A Valley Dream cover art

A Valley Dream

Book 1 in the uplifting new Backshaw Moss series

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A Valley Dream

By: Anna Jacobs
Narrated by: Julia Franklin
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About this listen

 The first book in Anna Jacobs' wonderful Backshaw Moss series.

1935. At thirty-six, Bella Porter is dependent on her abusive cousin, acting as an unpaid servant. When a kind relative leaves her a house in the village of Backshaw Moss, Thomas tries to take it from her, but she defies him and grasps this chance of a new start in Lancashire.

It is not going to be easy, though. The house is on the edge of a slum and in a state of disrepair, let out as flats. As kind people help her find her feet, however, her confidence grows and when she meets struggling, widowed father-of-three Ryan, she begins to hope she may find the happy family she's always dreamed of.

She's offered partial help with her renovations by the local council who are planning to clear up the slums, but other landlords will do anything to avoid costly improvements and protect their profits. And when Thomas follows her, still after the inheritance, not only is Bella's newfound happiness threatened but also her life. Can her new friends help her rid herself of her tormenter once and for all and finally achieve her valley dream?

(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2021 Anna Jacobs 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Happiness

Critic reviews

PRAISE FOR ANNA JACOBS:
This is that rare thing, a pacy page-turner with a ripping plot and characters you care about . . . [Anna Jacobs is] especially big on resourceful, admirable women. Great stuff!
Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around
[Anna Jacobs' books have an] impressive grasp of human emotions
All stars
Most relevant
Loveable character’s, good story, kept me engaged and didn’t bore, good reading about another part of the village too , going straight into book 2 of this series

Good read / listen

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I really enjoyed this book, the twists and turns, it kept me riveted right to the end. and the reading of it brought it to life it was excellent

Excellent

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Enjoyed the storyline and characters very much indeed. Narration was excellent. Moving on to next in series and hoping is as good

Loved it

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I enjoyed listening to this book and the narrator had a very pleasant voice. The story was very gentle and I look forward to listening to books two and three

A valley dream

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I love this story and can't wait for the second in the series but I hope it won't be read by Julia Franklin. Maybe it is just me but her voice is very distracting. It is so slow and I feel as if she is reading to a child. Her diction is clear though. My favourite reader is Anne Dover. Her voice is just perfect to listen to. I would have given this book 5 stars if it hadn't be read by Julia Franklin.

A fabulous story.

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