Workhouse Orphans

Workhouse #1

by Holly Green

All they have left is each other...

Life has always been tough for May and Gus Lavender. Their father went away to sea never to return, and then their mother falls victim to the typhus sweeping through Liverpool. Regarded as orphans by the authorities, May and Gus are sent to the Brownlow Hill Workhouse.

Like all workhouses, Brownlow is the last resort for the poor and the destitute. May and Gus will have to rely on each other more than ever if they are to survive the hardships to come...

Genres: Historical Fiction

ebook

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Pen name for author: Hilary Green
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...


Holly Green writes historical sagas about love and war, and her books are inspired by the stories she heard from her parents when she was a child. Her father was a professional singer with a fine baritone voice and her mother was a dancer, but they hd to give up their professions at the outbreak of World War II.

Holly is from Liverpool and is a trained actress and teacher - her claim to fame being that she gave Daniel Craig his first acting experience!

Holly is married, and enjoys spending time with her two delightful grandchildren.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this such an enjoyable story that I raced through it in only a few days. I thought it was easy to read and absorbing.
I will definitely look out for more books by this author.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 stars
When we start gus is a baby and May is 4, they are told their father is lost at sea. Within years the tragedy of losing their mother occurs and they are sent to the workhouse. We stay with them as life draws them in and out of each other life, through their own journeys. I love May but she is quite naive whereas even though gus is they younger he seems stronger and more streetwise. Set is in the late 1800’s this really is a tale of fighting against the odds trying to survive.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read first book I've read from this author looking forward to book two.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workhouse Orphans is the first of what I hope will be a trilogy or even a mini series. It's a bit darker and more gritty than Green's other novels at least those that I've read and one of the better books I've read in a while. It tells the story of May and Augustus Lavender a brother and sister named for the month they were born in. When May is two and Gus just a baby their father goes missing, lost at sea, two years later their mother dies and with no one to care for them they are sent to the Workhouse. This was the part that intrigued me the most as just about all the books I've read involves characters managing to avoid going to the dreaded workhouse. While the actual workhouse scenes don't take up much of the book it was enough to show what a dark and dismal place it was. From the nursery where May becomes attached to a golden haired baby she names Angel, to dormitories with rows of beds, where sleep walkers are tied to their beds something that nearly has fatal consequences for one young girl. May shows a love of adventure and art early on and a teacher takes her under her wing showing her some sights of Liverpool. Scrappy Gus longs to go to sea to find the father he's convinced is really alive somewhere. May is sent into service with the small Freeman household and Gus goes to trade school in hopes of learning how to be a sailor. Here the book branches into two stories, one chapter following May the next one Gus, and of course the end of each chapter leaves you wondering what will happen which is frustrating but a good way to keep the pages turning. May's life in service ends but she finds work as a milliner's apprentice and becomes quite famous and loved for her hat designs by the wealthy patrons, while Gus flees the trade school where he witnesses and is a victim of terrible abuses from those in power and soon finds himself stowed away on a confederate ship. I was fascinated to learn that the Shenandoah was a real ship and their exploits actually happened, another thing I like about Ms Green's work she opens the doors to rather unknown and forgotten parts of history and truly makes them come alive. The siblings are reunited after the American civil war ends and the Shenandoah docks in Liverpool but find their lives have taken drastically different paths. Both fall on their feet eventually and begin to find their place and purpose in the world, both will find some romance in their lives, and as someone who is not a huge fan of romance in books the romance in this book was very well written and I wasn't rolling my eyes in annoyance or shouting you can do better at the book like I usually do. In the end there is a surprise twist to their story and the book ends with May going off on another adventure and me disappointed near tears wishing the book would go on for another 100 pages more. What happens next? I need to know now! There had better be a sequel as I have truly taken Gus and May into my heart like few other fictional characters I've read, and I read a lot and I need to know what happens to them, to James, his mother, Kitty, even little Angel and Patty. Now I know why I usually wait until all the books of a mini series are out before I start reading. This is going to be a long year to get through.

[gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

A great read, I didn't want the story to end, having said that, I did think the storyline could have stretched a bit further, would loved to have read about Amy's new life with or without James, maybe a sequel is possible.....

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good enjoyable read, just could not put it down.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

May

Another great book from holly Green I love the way she can tell a story this is as good as her other book it's definitely worth a read and well worth 5 STARS

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book, new author to me i havent read any of hers. Ilove the way she gives an excellent account of a persons life story. Its about a brother and sister who end up in the workhouse and when they leave go in two completely different directions that males and females do in those circumstances. In the end they are reunited but not how they would ever of expected. i would recommend this book to people and will be passing it on to my mum.

[Lynda Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but got a little bored at times with parts of the story where Gus was at sea.I was also a little disappointed at the end to find that theres going to be a sequal.I will look forward to reading that but wish Id known sooner.I would of saved this book so that I could read them one after the other.

[Mrs L T Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with lots of twists and turns it will keep you i terested jntil the very last sentence

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book, there is, towards the end, a coincidence of such colossal proportions as to be unbelievable.

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 1st book by Holly and I look forward to reading more of hers in future. I absolutely loved this although i was a little sad that the ending left me wanting more and I'm not sure if these characters are in the sequel! 🙁

[Jenny Hyslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Couldn't put the book down. Gripping storyline. Looking f uhh reward to reading the next book. Definitely recommend this book

[Linda Cousens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. The story was often heartbreaking and gritty, but the characters were wonderfully written. A sequel would be a definite read for me.

[Sammi Heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Linzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but wish it went more in depth of the workhouse