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Jo Bartlett
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The Girl She Left Behind: The completely gripping and heartbreaking story from TOP 10 BESTSELLER Jo Bartlett Kindle Edition

by Jo Bartlett (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,513 ratings

An utterly heartwrenching tale of love and loss that will break your heart and put it back togeher again. From top ten bestseller, Jo Bartlett.

A family in turmoil...

Phoebe Spencer left home a long time ago, desperate to get away from her mother's emotional manipulation. She knows her life is better away from her family, but she can’t help feeling she’s simply running away from her problems…

Then Phoebe hears that her younger sister Lucy has disappeared, leaving behind her four-year old daughter, Darcy. Phoebe's certain Lucy will be back soon - she'd never leave Darcy alone - and then Phoebe can get on with her life again.

But as the days pass there's still no sign of Lucy, and everyone begins to fear the worst. Phoebe has to consider the terrible truth that Lucy might never come home. And as their mother makes it clear she wants to take control of Darcy’s life, Phoebe must do all she can to protect the girl her sister left behind – no matter the cost to her.

A complelety heartbreaking, but uplifting story guarenteed to make you cry. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Emma Robinson and Kate Hewitt.

Praise for Jo Bartlett

'A poignant tale which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time. Beautifully written' Jessica Redland.

'An emotional roller-coaster from beginning to end! I challenge anyone to read it without their eyes filling up with tears. A real page turner!' Sheila Norton

'I was drawn in from the first word, I’ve laughed and cried, what a really lovely story' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review

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  1. Print length
    341 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Boldwood Books
  4. Publication date
    January 31, 2024
  5. File size
    3.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CM5SMJPH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (January 31, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 341 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,513 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Jo Bartlett

Jo Bartlett

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Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea in Kent, with her family, so close to the South Eastern edge of England that they're very nearly French. It's probably why so many of her books are set near the sea too. Jo has made up stories for as long as she can remember, but never really took it any further, until a catalyst called cancer gave her the impetus to follow her dreams.

Since having her debut novel published in 2015, Jo has had numerous bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada, including a UK Top 10. Jo writes contemporary women’s fiction, with stories that focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books in 2021, Jo has had twelve bestselling novels across The Cornish Midwife and Cornish Country Hospital series. With over 750,000 sales of her Boldwood novels, and a further 500,000 thousands sales through other publishers, in 2023 Jo celebrated one million sales worldwide and, after twenty-five years in teaching, now writes full time.

Jo's next book, her 30th novel, A Mother's Last Wish, is out in January 2025. You can follow Jo on Instagram, her author page on Facebook, or sign up to her newsletter - the details of which can be found on any of her social media accounts.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,513 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book heartwarming, with one review noting its steadfast and hopeful plot that ends with growth and hope. The book receives positive feedback for its readability and value for money.

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6 customers mention "Heartwarming story"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one review noting its steadfast and hopeful plot that ends with growth and hope.

"...The plot is steadfast and hopeful and the premise is surviving after a sister has disappeared and learning how to love and care for her daughter...." Read more

"...It’s beautiful and heart wrenching. I highly recommend it." Read more

"What an excellent book. The story was so perfectly written...." Read more

"...But it shows the impact on the people left behind. It ends with growth and hope and is well worth the read." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be excellent value for money.

"What an excellent book. The story was so perfectly written...." Read more

"...Amazing subject matter that is seldom attempted. It's brilliant." Read more

"...It ends with growth and hope and is well worth the read." Read more

"very good and heartfelt..." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one customer highlighting its engaging subject matter and another noting the author's insightful points.

"This was a read of people...." Read more

"...I'm so glad I bought this one! Amazing subject matter that is seldom attempted. It's brilliant." Read more

"...The author made some good points in her book about how living with a mental mom is going to affect her kids...." Read more

So good!
5 out of 5 stars
So good!
It was fantastic! This family….Whew! I absolutely LOVED Phoebe and the hurdles she’s climbed with her head held high! The mom AND dad made me so angry! It hit all the emotions!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • WelshDragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars The aftermath
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was one of the most tragic and uplifting stories I have read in a long time. It broke my heart to pieces and mended me like new all in one story (the mending hurt almost as much as the breaking). The characters are full of life and meaning from the beginning. The plot is steadfast and hopeful and the premise is surviving after a sister has disappeared and learning how to love and care for her daughter. The mother of the main character is one of the most horrible and selfish persons I have ever read about and made me feel lucky my life was as good as it was. I most certainly recommend this book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • G Hendren
    4.0 out of 5 stars very good and heartfelt
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I really liked this book about sister, parent and child love. It’s beautiful and heart wrenching. I highly recommend it.
    Helpful
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  • Placeholder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such love
    Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was a read of people. An excellent portrayal of Janet but left us both grateful she was gone yet empty of the security that she could pop up again. Darcy was well portrayed as a child who had been well loved by her mom ...therefore in herself. I am mystified by not feeling Phoebe. This may have been purposefully designed by the author because Phoebe was herself looking for Phoebe. For some reason I didn't get emotionally connected.That I realized as I was responding here.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Smilingbee
    3.0 out of 5 stars Slow death
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2025
    The book was livable but lead to know where. That is why my Score was 3. It wasn't bad but no action from beginning to end. The title was better then story
    Helpful
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  • Swampdawg Prime
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Heartbreak Of Suicide
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    What an excellent book. The story was so perfectly written. Starting with how a person decides to take their life, to how this effects the whole family. How Darcey aunt step up in a big way to take care of her and all the help she received from her friends. This book is a must read for anyone who's life has been touch by suicide.
    Helpful
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  • Keith
    4.0 out of 5 stars started out slow, then got really good
    Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    IMO, I read half the book before I was hooked! So, if you also feel like it’s lagging, be patient . It definitely gets better
    Helpful
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  • Doodle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and heartwarming...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The story line is so different from the books I usually read, but I wanted to try something new. I'm so glad I bought this one! Amazing subject matter that is seldom attempted. It's brilliant.
    Helpful
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  • Barb
    5.0 out of 5 stars A mom like her.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Lucy was a good girl all her life. But every chance her mom got she tore her sister and her down. The author made some good points in her book about how living with a mental mom is going to affect her kids. I look forward to getting more books by Jo Bartlett.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • A Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book was so good the raw emotion was portrayed so well in this book and the hope,loss, trying was so plain to see.
    Really enjoyed this book highly recommend.
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart ♥ warming
    Reviewed in Australia on June 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great read. Exploring the impact people's actions have on people and how they can find the help they need to deal with life and move forward. It was a storey which was very close to home. Jo covered it well.
    Report
  • Eunice
    5.0 out of 5 stars loving through the pain
    Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A beautiful picture of loving through the pain of losing someone you loved so very much. Knowing we can go on alone, but needing someone to walk alongside of us, through the pain and grief.
    Report
  • Nada
    5.0 out of 5 stars A story of trauma and grief with a realistic ending.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A sad story with a journey of resilience and reflection. Themes of mental health, cohesive control, grief and trauma. Sounds depressing but actually a good read.
    Report
  • Jennifer M Marsden
    5.0 out of 5 stars gripping story
    Reviewed in Australia on February 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Oh my this book was such an emotional read. I couldn’t put it down. When I began the story of Lucy, phoebe and their family I felt it was going to be a depressing story but it drew me in. I loved seeing the transformation that came about even through the death of Lucy. It was sensitively written and gently handles the feelings of those who have lost a loved one to sucicide
    Report

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