Forgive Me: One mother's hidden past. Her daughter's life changed forever . . .

I love her books

Wonderful story could not put this book down.Every emotion felt loved the readiness of the storyline. Was just a fabulous read.

Like the author. Have not read it yet.

I liked all of it always from this author never disappoints

This is an enthralling and vivid account of the devastating effects a tragic death can inflict upon a family. It is a moving novel full of mystery, emotional turmoil and suspense founded on a web of deceit and insecurity. The premeditated suicide of Flora is poignantly described in the prologue. She leaves a note with just 'Forgive Me' written on it. Flora has three children, Eva, almost 21, Ben 18, and Sophie 17. Her husband, Andrew, is a successful businessman, controlling, undemonstrative and lacking humour but reliable. Eva has the shocking experience of finding her mother in a bloodied bath.The aftermath is a dramatic change in the family atmosphere. Sophie, has bouts of hysteria, Ben becomes sad and bewildered whilst Eva attempts to be strong and comforting. Andrew turns to drink, launching a vitriolic and scornful verbal attack on the stunned Eva accusing her of contrivance with her mother over the contents of her will in which Eva is left a studio in London. Eva reflects on the indifference her father had shown her in the past and also how so different her mother was from him. She realises how little she really knew of her loving mother's thoughts and ambitions nor about her past life. What went wrong and why did she kill herself? Eva is determined to find the answers little knowing that a can of worms would be opened and more puzzles thrown up than solved.At Flora's funeral, Eva discovers from Flora's college friends that her mother was a successful and gifted artist. She was also tremendous fun, a party girl prone to mad cap ideas interspersed with episodes of hermit-like solemness. The information takes Eva to the London studio where she meets Bill, an honest rock of a man. Following discoveries hidden inside, Eva follows the clues and encrypted sketch diaries of her mother taking her to Scotland and then Carlisle where Eva becomes more enlightened about the unanswered questions that will hopefully satisfy her peace of mind and also her family's. Her travels involve encounters with engaging, sympathetic and helpful individuals, not without humour nor creating more emotional turbulence.This is a beautifully and sensitively crafted novel by Lesley Pearse. Its winding narrative explores a spectrum of grief, depression, heart-breaking discoveries and surprises. The character development and complexities of the interpersonal relationships between the protagonists are masterfully drawn in a realistic and concise form. Eva is easily warmed to as are other trustworthy friends. Their strengths, weaknesses and secrets within are gradually unfolded and tied up again to provide explanations and provoke further thoughts. An extremely well-written and enjoyable book.

I’m only half way through this book, yet felt compelled to write my review!This book is a lovely read and I could really empathise with Eva, the main character. Her ups and downs were tremendous and yet she handled them with grace and dignity. Eva trusted everyone she met, yet some didn’t deserve her trust. I so want her to be a success at whatever she chooses to do, career-wise (up to this point, she’s undecided in which direction she’s going to take), as I’m that invested in her. We can all relate to some of Eva’s mishaps and enjoy in her elation when things go right. I’m very happy reading this book, which is a different book to my usual crime/gangster books. I will be investing in some more Lesley Pearse books.

I brought this to read in lockdown! I would highly recommended. I couldn’t put it down and read the book in just 4 days.I have almost read the entire collection of the authors books and would highly recommend. All the stories have been fantastic.

I enjoyed the book and couldn’t put it down at night but some of it was a bit unbelievable. Took a while to realise when it was set I.e. between two times one in seventies and other in nineties.