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War Widows & Mothers and Daughters series #2
Mothers and Daughters
Best friends, worst enemies and a bond that can never be broken…
A poignant tale from the English Maeve Binchy.
Crete, present day. A woman anxiously awaits the arrival of someone who could change her life for ever…
Lancashire, the 1950s. Three young girls make their way in a brave new post-war world. But can they escape the trappings of the past?
Bookworm Connie dreams of university. Brought up on myths about her mysterious father, her life is turned upside down when she accidentally discovers the truth about him.
Former ugly duckling Joy is determined to snare a man now she's finally a swan. Winning the "Miss Mercury" competition she bowls over local heart-throb Denny Gregson. But she quickly finds he's not all he seems…
Convent-educated Rosa is a born rebel, desperate to flee the strict nuns for a life on the stage. But sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for…
As all three girls face heartbreak and tragedy, can they learn from the mistakes of their mothers? Or will history repeat itself?
For everyone who loves Maureen Lee and Maeve Binchy, this emotionally charged tale of that most special relationship of all will capture your heart.
A poignant tale from the English Maeve Binchy.
Crete, present day. A woman anxiously awaits the arrival of someone who could change her life for ever…
Lancashire, the 1950s. Three young girls make their way in a brave new post-war world. But can they escape the trappings of the past?
Bookworm Connie dreams of university. Brought up on myths about her mysterious father, her life is turned upside down when she accidentally discovers the truth about him.
Former ugly duckling Joy is determined to snare a man now she's finally a swan. Winning the "Miss Mercury" competition she bowls over local heart-throb Denny Gregson. But she quickly finds he's not all he seems…
Convent-educated Rosa is a born rebel, desperate to flee the strict nuns for a life on the stage. But sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for…
As all three girls face heartbreak and tragedy, can they learn from the mistakes of their mothers? Or will history repeat itself?
For everyone who loves Maureen Lee and Maeve Binchy, this emotionally charged tale of that most special relationship of all will capture your heart.
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Leah Fleming
34 books204 followersLeah Fleming was born in Lancashire and is married with three sons and a daughter. She writes from an old farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales and an olive grove in Crete.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com.a...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com.a...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 15, 2016
“Best friends, worst enemies and a bond that can never be broken…”
.
This story was originally attached to Leah’s first ‘Grimbleton’ novel: War Widows as part of the later history of the Winstanley family in the 1950's and 60's. Then as tales often do, it took on a life of its own and can now be read as a stand- alone novel, with previous characters and relationships being easy to assimilate into the story line, enabling me to share their various ups and downs with genuine empathy and understanding.
.
Mothers and Daughters, is in essence, an emotionally charged tale of the special relationships which exist between mothers and daughters. Leah has written the story sympathetically, with a keen sensitivity to family dynamics, whilst in no way diminishing the truth of what life was like for women in the 1950's and 60's, especially for those who were single and who chose not to, or refused to, conform to the perceived ‘norms’ of a post-war English society.
.
The dialogue is well balanced, unbiased and completely realistic, bringing to life a series of strong and complex female characters, entwining the stories of three girls in the fifties and the impact that events in their respective mother’s lives have on their own.
.
This beautifully-crafted, poignant and heart-warming story, conveys so exactly the typical families reaction to the three girls individual circumstances, despite it being the free and open society of the ‘swinging’ 1960’s.
.
Teenagers sought, and were given, much more freedom from convention, but that freer and more unconventional society, was still completely unforgiving and inflexible when personal mistakes were made. Family good name and reputation were all important, and so many young mothers were forced into making ‘the right decision’, but for who?
.
In this saga, the young people had already seen their own parents forgiven for similar transgressions, as understandable war-time mistakes. They therefore thought that such understanding would be forthcoming to them, but the elders closed ranks around them, with a ‘do as I say and not as I do’ attitude and it would be some time before acceptance was gained, but at what cost and would it be too late?
.
Whilst the girls’ mothers were facing their own similar dilemma; should they open up and share their experiences and gained wisdom, thus helping their children not to make the same mistakes, or should they keep their own counsel and let their daughters forge their own destinies.
.
Definitely a woman’s story about the search for happiness in a changing world.
.
This story was originally attached to Leah’s first ‘Grimbleton’ novel: War Widows as part of the later history of the Winstanley family in the 1950's and 60's. Then as tales often do, it took on a life of its own and can now be read as a stand- alone novel, with previous characters and relationships being easy to assimilate into the story line, enabling me to share their various ups and downs with genuine empathy and understanding.
.
Mothers and Daughters, is in essence, an emotionally charged tale of the special relationships which exist between mothers and daughters. Leah has written the story sympathetically, with a keen sensitivity to family dynamics, whilst in no way diminishing the truth of what life was like for women in the 1950's and 60's, especially for those who were single and who chose not to, or refused to, conform to the perceived ‘norms’ of a post-war English society.
.
The dialogue is well balanced, unbiased and completely realistic, bringing to life a series of strong and complex female characters, entwining the stories of three girls in the fifties and the impact that events in their respective mother’s lives have on their own.
.
This beautifully-crafted, poignant and heart-warming story, conveys so exactly the typical families reaction to the three girls individual circumstances, despite it being the free and open society of the ‘swinging’ 1960’s.
.
Teenagers sought, and were given, much more freedom from convention, but that freer and more unconventional society, was still completely unforgiving and inflexible when personal mistakes were made. Family good name and reputation were all important, and so many young mothers were forced into making ‘the right decision’, but for who?
.
In this saga, the young people had already seen their own parents forgiven for similar transgressions, as understandable war-time mistakes. They therefore thought that such understanding would be forthcoming to them, but the elders closed ranks around them, with a ‘do as I say and not as I do’ attitude and it would be some time before acceptance was gained, but at what cost and would it be too late?
.
Whilst the girls’ mothers were facing their own similar dilemma; should they open up and share their experiences and gained wisdom, thus helping their children not to make the same mistakes, or should they keep their own counsel and let their daughters forge their own destinies.
.
Definitely a woman’s story about the search for happiness in a changing world.
March 2, 2025
I really liked elements of this story once it got going. Initially it was a bit confusing keeping up with everyone but once it spreads out a bit and focuses on a few main ones in particular, it’s easier to follow.
I like the storylines in the thick of it but I felt that while some parts dragged on, some parts moved too quickly. I have a feeling this is perhaps the authors way of writing (this is the first of hers I have read though). It’s based from the 60’s through to more present times and the characters evolve as do the times. It would be a pretty accurate description of the hardships faced in Northern England (and a lot of the world) at the time, which is quite heartbreaking.
TW: Pregnancy loss / adoption, death, domestic violence.
(not a spoilers given so many characters in the book ☺️)
I like the storylines in the thick of it but I felt that while some parts dragged on, some parts moved too quickly. I have a feeling this is perhaps the authors way of writing (this is the first of hers I have read though). It’s based from the 60’s through to more present times and the characters evolve as do the times. It would be a pretty accurate description of the hardships faced in Northern England (and a lot of the world) at the time, which is quite heartbreaking.
TW: Pregnancy loss / adoption, death, domestic violence.
(not a spoilers given so many characters in the book ☺️)
June 17, 2011
It was ok. Finished the book, but I didn't really 'love' any particular character, and no real climax or pace to the book.
August 12, 2020
I usually really enjoy Leah Fleming's books but I found this one less appealing. I think that there was just too much going on. I felt she could have written several books about this group of characters. the main character is Connie and we hear a lot about her, but as well as Connie there are also Neville, Rosa and Joy, their stories are told but not in depth. The book has many themes, the loss of a mother, a suffocating mother, homosexuality, drug taking, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence and family relationships. I think it was too much for one novel.
December 23, 2022
This book took me back through the world I've lived in from the 1950s until present day. It deals with the lives of a family in Lancashire, focusing on the girls and women of the family. They all have secrets of one form or another, many that arose through the attitudes of people in those early days, and how their whole lives were affected by them.
October 15, 2018
This was a great read and I look forward to reading more novels by Leah Fleming.
January 14, 2024
Great easy read
March 31, 2019
2.5
An extremely depressing read and I found that I didn't care particularly about the characters, especially Connie who I found most irritating at times.
An extremely depressing read and I found that I didn't care particularly about the characters, especially Connie who I found most irritating at times.
October 10, 2011
Another excellent read
June 6, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Very much like Maeve Binchy. The story gently unfolds with you getting increasingly enfolded in the characters lives.
January 27, 2015
So enjoyed reading this book, the follow on after War Widows. Loved catching up with the characters, couldn't put it down!
February 28, 2017
I found that I could not put this book down so much so I was fighting to keep my eyes open
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews