A Family’s Heartbreak

by Kitty Neale

All they ever wanted was somewhere to call home… Beaten When Jenny’s mother abandons her and her younger siblings, Jenny is left at the mercy of her abusive father Henry. And when Henry beats his eldest daughter so badly that she ends up in the hospital, it seems like there’s nowhere left for them all to go. Broken But factory worker Craig has fallen head over heels for Jenny, and he offers her a place to stay. Happy at last, Jenny begins a new life with him, but when tragedy strikes, she’s left to pick up the pieces of both her broken home – and her broken heart. Bereft Desperately trying to make ends meet, Jenny is alone and working round the clock. Will she ever be able to give her siblings the happy home they deserve? Or is the worst yet to come…? The Sunday Times bestseller is back in a gritty family drama, perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.

Genres: Historical Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2019

Reviews

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Family’s Heartbreak is a heartrending tale. It is an emotional story that deals with the tough topic of domestic violence. There are some sections that are difficult to read that will have you reaching for a tissue. The story is so much more than that though. We see how Jenny struggles to improve the life for herself and her siblings. She does not want them to grow up being terrified. Jenny wants the kids to know a loving, safe home which is what she is trying to provide with the help of her grandmother and Craig. I thought the story was well-written with a good flow and steady pacing. I could picture the various characters from the author’s descriptions along with the setting. The situations are realistic and characteristic of the time period. A Family’s Heartbreak is about overcoming a difficult situation. There is hope, love, offering second chances and forgiveness. We see them find joy in simple outing and being together as they struggle to overcome adversity. They are a dysfunctional family with complicated relationships and plenty of family drama. A Family’s Heartbreak will have you staying up late as you quickly turn the pages to learn what happens next to the Lombard family.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous book from Kitty Neale with an emotional story,great characters that blend together so well am looking forward to the next book 5*

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny

A fabulous read from kitty neale Jenny had an awful life after her mother left home her father blamed Jenny for everything that went wrong but Jenny found love and her life changed for the better 5 stars for an excellent read

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now finished the audio bookListened to audible book upto chapter 44so far out of 58probetly finish tomorrow night

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her Mum walking out on them, the responsibility of her younger siblings falls on to Jenny’s shoulders. Beaten by her drunken abusive Dad every time her Mum upsets him Jenny is unsure how much more she can take. Is Jenny about to get her happy ever after in the form of Craig her knight in shining armour and her Gran’s neighbour. Unfortunately for Jenny she has a lot more to cope with before her emotional rollercoaster of a life settles down. This book is a great read and draws on your heartstrings as Jenny struggles to cope with the ready made family she has dumped on her.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Lombard is left to bring up her siblings when her irresponsible selfish mother Lizzie walks out. Her father Henry is bitter and constantly beats Jenny brutally when he gets drunk. Her sister Pamela wets the bed and her other sister Gloria only cares about herself. Her little brothers Peter and Timmy are too young to understand but cry for their mummy. Whenever she turns up out of the blue, she upsets the whole family, including Henry, who then beats Jenny so badly that she ends up in hospital.

The only person that supports and loves Jenny is her precious Gran. Who is Lizzie's mum? Whilst visiting her Gran on her usual Saturday, she meets her grans upstairs neighbour Craig, who although deaf can lip read very well and is kind and caring. Eventually, they, with encouragement from her Gran fall in, love and plan to marry, with Craig happily taking on her siblings.

This is such a lovely book of one woman who is selflessly trying to protect and hold her family together. The struggles and ordeals she meets along the way and the sadness that she entails has you sad for her.

Kitty Neale writes such warm heartfelt books and this is one that will have you frustrated and sad by Jenny's and her families lives. Saying that it is a very enjoyable captivating read.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a moving story

Balham London 1961, Jenny Lombad 22 year's old living at home with her father Henry and siblings. Her mother Lizzie run off with Lesley Harrington and pops in when she feels like it causing big explosive rows with her husband that scare all the youngsters. The two boys Peter and Timmy take after their mother with white hair, the girl's Gloria and Pamela are dark like their father, Jenny red haired didn't look anything like a Lombard, and her father hated her with beatings. Jenny very close to her Gran visits every Saturday as working full time in Mullards factory. Can life ever get better for Jenny? She soon starts walking out with Craig Brice a gentle man and her future starts looking bright. This is an enchanting story of Jenny keeping her family together. It brought tears to my eyes on chapters, such touching stories to melt your heart. Heartbreaking moving story. I LOVED IT.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sad story with a happy ending. Wanted to carry on but sadly ended

[Glynis Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, as always by this author. Couldn’t put it down. Would love a follow up to find out what happens next to Jenny and her brothers and sisters.

[Melanie McGrade Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this entire book in one day, it was that good! Though there are subject matters that are tough to read, and stir up all kinds of emotions, the story of this family is told in such a way that you are still gripped with intrigue to find out what happens next. There was so much more to the story of this family than the abuse and violence, there is also a story of love and hope, of positive family bonds and relationships. The characters were amazing and were captured in such a way that everything flowed and was so easy to follow and believe. It almost reminded me of a cleaner better version of the TV series Shameless; a dysfunctional family with dysfunctional relationships and drama.

This is the first book I have read by Kitty Neale and I am now a fan! I can’t wait to read another book by her!

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. When I first saw this book and read the description, I didn't think I could read this book but something about this book intrigued me so I decided to request it and I am so glad I did. I hope you will give this book a chance and read it because it is a story of domestic violence and parents not taking care of their children but it is also the story of a young woman, Jenny, who chooses to take care of her siblings and make them a priority. The story was written with such compassion but it is a story that has to be told. As I said at the beginning of my review I wasn't sure if I could read this book because of the father beating his daughter because like so many people we don't face domestic violence head-on, we seem to hide from it. Jenny had the courage to take her siblings and walk away. After a period of time, her father found out where she was and on her birthday he took her a card. After a while, she decided people should have second chances, but he beat her again and she ended up in the hospital again. I think it is a book like this that could get people talking about it and maybe this will have an impact on domestic violence. The title, A Family's Heartbreak says it all and there are so many families with family heartbreak. Thank you, Kitty Neale, for writing this story, it has given me lots to think about as I finished reading it and it has given me a better understanding.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's an author that writes with so much passion in every book she writes. The only thing I can say about Kitty's books they need a Warning sign within the first few pages of her books........You may need a Tissue or a box of tissues - in my case.

A Family’s Heartbreak by Kitty Neale was Just............ a brilliant book and I loved it.
Set in the 1960's in Balham in London Jenny Lombad is 22 years old and still living at home with her four siblings and her father Henry. Her mother Lizzie has ran off with a guy called Lesley Harrington and only pops in to visit her children when she feels like it.
When she visits she causes big violent rows with her husband Henry which has an effect on all her children. Jenny is the oldest of her siblings and has to look after them. Peter and Timmy take after their mother with beautiful white hair and a fair complexion whilst the girls Pamela and Gloria take after their father who has dark hair. Jenny strangely has red hair and looks nothing like her siblings. Henry her father hates her and beats her etc.

Luckily Jenny finds some who she gets close to called Craig Brice and hopefully her life is about to change!

But does it??

WoW.......What a brilliant book this is and I highly recommend it. Well, all of Kitty's books. I just love them and I am so glad I found her by someone recommending her books to me many years ago.

Big Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy to read and review.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This is the first I have read by this author but I don’t think it will be the last. It is definitely a family drama and it involves the entire Lombard family. Lizzie is the Mother of 5 children who doesn’t want to be a Mother or a wife. Henry is the alcoholic Father that likes to hit his wife when he’s drinking or, if she’s not around, one of the kids will do. Jenny is the oldest of the Lombard children and her Fathers favorite to knock around. The next to oldest is Gloria, 16, who is a lot like her Mother- too much like her! Pamela, 13, is the third daughter and all the stress of her parents fighting, her Father drinking and her Mother disappearing has Pamela wetting the bed she has to share with her sisters. The two youngest children are boys named Timmy, 9 and little Peter. I really got to know and care for the children in this family. It seemed at times that they couldn’t catch it break. The story kept me up late reading and getting up early to read some more. I love books like this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Know up front that this is sort of grim- Jenny's parents should not have been allowed to keep those children. Not a one of them. Her father has beaten her repeatedly and she finally takes her four younger siblings and leaves. It's a hard row for her to support them. Unwisely, she decides to give her father another chance- and he puts her in the hospital again. Gloria, Pamela, Timmy, and Peter are all affected by the violence and turmoil in their lives, no matter how hard Jenny tries. There's a glimmer of hope when Jenny meets Craig and...no spoilers. Normally, I'd like to see more of Neale's characters, to know how they do several years later and that's sort of the case here except that I fear the cycle of alcoholism and abuse might continue. No matter- this is well written and you will definitely root for these kids. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my usual type of book but I read it because on my Bookopoly challenge for May I rolld 'recommended by a friend' and a friend at work reads lots of Kitty Neale books. I found it an easy read and I enjoyed the journey of the characters as they dealt with one trauma after another. I was heartbroken for Jenny on more than one occasion and I though the way Edith (Gran) was portrayed was very believable. Kitty obviously really understands people and this book is very character-driven (although lots happens too). The ending felt a bit rushed, and it would have been nice to have more of a lead up to the final decision, but overall, a very pleasant (but not) book.

"Jenny Lombard chewed nervously on her thumbnail as she listened to her parents arguing again."

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad story of a family of children who had the most appalling and cruel parents imaginable. The protagonist, Jenny, the oldest of the children, suffered a great deal of cruelty but somehow kept the family together acting as a mother figure to them all. The storyline is good and a real page turner. Characterisation is mostly good but, in my opinion, the parents are almost unbelievable because I can't imagine any parent acting as they did and treating their children with such cruelty, but I know that's just me being naive. On the whole a good novel by Kitty Neale.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times this is a tough read particularly around the abusive elements of the story. A good storyline of dysfunctional family relationships, domestic and alcohol abuse, a self-centred mother who abandons them and then keeps disrupting their lives by dropping in and out of their lives, causing further abuse in her wake!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking read. So many tears and so much emotion experienced while reading this. The author covers some pretty dark topics and does so in a way that the reader lives through the tragedies with the characters.

[Teri Griffis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Neale has written an exceptional book pertaining to family dynamics. Her characters have rich personalities and come alive in the page. I highly recommend this book. **There are some areas where tears may fall. Enjoy! 📚

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book immediately captures your attention and holds it throughout. It truly transports you back to the time of the book and is written splendidly. A first read by this author for me but won't be the last.

[gaynor rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I have ready every one of Kitty Neale books and enjoyed every single one. What awful parents Lizzie and her siblings had. They had to endure plenty of heartache growing up.

[mrs a j sprangle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Another great book from kitty twist and turns in family life making it a interesting read , but would of like to know a bit more about what happens to the family in the end of the book

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was engaging enough, but the style in which it was written wasn't to my taste; and I felt this book was doing a lot of telling instead of showing.

This book is alright for a quick read but I don't think I would recommend it to anybody.

[deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family’s Heartbreak

An emotional story I don’t know how Jenny coped with everything what had gone off,this book is another page turner what kitty Neale has wrote once you start reading this book you can’t put it down

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done kitty.

Kitty you seize to amaze me another brilliant read .I would recommend this book to your follows and I'm sure they will enjoy it as much has me.cannot wait for your next novel to come out.You deserve more then 5 Stars .

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointing

I have read every book by Kitty Neale, I found this book to be rather disappointing compared to others. The end was abrupt ...an unfinished story!!!

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a family! Some characters are very unsavoury indeed.
I found the ending a bit sudden and was left thinking that there must be another book to follow on?

[Linda Peberdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written

Totally enjoyed this book With its twist and turns it was such a great read couldnt put it down thank you

[sharon hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Great story from beginning to end. Kitty neale never lets us down. Can't wait for her next book. A must read.

[Gill Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great book from Kitty. I read this book very quickly to find out how things ended. Just coukdnt put it down.