Mum's Monday A Precious Gift by Rosie Goodwin

 A not very nice start. I thought families were meant to be there for each other. I don’t like that the Grandfather moaned about keeping the family in their circumstances. I do agree that ‘He will take her as she is’ though. Chapter one ends shockingly in more ways than one. It is nice to read that whatever the situation the Grandfather is overall human.

However, much I like how things fell into place and how reassuringly comforting it is to read. The author does ultimately have control on how the story works out, but sometimes this story can seem to work out too perfectly.

This story captures perfectly how people from a small country place/town could feel out of their comfort zone once in London. This also highlights that although you can get a lot of information from books, books don’t necessarily give you the whole picture of a place. After a, what I can only personally describe as a, ‘Make do cold dusty  and lofty start’ it is nice to read that through Holly proving herself, things are looking better for Holly and Ivy.

Right or wrong it is amusing to read but, but yes, ‘The customer is always right’ so the described outfit it is then.

Although I am glad of the ‘Change of heart’ , as I can see Holly has grown as a person in this book and no she shouldn’t go backwards.

That was too close. It does highlight that you should be careful where and who you go and listen to. I am glad they got away.

This is a fast paced story. It does skip over a few things. However, this doesn’t take away from the story as everything you need to know is all described well without any unnecessary wording.

Again things are progressing quickly with ups and downs for Holly and Ivy. I am intrigued to know how things will turn out. Sadly, there is not only the good but the bad as well. I hope it isn’t too much of a terrible situation in the long run.

It is strange that although Holly and Ivy are both equally mentioned at the start of this book, Ivy is barely mentioned. This again is intriguing as to what happens in the long run.

Things have certainly progressed again further quickly. This is a fast paced book and not in a good way either. This book is a tough read in the fact of the nature of some of the parts of the story. I am intrigued however, to see how this story all plays out though.

Strange, maybe, but it would have been nice to read of what they had for their meal at the restaurant. I however, maybe too curious about an insignificant detail, especially reading about Ivy and the skipped over obvious happenings, a disgrace by the nature of it. I hope Holly helps Ivy a lot. More than just a few times that is good to read. Sadly, yes, Ivy is her own person but Holly is her friend.

I knew it, it was so obvious and I am glad Dora told Holly. Also despite being coincidental I am glad that someone else is aware of Ivy’s situation apart from the obvious professionals that are taking care of her now.

It is lovely to read that it is not only Ivy that has support, Holly has her mother to help her as well.

I like reading of the plans over Christmas and for Ivy as well. Yes, things are working out and although this is nice to read I have to remember that the author controls the story and/but things can be made to work out too perfectly sometimes.

I am glad that Christmas went well. It would have been nice to read what some of the gifts were that were missed out and it would have been nice to read which Pantomime they saw. Now I am glad Holly is able to visit home again and at the end of chapter twenty three I didn’t see that coming. It is nice to read that part though. Although yes, it is early days for now. A nice surprise/slight shock all the same.

Things are progressing quickly for Ivy, Holly and Richard. It says on the back of this book that Holly and Richard cannot be together, so it is intriguing that things have progressed so far and we still don’t know why. It is a good thing that a book makes you want to read on, which this one does. Well however, sad it is to read and I somehow knew it, the reason. I am glad Holly has found out for herself just in time, what now?

I have mixed feelings about whether Holly should have told him the truth or not, however, I do feel sorry for Richard.

They do say ‘As one door closes another opens’ and in this case this is very much what happens for Holly. Although this part is quick/fast paced it is nice to read.

Harsh yes, but what Ivy did, really I don’t blame her. She has certainly grown as a character in the book.

Chapter thirty is both lovely and amusing to read. I do like the outcome. I also didn’t think and agree with Sunday that Tom in this story wouldn’t get a say. The women had/did have the final say.

I am glad as to what happened at Christmas. Although reading this story I do feel that if Holly had told Richard the truth she would have had closure of the situation back in London.

Chapter thirty three was a mix of ups and downs. I am glad Richard has moved on. I still believe he should know the truth. I do like the character Harry. I feel sorry for him and Holly. However, what/who is in the heart is in the heart. This chapter does end on an upbeat note though.

Two things, one short, taking Harry home would imply what her family and Ivy were teasing her with and two a wedding is a wedding so although the preparations were mentioned in passing and the day was written in a way that simplified and skipped over the day, it was inevitable that there was going to be more ‘Fuss’ than the ‘No fuss’ that was talked about previously. Although the wedding is happening in her family this book is about Holly overall so I can see why there wasn’t much focus on it. This part, I feel, is used to move the story on for Holly which as I read it is a good thing.

Chapter thirty five is another turning point in this book, where the War has broken out. It is described well from the families and technical side in the nature of this story.

Yes, this story is about War and the situation at the hospital is described in a sensitive way. It was a little quick as a life changing decision however, seriously it was needed. I am also glad Holly is so well thought of. This part highlights that despite the War, life and other illnesses still breakout. At the end of chapter thirty seven it is a sad shock.

This story is moving at such a fast pace, one chapter Holly is a nurse doing the rounds the next, with no actual warning she’s talking about going to/ into a War zone. I can barely keep up. 

Although the description of the war zone is well done, I feel it isn’t described in a way that really shows the real/ truly awful conditions of the war. However, as this story is about Holly this can be overlooked. Also not going into too much terrible detail does make this book consistent in the light nature of this book. A nice read and no mean feat when setting the story during the horror of a war.

Just when I thought this was going to be a pretty much straight forward story the author throws in a dangerous mission.

This gives the story a bit more interest and highlights the, I would say, the underground war effort. Also showing that there was more to the war than what was on the surface. I do like this just not the terrible content within this part,

However, lighthearted I thought this story is, it all of a sudden takes a dark turn. Although I personally don’t like reading this part, reading about a war, bad/terrible things are bound to be ultimately expected overall. I like that it doesn’t last long and I agree things are looking to get better. I love what Ivy said as a reply to a loss, I again agree they will be very happy.

Although this story jumps many years for the epilogue, I like most of what I read, as some of it is tragic. Despite this afterwards the 2 lots of news at the very end is lovely to read and I do love the ending of this story.

Thank you for reading

Sandra