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A Mother's Choice
For ten years, Delia has had to fend for herself and her son Jack, and as a young unmarried mother, life has never been easy. Every new coat and pair of shoes was bought with what little money she could scrape together as a singer on the stage. But when the theatre work dries up, Delia faces a continue the search for employment with no knowing whether she’ll find the stability and security her son needs, or return to the place that should be home . . . where only spite and hatred await them. Desperate now, a chance encounter suddenly presents a lifeline. But Delia is faced with an impossible, heart-wrenching choice. Can she bear to leave Jack behind, hoping another family will care for him? Will they ever be reunited? What else can a mother do to give her son the life he deserves?Val Wood's wonderful historical sagas are perfect for readers of Dilly Court, Maggie Hope and Rosie Goodwin.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2017
63 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Val Wood
50 books95 followers Valerie Wood
Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk
Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 22, 2017
A mother's choice
I loved every page of this book. Val brought the characters to life. I loved them and also hated them. Wish we could read more to find out if young Jack got married and to who. How Molly got on and the rest of the girls. A wonderful story that I didn't want to end. Thank you Val for a fantastic story.
I loved every page of this book. Val brought the characters to life. I loved them and also hated them. Wish we could read more to find out if young Jack got married and to who. How Molly got on and the rest of the girls. A wonderful story that I didn't want to end. Thank you Val for a fantastic story.
December 25, 2017
Great book
Loved this book as with all Val wood books it is well written and a great story
Can't wait for her next one
Loved this book as with all Val wood books it is well written and a great story
Can't wait for her next one
January 1, 2018
This was excellent. I loved this book from start to finish
November 23, 2018
I used to read Val Wood's books and gave them a miss for a few years as, although they were very, very good! they became a bit 'depressing'! the only one which seemed 'nice' was The Songbird, but after reading this recent book of hers (2017) I was glad to see it seemed to have a better feel about it. Still very informative well researched, but with more intrigue and a 'nicer' feel about it, less misery! compared with how the area and era used to be portrayed, which I used to feel reading her books. I hope the next 'lot' or Val Wood's more recently published books are the same.
March 5, 2020
There are times when I just want an easy read and Val Woods sagas fit the bill. The story, set in and around Hull, is of a young woman who manages to work in the theatre and bring up her som for 10 years. The saga begins when Delia in desperation goes back to her parents and then has to decide what is best for her son. It is generally a heart warming story demonstrating how families loved and cared for others in their community back in the late 19th century. Val Wood is an exceptional writer with great characterisation and plot. This book maintained my interest throughout; no “hump” to get over in the middle as I’ve heard other reviewers describe some fiction. Val Wood clearly does her research so there are no glaring errors re how live was then, a particular bugbear of mine. I will definitely be reading more of Vals sagas and highly recommend this book.
November 11, 2019
An excellent story of family , love , loss and betrayal .
Delia has had a hard life for the last ten years . Being an unmarried mother in the late 1800's is a shameful thing , but she has always done the best for her young son , Jack . She has managed to eke out a living as a singer on the stage until now . Being without any further bookings she decides to go home to her East Riding roots .
Having been shunned by her mother once more Delia comes to a heartbreaking choice . If she leaves Jack will another family take him in ? It is a gamble . Will they ever be reunited ? She is willing to do anything to keep him happy and healthy . Will this decision work out for the best ?
This is a lovely story with likeable characters , particularly young Jack .
Delia has had a hard life for the last ten years . Being an unmarried mother in the late 1800's is a shameful thing , but she has always done the best for her young son , Jack . She has managed to eke out a living as a singer on the stage until now . Being without any further bookings she decides to go home to her East Riding roots .
Having been shunned by her mother once more Delia comes to a heartbreaking choice . If she leaves Jack will another family take him in ? It is a gamble . Will they ever be reunited ? She is willing to do anything to keep him happy and healthy . Will this decision work out for the best ?
This is a lovely story with likeable characters , particularly young Jack .
December 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this book.
It tells of a young gal, barely a woman who fights to support herself and her child.
When things get really bad, she decides to come back home only to have the door shut in her face by her mum.
She then has to make a hard decision. Could she leave her child with a family that could do right by him?
This book is filled with twists and turns. Nothing and no one is as it seems.
It tells of a young gal, barely a woman who fights to support herself and her child.
When things get really bad, she decides to come back home only to have the door shut in her face by her mum.
She then has to make a hard decision. Could she leave her child with a family that could do right by him?
This book is filled with twists and turns. Nothing and no one is as it seems.
June 12, 2022
È il primo libro di questa scrittrice che leggo, e l'ho molto apprezzato. Un pizzico di Thomas Hardy (senza il suo cupo pessimismo), un pizzico del pragmatismo di Elizabeth Gaskell, ma, soprattutto, uno sguardo attento e informato sulla società descritta, il mondo rurale dell'Inghilterra di fine ottocento. Nelle cui famiglie, a quanto pare, nessuno poteva indicare con certezza il proprio padre...
August 31, 2018
One of the authors worst
Sadly this is a poor read. One of Val Woods poorest. I have read all her books to date which were brilliant. But this one was boring and predictable. Therefore i have given 1 star as I was glad to get to the end. I don't recommend this book for those reasons. But all the previous ones definitely.
Sadly this is a poor read. One of Val Woods poorest. I have read all her books to date which were brilliant. But this one was boring and predictable. Therefore i have given 1 star as I was glad to get to the end. I don't recommend this book for those reasons. But all the previous ones definitely.
October 11, 2018
Enjoyable
This is a book to get lost in as it’s an easy read but also feel good with lovely characters haven’t read any of this authors books before but I certainly will do in the future
This is a book to get lost in as it’s an easy read but also feel good with lovely characters haven’t read any of this authors books before but I certainly will do in the future
May 24, 2018
Absolutly lovely story
The best book i have read in a long time. A book that you don’t want to end. You just want more.
The best book i have read in a long time. A book that you don’t want to end. You just want more.
July 28, 2018
as always with Val's books I really enjoyed this
March 18, 2019
This was my first time reading a book by Val Wood. She's a very good writer.
I was hooked at page one.
I was hooked at page one.
November 15, 2020
Too good to put down
Although fiction the facts seem very true to the era. Wanted to keep on reading all the way through to see the final conclusion. Really enjoyed it.
Although fiction the facts seem very true to the era. Wanted to keep on reading all the way through to see the final conclusion. Really enjoyed it.
December 26, 2022
A mothers choice
I really enjoyed this novel. Many twists and turns which took you to many places and characters. Cannot wait to read Val Woods next novel.
I really enjoyed this novel. Many twists and turns which took you to many places and characters. Cannot wait to read Val Woods next novel.
January 30, 2023
A good story based at paull and Headon E York's
April 5, 2024
Just finished reading this and loved every bit of it, certainly love little Jack Robinson he is 10 going on 30 absolutely adorable.
September 5, 2025
good book enjoyed it
January 3, 2021
Another excellent book from a British author!
December 26, 2018
Historical fiction. Family drama. Rural England.
Story: In 1897 ten year old Jack and his mother are travelling around while she looks for work as a singer. After struggling to find a job anywhere and money dwindling, she decides to go to her parents, whom she hadn't seen in over ten years.
Lamguage: Despite the family drama and circumstances, this is a nice and cosy book. It is filled with many tropes and convenient things happen throughout, but despite all that, the book is filled with atmosphere and nature and family, and a few holiday moments thrown in as well.
Chatacters: Delia is a young mother, travelling around the country seeking and working temporary work as a singer and struggling to get by. She is trying to raise her young son Jack as well, a mature 10 year old who is better friends with adults than children, considering he hasn't had a stable school education, what with moving around all the time.
This is my first Val Wood book, and though it is full of tropes and flaws, I really enjoyed it as a cosy read. I read this around Christmas and to my delight there was a Christmas scene right around my holiday reading. I'd definitely check out her other books in future.
Story: In 1897 ten year old Jack and his mother are travelling around while she looks for work as a singer. After struggling to find a job anywhere and money dwindling, she decides to go to her parents, whom she hadn't seen in over ten years.
Lamguage: Despite the family drama and circumstances, this is a nice and cosy book. It is filled with many tropes and convenient things happen throughout, but despite all that, the book is filled with atmosphere and nature and family, and a few holiday moments thrown in as well.
Chatacters: Delia is a young mother, travelling around the country seeking and working temporary work as a singer and struggling to get by. She is trying to raise her young son Jack as well, a mature 10 year old who is better friends with adults than children, considering he hasn't had a stable school education, what with moving around all the time.
This is my first Val Wood book, and though it is full of tropes and flaws, I really enjoyed it as a cosy read. I read this around Christmas and to my delight there was a Christmas scene right around my holiday reading. I'd definitely check out her other books in future.
August 10, 2019
Een alleenstaande moeder met zoontje van 10 kan amper het hoofd boven water houden, op haar ouders kan ze niet rekenen. Op een dag laat ze haar zoontje achter bij de familie van zijn vader zonder dat ze weten dat hij hun kleinzoon is. Mooi geschreven.
June 9, 2024
Excellent read
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews