Christmas for the Halfpenny Orphans

Halfpenny Orphans #3

by Cathy Sharp

A gritty and compelling drama from the bestselling author of The Orphans of Halfpenny Street. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Sheila Jeffries.

Little twin sisters, Sarah and Samantha are all alone in the world. When their mother died giving birth to Sarah, she was blamed for the death by her father and her learning difficulties serve only to make him more angry and violent towards her. Now he’s finally abandoned them both and they’ve found sanctuary at St Saviour’s Children’s Home in London’s East End. It seems they’re doomed to be separated; no one wants to take Sarah on, but life apart will break their hearts.Alice, a former worker at the home who is now a mother and happily married to Bob, finds her happiness under threat when a face from the past reappears. Jack Shaw, East End bad boy, has always been Alice’s weak spot but is she really about to throw everything away?Angela Morton has her hands full; she’s now in sole charge. But with Christmas approaching, and more than one orphan in desperate need, St Saviour’s is crying out for a miracle…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2016

About the author

Cathy Sharp is happily married and lives with her husband in a small Cambridgeshire village. They like visiting Spain together and enjoy the benefits of sunshine and pleasant walks, while at home they love their garden and visiting the Norfolk seaside.

Cathy loves writing because it gives pleasure to others, she finds writing an extension of herself and it gives her great satisfaction. Cathy says, 'There is nothing like seeing your book in print, because so much loving care has been given to bringing that book into being.'

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I know, I should have read this around Christmas time if 2016.
I know!
It’s 2020 now!

No excuses. I missed it out.

I hadn’t realised that this was book 3 in the series. In 2016 I went made requesting books on Netgalley. I’ve since learnt! Hence my “busting my backlist” shelf here on Goodreads..

Lots of characters to get your head around in this book. I wonder if it’s people who were in book one and book two? Probably!

The story was well put together. The children made the story though for me.

[Reindert Van Zwaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too much of the same altogether. Also, the case of the new kids was not as interesting as the previous ones. I found the part involving the kids being a bit second-rate. However, there were still enough nice adoring moments.

[Caroline Southgate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not normally the kind of book I would go for but I needed to read a Christmas/winter book for my Library book club and this was in my pile of books to go through. It was very predictable but a nice story.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. I have now read two books from this series, unfortunately not in the right order but they are still very good reads. This story is set around a children's orphanage in London in 1948. The staff all have their individual stories, which run through the series. The children are of course the real stars, this time twins Sarah and Samantha May are abused by their father and then left alone when he walks out on them. They find a refuge in Halfpenny Street, but their story is far from over. Then there's Matty who has to go into hospital after suffering a seizure at the home. I look forward to reading more of these wonderful stories.

[Karen Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice Christmas read. A lot of characters to get your head around, but might be because I haven’t read the other books.

[Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely give up on a book but this one is such a load of confusing mush I couldn't take any more!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to follow shortly.

[Helen Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this delightful book and am glad I read it. It is a heartwarming account of the efforts of a determined group of people in London to operate a home that cares for children from poor families in the heart of the city. It gives a glimpse into the wretched home lives of the children and also some of the staff. The strength of the society's Warden is never made more evident than when she is ill and cannot work for some time. The remainder of the staff must step up and share the load of the work. There is an insight into the sordid or self-serving side of charity work when one member of the board of directors tries to force through a proposal that will result in him gaining a small fortune. Luckily, the assistant Warden and her boyfriend see through the scenario and it is defeated.

The children have a wonderful Christmas; for some of them, it is the first time they have received gifts.

I am looking forward to reading more books in the series as they are well-written and do a good job of educating us about the reality of life for the poor in London during this era.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story surrounding the children and staff of St Saviours in halfpenny st,while some one has devious reasons to want st saviours sold the staff all rally to stop it.Sister Beatrice is taken il and Angela has to step up to run the orphanage in her absence.With new admissions who all their own tales of neglect and abuse but members of the staff also have reasons to be in need of help.I can highly recomend this book and well worth 5*

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, anything by Sharp at the moment I'm guaranteed to enjoy. Not as compelling as the first two in this series and not as much love for the new characters in this book but still a good read nonetheless.

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't say anything but good read

I am truly sorry to see this series end! I feel as if I know the characters personally. I recommend this to any reader

[Elizabeth Dewfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series Samantha and Sarah's story was lovely

[laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good look in to the lives of the staff of halfpenny street orphanage as well as the orphans themselves. A hectic yet really good read

[Lilian Smellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely read

Well written I have read the trilogy of books and enjoyed every one .Now looking for the next one .

[Sally Escrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m addicted to these characters! Just need more of them!

[Kath Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

As ever an extremely good read. Wonderful characters and a great story. Much enjoyed. Can’t wait to read the next one.

[Jeanette Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, but I struggled with keeping my focus so it took me much longer to read. There were moments that made me tear up in this book, but I much prefer the 1st book in the trilogy.

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story loved it

[Sheila Timms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Cathy.

[Mrs Helen Pamment · Rating 4 out of 5]

3rd book in the series. I feel like I really know the characters

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another brilliant book in the series.x

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf. read up to 80% and had to force myself to persevere. Too wishy washy and just not for me. the 1st 2 books in the series were pretty good, this one was a let down

[Kay Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book

[Diane Corish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Cathy Sharp has done it again another book I couldn't put down. It deserves 5stars and more I can't wait for the next book to come out

[Emma Rowntree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great heart warming story

[Cheryl Sitmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

post war in Britain was rough.

[Laura Wallis]

a good read