the eldest daughter happily married to Tom she has a fabulous job, she is organized and always in control of her life, she is very much like her father. If the perpetrator is a popular and successful member of the community, who is going to believe that such horrors are happening behind closed doors?

I wasn’t too fussed on Martha to start with, but she grew on me – Willow was a delight, although she let herself be walked over. Mother and daughters are very close and talk often but when Naomi meets her new neighbour, Ellis who is actually an old friend and more, Naomi decides that now is the time to move forward, a new Naomi and that includes having Ellis by her side. Naomi’s husband Colin passed away suddenly two years ago and life has moved on well for Naomi she has settled into life on her own in her beautiful home by the sea and has her daughters and friends and is very happy. Although the story does not fully take place by the coast, scenes at Naomi’s house always felt shrouded in a calmness that I could never feel with Willow and Martha’ story. I can’t say I was surprised by any of the outcomes but although I usually demand a little more intrigue I was happy to sit back and indulge in a very readable and engaging story.

Although I had several minor niggles, one in particular relating to the far too convenient disposal of a nuisance character that felt lazy, I was impressed with the storytelling ability of Erica James and would happily read more about these characters or another of her books. Some I felt so much sympathy for and I was so hoping that they wouldn’t sabotage their own chance of happiness. I’ve been reading Erica James novels for over 20 years – hers were the first adult books I ever read, and.Mothers and Daughters had it all, from families, friendship and trust to conflict, domestic abuse, control and secrets. We get to meet Naomi and her daughters Martha and Willow, this is a moving and emotional story and so beautifully told. Any family meetings from then on also include Rick because Willow has moved in with him, into his immaculate flat. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products.

The tale fired my imagination as I knew that it would and there was certainly never a dull or boring moment.My first novel - A Breath of Fresh Air - was published in 1996 and was selected by WH Smith as a finalist for their Fresh Talent promotion. I feel I’ve been on a writing journey with Erica as her style developed through her earliest books into something quite special. I want to thank Netgalley, HQ Publishers, and Erica James for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.