When You Were Mine (Unabridged‪)‬

“Dylan…” I croak, but my little boy doesn’t even look at me. “Dylan,” I say again, my voice breaking now, and the social worker gives me a reproving look. I’m not helping, but I don’t care. “Dylan!” My voice is louder now, and my gaze stays locked with my son's as she pulls away from the curb and drives away, taking my very life with her.

Single mother Beth loves her seven-year-old son Dylan with all her heart. He’s her world. But life with Dylan isn’t easy — and his emotional issues push Beth to her very limit. When a misunderstanding leads Dylan to be taken into foster care, she is determined to do whatever she can to get him back. 

Mother of two, Ally has always dreamed of fostering — it feels like her chance to give back when she has been so lucky in life. But when Dylan joins their family, Ally finds herself struggling to balance his needs with those of her own children and husband — something Beth can’t help but witness when she visits. 

Beth wants nothing more than to find a way to bring her beloved child home. But where is the right home for Dylan? Is it with the mother he was born to? Or is a new mother the greatest gift Beth could give her son?  

A beautiful, powerful and ultimately hopeful story of the heartbreaking power of a mother’s love, for fans of Diane Chamberlain, Jodi Picoult, and Jojo Moyes. 

Praise for Kate Hewitt:  

“So heart-wrenching.... This story just grips you right from the start. I had a really hard time putting it down and found myself reading well into the night.... Perfect for fans of.... Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain.” (Shelley’s Book Nook) 

“I don’t think I have ever cried as much.... heart-breaking and unputdownable.... To say this story is a five-star read is an understatement. There are not enough stars in the world to show how much this book has touched me.” (Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, 5 stars)  

“Heart-wrenching and captivating.... as good as anything Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain have ever written.... gripping, engrossing and compelling." (Bookish Jottings)

“Oh my gosh! This book is sad, thrilling, gripping and completely pulls on your heart strings.... Full of heartache, tough decisions, dilemmas, drama and struggles of everyday life.... In two words, simply amazing!” (Books on the Bookshelf, 5 stars)