Publication Date: September 15, 2026
When my sister tells me time is running out for her life-saving transplant, tears roll down my cheeks. But she isn’t crying, she’s staring at our mother, who says words that will change my life forever. ‘It’s time for me to tell you the truth…’
I can barely breathe as my mother tells us there is a possibility that the father we adored might not be our birth father. Before I can process the secret she has kept from us, she takes my hand firmly in hers. ‘You have to find him Mairi, the other man. He is our last chance to save your sister.’
When I tell my husband Tom what my mother has asked me to do, I can see the pain on his face. All he wants is for me to rest and protect the precious life inside of me, the baby we hoped for all these years. How can I put my own happiness ahead of saving my sister’s life?
But finding the man my mother loved all those years ago is only the beginning. Because my sister is also hiding something, and it will change everything I thought I knew about our family. Am I truly prepared for what I will discover when I unravel the secrets of those I love the most? And will I be ready to make the most impossible choice of all?
An utterly gripping and heart-wrenching story about a devastating family secret. Perfect for fans of Kate Hewitt, Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain.
Twin sisters find their adult lives changed as a result of revelations from the past.
Author Alison Ragsdale serves up a complex story about family relationships in Our Mother’s Secret.
Adult sisters Mairi and Fiona share a tightly woven connection, with Mairi playing the responsible organizer while Fiona battles renal disease.
Their larger family dynamic with their mother, Helen, illustrates a closer bond with Fiona, while Mairi seems to be held at arm’s length. With Fiona’s health declining and in need of a kidney transplant, Mairi finds herself torn between sisterly duty and her marriage—along with her own secret.
Helen’s secret unfolds as the search for a donor becomes imperative, leading Mairi to track down remnants of the past. To complicate matters, an unexpected twist is woven in that further complicates the family bonds.
A dramatic conclusion offers a solid way to wrap up all the details. Secondary characters such as Mairi’s husband, Tom, provide additional depth.
Our Mother’s Secret illustrates the ripple effect deception can have, especially if it impacts other people.
Alison Ragsdale is an Amazon bestselling author and two-time IPPY Award winner. She writes emotional, contemporary fiction novels set in her stunning homeland, Scotland. Her books are described as heart-wrenching tales of family dynamics and relationships.
Alison lived and worked in eight countries before settling in the USA. She now lives near Washington, D.C., with her husband and super-spoiled dogs. She loves to read, walk, spend time with family, travel, and cook comfort food.
