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Riches of the Heart
From the shadows of post-war Southampton comes a tale of bravery, survival and resilience — and one girl whose courage will light the way.
Southampton, 1920.
Living under the oppressive thumb of her abusive father and indifferent mother, Lily Johnson's world is filled with fear. Until one desperate night, when she breaks free and flees into the dangerous docklands of Southampton with nothing but her fierce will to survive.
All alone in the world, Lily's luck changes when she finds work at a bustling second-hand shop. Rachel Cohen, a tough but kind-hearted widow, offers Lily a safe haven where she can begin to find strength and a sense of purpose that she never knew was possible.
As she navigates her new life, Lily encounters Tom McCann, a charismatic and protective Irishman who offers her a glimpse of a brighter future.
But Lily’s newfound happiness is jeopardised when Vittorio Teglia, a dangerous criminal, sets his eyes on her. His desire for her threatens to drag Lily back into the darkness she’s so desperately trying to escape.
Lily dreads the day that Vittorio’s relentless pursuit will test her courage and resilience like never before.
A day that dawns far too soon . . .
A gripping tale of love, survival and an unbreakable spirit that captures the essence of a bygone era.
Southampton, 1920.
Living under the oppressive thumb of her abusive father and indifferent mother, Lily Johnson's world is filled with fear. Until one desperate night, when she breaks free and flees into the dangerous docklands of Southampton with nothing but her fierce will to survive.
All alone in the world, Lily's luck changes when she finds work at a bustling second-hand shop. Rachel Cohen, a tough but kind-hearted widow, offers Lily a safe haven where she can begin to find strength and a sense of purpose that she never knew was possible.
As she navigates her new life, Lily encounters Tom McCann, a charismatic and protective Irishman who offers her a glimpse of a brighter future.
But Lily’s newfound happiness is jeopardised when Vittorio Teglia, a dangerous criminal, sets his eyes on her. His desire for her threatens to drag Lily back into the darkness she’s so desperately trying to escape.
Lily dreads the day that Vittorio’s relentless pursuit will test her courage and resilience like never before.
A day that dawns far too soon . . .
A gripping tale of love, survival and an unbreakable spirit that captures the essence of a bygone era.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 23, 2024
A beautiful well written story once you get into it you just cannot put it down. Looking forward to reading reast of Southampton series,
April 5, 2025
It's not that the storyline was terrible; I just didn't care much for Lily. She's proof positive that if you're a beautiful woman you pretty much get whatever you want as men bend over backwards for you.
I'm not sure the title Riches of the Heart is an accurate book description either. I was hopeful for her and Tom and then he becane an obsessive stalker. Lily is drawn to a mobster and she overlooks his shady and murderous past to build a future. I don't find that particularly romantic. All the while, her inner monologue is how she wants to be a free and independent woman. Then, tragedy strikes after she realizes that she truly has found love.
I'm not sure the title Riches of the Heart is an accurate book description either. I was hopeful for her and Tom and then he becane an obsessive stalker. Lily is drawn to a mobster and she overlooks his shady and murderous past to build a future. I don't find that particularly romantic. All the while, her inner monologue is how she wants to be a free and independent woman. Then, tragedy strikes after she realizes that she truly has found love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2025
A Really Good Read
Lily Johnson ran away from home away from the abuse by her father and a mother who didn't care. She had nothing but was lucky to get a job at a second hand clothes store ran by Rachel Cohen, who made a corner of the shop for Lily to sleep in. All was going well until Rachel's son returned home and Lily had to run away again. She catches the eye of Vittorio Teglio, night club owner and criminal. Lily tries to ignore his advances but she needs a job and a home and despite all the warnings she accepts a job with him. This was a really good read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Lily Johnson ran away from home away from the abuse by her father and a mother who didn't care. She had nothing but was lucky to get a job at a second hand clothes store ran by Rachel Cohen, who made a corner of the shop for Lily to sleep in. All was going well until Rachel's son returned home and Lily had to run away again. She catches the eye of Vittorio Teglio, night club owner and criminal. Lily tries to ignore his advances but she needs a job and a home and despite all the warnings she accepts a job with him. This was a really good read which I thoroughly enjoyed.
May 15, 2021
I don't remember reading anything by this author before, but I definitely would again, especially since I've discovered that there are two more books that follow on from this one.
It's definitely, full of everything that a good saga should be, a good solid storyline, with strong characters, and a great sense of atmosphere.
A true tale of triumph over adversity.
It's definitely, full of everything that a good saga should be, a good solid storyline, with strong characters, and a great sense of atmosphere.
A true tale of triumph over adversity.
June 1, 2026
Great Author
Love this book! It really kept me guessing until the end! I love historical books that span over a long period of time because you really feel like you lived a lifetime with the Characters! Great writing style! Hated for it to end! I will be looking for more books by June Tate!
Love this book! It really kept me guessing until the end! I love historical books that span over a long period of time because you really feel like you lived a lifetime with the Characters! Great writing style! Hated for it to end! I will be looking for more books by June Tate!
September 3, 2024
A fantastic story.
This story went from sad to enjoyable to very sad. I enjoyed it very much but I wish it had a different ending, it is putting me off other stories by this author in case they all finish in such a sad way, I like to finish a story happy!
This story went from sad to enjoyable to very sad. I enjoyed it very much but I wish it had a different ending, it is putting me off other stories by this author in case they all finish in such a sad way, I like to finish a story happy!
February 15, 2026
Predictable
Sadly, this book reminded me of Dickens. Poor little mite. Put upon. Mistreated. Fortunate events, then downfalls. Repeat. Skipped most of the middle and read just the end. Ending was adequate. Hope the other of this author's books are less fraught.
Sadly, this book reminded me of Dickens. Poor little mite. Put upon. Mistreated. Fortunate events, then downfalls. Repeat. Skipped most of the middle and read just the end. Ending was adequate. Hope the other of this author's books are less fraught.
May 4, 2026
Set in a working-class dockside community, likely in early 20th-century England, Riches of the Heart by June Tate captures the messiness of everyday life with a sense of realism that feels both simple and chaotic.
I especially appreciated how the story avoids clear-cut archetypes—no one is purely good or bad, and the characters are allowed to exist in the grey.
A grounded, slice-of-life saga that offers a glimpse into the complexities of ordinary lives, in a time far removed from modern day living.
I especially appreciated how the story avoids clear-cut archetypes—no one is purely good or bad, and the characters are allowed to exist in the grey.
A grounded, slice-of-life saga that offers a glimpse into the complexities of ordinary lives, in a time far removed from modern day living.
July 23, 2026
Lily must find her way to happiness
From rags to riches. Lily has been abused by her parents and others. She wants to be taken care of. She finds herself out in the streets with nothing. How does she survive?
From rags to riches. Lily has been abused by her parents and others. She wants to be taken care of. She finds herself out in the streets with nothing. How does she survive?
August 20, 2026
Fabulous!
This amazing story of love, lust, luck accompanied with anger,greed,fear and hatred is finely woven together into a mystery that did not resolve until the final chai. I couldn't put it down.
This amazing story of love, lust, luck accompanied with anger,greed,fear and hatred is finely woven together into a mystery that did not resolve until the final chai. I couldn't put it down.
September 6, 2024
Excellent read
This is a great read , I could not put it down. Get you gripped from the start. Highly recommend
This is a great read , I could not put it down. Get you gripped from the start. Highly recommend
September 12, 2024
Stimulating
What a great writer you are, I couldn't put this book down, I absolutely loved this book. Well done. 10 out of ten.
What a great writer you are, I couldn't put this book down, I absolutely loved this book. Well done. 10 out of ten.
March 20, 2025
This was a fairly engaging book, but did not meet my expectations after seeing all of the glowing 5 star reviews.
April 11, 2025
Good book
April 16, 2025
Touching
A story that touched my heart. The strong characters so real, strong and believable. One book i will recommend again and again.
A story that touched my heart. The strong characters so real, strong and believable. One book i will recommend again and again.
November 30, 2025
An enjoyable read
Great read on a miserable day I enjoyed it and looking for the next one . Glad I have found this author
Great read on a miserable day I enjoyed it and looking for the next one . Glad I have found this author
December 8, 2025
i love this author. Light read but fun
December 16, 2025
Hard to.put down
As I Saud in the title it was hard to put the book down.
I liked how Lily made the best if her lot in life. And I could see Rachel thinking of her as a daughter
As I Saud in the title it was hard to put the book down.
I liked how Lily made the best if her lot in life. And I could see Rachel thinking of her as a daughter
June 24, 2026
Took a while to get into but finished as I hoped it would have started
July 22, 2026
What used to be called a penny dreadful
It was described as a historical fiction but really just a common bodice ripper.
No intelligent person should bother reading this.
It was described as a historical fiction but really just a common bodice ripper.
No intelligent person should bother reading this.
August 5, 2026
Had me st the start!
This book truly had my attention from the beginning. It was hard to worry about a sad ending but I felt it was a well written boom.
This book truly had my attention from the beginning. It was hard to worry about a sad ending but I felt it was a well written boom.
August 21, 2026
A great story, romance, drama, history and passion.
February 19, 2017
Dont have anythig you have to do if you pick this book up to read
An unputable down book cannot wait to read the follow up book later .Time for a quick tea bteak I think
An unputable down book cannot wait to read the follow up book later .Time for a quick tea bteak I think
July 31, 2011
Liked it but didn't love it. Also writes as Kim Hunter & Gary Kilworth
June Tate was born in Southampton, England, U.K.
June Tate was born in Southampton, England, U.K.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews