Charlotte struggles to gain back her life…

This quote is perfect for the theme of this book:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. –”
― R Zaccharias

Charlotte commits a sin that will change her future forever. Because of this sin, she is forced to cover up the truth. I don’t normally enjoy books that have a deceptive thread but the characters in this book tried to be truthful and the plot led the reader through the perils of sinful consequences.

Other reviews have stated a lot of this storyline so I will add that although a bit naive, the main character gives herself to a man, so whether to read this story or not would be an individual decision and not a blanket recommendation for a certain age group.

Simon Prebble has a pleasant, authentic voice and tells this story well. ( )

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As a single mother this hit home for me. Reminds me what mothers sacrifices for for their children. Lovely read. ( )

My feelings on this are mixed. For a first novel, it was decent, but I'm so glad I read a couple of her newer ones first. I don't think I would have sought out more of her books if this were the first one I'd read. I can't really put my finger on one particular thing---just a strange, all over the place story. The Lizette's last scene seemed contrived and very rushed, which caused it to lack the intensity that would normally accompany such a tragedy. The final "twist" at the end concerning Edmund's future was MESSED UP. No---totally not into that. However, the character of Charlotte definitely spoke from a true mother's heart and I found myself sobbing more than once. I'll be keeping this for my permanent collection. ( )

I really don't know how to review this book. It is the author's first novel, and I think it shows. The plot went all over the place, so just when I thought I had it figured out, something else happened. Some things were rather cliché (mad wife in the attic, anyone?), improbable or unnecessary. The ending was too pat and perfect, with characters conveniently dying off at the perfect times.

Some characters didn't seem to be developed enough so they didn't behave very realistically. I am sorry to say there was a Girl Ahead of Her Time™ (10-year-girl who wears pants and has short hair; and the main character doesn't think anything of it).

The lying-in hospital/wet-nursing aspect of the book reminded me of Esther Waters by George Moore. If that kind of thing makes you feel uncomfortable you won't like this book.

Despite its problems, I did enjoy some aspects of this book.

Note: The main character, Charlotte, is expecting a child out of wedlock, and one of the flashback scenes is particularly inappropriate, although the author was trying to be tasteful.

Oh, one more thing: I think Edmund should have at least found out Charlotte was his mother after she died or something! How did it stay a secret anyway? Didn't Katherine and Beatrice suspect? ( )