I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good women's fiction period piece. Suspenseful and enjoyed the characters.

Dead to Me is my first book by Lesley Pearse. I really loved her character development of the two main characters - Ruby and Verity. Starting in the mid 1930's through the time of WWII we see these two women from totally different backgrounds This book deals with domestic abuse, suicide and a lot of things that are hard to read. The friendship of the girls endures and changes over time until something happens that destroys everything.

I adored this book. It's the first one I have read by Lesley Pearse, and I can say, it won't be the last. This is a story set during WWII years.

One of the things I liked most is that she started it in 1935, when Rose and Verity met at age 14. We get to follow them thru there war journey. Rose and Verity could not be more different. Rose comes from the slums and Verity from a well to do family. Soon they are best buds, but their circumstances soon change. Rose is soon off to better things, while Verity is soon in a spiral downward.

Pearse developed these characters so well, you can't help but root for them. You get to know them on a personal level. In a sense, you get to care for them, like they are two of your best friends. I think when a writer can draw you in like that, they are a great writer and the book will beautiful. That's just what this book is beautiful, about a friendship that has it's ups and downs, but in the end are there for each other.

I honestly don't want to get into the book too much, because it's such a great read. I think you should experience it for yourself. If you haven't read Pearse, yet, what in the world are you waiting for?

Thanks to Netgalley for the Kindle Version of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. There was a lot of emotions going on this book, but it was the perfect blends of pain and heartwarming. Verity and Ruby meet and share their stories and wants for the future. It is a tale of friendship, heartbreak, and struggle of two women in the worst of times. There were times I thought I could not take more what this book made me feel. It was a crazy ride worth taking.

I love historical fiction and wanted to love this book, but found it to be just okay. I read a lot of books about war and friendship so it wasn’t original enough for me.

I flew through this book! This was such a fun read- at the end of each chapter, I had to keep reading to find out what happens next!

Verity and Ruby were such fun characters and I adored their relationship throughout the entire book. Even though the friendship became strained at times due to incredibly difficult situations, they eventually found their way back together and always seem to bring out the best in each other.

Even though this book takes place during WWII it isn’t really a novel about the war. It has murder and crime, friendship and loss, romance and lots of suspense- a little bit of everything! I had never read anything by Lesley Pearse before but I look forward to reading more of her work after seeing what she did with this book!

I think the highest praise I have for Dead to Me is that this story only got better and better. It became increasingly difficult to stop reading, and I just kept wanting to know what happened next!

PLOT
Although at first I felt confused that this story started with Verity and Ruby so young, it all made sense in the long run–the jump forward a few years worked very well and pulled everything together.

The twists and turns of the story were excellent. They were truly unexpected. And, when they were resolved after an intense & well-executed climax, I felt such satisfaction for Ruby and Verity.

CHARACTERS
Both Ruby and Verity were wonderful characters, and I really enjoyed following along on their journeys. Their friendship, with all its ups and downs, was a joy to read. Wilby was hands down my favourite secondary character, very well-written & very enjoyable.

I found that Verity’s simplistic perspective truly complemented her sheltered upbringing. This was a major theme for her, something she had to overcome as life threw curve balls her way.

To quickly circle back to the youth of these characters as the book opened—I was so shocked at the first adult bit of dialogue/description. I initially thought Dead to Me was reading like a middle-grade/young adult novel, so it was a bit of a jolt. However, it all fell into place quite quickly, and it fit in very well with the book as a whole! Lesley explored those darker themes in a capable manner, deftly fitting these particular pieces into the story, & developing her characters well as they underwent these issues.

I did feel like some of the sub-conflicts along the way were resolved a bit too quickly. Thus, I believe that a longer period of internal “agony” would have enriched those hardships. Also, I sometimes found the prose to be a bit plain, and I would have liked it to have been more transportive. On the other hand, it makes for straightforward, uncomplicated, and clearly expressed reading, which creates an effortless experience; as such, it’s truly hard to put down!

THEMES
Dead to Me often felt like a modern situation set in an older time — which speaks to human nature. Mankind, whether we like it or not, has not changed very much. Throughout all of history, we remain terribly flawed and inherently disposed to wrongdoing. It is the fact that we try to better ourselves, over and over, that colours the world with hope. When a book reminds me of this well-known and well-loved theme, it’s a win for me.

OTHER THINGS…
A little detail I quite liked was the title drop, which was fourteen chapters in. The perfectly blunt delivery of it was a chef’s kiss.

Finally, there is a beautiful passage where Lesley describes the realities of WW2, as it related to the evacuated children and the injured soldiers. It was a touching reminder of the horrors of war, and the kind of life that those children and self-sacrificing heroes had to lead.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction about two friends and their trials and tribulations during WWII in England. I loved the characters of Verity and Ruby and of course I love a happy ending (no spoilers – will there be one??). I didn’t like the character of the father. I felt he was a bit caricaturish. Overall, though, I loved this story of friendship!

(full review as part of blog tour at drbethnolan.com)

This story is based in war times. No one had it easy then. Ruby and Verity included! The heart break of war is apparent in this sorry but mostly it is about love and friendship and how it can bring people together.
Great descriptions of the places in the novel made it very easy to see it all in your mind's eye. Sometimes thought provoking, sometimes sad, sometimes funny but always keeping you connected to the characters
If you enjoy historical fiction with unforgettable characters and amazing descriptive writing woven into a fantastic plot amazing story!

Thanks go to the publisher and Net-Galley for the electronic copy of Dead to Me by Lesley Pearse. An historical fiction novel set in WWII England. I voluntarily agreed to read and review this book prior to publication. My opinions are my own, and nothing has influenced my rating of this book.

Dead to Me is a wartime saga that follows Ruby and Verity from the tender age of thirteen to adulthood. It’s a sweeping tale of friendship, betrayal and recovery from a childhood destroyed by an uncaring mother and an abusive father. The pacing pulled me in from the start and kept me enmeshed until the last page.

Verity is the main protagonist. She was living a posh life with all the advantages a child could want. She meets Ruby, a child who lives in squalor and has to fight to survive. When Verity ends up in trouble for trying to help Ruby, her life is turned upside down when her father almost beats her to death, then disappears before the police can arrest him for embezzlement. Verity and her mother move in with her mother’s sister, Aunt Hazel.

Verity is a flawed character with dark secrets that make it difficult for her to trust, especially males. She makes unwise decisions that have a lasting effect on her life for years. Her teenage years are a struggle.

Ruby is the second protagonist of this tale. At the beginning of the story, she almost a feral child. Her drunken prostitute mother doesn’t protect her, but Ruby quickly learns to keep away from the men who frequent her mother’s bed. When she gets in trouble with the police, she is sent to Devon to live with a woman who helps troubled teens, and she has a chance at a different life.

Even though Ruby and Verity weren’t together long, they formed an unbreakable bond that even distance cannot break. Even when Ruby’s unwise decisions appear to break it, it’s not permanent.

In the midst of war-torn England, the girls grow into young women. Verity in London where she works for the telephone company. Ruby works at a hotel that is turned into a hospital in Devon. After years of separation, Ruby and Verity reunite and live together with Wilby, the kind woman who helped Ruby.

Wilby is a wonderful character. She loves with her whole heart and does not judge or condemn. She’s generous to a fault and has no hidden agendas. When the war breaks out, she’s the first to open her home to the children fleeing London when the German Blitz start.

Ms. Pearse vivid descriptions of London and Devon during the war put me right in the middle of the bombing. When a church is bombed taking twenty-one children’s lives, I had an amazing visual of what it must have looked like because I saw a bombed-out shell of a church in Devon on a trip to that area in 2016. The tour guide explained that it had been left that way so no British citizen would ever forget the harsh reality of that brutal war.

If you enjoy historical fiction with unforgettable characters and amazing descriptive writing woven into a fantastic plot, then you will love Dead to Me as much as I did. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Pearse, but it will not be the last. Happy reading!

Know that the is a reissue of a book published in 2016 but its a good one I was happy to read. It's a big fat novel of female friendship.. Set I'm the UK in the shadow of WWII it's the story of Verity and Ruby, two young women who come from different socioeconomic sectors. Ruby's mom was a prostitute and she didn't have much. Verity appears to have more but she has a. secret- her stepfather was an embezzler. They meet by chance and come friends until they aren't (no spoilers from me on why). They do, however. find their way back to each other. Pearse is a great storyteller and these are two characters who will make you root for them. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was about war, friendship, and true love. It was an exceptional book, and I love reading books that are during the 19th and 20th century.

I felt as if I was physically there with the characters, and I give props to Lesley Pearce for making it fairly easy for the reader to connect with the characters.

I only took of one star because it had a lot of physical abuse and struggles. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and will definitely read more of Pearce’s books!!

Synopsis:
Hampstead Heath, Spring 1935. Two girls meet by chance and become fast friends. They share their romances and heartbreaks, their struggles and dreams. But most of all, they share a sinister secret.
Upon their meeting, Verity and Ruby could not be more different: Verity is the epitome of money and class; Ruby lives a life of squalor and survival. Despite the disparity, an instant affinity forms a resilient bond between the two girls.

With Britain blitzed by the raging war, will Verity and Ruby find a way back to each other before it’s too late?

In this sweeping wartime saga of friendship and love, Pearse explores the depths of lifelong bonds, compassion, betrayal, and forgiveness.

This was an exceptional, historical fiction story starting in 1935 and ending in 1943. The characters throughout the time frame were completely captivating. The relationship of Verity and Ruby was very compelling, heartbreaking and heartwarming...all the emotions that came together.

The story is told with such love and care that you feel you are right there with them. Lesley Pearse manages to connect the reader with the characters so you know them well. Her descriptions of the area make you see and smell the sea.

I enjoyed this story and the characters tremendously and Ms. Pearse can count me as a fan. I really look forward to reading more from her. Please note: The book must be read with tissues handy for both happy and sad tears.

A somewhat disturbing novel touching on subjects such as child abuse, sexual abuse and suicide, along with a war and poverty, this is not a book for the faint of heart.
Told with a stark, bold dialogue, this is the story of 2 young girls from opposite sides of the tracks. One with a '"posh" high society, affluent upbringing, Verity is well schooled, fashionably dressed and knows which fork to use at social gatherings. Ruby, being from the other side is blunt, loud, can barely read and does not know which fork is which. The two meet by chance and quickly become friends. When Ruby gets in trouble and sent away and Verity's comfortable home and wealthy lifestyle are suddenly stripped away they find their roles reversed. Verity goes to live with a spinster aunt who barely scrapes by and Ruby is taken into the home of a wealthy caring widow who helps children like Ruby get ahead in life.
Through the years and many trial the two girls remain friends. Separated by miles they manage to be there for each other in times of crisis.
This is a story of the staying power of friendship, of how even through the turmoil of personal loss and the harshness of war, the power of love and true friendship remains.
This story has a rather harsh, blunt feel to it, I don't really get to know what the characters are thinking or feeling, which in the beginning put me off a little and made it difficult for me to become immersed in the story. But as I continued I realized this novel was purely plot driven I connected with it more and couldn't put it down. There are many twists and turns, ups and downs. highs and lows in Verity and Ruby's lives, and through it all their loyalty and friendship to each other help them to persevere.
I give this 4 out of 5 stars simply because it took me some time to really get into the story and connect, but when you finally do it will grab you and take off. Just give it a chance, it is a story worth reading.
#NetGalley
#DeadtoMe

This is definitely not a lighthearted read. Rippled with abuse, war, hardship and struggles. However, it is a great read, the characters are well developed, and the ending was quite good.

I very much enjoyed this tale of war and friendship, showing how strong the spirits of people are even in the face of the most brutal of circumstances. A wonderful and powerful read!

This book is well written and has good character development I just couldn’t personally get into the story and found it a little bit of a struggle to keep reading. Either way it just left a little lacking for me personally. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Dead to Me tells the story of two young friends, Verity and Ruby, whose friendship survives bad personal choices, the emotional and physical scars of family members, and the trauma of World War II. The two meet as children on the streets of London. Verity’s early years are spent in a posh, wealthy house until her abusive father’s embezzlement comes to light and he goes on the run. Verity and her mother are forced to stay with her aunt in London, although Verity’s mother commits suicide soon after. Verity quickly finds that her fortunes have changed for the worse, and she learns to work hard for what she has. Ruby’s fortunes take the opposite track: although she is raised in the slums by her prostitute mother, she gets caught for stealing a clock and is sent to live with Mrs. Wilberforce in Babbacombe, a beautiful little town on the beach. There she experiences love and care for the first time, transforming her from a street urchin to respectable young lady.

Despite the distance between them, Ruby and Verity remain friends, returning to each other’s lives just when the other one needs them. Verity saves Ruby’s life after a botched abortion, and Ruby saves Verity from her abusive father who has returned to blackmail Verity. The story takes many unexpected twists and turns, and I found myself swept along by the narrative. After the first 50 or so pages, I had a hard time putting this book down!

I will say that it was difficult for me to get into the story at first, mainly because the author has a unique, somewhat detached writing style. We never really get to hear the internal thoughts of the characters, and so we only get a sense of character development by how the character acts. In some cases, the emotional impact of important scenes felt glossed over. At first this turned me off, but this book is driven by plot, and the author does a tremendous job keeping the reader guessing what will happen next. If you know that going into it, I think you’ll really enjoy this novel.

Ultimately, I gave this book four stars and plan to read more of Lesley Pearse’s books!

Beautifully written, this book is tough to read due to the physical abuse inflicted on Verify and Ruby by their parents especially Archie. Despite this coupled with the war, their friendship perserved. There were good people in their life and through Luke and Miller, true love was found. The end sparked hope.