Lizzie of Langley Street

Lizzie Flowers #1

by Carol Rivers

Following her mother's untimely death, market trader's daughter Lizzie Allen is facing desperate times. Her father Tom, crippled in the fighting during WWI, has been left a broken and bitter man; her elder brother Vinnie is getting into serious trouble with the Island's criminal element; her two younger sisters are in danger of being taken into care, and her sweetheart Danny is heading for Australia to seek his fortune. Determined to keep her family together, yet unable to escape the poverty and degradation of the slums, the heartbroken Lizzie is tricked into marriage by Danny's unscrupulous brother, Frank. Will she ever find the strength to protect her family from the underworld thugs who monopise the Island? Can she escape her increasingly unhappy and violent marriage? And will she ever be reunited with her one true love, former barrow boy, Danny Flowers?

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical

480 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

I’ve been fortunate enough to have made my living by writing and I’ve enjoyed a long and harmonious relationship with my publisher, Simon&Schuster. But in recent months I can only stand in awe of the growing and robust numbers of Indie authors whom I admire so much and who have revolutionized the publishing industry. There is fire in the belly of this movement, giving a whole new aspect to the accepted norms in the publishing world. I’m mind-blown at the variety of genres born of digital technology and I’ve made many friends in the Indie world. On-line life for me has become rich and diverse with tales of Indie adventures and successes that are simply staggering. This is mouth-watering stuff and I feel privileged to be here on Goodreads. If you want to know more about my East End novels, with their tough, rough, but warm-hearted Cockney characters, then perhaps you’d like to visit my website at www.carolrivers.com where you’ll gain an insight into the Rivers novels and their history.

Reviews

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a read. I would have given this book more than 5* if I could. I had read this book before years ago and it had been sitting on my bookshelf with my other Carol Rivers books as they are books that I cannot pass on to charity shop. I was hooked from the beginning and I even had moments when I thought " never remembered that bit" . Set in the real east end of London in the 1920s you have got romance, heartache, family squabbles, gang violence and hatred. All these make a story that is one you have to keep going back to. Lizzie is the main character and she is a very strong lead female character I don't think many women would put up with everything she had to cope with. Now on to read the next instalment "The Fight for Lizzie Flowers" .

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Lizzie Allan,in the year 1920. The isle of dogs east London. Lizzie lives with her mother and father Kate and Bert and two sister's and two brothers. Her father left legless after the great war Lizzie often wheels him down to the poplar market in cox street meeting up with her sweetheart tall and blond Danny Flowers. A truly cockney read from this author. funny witty sad in moments but what a start to the lizzie series books. Another outstanding read from this wonderful author I always enjoy all of her books. Loved it.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow Carol I love your books but this one really was superb Lizzie had a hard life after her mam died when she was 15 she had to look after her siblings and her dad . her boyfriend Danny left her to go abroad and because of the lies from Danny's brother Frank Lizzie ended up married to Frank big mistake but she took her vows seriously more than Frank did . and she was betrayed by her sister Babs but Lizzie is one tough lady . this is definitely a 5 STAR review .

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story and very well written but I needed my tissues for this one. recommended.

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book now for part 2

[Julie Boon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I connected with the author Carol Rivers on Twitter and offered my “services” as a reviewer for her books as I went to her website and saw she writes London based family sagas. I am a sucker for a family saga and coming from South East London, I loved books based in and around London, especially during/after WW2.

The author very kindly sent me Lizzie of Langley Street and I promised to take it on holiday with me and am so glad I did! I finished it in just a couple of days!

Lizzie is distraught at the sudden death of her mother and with a disabled father who is suffering from severe depression after losing his legs during the war, Lizzie is thrown in at the deep end and is left having to keep the house together. Her elder brother Vinnie is in over his head with local gangsters and her other siblings are not helping with keeping on the straight and narrow either!

Having fallen in love with Danny Flowers, Lizzie is then given the bombshell that Danny will be emigrating to Australia to make his fortune. He is desperate for Lizzie to go with him, but how can she leave the bosom of her family so soon after the death of her mother? She declines and Danny vows to come back for her when he has made his millions! In the meantime, Danny’s brother Frank has eyes for Lizzie and can’t wait for Danny to be out of the picture so that he can make his move……..

I can’t tell you what a wonderful book this was. Full of emotion both good and bad and made me want to cry on more than one occasion!

I loved all the characters and the author’s description of the era was second to none. Obviously a great deal of research has gone into her novels.

I am chomping at the bit to read the sequel, as I have already had people on Twitter telling me how fabulous it is!! So as soon as I possibly can, I will be reading the next instalment of Lizzie Flowers!

If you love a good family saga then I urge you to go and buy a copy of this fabulous story of London family life. You will not be disappointed.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book but I don't think the writing was as strong as some saga authors that I have previously read. Some of the writing is a little drawn out. I borrowed the sequel from the library and have not rushed to read it upon finishing, which says a lot. Instead I have chosen a completely different type of book, and will return to Lizzie Flowers in a week or so. I hope the sequel is just as good but better than the first.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely story with good characterisation.
The family tree at the front of the book is always nice to have but it was far too revealing in the story content. I spent most of the time wondering 'when' it was all going to happen. There shouldn't be any spoilers, similarly on the back blurb which should be tantalising to entice readers but not revealing. No surprises for the reader!
'Reigns' spelt wrong several times, should have been 'reins'.
These couple of points cost the book a fifth star but I would still recommend it.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the survival of Lizzie Allen after the end of the 2nd WW. The trials and tribulations she endured makes you wonder how and why in this modern age. Carol Rivers has captured the warmth of the East End and the strength of character of the people who live there.
This is a book worth reading as you live every minute with the characters, the good, the bad and the indifferent. You can't help but hope Lizzie gets everything she deserves.

[Gareth-Stuart Ogg · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's good in bits but halfway through you can sorta see where the story is heading. Which makes it less interesting. Cliches and predictability isn't something you need in a story you want the twists and turns but when it comes to the standard romance style of the novel this doesn't really do the characters or story much justice.

[Jackie Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about lizzie and her struggles, not wanting the story to end so much so I bought the next book in the series.
Easy to read, and well written. For anyone who loves East end sagas it's a must read.

[Lizbeth Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book cant wait to read more from carol

[Rosie Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely holiday read

[Marie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good little read, looking forward to reading the next in the series soon.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie is an amazing character in this book. So strong with everything that is thrown at her and her family. Carol Rivers has excelled herself again. Fabulous story.

[Mrs Helen Pamment · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got bored and gave up on this book

[J Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!!!!! Really enjoyed this book.