What a gorgeous story of wanting to be wanted, wanting to be loved and wanting a place to call home. You can imagine how the world was in the time of 1884 and how the death of a mother could and would affect your life. This really brought this life and these emotions to the forefront and you felt for Betsan and what she is going through.

This is a dramatic and interesting story and the author has depicted the situation well. This book will get right into your heart and your head and I do love when a book can do that to me. It is emotional. heart-breaking and a gripping read. I just couldn't put it down.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

The Winter Waif.

A little girl searching for a place to belong…

I loved this heartbreaking emotional book so much. My heart ached for Betsan and all she endured, I was so drawn to her and could feel all the emotions as I read. I also appreciated the timeline and historical setting, and could see this evolve into a series. The characters were so well developed that I felt connected and definitely would want to see how their lives continued.

#thewinterwaif #netgalley #bookreview

Thoroughly enjoyed and a pleasant and easy book to read. Story about all historical happenings and goings on so interesting and pleasant!

A heartbreaking story of difficulty and endurance. This young lady will take you on an adventure you won't soon forget and you'll feel all the feels.

It's such an amazing book. Lynette Rees did a good job in this novel. Starting from the book cover to the pages,  they had me hooked. I had favorites among the characters, but Betsan will remain the heroine of the book.
There were several themes in this book. The plot was realistic and portrayed the lives of people in that era. I enjoyed reading the book. It was an adventure through the pages. I am rating it 4 stars.I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

A really good read. When Betsan's mum dies and her father gets injured in a fight things get really hard for the young girl who in reality has never had an easy life but by sheer hard work, skill and determination to try and better herself she is hopeful that she can bring her family back together after all the hardships they have faced. A well written novel that highlights justvhow people who live in such poverty can succeed with the help of good friends who although they dont have much are happy to share what they have including their time and love for each other

The winter waif, a great book, quite an emotional story but it will keep you hooked, I’m hoping for a 2nd book as the ending wasn’t quite an ending. All in though it’s a great read

I really really enjoyed this story. My heart broke a million times. This book was so easy to read, definitely what I needed. There is always something special about reading about different eras, you appreciate things a lot more. I loved Betsan, she had to grow up very quickly, she is such a strong person. A true inspiration.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.
I really enjoyed this work of historic fiction by Lynette Rees. After Betsan's mother passes away in 1884, her father brings home a new wife who is already expecting a child. Betsan and her stepmother don't see eye-to-eye, but after her mother's beloved sewing machine is sold Betsan leaves in search of a new home. This is a warm, lovely book that I highly recommend.

The Winter Waif is a captivating Victorian saga by Lynette Rees fans of the genre will not want to miss.

The bottom falls out of Betsan Morgan’s world when her beloved mother succumbs to illness and dies. Betsan doesn’t think that life could get any worse for her – until her father does the unthinkable and moves into the family home a flighty barmaid he works with who makes it clear from the off that she is going to be far from a loving and caring stepmother. Betsan’s home is no longer her own as Elinor swoops in and removes every single trace of her mother’s existence – not even leaving her portrait in the hallway.

When Elinor sells her mother’s old sewing machine, Betsan realises that she cannot continue to live under the same roof as her. Despite her tender age, Betsan decides to flee to look for her estranged aunt who was last seen living in the working district of Merthyr Tydfil. Bestsan quickly realises that the world is a cold, unfriendly and ruthless place and she will need to watch her step and not trust anyone if she wants to stay out of the workhouse.

Will Betsan ever find her aunt? Will she ever have a home to call her own? Or will she have a bleak and lonely future with nobody to care for her?

If Lynette Rees’s The Winter Waif doesn’t make you cry buckets, then call a cardiologist because this book is so emotional, dramatic and poignant that it could sever your heartstrings. The Winter Waif by Lynette Rees is a compulsively readable tale of courage, determination, hope and love with a resilient heroine you cannot help but admire and root for.

Lynette Rees’ The Winter Waif is a first-class Victorian saga perfect for Mary Wood and Rosie Goodwin fans.

A story of struggles and hardship as Betsy deals with the loss of her mother, a new stepmother and discovering her estranged family., and improving her lot in life. Plenty of emotional moments n this book.

I was really enjoying this book...kept me hooked from the start..However the ending it was far to abrupt, i am hoping there will be a second book if not , waste of a good story.

We start with the unfortunate news of Betsan's mother's passing. It was a devastating event that marked the beginning of a difficult period for Betsan and her family. However, life goes on, and her father eventually remarried a woman named Elinor. Unfortunately, Elinor turned out to be the epitome of the evil stepmother archetype, and her behavior towards the children was excessively controlling.

I can't help but feel a deep sense of empathy for Betsan, who had to face such hardships at such a young age. It is never easy to lose a parent and then have to navigate the complexities of a blended family. However, amidst all the challenges, Betsan found solace in her growing bond with Mrs. Jenkins.

Mrs. Jenkins, a kind-hearted woman, became a pillar of support for Betsan as she took on the responsibility of caring for the twins. Through their shared experiences and the time they spent together, a beautiful friendship blossomed between them. It is a testament to the fact that friendships can form in the most unexpected circumstances, transcending age barriers.

In a world where relationships are often defined by blood ties, Betsan and Mrs. Jenkins showed that genuine connections can be forged based on shared experiences, understanding, and mutual care. Their bond not only provided Betsan with emotional support and stability but also taught her valuable life lessons about resilience, compassion, and the power of friendship.

It is heartening to witness how Betsan found solace and strength in the midst of adversity. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope and the potential for meaningful connections to emerge. Betsan's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of genuine relationships.

In conclusion, Betsan's experience with her stepmother Elinor was undoubtedly challenging, but her friendship with Mrs. Jenkins proved to be a beacon of light in her life. Through their bond, Betsan learned that age is no barrier to forming deep connections, and that true friendships can blossom in even the most difficult circumstances.

#thewinterwaif #booksofinsta

The Winter Waif by Lynette Rose

All she wants is a place to call home...
1884 - When Betsan Morgan’s mother succumbs to a devastating illness, she doesn't think her life could get much worse. But then her father moves in his new beau, an unserious flitty woman and coincidentally also the bargirl in the pub he works in, and she soon learns her house is no longer a home.

Loved this story and it really pulled at your heartstrings , a lovely character in Betsan and not so much in Elinor . The author really knows how to get under the skin of the people she writes about and the era the story is wrote about.

✨My Thoughts✨

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story starts in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, 1884.

Betsan Morgan is watching her mam Gwendolyn doing some work on the sewing machine making a beautiful dress for the local schoolmistress, people traveled from all over to use her services because she was such a talented seamstress.

Gwendolyn has one of her “winter coughs” but throughout this particular day it gets progressively worse then over the course of a few weeks she gets so much worse and eventually dies.

What follows is a tale of a wicked step mother and Betsan trying to find her mother’s sister so she can escape her home life.

I adored this book and it had me so engrossed, I really felt like I was living the life with Betsan as she rose from the ashes even though she had such a hard life with tragedy after tragedy.

I also enjoyed reading about Maggie and her life, she really had it hard too.

The cast of characters all had a unique role to play and I loved every one of them.

The best bit about this story was that it didn’t just end it one place it evolved over a period of time and in such detail which really added to the overall story.

I’m definitely adding the author to my auto-buy list!.

The Winter Waif by Lynette Rees a very readable book that could have turned into a tragedy easily enough if not for the resilience of the main character, Betsan Morgan, who began the story at the age of twelve and grew to adulthood before the story ended. It takes place in South Wales in 1884 and takes us to the home of a small family: mother, Gwen; father, David; Betsan; and small twins, Aled and Alys. Dad worked in a bar, primarily because he wasn’t a drinker and was large enough to break up a fight. Mam worked at home on her Singer treadle machine as a seamstress, and the neighbor, Mrs. Jenkins, helped with the littles. Then, for no apparent reason, Mam took ill and it wasn’t long before she died, leaving Betsan and Mrs. Jenkins to care for the home, which they did for a while. As men do, David found a girlfriend and she was sleeping there with him before Betsan realized it. Soon she was pregnant, and David did the right thing and married her. Betsan was stunned and unhappy.

Betsan’s mother had raised her to be strong and she was. She kept moving forward no matter what and she succeeded at whatever she tried. When the twins went to live with her aunt and she and Dad entered the work house voluntarily after he had sustained a head injury in a fight at the bar, she forged ahead and made a pleasant path for herself, and eventually for her entire family. This is the story of a hard time in history and one person who managed to rise above it and create a life for herself and those around her. She was an amazing character, never really a waif as the title suggests. It was a story of courage, resilience, and loyalty. It is a good story, one everyone should read when they are feeling sorry for themselves. It will help.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing The Winter Waif for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #LynetteRees #TheWinterWaif

Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales 1884

Betsan Morgan loved to sit and watch her mother sew gowns as she sketched what they will look like once finished. Her mother Gwendolyn worked as a seamstress taking in orders for new gowns, shirts and even hemming and repair jobs to make one's clothing last longer. Her father worked as a barman at the Starr Inn. And her three year old twin brother and sister Aled and Alys played obliviously on the floor of their cottage.

But then one day Gwendolyn became ill. The cough she tried to hide got worse until she took to her bed and never got up again. When her mother died, Betsan was beside herself with grief. She found solace in their next door neighbour, Bronwen Jenkins, until the day her father brought home Elinor Evans.

A year after her mother's passing, David Morgan took Betsan aside and explained to her that Elinor was going to have a baby and they were going to be married the following Saturday. Betsan was happy if her father was happy. But as soon as the wedding was over, Elinor became the wicked stepmother and found fault in everything Betsan said or did, ordering her about to do her bidding.

When one day Betsan returned home from school, excited about the prize she had received, she stopped short when she saw the Welsh dresser in their living room. Her mother always wanted one and her dad had always promised to buy her one. But that wasn't the only change in the room. In the corner where her mother's sewing machine used to be, it was no longer. Where could it have possibly gone? Betsan searched the house for it until she heard Elinor return home with her friend crowing about the good deal she got at the market stall and flogging the old machine for the Welsh dresser. Betsan was furious. That sewing machine was the last remaining thing of her mother's and she was meant to inherit it. She raged at Elinor who slapped her for her outburst, after which Betsan packed a few things and left the house in search of her mother's sister Aunt Maggie.

But it's not all smooth sailing ahead for Betsan in her quest for answers, and first she must swallow her pride before she can put things right.

A touch of Dilly Court with a load of Lindsey Hutchinson thrown in, this delightful tale is an easy read that I devoured in one sitting. It is quick and easy to read and I enjoyed my time in Wales...even if I couldn't pronounce half the names.

The story is moving and emotive at times as Betsan is faced with many struggles and hardships. But with the help of good friends and overcoming a few obstacles, she manages to fulfill her dreams and achieve happiness in the end.

A nice quick read that was both heartwarming and satisfying.

I would like to thank #LynetteRees, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheWinterWaif in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

When young Betsan's mother succumbs too illness Betsan has her entire life turned upside down and faces challenges that know 12 year old should. A story of hardships and the era is prevailed exceptionally well. I found myself immersed in the times and Betsan is a well represented character with a edge that I liked. The story broke my heart but the strength and support that the characters provide for each other made me feel proud. I loved everything about the book and it was a pleasure to read. It was a hard one to put down!

This is a coming of age story set in the late 1800s Wales. It’s the story of a young girl who faces losses and tough situations with determination to make something of herself. She is surrounded by a circle of family and friends who love and support her as she does them. This story shows how these important connections help a person stay focused and positive even in light of terrible circumstances.

Absolutely loved this book by Lynette Rees, a new author for me but so enjoyed this book that i have reserved some more of her books from my local library. The story is about Betsan Morgan and her determination to be better in life after the loss of her mother. Hopefully this is the start of a new series. Parts did make my eyes leak :)
My thanks as always to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for the early read