A moving story, but one that was a fascinating insight into the life of poverty and hardship for a family and three sisters. A great read written in an easy to read style.

this story had me hooked from the beginning, makes you realise what they went thru during the war, it is wrote to make you feel like youre actually there, i loved it will definately read more from this author

This is an excellent family saga set during the 1930's and 1940's. The sister's in the family are Eva, Peggy and Kathleen. The story is about the girls lives growing up during such hard times and coping during World War 2. It's a great read.

A very fascinating but moving story following sisters growing up in poverty and their fight for survival from 1930's through the Second World War.
I really enjoyed the characterisation and how different the girls were portrayed.
At times the story could be quite harrowing but believable and action packed.
As a Catherine Cookson fan I felt could see similarities which I enjoyed and the story was very well written.
A tale I enjoyed very much and an author I will be reading more of.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This brilliantly brings to life the 1930's through to the end of the war for 3 sisters.
A great read.

Peggy, Kathleen and Eva lived with their parents and two brothers in a little terraced house nestling by the River Thames in Lambeth, London. If it sounds idyllic then it wasn't! This is the 1930's - and on a warm day the Thames was smelly and toxic, and their home, which was nothing more than a dilapidated slum, was also overshadowed by the railway clattering noisily by as it carried its passengers in and out of London. This was very much a working class area but also a crime ridden area where the 'coppers' would walk in pairs when daring to venture into these streets.

It's for this reason that the sisters dream of a different life, a better life, and a life that isn't ruled by their violent father.

Peggy is a quiet serious girl who develops communist tendencies, after hearing about the appalling conditions in the factories. Together with her boyfriend George she sets about trying to change things for the poor of her neighbourhood.

Kathleen is the prettiest sister, and she catches the attention of local boxer Albert. Being a boxer, he's pretty handy with his fists, as Kathleen ( to her cost ) is soon to discover.

Then there's Eva, the youngest of the sisters, but the one who always managed to stand up for herself. She's not afraid to speak her mind, and often felt her father's wrath because of it. A whole memoir could be written about Eva as she embarks upon a 'career' as a prolific shoplifter, joining the infamous 'Forty Thieves' gang, and becoming one of their most successful lifters! Initially she began thieving to help put food on the family table but it soon became a way of life that she enjoyed.

This is a true story that takes us from the early 1930's right through the Second World War, and it's just so enlightening to witness how the poor of this borough were affected by the political and social issues of that era.

From their humble beginnings, the girls lives take a very different path towards the end of this compelling memoir, but I'm not giving anything away. A really enjoyable look at a time and place in history that very much left its mark.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC for which I have given an honest review*