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The Woodhaerst Triangle
When the past and present collide, how can she step into her future?
All eighteen-year-old Rachel Webster has to worry about is keeping her mum and dad off her back. That is until she accidentally uncovers paperwork revealing she’s adopted.
That’s when things begin to spiral. A new revelation surfaces, the coil tightens, and Rachel’s entire world is under threat.
She’s dazzled by hope but has she opened Pandora’s box?
Peggy Davies is happily married with two children and her life is almost complete. When a teenager makes contact out of the blue, she believes her prayers have been answered.
That is until her dream turns into a nightmare and her family is in danger of being destroyed.
A 1970s family drama centring around strong women, love, and friendship.
Perfect for Reading-Group Fiction
Read as a standalone or as the first book in the trilogy
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2024
78 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Patricia M. Osborne
17 books27 followersPatricia M Osborne is married with grown-up children and grandchildren. She was born in Liverpool but now lives in West Sussex. In 2019 she graduated with an MA in Creative Writing (University of Brighton).
Patricia writes novels, poetry and short fiction, and has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. Her first poetry pamphlet ‘Taxus Baccata’ was published by Hedgehog Poetry Press in July 2020.
She has a successful blog at whitewings.com where she features other writers and poets. When Patricia isn’t working on her own writing, she enjoys sharing her knowledge, acting as a mentor to fellow writers and as an online poetry tutor with Writers’ Bureau.
The Coal Miner’s Son is the second book in the House of Grace trilogy.
Patricia writes novels, poetry and short fiction, and has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. Her first poetry pamphlet ‘Taxus Baccata’ was published by Hedgehog Poetry Press in July 2020.
She has a successful blog at whitewings.com where she features other writers and poets. When Patricia isn’t working on her own writing, she enjoys sharing her knowledge, acting as a mentor to fellow writers and as an online poetry tutor with Writers’ Bureau.
The Coal Miner’s Son is the second book in the House of Grace trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 2, 2024
A triangle indeed
Well. This book is totally a triangle and in an unexpected way. Where to begin? One family with money and one with less. One daughter adopted and searched for her natural parents. Young couples in love and mix in a bit of mental illness to be dealt with, an eating disorder that has killed women and girls in real life - think Karen Carpenter, and the nuances of the time period and clothing styles. Did I mention love? Abundant love, yet despair at the same time. The author takes the reader into this story and makes the reader experience the love, hurt, pain, despair, anger, and all other feelings. Those are qualities that make a book great!
Well. This book is totally a triangle and in an unexpected way. Where to begin? One family with money and one with less. One daughter adopted and searched for her natural parents. Young couples in love and mix in a bit of mental illness to be dealt with, an eating disorder that has killed women and girls in real life - think Karen Carpenter, and the nuances of the time period and clothing styles. Did I mention love? Abundant love, yet despair at the same time. The author takes the reader into this story and makes the reader experience the love, hurt, pain, despair, anger, and all other feelings. Those are qualities that make a book great!
September 30, 2024
I have read all of Patricia’s books and really enjoyed them. This book is the first of her new trilogy and is an intriguing read, The Woodhaerst Trilogy follows the two different perspectives of the main characters, Peggy and Rachel. The author’s empathy with the characters shines through the written word and, as the story unfolds, the emotional and heartbreaking moments are brought vividly to life. I can’t wait to read the next book in the trilogy
October 5, 2024
Having absolutely loved the last two books I read by this author, I was super excited to see she had a new release, the first book in a new family drama trilogy set in 1970s England.
When Rachel Webster plans to go on a trip with her mates, looking for her birth certificate in order to get a passport, brings her to the shocking secret that she’s adopted. That’s all I’ll say about the plot itself. The novel is told by two narrators: Rachel — and her biological mother, Peggy.
What I loved about this book is exactly what drew me to Osborne’s other novels. The author has a keen understanding of what can take a person’s life to an entirely different place in no time at all. And for me, a life changing so drastically is what can and does happen to so many people every day.
In this engaging story, the reader feels that something is off kilter. Something isn’t right. Something is different from what is should be. Then bam! Everything is revealed, and it’s shocking! But what will the characters do? How will they deal with the bombshell they’ve just experienced? How do average people adjust when everything they thought they thought they knew is twisted and shaped into something unrecognizable?
The Woodhaerst Triangle is an emotional story. And I’m quite sure that when most readers discover what’s going on, like me, well, we can’t help wondering what we would do. I can’t wait to read the next book!
When Rachel Webster plans to go on a trip with her mates, looking for her birth certificate in order to get a passport, brings her to the shocking secret that she’s adopted. That’s all I’ll say about the plot itself. The novel is told by two narrators: Rachel — and her biological mother, Peggy.
What I loved about this book is exactly what drew me to Osborne’s other novels. The author has a keen understanding of what can take a person’s life to an entirely different place in no time at all. And for me, a life changing so drastically is what can and does happen to so many people every day.
In this engaging story, the reader feels that something is off kilter. Something isn’t right. Something is different from what is should be. Then bam! Everything is revealed, and it’s shocking! But what will the characters do? How will they deal with the bombshell they’ve just experienced? How do average people adjust when everything they thought they thought they knew is twisted and shaped into something unrecognizable?
The Woodhaerst Triangle is an emotional story. And I’m quite sure that when most readers discover what’s going on, like me, well, we can’t help wondering what we would do. I can’t wait to read the next book!
October 14, 2024
The Woodhaerst Triangle is Rachel's story but is also Peggy's. Peggy and Rachel are mother and daughter but they have spend a better part of their lives not knowing this truth. Peggy gave up Rachel when she was just sixteen years old and they only find each other when years later Rachel reestablishes contact when she learns she is adopted. No matter how loved she is the need to know her birth mother drives her to find Peggy.
The book is about relationships and family dynamics, Peggy's family and Rachel's family and how the two intertwine. It's also a very sensitively written book about the ultimate cost of keeping secrets and how people are the one to pay the price however unintentional it may be. The author seems to have a deep understanding of human nature and its fallacies as well as it's strengths and she digs deep within those reserves to write this remarkable book about two women and their families and where one secret takes them. Look forward to the next in the series.
The book is about relationships and family dynamics, Peggy's family and Rachel's family and how the two intertwine. It's also a very sensitively written book about the ultimate cost of keeping secrets and how people are the one to pay the price however unintentional it may be. The author seems to have a deep understanding of human nature and its fallacies as well as it's strengths and she digs deep within those reserves to write this remarkable book about two women and their families and where one secret takes them. Look forward to the next in the series.
November 20, 2024
The Woodhaerst Triangle
This book took me back to my youth. It is a beautifully written story by Ms Osborne which many will empathise with, of an eternal triangle but not solely of the romantic kind.
Three families, will go through what I can only describe as a mini earthquake, as it tests the family’s bonds, strength and love, to breaking point, which will tug at your heart strings. Though none of these are apparent at the beginning, but as each secret is revealed it will change their lives forever.
It reveals the trauma that secrets can cause if hidden. They are not lies as such, but each layer when it is pealed back causes powerful and unforgiving consequences. Ms Osborne slowly discloses these in such a way that you cannot second guess the ending, and when it comes…it hits you hard.
I loved reading this book, it took me on a nostalgic trip to the 1970’s, but, this didn't take away from the powerful meaning hidden within its pages. I would highly recommend it.
This book took me back to my youth. It is a beautifully written story by Ms Osborne which many will empathise with, of an eternal triangle but not solely of the romantic kind.
Three families, will go through what I can only describe as a mini earthquake, as it tests the family’s bonds, strength and love, to breaking point, which will tug at your heart strings. Though none of these are apparent at the beginning, but as each secret is revealed it will change their lives forever.
It reveals the trauma that secrets can cause if hidden. They are not lies as such, but each layer when it is pealed back causes powerful and unforgiving consequences. Ms Osborne slowly discloses these in such a way that you cannot second guess the ending, and when it comes…it hits you hard.
I loved reading this book, it took me on a nostalgic trip to the 1970’s, but, this didn't take away from the powerful meaning hidden within its pages. I would highly recommend it.
July 29, 2025
ccvThe Woodhaerst Triangle
This book took me back to my youth. It is a beautifully written story by Ms Osborne which many will empathise with, of an eternal triangle but not solely of the romantic kind.
Three families, will go through what I can only describe as a mini earthquake, as it tests the family’s bonds, strength and love, to breaking point, which will tug at your heart strings. Though none of these are apparent at the beginning, but as each secret is revealed it will change their lives forever.
It reveals the trauma that secrets can cause if hidden. They are not lies as such, but each layer when it is pealed back causes powerful and unforgiving consequences. Ms Osborne slowly discloses these in such a way that you cannot second guess the ending, and when it comes…it hits you hard.
I loved reading this book, it took me on a nostalgic trip to the 1970’s, but, this didn't take away from the powerful meaning hidden within its pages. I would highly recommend it.
This book took me back to my youth. It is a beautifully written story by Ms Osborne which many will empathise with, of an eternal triangle but not solely of the romantic kind.
Three families, will go through what I can only describe as a mini earthquake, as it tests the family’s bonds, strength and love, to breaking point, which will tug at your heart strings. Though none of these are apparent at the beginning, but as each secret is revealed it will change their lives forever.
It reveals the trauma that secrets can cause if hidden. They are not lies as such, but each layer when it is pealed back causes powerful and unforgiving consequences. Ms Osborne slowly discloses these in such a way that you cannot second guess the ending, and when it comes…it hits you hard.
I loved reading this book, it took me on a nostalgic trip to the 1970’s, but, this didn't take away from the powerful meaning hidden within its pages. I would highly recommend it.
February 6, 2026
I was drawn to the striking book cover with white go-go boots, and this novel was a nice time capsule from a time and place with:
- some people had never tasted pizza, but ate liver casserole, mash and cabbage for dinner.
- some pubs still had outdoor toilets.
- horoscopes were a big thing.
But most significantly, it was a time and place when unwed mothers were still shamed, and adopted children weren't always even aware that they were adopted.
Anorexia is also part of the storyline.
The novel held my interest, but I wasn't emotionally connected enough to the characters to continue with the series. I enjoyed it, though.
- some people had never tasted pizza, but ate liver casserole, mash and cabbage for dinner.
- some pubs still had outdoor toilets.
- horoscopes were a big thing.
But most significantly, it was a time and place when unwed mothers were still shamed, and adopted children weren't always even aware that they were adopted.
Anorexia is also part of the storyline.
The novel held my interest, but I wasn't emotionally connected enough to the characters to continue with the series. I enjoyed it, though.
January 21, 2026
📚The Woodhaerst Triangle
✍️Patricia M. Osborne
3⭐️
Rachel Webster discovers she’s adopted while looking for her birthday certificate so she can apply for a passport, but instead, she finds adoption papers about herself. The plot was good, albeit predictable (including the love interest that turns out to be a blood relative). Unfortunately, I found the dialogue to be extremely poor; clunky and unnatural.
✍️Patricia M. Osborne
3⭐️
Rachel Webster discovers she’s adopted while looking for her birthday certificate so she can apply for a passport, but instead, she finds adoption papers about herself. The plot was good, albeit predictable (including the love interest that turns out to be a blood relative). Unfortunately, I found the dialogue to be extremely poor; clunky and unnatural.
January 16, 2026
Such a Great Family Story
Relationships are often troublesome. In this story families are intertwined in such unbelievable heartache.
This author has developed a wonderful story of such hardships on families as they face life’s choices old and new
I enjoyed the transformation of Rachel, Joe & Peggy
I hope this is just the start of a great series
5+ many more stars!
Relationships are often troublesome. In this story families are intertwined in such unbelievable heartache.
This author has developed a wonderful story of such hardships on families as they face life’s choices old and new
I enjoyed the transformation of Rachel, Joe & Peggy
I hope this is just the start of a great series
5+ many more stars!
February 5, 2026
I enjoyed this book. I wonder if the author always intended the twist at the end, or whether it developed as she went along. I think this is definitely one you need to read not as a standalone, but as a trilogy, if you want to know the whole story. It was very difficult to put down and I want to know what's next for the characters.
November 2, 2024
A highly enjoyable read and a great start to the new series. Full of well-researched detail of the 1970s and with a great twist that I didn't see coming. Recommended to all lovers of family-sagas and twentieth century stories.
November 10, 2024
Enjoyed this one. Great characters and storyline. When Rachel discovers she is adopted, she meets up with her birth Mother, then everything changes. Up and downs and how families cope with secrets.
Check it out, enjoyable read.
Check it out, enjoyable read.
March 21, 2025
This book is so good and really has a twist to the story I was racing to finish it towards the end...now engrossed in the second book.
This writer has other books and I highly recommend reading them as the stories are all very different but really capture you.
This writer has other books and I highly recommend reading them as the stories are all very different but really capture you.
January 22, 2026
Enjoyed this book
I like family dramas and this one definitely fits. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I like family dramas and this one definitely fits. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 21, 2026
Wow
Wow , lots of generational family drama and trauma to work through when you are adopted. Rachel has grown emotionally.
Wow , lots of generational family drama and trauma to work through when you are adopted. Rachel has grown emotionally.
February 26, 2026
19-year old, Rachel accidentally finds out that she's adopted and decides to go looking for her birth mother. I didn't love or hate this book. It had potential, but fell flat in some areas for me. The storyline was great...who wouldn't love a story of trying to find out more about yourself? But the characters were so aggravating. Rachel was a spoiled brat. Peggy was ok but a bit of a pushover. And Peggy's husband did a complete 180 on his feelings about Peggy finding her long-lost daughter. All in all, it was an ok book for me.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews