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McCluskey Saga #1
Forget-Me-Not Child
A story of struggle and hardship and one girl’s battle for survival from the best-selling author of If You Were the Only Girl and Another Man’s Child.
Angela McCluskey comes to Birmingham from Ireland with her family as a young girl to escape the terrible poverty in her homeland. But the dream of a better life is dashed as bad fortune dogs the family.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart, she has hopes of a brighter future, which are dashed when her husband is called up to fight in the Great War. Tragedy strikes and Angela is left to rear her frail daughter on her own, though the worst is yet to come when Angela suffers another terrible misfortune.
Pregnant and destitute and already with one mouth to feed that she can ill afford, there is nowhere left to turn. What destiny awaits Angela and her unborn child? Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, will Angela forever be punished for the choices that she makes?
Angela McCluskey comes to Birmingham from Ireland with her family as a young girl to escape the terrible poverty in her homeland. But the dream of a better life is dashed as bad fortune dogs the family.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart, she has hopes of a brighter future, which are dashed when her husband is called up to fight in the Great War. Tragedy strikes and Angela is left to rear her frail daughter on her own, though the worst is yet to come when Angela suffers another terrible misfortune.
Pregnant and destitute and already with one mouth to feed that she can ill afford, there is nowhere left to turn. What destiny awaits Angela and her unborn child? Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, will Angela forever be punished for the choices that she makes?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2017
70 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 8, 2019
I went on a journey here to the First World War time where times were very difficult indeed and many were poor trying to put food on the table.
Ireland is where Angela hails from but trying to make life better she goes to Birmingham to better her life.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart I thought the struggles would at least subside. Alas not.
Hubby is called up for service.
Angela is pregnant and all is not well after the birth. She is also poor with another mouth to feed.
What will become of them both?
I’ve really enjoyed book 1. I’m late reading this so I’m going to look out for book 2.
Ireland is where Angela hails from but trying to make life better she goes to Birmingham to better her life.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart I thought the struggles would at least subside. Alas not.
Hubby is called up for service.
Angela is pregnant and all is not well after the birth. She is also poor with another mouth to feed.
What will become of them both?
I’ve really enjoyed book 1. I’m late reading this so I’m going to look out for book 2.
February 19, 2017
Forget me not child is a book set in the war times. It's a book about the struggles a young family faces and the hard times ahead.
Angela's family comes to Birmingham for a new start in life, a new beginning when she was just a young girl.
But will they be able to escape the poverty thet left behind or will the bad luck just keep following her and her family!
Angela grows up and falls in love with her childhood sweetheart.
You think things finally might start looking up for her when she falls pregnant and has a daughter.
But this isn't the case as her daughter is very frail and needs alot of care.
Angela's husband is called up to go and serve for he's country.
Leaving poor Angela to look after her daughter on her own.
With an uncertain future ahead she never gives up the struggle.
My heart really goes out to Angela as she has alot to deal with but she still keeps fighting.
She has an uncertain future especially in war times when men were called up. Women were left to fend for their families and times were tough.
Will Angela get her happy ending or will the bad luck just keep on coming?
What does the future holds for Angela and her young family? Can she escape the poverty she's become so accustomed to?
Anne portrayed this very well.
I was taken on a journey with Angela. I was willing her luck to change, and felt her pain and heartache.
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I really enjoy war time books and if written with passion they draw you in as if your living the reality of war times.
This is the first book in the series and I'm hoping Angela's story carries on or at least she's not lost.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review via NetGalley.
Angela's family comes to Birmingham for a new start in life, a new beginning when she was just a young girl.
But will they be able to escape the poverty thet left behind or will the bad luck just keep following her and her family!
Angela grows up and falls in love with her childhood sweetheart.
You think things finally might start looking up for her when she falls pregnant and has a daughter.
But this isn't the case as her daughter is very frail and needs alot of care.
Angela's husband is called up to go and serve for he's country.
Leaving poor Angela to look after her daughter on her own.
With an uncertain future ahead she never gives up the struggle.
My heart really goes out to Angela as she has alot to deal with but she still keeps fighting.
She has an uncertain future especially in war times when men were called up. Women were left to fend for their families and times were tough.
Will Angela get her happy ending or will the bad luck just keep on coming?
What does the future holds for Angela and her young family? Can she escape the poverty she's become so accustomed to?
Anne portrayed this very well.
I was taken on a journey with Angela. I was willing her luck to change, and felt her pain and heartache.
Overall this was an enjoyable read. I really enjoy war time books and if written with passion they draw you in as if your living the reality of war times.
This is the first book in the series and I'm hoping Angela's story carries on or at least she's not lost.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review via NetGalley.
February 7, 2017
Another book set around the war years. Angela marries her childhood sweetheart after they move to Birmingham from Ireland. The author has Birmingham roots and it was lovely to hear my local area described so vividly. After reading about the Crystal Palace in Sutton Park- I had to go and look it up as I'd never heard of it before and found it absolutely fascinating to see the old pictures of the park we know so well. It could have passed for a Butlins holiday camp around that time- and I can imagine the people taking a steam train for a glorious day trip to the park. It really immersed you into the time and you could imagine the difficulties they all faced.
The characters are wonderfully drawn and I was sad to leave them. I absolutely love Anne's writing style and always enjoy one of her books.
The characters are wonderfully drawn and I was sad to leave them. I absolutely love Anne's writing style and always enjoy one of her books.
March 25, 2019
I didn't know untill reading the acknowledgements at the end of this book that it's the first book in a trilogy. That explains why it ended so abruptly. It's interesting as it relays so many historical events, including the political unrest in Ireland, the Tittanic and the first world war. Unfortunately Angela's life never seems to run smoothly, not for long anyway, she certainly has a lot to cope with. I hope the other books in this series might see her more settled.
July 30, 2017
If could of given this book more stars I would have. Enjoyed it so much did not want it to end..
November 2, 2019
A good book should have grabbed my interest by the end of chapter one; an excellent book by the end of page one. So, if by the end of chapter three I'm still wondering whether there is actually any real story, I know it's time to move on.
October 6, 2017
Good book. About Angela, as a very young child and her family's flight from poverty stricken Ireland to Birmingham, on to her happy placement in a foster family, and then to her marriage. Her story covers the years from the beginning of the 1900s and ending at the conclusion of the Great War. I believe there may be a sequel to this to be published early next year.
May 16, 2022
Iv read this book a few times. Lovely story.
February 3, 2017
Another down to earth great read
Once again Anne has excelled in bringing everyday characters to life. I, myself, thought that Stan might have went looking for Angela but I am disappointed lol. Only for the fact that this is book 1 of 3.
Had I of known this at the start of the book, I wouldn't have started it. But only in the fact that now I gotta wait and wait lol to see what happens. I personally would rather have the 3 books altogether, so I can just read on through. I am impatient in that sense. So hopefully Anne doesn't keep us impatient readers waiting too long on book two. Hint hint Anne ;) lol
Once again Anne has excelled in bringing everyday characters to life. I, myself, thought that Stan might have went looking for Angela but I am disappointed lol. Only for the fact that this is book 1 of 3.
Had I of known this at the start of the book, I wouldn't have started it. But only in the fact that now I gotta wait and wait lol to see what happens. I personally would rather have the 3 books altogether, so I can just read on through. I am impatient in that sense. So hopefully Anne doesn't keep us impatient readers waiting too long on book two. Hint hint Anne ;) lol
May 18, 2017
This is an absolutely brilliant book. It's a family saga of desperate times during the First World War era. It is set in Birmingham and is the story of an Irish family called the McCluskey's. We read of their hardships and heartaches, with a small dose of happiness. I believe this is the first in a trilogy and I can't wait to read the next one.
September 8, 2025
I had been in a book slump for quite a while. This book def helped. What a tragic story though. My heart is in pieces ahhhh. The writing could have been better and half of the novel felt like it was unnecessary fillers. Too many chapters where nothing really happens. Would have been a great novel had it been written in multiple povs but I still enjoyed reading it.
March 24, 2017
Another great book by Anne now am eagerly awaiting the next
May 20, 2018
Although I'd already read the follow-up to this so know what happens next I still really enjoyed reading this. well worth reading although you really need to read this first
February 14, 2020
Found it boring. Too much irrelevant dialogue. Sorry but just not for me.
December 20, 2020
I have so many questions: why is the book titled so? Is this a memoir or a series of books, cause it felt like the book had no direction.
September 4, 2021
This book was very interesting and eye opening, we are lucky we dont live like these people had to back in the day
March 9, 2017
I hadn't realised this was the start of a trilogy when I started reading it. In fact I didn't realise until I read the acknowledgements part which I generally skip. Really wish authors would label book 1 in a series clearly! I have nothing against reading a series, I just like to know I'm getting into one before it ends abruptly. I also found the book description misleading. Angelas daughter is never frail, anything but. Nor is she ever destitute.
The story itself wasn't bad although I found it very predictable. Didn't particularly like Angela personally but at least she was a believable character and the plot itself was realistic. I'll probably read the other books in the series to find out how the story ends but it didn't grip me enough that I'll be desperately waiting for the next one.
The story itself wasn't bad although I found it very predictable. Didn't particularly like Angela personally but at least she was a believable character and the plot itself was realistic. I'll probably read the other books in the series to find out how the story ends but it didn't grip me enough that I'll be desperately waiting for the next one.
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February 27, 2017Brilliant
Totally another brilliant book by Anne Bennett. Highly recommend. A wonderful story and also a learning curb about the 1st world war.. Also the struggles of a young mother who tried to do her best for her family and the war effort.
Totally another brilliant book by Anne Bennett. Highly recommend. A wonderful story and also a learning curb about the 1st world war.. Also the struggles of a young mother who tried to do her best for her family and the war effort.
February 25, 2017
I would recommend having a box of tissues nearby while you read this one - it is a real tear-jerker.
February 2, 2017
A story of struggle and hardship and one girl’s battle for survival from the best-selling author of If You Were the Only Girl and Another Man’s Child.
Angela McCluskey comes to Birmingham from Ireland with her family as a young girl to escape the terrible poverty in her homeland. But the dream of a better life is dashed as bad fortune dogs the family.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart, she has hopes of a brighter future, which are dashed when her husband is called up to fight in the Great War. Tragedy strikes and Angela is left to rear her frail daughter on her own, though the worst is yet to come when Angela suffers another terrible misfortune.
Pregnant and destitute and already with one mouth to feed that she can ill afford, there is nowhere left to turn. What destiny awaits Angela and her unborn child? Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, will Angela forever be punished for the choices that she makes?
This was a wonderful story which also incorporated a very important history of our time. Beautifully written with a vivid imagination, with the story making you feel as if you are actually there.
Wealth of characters from different walks of life, I did feel as if the story finished suddenly but that might be due to me enjoying the book so much.
Definitely worth a read and an unforgettable storyline.
Angela McCluskey comes to Birmingham from Ireland with her family as a young girl to escape the terrible poverty in her homeland. But the dream of a better life is dashed as bad fortune dogs the family.
When Angela marries her childhood sweetheart, she has hopes of a brighter future, which are dashed when her husband is called up to fight in the Great War. Tragedy strikes and Angela is left to rear her frail daughter on her own, though the worst is yet to come when Angela suffers another terrible misfortune.
Pregnant and destitute and already with one mouth to feed that she can ill afford, there is nowhere left to turn. What destiny awaits Angela and her unborn child? Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, will Angela forever be punished for the choices that she makes?
This was a wonderful story which also incorporated a very important history of our time. Beautifully written with a vivid imagination, with the story making you feel as if you are actually there.
Wealth of characters from different walks of life, I did feel as if the story finished suddenly but that might be due to me enjoying the book so much.
Definitely worth a read and an unforgettable storyline.
April 1, 2017
Angela McClusky was only a toddler when she became an orphan. Her mother asked her best friend, Mary, to look after her before she died. Angela grew up in a house with five older brothers but the one she was closest to was Barry. The potato famine forced the family to move to Birmingham but they struggled there financially as well. The two oldest boys move to the US where they quickly find jobs. Angela grows up and realizes she has fallen in love with Barry and they are married but then WWI breaks out and Barry enlists and goes off to war leaving Angela, their daughter, Connie and his mother, Mary. Their struggles continue. The story dragged at times and there were some parts that certainly would have benefited with a good editor. Run on sentences! Easy read though.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews