Can you turn around your life?

Synopsis

They only had each other – now they’re being torn apart.

When thirteen-year-old Bertram Jordan is arrested and sent to a penal colony in Australia, his biggest regret is leaving behind his friend Alice Truelove. The children were each other’s comfort when they had to live rough on Wednesbury heath, surviving on whatever meagre funds they could pilfer from passing market-goers. Now they must face their futures alone.

While BJ is learning to survive and then thrive on a cattle ranch in Fremantle, surrounded by the hundreds of other men and boys who have been shipped from England, Alice is making her own way in the poverty-stricken Black Country. When a stroke of good fortune means that Alice can start her own business, she cunningly disguises her young age, and before long has established a thriving bakery. As her business grows, so do her responsibilities, and Alice relishes the opportunity to help those who helped her when she was down.

But every night as Alice and BJ rest their heads on opposite sides of the world, both go to sleep with the same last thought. Will they ever see each other again?

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a fascinating tale of bravery, forever friendship, heartbreak and joy. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

My review

While growing up hasn’t been easy for Alice and her best friend BJ, somehow things have turned around during the years, despite being separated as BJ has been arrested and sent to a penal colony in Australia.
No matter how dire their initial circumstances were, and how far they are from each other, BJ is showing his worth in Australia and Alice is expanding her own bakery ‘empire’. While initially the contact was lost between them, somehow they have found each other again, and with regularly writing each other, they keep each other updated about each other’s lives.
However, no matter how good their lives are progressing, their only desire is to see other again. Will they make their greatest desire come true? Or have their paths split and they will never see each other again?

Oh, how eager was I to read this second chapter of Alice’s and BJ’s story! I still had so many unanswered questions after the first book, and I truly wanted to know what fate had in store for these two young people. Their lives as children wasn’t an easy one and I was cheering for these friends.

I found that this book could be perfectly split in two different books, but of course as Alice’s and BJ’s friendship is the common thread, one book was perhaps the best choice 😊.

We already know that Alice is the proud owner of a bakery and I was happy read to read how the sky is the limit for her. She is the kind of person that was able to turn her cards, turn something bad into something good.
But she is also a young woman with her head on her shoulders, she doesn’t forget where she came from and doesn’t act differently.
On the contrary, she tries to help those in need, she is a generous and kind person. And even when someone in a way that I for sure would not accept, Alice shows patience, understanding and forgiveness. She will always offer her help.
However, she is not someone to mess with, as when she sees injustice she stands against is, fighting against people who belittle her.

And how sweet was it reading how even distance cannot break the friendship she has with BJ??? Of course initially, once found each other again, it makes sense to be keeping in touch, but with time passing by, you would think the contact would also lessen. But real friendship can stand the test of time and distance!

I was happy to see how BJ is thriving in Australia. In the first book he didn’t have an easy time, but now things are for sure looking brightly for him.
And how amazing is it that he has all the possible support from just everyone where he is staying! He is not treated as a criminal, but as a real human being (and the only right way by the way!).
Which each suggestion, he is being heard, and being appreciated.

In this second book we see how people with a terrible start in life, are able to change the cards they were handled. And that for sure works inspiring, even if the story is set in a past we cannot relate to.
We see how contrasting life can be, how people with the same kind of background, can act differently. While Alice and BJ and nice side characters show us the positive twist, we see with other characters how the downward spiral can become your real downfall.

After finishing this book perhaps too quickly for my liking, I found myself smiling with how life has turned for Alice and BJ. But on the other hand, I was also a bit frustrated, because it isn’t the final end of their story, and I am too eager to get to know how this tale will end!