The Nurses of Lark Lane — Pam Howes

Liverpool, 1955. With her abusive husband drinking all her wages, Alice faces a daily struggle to provide for her family. Her eldest daughter Cathy has always longed to be a nurse, but when the family's poverty means she's forced to leave school and get a job â€" without the qualifications she needs â€" it looks like her dreams are over.

But Cathy isn't willing to give up without a fight, and with the support of old friend â€" and new love â€" Gianni, she manages to secure a place as a cadet nurse, learning as she works.

Cathy knows that without her around, her mam must stand up to her violent husband alone â€" and that with less money coming in, Alice will be in danger of losing everything. What's more, since nursing students must be unmarried, and Gianni is desperate to settle down, it's not just her mam who hopes that Cathy will come home…

Can Cathy find a way to have it all, or will becoming a nurse mean leaving her family â€" and love â€" behind her?

The Nurses of Lark Lane is a heart-breaking saga about a family's battle to survive. If you love Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Donna Douglas, you won't want to miss Pam Howes!

An earlier version of this book was previously published as Cathy's Clown. This edition contains significant editorial revisions.

‘I cannot recommend this book or this series highly enough. I have loved each and every one… May I just say that a pack of tissues would be advisable… A first class read, taken back in time with fantastic characters. Written beautifully.' I Love Reading, 5 stars

‘Had me hooked from the first page… Pam Howes has put her life and soul into this and I recommend that everyone reads this, you won't want it to end.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘An engaging, page-turner… loved Cathy's journey and didn't want it to end… So compelling, it leaves me desperate for more. Highly recommended.' By The Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘Absolutely lovely read. The type of saga that draws me right in to the characters and their lives in their hometown. Will be grabbing all the books by this author.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I loved it and didn't want it to end. Five stars, well done to Pam Howes.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I loved the two previous books and this one was amazing. Thank you, Pam Howes!... What a wonderful ending.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘A really lovely story that comes to life care of the author's lovely writing style.' NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Absolutely love this series and this book is no exception, a great insight into the post-war years.' Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars