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Mersey Square #4
Always on My Mind
Mersey Square, Stockport. With her daughter in danger, how far will she go to save her? Every day for the last sixteen years, Olivia Grant has longed for her daughter. Forced to give her up at birth, Harley has been raised by her father Roy and his wife. When the day to meet her arrives at last, Olivia’s heart swells as she takes in Harley’s precious face, so like her own. But Olivia can her little angel is very sick and needs urgent help. And when a doctor delivers the most devastating news any parent could hear, Olivia must grapple with the heartbreaking truth. Will she lose the daughter she’s waited so long to meet?Praying that she will be able to save Harley, Olivia despairs when neither she nor Roy can give her the help she needs. Their best chance of saving their darling girl’s life is another baby, a full-blood sibling to save her life. But Roy has been happily married for the past sixteen years and he and Olivia now face an impossible choice. Having another child with Olivia would destroy Roy’s marriage, the only parents Harley has ever known. Should she ask Roy to try for another baby… or will doing so tear them all apart forever? If you love Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell, you’ll adore this utterly gripping saga novel which will rip your heart in two and remind you to never give up on those you love. This book was previously published as Always On My Mind.
397 pages, ebook
Published January 17, 2024
286 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 12, 2023
With her daughter terribly ill...how far will she go to save her...?
That's the crux of this book, really. How far would a mother go to save her child? And thensome. Because it's not just about her daughter, as readers will surely become aware. This is not a pretty tale but it sure is a messy one. One that began back in 1984...
For sixteen years, Livvy Grant has longed to see her firstborn daughter Harley who she gave up at five days old for her father Roy and his wife Sammy to bring up as their own. As a young single mother, she had no prospects but in closing that chapter of her life she moved on and married her childhood sweetheart, moved to America and had a daughter with him. All the while, still pining for Roy Cantello, her first love and father to her firstborn.
Now Harley is due to turn sixteen and Livvy is returning to Britain with the hope of being reunited with her daughter. But when she arrives, it's clear to see that Harley is gravely ill. And when the doctors confirm the devastating news, Livvy realises she could lose her daughter just when she has found her again. She would give anything, do anything to save her daughter's life. And then in the midst of despair she is given a gift, it seems. The best chance of saving her daughter's life is a full-blood sibling. Can she dare hope? Do they dare try?
Sammy Cantello has been a mother to Harley for her entire life. In fact, she is the only mother she has ever known, despite Roy promising Livvy to tell Harley all about her when she turned ten. Now she is just days away of turning sixteen and Roy has still yet to tell her. But tell her he must for Livvy is on her way back to the UK and she wants to see her daughter. But Sammy is scared. Because she knows the power that Livvy has over Roy and he won't be able to resist her. She fears that the pair will pick up where they left off and she couldn't cope with that.
Harley isn't the only reason Livvy is returning the the UK. Her friend Sheena has managed to track down her birth father and his family and she is returning to meet them, and the possibility of meeting her birth mother also. Finally, she will have a family to call her own. All she needs now is Roy and her family will be complete.
Well...this was one messy tale, to say the least. I have enjoyed each book in this series, though I may not have entirely enjoyed the direction in which they have taken. The last book "The Daughters of Mersey Square" had me frustrated no end and pulling my hair out wanting to slap Roy and scratch Livvy's eyes out. I liked how the last one ended with Harley nestled in the family bosom of Roy and Sammy...and Livvy out of the equation. I did not like that woman one bit. And in this one I liked her even less. She is calculating, manipulative and a devious little madam. She knew what she wanted and she set out to get it whatever the cost. The only time I cheered for her was her reuniting with her birth parents, which was heartwarming. Roy isn't much better. The man-child continues to think with his pecker and then gets himself in such a mess of his own making and yet it still isn't what he wants.
It's a complete mess like a soap opera but it's addictive reading and I must say I was rather satisfied with the ending. I can't wait to read the final one to see where that takes the Mellors and Cantellos and their extended lot, which I will be picking up next and hope to make as short work of that as I did this one.
Thoroughly enjoyed it!
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SecretsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
That's the crux of this book, really. How far would a mother go to save her child? And thensome. Because it's not just about her daughter, as readers will surely become aware. This is not a pretty tale but it sure is a messy one. One that began back in 1984...
For sixteen years, Livvy Grant has longed to see her firstborn daughter Harley who she gave up at five days old for her father Roy and his wife Sammy to bring up as their own. As a young single mother, she had no prospects but in closing that chapter of her life she moved on and married her childhood sweetheart, moved to America and had a daughter with him. All the while, still pining for Roy Cantello, her first love and father to her firstborn.
Now Harley is due to turn sixteen and Livvy is returning to Britain with the hope of being reunited with her daughter. But when she arrives, it's clear to see that Harley is gravely ill. And when the doctors confirm the devastating news, Livvy realises she could lose her daughter just when she has found her again. She would give anything, do anything to save her daughter's life. And then in the midst of despair she is given a gift, it seems. The best chance of saving her daughter's life is a full-blood sibling. Can she dare hope? Do they dare try?
Sammy Cantello has been a mother to Harley for her entire life. In fact, she is the only mother she has ever known, despite Roy promising Livvy to tell Harley all about her when she turned ten. Now she is just days away of turning sixteen and Roy has still yet to tell her. But tell her he must for Livvy is on her way back to the UK and she wants to see her daughter. But Sammy is scared. Because she knows the power that Livvy has over Roy and he won't be able to resist her. She fears that the pair will pick up where they left off and she couldn't cope with that.
Harley isn't the only reason Livvy is returning the the UK. Her friend Sheena has managed to track down her birth father and his family and she is returning to meet them, and the possibility of meeting her birth mother also. Finally, she will have a family to call her own. All she needs now is Roy and her family will be complete.
Well...this was one messy tale, to say the least. I have enjoyed each book in this series, though I may not have entirely enjoyed the direction in which they have taken. The last book "The Daughters of Mersey Square" had me frustrated no end and pulling my hair out wanting to slap Roy and scratch Livvy's eyes out. I liked how the last one ended with Harley nestled in the family bosom of Roy and Sammy...and Livvy out of the equation. I did not like that woman one bit. And in this one I liked her even less. She is calculating, manipulative and a devious little madam. She knew what she wanted and she set out to get it whatever the cost. The only time I cheered for her was her reuniting with her birth parents, which was heartwarming. Roy isn't much better. The man-child continues to think with his pecker and then gets himself in such a mess of his own making and yet it still isn't what he wants.
It's a complete mess like a soap opera but it's addictive reading and I must say I was rather satisfied with the ending. I can't wait to read the final one to see where that takes the Mellors and Cantellos and their extended lot, which I will be picking up next and hope to make as short work of that as I did this one.
Thoroughly enjoyed it!
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #SecretsOfMerseySquare in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
January 11, 2024
This is a review for the three Mersey Square novels out in January 2024
I love Pam Howes' series as the characters become sort of book friends and I root and feel for them.
This is a new to me series and I like to read about life after war, the rocker and how it was going to change.
All Mersey Square novels are moving and entertaining, features a cast of well thought characters and a vivid historical background.
I was moved, rooted for the characters, and travelled in time to a a different age even if I was old enough to attend university.
Highly Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I love Pam Howes' series as the characters become sort of book friends and I root and feel for them.
This is a new to me series and I like to read about life after war, the rocker and how it was going to change.
All Mersey Square novels are moving and entertaining, features a cast of well thought characters and a vivid historical background.
I was moved, rooted for the characters, and travelled in time to a a different age even if I was old enough to attend university.
Highly Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 14, 2024
Whenever i pick up one of Pam's books I know I'm in for a good read.
This one didn't let me down.
I loved catching up with Roy, the Raiders, and their families.
Full of cheating and secrets this book is a whirlwind and I loved it. It's the not-so-good side of Rock & Roll. They too have mixed up lives as we do.
This is book Four in the series I am now looking forward to settling down and reading number 5. The characters are like old friends and make you laugh at their antics, especially Roy, and cry at their distress.
This one didn't let me down.
I loved catching up with Roy, the Raiders, and their families.
Full of cheating and secrets this book is a whirlwind and I loved it. It's the not-so-good side of Rock & Roll. They too have mixed up lives as we do.
This is book Four in the series I am now looking forward to settling down and reading number 5. The characters are like old friends and make you laugh at their antics, especially Roy, and cry at their distress.
January 17, 2024
Secrets on Mersey Square is the fourth book in this amazing series! Olivia is back and as annoying as ever. The last book ended with Olivia leaving her new baby with Roy, the baby’s father, and Sammy. They raised Harley together. Harley is sick and her best chance of survival is to have a full blooded sibling.
I wish that Roy would just make up his mind because he can’t keep playing Olivia and Sammy. I loved this story and right up to the end I was on the edge of my seat. I wanted to yell at Olivia and Roy. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I wish that Roy would just make up his mind because he can’t keep playing Olivia and Sammy. I loved this story and right up to the end I was on the edge of my seat. I wanted to yell at Olivia and Roy. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
December 10, 2023
The fourth book in the Mersey Square series. Another one that I loved . An easy but excellent read. Lots going on in this book but I don’t want to give away spoilers.
December 24, 2023
Book Four in this wonderful series, that I enjoyed reading so much all the way through.
January 12, 2024
What a great story. Really enjoyed most the characters and how they interacted and their lives entwined. Would recommend this book.
March 2, 2024
Absolutely brilliant reads these books
Can’t wait to start the next one in the series :)
Absolutely brilliant author Pam Howes
Highly recommended 👍
Can’t wait to start the next one in the series :)
Absolutely brilliant author Pam Howes
Highly recommended 👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2024
Utterly poignant and spellbinding. I quickly became lost in the story of Olivia and I felt goosebumps on my arms from the emotions I could feel radiating from the written words on the page.
January 25, 2024
This has been a brilliant read, I am now on book 5 and will be sorry when I have finished reading it, just love all of the characters, and Looking forward to your next books.
January 18, 2024
Secrets on Mersey Square by Pam Howes pretty much takes up where the last one left off, in terms of people’s lives, at least. Livvy has made it big in the US as lead singer for a country band called Juice. Her marriage to David, an old friend from her hometown, is lukewarm but she loves her daughter, Courtney, with all her heart. It is nearly time for the sixteenth birthday of her first daughter, back in England living with her father and his family. She longs to see her, to see if Roy has kept his promise about telling her the truth about her mother. Next thing you know she is on her way, sans husband. Her mere presence will stir things up and there is plenty going on already.
Livvy is not a bad person. Her experiences as a child and youth with her adopted parents have left her feeling unloved and unable to trust. She wants what she wants. She has kept her word for sixteen years but she is at her limit now with that and with keeping secrets. Her arrival will upset the apple cart of Roy and Sammy’s lives, as well as those of those surrounding them. Eddie has always been Roy’s stalwart best friend, withholding judgement, for the most part, always there for him, always ready to listen. He is a strong character, having dealt with problems most of us can’t imagine. His wife, Jane, had been Sammy’s best friend for forty years and is not about to stop now. People have convoluted ways of solving problems and nowhere is that seen better than in this book between Sammy, Roy, and Livvy. The soap opera continues with much more to come. Absolutely entertaining.
I was invited to read this book by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #PamHowes #SecretsOnMerseySquare
Livvy is not a bad person. Her experiences as a child and youth with her adopted parents have left her feeling unloved and unable to trust. She wants what she wants. She has kept her word for sixteen years but she is at her limit now with that and with keeping secrets. Her arrival will upset the apple cart of Roy and Sammy’s lives, as well as those of those surrounding them. Eddie has always been Roy’s stalwart best friend, withholding judgement, for the most part, always there for him, always ready to listen. He is a strong character, having dealt with problems most of us can’t imagine. His wife, Jane, had been Sammy’s best friend for forty years and is not about to stop now. People have convoluted ways of solving problems and nowhere is that seen better than in this book between Sammy, Roy, and Livvy. The soap opera continues with much more to come. Absolutely entertaining.
I was invited to read this book by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #PamHowes #SecretsOnMerseySquare
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews