Family does not have to be related

This was a little bit different type of story, but I enjoyed it. Nellie, the owner of the "Crown Saloon" has a tendency to take in those unfortunates needing a job and a place to live. These different types of Characters come together and become a family that care for each other.

This all takes place in a hard economic time in a historic period of England. The descriptions of the gas lamps along the streets and on the saloon is enchanting. The characters are wonderful and either likable or unlikable as villains. What a great job the author did with those characters.

Three strong women characters appeared, Nellie, Nance and Dolly, proving that women, even then, were strong and resilient. I loved the character of Dolly especially.

There were some strong mail characters such as Jack and the villain Ezra. The battle between Nellie and Ezra was a good battle.

In the worst of times the best people emerge and stand strong and tall. This entertaining and delightful story will keep you turning pages and you will enjoy reading every page. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Lindsey Hutchinson, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Sometimes it is nice reading about how hard things were in time past. this was a heart warming and emotional read.

I could not stop reading this book. I had to finish it. The characters were interesting and the storyline kept me intrigued. It had everything , recommend this book to be read.

After being threatened by her pickpocketing stepfather Arthur that little Dolly is to take the place of her recently dead mother both in his bed and around the house, she flees onto the streets ending up in the yard of The Crown, a gin palace run by Nelly Larkin.

Jack Larkin Nelly's ten-year-old son finds her, cold and frightened, after encouraging her into the warm kitchen, Nelly is persuaded to let Dolly stay. With a little non-related family of misfits, she soon settles into her new life, where she is loved and treasured by everybody.

Arthur wants to find her desperately as she has a valuable necklace left to her by her mother for which he wants to get his hands on. He enlists the help of local villain and gang leader Ezra Morton, who he knows he can pay back once he gets his hands on the necklace and sells it.

Such a good book, great characters, lots of drama which keeps you on the edge of your seat with every page turn. Well worth a read.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book x