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Don't miss the unforgettable new story of one woman's grit and perseverance from Sunday Times bestselling author, Val Wood.

In 1860’s Yorkshire, a woman’s fortune belongs to her husband – regardless of a so-called-gentleman’s character…

When Lydia Mercer’s marriage scandalously disintegrates, she faces some impossibly hard choices. Refusing to hide ashamedly away in the shadows she decides to take control of her future…


A future that seems inexplicably intertwined with that of widowed carpenter Matthew Wade and his brood of motherless children? Lydia is magnetically drawn to this very special family, and especially to the strong, honourable, doing everything to keep his family together...

When dark secrets and society’s expectation threaten their path to happiness, plucky, determined Lydia refuses to give in to despair. Can she follow her dreams of establishing her own independence and find the family she’s always dreamed of?

© Val Wood 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025