I devoured this book in one sitting. I could not put it down. It's quite a gritty storyline and hits out hard from the start.

Annie Wills was forced to marry Gary. He's a wife beater, reckless with money, and has aggrieved the wrong people. She was coerced into prostitution to pay off his debts

Along with her daughter Maria, the storyline follows the two women throughout their lives.

This is such a page turner as you just need to know how the story ends.

Wow what a read. This new series by Linda is really good. I was drawn in from page one and didn’t want to put it down. This starts off in Wakefield. Annie lives with her rotter of a husband Gary and young daughter Maria. One night Gary informs his wife that as he can’t pay off his debts to a local gangster and he’s agreed that Annie will work off his debt for him as a whore. We follow Annie and Maria’s extraordinary lives and this book definitely leaves you wanting more. Linda I hope you don’t leave us waiting for too long.

A gangster thriller book that kept me highly entertained. Annie is one tough lady with a brute of a father and then she marries Gary who is just as savage. Annie has a daughter who she will go to any length to protect. The plot gripped me tight and didn't let go. It did leave me hanging as it ended on a cliffhanger but that makes me all the more eager to read the next book!

Realy enjoyed this gangland thriller! My only negative was it could have been a bit more grittier! Thanks Net Galley

Faith is my first novel by Linda Calvey and I was immediately hooked by the harrowing storyline of domestic violence and abuse. I read this novel in one sitting, with a hand covering my mouth and was rooting for the family. However, I felt like the ending was rushed which was a bit disappointing. 4 stars

A London gangland story of violence and close family ties set mainly in the 1960s. At times it was quite exciting but the story lacked impact especially when the names of the children were announced. I was also expecting Ronnie or Reggie Kray to appear.!

The amount of characterisation and dialogue was really impressive but maybe I wanted the book to be more gritty. Is Ms Calvey a fan of 'Call The Midwife' as that TV show does show some elements of life in that part of London in the 6OS?

A satisfying read and certainly worth a follow up book.

Thanks to Headline Press for the chance to read and review..

I do like a gritty gangland thriller but this one just failed to deliver for me. I liked the characterisation and the plotting but it merely skimmed the surface of the criminal aspect of gangs, although there was a degree of violence portrayed. There were plenty strong female characters, it is an easy read with a steady pace but not enough grit for the genre. The ending left it open for a follow up though, which I would probably read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This book was really good as much has happened
It was about Annie Wills and her husband called Gary and they also had a child called Maria
But when Gary had a lot of debt to the Walton’s they had his wife working for them
But then Maria was going out with Fred Walton
And she got pregnant and soon as she told Fred he attacked her
I had an ARC

What a great read I couldn't put this book down . Can't wait for the next book to see how this will continue . A must read brilliant .

This was a brillianr read, set in London in the 1960s through to the 1990s. Marias mom Annie is subjected to violence regularly from Gary her husband.
After leaving school Maria meets Fred, who is on the up in the criminal world and his dad Ted owns the gambling den that Annie works in.. when Maria finds out she is pregnant, she is overjoyed and thinks fred will be too...... is he?. What occurs after Fred finds out about the pegnancy, has Maria and Annie fleeing to start again where they wont be found. Joyce, Annies long time friend is on hand to help out. Can they start again with baby Faith???
I highly recommend this book,its gritty and shows the strength that people have when their luck is down...

It was my first read by this author, and I was very pleased with what I read. At times, emotional filled with women who against all odds make their own way in life without the help of the men who have done nothing but let them down.Loved that the areas and places where the story is set in London I know very well it added to the story for me.
My favourite characters were Annie and her daughter Maria, along with Annie's longtime friend Joyce.
As this is the 1st book in a new series, I'm looking forward to seeing how the next generation of characters grow and that we get more of the criminal element that is bubbling away nicely on the surface.
Great read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline Books for the ARC.

Totally loved this read, the first book I have read from this author.
Wakefield 1948 post WW2.
Annie Hooper loves school and at fifteen years old her father insists she must leave to work in the biscuit factory she is heartbroken even her teachers cannot convince the man that she has more to offer.
Then she meets and courts Gary Wills pregnant and married so young and in an abusive relationship she is forced to work for Ted Walton cleaning to clear Gary's debts and looking after her daughter Maria.
With her daughter needed to be kept safe she flees to Stepney London joining her friend Joyce.
And so their new life begins starting with nothing.
I could not put this book down, with so many good gripping chapters, the story is so carefully laid out by the author, I will certainly be reading more of her work. Loved it.

this was such an amazing gripping read. Annie always wanted to better herself get an education. But the bully her dad won't let her. then she meets Gary, and she ends up pregnant. Gary is. made to marry her. And she sees the man he finally is lazy and a bully she lives for her daughter. Maria then Annie is made to pay back Garys debt. to Ted Walton where she makes a friend for life with Joyce .Maria has fallen for Teds son and one night after something happens to Maria they have to flee and go to Joyce where they start their life. the story and characters in this book will make you laugh and cry so looking forward to book two.

First book I've read by this author and I absolutely loved it! The story has been left on a cliffhanger that is begging for the next instalment! In the meantime I will have to source the authors previous books including her non fiction biography which sounds fascinating.

I’ve always been a huge fan of gritty crime land thrillers so I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of Faith. Faith is a story of violence, treachery, loyalty and family ties and although these are familiar themes in this genre, Linda Calvey still manages to write an exciting tale.

Annie hasn’t had the easiest life stuck with an abusive husband, but she’s determined her Daughter Maria will have a better one. But when Maria falls pregnant by Fred Walton, the son of the local crime family. After a brutal attack the women flee to London for a new life in the East End. Maria is determined that her own daughter, Faith, will have the opportunities she didn't. But the past has away of catching up with you, and Annie, Maria and Faith must face their demons head on if they are going to have a future.

Despite the cruel hand they’ve been dealt, it was interesting to follow their journey of highs and lows and see Annie and Maria grow into strong independent woman. There is a strong supporting cast of characters, some you will love and others you will come to hate. As you would imagine there are some violent, brutal scenes but they are detrimental to the plot. Although I really enjoyed Faith for me this book lacked the unflinching insight into the criminal underworld world that I’m use to in this genre, but never the less it was a read I enjoyed.

A Fantastic story.
It kept me gripped for hours with awesome twists.. also love the fact it said to be continued at the end. So I'm already looking forward to that

Wow!!!! What a fantastic start to what sounds like a highly explosive storyline. In the gangster genre this book gives it all ups downs and so many in betweens.
Annie is downtrodden by her abusive husband but this time he’s gone to far, he’s pimped her out to local faces due to debt owing. But it’s an eye opener for Annie who makes a great friend in Joyce. Her daughter Maria is growing up but when she becomes involved with the local faces son it all goes wrong.
What will they do and where will they go? Fantastic read can’t wait for the next book

Wow what a gripping and emotional book this is to read I have loved reading of these strong women and their lives but the characters and the story brought this book alive for me and i can't wait for Linda Calvey's next.