THE GIRL BEFORE meets THEN SHE WAS GONE - the brilliant new novel from Clare Empson

'A beautifully told stroy about the raw pain and ecstasy of motherhood. I loved it.' Jane Corry

'I adored this powerful, emotive and sensitively written story about love and loss/' Louise Jensen

'Haunting and heart-rending ... a beautifully told story' Victoria Selman


'Who am I? Why am I here? Why did my mother give me away?'

On the surface, Luke and his girlfriend Hannah seem to have a perfect life. He's an A&R man, she's an arts correspondent and they are devoted to their new-born son Samuel.

But beneath the gloss Luke has always felt like an outsider. So when he finds his birth mother Alice, the instant connection with her is a little like falling in love.

When Hannah goes back to work, Luke asks Alice to look after their son. But Alice - fuelled with grief from when her baby was taken from her 27 years ago - starts to fall in love with Samuel. And Luke won't settle for his mother pushing him aside once again...

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Why real readers love this emotionally gripping story by the author of HIM:


'Read it, read it, read it. One of my books of the year, without a doubt.' Goodreads reviewer

'Beautiful, haunting, emotional, and totally addictive.' Goodreads reviewer

'A realistic, character driven, highly-emotional and addictive read.' Goodreads reviewer

'Be warned: this novel will take over your life while you are reading it.' Goodreads reviewer