An Orphan's Journey

by Rosie Goodwin

1874.

Growing up in extreme poverty in London, Pearl thinks life can get no worse. But when her parents discover there's yet another baby on the way, they have to tighten the belt even further. Pearl's mother decides to send her and her younger sister Eliza to the workhouse, where they are forced into a new life of hardship and struggle.

Pearl's hopes are raised when the workhouse offers the sisters a new life in Canada and they board an orphan ship transporting unwanted children across the seas. Pearl hopes their luck has finally changed when she and Eliza are hired by the kindly Mrs Forbes to work in her grand house together. But when Pearl meets their mistress's bullying son Monty he reveals he will stop at nothing to make her life a misery.

Will Pearl ever find the home she so craves?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Romance

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2021

About the author

Before becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.

I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Pearl, not the best start in life for her and her siblings. Pearl also born with one leg slightly shorter than the other, but did she fret about it and use it to her advantage? No!
Did she help others and in the process, put her feelings aside? Yes!
I loved this girl and I cried for her through sadness and I cried for her through joy. I enjoyed every minute I spent with her on her heart-wrenching journey, not knowing where she would end up or if she would ever find happiness that she so much deserved.
Neglected, Pearl and her younger sister, Eliza, are left, no actually, practically dumped at the Workhouse in Poplar. What those girls went through - how much can a person, and young ones at that, possibly cope with! I felt so angry but I needed to read on to see that their lives would get better.
Fortunately a selection of Orphans are chosen to board a ship on passage to Canada. Imagine leaving your homeland at any age through no choice, but a young one?! I certainly couldn't.
So what is going to happen to the girls now? I liked Susan, another girl from the Orphanage, and I felt grateful that at least Pearl had a friend!
I can only say that my heart went out to Pearl even more and the only consolation was that the girls at least now had a proper bed to sleep in, suitable clothes on their backs and food in their bellies.
Rosie Goodwin is an excellent storyteller, nothing was far fetched and she certainly pulled the rug out from under my feet in revealing things that I wasn't expecting!
I found this a very enjoyable read with a few characters who I took into my heart and others I despised, and also it was an interesting read and it opened my eyes further, as to what life was like for some people years ago.
I can't recommend this book enough!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit different. Downton Abbey, VC Andrews and murder mystery rolled into one in a mid to late 1800's setting. Carrying on with the gemstone series our next gem is Pearl. Pearl is growing up in a very poor family. When her mother learns she's pregnant again she ships her and her sister Eliza off to the workhouse where both are subject to abuse and over worked but are grateful as they have plenty of food, a roof over their heads, some new friends in Nick and Susan, and for Pearl the chance to learn to read and write. There's also a bully Freda but every book needs a villain. This one has two, but more on the second one later. Then one day Pearl, Eliza, Susan, Freda and Nick along with three others are told they are going to Canada. Apparently they not only shipped criminals off to the colonies of Australia New Zealand and Canada but orphans too. After a harrowing journey in which one of the children doesn't survive they arrive in Canada in a somewhat confusing way. They arrive in what is now Cambridge but its seemingly described as being by the sea a couple times. I've been to Cambridge my grandparents lived about an hour or so away from there there's no ocean. It's close to Lake Ontario so maybe that's what she meant? The great lakes are called in land seas after all. Anyway the story takes its Downton turn when both girls are hired by Emmeline Forbes a young woman who recently lost her daughter to drowning. Eliza as a kitchen maid, Pearl as a general maid. Soon after it takes the VC Andrews turn when Mrs. Forbes takes a shine to Eliza as she looks almost identical to her recently dead daughter. We also meet villain number two in the son of the house Monty who is an obnoxious bully. He's sent off to England to school. The bully Freda from the workhouse is hired to replace Eliza. On a trip to England to visit him Eliza is swiftly sent back to the kitchen much to her great resentment at the behest of Emmeline's mother. The murder mystery kicks in when the housekeeper comes down with a strange illness that no one can diagnose and eventually dies. Pearl rises in the ranks as a lady's maid and housekeeper. Susan her friend from the workhouse is hired to help out soon. In another VC Andrews twist Monty seduces Eliza who is a horrible person like him. I say VC Andrews because Eliza is identical to his dead sister so that was gross. He also seduces Freda and causes great friction amongst the staff. Monty truly has eyes for Pearl though but she only cares about Nick another workhouse friend. Then another staff member ends up dead like the housekeeper and while it's a mystery to the characters anyone who reads murder mysteries would guess what was going on. The story continues to twist around, another horrid crime, another mysterious death, a horrible betrayal, but in the end things do get tied up nicely. It was different for sure. At first I feared it would fall into the same category as her previous books, but it didn't. It did drag toward the end though but for about 95% or so it was an excellent escape read that combined several genres that I enjoy and it did give me a glimpse into an unknown history in my own country, unknown to me at least so it was well worth the read.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins in London, 1874, when orphans have been chosen to sale to Canada to unburden their families in a time of destitution. The story revolves mainly around two sisters' lives, Pearl and Eliza. Pearl has a leg that is shorter than the other and one would think this would hinder her, but she doesn't allow it to. Eliza is so very young, just a heartbreaking journey for a little girl who should still be playing with doll but instead she's sent to the workhouse to make her own way in life. The book takes us through their lives and both the exciting adventure and the heartrending mental breakdown of the girls. I love the way Rosie Goodwin has told this story. This was the first read by this author, but I will continue on to read more by her!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book!
Rosie Goodwin has done it again, a fantastic story.
Pearl, is the eldest child in her family, her father rarely works and any money they get is spent on drink rather than feeding their large family. When Pearl's mother discovers she is expecting again she takes action, and takes Pearl and her sister Eliza to the workhouse.
Pearl's life in the workhouse is difficult, but at least she gets regular meals and a bed.
Pearl's story is engaging and at times, incredibly sad but Pearl is a survivor and I couldn't help but want the best for her after she had endured so much.
An easy 5 stars.

[Simone McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT READ ON IF HAVE NOT YET READ.

Yet another gripping historical fiction read from Rosie Goodwin, so gripping that I finished it in less than a week, much like the previous RG historical fiction novels I have read! I am now happy to say that this is my seventh Rosie Goodwin book, but shall certainly not be the last!

Pearl's journey is a very complex and eventful one indeed, which is greatly captured with much nuance, and you really feel like you are on that journey with her. The story starts with her living in extreme poverty, so much that they can't even afford food a lot of the time, with it being basically a luxury to them. She lives in very squalid and overcrowded housing conditions, and worst of all, to add to all that, her parents are very abusive, especially towards her, both physically and emotionally. They even force her to beg and at the tender age of 12, she is forced to act as a parent to them, being the oldest of their many children. Because she is the oldest and a "cripple" she is forced to bear the brunt of all of them.

You really feel the pain that poor Pearl has had to endure in her short 12 years, having lived in extreme poverty with her abusive parents and then ends up having to endure the harsh and horrible environment of the workhouse, which was of course infamous for being such a horrible place to be in Victorian times, especially for children. Still, there is certainly a silver lining in the dark cloud there at least as she ends up befriending Susan and Nick, the latter of whom there are clearly early hints of a romance on the horizon, as well as the lessons taught by Miss Sweet who is one of the only kind staff members there. It really highlighted the harsh reality of what children who were unfortunate enough to be born into poverty had to go through during the Victorian era, from abusive parents to squalid and overcrowded living conditions to being forced into begging on the streets to the workhouse where they only endure more abuse. It was all so dark and gloomy, and it captured that major adversity so well, as you realise how disturbing it is that while children these days still have to endure major adversity, it was even worse back then. Child Poverty is clearly still very much an issue, but still nowhere near as serious as issue as it was back then, which you realise when reading this, highlighting the true and utter grittiness and dark, harsh reality of it all.

It then seems like things are finally going to start to look up for them when both Pearl and Eliza (and luckily Pearl's new friend Susan comes with them) end up getting transported on the orphan ship to Canada, giving the chance for them to start a new life. While things are definitely a lot better for them in the Forbeses household, with people being a lot kinder to them, it is clear that Pearl's problems are far from over, and there is still more suffering on her way.

I have to say as well that the characters were very nuanced and well done here. Eliza especially I have to say was the most disturbing character of all, as I actually started off feeling really sorry for her, finding my heart went out to her when she was in the workhouse seeing how she seemed to just be this poor, shy, sensitive, meek, scaredy, helpless little thing who needed her big sister there to hold her hand all the time. She then ends up acquiring a serious case of situational narcissism when the mistress of the house they work in suddenly takes her in, letting her live with them in the main house and treating her as her own child, because she reminds her of her own deceased child, and Eliza becomes very unlikeable and thinks she can suddenly boss Pearl around. This doesn't last though luckily, or at least Eliza being treated as Mrs Forbes's own child doesn't, so you think that surely Eliza will go back to being her old self. However, she is a very changeable, temperamental character, so you are not quite sure what is going on with her and what to expect of her, as her mood seems to fluctuate quite a lot. But what was the most disturbing is that she actually ends up becoming downright twisted and villainous and arguably the main antagonist along with Monty (not that they work side-by-side as such) as she ends up turning viciously against Pearl, despite the fact she actually hasn't done anything wrong, even angrily blaming her for the rape. With her increasing hostility towards Pearl and generally vicious attitude increasing, I became certain that it was her who killed Mrs Veasey and Freda by poisoning their drinks (if you've read some of RG's other novels before you will know that poisoning tends to be quite a common theme). Honestly, I hated Eliza so much after the way she treated her sister, viciously turning against her like that and even blaming her for being raped, and of course tried to kill her, after all she had done for her as well, looking after her when she was so scared in the workhouse and all. Honestly, what an ungrateful little b**ch, she was just so horrible and hateful, but as Pearl said she was clearly insane as well, like severely so, though I can't say I wasn't relieved when she died. Poor Mrs Veasley, you didn't really care about Freda and Monty since they were not nice people at all, but Mrs Veasley was the only one who seemed to be on Pearl's side about both Eliza and Freda giving her a hard time, the only sane one in the household, only for her to die suddenly, thanks to Eliza. Still, her turning into this monster after having initially been a shy, meek, sensitive little thing did come as a real shock even if it was done somewhat gradually, as it wasn't just like you're typical murder mystery where the culprit acts all nice and affable the whole time only to suddenly reveal their true psychotic nature once they are revealed, which can sometimes feel a tad contrived. This was done somewhat realistically to be honest, as you could feel the build up of her violence and instability building up faster and faster.

I was celebrating a bit when Monty died, with him having easily been on the same kind of evil, vile, sick and twisted scumbag as Gilbert and Oliver in Our Dear Daisy and Our Sweet Violet, because of course he is yet another sexual predator who rapes our protagonist which results in an unwanted pregnancy, and harasses her on top of that. Oh and he is revealed to have killed his younger sister before the start of the novel (though nobody other than Pearl ever seems to know this). Good riddance to bad rubbish as they say.

I have to say though, I did also realise that this is the FOURTH Rosie Goodwin historical fiction novel I've read which has the main protagonist get raped by a vile predator (though only three of these have it where it's the main antagonist who's the rapist, being this, Our Dear Daisy and Our Sweet Violet) which of course results in an unwanted pregnancy, starting with the usual symptoms to reveal this. While I understand this capturing the serious issues of sexual abuse and rape, and how much worse this probably would have been back then before there was technology and the likes to help prosecute the culprit, along with of course the fact abortion wasn't an option, the way the scenes have all played out the exact same with the same detailed description of the rape in all four of these cases had gotten a bit too repetitive and recycled. As soon as it showed that Monty, who was already known for his bullying and predatory behaviour, was attracted to Pearl after seeing her as an adult and was trying to seduce her, I knew straight away that the same was going to happen here as these last three cases, being that he would end up raping her, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. It just becomes too predictable, and the rape scenes are literally rehashed and recycled, as well as the storylines/arcs themselves of the unwanted pregnancy from rape, and it's just kind of annoying seeing how recycled these scenes are with their detailed descriptions of the rape. It has become pretty much self-plagiarism to be honest, even though the rest of the stories are somewhat different from each other. After having already read three previous RG novels where this happens, it just feels like I'm reading the same thing and covering the same ground.

I also think it would have been better if everyone had found out just how twisted and evil Eliza really was, especially as they were still curious and suspicious at the deaths of Mrs Veasley and Freda since they died the same way. It was sad that Pearl still continued to love her even after all she had done, but I guess to some extent I could sort of understand given she had spent most of her life looking after her, so it was interesting I guess seeing that complexity. The romance with Nick was also a bit too overemphasised for my liking, I mean I understand that these stories are in the romance genre as well as historical but sometimes it gets too repetitive when emphasising their feelings for one another, especially about how beautiful they look, with people mainly seeming to fall in love with each other for their outer beauty as opposed to inner. That is one thing that annoys me about these novels, as much as I love them overall, with the (outer) beauty of other people constantly getting (over)emphasised to no end (especially the females), especially when it's showing anyone falling in love with someone, with this outer beauty that they have become so attracted to being emphasised a lot more than the inner beauty that they should have fallen in love with as well. This is especially annoying as it is indeed lost potential, as these characters usually have lots of great inner qualities, yet is always seems to be their outer beauty that gets emphasised a lot more when it shows them falling in love with each other. I guess perhaps it's meant to show how women were seen as little more than objects of beauty back then, but it still becomes annoying, as even though I can understand that outer beauty is certainly going to be a big part of it that makes you attracted to them in the first place, I feel there should also be more emphasis on their inner beauty if they are falling in love with them so deeply. The PDA like Nick pulling her onto my lap also annoys me (and this was before they even became an official couple!), especially feeling it is a control thing over women and objectifying them, though to be honest that is perhaps purely subjective on my part. Perhaps it was also just the norm back then for women to be seen and treated in such a way.

It was really nice and heart-warming as well seeing Pearl reunite with her other sister, Amy, after so many years, especially after how things went with Eliza, so it was nice seeing that she got to have a close sisterly relationship after all with her other sister.

Overall was definitely a very enjoyable read.

[Deedee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars...

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Pearl and Eliza Parker are sent to live in a London workhouse by their poverty stricken parents their sense of abandonment is made much worse when they are chosen, along with a group of other workhouse children, to be transported to start a new life in Canada. As the sea voyage takes them further from their life in London, Pearl is determined to do her best for herself, and her little sister, and hopes that when they reach their destination they will be allowed to stay together. What then follows is a heartwarming historical saga which focuses on Pearl and Eliza as they begin a new life as servants in the home of a wealthy family.

An Orphan's Journey has lots of heartwarming moments but it also has real tragedy and a sense of danger as both Pearl and Eliza don't find life any less complicated in Canada. Pearl is a worthy heroine, I liked her from the start, she's definitely an old head on young shoulders, and her sense of responsibility towards her sister is commendable, but not always appreciated. The story flows well, there's a nice sense of history, and time and place is described so well that it's easy to imagine Pearl as she goes about making the best of her new life. The characters who flit into the story are an interesting bunch, some you love, whilst others you'll love to hate, but they all add a definite sense of light and shade to the story.

This is the second book in the Precious Stones series of historical sagas. Each are entirely standalone stories so you don't need to read the books in order to enjoy them.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I so love this author's work. A wonderful story.
This is the story of Pearl Parker living in extreme poverty London, with drunken parents and siblings.
It's December 1874, and both her and her sister Eliza are carted off to the Poplar Workhouse, then both shipped out to Canada to start a new life with the Forbes family.
Lots of years ahead that are good and bad for Pearl, such a strong hardworking girl even with her lame leg she is well though of in the household. will she ever find happiness, as the book takes us up to 1885 its such a joy to read, and I felt so full of contentment and was sorry to see the end. well worthy star's its a must read for all saga readers.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was rather dull and boring for the first half. Pearl and her sister Eliza are sent to the workhouse by their good for nothing mother, enduring a terrible time, tho they do have some things much better than when they lived at home. They then get sent to Canada and get taken on by a kind rich woman. What bored me and does in any book of the same, is the overly descriptive style, where we read about every single little detail and many books could be greatly shortened as a result. Also it moved very slowly, day by day by day!

Alas, it picked up somewhat and I became more interested and immersed in the story.
I did like Pearl, though wasn't enamoured of Eliza or the way Pearl was always wanting the best for her even when her sister treated her with contempt and hatred. Pearl really needed to stand up to her and stopped being a doormat where her feelings were concerned.

I did not like the two untimely ends for certain people as I felt that they deserved a harsher punishment. I get that death is a punishment, but these people deserves to be shunned and left to live pitiful lives and I feel they got off easy.
It wasn't a surprise about Eliza really as I'd already guessed as much.

It was nice that Pearl found success in the end but my goodness that ending was so abrupt. Nick just walks through the door and they fall into each other's arms and the end. Nothing more, no aftermath of a wedding of baby or a happy settled life, just that! To me that was a massive letdown.

Overall I did enjoy the book and it was an enjoyable read. Let down in parts, to be unable to give it full stars.

[Jessica Macdonald · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: Sexual Assault

Oh man. Where to start? Firstly, this is not the kind of book I’d pick up on a standard day. The cover, the time period and the plot are all completely left of field for me, but in the spirit of trying new things and pushing my literary boundaries, I got it from the library, and I can’t help but feel like I wasted 496 pages of my life. I’m not going to lie, I really enjoyed the first third/half of this book, and found myself liking the characters and investing myself in their stories. Then we’re greeted by a somewhat graphic rape scene. I’m of the belief that describing rape scenes in detail in media serves no purpose but to shock, so I was completely taken out of the moment, and felt it cheapened the story. There’s a way to imply, rather than describe, which would have worked just fine. Then, just as I recover from this, the ending comes around, and the moral of the story boils down to ‘A life you love and have worked hard to create and build from the ground is worth nothing compared to a man who you’ve met less times than you can count on your fingers and toes’. Only haven’t given it 1* considering I did actually enjoy some of the story. Is this a sign that I should stick to what I know and that you really should judge a book by its cover? Maybe.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up in a destitute family where her mother is beaten by her alcoholic father and has now turned to the booze herself while neglecting her brood of children, Pearl has had a tough life.
When her mother ships her and her sister Eliza to Canada on an orphan ship to to lessen the mouths to feed, Pearl thinks they may carve out a new life for themselves.
She is taken on by the kindly Mrs. Forbes and they think their future is secured.
But their mistress' son Monty is a vile womaniser and will move hell and high water to get what he wants and he has set his sights on the pair of sisters especially the unattainable Pearl who loathes him.
It is Monty that sets on course the chain of events that alter the course of their lives.
Can Pearl ever find happiness whether it be in Canada or London?
This was a wonderful, winding tale in the tradition of Cookson and Cox.
First time reading this author but definitely won't be the last, I just loved the story and couldn't put it down.

[Debra Govier · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1874 a twelve year old girl and her younger sister were sent to the Workhouse by their parents who had more children than they could afford to feed. All the children were neglected and starved, while the parents cared more about drink than their family.
After a time in the Workhouse they were among a group of children chosen to be transported to Canada under a scheme run by charities such as Dr Barbados, which was supposed to give them a better chance in life there. They would be taken in by families and work as farm workers and domestic servants.
I hadn't heard of this scheme, so I've learned something new.
The girls in the story, Pearl and Eliza were placed in a decent home as servants and I enjoyed reading their story which had many twists and turns.
I was keen to finish the book to find out how the story ended for Pearl.

This might be a spoiler alert, but I was very surprised that a doctor at that time would not recognise the symptoms of poisoning.

[Fiona Brodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read that kept me interested until the end to make sure the predictable ending happened.

Growing up in extreme poverty in London, Pearl thinks life can get no worse. But when her parents discover there's yet another baby on the way, they have to tighten the belt even further. Pearl's mother decides to send her and her younger sister Eliza to the workhouse, where they are forced into a new life of hardship and struggle.

Pearl's hopes are raised when the workhouse offers the sisters a new life in Canada and they board an orphan ship transporting unwanted children across the seas. Pearl hopes their luck has finally changed when she and Eliza are hired by the kindly Mrs Forbes to work in her grand house together. But when Pearl meets their mistress's bullying son Monty he reveals he will stop at nothing to make her life a misery.

[Shireen Abdul · Rating 3 out of 5]

so I enjoyed it, it was a high and low-paced read. the main character went through some alarming and heartbreaking circumstances, and the real blow comes at the end, which kept me hooked.

but some thoughts linger on regarding the characters as to why they are as horrible as they are portrayed since most of them are just plain evil and what we can call to be humanities worst. but overall it's a warm tale.

the main takeaway: kindness rules perseverance and persistence can make any circumstance worthwhile.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I start to read this book I was in the story straight away, it held my attention and wanted to read more. Unfortunately in the middle of the book it began to go a lot slower and the story seemed to be repeating itself breakfast time , cleaning, dinner, day after day. So it became a little boring , but it picked up after a few chapters later and was a good finish but one I expected to happen at some point so no surprises . A good read all the same by Rosie Goodwin one of my favourite authors now

[Carol Mageean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic interesting and absorbing read could not put it down - read every book by Rosie Goodwin and never disappointed - the hardest thing is waiting for the next one to be published. The tale of Pearl and Eliza and their hardship following a life of poverty then being given the opportunity to live In Canada - this story had me totally gripped and the twists and turns kept me hooked! Highly recommend

[Debbie Bartle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a exceptional book. I could not put it down.
So much happens to keep you enthralled, from orphans being sent to another country, a rape, a devilish sister who is a little tapped in the head and then a wonderful ending. What I seem to get out of these books is how hard everyone has to work.
Reading this book I felt as if I was along side the main characters all the time.
Thank you Rosie for all your books. I have read them all now and can't wait to get my hands on A simple wish.

[Christina Tookey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, the hardship of a family living in the poorest of areas. The 2 girls that ended up in the workhouse because another baby was on its way, another mouth to feed, then shipped to Canada for a new life.
I am glad Pearl eventually found Nick again, they were destined to be together. So many disasters over the years.
Worth reading and I am looking forward to my next one.

[Samantha Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok it start of really well for me. I was enjoying the whole story.
Sadly I couldn't continue on with it.
I found one character should have kept their part of the story going.
I could have have been more gripped.
Also you could guess what was going to happen in some parts.
This hasn't put me off reading Rosie Goodwin.
This wasn't the book for me. Sorry.

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosie never disappoints. This is another great story and one I would highly recommend. There were one or two events which were quite predictable but it didn't detract from the storyline. I also noted that she repeated one or two things which I've never noticed in her work before. I'm not sure if this was intentioned or an error.

[Kamla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story and have the next 4 in the series to listen to - as well as Days of the Week and several others.
I'm not sure if so many boat journeys from Canada to London were the norm - especially with all the seasickness details. Some lovely characters in this , depicting an essentially kind story. And we all need to escape onto one of those.

[Linda Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

As ever Rosie has hit the spot with her latest story of life in th late 19th Century. I haven't spent 2 days reading for a very long time but with sunny warm weather it was lovely to sit outside and lose myself in Pearl's life.

[Joanne Whitefoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing story. Lots of twists and turns. Poor Pearl really doesn't have a good life. Just as things are going well it all changes. Does she ever get her happy ending, it's worth reading to find out. Well done to Rosie Goodwin for another great book. Can't wait for the next one

[daniellecarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up untill the early hours to finish this. I couldn't put it down . Pearl was such a lively and great charecter to read about . Shes definatly one of my favorite rosie goodwin chaceters . Such a beautiful book. Well worth reading ,

[Trudie]

This is Pearl's story, when her Mum discovers she is pregnant again Pearl and her sister Eliza are sent to the workhouse. From there, she and her sister are shipped out to Canada where they are taken on by a Mrs Forbes.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness Rosie has excelled herself yet again, loved reading Pearl's journey through life. Times were very hard in those days, and she went through so much on her life but she was very strong as I'm sure you had to be to survive in those times.

[Lesley Puncher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a nice change in that the Orphans went to Canada and not Australia. I was listening on Audible and it was narrated well and I could comfortably listen for long periods of time. Looking forward to Rosie's next book.

[deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Orphan’s Journey

Another brilliant book of Rosie Goodwin’s book.I couldn’t put the book down once I started reading this book couldn’t wait for the next chapter highly recommended all of her books

[Angela Finley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is tragic and nice all at the same time. I found I couldn't quite get into the main character. We seem to just know her from the outside in. Not enough feeling in the writing. Good story though.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great read. It felt quite different to the other Rosie Goodwin books I’ve read, the pace felt quicker and normally where the endings feel sometimes drawn out for me this was perfectly wrapped up.