When Mary Margaret Joyce is born in 1937 in a home for unwed mothers everyone knows that she will never have the happy home she deserved growing up. When she is 13 and accidentally learns who her real mother is. She can no longer contain her feelings of anger and abandonment.

This is a heartbreaking story of love and loss. In a time where some women didn’t have the choice whether to keep their own babies or not. This is based on a true story. I would definitely give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

You hear stories and even see movies, but reading a book based on real events always hits harder. I know our world isn't perfect, but things have sure come a long way. Imagine not having any rights as a woman. Imagine being punished for "crimes" such as having a baby out of wedlock or just existing as the illegitimate.

The story starts in the 1940s in a strictly ruled Catholic Ireland. It's heart breaking to see what these children and women have to live through, but it really makes you reflect on what you have and how progressive the world has become. To many younger folk, the 1940s seems like a lifetime ago, but if you have grand and great grandparents, they know what it was like to live in a world like this. I suggest asking them about their young life while you can, and then maybe you can appreciate how good you have it.

The narrator of the audiobook was perfect. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fiction, historical fiction, Ireland, realistic fiction. This is a good book for Young Adults as well.

this was a dnf. I really wanted to like it but I lost interest around 15%. im hoping to possibly come back to this in a month or so but im putting it on hold for now.

Heidi Daniele is off to a great start with her debut novel, "The House Children." I was privileged to receive an audiobook file, and the narrator helps bring the struggles of protagonist Mary Margaret Joyce to life.

The novel follows the story of Mary Margaret, who was raised in foster care and put to learn/work in an industrial school when they turn 6. At school, she's renamed Peg and is allowed to spend a few days each year with a wealthy family. The plot and characters ring true, depressing at times and hopeful at others. Isn't that the way it is in life, too?

I look forward to more from this gifted author.

A stark look at life in the 1930s through the eyes of an Irish child sentenced to a the workhouse. Depressing and heartbreaking, but not without a kernel of hope.

This was such a great historical fiction book that looks at what life was like for the young Irish women and girls who were sent (sometimes forced against their will) to work and live in the Magdalene Industrial homes often for nothing more than being orphans or getting pregnant. Great on audio and full of heartbreaking details. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Did not enjoy this one. I DNF it. It could have been the narrator. The voice was irritating and I couldn’t continue it. I may give it a try and read it

This book was heart breaking and dear at the same time. I listened to the audio book and found the narration to be very good. I have been reading a bit about the "homes" for children of unwed mothers in Ireland in the 40's and 50's. This brought out things I did not know. Historical fiction at it's finest.

The year is 1937. Imagine being a small child, being in front of a judge, sentenced to an industrial home where your name gets changed and you become a number, having no idea who or where your parents are, and being raised with about a hundred other children by nuns, some of which are mean and cruel. This was the life Mary Margaret “Peg” Joyce was given. She was never given a choice, but was forced to live a life in which she paid for the sins of her parents. A life in which she questions if she will ever belong.
Thank you Netgalley, Heidi Daniele, and Orange Sky Audio for the opportunity to listen and review this riveting story. This book was based on actual events and really opens your eyes to what some people had to endure back in the day. I was so intrigued by Mary Margaret’s life and the daily challenges she faced alone. It really makes you truly appreciate the support and opportunities there are these days. It was a very beautiful yet heartbreaking story that captured my attention immediately and held it throughout the entire book. If you enjoy Historical Fiction I would highly recommend you check this out. I rate this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I enjoyed listening to The House Children. The narrator’s Irish accent really brought the story to life. I learnt something too, I’d heard of the laundries for unwed mothers but not about house children. Although Netgalley has this as a YA/teen interest, it held my middle aged woman’s interest and I would recommend the audiobook to others.
My thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my digital copy in exchange for this review.

I enjoyed this audiobook so much. It was a super quick and fun listen. It made me a bit emotional at times, but was a great story!!

This was a beautiful story. I loved listening to it. It makes you feel all the emotions. I finished it fairy’s quickly.

A fairly standard construction but still an engaging book. The voice is strong, keeping us interested even when the plot is predictable.

Sorry I'm late to this review!
The House Children by Heidi Daniele was probably one of the most interesting, intriguing audio books I've listened to in some time. The way this author holds the reader captive is something amazing.
The entire time I was reading this story I was blown away.
The characters were done so well and the amount of depth was amazing.
The narrator wss another plus, the flow wss on point and very easy to follow along to.
Overall, A twisty, wild ride I enjoyed being on.

Thank you Publisher and NetGalley for this audio book!

Ireland, 1937, Mary Margaret Joyce was born and abandoned in the Tuam Home for unwed mothers. The House Children follows the life of Mary, from the time she was at a young age to about 18 years old. Born to an unwed mother, she was forced to be given up. Learning the identity of her birth mother, Mary struggles with her feelings of being unwanted and unloved.
This was such an amazing story. Based on actual true events, The House Children is a compelling story about abandonment, unwed mothers, and the life inside the walls of the industrious school for girls.
I really enjoyed this book. As a single mother, I could relate to Mary's mother so much! I could not imagine having to give up my child, just because I was unwed. The tolls of motherhood and the laws at that time was so unfair to the women. What about the men that left these women to be unwed and single? Where was their punishment?
This story was raw and powerful and I would highly recommend it!

The House Children is a thoughtful, well-researched novel on a topic I initially knew very little about.

Have you heard of the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland? I did not until I read this book, and it's fascinating. In a nutshell, between 1925 and 1961, there were religious homes in Tuam, Ireland for unwed mothers and children. Back in the day, being an unwed, pregnant woman was a big no-no especially in Catholic Ireland (and in many countries across the world). Many women were sent to those homes to give birth... but several years later, there has been a shocking discovery.

It's a bit graphic, so I won't get into that. But the book is set within this historical time frame.

I truly enjoyed this book. I thought it was well-done and explores the stigma of what the protagonist had to face. It's a great coming-of-age novel, set in the backdrop of a real, historical event. I thought the character development was nicely done and the emotions felt very vivid.

I recommend this novel for those who enjoy historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and fictionalized accounts of real events.

This one was just ok. While I feel it had potential, the execution was poor and the story seemed lacking. I would give this author another try possibly

A glimpse of austere industrial schools and the fate of illegitimate children in Ireland during the late thirties.
I am comparing this book to ‘The Orphan Train’ as it has a bit of similarities.

I love the narrator’s voice and how Peg is portrayed as a girl who grew up too fast. Peg narrates her life in the school, the relationships she builds with the other girls, the constant fear of being in the industrial school and the shame of her being illegitimate. Not to mention, the secret she has to keep from everyone as she grows and plans out her life.

The shock of learning the identity of her mother and the resentment she feels as she battles with herself to understand the intricacies of the whole situation is really well-written.

To be honest- up until I read this book, I had no idea that industrial schools existed.

The ending itself reminded me of ending of Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes history.

Thank you #NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for giving me the opportunity to listen to this.

#TheHouseChildren #NetGalley

I found this to so beautifully written that I couldn’t put it down. The premise is like any other book I’ve read, and I found it be hauntingly stunning. For readers of historical fiction with a twist.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I went into this read blind without any idea of what it was about but expected some kind of horror thriller based on the cover. Had I read the description, I would have realized that was definitely not the case and I may not have read this. I am very glad I did though because it was so unlike anything else I've ever read. The development of Peg and her story was was both heart breaking and inspirational. I never found myself losing interest in her despite the fact that her life was quite monotonous. This is written in a way that keeps your interest piqued the entire way through. I had no idea this was based on true events and that these institutional schools were so common in Ireland back in this era. It was really eye opening to see how they were run and I think that really added a lot of context to the story. I was a bit disappointed with the ending though and thought it was a bit lackluster compared to the rest of the events of the book. It was a fitting end but not a satisfying one if that makes sense. This was my first read from Heidi Daniele but I would definitely read more from her in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 7/10 rounded up to 4 stars.