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The Rockwood Chronicles #4
Sunday’s Child
Don't miss the fourth book in the heartwarming six-part series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court!Left on the steps of an orphanage when she was just days old, Nancy Sunday was brought up in hardship - until the kindly Rosalind Carey took her in. Now eighteen years old, Nancy is an adopted member of the Carey family. But she can't help wondering who her parents really were...
When Nancy is sent away to finishing school, she finds herself in the midst of London society. There she meets Freddie Ashton - kind and warm-hearted, he might just be the man of Nancy's dreams. But she knows his wealthy parents would never let him marry a penniless foundling.
And she has also caught the eye of another man - the charming and dangerous Gervase North, who has reasons of his own for discovering Nancy's parentage.
Will Nancy ever find where she truly belongs?
When Nancy is sent away to finishing school, she finds herself in the midst of London society. There she meets Freddie Ashton - kind and warm-hearted, he might just be the man of Nancy's dreams. But she knows his wealthy parents would never let him marry a penniless foundling.
And she has also caught the eye of another man - the charming and dangerous Gervase North, who has reasons of his own for discovering Nancy's parentage.
Will Nancy ever find where she truly belongs?
500 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2022
133 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Dilly Court
83 books416 followersDilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 20, 2023
This is honestly one of my least favourite genre of books so I’m definitely not in the target audience for it, but I really didn’t enjoy it. I’ve read other saga novels before (by different authors) and had an alright time, but this just didn’t do it for me. It felt very bland, and didn’t really give us anything we haven’t seen done a million times before in fiction.
There were so many characters introduced in here really quickly that it had me a little confused. Throughout, there were so many names and so much going on simultaneously that it felt like if you weren’t familiar with the series beforehand you’d really struggle with it as a standalone. I understood it mostly by the end, but I still couldn’t name you most of the characters, their relationships or how they’re relevant to the plot in any way.
The pacing in here is quite quick, but simultaneously it’s quite dry in terms of plot and goes on for several hundred pages more than I felt necessary. The storyline was really basic and overdone, leaving us with the most predictable plot twists and ending that I could see a mile off. The beginning was mildly interesting and initially had some of my attention, but after a few chapters I unfortunately just got really bored of this one.
I didn’t care about any of the characters at all or what was happening. I think Nancy was okay, but her personality seemed to be all over the place. The rest of the characters seemed to fit into very rigid stereotypes and I didn’t particularly find them well written either.
Take this review with a whole heap of salt because to reiterate: I am not the target audience, and I knew before even picking this up it probably wouldn’t be something I’d be rating more than three stars. If you love saga novels and this author’s previous books, you’ll probably love the comfort of returning to familiarity here and that’s great!
There were so many characters introduced in here really quickly that it had me a little confused. Throughout, there were so many names and so much going on simultaneously that it felt like if you weren’t familiar with the series beforehand you’d really struggle with it as a standalone. I understood it mostly by the end, but I still couldn’t name you most of the characters, their relationships or how they’re relevant to the plot in any way.
The pacing in here is quite quick, but simultaneously it’s quite dry in terms of plot and goes on for several hundred pages more than I felt necessary. The storyline was really basic and overdone, leaving us with the most predictable plot twists and ending that I could see a mile off. The beginning was mildly interesting and initially had some of my attention, but after a few chapters I unfortunately just got really bored of this one.
I didn’t care about any of the characters at all or what was happening. I think Nancy was okay, but her personality seemed to be all over the place. The rest of the characters seemed to fit into very rigid stereotypes and I didn’t particularly find them well written either.
Take this review with a whole heap of salt because to reiterate: I am not the target audience, and I knew before even picking this up it probably wouldn’t be something I’d be rating more than three stars. If you love saga novels and this author’s previous books, you’ll probably love the comfort of returning to familiarity here and that’s great!
July 20, 2022
Yet another engrossing book from Dilly, so easy to read.
July 4, 2022
Wonderful!!
February 14, 2023
Brilliant, so many twists in this one. Can't wait to read the next
December 29, 2023
The fourth installment of this exciting series set in the windswept rolling Devonshire hills, SUNDAY'S CHILD is where foundling Nancy Sunday shines. Admittedly, at the beginning of this tale I found myself rolling my eyes at having to endure Felicia de Marney once again as this time she took on a more prominent role in the first third of the book. And I was hoping that Nancy would escape her clutches and stand up to the woman who is nothing short of a self-obsessed bully when the mood takes her.
Nancy Sunday came into the series in the second book as a young child Rosalind Blanchard saved from a life of servitude at the cruel hands of the vicar's wife Tabitha Shaw. Rosie took pity on the poor little waif and took her under her wing, educated her and discovered that she was not as stupid as Mrs Shaw had proclaimed her to be. But rather she was very bright and eager to learn.
However, Nancy never quite knew where she fit in at Rockwood. Rosie insisted that she be treated as a member of the family while Hester frowned upon such airs and graces and believed she should be trained as and live with the servants. So it's not surprising in the opening chapter of this book that Rosie and Hester are arguing as to to value of Nancy being sent away to deportment school to become a lady. Rosie has always insisted she was a valued member of their family while Hester believed that it was above Nancy's station in life and as a foundling, she should live a life of servitude and be treated as such.
Rosie, of course, won out in the end as she usually does and Nancy was sent to London to the Academy where she was to become a lady. She was there four months before the school treated the ladies to a night at the opera at which Felicia de Marney was the star. Having reunited with young Nancy after her performance, Felicia decided that she would be a perfect candidate for her accompanist to play pianoforte to her singing and attending to whatever else she desires. She was not paid a wage but rather Felicia gave her food and lodgings and paid for a new wardrobe that was fitting for a woman in her company. And yet, Nancy was still considered a servant.
It was while she had been at the Academy that Nancy met Freddie Ashton, heir the Donnington title and estate in Somerset. He was the only child of Lord and Lady Donnington who had already matched him with an heiress that he had no intention of marrying and did not approve of the friendship forming between their son and a foundling, as it was now widely known. Felicia also did not approve of their friendship and discouraged her at every turn. It wasn't until they were staying at Donnington Park that Nancy had had enough of Felicia's treatment of her and stood her ground, packing her trunks and leaving Donnington for Rockwood, but not before Lady Donnington had her say and ordering her to leave at once.
Nancy finds herself once again at Rockwood somewhat rudderless and feeling as if she doesn't quite belong. She longs to know where she came from, about her mother and father, who they were and why she was left on the steps of the orphanage almost nineteen years before. But it's a chance meeting with one Gervase North who believes himself to be the rightful heir the Greystone title and estate that sets her on a path to discover the truth about her heritage. And nothing could prepare her, or anyone else, for what she would uncover.
With the exception of the horrid Felicia de Marney (I wish she would fall under a carriage), I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment which was an improvement on the last one in which Patricia who, though she has now settled, is a little too much like her mother for my liking and I have never really warmed to her. I've always held a soft spot for Nancy and I was delighted that she had the opportunity to tell her story and to rightfully shine.
I can't wait to see what else Dilly has in store in the final two books "Snow Bride" (next) and "Dolly's Dream" (the final book).
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Nancy Sunday came into the series in the second book as a young child Rosalind Blanchard saved from a life of servitude at the cruel hands of the vicar's wife Tabitha Shaw. Rosie took pity on the poor little waif and took her under her wing, educated her and discovered that she was not as stupid as Mrs Shaw had proclaimed her to be. But rather she was very bright and eager to learn.
However, Nancy never quite knew where she fit in at Rockwood. Rosie insisted that she be treated as a member of the family while Hester frowned upon such airs and graces and believed she should be trained as and live with the servants. So it's not surprising in the opening chapter of this book that Rosie and Hester are arguing as to to value of Nancy being sent away to deportment school to become a lady. Rosie has always insisted she was a valued member of their family while Hester believed that it was above Nancy's station in life and as a foundling, she should live a life of servitude and be treated as such.
Rosie, of course, won out in the end as she usually does and Nancy was sent to London to the Academy where she was to become a lady. She was there four months before the school treated the ladies to a night at the opera at which Felicia de Marney was the star. Having reunited with young Nancy after her performance, Felicia decided that she would be a perfect candidate for her accompanist to play pianoforte to her singing and attending to whatever else she desires. She was not paid a wage but rather Felicia gave her food and lodgings and paid for a new wardrobe that was fitting for a woman in her company. And yet, Nancy was still considered a servant.
It was while she had been at the Academy that Nancy met Freddie Ashton, heir the Donnington title and estate in Somerset. He was the only child of Lord and Lady Donnington who had already matched him with an heiress that he had no intention of marrying and did not approve of the friendship forming between their son and a foundling, as it was now widely known. Felicia also did not approve of their friendship and discouraged her at every turn. It wasn't until they were staying at Donnington Park that Nancy had had enough of Felicia's treatment of her and stood her ground, packing her trunks and leaving Donnington for Rockwood, but not before Lady Donnington had her say and ordering her to leave at once.
Nancy finds herself once again at Rockwood somewhat rudderless and feeling as if she doesn't quite belong. She longs to know where she came from, about her mother and father, who they were and why she was left on the steps of the orphanage almost nineteen years before. But it's a chance meeting with one Gervase North who believes himself to be the rightful heir the Greystone title and estate that sets her on a path to discover the truth about her heritage. And nothing could prepare her, or anyone else, for what she would uncover.
With the exception of the horrid Felicia de Marney (I wish she would fall under a carriage), I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment which was an improvement on the last one in which Patricia who, though she has now settled, is a little too much like her mother for my liking and I have never really warmed to her. I've always held a soft spot for Nancy and I was delighted that she had the opportunity to tell her story and to rightfully shine.
I can't wait to see what else Dilly has in store in the final two books "Snow Bride" (next) and "Dolly's Dream" (the final book).
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 9, 2024
The Rockwood Chronicles, #4
Left on the steps of an orphanage when she was just days old, Nancy Sunday was brought up in hardship - until the kindly Rosalind Carey took her in. Now, eighteen years old, Nancy is an adopted member of the Carey family. But she can't help wondering who her parents were....
When Nancy is sent away to finishing school, she finds herself in the midst of London's society. There she meets Freddie Ashton - kind and warm-hearted, he might just be the man of Nancy's dreams. But she knows his wealthy parents would never let him marry a penniless foundling. And she has also caught the eye of another man - the charming and dangerous Gervase North, who has reasons of his own for discovering Nancy's parentage.
In this series, there's always some kind of drama or tricky situation going on. This book is mostly based on Nancy's story. She was found on the steps of an orphanage, she went to work for a minister's wife who treated her badly, and where Rosalind Carey rescued her and brought Nancy up as part of the family.
I love Dilly Court's writing style, she makes her books so easy to read that you don't realise you have just read 500 pages. I enjoyed reading Nancy's story and the antics some of the other characters got up to. The characters are well-developed, the pace is steady in this thoroughly enjoyable read.
#KindleBook
Left on the steps of an orphanage when she was just days old, Nancy Sunday was brought up in hardship - until the kindly Rosalind Carey took her in. Now, eighteen years old, Nancy is an adopted member of the Carey family. But she can't help wondering who her parents were....
When Nancy is sent away to finishing school, she finds herself in the midst of London's society. There she meets Freddie Ashton - kind and warm-hearted, he might just be the man of Nancy's dreams. But she knows his wealthy parents would never let him marry a penniless foundling. And she has also caught the eye of another man - the charming and dangerous Gervase North, who has reasons of his own for discovering Nancy's parentage.
In this series, there's always some kind of drama or tricky situation going on. This book is mostly based on Nancy's story. She was found on the steps of an orphanage, she went to work for a minister's wife who treated her badly, and where Rosalind Carey rescued her and brought Nancy up as part of the family.
I love Dilly Court's writing style, she makes her books so easy to read that you don't realise you have just read 500 pages. I enjoyed reading Nancy's story and the antics some of the other characters got up to. The characters are well-developed, the pace is steady in this thoroughly enjoyable read.
#KindleBook
August 1, 2022
I'm a big fan of Dilly Court and I do enjoy this Rockwood series. For me it's the rest of the family that made this book a lot more enjoyable than if it had largely been only Nancy. There are always plenty of dramas and dilemmas involving the whole family.
Nancy never really had a role that was just her own in this book, yes she wants to know where she came from and throughout the book she begins to find out. But everything else that she is involved in is always someone else's drama, she puts herself in place as the saviour or the one that must deal with it. She just feels like a character in a book and not a main character and for this reason I just can't warm to her too much. I do like her feisty side and how she always stands up for herself.
I can't say I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series for Nancy, but rather to find out what the rest of the family are up to. Perhaps Nancy will grow on me in the next book, we shall see.
Nancy never really had a role that was just her own in this book, yes she wants to know where she came from and throughout the book she begins to find out. But everything else that she is involved in is always someone else's drama, she puts herself in place as the saviour or the one that must deal with it. She just feels like a character in a book and not a main character and for this reason I just can't warm to her too much. I do like her feisty side and how she always stands up for herself.
I can't say I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series for Nancy, but rather to find out what the rest of the family are up to. Perhaps Nancy will grow on me in the next book, we shall see.
December 15, 2024
Key take-aways
- Nancy embarks on a journey to find her true identity. As much as her surrogate family loved her, Nancy sometimes felt like an outsider.
- Nancy often brought herself down because of her history as a foundling found on the steps of an orphanage then entering into a life of servitude but rescued by a Lady who took pity on her. Because of this Nancy did not feel she deserved a man from the upper class.
- Freddie chose to marry for love rather than wealth despite his parents wanting him to match a heiress. His pleasant manners, his caring nature and his ability to be practical as well as helpful were natural traits of his despite him being a Lord.
- some people will go to extreme ends to get what they want. Their lies will become their truth. Gervase slot himself into the life of Tommy, kidnapped Nancy and fabricated his real family just to claim Greystone Park as his rightful inheritance.
- Nancy embarks on a journey to find her true identity. As much as her surrogate family loved her, Nancy sometimes felt like an outsider.
- Nancy often brought herself down because of her history as a foundling found on the steps of an orphanage then entering into a life of servitude but rescued by a Lady who took pity on her. Because of this Nancy did not feel she deserved a man from the upper class.
- Freddie chose to marry for love rather than wealth despite his parents wanting him to match a heiress. His pleasant manners, his caring nature and his ability to be practical as well as helpful were natural traits of his despite him being a Lord.
- some people will go to extreme ends to get what they want. Their lies will become their truth. Gervase slot himself into the life of Tommy, kidnapped Nancy and fabricated his real family just to claim Greystone Park as his rightful inheritance.
November 17, 2025
I absolutely love The Rockwood Chronicles. It’s like stepping back in time to an era we can only imagine. Great family stories of hardship and survival. A real Upstairs Downstairs!! I only discovered the author Dilly Court recently. I will be reading all her books because I love her writing and stories. I’m learning lots of new words too - thank goodness I have a kindle to look up the words!!!
July 11, 2022
Fab book following the rockwood chronicles.
July 15, 2022
Unputablydown (If there is such a word)
I loved this story, as I love all of Dilly Courts books . I rush through my chores looking forward to next part of the story.
I loved this story, as I love all of Dilly Courts books . I rush through my chores looking forward to next part of the story.
July 31, 2022
fast tracked through this so I could read the last one. found it rather slow going, but the others weren't.
September 7, 2022
Book 4 of the Rockwood chronicles and I've enjoyed them all. Dilly Court writes in an easy to read way, drawing you in to the storyline. Looking forward to book five, of the six, in October 2022!
October 2, 2022
A good read.
October 27, 2022
Loved it and I couldn't put it down onto the next
Well worth the read and now on to the next book the story is keeping you hooked to find out what happened or happening
Well worth the read and now on to the next book the story is keeping you hooked to find out what happened or happening
October 29, 2022
Another good book from Dilly Court, just couldn’t put it down. So easy to read and just get immersed in it. Loved it.
December 6, 2022
Fantastic story
Another fascinating novel spun around a very believable family kept my attention from start to finish. Can't wait to move on to next book
Another fascinating novel spun around a very believable family kept my attention from start to finish. Can't wait to move on to next book
January 11, 2023
Really enjoyable.
Enjoyed another great story as always from this author, the storylines are great and fell so real. You imagine you are there in the story.
Enjoyed another great story as always from this author, the storylines are great and fell so real. You imagine you are there in the story.
March 2, 2023
This is book 4 on the rock wood series loved it
The story is based around Nancy 5* for this
Ready to start book 5 loved this series so far 👏🏻👏🏻😍
The story is based around Nancy 5* for this
Ready to start book 5 loved this series so far 👏🏻👏🏻😍
March 12, 2023
great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, absolutely loving this series and when started could not put it down. Looking forward to reading the next one
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, absolutely loving this series and when started could not put it down. Looking forward to reading the next one
March 23, 2023
Love the whole Rock wood Chronicles
March 27, 2023
On to the next book in the series, excellent
April 28, 2023
Brilliant
May 29, 2023
A lovely and memorable story 🤗
September 20, 2023
It's a wonderful book in the Rockwood Chronicles. I have read all in the series and just ordered the book no. 6.
Well worth reading.
Well worth reading.
March 12, 2024
Excellent read every page was interesting and made me want to read further. All the books so far in this series has been good due to Dilly courts immense writing skills
June 2, 2024
Fantastic and lovely to read , not to difficult to start and keeps you gripped all along . Wonderful.
June 24, 2024
Another great story....can't wait to find out what happens in book 5
June 25, 2024
Treat Book
I have thoroughly enjoyed all four of these books in this. Series and am looking forward to the other 2 books. I like Dilly Court as an author.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all four of these books in this. Series and am looking forward to the other 2 books. I like Dilly Court as an author.
August 31, 2024
Really enjoying The Rockwood Chronicles series. Looking forward to the last 2 books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews