The Little Orphan Girl

Ireland, 1901: The workhouse gates clanged shut behind us, as me and the mammy walked down the hill towards the town. I was six years old and leaving the only home I had ever known…

When Cissy Ryan’s real mother comes to claim her from the workhouse, it’s not how she imagined. Her family’s tumbledown cottage has ice on the inside of its windows and is in an isolated, poverty-stricken village in the muddy Irish countryside. But when Cissy is allowed to help neighbour Colm Doyle and his horse named Blue on their milk round one morning, Cissy starts to feel as though friendship could get her through anything.

It’s Colm who looks in on Cissy’s grandfather when she starts at the village school, and Colm who tells her to hold her chin high when she interviews for a position at the grand Bretton House. But in the vast mansion with its shining floors and sweeping staircase, it’s Master Peter Bretton who captures Cissy’s heart with his dark curls and easy laugh.

As Cissy blossoms from a skinny orphan into a confident young girl, Colm tells her she’s as good as anyone and she begins to believe anything is possible. But not everyone with a kind smile has a kind heart, and Cissy doesn’t know that further sorrow lies in store for her.

When Cissy finds herself desperate, alone, and faced with a devastating choice, can she find the strength to survive?

What readers are saying about The Little Orphan Girl:

‘Oh my word what a fabulous book… I just loved every page of it. This book drew me right in and I was glued to it right up to the final page… A massive 5 stars from me.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Wow… right from the start I was hooked to the pages… brilliant… full of joy and also heartbreak… my heart was being wrenched out… an absolutely gorgeous story full of highs and lows… I couldn’t put this book down.’ Katie’s Book Cave, 5 stars

‘Wow!! What a heartbreaking story I ever read! I absolutely loved that book sooooo much…. I definitely will read more books from this author…amazing!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 star

‘Oh WOW… What a beautiful heart-warming story this is… drew me in and I loved it from the very first page. I couldn’t get enough… I was reading this until 1am.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I fell in love… fabulous… an enthralling read that I didn’t want to put down. I was so wrapped up… heart-warming and beautifully written… will have you hooked until the very last page.’ By the Letter Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘Oh my heart… Outstanding… such a beautiful heart-warming and at times heart-breaking story. This touched my heart! I felt all the emotions while reading this story… this book will be going straight into my top 20 of 2018… stunning… I devoured and lost myself in this book… Brilliant. Five stars.’ Between the Pages Book Club, 5 stars

‘Amazing! Heartbreaking and heartwarming…I fell in love with Cissy’s character right from the start. … I actually cried during the reading of this book…wish I could give it more than a 5 star rating.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘Wow’. I absolutely LOVED it… I had to make sure I had a supply of tissues handy… one hell of an emotional rollercoaster… seriously addictive… totally, utterly and absolutely loved reading ‘The Little Orphan Girl.’ Ginger Book Geek, 5 stars

‘So so so good! I loved everything about it...’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I loved it… A wonderful, although heartbreaking story, which was filled with hope, friendship and family… Highly recommended.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars