The Second Child

By: Caroline Bond

Narrated by: Antonia Beamish

Why do you love your child? Is it because they're a straight A student, a talented footballer? Or is it simply because they're yours? Sarah and Phil love both their children, James and Lauren. The couple have the same hopes and aspirations as any parent. But their expectations are shattered when they discover that their perfect baby daughter has been born with a flaw; a tiny, but life-changing glitch that is destined to shape her future, and theirs, irrevocably. Over time the family adapt and even thrive. Then one day a blood test casts doubt on the very basis of their family. Lauren is not Phil's child. Suddenly, their precious family is on the brink of destruction. But the truth they face is far more complex and challenging than simple infidelity. It tests their capacity to love, each other and their children, and it raises the question of what makes – and what breaks – a family.©2018 Caroline Bond (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'Caroline Bond takes a complex situation and has written a thoughtful, wrenching and, at times, tear-jerking novel.' (Elizabeth Buchan)

'I stayed up long into the night to finish The Second Child ... a carefully crafted and utterly compelling tale of lost opportunity and impossible choices.' (Amanda Brooke, internationally bestselling author)

'I was so invested in every word of this novel. An unthinkable situation, but highly believable, this story is spellbinding, real, and brilliantly written. I felt for every character. It mines the depth of every possible human emotion. Caroline Bond will go far. ' (Carol Mason)

Ending

I loved this story until I got completely confused by the ending. It made absolutely no common sense and threw the whole book off for me. Another sudden unexplained cut-off ending. It's not cool, it doesn't even "make you think". It's just very disappointing and nonsensical.