A Family’s Heartbreak

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.

Fab as always from Kitty Neale! Great characters and a writing style that draws you in and keeps you wanting to read more. I've not read a bad book from her and this definitely lived up to what I've come to expect from the author.

The story of Jenny and Craig and there relationship of highs and lows and all that comes with it.
An easy read in the typical style of Kitty Neale.
Thoroughly enjoyable

this book had me gripped from beginning to end, i laughed ,i cried, when you read kitty's books you get drawn into her story's, make sure you have plenty of tissues at the ready, just when you think you know where the story is heading it twists and goes a different direction, i have read most of kitty Neale books and they never disappoint i would highly recommend,

The title of this book is spot on! This story is about a very dysfunctional family. Jenny is the eldest daughter of 2 very selfish parents. Her mother Lizzie, leaves the family of 5 children to run off with another man. Her father, Henry, drinks to excess and has anger issues that he takes out on Jenny, leaving her battered and bruised. Jenny is the only adult in the family taking care of her siblings. Will Jenny ever find happiness for herself? Will Henry continue to lose his temper and hurt Jenny? Will Jenny be forced to leave her fathers house? Who will take care of the children?

This is very heartbreaking story that will stay with you long after you finished the story!

I loved this book. It is a historical family drama.
This is the first book that I have read by this author but certainly won’t be the last.

Another great book by Kitty Neale. I have enjoyed all her books. She really creates a great insight into life in the 1950’s and 60’s.

As with all Kitty Neale books what you see is what you get- a really nice ploddable book. As in reality tragic awful things do happen to families and again in this book they do as well. I like this as life is not always easy and Kitty books always show the rough with the smooth. A thoroughly enjoyable book.

I really enjoyed this book. I adored the story line and loved the main characters. I read this book in one sitting and would highly recommend this book.

this was a very enjoyable story, I have never read anything by this author before but I will be again in the future, was a very good book I could hardly put it down, highly suggest this book for anyone

Absolutely loved this novel! Excellent character development, and totally keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. Highly recommended!

I loved this book! This is the first I have read by this author but I don’t think it will be the last. It is definitely a family drama and it involves the entire Lombard family. Lizzie is the Mother of 5 children who doesn’t want to be a Mother or a wife. Henry is the alcoholic Father that likes to hit his wife when he’s drinking or, if she’s not around, one of the kids will do. Jenny is the oldest of the Lombard children and her Fathers favorite to knock around. The next to oldest is Gloria, 16, who is a lot like her Mother- too much like her! Pamela, 13, is the third daughter and all the stress of her parents fighting, her Father drinking and her Mother disappearing has Pamela wetting the bed she has to share with her sisters. The two youngest children are boys named Timmy, 9 and little Peter. I really got to know and care for the children in this family. It seemed at times that they couldn’t catch it break. The story kept me up late reading and getting up early to read some more. I love books like this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

I absolutely love reading books by Kitty Neale and have never read a bad one . So I was super excited to read this her latest one . Well what can I say, yet again Kitty Neale has exceeded herself and written another absolutely fantastic read . This is a book you will want to read in one sitting . Just wonderful.

Jenny is the star of this book. Through heartache and a broken heart,She always was there for her siblings. Taking beatings from her dad to protect the younger ones. At last she decided where she needed to be and hopefully will be very happy.

Oh my goodness another fantastic book from Kitty Neale. Could not read it quick enough such an intriguing story about a family’s struggles and so easy to follow and yet kept me hooked all the way with some very interesting characters and absorbing storyline. Highly recommend -you will not be disappointed loved it!

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*

Heartbreaking at times, this novel deals with a hard hitting subject very sensitively. I really enjoyed it, the narrative was easy to read but still delivered a punch.

This book is very emotional I think I cried so much this is about domestic violence the father beats his daughter the young women Jenny wants to get the siblings out of the household. The dad finds them later Jenny wants to give him a second chance but he beats her again this is a book that should be read but trigger warning it is sad and it will open your eyes to family violence and abusive parents and not taking care of kids

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. When I first saw this book and read the description, I didn't think I could read this book but something about this book intrigued me so I decided to request it and I am so glad I did. I hope you will give this book a chance and read it because it is a story of domestic violence and parents not taking care of their children but it is also the story of a young woman, Jenny, who chooses to take care of her siblings and make them a priority. The story was written with such compassion but it is a story that has to be told. As I said at the beginning of my review I wasn't sure if I could read this book because of the father beating his daughter because like so many people we don't face domestic violence head-on, we seem to hide from it. Jenny had the courage to take her siblings and walk away. After a period of time, her father found out where she was and on her birthday he took her a card. After a while, she decided people should have second chances, but he beat her again and she ended up in the hospital again. I think it is a book like this that could get people talking about it and maybe this will have an impact on domestic violence. The title, A Family's Heartbreak says it all and there are so many families with family heartbreak. Thank you, Kitty Neale, for writing this story, it has given me lots to think about as I finished reading it and it has given me a better understanding.

Wow, what a roller-coaster of emotions reading this was! Full of tragedy and Heartbreak yet filled with love and family. A cracking read.

I really enjoyed the plot. Was very hard to put down.
I give this book 5**** just because i loved it
Cant wait for other books

Another brilliant book by Kitty Neale, A Family's Heartbreak is an un-putdownable book, I absolutely adorned Jenny, she was such a delightful character, I enjoyed this book very much.

A wonderful English Saga I fell right into the story the people could not put this lovely book down.Kitty Neal’s has a great style of writing warmth drama life a book to cherish.#netgalley #avonbooksuk

Excellent family saga that was read in one sitting. Couldn’t put it down. Very well written ad you would expect from a seasoned author like kitty neale. Happy sad shocked drama this book had it all. Highly recommended

Received a copy of this book through Netgalley.
Well written plan loved the way the story developed,characters were lifelike.
Would love to read a second book about Jenny.