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Ivy Rose #1
Through Streets Broad and Narrow
On New Year’s Day 1925 Ivy Rose Murphy awakes to find her world changed forever. Her irresponsible Da is dead. She is grief-stricken and alone – but for the first time in her life free to please herself.
After her mother deserted the family, Ivy became the sole provider for her Da and three brothers. Pushing a pram around the well-to-do areas of Dublin every day, she begged for the discards of the wealthy which she then turned into items she could sell around Dublin’s markets.
As she visits the morgue to pay her respects to her Da, a chance meeting introduces Ivy to a new world of money and privilege, her mother's world. Ivy is suddenly a woman on a mission to improve herself and her lot in life.
Jem Ryan is the owner of a livery near Ivy’s tenement. When an accident occurs in one of his carriages, leaving a young girl homeless, it is Ivy he turns to. With Jem and the people she meets in her travels around Dublin, Ivy begins to break out of the property-ridden world that is all she has ever known.
Through Streets Broad and Narrow is a story of strength and determination in the unrelenting world that was Dublin tenement life.
After her mother deserted the family, Ivy became the sole provider for her Da and three brothers. Pushing a pram around the well-to-do areas of Dublin every day, she begged for the discards of the wealthy which she then turned into items she could sell around Dublin’s markets.
As she visits the morgue to pay her respects to her Da, a chance meeting introduces Ivy to a new world of money and privilege, her mother's world. Ivy is suddenly a woman on a mission to improve herself and her lot in life.
Jem Ryan is the owner of a livery near Ivy’s tenement. When an accident occurs in one of his carriages, leaving a young girl homeless, it is Ivy he turns to. With Jem and the people she meets in her travels around Dublin, Ivy begins to break out of the property-ridden world that is all she has ever known.
Through Streets Broad and Narrow is a story of strength and determination in the unrelenting world that was Dublin tenement life.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
June 11, 2017
I enjoy reading historical mysteries and when this special offer from Amazon appeared in my e-mail I though I would give it a try, as it appeared to have many of the elements I look for in this type of novel.
The three most important things I can say about this book are;
From the moment I started reading I didn’t put it down until I had finished every last word
The first thing I did after finishing the book was go to Amazon and download the next book. Actually that’s a lie I went to bed first as it was now 3.30am in the morning, but it was the first thing I did the next morning (after a cup of coffee).
After finishing the book I felt happier than I did before I started it and the next day I still felt happy looking forward to reading the next book.
There are some minor problems with the story, at times it feels a bit ‘jerky’. There are jumps in the story where on a couple of occasions I even thought I had missed a page. Also there are the odd unresolved incidents. I suspect the author feels they have been finished and has moved on, but I am left wondering what happened next. For example Ann Marie has an emotional meeting with her Uncle about the behavior of one of her cousins. Ann Marie leaves the matter with her Uncle and moves on with her life, but we never find out what the Uncle actually does. This is a minor thing and doesn’t affect the main story but having grabbed my interest it would have been nice to know what happened.
Because of these minor problems I was going to give 4 stars but actually they are not important. What is important is that this was the most enjoyable book I have read this year.
The three most important things I can say about this book are;
From the moment I started reading I didn’t put it down until I had finished every last word
The first thing I did after finishing the book was go to Amazon and download the next book. Actually that’s a lie I went to bed first as it was now 3.30am in the morning, but it was the first thing I did the next morning (after a cup of coffee).
After finishing the book I felt happier than I did before I started it and the next day I still felt happy looking forward to reading the next book.
There are some minor problems with the story, at times it feels a bit ‘jerky’. There are jumps in the story where on a couple of occasions I even thought I had missed a page. Also there are the odd unresolved incidents. I suspect the author feels they have been finished and has moved on, but I am left wondering what happened next. For example Ann Marie has an emotional meeting with her Uncle about the behavior of one of her cousins. Ann Marie leaves the matter with her Uncle and moves on with her life, but we never find out what the Uncle actually does. This is a minor thing and doesn’t affect the main story but having grabbed my interest it would have been nice to know what happened.
Because of these minor problems I was going to give 4 stars but actually they are not important. What is important is that this was the most enjoyable book I have read this year.
November 4, 2016
Don't waste your time. The story itself is interesting, but the writing is terrible.
September 26, 2016
A young woman in Dublin in the 1920's father (her "da") dies after having cleaned out every penny in their hovel, including money for the rent. Since age 9 and the flight of her Ma to a life somewhere else, the pennies earned by Ivy Rose alone are all that have kept her lazy but oh so handsome Da and her 3 olders brothers, all now departed, in a bit of food and rough shelter. Ivy is now on her own.
Read this story before? Think she is going into service in some great house? Or, perhaps she will find a kindly older gentleman who will stake her to an education and a do-over on life? Not here; the plot is better put together than many of those tropes.
While this book does not end in a cliff-hanger, and does wrap up a plot string, it does not tell readers enough about whether Ivy Rose's gambles on life are all resolved, not does it tell us what will happen to the many lesser characters whose lives readers will care about if they like this type of historical fiction. Somewhat in the fashion of season one in a television drama.
While there are threads of what may become romances in future stories in the series, those plots shoots have not blossomed yet.
Read this story before? Think she is going into service in some great house? Or, perhaps she will find a kindly older gentleman who will stake her to an education and a do-over on life? Not here; the plot is better put together than many of those tropes.
While this book does not end in a cliff-hanger, and does wrap up a plot string, it does not tell readers enough about whether Ivy Rose's gambles on life are all resolved, not does it tell us what will happen to the many lesser characters whose lives readers will care about if they like this type of historical fiction. Somewhat in the fashion of season one in a television drama.
While there are threads of what may become romances in future stories in the series, those plots shoots have not blossomed yet.
June 19, 2019
Three mixed-bag stars. This series debut started out promising but started to drag mid-way through and just kind of petered out at the end for me. On the positive side, I enjoyed the colorful 1920's Dublin setting. I think the author did a good job bringing it to life and "showing not telling" to help this reader become immersed in the setting. Overall, though, the writing was not all that great, and in the e-book version at least, the copy editing left much to be desired. Missing commas and oversights like "A twist of faith" (instead of "a twist of fate"), and sayings I thought were too modern for the times (like "no problem") were distracting to me. Certain story lines were started and then dropped, so it read kind of choppy for me. For instance, after all the hullabaloo about Emmy and her dead aunt, her adjusting to her new life and settling in with her now "uncle" Jem was glossed over -- that should have been a really big deal, I think. I did like the narrator, Ivy, though. This early feminist was an inspiration! But not enough of one to make me want to seek out (or pay for) the next three books in the series. I got this as a Kindle freebie from Amazon, so I am not complaining. Despite my dings, it was still a fun read, and I did enjoy it -- just not quite enough to continue with the series.
June 10, 2019
I'm about halfway in this book, but I doubt that I'll finish it. It was free on my Kindle, so I clicked. I like historical fiction. I'm especially interested in Irish historical fiction. And the premise of the book had promise. To her credit, the author has obviously researched many details about life in Dublin in that time period. However -- and it's a big however -- the writing is not good. Lots of cliches -- and worse still, cliches that would not have come up in Ireland in the 20s. Attitudes, tone, and language are historically inaccurate and often jarring. Although some of the details are interesting, the book remains anachronistic as a whole.
Update-- I finished the book. Wow. Unbelievably bad. Ivy is an Irish Mary Poppins. In ten month's time she transforms her life --- and the lives of everyone else in the book. Through it all, she constantly "grins." She addresses everyone as "yeh" about half of the time. "You" the rest of the time -- for no apparent reason. She invokes "Jaysus" or "Jesus" and calls most things "bloody" or "feckin." Amazing. Where was her editor?
Update-- I finished the book. Wow. Unbelievably bad. Ivy is an Irish Mary Poppins. In ten month's time she transforms her life --- and the lives of everyone else in the book. Through it all, she constantly "grins." She addresses everyone as "yeh" about half of the time. "You" the rest of the time -- for no apparent reason. She invokes "Jaysus" or "Jesus" and calls most things "bloody" or "feckin." Amazing. Where was her editor?
September 10, 2018
It used to be rare for me to stop reading a book, but it didn't take long for me to quit this one. There are too many inconsistencies and awkward problems (including historic accuracy and general logic) for me to keep reading it.
Also, why would both the coroner's assistant and the daughter think (rather dreamily and repeatedly) about what a fine specimen the dead corpse is? Ugh.
Also, why would both the coroner's assistant and the daughter think (rather dreamily and repeatedly) about what a fine specimen the dead corpse is? Ugh.
October 18, 2016
A book that makes you grateful of the little things in life
January 29, 2020
I loved the setting, but this was a somewhat of a hot mess. There were so many random events thrown together and the plot didn't flow well. I don't see myself continuing with the series.
August 18, 2020
I loved this book. A fast and easy reading story of a tough life with Ivy and her friends in the tenements known as ‘The Lane’ of Dublin, Ireland in the 1920's. Her life changed though when her Da died and further again when Jem's horse drawn taxi service had an accident while engaged with an interesting fare. I loved seeing this strong woman grow by taking castoffs of the rich to remake them into something that could enrich her life and those friends that surround her. There are 4 books in this series, I may just move onto Book 2 at this time and see what her enemy has in store for her. Yes, Ivy has an enemy.
May 3, 2021
The story of ivy rose Murphy and the life and times of Dublin in the 192os.
This book was a delight to read. I felt like I had stepped back in time to Dublin in the 1920s. A life of hardship and poverty that shows that even though they were hard times the little community was very tight knit and there was nothing a good cup of tea couldn't solve.
Jackson portrays life in the 20s so vividly and well you can't help but feel you are a visitor watching all the characters. Growing to love them or loathe them more and more as the book progress.
I throughly enjoyed stepping back in time to a simpler time and learning about Dublin life in the past.
A really enjoyable read.
I wish there was a sequel to this book because I'd love to see what happens next to ivy and all the characters of the little lane in Dublin where everyone has a story to tell
This book was a delight to read. I felt like I had stepped back in time to Dublin in the 1920s. A life of hardship and poverty that shows that even though they were hard times the little community was very tight knit and there was nothing a good cup of tea couldn't solve.
Jackson portrays life in the 20s so vividly and well you can't help but feel you are a visitor watching all the characters. Growing to love them or loathe them more and more as the book progress.
I throughly enjoyed stepping back in time to a simpler time and learning about Dublin life in the past.
A really enjoyable read.
I wish there was a sequel to this book because I'd love to see what happens next to ivy and all the characters of the little lane in Dublin where everyone has a story to tell
March 14, 2023
Gemma Jackson has brought to life some very endearing characters with larger than life personalities.
While this novel mostly speaks of the disparities between the worlds of the rich and the poor, it also brings to life a much simpler time in the 1920's. Through the eyes of Ivy Murphy and her friends we see the world slowly changing.
The book will leave you feeling good. My one criticism would be that the characters are too black and white, rather than the interesting shades of grey we typically witness. But nevertheless,the book is very enjoyable and the characters are easy to invest on.
While this novel mostly speaks of the disparities between the worlds of the rich and the poor, it also brings to life a much simpler time in the 1920's. Through the eyes of Ivy Murphy and her friends we see the world slowly changing.
The book will leave you feeling good. My one criticism would be that the characters are too black and white, rather than the interesting shades of grey we typically witness. But nevertheless,the book is very enjoyable and the characters are easy to invest on.
April 29, 2024
Ivy triumphs
A riveting, page turning tale, there is never too much of Ivy. The descriptions of life in Dublin are graphic and hard on the sensitivities but serves to underscore the people's strength. It was difficult to wrap my mind around their sense of acceptance of this is how the world is and there is nothing that can change it. Until, Ivy wakes up and meets Ann Marie and realizes that something can be done. You cannot help loving Ivy, feisty, free spirited, independent, fighter, not just for herself but for her friends as well. Reading of Ivy's fight against the system puts back the hope that was need to balance the story.
This is not a dark story, however, because there is underlying humor throughout, as Ivy takes a sense of joy and happiness wherever she goes.
A riveting, page turning tale, there is never too much of Ivy. The descriptions of life in Dublin are graphic and hard on the sensitivities but serves to underscore the people's strength. It was difficult to wrap my mind around their sense of acceptance of this is how the world is and there is nothing that can change it. Until, Ivy wakes up and meets Ann Marie and realizes that something can be done. You cannot help loving Ivy, feisty, free spirited, independent, fighter, not just for herself but for her friends as well. Reading of Ivy's fight against the system puts back the hope that was need to balance the story.
This is not a dark story, however, because there is underlying humor throughout, as Ivy takes a sense of joy and happiness wherever she goes.
January 24, 2023
A little too cliche for my liking, mediocre at best. This has potential , but I never really felt engrossed in the story.Lots of unfinished plot threads and non resolution to conflict created by the Author. Other reviews mention that this is the best of the series , so I definitely will not be reading any more of the Ivy rose series . If I wasn’t so stubborn, it would be a DNF .
January 6, 2019
I almost passed this one by
Unless a book is written by an author I am familiar with, it's title and cover picture are usually what attract me, spark my interest. This was not the case with Through Streets Broad and Narrow by Gemma Jackson. The title struck my as a little ackward, the picture uninspiring. I'm not really sure what drew me to this book, but I am so glad it did.
Set in the tenements of 1925 Dublin, the story introduces Ivy Murphy, a young Irish woman who's life until that point had been spent slaving to support and meet every need of her Da and brothers.
An unexpected tragedy in the early hours of New Year's Day begins a series of events that change everything for Ivy and those around her - in ways she could never have imagined.
I quickly came to root for Ivy - a strong, intelligent (despite lack of education,) strongwilled young woman - and the host of other character, all well developed and believable.
As I neared the end of the book and realized there could be, should be so much left to the story, I was happy to discover this was first in a series of four books. I will definitely seek out the other three and recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction but may be looking for something other than the WWII settings that are recently so popular.
Unless a book is written by an author I am familiar with, it's title and cover picture are usually what attract me, spark my interest. This was not the case with Through Streets Broad and Narrow by Gemma Jackson. The title struck my as a little ackward, the picture uninspiring. I'm not really sure what drew me to this book, but I am so glad it did.
Set in the tenements of 1925 Dublin, the story introduces Ivy Murphy, a young Irish woman who's life until that point had been spent slaving to support and meet every need of her Da and brothers.
An unexpected tragedy in the early hours of New Year's Day begins a series of events that change everything for Ivy and those around her - in ways she could never have imagined.
I quickly came to root for Ivy - a strong, intelligent (despite lack of education,) strongwilled young woman - and the host of other character, all well developed and believable.
As I neared the end of the book and realized there could be, should be so much left to the story, I was happy to discover this was first in a series of four books. I will definitely seek out the other three and recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction but may be looking for something other than the WWII settings that are recently so popular.
June 5, 2018
A feel good, rags to riches story set in the Ireland of the early 1900.
Though the story is pretty predictable and the writing could have been better, the character of Ivy, who collects discarded garments from the rich to modify them for reselling keeps one reading to the end.
This was a freebie on Bookbub and is the first of a three part series. I don't see myself going hunting for the remaining books.
Though the story is pretty predictable and the writing could have been better, the character of Ivy, who collects discarded garments from the rich to modify them for reselling keeps one reading to the end.
This was a freebie on Bookbub and is the first of a three part series. I don't see myself going hunting for the remaining books.
July 23, 2017
Good for a first novel. A little clunky and a little forced. Good characters but the plot needs work: more excitement, drama, and tension. Will probably not read the rest of the series, at least not right away.
May 24, 2018
Truly enjoyed this book! A lighter read than my usual fare, but I found myself engaged w Ivy, Jem & the rest of The Lane. Finding Ann Marie to be a great change agent, but not nearly as believable.
However, I will read the next book if & when I trip over it.
However, I will read the next book if & when I trip over it.
November 10, 2017
This is a really charming story. Not a litarary book but well written and engaging. I got this book free through bookbub, but have bought the next two in the series. I would recommend it.
July 19, 2019
Through Streets Broad and Narrow is the first in a four book series about a girl/woman who after spending the better part of her childhood taking care of her brothers and father sets out on her own to pursue her own life and dreams. After Ivy Rose Murphy's mother flees and then her brothers do the same, her father, a drunk spends every bit of money she's able to make, he treats her more like a slave than a daughter and her life seems pretty destitute, but then her "da" dies and she must now face life on her own. She's grief stricken without her father and misses him even though he was horrible to her. She learns she has only herself to count on now and continues her job of pushing her pram throughout the wealthy areas of Dublin collecting unwanted items and then turning them into items she can sell, by either making other things from the glamorous fabrics she receives or selling the items outright. A high society woman befriends her when she goes to the morgue to identify her father's body and is fascinated with her lifestyle and offers her help. Soon Ivy Rose is making more money than she's ever seen and living better than most in the tenements she calls home. However, everything is not as happy as it seems in Ivy's world. There are some who want her out of business and out of the tenement. This all leads to a bit of suspense in the book. The author did a good job with the characters. I felt close to them and enjoyed following their lives throughout. The story moved along at a quick pace and kept me reading page after page. The book did leave me with unanswered questions, but that's to be expected in a first book of a series. I'm already reading book two. This was a quick read for me and wasn't real heavy or intense and didn't require a huge amount of time and concentration. Just a nice story, with great characters. I'd never read anything from this author, but like her style and will look into other works by her after I finish this series.
October 31, 2020
Set in the slums of Dublin in 1925. The extreme poverty is familiar (particularly if you've read non-fiction like Angela's Ashes), but in almost fairy-tale fashion, the good people get the good that's coming to them in this novel. We all need that kind of reassurance occasionally, especially in 2020. Our plucky young protagonist has been the sole support of her lazy, drunken father and brothers since she was 9 years old. Now the brothers are all gone and the father dead, so she gets a chance to blossom. She is aided by a wealthy do-gooder who sees the promise in her. Not everybody has such an angel investor to give them advice, introduce them to the right people, and loan them business start-up money, but you're glad to see it happen to somebody who deserves it. Ivy isn't a church-goer, but she displays more Christianity than the parish priest, and teaches life lessons to her wealthy benefactor as well. This is the first in a series. Worth following.
April 26, 2021
I found this book to be fascinating and was so inspired by Ivy with her gumption and work ethic. Being of Irish descent, the description of life in Dublin in the 1920s for the upper and lowest classes was riveting. Interestingly enough, I went to Ireland three years ago looking for inspiration for one of my own upcoming historical novels. The idea was put on the back burner as I walked away thinking, "There were no happy endings for the people in Ireland." Ivy's story proves that there can be and that people can find happiness in the simplest things in life. No matter how meager your life is, you can pull yourself up by your bootstraps and make something of yourself. If Ivy could, anyone can!
October 8, 2020
A good 3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the the plot and Dublin of the 1920's is really brought to life. I had a couple of gripes. I don't really think we needed to be told quite so many times how handsome Eamon Murphy was and Ivy just seemed a bit too good to be true. That said, I think the struggles of a young woman trying to 'better' herself makes for a very entertaining read. It all just seems to fall into place a little too easily at times.
July 23, 2017
I really loved the beginning of the book, but it got formulaic and the ending seemed rushed. I am giving it a 4 because it was well written and I wanted to keep reading despite knowing how it will end...eventually. The formula demands that you read all 3 books before you see the romance come to fruition. I may be suckered in because it is a feel good rags-to-riches book.
December 27, 2018
awesome cover, newbie author to me, series - 4 books. cool time era for a read to be. mid twenties in Dublin. great characters, well written, great writing style. believable read and i hope to read the other reads soon enough!
June 21, 2019
One of the things I loved about this was reading about old Dublin and the history behind it. Focusing on Ivy the book starts with the death of her Da and her then changing fortunes. The characters are all great and believable but few story line I felt was a little far fetched and thing seemed to work in Ivy’s favour a bit too easily. I enjoyed it but by the end I didn’t care too much.
April 20, 2024
Fast paced story that never lets up with dialogue and language that rings in the ears. Just a little unpolished and uneven in some pedantic moments. Would love to know how historically accurate the details are, because they seem very realistic. Learned a lot, and whipped through it. Likely to continue this story for fast read situations on kindle.
December 7, 2019
What a great story! Not a mystery; but, a story of life in the 20's in Ireland. Poor like most of us cannot imagine, it was a story of inspiration. I look forward to reading Gemma Jackson's next book about these same characters!
May 17, 2020
A revealing yet delightful story of life in turn of the century Ireland and the struggles of the working classes.
January 8, 2026
Thoughtful
This Dublin story of Ivy and her predicaments were so heartfelt. It was amazing to read the story and think of people who change other people's lives for good.
This Dublin story of Ivy and her predicaments were so heartfelt. It was amazing to read the story and think of people who change other people's lives for good.
July 22, 2025
excellent book that takes place in Dublin Ireland in the very early 20th century. Ivy Murphy is extremely poor, and her father is found drowned on New Yeats morning. Ivy takes on the world!! In more wsys than one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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