Daughters of the Mersey

by Anne Baker

With the scars of World War I still fresh, the Dransfield family face further challenges...When Steven Dransfield loses his fortune in the Depression, his wife Leonie is forced to save the family from ruin. But Steve resents the success of her dressmaking business and, trapped in a loveless marriage, Leonie is drawn into the arms of another man. Just as their children, Milo and June, begin to spread their wings, Leonie finds herself pregnant, but her duty lies with her family and when Amy is born she unites them all. Then with the outbreak of World War II and danger looming in Liverpool, Amy is evacuated to Wales, and, as the bombs start to drop, lives are lost and hearts are broken and the Dransfields must learn to support one another through the heartache that lies ahead...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2012

About the author

Anne Baker trained as a nurse in England, but after her marriage lived in Libya and Nigeria before returning to Birkenhead, where she worked as a health visitor. She now lives with her husband in Merseyside.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book a good story a wartime book great read.

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

I was a bit sad to say good bye the the people!e I met in this book! They were good people who went thru really awful times. I have read a. Few books on WWII England and the barrage of bombing raids, but I felt I was personally experiencing them in MS Baxter' book. Thank you!

[Lilly Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

[Anitha Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leonie, orphaned at the age of seven, lived with her aunt who managed a small income. She was married to Steve Dransfield who was born to a wealthy family. She had two children Miles and June. All was well in Leonie’s Life until Steve lost his left in the war in 1917. He used a false leg to walk. Their Life became devastated as their family business went down and Steve was unable to run the house. Leonie had to find her way to manage the family expenses. She found her passion for sewing and thought that would help her in this difficult time. Steve was against his wife’s decision and he didn't want Leonie to work as in Steve's family women didn’t work. But for Lenoie this is the only way she can earn enough for the family to live on.

The inability of Steve to walk made him depressed and grumpy towards everyone. He would not help Leonie with the household chores and he always depended on her to help him with everything. He mostly stayed in his room reading newspapers and hearing the wireless on the war updates.

On the other hand, Leonie handled every situation with a stoic attitude. She loved her job and was glad as she had something exciting to do in her life. She was happy with the growing list of Clients and the money she made. She found a friend, Elanie who was an outgoing personality and they shared a keen interest in the latest fashions and dress-making business. Steve disliked unknown people visiting his house and he even showed his frustration in front of Elaine once.

On the advice of Elanie, she decided to rent a shop outside the home and she met Nick, a friend of Elaine's husband. Nick was a widower and a lonely man. He always longed for family life of his own and envisaged a family life like that of Elanie and Tom. Nick and Elanie helped Leonie to settle down with the shop and soon Leonie found herself in Love with Nick who also loved her very much. Leonie had to make a decision to stay with Steve or marry Nick. The story is interesting and fills your heart with compassion for the characters in the story.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not got a lot to say about this one really – just your typical war time romance novel. I found it to be a good story, a quick and easy and enjoyable read but also a little bit predictable. I liked the main female lead, Leonie. She came across very strong and a good strong female figure running her own business and looking after her family. I also enjoyed the separate interwoven storyline about her youngest daughter, Amy, who gets evacuated out to Wales during the war.
The book is very descriptive and it really did help me to feel like I was a part of the action and involved within the stories. The accounts of some of the bombings and raids were particularly well written.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a little predictable but still a good story. The main character, Leonie was a strong women who looked after her family and ran her own business. I particularly enjoyed the parts about Leonie' s daughter, Amy who was evacuated to Wales.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finish this book ...includes war year accounts ..good story line..quite a long story but very enjoyable.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another beautifully written family saga of life, love and tragedy during the second world war. The book is so descriptive that it makes you feel you are in the middle of all the action with them. The accounts of the air raids were so well told and I really enjoyed reading about Amy's time at the farm when she was evacuated to Wales. I was never interested in History at school and didn't pay much attention but having read a few of Anne Baker's books they have taught me an awful lot about that period. Can't wait to get started on the next one.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story! Another great story of the hardships that families had to go through in the Blitz in war time. Following the Characters of this book you felt you walked through every Air Raid and every setback. A truly enjoyable read.

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good luck into the lives of a family during them second world war who who have to evacuate their youngest daughter there oldest daughter who goes away to train as a nurse and a son who is conscripted in to the army and whst happens when he is badly injured

[Nicola Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters in this book but not quite sure why it was called Daughters of Merseyside. More women of Merseyside! It also fast forwarded a bit at times and maybe a bit unrealistic. An ok read but Ive read better!

[Amelia R Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the ending.

The book kept me suspend. I was not able to sleep early. I certainly will recommend. to others especially m to my sisters

[Michelle Deadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming and heart rending.

An excellent insight into what life was like in the war years. As gripping as it was enjoyable. Well worth such a good price.

[Mrs S E Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Lovely story of the tragedies of war but also the joys of war. Well worth a read. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

[June Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, easy to read, and follow to the happy ending. Would reommend

[Mary Munro-howse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

I didn't want this book to end❤it kept me interested till finish,I will be reading more books from this author

[Mrs Wendy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book really took me to the moment. Have just started another of Anne Bakers books.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful interesting book the main story starts during the war with the fighting in France and the rations of food etc. It's one very stone woman who looks after her husband when he came back from WW1 and got pensioned out she started her own business to keep a roof over the family two children and one love child later WW2 is here. One very interesting book will be looking for this author again.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read

[Liza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let læst historie, før og under anden verdenskrig i England.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book very nice story.