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De winterkinderen

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Met de geboorte van de tweeling Bea en Stan is de kinderwens van Olivia en Dan Felbeck na jaren eindelijk uitgekomen. Dan verliest Dan zijn baan en biedt zijn oudste vriendin Francesca hun huisvesting aan. Haar schatrijke echtgenoot heeft net Renniston Hall gekocht, een gigantisch, eeuwenoud landhuis dat ooit een chique kostschool was. Dan en Olivia mogen gratis in een opgeknapte vleugel wonen tijdens de renovatie.

Dan en Olivia zijn blij met het aanbod, tot Francesca zelf ook in Renniston Hall arriveert – en ze is niet van plan om weg te gaan. Wat is er tijdens hun studententijd precies voorgevallen tussen Dan en Francesca? En wat is haar relatie tot de kinderen? Olivia begint zich af te vragen hoe goed ze Dan eigenlijk kent, en of hun perfecte leven niet gebaseerd is op een grote leugen. En ook Renniston Hall heeft geheimen, en begint die langzaam prijs te geven…

421 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2015

49 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read

About the author

Lulu Taylor

28 books205 followers
Lulu was brought up in the Oxfordshire countryside, attended a girls’ school and then went to Oxford University, where she read English Literature. After university, she worked in publishing for several years, before becoming a novelist.

Lulu says of her books: ‘I’ve always adored stories of the rich and reckless at play, everything from The Great Gatsby to the brilliant blockbuster novels of the 80s. It’s fantastic escapism, and I’ve always loved creating my own stories of adventure, romance and luxury. My heroines are often very privileged and blessed with great looks and good health – but that doesn’t mean their lives are simple – far from it. They go through plenty of drama and suffering before everything is finally resolved.

‘Sex, love, beauty and money have always entranced us, and one way or another are the basis for just about every story ever written. There’s plenty of all of that in my novels, along with high fashion, which I love. What’s more, writing about fashion means I can go virtual shopping, dressing my heroines in all the wonderful clothes I adore – the racks of Marchesa ball gowns, the shelves of Louboutins, mountains of Chanel bags and acres of Dior dresses... it’s lots of fun. The stories can also get quite racy at times. It’s all about entertaining and amusing the reader, and enjoying being inside my characters’ glamorous, rarefied existence. ‘I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.’

Lulu now lives in West Dorset near the Somerset border, with her husband and two children.

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5 stars
479 (27%)
4 stars
659 (38%)
3 stars
440 (25%)
2 stars
107 (6%)
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49 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
Profile Image for Jo .
930 reviews
November 6, 2019
I loved this book, and I can't give it less than five stars, as it was such an enjoyable read. The characters were well developed, and Taylor certainly knows how to weave a tale. I was hooked on this! I also need to get in how gorgeous the cover is. It made me want to get under a blanket with the open fire burning. Magical.

There were three different perspectives in this, and it all worked really well, even though the story jumped back and forth quite a lot. The way everything came together in the end was amazing, and it kept me guessing until the last page.

This book was a gift, and admittedly, I wouldn't normally have picked this up myself. I'm SO glad I did, and I'm looking forward to more from Lulu Taylor in the very near future!
Profile Image for Christy.
229 reviews20 followers
February 2, 2016
4.5 Stars from me for this compelling and atmospheric novel, perfect for sitting in front of a window watching the dark nights draw in. It really made me feel apprehensive throughout, there just seemed to be a sense of building tension, a foreboding, without being able to pinpoint exactly what it was that gave me that feeling, so clearly very well written!

I'm not writing a synopsis on this one as I think that mystery and suspense - going in blind and uncovering it page by page, is the best way to read this novel. I don't mind admitting honestly that my husband and I have been trying for children for some time, and that IVF is something we've discussed with our doctors. As such, a story about the dramatic lengths to which some people may go to start a family and to hold onto the people they love was definitely something that struck a personal chord with me.

This book has drama, secrets and history, and really gripped me. My first book from this author but definitely not going to be my last - a bit of an impulse buy as I saw it listed on new releases on the Amazon store, but one I'm very glad I made.
Profile Image for Justine.
474 reviews5 followers
February 6, 2017
Een mooi verhaal, het leest als een roman, zeker in het begin, maar dan wordt er toch langzaam aan een hele subtiele spanningsboog ingebouwd. Een bijzonder verhaal, een beetje van het verleden, en samen gebracht is het heden. Ja, zeker een aanrader.
Profile Image for Deb.
134 reviews
June 27, 2016
I've NO idea how any reviewer could give this novel four or five stars.

The novel has two story lines, both of which were somewhat pathetic and unrealistic for me.

The book was long winded and could have been condensed into a few chapters.

As I always finish reading books I start, I did finish this book but it was tough going forcing myself to do so.

First last and only Lulu Taylor novel for me.
Profile Image for Kit.
850 reviews90 followers
February 14, 2022
Spooky and tense, but with a sweet (if a bit overly saccharine) ending.
Profile Image for Alaina.
7,344 reviews203 followers
October 28, 2017
The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor was pretty interesting. However, it did get boring in some parts or at least it seemed to move along at a snail's pace.

WARNING: lots and lots of spoilers below. Don't read them unless you wont ever read this book. Or if you have already read it.

Profile Image for Tracy Shephard.
863 reviews64 followers
July 26, 2017
The Winter Children is quite a tale...

Atmospheric with mystery, tension and sadness.

Olivia and Dan unable to have children decide to use donor eggs in order to conceive. Bea and Stan are the blessed children born in Winter that fill Olivia's life with contentment and happiness.

Dan's old friend from University, Francesca, has been part of his life for many years and they share a close bond. When 'Cheska's' husband Walt buys an old stately home, she enables Dan and Olivia to stay in the old cottage in the grounds to help them out, Dan and Olivia's financial situation is not good since Dan was made redundant, and this opportunity gives the chance to finally do some writing.

This is a story of deep secrets, and to be honest if I give away too much of the plot it will ruin a tale that has so much to offer any reader. 

Partly historical, in that it is set in two timelines, The Winter Children is a heart rending and emotive story. The characters care much for themselves, but oh my ....that ending!!!

I loved the plot set in 1959, and Lulu Taylor has really captured the attitude of the times. The friendship between Julia and Alice is warm and tender, and I particularly liked the closeness they shared.  Donnie was a surprising character and I didn't guess his part at all. 

I savoured this read, and quite honestly was sad to have finished it. I definitely had a 'book hangover'. 
Profile Image for Thebooktrail.
1,879 reviews340 followers
January 8, 2016
The blurb doesn’t do this book justice and I don’t want to explain more as I want other readers to discover what I did and be as surprised as I was. The story blends with the one where the house is a school and the history is built up to reveal the mixed secrets at the end.
An old Elizabethan hall in Norfolk holds secrets from past and present

The present day story told through the eyes of the three friends – Dan Francesca in particular, and the ripples from their Cambridge past come into play as Olivia starts to suspect there is a lot more behind the surface. Some of this storyline did feel a little farfetched and I still don’t know what to make of Francesca – a strange character from every angle. However no one is as they seem.

I first discovered Lulu Taylor with the Winter Folly - this is a much more multilayered novel and think this novel is more of Lulu's standard and style. I think I may have enjoyed this more had the blurb been a bit more descriptive of the novel's subject and tone. Having said that the historical story line of The Winter Children was very interesting and the twist at the end was very good. There's some very good links between past and present but I have to say the story from the past could be another story in itself.
Profile Image for catje vdw.
63 reviews5 followers
February 10, 2017
als je aan dit boek begint wil je gewoon doorlezen tot op het einde, omdat je wilt weten hoe alles in elkaar steekt, een aanrader.
Profile Image for Melanie .
66 reviews9 followers
June 5, 2018
The story is soooo slooowww......nothing really happens and the characters remain flat. The side story is more interesting than the story itself.
Profile Image for PrettyFlamingo.
746 reviews8 followers
May 16, 2020
The wintry cover with a little boy and girl hand in hand on a snow covered path to a lighted stately home looks seasonably cute but the true story contained within this cover is a rather twisted tale of obsession, envy, unrequited love and a struggle with childlessness.

Dan and Olivia have recently become parents to twins Bea and Stanley and finally fulfilled their dreams through IVF using donor eggs. Although, money has now become an issue as Dan has lost his job but Dan’s old university friend Francesca comes to the rescue – and not for the first time. Married to a ridiculously rich American, Walt, and living in Geneva, Francesca “Cheska” allows Dan and Olivia and the children to move into a cottage on the estate of an old Elizabethan hall that Walt has bought in Norfolk, and plans to renovate. But is her generous gesture altruistic?

But there are secrets, and lots of them. Secrets about the house and secrets between Dan and Olivia too. As the book is set in both the present day and in 1959, there are two stories going on and much of the interest with the story comes from trying to work out if and how they are linked. Once I learned about the background story that made Francesca who and what she was, I felt very sorry for her; she had been a damaged teenager and still was, notwithstanding her wealth. When I read what had happened to her at university I pitied her but I felt that despite her academic abilities, her emotional intelligence was severely lacking. I really like good character development and absolutely loved finding out about the relationships and interactions between all the characters in the past; Olivia’s story, Dan’s background, Alice and Julia, and William! He was the best! I can’t say that for many of the present day characters, though. Olivia wasn’t tough enough for most of the book, Cheska was just nuts and Dan, well, what a waste of space he turned out to be.

A very compelling read with a few unlikeable characters that added to the intrigue. The ending superbly brings together each strand of both time zones. Lulu Taylor is a great tale teller and I thoroughly enjoyed, and recommend, this story and I’d seek out other books of hers.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,047 reviews78 followers
December 6, 2015
Reviewed on www.snazzybooks.com

The Winter Children by Lulu Taylor is a compelling, atmospheric novel which transported me forward and backwards in time, from present day Norfolk back to a 1950's boarding school.

I don't know exactly how to class this book. It had traits from various genres and included themes on family, relationships,mysteries and history, all told to the reader with a slight sense of unease which only grows as the novel advances and, overarching it all, secrets kept and revealed.

The characters were brilliantly crafted, and though you may dislike certain people for obvious reasons, you also feel that there are other sides to them and perhaps some, even if it seems ridiculous, reasons behind their decisions. This makes them seem all the more like real people.

The synopsis doesn't give much away so I'm determined to also do the same, as I felt that going into the novel relatively unaware of what exactly it was about only added to my enjoyment. The reader is given additional snippets of information as the novel went on about both the present day and older narrative, and I found myself completely absorbed in the story, which not only entertained me but also made me think about what constitutes 'helping' someone and the lengths someone will go to to have a child, or perhaps just to make their partner happy. Not everything is clear cut, though a lot of Francesca as a character's decisions seem that way, and the author prompts the reader to really consider what acts are truly selfless... and which can ruin a lift forever.

I would highly recommend The Winter Children as an absorbing, intriguing and at times quite haunting read, which is never rushed but moves along at just the right pace to pique your interest, and leaves wanting to read more and more!

(Many thanks to the publisher & Mumsnet Book Club for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review)
Profile Image for Jan.
582 reviews
December 13, 2015
I am really loving Lulu Taylor. I got into her work last year and this is her latest book. The story evolves around Olivia and Dan who want children but IVF has not worked, Dan's friend Francesca suggests a way that Dan likes the idea of. Keeping the secret from Olivia at last they become parents.
Francesca and her husband buy Renniston Hall an old girls school and they begin to renovate allowing Dan and Olivia to be caretakers, the back story is one about when the house was a school. This and the burning secret Dan and Francesca share, along with their own back story of Cambridge days evolve into a gripping story line, that shows the reader that maybe the character they dislike has a real point and that in the end sympathy can grow when you see the real villain of the piece.
I loved it, the book kept me reading longer into the night than I should which is an excellent recommendation.
Profile Image for Aina.
806 reviews66 followers
May 14, 2017
There are two stories in this book, one set in the present and one set in the 1960s. The problem is the '60s story, set in an all-female boarding school and features an illicit romance between a schoolgirl and a builder is way more interesting than the one set in the present. The present story tells of a married couple who finally have children through IVF after years of trying, but there is a lie entwined with it. I had a hard time sympathising with the couple, who basically spent two years being unemployed and living rent-free in a friend's place then complained about how difficult life was. Their friend who concocts this crazy plan to try and be in their lives just comes off as unhinged - she harboured her quest for revenge for decades and then all of a sudden realised that what she did was wrong! The way the two stories are tied together is pretty flimsy, although I liked the epilogue and the final reveal in the last page.
Profile Image for Ken.
2,562 reviews1,375 followers
November 1, 2018
A gripping atmospheric read, ideal to curl up to on a winters night.
Profile Image for Thakshila Jayasinghe.
39 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2021
The writing style is not very distinguished. In fact it can be said to be quite coarse. But maybe that's what makes it all the more effective. There are 2 stories here- the main story about a couple who tries desperately to have children and succeed via IVF and the sub story is set in a girls' boarding school in 1959/1960.

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The main story with the couple Dan and Olivia(and Dan's best friend Francesca), at its core, is really about the havoc wreaked on the 2 women's lives by the narcissistic abuse of one man. At the beginning of the book , Francesca absolutely gave me the creeps. I hated her character. I had my misgivings about Dan because of the deception he was willing to put Olivia through, but I was still sympathetic towards him. But Lulu Taylor masterfully shows the reader what a lying, selfish, manipulative, hard hearted man Dan is and also shows why Francesca is the way she is, gradually evoking a lot of sympathy for Francesca in the reader. Francesca has suffered great trauma at the hands of Dan. And like most, if not all, trauma victims whose trauma has remained buried and untreated, she is mentally frozen in that time. It takes a great shock to bring her out of it and start her healing process. I saw a lot of reviews saying that the Francesca character was unrealistic. A lot more reviews who didn't sympathise with her even after the wrongs done to her were revealed. I suspect that most of these people have never suffered first hand by a narcissist. Narcissistic abuse, especially if it is long term, leaves deep wounds. Despite not being a fan of the writing style, I really enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed the sub plot with the boarding school girls as well. All in all, it was a very satisfying novel to read. It almost felt cathartic for me.
Profile Image for Debra K.
1,183 reviews78 followers
January 23, 2020
I am slowly making my way through all the novels written by Lulu Taylor, in chronological order, and they just keep getting better and better!

In this story we follow mainly Olivia as she and her husband Dan struggle to conceive. Their relationship is obviously affected by this. The idea of IVF comes up and they decide to go for it. Luckily, it works and they become parents of twins but, as always, there are secrets. Secrets that someone is keeping from the other that would most certainly break their relationship apart. They are currently living at Renniston Hall, which is owned by a friend and used to be a school, but that favour could cost them more than they realise.

There is a duel timeline also in this book where we follow two teenage school girls who attend school at Renniston Hall. At that time, in the past, there are also building works going on. The girls are forbidden to make contact with any of the men working on the building site but teenage girls don't always do what they are told. Maybe they should have done this time!

I have to be honest and say that I enjoyed the story of Olivia in the present day a lot more than the past day timeline only because there was so much more happening in the present day than the past, for me. But that doesn't mean the story wasn't suspenseful, it certainly was. I just could not wait to turn the page and find out what happens next.

For me, there were no surprises in this book but that didn't spoil the story one bit. The enjoyment in this story for me was the journey of the characters and watching them as they find out secrets they wish they never had to know.



For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe

Debs :-)



172 reviews2 followers
January 1, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this book on audio while doing the house work. It had 2 time lines and I found both interesting and wanted to find out what happened in the end of both stories so I listened to it fairly quickly. I found it an easy listen with mystery, some interesting characters and plot.

Trigger warnings: I would say though if you have triggers to do with babies/children maybe worth checking them out before you listen as it babies/children related plot as you can see from title and synopsis.
Profile Image for Sarina Morrhaye.
289 reviews
June 25, 2017
Dit is echt geen thriller hé maar een roman. De laatste 150 pagina's waren interessant... de rest was maar zo en zo. heb me eindeloos geërgerd aan Francesca waardoor ik dit boek bijna op de 'deze lees ik niet uit' hoop had gegooid maar ik wilde echt wel meemaken hoe Francesca op haar bek zou gaan. En ze gingen en hoe !!!! 😊
Profile Image for Novelle Novels.
1,652 reviews52 followers
December 14, 2020
4 out of 5 stars
This is so much more exciting than I expected it to be. We have duel time lines which stream along nicely together..
Profile Image for Kathryn Curran.
201 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2023
Took me a little while to get into this book but once I did I couldn’t put it down. Enjoyable read
Profile Image for Hannah Del-Grande.
10 reviews
March 19, 2024
DNF
I tried really hard to like it but it was so cringey I had to stop reading purely from second hand embarrassment
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews

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