Books about cancer are scary, especially when they involve single mothers with children who have issues, and this one is no exception. Alice Stanhope and her teen daughter Zoe have always been a team of two. Zoe's father has never been in the picture, so when Alice is diagnosed with ovarian cancer she has few people to depend on. Zoe suffers from crippling anxiety, and as a result has few friends. She has been the victim of bullying all of her life and depends on Alice for support and advocacy. What would happen to her if Alice were no linger here to guide and protect her?
During the course of her cancer treatments Alice reaches out to Sonya, a social worker, and Kate, a nurse, to help her deal with Zoe and the possibility that Alice may die. Kate and Sonya both have issues of their own. Kate is unable to have the child that she longs for, which has created tremendous tension in her marriage, while Sonja secretly deals with a sexually abusive husband. After a shaky start, the four women form a bond that enables each of them to confront their fears and to build a a solid bond of trust among themselves. Beautifully written and infused with the power of love, Hepworths' novel is a must read. There was only one sour note, the revelation of Zoe's paternity. It just seemed a bit too trite and convenient. I wouldn't let that stop you from reading it, though!
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