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.

Another fabulous book from Kitty Neale with an emotional story,great characters that blend together so well am looking forward to the next book 5*

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

My apologies on the delay in the review.

This book was so beautifully written!!
The storyline was unique. The characters were fantastic. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author!

Here's an author that writes with so much passion in every book she writes. The only thing I can say about Kitty's books they need a Warning sign within the first few pages of her books........You may need a Tissue or a box of tissues - in my case.

A Family’s Heartbreak by Kitty Neale was Just............ a brilliant book and I loved it.
Set in the 1960's in Balham in London Jenny Lombad is 22 years old and still living at home with her four siblings and her father Henry. Her mother Lizzie has ran off with a guy called Lesley Harrington and only pops in to visit her children when she feels like it.
When she visits she causes big violent rows with her husband Henry which has an effect on all her children. Jenny is the oldest of her siblings and has to look after them. Peter and Timmy take after their mother with beautiful white hair and a fair complexion whilst the girls Pamela and Gloria take after their father who has dark hair. Jenny strangely has red hair and looks nothing like her siblings. Henry her father hates her and beats her etc.

Luckily Jenny finds some who she gets close to called Craig Brice and hopefully her life is about to change!

But does it??

WoW.......What a brilliant book this is and I highly recommend it. Well, all of Kitty's books. I just love them and I am so glad I found her by someone recommending her books to me many years ago.

Big Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy to read and review.

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.

I enjoyed reading this book as I found I got evolved with the family and wanted things to turn out well for them. The writing style is easy reading with just enough definition of the different characters but no long descriptive elements which can sometimes be boring. The ending was a bit abrupt and has possibly left the door open for a continuation of the story in another book which I would like to read!

This book immediately captures your attention and holds it throughout. It truly transports you back to the time of the book and is written splendidly. A first read by this author for me but won't be the last.

I love Kitty Neale books and wasn't disappointed by this book. It follows the story of Jenny and her siblings who she struggles to raise on her own as her parents are not capable of doing it. It shows the hardship and heartache that she and her family have to go through on a daily basis, even when she finds love it itsn't easy.
I loved reading this book and found it hard to stop reading. This author writes captivating easy reading books to keep you wanting to read on.

Here we find an emotional story of a dysfunctional family that the 23-year-old daughter tries to keep together. As the peacemaker, Jenny, takes abuse but forgives the abuser. During this turmoil, she finds love but loses it. She loves wholeheartedly. Neither of her parents are able to parent so she steps up to take care of her siblings. Lizzie is too selfish to bother with her children. Henry offers a place to live but takes out his frustration over his wife leaving him on Jenny. Only her Gran is there for Jenny until she meets Craig who is willing to take on the job of raising the children with Jenny.

The characters in this book are strong, especially Jenny. The reader gets so caught up in them that the background descriptions are lost. Locations such as the house, apartment or the factory are fully developed but only contribute minimally to the story. This is not to say that the author did not show scenery. It is just that the characters ring true and are unforgettable.

Highly recommended read. This book contains love, tragedy, historical accuracy, hardships, domestic violence, and invincible spirit. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I intend to read more of her books.


I received an ARC from Avon Books through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or ratings of this book. I am voluntarily giving feedback.

Jenny Lombard is left to bring up her siblings when her irresponsible selfish mother Lizzie walks out. Her father Henry is bitter and constantly beats Jenny brutally when he gets drunk. Her sister Pamela wets the bed and her other sister Gloria only cares about herself. Her little brothers Peter and Timmy are too young to understand but cry for their mummy. Whenever she turns up out of the blue, she upsets the whole family, including Henry, who then beats Jenny so badly that she ends up in hospital.

The only person that supports and loves Jenny is her precious Gran. Who is Lizzie's mum? Whilst visiting her Gran on her usual Saturday, she meets her grans upstairs neighbour Craig, who although deaf can lip read very well and is kind and caring. Eventually, they, with encouragement from her Gran fall in, love and plan to marry, with Craig happily taking on her siblings.

This is such a lovely book of one woman who is selflessly trying to protect and hold her family together. The struggles and ordeals she meets along the way and the sadness that she entails has you sad for her.

Kitty Neale writes such warm heartfelt books and this is one that will have you frustrated and sad by Jenny's and her families lives. Saying that it is a very enjoyable captivating read.
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is an emotional story about domestic violence. It is full of emotions, the family has so much to endure but it is a compelling read .

Heartbreaking, but beautifully written book. I loved this story, but cried many tears throughout. The author writes in a way that makes you fully connect with the characters and feel the emotions they are experienced. My first book by Kitty Neale, but will definitely not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Know up front that this is sort of grim- Jenny's parents should not have been allowed to keep those children. Not a one of them. Her father has beaten her repeatedly and she finally takes her four younger siblings and leaves. It's a hard row for her to support them. Unwisely, she decides to give her father another chance- and he puts her in the hospital again. Gloria, Pamela, Timmy, and Peter are all affected by the violence and turmoil in their lives, no matter how hard Jenny tries. There's a glimmer of hope when Jenny meets Craig and...no spoilers. Normally, I'd like to see more of Neale's characters, to know how they do several years later and that's sort of the case here except that I fear the cycle of alcoholism and abuse might continue. No matter- this is well written and you will definitely root for these kids. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

With her Mum walking out on them, the responsibility of her younger siblings falls on to Jenny’s shoulders. Beaten by her drunken abusive Dad every time her Mum upsets him Jenny is unsure how much more she can take. Is Jenny about to get her happy ever after in the form of Craig her knight in shining armour and her Gran’s neighbour. Unfortunately for Jenny she has a lot more to cope with before her emotional rollercoaster of a life settles down. This book is a great read and draws on your heartstrings as Jenny struggles to cope with the ready made family she has dumped on her.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Neale has written an exceptional book pertaining to family dynamics. Her characters have rich personalities and come alive in the page. I highly recommend this book. **There are some areas where tears may fall. Enjoy! 📚

This was such a good read I couldn't put it down it's another great read from kitty neale. I would defiantly read her books I haven't read a bad one yet .

Such a heartbreaking read. So many tears and so much emotion experienced while reading this. The author covers some pretty dark topics and does so in a way that the reader lives through the tragedies with the characters.

I read this entire book in one day, it was that good! Though there are subject matters that are tough to read, and stir up all kinds of emotions, the story of this family is told in such a way that you are still gripped with intrigue to find out what happens next. There was so much more to the story of this family than the abuse and violence, there is also a story of love and hope, of positive family bonds and relationships. The characters were amazing and were captured in such a way that everything flowed and was so easy to follow and believe. It almost reminded me of a cleaner better version of the TV series Shameless; a dysfunctional family with dysfunctional relationships and drama.

This is the first book I have read by Kitty Neale and I am now a fan! I can’t wait to read another book by her!

A good book set in the 60s. Child and spousal abuse are a few of the themes that run through the plot. I enjoyed the writing and will read more of this author’s books. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

I always enjoy reading books set in the 60's and it's amazing just how much has changed when compared to today. Wife and child beating were tolerated and often not acted upon. Pregnant girls were 'shamed' into marrying as being an unmarried mother was a stain on the family reputation. This book encompasses all these things. Jenny, the eldest of 5 children regularly takes a beating from her drunken father. Their mother is only interested in money and men, neglecting her family in the pursuit of her own selfish pleasures. Jenny finds the love of her life in Craig who is a lovely man, even taking on the younger children who are cared for by him and Jenny in the absence of a decent set of parents until tragedy strikes and Jenny has to manage alone. The children's grandmother is the only other relative who shows any kind of love or compassion toward the young members of her family. Heartbreak, tragedy, unplanned pregnancies and domestic violence are all hard hitting subjects within the book but the overriding emotion is that of love of an elder sibling for her younger brothers and sisters and the sacrifices she makes and the obstacles she has to overcome in order to keep them housed, fed and out of the care system. There were times that I wanted to give Jenny a good talking to as she allowed herself to be bullied and beaten without retaliation and all too often showing forgiveness toward her abuser. This was a real page turner for me as I was so eager to find out how the family fared and whether they would get the happy break that they so deserved. You will need to read the book to find this out for yourself but I recommend it highly. Kitty Neale is a great author and I'll be looking out for more of her books. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre-release copy of this book in return for an honest review.