The Mother's Promise in Aussie Readers

Jul 17, 2017 Janine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved The Secrets of the Midwives by Sally, and was not disappointed in her latest offering. Such a powerful story about people who all have issues to deal with. So many situations were dealt with in this book, social phobia, infertility, abuse, alcoholism, terminal illness, first love - wow, and all handled with the utmost care and consideration by the author. Sally has a wonderful way of expressing her characters and this book had me turning pages constantly. One left of hers to read and I a ...more

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Jan 12, 2023 Rhoda rated it liked it · review of another edition

When Alice is diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she has some additional complications to navigate along with this news: her fifteen year old daughter Zoe has social anxiety disorder and they are completely alone in the world, with no support network. Alice has no choice but to reach out to the two women she has the most contact with at the hospital - her oncology nurse Kate and her social worker Sonja. Both women however, have significant problems of their own.

I wanted to like this book much more ...more

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Apr 27, 2018 Tanya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So I'm going to start this off with an anecdote of minimal relevance. I have this massive fangirl thing going on towards Rachael Johns, which then also began to include Lisa Ireland. But, you see, those two have joined up with Sally Hepworth for "The Secret Life of Authors" newsletter. I figure, I read 2/3 of the authors and love them, so I had to give the third a go. Cue me stumbling across a copy of this book.

And no I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face feeling utterly wrecked by ...more

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Jul 26, 2025 Rina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

Alice and her daughter Zoe have been a team of two all their lives. They've never needed anyone else - until Alice gets sick. Alice reaches out to two near-strangers: Kate, her oncology nurse, and Sonja, her social worker. As the lives of the three women become inextricably tied, a chain of events is set into motion, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and secrets.

What a story! As expected, I got teary by the end of it. I thought this was the perfect book to showcase Hepworth’ ...more

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Jul 07, 2025 Karen rated it liked it · review of another edition

A novel about the bond between a single parent with her daughter, and what a mother will do for her child. Alice and Zoe have always been a team, just the two of them. Alice’s parents are dead, and her brother is an alcoholic, so not dependable, and Zoe’s father has never been a part of their lives. Zoe has terrible anxiety issues so she struggles to make friends. Alice is diagnosed with cancer, and is very ill, and wishes she had people in her life that could be a support to her and Zoe. She be ...more

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Feb 06, 2017 Kathy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth is a bittersweet novel about a single mother who discovers she has cancer. Alice Stanhope is a devoted mom whose worry over her teenage daughter Zoe initially eclipses her concern about her health but she is soon forced to face the implications of her diagnosis.

At the age of forty, Alice has had a few health scares, so she is at first unconcerned about her doctor's recommendation for surgery. Reality quickly sets in and despite her claim she does not need a The Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth is a bittersweet novel about a single mother who discovers she has cancer. Alice Stanhope is a devoted mom whose worry over her teenage daughter Zoe initially eclipses her concern about her health but she is soon forced to face the implications of her diagnosis.

At the age of forty, Alice has had a few health scares, so she is at first unconcerned about her doctor's recommendation for surgery. Reality quickly sets in and despite her claim she does not need any help, nurse Kate Littleton and hospital social worker Sonja step in to lend assistance. Zoe's severe social anxiety is difficult to manage when things are normal, so Alice is less than forthcoming with her daughter (and herself) about her diagnosis. Although things are tense with her husband, David, Kate is more than happy to help out with Zoe but Alice is having a difficult time accepting Kate's support for her daughter. Sonja is also trying her best to be there for both Alice and Zoe but she is struggling to cope with her psychologist husband's increasingly rough treatment of her. Alice's alcoholic brother Paul is surprisingly helpful but maintaining his sobriety is an impossible endeavor. In the aftermath of her surgery, Alice remains positive about her prognosis but is she deluding herself? And if she is, what will happen to Zoe?

Alice and Zoe have lived a very insular life from the time Zoe was about two years old. Alice founded a business that enabled her to keep her daughter out of daycare and until kindergarten, Zoe was a happy, well-adjusted little girl. Zoe's debilitating social anxiety and panic attacks began when she entered school and despite treatment, she has found little success in finding ways to cope with her disorder. Since Zoe only has one close friend, Alice and Zoe spend the most of their time together and Alice is fiercely protective of her daughter.

Kate is happily married with two teenage stepchildren whom she adores. She loves her job and her affection for the patients in her care is genuine. When Zoe needs a place to stay while Alice is undergoing surgery and chemo, Kate is quick to welcome her into their home. Although she has a full and happy life, Kate and David are at an impasse in their marriage and with each of them on opposite sides of an issue, the bond between them is becoming quite fragile.

Sonja is shocked by the changes in her husband George and she is not ready to admit his rough treatment of her might be crossing the line into abuse. After all, a social worker would be the first person to recognize the signs of domestic violence, wouldn't she? For the first time in her career, Sonja is beginning to understand why the women she has tried to help continue to stay with their boyfriends and husbands. Although Sonja remains uncertain about the future of their relationship, she is taking steps to protect herself when circumstances force her to take a stand.

The Mother's Promise is a captivating novel that is heartwarming and deeply affecting. Sally Hepworth broaches difficult topics such as social anxiety, cancer, alcoholism, abuse, Crohns Disease and more with a great deal sensitivity. This deft handling provides readers with insightful and educational information about topics that are rarely discussed. The various situations each of the women are facing intertwine into a meaningful storyline that is heartfelt and emotional. An incredibly moving novel that I absolutely loved and highly recommend. ...more

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Feb 08, 2019 Tianne Shaw rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another hook line and sinker that has got me in and gripped to the end. 4 ladies twist and turn through this only to have an explosive end that has you gripped

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