Cinderella Sister

by Dilly Court

Lily Larkin is the youngest of six and the least important member of her family. With their father dead and their mother a stranger to them, she must stay at home and keep house whilst her elder siblings go out to work. As she goes about her daily chores, her head is full of dreams. And she longs for the day she can have a life of her own.





When a fire threatens to destroy the nearby docks, Lily's act of kindness towards a handsome foreigner has disastrous consequences for the whole family. For shortly afterwards they are thrown out of their home and have no choice but to move into two mean rooms above the fire station where Lily's brothers work. Here the family struggles to make ends meet. But just when things might be looking up for them all, Lily makes a terrible error of judgement. In anger her eldest brother turns her from the door. Forced onto the streets, Lily wonders if she'll ever see her family again...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance, Audiobook, Young Adult

477 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 2, 2011

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok book easily read with a lot of good fun characters and an ok plot.
I say this often that I realise times were different and girls were more naive and innocent but seriously they really do my head in at times for how stupid they are..meet a man,say 10 words to him and suddenly their in love,like wise up!
Lily was ok but she really never stood up for herself she was so pathetic at times and the way the men just controlled everything and she let them.
The ending was nice enough,if a tad predictable. It was all just a bit too mills and boon!

[Majka · Rating 1 out of 5]

congrats! this is the worst book I have read so far!

[Anthony L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story about Lily, the youngest of her family, who is overworked and unappreciated, yet uncomplaining and decent. Her family are struggling in poverty in 1880s London. Interesting themes developed around love vs sacrifice (i.e. her mum left her children for romance and lifestyle, whilst other characters continually sacrifice for others or for duty); also being open to opportunities, patience, love and making decisions in life.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just read a new copy of this story with a different cover. I was very glad to come across it as it's one of the few Dilly Court books that I haven't already devoured.
As usual with Dilly Court's books I found myself lost in her world, wonderful characters and backdrops form the basis of a story filled with 'Dilly' charm.
Pure escapism.

[Elinor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started a bit slow and the constant pining of all the female characters after Armand was a bit annoying and repetitive, but once it got going and the plot started moving I enjoyed it and its full of likable characters :)

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters had some strong traits which was good but didn't really stick to them. A lot of events were over quickly and chances to give good description and create deep emotion was passed over. Difficult situations were reacted to with a laugh which was hard to believe . It contradicted itself a lot, whether it was the events or the characters which made it even harder to believe and the description was constantly repeated. The plot was Ok though and it was an alright read.

[Dianne Kinghorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good... Needed a change from all the action I've been reading.... Kept me up at night also much to the annoyance of other half!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and it was something a bit different from Dilly Court.

[Bibi Kortekaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually miss the world I had escaped to during the rest of the day. One of my favorites of her so far in that the characters are more rounded and the main character isn’t all knowing or gets het way all the time which many of her other books that I have read do have. Matt and mark were quite dull and at times matt was way too unreasonable. Some sentences were really beautiful and actually hinted at a deeper emotion and human experience.

[♡ Rosella Swan ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot and the writing was good. But I was frustrated by the decisions made and not even explained clearly or fully. Lily's family seemed heartless, selfish and uncaring at times and the turnaround was so abrupt that I just.... The story was nice but I wasn't very into it.

[Elaine Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read couldn't put this book down.

[Maria]

plot: all scandals of all jane austen books crammed into one..

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant read if a little predictable. Strong likeable characters. All in all a lovely jolly through London in simpler/tougher times.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. A bit long perhaps. Predictable and kind of turned into a bodice ripper (almost). I didn't quite finish it to be honest however.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely done. All got their happy endings so I liked it.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Tina Hogben · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read

[Mingina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*sigh*

[Naomi Stock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot slow, very predictable. Felt like a Mills and Boom book, really put me off Dilly Court. The Workhouse Girl was so much better.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy reading dilly court books loved the story to start of with but ending abit disappointing still want to read more of her books.

[A Novel Idea]

Requested by Sharon Govender

[Crazy_smiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't say I understand the title Cinderella Sister.

[Claire Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

😽😻📚Claire Bear & Mel Mel's Book Reviews 📚😻😽 'Cindrella Sister' by Dilly Court
Genre: Historical Fiction & Family Saga Fiction.

About the Book: Set in East London - 1880. "Lily Larkin is the youngest and least important member of her family. When tragedy strikes, she is left at home to look after the house whilst her older siblings go out to work. As she goes about her daily chores, her head is full of dreams, and she longs for the day she might have a life of her own. When a fire threatens to destroy the nearby docks, Lily's act of kindness towards a handsome foreigner has disastrous consequences for the whole family"

My Review: This is a brilliant read and I was hooked within the first few pages. The protagonist takes you on an emotional rollercoaster throughout their family heartache and joy. This novel evoked numerous emotions in me, which is a sign of an excellent story. The protagonist and the main characters are all three dimensional. The majority have depth and unique personalities. I could certainly see the reasons for their behaviours especially towards the end of the novel.
I love how the desire to paint and write is such a prominent theme (Granted not always positive) Yet, showing how the 'flow' of the creativity can have such a profound impact.
I applaud the author for bringing history to life and showing awareness of how awfully women were treated. In addition, how badly the classes were divided. Sadly, not much has changed in some areas of the world.
The romance towards the end of the novel is poetic and genuinely beautiful. The conclusion to the story is good and I feel most things have a satisfactory ending.

Sadly it is over descriptive in places and parts could have been left out to make it an easier read.

Triggers - Violence, Gun Shot, Minimal Sexual Violences.

I very much enjoyed this novel and I am looking forward to reading more of Dilly's books. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys similar genres.

Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.

If you would like to see more of my Book Reviews please visit - www.goodreads.com/clairebearmelmel
Or clairebearmelmel on Instagram

[Lou Sutton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a ploddy and rather haphazard storyline, with little substance IMO. Various parts that I felt were so erratic, and completely disjointed - for example one day Grandpa and Aggie were entirely unwelcoming to Armand and banished him from the home, stating ‘never come back’. The very next day he went there and they chatted to him normally, as though that had never occurred 🤔🤔
Rather odd.
I read Dilly Court more for the genre as I love Rosie Goodwin, Emma Hornby and Catherine Cookson novels but I’m afraid I find some of Dilly’s books similarly haphazard. I’ll stick with the others I think.
Only of course my opinion, others may feel differently. And I must add (reprieving myself) that I loved the family dynamic of Lily and her siblings! So nice to have a family who all love and care for one other, rather than the slightly too-commonly-portrayed-of-that-era squabbles and worse. Good characters, which rather softened the erratic plot. :)

[Charlotte · Rating 1 out of 5]

The entire way through there's too much description for it to be engaging, yet when it comes to meeting her Mother, it's over in a few pages with no build up, resulting in feeling very rushed. Other parts of the book that are intriguing are seemingly bereft of description, such as the fight between Gabriel and Matt. As for Chapter 21 onwards, it's so painfully rushed- especially in comparison to the frankly laborious to read prior chapters.
The entire way through there's too much description for it to be engaging, yet when it comes to meeting her Mother, it's over in a few pages with no build up, resulting in feeling very rushed. Other parts of the book that are intriguing are seemingly bereft of description, such as the fight between Gabriel and Matt. As for Chapter 21 onwards, it's so painfully rushed- especially in comparison to the frankly laborious to read prior chapters.

[Tasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another charity shop find of mine. I'm quite surprised how highly rated this book is on Goodreads. I did enjoy it, although it was a little bit all over the place, far too many different things happening at once.
The main characters siblings are intensely unlikable, and it's irritating how forgiving the main character is.
The ending was quite rushed as well, I would have liked an epilogue, or even just longer spent tying up loose ends and explaining the redemption of her siblings.
All that saying, it was an easy read, and was nice to escape into for a little bit.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've only awarded this book three stars, I actually did enjoy the story. The family's impoverished life-style was believable but some of the characters were really annoying. How the sisters all fell in love with the same man was absurd and their mother and her lover's dialogue and actions were equally irritating and comical. Towards the end of the book it turned ridiculous and unbelievable. The book was not quite up to the standard I expected.

[Joy K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this a generous 2 because it was tolerable till the middle when I realized I was not enjoying it. The dislike came on slowly, see.

Her writing is fine structurally but damn. No thanks.

For context, I enjoy the classics, modern romance, historical fiction, fantasy... I have a broad range for what I enjoy.

Not awful but it was kinda a waste of time.

[Mrs. G. Goddard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting at first but then became very drawn out. Towards the end, the story just became very far fetched and silly and I was glad when I got to the end
After a silly last part, it became just like a fairy story as they all lived happily ever after!!

[Kaz H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book, a change from my usual murder mystery. Each time I thought I knew what would happen next I was not exactly correct. The ending as kind of predictable however a thoroughly enjoyable read