In the dead of night, a young woman is found on the doorstep of the House of Help for Friendless Girls… Winter 1885.

Matron Hetty Barlow suspects Hope is lying when she claims to be suffering from amnesia. The girl is taken in, but it isn’t long before her pregnancy is discovered, which could put the future of the house – a new experiment in dealing with destitute women – in jeopardy. Hetty’s future depends on keeping her position as matron.

They named her Hope, but Emma Hyde knows she can’t keep up her deception forever. She’s hundreds of miles away from home, but her well-to-do parents will be searching for her.

Amelia yearns to break away from her overbearing sister, Hetty. She meets a man who offers an escape, but her ticket to freedom means revealing Emma’s secrets. Will she betray a friend for a chance at a new life?

My Review

I really enjoyed reading this with my book club, The Pigeonhole, but expected something a bit more raw and gritty. Even though Hope’s assault that caused her to arrive at the House of Help was horrific, it was – together with the experiences of the other girls – a bit sanitised, as if this were a BBC2 drama shown before the watershed.

Having said that, I still loved it, though it didn’t make me cry or feel the dirt under my fingernails, or relive the pain of childbirth. And they didn’t have the luxury of the pain relief that we have today.

Emma Hyde, now known as Hope, is obviously a well-brought up, educated, refined young woman, claiming to have amnesia. But Matron Hetty, who is carrying secrets of her own, is certain she’s lying, as does her younger sister Amelia. There’s too much that doesn’t fit, and Hope isn’t that good at keeping up the charade.

Over time, Hope’s education and experience become invaluable to the women of the house. She can read letters, organise outings, and even run evening classes to help those who want to learn to read and write. In fact she’s happier than she’s ever been. Her life has meaning.

It’s not long into the story before we discover why she’s ended up here – she’s pregnant – but by whom, and why did she arrive in such a state? The reader knows far more than the women of the house, but Hope can’t tell anyone in her real family, because they wouldn’t believe her.

An overall enjoyable read, and certainly a good one to read with fellow Pigeons, or with friends at your book club. And Hope, Amelia and Hetty will leave you wanting more.

Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.

About the Author

Joanne Clague has worked in print, radio and broadcast journalism in the north west for the past three decades. Born and raised in Sheffield, Joanne lives in the coastal village of Laxey in the Isle of Man with her husband, children, dogs and other assorted wildlife. She is now a full-time writer of historical fiction set in nineteenth century Sheffield.