When We Danced at the End of the Pier

Brighton Girls Trilogy, Book 1

By: Sandy Taylor

Narrated by: Rebecca Courtney

Brighton, 1930: Maureen O'Connell is a carefree girl, but war is looming, and life will never be the same again.

Jack and Nelson have always been dear friends to Maureen. Despite their different backgrounds, they've seen each other through thick and thin.

The candle Maureen's always held for Jack burns bright, but just as she's found love, war wrenches them apart. With Jack no longer by her side and Nelson at war, can Maureen look to a brighter future?

©2017 Sandy Taylor (P)2017 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"It has all the ingredients for a perfect read: fantastic, loveable and very real characters, an emotional and compelling storyline, and a brilliant setting in time and place." (Louise Douglas)

"I loved this novel so much, even though it’s probably the most heart-breaking story I’ve read all year...it will totally absorb you and capture your heart." ( That Thing She Read)

Storyline is awesome

I have found another wonderful writer. It's an incredible story from start to finish. Finished the three books perhaps a week. Lost track of time due to work schedule interfering my reading schedule. I really recommend this Brighton series. So touching. I became invested like the characters were neighbors. It really worked my imagination and emotions. Well done!!!

LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP…A WONDERFUL ENDING TO A WONDERFUL TRILOGY!

I loved this ending to this trilogy, but there were times when it seemed this book should be the FIRST in the trilogy instead of the third. Still, I loved the story (even more than the first two books); it tied everything together and gave background to some of the characters, such as Maureen’s dad’s early days.

I loved that Maureen went to Ireland and met her dad’s side of the family and that she had such a positive experience. Her time there really helped her put life into perspective and to help her appreciate that despite difficulties, she was really was lucky in many ways.

I have to say that out of all the characters in the book, Nelson was my favorite. Despite his rough beginnings, he had a heart of gold. He loved Maureen unconditionally, and his quiet, unassuming ways won Maureen’s heart over in the end. I had a hard time in this book visualizing Rita and Nelson as they were portrayed in Book Two. Rita here was a happy easy baby, then as a happy, easy little girl. In Book Two, she becomes this screechy over-dominating presence for most of the book.

In Book Two, Nelson is portrayed as a little wimpy, constantly smoking guy who was a little detached from Rita and his wife (Dotty was his favorite). I wondered throughout this book how these two characters became how they were in Book Two.

I am a sucker for a happy ending and this book didn’t disappoint. The narrator was fantastic doing both the English AND the Irish accents. She really brought each character to life.

I know I will re-read these books again in the future. I highly recommend them. They can be read as stand alone books, but I recommend reading them in order if possible — readers have a better understanding of the characters and how they came to be who they are.

I can’t wait to start my next Sandy Taylor book!

The reversal of time.

I’ve just finished the trilogy. I really enjoyed the first and second books as the main characters moved from childhood into the teen years, early and lasting friendships, adventures and misadventures and plans for their future lives.

Book 3 threw me off from time to time. I had the characters from the first 2 books so ingrained that it was sometimes difficult to remember that I was in the “before” of 1 and 2 and had to sometimes place what I was hearing into a future reference.

All in all I enjoyed and recommend the series for those who prefer lighter listening.

Kudos to the narrator. Great job!

Brilliant!

Storytelling at its best!
Beautifully written, emotional, poignant and a wonderful story about friendship, family, love and war.
Heartwarming, heartbreaking and humorous.
Great narration.

The beauty of true friendship

I hate war , but this book made me love friendship even more. Some of the characters really moved me. Particularly Nelson.