Finding Evie – Ilana Hepburn

Book Review
Fiction | Emotional | Family | Abuse

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Finding Evie is a powerful and emotional novel that tells the story of Evie, a young woman who moves to post-war London with a heart full of hope but faces numerous betrayals and struggles in life. The story is narrated through dual timelines, with the present-day storyline following Alice as she uncovers the hidden truths about her family’s past and her estranged grandmother, Evie.

The novel is beautifully written and features well-developed characters that bring depth and complexity to the story. The author’s portrayal of Evie’s life is heart-wrenching and at times difficult to read due to the emotional and physical abuse she endures. The theme of abuse and abandonment is interwoven into the narrative, and the readers will find themselves empathizing with Evie’s plight. I was personally fuming with rage while reading the atrocities committed by her husband, Frank.

The story is captivating, and the plot moves at a steady pace, keeping you engaged throughout. The author’s use of descriptive language creates vivid imagery and transports the reader to post-war London, where they witness the struggles and hardships that Evie faced.

One minor criticism is that the storyline could have been expanded upon, allowing for the full impact of the story to be felt. Even though, there were no loose ends, I was expecting more from the story. Despite this, “Finding Evie” is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love.

Overall, “Finding Evie” is a poignant and beautifully written novel that delves into themes of love, abuse, and abandonment. Despite the difficult subject matter, the book manages to convey a message of hope and resilience that will stay with the reader long after the final page.

PS: This was an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC), you can find more about this book on Reedsy Discovery

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It was almost like the sepia filter was turned on,
On the old forgotten roads.
Not a soul to be seen on the muddy streets.
He rode a bicycle and sang songs from the 80s.
He hurried home,
Saw his little daughter waiting for him at the porch.
They went inside hand-in-hand,
And found awaiting –
A bowl of hot rice
Steaming hot sambar
& crunchy papadam
That made his belly rumble and grumble with joy.
He sat down immediately to eat,
From the kitchen came his wife shouting,
“Wash your hands before you eat!”
All of a sudden, he woke up from his sleep.
Found beside him a white lady in green.
He wondered to himself,
“Which one of this is a dream?”