A moving, intimate novel about memory, identity, and the delicate bonds that hold a family together.
 
In Someone Not Really Her Mother, Harriet Scott Chessman explores the fragility of memory and the quiet strength of love through three generations of women.
 
Hannah Pearl, an elderly woman living with Alzheimer’s, begins to lose her grip on the present and drifts into the vivid memories of her past — a past that hides long-buried secrets. Her daughter and granddaughter, trying to care for her, discover that understanding Hannah’s past may be the key to forgiving their own.
 
Hannah’s fading mind becomes both mystery and map, leading her daughter and granddaughter into the shadows of their family’s history — from wartime France to present-day Connecticut. As pieces of Hannah’s past resurface, the women are forced to confront painful truths about identity, loss, and resilience.
 
Written in lyrical, intimate prose, Chessman’s novel captures the beauty and heartbreak of what it means to forget — and what it means to remember. Someone Not Really Her Mother is a tender story about connection, forgiveness, and the enduring imprint of family.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A graceful, emotional exploration of memory and family.
Beautifully written with a quiet, reflective tone.
Evocative portrayal of Alzheimer’s and generational connection.
Perfect for readers who love introspective, character-driven fiction.
Harriet Scott Chessman’s storytelling is poignant and deeply human.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of Still Alice and The Notebook.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction about love and loss.
Book clubs exploring aging, family, and identity.
Anyone drawn to gentle, emotionally resonant storytelling.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Someone Not Really Her Mother, you might also like:
Still Alice by Lisa Genova — an intimate look at memory and self.
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg — connection and compassion across generations.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards — secrets, family, and forgiveness.