Newcastle 1890. An incident at a school brings together three very different girls and, over the years, they become close friends. But Ruth has to abandon her plans to study, Lucy finds herself destitute and Esther's marriage turns abusive. Can their friendship survive these hardships?
Benita Brown was born and brought up in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England where she now continues living. Her mother, was an English, who was the youngest of thirteen children, and her father, a Indian, who on 1930's came to Newcastle to study medicine and fell in love with the place, the people, and her mother. She went to drama school in London where she met her husband who, also from Newcastle, was working for the BBC. After marrying and having four children she became a full time writer; writing for radio, and then girls' and teenage story papers such as Mandy, Judy, Jackie and Blue Jeans.
When her first romance, written under the pseudonym Clare Benedict, was published in 1991, she joined the Romantic Novelists' Association. After six more romances she changed genre and now writes sagas under her own name, Benita Brown. First novels under this name are set in Victorian/Edwardian Tyneside. One of these, Fortune’s Daughter, was long-listed for the Romantic Novel of the Year Award. In her more recent books she has moved forward to the mid-twentieth century and although not all the action is set in Tyneside the area still has a strong influence. She died at 77 on 15 April 2014 in Newcastle's Royal Victoria Hospital.
It is 1890 and in Newcastle on a day out in Cullercoats bay a friendship is formed that will last a lifetime. Three very different girls become friends after Lucy nearly drowns and Esther and Ruth rush to her rescue. As the girls get older though from completely different backgrounds and having very different natures and temperaments the friendship endures all sorts of hardships. From bad relationships, pregnancy, domestic abuse, failed hopes and dreams the girls stand strong and will do anything for each other to the point their lives are inextricably bound by their shared secrets. A lovely tale that follows three strong women from childhood to adulthood told in the vein of Cookson and Cox.
A good read. Set in Tyneside at the end of the 19th century. Timeless themes: lasting school friendships, family relationships, finding work and partners, abuse, determination, ambition and the difference warmth and kindness can make. Still relevant for today.