Synopsis:
A poignant story which will tear at your heart strings.
Summer 1945. The nation rejoices as the Second World War comes to an end but Banbury Street matriarch, Eva Parker, foresees trouble ahead. Whilst her daughter, Mildred, awaits the return of her fiancé from overseas duty, doubts begin to seep into her mind about how little she knows of the man she has promised to marry. Or are her affections being drawn elsewhere? Meanwhile, new neighbour, dancer Cissie Cresswell, hides a terrible secret.
The end of the conflict will bring her no release from the horrific night that destroyed her life. Can she ever find her way back? Under Eva’s stalwart care, can the two young women unite to face the doubt and uncertainty of the future?
My Review:
I was thrilled to be asked to join Tania Crosse's Blog Tour to reveal an exclusive extract from her new novel 'The Street of Broken Dreams' You can read the extract and check out my Blog Tour stop here.
When I read the synopsis for this book I did worry whether I would enjoy the story. As you may know I am a glittery, hearts and roses, happy ending kind of girl and this was not my usual at all, totally out of my comfort zone. BUT I am so glad I did read this, WOW it's a beautiful and emotional story which I have not stopped talking about to friends and family and anyone else that will listen to me!
I didn't realise until half way through that this is the second book in the series, the first being 'The Candle Factory Girl'. However this book can be read as a standalone as I didn't feel as if I had missed out on any background or story and of course I went straight to Amazon and purchased the first book and I'm sure I will go on to purchase more of Tania's beautiful reads!
This story focuses on two families who become neighbours just as the Second World War comes to it's final days. History is not my strong point however I do find it really interesting and so this was the perfect way to get a little insight into the past and what went on as WW2 was coming to an end.
The Parker family the long term residents of Banbury Street, welcome the Cresswell's with open arms. Eva Parker, is a wonderful character and one that I would expect to read about during that period. Eva is the head of her family and pretty much the leader of the street, nothing much gets past her, but that's not because she is a busy body but because she is a warm, friendly and trusting neighbour who people turn to for advice and comfort.
I love that the Parker family accepted the new neighbours as if they were long lost family members. The Cresswell family are a great addition to the street and it doesn't take too long before Eva takes them all under her wing. I loved that the two girls Mildred and Cissie formed a special friendship even after being forced together by their mum's, I'm sure people can relate to this and most probably been through the same growing up!
Tania has a fantastic way of bringing characters to life, I felt emotionally connected to them all throughout the story, feeling their struggles, pain and happiness too. This story was certainly a roller coaster of emotions which stayed with me long after finishing.
Now I must warn you that the opening few pages and in actual fact my extract from the Blog Tour is quite a gritty emotional scene which I found difficult to read however it is a crucial part to the story.
For obvious reasons I don't want to go into too much detail on the story line so I will leave it there so as not to spoil it for you.
This book captured my heart, took me out of my comfort zone and transported me back to a time full of hope, healing, family, friendship and love.
Thank you so much to Tania Crosse and Aria Fiction for asking me to read this inspiring story.
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