by Emma Dhesi
A Women’s Fiction Family Drama Set in Scotland
A powerful women’s fiction family drama set in Scotland, exploring identity, adoption, and what it truly means to belong.
Book Overview
Belonging is a women’s fiction novel set in Scotland and the second book in A Scottish Redemption Series.
It is a deeply emotional family drama about love, loss, identity, and the search for belonging within the families we are born into and the ones we create.
Book Description
Set in the fictional small Scottish town, Belonging follows a family whose carefully constructed sense of security begins to unravel when long-buried secrets come to light.
At the heart of this women’s fiction family drama is Jake, a teenage boy struggling with anger, confusion, and a growing sense of not quite fitting in.
Adopted as a baby, Jake begins to question his identity and where he truly belongs, setting in motion a series of events that force his family to confront uncomfortable truths.
Alongside Jake’s journey is that of his mother, Kathi, whose fierce love for her son is tested as she navigates the complexities of motherhood, her own past, and the fragile balance holding her family together.
As tensions rise and loyalties are questioned, the family must face what it really means to love unconditionally.
Belonging is a compassionate and emotionally rich women’s fiction novel set in Scotland, exploring family bonds, adoption, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to hold a family together when everything feels uncertain.
Readers who enjoyed the emotional roller coaster of The Day She Came Home may also connect with Kathi’s story.
Key Book Details
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Sub-genre: Family Drama
Series: A Scottish Redemption Series (Book 2)
Setting: Scotland (small-town setting)
Themes: Identity, adoption, motherhood, family relationships, belonging
Tropes: Family secrets, coming of age, emotional reckoning, small-town life
Tone: Emotional, compassionate, reflective
Audience: Adult readers of women’s fiction
First published: 2020
Current edition: Second Edition (2025)
Publisher: Rowanbrae Press
ISBN: 9781068420122 (print), 9781068420139 (ebook)
Who This Book Is For
This book is for readers who:
- Love women’s fiction set in Scotland
- Enjoy emotionally driven family drama
- Are drawn to stories about adoption and identity
- Appreciate character-led novels about motherhood and belonging
- Enjoy small-town Scottish settings and intimate family stories
Book Reviews
“I loved this story! It is packed with all sorts of emotions from self doubt to determination and fear to anger.” – Christy
“I loved how developed the characters are in this book and how real the relationship between the mother and the son are. Definitely recommend!” – Kat
“A real page-turner that examines the nature of belonging and identity in the context of family and within a community.” – Mrs A
“A Rich, loving, yet painful and poignant coming of age story and the struggles that often are a byproduct of being adopted.” – Connie
“Beautiful story of mother and teenage relationship. I loved how developed the characters are in this book and how real the relationship between the mother and the son are. Definitely recommend!” – Hannah
About the Author & This Book
Belonging is the second novel in Emma Dhesi’s A Scottish Redemption Series and continues her exploration of family, identity, and emotional resilience.
Through the intertwined journeys of Jake and Kathi, Emma Dhesi examines the complexity of parenthood, adoption, and the human need to feel anchored and loved.
Readers who connected with The Day She Came Home will recognise familiar themes of forgiveness, family bonds, and emotional reckoning.
Where to Buy
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2OpuXOv
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/0bVYkbu
Other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mvwjr2
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belonging part of a series?
Yes. Belonging is the second novel in A Scottish Redemption Series.
Do I need to read the first book before this one?
No. Belonging can be read as a standalone, but reading The Day She Came Home adds emotional depth to the wider series.
Where is Belonging set?
The novel is set in the fictional Scottish town of Byreburn, a semi-rural community.
What themes does Belonging explore?
Adoption, identity, motherhood, family relationships, and the search for belonging.
Is this book suitable for book clubs?
Yes, it’s a great choice for book clubs. Its focus on family dynamics, identity, and moral complexity makes it ideal for discussion.
Buying Options
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/2OpuXOv
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/0bVYkbu
Other retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mvwjr2
If You Loved This, Try…
👉 The Day She Came Home — a women’s fiction novel set in Scotland about motherhood, identity, and the courage it takes to come home.
