MINE by Clare Empson Blog Tour

I'm so excited to be a part of this blog tour for the release of Clare Empson's latest novel MINE. I had the privilege of reading her first novel HIM last year (that was a story that really pulled me in) so I was beyond thrilled when I was given an ARC of MINE to get stuck into.

'Who am I? Why am I here? Why did my mother give me away?'

On the surface, Luke and his girlfriend Hannah seem to have a perfect life. He's an A&R man, she's an arts correspondent and they are devoted to their new-born son Samuel.

But beneath the gloss Luke has always felt like an outsider. So when he finds his birth mother Alice, the instant connection with her is a little like falling in love.

When Hannah goes back to work, Luke asks Alice to look after their son. But Alice - fuelled with grief from when her baby was taken from her 27 years ago - starts to fall in love with Samuel. And Luke won't settle for his mother pushing him aside once again... 

The blurb got me hook, line and sinker.

But as soon as I began to read I just knew this book wasn't going to be what I expected at all.

The Premise

Luke was adopted when he was a newborn, years later - after the death of his adopted father - he is now coming face to face with his birth mother. The questions are rolling around in his head. Why did she give him up? Will they get along? Where is his father?

After their initial meeting goes well, things progress quite quickly after Luke introduces Alice (his biological mum) to his partner Hannah and their son Samuel because Hannah is returning to work and they are in need of a nannie/au-pair, who better than Alice.

Characters

Something I really enjoy about Clare's writing is the depth she gives characters. I feel like I really get to know them, how they are feeling, what drives them.

Luke becomes increasingly jealous as Alice spends more time with his son than him, it almost turns into an infatuation. He's the outsider looking in as his mother forms a bond with Samuel, the one he longed for and never got.

And then there's Richard, who is a famous artist and Luke's father, seemingly on edge, fearing that something might go wrong.

Each cast member plays their part well, adding detail to the past and present when necessary.

Writing Style

The novel gravitates from present day to past, the here and now being Luke's thoughts whilst the days gone by are what Alice remembers, the events that shaped her life as it is now.

I don't think I've ever read a story when it was told from the POV of both mother and son. It was intriguing to see how parent and child views differed.

An extremely clever way to present the novel.

My Thoughts

I devoured this book.

Reading it in a single sitting. 

With each turn of the page I was moving closer to the edge of my seat, wondering just where it would end. As both Alice and Luke's mental health are questioned, I began to realise that I'd never work out what was about to happen.

I love a good twist and the one in MINE definitely doesn't disappoint.

In Conclusion

MINE is a psychological thriller that leaves your heart racing and your mind filled with many thoughts.

Filled with love, loss and grief, it is a novel packed with emotion and I would recommend you have some tissues at the ready. Without a doubt this is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of the year.

Join the rest of the blog tour for more insight into this utterly thrilling read.