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Sixpence in Her Shoe
In working-class Leeds in the 1920s, Jess is starting on her journey through life. Growing up in the aftermath of the Great War, she is torn between her downtrodden father and her cantankerous, ambitious mother. After a disastrous spell as housekeeper to the local priest, she works happily in the office of her uncle's shoe factory and falls in love with her childhood sweetheart, Wilf.But Wilf is determined to be a successful artist, and Jess can't bring herself to stand in the way of his dreams. She also faces a bigger she is consumed by the desire to save her godchild Leila from an orphanage - a battle that eventually threatens to break her heart.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
7 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 16, 2023
I did enjoy this book. A bit fluffy but surrounding some pretty serious situations. Hard to believe the choices some people had to make so young but totally understandable in my opinion. I recommend this book.
October 21, 2024
These books are set in the 1930,Jess must find a way to Honor her place as God-Mother when her friend Heather passes away giving birth to her next child. Jess leaves home to prevent Her God-Daughter going into an orphanage. You will find a new way of defining a Family.
July 22, 2020
Absolute must to read couldn't put it down
May 18, 2022
Dreadful! The main character was shallow and I did not care at all about her. Twee and petty. Did not enjoy this at all.
July 18, 2016
A mesmerizing saga from an outstanding storyteller, Sixpence in Her Shoe paints a vivid and atmospheric picture of life in Leeds after the Great War guaranteed to keep readers riveted and engrossed until the very last page!
Jessica Price’s life in working class Leeds in the 1920s is anything but easy. With poverty and hardship a daily struggle for her family and her friends, Jess’s journey through life looks set to be arduous and challenging, but the resilient young lady refuses to cower from the obstacles standing in her way and she is adamant that she will do her utmost for her family and her friends. Despite her mother’s disapproval, Jess helps her father out in the family’s boot and shoe repair business – even though she is well aware that her other parent would much rather she put all her time and energy into other directions.
When the opportunity comes for Jess to take up a post working as a housekeeper to the local priest, she accepts, however, Jessica soon realises that she is not exactly cut out for this position. After a brief spell working for the priest, Jess decides to seek pastures new and she begins working in the office of her uncle’s shoe business. Unlike her previous job, Jess is absolutely elated and she settles into her new role like a duck to the water – especially as this job puts her into close proximity with her adopted cousin Wilf, with whom she is hopelessly infatuated.
Jess is well aware that her mother does not approve of Wilf. An atheist who spends all of his time sketching and drawing, Jess knows that she should give Wilf a wide berth and keep her feelings for him buried, but that proves to be easier said than done. Falling in love with him is inevitable, however, Wilf dreams of becoming a successful artist and he will not let anybody or anything stand in the way of his success – not even his love for Jess!
Jess is not about to stand in the way of Wilf’s career, but when her beloved goddaughter Leila needs rescuing from an orphanage, she soon realises that she’s got a bigger challenge on her hands. Will Jess ever manage to find the answers to all of her prayers? Or is she doomed to spend the rest of her life haunted by pain, sorrow and regret?
Regardless of whether she’s writing her fantastic Kate Shackleton mysteries or her emotional and gripping historical sagas, one thing is certain: Frances Brody‘s name on a book cover is a surefire guarantee of quality and readers will certainly not be disappointed in Sixpence in Her Shoe, a stunning tale of redemption, courage, healing and second chances that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Wonderfully written, densely plotted and absolutely impossible to put down, Sixpence in Her Shoe is a spellbinding historical saga with a courageous, bold and brave heroine at its heart and plenty of dramatic twists and turns, heart-wrenching pathos and family strife to keep readers glued to its pages.
Compelling, uplifting and written straight from the heart, Sixpence in Her Shoe is another must-read by Frances Brody!
Jessica Price’s life in working class Leeds in the 1920s is anything but easy. With poverty and hardship a daily struggle for her family and her friends, Jess’s journey through life looks set to be arduous and challenging, but the resilient young lady refuses to cower from the obstacles standing in her way and she is adamant that she will do her utmost for her family and her friends. Despite her mother’s disapproval, Jess helps her father out in the family’s boot and shoe repair business – even though she is well aware that her other parent would much rather she put all her time and energy into other directions.
When the opportunity comes for Jess to take up a post working as a housekeeper to the local priest, she accepts, however, Jessica soon realises that she is not exactly cut out for this position. After a brief spell working for the priest, Jess decides to seek pastures new and she begins working in the office of her uncle’s shoe business. Unlike her previous job, Jess is absolutely elated and she settles into her new role like a duck to the water – especially as this job puts her into close proximity with her adopted cousin Wilf, with whom she is hopelessly infatuated.
Jess is well aware that her mother does not approve of Wilf. An atheist who spends all of his time sketching and drawing, Jess knows that she should give Wilf a wide berth and keep her feelings for him buried, but that proves to be easier said than done. Falling in love with him is inevitable, however, Wilf dreams of becoming a successful artist and he will not let anybody or anything stand in the way of his success – not even his love for Jess!
Jess is not about to stand in the way of Wilf’s career, but when her beloved goddaughter Leila needs rescuing from an orphanage, she soon realises that she’s got a bigger challenge on her hands. Will Jess ever manage to find the answers to all of her prayers? Or is she doomed to spend the rest of her life haunted by pain, sorrow and regret?
Regardless of whether she’s writing her fantastic Kate Shackleton mysteries or her emotional and gripping historical sagas, one thing is certain: Frances Brody‘s name on a book cover is a surefire guarantee of quality and readers will certainly not be disappointed in Sixpence in Her Shoe, a stunning tale of redemption, courage, healing and second chances that kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Wonderfully written, densely plotted and absolutely impossible to put down, Sixpence in Her Shoe is a spellbinding historical saga with a courageous, bold and brave heroine at its heart and plenty of dramatic twists and turns, heart-wrenching pathos and family strife to keep readers glued to its pages.
Compelling, uplifting and written straight from the heart, Sixpence in Her Shoe is another must-read by Frances Brody!
May 13, 2016
Very complicated plot. I enjoyed it and didn't see all the twists coming. Liked the feisty heroine but even at the considerable length of the published book I felt that the author had somewhat skimmed over some episodes because such a lot was packed in - or didn't she like too much intimate detail?
Would love to see what others think of it - I am the first to review! (Just picked it up on a whim in the library and have not read this author's detective novels.) Were you convinced by Wilf's steadfastness, given his early, youthful wavering? Did you want to kill Ralph rather than forgive him, then change your mind? Did you cheer when Flynn got his just deserts? Poor Isaac indeed. It was the only way out of that plot knot, I suppose, but felt a bit melodramatic.
She could write a follow-up, as there is the question of Tommy's return yet (and certain religious problems for the future?), but suspect that wouldn't be enough for her to hang a long yarn (which she seems to like) on.
PS What on earth was going on in the 'Stepping Stones' chapter? I am still worried that Jess has some awful medical condition which will affect their future. This should not have been left hanging, in my view.
Would love to see what others think of it - I am the first to review! (Just picked it up on a whim in the library and have not read this author's detective novels.) Were you convinced by Wilf's steadfastness, given his early, youthful wavering? Did you want to kill Ralph rather than forgive him, then change your mind? Did you cheer when Flynn got his just deserts? Poor Isaac indeed. It was the only way out of that plot knot, I suppose, but felt a bit melodramatic.
She could write a follow-up, as there is the question of Tommy's return yet (and certain religious problems for the future?), but suspect that wouldn't be enough for her to hang a long yarn (which she seems to like) on.
PS What on earth was going on in the 'Stepping Stones' chapter? I am still worried that Jess has some awful medical condition which will affect their future. This should not have been left hanging, in my view.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2008
My mother-in-law lent me this book to read and I actually quite enjoyed it. It was quite a sad story but was set in England, which I miss a lot! It was family set-ups again and I enjoy seeing how different writers see different families. I enjoyed this book.
February 6, 2016
Good book, easy read that flows, good story.
June 29, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews