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Review Reconstructing Amelia … a new release from Simon & Schuster

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Reconstructing Amelia ... a new release from Simon & Schuster :
4.45 out of 5 based on 39 reviews.
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How well do you know your own daughter? And how far would you go to find out the truth?

A stunning debut novel told in alternating voices, Reconstructing Amelia is a story of secrets and lies, of love and betrayal, of trusted friends and vicious enemies – of how well a parent really knows a child and how far a mother will go to vindicate the memory of a daughter whose life she could not save.

Reconstructing Amelia, written by Kimberley McCreight, is a brand new release from Simon & Schuster.

Available in paperback where all good books are sold for $24.99.  Also available as an ebook for $13.99.

Find out more about Reconstructing Amelia here.

In this review, mums received a paperback copy of Reconstructing Amelia.  Read their reviews below.

Published 20th May 2013

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  • Definitely a book worth reading

    For a debut novel Kimberly McCreight has impressed me. I love reading and hate when an author clearly can’t construct legible sentences or entertain the mind. This book is well written and gets the mind thinking all the way through. Not once was I bored or forgot what had happened when I did have to put the book down. The story stays with you from cover to cover. I just loved the way she wrote in two person view. Not many apple can pull that off. But the way Kimberly McCreight did it made it flow. It slowly pieced the story together from past and present views and mum and daughter views. The ending was a shocker but I had pretty much guessed what had happened just before the end.
    All round a FANTASTIC book to read!!!

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  • Fantastic book!!!

    I am loving this book!! Although I’m only halfway through I just had to write my thoughts on it now. The way the author has written in a two person view and jumping from past to present to cover what has happened and how it’s lead up to the death of Amelia makes the story flow and allows you to become a sort-of detective yourself as you draw conclusions on certain things along the way. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to finish it – if only these children would look after themselves so I never had to leave it!!! lol

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  • first early review

    Omg i cant put it down. Definitely a page turner. Make sure you have piece and quiet when you start. I cant wait to read the rest. The story line covers real issues. Im enjoying it as i have a daughter of my own. Tonight ill be snuggled up with this book in my mind going just one more page, hmm i wonder how many times ill say that.

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  • Lovely Book - Can't wait to finish it :) (First Impressions Review)

    Firstly, this was the book I chose to review as I felt I would be able to relate to it. I am a single mother with a young girl at home(also named Amelia) and so was drawn to this book from the very first moment.

    I love the way the story switches from both the mother and daughters point of view. It definitely makes it more interesting than other books.
    I am looking forward to finishing this book and posting my final review in the near future

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  • A good easy read

    Borrowed this book from a friend and am so very glad I did too, it was a very well written story.
    I loved the way you were given the chance to look at situations and events etc from more than just the one persons perspective.
    The story flowed freely and the plot was easy to follow and didn’t deviate in its “flow” will be looking for more books by this author

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  • easy read

    i’ve now given this book to my friend and my mum to read… both have said, it was an easy read, an enjoyable read and both wouldn’t hesitate to read another story from this author again, whereas may have passed her over before. i will continue to share this book with all and sundry and thank you for selecting me to be part of this review.. much appreciated.

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  • Reconstructing Amelia - Brilliant!

    I loved the way this was written to read in alternating voices, it makes for the most interesting read I have had in a long time. A very poignant and memorable story line! I recommend to anyone looking for a great read with a fantastic story line this is a must to add to your reading list you will not be disappointed!

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  • Good reading

    Having just finished this book, I’ve found myself thinking a lot more about my communication with my kids. I’d recommend this to family and friends for a good read, and I look forward to reading other books by this author. Whenever I finish a good book, I find it hard to find another book, it’s been about a week since finishing & I’ve not been able to find one yet…..

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  • A Must for any Mum of a Daughter

    I Am half way through this book and are enjoying it a lot …..Gives you another reason to Hug your Daughter and understand them a little better…Will def look for more books written by this author.. It’s a Very emotional read so far I def Recommend this novel to any Mums out there….You will enjoy!

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  • Makes mums of teens think

    Almost finished and I think I am dragging out the end, will have to bite the bullet and finish it. The story has been unfolding and at times its heartbreaking to think that it may have been different if the poor mum in the story had a bit more time for her daughter. Makes you think.

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  • Very easy read!

    Enjoyed this book when I requested it from the library. It was easy to get into and enjoyable and would definitely call it a “women’s read’… I can’t see my husband reading this!!!!

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  • so good

    This book is really really good, I really felt if engaged me a lot, I found It very difficult to put down, had to be reading it all the time, really annoyed the crap out of my hubby! which made it even better,
    very good story , would be happy to read it again!

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  • A good easy read

    Borrowed this book from a friend and am so very glad I did too, it was a very well written story.
    I loved the way you were given the chance to look at situations and events etc from more than just the one persons perspective.
    The story flowed freely and the plot was easy to follow and didn’t deviate in its “flow” will be looking for more books by this author

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  • light read, very enjoyable

    I haven’t read any other books byKimberly McCreight. I liked how the storyline was written, and it was a great read without having to sit and think too deeply. The relationship between the mother and daughter was so typical like today, you felt like you knew them and could easily relate. I borrowed this off a friend and she loved it and said she couldnt stop reading. I will keep my eye out for more books, and may start a collection.

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  • Couldn't put it down

    I wasnt picked to review this book but have just finished reading it after finding it in my Mum’s collection.
    I loved it, it was one of those books that you couldnt put down. I love the way that you get to read 2 sides to the story and that they were clear. Sometimes when reading books from multiple perspectives its easy to get lost.

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  • friends opinions

    I have lent my copy of Reconstructing Amelia to 4 friends, 3 female one male, and interestingly all the girls said they could not put the book down, whereas the male friend found it dull and hard to read. I guess it means this one is for chicks!

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  • I really enjoyed it.

    Was not sure I would enjoy this book as I had never heard of the writer. I was wrong as soon as I picked it up I could not put it down, my first reading I read the book for two hours straight. Very easy to read and is a book that you can read without to much thought so a good relaxing read as well as entertaining. Liked how it goes back and forth between caractors.

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  • easy read

    i’ve now given this book to my friend and my mum to read… both have said, it was an easy read, an enjoyable read and both wouldn’t hesitate to read another story from this author again, whereas may have passed her over before. i will continue to share this book with all and sundry and thank you for selecting me to be part of this review.. much appreciated.

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  • It was ENLIGHTNING!

    KUDOS’ to Kimberley McCreight! This debut novel opened my eyes to how a seemingly normal, but high achieving adolescents life can go so terribly wrong. A decision made by her, taken into a few hands can destroy a life Psychologically and eventually take her life. It takes bullying into a totally different mind set. Riveting to the last page. :)

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  • Great easy read

    Thank you for the chance to read this book. It was a great book to read. The Author kept me glued for the whole book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. The book was well written and the writing flowed well. I would recommend this book to other mums. It is a book that can be read without too much thought.

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  • Definitely a book worth reading

    For a debut novel Kimberly McCreight has impressed me. I love reading and hate when an author clearly can’t construct legible sentences or entertain the mind. This book is well written and gets the mind thinking all the way through. Not once was I bored or forgot what had happened when I did have to put the book down. The story stays with you from cover to cover. I just loved the way she wrote in two person view. Not many apple can pull that off. But the way Kimberly McCreight did it made it flow. It slowly pieced the story together from past and present views and mum and daughter views. The ending was a shocker but I had pretty much guessed what had happened just before the end.
    All round a FANTASTIC book to read!!!

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  • Thought provoking.

    When I started to read this book I thought it would be a predictable ,low impact and uninteresting story.
    How ever, a few chapters into the story made me sit up and think that I must find out what happens from here.
    It is the story of the relaionship between a daughter and a single mother who believes she is doing the very best she can to give her daughter a good life and future. The book asks the question are material goods ,beauty and wealth necessary for a happy life. After reading this story you may change your attitude to this question.
    I reccomend this book as a good ,thought provoking read that was hard to put down.

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  • Reconstructing Amelia - Brilliant!

    I loved the way this was written to read in alternating voices, it makes for the most interesting read I have had in a long time. A very poignant and memorable story line! I recommend to anyone looking for a great read with a fantastic story line this is a must to add to your reading list you will not be disappointed!

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  • enjoyable read so far

    This book is great. I’m only half way through but couldn’t wait to write my review. I have to read books that are enjoyable and move at a reasonable pace as I get bored very quickly. The characters are well defined and the book seems to be well written. The start of the book engages you right away. Its a simple read, not taxing at all so far.

    There is a little swearing which puts me off a little, but that’s the story of thing I don’t like. Im only half way through but will finish it.

    Give it a goid for sure :-)

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  • disappointed

    After such good reviews I was looking forward to reading this.

    However I just couldn’t get into it, I forced myself to read half the book but for me it didn’t get any enjoyable.

    I normally enjoy books that jump bak forth in time …I think it was the use of swear words that put me off the most.

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  • Fantastic book!!!

    I am loving this book!! Although I’m only halfway through I just had to write my thoughts on it now. The way the author has written in a two person view and jumping from past to present to cover what has happened and how it’s lead up to the death of Amelia makes the story flow and allows you to become a sort-of detective yourself as you draw conclusions on certain things along the way. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to finish it – if only these children would look after themselves so I never had to leave it!!! lol

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  • final review of reconstructing amelia

    Wow wow wow, what a fantastic book, it will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. it really gets down to the nity grity of raising a teenage daughter. a real page turner i couldnt go to sleep without reading more znd more. even my husband picked it up and started reading it.

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  • bery useful when u r on stress

    I read this book great ideaKimberly McCreight has used the different points of view of the characters really deftly and the jumping between time frames works seamlessly, but there wasn’t a lot of depth to keep track of, so there wasn’t a lot of distractions either. Her characters are entirely typical of a TV show (the bad girl, the mum who wants to be better, the absent father etc) so the world is entirely familiar the issues are those that anyone could relate to.

    Very much recommended for a quick read on holiday or if you are having a stressful day

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  • Good reading

    Having just finished this book, I’ve found myself thinking a lot more about my communication with my kids. I’d recommend this to family and friends for a good read, and I look forward to reading other books by this author. Whenever I finish a good book, I find it hard to find another book, it’s been about a week since finishing & I’ve not been able to find one yet…..

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  • Lacked Sub Plot, but Good Pace

    This book finished exactly as I thought it would – all the loose ends tied up and a neat little package which had solid morals.

    Kimberly McCreight has used the different points of view of the characters really deftly and the jumping between time frames works seamlessly, but there wasn’t a lot of depth to keep track of, so there wasn’t a lot of distractions either. Her characters are entirely typical of a TV show (the bad girl, the mum who wants to be better, the absent father etc) so the world is entirely familiar the issues are those that anyone could relate to.

    Very much recommended for a quick read on holiday or if you are having a stressful day, then it’s nice to jump in to a familiar story in an easy voice.

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Article Buon Appetito! A Busy Mum’s Guide To Memorable, Simple Summer Entertaining

Buon Appetito! A Busy Mum’s Guide To Memorable, Simple Summer Entertaining

I fondly remember slow, summer afternoons with family and friends gathered around a table of delicious finger-food during my childhood – the adults chatting and laughing, the kids pretending they understood the jokes. My parents had continued their Mediterranean traditions long after settling in Australia – and the simple joy of an effortlessly elegant gathering was one of my favourites.

What I don’t remember is my parents ever being stressed about the gatherings. It all just seemed to ‘come together’. Ah, how times have changed!

There’s something about the Italian style of entertaining that’s still so alluring in our fast-paced family lives. The idea of La Dolce Vita: a sweet life surrounded by family, friends, food and minimal fuss. Which is why we’ve enlisted the help of the entertaining experts at Sandhurst to share easy tips for elegant, memorable summer get-togethers.

We also asked our community of mums to share their tried and true, easy summer entertaining ideas, and we can’t wait to share them with you!

Euro-Inspired Entertaining

Sandhurst

Before we dive into the delicious world of sumptuous, simple summer entertaining, it helps to know a little about the inspiration behind our guide. And that’s the concept of Italian entertaining – where time is taken to lovingly grow ingredients, before enjoying them with those you love.

Established in 1988, Sandhurst was born from the time-honoured traditions of generations of the family behind the brand – a proud Italian Australian family passionate about quality produce sourced from world’s best growers.

At the helm of Sandhurst are brothers Mimmo and Ray Lubrano, who live and breathe the impeccable ingredients that become the centrepiece of so many gatherings in Australian family homes.

“Tradition is what we stand for. We’re custodians of Italian values,” explained Mimmo. “When we go to Italy we see it in our grandparents, our parents came from Italy in the 50s. The tradition is a set of values: honesty, teamwork, participation, family – all the things you would associate with Italian family are the values.”

And it’s these beautiful values that make summer gatherings in Australia an extension of the European table.

Easy Summer Entertaining Starts With … Time Saving Secrets!

Sandhurst

A sweet summer of entertaining doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it shouldn’t be. It’s a chance to spend time with loved ones. To press pause on life and make memories. And it can be simple! So here are some really easy tips for making your home the place where everyone wants to gather this summer.

Create An Entertaining Kit

Whether it’s pre-planned or you’ve had friends or family drop-in, having a few things ready to go immediately melts away any stress. Here are some things to include in a summer entertaining kit:

  • A red table cloth: It instantly says festive!
  • Some platters and serving dishes
  • Candles
  • Some quality antipasto ingredients that simply need to be decanted and enjoyed!

Many Hands Make Light Work

As mums, we tend to be our own worst enemy when it comes to delegating tasks. But remember, a summer of entertaining is about creating memories – not perfection. So let the kids help, and accept offers from your guests who’d like to bring something along to share.

“It can be overwhelming, so just delegate, and prepare. I do one dish prep per day and pop them in the freezer. Then they just need to be heated up. Let the kids do the decorating for you – plus keeps them busy!” – MoM Member Kirsty

Decorate With Happiness

There’s no need to pull out your finest crystal to pull off an elegant get together. Take a look around your home and garden to see what will bring your table to life. A bowl of lemons is a gorgeous addition, as is a bunch of gum leaves. Keep it simple and understated.

Sandhurst

Finger Food For The Win

Nothing says simple summer elegance more than a charcuterie board (or three!). When my friends and our families get together, it’s our go-to – every family is asked to ‘bring a board’. Some do savoury and some sweet, so we’re covered for a long afternoon of catching up.

“Food wise, I keep it simple by doing cold deli meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and veggies.” – MoM Member

But just because boards are easy to put together, doesn’t mean they can’t ooze elegance. And that comes down to including quality ingredients. Choosing Sandhurst products is the easiest way to guarantee the highest quality ends up on your table. We love the premise behind the brand: from our family to yours – it invokes that nostalgic feeling of shared stories, history, gatherings and family.

How To Put Together A Charcuterie Board 

Sandhurst article image

There are no right or wrong ways to create a charcuterie board, but to ensure a balance of textures and flavours try to include:

La Dolce Vita!

A summer of sophisticated entertaining doesn’t have to be hours and hours of work. We don’t want it to be! By grabbing some beautiful ingredients to fill your pantry next time you’re shopping, you’ll know that at a moment’s notice you’ll have everything you need for a Euro-inspired gathering. No fuss, but plenty of substance and style!

Sandhurst

Ready to host your own summer gathering? Choose Sandhurst’s quality produce and look for the red lid.

Mouths of Mums is proudly working with Sandhurst to bring you this article.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

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  • Great information! Loved it. You can see https://reminiiapp.com/

    Reply

  • Looked so good I couldn’t wait – Dove in off the end of my bread baton and swirled around in a couple of cheesy dips only to finish up at the Sandhurst stackers and sun-dried olives, who needs a Holiday when there is one in the kitchen, I can take any day.

    Reply

  • I have been buying Sandhurst Kalamata Olives, Sandhurst Semi-Dried Tomatoes, Sandhurst Baby Capers, Sandhurst Sicilian Green Olives for years as our kitchen staple adding that extra flavours to our dishes. I buy Sandhurst products for Gift Baskets as presents for family and friends and they love this idea as I add a chopping board and a knife and crackers and cheese for a celebration of flavours.

    Reply

  • Great ideas for entertaining guests and love that brand I buy it all the time

    Reply

  • i buy this for family they love the brand and the taste of sandhurst and the different flavors and range to choose from and i find it great value for money, i re-use the jars when im done with for small items in the house.

    Reply

  • I have been a purchaser of Sandhurst goods ever since they first appeared on supermarket shelves and still buy it to this day. The Sandhurst brand is the best without a doubt. This year I have not been able to find the Sandhurst cheese stuffed baby capsicums anywhere. I have tried to get on the Sandhurst site, but no luck with what they make. Help – these are such a wonderful addition to a salad.

    Reply

  • Fantastic Article

    Reply

  • I Love a good charcuterie board. I Love all the different options all on the one board. I love to do a chocolate board when we have guests over, it’s a fun way to do dessert after dinner. The kids love seeing everything layed out so they can pick and choose.

    Reply

  • This is great for the grandchildren they love them as they use them as finger food and make up their own meal and use plenty of ingredients including meat and cheese on the dips and crackers. We keep it simple with the Sandhurst’s products as it is a meal in every jar and the kids love them.

    Reply

  • This looks like the perfect relaxed way to have a picnic! I am loving the idea of this! Just bring along lots of fillings and plenty of cheeses and breads and of course a little alcohol and you’re all set. This sounds like the perfect way to catch up with friends!

    Reply

  • I hate being taken to a third party page to enter comps.

    Reply

  • Certainly most welcome for summer, and would be wonderful for the festive season. I can see this platter on the table Christmas Eve, when we get together with our neighbours.

    Reply

  • Love the look of the olive on creamy fetta

    Reply

  • This is timely and helpful, thanks – I aspire to entertain more and tips to make it less stressful are very welcome.

    Reply

  • Charcuterie boards are the absolute best! We do these so often in the warmer months because there’s something for the whole family. People pick and choose what they like and there’s no complaints because there’s so many different options to choose from, everyone is happy. It’s such a simple stressful way to make dinner.

    Reply

  • I absolutely adore finger food and this style of feeding people when we have family and friends at our home; or when we go out for a picnic, bbq or get together. These types of food are so easy to source and to buy and to prepare and to happily eat.

    • Yes I agree, finger foods are easy and yummie ! And you can assemble a healthy enough plate (certainly when you add salads, cheeses, nuts, fruits, boiled eggs, olives and rustic breads) that it can certainly can replace a meal (either lunch or dinner). Everyone happy and no hours of preparation in the kitchen :)

      • Also; the other bonus is less mess to clean up when cutlery is not needed. Finger food is the best for laid back and relaxed get togethers. There is always such a clam and relaxed feel to a finger food meal without the need for any fancy and stuffy table settings.

    Reply

  • The simplest way to entertain.

    Reply

  • I love the looks of different finger foods. I don’t think it is hard to put something together and I had many afternoons hanging out with many mums and all the children at the Cul the sac we then lived. At times I had 8 mums coming with over 40 kids. Many sweet memories indeed

    Reply

  • Love the visuals of the chatcuterie board

    Reply

  • Looking forward to summer catch ups! Its always the best time to just chill

    Reply
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