A Moment to Remember

by Dee Williams

Born into terrible poverty, Millie Ash's hopes for a better life are threatened by a fatal accident in Dee Williams' heartrending new saga. Nine-year-old Millie Ash and her family live a tough and frugal life in Rotherhithe. Millie is determined from a young age to better herself and when her aunt gets her a job as a scullery maid for the Green family in London, she believes her luck is changing. She soon becomes friends with the Green children, Lewis and Joan. Joan is paralysed and confined to the house, and the girls become very close. But years later a tragic accident changes everything and Millie loses her job and is disowned by her family. Lewis stands by her, but when he leaves for the battlefields of France, Millie realises she must make her own luck if she is to have any chance of happiness...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dee Williams grew up in Rotherhithe, East London, and left school at fourteen. After living abroad, she settled in Hampshire with her husband, where she remains active as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness while staying close to her family.

Reviews

[Serene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, although the death of the heroine's friend was disappointing. I thought Jane was one of the better character in the story.

However about halfway through the book, I felt the writer just sped up and wrote a plot outline. The story lost a lot of intimacy. There were also major issues that I felt never got resolved like the situation with the heroine's father possibly molesting her sister, her brothers who went off to war (and never were seen again), the butcher who was in love with her, and the doctor likewise.

Seems like plot devices were introduced and yet, never went anywhere. Just not enough closure to me.

The ending and romantic reunion in the last few paragraphs felt weak and sort of tacked on.

Overall, I liked the first half, but the second half felt like the author ran out of steam and it lacked a lot of the fun and emotional intimacy of the beginning.

[LESLEY HEDISON · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant read

It would have been a better story had it not been condensed and syrupy, there is lots left unsaid and unwritten, the grammar in places was confusing but being educated I got the drift, ie a back ,,,,,,, is so much different to aback , which means shocked,surprised , not just plain " back off ".
Could have been good as a trilogy.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this 4 stars , because I enjoyed the story, very easy to read/listen too. But must admit , i found it often too good to be true.....

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although A Moment to Remember was a quick, easy read, it was very predictable and the way Millie landed on her feet every time something went wrong in her life, was unbelievable. She was like a cat with nine lives! I also hated her father and his attitude, and wasn't that impressed with Millie's siblings either, especially Bertie and Pammy, who expected Millie to provide for them all without doing anything themselves to support the family. The ending was too cheesy for my liking and a number of things were left unresolved. A mediocre read.

[Alison Davey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really enjoy the story but the fact it was narrated rather than somebody’s POV meant there was a lot of “he said” “she said”. The grammar also had me re-reading some sentences to ensure I was following.

The second half of the book doesn’t seem to be as in depth as the first and there are points in the story that went unresolved which makes me think there could be a sequel?

[Kristen Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our dear protagonist Millie is so pretty and charming that she escapes poverty, abuse, and heartbreak with ease. And she does it all without a single intelligent thought passing through her mind! I love simple novels but this one is too vapid to be of any real enjoyment.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story although the last third seemed quite rushed and the ending was rather abrupt. Lots of grammatical errors in this book, things spelt wrong, words missed out or repeated etc (which really annoys me). Do people not proof read any more?

[Tracey J Wretham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and believable

Fantastic read, gripping from start to finish.
I was disappointed when it finished. Would be good to have sequel need to know how their life went

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread book a d thoroughly e enjoyed it again

[Kirsty Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book I enjoyed reading it

[Jackie Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, gets straight into the story and yes it's a bit of a fairy tale but don't we all need a good love story 🙌
Will definitely be reading more from Dee Williams 📖

[Noreen Metson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read but I felt the ending was too abrupt.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an unbelievably easy book to read,I flew through it in the same day. It was quick to read in that there was no lingering over chapters and long drawn out times in Milly's life,it was so fast paced.
Tho saying that it was far too rushed at the end,you knew she would meet up with someone from her past eventually and when she clapped eyes on him that was it,story solved the end! At least give us a chapter or epilogue!

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely romantic story telling the tale of Millicent Ash.
Unhappy at home with the misery and drudgery of her poverty stricken family and abusive father she decides to leave to try and help herself and maybe her family out of their troubles by finding her mythical aunt Doris whom her mam lost touch with many years ago.
Along the way she is picked up in the park by an invalid girl named Jane and her nurse Walton.
An indulged and very much beloved child Jane is allowed anything her heart desires by her affluent family so hence Milly is taken in and treated very well as a servant / companion to Jane but as time goes by Milly starts to have romantic feelings towards Jane's brother Richard, scared she will lose her place she keeps it to herself and life carries on as normal until one day tragedy strikes and in fear Milly leaves the place where she found so much happiness, shunted back and forth back to her family and numerous jobs she tries her hardest to make her way in life but still she cannot get over the tragedy that blighted her happy lifestyle with the Green family and she cannot forgot her long cherished feelings towards Richard.
Can she ever find love or happiness again or will she always be haunted by that "moment to remember"?
Well written with a wealth of historical detail and a great page turner as I finished it in less than 24 hours this is a must for any period novel fan.
A wonderful read.

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, that tells of a family struggling, with hardship, a tale of love, and loss,, friendship, and loyalty, For me,it was a fairytale, and I loved it! will I be reading more of Dee Williams? YES,

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little read. Could picture the characters very well.

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a brilliant book, I can always guarantee a good read if its a Dee Williams book.

[Charly303 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting to read! Gave a true insight into life in the early 1900s. Read if you have a love for romance and survival in the past!

[Arian Mae]

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[Judith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe this warranted being published in hardback. Picked it up at a charity shop, ex municipal library. Sugary sweet, shallow characters, achingly predictable and stereotypical