The Heart Of A Mother
Hillary Jean seemingly has it all—wealth, a loving marriage, and a fulfilling career in California. But beneath the surface, she is haunted by the daughter she surrendered twenty-five years ago. When a DNA website finally provides a match, Hillary's desperate quest to heal her past risks shattering her picture-perfect present and the very connection she craves.
- Hillary - Joanna’s presumed birth mother
- David - Hillary’s husband
- Joanna - Woman Hillary believes is her daughter
- Evan - Joanna’s fiancé
- After waiting and receiving no contact from Joanna, Hillary goes to the library where Joanna works.
- Hillary forges a relationship with Joanna under false pretenses - she lies about her name and doesn’t tell her that she is Joanna’s mother.
- Hillary finally tells Joanna who she really is, and Joanna angrily tells her never to contact her again.
- Joanna eventually comes around, and she and Evan begin a relationship with Hillary and David.
- Hillary tries to give Joanna money because she and Evan are struggling but Joanna refuses it.
- Weeks later, Evan meets Hillary in private, asks for the money, and she gives it to him.
- Several weeks later, after no contact from Joanna, Hillary goes to the library and is told that Joanna was only a volunteer and hasn’t been there in months.
- Hillary goes to Joanna’s house, but the person who answers the door says they don’t know who Joanna or Evan are.
- David figures out that the original email from Destiny DNA was a fake.
- Joanna is not Hillary’s daughter, just a scam artist.
Julie Clark’s The Heart of a Mother is a quick, 41-page read that packs a punch. Despite the short page count, the story delivers solid character development and the plot is interesting. Hillary is easy to sympathize with, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time. It held my attention from start to finish, and the twist at the end was well-executed and satisfying. A very solid 4-star read if you're looking for something brief but gripping.
- Adoption
- Stalking
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
ASIN: B0C78KRHC8
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
