A mother. A daughter. A secret waiting to be uncovered.

The day that Delphine stands up for herself is the day that changes everything…

For too long, Delphine has been unable to let go of the past, obsessed with protecting her daughter, Em, and clinging to a secret that has cast a shadow over their lives. When a chance encounter offers a way out, Delphine seizes it with both hands. As their lives begins to fill with colour again, can she find the courage to change their lives forever?

My Review

If it was possible to give six stars to Em & Me on Amazon or Goodreads, I would. Beth has the ability to create such believable characters. Delphine is wonderful, but at times she is so negative you want to scream at her. Daughter Em is a joy. She’s clever almost to the point of genius level but she’s never precocious or unlikeable.

Delphine’s French mother died when Delphine was a child and her father – a piano tuner – fell to pieces. He’s out of tune but he can’t retune himself. Delphine became his carer as well as being a single mum to Em. They live in a tiny flat with only her income. She and Em still have to share a bed. And then she gets the sack from the coffee shop where she works (personally I think she deserved a medal).

Anyway, now she is away from her dreadful ex-boss Gio, so many opportunities begin to present themselves through some amazing people. Delphine finds a new job at a coffee shop called Merhaba, run by Eritreans Selassie and his wife Abrihet. They take her under their wing, treating her like family and teaching her to cook.

Then there is Roz, who introduces us to Sylvie, daughter of Letty who’s a right old bat – we had a name for a German relative – ‘die alte fledermaus’ – maybe someone could tell me the equivalent in French. But at least Letty knows she is. She takes some warming to, but she has a lovely cat called Aphra. And a generous heart if you don’t annoy her.

Roz is married to Sanjay, who once had a successful pop career and has started a band with his friend Dylan, who happens to teach music at Em’s school. Did I mention that Roz also teaches there? Whoops, I forgot. But Roz was once a successful actress and dreams of being one again.

So many people, so many dreams. Will any of them come true? Beth’s writing makes you care about all of them, but especially Delphine and Em. And then of course there’s the big question. Who is Em’s father? And what will happen when Em finds out?

I knew I wouldn’t get to the end without shedding a tear or ten. Au revoir mes amis. I’m going to miss you all.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.

About the Author

Previously Creative Director at RDF Television, Beth Morrey now writes full time. Her debut novel, Saving Missy, was a Sunday Times bestseller and longlisted for the Authors’ Club First Novel Award.

Beth lives in London with her husband, two sons and a St Berdoodle named Phoebe.