| Title | : | The Orphan's Daughter |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 316 |
| Publication | : | First published February 4, 2020 |
One day, Nora’s life changes when her sense of adventure leads her and her best friend, Kitty, through a hole in the wall of the huge house on the top of the hill. In the secluded, carefully tended garden they discover on the other side, Nora and Kitty meet Edward, the young boy who lives there, and they instantly form a strong bond.
Soon Nora is spending every moment she can spare in the secret garden. But in escaping from her life in the village, Nora is going against the wishes of her family, who have forbidden any contact with the big house. Because Edward holds the key to a family secret that will change Nora’s life forever, and force her to make an impossible choice between her family and her future…
A heart-wrenching story of love, loss and the power of friendship during unimaginable hardship. This book is perfect for fans of Orphan Train and The Girl With No Name.
The Orphan's Daughter Reviews
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3.5 Stars rounded down to 3
Anytime I see a new book available from author
Sandy Taylor, I grab it. I was swept away by her brilliant
The Runaway Children and later,
The Little Orphan Girl. Her books take place in Ireland and England, and they have a "quiet" quality of naturally flowing writing that ensures a comfortable read. They usually take place during much simpler times, which is another appealing aspect.
In this outing the book begins with our main protagonist Nora Doyle who is best friends with a girl named Kitty Quinn. They are pre-teens living in the coastal Irish town of Ballybun. The last childish thing they are hanging onto is the practice of watching funerals take place in town, and rating them on things such as clothing, flowers, and grief shown. There is a local tea shop called "Minnie's" where there is a little table set near a fireplace where you can repair for a slice of cake and hot tea, a refuge from the storm. Many times the compassionate Minnie will squirrel away some day old buns to give to the girls out of the warmth of her heart. A bun and tea is a frequent creature comfort in this book. Church is a mainstay in the town and it is presided over by Father Kelly, who takes a great interest in his parishioners. Every home has a little font with Holy water as you cross through the front door, and one would always intone, "May God bless all in this house." These girls were always conscious when they were committing a sin and resigned to going to Father Kelly for confession about it. When it's time for dating, it's called "walking out" with someone. Another cute Ballybun slang is to use the word "eejit" when meaning to say idiot.
Nora lived in a quaint whitewashed cottage in Paradise Alley where everyone knew each other and lived for years. She loved her Grandpa Doyle for which they shared a profound love of reading. In fact, whenever Nora was speaking to Kitty and using her ever growing vocabulary, they would knowingly attribute it to the literary influence of Grandpa Doyle.
As I read on I slowly came to realize that this was a next in series from one of Sandy Taylor's previous books I had read,
The Little Orphan Girl. However, unlike some books where you might say it was recommended or crucial to read the original book, I felt that this stood quite handily as a standalone. In fact,
The Little Orphan Girl was a much better read for which I had awarded a full 5 Stars. I did enjoy this book in that easy way Taylor's writing guarantees, but in comparison to her two previous offerings that I mentioned, this lacked a certain "oomph" in the story of excitement, tragedy and the usual tearjerker moments. I love books that make me cry. Still, I will greedily pick up the next Sandy Taylor book to see what she has in store for us next time.
Thank you to the publisher Bookouture who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley. -
Nora Doyle lives in Ballybun, Ireland in 1924, with her parents and large extend family. It's a small rural village, where everyone knows your business and she's best friend's with Kitty Quinn. The two thirteen year old girls, think it’s their duty to witness any local funeral officiated by Father Kelly and make sure everyone gets a fitting send off. Her family live in a cottage called Grey House, her dad Colm delivers milk and Nora has almost finished school. Kitty and Nora spend their free time, running around the village, exploring the countryside and dreaming of what they will do when they grow up.
Nora loves to read, her grandad gives her a book every Christmas and she’s a very curious teenager. The big house on the hill is owned by the Bretton family, during one of their adventures the girls notice a whole in the wall, they discover a secret garden and it’s looked after by a boy called Edward. Nora’s family don’t like to talk about the Bretton's, she has no idea why and she keeps her visits to the garden a secret. Edward and Nora, have a real connection, and it’s hard to explain how they feel about each other.
Nothing stays a secret in Ballybun for long, Nora’s forbidden to go to the garden by her mother and Caroline Bretton. Nora and Kitty finish school, they both find jobs locally and life continues on. A series of unfortunate events, including sickness, and an accident, changes Nora’s feelings towards herself, home, Edward and her family.
The Orphan's Daughter, is a delightful story, and you feel like your actually living in Ireland at the time, and I really enjoyed the Irish sense of humor and banter in the narrative. Most of all I loved the character of Nora, she has spirit, kindness, compassion and a way with words. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I highly recommend reading it and When We Danced At The End Of The Pier also by Sandy Taylor and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/ -
A tender and touching tale of friendship and family. Sandy Taylor’s exquisite storytelling completely transported me to 1924 Ireland. Nora is a young girl living in a small village in Ireland with her loving family. She spends her days exploring with her BFF Kitty. One day the girls discovered a hole in the fence to the big manor on the hill. Nora has always been warned against approaching the big house, but she cannot resist. While investigating the grounds they run across a boy their age named Eddie. Eddie begins to show Nora how to tend the grounds and a beautiful friendship blooms. What follows is a lovely coming-of-age story.
This is a quiet book with a big heart. The strength of this story is in its keen sense of time and place. Sweet well developed characters who will tug at your heartstrings. Loved all the friendships in the story as well as the strength of family. Times are hard for these characters but they all were so resilient and strong. Emotional and engaging this was a real treat.
*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. *** -
It was 1924 and thirteen-year-old Nora Doyle and her best friend Kitty were happy with their lives and families in the small Irish town of Ballybun in County Cork. Nora had her Mammy, Daddy and two brothers, Stevie and Malachi at home, with her grandparents not far away. And she had Kitty. The girls spent all their time together in the holidays and one day they discovered a hole in the fence of a big property on top of the hill. Nora’s Mammy had forbidden her to go anywhere near the house, so it was with feelings of guilt that she followed Kitty through the hole and into a secret garden on the other side. It was there they met Eddie who was the son of the groom. He nurtured the garden and soon Nora was spending a lot of time there with him, weeding, planting, dead-heading roses, learning a lot about plants.
Nora had always loved reading and books, so when a friend offered her a job with her sister in Dublin at her bookshop, Finnigan’s, Nora knew that’s what she wanted to do. She had needed to get away for a while – there were secrets that were breaking her heart. She didn’t want to leave her family, but she must… What would Nora’s future be?
Wow! I have loved everything I’ve read by Sandy Taylor and The Girl From Paradise Alley was no exception. What a fabulous read! With laugh out loud moments, the girls’ distinctly Irish ways and comments, the deep friendship between Nora and Kitty and the powerful love and respect within Nora’s family, The Girl From Paradise Alley has cemented Sandy Taylor firmly onto my favourites list. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. -
Whilst this maybe a women’s fiction novel, there is a simplicity about it that I know young adults will adore also. Especially as we follow Nora as a child, into her teens.
The story feels like a coming of age one. I loved the setting of Ireland in the small village as we get to know Nora and her best friend Kitty. Both characters are like little old women. I loved the banter between them both and whilst they maybe children, they really do seem wiser than their years.
The era it is set really comes across with how the characters speak and their actions. There is an air of innocence through out the novel that at times really tugged on the heart strings. Nora’s relationship with her brothers, as well as her friends but especially Eddie, more than made my emotions go into over drive.
The Girl From Paradise Alley is a wonderful and tender read. I had a fair few teary moments whilst reading as the characters took hold of my heart. The author has a wonderful way with words that make her books instantly compelling and unputdownable reads. Loved it.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway. -
Somewhere along the line this title got changed from "The Girl from Paradise Alley" to this one and I don't understand why. It literally makes no sense as she is not an orphan nor are her parents. In fact, it's the strong family unit that is the heart and soul of this story.
Nora Doyle is a 14 year old girl and with her best friend, Kitty, likes to attend funerals and rate them on a star system. Living in the small town of Ballybun in the County of Cork, this is what passes for entertainment. There is a large house that is full of secrets and when she meets Edward, the young boy from the house, she starts uncovering them.
The book is full of the love of books and in fact Nora's goal is to work in a bookstore. Grandpa Doyle teaches her big words that she uses. Other than that, there is not much of a story. She grows older and things happen but slowly. I am not even sure what type of book this is. It's a pleasant read where nothing much happens.
I don't know why they changed the title name but it's a shame. It has nothing to do with the story and should be changed back. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. -
Oh my word what a book i loved reading this witty enchanting that will definitely pull at your heartstrings. Irish Catholic Nora Doyle and best friend kitty Quinn both thirteen years old its 1924 in ballybun county cork. Both have hopes of working in Bretton hall enchanting place with a secret garden and form a friendship with Eddie who is not who he seems. And kitty's mam wants her no where near the place for some reasons. This is a must read for family saga readers i highly recommend it from the start to finish. Wonderful
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It’s 1924 in Ballybun County Cork. Thirteen-year-old Catholic girls Nora Doyle and best friend Kitty Quinn are gossiping like two old women about a funeral possession that has just gone by. When they talk about Bretton Hall a big mansion where one day they hope to work. Kitty has discovered that the fence has broken that leads to a beautiful secret garden. Kitty wants to go there but Nora has been told by her mother not to go there. Something happened there when she worked there. But to Nora’s dismay she won’t talk about. But Kitty persuades her to go and when they get there, they meet Eddie the groom’s son. He teaches her about the flowers and the birds. But Eddie is not all that he seems.
Wow Sandy Taylor has again. This is a beautifully written come of age story, that made me laugh but, also had me in tears. I loved the story of Nora and her family especially the relationship between her two brothers and the innocence of the two girls with their hopes and their dreams. I was engrossed in this book it kept me up all hours reading this. But, left me with a warm feeling inside. I highly recommend. -
Thirteen-year-olds Nora Doyle and her friend Kitty Quinn sneak through a hole in a wall of that leads to Bretton House and that is forbidden to them. One of their forays is to witness a a funeral from a distance and poke a bit of fun at the attendees. When Nora meets Edward, who lives in the big house, the connection is instant. Nora spends more and more time there, especially in a garden where Edward can name every flower and plant. As drawn as Nora is to Edward, the house and the garden, she does not listen to her parents regarding this.
The teens grow older and then there is something that changes drastically that affects what Nora and Edward have. Nora really must choose between obeying her parents wishes and being there for Edward.
While the setting may seem simple by the description, this is by no means the case. This story is a powerful example of friendship that lasts several years. I found this book to be quite enjoyable, often funny at the beginning, but highly emotional as I continued to read. Sandy Taylor wrote a story that many will enjoy as she has the ability to pen words that flow evenly and remind readers of the power of love.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion. -
The Orphan's Daughter is my first book by Sandy Taylor and it was a thoroughly enjoyable story. Set in Ballybun, Ireland in 1924, it tells the stories of Nora Doyle and Kitty Quinn for whom every day is a fight for survival, and their coming-of-age.
One day, the two thirteen-year-old's sneak through a hole in a wall of that leads to Bretton House, the huge house on the top of the hill that is forbidden to them. When Nora meets Edward, who lives in the big house, their connection is instant. Nora gradually starts spending more and more time there, especially in the secluded garden where Edward can name every flower and plant. As drawn as Nora is to Edward, the house and the garden, she does not follow her mother's explicit instructions to stay away from Bretton House.
As the girls grow up, circumstances change, and Nora finds that she’s no longer able to remain in Ballybun. With the opportunity to move to Dublin, where a new life awaits, she grabs the chance to see what the world has to offer her, hardly believing that she’s leaving the place where she thought she would be content for the rest of her life.
This is a quiet book with a wonderful, appealing simplicity. Sandy Taylor creates her characters with heart and I could virtually hear their witty banter resonating from the pages. This heart-warming and very clever story has themes of loyalty, love, loss, choice, resilience and most of all, the power of friendship.
I highly recommend this utterly plausible five-star read. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of Sandy Taylor’s other books, but 'The Little Orphan Girl' is now at the top of my 'to-read' list.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion. -
The setting is Ireland in 1924. Nora Doyle is a thirteen-year-old girl, living in a rural area where the struggle for survival is very real.
She and her family live in a small cottage that is cold and cramped. She wants to escape being poor, but she doesn't let it stop her smile.
One day as she and her best friend, Kitty, are watching another funeral procession they notice the big house on the hill. Nora really wants to see the place where her mother worked at one time and has now forbidden Nora from ever going there but won't say why.
When Kitty talks her into sneaking into the garden, the adventure begins. They find an opening and in they go. The garden is beautiful and they aren't the only ones there. A boy named Edward is there. The three form a fast friendship that has Nora spending all the time she can in their secret garden. But Nora is sneaking around going against her mother's wishes. And Edward is the key to a family secret that could change Nora's life forever.
This one tugged on my heartstrings. The brutal hardships, the loss, and even the friendships.
Well Done! The author pulls us in and doesn't let go. I like that.
NetGalley/ February 5th, 2020 by Bookouture -
Oh my word Sandy Taylor! What a gem of a book this is! Not only did I absolutely love it, but it made me yearn to get on a plane and head straight to Ireland for a long-overdue visit. If ever a book as evoked a feeling of such heartfelt longing to be somewhere then this is surely the one!
It’s 1924 and Nora and her best friend Kitty are in their early teens, living in the County Cork village of Ballybun. Times are difficult and every day seems like a struggle, but they have each other, and their loving families which is far more than many others seem to have in those harsh times. The descriptions of the two girls sitting on the wall of the churchyard ‘scoring’ funerals had me rolling with laughter, so typical was their innocence and raw honesty.
Nora adores her Mammy and Daddy, and is especially close to her Grandpa Doyle who has taught her a love of books and reading (and big words), and although she does her best to help where she’s able to and to do what she’s told, she just can’t understand why her Mammy has instructed her never ever to set foot inside Bretton House – the fancy house, where the ‘Honourables’ live, which is set apart from the rest of the village. Why would her mother tell her such a thing, and what on earth would her family have to do with the hoi poloi anyway?
But as tends to happen, her mischievous friend Kitty finds a way to sneak into the grounds of Bretton House – they figure the ‘grounds’ aren’t the same as being inside the actual house itself really, so Nora isn’t going against her Mammy’s wishes if she’s just in the grounds of the house, is she? They meet the cheeky, but friendly Eddie and quickly befriend him, visiting often. One day he shows Nora a secret garden, just like the one in one of her favourite books, and together they begin a journey of bringing the garden to life, learning about the different plants and flowers and grow and flower during the different seasons.
As the children grow up though, circumstances change, and Nora finds that she’s no longer able to remain in her beloved Ballybun. With the opportunity to move to Dublin, where a new life awaits, she grabs the chance to see what the big, wide world has to offer her, hardly believing that she’s leaving the place where she thought she would be content for the rest of her life.
This heart-warming coming of age story has themes of friendship, loyalty, loss, choice and most of all resilience. Ballybun is a place where people have very little when it comes to material possessions, but when it comes to love, support and friends they truly want for nothing. There is virtually no greed or envy – there’s no time for either of these when everyone needs to work hard every day, just to get by. And they’re happy with their lot. They have a strength of character that surpasses trivialities.
Sandy Taylor creates characters with heart. They’re so real that you can almost hear their witty banter reverberating from the pages! Some of the lines really are laugh-out-loud hilarious! I just loved it to bits!
I highly recommend this 5-star read. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of Sandy’s other books, but they’re firmly at the top of my TBR list, and my next trip to Ireland has been bumped up the travel-list too! -
The book starts when Nora and Kitty are thirteen, best friends and have slipped through a hole in the fence to the grounds of Bretton Hall, the big house in their little rural corner of County Cork. The two are gossiping and mimicking the attendees to a funeral procession, and in breaking in to be closer to the place they both hope to work in the future, they meet Edward, the groom’s son. Full of adventure and a bit of the forbidden, the three see the walled garden, learn about the plants from Edward, and the first bonds of a lasting friendship will be sown.
But the girls have been told, frequently, to stay away from the big house: Nora’s mother was once employed there and refuses to talk about that time. Yet the friendship between Nora and Eddie strengthens, much to everyone’s dismay. With growth and upheaval, it’s soon up to Nora to make choices between her friends and family, while still not completely understanding all of the possible ramifications.
Oh this was lovely and fully of “it’s time” as there is an undercurrent of innocence and purity that seems to thread through even the most trying of situations. From Nora and Kitty and their friendship, to the true bond that she and Eddie form, all the way through to her own relationship with her family and some secrets that they reveal, the story is touching, clever and feels utterly plausible. There is plenty of atmosphere, as Taylor’s prose takes on the feel of the Irish Storyteller at the pub - allowing the moments to stand alone and be unique before other elements are coming into play. A lovely story that brings the place and people forward while allowing the reader to escape into the pages and stories.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. -
This was a new author for me. I am not a huge fan of historical fiction but I find they can be nice break from modern day romance and/or crime fiction. The cover was the first thing to catch my eye and I am pleased to say that I found myself surprisingly hooked from the first page. Once I started I was unable to put it down and devoured this truly enthralling tale in a single evening. Beautifully written, well researched story set in the 1920’s. It is a heartwarming yet heartbreaking tale of friendships, family, hardships and joy. A very moving story indeed. The story flows along perfectly and I completely lost myself for a few hours within this emotional rollercoaster. There are many threads, yet not at all complicated, which the author neatly pulled together. This is the first book I have read by Sandy Taylor, and I will be reading many more. Digging a little further I realised this was a sequel to Sandy Taylor’s book The Little Orphan Girl (released in 2018) which I am looking to read very soon!
My sincere thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of ‘THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER’ by SANDY TAYLOR All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway. All my reviews can be found on my blog momobookdiary -
We meet 13 year old Nora Doyle , her best friend Kitty, and Nora's family in the small Irish village of Ballybun. Nora and Kitty share adventures together and one day discover a hole in wall surrounding the big house on the hill. The house where Nora has been forbidden to go. But, the hidden garden and the boy, Eddie, that they find once through the hole in the wall proves to be an instant draw and Nora can't stay away. As her relationship with Eddie develops, she finds a connection she can't describe or explain. A trip with her Mammy reveals truths Nora will find hard to hear but will explain so much. Life's difficulties and tragedies shape Nora's decisions and future but just when she thinks she got it figured out, a tragic accident changes her path once again. Compelling writing will leave the reader with a lasting impression and a yearning to read more of Sandy Taylor's books!
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thru tears i smiled
This was a really emotional ride for Nora. A coming age, of finding life friends, of heartache and loss, and finding ones place in life. I loved the letters sent back and forth between all. And the Grandad learning. I laughed outloud at the talk between Kitty and Nora from page one to the last. What a pair. It was quite remarkable how lovely the story fell into my heart. I especially love the author sharing book titles of the times. Excellent read for anyone who can smell a books purpose before they turn to page one. Loved this! -
Review coming soon.
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I didn't want it to end.
The sequel to The Little Orphan Girl, this story begins in the early 1920s.
It a journey of discovery and learning for Nora as she approaches adulthood.
There are moments of extreme sadness, and moments of utter joy. I found myself reaching for the tissues on more than one occasion.
Written in Sandy Taylor's unique style, I couldn't put it down.
Very highly recommended. -
My first book by Sandy Taylor, THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER is a truly a wonderful story. I love the way historical fiction transports you back in time to another place, another era and a completely different way of life. It seems, as a reader, I have found something of a kindred spirit in Nora and her love of books...although she seems to enjoy any book and any story. I'm a little pickier than that.
Set in Ballybun, County Cork in Ireland, THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER is the story of Nora Doyle and her coming of age. It's 1924 and she and her best friend Kitty Quinn are thirteen years old. Just one more year of schooling before they become adults and leave to find work. We meet Nora and Kitty sitting upon a wall outside the church graveyard, marking funerals out of 10 by how much wailing and crying is done and if mourners are wearing their Sunday best. Despite their young age, the girls are like little old women both in their chatter and their seemingly wise ways beyond their years.
One day, the girls sneak through a hole in a fence leading them to Bretton Hall, a grand house that sits upon a hill in which "the Honourables" live. But it is also a place that has always been forbidden to Nora, for reasons she does not know. It is there they meet young Eddie who claims to be the son of the groom but is soon revealed to be the young Master Edward Bretton, a lonely young boy with no siblings who longs for a friend. Nora and Eddie feel an instant connection and become firm friends although Kitty isn't as enamoured by him as her friend is. But for Nora, there is a familiarity to Eddie that feels comfortable, as if she has known him all her life.
Eddie introduces Nora to a beautiful secret garden which he himself tends, and it is there he teaches Nora about the different plants and flowers, and the seasons in which they bloom. Both Eddie and Nora share a love of books, with their favourite being "The Secret Garden", just as this garden is to them. But despite her mother's explicit's instructions that Bretton Hall is forbidden, Nora finds she cannot stay away.
When the girls turn 14, they decide that it is time to put away childish things as they leave school to find work - Kitty up at the Hall and Nora at Minnie's cafe in town. Nora finds she doesn't have as much time to meet Eddie in their secret garden but she gets there when she can...and yet still, she is defying her mother by doing so. So when one day Nora bounds into the garden expecting to find Eddie, she is shocked to discover his Aunt Caroline instead, who banishes her from the grounds and from seeing "Master Edward" ever again. Nora is devastated.
It is then that Nora and her mother take a special journey to England, where Nora learns the truth to a secret her mother has kept from her for fourteen years. With this knowledge, when Nora finds the courage to return to the garden it is only to find that the fence through which she'd stole has been replaced with a huge brick wall. The rejection she feels is palpable.
Nora soon realises that as circumstances change so does life, and she makes the decision to leave Ballybun. With the opportunity to work in a bookshop in Dublin, Nora grabs at the chance to live her dream and move away to where a new life awaits her. But even as she makes new friends in Josie, Ellis and Molly, Nora never forgets her best friend Kitty, exchanging letters often. Then Nora meets Joe and before long the two are walking out together. Could this be love?
Then one day, Nora receives some tragic news and before long she is on the next train home, unsure what she is going to find upon her arrival.
The secrets of the past become one with the present as two women from different worlds overcome their aversions and discover a mutual respect, quiet friendship and a strength in each other. But the question that Nora has been putting to the back of her mind soon comes to the forefront - is her life here in Ballybun or back in Dublin?
THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER is a heartwarming coming of age story about love, loss, friendship, loyalty and resilience. Throughout the years we watch Nora and Kitty grow from idealistic girls scoring funerals into beautiful young women finding love where they least expect it. In a place where people have so little by way of material possessions when it comes to love and friendship the people of Ballybun want for nothing.
I loved this journey through time that Sandy Taylor takes us on in this wonderful tale that is filled with a simplicity that is truly heartwarming. Sprinkled with love and laughter throughout, THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER is a gentle tender read that is instantly compelling.
I did have one really irritating niggle that was peppered throughout the pages. Whenever Nora used big grand words that people of their class weren't accustomed to using, Kitty would then pose the question "Grandad Doyle?" in response to which Nora had the most annoying and repetitive habit of saying "The very man" just about every time. And just when I thought they had outgrown the habit, there it was again. It irritated me no end and gave an almost patronising feel to her character.
There was also a few parts in the book where I felt the outcome was never fully explained. For example, when Nora's mother was telling Nora about what happened with Mrs Grainger...all that was said was that she had seen her maid on the Titanic and knew Mrs Grainger would be there too. So...without mentioning any spoilers...how did her mother "get" her outcome? All we know is that she did.
As much as I enjoyed THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER, I understand it is the sequel to "The Little Orphan Girl", although I saw no reference to it being so, and I was therefore left wondering if this book's title (which had apparently previously been "The Girl from Paradise Alley") was a follow-on from that one. Since discovering that it is indeed the sequel I really wish I had known as I would have read that first. It is a pet peeve of mine that it is not stated as being a sequel or part of a series, particularly on Netgalley when requesting, as I like to know the story from the beginning.
I always feel that if a book has me in tears by the end, then it's a wonderful read...and THE ORPHAN'S DAUGHTER did just that. A heartwarming tale I highly recommend to historical fiction fans such as Pam Howes, Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.
I would like to thank #SandyTaylor, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheOrphansDaughter in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at
https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/. -
This is the sequel to The Little Orphan Girl and yet again it is an excellent read by this author. I was engrossed in the story right from the start. It is a very easy read but one which has a great storyline and really good characters. I loved the friendship between Kitty and Nora.
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Thank you to netgalley and Bookouture for sending me this novel for review. The novel centers around Nora and her friend Kitty as teenagers who are leaving childhood to becoming young women. Kitty has discovered a way to get into the back yard of a mansion and convinces Nora to join her,even though Nora’s mother has forbidden Nora to go anywhere near the mansion, she goes with Kitty. Once inside they are surprised by Eddie who says he is the groom’s son. Eddie shows them a secret garden which Nora falls in love with. It reminds her of her favorite book The Secret Garden. Nora visits Eddie frequently and they work in the garden. Of course as expected Eddie turns out to be the son of the owners of the mansion. Eddie and Nora become fast friends.Nora has always questioned her birth because whenever she brings it up every one changes the subject. When Nora finally tells her mother about Eddie her mother takes her to London to a convent and tells her that Eddie is her half brother. Nora eventually moved to Dublin where she has a job in a bookstore which was her dream. She meets Joe and they strike up a relationship. Suddenly Nora finds out that Eddie and his parents have been in an accident. At first she is told Eddie has died but when she gets home she finds out he is in the hospital. She spends all her time with Eddie until his aunt takes him home and won’t let Nora see him. Eddie rebels and finally his aunt lets Nora move into the mansion to be a companion to Eddie. The old doctor retires and Finn takes his place.Finn is a man that Kitty had a crush on when they were teenagers. Nora had spent time with Finn when she was staying with her grandparents. Joe meanwhile has written to Nora about her feelings. Nora writes back that she is uncertain about her feelings. Eddie eventually dies and Nora returns to Dublin. Joe and Nora become engaged but then Nora has second thoughts. She returns to her hometown and marries Finn. The novel is well written, the characters well defined and the book is a delight.
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Based in Ireland in 1924, we are introduced to Nora Doyle. 13-year-old Nora lives in a small town in County Cork. Forbidden to go near Bretton Hall, the big manor house in the town, curiosity gets the better of Nora and her friend Kitty. There they meet Eddie who works there, and as they become friends, he teaches Nora about the flowers and the birds. But Eddie appears to be hiding a secret…
I’ve read books by this author before and have found them to be heart-warming yet thought provoking reads. As the story moves on in this book, you see more of Nora’s life as she turns from a teenage girl into a young woman. Finishing school both friends part ways – Kitty goes to work at Bretton Hall and Nora goes to work in a bookshop in Dublin. It’s most definitely a ‘coming of age’ storyline that tugs at your heartstrings with beautiful writing and descriptions of what life was like for the young Irish girls at that time.
I loved Nora’s character and found her relationship with both Kitty and Eddie endearing and emotional. It was particularly heart-breaking for me to see how they all lived in such poverty, and yet I raised a smile every time Nora did, enveloping myself in the kindness and positivity that Nora gave out. The mystery of what Eddie’s secret was kept me on the edge of my seat until it’s revealed, although as the story moved on, I did have an educated guess as to what it could have been!
The feature of Bretton Hall both in this book and the previous book, The Little Orphan Girl, gave the storyline a continuity, despite there being a 20-year difference, possibly meaning that there may be another book featuring it as well?! The descriptions of the area were wonderfully written and I could just picture what it must have been like for Nora as I was reading. It had me hooked right from the first page and once started I couldn’t put it down. Filled with lots of tender, heart-warming moments, this is a wonderful story of love, friendship and family. Would definitely recommend! -
Sandy Taylor wrote my favourite book, The Orphan Girl, that I read in 2018 so when her newest book popped up I knew I had to jump on it. The characters??? Oh Sandy’s characters have me in fits the whole way through! The banter, the phrases, it’s like being back in Ireland and that’s probably why I love her books so much.
Nora is a character that we met in The Orphan Girl and now we learn her story in The Girl From Paradise Alley.
Ireland 1924- Nora lives in the grey house of Paradise Alley in Ballybun. She lives with her mammy, daddy and brother. Life is grand in Paradise Alley, from going to school and passing the time with her best friend Kitty, Nora doesn’t have a care in the world. The one thing that bothers her though is that everyone else has a birth story. They know where and when they were born except for Nora and everyone seems to skirt around the subject when she brings it up. The only thing Nora has been told not to do is go anywhere near the big house where “The Honourables” live. When Nora meets Eddie and is invited into a Secret Garden at the big house she not only is going against everything she was told not to do but she is opening a door to a big secret in Nora’s family history. Pick this one up if you want to laugh, worry and cry all in one book. I already excited about what Sandy will come up with next! -
Nora and Kitty are best friends, brought up in near poverty in Paradise Alley, they spend most of their free time together. On one of their tours of their village, Ballybun they come across a gate. This leads them into a secret garden of the Big House, owned by the ‘Honourables’ and to Eddie. Against her parent’s wishes, Nora spends lots of time in the garden with Eddie and they see their hard work paying off as the garden and their friendship blooms.
As she grows up and leaves school, Nora has the chance to move to Dublin and start work in a bookshop. She soon makes a new life for herself and is settled into her new surroundings. Then a tragedy strikes in Ballybun and Nora is torn whether to stay in Dublin or return to the town she left behind.
I cannot praise this book highly enough, it grabbed me from the first page. I loved the little phrases that Nora and Kitty used and had me laughing at some of the things they got up to, especially at the funerals. It’s just a beautiful book which is a delight to read. It has such a wonderful feel to it which fills you with such joy. Yet again, Sandy Taylor doesn’t disappoint. -
The Orphan's Daughter is a worthy sequel to the stunning novel The Little Orphan Girl. I thought my heart could not break any further after reading that one but the second instalment took the feelings deeper and farther.
This is a story that reaches into every corner of your heart and transforms the spaces it enters. The topic of grief is very strong and takes many forms in this story. Nora's journey through the many twists and turns in her life, initially exposes her innocence but more importantly forces her to grow up quickly as the truth unveils. She has known great love all her life but her lack of knowledge of her origin troubles her. What secrets and events of the past are hidden from her? She finds answers in a garden, in the books she reads, in the people she meets and in the family and friends she loves.
There is so much I could say about this beautiful book but I am too choked to continue, except to encourage everyone who has experienced great loss to read it. It will break your heart but the hope and healing encountered on these pages will also lift and transform you. As Nora finds her way and finds her love, she finds her home. I loved this novel and highly recommend it. 5 Stars
