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ash_readss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lisaar91's review against another edition
4.0
I am a huge fan of Lesley Pearse and have been so excited for this book to come out since it was announced she was writing a new one.
Let me start with the fact that I did love this book, it was exactly what i wanted, twists and turns etc, however I don't think it's as good as some of her others (will explain why soon) hence why I have given four stars instead of five.
So the book has an almost 'prince and the pauper' theme running through it. Verity is a rich girl from a (seemingly) well to do famly, and Ruby is a slum girl, stealing to get by.
The girls somewhat change places, and then ensues the next ten years of the girls lives. New jobs, homes, men, tragedy etc. All the makings of a fantastic Lesley Pearse novel.
My only complaint, if you can call it a complaint, is the ending felt rushed. So much was happening, and I was 97% in (on the kindle) and everything was still up in the air , a new disaster strikes. What's going to happen etc? And then boom, this happens, the end. It felt rushed compared to the rest of the book.
BUT, I loved the idea of having two main characters, I loved the twists, and I loved the book!
Let me start with the fact that I did love this book, it was exactly what i wanted, twists and turns etc, however I don't think it's as good as some of her others (will explain why soon) hence why I have given four stars instead of five.
So the book has an almost 'prince and the pauper' theme running through it. Verity is a rich girl from a (seemingly) well to do famly, and Ruby is a slum girl, stealing to get by.
The girls somewhat change places, and then ensues the next ten years of the girls lives. New jobs, homes, men, tragedy etc. All the makings of a fantastic Lesley Pearse novel.
My only complaint, if you can call it a complaint, is the ending felt rushed. So much was happening, and I was 97% in (on the kindle) and everything was still up in the air , a new disaster strikes. What's going to happen etc? And then boom, this happens, the end. It felt rushed compared to the rest of the book.
BUT, I loved the idea of having two main characters, I loved the twists, and I loved the book!
santifelisse's review against another edition
5.0
She emphasizes the story of the friendship between two girls, Ruby and Verity. At first, I just thought it was all about their friendship but as I read the book, I discovered that it was not all about it. The story talks about the family of each main character, differences, struggles of women at the time, the aftermath of being sexually assaulted, how they live in midst of war and finding the love of her life.
I can't even put my book as the story progresses. In the end, I end up sleeping too late but I never regret it.
Anyway, I won't make this long to avoid spoilers.
I can't even put my book as the story progresses. In the end, I end up sleeping too late but I never regret it.
Anyway, I won't make this long to avoid spoilers.
marsetta's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin- Michael Joseph for my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Spring 1935. Two girls meet by chance on Hampstead Heath. To an outsider, they could not appear more different. Verity is well-mannered and smartly dressed, living with her parents in a beautiful house close to the heath. Ruby is dishevelled and grubby, used to a life of squalor where she is forced to steal to survive. Yet there's an instant affinity between them, and when their fortunes are shockingly reversed, it is the strength of their friendship that keeps them resilient to the challenges and hardships they face.
As Britain prepares for war, Ruby finds herself in Devon with the world at her feet and enjoying her first taste of romance. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Verity is forced to leave behind everything she has ever known and a shadow from the past threatens her chances of a new beginning. But through it all, the girls are always there for each other. Until the day Verity does the one thing that will break Ruby's heart.
In a country torn apart by fighting, will Verity and Ruby survive long enough to find a way back to each other? Or do some betrayals go with you to the grave . . .?
This is not my usual style of book, but I have read a couple of Lesley Pearse's books before and enjoyed them. This book was another great read. It's a mixture of chick-lit with some historical fiction, murder, romance and a some suspense to round it all off.
Lesley Pearse is a great storyteller and I flew through its 512 pages in a little over four days. I look forward to her next book.
Blog: https://wordpress.com/posts/crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com
Spring 1935. Two girls meet by chance on Hampstead Heath. To an outsider, they could not appear more different. Verity is well-mannered and smartly dressed, living with her parents in a beautiful house close to the heath. Ruby is dishevelled and grubby, used to a life of squalor where she is forced to steal to survive. Yet there's an instant affinity between them, and when their fortunes are shockingly reversed, it is the strength of their friendship that keeps them resilient to the challenges and hardships they face.
As Britain prepares for war, Ruby finds herself in Devon with the world at her feet and enjoying her first taste of romance. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Verity is forced to leave behind everything she has ever known and a shadow from the past threatens her chances of a new beginning. But through it all, the girls are always there for each other. Until the day Verity does the one thing that will break Ruby's heart.
In a country torn apart by fighting, will Verity and Ruby survive long enough to find a way back to each other? Or do some betrayals go with you to the grave . . .?
This is not my usual style of book, but I have read a couple of Lesley Pearse's books before and enjoyed them. This book was another great read. It's a mixture of chick-lit with some historical fiction, murder, romance and a some suspense to round it all off.
Lesley Pearse is a great storyteller and I flew through its 512 pages in a little over four days. I look forward to her next book.
Blog: https://wordpress.com/posts/crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com
mafaldafg's review
Not much to be entertained by, really slow paced and too much description
wicahpis's review against another edition
5.0
Muitas vezes o destino não é aquele que pensamos que é...
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
Another really good book by Lesley Pearse!
I enjoyed it for it's characters who I grew to love, and for the history that was well researched and interesting to read about! The prose was easy to read and fluent as usual.
I won't give 5* because some things resolved themselves in moments, and even though the characters go through some really hard times it all seems to be a bit *happy go lucky* just a tad too often to keep up the suspense and feel realistic.
I enjoyed it for it's characters who I grew to love, and for the history that was well researched and interesting to read about! The prose was easy to read and fluent as usual.
I won't give 5* because some things resolved themselves in moments, and even though the characters go through some really hard times it all seems to be a bit *happy go lucky* just a tad too often to keep up the suspense and feel realistic.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Lesley Pearse is a class act and this is another of her classics. It has the Pearse charm ,hardship, stress and poverty all over it, woven into a delectable tale of two girls from the opposite side of town.
Pearse fans will not be disappointed and those who haven't discovered her yet are in for a treat.
Travel to London and Devon with Lesley Pearse
This was a delight to read. I love Lesley’s books and this was no exception. I grew to love both Verity and Ruby and when events in their lives spiralled out of control, I cared deeply for them and kept reading on to see what happened next. I swear I could picture them so clearly as I read, their smiles between them as they spent together knowing that people would tale. And Verity really took Ruby under her wing which I championed despite the response she got at home. The children in this novel are far more grown up than the grown ups it would seem!
I love the way Lesley weaves the story and builds up enough of a backstory that you really care about the characters. I was fascinated to see what would happen to them and what the title Dead to me could mean! Oh Lesley you do like dropping in a moral dilemma. What would I have done? I don’t know but I totally understand what happened. Yes I know I’m being vague but like with all Lesley’s novels you really can’t know too much about them before reading as you have to get the build up and the understanding for yourself.
This is a lovely saga with ups and downs, twist and turns and a real insight into the human spirit.
Pearse fans will not be disappointed and those who haven't discovered her yet are in for a treat.
Travel to London and Devon with Lesley Pearse
This was a delight to read. I love Lesley’s books and this was no exception. I grew to love both Verity and Ruby and when events in their lives spiralled out of control, I cared deeply for them and kept reading on to see what happened next. I swear I could picture them so clearly as I read, their smiles between them as they spent together knowing that people would tale. And Verity really took Ruby under her wing which I championed despite the response she got at home. The children in this novel are far more grown up than the grown ups it would seem!
I love the way Lesley weaves the story and builds up enough of a backstory that you really care about the characters. I was fascinated to see what would happen to them and what the title Dead to me could mean! Oh Lesley you do like dropping in a moral dilemma. What would I have done? I don’t know but I totally understand what happened. Yes I know I’m being vague but like with all Lesley’s novels you really can’t know too much about them before reading as you have to get the build up and the understanding for yourself.
This is a lovely saga with ups and downs, twist and turns and a real insight into the human spirit.
hanne_chummy's review
4.0
A good read
A good read from an author I have already enjoyed. I wanted an easy read with romance, excitement and twists and that is definitely what I got. Somethings were predictable but still enjoyable. My only wish was that it ended 15 pages earlier. This part was not something I felt was needed and I felt the character deserved much more, especially with how far they had come.
I gave it 4 out of 5 stars as it was a story I really enjoyed, however I save my 5 stars for something really impressive and that I just fall in love with.
A good read from an author I have already enjoyed. I wanted an easy read with romance, excitement and twists and that is definitely what I got. Somethings were predictable but still enjoyable. My only wish was that it ended 15 pages earlier. This part was not something I felt was needed and I felt the character deserved much more, especially with how far they had come.
I gave it 4 out of 5 stars as it was a story I really enjoyed, however I save my 5 stars for something really impressive and that I just fall in love with.
hazel_readsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for the digital ARC.
I flew through this book! This was such a fun read- at the end of each chapter, I had to keep reading to find out what happens next!
Verity and Ruby were such fun characters and I adored their relationship throughout the entire book. Even though the friendship became strained at times due to incredibly difficult situations, they eventually found their way back together and always seem to bring out the best in each other.
Even though this book takes place during WWII it isn’t really a novel about the war. It has murder and crime, friendship and loss, romance and lots of suspense- a little bit of everything! I had never read anything by Lesley Pearse before but I look forward to reading more of her work after seeing what she did with this book!
I flew through this book! This was such a fun read- at the end of each chapter, I had to keep reading to find out what happens next!
Verity and Ruby were such fun characters and I adored their relationship throughout the entire book. Even though the friendship became strained at times due to incredibly difficult situations, they eventually found their way back together and always seem to bring out the best in each other.
Even though this book takes place during WWII it isn’t really a novel about the war. It has murder and crime, friendship and loss, romance and lots of suspense- a little bit of everything! I had never read anything by Lesley Pearse before but I look forward to reading more of her work after seeing what she did with this book!