The Poor Relation

by Susanna Bavin

1908, Manchester. Mary Maitland is an attractive and intelligent young woman determined to strike out on her own and earn a living. Finding work at a women’s employment agency, her creative talent is soon noticed and Mary begins writing articles for newspapers and magazines.
But being of independent and progressive mind are troublesome traits when those you hold dear must constantly live up to the expectations of the well-to-do family to which they are linked. With increasing pressures from the powers that be, can Mary find the fine line between honouring her family and honouring herself?

Genres: Historical

416 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2019

About the author

I am a saga writer, living in beautiful North Wales. Moving here was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but my writing is inspired by my Mancunian roots.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ A Highly Compelling, Thought Provoking, Empowering and Engaging Historical Saga!

The Poor Relation is a highly compelling and poignant story set in 1900s when women were seen as much less than equal to men. It's a historical story of determination, dreams, unfairness, harshness and change.

Mary Maitland is fed up with being told what women should and shouldn't do. She's not happy with her job at the Town Council and her life, and plans to change that.
Everytime a potential promotion comes up she gets turned down, despite the fact she is more than capable of doing the job. So she sets out to seek work else where.

Her father Edward has other ideas. He isn't impressed with her disobedient nature and believes she should tow the line.
As does everyone else who deems they can have an opinion on her life and the choices she's making.

But times are slowly changing for women and Mary believes it's time for change.
She is determined to keep doing what she's doing even if it mean she's treated appallingly.

I had so much respect for Mary. She was so strong and courageous, despite everything that she went through.
I have read a few books that delves into the suffragettes and how disgraceful women were treated in those days. I don't think we can ever thank them enough for what they went through to give us the rights we have, as women today!

The Poor Relation is a story that delves into social class and divide, the treatment of women and their struggles and empowerment. It's a powerful and thought provoking story that shows the harsh realities of being a women and the powers that having money and class/status can influence life changing decisions. (Which to be fair is still happening to this day)

You can tell how much thought and passion Susanna Bavin has put into writing The Poor Relation, it's authentic and empowering. Her characters are wonderfully developed, some not at all likeable but well thought out.

If you are looking for a highly compelling, engaging, thought provoking, authentic Historical Saga then, I highly recommend reading The Poor Relation.


Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...

[Anna || BooksandBookends · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1908, England is a completely different place than it is today. Women's rights are practically non-existent and if they aren't subservient to their husbands they're meant to be subservient to their dads. Working as woman back then seems preposterous, you must know your place in society and not do anything to disrupt the social norms.

That all being said, here comes Mary Maitland. She's working as a clerk for her local council office for an absolute pittance. She applies for promotion year after year to get absolutely nowhere. Until this year, when she learns the boys she's training are paid more than she is. Disgruntled and shocked with what she's learned she chooses to take matters into her own hands and leave her job. It's not an easy decision when her dad works at the same place as whatever new job she has will reflect upon her family.

Mary's story is painful to read at times. She seems to go from bad to worse constantly throughout the story and I was absolutely desperate for something positive to happen to her for once! It isn't a book to reach for if you want to feel happy, because I had to stop reading it at times for a bit of positivity! It really shows how far we have come as a society and how thankful women should all be for our predecessors fighting for our rights.

There's a gorgeous family tree at the beginning of the book. This was brilliant to refer to whilst reading and understanding all of the family connections throughout.

I dont't tend to read a lot of historical fiction but this was a nice change.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, and love this author's work. Mary Maitland goes through a hard life, its set in Manchester in the year 1908, a era that i love especially the campain for women suffage. loved all the characters especially Dr, Nathaniel Brewer, beautifully written throughout, a heroine is born in Mary, that you will savour as you read, it's a book to be picked up and unabled to put down. loved it from start to finish.

[Jéssica · Rating 5 out of 5]

To does that know me won't be surprised when I say I loved this novel, why? First of all, it's a historical/saga novel and so far I have enjoyed all the books I have read in that genre. Second, it had a lot of elements that I love and that I will talk about in a second.

We mainly follow Mary during her journey, but we also get some glimpses of other characters POV once in a while, and that help us understand the overall of the story and the dynamics of the family and friendship relationships, as well as the differences in the various classes. And that was something I found very good because it gave me extra information that later made me understand the developments of the story.

The characters were brilliantly written and their interaction as quite interesting and truly take us back in time with those dynamics. There were some characters that I absolutely loved since the very beginning, including Mary of course, they were the kind of people I would love to me, interesting, vibrant, concern about social aspects because of the people and not status, friendly, intelligent and concern about others. Then there were those that made me so mad, they reminded me of some family members and people in my past and that made them just are real as all the others, but it got my mind spinning with their futility. Then again it was the all point, and it was what made them different.

As I was reading, the book kept becoming more interesting with each page and each chapter, and I found myself not being able to put it down. Although it didn't have a crazy busy pace, it did have one that was more calmer, except at certain action moments, and it certainly made me stay connected to each moment and wondering what would happen next.

I had some suspicions about certain things, but Susanna Bavin brilliantly surprised me with so many moments, especially the final chapters. I absolutely loved it. And about my suspicions, I was right about something and totally wrong about others.

Overall, I loved it, and I could say so much more, but I don't want to spoil anything. I will be keeping my eyes open for other books by this author, and I will be reading her previous ones in the future. This book talks about family, society during that 1900s and all the differences that existed, not only between men and women, but also between classes. It is a thought provoking novel, and I felt transported to that time and place. If you like Saga/Historical novels, and like the time period then this story happens, then I totally recommend it.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Susanna Bavin for the Paperback Copy of this book, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stunning book from Susanna that portrays a wonderfully feisty woman, living in a time where that kind of behaviour was frowned upon. It also explores the difference in the classes and how you're expected to tow the line if your circumstances change through marriage.

Mary Maitland is the central character, and I loved her! Bored in a job that doesn't challenge her, she sets out to find a life that is more fulfilling and have more independence - easier said than done when her family, especially her father, have their own thoughts on how she should be living her life and not to bring shame on the family. The times she lives in finds her battling prejudices as to what is expected of women and she is never taken seriously. But she is so determined she cracks on with finding her own way and I found myself cheering her spirit and the initiative she showed in trying to prove people wrong. Even when things don't go to plan for her, she never gives up and isn't downhearted. Giving up and playing it safe don't seem to ever enter her frame of mind!!

Throw into the mix, the battle of families and the snobbery between classes, and shameful secrets of the past coming to light. There are also those sneering characters who think themselves above others and a focus on the horrific treatment of women who dared to protest and stand up for what they believed in and it just made for an enthralling and inspiring read. I found myself totally caught up in the lives of these characters and thankful for women like Mary and Helen who weren't afraid to be different and want something more from life than just to do what they were told!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manchester - 1908

Mary Maitland, age 23, has worked at the Town Hall for 5 years. She is a very efficient worker and trains young men for higher jobs there. She has just been turned down for the 6th time for a promotion. Her boss told her she is too valuable as a trainer to promote her. Men need jobs and she will probably marry one day. Furious, she applies at an employment agency for women. Mary is hired by the agency itself as they need someone with her skills to keep things running. Mary also writes articles for different publications under a pen name. As she lives with her parents, she finds her father a strict man and she must follow his rules.

Greg Rawley inherited money from his wealthy parents that he blew through quickly. Now, he has just inherited from his uncle and needs that money to pay for his gambling debts. However, the inheritance of his uncle’s home comes with the man’s elderly sister, Helen Rawley. Now, Greg must accept that Helen will remain in the house where she has always lived until her passing. They both must abide by various stipulations set up by his deceased uncle and mediated by the man’s physician, Nathaniel Brewer.

Mary must face many setbacks in her life that appear to be instigated by the wealthy and aristocratic Kimber family. But when she charms the son and heir, Charlie Kimber, his family is shocked when he marries her. But their marriage is not to last for Charlie is an immature and spoiled young man. Once again, Mary faces humiliation in her life.

This story is an example of the ways in which young women of the time period were treated. They lacked rights in so many ways and always had to bow to the wishes of men and their social betters.

I admit that I had a difficult time getting into this book as it took awhile for me to find empathy for Mary. I also found that she seemed to be the receiver of many misfortunes, the number of which appeared to be excessive. I stuck with the book and feel that it ended up being a nice little story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a great fan of Susanna Bavin’s writing and was excited to read The Poor Relation, a stunning historical fiction novel set in Manchester in 1908.

I was completely absorbed in the life of Mary Maitland who was born to a respectable, modest household but closely related to the extremely wealthy Kimber family. When she is continuously bypassed for promotion at work by male colleagues who she has personally trained, she knows she has to make changes. Mary is ambitious, intelligent, and strong-minded but she knows that she must not appear to be ‘above her station’ and cause embarrassment to her family. In addition, Mary has the influential and extremely snobbish Kimber side of the family, making her feel inferior at every opportunity.

I loved how strong Mary was to overcome all the obstacles against her in a time when women were totally overlooked. The treatment of women who wanted to stand up for their rights is portrayed clearly and Mary herself comes across prejudice and humiliation. There are secrets around every corner and the plot beautifully demonstrates the shocking divides of the rich and poor society.

I’ve read all of Susanna’s books and they are all equally absorbing, with fascinating characters and excellent storytelling. I look out for novels that feature strong women and this author excels at this with female characters who are ambitious but also tremendously kind-hearted.

Lovers of historical fiction will adore this story from an accomplished and talented author.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

1908 England must have been a very tough time for females. Subservient to either husbands or fathers, governed by outlandish ideas of knowing your place in society and not trying to rise above it which was obviously a cardinal sin is not easy when you know you are capable of doing better and are more intelligent than most of the men around you.

Mary was a clerk at the local council office but she was never going to get promoted even though her boss considered her a treasure. The boys who were inane and silly kept on getting promoted till finally she took matters into her own hands and found a job. Convincing her father that it was a respectable job was one matter but also trying not to annoy the family that they were connected to and who were the big wigs in the town they lived was harder to manage.

Mary's life went from hard to harder to downright unfair and crushing. That she was able to come out of it with her head held high, and to maintain her happy spirit showed courage and considerable determination. With very little support from family, she finds support from an unlikely outsider who sees herself in the young woman and is determined to help her sort out her life.

It was a hard read for someone living in present times to even accept the total unfairness of what was dealt out to women at the time. A well written story with rounded characters and a very good story line set in Manchester.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I realised that this historical family saga was set in Manchester in Edwardian England and was going to cover social and political issues to do with women's suffrage and the place of women in society, I knew that this was going to be right up my street. I wasn't disappointed. The style is fluent and engaging and the central characters are not all sympathetic, but definitely well drawn. The passing on of wealth and inheritance and the paternalistic attitudes which kept some women in their place are starkly shown.

As the twists and turns of Mary's life unfolded, I could not help but get enraged at the attitudes which conspired to keep her back. The other shocking aspect turned out to be the acceptance of the social order by the Maitland family. However, there was also some genuinely brave moments. There is plenty of period detail to bring the story alive. The attempts to get funding for Nathaniel's clinic and the rules and regulations as to who are the 'deserving poor' took me by surprise. This is a story you can get involved in.

In short: Edwardian Manchester which shows you the virtues and faults of a generation.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

[Karina Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to start but worth persevering. A good story.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susanna Bavin has managed to give us another lovely story. This book has been written with great feeling and covers the lower class relation to the upper class and it just goes to show what it was like in the early 1900's. The characters in this book are so real in this book and it gets you wondering. I fell in love with three of the characters, Mary Maitland (Kimber) Dr. Nathaniel Brewer and (Aunt) Helen Rawley. So I give it five stars and recommend this read. Just cannot wait for Susanna Bavin to write another novel.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Maitland is the centre of a saga beginning in 1908 which poses many questions embedded in an extremely engaging story. This is not a story of many deaths and destitution - rather a story of a girl from a respectable family who is continually linked to her relatives who have the position, the influence and the money. They are used as a threat, and eventually actively work against her, as she struggles to assert herself in a world already against her as a woman. The unfairness of unequal wages, being passed over for promotion and continual assumptions about her abilities is one element of the battles she must continually fight. The more secret deliberate thwarting of her ambitions by her relatives means that she loses her opportunities. She is accidentally involved in the growing fight for women’s suffrage. The important thing is that she has tremendous self belief and drive. Other women also do their best; the nurse unable to continue working, the stepmother who makes the best of a marriage and motherhood, an elderly lady who realises that she must fight for her very home. This book is about the survival of people against the social pressures on them. No one is wholly bad or wholly good; this is a novel filled with real people in a setting that is deeply researched, but even more deeply felt. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this impressive book.

Mary is the daughter of Edward, whose mother married a Kimber, the local family who have enormous influence in the area. Once a year the family are invited to the big house, where their social inferiority is emphasised at every point. Mary is enormously frustrated that despite ten years of efficient and effective work in the town council, she is always passed over by younger men who she has trained. Her father, a well drawn if annoying character for the reader, rules his household strictly, always with an eye to perceived objections by the grand Kimber relations. Not that they are happy in their lot, as Lady Kimber has being crossed in her romantic life too often. She is therefore bitter and ambitious for her daughter, Eleanor. Her clothes show her personality clearly; she is described as wearing a hat on which “ostrich feathers would quiver with her indignation”. She especially against Mary, as symbolizing her unfortunate relations by marriage.

Another strand is the dissolute Greg, whose expectations are dashed in the early part of the novel, and he finds his life difficult, despite his comfortable lifestyle. Dr Brewer becomes involved in settling disputes following a surprising will reading. The doctor, with his colleague, have ambitions to set up a community clinic, but their continual difficulties show the limitations of social and welfare provision at the time.

This book cleverly intertwines the stories of several individuals and carefully builds up their backstories, some of the reasons that they behave as they do. It is written with enormous understanding of the time, and people who lived in widely varying circumstances. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, feeling caught up in Mary’s story in particular, and was reluctant to put it down without discovering her progress through her fascinating experiences.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poor Relation is a compelling historical saga about the vagaries of society in the early twentieth century when the working classes knew their place and those who wanted to move across the social divide were thought to be no better than they should be, and, equally, the upper-middle classes could no more welcome a working girl into their midst than they could fly to the moon.

It is into this rather stultified social atmosphere that we meet Mary Maitland who even though her family are related to the well-to-do Kimber family they never mix socially except for one awkward visit a year when the Maitlands are invited for tea at the big house. Mary is a bright, intelligent and fiercely ambitious young woman and whilst the constraints of society are set against her it doesn't stop her from trying her best to better herself even though her working class family seem almost as snobbish as their well-to-do counterparts.

The Poor Relation describes, to perfection, the callous attitude which prevailed at this time when social position was paramount and even with the progression of women's suffrage there was still little room room for working class women to rise up against the sheer slog of early marriage, poverty and hardship. Mary's story is a fascinating one and the author describes her struggles with compassion and a firm belief that hard work and determination will prevail. The other supporting characters are a rum bunch, some you love from the start, whilst there are others who you love to hate but, collectively, they bring some welcome light and shade, and give a lively commentary about life in twentieth century Manchester. The story is quite tough going in places, as Mary's life seems to be one challenge after another, however, the author drives the story along with her customary fine eye for even the smallest detail and an uncanny ability to make her characters seem so alive that you can't help but hope that things work out well for some, and that others get their comeuppance.

The author writes really well about life, love and all the difficulties which seem to have been so prominent in the early twentieth century, when social prejudice was very much the norm and it is this historical accuracy which makes The Poor Relation such a special read.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Maitland is the poor relation of the title, the wealthy side of her family being the Kimbers of Ees House. They look down on Mary and her family because her grandfather married……God forbid!......a shop girl. Her grandmother always rues the day she gave up the Kimber name and changed her son's surname to Maitland when she married for a second time.

Mary is a thoroughly lovely character. It's 1908 and women are not expected to achieve very much but she wants more than her Town Hall job, watching all her male colleagues being promoted before her, so she joins a women's employment agency and then turns her hand to writing articles for the press. I loved following her growth as the book progressed and how determined she was not to conform to what her father and society wanted from her (which was not very much!).

There's a family tree at the front of the book and I was very glad of it as the relationships between the Kimbers, Maitlands, and another family, the Rawleys, was quite complicated. The Rawley family did give me two fabulous characters: Helen Rawley, a cantankerous old lady who had given up all hope of a life of her own and spent it instead looking after her brother whilst seething inwardly about it under the surface that polite society decrees she should show; and Greg Rawley, a dastardly chap who is trying desperately to get his hands on family money. Both really made me laugh out loud sometimes and I very much enjoyed Susanna Bavin's sharp humour when telling their stories.

The story covers votes for women and forcible feeding of prisoners, a horrifying practice. I found the whole story to be full of aspects of social history, such as teaching women how to be more hygienic in the home and the difficulties women faced when trying to get their voices heard, which made this a really interesting read for me.

The Poor Relation was a book that I really looked forward to picking up. It felt very real and informed, offering a story that enthralled me and a hint of romance too. I've read Susanna Bavin's books before and I know that this is an author whose work I will enjoy. Highly recommended for historical fiction and saga fans.

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The desire of being an independent woman in the 1900’s…
 
Mary is a young woman who does not want to be kept. She earns her own livings, and does everything she can to get promoted.
But in 1908 it’s not done for a woman to have a real career and she discovers that  herself.

As she is a talented writer, she writes articles for newspapers and magazines, finding this an outlet to point out social frustrations.
Meanwhile she has to find a way of honouring her family, linked with a high – class family, but not at cost of herself.
 
Sometimes a novel can remind you we cannot take our liberties for granted.
It’s hard to imagine that just 100 years ago, women wanting a career was just not done. There were so many restrictions that for us in the present, would be hard to follow them.
And that’s the amazing thing of this story…
Mary is a modern woman, wanting the same things like us. But just being born in the wrong period, is limiting her. It was custom for a woman to just get married and take care of the household.
But she has more dreams and is not planning on just giving them up.

In fact, this book contains the story of 3 main characters, all entwined  together somehow…
Mary is fighting for her right to do what she wants. But she is pulled by her family to just do as told. Because they are linked to the high class Kimber family. And everything they do, can affect the good reputation of the Kimber family.
Greg has inherited from his uncle, but not being able to get his hands on the heritance, he finds himself in big trouble. As having several debts, he needs the cash to pay back the loaners.
And Helen finds herself passed over to Greg after the death of her brother. She has more to offer than just being kept…
Each character is struggling with their current situation. As Mary is determined to make more of her life, Greg is in a downward spiral and is getting in more trouble and taking extreme actions. Helen finds herself lonely and being pushed in a corner.
 
Susanna takes her time for each character, even the minor characters, so that we understand what is their motivation.
Mary is very independent and strong, and also very mature for her age. And when misfortune happens, she tries to get herself together.
Greg is just being a greedy man, looking at no one to get what he thinks he deserves.
Helen seems a woman constant in a bad mood, but slowly we get to know her better, and I realized she also was a victim of her time…
 
A historical fiction where you hope for a happy ending for everyone, but also realizing that it’s not always possible…
The story of Mary reminds us that we cannot just take things for granted and that sometimes fighting a battle is worth the end result. 
and no matter what, honouring yourself is always worth the risk. And that even with misfortunes in the past, you can have your independence but also your happiness. 


[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s never a good time to be ill but receiving Susanna Bavin’s new book in the post the day before I was struck down with the latest school lurgy, courtesy of my five-year-old, certainly helped soften the blow.
While a full body ache, temperature and sore throat were not ideal, a day tucked up in bed was just the ticket - and I was soon lost in the story of The Poor Relation.
It has more drama than a Netflix box set, together with romance, mystery, intrigue and a captivating look at the social history of the period.
Only a short way through and I was almost glad to be poorly!
I find this era fascinating but as a woman and a journalist, this tale really resonated with me. I could almost feel Mary’s frustration at the way she was treated, simply because she was born female. The horrors experienced by those campaigning for women's suffrage were brought to life in this book. I found myself, once again, grateful to all the women who paved the way for me, even though, as recent events reveal, we still have some way to go.
As if life wasn’t hard enough for Mary, she also has to contend with the posh side of the family, the Kimbers. Despite hardly seeing them, the connection seemed to dictate proper behaviour, which was both stifling and bewildering. 
It’s not only Mary’s story we encounter but also that of the lovely Dr Nathaniel Brewer, Lady Christina Kimber, who I had high hopes for at first, and the villain of the piece, Greg Rawley, who was easy to dislike. 
One of my favourite characters was the wily Helen Rawley who, had she been born a decade or so later, would have been among those publicly fighting for women’s rights, I'm sure.
This is Susanna’s fourth book and I have declared each one my favourite. The same goes for The Poor Relation. Her writing seems to go from strength to strength (and the first one was already amazing).
Now, how to plan some germs in for her next release.

With thanks to Susanna and her publishers Allison and Busby for the ARC of this fabulous book.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Poor Relation is a historical fantasy that I simply couldn't wait to sink my teeth into. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to get into and was just under halfway through before I became genuinely interested in the story. Once I hit that point, however, I just became so hooked and was unable to put the book down. I really liked Mary as a main character once I got into the story. For the time that she lived in, she was so bold and outspoken. The rest of the characters were completely fine, however, none of them really stood out above the rest. Overall, the ending saved the story as it put a nice little wrap up on certain misfortunes.

All things considered, this would be good for someone who enjoys historical fiction and doesn't mind a slow start.

Https://fourmoonreviews.blogspot.com

[carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written saga set in the Edwardian era has all the qualities of a great family drama; conflict, tugs of the heartstrings, cleverly woven tension and joyful climax - and to cap it all, women’s suffrage. The highs and lows really do keep you turning the page, for our heroine Mary Maitland is a unique woman of her times. Faced with multiple choices in her struggle for independence and longing to set her creative talents free, she is constantly striving to make the very best of her skills even though society might demand one thing and her heart another. Like all Susanna’s wonderful characters, you can’t but root for her all the way through. I enjoyed Susanna’s other books and still re-read them, discovering something new each time. But The Poor Relation excels. Not just a page-turner but a book to savour and enjoy many times over.

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susanna Bavin clutched me to her compelling story about Mary in Manchester in 1908 from the first page. This compelling tale had me cheering and raging as I turned the pages. The early 1900s class divide is perfectly illustrated by Susanna's flowing prose, in-depth characters and page-turning storyline.
Mary is a feisty woman born into a society that frowns on any sort of independence in women, and so she sets out to make her mark, but not without fear of failing, nor without failure itself. Her family & extended family across the class divide provide this poor relation story with the intricacy and depth it needs to portray the unfairness of everything from a woman's viewpoint. Historical fiction at its best. Susanna Bavin is an accomplished storyteller, this is the first of her books I've read and it will not be the last.

[Catherine Boardman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down with a cup of coffee and The Poor Relation, just for an elevenses break. At six o'clock once the last page was finished I consented to feed the cat.
Susanna Bavin consistently writes books that have me turning the pages long after I should have gone to sleep or at least cooked lunch and the The Poor Relation is no exception.
We are in Manchester with Mary who has the misfortune to be born both a woman and a poor relation of a grand family. We have cads, crusading women, handsome doctors, an Edwardian matriarch and a rather fine ginger cat. As ever Susanna Bavin's grasp of history, geography and story telling weave a good tale. Just don't sit down for a 'quick coffee' and expect to be away before tea!

[Julie Cordiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I could read it all over again, but my TBR pile is sadly too big and I have a target of 50 books to meet this year. Susanna has excelled herself with a complex and fascinating story of family relationships and rivalries that is gripping. At first I was confused by who was who, but once the action started, I was swept away by the characters, particularly Mary, Helen and Greg. And what an evil swine Jonas was!

I really think this would be superb TV drama - there are so many dramatic scenes and the writing is so good that it has a cinematic feel to it. I hope Susanna’s agent gets on to this immediately. I’m already thinking of actresses...

Thank you Susanna for a stunning read - I feel bereft now it’s ended. Your writing just gets better and better.

[Norma Laming · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected find, I listened to this on Bookbeat, which mistakenly has this catalogued under the British Library crime series. There are good summaries of the plot already on here, so I won’t add to them. The central theme is the determination of this young woman to find her place in life and to be true to herself. At first I started listening because just I wanted an easy listen and assumed this book would provide it, but as the novel progressed I genuinely became interested in what happens to her and how she copes. I’m now going to listen to the author’s other books.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historical fiction full of emotions, drama, twists and turns.
I liked the well written cast of characters, the well researched historical background and the gripping and entertaining plot.
Some parts were hard to read with our contemporary sensibility but it was informative and thought provoking.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book sent in return for honest review from Netgalley/Allison and Busby.

This amazingly talented author has done it yet again, what a page turner. Such fascinating characters and a wonderful 'all emotions you can think of' story. Susanna Bavin, will be, I'm sure, rated as one of the top authors in this genre.

[Moony (Captain Mischief) MeowPoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time really enjoying this. I just could not find much interest with the main character. The premise sounded good, but it did not deliver as i had hoped.

2.5 stars.

I got this eARC from Netgalley

[Heather Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poor Relation is a excellent historical novel. The characters are interesting and the storyline is entertaining.Well written.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read.

[Mrs J Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only gave 4 stars because it took me a few chapters to get my head around all the characters. It was a really lovely story, a page turner when i got into it, i really enjoyed it.

[Emandherbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first page contains a family tree which is incredibly useful for reference throughout the book as at times it’s a little confusing, as with any large family.

The story is a stark comparison between the two sides of the family and the two sexes. It was an eye opening read to relive what it might have been like to be a young women at the time! Mary’s determination is uplifting and admirable. I am not envious and it reminds us quite how far we’ve come.

The books writing style isn’t my usual but I felt fit the story very well and I’m glad for leaving my comfort zone.

[Jo - Cup of Toast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Edwardian England, 'The Poor Relation' is packed with social commentary as two halves of the same family navigate a very different life. The Kimbers have the title, family seat and social standing. The Maitlands have very little, and work hard for the small luxuries that they can afford. Seen as the poor relations, they also have to ensure that they don’t disappoint the Kimbers and are very much stuck in a situation where their every move may be subject to scrutiny.

I felt that the character introduction at the beginning of the novel was a little forced, and was grateful for the use of the family tree that is printed at the front of the book. Once I had confidently sorted who was who though, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. As it settled into its stride the characters were carefully built up into credible people. Together they navigated the world of women in work, touched on some of the women led demonstrations of the age, and even dealt in part with child custody after marriage, all led by the colourful and brightly ambitious Mary Maitland. Completely believable in her quest to push boundaries and carve out a successful life for herself, Mary is met with a number of challenges through her work, her associations and sometimes just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.