Nelly Kelly

by Lena Kennedy

Life never turns out the way you plan . . .In the turmoil and confusion of London's East End between the wars, young Nelly Kelly soon learns that life may never match her expectations. Forced to keep house for her charming yet autocratic, father, Nelly toils in a sweatshop to keep her family clothed and fed.But though life is hard, Nelly still has friendship, dancing and her early dreams to cling to. Dreams that slowly crumble as marriage, the war and a lost baby are followed by the heartache of a lost love.Fortune may crush her proud spirit but when faced with a crisis that will test her courage to the limit, no tragedy can change Nelly Kelly's determination to be her own woman.*****************What readers are saying about NELLY KELLY'Unputdownable' - 5 STARS'A gripping story' - 5 STARS'What a great book' - 5 STARS'Another of Lena Kennedy's books that had be engrossed from the start' - 5 STARS'Could not put it down' - 5 STARS

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

277 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1981

About the author

Lena Kennedy (June 15, 1914 - August 1 1986), was an English author. Her books were mostly historic romantic fiction set in and around the East End of London where she lived for all her life. Some of her books, including her autobiography, were published posthumously.

She appeared, as a subject, on the television programme This Is Your Life shortly before her death in 1986.

Reviews

[Tracy Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I've had on my bookshelves for well over 20 odd years, so am working through them so I can recycle - I won't just recycle - I will read them 1st!

I have to say I find Lena Kennedy's books a little hard going at times, but this one was one of the better ones - it flowed better and you moved from disliking the main character to liking her by the end.

It didn't dwell on the hardships of the war; instead it just showed how it was from the main character's perspective which was much better.

I did enjoy reading it and as the book progressed I didn't want to put it down as I wanted to see what happened next.

A decent read and one now off to recycling or the charity shop for someone else to enjoy.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly works it out.

This is one of those books that has you turning the page to see what happens next. I'm sure if you enjoy reading you will enjoy this book and find out how Nelly fairs.

[Linda Ruvimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my first reads as a teen growing up in Zimbabwe. I have ordered a copy to reread.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faultless storytelling as ever. Just what is needed when reading feels a bit tricky. Always recommend this author.

[Lisa Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writer

I absolutely love lena Kennedy I've been reading her books for over 20 years they're like watching your favourite film over and over

[Lida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this many years ago, several times. The first Lena Kennedy book I read which started off a love of sagas/family life novels set during the second world war.

[Annalie McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book, I felt the story was rushed towards the end, still did not beat Maggie in my opinion.

[Alison Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xxxxxxxx

Hgraet story kept reading an guessing to the end lovely hesrt warming storey. A must read book. Plenty happened and not all good.