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Molly and Nellie #1
Stay in Your Own Back Yard
In her terraced house in Liverpool, Molly Bennett struggles to bring up four children on her husband's meagre wage. But Molly doesn't complain; she has an abundance of things money can't buy - and a home filled with love and laughter. When her eldest daughter, Jill, is offered a place at high school, Molly is racked with guilt. She needs Jill working to relieve their poverty. But Jill eases Molly's conscience by getting herself a job in a baker's shop while signing up for night school. Molly's best mate is Nellie McDonough; they spend hours laughing, gossiping and lending a helping hand to others. And when they discover one of their neighbours is being beaten by her violent husband, the friends roll up their sleeves and take action. Meanwhile, Jill starts dating Nellie's son, Steve, and both families are delighted. But Jill lands herself an office job that takes her into a world beyond the confines of their close-knit community and she and Steve seem to be drifting apart...
Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
About the author
Joan Jonker
48 books38 followersJoan Jonker was born and bred in Liverpool. She founded the charity-run organisation Victims of Violence and she lives in Southport. She has two sons and two grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 8, 2018
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Absolutely adore Joan Jonker. Love her characters. The close knit community, camaraderie. Her books are my go to books when I want a bit of a lift. Her stories remind me of my man and her stories of her and her best friend Lizzie through the war. Brings her back to me a little
Absolutely adore Joan Jonker. Love her characters. The close knit community, camaraderie. Her books are my go to books when I want a bit of a lift. Her stories remind me of my man and her stories of her and her best friend Lizzie through the war. Brings her back to me a little
August 7, 2022
Love this series. Love joan jonker. Wish she had more books.
September 11, 2019
This is the second time of reading this book,love the characters can just see them in my mind
Beautifully written,so life like.
Molly and Kellie are a scream.
Would recommend this if you like a good read,Connor wait to read the next one again.
Beautifully written,so life like.
Molly and Kellie are a scream.
Would recommend this if you like a good read,Connor wait to read the next one again.
August 27, 2025
This Liverpool domestic saga is set just prior to the WW2 tensions, when rumours of war are spreading among men but the women refuse to think the unthinkable.
Two good-hearted neighbours in a tenement street raise the kids and keep the homes decent, while the men go to work and the young adults leave school at 14 to get basic jobs.
A man controlling and beating his wife and children turns out to be giving the family only half his pay packet, when the done thing was for the man to hand over the pay and his wife to give him what she could spare. I like the no-nonsense attitude adopted by a seaman on leave when he hears sounds of a fight in that house. You'll have to read it.
The title arises from a chance for one of the young women, who puts herself through typing school, to see a more elevated side of society. It seems that while everyone wanted their next generation to do well, they didn't want them to leave the working class.
Conversational words of the day are used, and the lively story is suitable for adults and older teen readers. This is a good reminder to be thankful for what we now take for granted, such as indoor plumbing and electric lights.
This is an unbiased review.
Two good-hearted neighbours in a tenement street raise the kids and keep the homes decent, while the men go to work and the young adults leave school at 14 to get basic jobs.
A man controlling and beating his wife and children turns out to be giving the family only half his pay packet, when the done thing was for the man to hand over the pay and his wife to give him what she could spare. I like the no-nonsense attitude adopted by a seaman on leave when he hears sounds of a fight in that house. You'll have to read it.
The title arises from a chance for one of the young women, who puts herself through typing school, to see a more elevated side of society. It seems that while everyone wanted their next generation to do well, they didn't want them to leave the working class.
Conversational words of the day are used, and the lively story is suitable for adults and older teen readers. This is a good reminder to be thankful for what we now take for granted, such as indoor plumbing and electric lights.
This is an unbiased review.
January 24, 2020
Joan Jonker's books are not readily available in the U.S. and that is a shame. Readers of warm, character-driven historical novels would do well to make an effort to find and read her work!
Stay in Your Own Back Yard is the first book in a series centered upon two lifelong friends, Molly and Nellie. Set in working class Liverpool in the period prior to war, we get a glimpse in to life during those times. The characters are well-developed and believable and I challenge any reader not to root for them. The storyline develops slowly and in a realistic way...I enjoyed settling down in the evening for a cozy read with these characters. Friendship and community play a strong role and although life for these people had definite challenges, the love between them shines through.
I am looking forward to starting the second book in the series soon. Definitely recommended!
Stay in Your Own Back Yard is the first book in a series centered upon two lifelong friends, Molly and Nellie. Set in working class Liverpool in the period prior to war, we get a glimpse in to life during those times. The characters are well-developed and believable and I challenge any reader not to root for them. The storyline develops slowly and in a realistic way...I enjoyed settling down in the evening for a cozy read with these characters. Friendship and community play a strong role and although life for these people had definite challenges, the love between them shines through.
I am looking forward to starting the second book in the series soon. Definitely recommended!
March 3, 2025
Absolutely brilliant read.
Set in Liverpool tells us the story of neighbours with not a lot to see them through life, but friendship family is enough.
I read this book years ago so second time around it's so so good.
Full of humour banter there's nothing not to love about this late authors work.
Set in Liverpool tells us the story of neighbours with not a lot to see them through life, but friendship family is enough.
I read this book years ago so second time around it's so so good.
Full of humour banter there's nothing not to love about this late authors work.
November 26, 2017
Excellent book really entertaining,its funny and sad the story is so like many of today.well worth 5*
May 26, 2018
Outstanding
I could read these books time and time again. A perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday. my favourite author
I could read these books time and time again. A perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday. my favourite author
May 18, 2020
What I call “a feel good” story. Characters come alive but are a bit too wholesome for my liking. One bad guy only in the entire book. Having said that, it’s an easy read and enjoyable.
November 2, 2021
Great book
Really enjoyed this book.great storyline and I just loved all the characters except Nobby.Going to buy the next book straight away and carry on this lovely family drama.
Really enjoyed this book.great storyline and I just loved all the characters except Nobby.Going to buy the next book straight away and carry on this lovely family drama.
October 15, 2022
Great
Rereading these books from Joan and I love them all over again. Life in one street between the wars in Liverpool.
Rereading these books from Joan and I love them all over again. Life in one street between the wars in Liverpool.
July 20, 2024
wonderful series
I must have read this series at least 4 times but it always cheers me up. Nostalgic and heart warming
I must have read this series at least 4 times but it always cheers me up. Nostalgic and heart warming
October 2, 2024
A heart-warming story with interesting characters. I did, however, want to slap the author as she kept emphasizing Nellie’s “chins!”
May 22, 2026
I loved this, mollie and Nellie are hilarious
December 16, 2024
Nice story about nice people in difficult circumstances.
I would give rather 3 1/2 than 4 stars, but the story certainly is not to blame for me expecting a kicker to lift me up.
I would give rather 3 1/2 than 4 stars, but the story certainly is not to blame for me expecting a kicker to lift me up.
December 24, 2016
Brilliant book
Very good read thourally enjoyed this book couldnt put it down good author I will recommend it to friends and family
Very good read thourally enjoyed this book couldnt put it down good author I will recommend it to friends and family
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews