Nobody’s Girl

Abandoned and alone, you'll do anything to survive…

ABANDONED

On the cold stone steps of an orphanage, only a few hours old and clutching the object which was to give her name, Pearl Button had a hard start to life.

ALONE

Now 16, she's finally managed to escape the cruel confines of the orphanage. Finding work at a nearby café, Pearl is thrilled to start earning her own money, even if she must contend with sharp-tongued Dolly Dolby and her menacing son Kevin.

AT RISK

Soon, though, Pearl's life is thrown into jeopardy when she becomes entangled in the murky South London underworld. Can gentle giant Derek Lewis protect vulnerable Pearl from handsome but cruel Kevin – and her own heart?

Meanwhile, at the orphanage where Pearl spent her wretched childhood, a terrible secret that she has guarded is about to be unleashed…

A gripping and heartrending saga from the Sunday Times bestseller. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn and Dilly Court.

Originally published 2007

Praise for Nobody's Girl:

'I couldn't put this book down! The characters really come to life.' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I enjoyed this so much I went on to read another six of Kitty's books in quick succession, reading until the early hours…' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I really enjoyed this book … It had twists and turns that I hadn't expected!' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A brilliant story … The characters are well thought out and Kitty had you believing you knew them, a great author!' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I did not want it to end!' Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviews

Praise for NOBODY'S GIRL:

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

'Heartbreakingly poignant and joltingly realistic. From the first page the characters and their lives drew me in. It combines wonderfully accurate historical detail with true gritty realism in a book that fans of misery lit won't want to miss.' Annie Groves, author of Some Sunny Day

Praise for Kitty Neale:

"This tale of survival is fully of drama and heartache – a real page-turner that you won't want to put down.' 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

"A gritty tale" Bella Magazine

"Neale makes Cookson's earthiest stories look a little tame." Peterborough Evening Telegraph

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