I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Emma had been missing for two years. When she’s finally found and returned to her family at 5 years old, they realize that she wasn’t very far from their home. Unfortunately, over those two years, Emma has changed. She’s now a quiet subdued child and doesn’t speak very much. To make matters worse, she barely remembers her parents and misses “Grandma” and “Papa”. Her mother, Megan, is overwhelmed with bitterness and hatred for the people her daughter now holds dear, while her father works extra long hours and now suddenly her best friend is distant. An unexpected visit in town changes everything for Emma and her dad Peter has found a way to get Emma to open up. But, by keeping this secret, Emma is happy. Now he must choose between his daughter’s happiness and his wife’s trust.

This was a very moving novel. There were moments when I wanted to scream at Megan to stop being so selfish. I spent a lot of time wondering why she kept expecting Emma to be the person she was two years prior. I loved this book. Usually, you see books where a kidnapping takes place and the search thereafter. This time, it’s a unique look at what happens after the victim has been found. All in all, this is a fantastic summer read, but be sure to have some Kleenex handy, you’ll need it! Most definitely a five heart read!

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This book is a follow-up to [b:Finding Emma|13505975|Finding Emma|Steena Holmes|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1363709129s/13505975.jpg|19056585] which I read a while back when I got it for free from Amazon. It picks up two months after the first book ended. I was glad to get to see this story have an ending where the main character realized what an idiot she was being (having never lost a child I can't relate but eesh I wanted to strangle her) and to see her remember that she needed to be a mom to all her kids not just the one. ( )

Reading "Finding Emma" by Steena Holmes will assist in fully understanding the dynamics of the characters in this novel.

"Finding Emma" is an emotionally charged story of a little girl who goes missing for two years and the devastating effects it had on her family, The pain and anguish the mother experienced was almost palpable, a parent's worst nightmare. Through it all, Peter (the father) tries to console and keep his marriage to Megan (the mother) together as he attempts to provide closure to care for their other two daughters. Even after 2 years Megan couldn't help but see Emma's face in every child she encountered. How does one put closure on a missing child when there is no body to bury, no funeral to attend? Although Megan decides it is time to move on for the sake of her family, she still holds onto to the hope that her daughter is still alive waiting for her.

"Emma's Secret" goes on to further depict the emotional pains family endure when a kidnapped child is returned. Reading this book first is really a spoiler in my opinion. Having read "Finding Emma" first, I was delighted to see that the story continued. The first book takes you on the roller coaster ride with the family and kidnappers as they struggle with how to handle their situation. Although named "Emma's Secret", I found the book focused more on the mother's experience of having her daughter returned. Understandably, a tragedy of this nature will affect the entire family for many more years to come. It was difficult at times to reconcile with Peter's attempts to "help" Emma by bringing her to see Jack (Dotty has since passed), with whom Emma came to know as grandpa. Although, it was his ailing spouse who brought Emma home, he did little to rectify the damage initiated by Dotty who suffered with dementia.

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Thankfully, I had purchased Emma's Secret at the same time as I purchased Finding Emma on my Kindle.

Emma's Secret is the sequel to Finding Emma. I agree with previous readers regarding Emma's mother Megan. Megan seems to have stepped out, when Emma disappeared. And, once Emma was found Megan was perhaps overprotective, but still only present in her life. She wants Emma to forget the life that she lived for two years with Jack and Dottie, but Emma loved Papa and Grandma and the only life she truly remembers.

Peter sees that Emma still needs her Papa, so he begins to take Emma on breakfast dates to see Papa, and he has the restraining order lifted. I can empathize with Megan's hurt, but she seems more focused on her own feelings than those of her daughters. What is in the best interest of Emma? Hannah? and Alexis? Megan seems to barely know her daughters...

I enjoyed the plot and flow of this novel. I look forward to reading other titles. ( )

Often I find a sequel to be more satisfying than the original book, and it is true in this case. Megan and her family are reunited with Emma, who only remembers them a little, and who is very attached to the "Grandpa" who helped raise her the past two years. Megan has to grapple with the messy feelings she has about what has happened to Emma, and her desire to keep her safe. Her family has difficulty adjusting, as do both Megan and Emma, and it reflects the messy reality that would really happen in such a situation. ( )