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Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts

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Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts

By: Mary Gibson
Narrated by: Anne Dover
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About this listen

They call them the custard tarts - the girls who work at Pearce Duff's custard powder factory in Bermondsey before the First World War. Conditions are hard but nothing can quench the spirit of humour and friendship. But the shadow of the coming war looms over them; it will pull London's East End together as never before - even while it tears the world apart.

©2014 Mary Gibson (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

"A fabulous, fascinating read." (Vanessa Feltz)
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This story by Mary Gibson was brought to life by Anne Dover you were taken back to time of hardship which was held together by strong family values

Great story

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Coming to the end it was hard to say goodbye to the wonderful characters so well portrayed in this story of love and hardship during the first World War.
Anne Dover is the Queen of narrators, she gives life to each and everyone.
Such a brilliant combination of Author and Narrator.

What a great story.

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What a great story very gripping ,narrated extremely well too by Anne Dover. The lives of workers in factories and the love around them to help one another in good times or bad.

Irene Derbyshire

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As a teenager, I read a lot books in this genre, borrowed from the library when I went to stay with my grandmother. It seems that I have never grown out of them, because I am enjoying a run of stories like this, as well as Georgette Heyer, all over again. I think it is a reaction to the lockdowns. I don't want to be challenged by my listening at the moment, I want to be distracted and comforted. That is what this story provided.

Very well read, too.

I think I am regressing

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Enjoyed listening to this book. A nostalgic story with an array of lovable characters. The storyline takes you through just before to just after the First World War and gives a feel of how life was on the home front during that time.

Enjoyable listen

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I really enjoyed this audiobook. It’s mostly lighthearted with good character development and a slightly predictable, but enjoyable storyline.

Light, easy read

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I really wasn't sure about this book but decided to give it a go, I am so glad I did. I have learned so much about social history from this story. I found that became emotionally attached to Nellie, a very likeable character. A tremendous performance by Anne Dover, as always. Highly recommended.

Emotional beyond words

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What did you like most about Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts?

I just liked everything about this book. . .the characters were great & you could almost imagine yourself in there with them. . .

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nellie & Maggie . . . down to earth eastenders...

What three words best describe Anne Dover’s voice?

I dont really like Anne Dover's narrarations, but as the story was good,it took my mind of her a little !

Any additional comments?

I lived for years in the area that this book is set, so I knew all the roads that they were talking about.... made it much more real for me....

Thoroughly enjoyable ..

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of love, war, heartache and happiness, with the happy ever after it so deserves to end on.

a beautiful and poignant story...

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I felt transported back in time. The book is so descriptive that you feel as though you are part of the story. Great insight into the hard times in London in the early 1900's. A Gripping, gentle, romantic, story written in the most beautiful English with an outstanding narration. Very memorable!

Beautiful narration about a family during WW1

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