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A Broken Family
Happiness comes at a price…
Though besotted with one another, Amy Miller and Thomas Frost have never had it easy. From very different sides of the tracks, their romance was doomed from the moment Thomas’s overbearing mother Celia vowed to separate them.
Celia writes to her eldest son, asking him to come home and help to split the pair up. But when Jeremy returns to Battersea it’s clear he wants everything that belongs to Thomas – especially his wife.
As Jeremy’s dangerous obsession grows, Amy must fight for her marriage and her baby. Will she and Thomas ever find the happiness they long for?
A gripping, heartbreaking and gritty family drama from the Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court.
Readers love A Broken Family:
‘Fantastic story… Once I started this I could not stop reading, I felt like I was part of the story and imagined all the characters. Fantastic author and fantastic book.’ Reader review
‘Really could not put it down. Twists and turns but everyone knows families like this. Well done Kitty. Cannot wait for the next.’ Reader review
‘Another exceptional book and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I had to have a tissue handy … EXCELLENT.’ Reader review
‘What a brilliant book, just did not want it to end.’ Reader review
‘Didn't want this book to finish, really gripping loved it.’ Reader review
‘Really excellent read. Good story with real characters that you actually cared about.’ Reader review
‘Loved this book, a really great read. The characters just come to life.’ Reader review
Though besotted with one another, Amy Miller and Thomas Frost have never had it easy. From very different sides of the tracks, their romance was doomed from the moment Thomas’s overbearing mother Celia vowed to separate them.
Celia writes to her eldest son, asking him to come home and help to split the pair up. But when Jeremy returns to Battersea it’s clear he wants everything that belongs to Thomas – especially his wife.
As Jeremy’s dangerous obsession grows, Amy must fight for her marriage and her baby. Will she and Thomas ever find the happiness they long for?
A gripping, heartbreaking and gritty family drama from the Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court.
Readers love A Broken Family:
‘Fantastic story… Once I started this I could not stop reading, I felt like I was part of the story and imagined all the characters. Fantastic author and fantastic book.’ Reader review
‘Really could not put it down. Twists and turns but everyone knows families like this. Well done Kitty. Cannot wait for the next.’ Reader review
‘Another exceptional book and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I had to have a tissue handy … EXCELLENT.’ Reader review
‘What a brilliant book, just did not want it to end.’ Reader review
‘Didn't want this book to finish, really gripping loved it.’ Reader review
‘Really excellent read. Good story with real characters that you actually cared about.’ Reader review
‘Loved this book, a really great read. The characters just come to life.’ Reader review
- GenresHistorical Fiction
400 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
157 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 25, 2023
Time taken to read - 8 hours (one sitting)
Pages - 401
Publisher - Avon books
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
A gritty tale of family and a love that holds no bounds, from the best-selling author of Nobody’s Girl and A Father’s Revenge
Celia Frost has always thought herself a cut above the other residents of Lark Rise in Battersea. When her beloved son, Thomas, starts seeing Amy Miller, a girl from the bottom of the Rise, Celia disapproves, thinking her common.
When Celia's husband leaves her and Thomas announces he is to marry Amy, she is more determined than ever to split them up.Celia needs an ally, so she writes to her elder son, Jeremy, asking him to come home.
Jeremy’s arrival unleashes a tide of jealously and hate. He wants everything that belongs to Thomas – especially Amy. As Jeremy’s dangerous obsession for his brother’s wife grows, Amy must fight for her marriage, and her baby.
The heartbreaking new novel from the bestselling author of A Father’s Revenge and Nobody’s Girl.
My Review
I have only read one Kitty Neale book before this one and I want to say it was a blog tour that brought her to my attention, I forgot how much I enjoyed it and will be adding more of hers to my wishlist. Set in Battersea, South London, 1956 we head to a small community with different social standings. For example Amy Millar comes from a working class family, scrimping by, her dad in a low paid job with his post war injury, her mum working double jobs but they are loved and happy. Amy's boyfriend Thomas Frost comes from a different type of family, his dad owns his own business, his mother Celia is a keeping up with the Joneses and feels Amy is far too common for her precious son, her marriage is not an overly happy one. We have wee characters in between, old Winnie next door, Amy's mum looks out for, even missing out on stuff to ensure Winnie does not. Mabel, Amy's mums friend and town busybody who reveals in dramas and gets herself in hot water sometimes. It is quite the small community but the dramas are huge and a plenty.
So guys these types of books often carry some trauma and sexual assault is featured, not in graphic detail but it is mentioned and more than once so heads up. Classism, relationships, friendships, alcohol abuse, poverty and manipulation so there is never really a dull moment.
Amy's family are lovely, despite not having a lot to go around they care for their wee neighbour and absolutely neighbourly whereas Celia Frost has plenty and is just a horrible individual. Overbearing mother, can't let go of the apron strings and I had a hard time feeling any kind of sympathy for her at all she is just a horror. I sank it in one sitting and whilst this was only my second book by this author it will not be my last 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 401
Publisher - Avon books
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
A gritty tale of family and a love that holds no bounds, from the best-selling author of Nobody’s Girl and A Father’s Revenge
Celia Frost has always thought herself a cut above the other residents of Lark Rise in Battersea. When her beloved son, Thomas, starts seeing Amy Miller, a girl from the bottom of the Rise, Celia disapproves, thinking her common.
When Celia's husband leaves her and Thomas announces he is to marry Amy, she is more determined than ever to split them up.Celia needs an ally, so she writes to her elder son, Jeremy, asking him to come home.
Jeremy’s arrival unleashes a tide of jealously and hate. He wants everything that belongs to Thomas – especially Amy. As Jeremy’s dangerous obsession for his brother’s wife grows, Amy must fight for her marriage, and her baby.
The heartbreaking new novel from the bestselling author of A Father’s Revenge and Nobody’s Girl.
My Review
I have only read one Kitty Neale book before this one and I want to say it was a blog tour that brought her to my attention, I forgot how much I enjoyed it and will be adding more of hers to my wishlist. Set in Battersea, South London, 1956 we head to a small community with different social standings. For example Amy Millar comes from a working class family, scrimping by, her dad in a low paid job with his post war injury, her mum working double jobs but they are loved and happy. Amy's boyfriend Thomas Frost comes from a different type of family, his dad owns his own business, his mother Celia is a keeping up with the Joneses and feels Amy is far too common for her precious son, her marriage is not an overly happy one. We have wee characters in between, old Winnie next door, Amy's mum looks out for, even missing out on stuff to ensure Winnie does not. Mabel, Amy's mums friend and town busybody who reveals in dramas and gets herself in hot water sometimes. It is quite the small community but the dramas are huge and a plenty.
So guys these types of books often carry some trauma and sexual assault is featured, not in graphic detail but it is mentioned and more than once so heads up. Classism, relationships, friendships, alcohol abuse, poverty and manipulation so there is never really a dull moment.
Amy's family are lovely, despite not having a lot to go around they care for their wee neighbour and absolutely neighbourly whereas Celia Frost has plenty and is just a horrible individual. Overbearing mother, can't let go of the apron strings and I had a hard time feeling any kind of sympathy for her at all she is just a horror. I sank it in one sitting and whilst this was only my second book by this author it will not be my last 4/5 for me this time.
September 12, 2021
As with most of Neale's books, most of the real action happens in the final chapters, but the story is compelling once you get through the first couple of chapters. Some broken relationships, some new relationships, and a lot of gossiping. This is a story set in the 1950s, England. Moments of deceit and betrayal mixed with new beginnings, this book was hard to put down. Fans of Kitty Neale will not be disappointed.
October 1, 2018
Excellent Story
Again pulled right in as though you are truly in the story and part of it, such a clever and heartfelt writer, these are more much more than books, they are stories that take you to each and every place, many thanks for sharing this with me 💟
Again pulled right in as though you are truly in the story and part of it, such a clever and heartfelt writer, these are more much more than books, they are stories that take you to each and every place, many thanks for sharing this with me 💟
March 18, 2016
Poorly written.
March 8, 2015
This was another great book.
January 27, 2021
An easy read, very predictable and has the dreaded mother in law. Wouldn't read again but was ok for a quick read :)
August 5, 2023
Lots of characters and sweet moments but overall a bit too depressing
April 10, 2025
Absolutely brilliant book
I have read so many books but this novel is so different and such a lovely read I just could not put this book down and it was driving my husband mad reading with the light on in bed .I would love to give you more stars and let everyone know to buy it .
I have read so many books but this novel is so different and such a lovely read I just could not put this book down and it was driving my husband mad reading with the light on in bed .I would love to give you more stars and let everyone know to buy it .
May 9, 2017
Not much of a story and jumped around too much...ending was rather dull and not very well thought out.
September 5, 2017
Enjoyable
A nice cosy read about family life. A little stilted in parts but on the whole an enjoyable book. ☺
A nice cosy read about family life. A little stilted in parts but on the whole an enjoyable book. ☺
August 5, 2018
Broke my heart
March 14, 2019
Nostalgic
Heart warming tale, easy reading, can't wait to read more by this author, I would recommend to anyone who wants a good read.
Heart warming tale, easy reading, can't wait to read more by this author, I would recommend to anyone who wants a good read.
February 21, 2020
Liked some of the characters but I gave up with the book. To me it was just dull.
Read
November 20, 2020Too many errors.
The number of mistakes made in this book are awful. Page 50, page 177, page 216 , page 255, and age 266 stand out. A good book but let down by poor editing.
The number of mistakes made in this book are awful. Page 50, page 177, page 216 , page 255, and age 266 stand out. A good book but let down by poor editing.
December 11, 2020
Really good book, that brother, what a swine!
May 20, 2021
Another great Kitty Neale novel.
April 26, 2022
Brilliant
Another brilliant read. She never disappoints its almost like you are living it with her. Cannot remember how many of her books I have read now.
Another brilliant read. She never disappoints its almost like you are living it with her. Cannot remember how many of her books I have read now.
June 25, 2022
Not too keen but read it anyway! Didn’t really like the storyline; but stuck with it because I liked the characters!
July 3, 2023
Was a great read could not put it down
October 6, 2023
Great
Another good read from a great writer. Stories so true to life and 'ver y good. Love her books and will often read them more than once.
Another good read from a great writer. Stories so true to life and 'ver y good. Love her books and will often read them more than once.
October 11, 2023
a good read
December 29, 2024
Such a good read good story line definitely my go to read.
Can't wait to start the next one. Highly recommend ❤️
Can't wait to start the next one. Highly recommend ❤️
August 5, 2025
A mother's devotion between her son's that are so different to her husband that leaves her for another woman. can they be a happy ending. read on yo find out.
November 14, 2025
I read this in 5 days, says it all really I couldn’t put it down !
October 29, 2017
Although I did enjoy this book, I felt it wasn't as good as others that Kitty Neale has written and I have read most of them. Also thought it had a rather abrupt ending.
September 28, 2025
Great author great story .
April 28, 2014
I'm a huge fan of Kitty Neale, I've read nearly all of her books but I was a little disappointed with A Broken Family.
Neale's known for not exaggerating or using more description in her writing which suits me fine since its refreshing to read something simple once in a while. But this book felt too long and was dragging a little.
The fact that Jeremy was an important character, so much he was even mentioned in the blurb, didn't seem to matter as he was introduced so late into the book and the dilemma he brought with him was so rushed I had to re-read to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
I liked how she showed insight towards the other characters but I really didn't have time to read about Mabel snooping and Celia Frost fretting over her class status.
Overall, I love Neale's books and the plot wasn't all that bad, it just needed more structuring. Not to mention I loved the guessing game of who Mr Frost left his wife for.
Neale's known for not exaggerating or using more description in her writing which suits me fine since its refreshing to read something simple once in a while. But this book felt too long and was dragging a little.
The fact that Jeremy was an important character, so much he was even mentioned in the blurb, didn't seem to matter as he was introduced so late into the book and the dilemma he brought with him was so rushed I had to re-read to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
I liked how she showed insight towards the other characters but I really didn't have time to read about Mabel snooping and Celia Frost fretting over her class status.
Overall, I love Neale's books and the plot wasn't all that bad, it just needed more structuring. Not to mention I loved the guessing game of who Mr Frost left his wife for.
February 9, 2014
if you read the back cover, the book itself is not what is to be expected, it's so much more. A very involving book. I think I felt a part of it because I've known characters like what appear within these pages.
Very well written and set in a period where it seems men were men and the woman's place was in the kitchen and then when the man has a fully belly, she'd better be on the bed and willing or be taken by force. Was society in the late 50's really that barbaric?
Mostly based around one street where at the top you have the snobs and living at the bottom you have your working class salt of the earth types.
Quite a fascinating read and so much better than I was expecting it to be.
I relate strongly to Mabel Povis.
Very well written and set in a period where it seems men were men and the woman's place was in the kitchen and then when the man has a fully belly, she'd better be on the bed and willing or be taken by force. Was society in the late 50's really that barbaric?
Mostly based around one street where at the top you have the snobs and living at the bottom you have your working class salt of the earth types.
Quite a fascinating read and so much better than I was expecting it to be.
I relate strongly to Mabel Povis.
September 9, 2014
Atrocious. Spoiler alert, a bit, kind of: Very nearly gave up with about 60 pages TO GO, as didn't think I could cope with reading of any more unwanted sex, or all these exceptionally (un)lucky women getting pregnant after one go. I read to the end, hurray, and was even more cross with myself. Came away feeling deflated with womankind, and myself for wasting 2 evenings. I think my mother recommended this book. I will rack my brain to ensure I return the favour with an excellently sourced recommendation for her in return. Or not
May 3, 2016
slow to begin with not seeing much of aplot forming for a good few chapters but it gives u a chance to get to know the characters. like every other kitty neale ive read once the plot thickens I cant put it down and it doesn't take me long to finish reading and then I want to read another. the story line is interesting and the characters are all very different with relatable but dysfunctional families and some tragedies thrown in too. highly recommended
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews