A Daughter’s Sorrow

East End Daughters #1

by Cathy Sharp

Heartache and hardship in London’s East End, from the bestselling author of The Orphans of Halfpenny Street


Bridget has always been the one to take on the responsibility for looking after her family. With a drunken, violent mother, an unemployed brother who can't stay out of pub brawls and a wayward sister vulnerable to the smooth talk of shady men, it's hardly surprising when she falls for cheeky local lad, Ernie.
But when he breaks her heart, she is drawn to the kind figure of Joe, despite the bad boys of the criminal underworld who lurk in the shadows and seem to have him in their sights.
Bridget and Joe try hard to keep a hold on their livelihoods and to keep to the straight and narrow path, but misfortune dogs them and it seems that happiness is always just out of reach…

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2020

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

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read by Cathy Sharp.
This is the first book of a three book series, unfortunately I read the other two books first, but it didn't matter.
This is Bridgit's story, from a young age she is expected to do more than her fair share of the work at home as well as going out to work. Her older sister, Lainie leaves home, leaving just Bridget, her brother, Tommy and their Mother. She also has an older brother, Jamie, who is constantly in trouble and rarely at home. Martha, Bridget's mother, is a drinker and thinks nothing of shouting at and hurting her children. Protecting Tommy is everything to Bridget but it's soon clear that he's not at all well. Bridget has a lot to put up with but there is light at the end of a dark tunnel. A pleasure to read.

[Lisa Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Was sucked in by chapter three and couldn’t wait to find out what happened to the characters especially little Tommy.
The mother in this story is very symbiotic to many women of that time and our time who had to deal with semi controlling husbands who one day disappear. Some women feel like the only choice they have is addiction.
This is the story of her children, and if you enjoy reading that kind of thing then you, like myself, will love this book!!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to put down. I've been looking at it on my shelf for sometime now. A good historical fiction which describes the hardship that many women faced during this era. I always think of this time frame as a dark sad time especially for women and children. I look forward to reading the second book in this series.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

If you want a great read with characters that you will fall in love with. A story that makes you keep reading. Then this is your book. I am looking forward to the next book. Time to find out what happened to the family and the younger members.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the start to this Sharp series, as I always do with Sharp's work. She always manages to capture the portrayal of characters and their development. From the stubborn, defensive & guarded nature of the main character in this book being so different to the innocent, wholesome naivety of Elisha from another series, Sharp never fails to deliver in the difference in characters and forming relatable connections to them.

5🌟

[Mrs Carol Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read, like the previous review I can't wait to see what happens to the family in the next book, I love all the books I have read by this author they are all good from start to finish......

[Jane Cran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

[Mr R.K. Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable

A gripping read the highs and lows of poverty is very identified with the grim reality of today in many homes.

[tonilea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't miss it

The dialect, the dialog, the storyline, the characters, everything about this book was done with such believability! It was an honor to read this book.
Excellent.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books. I read them in no time because each chapter entices me to the next.

[Di Schlenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant, riveting, sad but with touches of love and genuine humanity and care.
Shows how tough life was in the docks of London in the early 1900s

[Beverley Lombardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well drawn. The descriptions were excellent and described the time period well. I highly recommend it.

[Emmie Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful story

[geoffrey stuart brookfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant read

Definitely a page turner couldn’t put it down. Characters were very real. A brilliant story. Going to read more of her books.

[Angie Clements · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant Read

I couldn't put this book down. I absolutely loved this book and I am starting to read the second book in this series right now.