Meg and her younger brother have had no choice but to become the breadwinners in their family. Meg is forced to enter a ruthless world of bargaining and thievery. Trying to recognise who is friend or foe isn't exactly easy when you're young and lack experience. On top of that it doesn't help that Meg is a pretty lass, the kind of pretty that attracts the right sort of men and the wrong ones too.

Meg makes an unusual choice for her life considering the era she lives in. She decides to not choose the safe option and luckily for her she doesn't get too much flack because of it. She wants to be wanted for herself and not because it's the right thing to do.

It's written with a flair of Cookson, with a focus on supportive neighbours and feeling of small communities. Where family isn't necessarily defined by blood, but rather by a sense of kinship due to being in the same grim situation. The working class support system and loyalty, because there is no other person looking out for them, so they automatically do it for each other.

It's a dramatic read at times and yet simultaneously also a cosy read, with just enough danger and heartbreak to keep the pages turning, but not too much lest it become too dire a read. The strength of the premise is the way the author shows us that there is always a solution, a way forward, despite how desperate the situation may seem. It's a retreat from harsh reality.

It's historical fiction with a strong sense of family and community.

When the email for this book tour arrived from Anne I almost bit her hand off to get onto the tour.  How could I refuse?  This book is set in the village next to where I live, it's an area I know well and is rich in history and community.  I have visited the pubs in the book and walked along the same roads.  There was no way I was going to refuse this one despite it being out of my usual genre.  

Follow the fierce and beautiful Meg, as she turns from a young girl into a woman.  After the death of her father upon his return from war,  rather than enter into service, Meg choses the freedom of becoming a rag and bone woman earning a pittance but managing to keep her family fed and working hard to keep away the vile landlord - Hawk Jackson.  Whilst fighting to keep her family well and together, she meets her first love Clarky who is not all he seems and is blind to the admiration coming from her long time friend Adam.          

Belle of the Back Streets fully encompasses and embraces life in a mining village.  It depicts the hardships that families and communities often went through without provoking pity from the reader but equally demonstrates the community spirit and the way in which families managed in mining villages and towns.  Despite the often heartbreaking and difficult circumstances faced by Meg, you cannot help but feel warmed by the family and community strengths and support in this book. 

The Sutcliffe family demand a huge amount of respect, not pity from the reader.  In  addition to our heroine Meg, her mother Sally is just such a fighter making the best of a bad situation and bringing her children up with pride and respect.  Meg's brother Tommy is a bit more rebellious but knows when to get his head down and work hard and protects his family despite being the age of 12/13.   

It's very obvious from the outset that Glenda Young not only knows this area and its history very well but it deeply passionate about it - it's written about with honesty but pride.  I cannot wait to pass on my recommendations to friends and family and to spread the word about this truly wonderfully written, heartwarming novel.

I would not have guessed that this was a debut novel in a million years! The main character Meg is so endearing but a strong woman with a great love for her family. The book is set in 1920, in Ryhope near Sunderland, a mining village near to the coast. The job of ‘Rag and Bones’ is a tough, labour intensive job which many women would run a mile from. However, Meg takes on the challenge and learns the ropes from her father so that she can continue the family business.

have to mention Spot the dog who adopted Belle and became her loyal, constant companion and whose sole aim in life was to keep her safe. Then there was the elderly horse Stella who had given the family years of devotion and hard labour. Without her, the business could not continue and Belle and her family did everything they could to take care of her.

The book is extremely well researched and cleverly plotted with a diverse set of characters. It really brings to life what it must have been like in a mining village back in the 1920s. I learned so much about the rag and bone trade, the true origin of the term ‘fish wife’ and the absolute hardship that extreme poverty can bring.

I can’t wait for the next installment from Glenda Young. I think this is a name we will become very familiar with and I highly recommend Belle of the Back Streets.

I would like to thank Anne Cater for asking me to review this book and organising the blog tour.
A brilliant debut novel from Glenda and what a lovely story it is. I just love stories like this one. Glenda has created very strong characters that are very rich. I enjoyed getting to know them throughout the pages. Glenda shows a great knowledge of her setting and plot which makes the story real. Glenda is defiantly an author to watch out for.
Meg is a beautiful women who works very hard to support her family. Trading around the back streets is not an easy job and Meg is a strong women who even continues when tragedy effects her. But is the light ahead for her? We have two men in her life a new arrival in her life and her loyal childhood friend but who deserves her heart?
A must read it is a delight.
I cannot wait for more from Glenda Young.

I loved this book. The characters capture you want to read on and read more about their lives. I would highly recommend.

Wow what a debut from Glenda. The way this book was written you’d think Glenda was a veteran in sagas. I fell in love with the characters and was totally captivated in the ups and downs of their lives. I look forward to the Tuppenny Child next year.

A debut novel by a wonderful author who will be added to my list of 'Go To' authors.

'Glenda has an exceptionally keen eye for domestic detail which brings this local community to vivid, colourful life and Meg is a likeable, loving heroine for whom the reader roots from start to finish' Jenny Holmes
'Any rag and bone!'
Everyone recognises the cry of Meg Sutcliffe as she plies her trade along the back streets of Ryhope. She learnt the ropes from her dad when he returned from the War. But when tragedy struck, Meg had no choice but to continue alone, with only her trusty dog Spot and beloved horse Stella for company. Now the meagre money she earns is the only thing that stands between her family's safety and predatory rent collector Hawk Jackson...
Many say it's no job for a woman - especially a beauty like Meg who's noticed everywhere she goes. When she catches the eye of charming Clarky it looks like she might have found a protector and a chance of happiness. But is Clarky really what he seems? And could Adam, Meg's loyal childhood friend, be the one who really deserves her heart?

This is the story of Belle and her journey through the streets, the highs, the lows, her loves and her losses.
There were smiles and tears throughout this great read.

I can't wait to read more of this authors work.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

Loved this book! A great lead character with a fantastic story, full of highs and lows. Very well written and Belle's character really drew me in.

i so enjoyed this book my 1st saga read for a while beautifully written megs dad come home from the war gives her the horse and cart so she makes a living oh and loved spot the dog i do not like spoilers so wont say no more this book is about hardship love and so cant wait to read more from this author a brilliant read

A Lovely story that drew me in as Belle lived her life and fought so hard for her family,to face up to the wrongs in life and then overcome them.Belle is a beautiful person inside and out She tries so hard to be the same woman her mother was and to defend what' s hers.With the birth of her daughter Grace Belle fights to provide for her and Tommy but when the miners strike it hits them hard.I don't want to give the plot away so i will say give this book a read as i loved it and can't wait for the next one from this Author.5*

A beautiful and poignant story. On turning sixteen Belle becomes a rag and bone girl, taking over from her father on his horse and cart. This is the story of Belle and her journey through the streets, the highs, the lows, her loves and her losses. You will have tears and smiles throughout. Thanks Netgalley and Bookouture for allowing me to read this book. A deserved five stars.

Excellent book with a great storyline. Characters that are so well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!