The Orphan's Dream

by Dilly Court

The heartwarming and nostalgic new novel from the Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author of The Beggar Maid.

Motherless since she was five, Mirabel Cutler was raised by her father to be a lady. But when he dies suddenly, Mirabel finds herself cast out on the street by her ruthless stepmother.

She is taken to a place of refuge by charismatic sea captain, Jack Starke. But the safe haven turns out to be a house of ill-repute. Here she becomes a parlour maid and catches the eye of an elderly, retired army officer, Hubert Kettle.

Mirabel has fallen in love with Jack Starke but when she hears that his ship has foundered and all were lost, she has little choice but to accept Hubert’s offer of a home and marriage. Although desperately unhappy, Mirabel is determined to make the best of her life.

Until she receives unexpected news and her life is thrown into turmoil once more.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2015

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every word that was written on the pages of this book. Very hard to put down.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books from back in the day that are either hit or miss or just too long with not enough plot or characters but this book had none of that and plenty of plot that filled every page from first to last. With so many likeable interesting characters that filled the pages with drama after drama.
A really easy entertaining read that didn't have any of that cliche romance of naive young girls falling in love with men after 5 seconds of looking at them or some such nonsense.
I devoured this book and enjoyed every bit of it.

[Denise Connon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been putting this book off reading as I thought I wouldn't enjoy it. It was recommended to me. So glad I read it, I really enjoyed it.

[Sharon]

Dilly Court never disappoints. Another story of hardships a young lady goes through but finds love and content in the end. I wanted the story to carry on as had a bit of an abrupt ending.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Mirabel’s father dies suddenly, she is ordered out of the only home she has ever known by her vindictive stepmother. Rescued by louche sea captain Jack Starke, he takes her to a house of ill-repute where she is glad to take work as a maid. There she meets elderly Hubert Kettle and the two form an undemanding friendship. When Mirabel learns that Jack has perished at sea, she agrees to marry Hubert and accompany him on a journey to Florida to search for the legendary ghost orchid to add to his beloved collection. As Mirabel has always wanted to travel, it seems a golden opportunity. While on the hazardous expedition, she discovers that Jack Starke is very much alive and he accompanies the party on the expedition, leading to the realisation that Mirabel is in love with him and that he returns her feelings. Back in London and now widowed, she finds that Hubert wasn’t as wealthy as she had thought and she is forced to become a shipping owner. Sorry but I found the story a bit improbable and couldn’t take it seriously.

[Pol · Rating 3 out of 5]

have not had a book by dilly court before the story keeps me reading just want to know how it is going end but was disapointed with the last part of book was flat a dissapointment to a book that could of ended better

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from dilly court,love reading her books only thing its really long but a great read.love this author.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story from dilly court,

[linda attwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read

This was a really good book from start to finish it was a gentle love story with hate n love all the way through I recommend this for a more mature lady.

[Bllak_starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know. It's very realistic I had to always remind myself that the characters were fiction!! I like it, a lot!!¡

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting read taking you from London to Florida and back

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good instalment by Dilly Court in her usual gripping fashion

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish that the orchids had not been totally destroyed.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story , really good characters. Well worth reading 📚

[Holly Beacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you don't know what read but are in need of a good story, read a Dilly Court book!! This is all about Mirabel Cutler who has led a privileged life until she is cast out onto the street by her stepmum. She ends up being a parlourmaid in a Brothel and getting married to an elderly gentleman where her life takes a turn when he suddenly dies on a long trip away. She falls in love with a ship captain and it does end up happily ever after! These books always give me a sense of being a strong independent women in a male dominated world, getting things done and standing up for what you believe in. Great book, always a good story.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are quick fillers, quite enjoyable, a predictable end and a bit of drama in the middle. This one was particularly interesting as one of the main characters was named the same as my mothers brother and grandad, perhaps it was a popular name of the time. A frustrating point was large sections of time were left out and we just moved on in time with the next paragraph. Still enjoyable though 😊

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant i love her books ,she writes about people in dire circumstances

,but there's always someone worse off that is always there to help them just like it was like in days gone by ,and when she mentions places i used to visit as a child.I've read about 15 of her books and looking forward to reading more.I would recommend her books to people who love a good read.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The orphans dream

Another great book. Her books capture you from the first page and always takes you on such a roller coaster ride of emotions. I always get so lost in her books like yr really there. How can one poor young girl have such bad luck. Definitely worth a read

[dave jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Had me hooked from start to finish read in less than a week as couldn’t put it down. Don’t think I’ve had one Dilly Court book that’s been a bad read, the only difficulty I have now is finding one I haven’t read.

[Jane Streets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Really enjoyed this book, kept me interested, but I’ve read so many of dilly’s books that I can guess what’s guna happen next. But my mission is to read them all. She’s a really good author

[Ansa Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unique and heart touching story. Written perfectly and a page turner from the very start. You would think you know what’s going to happen next but you’re proven wrong.
Mirabel, a brave heart indeed.

[Shelby anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

initiallg hard to get into but once it got going it was great couldn't put it down

[linda jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Great read as always never disappointed with any of the books I've read
Looking forward to the next . 😊

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/happyvalley...

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

Another good read by Dilly Court. Have read many of her books and have never been let down highly recommended

[Margaret Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Orphan's Dream

I have so many of Dilly Courts books. This was yet another I very much enjoyed. Thank you again. Tears ran deep.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it was a fine change from the other books I usually read

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read

[Kathyv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book