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The Shaw Family in Liverpool #1
The Forgotten Sister
Abandoned and alone, can she find new hope?
Liverpool, 1848. Meg Shaw is the middle child of eight siblings, not quite old enough to bring in a wage to help her struggling family, but not young enough to be a babe to be cared for.
When the family realise they can't feed all the children, Meg makes a choice. She volunteers to go to the workhouse for one season, and she'll take her little sister, Rosie, with her. As long as they are together, they can make it through.
But the moment they enter the workhouse, Meg and Rosie are separated. Abandoned and alone, Meg is determined to make it through, and soon finds herself surrounded by a new family of vulnerable girls in need of protection and love.
Meg does all she can for her new sisters, but when a season passes and no one comes for her or Rosie, can she find a way to keep them all safe?
Liverpool, 1848. Meg Shaw is the middle child of eight siblings, not quite old enough to bring in a wage to help her struggling family, but not young enough to be a babe to be cared for.
When the family realise they can't feed all the children, Meg makes a choice. She volunteers to go to the workhouse for one season, and she'll take her little sister, Rosie, with her. As long as they are together, they can make it through.
But the moment they enter the workhouse, Meg and Rosie are separated. Abandoned and alone, Meg is determined to make it through, and soon finds herself surrounded by a new family of vulnerable girls in need of protection and love.
Meg does all she can for her new sisters, but when a season passes and no one comes for her or Rosie, can she find a way to keep them all safe?
- GenresFiction
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2021
7 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 13, 2022
The story gets off to a sad start for this Liverpool family who are struggling to survive on the pitiful wages which the two eldest children manage to hide away from their no'er do well father. John Shaw seems intent on drinking himself to oblivion rather than feed his family, so with no other choice, Meg and her younger sister, Rosie, are sent to the workhouse where they experience deprivation of a different kind.
Meg Shaw is a feisty heroine who does everything she can to protect her younger sister but the work house is a place where neither hope nor charity flourishes. When Meg and Rosie are separated, it makes Meg even more determined to do what she can to help those unfortunates who aren't able to look out for themselves. Opportunities to better yourself in working class Liverpool are scarce but with grit and determination Meg is given the chance to turn her life around, and it is this fight for survival which gives the book its heart and soul.
Bringing Victorian Liverpool to life, with all of its working class poverty and hardship, is what this author has done so well. The story has an authenticity which evokes a bygone era when the chasm between the rich and poor, the good and the bad, stretched ever wider, and survival really did mean keeping your wits about you at all times.
The Forgotten Sister gets this new historical series off to a fine start and I am sure we will get to know more about the resilience of the Shaw family as the series progresses.
Meg Shaw is a feisty heroine who does everything she can to protect her younger sister but the work house is a place where neither hope nor charity flourishes. When Meg and Rosie are separated, it makes Meg even more determined to do what she can to help those unfortunates who aren't able to look out for themselves. Opportunities to better yourself in working class Liverpool are scarce but with grit and determination Meg is given the chance to turn her life around, and it is this fight for survival which gives the book its heart and soul.
Bringing Victorian Liverpool to life, with all of its working class poverty and hardship, is what this author has done so well. The story has an authenticity which evokes a bygone era when the chasm between the rich and poor, the good and the bad, stretched ever wider, and survival really did mean keeping your wits about you at all times.
The Forgotten Sister gets this new historical series off to a fine start and I am sure we will get to know more about the resilience of the Shaw family as the series progresses.
November 4, 2022
**TW**
Child ab*se, child neglect, death, substance ab*se, s*xual ass*ult, death of a child/parent,
This book was beautiful, I loved it. It was such a heartfelt read.
Judy Summers brings readers back in time to where workhorses were the only option left for some people. We follow Meg as she and her sister Rosie enter the workhouse so that their family can get by. Neither expect the conditions that they meet.
It was evident through my reading of this book that Summers did her research on the workhouses and their conditions. They really weren't all that pleasant and we get a deep understanding of this through Meg's story.
Friendships were formed as well as mini rebellions. Meg did not once let her rebellious side falter. She held her head high and encouraged others to do the same.
There were many moments in this book that left me in tears. I understand how they were necessary for the plot...but that still doesn't make them hurt any less.
Sally and Martha, oh do I adore them. Especially Sally. Her innocence was something to be protected. She never got jealous, not once, she supported her friends no matter what and I truly admire her for that.
Coming towards the end of the book things got real tense. I can't really say too much without spoiling the book but what I can say is that I'm quite very happy with the ending we got for this book.
Each character development varied and I loved them all. Meg's story is certainly one to be shared.
Child ab*se, child neglect, death, substance ab*se, s*xual ass*ult, death of a child/parent,
This book was beautiful, I loved it. It was such a heartfelt read.
Judy Summers brings readers back in time to where workhorses were the only option left for some people. We follow Meg as she and her sister Rosie enter the workhouse so that their family can get by. Neither expect the conditions that they meet.
It was evident through my reading of this book that Summers did her research on the workhouses and their conditions. They really weren't all that pleasant and we get a deep understanding of this through Meg's story.
Friendships were formed as well as mini rebellions. Meg did not once let her rebellious side falter. She held her head high and encouraged others to do the same.
There were many moments in this book that left me in tears. I understand how they were necessary for the plot...but that still doesn't make them hurt any less.
Sally and Martha, oh do I adore them. Especially Sally. Her innocence was something to be protected. She never got jealous, not once, she supported her friends no matter what and I truly admire her for that.
Coming towards the end of the book things got real tense. I can't really say too much without spoiling the book but what I can say is that I'm quite very happy with the ending we got for this book.
Each character development varied and I loved them all. Meg's story is certainly one to be shared.
July 23, 2021
Liverpool 1848 the Shaw Family. Meg Delilah ,Sam, Rosie, Annie, Jem, William and their crippled pa John. living in a stinking crowded room in the court. Ma and baby Jemima were long gone. Meg thirteen and Rosie six are taking to Brownlow Hill Workhouse just for a few months till the family can get back on their feet again money wise and Meg is angry with her Pa it's all his doing and after hitting her she walks out with her head held high.
What lies ahead for the two girls as they are pulled apart and put in different units.
a massive turn around and Meg is giving a new position in Prince's Park Terrace working for the Harcourt's. This is the author's first book and I so enjoyed every bit. A moving story, Meg is the forgotten sister will she ever see her family again or save her friends in the workhouse.
A wonderful Victorian saga and look forward to reading more of the Shaw family in more books to come. well done to the author 5***** and more from me
What lies ahead for the two girls as they are pulled apart and put in different units.
a massive turn around and Meg is giving a new position in Prince's Park Terrace working for the Harcourt's. This is the author's first book and I so enjoyed every bit. A moving story, Meg is the forgotten sister will she ever see her family again or save her friends in the workhouse.
A wonderful Victorian saga and look forward to reading more of the Shaw family in more books to come. well done to the author 5***** and more from me
May 13, 2024
Well written about life in 1800 Liverpool. The poverty the workhouse and the horror of having to go into it. Life in the big houses and servants running it. A story of two sisters going into the workhouse as the only means to survive. Although only temporary to allow family to earn more money to support them the end results are very different.
July 10, 2021
Awesome spellbinding great read 🍷
Great story I just had to keep reading. Can't wait for the next book 🐥
Loved the book from start to finish
Great story I just had to keep reading. Can't wait for the next book 🐥
Loved the book from start to finish
March 25, 2022
This is the first book I have read by Judy Summers and hope it will not be the last. This is a lovely easy read story with amazing characters. A recommended 5 star read from me.
April 2, 2022
Heart warming tale.
Have plenty of tissues ready. Beautiful sweet tale and could not put it down. Well written and easy to follow.
Have plenty of tissues ready. Beautiful sweet tale and could not put it down. Well written and easy to follow.
July 14, 2022
Absolutely Fantastic Author it took me 2 days to read this book wanted more when I'd finished and was sad I had, can't wait for the next book to come out from Judy
October 6, 2023
Loved this book and was so looking forward to book 2
January 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It was one of those that you can't put down.Im now eager to start reading the second part of the trilogy "a winters wish".
March 27, 2025
Exceptional
April 5, 2025
Found, chosen family is one of the loveliest and most underrated tropes EVER. I loved this book!
September 26, 2024
A really enjoyable, quick read! Will definitely get the next book in the series
November 4, 2022
**TW**
Child ab*se, child neglect, death, substance ab*se, s*xual ass*ult, death of a child/parent,
This book was beautiful, I loved it. It was such a heartfelt read.
Judy Summers brings readers back in time to where workhorses were the only option left for some people. We follow Meg as she and her sister Rosie enter the workhouse so that their family can get by. Neither expect the conditions that they meet.
It was evident through my reading of this book that Summers did her research on the workhouses and their conditions. They really weren't all that pleasant and we get a deep understanding of this through Meg's story.
Friendships were formed as well as mini rebellions. Meg did not once let her rebellious side falter. She held her head high and encouraged others to do the same.
There were many moments in this book that left me in tears. I understand how they were necessary for the plot...but that still doesn't make them hurt any less.
Sally and Martha, oh do I adore them. Especially Sally. Her innocence was something to be protected. She never got jealous, not once, she supported her friends no matter what and I truly admire her for that.
Coming towards the end of the book things got real tense. I can't really say too much without spoiling the book but what I can say is that I'm quite very happy with the ending we got for this book.
Each character development varied and I loved them all. Meg's story is certainly one to be shared.
Child ab*se, child neglect, death, substance ab*se, s*xual ass*ult, death of a child/parent,
This book was beautiful, I loved it. It was such a heartfelt read.
Judy Summers brings readers back in time to where workhorses were the only option left for some people. We follow Meg as she and her sister Rosie enter the workhouse so that their family can get by. Neither expect the conditions that they meet.
It was evident through my reading of this book that Summers did her research on the workhouses and their conditions. They really weren't all that pleasant and we get a deep understanding of this through Meg's story.
Friendships were formed as well as mini rebellions. Meg did not once let her rebellious side falter. She held her head high and encouraged others to do the same.
There were many moments in this book that left me in tears. I understand how they were necessary for the plot...but that still doesn't make them hurt any less.
Sally and Martha, oh do I adore them. Especially Sally. Her innocence was something to be protected. She never got jealous, not once, she supported her friends no matter what and I truly admire her for that.
Coming towards the end of the book things got real tense. I can't really say too much without spoiling the book but what I can say is that I'm quite very happy with the ending we got for this book.
Each character development varied and I loved them all. Meg's story is certainly one to be shared.
August 9, 2022
A bit of a slow burn but it got better as the characters became more rounded.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews