The Nursemaid's Secret

by Sheila Newberry

This Christmas, will she finally find a family to call her own? As Christmas grows nearer, Tilly, a young maid, is sent away from her home in London to care for a sick child in an old cottage on the Isle of Sheppey, and she little imagines how her life will change . . . Having settled in with her new family, Tilly dares to believe that the happiness she's longed for could be hers at last, and that she might finally be free from the secrets of her past. But tragedy strikes, and Tilly is forced to return to London, leaving the cottage under the sea wall—and her new life—behind. As war approaches and new challenges arise, will Tilly be able to overcome her struggles and find her way home? A warmhearted and nostalgic festive family saga from the author of The Winter Baby and The Gingerbread Girl, perfect for readers of Katie Flynn and Sheila Jeffries.

Genres: Historical, Fiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 1996

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book full of love,sadness,fighting to survive and live.Tilly is young girl who has been wronged but has lived to tell the tale and has stamped her mark.The people she has met and helped have helped her and the friends she has are her family.I highly recommend that you read this book and would gladly give it 5* as Sheila Newberry never fails to draw me into her books.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Newberry has such an engaging writing style. She creates wonderful characters and you really care about the story. Tilly is a maid and is taken in by a family and helps different people. It’s set during the WW1 years which is one of my favourite eras for a book. There is heartbreak and sadness and the struggles of a war.
I'm very keen to add more books by Sheila Newberry to my tbr list

[Deborah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book .enjoyed reading it

[poppie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather slow moving and unfortunately not a strong enough story for me. Found it a little boring hence the two stars.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It follows the life of Tilly a maid who ends up as part of the family helping different relatives in their hour of need. During World War One Tilly becomes a member of the Salvation Army. We follow the ups and downs of Mrs Augusta and her brother’s family as well as Tilly’s as they cope with the hardships that the war caused. If you like historical sagas then you will love this book.

[Louraine Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Sea Wall

Shiela Newberry has done a most amazing job with this novel. Again it covers a war or World War 1 era. This novel has so many things happening within it, within a family. I was once a member of The Salvation Army and this novel shares the story of what part they played in what is probably the Beginning of that amazing organisation, which is actually a Church. I remember the story of the founder, William Booth whose belief was you cannot feed a mans soul while he is hungry, first feed the man. I put this here so you will understand more of their roll when you read about that section of this book. I was engrossed with this story, with its happiness, and so tearful as the saddest parts. You cannot but fall in love with each and every character, who I shall miss now I have finished reading this wishing it could have gone on, as this is how this story has effected me. I hope you too will find this as wonderful and emotional as I have.

[Lauren Macauley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think this book was my cup of tea. The characters didn't seem to grow up as the years went on. Events happened and the characters seemed to barely react. A characters husband died and it was mentioned for 2 pages and never really discussed again

[Mrs Margaret Litchfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average, ok

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *'s

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

will Tilly ever find true happiness ever again after her first husband dies tragically in the war?

[Corrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read. One of the best Sheila wrote. With lots of twist and turns

[Kathy E · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not read by me as Tilly's Family, but as The Nursemaid's Secret/

[Erika Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first for me by this author... but it certainly won't be my last.

This Christmas, will she finally find a family to call her own?

As Christmas grows nearer, Tilly, a young maid, is sent away from her home in London to care for a sick child in an old cottage on the Isle of Sheppey, and she little imagines how her life will change . . .

Having settled in with her new family, Tilly dares to believe that the happiness she's longed for could be hers at last, and that she might finally be free from the secrets of her past. But tragedy strikes, and Tilly is forced to return to London, leaving the cottage under the sea wall - and her new life - behind.

As war approaches and new challenges arise, will Tilly be able to overcome her struggles and find her way home?

A heart-warming book full of sadness, love and the fight to survive during the hardships the war has caused.
Characters were well written and you really felt for young Tilly in this great storyline.

I will be looking out for more of this authors works and look forward to future books.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

[Hayley Fagelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as an audiobook. This is a sweet story which really gives a glimpse in to the lives of people who lived in this era. Lots of lovely description and easy to follow. Some may find this slow moving and not enough twists and excitement as some stories but you didn’t really need it. I enjoyed it.

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Be prepared for a lot of heart ache though, many sad moments. But happy ones too and laughter. And a perfect ending in my opinion.

[Julie Homer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story such a beautiful read I’m not sure whether this is a one off book or if I’ve read this and there are others before but still I give this 5*

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely book to listen to with lovely characters. You will love Tilly. Wonderfully interwoven tales of strong women throughout their lives during war times

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read .

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Icl my mum made me buy this book and I haven’t opened it. I bought this book back in 2018

[Shelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish it. Just could not get into the characters.

[Alison Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't hate it, but found it too sickly sweet for my liking

[Alison Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read