Our Mary Ann

The Kershaw Sisters #4

by Anna Jacobs

Mary Ann is illegitimate and life in 1905 is hard. It rapidly becomes worse when her new stepfather begins to interfere with her. Sent away at fifteen to bear his child, she meets Gabriel Clough, who helps her escape to Blackpool after the birth. The Great War brings Mary Ann many new opportunities, and brings Gabriel back into her life. But circumstances mean they can never be together. It is not until her mother dies that Mary Ann returns to Lancashire, determined to uncover the secrets of her past. Then danger threatens both her and the child she thought she'd lost forever ...Will history repeat itself or will Mary Ann's courage win her the happiness she deserves?

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing finish to this series (I’m guessing it’s the last anyway). I literally spent my day reading it from start to finish! Due to a bad cough and cold, I wasn’t feeling up to much, so spent the day lounging around, sniffing, coughing, blowing my nose, taking medicine and reading, reading, reading-I was addicted and couldn’t stop ✋!

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Ann

Well that's the last Kershaw book of a fantastic lot of sisters and brothers . Mary Ann was another headstrong but lovable girl being raised by a single mam then being raped and left pregnant by her stepfather , then taken to a baby farm to have her baby who was taken from her told the baby had died from Mary Ann smothering her .but she didnt wallow in self pity she did her hardest in ww1 met Gabriel also met up with her mother saw her rapist stepfather and found her baby didn't die was alive . And then she went to find her but also found her real fathers family the kershaws and for the rest you must read it what a really fantastic conclusion for the Kershaw family a very definite 5 STARS but worth a lot more .

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is amazing.

These sister's all had a bad start to their lives but with strong determination and commitment knowing what they wanted got them all through the bad thing's.I admired Mary Ann for marrying Bob it was a great shame that she lost him.But then losing her mother gave her the information about her father and to find the family she never new she had also Gabrial and her daughter whom she had been told had died by that wicked witch Greeson and that hateful stepfather.Thank heavens for families.

[Cookie1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love reading Anna Jacob's books. The research that goes into her books is quite phenomenal. The history side of it really makes interesting reading. This book was no exception.

[margaretdoolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four sisters

All four books in this series were very enjoyable to read, Anna Jacobs never disappoints, our mary Anne is my particular favourite

[melanie joy mcclean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series was easy to read so just couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to read about the next sister

[LESLEY HEDISON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant series

Brilliant series
All three books, not in the least bored.
Glad to know her books are based on tradition.
Bravo

[Mrs S E Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING

What a brilliant ending to a page turning series of books. Like a good friend. Never wanting the story to end.

[mrs B Yeates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Anna Jacobs

Brilliant read. The Kershaw series is worth reading.
You will want to read all books, by this author good read.

[Cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful conclusion to the Kershaw saga!!

[John Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt Anna Jacobs is my favorite author. This story like all her others is unputdownable.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final book in the Kershaw series and a good read. A nice character in a bad situation. Mary Ann is the unknown eldest and illegitimate Kershaw sister who finds herself in dire circumstances abused by her stepfather, a teenage pregnancy whose child is taken from her to be put up for adoption and she is left to escape from her situation to find work and friends in Blackpool. How she comes to find love, family and her child is well told and ties up all the ends in the Kershaw family history.

[Mrs J T Headen Mrs s j forster · Rating 5 out of 5]

trials of life

This book of the 15 years of Mary Ann through the First World War, before and what she endured, the bravery of so many, loss of loved ones during The War and final finding family and the much wanted missing child. So well researched and hours of writing such a brilliant masterpiece as usual. Just perfect Anna Jacobs.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book and the series. It never faltered through 4 books. It was as strong in the end as it was in the beginning. I look forward to reading more books from Anna Jacobs.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series.

[Margrit Mettler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of Anna Jacobs wonderful (can't put it down!) story.

[KFK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Mary Ann is a fantastic woman. A lovely drama of the same: love, hate, rape, death, war, women becoming independent and family.

I do love these easy book 😀

[Corrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. last one in the Kershaw sisters series with lots of twists and turn

[jean clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

[janet millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable

This book had me turning page after page from the get go, wonderful storyline which kept me hungry throughout.....can't wait to choose my next Anna Jacobs novel.

[E.A. Harwik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Mary Ann is the fourth and final book in the wonderful Anna Jacobs series, The Kershaw Sisters. The preceding books being, Our Polly, Our Lizzie and Our Eva.

Mary Ann is the oldest sister and by far the most intriguing she's illegitimate and doesn't know the truth of her own identity. This sets the scene for a most inviting and gorgeous story. Anna Jacobs has permitted readers to share some thirty years worth of highs and lows as Mary Ann matures to seek her place in life. The setting for this story is the time before and after World War One, which makes such a compelling, sad and satisfying adventure. This book is women's fiction at it's very best, 5 stars.

As an extra treat not only is Our Mary Ann the last of the Kershaw Sisters it's also a primer for, or the first of another Anna Jacobs series, Lady Bingram's Aides. The two further books capture the same gorgeous period, mood and story line of the same time. All three protagonists found confidence working for Lady Bingram's Aides during the war and experience an upheaval re-settling when so called normality returns. The two further books in the series are titled, Yesterday's Girl and Tomorrow's Promises.

[Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're curious about World War I, the period before it started, during the war and after it then you should read it.
It gives the perspective of people involved directly in it. Losing your significant other, a relative, your child....How it affected them, the survivors and their life afterwards.

Overall impressions: couldn't stop until I read it

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable, if predictable. I prefer heroines to have some flaws, as well as virtue.....otherwise I feel inadequate as a human being!

[Roslin Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book