Echoes Across the Mersey

by Anne Baker

With the Great War looming, one young woman also faces obstacles closer to home.

Anne Baker's Echoes Across the Mersey is a thrilling saga of an impossible love, set under the storm clouds of war and class. Perfect for fans of Cathy Sharp and Katie Flynn.

'A heartwarming story, Echoes Across the Mersey is the type of distinctly English book best read when sitting in the garden' - Liverpool Echo

It's August 1914, and the threat of war weighs heavily on the people of Liverpool, but not on Sarah Hoxton. For Toby Percival, the son of her employer, is in love with her. Her mother fears they'll both lose their jobs when Toby's father finds out, but Sarah's prepared to risk everything for Toby's love. Maurice Percival is furious when he discovers his son is involved with a factory girl. Determined to defy his father, Toby joins the army. Sarah is left facing what seem to be insurmountable obstacles, but with the help of her friends, family and a strength she never knew she possessed, she discovers there is a light at the end of the tunnel, though it shines from a different direction to the one she expected.

What readers are saying about Echoes Across the Mersey :

' I could not put it down and read it within a couple of days... the author has a way of making you visualise everything from the people to the places, and is able to bring out so many emotions whilst you are reading.'

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 2, 2000

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

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I find that I may miss the people who I met in this story! Anne Baker , you have written another great story in such a way as to bring your readers into the homes and loves of the characters you have done such a great job of introducing us to!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good love story about 2 families coping with running a factory during world war one and the heroine finding out her husband had been shot at dawn by the british army he was wounded at the front line on sick leave and wanted to spend his 2 week sick leave in Liverpool with his new wife and young baby whom he hadn't seen really sad

[Ayny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and characters, but there were a few things left unanswered in the end.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's something about Anne Baker's books. I normally avoid this type of novel like the plague, but she has a way of writing that draws one in to care about her characters. I love her books.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story yet again from Anne Baker. So sad how things turn out for some of the characters. I never enjoyed History at school and never paid much attention but I have learned so much about the first and second world wars and what life was like for people back then and their struggle for survival just from reading so many of Anne's books this year and have sparked many a conversation with different family members. They have also helped me get through lockdown, giving me something else to concentrate on, which is an added bonus. Can't wait to get started on my next book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. A fast page-turner. The telling of being at the frontline in WW1 was detailed, compelling, dramatic and heartbreaking. Full admiration to the author for her tackling this.
Horrors of war, factory and family life, poverty and wealth, in the early 20th century, but told in a different way .

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story about Sarah Hoxton's life during the period of the Great War. The characters are all beautifully drawn and so believable exploring the problems of managing to keep a business running during this period as well as a mention of the shot at dawn issue.

[LINDA HADDOCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echoes

A brilliant book, first one I've read by Ann Baker. A story of hardship, love and war. Highly recommend, brilliant

[Patty Eagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning! Loved it

[Cindi Boselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great War and love story

Nice easy read. The story is written in such a way you feel the characters emotions. Wish the story had a sequel.

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every Anne Baker book that I read or listened to so far and this one did not disappoint either.

The story runs from 1914 to 1919. It is the story of Sarah Hoxton and her life and loves. There are letters exchanged from the front line by Sarah and her husband Toby which I though were really good and gave an idea of what life was in WWI. There are joys and sadness in this story but it is well told from start to finish.

Enjoy.

[Lynda Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.