A great read. I enjoyed reading it and it has a great plot and characters. I also look forward to more books from the author.

A Sister’s Sorrow is an emotional historical novel. Sarah Jepson lives with her alcoholic mother in Battersea in 1948. She is fourteen and is still attending school. That changes when her mother gives birth to Tommy. Sarah refuses to “get rid” of Tommy as her mother demands. She drops out of school to care for her brother and scrabbles to provide for both of them. Four years later, they are forced to survive on their own. Sarah gets help from the kindhearted George and falls for the love-them-and-leave-them, Roger. We follow on her journey with its various ups and downs. The story progresses at a gentle pace. I thought the author captured the era and what it was like to be poor in Battersea. It was a hardscrabble life especially when you have little education. I did feel the story was a little too long and there is some foul language. A Sister’s Sorrow is a touching story that will play on your emotions. Tommy’s fate will have you reaching for a tissue especially since he is such a sweet little boy. I loved the ending of A Sister’s Sorrow. A Sister’s Sorrow is a gritty, historical saga that will linger with you long after you finish it.

I would like to thank Avon Book UK Publishing and the Netgalley website for this partnership.

I was immediately attracted by the cover of this book and we see Sarah and her little brother Tommy, Sarah looks sad when her brother is in his thoughts.

When the mother of the two children Annie dies, Sarah and Tommy are left alone. When Tommy suddenly catches a disease, Sarah collapses. Drowned in grief, she turns to Roger who has a crush on her. They will remain friends.

I was very touched by the story of these two children who were so moving, captivating, addictive and full of suspense and twists and turns. These two children were very endearing.

Beautiful, Heartfelt story. I enjoyed it to the max. This was my firs time reading from this author and I could tell you wont be my last.

Another fabulous read from Kitty Neale, hard to put down as her stories always draw you in and keep you reading, the story is very emotional definitely recommend 100%

Sarah and her mother Annie live in a damp dark room in London. Her mother is an alcoholic who sells her body for drink and not much more. She gives birth to a son Tommy who she instructs Sarah to drown as she can't afford to feed another mouth. Sarah promises her mother she will look after the child and keep him out of her way.
After a furious row, Annie throws both of them out on the street, with nothing but what they stand up in.

Sarah is now eighteen her and Tommy fou, they befriend a young man running a second-hand clothes stall in the market who has extensive burns scarring to his face but takes a shine to Tommy and falls head over heels in love with Sarah.
Running the Fruit and vegetable stall next to George's is Roger who is very handsome, but a lady lover who is not to be trusted by women for his loyalty. Whom Sarah only has eyes for.
Tommy is a sickly child with a weak chest. They manage to find rooms but the dampness doesn't help with Tommy's condition.
Her neighbours Mo and Samuel. Look after Tommy whilst Sarah works at the local store with Lara, George's mum.
This is a great story that has likeable characters and was nice easy reading. It has a lot of sadness and frustrations as we go through Sarah and Tommy's daily lives. Also betrayal and jealousies.
All in all a good book
Thank you, NetGalley for the chance to review. xx

I can't think of a book by Kitty Neale that I haven't liked.
Another great book and truly great read.

This was the first book I have read by the author and wasn't sure what to think. I thought the characters were well written, however the writing did not stay on point. Sarah was left to deal with raising her younger brother when her alcoholic mom wanted her to murder him. Her struggle was not relatable, or really understandable. She seemed to just turn around and get right back on her feet. Her brother dies from illness in the book, however it just seems like a footnote. This author is just not for me. Thanks for the ARC, Net Galley.

I enjoyed reading this book. It has lots of different parts to it. At first there is poverty and sadness. Then hope and happiness. Next sadness and finally a happy ending. The characters are interesting especially Tommy. There is a good storyline and I recommend it to be read.

A really good read a young Sarah comes from a really poor background and after a hard life with her mother she finds herself alone with a baby brother to take care of after many years of heartache and struggles and with the support of friends she finally finds happiness qand stability a heartwarming novel with tears and joy along the way A thoroughly enjoyable novel

Another Kitty Neale classic- a family saga where a strong young woman has to make hard decisions. Set in the 1950s, it's about Sarah. Born in poverty to an alcoholic and horrid mother, she becomes the protector of her baby brother Tommy who (no spoiler) dies, leaving her bereft. She's involved (that's not really the word but I'm not sure which word to use) with two men- George and Roger. Roger seems like the perfect man but readers of this genre know that George, the scarred and gentle one, is the better choice. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. How Sarah navigates her grief and her future makes for a good read.

Sarah raises her 13 year younger brother in London's Battersea of the 1950s, because her alcoholic mother doesn't want the newborn. They both run off off when Thommy is four years old and suddenly Srah has to come up with even more resilience to take care of her brother without ending up like her mother..

The many different points of view make the story sound very flat.

Why is the girl on the cover of the book not much older than the boy? I was expecting a smaller age gap between the kids. .

A Sister's Sorrow is a hardship story of a young woman who even though she lived through so much adversity she was able to rise above her situation. Many sad things happen to Sarah throughout the book. From beginning to end. She suffered through abuse, hunger and heartbreak. Because of her innocence, at times, she did not make the best decisions. Those that she made were always putting her little brother, Tommy, first. Even though it was a heartbreaking story the ending was a very happy one for Sarah.

Another beautifully written book from Kitty Neale. A girl struggles to bring up her younger brother on her own. This story will make you laugh and cry. I didn’t want it to end.

An easy read. Sarah's mother is an alcoholic and a prostitute who treats her daughter badly and when she has a new baby boy, rejects him. Sarah names her brother Tommy and brings him up as if he were her own. They are destitute but Sarah battles on, finding work and a place for them to live. She falls for the wrong guy and treats the good guy as a friend. The story is interesting although a bit predictable and the characters are a little cliched.
It is a book for easy reading on holidays or train journeys.
It is my first Kitty Neale book and I probably will read her backlist.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
What a fantastic book loved every page
Hard reading at times as very emotional
A sisters unconditional love for her wee brother
Draws you in from page one can highly recommend this book to family and friends

Another fantastic book from Kitty Neale!!!!!
Great story line, it had me gripped from start to finish, I didn't want it to end!

A sister's love for her brother and all her struggles to provide for them both.
Characters very well portrayed and situations very well described.

Truly beautiful story that shows how the kindness & love of a sibling can change a child’s life. Sarah’s character is strong & gentle and despite having been shown very little love, she gives it completely to her little brother Tommy. Even when her world seems to fall apart, she shows great resilience & character.

It was well-written & hooked me in straight away. Would 100% recommend to a friend.

Another great book by Kitty Neale and her stories always draw you in and keep you reading,the story is heartbreaking a very emotional tale,with great characters well worth 5*.