The Secret Daughter: A beautiful novel of adoption, heartbreak and a mother's love

· Bookouture
4.7
29 reviews
Ebook
306
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

As I saw my new-born baby’s face for the first time I tried desperately to capture her face in my mind—to stamp it onto my eyelids. As she was taken from me I knew I might never see my daughter again.


38 years later…


‘You were adopted’. Three short words and Sabina’s life fractures. There would forever be a Before those words, and an After.


Pregnant with her own child, Sabina can’t understand how a mother could abandon her daughter, or why her parents have kept the past a secret.


Determined to find the woman who gave her away, what she discovers will change everything, not just for Sabina, but for the women who have loved her all these years.


From the bestselling author of Me Without You comes another touching, beautifully told story about the pain of separation and the enduring strength of love.


Find out what readers are saying about The Secret Daughter


‘I adored this novel. Absolutely, 100% adored it. Kelly Rimmer is a beautiful writer … The Secret Daughter packed such an emotional, powerful punch, one that I don't think I've felt before that I'll always associate with her novels from now on.’ Becca’s Books


‘Kelly Rimmer did an amazing job of telling such a heartbreaking tale. This story had me laughing, crying and hugging my daughter a wee tighter. I loved this story!’ Steph and Chris Book Reviews


‘This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster from the first words… The Secret Daughter is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.’ Ask a Bookworm


‘This was a refreshingly different read which I would put in the same vein as Diane Chamberlain but this was even better than some of Diane's latest releases. This is no girl meets boy and falls in love read but rather a heartbreaking, beautifully written story based on true facts… I would highly recommend The Secret Daughter, a thought provoking, emotional story not to be missed.’ Shaz’s Book Blog


This was such a moving story, convincingly told. It is almost as though you are reading a memoir rather than a novel … a really compelling read and would definitely recommend it.’ Portobello Book Blog

Ratings and reviews

4.7
29 reviews
Jannine Haslam
July 7, 2018
Brilliant book totally absorbing. Heartrenching, happy, sad and angry you will feel every emotion. I couldn't put the book down. My phone was glued to my hand I just had to read it continually. Only criticism I have is, I wanted to know more about the relationships between her family after Sabina had her baby xjx
2 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Peg Glover
July 16, 2018
The Secret Daughter is a heart-wrenching novel that takes place during the 1970s, in Australia, when force adoptions were acceptable. This book reads like a powerful memoir, compelling, absorbing, and unforgettable. Lilly was sixteen when she was sent away to a Maternity home for unwed mothers; a place where she was forced, to stay and work, until her baby was born. When Lilly first arrived, she had no idea that she wouldn’t be leaving with her baby. When she discovered the truth, Lilly was horrified. Her love letters to James, the father of her unborn child, went from being heartwarming to heartbreaking. Lilly pleaded with James to take her out of the maternity home before it was too late. I was completely engrossed in this story from the very first page. The book fast-forwards to 2012, when Lilly’s lost child, Sabina, discovers that she is pregnant. Sabina’s dad is ecstatic about being a grandfather, but her mother, Megan, is not. Sabina couldn’t understand why her mother wasn’t happy for her. It wasn’t until the truth of her birth and adoption was revealed to her that Sabrina understood. Sabina’s parents tried to convince their daughter that they didn’t know who her birth mother was. Sabina felt strongly, however, that her parents were lying. But why? What kind of ugly secret could they possibly be hiding? When the truth was exposed, Sabina was horrified. It was worse than she’d ever imagined. The Secret Daughter is a well-written moving novel, touching as well as heart-wrenching. It’s a powerful, emotional story, and one that I won’t forget for a very long time.
6 people found this review helpful
Did you find this helpful?
Joyce Marzan
March 13, 2022
Written with great sensitivity towards each of the persons involved. Tells the difficult story of forced adoption with honesty and feeling, but without condemnation.
Did you find this helpful?

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.