The Other Half Of Me by Morgan McCarthy

This book comes highly recommended by Elizabeth, and here's what she says:

I found the title intriguing to begin with, and as the story unfolds, it opens up a strange scenario involving Jonathan and his sister Theo. Their mother insists on their calling her Alicia, and lives in a world of her own. She's on prescription drugs and gin, so doesn't relate to the children except to tell them to go away while she takes a nap.


They have been told that their father, Michael Caplin, is dead, and the children's welfare falls to Miss Black the nanny who dislikes them, and a cook who can't cook. Their grandmother Eve then arrived on the scene, sweeping all before her. She held lots of secrets, but was a strong woman who didn't stand for any nonsense.


Theo was a child given to dreams, and a strong belief in fair play. She and her brother were very close until cracks began to emerge in their relationship. Theo got caught up in drugs, and Jonathan and his friends drank far too much. A web of deceit begins to unfold, leading from Wales to London, and crossing the Atlantic, where a really lovely story emerges.