REVIEWS RECEIVED for "Don't miss the last train home'

5.0 out of 5 stars.  A novel way to record history and a good read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 5 October 2022. An intriguing and enjoyable book. Were this just an historical novel, the characters’ outcomes could have been predictable, but this was real life, unpredictable and indifferent to the writer’s or reader’s wishes. The author has beautifully captured an individual’s lifetime, a century adrift from our own with our advantage of science and the NHS, and inadvertently highlighted how fortunate we are today.
This must have been challenging to write, expressing words and emotions on behalf of a relative, but it has been done with delicacy and affection. The historical detail is well researched and helps turn a family history into a thoroughly good read.

5,0 sur 5 étoiles.  Une plongée dans l' Angleterre du nord des années 1900, avec une jeune héroïne charismatique

Commenté en France 🇫🇷 le 26 septembre 2022 J' ai lu ce livre en anglais qui m' a passionnée.
On suit la vie et les sentiments de Béatrice, une petite fille née dans un famille d'ouvriers du nord de l'Angleterre, à coté de Manchester jusqu'à sa vie d'adulte. J'ai adoré toutes les descriptions, on est vraiment plongé dans l'atmosphère de ces villes de travailleurs, la pauvreté, les maladies, la mort, mais aussi de beaux sentiments, un pouvoir de résilience extraordinaire, et finalement beaucoup de bonheur et d'optimisme . Une mention spéciale pour les descriptions de la boutique de modiste, pleines de petits détails qui passionneront les couturières artistes . Et surtout, on apprend à la fin que tous ces personnages ont vraiment existé, ce qui rend ce roman encore plus touchant .

Translation: 5.0 out of 5 stars. A journey through 1900s Northern England with a charismatic young heroine

I read this book in English which fascinated me.

We follow the life and feelings of Beatrice, a little girl born into a working class family in the north of England, near Manchester, until her adult life. I loved all the descriptions. We are really immersed in the atmosphere of these cities of workers, poverty, illnesses, death, but also beautiful feelings, an extraordinary power of resilience, and finally a lot of happiness and happiness. 'optimism. A special mention for the descriptions of the millinery shop, full of small details that will fascinate the seamstresses. And above all, we learn at the end that all these characters really existed, which makes this novel even more touching.

5.0 out of 5 stars  Don't Miss This Book 🇬🇧 on 22 October 2022

Excellent historical fiction tale of a real family brought to life through postcards. Told from a first person's viewpoint from childhood through to adult life. Joy, tragedy, happiness, sorrow - much like most lives. Well told with wonderful descriptions. Well researched to set the reader in the time and location. A great read.

5.0 out of 5 stars  Fabulous account of working class life. 🇬🇧 19 October 2022
I suppose this is a fiction/biography. The story follows Beatrice who at the beginning of the book is a young girl growing up in a northern mill town.
The story feels open and honest. The characters are all real members of the author's family. Beatrice collected photos and postcards throughout her life and used these to tell stories to her niece in her later years. These stories have been woven together to make this book. The author also has a website where you can see the photos and postcards. I can truly recommend this book and the website.