The story of a lifetime.

Synopsis

Rationing, bombing, disease and pit disasters are part of Rose Kelly’s World War 2 childhood. When the spirited coalminer’s daughter discovers a family secret, she makes a choice that overshadows her teenage years. Rose tries to make the most of post-war opportunities but family tragedy pulls her back to a life in the colliery rows. She relinquishes her bright future for domestic duties because her family comes first. Will family ties get in the way of her dreams?

My review

Growing up during World War 2 is not an easy thing to do. Yet Rose Kelly makes the best of it, even if she doesn’t comprehend everything.
Slowly she goes from childhood through her teenage years and becoming a young woman.
When she discovers a family secret, she reluctantly keeps it hidden, but the consequences when the secret is out, is not what she expected…

I truly enjoyed this story. The evolution of Rose was a rollercoaster. She goes from this little girl, not afraid to speak up, to this young woman determined to make something of her life, no matter how many lemons life threw her…

As a young girl, she faces several tragedies, yet she remains her cheery self. Despite being the daughter of a coalminer, she manages to have a good education and she finds out what kind of work she wants to do.
But when her family needs her, she has no single doubt in her mind to do the right thing. This shows us how no matter how big her own dreams are, how important her family is for her.

I started this book on a lazy day, expecting to read just a few chapters, but all the characters the storylines were so capturing, I found myself suddenly submerged in the book.
Everything Rose goes through, left me longing to know how it all would end, no matter what was going on, from taking her exams, trying to be a good help to her family, finding the love of her life, and even great losses.

A story showing the joys and also tragedies of a family in post – war, but yet so applicable even in these times.
Not a book to be put easily away!