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The Most Precious Thing
It's 1925 and when Renee McDarmount marries Walter Sutton, Carrie McDarmount is delighted, for the two families have always been close - the children are all similar in age and their fathers work together in the local pit. But an incident on the eve of the wedding leaves Carrie pregnant and desperately ashamed of the secret she now carries. When Harry Sutton, who has always loved Carrie, discovers her plight, he volunteers to marry her and bring up the baby as his own. But their secret will inevitably come out in the end and there is much heartache ahead before Carrie can finally be happy and content with the man she loves.
512 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2004
114 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Rita Bradshaw
49 books111 followersRita Bradshaw was born on 1949 in Northampton, England, where she was educated as a good Christian. She met Clive, her husband, at the age of 16 andnow the magic is still there. They have three lovely children, Cara, Faye, and Benjamin, and have always had a menagerie of animals in the house, whichat the present is confined to two endearing and very comical dogs who wouldmake a great double act on TV! The children, friends, and pets all keep thehouse buzzing and the food cupboards empty but Helen wouldn't have it anyother way. She still lives today in Northampton with her family. Althoughhaving enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad she has never been tempted tolive anywhere else, although she rather likes the idea of a holiday homeclose to the sea one day.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming,and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in thesun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking ofcourse!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as sheapproached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babiesand hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latteran unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of purejoy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own bu tshe loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth isstranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
Being a committed Christian and fervent animal lover she finds spare time is always at a premium, but long walks in the countryside with her husband and dogs, meals out followed by the cinema or theatre, reading, swimming,and having friends over for dinner are all fitted in somehow. She also enjoys sitting in her wonderfully therapeutic, rambling old garden in thesun with a glass of red wine, (under the guise of resting while thinking ofcourse!)
For years, she was a secretary. She began writing in 1990 as sheapproached that milestone of a birthday 40! She realized her two teenage ambitions (writing a novel and learning to drive) had been lost amid babiesand hectic family life, so set about resurrecting them.
Her first novel was for Mills and Boon and was accepted after one rewrite in 1992 as Helen Brooks, and she passed her driving test (the former was a joy and the latteran unmitigated nightmare!) She has written 50 novels as well as several sagas as Rita Bradshaw.
Since becoming a full-time writer she has found her occupation one of purejoy and often surprised when her characters develop a mind of their own bu tshe loves exploring what makes people tick and finds the old adage "truth isstranger than fiction" to be absolutely true. She would love to hear from any readers care of Mills & Boon.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 19, 2017
Loved it
First time I've read Rita Bradshaws book and I couldn't put it down. I would reckoned this book to a friend . characters you feel like you know them. Lots of twists and at the end I had tears in my eyes
First time I've read Rita Bradshaws book and I couldn't put it down. I would reckoned this book to a friend . characters you feel like you know them. Lots of twists and at the end I had tears in my eyes
August 27, 2012
Rita Bradshaw writes a good yarn, within the genre she is a superb example of a Cookson-esque story teller.
'The Most Precious Thing' set over 20 years and telling the story of two families linked by secrets is pacey and easy to read. The characterisation is patchy with some qualifying as stock characters such as Renee, but some such as Carrie are quite in depth and drive the story.
(Spoiler) Some elements of the story are very random such as Walter killing Renee and then dying down the pit - I wasn't sure what the point of that was. I appreciate Renee had fallen out with her father and Walter was dying but I found it strange that on Walter's confession Sandy would go "nevermind lad" but these strange plot devices do add to the drama throughout.
Matthew was very unlikeable which did hinder the main plot and Olive was strangely likeable which again led to misplaced sympathies.
Bradshaw does tell a good family saga though and this is a good example with interesting twists and turns throughout.
'The Most Precious Thing' set over 20 years and telling the story of two families linked by secrets is pacey and easy to read. The characterisation is patchy with some qualifying as stock characters such as Renee, but some such as Carrie are quite in depth and drive the story.
(Spoiler) Some elements of the story are very random such as Walter killing Renee and then dying down the pit - I wasn't sure what the point of that was. I appreciate Renee had fallen out with her father and Walter was dying but I found it strange that on Walter's confession Sandy would go "nevermind lad" but these strange plot devices do add to the drama throughout.
Matthew was very unlikeable which did hinder the main plot and Olive was strangely likeable which again led to misplaced sympathies.
Bradshaw does tell a good family saga though and this is a good example with interesting twists and turns throughout.
December 8, 2017
I desperately want to give this more stars, but I can’t because I found the ending so upsetting! I invested deeply in Carrie and David and their sweet love story, and I was really happy for them when they had their own children, but I just felt continually frustrated that Matthew was so terrible and no one really checked it? Carrie was just like, well, his dad’s evil so that explains it, and then Matthew drives off with Alec, whose redemption arc I did not buy, by the way, and that’s a happy ending??? I also felt frustrated that Renee got absolutely no justice, even though Walter did die. I wondered if it was part of a series and if that might explain why it felt so unfinished, but apparently it’s not. However, I did really love the characters especially Carrie, David and Renee, which is why I have given this three stars. I will definitely be reading more Rita Bradshaw!
April 24, 2021
Give me any Rita Bradshaw’s book and I will honestly enjoy it.
I am yet to get a favourite from the never ending TBR(To Be Read) pile of Rita’s books I have hoarded literally.
The plot in this book is just so addictive. You can’t help loving the characters.
Carrie is a strong woman and David, bless his heart is just so awesome.
Indeed, the most precious thing is always beautiful when you have it. I will encourage you to read on to know “The Most Precious Thing”.
As usual, Rita Bradshaw writes well.
I voluntarily reviewed this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
I am yet to get a favourite from the never ending TBR(To Be Read) pile of Rita’s books I have hoarded literally.
The plot in this book is just so addictive. You can’t help loving the characters.
Carrie is a strong woman and David, bless his heart is just so awesome.
Indeed, the most precious thing is always beautiful when you have it. I will encourage you to read on to know “The Most Precious Thing”.
As usual, Rita Bradshaw writes well.
I voluntarily reviewed this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
February 4, 2018
Amazing story
Rita Bradshaw is a fantastic author. This book shows how love can keep you going. To think how people survived during those years compared to how we are today is totally unreal, people have is easy compared to then.
Rita Bradshaw is a fantastic author. This book shows how love can keep you going. To think how people survived during those years compared to how we are today is totally unreal, people have is easy compared to then.
April 7, 2022
I'm very divided on whether I should have given 3 or 4 stars for this book. I did enjoy it, though mostly the first half and that's why I gave it 4.
Plenty of drama and many likeable characters, especially David and Sandy. I can't say I was overly fussed with Carrie, she was likeable and especially the way she was always able to stand up to Olive, but I just didn't love her character.
I really disliked Matthew, he turned into a horrible nasty person, just like his father.
The ending was rather a let down, yes in some ways Carrie was happy now, but in one glaringly obvious one she wasn't and so you kinda have to ask, what was the point of all that drama for over the last twenty years, for it all to work out for Alec and Matthew in a way, two of the least deserving people in it!
Plenty of drama and many likeable characters, especially David and Sandy. I can't say I was overly fussed with Carrie, she was likeable and especially the way she was always able to stand up to Olive, but I just didn't love her character.
I really disliked Matthew, he turned into a horrible nasty person, just like his father.
The ending was rather a let down, yes in some ways Carrie was happy now, but in one glaringly obvious one she wasn't and so you kinda have to ask, what was the point of all that drama for over the last twenty years, for it all to work out for Alec and Matthew in a way, two of the least deserving people in it!
April 24, 2019
Carrie is fifteen when her sister gets married to Walter Sutton . That evening she loses her innocence forever .
David Sutton loves Carrie and always has . When she tells him her awful news he immediately offers to marry her . Set during the Depression in the north east life is tough for the mining community where jobs are scarce . Then when it seems that life cannot get much worse the Second World War starts . Despite all the hardship and bitterness between the two families Carrie clings to the hope of a better life in the future .
David Sutton loves Carrie and always has . When she tells him her awful news he immediately offers to marry her . Set during the Depression in the north east life is tough for the mining community where jobs are scarce . Then when it seems that life cannot get much worse the Second World War starts . Despite all the hardship and bitterness between the two families Carrie clings to the hope of a better life in the future .
November 27, 2017
.
Brilliant from the first page wonderful story as in all her books.
No bad language pleasure to read, thank you.
Brilliant from the first page wonderful story as in all her books.
No bad language pleasure to read, thank you.
March 25, 2019
Intriguing
Love these kind of stories and this was a good one , so realistic to the times , love poverty heartache wealth had everything to keep you reading .
Love these kind of stories and this was a good one , so realistic to the times , love poverty heartache wealth had everything to keep you reading .
November 23, 2019
Wonderful!
The reader is so drawn into the story that you live and feel every personality and emotion of the characters
The reader is so drawn into the story that you live and feel every personality and emotion of the characters
June 12, 2023
Good read
Really enjoyed the book didn't want to put it down. Feel really sad the ending wasn't better for Carrie . Another good story teller
Really enjoyed the book didn't want to put it down. Feel really sad the ending wasn't better for Carrie . Another good story teller
October 16, 2023
A page turner
Couldn't put this down. Very enjoyable and would recommend. Got lost in this book so I know how much I enjoyed it.
Couldn't put this down. Very enjoyable and would recommend. Got lost in this book so I know how much I enjoyed it.
February 5, 2025
Rita Bradshaw always tells a great story, as always five stars
March 20, 2017
This is a great book
This is such a good story. It held my interest and I read it every chance I got. I hope everyone enjoys as much as I did.
This is such a good story. It held my interest and I read it every chance I got. I hope everyone enjoys as much as I did.
December 7, 2009
This book first started at the beginning of world war two and then it went through the whole war. Cassie is 15 when she gets raped and then discovers that she's pregnant, there is a lot of emotion and sadness in this book but also happyness, brilliant book :)
April 16, 2015
Great read, going to start another of her books tonight
October 28, 2015
really nice story, well written, enjoyed it immensely.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews