This beautifully evoked slice of regional experience offers universal appeal … a colourful network of characters leaps from the page

Guardian

McNeil is unflinching in her descriptions of the harshness of her central character’s surroundings … a fine writer

Yorkshire Post

Rich in period detail … a finely observed novel

Sainsbury’s Magazine

An exquisite novel … McNeil’s observations about the suffragette movement are particularly well-drawn, highlighting with gentle satire the gulf between middle and working class aspirations. The result is acerbic realism elegantly told

Big Issue

Absorbing, well written and atmospheric

Glasgow Evening Times

An irresistible read … compelling … multi-layered

Jill Hyem, Writer of Tenko and House of Eliott

Brought to life with warmth, compassion and humour … thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting

David Nobbs, Writer of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

The quaint setting of pre–World War II Yorkshire belies the empowering story of two girls and their strength and determination to find justice and forge a lifelong friendship.

American Library Association

You can’t have it both ways coming up with streets and workplaces that really did exist – and then going into fiction mode because you so obviously can’t remember the name of the next street

Anon. Amazon