Em and Me By Beth Morrey Book Review

Welcome to my review of Em and Me By Beth Morrey. I have never read a book by Beth Morrey before, but I had heard great reviews of this one and added it to my TBR Mountain far too quickly. I was later gifted an audio copy from the publisher, HarperCollins, so I switched between the hardcover and the audio copy, which meant I could continue reading while driving.

Click me to go to my Review

A mother.
A daughter.
A secret waiting to be discovered.

For too long – since the sudden death of her mother as a teenager, since the birth of her daughter, Em, when she was just seventeen – Delphine has been unable to let go of the past, obsessed with protecting Em and clinging to a secret that could ruin everything. She’s been living life in safe shades of grey.

The day that Delphine finally stands up for herself is the day that changes everything.

Delphine begins to remember what it’s like to want more: rediscovering her singing voice, opening herself to friendship, and reviving not only her mother’s roots, but her mother’s memories. As her life begins to fill with colour, can she be brave for herself and for Em? And what would happen if she finally told the truth?

A big-hearted, hopeful novel about finding second chances – and taking them.

Beth Morrey was inspired to write her debut novel while pushing a pram round her local park during maternity leave. Getting to know dog owners, joggers and families, she began to sow the seeds of a novel about a woman saved by her community, strangers who became friends.

Previously Creative Director at RDF Television, Beth now writes full time. She was previously shortlisted for the Grazia-Orange First Chapter award.

Beth lives in London with her husband, two sons and a dog named Polly.

This has a beautiful cover which attracted me alongside the great reviews. Since her mother’s death when she was thirteen and the birth of her daughter, Em, at seventeen, Delphine Jones has been unable to let go of the past. She is obsessed with protecting Em and has been living in the shadows, doing whatever is necessary to provide for her and to help her father, with whom they also live.

Delphine begins to want more after her daughter, Em, starts secondary school and she meets her English teacher. She remembers what it was like to be ambitious and to want more, rediscovering who she is and making new friends. Through some twists and turns, her long-held secret is finally revealed.

Delphine became independent after her mother’s death when she was so young, and her father didn’t cope well with her death. This further intensified with her surprise pregnancy and subsequent birth of her daughter. I loved the characters and the relationships between Delphine and Em and her father.

Em is a determined, intelligent and somewhat sneaky young lady. She works hard to listen out for opportunities for her mother and pushes her to start again and have a second chance.

There is a large cast of other characters, but I enjoyed Letty, Delphine’s new friend and a delightfully fun character.

I loved the strong female relationships and bonding. Beth Morrey delves into the characters’ emotions, and it’s so beautifully written. The ending is heartfelt and warming, exactly as it should be for this story. It’s emotionally intelligent and nuanced.

I really enjoyed this novel and would love to read others by Beth Morrey in future. I loved seeing Delphine grow and succeed against the odds and make something of her life while she was young. The future seems bright for her, and this is an uplifting, feel-good read enhanced by Pearl Mackie’s lovely narration.

Title	Em and Me
Author	Beth Morrey
Series	N/A
Format	Kindle / Audio
Page Count	395 Pages
Genre	Literary Romance
Publisher	HarperCollins
Release Date	3rd February 2022