4.0 (1 rating)
One Last Second An Absolutely Heartbreaking Page-turner
‘What an amazing unputdownable story!I started reading this book just before bed last night and the next thing I knew it was the early hours and I’d finished it. I couldn’t stop reading, I just had to know how it would end… My heart broke for Maddie and I was on the edge of my seat… one that will stick with me forever!’ Blogging for the Love of Authors and their Books, 5 stars I sit here beside her stroking her tiny hands as she sleeps and she looks so perfect. It never crossed my mind that something would be wrong with my sweet girl and I’d be powerless to do anything to help her. When Madeline’s six-year-old daughter Tilly collapses one Sunday night, Madeline’s world is turned upside down. Racing to the hospital, she imagines the worst scenarios in her mind, but when they arrive the doctors say that Tilly is fine. Madeline’s ex-husband Adam and her best friend Laura think Madeline is being overprotective, that Tilly fainted because of her fussy eating. But Madeline is sure something is seriously wrong with Tilly. She can feel it. And she believes that a mother’s instinct is never wrong. Adam and Laura begin to believe that Tilly would be safer in their care, but Adam has no idea about the secret Laura has been hiding. And then Tilly’s symptoms worsen, and Madeline realises that she may have to risk losing custody of Tilly to have any chance of saving her life… One Last Second is an emotional reminder of just how far a mother will go to protect her child. Readers of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Kate Hewitt will never be able to forget this heartbreaking and beautiful story. What readers are saying about One Last Second: ‘Wow! This book blew me away… Will make you think and break your heart in equal measure and is a breathtakingly beautifully written story of a mother’s love. I will be looking out for more from this author.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This one pulls you in and tugs at your heart. Make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand. A tear-jerker for sure.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘Wow! Such a brilliant read! A devastatingly frank, honest depiction of the power and intensity of a mothers love and belief and the lengths she will go to to protect her child!... I really didn’t want to put it down and read it in one glorious sitting!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book is so heart-rending!!... Beautifully written…It draws you in right from the first page and I couldn't stop myself from turning the pages to reach the end.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘A stunningly heartfelt novel, written so beautifully. I read it in one go and felt a whole rollercoaster of emotions…
Pages: 350
ISBN: 9781838888138
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Available in: Ebook, Paperback
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4.0
1 rating
Rachel S.
Apr 6, 2026
Madeline knew something was not quite right with Tilly when she was a young baby, taking her to the doctors frequently but always the tests came back that there was nothing wrong. This continued as she got older. Now split from her husband Adam a year ago things seems to have ramped up, sickness, fainting, bruising easily and wetting the bed, everyone points it to Madeline being soft on Tilly, or that it is psychological. But a mother almost always knows when something is not right with their child.
This is a heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating story of Madeline’s turbulent journey trying to do the best for her six year old daughter when all odds and people seem against her trying to get a diagnosis and get Tilly well again.
I wanted to shout to Adam, Laura and even the doctors, telling them to listen to the concerns, stop brushing Madeline’s concerns off so easily.
I was hooked from the beginning, it was emotional in so many ways, having children and reading about poorly children always strikes a chord with me.
Sam Vickery penned a fantastic and true to life read and I will definitely be looking out for more from her in the future.
Merged review:
Madeline knew something was not quite right with Tilly when she was a young baby, taking her to the doctors frequently but always the tests came back that there was nothing wrong. This continued as she got older. Now split from her husband Adam a year ago things seems to have ramped up, sickness, fainting, bruising easily and wetting the bed, everyone points it to Madeline being soft on Tilly, or that it is psychological. But a mother almost always knows when something is not right with their child.
This is a heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating story of Madeline’s turbulent journey trying to do the best for her six year old daughter when all odds and people seem against her trying to get a diagnosis and get Tilly well again.
I wanted to shout to Adam, Laura and even the doctors, telling them to listen to the concerns, stop brushing Madeline’s concerns off so easily.
I was hooked from the beginning, it was emotional in so many ways, having children and reading about poorly children always strikes a chord with me.
Sam Vickery penned a fantastic and true to life read and I will definitely be looking out for more from her in the future.
This is a heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating story of Madeline’s turbulent journey trying to do the best for her six year old daughter when all odds and people seem against her trying to get a diagnosis and get Tilly well again.
I wanted to shout to Adam, Laura and even the doctors, telling them to listen to the concerns, stop brushing Madeline’s concerns off so easily.
I was hooked from the beginning, it was emotional in so many ways, having children and reading about poorly children always strikes a chord with me.
Sam Vickery penned a fantastic and true to life read and I will definitely be looking out for more from her in the future.
Merged review:
Madeline knew something was not quite right with Tilly when she was a young baby, taking her to the doctors frequently but always the tests came back that there was nothing wrong. This continued as she got older. Now split from her husband Adam a year ago things seems to have ramped up, sickness, fainting, bruising easily and wetting the bed, everyone points it to Madeline being soft on Tilly, or that it is psychological. But a mother almost always knows when something is not right with their child.
This is a heartbreaking and sometimes frustrating story of Madeline’s turbulent journey trying to do the best for her six year old daughter when all odds and people seem against her trying to get a diagnosis and get Tilly well again.
I wanted to shout to Adam, Laura and even the doctors, telling them to listen to the concerns, stop brushing Madeline’s concerns off so easily.
I was hooked from the beginning, it was emotional in so many ways, having children and reading about poorly children always strikes a chord with me.
Sam Vickery penned a fantastic and true to life read and I will definitely be looking out for more from her in the future.