About Releasing Janet by Alex Banwell

Releasing Janet by Alex Banwell takes us into the heart of a family shaped by decades of silence. When Janet Wellander finally speaks her sister’s name after thirty years, she sets in motion a journey of discovery that will test every relationship she holds dear. This compelling contemporary Christian fiction explores timeless truths about the power of honesty to heal generational trauma and the transformative nature of unconditional love.

Who is Releasing Janet written for?

Janet’s story is one many will resonate with, offering hope for families carrying the weight of unspoken truths. This British women’s fiction beautifully explores faith and forgiveness, showing the courage it takes to break generational cycles of silence. This clean read will appeal to adults who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction, family sagas, or stories that gently explore themes of healing from grief.

What can you expect from this story?

This isn’t just a family secrets novel—it’s about the courage it takes to speak truth and reconciliation into darkness, and the healing that becomes possible when we do. You’ll follow Janet as she uncovers a thirty-year-old family tragedy, whilst also witnessing her son Benny’s heartwarming romance with Nettie. It’s an unconditional love story that will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps look at your own family relationships with fresh eyes.

There are so many books out there. Why do I need this one?

We believe stories have the power to communicate deep truth and transform lives, and Releasing Janet is a powerful example of this. This faith and forgiveness story is woven through with themes of redemption, the importance of truth-telling, and God’s unconditional love for His children—especially those the world might overlook.

It gently teaches truths such as:

Buried secrets don’t disappear—they fester, but it’s never too late to choose healing
Love sees potential where others see limitations
Truth-telling, though painful, is often the only path to freedom
God’s love isn’t dependent on our abilities or circumstances

I’d love this, but can I read a sample first?

Of course you can! Here’s a sample from early in the book:

As Janet watched Nettie expertly caring for her son, she experienced a momentary twinge of sadness, quickly replaced by love. She had been wrong in thinking no other woman could match her devotion to Benny.

Beth soon became bored while her companions chatted and enjoyed their warm drinks. Nettie had prepared coffee for herself and Ola, and tea for Benny and Janet.

‘Those aren’t for playing with, young lady,’ Ola reprimanded as Beth’s tiny fingers examined the decorations hanging from the tree.

‘Some of them look old.’ Nettie turned her attention to the glittering tree.

‘A few go back to my childhood,’ Janet admitted, ‘but I bought most of them when Benny and Emma were little.’

Then her son rose and joined Beth. ‘I made that one at school.’ He lightly touched a rudimentary cardboard ice cream cone that had faded with age.

Nettie laughed. ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me?’

‘The other kids made Father Christmases and snowmen, but they’re boring. Ice cream is much better.’

Nettie’s attention was caught by a photo album lying on a shelf near the tree. ‘Are those pictures of Emma and Benny?’ she asked. ‘Can I have a look?’

‘Actually, they’re from my childhood,’ Janet confessed. ‘Cameras weren’t commonplace back then, and my parents didn’t have one. These are the photos their friends and other family members took.’

‘I haven’t seen that before,’ Ola said.

‘No, you wouldn’t have.’ Janet reached over to pick it up. ‘I told you my parents have moved to a retirement complex?’

Ola nodded.

‘My mother posted me the photos because she knows I’m sentimental over memories. It just arrived today.’

Janet opened the album, and Benny and Nettie crowded in. Even Ola put his coffee down and joined them.

‘Oh, you were cute!’ Nettie’s attention was drawn to a black and white picture of a tiny Janet wearing a frilly dress and a sun bonnet.

‘Not really.’ Janet blushed. ‘I was always a plain Jane.’ She stopped herself from adding more whilst flicking through the sparse collection – such a minimal visual record of her childhood.

‘You look happy in that one.’ Nettie pointed at a picture in which Janet appeared barely four years old, and Janet agreed with a nod. She was relieved that none of them seemed to notice the whole years unaccounted for.

Long ago, the family album had contained more photos. When had her parents removed them? Was it within weeks of the tragedy that had fractured their unity forever? Or had they waited until later? And was it her mother or her father? Who had decided they needed to go?

‘So, you’ve got two brothers?’ Nettie asked, pointing at two teenage boys. She seemed set on finding out all she could about Janet’s past.

‘Yes, just Malcolm and David. And they’re both older than me.’ As the words escaped, the back of her throat constricted. A desire to close the album and hide it somewhere overcame her. Why was this happening to her now? Why did a photo album have the power to rake up long-buried memories? It was easier not to think – to pretend it hadn’t happened. All her family needed to know was that she had lived an uneventful life, growing up with her parents and brothers…

‘Did you ever wish for a sister?’ Nettie probed.

Suddenly, Janet was powerless. Unbidden tears pricked and then fell. She tried to hold them back, but the dam had burst, and the trickle swiftly became a river.

‘Mum? What’s wrong?’ Benny put his arms around her, and Nettie glanced helplessly at Ola.

‘Jan?’ Even her husband’s tone was gentle, and Janet realised the time had come.

Safe in the circle of her loved ones, she spoke the long-forbidden words in little more than a whisper. ‘I did have a sister. Her name was Sylvia.’

Where Can I Purchase the Book?

You can buy paperbacks & ebooks directly from our shop page here: https://broadplacepublishing.co.uk/product/releasing-janet/

Releasing Janet is also available with a FREE bonus ebook “Only Ola” when you pre-order!

Alex is willing to speak to your Churches and Book Clubs, either in person or over Zoom. Please contact us for bulk purchasing options for Book Clubs and Churches.

If you’d love this book but cannot afford it, we do run a bursary programme. Please contact us to request a book.