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Mersey Square #1
The Girls of Mersey Square
Mersey Square, Stockport, 1959. Jane Wilson’s parents met during the war in the north of England, but Jane is more interested in listening to the new rock music than hearing stories about the Blitz. When she meets handsome drummer Eddie Mellor, with his sparkling blue eyes and cool black leather jacket, she knows her life is about to start.
But Jane’s parents think Eddie’s rebellious ways will lead their beloved daughter into trouble. They forbid her from seeing Eddie, telling Jane to get a proper job as a nurse. But Jane cannot stand the idea of life without the boy she loves and secretly continues to see Eddie. The day she finds out that Eddie has betrayed her, she is utterly distraught. Were her parents right all along?
Jane is desperate to rebuild her life. Her friends rally round to support her and she gets a job at the local music shop she loves, when to her shock, Eddie invites her to his family home and begs her to reconsider. Just as Jane is feeling tempted, someone pounds on the door of the house bringing shocking news that will change both of their lives forever…
Can Jane find happiness with Eddie? And if she does, will her family ever forgive her?
The Girls of Mersey Square was previously published as That’ll Be The Day.
But Jane’s parents think Eddie’s rebellious ways will lead their beloved daughter into trouble. They forbid her from seeing Eddie, telling Jane to get a proper job as a nurse. But Jane cannot stand the idea of life without the boy she loves and secretly continues to see Eddie. The day she finds out that Eddie has betrayed her, she is utterly distraught. Were her parents right all along?
Jane is desperate to rebuild her life. Her friends rally round to support her and she gets a job at the local music shop she loves, when to her shock, Eddie invites her to his family home and begs her to reconsider. Just as Jane is feeling tempted, someone pounds on the door of the house bringing shocking news that will change both of their lives forever…
Can Jane find happiness with Eddie? And if she does, will her family ever forgive her?
The Girls of Mersey Square was previously published as That’ll Be The Day.
282 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
761 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 5, 2023
This is the prequel to That'll Be The Day/The Girl's of Mersey Square.
For three young lads with a burning ambition to be famous, there was only one way in the late 1950s, and that was to start a Rock and Roll group, like their idols, Buddy Holly and The Crickets. Eddie Mellor, Roy Cantello, and Tim Davis did just that. With parental pressure to "do well at school and get your o-levels" they battle against the odds to form The Raiders. Spurred on by their girls, a legion of fans, and Mario, the coffee bar owner who gave them their first gig, the group goes from strength to strength. For Roy and Sammy, It was love at first sight, But Eddie is torn between the girl he's been dating from school and new love Jane Wilson. He's certain he knows where his feelings lie, and plans his future that he hopes will be filled with love and longed for success, but a one-night-stand has disastrous consequences for Eddie, Jane and The Raiders.
This story feels true to the era it was written in. We follow the ups and downs of Eddie, Roy and Tim as they try to make themselves big in the music industry with their band The Raiders, while looking for romance. This book was previously published as That'll Be The Day, and it's the prequel to the series. The characters are well-developed and likeable. This is a well-written novel, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #PamHowes for my ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
For three young lads with a burning ambition to be famous, there was only one way in the late 1950s, and that was to start a Rock and Roll group, like their idols, Buddy Holly and The Crickets. Eddie Mellor, Roy Cantello, and Tim Davis did just that. With parental pressure to "do well at school and get your o-levels" they battle against the odds to form The Raiders. Spurred on by their girls, a legion of fans, and Mario, the coffee bar owner who gave them their first gig, the group goes from strength to strength. For Roy and Sammy, It was love at first sight, But Eddie is torn between the girl he's been dating from school and new love Jane Wilson. He's certain he knows where his feelings lie, and plans his future that he hopes will be filled with love and longed for success, but a one-night-stand has disastrous consequences for Eddie, Jane and The Raiders.
This story feels true to the era it was written in. We follow the ups and downs of Eddie, Roy and Tim as they try to make themselves big in the music industry with their band The Raiders, while looking for romance. This book was previously published as That'll Be The Day, and it's the prequel to the series. The characters are well-developed and likeable. This is a well-written novel, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #PamHowes for my ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2023
As a fan of Pam Howes' Lark Lane and Bryant Sisters series, I was thrilled to dive into a rebranded series originally published about ten years ago and now stepping out into the light of day again as the Mersey Square series. It brings Pam's love of rock and roll music to life in the telling of the birth of a young teenage band trying to make a name for themselves whilst also trying to find their feet in an adult's world.
Originally published as the prequel to the series titled "That'll Be the Day" (in a nod to Buddy Holly who is a featured influence in the early part of the story), this tale begins with the emergence of three young lads - Eddie, Roy and Tim - establishing themselves as musicians as well as doing the usual teenage stuff as smoking, drinking and falling in love.
Jane Wilson first sees Eddie Mellor in the record shop they both frequent after school and while he winks at her, she's too shy to reciprocate, instead turning away. Her friends Sammy and Pat find themselves attracted to Eddie's friends Roy and Tim respectively and soon the three girls and three boys meet and the rest is history. Jane is head over heels in love with Eddie though he thinks she is 16 like him, whereas she is really 14. But will Eddie still want to be with her when he finds out her real age?
But the real fly in the ointment is his on-and-off again soon-to-be-ex girlfriend, Angie Turner. When she sees Eddie making eyes at Jane the green eyed monster rears its head and Angie makes it her life's mission to win Eddie back...whatever the cost.
But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for...
This is a cracking start to a promising series I've not read before that I read it in a day. I just had to know where it all ended...and then it really didn't because as it's a prequel, I now need to dive into the second book to see how things pan out for all involved.
I'll say no more and leave it for you to enjoy yourself...because enjoy it you will. It's such an easy read no matter what your age. And I can't wait to delve into the second one. I just hope the remaining three won't be too far behind because I will surely want to read those soon enough too.
Another cracking read by Pam Howes! Delightful from start to finish.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Originally published as the prequel to the series titled "That'll Be the Day" (in a nod to Buddy Holly who is a featured influence in the early part of the story), this tale begins with the emergence of three young lads - Eddie, Roy and Tim - establishing themselves as musicians as well as doing the usual teenage stuff as smoking, drinking and falling in love.
Jane Wilson first sees Eddie Mellor in the record shop they both frequent after school and while he winks at her, she's too shy to reciprocate, instead turning away. Her friends Sammy and Pat find themselves attracted to Eddie's friends Roy and Tim respectively and soon the three girls and three boys meet and the rest is history. Jane is head over heels in love with Eddie though he thinks she is 16 like him, whereas she is really 14. But will Eddie still want to be with her when he finds out her real age?
But the real fly in the ointment is his on-and-off again soon-to-be-ex girlfriend, Angie Turner. When she sees Eddie making eyes at Jane the green eyed monster rears its head and Angie makes it her life's mission to win Eddie back...whatever the cost.
But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for...
This is a cracking start to a promising series I've not read before that I read it in a day. I just had to know where it all ended...and then it really didn't because as it's a prequel, I now need to dive into the second book to see how things pan out for all involved.
I'll say no more and leave it for you to enjoy yourself...because enjoy it you will. It's such an easy read no matter what your age. And I can't wait to delve into the second one. I just hope the remaining three won't be too far behind because I will surely want to read those soon enough too.
Another cracking read by Pam Howes! Delightful from start to finish.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
October 5, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this quaint book set in the roaring 50s when rock n roll was at its best... and every boy wanted to be in a band and every girl wanted to be their girlfriends a time of innocence and love eddie was the drummer in a band, he was also a parents nightmare for his own and whichever girl he was seeing jane was his girl but he couldnt stop meeting up with his ex... what a roller coaster of a ride this book gives you... loved the era its set in and everything about being in a band and the hangers on... cant wait to see how this storyline pans out cos man that ending makes you want to scream..
October 5, 2023
The Girls of Mersey Square is the first book in the Mersey Square series by Pam Howes. To say that I loved this book is an understatement as I completely and utterly adored it . Once I started reading it I honestly couldn’t put it down , so invested was I in the story and the characters . Thankfully book 2 is published today also so I’ll be diving straight into that one later today as I need to find out how things are going to go for everyone . A brilliant start for what is for me a new series .
All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 27, 2015
Not my usual read but full of 1950's rock and roll madness and romance. This is a prequel and I haven't read any of the other Raiders books so I don't know what happened to our star crossed lovers and I don't know if the band ever make it to the big time. The book ends with those three little words - TO BE CONTINUED....
Well I suppose I'm going to have to read the whole series now, Pam.
Well I suppose I'm going to have to read the whole series now, Pam.
September 30, 2023
Former title that'll be the day, when times are tough only the best friends can help you through.
Uplifting historical saga set in Stockport 1959.
Eddie Mellor and his mates Roy and Tim spend all their time in Flanagan and Grey's record emporium all sixteen years old and can't wait to leave school, forming a group Roy and the Raiders playing gigs in Mario coffee bar one day they will become famous.
Jane Wilson along with her friends Sammy and Pat are all fourteen years old and have the hots for the lads and pair up, Jane with Eddie, Sammy with Roy and Pat with Tim, and Jane and Eddie are very much falling in love but there's someone stuck between them that's Eddie's ex Angie Turner.
This is the second time around for me reading this book, loving every single bit of it as we hit the swinging sixties that I was born into, love the music and everything about the era is captured into it, Wonderful just wonderful.
Uplifting historical saga set in Stockport 1959.
Eddie Mellor and his mates Roy and Tim spend all their time in Flanagan and Grey's record emporium all sixteen years old and can't wait to leave school, forming a group Roy and the Raiders playing gigs in Mario coffee bar one day they will become famous.
Jane Wilson along with her friends Sammy and Pat are all fourteen years old and have the hots for the lads and pair up, Jane with Eddie, Sammy with Roy and Pat with Tim, and Jane and Eddie are very much falling in love but there's someone stuck between them that's Eddie's ex Angie Turner.
This is the second time around for me reading this book, loving every single bit of it as we hit the swinging sixties that I was born into, love the music and everything about the era is captured into it, Wonderful just wonderful.
January 26, 2024
The setting of this book was unique. I can remember setting and watching the Ed Sullivan show the first time the Beatles appeared in the US. I still have my 'Beatle's' cap. I loved the historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the story.
February 2, 2024
Waste of time
Don't waste your time on this book. I kept reading, in hopes one or more characters would grow a brain cell or some morals, but none ever did. If this is the state of the common British people, their nation has no hope. Truly pitiful.
Don't waste your time on this book. I kept reading, in hopes one or more characters would grow a brain cell or some morals, but none ever did. If this is the state of the common British people, their nation has no hope. Truly pitiful.
March 11, 2024
Excellent read telling the love story and cheating of Eddie towards Jane even thought he loves her to bits, Roy devoted to Sammy, Tim and Pat quietly enjoying their courtship. I could not put the ebook down well done to Pam Howes I love your books.
November 29, 2023
Great read brilliant.
February 2, 2024
Good book for a 14 year old.
February 27, 2024
It was just okay. I had a hard time getting into the story. The British terminology made it har to read. I won't finish the series.
April 5, 2024
Loved this book couldn’t stop reading it had to force myself to put it down
April 4, 2025
Good start but it just didn't pull me into the story.
September 30, 2023
As a fan of Pam Howes' Lark Lane and Bryant Sisters series, I was thrilled to dive into a rebranded series originally published about ten years ago and now stepping out into the light of day again as the Mersey Square series. It brings Pam's love of rock and roll music to life in the telling of the birth of a young teenage band trying to make a name for themselves whilst also trying to find their feet in an adult's world.
Originally published as the prequel to the series titled "That'll Be the Day" (in a nod to Buddy Holly who is a featured influence in the early part of the story), this tale begins with the emergence of three young lads - Eddie, Roy and Tim - establishing themselves as musicians as well as doing the usual teenage stuff as smoking, drinking and falling in love.
Jane Wilson first sees Eddie Mellor in the record shop they both frequent after school and while he winks at her, she's too shy to reciprocate, instead turning away. Her friends Sammy and Pat find themselves attracted to Eddie's friends Roy and Tim respectively and soon the three girls and three boys meet and the rest is history. Jane is head over heels in love with Eddie though he thinks she is 16 like him, whereas she is really 14. But will Eddie still want to be with her when he finds out her real age?
But the real fly in the ointment is his on-and-off again soon-to-be-ex girlfriend, Angie Turner. When she sees Eddie making eyes at Jane the green eyed monster rears its head and Angie makes it her life's mission to win Eddie back...whatever the cost.
But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for...
This is a cracking start to a promising series I've not read before that I read it in a day. I just had to know where it all ended...and then it really didn't because as it's a prequel, I now need to dive into the second book to see how things pan out for all involved.
I'll say no more and leave it for you to enjoy yourself...because enjoy it you will. It's such an easy read no matter what your age. And I can't wait to delve into the second one. I just hope the remaining three won't be too far behind because I will surely want to read those soon enough too.
Another cracking read by Pam Howes! Delightful from start to finish.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Originally published as the prequel to the series titled "That'll Be the Day" (in a nod to Buddy Holly who is a featured influence in the early part of the story), this tale begins with the emergence of three young lads - Eddie, Roy and Tim - establishing themselves as musicians as well as doing the usual teenage stuff as smoking, drinking and falling in love.
Jane Wilson first sees Eddie Mellor in the record shop they both frequent after school and while he winks at her, she's too shy to reciprocate, instead turning away. Her friends Sammy and Pat find themselves attracted to Eddie's friends Roy and Tim respectively and soon the three girls and three boys meet and the rest is history. Jane is head over heels in love with Eddie though he thinks she is 16 like him, whereas she is really 14. But will Eddie still want to be with her when he finds out her real age?
But the real fly in the ointment is his on-and-off again soon-to-be-ex girlfriend, Angie Turner. When she sees Eddie making eyes at Jane the green eyed monster rears its head and Angie makes it her life's mission to win Eddie back...whatever the cost.
But as the old adage goes, be careful what you wish for...
This is a cracking start to a promising series I've not read before that I read it in a day. I just had to know where it all ended...and then it really didn't because as it's a prequel, I now need to dive into the second book to see how things pan out for all involved.
I'll say no more and leave it for you to enjoy yourself...because enjoy it you will. It's such an easy read no matter what your age. And I can't wait to delve into the second one. I just hope the remaining three won't be too far behind because I will surely want to read those soon enough too.
Another cracking read by Pam Howes! Delightful from start to finish.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheGirlsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 27, 2024
The Girls of Mersey Square by Pam Howes was a book that I really wanted to read. When Bookouture Publishers offered the Kindle book to me to read and review. I was very excited. However, I was very disappointed in the storyline and the novel itself.
I’m not a prude, but the love lives of the main characters really put me off. The two sets of parents had been rock stars in earlier years and the husbands were going to get the band back together. That is the backdrop of the story. The laxity in the raising of their children was totally foreign to me. Teenagers in and out of each other’s beds and the sexual content of the book was not my style of reading.
I was supposed to have this review done by the 18th of January, but I really wanted to be able to give it a strong “thumps up”. The best thing that I can say about this novel is that the characters are strong in the face of tragedy and betrayal. I will say that Ms. Howes is a strong writer, but her choice of subject matter was not a good choice for me.
I’m not a prude, but the love lives of the main characters really put me off. The two sets of parents had been rock stars in earlier years and the husbands were going to get the band back together. That is the backdrop of the story. The laxity in the raising of their children was totally foreign to me. Teenagers in and out of each other’s beds and the sexual content of the book was not my style of reading.
I was supposed to have this review done by the 18th of January, but I really wanted to be able to give it a strong “thumps up”. The best thing that I can say about this novel is that the characters are strong in the face of tragedy and betrayal. I will say that Ms. Howes is a strong writer, but her choice of subject matter was not a good choice for me.
April 22, 2024
Boring book, dreadfully narrated by Imogen Church. Gave up halfway through
March 13, 2024
A Good Read
Set in the late 1950s and 60s the book is about teenagers. their loves and lives. Jane is a typical teenager, mainly interested in music and boys. When she meets Eddie, a wannaby drummer in a group she is instantly "in love". She is only fourteen, but to start with she pretends she is nearly sixteen. Eddie has been trying to get her into bed, but when he finds out her real age, he promises he will wait until she is older, but another girl is waiting in the wings keen to get Eddie back. I enjoyed this book but it has lost a star as I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and now have to buy the next book to find out the ending of this story, and no doubt I will have to buy the third book and so on,
Set in the late 1950s and 60s the book is about teenagers. their loves and lives. Jane is a typical teenager, mainly interested in music and boys. When she meets Eddie, a wannaby drummer in a group she is instantly "in love". She is only fourteen, but to start with she pretends she is nearly sixteen. Eddie has been trying to get her into bed, but when he finds out her real age, he promises he will wait until she is older, but another girl is waiting in the wings keen to get Eddie back. I enjoyed this book but it has lost a star as I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and now have to buy the next book to find out the ending of this story, and no doubt I will have to buy the third book and so on,
February 18, 2020
Fabulous
I chose 5 star rating so well deserved because of like me you were a teen during the 60s you will absolutely love this book and all the others in the series. Pam captures the mood of the era perfectly and it will take you straight back there. The group of friends with their ups and downs that young love brings,the hang out coffee bar, the lads trying to get their group off the ground....the whole series carries same group of friends through from late 50s all the way to the 00s .superb reading!
I chose 5 star rating so well deserved because of like me you were a teen during the 60s you will absolutely love this book and all the others in the series. Pam captures the mood of the era perfectly and it will take you straight back there. The group of friends with their ups and downs that young love brings,the hang out coffee bar, the lads trying to get their group off the ground....the whole series carries same group of friends through from late 50s all the way to the 00s .superb reading!
January 29, 2024
Six teenagers navigate their way through the tumultuous beginning of the rock and roll era.
Notice: Explicit sexual content.
It's hard to review this book without spoiling the content. This story is a coming-of-age tale set at the end of the fifties/start of the sixties. While one character is the main heroine, the other characters also take a turn in the spotlight, creating a rich picture of that time and that scene in Liverpool. I wouldn't read this genre ordinarily, but I picked it up on a whim, and it compelled me to read to the end.
Notice: Explicit sexual content.
It's hard to review this book without spoiling the content. This story is a coming-of-age tale set at the end of the fifties/start of the sixties. While one character is the main heroine, the other characters also take a turn in the spotlight, creating a rich picture of that time and that scene in Liverpool. I wouldn't read this genre ordinarily, but I picked it up on a whim, and it compelled me to read to the end.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews