A Mother’s Ruin

You can’t choose your family…

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Kitty Neale comes an emotional family saga about two women whose bravery and kinship will see them through the toughest times.

CRUEL When her beloved Gran has a stroke, Sally and her family move back home to look after her. But Sadie's illness has made the wise woman they once knew bigoted and bad-tempered. Sadie is testing everyone's patience, including Sally's mum Ruth, and Sally’s husband Arthur.

CALLOUS Their problems are nothing compared with Tommy, the little ruffian next door. With an absentee father and an alcoholic mother, Tommy has a hard life. However, Ruth sees the good in him and takes him under her wing, but his unpredictable and violent mother has other ideas.

CRISIS Meanwhile, the stress of living cheek-by-jowl with Sally's family is starting to push Arthur away. As cracks in their marriage begin to appear, both Sally and Arthur must decide where their priorities lie before it's too late…

A heartbreaking historical novel about women, friendship, family and hope. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Dilly Court.

Previously published in 2011

Readers absolutely love A Mother’s Ruin:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely superb book!… I couldn't put it down! The best book I have read for a long time.… Each page has you wanting to know what happens next! Romance, tragedy and intrigue all rolled into one!’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Absolutely fantastic and moving read, had me gripped and enthralled from start to finish. Couldn't put it down, many bleary eyed mornings, but totally worth it.’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I chose 5 stars because there weren't any more to rate this brill read… thanks Kitty for being a literal genius xx’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fantastic! A book to lose yourself in. Could not wait to have five minutes to myself to have a little escapism, great.’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant book from start to finish.’ Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Could of continued reading this story forever.’ Reader review

Reviews

Praise for Kitty Neale:

'Heartbreakingly poignant and joltingly realistic.’ Annie Groves

‘A moving tale of love, hope and family…full of drama and heartache.’ Closer

‘A heart-breaking yet essentially uplifting and inspiring story, full of warmth, hope and the indomitable human ability to overcome adversity.’ Lancashire Evening Post

‘emotive story of loss and hope’ Peterborough Evening Telegraph

‘This pageturner is a gritty tale of survival.’ Tesco magazine

‘A gritty tale.’ Bella

About the author

Kitty Neale was raised in South London and this working class area became the inspiration for her novels. In the 1980s she moved to Surrey with her husband and two children, but in 1998 there was a catalyst in her life when her son died, aged just 27.

After working for 2 years with other bereaved parents in a support group, Kitty took up writing as a form of catharsis, and now lives in Spain with her husband.