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Dilly's Story #1
Dilly's Sacrifice
A desperate act to save her family . . .
Dilly is with her husband unable to work and four children already at home, they cannot afford to feed their new-born baby. Heartbroken, she heads into the night to deliver her baby girl to the Farthing family at the big house. Having just lost their own daughter to measles, the Farthings adopt the baby and offer Dilly a a job as a maid. This act of desperation will change the lives of both families irrevocably – and the onset of WWI even more so. Sons are taken, love is declared, hearts are broken and terrible acts are committed. Through it all, Dilly does everything she can to preserve her family. But when the chance for true love finally comes, will she choose family over her own happiness? A moving and uplifting story of family, loyalty and love, from much-loved author Rosie Goodwin.
Dilly is with her husband unable to work and four children already at home, they cannot afford to feed their new-born baby. Heartbroken, she heads into the night to deliver her baby girl to the Farthing family at the big house. Having just lost their own daughter to measles, the Farthings adopt the baby and offer Dilly a a job as a maid. This act of desperation will change the lives of both families irrevocably – and the onset of WWI even more so. Sons are taken, love is declared, hearts are broken and terrible acts are committed. Through it all, Dilly does everything she can to preserve her family. But when the chance for true love finally comes, will she choose family over her own happiness? A moving and uplifting story of family, loyalty and love, from much-loved author Rosie Goodwin.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
236 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Goodwin
103 books369 followersBefore becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
November 5, 2015
Rosie Goodwin has been on of my favourite authors for a long time now, even though I have branched out with my reading matter over the years, I can't help but return to the authors that stirred my heart with their books.
Dilly finds herself pregnant with yet another child, her husband is out of work and they can't afford another mouth to feed.
Dilly sacrificed one child so that her other four children could have a better life in Ireland.
This is an historical fiction in the years before the first world war, so you need to set your mind back on what life was like then.
Rosie Goodwin always writes a powerful emotive family story that gets at your heart strings and this one is no different.
For all the readers liking books as this, this one should be on your Kindle or in your hands to read next.
*My thanks go to Little, Brown Book Group UK via Net Galley for my copy*
December 27, 2017
Truly exceptional book. Recommended.
January 10, 2016
I loved this story. It's easy to read, full of interesting characters and kept my interest throughout.
The central character is Dilly Carey. When the story begins her husband, Fergal has been recently crippled, she has four children at home and finds herself pregnant again. She knows that in their circumstances they just cannot afford another child or even to care for the ones they have. In a nearby big house a well to do family have lost a baby girl to the measles, and a plan is made for Dilly to give her baby to the Farthings. The agreement meant that In return for handing over her baby Dilly was to be employed there as a maid.
The story has lots of twists and turns, it switches easily between scenes at the Carey's small cottage, the Farthings large house, the home of Dilly' s in-laws in Ireland and at war zones in France. I am looking forward to the sequel, Dilly' s Lass.
The central character is Dilly Carey. When the story begins her husband, Fergal has been recently crippled, she has four children at home and finds herself pregnant again. She knows that in their circumstances they just cannot afford another child or even to care for the ones they have. In a nearby big house a well to do family have lost a baby girl to the measles, and a plan is made for Dilly to give her baby to the Farthings. The agreement meant that In return for handing over her baby Dilly was to be employed there as a maid.
The story has lots of twists and turns, it switches easily between scenes at the Carey's small cottage, the Farthings large house, the home of Dilly' s in-laws in Ireland and at war zones in France. I am looking forward to the sequel, Dilly' s Lass.
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March 19, 2016A brilliant read about the 1900's and the 1st world war, looking forward to reading Dilly's lass
March 28, 2016
What let down the ending was.
September 14, 2016
What a find in a local charity shop!
I love family sagas and shall be on the hunt for more novels by this author. A wonderful story, emotional and plenty of twists and turns. Recommended.
I love family sagas and shall be on the hunt for more novels by this author. A wonderful story, emotional and plenty of twists and turns. Recommended.
January 10, 2017
Amazing Book
I never liked history in school but this book was brilliant, making me aware of the horrors of World War 1, looking forward to book 2.
I never liked history in school but this book was brilliant, making me aware of the horrors of World War 1, looking forward to book 2.
October 20, 2017
As always with Rosie's books another great story!
I've found that with all of her books I've read that the closer you get to the end the more hooked you become and that it gets more difficult to put the book down.
But again, I loved the story and can not wait to start the next book in this series.
I've found that with all of her books I've read that the closer you get to the end the more hooked you become and that it gets more difficult to put the book down.
But again, I loved the story and can not wait to start the next book in this series.
May 9, 2020
I enjoyed this book, it was an easy read but had plenty going on to keep me interested. A perfect read over a few relaxing sunny days. I’m off to get the sequel now...which will be the second one of three.
May 4, 2017
Can't wait to read the sequel to it . Amazingly brilliant
September 28, 2015
I love historical sagas and this was another great read. Dilly has to give up her new baby because she has four children and her husband is out of a job. The Farthings take her in and give Dilly a job in the household.
The characters are really well drawn and I loved the way the story developed- feeling the family heartbreak and how their situation changes in the aftermath. When she gets the chance to change her own life will she take it- or will she be duty bound to consider others before her own happiness?
If you love historical books I would highly recommend this one- ideal for reading on an autumnal evening. Rosie Goodwin really writes great books in this genre.
With many thanks to Little Brown Book Group and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
The characters are really well drawn and I loved the way the story developed- feeling the family heartbreak and how their situation changes in the aftermath. When she gets the chance to change her own life will she take it- or will she be duty bound to consider others before her own happiness?
If you love historical books I would highly recommend this one- ideal for reading on an autumnal evening. Rosie Goodwin really writes great books in this genre.
With many thanks to Little Brown Book Group and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
September 4, 2015
This is amoving story, set in the years before the first world war, of a mother who sacrificed her baby so that the rest of her children could have a better life in Ireland and the trials and tribulations that followed.
Rosie Goodwin writes many powerful stories of this era and this one is no exception.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of the book by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am very happy to do.
Rosie Goodwin writes many powerful stories of this era and this one is no exception.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of the book by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am very happy to do.
December 19, 2015
Looking forward to Book 2
This was my first experience of this author and I was not disappointed..From page 1 ,the characters came to life and I read the book in one sitting .I particularly enjoyed that it was set in Nuneaton which is not too far from where I live . My only criticism is that it ended too abruptly....
This was my first experience of this author and I was not disappointed..From page 1 ,the characters came to life and I read the book in one sitting .I particularly enjoyed that it was set in Nuneaton which is not too far from where I live . My only criticism is that it ended too abruptly....
December 20, 2015
Great read very well written
Book was very captivating and superbly written would definitely recommend this book. Think it ended a little too quickly though but will be interesting to read the next book to see what happens.
Book was very captivating and superbly written would definitely recommend this book. Think it ended a little too quickly though but will be interesting to read the next book to see what happens.
January 9, 2016
Another great book from Rosie Goodwin. Look forward to the next one in this series.
Another really good book from Rosie. Rosie's books always Leave you wanting more. So glad there are another 2 books in this series. High!y recommend this book.
Another really good book from Rosie. Rosie's books always Leave you wanting more. So glad there are another 2 books in this series. High!y recommend this book.
November 3, 2015
Excellant story cant wait for book 2
November 25, 2015
Good book but I didn't feel as though it was finished. I guess thats life though. Unfinished
January 11, 2016
brill book it a page turner cant wait till i read next book in series dilly,s lass
March 25, 2016
Always enjoy reading books by Rosie Goodwin, read this one and ordered the second part, cannot wait for it to come!! Need to find out what happens next to the characters.
March 29, 2016
Didn't realise it was the beginning of a series, now have to wait for the next book !
January 31, 2017
One woman's struggle to raise her family through some really hard times and survive. First in a three book series.
March 5, 2017
Great read and written so true to life, can't wait to read books two and three in the series.
January 8, 2019
A Great 👍book
I am just finished reading this book and I am a about to start the second book in this series and can't wait to get started. Amazing story
I am just finished reading this book and I am a about to start the second book in this series and can't wait to get started. Amazing story
November 19, 2019
Another excellent book 😃
July 20, 2024
What a mixture of emotions as I write this! From elation to frustration.
The story piqued my interest from the word go. It really is a great story and well written as you would expect from Rosie. She really does excel herself in this book. She portrays such realistic descriptions of the horrific conditions the boys had to contend with during the first world war and equally the emotions of those family members left at home. It was one of those books you had a hard job putting down with new dramas unfolding throughout.
One small error - on page 25, the twins were 5 years old, and on page 6, they were 4 years old!
Then to my utter frustration, the story ended abruptly. It just seemed to cut off mid stream and my initial enthusiasm for this great book waned. Although I knew it was the first of a trilogy, I was bitterly disappointed that there were so many loose ends. I assume these will be tied up in the second book, 'Dilly's Lass', however, as I understand it, a trilogy is a group of three related books intertwined through the storyline and characters. Each book should be a sequel to the previous one, a set of three distinct works - each book in it's own right. Therefore, to my mind, this book is unfinished.
The work definitely deserves 5 stars but how can I give more than 4 when the work is incomplete?
The story piqued my interest from the word go. It really is a great story and well written as you would expect from Rosie. She really does excel herself in this book. She portrays such realistic descriptions of the horrific conditions the boys had to contend with during the first world war and equally the emotions of those family members left at home. It was one of those books you had a hard job putting down with new dramas unfolding throughout.
One small error - on page 25, the twins were 5 years old, and on page 6, they were 4 years old!
Then to my utter frustration, the story ended abruptly. It just seemed to cut off mid stream and my initial enthusiasm for this great book waned. Although I knew it was the first of a trilogy, I was bitterly disappointed that there were so many loose ends. I assume these will be tied up in the second book, 'Dilly's Lass', however, as I understand it, a trilogy is a group of three related books intertwined through the storyline and characters. Each book should be a sequel to the previous one, a set of three distinct works - each book in it's own right. Therefore, to my mind, this book is unfinished.
The work definitely deserves 5 stars but how can I give more than 4 when the work is incomplete?
June 2, 2024
What an absolutely superb book this is. The story of a poor woman who has to give her baby away, because she cannot afford to feed her. This story covers Dilly’s life from 1900 to the end of the 1st World War in 1918. The story was even more enjoyable to me as with most of Rosie Goodwin’s books they are set in my home town of Nuneaton, where Rosie still lives. This is the 1st of a trilogy of books about Dilly’s life. If the other 2 are as good as this one I am in for a treat.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Straight into my top 10 best books.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Straight into my top 10 best books.
October 1, 2024
If you liked any of Rosie Goodwin's other novels, you'll love this one. If you haven't read any, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this as an introduction, as it's pretty heavy on nearly everything that makes her style what it is. But for those of us who were already hooked, it's a great introduction to some characters you'll come to care a great deal about by the end. Since there are two sequels, i don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying not all the story arcs here are really resolved. Not that I minded, since I have both those sequels ready to go on my bedside table!
December 29, 2024
This was an in depth plot with well fleshed out characters. The author did a lot of research into the period of history this story is set in and it was very immersive.
I did feel that some characters had a rather modern perspective on the events if the time which did sometimes pull me out of the story. I also felt that being part of a series, the book wasn't needed very satisfactorily ended and relied too much on the following novel.
However I had a really good time with this book and have a feeling I may have found a new favourite author.
I did feel that some characters had a rather modern perspective on the events if the time which did sometimes pull me out of the story. I also felt that being part of a series, the book wasn't needed very satisfactorily ended and relied too much on the following novel.
However I had a really good time with this book and have a feeling I may have found a new favourite author.
May 17, 2025
Another brilliant book by Rosie Goodwin. A true page turner full of twists and turns during the 4 years of the 1st world war 1914- 1918
I fell in love with the Carey family and their living nature including another daughter who was adopted due to financial pressures . During the years the two families were woven together in one way and another with heartbreak sacrifice and love can’t wait to carry on the story in the 2nd book.
I fell in love with the Carey family and their living nature including another daughter who was adopted due to financial pressures . During the years the two families were woven together in one way and another with heartbreak sacrifice and love can’t wait to carry on the story in the 2nd book.
July 11, 2025
This is the first book in a series about the title character Dilly and her family, including the baby girl she gave to a local wealthy family to bring up as their own. The book covers a long timespan from the children growing up and ends with the end of world war 1. The characters are interesting and it’s not too predictable of a story. I give this a solid 4.5 rating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews