A Family's Heartbreak by Kitty Neale

Good Day! Tilling the Truth by Julia Henry is the second A Garden Squad Mystery and it comes out August 27.  Power of the Witch by Deanna Chase is the seventh story in the Witches of Keating Hollow series.  It will be out on September 4.  The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman releases in paperback on September 17 and ebook on October 1.  I am looking forward to reading it.  I have recently gotten my mother to try Amish fiction.  After dismissing it for years, she has found she does like this genre. 

A Family’s Heartbreak by Kitty Neale takes us back in time to 1961.  Jenny Lombard along with her four siblings and their father, Henry lives in the Balham neighborhood of south London, England.  Their mother, Lizzie walked out to get away from Henry’s abuse.  She likes to pop in frequently which angers Henry and leaves Jenny to take the punishment.  While visiting her Gran, Jenny meets her upstairs neighbor, Craig Brice.  They enjoy a lovely evening together and make plans for another.  Unfortunately, Henry becomes angered and takes it out on Jenny who ends up in the hospital.  Craig is dismayed when he finds out and offers to let Jenny and her siblings move into his one-bedroom flat with him (no hanky panky).  The family moves in with him and thus begins a happy time for everyone except Gloria who dislikes the cramped conditions.  Shortly before Craig and Jenny’s wedding, there is a terrible accident that leaves Jenny struggling to move forward.  Jenny just wants to provide a stable, happy home for her siblings, and it seems impossible.  Jenny makes a decision that she hopes it is not the wrong one. 

 

A Family’s Heartbreak is a heartrending tale.  It is an emotional story that deals with the tough topic of domestic violence.  There are some sections that are difficult to read that will have you reaching for a tissue.  The story is so much more than that though.  We see how Jenny struggles to improve the life for herself and her siblings.  She does not want them to grow up being terrified.  Jenny wants the kids to know a loving, safe home which is what she is trying to provide with the help of her grandmother and Craig.  I thought the story was well-written with a good flow and steady pacing.  I could picture the various characters from the author’s descriptions along with the setting.  The situations are realistic and characteristic of the time period.  A Family’s Heartbreak is about overcoming a difficult situation.  There is hope, love, offering second chances and forgiveness.  We see them find joy in simple outing and being together as they struggle to overcome adversity.  They are a dysfunctional family with complicated relationships and plenty of family drama.  A Family’s Heartbreak will have you staying up late as you quickly turn the pages to learn what happens next to the Lombard family. 

A Family's Heartbreak is out today and available on Amazon. You can learn more about Kitty Neale and a list of her books here on her website. If you are in the UK, click Amazon UK Link.  Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review.  I will be sharing my thoughts on In the Line of Fire by R.J. Noonan next time.  It is the second A Laura Mori Mystery.  May you have an uplifting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader