The daughter mentioned in the title of ‘A Daughter’s Hope’ by Margaret Kaine is Megan Cresswell, strictly-raised, religious, sheltered, young, dowdy. Set in the post-WW2 Potteries district around Stoke-on-Trent still suffering from continued wartime poverty and hardship, Megan is free after the death of her mother to make her own way in life. But the harsh reality of being an adult and enduring a hand-to-mouth existence soon makes her realise she must she find a husband to survive.
Ever the realist, pragmatic Megan allows her friends to give her a makeover of hair, clothes and make up, before setting off to visit nearby churches on Sundays in search of a suitable husband. Along the way, Megan meets new friends and learns things about herself. As she explores the real world, she wonders why her strict father trapped her in such a narrow world and why her mother didn’t protest on her daughter’s behalf. And she begins to question whether finding a husband is her only option. As she explores beyond the geographical and social bubble in which she was raised, Megan begins to question her place in the world and to confront the puzzles of her childhood.
Romance is not my normal genre – and there is a handsome love interest who looks set to break Megan’s heart – but this book is so much more. Kaine’s portrayal of her native Potteries comes alive off the page. It is not often that a novel is set in an industrial setting; it reminded me of ‘The House at Silvermoor’ by Tracy Rees which is set in a South Yorkshire coal mining village. Kaine’s description of the hand painting at the potbank, and the production methods, is a fascinating insight into pottery manufacturing in the Fifties. Kaine is a skilled portrayer of character; I particularly enjoyed Megan’s fellow workers on the potbank and the household dynamics of Celia Bevington, who becomes something of a fairy godmother.
This is the first novel by Margaret Kaine that I have read and I will seek out more.
‘A Daughter’s Hope’ was previously published as ‘Song for a Butterfly’.
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Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy. A story that pulls you in. Characters very engaging and likeable. I'll be on the look out for more from Margaret Kaine.

this is Megan Cresswell story. the book is set in Longton stoke-on-trent. working as a paintress at the pottery factory. her mother and father have both passed away and she finds herself alone, and having to cope with the upkeep of the house. her neighbours Rita and Clarice think she should seek out a husband, this is time for changes and freedom that she has never had before. she meets American Nathan Brittles but its only a short courtship and he goes home but no other man matches up to him, throughout times to come. seeking out an extra job to make ends meet Celia Bevington gives her a sunday afternoon reading job to her and Megans life is all set to change for the better. how i loved everything about this book, so enchanting to read in every way. a delightful story of happiness right to the end.

With thanks to hodder and stoughton and netgalley for an Arc my first time reading this wonderful author.
A daughter's hope is a magical tale of intrigue warmth but above all Hope,
I was totally captivated from the first few pages and certainly not let down I laughed and cried Megan's life changed totally the day her mum passed away and how she turned her life round I can't praise this book enough

I enjoyed the history of this book, of reading about a time where women were seen so differently and really focused on makeup and bettering themselves looks-wise for a man. It's amazing to think how time has changed and so it was really interesting to read a book that takes you to a different place.

I enjoyed seeing how Megan developed, how she grew from being a repressed young lady to being one with confidence and enjoyed trying out a different kind of life once her parents were no longer around. It's kind of like a fantasy for some - what would you do if you had no ties?

I thought that the story was an easy read, so ideal to enjoy after a busy day and easy to follow.

I think that the beginning was a little one-dimensional and odd - going from helping a young girl who was upset to suddenly her mother dying. It felt very sudden and then all focused on her neighbour's persuading Megan to go out and find a man... I think some more detail could have been woven in here, like the reality of living alone, struggling for money, grieving for her parents, struggling with the change... it all seemed a bit too sudden and easy, which made it hard to fully be absorbed into the book which was a shame.