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Ruby
As a former evacuee, feisty Ruby is forced to fend for herself when she returns to her family in London. Set in the aftermath of WW2, this gripping saga is richly evocative of the period and shows the true grit of our heroine Ruby. Home is where the heart is... After having lived peacefully in Cambridgeshire as an evacuee, 15-year-old Ruby Blakeley is bought back to reality when her bully of a brother Ray comes to take her home to East London. Far from being welcomed back with open arms, Ruby finds herself being treated as a skivvy by her widowed mother and subject to a tirade of taunts from her two brothers. Things get worse when she becomes pregnant. Unable to tackle her family, Ruby runs away and makes a new start for herself in Southend. But she soon finds she can't escape her past. A hard-hitting, gritty drama that will appeal to fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court.
- GenresHistoricalFiction
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
30 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 7, 2013
I won this book from Avon Books through a giveaway on twitter. I'm interested in books set around the time of both the wars anyway, and love reading about evacuation, so I this book had me intrigued.
We see fifteen year old Ruby being forced to move back home to London after living in the countryside for five years with her 'foster parents' if you will. From there, Ruby's life goes downhill. She is constantly being made to skivvy after her mum and three brothers, having to look after her grandmother and being treated badly by her older brother Ray who has taken on the role of man of the house. What's worse is that her family will not let her visit Babs and George, her evacuee family. They tell her that they don't want her any more, which leads to Ruby then doubting whether to believe them or not.
I loved the character of Ruby because she seemed so innocent and naïve, she was good to her family, until they started treating her like a housemaid. She then gets involved with the local badboy, Johnnie Riordan, because he seems to be a nice, caring boy who wants to help Ruby see Babs and George. What she doesn't at first know is that he holds a grudge against her brothers. As a consequence of this and Ruby's innocence to city life, she winds up getting pregnant and not knowing what to do about it.
Later, once Ruby has had the baby and it is no longer in her care, she ends up living in Southend, running a hotel. Here she befriends Gracie, who I loved. The two girls were just so right for each other. (I am also pleased to tell you that Marie Maxwell has only just released a new book, titled Gracie, which I can't wait to read!)
Although Ruby has moved on, her past still comes back to haunt her. She still regularly sees her daughter, which is hard for her; I found myself sympathizing with Ruby, as having to see your own child grow up believing someone else to be their mother must be incredibly difficult. After years of not seeing anyone from her past, all of a sudden, and not by accident, old faces start reappearing all at once. There is an added element of secrecy in this book, which makes it exciting to read.
A great historical read which I definitely recommend!
We see fifteen year old Ruby being forced to move back home to London after living in the countryside for five years with her 'foster parents' if you will. From there, Ruby's life goes downhill. She is constantly being made to skivvy after her mum and three brothers, having to look after her grandmother and being treated badly by her older brother Ray who has taken on the role of man of the house. What's worse is that her family will not let her visit Babs and George, her evacuee family. They tell her that they don't want her any more, which leads to Ruby then doubting whether to believe them or not.
I loved the character of Ruby because she seemed so innocent and naïve, she was good to her family, until they started treating her like a housemaid. She then gets involved with the local badboy, Johnnie Riordan, because he seems to be a nice, caring boy who wants to help Ruby see Babs and George. What she doesn't at first know is that he holds a grudge against her brothers. As a consequence of this and Ruby's innocence to city life, she winds up getting pregnant and not knowing what to do about it.
Later, once Ruby has had the baby and it is no longer in her care, she ends up living in Southend, running a hotel. Here she befriends Gracie, who I loved. The two girls were just so right for each other. (I am also pleased to tell you that Marie Maxwell has only just released a new book, titled Gracie, which I can't wait to read!)
Although Ruby has moved on, her past still comes back to haunt her. She still regularly sees her daughter, which is hard for her; I found myself sympathizing with Ruby, as having to see your own child grow up believing someone else to be their mother must be incredibly difficult. After years of not seeing anyone from her past, all of a sudden, and not by accident, old faces start reappearing all at once. There is an added element of secrecy in this book, which makes it exciting to read.
A great historical read which I definitely recommend!
July 17, 2012
Ruby is the first novel from Marie Maxwell, and was published by Avon books earlier this year.
Marie Maxwell is better known as Bernardine Kennedy, author of seven contemporary novels. I can remember clearly reading her first novel Everything Is Not Enough, in Cyprus, in 2001. I was hooked and have read each of her books as they were released. It's been a while, but she's back - with a new genre, a new publisher and a new name.
Ruby is the first of four books and is set in the 1950s and 60s and although not quite as 'edgy' as her previous stories, it really is a compelling read.
Ruby is 15 years old and has been living in the peaceful town of Melton for five years. An evacuee, she was sent to live with Dr George Wheaton and his wife Babs who have treated her as their own daughter. When Ray, Ruby's older brother arrives unexpectedly and demands that she returns home to London, Ruby is devastated. She knows that with her Father now dead, and bully Ray as the head of the household, she will be expected to cook, clean and look after her elderly Grandmother. Her dreams of continuing her educations and becoming a nurse are dashed.
Once back in London, Ruby's fears are realised. Ray appears to be more evil and hateful than ever and her Mother shows her no affection. She does find affection from bad-boy Johnnie Riordan - Ray's arch-enemy, older and quite intriguing to her.
When Ruby realises that she is pregnant, she knows that she has to leave London and flees back to her beloved Melton.
Ruby grows and matures and deals with heartbreak and tragedy along the way.
Ruby is a feisty character, she sometimes makes the wrong decision, she can be headstrong and stubborn, but her story is a great read. With a cast of characters that are so well drawn this is a gritty tale of family and relationships. Tackling some hard-hitting social issues including unmarried mothers, mental illness and black market dealings incorporated with charismatic characters, this is a really satisfying read. A great start to the series - I'm really looking forward to reading about Gracie next.
Marie Maxwell is better known as Bernardine Kennedy, author of seven contemporary novels. I can remember clearly reading her first novel Everything Is Not Enough, in Cyprus, in 2001. I was hooked and have read each of her books as they were released. It's been a while, but she's back - with a new genre, a new publisher and a new name.
Ruby is the first of four books and is set in the 1950s and 60s and although not quite as 'edgy' as her previous stories, it really is a compelling read.
Ruby is 15 years old and has been living in the peaceful town of Melton for five years. An evacuee, she was sent to live with Dr George Wheaton and his wife Babs who have treated her as their own daughter. When Ray, Ruby's older brother arrives unexpectedly and demands that she returns home to London, Ruby is devastated. She knows that with her Father now dead, and bully Ray as the head of the household, she will be expected to cook, clean and look after her elderly Grandmother. Her dreams of continuing her educations and becoming a nurse are dashed.
Once back in London, Ruby's fears are realised. Ray appears to be more evil and hateful than ever and her Mother shows her no affection. She does find affection from bad-boy Johnnie Riordan - Ray's arch-enemy, older and quite intriguing to her.
When Ruby realises that she is pregnant, she knows that she has to leave London and flees back to her beloved Melton.
Ruby grows and matures and deals with heartbreak and tragedy along the way.
Ruby is a feisty character, she sometimes makes the wrong decision, she can be headstrong and stubborn, but her story is a great read. With a cast of characters that are so well drawn this is a gritty tale of family and relationships. Tackling some hard-hitting social issues including unmarried mothers, mental illness and black market dealings incorporated with charismatic characters, this is a really satisfying read. A great start to the series - I'm really looking forward to reading about Gracie next.
July 30, 2012
This was a compelling book that had me hooked from the first page to the last!
I've only recently started reading the more historically based books, and this was up there with the best of the ones I've read!
Ruby was such a likeable character, who you wanted to pick up and take home when she was having the lowest of times and then wanted to shout her happy times from the roof tops!
Ruby is feisty and vulnerable, and the other characters in the story really compliment Ruby's main focus.
Will look out for more books by Marie Maxwell in this series.
I've only recently started reading the more historically based books, and this was up there with the best of the ones I've read!
Ruby was such a likeable character, who you wanted to pick up and take home when she was having the lowest of times and then wanted to shout her happy times from the roof tops!
Ruby is feisty and vulnerable, and the other characters in the story really compliment Ruby's main focus.
Will look out for more books by Marie Maxwell in this series.
April 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this, Ruby is such a great character, strong fiesty,and stubborn, She has to be, as her brothers, are bossy, Ray the eldest , is vile! a bully like his father.
Ruby is back home, after being evacuated, and hates it, all she is home for,is to be a skivy,for her mum,and brothers, no friends, apart from bad boy Johnny, ,
It's a book,where you want to keep turning the pages,, ,,
Ruby is back home, after being evacuated, and hates it, all she is home for,is to be a skivy,for her mum,and brothers, no friends, apart from bad boy Johnny, ,
It's a book,where you want to keep turning the pages,, ,,
March 25, 2013
If you liked 'Heartbeat' and 'Call The Midwife' on TV then you'll probably like this.
It's not that it's bad. It's quite engaging but not challenging and has little depth. Very patchy in terms of credibility and the characters are inconsistent.
One of the downsides of an old style Kindle is that you don't get to see the cover art. I would have steered clear if I had!
It's not that it's bad. It's quite engaging but not challenging and has little depth. Very patchy in terms of credibility and the characters are inconsistent.
One of the downsides of an old style Kindle is that you don't get to see the cover art. I would have steered clear if I had!
September 8, 2012
Could not put it down,author also wrote as Bernadine Kennedy so have found a further 7 books.
December 31, 2019
I liked it
August 2, 2024
Great, page turner!
October 14, 2012
Ruby Blakeley had been living a happy life for the past five years in Cambridgeshire, with the host family she had been sent to live with during the war, when she was evacuated from London’s East End. The couple loved Ruby like their own daughter.
One day Ruby’s older brother Ray turns up to take her back to her family. Now fifteen Ruby does not want to go and her new family do not want that either. Ruby’s real family are very cold and uncaring towards her and Ruby had grown accustomed to being loved and cared for.
Back home with her family Ruby is treated badly by her family and wants to return back to her life in Cambridgeshire. She meets Johnnie and thinks she has found a friend, but when she gets pregnant to him, she knows he is no good for her and it is her host parents she turns to for help. The loving couple come up with what they think will be the perfect solution. But will Ruby ever escape from her past?
I really enjoyed reading Ruby’s story. It is a real life drama, set after the Second World War. Ruby is a girl who gets a chance to escape from her past, a girl who learns she does not have to settle with what she had in life and is given a chance to make something better with her life, but at the same time have her past catch up with her and try and pull her back.
One day Ruby’s older brother Ray turns up to take her back to her family. Now fifteen Ruby does not want to go and her new family do not want that either. Ruby’s real family are very cold and uncaring towards her and Ruby had grown accustomed to being loved and cared for.
Back home with her family Ruby is treated badly by her family and wants to return back to her life in Cambridgeshire. She meets Johnnie and thinks she has found a friend, but when she gets pregnant to him, she knows he is no good for her and it is her host parents she turns to for help. The loving couple come up with what they think will be the perfect solution. But will Ruby ever escape from her past?
I really enjoyed reading Ruby’s story. It is a real life drama, set after the Second World War. Ruby is a girl who gets a chance to escape from her past, a girl who learns she does not have to settle with what she had in life and is given a chance to make something better with her life, but at the same time have her past catch up with her and try and pull her back.
July 31, 2012
The War is over and Ruby Blakeley (15) is leaving her evacuee home
after 5 years and returning to her family as summoned by her bully of a
brother Ray obviously Ruby doesn’t want to return, and she doesn’t get
a warm welcome, she hates being back home. Ruby hopes to find a job and
save up to start her Nursing Training when she is 18 she wants to
return to her evacuee home as she is well cared for and loved however
her mother will not allow it.
Johnnie Riordan (who has nicknamed her Red) is making life a little
better for her although Ray has warned her off him.
Ruby is pregnant and runs back to her evacuee family, and then ends up
in Southend trying to make a fresh start, but is a fresh start possible
for Ruby? Or does the patch catch up with her eventually?
I loved this book it was really easy to read and follow definitely
recommend, I couldn’t put it down, I felt really sorry for Ruby at
times. The book is told in parts.
after 5 years and returning to her family as summoned by her bully of a
brother Ray obviously Ruby doesn’t want to return, and she doesn’t get
a warm welcome, she hates being back home. Ruby hopes to find a job and
save up to start her Nursing Training when she is 18 she wants to
return to her evacuee home as she is well cared for and loved however
her mother will not allow it.
Johnnie Riordan (who has nicknamed her Red) is making life a little
better for her although Ray has warned her off him.
Ruby is pregnant and runs back to her evacuee family, and then ends up
in Southend trying to make a fresh start, but is a fresh start possible
for Ruby? Or does the patch catch up with her eventually?
I loved this book it was really easy to read and follow definitely
recommend, I couldn’t put it down, I felt really sorry for Ruby at
times. The book is told in parts.
August 22, 2013
Ruby is evacuated away from London and her overwhelming family. Living with a doctor and his wife in Cambridgeshire she learns to appreciate a very different type of life, but is dragged back to her roots by her bully of a brother after the war. A mistake means that Ruby runs away from home and works to put her past behind her, though she can't run forever.
This isn't my usual type of read at all, but I was looking for something lighter to read while on holiday so thought I'd try a different genre. It was a quick read that didn't leave much impression afterwards, but that was enjoyable enough at the time.
Ruby is an attractive character, but I felt some of the others were a little too much like pantomime villains.
This isn't my usual type of read at all, but I was looking for something lighter to read while on holiday so thought I'd try a different genre. It was a quick read that didn't leave much impression afterwards, but that was enjoyable enough at the time.
Ruby is an attractive character, but I felt some of the others were a little too much like pantomime villains.
June 29, 2012
In 1940's England, 10 year old Ruby is sent away from her home in London to a new life in the countryside, along with other evacuees.
During the next five years, Ruby comes to love the kindly couple who have looked after her, and her new way of life. Dragged back to a life of domestic drudgery in London, Ruby plans her escape.
We follow her as she matures into a young lady and learn of a terrible event in her past.
Such a cleverly written story and a great read! Ruby is a bold and likeable character, you can't help but want the best for her, likewise for her friend Gracie, who is due to be the subject of Marie Maxwell's next book. I can't wait!!
During the next five years, Ruby comes to love the kindly couple who have looked after her, and her new way of life. Dragged back to a life of domestic drudgery in London, Ruby plans her escape.
We follow her as she matures into a young lady and learn of a terrible event in her past.
Such a cleverly written story and a great read! Ruby is a bold and likeable character, you can't help but want the best for her, likewise for her friend Gracie, who is due to be the subject of Marie Maxwell's next book. I can't wait!!
December 17, 2012
Really enjoyed reading this. It's the first novel I have read where a child has been evacuated during the war and it has made me think about the consequences and the psychology of it. Ruby is a likeable character and the storyline is a believable one. I think that's why I enjoyed it so much. I like to feel that what I am reading could be a genuine story. I definitely recommend this.
December 17, 2013
Liked this book. Didn't take long to read and didn't tax my brain too much! Ideal for reading for half an hour in bed at night and I never got lost and had to re-read bits. I actually started reading her next book, 'Gracie', then found out about 'Ruby' and decided to read it first. I'm now going back to 'Gracie'!
July 19, 2012
Really enjoyed this book, well written, would like to read more by this author.
October 4, 2012
Well written and enjoyable.
February 24, 2013
good book, lovely ending as well
March 13, 2013
I was hooked from page one. 'Ruby' has all the elements of a good read - romance, suspense and a likeable protagonist. I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 8, 2014
Really enjoyed this book.
July 20, 2014
An enjoyable read but a bit predictable of a storyline.
July 13, 2016
An entertaining read set in post WWII in England.
December 10, 2016
An easy to read story and gripping in places. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews