The Child We Lost
- Author Sheila Norton
- Publisher Boldwood Books
- Publish Date 25 February 2026
- Run Time 8 hours and 25 minutes
- Format Audio
- Genre Family life fiction.
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Listen to a sample
What to expect
What would you do if your lost child came back? ❤️ An emotional family drama, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Susan Lewis. ❤️
She pouts, looking upset, and I want nothing more than to kiss her better and say 'All right then, yes. Perhaps he can come back, perhaps he will, perhaps he has!' But I can’t. I know I can’t lie to her about this...
The day we lost Josh, a part of me broke. He was only three-and-a-half years old. His twin, Ruby, suddenly an only child.
We thought we were doing as well as expected. But when Ruby comes to me and says she saw Josh – alive – I assume she’s struggling more than we realised. It’s her way of holding on. Of refusing to let go.
But then I see him too.
A boy with Josh’s same pale blue eyes, the silvery-white hair that falls across his forehead in exactly the same way. It’s more than a similarity. This boy could be Josh’s twin.
How can that be possible?
I know I have to listen to my rational brain, that this must be my grief messing with my mind. But I can’t let go of the feeling that something is going on. Who is this boy? And does someone know more than they’re letting on?
A gripping, emotional page-turner about loss, love and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.
Praise for Sheila Norton:
'A well-crafted and brilliantly suspenseful novel that kept me guessing until the end.' Jo Bartlett
‘Loved this book!!!!!… Addictive. There was no way I was putting it down, I literally started reading the book around 10am and couldn't put it down until around 4am. Hahaha I'm so glad it was the weekend!!!!… I definitely recommend it!!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
‘A breathtaking novel about motherhood… I felt angst, tension, compassion, empathy, surprise and suspicion…. Do not miss this novel, especially if you enjoy reading about families and their realistic struggles and moments of joy…. Grabbed my heart… Phenomenally emotive.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
‘A masterpiece story of a family finding their way… Hit all the feels for me and I was invested in the story from the beginning to the brilliant end. My emotions ran wild throughout this story and I would love to see this become a Netflix hit.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
‘A remarkable tale depicting a family's journey through the complexities of emotional challenges. Norton's storytelling kept engrossed me from start to finish, leaving a lasting impact… Truly captivating.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reader review
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