Books like The Constant Heart by Dilly Court

Eighteen‑year‑old Rosina May lives beside the Thames, a river that is noisy, dirty, and disease‑ridden. When her father’s feud with a fellow bargeman threatens to devastate their humble life, Rosina agrees to marry Harry, the son of a wealthy merchant, hoping to protect her family. After her father dies, Harry reneges on his promise and turns Rosina out onto the streets. Forced to endure rough conditions, she takes work on the river, ferrying rubbish out of London. During this hardship she encounters a handsome river pirate, a man who ignites a longing in her heart. As new tragedies loom, Rosina must decide whether to risk everything for love or to protect herself and her remaining family. The novel explores the struggles of young women, the harsh realities of 19th‑century London, and the choices people make when their worlds are upended.

First publish date: 2008