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All My Mother's Secrets
A powerful true story of love, loss and a family torn apart
From the grimy streets of Acton and Notting Hill to the bright lights of the West End, Beezy Marsh's All My Mother’s Secrets is a powerful, uplifting story of a young woman’s struggle to come to terms with her family’s tragic past.
Annie Austin’s childhood ends at the age of twelve, when she joins her mother in one of the slum laundries of Acton, working long hours for little pay. What spare time she has is spent looking after her younger brother George and her two stepsisters, under the glowering eye of her stepfather Bill. In London between the wars, a girl like Annie has few choices in life – but a powerful secret will change her destiny.
All Annie knows about her real father is that he died in the Great War, and as the years pass she is haunted by the pain of losing him. Her downtrodden mother won’t tell her more and Annie’s attempts to uncover the truth threaten to destroy her family. Distraught, she runs away to Covent Garden, but can she survive on her own and find the love which has eluded her so far?
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2018
60 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Beezy Marsh
9 books167 followersBeezy Marsh is an international #1 and Sunday Times top-ten best-selling author who puts family and relationships at the heart of her writing. She believes that ordinary lives are extraordinary. She is also an award-winning journalist, who has spent more than 20 years making the headlines in newspapers including The Daily Mail and The Sunday Times. She began her career as a writer after graduating from Leeds University with a Joint Honours degree in English Literature and French. She was Women’s Editor on The Northern Echo in the North East, where she grew up, winning awards for her reporting before moving to the Daily Mail, where as Health Correspondent she was nominated for a National Press Award for her investigations. Her historical novels featuring the gritty lives of working class women in the first half of the twentieth century have spent six weeks in the Sunday Times best top ten bestseller list in the U.K. and nine weeks at the coveted #1 slot in Canada. She is married, with two sons, and lives in Oxfordshire with a never-ending pile of laundry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 29, 2020
All My Mother’s Secrets by Breezy Marsh
An incredible story of a family torn apart by secrets and lies. An uplifting journey of the hardships Annie Austin experiences in the slums of London between the wars, right from the age of twelve. This heartfelt story carries us through many of her family members and the trials, tribulations and joy they experience. I really enjoyed reading “All My Mother’s Secrets” and having the opportunity to walk through the lives of this outstanding family...💕📚
An incredible story of a family torn apart by secrets and lies. An uplifting journey of the hardships Annie Austin experiences in the slums of London between the wars, right from the age of twelve. This heartfelt story carries us through many of her family members and the trials, tribulations and joy they experience. I really enjoyed reading “All My Mother’s Secrets” and having the opportunity to walk through the lives of this outstanding family...💕📚
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August 14, 2018A story of great hardship, family secrets and love for each other that ties a family together.
Sometimes it's far better to tell the truth than to fabricate a lie even though the truth will be painful to hear.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and the story was so good I ended up listening into the early hours of the morning.
This book deserves more than five stars and I will be looking for more books from this author.
Sometimes it's far better to tell the truth than to fabricate a lie even though the truth will be painful to hear.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and the story was so good I ended up listening into the early hours of the morning.
This book deserves more than five stars and I will be looking for more books from this author.
March 21, 2021
I liked this book, but found it a bit slow at times. It is interesting to read how things were back in the early 1900s.
I read Her Father's Daughter before this All My Mother's Secrets. It didn't really make a difference, but probably would have been better to read them in order.
I read Her Father's Daughter before this All My Mother's Secrets. It didn't really make a difference, but probably would have been better to read them in order.
July 11, 2018
this book starts in november 1918, the story of Annie Austin, working for the missus Blythe, starting at the age of twelve at the laundry of Acton lane Soapsud island. Annie goes all out to find the truth about her real father living with her mother step father brother and two step sisters. i loved how this story unfolds. remarkable details and accounts, it will pull at your heartstrings as you read on. a story of family heardship working and bonding together, with lots of stories of all the characters right up to 1939. annie is an inspiration to all women out there, the author has made this book, into a remarkable story of the hard work of the laundry workers of london, a truly fascinating read for all. if i could this would have got double the stars.
September 20, 2018
What a lovely story about Annie,her family and life in Acton.Annie has a hard life working long hours for little money but she had no choice.As life moves on Annie comes to like Ed and she enjoys their chats but when he gets a bit carried away Annie stops him only to find him walking out with her friend Vera.The years pass and then Annie suffers the loss of her gran who held the family together,her gran gives her a sewing box and while looking through it she comes across a hidden bottom inside which are a letter and a photo of Annie's father.Little did she know how these things would change her life.I can highly recommend this book a fab read.5*
September 17, 2018
Secrets
Sisters and family secrets, I lost my way around the middle of this book, despite reading for five solid hours waiting for an operation, then a further two hours after coming home, finally got back into what was happening still a bit confused it read to the end.
Sisters and family secrets, I lost my way around the middle of this book, despite reading for five solid hours waiting for an operation, then a further two hours after coming home, finally got back into what was happening still a bit confused it read to the end.
October 16, 2018
Enthralling memories
I have enjoyed to look into how life would have been for my grandparents, the genuine struggles of life. I was born in Stratford road Acton, and remember hearing stories of soap suds island. Now I feel I have lived it through the pages.
I have enjoyed to look into how life would have been for my grandparents, the genuine struggles of life. I was born in Stratford road Acton, and remember hearing stories of soap suds island. Now I feel I have lived it through the pages.
November 22, 2018
Set in the poverty of Action and Notting Hill “All My Mother’s Secrets” opens with twelve -year -old Annie Austin whose life revolves around her family; looking after her brother and half-sisters and working long hours at the laundry at Hope Cottage, adding her small pay to the household income. Haunted by her mother’s secrecy about her father who she believes died in the Great War, she longs to know the truth, hoping as she grows older to find a man who she can love, someone very different from her controlling, intimidating stepfather.
As the years pass and she grows older, events in her life heat up with her younger brother’s struggle with tuberculosis (TB); her short involvement with Ed, the carman at the laundry; her fight with scarlet fever; and the death of her grandmother that will eventually expose her mother’s secret and have her striking out for London and becoming entangled in another heartbreaking romance.
Emotionally-charged not only with the hardship Annie and her family face amid the tensions at home and in the slum laundry of Hope Cottage, as well as her struggle to come to grips with her family’s tragic past, the author brings to life the trauma of returning WWI soldiers, the prejudice against anyone of German lineage, the violence against gays, and the chaos of a strike in London. Yet amid the pain and heartache there are lighter moments like Annie’s friendship with Wilf and his theatre-speak as well as her slow- evolving romance with Harry, the family’s boarder. Slow at first the pace of the plot picks up with Annie’s discovery of her mother’s secret and her exploration of life in Covent Garden.
The characters are wonderfully realistic and compelling like Annie Austin the hardworking, kind and family-oriented young woman who is forced to work in the laundry at age twelve; her browbeating stepfather Bill a man who finds pride in a new job at the laundry and in his two young daughters; her steadfast, reliable and self-sacrificing mother Emma who’s secretive about the loss of the love of her life; and Vera, her loyal best friend whose tragic love affair with an unreliable flirt brings disastrous consequences and a change in personality.
A fascinating, true-to-life story that captures your heart and doesn’t let go, I enjoyed “All My Mother’s Secrets” and look forward to reading other books by Breezy Marsh.
As the years pass and she grows older, events in her life heat up with her younger brother’s struggle with tuberculosis (TB); her short involvement with Ed, the carman at the laundry; her fight with scarlet fever; and the death of her grandmother that will eventually expose her mother’s secret and have her striking out for London and becoming entangled in another heartbreaking romance.
Emotionally-charged not only with the hardship Annie and her family face amid the tensions at home and in the slum laundry of Hope Cottage, as well as her struggle to come to grips with her family’s tragic past, the author brings to life the trauma of returning WWI soldiers, the prejudice against anyone of German lineage, the violence against gays, and the chaos of a strike in London. Yet amid the pain and heartache there are lighter moments like Annie’s friendship with Wilf and his theatre-speak as well as her slow- evolving romance with Harry, the family’s boarder. Slow at first the pace of the plot picks up with Annie’s discovery of her mother’s secret and her exploration of life in Covent Garden.
The characters are wonderfully realistic and compelling like Annie Austin the hardworking, kind and family-oriented young woman who is forced to work in the laundry at age twelve; her browbeating stepfather Bill a man who finds pride in a new job at the laundry and in his two young daughters; her steadfast, reliable and self-sacrificing mother Emma who’s secretive about the loss of the love of her life; and Vera, her loyal best friend whose tragic love affair with an unreliable flirt brings disastrous consequences and a change in personality.
A fascinating, true-to-life story that captures your heart and doesn’t let go, I enjoyed “All My Mother’s Secrets” and look forward to reading other books by Breezy Marsh.
May 6, 2020
Who knew that one little family could have faced so much heartache and hurt, and hate, but still come full circle to joy once more.
Annie is the granddaughter of Nanny Chick, who is just 12, but working in the laundry with her mom, Emma and Grandma. They work long hours and hard, but still they can't seem to get ahead of the game.
Annie has grown up without a father, being told he was overseas fighting and when she starts to question more she is basically told to let it go. Until on her dying bed her Nanny gives her something that she will forever treasure and will start her asking questions all over again.
When really sick, and not sure if she will survive, her Aunt Clara starts to tell her things of her ancestry...which of course only makes her want to know more. So one day, when she is a full grown adult, she is finally able to sit down with her mom, and hear about her family's secrets. Apparently, they go quite far back.
Great read.
Annie is the granddaughter of Nanny Chick, who is just 12, but working in the laundry with her mom, Emma and Grandma. They work long hours and hard, but still they can't seem to get ahead of the game.
Annie has grown up without a father, being told he was overseas fighting and when she starts to question more she is basically told to let it go. Until on her dying bed her Nanny gives her something that she will forever treasure and will start her asking questions all over again.
When really sick, and not sure if she will survive, her Aunt Clara starts to tell her things of her ancestry...which of course only makes her want to know more. So one day, when she is a full grown adult, she is finally able to sit down with her mom, and hear about her family's secrets. Apparently, they go quite far back.
Great read.
August 5, 2019
A beautifully written true story about three generations of women working in the London laundry business, a tough life filled with hard work in what we’re essentially slums. I’d never thought much about the effort that goes into washing, drying, and ironing of clothes by hand, these women worked hard in what was a very specialised industry - it gave me an appreciation of their skill and the luck of living in the modern mechanised age.
The author is related to these women so the story is woven part through stories handed down, part by historical research and she has done a good job of weaving the story and describing the characters so that it reads, almost, like a novel. I did really enjoy this book and the way the family secrets unfolded kept me interested until the end. The setting of London, and the timing (between world wars) also appealed to my interests.
The author is related to these women so the story is woven part through stories handed down, part by historical research and she has done a good job of weaving the story and describing the characters so that it reads, almost, like a novel. I did really enjoy this book and the way the family secrets unfolded kept me interested until the end. The setting of London, and the timing (between world wars) also appealed to my interests.
June 2, 2019
A very moving story - a bit of a slow start picturesque , taking place on
soapsud Island with women making ends meet working in a laundry factory while the men go the pub after payday and spend most of what they made. children working doing laundry from age 12 on. Mom gets pregnant but does not want to share it with her oldest daughter. Does not share how her Dad really died. Wants to keep him on a pedestal for her daughter. It was a o.k. book for me.
soapsud Island with women making ends meet working in a laundry factory while the men go the pub after payday and spend most of what they made. children working doing laundry from age 12 on. Mom gets pregnant but does not want to share it with her oldest daughter. Does not share how her Dad really died. Wants to keep him on a pedestal for her daughter. It was a o.k. book for me.
September 27, 2018
My mother's secrets
A brilliant true story of a family's secrets its a very powerful and emotional book i thoroughly enjoyed it brought me lots of memories of my young day's i couldn't put it down i highly recommend this book its well worth a read i haven't read any of Beezy Marsh books before but will do in the future
A brilliant true story of a family's secrets its a very powerful and emotional book i thoroughly enjoyed it brought me lots of memories of my young day's i couldn't put it down i highly recommend this book its well worth a read i haven't read any of Beezy Marsh books before but will do in the future
May 12, 2019
This is a wonderful biography of a British family . It flips between two generations 1918 -1936 and is an excellent profile of life between the wars. Although a biography, it reads very much like fiction, and is interesting and enjoyable.The character are very well developed, and life of working class Brits is well portrayed...keep calm and carry on!
September 1, 2020
Excellent book capturing life for the poor working class in the west of London during the First World War. The language the author uses takes you back to the times and places of the characters and the hardships they endured. Being a true story it really pulls at your heart strings as you get to know the people.
January 31, 2021
Beezy Marsh brings history alive in this story about her great-great-grandmother and her family! It tells of hardships overcome by sheer determination and loyalty, despite the generational differences and traditions.
We literally don’t know how good we have it when we read stories like this! A must read!
We literally don’t know how good we have it when we read stories like this! A must read!
May 30, 2023
A non-fiction book that always had shocking secrets that made me want to keep reading it! I finished this book in just over two days! It’s based on the 20’s and 30’s in England. When the poor times were around. It goes back and forth from different times to find out the secrets. I am looking forward to reading more of Beezy’s books!
February 28, 2024
I appreciated the slow mystery of this book and the flow of the story based on laundry workers. I could not imagine what it would be like to work in those conditions and live through two wars (WWII is not covered in the book just towards the end).
The familial trials and tribulations, secrets and bonds is what I really enjoyed.
Happy reading,
Lucinda
The familial trials and tribulations, secrets and bonds is what I really enjoyed.
Happy reading,
Lucinda
August 14, 2018
Secrets
Wow this is a fantastic story I loved Annie and also her mam Emma what a hard life these ladies had I'm so happy there going to be another book 5 STARS for a riveting read ..
Wow this is a fantastic story I loved Annie and also her mam Emma what a hard life these ladies had I'm so happy there going to be another book 5 STARS for a riveting read ..
September 16, 2018
A very absorbing read.
A great insight into the life and hardships of ordinary folks, who even though they were working long hours struggled to make ends meet, before and during the last two world wars. As the story unfolded I couldn't put it down.
A great insight into the life and hardships of ordinary folks, who even though they were working long hours struggled to make ends meet, before and during the last two world wars. As the story unfolded I couldn't put it down.
September 20, 2018
All my mother's secrets
An exceptional book describing the role of working class women in London and how they protected and kept their families together. Although poor they had exceptional standards and are to be admired
An exceptional book describing the role of working class women in London and how they protected and kept their families together. Although poor they had exceptional standards and are to be admired
October 6, 2018
Very interesting true story of hard working families trying to keep their lives together and food on the table. Their determination in such trying times is amazing as they never gave up. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
October 21, 2018
Lovely story about hardship and personal loss and the consequences of being untruthful. I enjoyed reading it but felt the ending was a bit rushed but I suspect that may be because there is likely to be a sequel expanding on how things developed during and after WW11
May 20, 2020
Such an interesting narrative nonfiction story. It started slow but soon I was invested in the story of life in England between WW1 and WW2. The secrets kept ultimately rocked this family when they were meant to protect. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
October 2, 2018
I was drawn to read the book because I enjoy true stories and history. But the content really let me down.
October 4, 2018
Throughly enjoyed this book. It’s amazing to see how things have changed over the years. What Annie finds out about her family is very similar to her story. Definitely worth reading
October 14, 2018
I don't think I needed to know that much detail about the laundry industry...those parts were dry,
October 17, 2018
A touching book...an easy read. Makes you hope and love.
October 30, 2018
A good family saga
December 17, 2018
Really enjoyable read ,looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews