The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell: a review

In a hospice in Bury St Edmunds, a man called Daniel is slowly fading away. His friend Maggie sits with him every day; she holds his hand and she listens to the story of his life, to his regrets and to his secrets. And then he tells her about the children he has never met and never will, conceived with women he never even touched. For of them, apparently, two boys, two girls. His legacy, he calls them.

Lydia, Dean and Robyn don’t know each other. Yet. And they are all facing difficult changes. Lydia is still wearing the scars from her traumatic childhood and although she is wealthy and successful, her life is lonely and disjointed. Dean is a young man whose life is going nowhere. Robyn is training to be a doctor, just like her father – a man she’s never met. When she falls in love with a man who is like her in every way, she needs to be sure. It’s time for her to open the envelope her mother gave her on her eighteenth birthday.

And Daniel’s children slowly find their way into each other’s lives …

I was sent a copy of The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell to review and I have to say I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down! The book was only published on the 12th May and I was lucky to be sent a proof copy to read. The book deals with the repercussions of sperm donation and is told from the viewpoint of  the four main characters. It’s an emotional book, fast-paced, with plenty of depth. I really enjoyed reading it, seeing how each character developed, found themselves and rediscovered a sense of their true worth and belonging.

Lisa Jewell is author of Thirtynothing, Vince & Joy, One Hit Wonder and Ralph’s Party. If you are a fan of Lisa’s you can find her on Facebook.