The Meadow Girls

by Sheila Newberry

A warm-hearted and nostalgic family saga from the bestselling author of THE WINTER BABY and THE NURSEMAID'S SECRET.

August 1914. Twelve-year-old Mattie and her little sister Evie lead an idyllic life in the Suffolk countryside, playing in the meadows and picking watercress in the streams. Living with their family in Plough Cottage, little do they know that this perfect childhood will soon come to an end with the start of the First World War.

As the years pass the girls go on to live very different lives. Mattie travels from Suffolk to Plymouth and then to Canada and America, whilst Evie remains in England and pursues her career. But through marriages, deaths, births, war, heartbreak and distance, their bond remains strong.

More than fifty years later, will the two sisters finally be re-united to have their time in the meadows again?

'So gloriously nostalgic . . . a perfect example of her talent.' Maureen Lee, bestselling author of The Seven Streets of Liverpool

'Like having dinner with your mother in her warm and cosy kitchen.' Diane Allen, bestselling author of For the Sake of Her Family

Genres: Historical

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2020

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

1914. And sisters Mattie and Evie Rowley have difficult times ahead. Their two eldest brothers and men are joining the army. The girls live in the plough inn in the village of suffolk with parents Sophia and Will. MR B is a paying guest and paints a portrait of Mattie in a yellow dress and heads back to London and they never hear from him again. Mattie works in the local post office but come her eighteenth birthday wants to venture away and find a better job so the year 1921sets off to Plymouth for a postition in the emporium for the family the Fulliloves their rich relations but is told if she doesn't settle to come back. Such an enchanting read. That takes us through both sisters lives. It's a book to be enjoyed with added recipes at the end I certainly enjoyed it all.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and poignant story that kept me hooked till the end.
I liked the well thought cast of characters, the vivid and well researched historical background, and the plot that flows.
An engrossing and entertaining read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Ginette Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started the book I really enjoyed it, found it interesting and absorbing, but in the later stages it began to irritate me: I found the constant explanations of what was happening in the world unnecessary and the tone slightly patronising.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely story with fabulous charactors from the pen of Sheila Newberry i personally love a book that pulls you into the story and keeps you there till the last page.5*

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story. I found out this book was previously published as "The Watercress Girls".
I would have preferred more detail and perhaps only focusing on the war years.
This book tells the life stories of sisters, Mattie and Evie. From when they were little girls, till Mattie's death and Evie turning 100 years old. Family ties are strong even though for many years Mattie and her family live in Canada and America. Features lots of births, deaths and marriages, whizzing through the years at a pace.

[Ann Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mattie and sister Evie have a lovely childhood growing up in the countryside, a place famous for its watercress. As they grow up they are separated when Mattie travels first to Plymouth and then on to Canada and America. It is many years later before they are reunited.

[neil williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read.

Sheila Newberry never fails to please.
I really enjoyed this book following the lives of two sisters as they grow up and leave home.
A nice chilled read and easy to relate to.

[Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally like Newberry but I just couldn't get myself to finish this one. I didn't care about the girls. The story was a bit complicated, lots of characters introduced and the dialogue didn’t flow well. DNFed at page 50.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent read

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started this and couldn't get into it.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style of book as there wasn't the same suspense and intrigue that I like in a book .It was the 1st time that I'd read any of Sheila Newberry books not sure if I would read another

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once the book was past part one I couldn't put the book down finding out how the family progressed through life and more off spring appeared.