A Mother’s Reckoning

A Scottish historical saga of duty and dreams from Sunday Times bestselling author Evelyn Hood! Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Val Wood ❤️

When everything changes, will her family fall apart or rally together?

Paisley, Scotland, 1976

Thirty-five-year-old Rachel Carswell is devastated by her father’s death. He was her anchor; her relationship with her prickly mother has always been strained. While clearing his belongings, her Aunt Chrissie reveals a long-hidden secret: Rachel was adopted as a baby during the Second World War. Shocked and betrayed, Rachel cannot understand why the truth was kept from her. Though her mother and husband, Martin, urge her to move on, Rachel is haunted by questions about her birth mother.

Only her daughter Fiona supports her search, but when their efforts stall, Rachel tries to refocus on family life. Months later, everything changes when she is contacted by Cara, the twin sister she never knew existed.

Warm and open despite her own troubled past, Cara draws Rachel in—but her arrival deepens existing tensions. As Fiona’s risky bid for independence strains the family further, Rachel must confront painful truths when she finally comes face to face with her past.

Storytelling at its best, Evelyn Hood is the original bestselling Scottish saga writer 💫

Previously published in paperback as Knowing Me

PRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD

'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke

'If you like Catherine Cookson, you’ll love Evelyn Hood’s books.’ - Lizzie Lane

‘Evelyn Hood’s characters step off the page and into your heart.’ - Sheila Riley

‘This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.’ - Jane Lark

''Loved the strong, relatable characters. A lively, refreshing read.' - Kate Eastham

'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines

'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas

‘Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood’ – Renita D’Silva

'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine

‘Hood is immaculate in her historical detail’ - Scottish Herald

'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair

'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine

‘Touching, romantic and unforgettable’ - Reader Review

‘Love all her books’ - Reader Review

‘Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories’ - Reader Review

‘I cannot put her books down’ - Reader Review

‘Love everything Evelyn Hood writes’ - Reader Review

‘Evelyn Hood is a fantastic writer, bringing the past to life and drawing you right