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.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
This is my first book review since I left school, 40 years ago, having completed English Literature myself. Delphine Jones is doing it tough, rearing a child on her own, looking after her father, having to give up her education after falling pregnant at an early age. Opportunities were lost. But she never gave up hope. Throughout the book music titles were mentioned. I was enthralled by them. I began listening to the music and added the books to my book list. Opportunities started to arise for Delphine again. Just like the opportunity to sit her A level exam again she “stared at the blank white paper…. the endless possibilities it offered”. Characters were developed and one delightful character was Letty, a French lady who reminded Jojo of her French mother, whose life was tragically cut short. The relationship was special and endearing for them. The book showed that everyone may be able to witness “Pennie’s from Heaven.” Delightful book. Thanks for the free copy, Better Reading. Glenda, VIC, 5 Stars
A wonderful read this book, Em & Me. Love how it alternates between the current life situation of struggling to make ends meet & the past glory high school days. A beautiful connection between Mother & Daughter is portrayed by the author & makes you reflect on your own connections. A page turning read, well worth your time. Melanie, VIC, 5 Stars
Em & Me had me hooked from the very first page. The relationship between Delphine Jones and her daughter Em is lovely and memorable to read. I was immediately invested in the characters and enjoyed seeing Delphine evolve as the story progressed. Beth Morrey writes with passion and made me feel fully immersed in the hopeful and feel-good emotions conveyed in the novel. Em & Me is a beautifully written and heart-warming story. 5 stars! Sharon, VIC, 5 Stars
Beth Morrey’s new offering Em & Me is a total delight to read, full of quirky colourful characters who bring the story to life. At times tear jerker, heart warming and laugh out loud funny, Delphine Jones’ journey is one you definitely don’t want to miss. Em & Me is like a warm hug in a book, one that perhaps you didn’t even know you needed! Many thanks to Better Reading for the opportunity to read and review. I will be hunting down its predecessor – Saving Missy. Jason, VIC, 5 Stars
A novel about second chances and hope and achieving achieve your dreams. Delphine is a single mum living with her 12-year-old daughter Em. Struggling to make ends meet, she is working as a barista and a cleaner. Delphine was once a promising student herself, until she was forced to drop out of school when she became pregnant. All Delphine wants is for her daughter to succeed where she has failed. An encounter with a former classmate leaves her losing her barista job, but this is the point at which Delphine’s life takes an upward turn. Delphine finds a job as a waitress and her world begins to open up, with new opportunities and adventures. At the café, Em’s teacher (Roz) introduces her to an elderly woman, Letty, who is looking for a companion to converse in French. She also teaches Delphine in her English studies. Roz’s husband Jay and his friend Dylan also ask her to sing in their band and she returns to playing the piano. As the story unfolds with Delphine achieving her dreams, we dip into the past, learning more about the events of Delphine’s teenage years that continue to impact her life and causing her regret and guilt. Teresa, VIC, 5 Stars
A good read for me is one where you want to know what happens after the ending, where you want to keep reading about their lives. This book definitely has that, I so want to know what Delphine does with the next 20 years of her life. I loved how real Delphine was; how this book drew you into her world that was complicated and messy. It was a real look at the choices that we sometimes have to make in life, when things don’t always go the way you planned, and about risking your heart in trying again. Tracey, NSW, 5 Stars
What a beautiful, engaging novel! Once I’d got stuck in, I just couldn’t put it down. Why? Because of the characters. Delphine – a highly relatable lead character to any of us who have found that one knock too many can set your confidence back. Em – the gifted daughter who helps her mum and grandad become part of the world again, whilst also trying to find her sense of self. Roz and Letty – the fairy godmothers. For a few hours each night, I inhabited Delphine’s world, recognising her past at school and following her footsteps in parts of London that were familiar. Her story tells us its never too late to pick up your life and chase your dreams. With accurate representations of the British school system and wonderful references for literature lovers, Beth Morrey has written a beautiful novel. Louise, WA, 5 Stars
Living in her father’s damp basement flat in Hackney, sharing a bed with her pre-teen daughter, working a low-paying, dead-end job, single mother Delphine Jones’s life is a far cry from what she envisioned as a stellar student. But then a spiteful incident alters her situation: life, and a sometimes-devious daughter, conspire to drop opportunities into her lap. Hesitant at first, with encouragement and support from newcomers in her life, Delphine convinces herself to grab them with both hands. It doesn’t happen without hiccups, but Delphine will improve her life, and her daughter’s! Morrey fills her novel with characters that capture the heart and stir up the emotions. She saddles them with realistic problems and challenges that will have the reader cheering them on to a satisfactory resolution. A story that demonstrates the vital importance, in a young person’s life, of a good teacher, Beth Morrey’s second novel is inspirational and uplifting. Marianne, NSW, 5 Stars
What a wonderful and uplifting storyline, Beautifully written and brought me to laughter and tears. The novel highlights the struggles of Delphine and her beautiful daughter Em. The love and protection that Delphine offers her daughter and father is astounding when she is so much under pressure herself. A great read… Of richness and colour. A strong woman weathering many storms and showing strength in the place of adversity. I recommend this gorgeous book to all readers and what a great author. Noeleen, WA, 5 Stars
Em & Me is the story of a struggling single mother looking after her brilliant daughter and bereft father. She is nudged by her daughter to think about her own education again after years of neglecting her brain. Like serendipity the most incredible teachers turn up in her life right when she is ready for them and help give her the push she needs to learn and strive for the life she deserves. The wonderful characters of her daughter Emily, and her friends Letty and Roz were all such amazing women they will stick with me for a long time. Simply a beautiful story, uplifting and inspirational. Kristy, NSW, 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Delphine the young single mum of Em. Her story focussed on circumstances that led to a crossroads in Delphine’s life. Engaging flash backs to her teenage years gave context to where she found herself now. Her relationships were well depicted especially with her bright, insightful daughter and her father who was so immobilised by his grief. The novel was rich with appealing characters from the café owners she worked for to the eccentric, forthright woman who employed her as a weekly French speaking companion. The relatable novel was heart-warming and uplifting with a message of hope that in any circumstances with which we may find ourselves the way ahead can be found if we dare to move forward. With thanks to @betterreadingau for the uncorrected proof to review. Regina, NSW, 5 Stars
What a joyous read this was. I loved Beth Morrey’s other book, Saving Missy so had an idea I would like this and love it I did! Full of happy moments interspersed with lots of hard times too, this book will entertain and lift your spirits! Jenny, VIC, 5 Stars
One word for this beautiful story is “real”. As a single mum of an only child, I immediately felt at home with Delphine and Emily. The storyline of daily life and the wonderfully rich friends that are woven through their lives, makes this an easy page turner. Delphine and Emily’s thirst for knowledge to better their lives, is inspiring and despite many hurdles, they never gave up. Delphine and her father shared a special love and to read about the reawakening of her dad brought me a few happy tears of joy. The choices we make in life aren’t always the right ones but hopefully we all have the courage to carry on. Highly recommend this wonderful book and look forward to more from this author. Shelley, NSW, 5 Stars
From start to finish this book was an absolute delight! It focuses on Em and her mother Delphine and the very important people within their lives. Delphine begins the story by reminiscing on her high school years and the “what ifs” had she not had her daughter. She had been an A grade student with a wonderful teacher and had the potential to make something big of her life…..until Em came along which then changed her dreams completely. Em shares the same love of literature as her mother and seems to now be following in her footsteps and there are many comparisons to Em’s past life and her mother hopes her life will be a little different. But Em is also encouraging her mother to find herself by not only returning to studying, but also singing and being a companion to a lovely old lady who helps Delphine come to terms with her mother’s death in her teenage years. This is an easy to read book with all the characters coming together beautifully and very well written. I would recommend Em & Me to anyone! Amy, ACT, 5 Stars
I read this book over two days. I just couldn’t put it down! I fell in love with the fragile characters and cried at regular intervals at the injustices that Fi-Fi faced. Being a teacher, the homage paid to this profession is powerful and rare. Lastly the inclusion of such a wonderful cast of characters who speak in their native tongues was refreshing and accessible. I totally recommend this book to anyone who needs a spark of motivation as a first step to change or anyone who just loves a great read! Lina, VIC, 5 Stars
Sometimes as we look back over our life, particularly during our teenage years, we might feel we have made some poor choices. We may ask ourself how different our lives would be today if we’d gone down a different path. We cannot change our past, but neither do we need to be locked in to it. We have opportunities for second chances that will change not only our present but also our future life. Will we be brave enough to pickup again those things that we might have cast aside in our past? That is the main thing I took away from this lovely book. Essentially the book shows the importance of love and relationships – that between mother and daughter; father and daughter & granddaughter; teacher and student; worker and employer. It also features a beautiful intergenerational friendship between Delphine, and the much older, Letty. This was all written about very sensitively and I loved all the characters involved. All is not smooth sailing but the love of family and friends is a powerful force in each of their lives. As a former teacher-librarian, I loved all the references throughout the novel to the positive influence a good teacher can have on a student. I also appreciated all the classics which were also mentioned throughout the novel and how they can influence our thinking. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this special book. Ruth, WA, 4 Stars
A story of loss, grief, financial struggle, abandoned dreams and resilience but, above all, the story of Delphine’s determination and love for her clever daughter Em. Her story tugs at the heart as she struggles to keep everything and everyone together. Slowly but surely though she re-discovers her self-confidence and the courage to spread her wings and be rewarded with fulfilment, love and security. Helen, VIC, 4 Stars
This heartwarming tale was an absolute joy to read! Written from the first person perspective on the key character, Delphine Jones, Beth Morrey’s writing instantly swept me away and I devoured this book in just three days. Featuring a number of loveable characters, “Em & Me” includes themes of love, grief, friendship, teenage pregnancy, motherhood, familial bonds, self-discovery, second chances and mindfulness. I absolutely adored and found the special mother daughter relationship between Delphine and Em very relatable. On top of that, being a book lover and a Francophile, I greatly appreciated the references it had to classical books, the magical power books hold and the French landmarks, language and culture. Em & Me provides a timely reminder to readers to relax and that when we let go of our past and have the courage to open our minds, the world becomes full of new and wonderful possibilities that empower us. Ultimately, it made me feel determined, gave me hope and inspired me to finally achieve my goals which I have put on the back burner for a long time. However, I must admit that the title of the book being grammatically incorrect and this language being carried on throughout made me feel uneasy, however, this was such an excellent read I was soon able to overlook this. In addition, the book is divided into sections according to the seasons and school terms and I feel that it is actually strong enough to stand without this division. A huge thank you to Better Reading and HarperCollins Publishers for giving me the opportunity to preview this book and discover a new favourite author. I cannot wait to read Morrey’s first novel, Saving Missy. Fleur, NSW, 4 Stars
Em & Me by Beth Morrey was just the novel I needed to end the summer holidays. I felt like I was on the sidelines of Delphine’s life; wanting to cheer her on and commiserate with her when she experienced her highs and lows. Telling the story of Delphine Jones’ life with her young daughter, Em – Morrey’s writing not only entertains but echoes the truth of growing up, life is hard but there are always moments to lift you up if you look for them. Equal parts tragic and joyful, Em & Me was a treat to read. Jessica, QLD, 4 Stars
Em & Me by Beth Morrey, introduces us to Delphine Jones, who, pregnant at sixteen, had to abandon her academic ambitions to care for her daughter and father, depressed and virtually housebound since the accidental death of her mother when she was thirteen. She works mundane jobs to support her family, always wondering “what if?” but unable to see a way up. Then her life takes a turn…new job, opportunity to resume study, her interest in music and French via various friends. There are ups and downs, and alongside the narrative of Delphine’s changing fortunes, we are gradually let into the secret of Em’s parentage. This dark period is something she must come to terms with and explain to Em before she can move on. It seems that for the first eleven years of Em’s life, Delphine received minimal support or friendship ….and no one wants to investigate how a promising and gifted student is impregnated and by whom? This seemed a little unrealistic as does everything falling into place all at once. I enjoyed the literary and cultural references which lent colour and interest. Lesley, QLD, 3 Stars
Leave a Reply