Sally's husband bought her for a shilling from the workhouse and she suffers a terrible existence with him. When she has her baby son she knows that she has to get away to keep them both safe.

This book was a wonderful read. Some very strong friendships enhance the story and you really feel for the characters. It makes you appreciate modern times- the whole workhouse idea sounds terrible in every book I've read. The people who found themselves on hard times could sign themselves into the workhouse- but few ever made it out again. They were separated from their children and had to work hard for a very bleak life.

Sally is a strong character but has reason to fear that her husband will seek her out- and you feel her tension throughout the book even when things seem to be looking up for her. I loved her neighbours- they were real salt of the earth characters.

Lots of secrets were being kept by various characters which are revealed along the way - in some cases bring more heartbreak in others explain troubled relationships.

You really experience the hardships with them- trying to eke out food, take in friends in need, even travel was an ordeal. I love historical stories and this was a new author to me and I will definately be adding her to my list of authors to watch for new releases.

This book is one of those books that makes you realise how much we take for granted nowadays. The idea that somebody can just buy somebody from a workhouse and treat her like Joseph treats Sally - unbelievable! Unbelievable for us but for many women in those times harsh reality. Not all men were brutes like Joseph, true, but the lack of rights, the helplessness in case of such an event were always there. Life wasn't easy when you were didn't have much and for those who had nothing, life was a nightmare. Especially women and children had almost no chance for a better life once they were down on their luck.

Having read about her worst times with Joseph, I really loved to see how Sally spread her wings and how her life got better with the help of her friends and neighbors when she finally left him. I feared with her and I hoped with her, I was shocked when I learned more about the workhouse - and I must admit that for a while I was really really upset with the author because, well, because. But all is well that ends well and in the end things got much better and Sally and all those others who had suffered at last had a chance to be happy.

The book was well written and the characters well developed, it wasn't always easy to read what happened to Sally and all the others but the story itself and the way it is told kept me reading no matter what happened. As it deals with abuse and violence and their consequences, the book may not be the best choice for people with similar experiences (as we all know that bad things still happen) or who are very sensitve in general but apart from that I can recommend it.