I do not normally read autobiographies. I usually stick to fiction but was offered a copy of Lesley Pearse’ and since I have read and loved her books, I thought I would give it a go.
MS Pearse has led troubled life since her childhood, where she ended up pregnant at an early age and stayed some time in a house for unwed mothers and struggling there after going from place to place and relationship to relationship. And the story tells how she became the writer she is today.
This is quite an interesting story of a life, but it is not continuous and felt a little choppy throughout and for me personally in the first half of this book it was a bit repetitive, and I only started getting into when it told me how she came to be the writer she is today. 3 stars from me.

I will start by saying I have never read any of Lesley Pearse's books so I came into this with little knowledge of the author or her style.

The writing of this book was very easy to read, very chatty and fast paced. The story of her life is certainly interesting with all sorts of highs and lows, and some extremely difficult experiences. Some of this was quite detailed, particularly in relation to her childhood and having to give her first child up for adoption, but much of it also felt a little like skimming the surface of events, such as her writing - she seemed to go from sitting up typing as her children slept to bestselling author in the blink of an eye! Her life sounds so full of events that perhaps there was too much to go into much detail, perhaps she was protecting people at times - it's her life story and obviously absolutely her right to decide how much detail to include or not, but it left me feeling a little removed from it at times.

An enjoyable read though.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A change of style for Lesley Pearse with the autobiographical 'The Long and Winding Road' but my goodness you can see where the characters and stories in her books come from! She's certainly led an interesting and eventful life. I couldn't put this book down. As with all Lesley's books you're hooked straight into the story. And this could be a story not real life it's so eventful. From aged 3 til the present day the drama and fun never stops. Thanks Lesley for sharing your life and adventures with us. Long may they continue.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I’m not an expert on Lesley’s books but I’d say that all the feeling an emotion that she puts into them comes from her own life experiences.
She had an abrupt introduction to life when at the age of three, discovered her mother dead, although she was too young to know it until a neighbour checked.
When her father eventually marries again will his new wife Hilda help to bring some love and happiness into a young life?
There are some amazing stories of Lesley’s flatmates over the years , I lost count of how many homes were scrubbed, painted and made welcoming.
After reading it, there is no doubt Lesley knows how to tell a good story, I could just picture her sitting telling this one to me.
The funniest bits for me was the shoplifting story and the bit about the lingerie shop. Both made me laugh aloud.
It certainly changes your view of those well off authors!

This book was the best book Lesley has ever written. It's her life story which was so incredible and inspiring.
She's definitely not had it easy but she is a warrior.
We could've definitely gone for a night out when we were younger as we were definitely on the same level.
And the book shows you, you are never too old to follow your dreams.
This book is a must buy!

Lesley I have always admired you as an author, however reading your autobiography has made that admiration grow. I have always loved your books and have read each and every one of them. I cant wait to read your next book!

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearse. What an amazing book with an author that really needs no introduction. What a life Lesley Pearse has led and the stories she can tell. Lesley was born during the Second World World and from then on really at the age of 3, life wasn’t easy for her, one struggle after another and many people would have given up, yet the determination this lady has throughout her life is remarkable. You look at the authors picture at the back of the book and you know of her success as an author and as a reader you make a judgement, the picture shows this smiling lady, that excuses happiness and yes that may be the case now but it took Lesley a long time to become the success she is now. I mentioned the authors determination and that’s really not a strong enough word to describe how throughout the struggles this author encounters through life she has this certain something in which she never complains, she gets back up again and thinks what do I do now and I’ll do whatever is put in front of me and she was like this more so what she had her children. While reading this book at times it felt like I was reading a work of fiction, one of Lesley’s own books, so it’s clear where she pulls her inspiration from and this is confirmed in the book many times and this makes the author and her books somewhat more endearing. This authors books are about the tough times and as mentioned some of the inspiration is from her own life, however in this book book we learn about the authors funny, vivacious, naughty and cheeky side, a side that as a fan of the author I was quite surprised at but equally loved. This author was and is up for anything and never shy’s away from a dare. There are wow moments throughout this book, I laughed and I cried, I suppose as the reader being a fan of this authors books has just been that, I’ve loved reading her books, I’ve never thought beyond that and about who the author is and I’m probably guilty about doing that a lot with authors and books. I don't want to much away but if you love this author as much as I do, it’s a must read and without a doubt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have read all Lesley's books and this was such an interesting read which gave me an insight into her life.

Sad, funny such a great read which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph (Penguin) for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

What an amazing read!! I am a huge fan of Lesley Pearse and have read every book she has published, there’s almost always a new one on the airport shelves in the summer.
Her characters are always strong, resourceful and battle through adversity and now I see why!!!
What a life she has had led and what an eye opening memoir. This is sure to be another best seller 📚

Left motherless at the age of 3, her father in the Navy, Lesley was sent to an orphanage. Her father eventually re-married and Lesley was taken to live with them but her stepmother wasn’t much better than the nuns in the orphanage she had left.
Leaving home to live in a shared flat she soon discovers that embracing the partying of the swinging sixties has consequences. Throughout all the ups and downs, challenges and heartbreaking loss Lesley never loses her spirit and her longing to be a writer.
I can’t find the words to say how good this is. Lesley tells her own story with brutal honesty and not a hint of self-pity. Her story is an inspiration, and you can see where the “never say die” spirit that typifies her characters comes from. I couldn’t but this down.

I really enjoyed reading this author’s memoir. What an extraordinary life! she has had!
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this amazing book.

A completely different style of book for Lesley Pearse, an autobiography which is both honest and open. Lesley takes you on a journey which is certainly interesting. From a sad childhood, followed by many highs and lows throughout the years, it’s a frank and sometimes brutal account of her life.

Lesley also shares how she started writing and what shines through is her determination to become a published author despite many knock-backs and other obstacles which stood in her way. Apart from being emersed in the story of Lesley’s life we are also treated to some insights of how these people influenced her writing and became characters in her extensive and exceptional catalogue of books. Although the stories are factual, some are so jaw-dropping they could have been extracts from a number one fiction best seller themselves.

This book will leave you in no doubt that her earlier life is what made Lesley a strong and courageous person, who fought her way to become the best-selling author that she is today. This book is a must-read for Lesley Pearse fans as well as anyone who likes to get their teeth into an extremely colourful life story.

Wow, Lesley Pearse certainly led an interesting life!
I love her books so was eager to read her autobiography. She had a miserable childhood and left home at an early age. London in the 60s and 70s was certainly interesting! When she had to give her son up for adoption, that was utterly heartbreaking. However, she was nothing if not resilient and went through many experiences before succeeding as an author. I felt the book ended quite abruptly before going on to almost the present day, I would like to have discovered what happened to her from the mid 90s. I would also have loved to have seen photographs of her during her life, perhaps because this was a kindle review book there wasn't any?
Her life inspired many of her books, certainly the earlier ones and it was so interesting to read her autobiography

What a brilliant read. It is hard sometimes to realise that this is a true story when you are reading it. I didn’t want it to end. She really brought I life the swinging sixties. She is an incredible lady to have to go through all the ups and downs of life that she did. I would imagine it made her stronger for it. Keep writing Lesley

Wow what a life she’s had it was great to read about the 60’s with hot pants etc it took me right back to myself and how naughty we were in those days we had the best of times. It was quite sad at times and really felt for her but now I know why she wrote such fantastic books which I have read, everyone of them.

I’m so glad I read it my daughter can’t wait to read it now as she loves all her books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph,Penguin Random House for an ARC

I enjoyed reading this memoir by Lesley Pearse, it had me hooked from the beginning.
From her troubled childhood and agonising teenage years to her later life, I thought her story was told with honesty and bravery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Long and Winding Road by Lesley Pearce

I've always enjoyed reading the authors book and nearly always it contained real true life dramas.

Now having read this book it goes some way in informing us on how she was able to dig deep into the traumas that people often have to endure before finding a happier , more fulfilling life.
Thank you Lesley for letting us into your life.

Great real-life story from this fab fiction writer.

I've read quite a few of Lesley Pearse's fiction books; she certainly knows how to tell a good story, and will doubtless have drawn on her experiences when weaving her characters’ tales-but I was sure her own true life story would make even better reading. I've waited a long time for this author to write a memoir, and it was definitely worth waiting for.

It was interesting and intriguing, unpredictable, shocking, eye-opening, and honest. She tells of all the different jobs she has done. Some famous names are mentioned. There are some terrible, terrible circumstances, and so many highs and lows.

Having read so many of her fiction books, it was easy to forget I was reading her true story, it flowed so easily, and so many happenings that it was easy to think here’s another great story from Lesley Pearse-but then-hey, this really happened, this IS her story. It read so easily, and whizzed along. I liked the mentions of music tracks of the time. Atmosphere, memories associated with these when she heard them again, she said hearing them still transports her back to what was happening in her life.

Lots of events-but I never envisaged she'd had so many things happen to her. So many varied experiences, no wonder she writes so well and makes her characters, and emotions so believable. Written simply, concise, to the point, no long flowery descriptions, which I liked. A quick read, like she was just sat telling us her story, telling it like it was.

A great read.

I read this book in just over a day. I have read all of Lesley's books over the years and used to speak to her frequently on twitter when I was on it a lot. I knew she was funny and quirky and being a bunny girl was one of her many jobs but everything else was a surprise to me.

The beginning of the book when she speaks about her childhood is even more upsetting and emotional than some of the books she has written. The adults in her life let her down to the point that I would have thrown them in a cell and threw the keys away. Lesley has always been a fighter and she fought her way out of her miserable childhood as soon as she was legally allowed to.

Out in the world quite alone and trying to begin her knew life was filled with pitholes and more people who didn't treat her right and took advantage of a young girl. Lesley's resilience shone through and her ability to make friends with anyone brought good people into her life.

Lesley Pearse's books are full of strong resilient women who have awful things happen to them ( just like her) and like Lesley they battle through and win in the end. She speaks about the research she did for the book,Never Look back which has always been my favourite book of hers so I found that really interesting.

It's not all doom and gloom. Lesley has a great sense of humour and her exploits during the swinging sixties wete hilarious as she was living in London right in the centre of it. She was up for anything a real haram scarem as we used to say.

I enjoyed hearing how she started writing and how long it actually took her to get published but again she won through in the end. She thoroughly deserves to enjoy her rewards from her books.
Anyone who reads Lesley's book will devour this autobiography. I certainly did and especially loved the wonderful ending.

An honest and at times very emotional read.Lesley Pearse has had a very colourful life and the hard times she's been through have made her into a very determined lady who's set out to make her dreams a reality and in doing so has given much pleasure to millions through her books.
A really good read. Recommended
Thanks to Michael Joseph,Penguin Random House for the ARC.