A terrific read no 2 in this emotional series of divorce children an emotional read.a moving family saga.Pam Howe’s is an author whose books always draw me in keeping me turning the pages highly recommend.#netgalley#bookoutture

Good book. Good author. Loved the characters and the plot. Look forward to reading more of her work.

befRating: ★★★★

This review is written with thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool.
The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool begins in 1951, as Dora Rodgers is coming to terms with the break down of her marriage to Joe. She is getting used to being a single parent to her daughters, Carol and Jacqueline, when she discovers she has been reported to the Welfare Department and Carol is removed from her custody. Dora is determined to bring her daughter back home, but will she succeed?
The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool is not my usual type of book, but having read, reviewed and enjoyed The Lost Daughter Of Liverpool last year, I was eager to find out how Dora's story continued. Once again, I was enchanted by Dora's character and felt very sympathetic towards her plight, willing things to go right for her. At times throughout the novel, it seems as though this will never happen, and the setbacks she suffers seem a little harsh for one character, but I found Dora's story more and more compelling as it progressed.
The sense of time and place in The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool remains as exquisite as it was throughout the prequel. In this instalment, I particularly enjoyed the sense of community in the area where Dora lives, and the strong sense of family values. This heightened my ability to connect with the characters and really care about the outcomes.
In The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool, Howes has really grasped her opportunity to develop existing characters, which is most noticeable in Dora's children, Carol and Jacqueline, and also in the character of Ivy Bennett. I loved reading about the children as they found their own personalities, and built relationships with their family and neighbours. In this instalment, Ivy appears more manipulative, and I found that the sections written from her perspective helped me to better understand her motives. As such, my dislike for Ivy grew, and I was able to sympathise with Dora even more.

This is the second book in a trilogy, the third is The Liverpool Girls. The family saga is set in the 1950's in Liverpool.. The story continues about Joe and Dora Rodgers, who are recently divorced, they have two children Carol and Jackie. Child custody is the main subject and there are plenty of other characters with their own stories to add to your interest. A good read!

Set in post war Liverpool Pam Howes sets the scene perfectly for this twisted family saga.
The characterisation was brilliant and I really found myself routing for Dora having her marriage fail and allegations made against her resulting in her child been taken away but who would do such a thing and why? and what else could happen?.
I love how the story comes alive with the portrayal of the close community spirit, every day chatter with neighbours, the Queens coronation and excitement of having a television.
Its a real roller coaster of a story that pulls deep on your heart strings.
An enjoyable read.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest review.

What a nostalgic trip for me as I was a child in the 50's and living in Lancashire. It brought back so many happy memories. I'd forgotten how people were always so willing to help each other and was moved by that as the story progressed. This is the 2nd book of the trilogy. Dora is in despair about Joe's infidelity with Ivy and the family break up. It draws out well how foolish men can be and fail to consider the consequences. There's a lot happening in the immediate and extended family to make you sigh, laugh and cry. I can remember the Coronation back in June 53. We got a TV with a tiny picture, friends and relatives round and I got in trouble for fidgeting which in those days was a well aimed slap on the back of your leg. The world stood still for my mother when Mrs Dales Diary was on. Otherwise there was always Housewives' Choice playing on the wireless. There was Woman's hour too which my mother never missed. Camp coffee is disgusting. Sipped it once and never again. Loved iced gems and we had a holiday in Southport in 53. The heavens opened, a thunderstorm brewed up and the main street was flooded. There were millions of ladybirds In Southport that year too. They covered every wall. I wasn't allowed on the beach as it was reputed to be full of fleas. I only ever used one outside toilet with its newspaper. The cistern was at the top and I was too little to reach the chain that dangled down. I had a pink candlewick bedspread like Carol and Jackie and I knew all the words to Que Sera Sera. Funny how the songs stay in your head just like Singing in the Rain - word perfect. Sorry about all my memories but that's what the book evoked. I liked the distinctive characters in the book. I felt as though I knew them quite easily so you could laugh and cry with them. I look forward to reading the sequel (next on my list) Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for resurrecting all these memories.

After reading and thoroughly enjoying book one in the series I couldn’t wait for book 2 and book 3.

I know it’s naughty of me as a reviewer but I wanted to read one after the other. I wanted to savour them. They are so good.

It’s not a straight forward drama/saga, it’s very much more than that. And some.

In book 2 we go through the emotional stresses of Dora and indeed of Joe.
When Dora had found out that Joe had an affair she knew she could never forgive him.

Dora is now adjusting to life as a single parent to Carl and Jackie although Joe is still on the scene for his children and supports them.

Dora finds a home to rent in not such a savoury area but with the help and support of friends she manages.

But then one day a knock comes on the door. It’s the Welfare coming to take one of her daughters. Carol. Whose complained about her? She’s a good mother.

The arrangement is that Carol goes to live with her dad, Joe and until things change she’s not allowed to be with her mother.

I saw how this brought in a resentment as Carol thought her mother didn’t want her anymore. And it was awful to see how Carol shunned her mother at times and wanted to “go home”.

Will this family ever get a break, so much emotional drama.

It’s an emotional journey you take with this family. You will need your tissues.
You get so involved with this family you can’t help but root for them.

My thanks to Bookoutour via Net Galley for my copy

Having read the first book I was delighted to read this book. It didn't disappoint.

Thanks Netgalley, Publisher and the Author. What a lovely story of family, love, heartbreak and friendship set in Liverpool. Well worth a read

This is a fascinating portrait of the UK in the 1950s- and how tough it was for a single mother. Howes has created an interesting family saga; this is the second book but it can be read as a standalone. Dora is a strong woman, and she needs to be given how Ivy keeps trying to ruin her life. Dora's fight for her daughter Carol is the basis for this pretty good family drama. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

An absolutely delightful and heartwarming read. Really uplifting and with a strong message. An absolute fan of historical family dramas and love anything and everything set in Liverpool (often wonder if I've got northern blood in me). Even though it is the second part of the saga this book can easily be read as a standalone.
One to recommend - you will not be disappointed. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Boukouture for the eARC.
This lovely book was a real treat for me. It's heartwarming, set in 1950's Liverpool, which is lovingly depicted. The people are working at restoring their lives after the war, especially Dora, who has had to overcome much heartbreak in recent years.
Separated from Joe, her adulterous husband, she's raising her 2 young daughters with the help of her mam, brother Frank and helpful neighbors. She's trying to make a living by working as a dressmaker, working well into the night while looking after her girls and the household.
When her eldest daughter is taken away to live with Joe, she's devastated. Who is the anonymous accuser who informed the authorities she neglected her daughter? Heartbroken, she begins the long fight to get her beloved girl back, which proves to be an almost unsurmountable task.
Undaunted, she finds a job to supplement her meager income, saving as much as she can for her girls' futures, while constantly approaching the authorities to get her girl back. In the mean time, Joe's 'girlfriend' is scheming behind the scenes to the point I wanted to scream...what an evil woman!
It only took me a couple of days to finish this book, it was that good. I can't wait for the next book and be part of Dora's life again!

The Forgotten Family Of Liverpool is the second book in the series. Having my eyes opened to a new genre with the first book I couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. I couldn't put it down devouring it in one day I have to say this one is also fantastic, I flipping loved it.

The author takes us back to 1951 where we catch up with Dora who I can totally relate to. The author has yet again done a brilliant job of making the characters come to life with real life situations. I love the style of writing making me feel right there in the story.

If you haven't already checked out this series you don't know what you are missing. It is utterly addictive and will take you on a whirlwind of emotions.By the way you you might want to keep some tissues at hand It certainly pulled at my heartstrings.

I am just gutted that I have to wait for the next one. I get the feeling that is will be something spectacular.

I cannot recommend it enough giving it 5 massive well deserved stars.

The Forgotten Family of Liverpool

by Pam Howes

Bookouture
Historical Fiction , Women's Fiction

Pub Date 26 Jul 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Forgotten Family of Liverpool through Bookouture and Netgalley:

1952 Liverpool Dora Roberts is adjusting to her new life in Liverpool with her daughters Carol and Jackie. Carol had been born a twin but her twin sister had died just a few hours after birth.

Soon an unexpected knock on the door tares her small family in two. Her daughter Carol is taken from her to live with Joe, but an accident lands her in the hospital, and news from Joe only compounds things.

Will Dora be able to get Carol back? If so, will Carol be able to adjust to yet another change?

The characters in this book are believable, Dora is resilient despite the obstacles placed in her path, and the tragedies she has dealt with.

I give The Forgotten Family of Liverpool five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

I thought that this book was simply superb, I really adored it and it most definitely pulled on my heart strings! I loved the plot and was hooked on the story from the first few pages, I wanted to know more about the characters and where the story was going – how was this family going to cope and would they get the ending I wanted for them?  I wasn’t disappointed at all and I am so glad that I picked this book up, definitely one that I would highly recommend – no hesitation in giving the book 5 stars!!  This is the second in the trilogy and can easily be read as a stand alone (I haven’t read the first book yet but will be picking that one up shortly to get the full story on this fascinating family, ready for reading the third instalment in the series when it is released!)

The Forgotten Family of Liverpool by Pam Howes is the second installment in The Mersey Trilogy. The story starts in June of 1952. Dora Rodgers is a dressmaker in Liverpool, England living with her two daughters, Carol and Jackie. She has recently separated from her husband, Joe after he had an affair with Ivy Bennett. Ivy and Joe work at the Royal Ordnance Factory which provides the house Dora is living in with the girls. One afternoon there is a knock at the door and Dora opens it to find a Mr. Oliver from Department of Children’s Welfare. They have received a complaint about Carol being neglected and that her behavior has deteriorated. Mr. Oliver is removing Carol from Dora’s care and into Joe’s. Dora is not allowed any contact with Carol. Dora is determined to fight for her daughter but circumstances work against her. Dora moves forward with her life while working to improve her circumstances and get Carol returned to her care. But Dora’s journey along life’s highway will be filled with hairpin curves, potholes and speed bumps. See how Dora fares in The Forgotten Family of Liverpool.

The Forgotten Family of Liverpool is well-written and has a nice, steady pace. The characters and their situations are realistic. I could easily put myself into Dora’s shoes (not Ivy’s though). It is an emotional story that draws readers into the lives of the Rodgers’ family. While this is the second story in The Mersey Trilogy, The Forgotten Family of Liverpool can be read alone. I did not have the pleasure of reading The Lost Daughter of Liverpool, and I had no problem. Readers are brought up-to-date on what has occurred in the characters’ lives. My rating for The Forgotten Family of Liverpool is 4.25 out of 5 stars (I liked this story). The book does contain British slang and terminology. Most of the terms meanings (or American counterpart) can be discerned from the text. The Forgotten Family of Liverpool is a heartfelt story that will have you cheering for Dora and hoping for the worst to happen to Ivy. Fans of Donna Douglas, Rosie Clarke, and Nadine Dorries, will enjoy reading The Forgotten Family of Liverpool.

Nora Rodgers is a seamstress who is trying to bring her two daughters Carol & Jackie up in the 1950's.

Nora has separated from her husband Joe after he had an affair with Ivy (a women he works with).

When Social Services have turned up on the doorstep to say they have reports that Dora is mistreating her daughter Carol and she must have no contact with her, and Carol will go into full-time custody of Joe.

Has Ivy been reporting her and making up lies, if not Ivy who would be so cruel???

This is Dora's story of bringing up her daughters in the 1950's and the struggles she must go through to try and get her family back together.

Well written the a smooth paced storyline, with likeable characters. This can be read as a stand alone or with the set.

The Forgotten Family of Liverpool is book two in the Mercey Trilogy and is honestly one of the best family saga’s I have ever read.

This book is told between 1951 – 1957 and Dora is just coming to terms with being a single mom when her world is once again torn apart when her oldest daughter Carol is removed from her by child welfare. A good and devoted mom, Dora is heartbroken and determined to get her daughter back.

As I mentioned about book one, The Forgotten Family of Liverpool just has it all love, heartbreak, obsession, loss, hope and many, many tears. I didn’t think it possible, but this one is even better than the first one, simply brilliant.

Fantastic characters that I fell in love with ...... well, apart from one hateful factory cook !!!!

Roll on book three so I can find out how one of my favourite fictional families are getting on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased and voluntary.

Ever since that tense ending to The Lost Daughter of Liverpool by Pam Howes I was desperate to find out just what was next in store for the incredible woman that is Dora Rodgers. I loved the first story but was very frustrated that it had ended on such a cliff hanger as we were given a sneak peek of the first chapter of the second in the Mersey Trilogy The Forgotten Family of Liverpool. If anything it certainly guaranteed that I would be back to discover what happened in the next instalment and after only five months of waiting I was very keen to begin this story and uncover if life for Dora could anyway settle down or was there plenty more things waiting around the corner to conspire against the happy, contended life she so deserved?

I've read heaps of saga books in the last few years, some good some not so, but this series really stands out from all the rest. The war is over and I am glad that for once we are reading a story where we see how people are dealing with the aftermath and the following years and adjusting to a new way of life. But also the fact that this book centres around one family, and specifically Dora, means there is not so many strands you have to follow. Tackling such relevant issues as mental health and the breakdown of a marriage is also to be applauded considering how taboo the topics would have been at the time. The author centres all her attention on Dora, her immediate family and the problems they encounter. Therefore I feel Pam Howes always stays on track and is not one for much repetition.

The books are highly readable (I know there had only been two so far) and I find once you start it's the kind of story where you say to yourself just one more chapter and then before you know it you are more than halfway through the book. As with any book in a series of course you can read this as a stand alone but to truly enhance your reading experience do read the first book before hand. I know myself if presented with a series I don't think I would pick it up in the middle I would rather start from the beginning and honestly if you don't read the first instalment you are missing out on a truly fantastic read. I found myself easily settling back into Dora's life and even if I hadn't there was enough info within the first few chapters to remind me of everything that had gone before.

Dora has already been very much through the mill and I could sense there was plenty more in store for her. When we meet her again Dora is raising her two young girls Carol and Jackie. Her separation from Joe is still in place. This really killed me that a couple who everyone could see should really be together were apart. I understood Dora's reasons and could sense her fear and apprehension about what could happen if they got back together. Yet surely love could override everything. But Dora had been deeply affected, both mentally and physically, by everything she had previously been through and maybe she wasn't ready to move forward as a family given what had happened in the recent past. Just when you think some sort of happiness is in place social services arrive following a complaint and Carol is taken away. Is Ivy up to her old tricks again? I thought how could one woman cope with so much and still stay standing but that's one thing about Dora in this book she was much stronger and more together and coped with things admirably.

I couldn't imagine anything worse than your child being taking away from you even though you know the accusations to be untrue. Dora to me was even more mature in this book. She accepted responsibility well and I think she wanted everything to be right because she was just too fearful to go back to the way she felt in the first book. There was fight and a determined spirit here which hadn't been as previously apparent. She wasn't going to take things lying down and she wanted her daughter back with her. She was not one to be walked over. Where as much as I loved Joe and wanted him to be back with Dora he just came across as being led by his head rather than his heart. He was very much under Ivy's thumb. They work at the same factory but I believed if he wanted a united family he should have kept away from her.

Ivy was just as bad in this story if not worse. Evil, skilfully manipulative, spiteful and unpleasant are just some of the words I would use to describe her. She did nothing to endear herself to anyone. She had Joe under her thumb and if she ever felt him slipping away she always had something up her sleeve with which to reel him back in. I didn't like the way the Joe and Ivy strand of the story developed. It wasn't going in the direction I had wanted it to. I feel so invested in Dora's story considering how I felt about book one that all I wanted was a happy outcome and just as something positive starts to happen or a ray of light appears there again along comes something to dash Dora's hopes and dreams, to put a spanner in the works. Given this is a trilogy I know things can't be wrapped easily but still some lasting not fleeting happiness would be nice to see.

Dora's independence and talent began to shine through the deeper I got into the story. I felt she used her initiative and she knew she had to make things better for herself if she wanted to get Carol back. I loved how friends of hers who we had already met made a reappearance and were there to support her but also how new characters were introduced especially in the form of Samuel and Esther. They became like substitute parents to Dora given her fathers passing and her mother's deteriorating health. Samuel and Esther allowed Dora to indulge in her passion for sewing creating garments. They saw her talent and abilities and wanted to let her shine. They became her support system and back up when times got tough and it was a lovely to see such a friendship/relationship develop. Although events towards the end of the book made me sad and annoyed at what was unfolding. One character who I felt really stepped up to the plate more than ever was Dora's brother Frank. What an incredible guy. He had suffered his own trauma but still at every step of the way was there for Dora doing anything he was asked no matter how big or small to make life that little bit easier for her. He was amazing with Carol and Jackie but still I thought it was slightly disappointing that the romance element of his story didn't move forward at all in this book.

The Forgotten Family of Liverpool was a brilliant follow up to The Lost Daughter of Liverpool. I can't say one was better than the other because they were both equally as good. There is a danger with a series of it losing steam or having no where to go, too much can be packed into the first book leaving mere filling in to follow. Thankfully that wasn't the case here and I enjoyed every bit of this emotional, honest, gritty, raw and endearing story. I'm very interested to see what the next step will be in Dora's journey when the third and final instalment is published. Hopefully we will discover all the answers before the year is out.

A gritty post-war family-saga novel that will break your heart
-Pam Howes

For that I can definitely agree with this book! We follow the life of Dora who's in the middle of an divorce with her ex-husband Joe. They have two daughters, Carol and Jackie. Dora has had it hard previously in her life with losing one of her kids, her friend died as well as her father and then there was an affair between Joe and his friend Ivy.
In this book we continue following her life which ain't getting any easier. Someone's reported her to the welfare and they've come to her door to take Carol away to live with her father. It's a very heartbreaking road ahead of her.

This book really got me through a heartbreak, I cried a lot during this book. Dora's life definitely ain't easy. All the hard feelings start from the beginning of this book, which I particularly liked. Not the hard feelings but the fact that I didn't have to read through the whole book before I actually got to the point of this novel.

I also liked the fact that nothing was given away immediately. The reader has to think and wonder during this book about the possible causes of everything happening, is there probably a person behind all this? Is it probably the one that's pretty obvious? And then the matter of only Carol being taken away, why not Jackie too? Shouldn't Dora be neglecting them both then, not just one of them?

I really connected with Dora at some levels as I've been cheated on too. Though I can only imagine what it would feel like to have my kids taken away from me! Pam Howes really knows how to write about all these hard subjects because the reader, at least me as a reader, could really get in her shoes and go through all the feelings she was going through. I loved all the side characters too. They are very well written, each of them.
And Ivy... oh Ivy. I think she really deserves to be mentioned in this as a total bitch, okay?

Overall I rate this book with solid 4 stars. As the story really was catching and it was hard to put the book away and do some real life stuff too, I was still left to grave something a little more about this one. At least I would have hoped to get all the problems with Ivy solved a little more, now I feel like it was kind of swept under the rug and she was left to continue with no consequences.