Bernadette Jiwa

Joan and her husband live in comfort, along with their daughter Carmel. She has been keeping a secret for 30 years from everyone she knows, even her daughter. Both Joan and Carmel work at the business and Martin's mother lives with them. The mother is one nasty piece of work and Joan has just about had enough. How much can one woman take from another woman? Joan is at her wit's end.

Prior to her marriage, Joan lives with her sister Teresa and their father. They come from a family of five and when their mother dies in childbirth, the younger siblings are removed from the home. After this happens, the father starts drinking heavily, not being able to care for the family, as soon as they can the girls get jobs just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

While working at the Candy Factory, she meets and falls in love with a delivery boy, unbeknownst to her, he is the heir to the family business, just doing deliveries between his schooling and breaks. They start dating, fall in love, and then Joan gets pregnant.

Martin has her come to England and live and work in a boarding house with a very nice lady who helps Joan all she can.

Joan is mistaken about the notion that they will get married and she will have a nice little family. Not happening as Martin is insisting that she give the baby up for adoption. She is horrified by the notion of giving her baby away but Martin can not see reason. "What will people think?" In the 60s it was taboo to get pregnant if unmarried. Joan capitulates and gives up her baby. She is absolutely heartbroken for 30 years and her relationship with Martin is strained almost to the breaking point. She is beginning to hate her mother-in-law and despises Martin for not standing up to her.

A letter arrives from the daughter she gave up for adoption wanting a favor from Joan. This favor is very important to Emma and her family. It could mean life and death. Joan talks to Martin about it but he forbids her from seeing the daughter, again "What will people think?" Joan has had enough at this time, tells Carmel about her past life, and decides with Carmel's help to help Emma.

Written in such a compassionate way and depicts how life was for unmarried pregnant women in the 1960s. I was rooting for Joan this whole time, hoping that she would finally stand up to Martin and tell him to go fly a kite! She needs to be able to make amends for her oldest daughter.

I love any book that takes place in Ireland and a story of an unwed, pregnant woman in Ireland really did have dire consequences for the mother and child. Most of the women were sent to live in what was called the Magdalene Laundries. That did not happen in Joan's case but she still lived with the guilt of what they had done.

This book I thought was very inspiring, what a person will go through and still persevere! I give the book 4 stars.… (mehr)

Joan has a secret. One she wishes she never kept. But, because of her situation, she felt it was better for everyone. However, as her life moves along and she gets older, she realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She is not sure if she can ever correct it or make amends for it. Due to a circumstance beyond her control, she just might get the opportunity to at least try and make it better. She knows she can never make it right but she just might have the chance to help every one heal from her terrible decision.

Joan definitely comes into her own as this story moves along. And I wanted to slap her husband and her mother-in-law so many times. And yes, I know quite a few people like that. I mean, GOD FORBID, that you do not come across as perfect. So, let’s damage everyone’s life to make sure yours is spotless. Can you tell this book elicited major reactions for me! That’s the sign of a good book!

The premise of this book has been used numerous times. But, it is never boring. And I love the way this author used this plot to create strong female characters, especially one which is a late bloomer. But when she decided to roar…she ROARED!

This is a captivating tale full of hurt, pain, love and healing.

Need just an all around great read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.… (mehr)