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    Don't Pass Me By
    Unavailable
    Don't Pass Me By
    Unavailable
    Don't Pass Me By
    Ebook442 pages8 hours

    Don't Pass Me By

    By Julie McGowan

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    1940: London is about to be ravaged by the Blitz. For Lydia the last beating is the final straw. She has to escape from her husband, and when a gas explosion rips their house apart she flees, taking baby Grace with her. Rejected by her father, and not knowing where to go next, she joins a crowd of evacuee children at the railway station, and her destiny is changed forever as they find themselves in rural Wales.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSunpenny
    Release dateOct 1, 2013
    ISBN9781909278134
    Unavailable
    Don't Pass Me By
    Author

    Julie McGowan

    Julie McGowan is an established short story and feature writer for national and international publications, and has won numerous writing competitions over the years. Her writing credits also include educational features, pantomimes, sketches and songs and newspaper columns. Well known in her home town of Usk for her work in the community, Julie runs a theatrical group which performs variety shows and her witty pantomimes to sell-out audiences every year. She also co-runs Is It?, a theatre company which runs young people’s drama workshops and tours schools in Wales with productions covering health and social issues. Born in Blaenavon, Julie left Wales for Kent at the age of 12. She trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital, London, and then as a Health Visitor in Durham, living there for 4 years after her marriage to Peter. The couple now have four adult children and have lived in Surrey, Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire before returning to Wales 19 years ago. Julie has had a variety of jobs including teaching piano and a stint as Town Clerk in Usk.

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    Reviews for Don't Pass Me By

    4.5/5

    4 ratings2 reviews

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    • 2/5
      Loved but hated this book all in one, the worst part is knowing these things still happen in this day and age.. And 9 times out of 10 they get away with it.
    • 5/5
      I was given this book in exchange for a honest review. Having looked at the jacket cover to see what the topic was, I was willing to take on this book. I can say, that the jacket cover doesn't do this book justice.

      I honestly don't know where to start with "Don't Pass Me by." This book is like an onion, you keep peeling layers and layers to find the center. To start this off, Lydia, who is a young wife marries a soldier that is fighting in the war. Hitler's troops are in London and bombs are destroying everything. Lydia learns that her new husband, Billy, isn't what she thought he was. She learns he has a violent temper and an alcoholic. Thinking that a baby would change the situation, Lydia tries to handle a bad situation the best that she knows...cope, it might get better. But for those who have been in these situations learn, 99% of the time, it doesn't, it only gets worse. Then her opportunity strikes. An explosion allows her and the baby Grace to escape.

      As Lydia transforms herself into a widow, she takes on a job as a housekeeper for a young and attractive Dr. Eliot. This arrangement allows Lydia to learn what a real house should feel like. She and the Dr. develop a bond that will eventually be tested.

      In the meantime we are introduced to Amy and Arthur. Amy is a little girl about the age of 8. She's sent to live with a family who is to protect her during the war. Only problem is, little Amy learns that sometimes those who are to protect do more harm. Arthur learns a valuable lesson in life that not everyone is who they appear to be. Only problem is, the one that he needs the most is the one who betrays this young man. However, Arthur becomes a very important person in Amy's life.

      That's the story in a nut shell without giving away the wonderful ending. So here are my thoughts on this book:

      1.) This book is not for the weak hearted. Abuse is a heavy topic here. Not just the abuse that Lydia endures. But the gut tearing abuse that poor Amy is subjected to. I hated to read of how Amy was being treated. The author does a wonderful job of explaining how and what Amy endures without it being gross. Abuse is always a hard topic to write on, but Ms. McGowan does a great job in her description.

      2.) The unlikely hero's of this book took me by suprise. I knew that one would step up and defend the honor of the female. However, the other completly threw me off. I want to tell you who it is, but this will spoil the book. I was actually crying when I got to this point in the book to see how it all came about. I was cheering when this moment happen. Karma has a way of being a bit of a bitch sometimes, and this time she rared her ugly head and struck with a vengence. (WONDERFUL)

      3.) The way the author goes into the historical aspect of the war was really great. We all know how the war ended. We also know how displaced everyone was over the war. To hear a personal story, even though it was fictional, makes the hardships so personal.

      4.) At first, even towards the middle of the book, did I wonder, what does Amy and Arthur have to do with Lydia. It seemed as if these two characters didn't belong in the story. Then it all started to flow together. At first, it really threw me for a loop. But eventually, I saw how the connection was being made.

      I really did like this book. I've read several books that had the subject of abuse as the central topic. It always takes a lot out of me emotionally. This book heavy and will leave you emotional from the beginning to end. It is a wonderful story, but I be honest, some may be turned off by the abuse. Others will see it for what it is, a story of heartbreak that turns into love and for many, freedom.

      Ms. McGowan, you made me cry way too many times during this book. Thanks for such a wonderful story!