When You Were Mine: the best new emotional and powerful women’s fiction novel of 2025, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper and Susan Lewis

‘Grab the tissues and clear your schedules as you will not be able to put this down!!!’ Reader review, ????? ‘Beautiful, emotional and hopeful, but have tissues to hand.’ Liz Fenwick ‘I read it in a day…even after finishing it, it’s still lingering in my mind.’ Reader review, ????? –––––––––––––––––– One mistake could change their lives forever… My life is a mess. My marriage is falling apart, and I’d hoped the arrival of our baby girl would bring us closer together. Yet, as she grows, I see less of a resemblance to my husband, stirring unsettling questions. I was hoping a visit from my friend, Victoria would bring some stability. With her seemingly perfect life in Spain, she embodies hope for a brighter future. But our reunion has taken an unexpected turn. And when a shock diagnosis shakes our family further, Victoria doesn’t know it yet, but she might just hold the key to saving our family. But if I want her to help, a big secret has to come out. Revealing the truth risks everything – my marriage, our friendship, our families. Can we weather this storm, or will it shatter us beyond repair? An emotional and powerful novel of motherhood, friendship and what family means to us all. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Susan Lewis. Praise for Emma-Claire Wilson: ‘Tragic but ultimately uplifting.’ Katie Fforde ‘Definitely a page turner that you won't be able to put down!’ Reader review, ????? ‘Heartbreaking and heartwarming.’ Reader review, ????? ‘A heartfelt and suspenseful tale of an agonising life-and-death dilemma…this is a family drama that doesn’t shy away from sadness and conflict but powers towards an ultimately hopeful conclusion.’ Ali Mercer ‘An unputdownable addictive emotional rollercoaster drama filled with love, family, heartbreak, friendship and loss.’ Reader review, ????? ‘A beautifully written and emotionally moving novel. All the characters in this book were amazing…it was impossible not to feel a connection with them!’ Reader review, ????? ‘An emotional story which broke my heart but was beautifully uplifting and filled with hope.’ Emma Cowell ‘An emotional, original read that gripped me from the start.’ Reader review, ????? ‘What an emotional ride…beautifully written!’ Reader review, ????? ‘This Child of Mine is an emotionally-charged, beautiful, and poignant story that will stay with me for a very long time. Wilson had me sobbing from the very first page, and I couldn't put the book down. An absolute triumph of a debut.’ Natali Simmonds ‘Full of raw emotion, sadness and heartache, but also family, friendship, smiles, laughter, and hope. I can’t recommend it highly enough!’ Reader review, ????? ‘Beautifully written covering marriage, motherhood, social media issues, foster families, anger and love.’ Reader review, ????? In When You Were Mine, Emma-Claire Wilson delves into the complexities of adoption, fostering, and the impact of divorce on relationships. The narrative is a poignant exploration of grief and bereavement, making it a top pick for readers seeking a deeper understanding of these issues. For fans of Emma Robinson (Only for My Daughter), Jen Craven (All That Shines and Whispers), Sheila Norton (One Week in Winter), Sam Vickery (One More Tomorrow), and Alison Ragsdale (The Child Between Us). HarperCollins 2024