'The Forgotten Family of Liverpool' is book two in Pam Howes' Mersey trilogy and, in my honest opinion, I believe that it can be read as a standalone. However, I would recommend reading the first book in the series, 'The Lost Daughter of Liverpool' beforehand, just so that you haven't missed out on any vital information from the main characters back stories, before delving into the a new chapter of their lifestyles.

Having really enjoyed the first book in the series, I was super excited to read this novel. I couldn't wait to catch up with some of the old characters, as well as creating new 'friendships' with new characters. Well, except Ivy of course, I would be lying if I said that I was yearning to meet up with her for a cup of builders tea.

Set in 1950's Liverpool, Dora's life showed signs of becoming even more complicated, especially where her estranged husband, Joe, was concerned. Reading about Dora's struggles opened my eyes to the reality of the past, especially how differently situations were dealt with in those days compared to now. There were times where my heart ached for Dora and the challenges she had to face once again. That said, luck most definitely wasn't on her side throughout the majority of the storyline, I was getting a bit exasperated at how her character always seemed to have the negativity thrown at her. Why, for two novels, did Dora face such hardships? Why wasn't she given a break? Don't get me wrong I know that life isn't all rainbows and kisses, but still, I couldn't understand it. 

I did enjoy 'The Forgotten Family of Liverpool'; it had a plot which kept me engrossed, as well as being able to make me take a walk down memory lane in terms of the historical feel. I loved the community spirit of the storyline, it was so lovely to see people coming together in times of need, and even at short notice. For me, that was the most heart-warming part of the novel.

Whilst I did enjoy being back in Liverpool with Dora and her family, I didn't warm to the overall storyline as much as I did the first book due to what I said previously about Dora,  and how I felt that the storyline was seemed to be missing something. What that missing something was, however, I'm not overly sure, all I can pinpoint is that I needed a bit more to sink my teeth into.

As ever, Pam Howes' delectable writing style left me wanting more; I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next part of the series.

Thanks Bookouture.

I loved, loved this 2nd instalment of the The Mersey Trilogy. The story continues of Dora Rodgers and her daughters Carol and Jackie. Dora is separated from husband Joe after having a fling with Ivy. But they still look after the girls together. When one day Social services comes and take Carol away as a complaint has been made and she goes and lives with Joe.

Dora heartbroken with her ups and down life vows to get Carol back. Not only that her mother has a fall and is taken to hospital. Only they find out she didn't have a fall but her house was burgled and she was hit over the head. The find out that other similar incidents have happened and the police are in hunt of the perpetrator.

Things are looking up for Dora when she finds a job designing clothes and her life she to be getting better.

I loved all the different characters in this story. How realistic it was. How people made do and helped each other in good times and in bad. This story hit a big mixture of emotions, it was heartwarming, heart wrenching and there was suspenseful story throughout. What more do you want. This is a must read for anyone that loves Family sagas.

I have to admit that I haven't had the pleasure of reading the first book in this trilogy, but feel that I was given enough back ground information in the story that covered the key points for me to fully fall in love with the characters in this book. This part of the story begins in 1951 with Dora juggling life as a working single mum of two young daughters, Carol and Jackie after leaving her two timing husband Joe. Now I am not siding with Joe here but he is really a nice bloke, easily lead and a bit blinkered yes, but he does love Dora and his girls. His one night of madness with a work colleague had cost him greatly.
A knock on the door would further destroy Dora and put yet another wedge between them. Someone had reported the Dora to child services and Carol was taken from her and handed over to her husband. No investigation or even telling her what exactly had been said. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and Dora got a new determination like she had never had before. She would bring her girls back together.
This is a story about one hell of a strong woman, at a time that if you had kids you were expected to be able to raise them and provide for their needs. Dora, a seamstress, worked all the hours she could with neighbours helping with child care and an understanding employer. 
I really loved this story that made me want to cheer some of the characters on and hiss and boo others. I really wanted true love to surface and all be good in Dora, Joe and the girls lives but there was always the other woman with her sharpened claws just using every known reason going to win Joe back. 
Pam Howes doesn't just describe an era she has captured a time when pride and doing the 'right thing' even if it was the wrong thing, was what a gentleman did. Dora on the other hand was really quite a pioneer of her time, in what was a still very male dominated world. I am not only looking forward to the next book to find out more about Dora and Joe but also of their girls that are rapidly growing up too. Will little Jackie still be performing? This story closes in 1957. 
I wish to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I have reviewed fairly and honestly.

I read a lot of family sagas but this is my first by this author but defintely won't be the last! Really enjoyed it, great writing!

I have read the previous series of the Forgotten Family and have really enjoyed them, The Forgotten Family of Liverpool was a great book but I felt that it wasn't as good as the others and that nothing much seems to have happened In the story.

I’ve been eagerly awaiting Pam Howes’ sequel to Lost Daughter of Liverpool. Having really enjoyed the exciting start to the trilogy in February, I wondered what was in store for Dora, Joe and the totally awful Ivy.
It’s now 1951 and Dora is living with her two young daughters Carol and Jackie. Despite wanting her back, Joe is learning that his one night stand with Ivy has cost him dearly. But it’s not only being unable to cope with his infidelity that’s holding Dora back. After the trauma of losing her baby, she can’t face getting pregnant again and won’t entertain having a hysterectomy. It seems, therefore, things have reached a stalemate. For his part, Joe has kept Ivy at a distance, accepting her friendship but nothing else. Ivy, however, has other ideas.
Dora is a tough heroine. Times are hard and she hits a lot of bumps on her journey to keep her little family together. Joe is lovely but just a little naïve. There were moments when I wanted to take him by the shoulders and shake him. Why couldn’t he see what Ivy was doing? And Ivy, well she’s an absolute masterpiece. A complete bitch. I absolutely hated her and am hoping when we reach book three she will get her comeuppance.
Pam has written a fabulous sequel which I simply couldn’t put down. The only criticism I have is that I now have to wait for the third book in the series to see how the story ends.
I would like to thank NetGalley for an ARC of The Forgotten Family of Liverpool and say I loved every minute of it.

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture and the publisher. All I can say is WOW what a fabulous book!! The second book in the Mersey Trilogy it can be read as a standalone but I would recommend the first book, The Lost Daughter of Liverpool be read for background info and for maximum enjoyment! Loads of laughter and tears it is absolutely a book you will not be able to put down until you finish it, for that reason I had sleepless nights!! I cant recommend it highly enough and cant wait for the next one!!

This is the second in a trilogy and it's left so that you absolutely have to read the next one and look forward very much to doing so. It's a very good story which didn't quite turn out how I thought it might but of course that leaves lots of scope for the next one. Hurry up Pam!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy.

This is the second book in The Mersey Trilogy series. This can be read as a standalone, but it would make more sense for the story to be read in order. The first book in the series is The Lost Daughter of Liverpool.

We return to Dora’s story in the second instalment of the series. The end of the first book was left on a cliff-hanger (I won’t say what that was in case you haven’t read the first one). Dora is trying to live her life as a single mother, but things never seem to go smoothly for her. Even when things look on the up, something happens which brings it all back down again. Joe still features in her life and she is undecided whether she should go back to him and make their marriage work.

I loved the first book in this series, and this one is just as good. This book continues to be set in 1950’s Liverpool. They are a few years out of wartime and rationing has now gone, but the effects of war still live strong with Dora and her children having to move to a street that has suffered so much devastation during the bombing raids. Things we take for granted now, such as chocolate and inside bathrooms, are so well described that it’s difficult to think how these people coped. The characters are so well read and you feel for them all, even Ivy to a certain degree! Beautifully written, the story takes you right back to the era and tugs at your heartstrings, so have your tissues ready!

Again the book is left on another cliff-hanger ready for the final book of the series, although I hope the series continues after the third book! I can’t wait until the next one is out!!

Another Bookouture beauty. Before reading this book I need to give you a little bit of advice.
​Lock the door, unplug the phone, turn any laptops, mobile phones off. Make yourself a cuppa and maybe grab a bar of chocolate, then find the comfiest seat in the house. Then get going, once you start this book it's difficult to put it down, I felt like I was traveling back in time, and going on another journey with Dora. A journey of life, the ups and downs of family life. What an amazing story this was.
​Dora is facing life as a single mother, trying to work and juggle child care, her life is ripped apart again when one of her daughters is taken away from her, Carol has to go and live with her father Joe. Someone has reported Dora and she doesn't know who.
​The fight is on, Dora wants her daughter back, and she'll fight tooth and nail to do so.
​I loved the suspense through this book, wondering how things were going to turn out, which decisions would change things for ever.
​A fantastic story, a family saga that I just loved. A real change for me as I read so much crime fiction, this was a refreshing change. After reading the first book in this series The Lost Daughter of Liverpool  I was really looking forward to this one, and when I received an ARC of the book I couldn't wait to start it.
​I really was dragged into this story, the characters are done just perfectly, you love the ones that need loving and hate the ones that need hating. There were times in this book that I could just imagine being there.
​I think I'm going on to much now, so I'll just say again 'This book is well worth reading'
​Anyone who likes a good family saga will absolutely love this book. I guess you could read it as a stand alone, but personally I would advise that you read the first book before starting this one, but that is just my personal opinion. And I know I'm right.

Happy reading.
Pam Howes - I can't wait for the next one.

​Thanks to Bookouture for the ARC of this book.

Really enjoyed this book even more than the first one. It continues the story throughout. the 1950's of Dora & Joe Rodgers and their two daughters, Carol & Jackie. There are also some new characters who become an integral part of the book.

Excellent book. Great storyline and wonderful main characters. I would recommend this book.

My Conclusion: Relationships play a HUGE part throughout this story. I love when authors can get a historical time period to feel authentic and everything about this story felt perfect. The characters themselves, are all so well written that I feel this would make and excellent movie. And it would be good to see one of this era on screen. When I finally arrive at the back of the book I realize this was the second part of trilogy. And, I'm floored. This book was perfect and a trilogy is well worth the read and would allow for a great mini series. I haven't read anything else by Pam Howes but I'll be checking out more of her books in the near future.

I was born at the end of 1951 so its like looking back into the past, although my mother wasn't as desperate as Dora probably some of our neighbours who had a few children would be. Dora has had lots of hurdles to overcome but she is very determined to give her girls the best start in life no matter what. I can't wait to find out how their lives unfold in the next book. Thank you for the ARC I loved this book

Loved this second installment of the series. Can't wait for the next book. A real feel good book.
Loved the twists and turns now Dora is embarking on a new adventure.
Highly recommended

was so excited to start this book and it was just as good as the first book in the trilogy.
Pam Howes has a fantastic knack of bringing her characters to life. I could at times imagine being in the era the way everything was described. This book was one I just didn't want to put down until I'd finished it. There was happiness, laughter and tears in the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher Bookouture and my review is entirely based on my own honest opinion.

For those of you who have not read the first book in the trilogy - 'The Lost Daughter of Liverpool' I recommend you read it before this one .

Review will be left on Amazon UK and .com on publication day