Books like Abandoned child by Kitty Neale

Ruth Neale’s story follows a woman once living comfortably as a wealthy widow on the Costa Blanca, who faces financial ruin and decides to forge a new life by returning to Margate, England, where she attempts to start her own business. In her haste, Ruth leaves her seven‑year‑old daughter Penny in the care of others, distanced from the cold and uncaring mother whose priority shifts to her own ambitions. Lorna, an old friend of Ruth’s, becomes the focal point of Penny’s world, offering love and attention that Penny lacked from her mother. As Ruth surprises everyone by shipping Penny off to boarding school, Lorna’s cousin Maureen—a former stripper from London—enters Penny’s life, introducing a new dynamic. The narrative examines the impact of secrecy and abandonment on a young girl navigating a new environment.

First publish date: 2013