A Mother's Promise

by Dilly Court

When Hetty Huggins made a promise to her dying mother that she would look after her younger sister and brothers, little did she know how difficult this would be. But despite the threat of being turned out onto the streets by the unscrupulous tallyman and the never-ending struggle just to exist, Hetty is determined her family will never starve or want for a roof over their heads.

Longing for something better out of life than the daily grind of making matchboxes for a pittance, she dreams of setting up her own business. With the help of friends she sells hot potatoes on the streets and things begin to look up for them all. But when the tallyman comes calling, they are faced once more with a future full of hardship and despair ...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Family, Historical, Audiobook

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this dilly court books.one of my favourite books of hers,Hetty was left looking after her family making ends meat.and struggling to pay her rent.she spends most of her time feeding her sister and brothers.she has big dreams getting out of poverty.will she find love.great story enjoyed this book.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and couldn't put it down till it was finished. A good story with lots of interesting characters tho I really disliked Hetty which for a main character is unusual but she just irritated me so much, she was horrible to George and she was very single minded about a lot of things.
I know things were different back in the day and girls were a lot more naive and innocent but she really acted like a fool over Charles and to travel half way across the world on a whim was insane. I wanted to slap some sense into her.
I really disliked her sister Jane and never warmed to her,she was just a spoilt brat who acted like a child.
I am glad that Hetty got her happy ending and the one I was hoping she would realise was for her.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Delightful story about a young English girl who went from rags to riches. Very well written. It kept my interest from start to finish.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read from dilly court.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book some time ago and I really enjoyed. Love the stories by Dilly Court. Recommended.

[Michael David entwistle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading

Brilliant book another one of dilly courts finest she drawers you right into the characters lives until you feel like your right there with them

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists and turns, but a very good read

[Anne Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not familiar with Dilly Court's novels though I know they're very popular. Being restricted to audiobooks as I am at present, and choice at our local library being limited, I often have to choose books I might not normally consider. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The title comes from the promise young Hetty Huggins gave her mother on her death-bed that she would always look after her younger sister and two little brothers. Always, this is uppermost in her mind, from the time when the whole family made matchbox covers for Bryant and May's, to running a coffee stall in Spitalfields Market. How she rises above her poverty-stricken life is a moving and inspirational tale. The characters are all believable and most of them are likeable (well, there has to be a scoundrel and in this novel there's more than one). Slow to begin with,as the plot moves on the story soon becomes absorbing.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. My mum was raving about this book from the moment she turned the first page, and I can definitely see why. Hetty is such a wonderful strong character , who gets hoodwinked by a shameful man. However Hetty survives and finds true love and a happy ending.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I loved this story. It told the story of a young woman left to raise her family after her mother died and the struggle against adversity to keep them together.

I have read a few books by this author and I have enjoyed them all. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Eleana Varham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Dilly Court book i read i surpose what i learnt is how hard it was in the slums of london and i strongly recommend this book it was truly amazing.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite a number of spelling errors this was a good book. I did enjoy it even though it went for quite a while.

[tracey copson. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book, a story that kept you engrossed all the way through with its many twists and turns, this story also highlighted the real struggles women had just to be treated fairly in the working environment. Loved all the colourful characters, another excellent book from Dilly, would definitely recommend

[Joan roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother's promise

I have read. Nearly all of Dilly,s book have never been disappointed I have just left a review on Dilly,s book Cinderella sister as I read one after the other coudnt wait to start this book and forgot to review another belter thanks again my dear summon lol🤗 blessed be

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Dilly Court book done and dusted. I love this author and love her story lines. This one of a young poverty stricken girl who through hard work and sheer grit rises above her station to do well for her family.

[Emma Milne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Captivating Booke

this book has me hooked from the first chapter. you got to know all the characters and came to love and hate them.
it could have had more chapters at the end to let the readers know just how well everything turned out or not as the case may be

[Nicola Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was good and interesting at the start, it was obvious she would be in love with Tom or George, the story wavered when she met Charles and Miss Heathcote, but soon as she realised Charles wasn’t the man for her it all came right in the end. Overall a good read

[Christine Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story and good to read. If I had one criticism it would be towards the end of the book, Hetty’s story line didn’t really fit within the era. Having said that, I would recommend ‘A Mother’s Promise’ as a good read to anyone.

[hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book A Mothers Promise

Great characters and storylines a page Turner,I really enjoyed . I especially enjoyed the character of Granny a strong woman indeed would recommend you read

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Yet another good read. So glad I found this author, her books are most enjoyable and once you start reading them you just can’t put them down.

[evelyn gillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Excellent as always did not want to put it down
Great story telling you always get from this great author

[Pam Tait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promise

An excellent book with plenty of interesting details of people and places of the old City of London. A really good read.

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart-warming, if slightly tedious tale. As much as I loved the characters, I was actually glad to finish it!

[katie daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read

Loved reading this book and would recommend this to anyone lots of twist and ups and downs but great read

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Such a nice read, full of tasty food & lovely characters!!

[dave jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Dilly Court you have done it again this is one of your best books, I enjoyed it from start to finish would love it if there was a second book.

[Dorothy mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that held your interest

I wasn't sure at start of book it didn't hold my interest but as I kept reading I couldn't put it down.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good - a young girls must take care of siblings

[Sue Hickling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely story and a brilliant author .

[Kate Mottershead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this