This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Lots of drama in this novel of women set in Birmingham. You will root for Opha and Peg, who don't deserve what happens to them. A good read.

Enjoyable story full of interesting characters and a good story line.

So sorry just couldn't get into this book. Nothing wrong with the writing just found it hard to engage.

A rather old fashioned story of tragedy and separation, of a mother who was unbelievably evil and a rather helpless father who had a fine past of his own.

The sisters were the main part of the story and though it came together too smoothly to be true, it was still very descriptive in the telling.

Children from a upper middle class family. The mother abandons an infant almost at birth, that is the eldest. Fourteen years later she does the same to the second daughter. It seemed too plausible to be acceptable by anyone. But it seemed that according to the times, the rich could literally get away with murder. The story goes on in two separate time lines and life times of the upbringing of two different girls. One with plenty of money in the background, absolutely no love and care and the other poor but with plenty of love and attention. Throw into the mix an illegitimate son, a mistress and we have a rather complicated family story.

Though rather far fetched, it still held my interest. The rags to riches story is always loved. Everyone likes a winner.

Amazon and Goodreads review posted on 31/10/2017. Review on my blog 2/12/2017.

The Lost Sisters takes readers back to 1897 in the Black Country. Orpha Buchanan is being abused by her stepmother, but she is afraid to tell her loving father. Orpha ends up tossed out of her home and made to find her own way. Luckily, Orpha ends up being taken in by Ezzie Lucas and his mum, Edna on their boat "The Sunshine". We follow Orpha as she finds her way in the world and discovers an unexpected bonus.

The Lost Sisters is well-written and interesting. It could use some editing. I found the story to be a little too long. I felt the book needed an epilogue to show readers how everyone turned out (it would have been satisfying). There are nice, strong female characters and a good mystery. The author captured the era (even mentions Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee) and place. It was interesting to discover more about canal people. Overall, I enjoyed The Lost Sisters and look forward to reading more books by this author. My rating for The Lost Sisters is 4 out of 5 stars.

This the first book of Lindsey Hutchinson's I have read and I really enjoyed it. I like a good family saga, although I did find some of the coincidental meetings in this book a little far-fetched. Having said that, the twists and turns of the story drew me in and kept me hooked to the end to see what was going to happen. I really enjoyed the ending - very unexpected.
The characters were well written and believable. I particularly liked the horrible Hortense Buchanan - a great character and really added to the story. How low would she stoop to get some money? some of her actions were truly awful.
Highly recommended. I look forward to reading more of Lindsey's books

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book. The story was interesting and the description of The Black Country around 1897 was very well depicted.

Orpha Buchanan is 14 years old and living with her parents when her mother, Hortense, decides to throw her out of the home and tells her to never come back. We then discover that she has an older sister, Eugenie, who Hortense had abandoned on a doorstep many years before. Her husband, Abel, is distraught about losing both his daughters but cannot prove that Hortense is the person responsible.

Orpha, quite by chance, whilst wandering around a market in Wolverhampton, searching for work, sees a girl on one of the stalls who is her double. She introduces herself as Peg Meriwether but is so taken by the likeness between herself and Orpha that she offers her a home and their business of making chocolate is soon established. They soon discover that they are in fact sisters.

Meanwhile, in Birmingham, we are introduced to another Buchanan lookalike but this time it is a boy, Zachariah Buchanan. Abel has been living part-time with another woman, his real love, Mahuda, and has had a son with her.

In time, the whole family are reunited but Hortense is determined that their happiness will be short-lived and attempts to destroy both her daughters, her husband’s illegitimate son and her husband.

Although I enjoyed this book there were just too many coincidences for it to ring true for me. The way the sisters meet up despite the thousands of people that they could have met; the way Hortense, on discovering the existence of Zachariah, manages to meet up with him again on the next day in a city the size of Birmingham just takes away from the plot for me.

I also found it incredible that despite Hortense burning down two houses, sinking a boat, stealing jewels from her husband and attempting to kill her own daughter, she never gets apprehended by the police.

This is what made me decide to give this book 4 stars instead of 5. I enjoyed every other aspect of this book and would like to read more by this author.

Dexter

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

Unfortunately, this book was archived before I had chance to read it.

Wow a great historical saga. This book had so many things going happen that you didn't see coming. It drew me in from page 1 and I absolutely loved it. A fab read.

An interesting story, although a bit far fetched at times. I did enjoy it though and found the twists and turns of the story kept my attention and compelled me to read further. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction,

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher.
I enjoy a great family saga, something long and substantial enough to get your teeth into and really get to know the characters. The Lost Sisters is an historical novel set around Victorian times.

Abel, Hortense, Orpha and Peg.

Then later comes Ashley.

Hortense married Abel for his money that's for sure. She didn't want children to complicate things and inherit any of his wealth. She had her firstborn daughter, she got rid of her in usual circumstances.
The author really teases you to what may happen with those circumstance later down the line.

Then there is her other daughter who she treats terrible, but Abel dotes on her.
He obviously is going to dote on her after all, his first daughter was taken by gypsy's.

Hortense is really nasty to Orpha, near to abuse, she makes her leave the house and says she will kill her if she returns.
What will Abel do now.

His wife just wants to inherit the wealth and doesn't want anyone to get in the way no matter what she has to do or crime she has to commit along the way.

This is a powerful read which I wasn't expecting going from the cover, it was a really good surprise to me as this has everything in it, mystery, crime, secrets and lies.

My thanks to Bookoutour and Net Galley for my copy

Fans of dark, gritty and dramatic sagas are going to love Lindsay Hutchinson’s second novel, The Lost Sisters. Expertly blending dangerous secrets, family strife, hope, triumph and tragedy, The Lost Sisters is sure to appeal to readers who like their sagas to be of the heart-wrenching and tear jerking variety.

Orpha Buchanan and Peg Meriweather’s start in life could not have been more different. While Orpha’s life is one of great wealth, riches and privilege, Peg’s entire existence is marred by poverty, sadness and misery. Throughout her life, Orpha has never known hardship or difficulty, unlike Peg who had been abandoned at birth on a doorstep with only a scruffy blanket and her tatty clothes to her name. There seems to be a world of difference between these two girls, but they have more in common than they previously thought for they are the offspring of a mother who despised them and who cursed the very day that they were born and reluctantly brought into this world.

Hortense Buchanan has never wanted to become a mother. Her childhood had been miserable and she had been bullied mercilessly; love and affection strange emotions which she had never experienced. As she grows older, Hortense begins to care more for riches and finery than for other people and when she gives birth to her daughter, Orpha, she repeats the cycle and cruelly bullies her and crushes her her spirit and her self confidence. When Orpha, unable to take it anymore, runs away, Hortense rejoices and celebrates; never once caring or worrying about her daughter’s welfare.

Fate brings Orpha and Peg together and soon, they are as close as family could possible be; looking out for one another in the hustle and bustle of Birmingham, but when Hortense realises that her daughter stands in the way of the one thing she cares most about, she vows revenge. Will Hortense succeed in her goal to ruin her daughter’s life once and for all? Or will she finally pay for all her sins and transgressions?

Lindsay Hutchinson has penned a bold, daring and captivating saga rich in atmosphere, pathos, emotion and drama. Peopled by strong-willed and courageous characters, The Lost Sisters is a beautifully crafted tale of revenge, redemption, friendship and second chances that is perfect fireside reading. Lindsay Hutchinson has got a great writing style that draws readers in from the opening line and keeps them hooked until the very last page with her wonderful sagas.

My only qualm about this book was that there was a tad too much violence in the narrative than I would usually like when I am reading sagas, however, The Lost Sisters is a compulsive, shocking and compelling tale guaranteed to delight fans of Maggie Hope and Rosie Goodwin.

I enjoy a great family saga, something long and substantial enough to get your teeth into and really get to know the characters. The Lost Sisters is an historical novel set around Victorian times.

Hortense Buchanan is an abominable woman, unfit to be a mother she concocts a story to dispose of one child saying baby Peg was whisked away by the ‘gypsies’ her other daughter Orpha has a miserable life of abuse which her father Abel never seems to witness. At fourteen Orpha gets chucked out by her mother and told not to come back.

Most girls that age especially during that era would end up in a workhouse but luck is on Orpha’s side, she finds refuge with a kindly family and life improves. Due to circumstances her and Peg meet and are reunited.

More intrigue revolves around Abel, with his distinctive good looks and bright eyes it soon becomes apparent he is a father in more ways than one. Living a double life brings nothing but trouble.

Hortense seeks wealth and luxury at any cost which will reveal further secrets. This a busy book, quite a few people involved and some far-fetched situations. I wasn’t overly drawn to any of them but I did have an instant dislike to Hortense.

Lindsey has written a story that will appeal to any fans who want to immerse themselves into the past, with a colourful family that has more than a few skeletons in the cupboard! This certainly kept me entertained for a while. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

DID NOT FINISH

This is one of the hardest things for me as a reviewer to do. I have to say I gave this book a Did Not Finish. While I read/review/enjoy many mysteries and thrillers, I have to admit that I was completely turned off by this book because of the violence of this mother to her daughter. It truly bothered me and after much thought, I just could not bring myself to finish reading it. I do apologize to the author and the publisher and I hope that you will allow me to read and review for you again in the future. Thank you for your understanding.

I really enjoyed this book, a great family saga that has it all, love, murder and mystery.. Perfect to curl up with on a rainy day... Or any day.

Orpha Buchanan has been brought up in a privileged background with a father who loves her and spoils her, but with a mean and vindictive mother who beats Orpha and belittles her at every turn.

So at 14 Orpha mother beats her and kicks her out of the family home with nothing and threaten to kill her is she returns.

All this happens without Orpha's dad Abel not knowing a thing.

This is Orpha's story of finding her place in the world growing up and and becoming a very busy business women.

This was a very well written story, which started off very promisingly but the storyline just becomes so totally unbelievable which sadly becomes even more far fetched the further you read into the story!!

I would like to read other Lindsey Hutchinson books to see if the storylines are more realistic or are they all over the top??

When her cruel, abusive mother throws her out, fourteen year old Orpha must make her own way in the world. Though at first she is met with the harshness of the world, she encounters friendly people who take her in. Will she ever be reunited with her family?

I'm going to be honest, this book was impossible to take seriously. From the start, this fourteen year old girl has non-stop luck. A kindly young man and his mother take her in, another family allows her to stay with them and teach her a trade, which she then uses to build her own business. Nothing she does ever fails, and thus I could not relate with her.

The motivation behind her mother's actions was equally difficult to comprehend. In the beginning there is a single paragraph that says her own mother abused her and that she was glad to be in that position. But it's not mentioned again. How did she get away with everything she did?

The book also moves at a very fast pace, presumably to cover every point the author thought necessary for the plot. We also jump around from person to person: Orpha, her father, her mother, the servants, random people she meets. It makes it difficult to read and the progression of time is impossible to follow. We are told many things but not allowed to experience it at all.

Overall, I was not impressed by the style of this book. Perhaps there are readers who do enjoy this author's works, but I'm afraid I am not one of them.

3.5/5 Stars.

This was a lovely story about a young girl who overcomes everything stacked against her during Victorian times. It's quite well written.

I enjoyed the main characters of Orpha and Peg. There could of been a little bit more character development with them giving them a bit more depth. I liked that Orpha seemed to be successful in everything she did but that would have been extremely rare back then, so I found it a bit too Mary Poppins in a way. Hortense on the other hand fit the bill of a villain perfectly, as did Ashley, but I felt that Ashley was not necessary to the story and that he was just there to lengthen the story.

The ending was interesting and I enjoyed the character of Simmons throughout the storyline which does tie into the ending and I liked that, but I also found that the ending seemed to be tied up to tidily for me.

I really did enjoy the story and if you like a mostly feel good historical novel then you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC for a fair and honest review.