I have read other books by Rosie Goodwin - mainly parts of series - and knew that I enjoyed her books. The writing was brilliant - the description of Saffie’s first trip to the see was especially descriptive. There were twists and turns and unexpected outcomes which I had not seen coming in any way shape or form. Saffie is forced to place her dreams on hold as she steps up to look after her family. With her younger siblings relying on her, will Saffie ever be able to live the life she hopes for? There was interesting insight into the life aboard a canal boat and the hardships endured, as well life in homes of a better class - I suppose middle and upper class homes.

Rosie Goodwin is one of the popular authors of England who has written many successful standalone novels in her writing career. Most of the novels written by her are based on the romance, literature, and fiction genres. Author Goodwin is praised by a number of magazines as an author who has excelled in her writing works by depicting the complexity of human relationships, the struggles and difficulties of life, and the joys and amusements of friendship and love. She says that before becoming an author, she used to work as a Placement Support Staff in a recruiting company. Other than that, she has also worked for a foster care. Author Goodwin even enrolled herself for a teacher training program and after its completion, she worked as a support staff in the department of social services. Due to her caring attitude towards the human beings she has been able to gather a few children at her home. The children love to be in her guidance and feel safe and sound.Saffie always dreamed of becoming a teacher, despite her father's insistence that she had no need to read and write. Keen to nurture her ambitions, Olivia hoped to introduce Saffie to a childhood friend - the kindly and wealthy Marcus - who runs a free school for the local children, but when Olivia falls ill, she's unable to. And this was no exception. It kept me reading a little bit more and some late nights as I read before bed often. There was sadness and tragedy and in the end some happiness and redemption (I did see this ending happening early on)

Her mother, Olivia, was cast out by her well-to-do family when she fell in love with Saffie's father, a lowly boatman named Reuben. Saffie always dreamed of becoming a teacher, despite her father's insistence that she had no need to read and write.