This was a new author for me and I love the genre of historical fiction so gave it a go. It did not disappoint. The writing style is good and easy to read and follow
It is based in Liverpool in 1848. Meg is the middle child of 8 siblings and volunteers to go to the workhouse for a short while to help the family feed the remainder of the family. She takes another sister with her but they are separated and she has to cope alone with all the workhouse throws at her.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

I love historical novels & this one was exceptional.
This was a new author for me but Judy Summers certainly delivers a well written story that grabs you from the start to the very last page.
Set in Liverpool the year of 1848 & times are really tough for the Shaw family.
Things got really bad for the family after their mum died along with her new baby after a difficult birth.
They had moved to the court into one room which now housed the seven children & their father.
But due to their dad being a hopeless drunk, he would knock them about to get his hands on money for drink & could care less if his kids starved.
Delilah the eldest was doing as many jobs as she could along with William the next eldest.
Jen & Sam were busy trying to do any little menial job they could to bring in a few pennies.
Meg at thirteen did the cleaning & tried to put food on the table as well as look after her sisters Rosie & Annie.
Meg was always the one who their father used his fists on as she was the one left with the shopping money.
What little there was he would knock her about to get his hands on.
It was a hard decision the family had to make when deciding two of them, needed to go to the workhouse to ease finances for a few months.
Meg reluctantly puts herself forward along with Rosie but feels so angry that their father has put them in this awful position.
Megs life goes from bad to worse as she finds out first hand the exploitation and horrendous conditions that go on behind the workhouse doors.
This is such an engrossing moving story that will grip you from beginning to end.
Strong characters that you will root for & some you will definitely dislike.
Absolutely loved this book & hope there will be another as I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Definitely an author to watch out for.

Top marks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liverpool, 1848. Meg Shaw is the middle child of eight siblings, not quite old enough to bring in a wage to help her struggling family, but not young enough to be a babe to be cared for.

When the family realise they can't feed all the children, Meg makes a choice. She volunteers to go to the workhouse for one season, and she'll take her little sister, Rosie, with her. As long as they are together, they can make it through.

But the moment they enter the workhouse, Meg and Rosie are separated. Abandoned and alone, Meg is determined to make it through, and soon finds herself surrounded by a new family of vulnerable girls in need of protection and love.

I had not read any books by this author before but this book was great and I will look for more by her.
Set in the mid 19th century it told the story of Meg. Meg was born into a poor but decent working class family, after her mum died her big sister tried to keep the family together but their dad turned to drink and the family were starving. Meg and a younger sister were taken to the workhouse but were promised that they could go home again as soon as things improved. Life in the workhouse was awful but Meg was hopeful that it was only temporary and refused to let the conditions break her spirit. I’m not going to share any more of the story as I recommend that you read this book!

Thoroughly enjoyable historical drama. Well drawn characters and an intriguing storyline. Heart warming, full of drama and a satisfactory conclusion.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

My first read by Judy Summer, and just by taking a look at the cover, I knew that this book would be right what I was looking for. I am a massive Dilly Court , Rosie Goodwin and Glenda Young fan and was looking for a new author having exhausted all their titles. This book did not disappoint and I will most definitely be looking for more. Thankyou for an early copy.

This was a new author to me, my you get so much more than you’re expecting from this book. It is so heartfelt, your heart goes out to Meg. Anyone who doesn’t have tears in their eyes reading this doesn’t have a heart. I just adored it and can’t wait for the next one.

I have loved reading The Forgotten Sister a story of life in the workhouse for children admitted for what ever reason. Meg Shaw and her sister Rosie are taken into the Brownlow Hill Workhouse for a few months so their family can get back on their feet. A lovely emotional story and i look forward to the next book from Judy Summers.5*

A new author for me and I really enjoyed reading this book, an insight into the horrendous life inside the workhouse for children and the exploitation that went on. Meg is such a strong character and found ways to help the underdog wherever she could. Family comes in many guises and this book leaves you with a warm feeling inside, when the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Liverpool 1848 The Shaw family consists of the children, Meg, Delilah, Sam, Rosie, Annie, Jem, William, and their crippled drunking Pa John, living in a stinking crowded on room in the court. Their Ma and baby Jemima were long gone.
Things get so bad that Meg thirteen along with Rosie six are took into the Brownlow Hill Workhouse it's only going to be for a few months till the family get back on their feet money wise, and Meg is so angry with their Pa taking it all and drinking and if anything happened to her family he would regret it after hitting her before she leaves she walks out with her head held high.
What lies ahead for the sisters will bring a massive turn around as they are torn apart and put in different units. this is such a touching story and Meg is found a new position in Prince's Park terrace working for the Harcourt's.
This is the authors first book that I enjoyed so much, a moving story, Meg is the forgotten sister that has lost all her family and her friends in the workhouse and does her utmost to find and save them.
a wonderful victorian saga and I look forward to reading more about the Shaw family in books to follow. well done to this new author, this book is unique all on it's own. worthy 5***** and more.