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A Mother’s Gift
Previously published as ‘There’s Always Tomorrow’.
A dramatic read from Sunday Times bestseller, Pam Weaver, filled with family, scandal and friendships that bring hope in the darkness. The perfect read for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee.
When Dottie’s husband Reg receives a mysterious letter through the post, Dottie has no idea this letter will change her life forever.
Traumatised by his experiences fighting in World War II, Reg isn’t the same man that Dottie remembers when he is demobbed and returns home to their cottage in Worthing. Once caring and considerate, Reg has become violent and cruel. Dottie just wants her marriage to work but nothing she does seems to work.
The letter informs Reg that he is the father of a child born out of a dalliance during the war. The child has been orphaned and sole care of the young girl has now fallen to him. He seems delighted but Dottie struggles with the idea of bringing up another woman’s child, especially as she and Reg are further away than ever from having one of their own.
However, when eight-year-old Patsy arrives a whole can of worms is opened and it becomes clear that Reg has been very economical with the truth. But can Dottie get to the bottom of the things before Reg goes too far?
A dramatic read from Sunday Times bestseller, Pam Weaver, filled with family, scandal and friendships that bring hope in the darkness. The perfect read for fans of Katie Flynn and Maureen Lee.
When Dottie’s husband Reg receives a mysterious letter through the post, Dottie has no idea this letter will change her life forever.
Traumatised by his experiences fighting in World War II, Reg isn’t the same man that Dottie remembers when he is demobbed and returns home to their cottage in Worthing. Once caring and considerate, Reg has become violent and cruel. Dottie just wants her marriage to work but nothing she does seems to work.
The letter informs Reg that he is the father of a child born out of a dalliance during the war. The child has been orphaned and sole care of the young girl has now fallen to him. He seems delighted but Dottie struggles with the idea of bringing up another woman’s child, especially as she and Reg are further away than ever from having one of their own.
However, when eight-year-old Patsy arrives a whole can of worms is opened and it becomes clear that Reg has been very economical with the truth. But can Dottie get to the bottom of the things before Reg goes too far?
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2011
93 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Pam Weaver
29 books118 followersAfter training as a Nursery Nurse in the 1960’s, I worked in children’s Homes, private day nurseries and as a Hyde Park nanny. My experiences are in Bath Times & Nursery Rhymes which became a Sunday Times best-seller.
I started writing in 1990’s with small magazines and specialist publications, finally branching out into the women’s magazine market in 2001. I have since written more than 200 articles and at least 150 short stories. They’ve been in Take A Break Fiction Feast, Woman’s Weekly Fiction Special, Weekly News, My Weekly and People’s Friend. Some have been in anthologies with the proceeds going to charity. The Fantastic Bubble was repeated on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
My novels are set in Worthing; There’s Always Tomorrow (2011) Better Days Will Come (2012), Pack Up Your Troubles (2013), For Better For Worse (2014), are all published by HarperCollins Avon. Blue Moon (2015) & Love Walked Right In (2016) are published by Pan Macmillan. I also have a couple of novellas on Kindle. Emily’s Christmas Wish (2015) and Amy’s Wartime Christmas will be released in October 2016
If you are looking for murder mystery and intrigue in a saga… look no further!
I started writing in 1990’s with small magazines and specialist publications, finally branching out into the women’s magazine market in 2001. I have since written more than 200 articles and at least 150 short stories. They’ve been in Take A Break Fiction Feast, Woman’s Weekly Fiction Special, Weekly News, My Weekly and People’s Friend. Some have been in anthologies with the proceeds going to charity. The Fantastic Bubble was repeated on BBC Radio 4 and the World Service.
My novels are set in Worthing; There’s Always Tomorrow (2011) Better Days Will Come (2012), Pack Up Your Troubles (2013), For Better For Worse (2014), are all published by HarperCollins Avon. Blue Moon (2015) & Love Walked Right In (2016) are published by Pan Macmillan. I also have a couple of novellas on Kindle. Emily’s Christmas Wish (2015) and Amy’s Wartime Christmas will be released in October 2016
If you are looking for murder mystery and intrigue in a saga… look no further!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 4, 2016
This story was so boring and unbelievable..Dottie was the most silly woman I have ever read about.
How can you live with a husband like hers and not throw him out?. the home belonged to her.
They had no children but she excepts his child.. coming all the way from Australia?
Misery death of her aunt.. a tramp hanging about?
Dottie you have no brain..
No this book is not for me.
How can you live with a husband like hers and not throw him out?. the home belonged to her.
They had no children but she excepts his child.. coming all the way from Australia?
Misery death of her aunt.. a tramp hanging about?
Dottie you have no brain..
No this book is not for me.
April 5, 2019
I first read this book under it's previous title and loved it a story of Dottie her marriage to Reg and all her friends.This book tells the story of how Reg(not his real name)makes dotties life hell but with the love of her friends she survives and reaches her dream.Highly recommended 5*
March 25, 2019
Dottie
A fantastic book by this author 5 STARS for a brilliant read i must try some more from this author .
A fantastic book by this author 5 STARS for a brilliant read i must try some more from this author .
April 10, 2012
Maybe 2 stars is a little harsh, but I was distinctly uninspired by this book. I found it a bit predicatable, the storyline was just a bit meh. The author seemed to have researched the era well, but this meant there was too much detail in some really miniscule details, such as what road the train station was on and how much things cost. I found the main character, Dottie, a bit annoying and simpering. Anyway, it passed a few days of my life and I couldn't wait to finish it but not in a good way!
October 21, 2015
A really horrible book.
December 2, 2016
Great read,
May 3, 2025
Heartwarming
I love the friendships and how good will always shine. I love
Seeing women even in history struggled but together were able support each other and path the way for us today.
I love the friendships and how good will always shine. I love
Seeing women even in history struggled but together were able support each other and path the way for us today.
March 3, 2018
This book was ok. Not as good as I thought it was going to be but it was readable.
March 7, 2018
A gentle local mini saga based in the Worthing area, full of historical references and believable characters.
April 14, 2019
A romance, mystery, twisting life story of a young English woman. Different.
October 28, 2019
Read more than 30% of the book, but gave up. A plain and boring book.
November 14, 2020
Nice book to read. Interesting with secrets, but not heavy either. Medium heavy i would say. Perfect story set in 1950s.
September 22, 2021
Good vacation, page turning read. A bit unrealistic with some of the bad things, where it seemed added just to be added. The girl gets the boy in the end, so a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
Pick me up read
I really enjoyed this book it was a good read. Real friendship and love .
Showing how street and villages pulled together and help each other.
I really enjoyed this book it was a good read. Real friendship and love .
Showing how street and villages pulled together and help each other.
June 17, 2024
A good story
Excellent writing with a great story line. Could not put it down once i got into it. Now its time to read another of her books
Excellent writing with a great story line. Could not put it down once i got into it. Now its time to read another of her books
October 21, 2025
really good book. kept me gripped. very easy to start again where I put it down. good storyline and plot. few twists. good ending. would read pam weavers books again.
September 30, 2016
Great
Kept me reading all night. Guaranteed to keep you wanting more from this author. I can't wait to read the next book.
Kept me reading all night. Guaranteed to keep you wanting more from this author. I can't wait to read the next book.
Read
June 30, 2011When Dottie’s husband Reg receives a mysterious letter through the post, Dottie has no idea that this letter will change her life forever. Traumatised by his experiences fighting in World War II, Reg isn’t the same man that Dottie remembers when he is demobbed and returns home to their cottage in Worthing. Once caring and considerate, Reg has become violent and cruel. Dottie just wants her marriage to work and tries hard to please Reg, although nothing she does seems to work.
The letter informs Reg that he is the father of a child born out of a dalliance during the war. The child has been orphaned and sole care of the young girl has now fallen to him. He seems delighted but Dottie is far from pleased and struggles with the idea of bringing up another woman’s child, especially as she and Reg are further away than ever from having one of their own.
However, when eight-year-old Patsy arrives the smile is wiped off Reg’s face – Patsy is far from what he had expected. Patsy’s arrival opens a whole can of worms and it becomes clear that Reg has been very economical with the truth. But can Dottie get to the bottom of the things before Reg goes too far?
A compelling family drama that will appeal to fans of Maureen Lee, Lyn Andrews, Josephine Cox and Annie Groves.
The letter informs Reg that he is the father of a child born out of a dalliance during the war. The child has been orphaned and sole care of the young girl has now fallen to him. He seems delighted but Dottie is far from pleased and struggles with the idea of bringing up another woman’s child, especially as she and Reg are further away than ever from having one of their own.
However, when eight-year-old Patsy arrives the smile is wiped off Reg’s face – Patsy is far from what he had expected. Patsy’s arrival opens a whole can of worms and it becomes clear that Reg has been very economical with the truth. But can Dottie get to the bottom of the things before Reg goes too far?
A compelling family drama that will appeal to fans of Maureen Lee, Lyn Andrews, Josephine Cox and Annie Groves.
June 13, 2020
For me this book began well but tailed off. I liked the period detail and the strong picture painted of life for the wife and mother in 1951 Britain, with the harsh relentless housework and pleasure in little things. But I found I switched off as the story line developed with Reg's unsavoury life unfolding and the overdramatic plot to resolve his difficulties.
June 9, 2012
Brilliant! I can't put it down.
November 4, 2013
I loved this book because it was set in my home town
October 5, 2016
Loved it !
November 15, 2022
A fabulous book. Not what I was expecting at all. Well worth a read
November 4, 2015
An easy book to get into but very emotional as time went on.
Want to read
May 21, 2019recd from Amazon 5.21.19
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews