‘My Mothers Choice’ by Ali Mercer is an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.
Dani is fourteen and lives with her Aunt Carrie, has done for ten years since her mum died. No one speaks of her mum really, Dani doesn’t know a lot about how she died and no one seems willing to explain anything about her mum, but that’s the way it’s always been. One day her Aunt gives her a specific instruction and Dani disobeys and she then finds out a little bit more about her mums death, but for Dani, not enough.
Dani makes a new friend, Josie, and they talk about her mum and the mystery of why she has only one picture of her mum. Josie encourages her to go searching in the attic for any clues or items. Dani does and discovers her mums diary. She takes it and starts to read, discovering things that make her wonder has she actually done the right thing? she decides to set off on a journey to piece the puzzle together but this alone will change her life forever.
The story is written from Dani’s perspective, then when she discovers the diary we have Laura’s from the diary. Taking us back to when Dani was small and what Laura was doing at that time and why. The story unfolds piece by piece and the tension and suspense ride along, ramping up as we read along with Dani. I loved both Dani and Laura, poor Dani, my heart went out to her. A poor motherless child who didn’t understand any of the adults in her life. I wanted to pick her up and give her the biggest hug ever.
An absolute tearjerker of a book, that is never boring and Ali Mercer has dealt with the whole subject with so much sensitivity that we never feel like Dani is “just being awkward to be awkward”, but that she really is puzzled and really confused as to why her mum is a no go subject really. The ending, well, unexpected is one word! A great twist to the story. One I thoroughly enjoyed. My first Ali Mercer book and it certainly won’t be my last. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
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