Listen to a sample
Somebody Else’s Boy
- Author
- Jo Bartlett
- Narrator
- Emma Powell
- Publisher
- Boldwood Books
- Publish Date
- 13 December 2025
- Run Time
- 9 hours 18 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
One small boy. One big second chance.
When Nancy O’Brien returns to St Nicholas Bay, the seaside town of her childhood, it isn’t the life she imagined. A talented drama teacher, she’s put her own ambitions aside to care for her family—always the one to shoulder responsibility. But when her path crosses with Jack, a grieving young widower trying to build a life for himself and his baby son Toby, Nancy finds her heart pulled in a direction she never expected.
Caring for a child who isn’t hers brings joy Nancy didn’t know she was missing—but it also stirs resentment. Toby’s grandmother can’t accept Nancy stepping into the role her daughter once held, and whispers of disapproval soon threaten to unravel everything.
And with Nancy’s mother concealing a secret powerful enough to shake their family to its core, Nancy must face the past she ran from if she ever wants the future she longs for.
Can she find the courage to love a man and a child who may never fully belong to her, or will the pull of old ties tear them all apart?
Praise for Jo Barlett:
'A poignant tale which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Beautifully written' Jessica Redland
'An emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end! I challenge anyone to read it without their eyes filling up with tears. A real page turner!' Sheila Norton
'I was drawn in from the first word, I’ve laughed and cried, what a really lovely story' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
'I was drawn in from the first word, I’ve laughed and cried, what a really lovely story' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
'I would highly recommend this book for a bit of fantastic escapism and love conquering all' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
'A heart-warming tale which I enjoyed reading very much' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
'I really loved this book and look forward to the next in the series' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
'I love books from Jo Bartlett you can always get involved with all the characters they feel like your family and friends' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Jo Bartlett
- Narrator
- Emma Powell
- Duration
- 9 hours 18 minutes
- Release Date
- 13 December 2025
- ISBN
- 9781837034086
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Boldwood Books
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Family life fiction, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Social issues, Narrative theme: Sense of place
Synopsis
An utterly heartwrenching, beautiful novel of love, loss and family from TOP 20 BESTSELLER Jo Bartlett, that will break your heart and put it back together again 🥹❤️🩹 Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes, and Kate Hewitt! 💔One small boy. One big second chance.When Nancy O’Brien returns to St Nicholas Bay, the seaside town of her childhood, it isn’t the life she imagined. A talented drama teacher, she’s put her own ambitions aside to care for her family—always the one to shoulder responsibility. But when her path crosses with Jack, a grieving young widower trying to build a life for himself and his baby son Toby, Nancy finds her heart pulled in a direction she never expected.Caring for a child who isn’t hers brings joy Nancy didn’t know she was missing—but it also stirs resentment. Toby’s grandmother can’t accept Nancy stepping into the role her daughter once held, and whispers of disapproval soon threaten to unravel everything.And with Nancy’s mother concealing a secret powerful enough to shake their family to its core, Nancy must face the past she ran from if she ever wants the future she longs for.Can she find the courage to love a man and a child who may never fully belong to her, or will the pull of old ties tear them all apart?Praise for Jo Barlett:'A poignant tale which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Beautifully written' Jessica Redland'An emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end! I challenge anyone to read it without their eyes filling up with tears. A real page turner!' Sheila Norton'I was drawn in from the first word, I’ve laughed and cried, what a really lovely story' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'I was drawn in from the first word, I’ve laughed and cried, what a really lovely story' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'I would highly recommend this book for a bit of fantastic escapism and love conquering all' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'A heart-warming tale which I enjoyed reading very much' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'I really loved this book and look forward to the next in the series' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review'I love books from Jo Bartlett you can always get involved with all the characters they feel like your family and friends' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
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