Publication date: 21st September 2017
Book
Description:
A
mother always knows best. Doesn’t she?
What
if your choice for your child could harm someone else’s?
Every
mother faces impossible choices. Vaccination is one of the hardest. For single
mum Kate O’Hara, there was no decision to make. Her daughter Rosie is one of a
small percentage of Irish children who can’t be vaccinated against measles. All
Kate can do is hope that her little girl is safe.
For
mummy blogger Madeleine Cooper, it was a leap of faith she wasn't prepared to
take when she and her husband declined controversial measles jabs for their
daughter Clara. All she can do is pray that it’s the right decision.
But
when classmates Clara and Rosie both become sick will Kate pay for Madeleine’s
choice?
A stunning and addictive new
book club read from beloved bestselling Irish author Melissa Hill that explores
every mother’s worst fear
My thoughts:
This story
from Melissa Hill will strike a chord with any parent: which poses the greater
risk, the vaccine or the disease you are aiming to protect them from? Mums Kate and Madeleine have completely
different reasons for not vaccinating their girls, but both have to face facts
when the two girls are struck by measles.
I liked the characters of both of the mums, Kate being a hardworking
widow striving to provide the best for her daughter after losing her husband
suddenly and mad mum blogger Madeleine who has a much more laid back approach
to life. I don’t know why, but reading Madeleine’s part in the story I found
that she reminded me of Marian Keyes with her witty one liners and brand of
Irish humour. I found myself rooting for Kate and Rosie for the vast majority
of the story as I am sure many others will too however once we start to see the
public façade of Madeleine crack and see her more vulnerable side my heart went
out to her. I really disliked her husband
Tom throughout the whole book as I found him to be arrogant and self centred –
traits which I similarly tarred Madeleine with at first.
Once we reach
the court room scenes we start to understand why the Coopers made the decision
they did and I thought the scenes where Madeleine takes the witness stand were
very emotionally charged. I was so pleased when after many months she finally
finds the courage to speak from the heart rather than trying to tick the boxes
her solicitor was instructing her to with her answers. I won’t give away the
outcome of the story but suffice to say I was happy that the two mothers were
able to understand the other’s decision not to vaccinate their children and
were able make their peace even though things would never be the same between
them.
A very
realistic story with everyday people making the decisions that every parent
agonises over – and scenarios which make you think about what can happen if
things go horribly wrong.
I would
definitely recommend this book, especially to parents who have indeed had to
make this very same decision themselves.
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