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The Love Child
The UNMISSABLE novel from the million-copy Sunday Times bestseller. Secrets from the past, unravelling in the present… Uncovering secrets that span generations, Rachel delivers intriguing, involving and emotive narrative reading group fiction like few other writers can. ‘A gorgeous and deeply absorbing story’ Tracy Rees, author of The House at SilvermoorA young mother's sacrifice. A child's desperate search for the truth . . . London, 1917 When nineteen-year-old Alice Copeman becomes pregnant, she is forced by her father and stepmother to give up the baby. She simply cannot be allowed to bring shame upon her family. But all Alice can think about is the small, kitten-like child she gave away, and she mourns the father, a young soldier, so beloved, who will never have the chance to know his daughter. Edith and Philip Burns, a childless couple, yearn for a child of their own. When they secretly adopt a baby girl, Irene, their life together must surely be complete. Irene grows up knowing that she is different from other children, but no one will tell her the full truth. As two extraordinary stories intertwine across two decades, will secrets long-buried at last come to light? Brilliantly evoking the changing attitudes of the time, The Love Child is a novel about love, family, separation, despair and hope, full of tenderness and deep feeling. 'Simply stunning . . . I savoured every moment of this moving story of love, loss and, ultimately, forgiveness’ DINAH JEFFERIES 'A story that stirs the deepest emotions' WOMAN & HOME 'A poignant story, rich in period detail' SUNDAY MIRROR ‘An emotive and thought-provoking read’ ROSANNA LEY 'Hore tackles difficult subjects with a clever, light touch and a sunny positivity. Her women are brave and good and you desperately want them to win’ DAILY MAIL 'A wonderfully moving tale of love and loss, hope and eventual reconciliation' BARBARA ERSKINE 'I found her writing warm, compassionate in this story about one girl's search for her true identity amidst the secrets and dynamics of her adopted family. It had a realism about the poignancy of illegitimacy in this pre-war setting' LEAH FLEMING 'A hugely compelling, poignant and moving read. Rachel has great skill as a storyteller and readers are sure to be engrossed and swept away by her clever double-stranded tale' JANE JOHNSON
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2019
About the author
Rachel Hore
28 books702 followersRachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, Norfolk and turning to writing fiction.
Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.
Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.
Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.
Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
February 26, 2020
Four and a half stars.
The story starts in 1917. Edith and Philip, unable to have children of their own, adopt a child who they name Irene. Edith never quite bonds with the child the way Philip does. The child is the product of nineteen year old Alice Copeman who falls in love with Jack, a soldier and becomes pregnant. Alice mourns the love she lost and that Jack will never know his daughter. Alice is forced into putting the child up for adoption by her father George and stepmother, Gwen. Alice may have had to hand her child over but she never forgets the tiny dark haired baby. However she is determined to make her life count. Despite opposition at the time to women as doctors, Alice forges ahead with her path in a male dominated world. She makes good friend in Barbara who is also seeking to break out of the narrow roles for women and pursue a medical career. Stella, renamed Irene, meanwhile, grows up feeling she never quite fits into her family. She strikes up a friendship with an unmarried artist, Helen and her son who is close in age to Irene. Edith does not approve of the friendship. But then it often seems Edith does not approve of anything Irene does. Yet she lavishes love on her natural son Clayton who unexpectedly came along after they had adopted Irene. However that friendship with Helen will lead to Irene, with some help from others, uncovering some truths about her life.
I wondered how I would go with this book since I had recently read another book about the treatment of unmarried mothers forced to give their babies up for adoption. While that other book was gloomy and horrific in parts, this one is filled with light and hope. True, it still portrays the appalling conditions the poor of England endured after World War 1 and shows the lack of choice available to women, especially when it came to limiting the size of the families, even though they were exhausted and unable to cope with so many children in such dreadful, cramped conditions. No wonder so many children died young.
Both Alice and Irene are strong characters and it is easy to empathise with each of them. It is a story of choices and consequences, secrets, friendships and family, with a little bit of romance for good measure. A very easy book to read I soon became engaged with this novel. Having read two books previously by this author, one of which I loved, I felt assured it would be a good read. And it was. One of those book that tugs at the emotions and that I just wanted to keep going back to. A good story with strong characters, beautifully told.
The story starts in 1917. Edith and Philip, unable to have children of their own, adopt a child who they name Irene. Edith never quite bonds with the child the way Philip does. The child is the product of nineteen year old Alice Copeman who falls in love with Jack, a soldier and becomes pregnant. Alice mourns the love she lost and that Jack will never know his daughter. Alice is forced into putting the child up for adoption by her father George and stepmother, Gwen. Alice may have had to hand her child over but she never forgets the tiny dark haired baby. However she is determined to make her life count. Despite opposition at the time to women as doctors, Alice forges ahead with her path in a male dominated world. She makes good friend in Barbara who is also seeking to break out of the narrow roles for women and pursue a medical career. Stella, renamed Irene, meanwhile, grows up feeling she never quite fits into her family. She strikes up a friendship with an unmarried artist, Helen and her son who is close in age to Irene. Edith does not approve of the friendship. But then it often seems Edith does not approve of anything Irene does. Yet she lavishes love on her natural son Clayton who unexpectedly came along after they had adopted Irene. However that friendship with Helen will lead to Irene, with some help from others, uncovering some truths about her life.
I wondered how I would go with this book since I had recently read another book about the treatment of unmarried mothers forced to give their babies up for adoption. While that other book was gloomy and horrific in parts, this one is filled with light and hope. True, it still portrays the appalling conditions the poor of England endured after World War 1 and shows the lack of choice available to women, especially when it came to limiting the size of the families, even though they were exhausted and unable to cope with so many children in such dreadful, cramped conditions. No wonder so many children died young.
Both Alice and Irene are strong characters and it is easy to empathise with each of them. It is a story of choices and consequences, secrets, friendships and family, with a little bit of romance for good measure. A very easy book to read I soon became engaged with this novel. Having read two books previously by this author, one of which I loved, I felt assured it would be a good read. And it was. One of those book that tugs at the emotions and that I just wanted to keep going back to. A good story with strong characters, beautifully told.
July 9, 2019
Alice is working as a nurse in France during the war and falls in love with a soldier.
She becomes pregnant and is forced to give up her baby girl for adoption.
This is a historical novel that shows the attitude towards women at that time and the struggle they had to achieve a better life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
She becomes pregnant and is forced to give up her baby girl for adoption.
This is a historical novel that shows the attitude towards women at that time and the struggle they had to achieve a better life.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2019
This lovely story takes place in the period between the two world wars. Alice, a young adult from a well off family gives birth to a little girl. She's forced to give the child up for adoption.
Little Irene ends up in a family of good standing, but throughout her childhood she's the odd one out.
She survives, but the urge to belong drives her on a search for her birth mother. Will she find her?
Having read more books by this excellent writer, I knew this would be good. The story flows naturally, is beautifully written and set in gorgeous surroundings. I especially loved the looked upon bohemian community by the sea.
Eventually both women find what they need in life.
This is a feelgood novel, a quick yet serious read filled with indepth characters, which kept me engaged all the way.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.
Little Irene ends up in a family of good standing, but throughout her childhood she's the odd one out.
She survives, but the urge to belong drives her on a search for her birth mother. Will she find her?
Having read more books by this excellent writer, I knew this would be good. The story flows naturally, is beautifully written and set in gorgeous surroundings. I especially loved the looked upon bohemian community by the sea.
Eventually both women find what they need in life.
This is a feelgood novel, a quick yet serious read filled with indepth characters, which kept me engaged all the way.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.
November 13, 2021
Persoonlijk heb ik enorm genoten van dit omvangrijk, prachtig verhaal.
Het verhaal van Irene (Stella) en Alice. Beiden met elkaar verweven. Hoofdstuk na hoofdstuk wordt je in dit verhaal ondergedompeld. De vroegere jaren komen in dit verhaal levendig naar voren. De kansen om te mogen studeren als vrouw, de oorlog en zijn gevolgen.
Zeker een aanrader!
Het verhaal van Irene (Stella) en Alice. Beiden met elkaar verweven. Hoofdstuk na hoofdstuk wordt je in dit verhaal ondergedompeld. De vroegere jaren komen in dit verhaal levendig naar voren. De kansen om te mogen studeren als vrouw, de oorlog en zijn gevolgen.
Zeker een aanrader!
April 28, 2021
4 stars for this book!
What a delightful read this book was. I seem to gravitate to anything historical fiction and that is exactly what this novel was. This book for me was extremely easy to read. It wasn’t a couldn’t put it down book but it was smooth in the sense you could pick it up at anytime and remember what was going on.
I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. However my only critique is I wanted more depth from them. This meaning I wanted a little from the relationships the author forms in the book.
A well written novel that I would recommend to anyone who loves easy reading historical fiction.
What a delightful read this book was. I seem to gravitate to anything historical fiction and that is exactly what this novel was. This book for me was extremely easy to read. It wasn’t a couldn’t put it down book but it was smooth in the sense you could pick it up at anytime and remember what was going on.
I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. However my only critique is I wanted more depth from them. This meaning I wanted a little from the relationships the author forms in the book.
A well written novel that I would recommend to anyone who loves easy reading historical fiction.
September 8, 2020
Not what I expected from RH. A tad harder subject matter and a bit more driven maybe. I gave me lots of food for thought but somehow it didn't sit right. I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps it was a bit too neat still? But it wasn't. We are still talking about forced adoption! the lack of female 'rights', the vote, the right to control a woman's own body, her own education etc. But it did turn out right in the end. ?? It just proves we still have to work at things, and work hard at them still.
A great book for a Book Group because the discussions and debates you can have - fab.
Toast
A great book for a Book Group because the discussions and debates you can have - fab.
Toast
April 15, 2020
Ik vind het altijd zo'n grappige ervaring: ik zie alles wat er mis is aan dit boek. Veel te veel overbodige scènes, veel onnodige personages, een mierzoete stijl en een veel te wensvervullend einde. En toch heb ik het bijna achter elkaar uitgelezen op mijn zonnig balkonnetje, terwijl ik me bij De Pest (nog lang niet uit) steeds moest bevelen 'jij blijft hier zitten tot je minstens 20 bladzijden hebt gelezen.'
Zegt iets over mij, natuurlijk, maar ook over het vakvrouwschap van Rachel Hore. Ideale #blijfthuis-lectuur.
Zegt iets over mij, natuurlijk, maar ook over het vakvrouwschap van Rachel Hore. Ideale #blijfthuis-lectuur.
September 8, 2019
A lovely read, following the multi stranded tale of a women and the child she gave up for adoption after the First World War. It’s a gentle read and slow in places but this is necessary to explore the intricacies of the characters. Despite the multi story telling it’s easy to follow and keep track of the characters. An interesting depiction of women during the early 20th century. Really enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley.
Thank you Netgalley.
September 19, 2021
A beautifully written story about family, belonging, acceptance, and perseverance. Set in 1917 spanning the years to 1940, we follow the life of Alice, pregnant at 19 by her soldier lover Jack and who is forced by her stepmother Gwen to give her up, baby Stella, renamed Irene by adoptive parents Edith and Philip. Edith wanted a different baby and never took to Irene and that has shadowed everything Irene is and does. Years pass and we get to know Alice, her successful and hard won life as a female doctor in 1920's Britain, a career not without turmoil and struggle. And Irene makes dear friends with those much like her, those that do not fit in, like Tom, who lives with his artist mother while his musical father lives in London. They are outcasts and Irene feels a kinship with them. Leaving the seaside town in Suffolk, Irene heads to London and embarks on finding her birth mother to fill this gaping hole in her life. She pines for motherly arms around her, not Edith's, who loves her natural son to no end, Irene's brother. War looms as the story draws near to the late 1930's. The truth for Alice and Irene also draws near and Hore knits together a wonderful and moving tale of these two women finding their place in a man's world and in a society where adopted babies means the mother was, a common thought, less than the rest of us. As we would know now in our current world, 'misinformation', and very sad.
Hore imbues her characters with a deep abiding passion for life, for truth, belonging, acceptance and family, family that doesn't always mean blood ties. For in the end of The Love Child it is love that ties the now Alice and the now Irene together as they do find each other and much more, Jack's family.
Amber is featured in this book as a gem that connects Alice, Jack, his father, and Irene together. Amber, simply, is solidified sap from an ancient tree. When polished it is a treasure, a link to the past. I have several pieces and got out a ring to wear as I finished this book so moved I was by the story. And now I will search out other books Rachel Hore has written, an author worth pursuing!
Hore imbues her characters with a deep abiding passion for life, for truth, belonging, acceptance and family, family that doesn't always mean blood ties. For in the end of The Love Child it is love that ties the now Alice and the now Irene together as they do find each other and much more, Jack's family.
Amber is featured in this book as a gem that connects Alice, Jack, his father, and Irene together. Amber, simply, is solidified sap from an ancient tree. When polished it is a treasure, a link to the past. I have several pieces and got out a ring to wear as I finished this book so moved I was by the story. And now I will search out other books Rachel Hore has written, an author worth pursuing!
January 16, 2020
BLOG TOUR **********
Thank you to @darkroomtours @simonandschuster & @rachel.hore for my copy of The Love Child.
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This is a historical fiction set during 1917-1940. It’s based on the story of Alice who is forced to give up her baby and subsequently Irene and the struggles she faces being an adopted child. The relationships are extremely well portrayed and developed. Both female characters grow throughout the book dealing with the shame of Alice’s choice. There is loss and sadness in spades but there is also love, family and friendship throughout to help balance out the lower points of the book. The book covers how difficult life was for an aspirational woman back then. From their birth control options right through to career choices. The writing is really beautiful as is the language used. It’s highly descriptive and goes into lots of detail for each woman. The ending was wonderful! I’m definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Rachel’s work, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Thank you to @darkroomtours @simonandschuster & @rachel.hore for my copy of The Love Child.
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This is a historical fiction set during 1917-1940. It’s based on the story of Alice who is forced to give up her baby and subsequently Irene and the struggles she faces being an adopted child. The relationships are extremely well portrayed and developed. Both female characters grow throughout the book dealing with the shame of Alice’s choice. There is loss and sadness in spades but there is also love, family and friendship throughout to help balance out the lower points of the book. The book covers how difficult life was for an aspirational woman back then. From their birth control options right through to career choices. The writing is really beautiful as is the language used. It’s highly descriptive and goes into lots of detail for each woman. The ending was wonderful! I’m definitely going to keep my eyes peeled for more of Rachel’s work, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
January 13, 2020
This book is just beautiful. I have never read a book that has been written so well and turned out better than I hoped. At first I didnt think this was a book it would read but it definitely changed my mind. A mother forced to give up her child and keep the secret forever but soon the child wants to know where she came from and soon the story starts to unfold. I loved the characters, the settings and the ending of course. I loved how everything all came together without even realising it. You need to read this
January 9, 2020
I was very kindly sent a copy of this book from the publishers and Dark room tours over on Instagram, all views are my own as always.
This seemed like quite a different kind of book for me, while reading it i just kept thinking it would be more up my Mum's street than mine, even though i did like it because the writing drew me in and kept my attention throughout.
It's a story full of emotion, well written and the amount of detail for the surroundings the story is set in make it so you feel you have been there yourself.
An enjoyable drama.
This seemed like quite a different kind of book for me, while reading it i just kept thinking it would be more up my Mum's street than mine, even though i did like it because the writing drew me in and kept my attention throughout.
It's a story full of emotion, well written and the amount of detail for the surroundings the story is set in make it so you feel you have been there yourself.
An enjoyable drama.
November 13, 2020
Frankrijk, 1916. Tijdens haar vrijwilligerswerk als verpleegster leert de jonge Alice soldaat Jack kennen, die aan het front gewond is geraakt. Enkele maanden later komen ze elkaar weer tegen, wanneer ze allebei verlof hebben. In Engeland spreken ze regelmatig af, worden ze verliefd, verloven ze zich en Alice wordt zwanger. Maar enkele weken na hun afscheid komt het bericht dat Jack is omgekomen en Alice wordt, om een schandaal te voorkomen, door haar stiefmoeder onder grote druk gezet om haar dochter af te staan.
De baby wordt geadopteerd door Edith en Philip Burns, die ongewenst kinderloos zijn, en krijgt de naam Irene. Ze groeit op met het constante gevoel dat er iets ontbreekt in haar leven, zeker omdat haar adoptiemoeder anders omgaat met haar broertje, het kind dat ze na de komst van Irene toch nog hebben gekregen, maar niemand is bereid om haar de volledige waarheid te vertellen. Wanneer ze oud genoeg is, besluit ze in Londen op zoek te gaan naar haar biologische moeder.
Je volgt beide vrouwen gedurende ruim 20 jaar van hun leven en het verhaal wordt grotendeels chronologisch verteld, met een aantal tijdsprongen, en door de perspectiefwisselingen blijft het fris, interessant en dynamisch. Het is geen verhaal dat het moet hebben van grote plotwendingen of verrassende onthullingen, het draait vooral om de personages en hun levens, en die zijn dan ook ontzettend goed uitgewerkt. Als lezer weet je vanaf het begin dat hun levens met elkaar zijn verbonden, maar zij hebben geen idee wie of waar de ander is. Zullen hun levenspaden elkaar kruisen?
Het boek is vlot, gedetailleerd, mooi en gevoelig geschreven, waardoor je mee gaat leven met de personages en hun verhalen je raken. Beide vrouwen groeien uit tot sterke, krachtige en vooruitstrevende karakters en ze hebben elk hun eigen worstelingen, ambities en carrière, (soms moeizame) relaties, geluk en gemis. Dit is een indrukwekkend, emotioneel, ontroerend en meeslepend verhaal over familie, rouw, spijt, liefde, vriendschap, pijn, afkomst en een zoektocht naar de waarheid. Absoluut een aanrader!
De baby wordt geadopteerd door Edith en Philip Burns, die ongewenst kinderloos zijn, en krijgt de naam Irene. Ze groeit op met het constante gevoel dat er iets ontbreekt in haar leven, zeker omdat haar adoptiemoeder anders omgaat met haar broertje, het kind dat ze na de komst van Irene toch nog hebben gekregen, maar niemand is bereid om haar de volledige waarheid te vertellen. Wanneer ze oud genoeg is, besluit ze in Londen op zoek te gaan naar haar biologische moeder.
Je volgt beide vrouwen gedurende ruim 20 jaar van hun leven en het verhaal wordt grotendeels chronologisch verteld, met een aantal tijdsprongen, en door de perspectiefwisselingen blijft het fris, interessant en dynamisch. Het is geen verhaal dat het moet hebben van grote plotwendingen of verrassende onthullingen, het draait vooral om de personages en hun levens, en die zijn dan ook ontzettend goed uitgewerkt. Als lezer weet je vanaf het begin dat hun levens met elkaar zijn verbonden, maar zij hebben geen idee wie of waar de ander is. Zullen hun levenspaden elkaar kruisen?
Het boek is vlot, gedetailleerd, mooi en gevoelig geschreven, waardoor je mee gaat leven met de personages en hun verhalen je raken. Beide vrouwen groeien uit tot sterke, krachtige en vooruitstrevende karakters en ze hebben elk hun eigen worstelingen, ambities en carrière, (soms moeizame) relaties, geluk en gemis. Dit is een indrukwekkend, emotioneel, ontroerend en meeslepend verhaal over familie, rouw, spijt, liefde, vriendschap, pijn, afkomst en een zoektocht naar de waarheid. Absoluut een aanrader!
September 11, 2019
I always look forward to a new book from Rachel Hore, so it has been a delight to read and review The Love Child. Set in the first half of the of the twentieth century the book follows Alice Coperman who had a baby she was forced to give up for adoption in 1917, and Irene, her daughter as she grows up knowing she is different in her family and how this effects her. As the lives of these two characters intertwine, and the rights of women begin to change, the consequences of their actions continue to ripple in their lives and tell a story of love, family, loss, separation and hope.
The Love Child is split into the narratives of Alice and Irene as they make their way in the world. The first half of the twentieth century was a period when things began to change for women, and through their stories we see how the changes effected their respective generations. We take for granted that women are entitled to an education, can apply for any job, have access to contraception and the right to vote. Alice trained as a doctor and was one of only two women in her class and very much treated as a lesser person and not taken seriously by her tutors and other doctors. She had a real strength of character to become a doctor and was not frightened to follow what she believed in to help others, in particular contraception advice for the lower class women who were having up to eleven children. She never forgot her baby, and the shame she was made to feel about it, but decided to make something of her life so her sacrifice would not be in vain.
Irene was the character I really felt for in this book. She may have been adopted by a good family, her father was a solicitor, but she was always made to feel different by her mother. Her mother struggled with her adopted daughter, especially after having her own son a couple of years after the adoption. She always made a point of telling people that Irene was adopted, which has a lasting effect on her. It was her relationship with Tom and his mother that I felt helped her feel loved and accepted. They were an unconventional family as Tom's mother wasn't married to his father and they didn't live together. This was obviously frowned upon in the town, but for Irene they gave her a sanctuary, a place where feeling different was accepted and didn't matter.
I don't want to say too much about the plot as I don't want to give anything away, but the social history is really interesting as the attitude to women slowly began to change. Rachel Hore always writes beautifully and captures the emotions of both women over the years as they live their lives and how that one decision in 1917 effects both of them.
The Love Child is an emotive and compelling read full of heart and soul. I found myself drawn in to both Alice and Irene's stories, and how such a devastating decision to give a baby up never left Alice or Irene in her new family. A moving and thought provoking read that I highly recommend.
The Love Child is split into the narratives of Alice and Irene as they make their way in the world. The first half of the twentieth century was a period when things began to change for women, and through their stories we see how the changes effected their respective generations. We take for granted that women are entitled to an education, can apply for any job, have access to contraception and the right to vote. Alice trained as a doctor and was one of only two women in her class and very much treated as a lesser person and not taken seriously by her tutors and other doctors. She had a real strength of character to become a doctor and was not frightened to follow what she believed in to help others, in particular contraception advice for the lower class women who were having up to eleven children. She never forgot her baby, and the shame she was made to feel about it, but decided to make something of her life so her sacrifice would not be in vain.
Irene was the character I really felt for in this book. She may have been adopted by a good family, her father was a solicitor, but she was always made to feel different by her mother. Her mother struggled with her adopted daughter, especially after having her own son a couple of years after the adoption. She always made a point of telling people that Irene was adopted, which has a lasting effect on her. It was her relationship with Tom and his mother that I felt helped her feel loved and accepted. They were an unconventional family as Tom's mother wasn't married to his father and they didn't live together. This was obviously frowned upon in the town, but for Irene they gave her a sanctuary, a place where feeling different was accepted and didn't matter.
I don't want to say too much about the plot as I don't want to give anything away, but the social history is really interesting as the attitude to women slowly began to change. Rachel Hore always writes beautifully and captures the emotions of both women over the years as they live their lives and how that one decision in 1917 effects both of them.
The Love Child is an emotive and compelling read full of heart and soul. I found myself drawn in to both Alice and Irene's stories, and how such a devastating decision to give a baby up never left Alice or Irene in her new family. A moving and thought provoking read that I highly recommend.
October 1, 2019
When nineteen-year-old Alice Copeman becomes pregnant, she is forced by her father and stepmother to give up the baby. She simply cannot be allowed to bring shame upon her family. But all Alice can think about is the small, kitten-like child she gave away, and she mourns the father, a young soldier, so beloved, who will never have the chance to know his daughter. Edith and Philip Burns, a childless couple, yearn for a child of their own. When they secretly adopt a baby girl, Irene, their life together must surely be complete. Irene grows up knowing that she is different from other children, but no one will tell her the full truth. Putting hopes of marriage and children behind her, Alice embarks upon a pioneering medical career, striving to make her way in a male-dominated world. Meanwhile, Irene struggles to define her own life, eventually leaving her Suffolk home to find work in London.
Wow! What a stunning, emotional and beautiful read this was. Hore has created a masterpiece with 'The Love Child'. We follow both Alice and Irene through key stages of their lives and to a point where their lives may cross. I enjoyed reading both perspectives and as is common, I started off preferring Alice's chapters and later I preferred Irene's. What did not change is how much I enjoyed all of it and was desperately turning the pages to discover what would happen next.
First and foremost this is a story about family, the decisions that must be made and the consequences of these. The whole plot has a simple beauty to it. The plot is very real, very emotional and quite simply perfect. I really cannot recommend this enough.
The characters are perfect, so real and so wonderful to get to know and follow them. Alice in particular is a force to be reckoned with and what a woman she is! As the book progressed I warmed to Irene, and because we follow her growing up, we really develop a good understanding of her and her story which is very special.
'The Love Child' is a breath-taking story set in tumultuous times that reminds you of the power of love. Stunning perfection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy.
Wow! What a stunning, emotional and beautiful read this was. Hore has created a masterpiece with 'The Love Child'. We follow both Alice and Irene through key stages of their lives and to a point where their lives may cross. I enjoyed reading both perspectives and as is common, I started off preferring Alice's chapters and later I preferred Irene's. What did not change is how much I enjoyed all of it and was desperately turning the pages to discover what would happen next.
First and foremost this is a story about family, the decisions that must be made and the consequences of these. The whole plot has a simple beauty to it. The plot is very real, very emotional and quite simply perfect. I really cannot recommend this enough.
The characters are perfect, so real and so wonderful to get to know and follow them. Alice in particular is a force to be reckoned with and what a woman she is! As the book progressed I warmed to Irene, and because we follow her growing up, we really develop a good understanding of her and her story which is very special.
'The Love Child' is a breath-taking story set in tumultuous times that reminds you of the power of love. Stunning perfection.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy.
January 5, 2020
This is not a novel I would traditionally pick up to read - but I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to read it and it is delightful. It has all the emotions - and I did have a little cry at various points - but what was so important about this story is the strength of the female characters. Sometimes, in the past, society dictated an outcome but there were always those who believed that their future could be their own and would fight against some of the boundaries. Beautiful!
March 1, 2020
This was a bit like reading a jolly hockey sticks girls boarding school story. Although the plot was reasonably good, it was easy to spot what was going to happen next. The problem was the ponderous slow style and unlikely dialogue.
On Chesil Beach, dealing with similar issues, was much better, but that was more of a memoir and this is a romantic novel.
I don’t think I’ll be reading any of her other books.
On Chesil Beach, dealing with similar issues, was much better, but that was more of a memoir and this is a romantic novel.
I don’t think I’ll be reading any of her other books.
May 28, 2021
This superbly written book set in 1917 London, sheds light on two topics not usually written about in this time period: adoption and females entering the medical profession as doctors.
Firstly, until 1927 there was no such thing as legal adoption in the UK. This book begins with a newspaper cutting asking for “respectable married couples wishing to adopt” to apply to a post office box. We follow a lovely couple who, fearing judgement from their peers for their ‘illegal' activity, quietly adopt a little girl and claim she’s a deceased relative’s child. The book continues with Irene’s story and search for her birth mother.
Secondly, Alice began medical training in the final years of WW1, thirty years before the creation of the National Health Service and at a time when medical schools were barring women. Readers discover that medicine was an exceptionally challenging career for women. Hore explains that in order to succeed as a hospital doctor, women needed to pretend to be an honorary man! After graduating, Alice can only accommodate the roles of wife and mother because she sets herself up as a general practitioner rather than following her husband as a surgeon.
“You ladies are here on sufferance. It’s only because you come with the highest recommendation that you’re to be tolerated at all. Simply your presence here is going to disturb. I must ask you to dress as much like the men as you can.” ~ the dean of the biggest and oldest teaching hospital in London
When Alice does her practicum as a doctor, she has the opportunity to help with a birth. As she’s reaching the baby to the mother, a colleague questions, “I expect you can thread a needle? You ladies should be good for something.”
You’ll love this captivating story about two strong women who refuse to let societal expectations place a ceiling on their accomplishments or happiness. Alice faces enough setbacks that could be used as excuses to abandon her dream, yet she allows the experiences to make her more compassionate towards others. Both women had their lives turned upside down and were left facing directions their parents had never dreamed for them. This is their story of overcoming, finding their inner strength and defying the odds.
The beautiful writing style and the sensitive manner in which the author approaches topics appealed to me. She managed to appeal to my emotions and get me invested in the story. The icing on the cake was discovering an author who doesn’t dumb down her prose! I LOVED learning new words: querulous, charabanc, soubriquet, fripperies, prevaricate, besoms, groyne, and hoyden.
Obtaining Rachel Hore’s backlist is next on my agenda!
I was gifted this advance copy by #rachelhore #simonandschustercanada and #netgalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Firstly, until 1927 there was no such thing as legal adoption in the UK. This book begins with a newspaper cutting asking for “respectable married couples wishing to adopt” to apply to a post office box. We follow a lovely couple who, fearing judgement from their peers for their ‘illegal' activity, quietly adopt a little girl and claim she’s a deceased relative’s child. The book continues with Irene’s story and search for her birth mother.
Secondly, Alice began medical training in the final years of WW1, thirty years before the creation of the National Health Service and at a time when medical schools were barring women. Readers discover that medicine was an exceptionally challenging career for women. Hore explains that in order to succeed as a hospital doctor, women needed to pretend to be an honorary man! After graduating, Alice can only accommodate the roles of wife and mother because she sets herself up as a general practitioner rather than following her husband as a surgeon.
“You ladies are here on sufferance. It’s only because you come with the highest recommendation that you’re to be tolerated at all. Simply your presence here is going to disturb. I must ask you to dress as much like the men as you can.” ~ the dean of the biggest and oldest teaching hospital in London
When Alice does her practicum as a doctor, she has the opportunity to help with a birth. As she’s reaching the baby to the mother, a colleague questions, “I expect you can thread a needle? You ladies should be good for something.”
You’ll love this captivating story about two strong women who refuse to let societal expectations place a ceiling on their accomplishments or happiness. Alice faces enough setbacks that could be used as excuses to abandon her dream, yet she allows the experiences to make her more compassionate towards others. Both women had their lives turned upside down and were left facing directions their parents had never dreamed for them. This is their story of overcoming, finding their inner strength and defying the odds.
The beautiful writing style and the sensitive manner in which the author approaches topics appealed to me. She managed to appeal to my emotions and get me invested in the story. The icing on the cake was discovering an author who doesn’t dumb down her prose! I LOVED learning new words: querulous, charabanc, soubriquet, fripperies, prevaricate, besoms, groyne, and hoyden.
Obtaining Rachel Hore’s backlist is next on my agenda!
I was gifted this advance copy by #rachelhore #simonandschustercanada and #netgalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 18, 2021
3/3,5 ⭐
NL scroll ⬇️
This was overall a very enjoyable read.
It took me some time to 'get into' Alice. Irene was so much better to identify with, more interesting somehow, less superficially written.
Yes, Alice had her struggles, but they didn't really come across. Things went too smoothly, especially after her initial troubles.
Whereas I felt sorry for Irene immediately.
I loved how her friend Tom was the first person who didn't make her feel out of place, and his mother Miss Juniper was a lovely and inspiring, colorful character. (Although it sometimes felt like she was inserted because all books need those characters.)
Despite the dark subjects dealt with here, this was a fluffy book, an easy read. (Partly because of the writing style.)
Okay, but not outstanding.
‐-------------------------------------
Over het geheel genomen heb ik genoten van dit boek.
Ik had wel moeite om 'in' Alice te komen. Irene is makkelijker om je mee te identificeren, interessanter en minder oppervlakkig geschreven op een bepaalde manier.
Ja, Alice had haar problemen, maar ze kwamen niet echt over. Alles verliep iets te soepel, zeker na haar eerste problemen.
Terwijl ik meteen medelijden had met Irene.
Ik vond het mooi dat haar vriend Tom de eerste was die haar NIET het gevoel gaf dat ze er niet bij hoorde, en zijn moeder Miss Juniper was een inspirerend, kleurrijk karakter. (Al bekroop me soms het gevoel dat ze erin geschreven was omdat elk verhaal nu eenmaal zo'n figuur nodig heeft.)
Ondanks de moeilijke onderwerpen die hier aan bod komen, was dit een "fluffy" boek. Licht, gemakkelijk leesbaar. (Mede door de schrijfstijl.)
Oké, maar niet geweldig.
NL scroll ⬇️
This was overall a very enjoyable read.
It took me some time to 'get into' Alice. Irene was so much better to identify with, more interesting somehow, less superficially written.
Yes, Alice had her struggles, but they didn't really come across. Things went too smoothly, especially after her initial troubles.
Whereas I felt sorry for Irene immediately.
I loved how her friend Tom was the first person who didn't make her feel out of place, and his mother Miss Juniper was a lovely and inspiring, colorful character. (Although it sometimes felt like she was inserted because all books need those characters.)
Despite the dark subjects dealt with here, this was a fluffy book, an easy read. (Partly because of the writing style.)
Okay, but not outstanding.
‐-------------------------------------
Over het geheel genomen heb ik genoten van dit boek.
Ik had wel moeite om 'in' Alice te komen. Irene is makkelijker om je mee te identificeren, interessanter en minder oppervlakkig geschreven op een bepaalde manier.
Ja, Alice had haar problemen, maar ze kwamen niet echt over. Alles verliep iets te soepel, zeker na haar eerste problemen.
Terwijl ik meteen medelijden had met Irene.
Ik vond het mooi dat haar vriend Tom de eerste was die haar NIET het gevoel gaf dat ze er niet bij hoorde, en zijn moeder Miss Juniper was een inspirerend, kleurrijk karakter. (Al bekroop me soms het gevoel dat ze erin geschreven was omdat elk verhaal nu eenmaal zo'n figuur nodig heeft.)
Ondanks de moeilijke onderwerpen die hier aan bod komen, was dit een "fluffy" boek. Licht, gemakkelijk leesbaar. (Mede door de schrijfstijl.)
Oké, maar niet geweldig.
November 18, 2020
Mooi verhaal over een vrouw die zwanger wordt en gelijkertijd haar verloofde verliest. Ze wordt gedwongen haar kind af te staan door haar stiefmoeder (blij dat we in deze eeuw leven, vreselijk!). Natuurlijk blijft moeder altijd aan haar dochter denken en begint dochter een zoektocht naar haar echte moeder. Dit is eigenlijk waar het verhaal om draait. Ik vond niet alle hoofdstukken even sterk, en ook de verspringingen in tijd vond ik vooral in het begin wat verwarrend (maar dat kan heel goed aan mij gelegen hebben). Al met al toch 4 sterren (afgerond naar boven)
June 1, 2022
This was a perfectly nice book. It wasn't anything to write home about, but it was well written, I enjoyed the story, the characters were well developed, even if I never really warmed to Irene. Overall, I did enjoy it and will read another Rachel Hore in the future. My only complaint is that the mothers (Edith and Gwen) were not believable at times - but apart from that, it was perfectly fine.
April 10, 2022
I didn't gel with this story as much as with others I've read by Rachel but it still held my interest, just wasn't captivated! A dual timeline story, I did like in particular reading Alice's part and seeing how she became a doctor against the odds in that era.
July 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book about a child given up for adoption after her father was killed during the war and her search to find her mother. Told from both perspectives - child and mother - Rachel Hore does a good job developing their characters.
April 13, 2022
Lovely historical fiction about family and identity..
November 3, 2022
A book that falls between two stools. A woman in search of a birth mother or making a point about women training to be doctors in the 1920s.
Both themes in the novel just skimmed the surface with some interesting points in between overwritten scenes.
At tines it was predictable with not a lot of originality.
Irene in the search for her mother did have obstacles in her way, but there were too many conveniences which enabled her to solve problems in her way.
Not a convincing read.
Both themes in the novel just skimmed the surface with some interesting points in between overwritten scenes.
At tines it was predictable with not a lot of originality.
Irene in the search for her mother did have obstacles in her way, but there were too many conveniences which enabled her to solve problems in her way.
Not a convincing read.
July 9, 2024
It is both tragic but also so rewarding once you get to the end!!
February 19, 2021
Wat een prachtig boek waarbij uiteindelijk de cirkel weer rond is voor Irene!
May 24, 2020
4.5 stars
Thank you to Simon and Schushter UK for a digital copy via NetGalley during lockdown 2020 - my thoughts are my own.
This is the first book I've read by Rachel Hore although my Kindle tells me that I have bought (but not read) A Week in Paris and The Dream House.
I enjoyed this historical fiction, set between the First World War and the start of the Second World War. Life was very different and an unmarried mother would be frowned on, so Alice is encouraged to give up her baby, Stella. The book follows the lives of Alice and Irene (formerly Stella).
The book covers adoption, mental health, challenging male dominance in medicine, birth control, family secrets, and the social changes after the end of the war. It is well written, full of historical detail and makes you care for the characters.
If you enjoy historical fiction and/or watching shows such as Call the Midwife, then I believe that you will also enjoy this book.
Thank you to Simon and Schushter UK for a digital copy via NetGalley during lockdown 2020 - my thoughts are my own.
This is the first book I've read by Rachel Hore although my Kindle tells me that I have bought (but not read) A Week in Paris and The Dream House.
I enjoyed this historical fiction, set between the First World War and the start of the Second World War. Life was very different and an unmarried mother would be frowned on, so Alice is encouraged to give up her baby, Stella. The book follows the lives of Alice and Irene (formerly Stella).
The book covers adoption, mental health, challenging male dominance in medicine, birth control, family secrets, and the social changes after the end of the war. It is well written, full of historical detail and makes you care for the characters.
If you enjoy historical fiction and/or watching shows such as Call the Midwife, then I believe that you will also enjoy this book.
August 29, 2022
Alice comes home from the war pregnant and alone as the babys father is gone.Her family arrange for her to give up the baby for adoption. A couple, who have been unable to conceive, adopt the baby and call her Irene. Later that year they have a little boy of their own and Irenes adoptive mother finds it hard not to favour him. Irene spends her life trying to fill that hole while Alice fights to maker her place in the world of medicine, always thinking about her baby.
As always Rachel Hore tells a great story. Alice and Irene are great characters who you become fond of. The secondary characters have their own stories which are interesting and the description of their surroundings helps the reader to picture what is happening.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me a copy.
As always Rachel Hore tells a great story. Alice and Irene are great characters who you become fond of. The secondary characters have their own stories which are interesting and the description of their surroundings helps the reader to picture what is happening.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me a copy.
February 13, 2020
Enjoyed this book very much. My first read of Rachel Hore's.❤
The story started in World War 1, outlining the love between two young people n how events, fate n consequences often outweigh our control n can ultimately shape our lives, in both, good n bad ways.
The split narrative n differing time changes, proved interesting too.
Great (and educational) to learn about how women were historically treated and viewed in the areas of education, medicine and in relation to life on the battlefield.
Also showed that in many cases, blood links do not alone, make us family or provide strong relationships. Family means so much more!
Loved how the 2 main stories became interlinked in the end n relationships stood many tests of time.
The story started in World War 1, outlining the love between two young people n how events, fate n consequences often outweigh our control n can ultimately shape our lives, in both, good n bad ways.
The split narrative n differing time changes, proved interesting too.
Great (and educational) to learn about how women were historically treated and viewed in the areas of education, medicine and in relation to life on the battlefield.
Also showed that in many cases, blood links do not alone, make us family or provide strong relationships. Family means so much more!
Loved how the 2 main stories became interlinked in the end n relationships stood many tests of time.
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