Leah Mercer

She's woken up in a life she doesn't recognise - with a daughter she doesn't remember. When Charlotte McKay wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there, all she wants is to go back to the perfect London flat she shares with her husband, and the impressive career she's worked so hard to build. But something's not right. Her husband David is at her bedside - but so is a three-year-old girl, and she's calling Charlotte 'Mummy'... Charlotte's first instinct is panic. When - why - did she have a child? What about her promotion, her independence, her romantic weekends with David? She loved being that woman: how can she have turned into the stay-at-home mother she swore she'd never be? Back at home, she dives into her unfamiliar world, hoping to piece together the mystery of her transformation. But faced with so much that feels foreign and unnatural, will she ever be happy in a life she can't remember having - or wanting to have?

The Puzzle of You

Zoe knows that it wasn't really her fault. Of course it wasn't. But if she'd just grasped harder, run faster, lunged quicker, she might have saved him. And Edward doesn't really blame her, though his bitter words at the time still haunt her, and he can no more take them back than she can halt the car that killed their son. Two years on, every day is a tragedy. Edward knows they should take healing steps together, but he's tired of being shut out. For Zoe, it just seems easier to let grief lead the way. A weekend in Paris might be their last hope for reconciliation, but mischance sees them separated before they've even left Gare du Nord. Lost and alone, Edward and Zoe must try to find their way back to each other--and find their way back to the people they were before. But is that even possible?

Who We Were Before

I am always with you. I will always be here. This was the promise Ella's mother betrayed thirty years ago when she walked into the sea, leaving her five-year-old daughter alone in the world. Ella's been angry ever since, building up a wall to protect herself. But that all changes the day she opens a newspaper and finds those ten little words printed in a classified ad. Ella refuses to believe her mother could still be alive--that would mean she did want to live, just not with her daughter. So she throws herself into finding out exactly what happened all those years ago, determined to extinguish even the tiniest flame of hope--for Ella, hope is torture. But rather than settling things once and for all, what Ella discovers shatters her world. As she pieces together the truth behind her mother's disappearance, she learns that the words are not what she thought. Now she knows the truth. Is it possible that Ella can allow herself to love--and be loved--once again?

Ten Little Words

Fifteen years ago, her daughter vanished. Now, she’s back. Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years grieving for her daughter Isobel who left the family home as a teenager and completely disappeared. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her daughter’s bright future and of a happy family destroyed in an instant. So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of joy. Isobel tells her that they need a safe place to stay whilst she gets back on her feet. Having lost her daughter once, Ruth is determined to keep her family together and enrols her grandson at the school, in the hope that they stay for good. But as mother and daughter begin to heal the wounds of the past, a violent attack brings old secrets to the surface once more. It is clear that someone is prepared to destroy everything Ruth holds dear. Can Isobel confront her darkest secret before it is too late? An absolutely unputdownable and emotional page-turner about devastating family secrets and the ties that bind. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Imogen Clark. Readers love Why She Left: ‘This story had me glued to my chair! You will not believe the twists and turns as you devour the pages! It has secrets, fear, strength, mystery and suspense!… Do yourself a favor and put aside a day to read this novel. It is so good!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I'm famished and sleepless from staying awake through the night to read it! Leah Mercer is a fantastic storyteller… There are several layers to this story and I completely enjoyed the alternative chapters of the mother and daughter… Very addictive and compelling, I swallowed the book whole over a night.’ @swatz2809 ‘A stunning read-heartbreaking and gripping in equal measure, this family drama had everything I needed… I was hooked from the very first page… I love it when a book evokes such strong emotions…Highly recommended by me!’ Mychestnutreadingtree, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I was immediately sucked into the story… The secrets just keep spilling out and will shock and startle you. Very well written and it kept me hooked the entire time! Highly recommend!’ @lindzanne1_bookworm, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book kept me on my toes the entire read… Just when you start “getting” one subplot the author says WHAM look over here! I couldn’t put it down because I had to find out what happened.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Sucks you in so well you think you are in the story… I adored this story, I adored the characters… The ended was unpredictable and pulled on my heart strings. This is a suspenseful, gripping novel that still invokes emotions from the reader. So well done!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A fabulous triumph… one of those books that kept me guessing and waiting with bated breath till the very end!… This book will keep you up all night and stay with you long after.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A psychological thriller with more than a dash of family drama… The twists and turns in this book were something else. Just when I thought I had it sussed then the twists and turns lead me down a totally different path… set aside a day to read this because once you start you won't want to put it down.’ Linda Strong Book Reviews

Gripping and suspenseful women's fiction full of family secrets

Why She Left

Rachel sat at the kitchen table, trying to take everything in. She still couldn't believe what her father had done. Clutching a faded photograph and a necklace in her hands, all she knew was that in her mother's final days, she would do anything to protect her. The call came on a seemingly ordinary day. But as soon as Rachel heard the pain in her sister's voice, she had to face the fact that life as she knew it was about to be shattered: "It's mum. She's not well. She doesn't have much time." Though her heart breaks to leave her husband and children behind, Rachel knows the right thing is to return home to care for her mother Janet. Their relationship has been strained for years. This may be the last chance for them both to heal. Walking up to the front gate of her childhood home, Rachel is overwhelmed with memories: of hazy summers playing with her sister, of laughter ringing through the house, of the accident which cost their father his life. After that day, Rachel's relationship with her mother changed forever. Rachel has never forgiven herself for what happened and it is clear Janet hasn't either. Determined to make amends, Rachel begins to get her mother's house in order. But hidden in the cellar, Rachel unearths a devastating secret. A faded photograph and a tarnished necklace are the only clues to unravelling a secret that should have remained hidden. Can Rachel unravel the mystery when it has the power to destroy her family? And when she finally discovers the truth, will it destroy everything she has ever known? A completely addictive and heartwrenching story about deception and the secrets that lie behind a seemingly ordinary family, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Barbara O'Neal and The Silent Daughter. What readers are saying about Leah Mercer: 'Wow!!! Just absolutely wow!!!... Clear your schedules before you start this and get the tissues ready!... I was absolutely hooked... in tears by the end! Welcome to my top authors list!' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This story had me glued to my chair! You will not believe the twists and turns as you devour the pages! It has secrets, fear, strength, mystery and suspense!... Do yourself a favor and put aside a day to read this novel. It is so good!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I'm famished and sleepless from staying awake through the night! Very addictive, I swallowed the book whole.' @swatz2809 'A stunning read-heartbreaking and gripping in equal measure, this family drama had everything I needed... I was hooked from the very first page... I love it when a book evokes such strong emotions...Highly recommended by me!' Mychestnutreadingtree, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Totally Gripping and Emotional Family Drama Packed with Suspense

A Secret in the Family

I glance over at Lou’s house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou’s car is nowhere to be seen…

The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.

As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou’s car, with my children’s schoolbags still inside along with Lou’s phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.

Clutching my husband’s hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I’ve not been honest. I’m being punished for what happened all those years ago.

And then I get Lou’s message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love.

What I don’t yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again

The  Mother Next Door

The Man I Thought You Were

I glance over at Lou's house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou's car is nowhere to be seen... The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can. As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou's car, with my children's schoolbags still inside along with Lou's phone. But they are nowhere to be seen. Clutching my husband's hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I've not been honest. I'm being punished for what happened all those years ago. And then I get Lou's message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love. What I don't yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again. A gripping and addictive psychological suspense about dark obsession, intense motherly love and how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks and Sally Hepworth. What readers are saying about Leah Mercer: 'Wow... From start to finish, I was literally hooked... Blew me away... Unputdownable, emotional and heartbreaking.' Tropicalgirlreadsbooks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Hooked right from the beginning, I knew this was going to be a one sitting read... I was prepared and had the tissues at the ready. Did I need them? Yes I did!... Really pulled on my heart strings... This is one tale that I highly recommend and is one that will be part of my best reads of the year.' Once Upon A Time Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Amazing... I would advise you to keep a few tissues handy, because the emotions run high. I would also advise you to clear your schedule, because you will be unable to put this book down.' B for Bookreview ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'As soon as I started reading I was gripped... I loved the suspense and intrigue... I read all through the day.' NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book is so good and I loved every single second of it... Riveting and extremely twisted, there was no way I could put this one down and it resulted in an all-night read and a major book hangover!' RubieReads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mother Next Door: A Completely Addictive Page-turner Packed with Secrets and Suspense

My darling child... all I've ever yearned for. But how do I keep you safe? When Ali retreats to her seaside cottage, all she wants is to be alone. To reconnect with a place that has always felt like home until her baby is born. But then her life collides with the people living in the house next door, Michael and Meg, and she is immediately welcomed into their perfect life with their beautiful baby Jem. As they help her prepare for her own arrival, Ali knows she has made the right choice for her baby in returning to Seashine Cottage. When Michael leaves suddenly for a work trip, and Meg impulsively invites Ali to move in, it becomes clear things aren't as perfect as they first seemed. Meg is holding on to a dark secret. And as her behaviour becomes ever more erratic - leaning on Ali for increasing amounts of help - while Michael shows no signs of returning, Ali begins to worry. Does she need to protect herself and her unborn child from the new friend she thought would help keep her safe? And what about her own devastating secret... the one she's been running from? From the bestselling author of Who We Were Before comes an unputdownable and heartbreaking read about how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of The Silent Daughter, Diane Chamberlain and Kerry Lonsdale. Readers are hooked on A Mother's Lie: 'This is a story that grabbed my heart!... an intriguing, emotional novel with an ending you just will not even imagine! I always enjoy Leah Mercer's stories, and this one has quickly become one of my favourite's so far this year!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Utterly Gripping and Emotional Page-turner

A Mother's Lie

When I open the door and see her, my mind starts churning. Why are they here? What do they want? And why did my daughter leave in the first place? Am I finally, after all of these years, going to find out? I take a deep breath and usher them in... Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years wondering why her daughter Isobel left. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her family's bright future which vanished in an instant. So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a teenage grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of relief. Despite the years of hurt she never stopped loving Isobel and wants to help rebuild her life. Enrolling her grandson at the school, Ruth wants to make sure they stay for good. Isobel has spent her life running from a painful secret. A secret which could have destroyed her family. Now, as she flees a bad relationship, she knows that her childhood home is the only place where she can be safe. But as Isobel looks at her son in his crisp new uniform, she is taken straight back to the reason she ran all those years ago. Soon it becomes clear that she is not the only one tormented by the past. Someone is prepared to destroy everything Ruth and Isobel hold dear. Can Isobel confront her darkest secret before it is too late? From the bestselling author of Who We Were Before comes a powerful and emotional page-turner about devastating family secrets. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Emily Bleeker and Imogen Clark. Readers love Why She Left: 'This story had me glued to my chair! You will not believe the twists and turns as you devour the pages! It has secrets fear, strength, mystery and suspense!... Do yourself a favor and put aside a day to read this novel. It is so good!' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A stunning read-heartbreaking and gripping in equal measure, this family drama had everything I needed... I was hooked from the very first page... I love it when a book evokes such strong emotions...Highly recommended by me!' Mychestnutreadingtree, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A psychological thriller with more than a dash of family drama... The twists and turns in this book were something else. Just when I thought I had it sussed then the twists and turns lead me down a totally different path... set aside a day to read this because once you start you won't want to put it down.' Linda Strong Book Reviews Praise for Leah Mercer: 'Wow!!! Just absolutely wow!!!... Clear your schedules before you start this and get the tissues ready!... I was absolutely hooked... in tears by the end! Welcome to my top authors list!' Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gripping and Suspenseful Women's Fiction Full of Family Secrets

‘Wow!!! Just absolutely wow!!!… Clear your schedules before you start this and get the tissues ready!… I was absolutely hooked… in tears by the end! Welcome to my top authors list!’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My darling child… I can already feel your tiny fingers gripping mine; smell your soft hair. But how do I keep you safe? Heartbroken and alone, Ali arrives at her grandmother’s old house on the beach. Perhaps here, she can escape her past, and make a home for her unborn child. Greeted by the familiar scent of roses and the sounds of the waves, Ali feels instantly safe. The couple next door, Michael and Meg, welcome Ali into their seemingly perfect world with their glamorous home and beautiful baby. Ali feels an instant connection and knows she has made the right choice for herself and her baby. But Meg is holding onto a dark secret. As a powerful bond grows between the two women, Michael leaves suddenly for a work trip, and Meg becomes impulsive – unpredictable. As Meg’s behaviour becomes ever more erratic, Michael shows no signs of returning, and Ali begins to worry. Are she and her unborn child safe? And what about her own devastating secret... the one she ran from? An unputdownable and heartbreaking read about how far we will go to protect those we love the most, from the bestselling author of Who We Were Before. Perfect for fans of The Silent Daughter, Diane Chamberlain and Kerry Lonsdale. This book was previously titled Safe from Harm. Readers are hooked on A Mother’s Lie: ‘Wow, what a totally gripping read… Nothing in this book was as I predicted… I absolutely could not put this book down.’ Sibzzreads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is a story that grabbed my heart!... an intriguing, emotional novel with an ending you just will not even imagine!… this one has quickly become one of my favourite’s this year!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My eyes were teary more than a few times. I would give this novel 10 stars out of 5 if this were possible.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I read this book in a day. It was so good.’ Books with Wine and Chocolate, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A total emotional roller coaster of a read!… I would give more than five stars to if I could!’ Jo Lambert, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I loved it!… This is a truly great read and will keep you up long after bedtime.’ Read Rate Review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This is an emotional and addictive page turner, brilliantly plotted and full of suspense. It's a must read!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I was glued to the pages throughout as I rode the emotional rollercoaster. Happiness, devastating sadness, anger, fear, surprise. This book had it all. I loved it!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The twist was amazing. Devoured this in one sitting.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Get ready to be emotionally and mentally wrecked.’ Jessica Reads It, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An amazing story that will grab the reader and not let go… the perfect book to read.’ Robin Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leah Mercer

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