A Mother's Shame

by Rosie Clarke

East End of London
Maggie Bailey has not had an easy childhood. Her father, Michael, always too easy with his fists after spending the family’s rent money down the pub.

Just sixteen, in love and blinded by promises, Maggie sees marriage to handsome Jack as her great escape. However, she soon finds herself abandoned with a beautiful baby when Jack disappears. Maggie is forced to seek a new life away from the East End of London and finds herself a job at a hotel in Eastbourne.

Here she must learn to fend for herself and also accept a shocking discovery that she was fostered as a babe and nothing is known of her real parents.

Her employer, Aunt Beth, is kind and her life improves – but Maggie makes one mistake after another and, eventually, they lead to a terrible tragedy that will bring her to the point of no return.

Will Maggie ever find true happiness and discover the secret of her birth?

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED as ALL MY SINS

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction

316 pages, Paperback

First published July 5, 2022

Reviews

[Carol Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the Rosie Clarke books I’ve read are excellent!!
Not too sugary! Not Ever repetitive! Beautifully researched! I think I’ve read them all but I’ll let you know if I find one really dreary one :)
She’s a natural.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rosie Clarke's books and she is one of my go-to historical saga authors. I have enjoyed her Harpers Emporium series as well Blackberry Farm and a few of her standalones. A MOTHER'S SHAME is simply delightful and although heartbreaking it is also a heartwarming tale.

Set in London, the story begins in 1925 and Maggie Bailey is living with her mother, father and younger brother Robin. Her elder sister Sadie is married, lives a few streets away and is expecting her first baby. Her father is an abusive brute who is quick with his fists with her mother and lately has set his sights on Maggie. But she stands her ground and locks her bedroom door to stop him from venturing in at night.

Maggie works at a bakery bringing home the much-needed income to support her family, particularly when her father becomes unable to work after an incident involving a pan of hot water. Now her mother must nurse her father and Maggie must find herself a second job working nights to earn the income her father would have down at the docks. She meets Bill Biggins and his wife Ann who are thrilled to give her a job in their cafe. Ann is expecting a child and is unable to put in the long hours. Soon Maggie is running between her day job at the bakery and her hours at the cafe. But when Bill offers her a better wage to work there full time, Maggie is thrilled.

It is when she is walking home from the cafe one evening that she meets Jack Holmes who charms her off her feet almost at once. The two are no strangers to each other having crossed paths on occasion but now that she is almost 17, Jack has thrown his cap at Maggie and they soon find themselves walking out together. But Jack has big plans for himself and Maggie. He wants to marry her but not yet...not until he has established himself well enough to take care of her. But when circumstances arise, Maggie escapes her abusive home life to marry Jack.

If she thought life was to be a bed of roses after her marriage to Jack, she was to be sadly mistaken. But Maggie wears no rose coloured glasses and knows not to expect much from life. When Jack disappears, Maggie despairs as to how she will cope on her own, particularly when her only friend succumbs also. She decides to make a new life for herself outside of London and ventures to a place she has only heard about. Her responsibilities continue to pile up as do the tragedies that follow her. She is determined to make something of herself by improving her life, and that of her brother Robin, and tackling whatever comes her way. But life continues to throw cruelties and injustice her way and in another bid to escape, Maggie finds herself in yet another situation she has stupidly put herself into in a bid to give them a roof over their heads. So what else is there to do? Escape yet again. It seems that Maggie does a lot of running away in this story but she also made a lot of stupid decisions as well.

Throughout the story, Maggie is on a journey to find herself and her place in life. Little did she know she didn't have to go far to find it...for it landed in her lap when she least expected it. It was the most heartbreaking and touching moment for what was lost, what could have been and what never will be. But it was also a promise of a new life, a chance to do what she always wanted to do and to love and be loved. The mystery behind her parentage is cleverly woven into the story and is something of a poignant touch.

Poor Maggie certainly didn't have much luck through most of the story. Tragedy seemed to follow her where ever she went. But she faced them with strength and resilience...and still came through the other side. A MOTHER'S SHAME is a poignant story that is a well written addictive read from start to finish. I especially loved the format in which it was written with Maggie retelling her story to the Sally Army man, Thomas, going back and forth as her story unfolded. It was different perspective for Rosie Clarke but it works incredibly well and I loved it.

I loved A MOTHER'S SHAME so much more than I thought I would and has to be my favourite of the author's thus far. I thoroughly recommend it for fans of historical fiction sagas.

I would like to thank #RosieClarke, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AMothersShame in exchange for an honest review.

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

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Rosie’s work for a few years now. By no means have I caught up with everything that she has written, which is something that I hope to rectify fairly soon. I read the synopsis of ‘A Mother’s Shame’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Rosie – a dramatic family saga, which is guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings. Well ‘A Mother’s Shame’ was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Mother’s Shame’ but more about that in a bit.
I warmed to Maggie from the very start and it didn’t take me long to feel as though she had become a very good friend of mine. I really felt for the character of Maggie Bailey. When the story starts, we learn that Maggie has not got the easiest of lives for one reason and another. I don’t want to go too far into what happens but needless to say that I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to sort out those who upset her. Maggie is a kind, compassionate, sensitive, hardworking and loyal young lass who deserves a ‘happy ever after ending’. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
As with all of Rosie’s books, I was drawn into this story from the synopsis alone. As soon as I started reading ‘A Mother’s Shame’, I knew that I was reading something special and that I wouldn’t be able to put this book to one side for any length of time. That’s exactly what happened too. The book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. I would pick the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading several chapters and an hour later. My Kindle was well travelled as it accompanied me everywhere. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the story I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘A Mother’s Shame’ and I had to say goodbye to Maggie and the other characters. I found ‘A Mother’s Shame’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘A Mother’s Shame’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Rosie Clarke. Reading one of Rosie’s books seems more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a compelling story and then some. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly fast pace throughout. Reading ‘A Mother’s Shame’ felt like being on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns and so on. Rosie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes them seem just as real as you and I. I also love the way in which Rosie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘A Mother’s Shame’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rosie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best-selling author Rosie Clarke is back with a gritty, gutsy and dramatic new saga, A Mother’s Shame.

Maggie Bailey’s life is anything but easy. Her violent father is a drunk who spends every single penny her family has down the pub. Maggie would love nothing more than to escape the prison she is trapped in, so when she meets handsome Jack, she immediately falls head over heels in love with him. Blinded by Jack’s promises and desperate to make a happy home for herself far from her father’s tyranny Maggie soon finds herself pregnant. However, when Jack abandons her she finds herself completely alone and with nobody to turn to. What is Maggie going to do now?

Maggie leaves the East End and heads off to Eastbourne to start over. However, her fresh start is similarly fraught with hardship and sorrow. Not only must Maggie learn to fend for herself, but shocking secrets about her parentage come to light which make her realise that her entire life was built on a lie. Who were her parents? Will she ever find the happiness she desperately seeks? And can she ever find out the truth about her family’s past?

When her employer, Aunt Beth, takes her under her wing, it looks like Maggie has finally got somebody in her corner. But when tragedy strikes once again, Maggie wonders whether she will ever find somewhere she belongs and somebody to care for her. Or whether she will spend the rest of her life atoning for past sins and old mistakes…

Rosie Clarke is such a talented writer who writes involving, engrossing and heart-wrenching sagas that never fail to keep readers turning the pages. A Mother’s Shame is a tear-jerking tale full of incident, emotion and pathos written with plenty of heart that will keep readers gripped.

Maggie Bailey is a heroine that is impossible not to care for and symphatise with. Life has been tough on her, but what makes Maggie so inspirational is that she never gives up and keeps fighting even when the odds are stacked against her.

Rosie Clarke has done it again with A Mother’s Shame and written an enjoyable historical saga that will satisfy her legion of devoted readers and have them eagerly awaiting her next release.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This standalone story is starts in the East End of London in 1925, when you meet its central character, Maggie Bailey. She has a difficult life, living in a family where her father is a violent drunk who dominates her mother at the expense of his children. Times are certainly hard but you soon see Maggie's determination to work hard and to make a better future for herself and her little brother, Robin. Maggie has always felt that there is something behind her family's attitude towards her, which can be sharp and as the story progresses, you begin to find out why she has always felt a little different. The bonds of family are strong, despite the poverty, and Maggie always feels the tug of family ties.
You realise from the beginning that something catastrophic has happened and throughout the book, Maggie seems to be confiding in a mysterious figure. You see both sides of humanity in this story, those who are kind and those who can be cruel and at times, rough justice is meted out. As Maggie's story develops, more characters are added who all p[lay a part in her future. You are always aware of the injustice shown towards women at the time and will Maggie to step out from under a man's thumb. The story certainly evokes the gritty side of life for some in the late 1920's and the deprivations and unrest which led up to the General Strike. Above all, you see life from the point of view of the mothers who have to try to work, keep house and raise their children. Marriage gives them respectability but can come at a price. Maggie is a young girl when you first meet her but by the end of the story, she has matured and sorted out her own priorities. Although it is a standalone story, I could see a follow up, full of possibilities.
In short: period detail and engrossing characters
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother’s Shame by Rosie Clarke is an excerpt in the life of Maggie Bailey, a young woman living in the in-between times of the mid-1920s’ England. She lives with her parents and brother, Robin. She works all day, every day at a bakery and she enjoys it. Her father came home from the Great War damaged and takes it out on everyone by drinking and then beating her mother. One night she has enough and throws a pot of hot water at him. He’s burned, not badly, but now she has to find another job to replace his income, which was pretty much non-existent as he drank it all, anyway. She found work at a cafe with two kindly young people: Ann and Bill. Ann is heavily pregnant. They are both so kind and Maggie’s pay includes a meal a day. Life is good. She is stepping out with a lovely young man, Jack, and she is happy.

Things fall apart suddenly. So many things happen to her it is a wonder she can lift her head. She does move forward, though, and finds a new home with a kindly woman in Yarmouth. There she runs into a young man she had known at home and despite knowing it was the wrong thing to do, she marries him. She is a strong and decisive woman. Vowing not to follow in her mother’s footsteps she makes decisions that will affect her in so many ways down the road. This was a heart-breaking book, but well-done. Maggie was a strong, well-written character who knows her own mind. She takes care of others and always will. She knows where she is going, long-term, and I have no doubt she will succeed in her goals and in her life. Well plotted, lovingly drawn. An excellent read.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Mother’s Shame by Boldwood, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #boldwood #rosieclarke #amothersshame

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings, Abuse and alcoholism.
📖 Book Review 📖

A Mother's Shame
East End of London
Maggie Bailey has not had an easy childhood. Her father, Michael, always too easy with his fists after spending money down the pub. Just sixteen, in love and blinded by promises, Maggie sees marriage to handsome Jack as her great escape. However, she soon finds herself abandoned with a beautiful baby when Jack disappears. Maggie is forced to seek a new life away from the East End of London and finds herself a job at a hotel in Eastbourne. Here she must learn to fend for herself and also accept a shocking discovery that she was fostered as a babe and nothing is known of her real parents. Her employer, Aunt Beth, is kind and her life improves but Maggie makes one mistake after another and, eventually, they lead to a terrible tragedy that will bring her to the point of no return. Will Maggie ever find true happiness and discover the secret of her birth?

I was glued to the pages from the start of this book, so much so that I had to stop quite a few times and look around to remember where I was. Rosie Clark certainly has a talent of making you feel like you are there in the story. The cover of this book is what drew me in first and then the story definitely does it justice. I didn't want to finish it because it so good, I had tears in my eyes. I was so happy to be apart of this tour and A Mother's Shame was an extraordinary read for my first ever blog tour. I can honestly say I will be highly recommending this one especially if you like historical fiction.

My rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/3OQ0RR0



#amothersshame #blogtour #bookreview #historicalfiction

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set between the world wars in England, A Mother's Shame is about a young girl's very difficult life; her sorrow, her moments of joy, her choices, perseverance and hope. It is also about the effects of familial and romantic relationships as well as friendships and how they mold and shape people.

Maggie's home life was horribly abusive. Her responsibilities were many and she worked incredibly hard. She had no choice. At 16 she tried an escape route but her responsibilities continued to pile up. She was driven and determined to improve her life and that of her younger brother Robin but suffered from injustices. She found versions of love in different forms. Unfortunately, her decisions were not always good ones and she was ostracized in unexpected ways. Her jobs were educations in themselves. Not only that but everyone had secrets!

My favourite aspects are the threads of mystery woven into the story including Maggie's parentage and disappearance of a loved one. I could almost feel Maggie's despair in her words, thoughts and actions. Her special relationship with her brother is heartwarming. Talk about a riveting and emotive story!

Written poignantly and beautifully in Rosie Clarke fashion, this stand alone book is not to be missed particularly for those who are avid Historical Fiction fans and is also a great starting point to become immersed in the genre.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this heart crushing yet wonderful book.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-breaking is the word that kept springing to mind throughout this dazzlingly intense saga. The prologue is absolutely heart-breaking and sets the tone superbly. I just had to find out what had happened to this poor young girl.

Rosie Clarke has the creative knack of generating characters that just tug at your heart strings. She writes with a sensitivity that breathes life into her brilliantly real and believable characters.

I found Maggie the most endearing young woman who has suffered greatly at the hands of her parents, mostly her father. She is trusting and goes through life trying to do the best by the people she loves yet she keeps being knocked down at every turn.

A Mother’s Shame is an engaging read that takes you through such a sad story that I was left feeling emotional and somewhat drained. Poor Maggie, I just wanted to take her by the hand and show her a happy ending. Will she ever get that happy life that she, more than anyone deserves? This is where you will have to get a copy of this epic Historical saga to find out Maggie’s fate. I truly loved every page.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mother’s Shame draws you in from the first page and doesn’t disappoint. It is set between the world wars in England and tells the story of Maggie Bailey who is from a small dysfunctional family. The book develops strongly as Maggie goes through life’s trials and tribulations with great strength and resilience.

Rosie Clarke has a wonderful way with descriptive words and there are threads of mystery woven into the story including Maggie’s parentage and disappearance of a loved one. Her special relationship with her brother Robin is really heartwarming.

A Mother’s Shame is a very good read, written poignantly and beautifully. It has all the hallmarks of the female struggle to survive in those harsh times. There are so many hurdles for Maggie to navigate but she seemed to be more than capable of overcoming them. This is a very emotive read and I felt all of Maggie’s pain and despair.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a tale about strong characters and enjoys good Historical/Family saga’s.

[Anne Mackle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rosie Clarke's books. This one is set in London in 1925. Maggie is living with her mother and father and young brother. Her sister is married, lives a few streets away and is expecting her first baby. Her father is a drunken brute who Maggie fears so much she has to lock her bedroom door. He is abusive to her mother and scares both Maggie and her young brother.

When a tragedy happens, those closest to Maggie let her down in the most awful way and she is left to fend for herself. Just as she is finding peace she makes a wrong decision which plunges her back into a nightmare of not knowing who to turn to.

Poor Maggie didn't have much luck through most of the book. Heartbreak after heartbreak occurred in what is a really good story. The times she lived in were hard for women and made even harder by men who didn't care how they treated women they were supposed to love.
Another page turner by Rosie Clarke.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rosie Clarke's historical novels and A Mother's Shame didn't disappoint me. Maggie works hard but her father is brutal. When both her ma and pa die, Maggie sets about finding somewhere for her and her brother to live but, in the meantime, he stays with their older sister. Maggie decides to marry Jack and live in his house with his mother; unfortunately, circumstances mean Robin is placed in social care and he isn't allowed to be removed. Maggie is distraught but realises she must get on with life all the while looking for Robin in the hope of being reunited. You really do need to read this book to get the full story; Rosie drew me in from the very first page and I was glued to my iPad until I finished! I felt as though I was the proverbial fly on the wall, as part of the story. The characters are so relatable. I loved it!

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Gripping, Wow, an incredibly gripping story. Maggie is such an interesting character who lives in the London Docklands. The story is set a few years after WW1 with people still struggling to make ends me and find work, add to that the ghosts of war and this is where the story starts. Maggie has an older sister called Sadie who is expecting a baby with her husband and lives with him close to her family home, her younger brother Robin is a skinny sickly young lad who needs a lot of care and attention. Her mother is downtrodden and beaten regularly by her drunkard of a father who sadly struggles with the demons of war. He often spends his wages on alcohol, leaving the family without rent and food money. Maggie works all the hours god sends to support her family. Then one day...her world is turned upside down. To find out more, I recommend you take a chance on this amazing book.

[H.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally read thinking it was a bedlam story on kindle, it wasn’t but still enjoyed it. A good story if a bit predictable. The plot was quite obvious and everyone and everything that could go wrong did in a string of pearls feel sequence of events which wasn’t at all surprising. So there was little intrigue gripping me to the story. You could too easily predict what was coming next. The characters were well formed but I didn’t find myself feeling overly emotional where I should have been, the main character went through so much tragedy and I wasn’t welling up. I felt really sorry for the girl she had dreadful luck but I didn’t feel as emotionally connected as I’d have liked. However it was atmospheric and immersive and I finished the book. The end was predictable as well though still satisfying and pleasant, I was pleased for Maggie.

[Carol Mageean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley in granting this book in return for an honest review. Love Rosie Clarke and this book being a standalone was of a very high standard.

This tale about Maggie Bailey who has not had an easy childhood. Her parents unfortunately do not provide her with a good start in life her father, , Michael, always too easy with his fists after spending the family’s rent money down the pub and her mother showing little interest in protecting her.

The book develops strongly as Maggie goes through life’s trials and tribulations with great strength and resilience.

Really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who likes a tale about strong characters and a proper conclusion.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie Clarke is one of my favourite authors and when I hear she has a new book out i don’t even read the book blurb I just dive straight into the book. So when I was invited to take part in the ‘BlogTour’ for ‘A Mother’s Shame I didn’t have to be asked twice. I just love when I start a book and after the first few pages I’m completely and utterly engrossed with the story. Well this was what happened in this book it was simply and utterly amazing. I honestly couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough find our what was going to happen.to Maggie and her family. I honestly can’t recommend this book highly enough, especially for fans of historical saga books. A massive 5⭐️ from me.

[Princess A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Mother’s Shame" by Rosie Clarke is a historical drama set in the early 20th century, exploring themes of family, societal expectations, and personal redemption. The story typically centers around a woman facing social stigma and personal challenges, often involving complex relationships and emotional growth.

Clarke’s novel is praised for its detailed historical setting, engaging plot, and well-developed characters. It delves into the struggles and triumphs of its characters, offering a compelling narrative for readers who enjoy historical fiction with emotional depth and social commentary.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a dramatic family drama this is the one.

Set in 1920s London it will pull at your heartstring.

It center's around the main character Maggie Bailey, from childhood to adulthood she struggles with what life throws at her. From a drunken wife bashing father to true love to kindness, frustration, and determination.
Maggie is a strong likable character.

What a lovely book, I was totally engrossed from page one. If I want a good saga to read I always head to Rosie Clarke. She really knows how to write a great story and this time once again she didn't let me down.

[Becca McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the young, female protagonist from the abusive home of her father to abandonment by the father of her baby and then a tragedy in the moment she almost finds peace. In the end, the small bits of joy feel grander than they are.

So kudos to the author for making me think and feel this much with a simple story. I can feel the depth of research in every scene. It’s good historical drama,

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite goodmistakes , timing out and repetitive. Aunt Beth was only in her forties but was made to se

This was good but quite a lot of mistakes , timing out and repetitive. Aunt Be,th was only in her forties but was made to seem a lot older. At the end Thomas said she was young when she had Maggie but she was only about 47 and Maggie wasn't even 20 which meant she was 27 at least when she had her. A lot of things didn't tie up

[Joyce Swaim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart gripping novel about how the choices one makes influences not only that person's life but others besides,causing heart break with devastating consequences. I would have liked a different ending but alas, that is how real life is. This book has many colorful characters; some of whom I thoroughly detested!!!!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes drama, tear-jerking episodes and believable characters.

[Sally Spoelstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mother’s Shame

A well written story that takes place in the 1920’s. The central theme is the social stigma of unmarried mothers at that time. It leads to many poor decisions and much unhappiness.
It is worth reading while also thinking about today’s social climate and its impact on women.

[C.M. Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dare you to put this book down!

This was an amazingly written book. So different from much of the historical romantic happily ever after themes and yet it ended unexpectedly well. I stayed up reading this book all night long. When my eyes got tired I asked Alexa to “read my book.”

[Mrs J A Saxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

I loved this book from beginning to end . It's an easy read with not too many characters so you forget who's who. Times were bad at first but improves until something unexpected happens but I don't want to spoil the plot. Sit and relax and start reading this moving story.

[Judie Hufford · Rating 5 out of 5]

great reading

This was a book I had a hard time putting down and was sorry when it ended. I would love to know how Maggie made out with her tea shop and how Beth and Robin grew up. Maggie was such a great person although young and did make mistakes but hopefully Lear Ned from them.

[Lynda Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.Poor Maggie had a really hard life but luckily it all came right in the end.Although it was hard going reading it due to the tough life that Maggie had I could not put the book down.I needed to know what happened next.I shall look forward to reading more of Rosie Clarkes books.

[Kathy Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a read

On the whole I enjoyed this book. A good , engaging story. One silly thing annoyed me, the phrase "looked at me oddly " kept popping up! For some inexplicable reason it bugged me! Apart from that , something to get lost in!

[Lois Nuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mothers Shame

A real page turner for me, I stayed Up all night not able to sleep without knowing what would happen next. Maggie was too young to know such heartache, I wanted her to find happiness. A must read.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read that took me a while to be in the mood for but once I was, I couldn't stop. It's hard to describe this book and it's themes. It's largely so removed from everything I know, that it felt like looking through a small window into someone's home and seeing things i'd only ever heard about in stories. I say this as praise because it isn't always easy to get a reader interested in a situation that's not relatable to them but this book manages it masterfully-

[Mrs Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

So lovely!!

This is such a lovely story. Maggie went through so much hardship. It would be nice to know if she made it with her tea shop and how Robin and Beth went on. Thanks again, Rosie.