Everybody's Somebody

by Beryl Kingston

A quartet of paintings hang in the gallery. The artist now famous, his subject long forgotten: nobody of consequence…

Sent into service at the tender age of twelve, Rosie Goodison learns just how unfair the world really is. Some people work their entire lives and have little to show for it, while others do nothing and seem to have it all.

Full of courage and gumption, Rosie can say for certain that this isn’t type of world she wants to live in. Throughout the tumultuous 20th century, she gets swept up by the passion of the suffragettes, the horrors of the First World War, and the ever changing landscape of the social and political climate.

Half a century later, Rosie remains only on these four canvases. A woman, a mother, a pioneer, a trailblazer. A woman who left her mark on the world. A woman who’s life proves that everybody’s somebody.

In this stunning first part of the Jackson Family Saga, best-selling author Beryl Kingston takes readers on Rosie’s journey to forge a better life for herself, her parents, and her peers.


PRAISE FOR EVERYBODY’S SOMEBODY

‘…see history unfold through the fierce and caring eyes of a woman in love.’ — Emily Murdoch

‘In Everybody’s Somebody, Rosie’s colourful life is captured in a series of paintings, with Beryl Kingston applying the masterly brush strokes with her usual artistry and heart-warming style.’ — Danielle Shaw, author of Love and Sacrifice

‘An interesting and informative historical novel with a fabulously feisty heroine. War, love, loss, class struggles, this great read has so much to offer!’ — Faith Bleasdale, author of Pinstripes


PRAISE FOR BERYL KINGSTON

‘Beryl Kingston understands how to weave dialogue, character, theme and a thumping love affair into unity.’ — The Sunday Times

‘Beryl Kingston is not to be missed. Each one is special.’ — Elizabeth Buchan, bestselling author of The New Mrs Clifton

Genres: Historical Fiction

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2019

Reviews

[Andrea]

Received this book from the publisher,really enjoy this historical book but the ending was left in the open hope there's a book two to continue what happened to the characters.still a good read.

[*TUDOR^QUEEN*]

This is a story which takes place in early 1900s England and centers around the main character of Rosie. As the book begins in the present day, teenagers are on a school trip to a national art gallery. The art teacher is expounding upon the works of an artist named Gerard de Silva. Although the teacher is steering their attention to de Silva's portraiture of famous sitters like Lawrence of Arabia, two teenage girls are drawn to the dark-haired woman in several of his other paintings. When they asked the teacher who that sitter was, the teacher replied that it was "someone of no consequence." Once the teacher is out of earshot, one girl confides to the other, "I don't care if she had consequence or not; she looks strong. And if you think about it, she must have been somebody. Everybody's somebody. I'd like to have met her."

Then the time rewinds to a day when Rosie was twelve and expected to go for her first job miles away to contribute to the family. They live very simply in a home in the English hamlet of Binderton. Ma keeps having babies, and money is tight. Rosie's scared and upset at the thought of leaving her family to work at a rich estate, but maintains a stiff upper lip for the sake of her parents. This was my favorite part of the book. She's provided a smart uniform and assigned to work in the nursery with babies. It's the best clothing and grub she's ever had in her life, but it will be ten long months until she's able to visit her family again.

Throughout the book Rosie exhibits strength and resourcefulness in navigating various job situations to keep financially afloat. She's always looking to improve her life and takes risks and moves to do so. She's feisty, determined, strong and level-headed. Rosie lives through World War I and there are frank and moving depictions of the horrors of battle. One of the jobs Rosie falls into after losing her waitressing job at a high end club is posing for artist Gerard de Silva. It is here that the book harkens back to the beginning and we find out the identity of the beautiful and mysterious woman in the paintings.

As the book concludes, she has felt the effects of the recent Great Depression, and World War II is on the horizon with the emergence of Hitler. I did enjoy this book, but I wasn't wowed by it. I was looking forward to move on to something else.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC for my fair and honest review.

[☕️Hélène⚜️]

England 20th century. The saga of a family growing up in the new changing world. Rosie started to work at age 12. A very strong woman for her time; no one even her husband could tell her what to do or not to do. Always did what had to be done to keep roof/food for her family even during bleak times.
She was very liberal used even birth control not heard during the early 20th century.
This book was nice and made me feel I was part of the journey.
Since this is book 1 I’m looking forward to continue reading about Rosie’s and her family/friends future.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Agora Books for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Brenda Anderson]

Really enjoyed this book but disappointed with the ending left wandering if the story continues into book two I hope so to find out what happens to the characters.

[Deanne Patterson]

Strong is a word I'd use to describe Rosie, both physically and mentally. This takes place in early 1900's England. An interestingly informative historical novel.
Pub Date 01 Sep 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Endeavour Press for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[StinaStaffymum]

★★★★ 4.5 stars

I came across Beryl Kingston quite by accident but it wasn't until I received one of her books from Netgalley, which just so happens to be the sequel to this one, that I decided to grab myself a copy of EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY to read first. And I am glad I did. I do love some good old historical fiction.

The story opens with a Prologue which I admit I found a little confusing at first as it is set in a art gallery with a school group perusing the works of a well-known artist. I wondered where this was going and what it had to do with the story when it became clear that it was set in the present day. But with no date titled at the beginning of the prologue made it very confusing to start with. However, on this visit the teacher focuses on the artist's portraits of more famous people such as Lawrence of Arabia but two girls are fascinated with the dark haired woman in four of his paintings. When they ask their teacher who she was the teacher replied "someone no consequence". But once out of earshot, one of the girls confides to the other "I don't care if she had consequence or not. She looks strong. And if you think about it, she must have been somebody. Everybody's somebody. I'd like to have met her."

Taking place in the early 1900's (again, no year is specified), the story is centred around young Rosie Goodison who has just turned 12 and is excited to be going into service with her first job some miles away to contribute to the family. The oldest of then four children, Rosie's family lives a simple life in the village of Binderton. Her new position is as nursery maid to a young three year old called Rachel and she soon throws the cat amongst the pigeons when she alters young Rachel's diet to solids rather than the bread and milk fed to babies, much to the nanny's chagrin.

From the first moment, Rosie comes across as a very strong character. Despite her fears of being so far from home and her family for the first time in her life, she maintains the age-old English tradition of the stiff upper lip and just gets on with things. She is in awe of the smart uniform she is provided with the meals they are supplied with, which are plentiful and the "best grub she's ever had". She soon befriends Maisie, the other nursery maid, who tells her that there will be another baby to look after soon which is why she was taken on. And sure enough, young Bernard was born, joining the nursery about a week later.

Due to her duties and the distance, she was only able to visit her family once a year - on Mothering Sunday. As each year passed, Rosie noticed her family growing and her mother pregnant yet again. Rosie expresses a desire to be nearer her family, so when her brother Tommy gets a job gardening for the Vicar in the village he keeps his ear out for anything that would suit Rosie. He is rewarded when a woman pays a visit to the vicarage looking for a suitable cottage for her boys on their summer vacation from Eton. Rosie is then given the position of housekeeper to Anthony and Nicholas Eden, two rather pompous and entitled young men whose talk of the coming war would be "a good show". Whilst keeping house for these two untidy and very privileged boys, she learns a great deal about the world out there by listening to snippets of their conversations and reading the newspapers they have discarded.

War soon breaks out and Rosie is horrified to learn her brother Tommy and his best friend Charlie have joined up, with no real preparation of what to expect or of what's to come. Anthony and Nicholas say it will be all over by Christmas but vow to join up as soon as they have finished school, if it is still going by then. When the summer is over and the boys return to Eton, Rosie finds herself without a job. However, Anthony writes her a glowing reference and refers her to a place in London that is always on the lookout for new girls.

So Rosie packs herself off to London to the RAC club where she is given the position of live-in waitress, meaning her board and lodgings are supplied along with the job. It is here she meets the artist Gerard de Silva who was on the brink of success.

One day on her afternoon off, Rosie inadvertently finds herself at a suffragette rally where she meets Kitty Jackson and her docker brother Jim, who she describes "her lion". The three of them become inseparable friends, meeting every Thursday to go to the music hall and later fish and chips. Kitty and Rosie become best of friends, but it's Jim Rosie finds herself with unexpected feelings for. Romance blossoms between the two and one day when Kitty has to work, Jim and Rosie find themselves alone and in each other's arms beneath the tree in St James Park, that was to become a special place for them. Over the coming weeks as the war developed in France, Rosie's fears for Jim are soon realised when conscription is introduced. She tries to help him escape it but they have their first row, beneath their tree, when he tells her it is not possible. Furious with him for not listening, she storms off back to the club.

With Jim in France, Kitty and Rosie get on with life back home, treasuring every letter they receive from Jim, but still fraught with worry. It is these chapters, through Jim's eyes, that detail life in the trenches that brings the reality of the horrors these men and boys faced daily. And as the war rages on right up to its end and onwards, there is tragedy and life-changing consequences for Rosie.

EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY brings to life the horrors of war its aftermath, the suffragette movement, the Spanish flu, flooding of the Thames as well as life in the early 20th century. Swept up in it all, Rosie has to deal with Jim suffering trauma from the war, losses in her family, financial pressures and prejudices. When she falls pregnant, she loses her job at the RAC club whose policy it is not to employ "women with child". Outraged, she captures the attention of Gerard de Silva who just so happens to be in the club at the time and offers her a job as his model. Jim is not happy and tries in vain to forbid her, but Rosie is her own woman, vowing to control all aspects of her life. It is, of course, her sitting for de Silva which leads to those four paintings mentioned in the prologue of which she is the sitter. Those paintings, though commissioned at the time, are painted over a number of years, the last one being with her two young daughters.

Throughout the story, Rosie is faced with many adversities and through them becomes stronger. Never wanting to be like her mother and producing babies every year, Rosie seeks out the early form of birth control in the "dutch cap". Growing from a headstrong impulsive child into a feisty smart woman who fights for a better life for her children, Rosie isn't perfect as she succumbs to the charms of Gerry de Silva and into his bed. Her husband Jim is a kind, gentle and dependable man, despite his grumpiness whereas de Silva is self-absorbed. To be honest, when the growing unrest in Germany in the early 30s began, de Silva being a Jew up and scarpered, I felt that that was the best thing that could have happened. I didn't like de Silva. I found him too charming and a little sleazy. I loved Jim and felt sorry for him that Rosie was deceiving him this way. But Rosie loves Jim regardless, and soon settles back into family life struggling to find work in the wake of the depression of 1929, and ends with the growing unrest in Germany with the Nazi movement in the early 30s.

The story is compelling and absorbing throughout with realistic unforgettable moments and characters that are steeped with passion and emotion. An unassuming woman, all that remains of Rosie's time on earth are those four portraits in an art gallery...and she may have been someone of no consequence but she was still somebody. Because everybody's somebody in the grand scheme of things. And Rosie sure left her mark throughout the early 20th century and into the 30s...with her life continuing through WW2 in the sequel. As well as in the paintings later displayed for the world to see.

A poignant and well-written story of one woman's journey, EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY sweeps us through the early 1900s, through the Great War and into the 20s and early 30s. I loved the vastness of the tale spanning the early 20th century as we watch Rosie grow from the impulsive 12 year old and into a resourceful woman.

I thoroughly enjoyed EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY and was immersed in it from start to finish. The dialect used was true to the era of the working class and was easy to follow, despite the incorrect spelling as it was written as it was pronounced. Sometimes this can be difficult to distinguish depending on the area from which they originate, but in the case of the characters here, it was very easy to follow. I also liked the fact that while the war featured it wasn't detailed in loads of history that would put the reader to sleep. There were historical facts but they were infused with the story with an expert hand.

I did, however, have a few niggles. My main one being that there was no year or date specified at the outset in the Prologue and then the ensuing chapters. I found it difficult to work out the timeline at times because of this. I felt that as the story moved the new chapter should have had the new year titled at its beginning. Sometimes it felt like I was swimming through the cloud waters of time with no clue as to where I was. While this is only a small niggle, it niggled all the same.

As EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY concludes, Rosie has felt tragedy, love and loss through the aftermath of the Great War, the recent depression and the looming presence of Hitler and the Nazi regime on the horizon. EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY is a superb story that you can immerse yourself in with Beryl Kingston's easy to read writing style. But I do recommend you read this one first before the sequel "Citizen Armies" .

I thoroughly recommend EVERYBODY'S SOMEBODY to any reader who enjoys historical fiction and family sagas.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Elizabeth Lloyd]

In Beryl Kingston’s latest novel, we follow the life of Rosie Goodison, from the day she sets out to become a nursemaid at Arundel Castle, at the age of 12. She is told that she is, “nobody of consequence,” but she is a strong independent girl of the early 20th century and she is determined to take on everything she can attain. A few years later she finds a temporary job as housekeeper to two young toffs on holiday from Eton and when one of them gives her a reference to take to the RAC club in Pall Mall, she has no idea that his signature, Anthony Eden, will be of significance in the future.

On her afternoon off she meets Kitty, a young suffragette, whose brother Joe is a docker. Soon Rosie meets them regularly, increasing her political understanding as well as enjoying trips to Music Halls. Romance blossoms as war approaches and both Rosie’s brother, Tommy, and her sweetheart, Joe, become soldiers. There is tragedy and there are life-changing consequences.

But we first meet Rosie in a painting in an art gallery many years later, so how did that happen? While working at the RAC club, Rosie had made the acquaintance of a young artist who wished her to model for him and when she finds herself unemployed at a difficult time in her life, Rosie agrees.

This novel is a superb description of southern England from the turn of the century until 1939. Through the lives of poor families in the countryside and in London, the struggle to succeed and even to survive, despite war, unemployment and hardship, is shown clearly. Rosie’s warm, vibrant character makes each event human and I found myself rooting for her and for her family. She embodies the title, “Everybody’s Somebody.”

[Wendy]

“Everyone’s Somebody” is a woman’s poignant and stirring journey through life in an historical period in England that’s swept up in the turbulence of war, a financial crisis, and social and political changes, that starts with Rosie Goodison at age twelve leaving her rural home to work as a nursemaid at Arundel Castle. Wanting to learn more about the world far beyond changing diapers and calming squealing babies Rosie in her latter teens changes jobs working as a housekeeper for two wealthy, arrogant boys then moving at the onset of WW1 to London to work as a waitress at the RAC Club where she is drawn into a suffragette demonstration and meets burly docker Jim Jackson and his sister Kitty.

Beautifully written and emotionally-charged the novel brings to life the horrors of war and its aftermath, women’s struggle for their right to vote as well as catastrophes like the onslaught of the Spanish flu, the explosion of a munition works, and the flooding of the Thames River. Swept up in the storm Rosie not only has to deal with the man she loves suffering from the trauma of WWI, but losses in her family, financial issues and job prejudices that dramatically change her view of her world. Wanting more out of life Rosie’s zest to control all aspects of her life builds when she begins modeling for portrait artist Gerald de Silva finding a source of inspiration in his books, succumbing to a sexual affair and even learning to drive a car. Although I thought Tommy and Jim’s experience in the battlefield was credible and emotionally horrific, I felt it could have been handled differently as the passages broke the smooth flow of a plot that centers on Rosie’s life.

Yet the story is absorbing and gripping with realistic and unforgettable characters that infuse it with passion, depth and high-emotion. Rosie Goodison is a headstrong, impulsive child who grows into a feisty, smart, attractive and stubborn woman who loves two men, and fights for a better way of life for her two girls. Jim Jackson her husband can be tough, temperamental and grumpy but is also honest, kind and loving while Gerry de Silva a talented and charming artist is good-natured but undependable, proud and self-absorbed. It is characters like these that paint a portrait of the past that is complex but believable; where a woman considered “no one of consequence” leaves a vivid mark behind in the pictures displayed in a gallery for all the world to see.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Everyone’s Somebody” and thank the author for my copy. It is well worth reading and I look forward to seeing what Beryl Kingston has in store next for her fans.

[Anne Harvey]

I was given a complimentary copy of this new novel by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

All that is left of Rosie Goodison’s time on earth are four portraits in an art gallery, the focus of intrigued attention of two students set in the present day. Who was the model? What sort of life did she have? During the course of the novel, we find out, starting with Rosie as an eager twelve-year old setting off to work as a nursemaid to the Dukes of Norfolk in the early years of the 20th century. Over the course of the next twenty years or so, Rosie sets out to better herself and her family. She often finds herself at the heart of events such as the heavy flooding of the Thames in 1928, the effects of the 1929 Wall Street crash, the resulting Depression and the Blackshirt marches in the 1930s. Although a seemingly unassuming woman getting on with ordinary life, through various circumstances, she comes across such dignitaries as Anthony Eden, Augustus John and Alexander Korda. I particularly enjoyed this aspect because it gives a realistic sense of the times. All the characters are vividly portrayed and I felt involved in their lives from the beginning. The research is spot on and the author paints a vivid picture of the times and places without the descriptions being too obtrusive.

[Judith Barrow]

I was really looking forward to reading Everybody’s Somebody. This is my kind of book, set in an era I have read and researched. I wasn't disappointed; the story has  a true sense of the time, the place, the people. Told with great attention to period detail, there are some lovely passages of descriptive writing, particularly in relation to the interior scenes of buildings and houses.

The characters are well drawn: Rosie Goodison, the protagonist, has many layers; loyalty, love, pride, independence, and holds a great sense of self-preservation. I empathised with her from the word go. I had reservations sometimes with Jim, Though sensitive to a point with Rosie, I found him to be slightly self-centred and self-indulgent. But, for me, this was a sign of good writing, he is brilliantly  rounded. As is his sister, Kitty. And I liked the friendship and solidarity the two women are shown to share.

One of the themes running throughout the book is that of these two women, as well as others, fighting to asserting themselves, both within relationships and in society. This struggle is carried out before a backdrop of patriarchy,  poverty, unemployment and the devastation of the First World War. It is obvious that the author has researched both the social, economical and political backgrounds and changes: the book covers the Suffragette movement, WW1,the London floods of 1928,.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the few problems I had with Everybody’s Somebody are slight and two of the reasons are purely personal. But to balance the review, I will mention them here.

The first is with the dialogue. I found the overuse of dialect a bit irritating and, for me, there was little to distinguish the voice of one character from another,especially between Rosie and Kitty. This wasn't helped by the 'head-hopping ' between them; in the middle of one character's point of view, the voice of one of the other character would pop in.

And, for me, the dropping in of so many names of famous people in real life at that time felt contrived. One or two would have worked. As far as I was concerned so many were not needed; it's blatantly obvious the author knows this era like the back of her own hand.

And, also, sometimes I felt as if time was skimmed over; I was just settling into a certain scene or set of circumstances and  the story moved on. However this is a personal thing; I so love this era I just wanted to read more about particular scenes or circumstances. I do realise that this could have made the book impossibly long,.. though it did cross my mind that Everybody’s Somebody could have stretched to a sequel... even a trilogy. 

But, as I've said, I'm only adding the above to balance the review.  I really liked this book, the plot is excellent with many twists and turns and Beryl Kingston has an easy to read writing style.

I would recommend Everybody’s Somebody to any reader who is interested in history, feminism and family sagas with a hint of mystery.

 

[Bonnye Reed]

GNA This historical novel, set in England from pre-World War One to pre-World War Two, is an excellent study of life during that period, and crosses class boundaries as well. We follow closely the life of Rosie, a dairyman's daughter, as she finishes school and goes out to work as a maid at twelve years old. We know her husband Jim, a dock worker before the war, and a store clerk after when his permanent injuries preclude manual labor. We are also at home with Gerry de Silva, a Jewish artist who uses Rosie as a model for many years, and are allowed to watch the children of their extended families grow up. Altogether an excellent novel, well peopled and historically correct. I was interested with the coverage of the Nazi party in London before WWII - you don't see that mentioned very often. Everybody's Somebody is a book I am happy to recommend to friends and family.

I received a free electronic copy of this historical novel from Netgalley, Beryl Kingston, and Endeavour Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date July 31, 2017
rec Nov 11, 2017
Endeavour Press
Not available at B&N.

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books)]

What I Loved: This simplicity of this story was wonderful. I loved following this one woman's life.

How I Felt: Rosie made me nervous at times. Her choices were spontaneous and stubborn, but always to better her family. My only complaint about this book is the writing style to show the way the character's speak. When I first started the book, I had a hard time with some of the sentences. It is written as some speaking in a cockney accent. So the words are broken and it makes the sentence jilted. I hand to read many sentences more than once. That said I loved this story.

To Read or Not To Read: This is a To Read. A historical fiction novel covering world war 1 through the beginning of world war 2. It touches on the Wall Street crash as well.

The book starts with a class touring an art museum. A girl asks about a woman in a painting and is told she is no one of consequence. The girl feels that Everybody's Soomeone...and then we time jump to Rosie as a young girl waiting for her Pa to get home.

Rosie lives in the country with a poor family struggling to make it. Rosie is heading to her first job working in a castle. We follow Rosie as she busts her butt to keep stepping up in life; making her life better. She ends up in London where we encounter the artist from the painting. The story unfolds so beautifully going to through highlights in her life. It was a wonderful book and made me smile with happiness many times.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARac in exchange for my honest review.

All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/

[Mystica]

Rosie was not just somebody. For the late nineteenth century, she was certainly no pushover. She was not going to be happy or resigned to her lot, which seemed to be the idea of the working lot. They were born to it and there was no choice about bettering themselves. Rosie had ideas and she certainly was not going to let a bit of adversity or hard work get in the way of getting there.

I admired her spunk in the face of so much opposition. It was a time when women did what they were told to do by their parents or their husbands and most of them just buckled under. Rosie first as a maid - an understudy to a nanny made it her business to learn her trade and from there better herself.

After getting married, she ended up as a model for a famous artist, despite her husband's objections. Her first aim was just economic. It paid well and secondly it proved to be a learning experience in love for her. She balanced her career as a model, and on the other a loving mother and a wife admirably.

Set during the beginning of WWI and the ominous beginning of Hitler the story told how these wars affected directly and indirectly the rural population of Britain . It was insidious but a deep rooted effect on the entire population and affected entire generations.

[Virginia Tican]

A very realistic account of a brave and courageous girl's journey from her early teens as a nursery maid on to other jobs to better herself and profit from life's lessons to marriage, ww1, an affair with her painter/employer for which she served as a model and yet still maintained her marriage. It takes a certain amount of courage and a flexible yet controlled moral compass to do what she did. For all her infidelity (not a focus just for contrast), she was still a good and supportive wife to Jim when he needed her (though he does not deserve to be cuckolded), she made use of birth control methods available at that time for health and economic reasons (she was not truly religious so no conflict there, though she was a decisive realist), she was a very reliable daughter and a good sister to her siblings and a fun and good friend and sister~in~law to Kitty plus a proud and caring parent to her girls. In other words she was just being herself, a fairly "decent" human~being. Dear reader, I present to you Rosemary Goodison Jackson, our Rosie!

[Melissa]

I enjoyed this story as it was an easy read and I was intrigued by the main protagonist, Rosie’s character. Such a strong character, particularly as it is set in the early 1900’s with lots about the Women’s Movement, many true historical events and two strong relationships between Rosie and her husband Jim and artist Mr de Silva.
I loved the mention of Piccadilly Circus, Pall Mall and knitted bathers which made the story come alive and believable. Rosie had a fortunate life, very lucky but the ending came quickly and I felt it was rushed and left open. Perhaps a sequel is coming?
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story.

[Lindsey]

Another enjoyable novel by Beryl Kingston. Rosie, the female lead, is feisty and indomitable. I couldn't agree with all her choices, but looking at the life she created for herself amidst humble conditions left me cheering for her at every turn (and silently chastising her at times.) Remarkably well-drawn characters and setting will transport you from the present and wanting to know more about the "somebody" that Rosie truly was. I was drawn in from the intriguing prologue and enjoyed it right until the last chapter. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed or incomplete, or perhaps I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to my new friends.

[Hannah Symonds]

I do like a good historical read especially when it is something I am interested in. This is Southern England up until 1939 and we see how Rosie Goodison copes with life as a twelve year old girl. It is a tale about a young girl who makes the best of what life throws at her. I found her a strong and determined young girl. The descriptions are very well detailed and very informative. I felt I learnt a great deal about that era from this book. I liked the dialogue too it made it more realistic. I hope there is a book two as it seemed like the ending wasn't really finished with yet.

[Helen Christmas]

I really enjoyed reading this book. An uplifting family saga set at the turn of the 19C, written in a lovely flowing style and with characters who feel like real people. This story follows the life of a country girl, who begins work in service aged 12. Straight away she comes across as a strong character, but her compassion for others shines through.
Rosie is no fool though.
Even working in a nursery at Arundel Castle, she shows initiative and courage, enough to tackle those who think they know best, a trait that continues when she reads newspapers and discovers the unfairness in society. Tragedy follows with WW1 and the war scenes are not graphic but enough to depict the horror. It is amazing how Rosie uses her wits to adapt to each challenge, from caring for others, to making ends meet, yet always in control of her destiny.
Filled with interesting social history, this book was an inspiration to me and as a Sussex resident I loved reading about the familiar towns and settings. I look forward to the sequel.

[Kristina Anderson]

Everybody’s Somebody by Beryl Kingston is the story of Rosie Goodison. The book opens to students admiring paintings done by Gerard de Silva in an art gallery. The girls are drawn to four painting (one for each season) with one woman featured. There is no mention of the model’s name and the teacher states she is no one of consequence. Rosie Goodison is twelve years old and heading off to work at Arundel Castle as a nursery maid. Rosie is a determined, smart young woman. She questions the roles of woman and those of the working class. Rosie is soon unsatisfied with her work in the nursery and looks for a better position. Rosie is lucky when she obtains the position of housekeeper for Lady Eden’s two sons for the summer. It gives Rosie a chance to read the latest newspapers and hear the news regarding the war that is erupting throughout Europe. After the summer, Rosie decides to venture to London where she works at the RAC Club in Pall Mall. Rosie is exposed to new experiences thanks to her new friends and coworkers. She soon meets Jim Jackson, a dockworker. When conscription begins, Jim is called up and off to war. Rosie continues her work at the RAC Club where she meets the artist, Gerard de Silva. The war continues, and it takes its toll on everyone. When the war ends, Rosie is reunited with her love. But life is not easy, and they struggle to survive. Rosie is fortunate to get a job modeling for Gerard. Will Rosie achieve her dreams? How will her life turn out? Join Rosie on her journey in Everybody’s Somebody.

Everybody’s Somebody is nicely written, but I found the pace a little slow. It is a simple story about the life of Rosie Goodison. Rosie wishes for a better life. She does not understand the division of classes. Rosie is a determined, intelligent feisty woman who struggles to survive in an ever-changing world. Personally, I did not feel the author pushed the character as far as she could have. I wanted to see Rosie achieve so much more (the potential was there). I felt the author captured the era with the language, clothing and descriptions (good attention to detail). It is evident that Beryl Kingston did her research. I did feel the name dropping of famous people was forced (too many names). It did not feel natural (at least for this book). I was not fond of the alternating POV (it pulls me out of the story). The author should have stuck with Rosie’s point-of-view for the whole book. It was difficult to discern the dialect of the characters. I was baffled (at times) by what the characters were saying (and the words were not in the online dictionary). The ending felt unfinished. The story could have used more editing (for content, pace, length). I did like how the story went full circle (the paintings). Everybody’s Somebody is a sweet, yet predictable story. The story is told, but it was not given life. I just expected more from the description.

[Jenny Reeve]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There are so many historical accounts incorporated into the story, some of which I was unsure if they were true facts or fiction, so I literally Googled the accounts only to find they actually happened! I had a few excellent history lessons while having the pleasure of enjoying a good book. This made the story even more interesting and exciting.

I felt exhilarated moving from one chapter onto the next, desperately wanting to read more of Rosie’s life. There are many up’s and downs folded and blended into the tale and the way in which Beryl Kingston writes is very sympathetic to each situation. She writes with affection, thoughtfulness and care using words to create such heartfelt feelings, bringing the book to life completely.

The relationship between Rosie, her husband Jim and Gerry the artist is captivating. I thought I knew where the story was going but then there would be another unexpected turn and I was taken on a different route.

Wonderfully written, beautifully perceptive. I loved this book.

[Trick Wiley]

I read this last year but didn't write a review! I am going to re-read this so I can read the second one in this series! I'm sure once I start to read it will come back to me! Then I will do a review!! I started reading,sure don't remember anything!! So,going to read them together, both which I got from Net Gallery! See you!! This really is a great book and I'm off to the second book! The characters you have no choice you will fall in love with. The time is just right before WWI, leading up 15 years later right before WWII! A bout Rosie's family,husband and two girls and their lives in England,the ups and downs of every day life and the other characters who touches theirs. The struggles,the heartache,the fun, and the love that only a family can bring !! Off to the second book I received from Net Gallery!

[Loraine Philliban]

Beryl Kingston enchanted me with this tale of life love families and the harsh reality of WW1.
Rosie was born and bred in the country into a hard-working family. Once she reached the age of 12 she left home to work as a nursemaid in service to the gentry. She soon discovered the huge divide between the working class and the wealthy aristocrats.
We follow Rosie and her family through her lifes journey sharing her happiness, sorrow, weddings and births and everything else life puts in her path .
A strong character who has an interesting journey and well worth sharing with us. Looking forward to the next book in this saga.

[Lindsey]

Another enjoyable novel by Beryl Kingston. Rosie, the female lead, is feisty and indomitable. I couldn't agree with all her choices, but looking at the life she created for herself amidst humble conditions left me cheering for her at every turn (and silently chastising her at times.) Remarkably well-drawn characters and setting will transport you from the present and wanting to know more about the "somebody" that Rosie truly was. I was drawn in from the intriguing prologue and enjoyed it right until the last chapter. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed or incomplete, or perhaps I just wasn't ready to say goodbye to my new friends.

[Trick Wiley]

Another well researched on this time in history for this woman to dig down deep and try.to make a difference in her.life,her families,her friends! What a time in history for woman to not to be overlooked anymore and to show that women are just as important as men and just as smart! This story takes you to hard times,sad times and happy times! Very strong characters that.really stick in your mind and think about later. This is a must read I received from Net Gallery. This could become a series not only books but tv.or movie. You will fall in love!

[Helen Manoli]

Received a copy of this book by Agora publications through NetGalley to give an honest opinion.
Loved this historical novel and Rosie, such a strong character,dealing with all her ups and downs,love, lost struggling to make ends meet.
Taking us from the beginning of the first world war to the start of the second,loved this book highly recommend it.

[Heather Bennett]

Everybody's Somebody is a fascinating historical story that was well researched. The reacts are nice and I enjoyed the characters.

[paul c hitches]

Good read

I have always enjoyed family sagas and this runs alongside some of the best I have read, will read more of this ladies books

[Kat M]

This was a good read, the characters were interesting and I enjoyed reading this book. I'll be interested to see where the series is going and more from the characters.

[Heather Temple]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was a lovely tale of survival family, war and love. The only thing I found disappointing was that it had to end. I do think that it is sort of set up for a follow up book which I really hope there is.