Publication Date: February 28, 2025
‘Mollie’s missing.’ As I look at my husband, I struggle to take in his words. For years, I’ve been so focussed on our son, who needed me to care for him. I’ve sacrificed so much to make him feel safe. But have I put my own daughter’s life in danger?
When we discovered we were having twins, a boy and a girl, I couldn’t believe our luck. Within months we would have the perfect family we’d always dreamed of.
The first few years were so happy. Our house was chaotic but full of love just as it should be. But as the years passed, we had to acknowledge that our son Ben needed a lot more support than Mollie. I had no choice but to put his needs first. I wanted him to have the best life possible. But it came at a devastating cost.
Now, Mollie is missing. Clasping my husband’s hands for the first time in years, we start to piece together any reason for why she disappeared. Mollie was a straight-A student, a perfect daughter, a loyal friend. As my husband looks at me in fear, I’m forced to confront a truth I have spent years trying to hide.
They say it is impossible to choose a favourite child. But years ago, during a house fire I had to do just that. I had to push one child to safety ahead of the other. I chose my son. Now I’m forced to question whether my dear daughter has always remembered what I did. Am I the real reason she disappeared? And will I ever see her again?
An absolutely unputdownable and tear-jerking read about the strength of a mother’s love. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Kate Hewitt and Diane Chamberlain.
Erica loves her twins but finds herself giving Ben more attention because he is autistic. In fact, to make sure he can attend the best school, she gets an apartment in town. On the weekends, she can find a sitter and goes home to her husband and daughter, Mollie.
Author Emma Robinson creates an emotionally gripping story in The Favourite Child. While Erica fears the separation may lead to a divorce, she overlooks the warning signs that Mollie is headed for trouble.
When Mollie disappears, all of the issues come to a head, revealing a shocking secret. Andrew and Erica will have to agree on a path forward to get Mollie back.
As a mother, it’s easy to relate to Erica. It seems like she is trying to do the right thing for the right reasons, but it almost seems like her focus on Ben’s routine leaves little room for anyone else. This is especially demonstrated in the chapters written from Mollie’s perspective.
The Favourite Child is a cautionary tale of what can happen when parents focus so much attention on one child that they lose sight of the other.
Emma Robinson is the author of several women’s fiction novels. She also blogs about the funny side of parenting and has contributed to podcasts such as Funny Women. Whilst her early novels are humorous, her recent work focuses on emotional themes and these novels are both heart-breaking and life affirming. Emma enjoys writing stories which explore the power of family and friendship in the most challenging circumstances.
Emma currently lives in Essex with a husband, two children and a small black dog.
