Lynn Johnson

Honestly, I was on a deadline when I was reading this and I just couldn't make myself read any faster. I was totally immersed in the time period, lost in the lives of the characters the author brought to life before my eyes, and there for every up, down, and in between with my heart in my hand. When Ginnie and her mum and da first go to the workhouse, I was shattered. How could they let Mabel go stay with the Aunty, but NOT Ginnie? Was there truly not enough room for such a little girl? Then when the visits didn't come from the outside, and sometimes not even within the "estates" walls, I felt the trembling of my shattered heart going dormant...and yet unable to stop hoping that something would change for the better. Then, as life often does, things DID change...

Clara became a dear heart that ended up parting ways from Ginnie way too soon. Sam started as her most innocent of loves and grew over time to be truly "the one" that may or may not ever actually have to chance to be something more to each other outside the walls of Haddon House, and yet it didn't stop them from dreaming, from holding on to each other's hearts with all their might. Even when times separated them, they still managed to keep the other as a tender possibility for a future they dared to imagine. Mary was an unexpected connection, but one that was no less genuine than the rest. She provided a mother/sister figure in time for Ginnie, as well as the other girls, while sharing not a drop of blood. Constance was another unexpected friend in the making, and just goes to show you that your class does not determine the size of your heart. Of course, we also have Ginnie's blood relation family, but the funny thing is...I hold more fondly to those she chose to be in her circle, per se, than to those that we granted the right biologically.

Through the voices of these characters (and more!), the author winds her story around your person and snares your heart. You can't help but hope for something more for Ginnie, Sam, and the others, while still holding tight to the richness of what they do have, albeit not countable in silver or gold. The historical events they are living through certainly color their lives, but in spite of the harshness, they become truer versions of themselves, reaching for a tomorrow that they certainly know isn't promised, yet can't help but try for. Though filled with much darkness and despair, there is also hope and love...and that my friends is certainly worth reading for.


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own… (altro)