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East End Saga #5
Lily of Love Lane
1930, the Isle of Dogs. Young Lily Bright works long hours on a market stall, selling furniture and bric-a-brac in order to make ends meet. When a handsome stranger approaches in search of a bargain, It's love at first sight. Swept off her feet, Lily falls for the debonair Charles Grey - only to discover, too late, that he is not what he seems. Pregnant, Lily turns for comfort to her childhood friend Ben James, but as World War II looms, Lily must find the courage to seize control of her own destiny, confront her past mistakes and win true love...
2 pages, MP3 CD
First published August 1, 2008
7 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Carol Rivers
36 books86 followersI’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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 25, 2021
Oh how I enjoy this author's books! I loved spending time with Lily, Hattie, Ben, Reube and Uncle Noah.
Uncle Noah, who is brother to Lily's Mum, Josie, is a 65 year old bachelor and an absolute hoot. He adores Lily, and it's clear from the beginning that he wants the best for her.
Reube and Ben James are brothers who live across the way from Lily. Lily works for Reube on his market stall selling furniture and bric-a-brac but times are so hard after the Great War and the general strike in 1926.
I love history and even with this, a fictional story, the author weaves historical fact in and it made for not only an enjoyable read, but an informative one, too.
I really liked Lily who has a caring nature and I really felt her worries regarding her parents. I felt that she took on so much responsibility and put others before herself.
Trouble is brewing in the country, particularly in London, and I could really see the scenes play out before my eyes. The Eastenders can foresee another war, and I could feel the tension between the parties and it really opened my eyes that some things will never change.
Lily meets Charles and is smitten and as the story unfolded I actually started talking to myself: What Lily should do, what she shouldn't do. She had experienced so much and I wanted her to have her happy ever after. I felt glad that she had Hattie, Reube and Ben who cared for her. Now Ben, we all need a Ben in our lives!! I adored him and shall miss him the most.
I loved the community spirit, even if the neighbours are a bit nosey! And though times were extremely hard for them, they always rallied round and had a good knees up!
This book is very well researched and the author writes with empathy on the sensitive issues. In those days it was much harder for people, times were very different and I felt emotional reading it. I wanted to help - it felt so real.
I loved everything about this story, it is a must-read! You will fall in love with the characters, hate one, and feel a range of different emotions.
Carol Rivers's writing is addictive - and that's a good thing!
Uncle Noah, who is brother to Lily's Mum, Josie, is a 65 year old bachelor and an absolute hoot. He adores Lily, and it's clear from the beginning that he wants the best for her.
Reube and Ben James are brothers who live across the way from Lily. Lily works for Reube on his market stall selling furniture and bric-a-brac but times are so hard after the Great War and the general strike in 1926.
I love history and even with this, a fictional story, the author weaves historical fact in and it made for not only an enjoyable read, but an informative one, too.
I really liked Lily who has a caring nature and I really felt her worries regarding her parents. I felt that she took on so much responsibility and put others before herself.
Trouble is brewing in the country, particularly in London, and I could really see the scenes play out before my eyes. The Eastenders can foresee another war, and I could feel the tension between the parties and it really opened my eyes that some things will never change.
Lily meets Charles and is smitten and as the story unfolded I actually started talking to myself: What Lily should do, what she shouldn't do. She had experienced so much and I wanted her to have her happy ever after. I felt glad that she had Hattie, Reube and Ben who cared for her. Now Ben, we all need a Ben in our lives!! I adored him and shall miss him the most.
I loved the community spirit, even if the neighbours are a bit nosey! And though times were extremely hard for them, they always rallied round and had a good knees up!
This book is very well researched and the author writes with empathy on the sensitive issues. In those days it was much harder for people, times were very different and I felt emotional reading it. I wanted to help - it felt so real.
I loved everything about this story, it is a must-read! You will fall in love with the characters, hate one, and feel a range of different emotions.
Carol Rivers's writing is addictive - and that's a good thing!
January 7, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this book. Storytelling at it's best.
February 28, 2019
A very good read
March 30, 2016
I was in a rush to start another book by carol (hectic life at the moment with a poorly family dog Sandy she has been confirmed with diabetes she's my mum's going on to nearly 13 yrs and still has her cheeky moments .... but vet said till sandy's sugars come down she be still up and down.. friends and family have wished us all well with her ... so a massive heart felt thanks to tho to whom have spread there healing thought's and prayers too .. It mean's a lot ..Bless you !!! )
Ok so on to the 2nd book of Carol River's ..... all i can say it's caught Lily in a triangle the love of her folks and her best friend and working on the market
Secretly wanting another man (besides Ben who has worshiped and adored Lily from a young age till now just turning 21 ).
Plus getting her Father (who seems to have ill health).
Now the other gentleman who has let it known that his wife has died a couple of years ago.
To cut a long story so far .... he has offered her a job, (bed and board as it would cost too much to travel each time but it seems he ( I nick name the crook) has more planned for Lily and marriage has not been discussed let alone an engagement and her best friend has sussed this out and alarm bells are rings but Lily can't hear them yet!!!.
Well, you will just have to read the book (not sure if it's on audio but books keep the imagination flowing).
Once again i would say it looks like another wonderful book from Carol Rivers.... Just like Maureen Lee and Dee Williams and Joan Jonker (these ladies and others i have read just wonderful all have you wanting to be there and have a cuppa tea , gossip and a scone )..... lovely they make great aunts or relations .. but as we know it's all thanks to the people whom help these ladies as they were perhaps very young or not old enough to remember all of what went on .....
I can't wait to retire to bed and see what lily has decided what her plans will be ...I don't think her parents will be over joyed ... Will You !!!will carry on once i have read on more and more .Enjoy!! the book.
Ok so on to the 2nd book of Carol River's ..... all i can say it's caught Lily in a triangle the love of her folks and her best friend and working on the market
Secretly wanting another man (besides Ben who has worshiped and adored Lily from a young age till now just turning 21 ).
Plus getting her Father (who seems to have ill health).
Now the other gentleman who has let it known that his wife has died a couple of years ago.
To cut a long story so far .... he has offered her a job, (bed and board as it would cost too much to travel each time but it seems he ( I nick name the crook) has more planned for Lily and marriage has not been discussed let alone an engagement and her best friend has sussed this out and alarm bells are rings but Lily can't hear them yet!!!.
Well, you will just have to read the book (not sure if it's on audio but books keep the imagination flowing).
Once again i would say it looks like another wonderful book from Carol Rivers.... Just like Maureen Lee and Dee Williams and Joan Jonker (these ladies and others i have read just wonderful all have you wanting to be there and have a cuppa tea , gossip and a scone )..... lovely they make great aunts or relations .. but as we know it's all thanks to the people whom help these ladies as they were perhaps very young or not old enough to remember all of what went on .....
I can't wait to retire to bed and see what lily has decided what her plans will be ...I don't think her parents will be over joyed ... Will You !!!will carry on once i have read on more and more .Enjoy!! the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2015
An enjoyable and quick read with likeable characters. Lily was an innocent young woman who came from a poor area of London and worked on the markets. She met and feel in love with a rich mysterious gentleman by the name of Mr Charles grey, he employed her as his livein assistant but she dreamt of more and developed a hopeless crush on him. Ben her childhood friend always dreamt that one day they would marry but lily only saw Ben as a friend. With the 2nd war looming and the blackshirts trying to take a hold on the dockers would ly listen to the rumours about Charles or would her infatuation keep her blind to what was going on.
Don't want to say much more as I'd risk spoiling the story, it is rather predictable but worth a read and gives some really good detail of the history of the time.
Don't want to say much more as I'd risk spoiling the story, it is rather predictable but worth a read and gives some really good detail of the history of the time.
October 20, 2022
I love this author’s books, this is my second by her and I just love them so much! The writing style is so easy to fly through and the storyline was so interesting I just couldn’t put it down as I wanted to know what happened next.
The story follows Lily, Hattie, Ben, Ruebe and Lily’s mum, dad and her uncle Noah. I just adored each character and their personalities I just thought that added so much to the story. Lily was such a loveable character and as much as I wanted her to settle with Ben, I did find her relationship with Charles very interesting but I knew from the beginning Ben was for her.
The story didn’t involve much romance which was a shame as that would of been such a lovely addition, the story had so much happening in the end I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I find the author seems to research a lot for her stories which is always nice and there is always sensitive topics spoken about but the author writes with empathy.
Incredible story with incredible characters and I can’t wait to read another book by this author, incredible!
The story follows Lily, Hattie, Ben, Ruebe and Lily’s mum, dad and her uncle Noah. I just adored each character and their personalities I just thought that added so much to the story. Lily was such a loveable character and as much as I wanted her to settle with Ben, I did find her relationship with Charles very interesting but I knew from the beginning Ben was for her.
The story didn’t involve much romance which was a shame as that would of been such a lovely addition, the story had so much happening in the end I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I find the author seems to research a lot for her stories which is always nice and there is always sensitive topics spoken about but the author writes with empathy.
Incredible story with incredible characters and I can’t wait to read another book by this author, incredible!
October 24, 2019
Set in the 1930's in London's Isle of Dogs Lily Bright works on a market stall . It involves long hours but she is happier there than she would be working in one of the many factories in the East End .
When one day a handsome stranger comes to the stall Lily is swept off her feet . Charles Grey is much older than her and out of her class but she falls in love anyway .
Soon she finds that he is not what he seems . Why is he keeping a large house empty ? Where does he go abroad ?
Lily will have to turn to her childhood friend Ben when her world comes tumbling down .
A vivid picture of life in the East End just before War breaks out.
When one day a handsome stranger comes to the stall Lily is swept off her feet . Charles Grey is much older than her and out of her class but she falls in love anyway .
Soon she finds that he is not what he seems . Why is he keeping a large house empty ? Where does he go abroad ?
Lily will have to turn to her childhood friend Ben when her world comes tumbling down .
A vivid picture of life in the East End just before War breaks out.
January 24, 2019
An excellent book
As usual Carol Rivera delivers another great book. I read this book in 2 days it was that good The lives of Lily's family was so real and heartwarming. I just couldn't put it down.
As usual Carol Rivera delivers another great book. I read this book in 2 days it was that good The lives of Lily's family was so real and heartwarming. I just couldn't put it down.
October 13, 2021
Charming long read depicting the hardships of East End London before World War two. Lily is a naive, loving daughter and friend who supports her family and has a heart of gold but not everyone is kind hearted and lovely Lily could be in danger of being taken advantage of.
September 28, 2022
A very good read. Lily and Ben were such great characters .
July 27, 2025
This dragged like a mf but it was cute
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews