Olivia returns to her childhood home of Ocean Vista on the Jersey shore for the first time since her rebellious adolescence. Now she has a teen-aged daughter of her own, as well as a son who struggles with bi-polar disorder. When a split second moment separates Olivia from her son and he can't be found, Olivia finds her memories spiraling back to her last summer in Ocean Vista; when she left her mother and discovered the truth about her family.

Sarah Cornwell is a talented writer. Her prose is eloquent and well-structured, as is her plot and pacing. Yet there was something missing from What I Had Before I Had You that kept me slightly emotionally distant. Something kept it from being a great book rather than a good book. My rating is a little harsh -- if half stars were allowed, this would be a 3 1/2 star book. As a story about family secrets and struggling with mental illness, Cornwell demonstrates that she knows her stuff.

A beautifully written story about a girl growing up with an unreliable mother who claims to be psychic. Narrated with regret and sadness, it really draws the reader into the world of bipolar disorder and what it's like to grow up with this illness in the forefront.

As always, a good story and strong characters. Read the series in order for a better understanding of Kate.