An Orphan's Secret

by Maggie Hope

Life is a long, tough struggle for Meg Maddison. Growing up caring for her brothers after the death of their mother, it is only her indomitable spirit that gets her through the hard times. And when she marries and starts a family of her own, it seems as if the hardships are over. But the return of a darkly menacing figure from her past threatens to destroy all she has fought for.

Genres: Historical Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book by Maggie Hope.
It begins in 1878, when Meg is a child of about 4 years of age. Jonty is her cousin who lives with Meg and her mother and father, she believes him to be her twin. But after shocking events at the nearby Grizedale Hall, Jonty's father comes for him and the two are separated. Meg 's family are forced to move away and struggle to cope with their growing family and harsh conditions. After her mother's death Meg has to take over the house and the children although still a child herself. She eventually has to marry a local pitman, and is once again plagued by problems, and hardships. Of course she does meet up with Jonty again, but the course if true love does not run smooth and there are still trials to be endured.
This story is so well written I could imagine myself in the small pit village, and the character of Meg was very believable, she's strong but also vulnerable, confident yet struggles under the weight of her burdens.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story - quick and easy to read - I don't quite get who the orphan was though. This is the story of a young girl growing up in the 1800s who had to look after her family - the trials and tribulations as she grew up and in true tradition it comes right for her in the end. A bit predictable but pleasant all the same

[Meghna Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is a long, tough struggle for Meg Maddison. Growing up caring for her brothers after the death of their mother, it is only her indomitable spirit that gets her through the hard times. And when she marries and starts a family of her own, it seems as if the hardships are over. But the return of a darkly menacing figure from her past threatens to destroy all she has fought for…

In 1878, Meg is a 4-year-old child living with her parents, where her cousin Jonty lives too. To Meg, Jonty feels like her twin but can't understand if it's true. After a shocking revelation at the nearby hall, Meg's family has to move away, and Jonty's is taken by his father, and the two are separated. After her mother's death, Meg took over the house and the children, although she is still a child herself. She married a local pitman and is once again struggling with hardship. Will she ever meet Jonty again? Will her married life become easier with fewer struggles?
Such a great book, where I lived through the main character herself. She is strong but also vulnerable, but she was a warrior to go through it all with her head held high! I definitely recommend reading it.

[Lynsey Frayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, couldnt put this book down. I would love to know where maggie gets her aquired writing because living in an old mining village this book made me research further into life with coal mines. Her story and turbulent life from mr grizzeldale, the death if her mother, the demise of her father, death of a brother, yet she found love in an usual source. A very well qritten book. All the xharacters never left the book. Somehow they were always included. Beautifully written, excellent read.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book I really struggled to put it down as just wanted to find out what happened. Megs has a hard time as her mother dies and she ends up trying to bring up her brothers and sisters. She has a hard time then marries and has a hard time with her husband can she get away from him and find a happier life or not. Well worth reading.

[mckailer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say after reading this book my hype of Maggie Hope has withered a little, as I find her story plots for each book very similar and a little bit of a one-way streak. I would love if she changed it up a bit may be trying out a different genre or adding one to it, but then in saying that her books are always well written and have good character development.

[Mary Monks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg's life is a tough one.
The story is set in an Irish coal mining village at the end of the 1800's.
The people are poor and work hard in tough conditions to make ends meet,
Meg is left to bring up her younger siblings after the death of her mother.
She marries and hopes life will improve .... but will it?
What eveil from her past haunts her?
A sad, but beautiful story.

[Pol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed An orphans Secret

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book which I really enjoyed reading.

[Gail North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book it is the shortest time ever for reading started Saturday night and finished monday afternoon 😊

[June Jackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant,won't tell you about the story,but you really need to read this book

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this a while ago. Good little book,

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good clear account of life in the pit villages and what the women go through when there is a mining accident.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An orphans secret

I gave this story a five star rating because it was a page turner. The characters came to life and made you love them. I still think it would be great to follow the next generation through their stories. A must read

[Angela Free · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice and easy read.