Friends and Lovers: The moving story of family and love

by June Francis

Vivien last saw her mother when she was nine years old and when she suddenly reappears after eight years she stirs up painful memories. Now at last Vivien has the opportunity to find out her father's identity.

Genres: Historical

498 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Although, June was born in the seaside resort of Blackpool, she has lived all her life in the port of Liverpool, home of the Beatles. One of four children, her love of stories began when her father told her 'The Little Match Girl', which left her in floods of tears, but also with a desire to make up stories, herself. As soon as she could read she was doing a three mile walk to the local library. She passed the scholarship to Liverpool Girls' College where her English teacher told her that she had a great imagination. Despite this, June did not believe she could ever be an author, so on leaving school, she became a cash clerk. She married at twenty-two, has three sons, ran a church playgroup for ten years and it wasn't until her youngest started school that she joined a Writers' Club and turned her hand to writing articles about What She Knew for a woman's magazine. But her first love had always been books and eventually she wrote her first two medieval romances for Mills & Boon. After doing another two, she had an urge to write a family story set in Liverpool during WWII. This was bought by another publisher. Since then she has had thirty-three books published.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while for me to get into this book but once I got passed about 30 pages I was hooked
I did think about giving up I’m so glad I didn’t
Just goes to show after family upsets you can all get over it and move on
Lovely Happy ending for all for all

[Xondra Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written, but a good story about family and the complications that can arise in life due to circumstance.

[Chibi Reading Era · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little scared to open and read a book under “historical saga/ drama/ romance.” This is a first for me.

The first 50 pages was quite a painful slow read for me. As I picture how they all look like, the setting and all.

Viv’s character is quite admirable. At a young age, her circumstances and Aunt Flo’s upbringing made her wise and strong for her to determine which is right and wrong. I truly understood her sentiments about knowing who her father was but of course, there were risks and I am also relieved that she had accepted it the way it is.

Hilda, what a touch of different colors for a character. I also tried to understand her point of view. It must’ve been painful for her living with regrets all her life until Stephen.

As for Aunt Flo, she’s an angel sent to
Viv and Hilda. I wish she’s more firm to bring George to America to live with them but as she said, he’s a Liverpudlian townie.

As for George, had the creeps on this one. But these scenarios could be common during these times before? Not sure. But surely, it’s a crime.

Nick, good thing he has firm boundaries and strong feelings towards Viv. He could’ve played around (which I expected) but goodness, he didn’t.


Over all I liked the experience. I will be looking out for genres like this.

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classic by June Francis. Couldn't put it down.

[charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good read enjoyed the book it is a good easy read. It not as good as some of the other books

[Nikki Dennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a bit slow but there was nothing to dislike about it

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this back in August and just finished it yesterday. No, it wasn't because it was a long book it's just I struggled to get into it. I started it, so I finished it. The characters were ok and the storyline was ok. For me it was just an ok read. Nothing to write home about.

[Lisa Mcmaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that a book catches me in the first page...this book did...I loved it. I couldn't put it down...