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When I First Held You (Paperback)
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When I First Held You (Paperback)

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£8.99
Paperback 316 Pages
Published: 24/01/2023
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Silence tore them apart. Can the truth bring them back together?

"Marvellous”—Lesley Pearse

"A hauntingly beautiful novel"—Imogen Clark

"Gripping, heart rending and extremely satisfying”—Katie Fforde

In 1960s Glasgow, anti-nuclear activists Judith and Jimmy fall in love. But their future hopes are dashed when their protestors’ squat is raided and many, including Jimmy, are sent to prison. Pregnant and with no word from Jimmy, Judith is forced to enter an unmarried mothers’ home, give up their baby and learn to live with her grief.

More than half a century later, Judith’s Mending Shop restores broken treasures, just as Judith herself has been bound back together by her late, much-missed partner, Catherine. But her tranquillity is shattered when Jimmy—so different and yet somehow the same—reappears, yearning to unpick the painful past.

Realising they each know only half of the other’s story, Jimmy and Judith finally break the silence that tore apart what might have been their family. Amid heartbreak and hope, how much can now be mended?

Publisher: Amazon Publishing
ISBN: 9781662503863
Number of pages: 316
Weight: 272 g
Dimensions: 197 x 127 x 19 mm


MEDIA REVIEWS

“This profound story of loss delivers an emotional gut punch but also displays human resilience. Recommended for fans of Jodi Picoult.” —Library Journal (starred review)“It is brilliantly written, so many brilliant phrases which made me smile…I shall keep my fingers crossed that it is a huge hit. It ought to be, it’s marvellous. I shall be recommending it to all.” —Lesley Pearse, #1 bestselling author of The Woman in the Wood“Struggling to find words for how amazing this book is—a beautiful, thoroughly original story about love in all its forms, with so many unexpected twists and turns. It made me laugh, made me cry, made me think.” —Frances Quinn, author of The Bonesetter Woman“This is a hauntingly beautiful novel. The painful story of Judith and Jimmy is told with deep sensitivity in lyrical prose that was a joy to absorb, and the plot unfolds at a pace that keeps you turning the pages—such a winning combination.” —Imogen Clark, million copy selling author of Impossible to Forget“Evocative, emotional and original, every word has been expertly crafted.” —Catherine Isaac, author of The World at My Feet“When I First Held You is a wonderful kaleidoscope of passion, love, grief and misunderstandings. Heart-breaking and yet hauntingly beautiful…A stunning book—one to read and re-read many times.” —Celia Anderson, bestselling author of 59 Memory Lane“I loved this gorgeous, poignant novel about loss and love and how over time we are both broken and mended.” —Sara Sheridan, author of The Fair Botanists“Compelling…A story of broken dreams and unexpected healing. You’ll want to read this.” —Sarah Ward, author of The Shrouded Path“Anstey Harris never disappoints. When I First Held You is gripping, heart rending and extremely satisfying, from start to finish.” —Katie Fforde, bestselling author of A Wedding in Provence“A powerful, compelling and affecting read.” —Heidi Swain, bestselling author of The Summer Fair“This book has a very big heart. Full of hope and so beautifully observed.” —Samuel Burr, author of The Fellowship of the Puzzlemakers

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“Lyrical novel about grief and healing”

I was pulled into the novel right away! It was set around an interesting time period I haven’t read about before (1960s climate activists in UK). I enjoyed the switching POVs, mostly set in the present but also giving... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 5

“A beautiful novel”

4-5 stars

Jimmy and Judith re-meet fifty years on via Judith’s ‘Mending Shop’ which fixes broken treasures. In Glasgow of the 1960s they first meet as antinuclear protesters and fall in love. Unfortunately, the... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 4

“A terrific read, pre order ready for release in January a book not to be missed.”

I absolutely loved this book, i wasn’t sure whether i would or not i was in a big of a reading slump but i picked it up on Christmas Eve morning snd finished it the same day.

I adored all of the characters, the story... More

Paperback edition
Helpful? Upvote 4

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