A Daughter's Secret

Sullivan Family Saga #2

by Anne Bennett

A moving and gritty saga of loss, separation and finally hope, set in wartime Birmingham

Agnes Sullivan is fifteen when her young brother Tom finds her drunk and crying in the lane near their farm. Her dancing teacher has raped her and abandoned her. Aggie is forced to leave home when she discovers she’s pregnant and Tom, barely a teenager himself, decides the teacher must pay for his actions.

Aggie flees to Birmingham, but the safe haven she’s been promised turns out to be too dangerous to stay in. She’s left with few options until someone she would never have spoken to in her former life gives her the help she so desperately needs. But will World War One ruin her precarious hopes of a future?

Anne Bennett’s sagas of Birmingham during the wars have won her many fans, as they are packed full of emotion, determination and authenticity. Regional sagas don’t come any better than this.

Genres: Historical Fiction

608 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2008

Reviews

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book that takes you on a journey through the life of Aggie from when she was just 12 years old to much later on in her life, I’d say around 60 years old. The writing is written is such a clever way that allows you to really visualise the scenery and imagery, I also loved the way the focus would switch between Aggie’s life in Birmingham and Tom’s life in Ireland. Would highly recommend :)

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book. The Story really had me gripped, following Aggie and her Family through some hard times, I really felt for the Characters in this story and found the book hard to put down.

This was my first Anne Bennett novel and I'm sure it won't be my last read by her.

[Terena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, a sweeping saga covering the members of the Sullivan "dynasty" over a 40 year span. I was obviously then thrilled to find out there are a couple more Anne Bennett books featuring them, so I'll bump them up the TBR pile!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book i read from this author and i loved it from the start till the end. Will be looking out for more of Anne Bennett's novels.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Elizabeth Ann Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I loved the mix of history and love. The background of rural Ireland and bustling city in the war. Romantic love and strength

[carol heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book love this aurthor

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Anne Bennett novel and I loved it, couldn't put it down until it was finished.

From dust jacket:

"Agnes Sullivan is fifteen when her young brother Tom finds her crying in the lane near their farm. She's been attacked and abandoned. Heartbroken, Aggie is forced to leave her home and family, and Tom, barely a teenager himself, decides the attacker must pay for his actions.

Aggies flees to Birmingham, but the safe haven she's been promised turns out to be too dangerous to stay in. She's left with few options until someone she would never have spoken to in her former life gives her the help she so desperately needs. But will World War One ruin her precarious hopes for the future? And will she ever see any of her family again?"

[Beckie Treble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this on a whim and I read it in less than a day. I loved it. Just couldn't put it down. I didn't know that there is a book before, so disappointed that nothing was said at the begining or on here. This was my first Anne Bennett book, it won't be the last either. Just fabulous.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second book that i read by this author and all I have to say that was an excellent read ,full of sorrow and happiness at the end. Loved it !I will definitely read more books by this author.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Only realised at the end though that there is one before this to read.

[Mahtab · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT WAS A NICE STORY. THE BEGINNING OF THE NOVEL WAS AWESOME BUT IT DID NOT FINNISH WELL.A HAPPY ENDING LIKE BOLLYWOOD MOVIES.( SORRY NO OFFENCE)

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND RECOMMEND IT . SOME PARTS WERE REALLY HARD TO READ AND UPSETTING AS YOU FELT SO SORRY FOR THE GIRL AND THE EVENTS HAPPENING IN HER LIFE .

[Michelle Ohara · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book i have read in ages. must read more of anne bennett

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story had trouble putting it down

[Oudom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very a great book indeed. I unconsciously cried at the gruesome hardship that Aggies faced

[JAN ROBERTSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent reading

[Bernie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this family saga that spans about 50 years through both world wars.