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Better Days
Gemma Barrett has a good job in a Southampton department store and a blossoming romance with the enigmatic Nick Weston, a first officer with Cunard. Life would be good if it wasn't for her mother, Eve, who likes more to drink than is good for her. And when Gemma's dad walks out and Eve starts bringing strange men home, Gemma doesn't know where to turn. Desperate to escape, she seizes the opportunity to be a stewardess on the Queen Mary, voyaging to and from New York. But a chance encounter with Vince Morelli, a gang boss in the New York docks, looks set to jeopardise her newfound happiness.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 23, 2017
Gemma Barrett desperately wants to follow in her father's seafaring footsteps and dreams of becoming a stewardess on the Southampton to New York run but after her father leaves for good due to her mother's constant carping Gemma finds herself tapped alone with the bitter Eve who is succumbing more and more to alcoholism.
Until with he encouragement of her Uncle Ted she finds the courage to shake off her mother's shackles and apply for a position on the Queen Mary where she finds romance with the dashing Nick Weston but Nick soon find she has a rival for Gemma's affections in the shape of gangland boss Vince Morelli but is Gemma unknowingly getting into deep water that she may not be able to swim out of?
A lovely drama with a big helping of romance alone the way.
Until with he encouragement of her Uncle Ted she finds the courage to shake off her mother's shackles and apply for a position on the Queen Mary where she finds romance with the dashing Nick Weston but Nick soon find she has a rival for Gemma's affections in the shape of gangland boss Vince Morelli but is Gemma unknowingly getting into deep water that she may not be able to swim out of?
A lovely drama with a big helping of romance alone the way.
December 6, 2021
This book had every I like about a saga- a likeable protagonist, a budding romance and a vivid picture of the years surrounding the World Wars. Gemma is a great lead character- she's feisty, loving and determined to follow her ambitions. Her difficult relationship with her family makes her more endearing and although her mother is very hard to like initially, I found myself starting to sympathise with her too. Gemma's relationship with Nick is lovely and it's nice to see their romance unfold.
When Gemma goes to sea, Tate does a fantastic job of building a picture of life onboard the Queen Mary and I wanted to hear more and more. When the book ended I actually felt quite sad as I wanted to hear more of what Gemma would go on to do.
When Gemma goes to sea, Tate does a fantastic job of building a picture of life onboard the Queen Mary and I wanted to hear more and more. When the book ended I actually felt quite sad as I wanted to hear more of what Gemma would go on to do.
June 10, 2019
Exciting
What a brilliant book and what a life poor Gemma copes with, looking forward to reading another of June Tate’s books.
What a brilliant book and what a life poor Gemma copes with, looking forward to reading another of June Tate’s books.
October 2, 2024
An excellent read which you cannot put down. A very enjoyable book.
February 5, 2017
Not the best book I have ever read, so totally predictable, it was boring!
May 14, 2012
Set in Southampton in 1954, Gemma Barrett dreams of a life at sea, and to travel and see the world. Life is not too bad for Gemma; she has a good job working in a department store. She has met a nice man called Nick Weston, and it was looking like a romance was about to begin.
Gemma had been brought up with tales about life at sea, by her father and she longed to escape to the sea. Even more so when her father announces he is leaving her mother Eve and her for good. After Eve had become bitter towards him for spending long absences at sea and that she had also become resentful towards Gemma.
Gemma takes the opportunity to follow her dream, and she applies for a job as a stewardess aboard The Queen Mary, voyaging to and from New York. When Gemma finds out that Nick Weston will also be aboard the ship and is a first officer it looks like it is destined to be. However things do not go quite so well when Gemma gets involved with Vince Morelli a gang boss who works in the New York docks. This could not only ruin her chances with Nick, but also could put Gemma’s life in great danger.
This is a story that is not all plain sailing, but with a few giant waves in the way for our leading characters to overcome. With a touch of crime added to the plot this is a really entertaining and enjoyable read from June Tate.
Gemma had been brought up with tales about life at sea, by her father and she longed to escape to the sea. Even more so when her father announces he is leaving her mother Eve and her for good. After Eve had become bitter towards him for spending long absences at sea and that she had also become resentful towards Gemma.
Gemma takes the opportunity to follow her dream, and she applies for a job as a stewardess aboard The Queen Mary, voyaging to and from New York. When Gemma finds out that Nick Weston will also be aboard the ship and is a first officer it looks like it is destined to be. However things do not go quite so well when Gemma gets involved with Vince Morelli a gang boss who works in the New York docks. This could not only ruin her chances with Nick, but also could put Gemma’s life in great danger.
This is a story that is not all plain sailing, but with a few giant waves in the way for our leading characters to overcome. With a touch of crime added to the plot this is a really entertaining and enjoyable read from June Tate.
October 7, 2011
quite a natural story.but a simple one.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews