Title: You Were Always Mine

Authors: Christine Pride and Jo Piazza

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: HQ

Publication Date: 20th July 2023

Rating: 5/5

Cover:

Summary:

Is the truest family the one we’re born into, or the one we make for ourselves?

Cinnamon Haynes has fought hard for everything she has – her marriage, a stable job as a career counsellor, and home of her own. She’s overcome the difficult circumstances of her childhood to build this life, and yet, she can’t help but wonder . . . is this all there is?

Just nineteen years old, Daisy Dunlap has already faced her share of hardships, but she has big dreams for her future. A future which is threatened when she gets unexpectedly pregnant and, desperate and alone, she makes a drastic decision with devastating consequences.

When Cinnamon finds an abandoned baby in the park, she takes the newborn into her home, not realising the chain reaction this will set off. Cinnamon must deal with the shocking judgements from friends, strangers, even her own husband, about why a Black woman like her would take in this blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby, but all Cinnamon wants is to do right by this innocent child. Then, Cinnamon’s fragile hold over the baby is threatened and she must fight for the family she wants – even if that costs her everything she once held dear . . .

Review:

I was immediately intrigued by the original and deeply fascinating premise of You Were Always Mine so my expectations were high – and I can now confirm it’s as fantastic as I was hoping, and then some! Cinnamon is a complex and beautifully layered character who finds herself in the truly bizarre and unexpected situation of being suddenly responsible for a newborn baby that she finds seemingly abandoned in the park she eats lunch in. The situation is further complicated by the fact that Cinnamon is black and the baby is white, a fact that shouldn’t matter but unsurprisingly does to a disturbing portion of people. The circumstances of Cinnamon’s predicament are fraught with complexities, however she cannot stop the connection she feels to the baby, which strengthens with each moment she spends with her.

I loved this book, and flew through it, totally hooked by the story and my empathy for Cinnamon, whose life has been challenging from the get-go. You Were Always Mine brings up and confronts issues such as racism, judgement, stereotyping, motherhood, the damage left by trauma in childhood and the undeniable fact that love is not always dependent on genetics and can often come from deep compassion and a genuine connection with someone. It is a beautifully written book with a sensitivity and nuance that makes it an immensely rewarding read. I couldn’t recommend it more highly and if you are looking for the perfect book club read, this is it!

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I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

Buy the book:

Waterstones | Blackwell’s | Amazon