Cover: The Mother We Share by Jennifer Soucy
The author sent me an ARC of this book (epub format) in exchange for an honest review (a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team).
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars)
Plot
(by Goodreads)
She yearned for the mother she never knew, wishing for a whole family. Something heard and replied…
Evie Bonaventura is terrified when a strange girl breaks into her room, a creature with her dead mother’s eyes. Dad confesses Evie had a twin, but she died along with their mother who was unable to survive the devastating childbirth. Mom swore on her deathbed that her baby was kidnapped by fairies—a changeling, but that was impossible. Myths aren’t real.
Yet the otherworldly girl continues to stalk Evie before attacking their father and others. Beltane approaches, their 18th birthday and the night when fairy powers peak. Evie’s determined to protect her family, confident because heroes always win—don’t they?
Tragedy strikes, forcing Evie to act. She embarks on an adventurous rescue mission from Boston to Ireland, aided by an unlikely band of brave friends, legendary creatures, and a colorful coven of witches. Evie has a choice: destroy her twin sister or save her, in honor of the mother they once shared.
| Genre(s): | > Fairy Tale Fantasy (Kindle Store) > Mythology & Folk Tales (Kindle Store) > Mythology & Folk Tales (Books) |
| Series: | n.a. |
| Length: | 308 pages |
| Release date: | 2021-04-06 |
Teaser
Dad called the school for me, making up a lie that I was sick. Not a lie after a sleepless night with my face and neck resembling a cat’s scratching post. The jagged lines weren’t too deep on the right cheek. My throat, however, was a rainbow ring of raw and swollen skin. No way I wanted people asking all sorts of uncomfortable questions.
I had an idea, and Mike agreed to help. He would pick me up after school so I could speak to Ms. Moynagh.
It was risky to involve another adult, who also might not believe me, but the image of her fairy charm dangled in my mind, taunting me with the promise of information beyond what was available on the internet. She must’ve learned something about changelings and – as an Irish immigrant, herself – she might be sympathetic about my mother’s deathbed rants concerning the monsters from their shared folklore.
My Opinion
This book introduces you to Evie Bonaventura who meets her dead(?!) twin sister; her friends believe her, her father wants her to see a therapist.
With “The Mother We Share”, Jennifer Soucy has created an intriguing story about a young woman stalked by her dead twin sister. She begins a journey to find out the truth and save the ones she loves. Most characters are complex, all are realistic with all virtues and flaws. The story comprises a variety of craftily elaborated characters with sufficient depth and interesting interactions until the last page. Jennifer Soucy introduces each character in a way that the reader automatically wants to read on – to get to know them better. I had a great time reading “The Mother We Share” – it is an intriguing read that led me right back to the country and places I truly miss. I was immediately drawn into the story, soon keeping my fingers crossed for two very special characters. For me, “The Mother We Share” is contemporary fiction told through the eyes and mind of a young American woman who is suddenly confronted with stuff that fairytales are made of; this viewpoint – not yet twenty, American with Irish ancestry – makes for a charming read. It is a story to read again.
This is for you if you like contemporary fiction with Irish mythology, a young determined heroine, food for thought, and if you are interested in seeing more myth than modern-day visitors normally see on a trip to Ireland.
Recommended.
In brief:
| Cover | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars) |
| Writing | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (four stars) |
| Plot | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Characters | ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (five stars) |
| Mood | Suspenseful, hopeful |
| Pace | Steady |
| POV | Third person – past tense |
| Language |  – 😳 (decent enough; mild swearwords) |
| Violence | 😳 (there is some violence, not too detailed) |
| Sexual content | (decent enough) |
About the author
Jennifer Soucy is just a regular girl with an abiding love for the supernatural/paranormal–a proud nerd of anything involving horror & dark fantasy. Born in Connecticut and forever a New Englander at heart, she moved away at 19, unable to resist the call of adventure. She settled again in the Atlanta area with her family and delights in being called a “Damn Yankee.” She also lived nearly two years in Las Vegas, her home away from home. Back in Georgia now, she started writing again to fulfill her childhood dreams. This writer, assistant editor, and 25-year veteran of the service industry hopes to continue publishing books that occasionally make people sleep with the light on..
Connect with the Author:
Website: https://www.jenniferlsoucy.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bansheetales
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19716732.Jennifer_Soucy
Amazon: Jennifer Soucy
Buy links: https://books2read.com/u/md7yv5
Please take a look at my statement on reading in My train of thoughts on …reading. Now I am asking you. 🙂
My questions for you bibliophiles:
What about you? What did you think about “The Mother We Share”? Or – if you did not yet read “The Mother We Share” – are you now interested in reading it yourself?
I am looking forward to reading your comments. 🙂
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My train of thoughts on... 
Sounds like an interesting read, Karen. I think the title is quite fitting, too.
It is definitely an interesting read, Mark. Even if one is not as familiar with Ireland – the Irish ways will certainly leave a mark.
Thank you Karen.
You are most welcome, Rosie.