‘What We Leave Behind’ is a thought-provoking, heartbreaking story about motherhood, family and friendship. Anna Mansell always manages to create the most beautiful books that bring us mainly loveable and caring characters.

Lisa is a single mother to 5-year-old Poppy, has been since the day Poppy’s dad, Billy walked away. Lisa had relocated to Scotland as a 16-year-old, for Billy, so she was alone in a strange place. Her dad immediately came to bring her home as he wasn’t happy when she moved away anyway. her mum was killed in a car accident when Lisa was a baby, so her dad has looked after her always and tends to be controlling.

We see Lisa move into her own place and start a new job as Poppy begins a new school year, things are looking up. She has her best friend Holly, who she has a fantastic friendship with, and Holly’s brother Paul, who has always been attracted to Lisa.
One day Lisa finds a parcel on her doorstep, inside a beautiful handmade journal, with nothing to say who has sent it. Then she receives another anonymous gift. She wonders who could be sending them. Then she receives a picture from when she was little so there are only 3 men who she can think of, Billy, Paul or her dad, but what for and why?

Then a tragedy happens which throws Lisa totally off-kilter. An absolutely heartbreaking read at times, I was with Lisa all the way, holding my breath without realising it. This is truly a stunning read all the way through.

Thanks go to Bookouture and NetGalley for the copy of the book for my review today.