4.0 (1 rating)
The Midwives of Lark Lane
All's fair in love and war... but what happens when the war is over?
After the heartbreak of World War Two, newlywed midwife Cathy hoped Liverpool life would offer some joy. But a terrible miscarriage and the escape of her abusive stepfather Jack from prison make happiness hard to find.
Meanwhile, Cathy's beloved granny is ailing. Whilst at the hospital, Cathy sees her midwifery friends, who are planning to open a home for unmarried mothers. After losing a baby of her own Cathy would love to help, but for now, she must take care of her grandmother.
As her granny's health worsens, she writes Cathy a letter. The day her grandmother dies, Cathy goes home and opens the envelope: Thank you for giving me a reason to live. Everything I have in the world is yours now, my darling. Cathy is devastated but determined to honour her granny's memory, hoping the maternity home can be her legacy.
Just as Cathy and her friends are about to open their doors to the first expectant mothers, Jack is spotted in Liverpool. It's only a matter of time until her cruel stepfather catches up with her, determined to pay her back for getting him locked up in prison. Can Cathy keep herself and her grandmother's legacy safe, and see Jack sent away for good at last?
The Midwives of Lark Lane is a heart-wrenching saga about how the best friendships can help you through the worst of times. If you're a fan of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas, you'll love Pam Howes!
FIVE STAR reviews of The Midwives of Lark Lane!
'Absolutely, incredibly brilliant!! I adore each and every one of Pam Howes's books and this one is no different!!... Lots of tense moments. I would highly recommend it and recommend everyone read all of Pam Howes's books' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'An emotional roller coaster of a read that captivated me, and had me on the edge of my seat... The story had me so engrossed that I couldn't get on with my everyday life until I had finished it. If you enjoy a heart-warming saga that makes for a compulsive read, then look no further than this author's books. They are truly wonderful.' By the Letter Book Reviews ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Poignant and engrossing, an emotional roller coaster that I couldn't put down. I loved the background, the fleshed-out cast of characters and the well-crafted plot... Highly recommended.' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
After the heartbreak of World War Two, newlywed midwife Cathy hoped Liverpool life would offer some joy. But a terrible miscarriage and the escape of her abusive stepfather Jack from prison make happiness hard to find.
Meanwhile, Cathy's beloved granny is ailing. Whilst at the hospital, Cathy sees her midwifery friends, who are planning to open a home for unmarried mothers. After losing a baby of her own Cathy would love to help, but for now, she must take care of her grandmother.
As her granny's health worsens, she writes Cathy a letter. The day her grandmother dies, Cathy goes home and opens the envelope: Thank you for giving me a reason to live. Everything I have in the world is yours now, my darling. Cathy is devastated but determined to honour her granny's memory, hoping the maternity home can be her legacy.
Just as Cathy and her friends are about to open their doors to the first expectant mothers, Jack is spotted in Liverpool. It's only a matter of time until her cruel stepfather catches up with her, determined to pay her back for getting him locked up in prison. Can Cathy keep herself and her grandmother's legacy safe, and see Jack sent away for good at last?
The Midwives of Lark Lane is a heart-wrenching saga about how the best friendships can help you through the worst of times. If you're a fan of Elaine Everest, Nancy Revell and Donna Douglas, you'll love Pam Howes!
FIVE STAR reviews of The Midwives of Lark Lane!
'Absolutely, incredibly brilliant!! I adore each and every one of Pam Howes's books and this one is no different!!... Lots of tense moments. I would highly recommend it and recommend everyone read all of Pam Howes's books' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'An emotional roller coaster of a read that captivated me, and had me on the edge of my seat... The story had me so engrossed that I couldn't get on with my everyday life until I had finished it. If you enjoy a heart-warming saga that makes for a compulsive read, then look no further than this author's books. They are truly wonderful.' By the Letter Book Reviews ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Poignant and engrossing, an emotional roller coaster that I couldn't put down. I loved the background, the fleshed-out cast of characters and the well-crafted plot... Highly recommended.' Goodreads Reviewer ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Published: March 2, 2023
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781408728642
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Available in: Paperback, Audiobook
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4.0
1 rating
Rachel S.
Apr 6, 2026
If you like Call the Midwife then I am sure you will love The Midwives of Lark Lane. It is part of the Lark Lane series by Pam Howes but can easily be read as a standalone.
Set in the 1960s, this book follows Cathy, if you have read the previous books you will have come across her already. The book starts with Cathy getting married to Gianni, and follows her struggles of married life living apart with a young child, the joy but also the sadness that is being a midwife, setting up a maternity home and the fact her mother’s ex-husband has escaped prison and is out for revenge.
Through the chapters, we go between Cathy’s point of view and then Jack Dawson’s point of view. Ohh he is a nasty piece of work! I really didn’t like him at all. I don’t want to give the whole story away so all I will say is this is one heck of an emotional rollercoaster of a book but I really liked it.
This is not something I would see at a book store and pick up usually, however, not I have read this I am definitely going to pick up the rest of the Lark Lane books.
Set in the 1960s, this book follows Cathy, if you have read the previous books you will have come across her already. The book starts with Cathy getting married to Gianni, and follows her struggles of married life living apart with a young child, the joy but also the sadness that is being a midwife, setting up a maternity home and the fact her mother’s ex-husband has escaped prison and is out for revenge.
Through the chapters, we go between Cathy’s point of view and then Jack Dawson’s point of view. Ohh he is a nasty piece of work! I really didn’t like him at all. I don’t want to give the whole story away so all I will say is this is one heck of an emotional rollercoaster of a book but I really liked it.
This is not something I would see at a book store and pick up usually, however, not I have read this I am definitely going to pick up the rest of the Lark Lane books.