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Birch End #1
A Daughter's Journey
Jo Melling has arrived in Birch End from Australia, still grieving her father's recent death. She's not intending to stay long, but after tracking down her distant family, Jo becomes more involved in village life than she could ever have imagined - and suddenly in danger too.
Jo also finds herself drawn to Nick, a handsome newcomer to the village. Nick had planned to settle in Birch End and start a business, but as he grows closer to Jo, he realises he may have to choose between his dreams and a chance at love.
Meanwhile, the new local council are faced with some tough decisions of their own. It's time to take a stand against the poor conditions in Backshaw Moss, the nearby slum, but some councillors want things to stay as they are - and will go to any lengths to make sure they get their way . . .
Will the decent people of the valley win a brighter future for themselves? And can Jo find a way to stay with Nick in a place she's grown to love?
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2019
292 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Anna Jacobs
232 books512 followersAnna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).
She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com
Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.
She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com
Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 8, 2019
I was so looking forward to reading Anna Jacobs new book and i can honestly say i have loved it.Meeting Jo from Australia who has brought her stepmother back to England after the death of her father.I also loved hearing of some of the characters from her previous series which i loved.I will be recommending this book as it was a lovely story and an aweful lot happens so thank you to Anna Jacobs 5*
July 24, 2021
I listened to the audiobook version and I think the narrator's poor Australian accent affected my enjoyment of the story.
But a good story with a strong young woman not constrained by societal rules, a caring and supportive man, a villainous and arrogant man, and a community of various people all striving to live their best life.
But a good story with a strong young woman not constrained by societal rules, a caring and supportive man, a villainous and arrogant man, and a community of various people all striving to live their best life.
September 18, 2019
Jo
Jo came to birch end to find some of her father's family but found herself caught up.in murder and abduction a really lovely read and well deserved 5 stars .
Jo came to birch end to find some of her father's family but found herself caught up.in murder and abduction a really lovely read and well deserved 5 stars .
July 26, 2025
Excellent - another Anna Jacob’s series for me to become obsessed with. I love the every day nature of the stories and the no nonsense plots!
May 13, 2023
Wow couldn’t put this down as always I’m finding with Anna Jacobs books
Another 3 books saga
Jo Melling arrives in Birch End with her horrid step mother after her fathers death from Australia but finds that she is not liking her step mothers Cousin and she has trouble from his cronies and meets Nick also returning back to his roots
Cutting a long story short they fall in love but with nice and deadly situations along the way
Can’t wait to start book 2
Another 3 books saga
Jo Melling arrives in Birch End with her horrid step mother after her fathers death from Australia but finds that she is not liking her step mothers Cousin and she has trouble from his cronies and meets Nick also returning back to his roots
Cutting a long story short they fall in love but with nice and deadly situations along the way
Can’t wait to start book 2
June 2, 2024
Recently read the first book in the Rivenshaw sereies and really enjoyed it. As the saga's are linked I decided to start the first book in burch end before going onto the next Rivenshaw book and will now be going onto the first book in Bagshaw moss given that the events in this saga seem to happen between burch end and Rivenshaw. I like the way the 3 sagas show progression as the war is progressing and ended as it is by the time Rivenshaw is written.
This first book did not dissapoint as I said in my review of the first Rivenshaw book i read Ellandale a few years a go and really loved it and so far the other sagas in the vally have not let me down. I'm looking forward to continueing these three series simaltaniously and meeting the new characters as they unfold plus hopefully catching up with old characters. With the characters who appeared in this book it was lovely to meat some of the old characters from the ellandale saga and find out how there progressing. Nick and Joes relationship blosseming was lovely to see and the way they supported each other and Tess was touching. The author has clearly done her research about these times and portrade the hardship really well. The Narator Julia Franklin dispite clearly not being from the north was fantastic with her lankishire and AUstrailian accents and really did a good job of giving each character there own voice. She was as good as Anne Dover who read the ellindale saga and i'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of this collection of books.
This first book did not dissapoint as I said in my review of the first Rivenshaw book i read Ellandale a few years a go and really loved it and so far the other sagas in the vally have not let me down. I'm looking forward to continueing these three series simaltaniously and meeting the new characters as they unfold plus hopefully catching up with old characters. With the characters who appeared in this book it was lovely to meat some of the old characters from the ellandale saga and find out how there progressing. Nick and Joes relationship blosseming was lovely to see and the way they supported each other and Tess was touching. The author has clearly done her research about these times and portrade the hardship really well. The Narator Julia Franklin dispite clearly not being from the north was fantastic with her lankishire and AUstrailian accents and really did a good job of giving each character there own voice. She was as good as Anne Dover who read the ellindale saga and i'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of this collection of books.
September 15, 2019
Anna has done it yet again, you're straight into the book after the first few lines, this is a wonderful story, catching up with old friends from Rivenshaw and Ellindale and loving the new characters just as much as the old ones, all of Anna's books are SO easy to read, page turner's and keepers.
Can't wait for the 2nd in the series, 'A Widow's Courage'.
Highly recommend you read this and other books by this very talented author. 😊 📚
Can't wait for the 2nd in the series, 'A Widow's Courage'.
Highly recommend you read this and other books by this very talented author. 😊 📚
April 13, 2020
Happiness,Sadness and romance great story.
I really enjoyed this book ,i thought Jo was such a down to earth sort of women and Nick so kind to have fallen in love so quickly.I was sad for poor Tess to have lost her mother in such a way but glad to say she found her father who she thought was dead.It was lovely to catch up with all the others from Ellingdale and Rivenshaw i loved all these stories thank you so much for all of them.
I really enjoyed this book ,i thought Jo was such a down to earth sort of women and Nick so kind to have fallen in love so quickly.I was sad for poor Tess to have lost her mother in such a way but glad to say she found her father who she thought was dead.It was lovely to catch up with all the others from Ellingdale and Rivenshaw i loved all these stories thank you so much for all of them.
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March 23, 2024I honestly think it's a great book. The book has a strong female lead. Jo, the female lead is a strong-willed, independent, and brave woman. She is truly an inspiring character for young girls. She is about what she wants and works towards it.
I genuinely love books with strong female leads. Anna Jacobs has done a great job in writing the character of Jo. The pace of the book is neither too fast nor too slow which makes it an easy yet interesting read.
I genuinely love books with strong female leads. Anna Jacobs has done a great job in writing the character of Jo. The pace of the book is neither too fast nor too slow which makes it an easy yet interesting read.
March 20, 2021
Yet again, Anna Jacobs does it again! This story has you gripped from beginning to end. It is so nice to meet previous characters from the Rivenshaw and Ellindale sagas. I would thoroughly recommend it as a five star read. I have bought all three books in the Birch End series so now I am reading book 2 and cannot put that down either. I would love to give this story more than five stars.
May 23, 2021
Three and. Half stars for a lovely story set in the 1930’s Northern England when class distinction and building regulations were all undergoing change. I say lovely because the story has many lovely aspects. But it also features the seedier side of life and the story revolves around this conflict.
Anna Jacob is a wonderful storyteller.
Anna Jacob is a wonderful storyteller.
March 30, 2020
Really enjoyed reading this book a real page turner very interesting and well written , all the different characters are entwined quite easily and a really great storyline. Would recommend and looking forward to reading book two.
September 15, 2020
I always like Anna Jacob's stories, light and familiar-feeling. I read them in a day and enjoy the predictability and satisfaction of good endings. First of a new series, looking forward to the next episode.
June 6, 2021
I see most people who read this book gave it 5 stars but I'm afraid it wasn't the page turner I was hoping for. A fair bit of repetition, the characters were a bit weak although the storyline was quite good there was something missing...
November 21, 2021
As soon as I heard that there was another series of books following on from the Ellindale one, I couldn't wait to read the first in the Birch End series. I've come to realise that there is a 'formula' to these books, but very enjoyable nonetheless
January 22, 2024
Set in Birch End Lancashire in 1934, Jo Melling has arrived from Australia. Her father has recently died and she is still grieving. The local council are trying to improve the slum conditions in Blackshaw Moss and Jo becomes involved with Nick, a newcomer to the village. An easy, simple read.
August 30, 2019
Fabulous book. Anna Jacobs has excelled herself as always. I always feel transported in to the story of the book that I am reading when I read one of Anna's book.
September 23, 2019
Enjoyable book
October 3, 2019
You’ve done it again Anna....another fantastic book. Can’t wait for the next in the series. Congratulations 👏👏👏
October 4, 2019
A wonderful story with great characters. I love all Anna's books. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 26, 2020
Wow loved this first instalment of the Birch End Saga, Jo from Australia is a newcomer to the area but seems like she'd fit right in. Murder, kidnappings, bad guys,good guys this book has them all.
February 25, 2020
I love these Saga's that Anna writes it's wonderful when you've read one then get another and you're already familiar with some of the characters, it's like a continuation of life, brilliant.
May 11, 2020
Great read
Loved this book very much. Wonderful love story with a wonderful ending.definitely would recommend this book. Thank you very much.
Loved this book very much. Wonderful love story with a wonderful ending.definitely would recommend this book. Thank you very much.
June 16, 2020
Like all Anna Jacob's books, it was excellent.
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July 13, 2020A delightful and gripping story about Jo from Australia who goes to live in Birch End in England.
She finds long lost relatives, love and many friends along the way!
She finds long lost relatives, love and many friends along the way!
October 5, 2020
Amazing book
Brilliant page Turner I could not put it down! It was an emotional roller-coaster. Worth the read. I read it in two days
Brilliant page Turner I could not put it down! It was an emotional roller-coaster. Worth the read. I read it in two days
November 24, 2020
Loved this book ,excellent read
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December 1, 2020A very endearing story of one daughters life with her father, her hardships, heartbreak and finding love ad happiness. An easy read.
December 5, 2020
Not my usual read and it was enjoyable, although there were aspects of the story I felt were unresolved.
February 8, 2021
Love this book
Love the story great read great that you follow all the same people you get right into the lives could not put it down
Love the story great read great that you follow all the same people you get right into the lives could not put it down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews