In 1898 three young girls leave a Dublin orphanage to enter a life of domestic service. They are placed in the home of Captain Charles Whitmore but soon discover that the household is in turmoil. Charles, hoping to amass a fortune, is preparing to set off on a long sea voyage, deliberately leaving his wife Georgina almost penniless to fend for herself and the servants.Georgina, who has been … been desperate to break free from a life of violent marital abuse, is relieved that he will be gone for some years, but nevertheless the future is frightening.
Then help comes from an unexpected quarter. An organisation that helps women escape lives of abuse or genteel poverty makes Georgina an offer. They propose that her house should become a school designed to train such women to seek employment in the American West. The very idea is at once shocking and appealing.
Can Georgina step into the unknown and lead the women under her care into the future?
The orphan maids listen and wonder. Can they too dare to dream of a better life for themselves?
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Really enjoyed this book. Story of abused and how the h over came impossible odds. Ended rather abruptly though.
It’s wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t overwhelmed either. parts of it are factual, but the characters didn’t all mesh believably.
Liked it very much. Finished and immediately bought and read the sequel.
This book was amazing! I was very surprised the way it turned in a couple of places. I couldn’t put the book down, it was amazing.
I loved this book. I look forward to more from this author
well written! Love histoical fiction….
I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more in the series. The young orphans were captivating and the idea of young women going to America to work at railroad reststops had me looking up more information about the Harvey girls. I would definitely read more as I like books that teach me something as well as entertain.
look forward to reading the next in the series.
It hard to imagine the lives these women lived in a time where social class was everything.
I loved this book and I want to read the next one in the series.
The characters were stilted. I did like some of the ideas presented, but for the most part it was a waste of time.
Very stilted, way too many characters, stories that go nowhere.
Interesting plot and characters
Terrible ending.
It is ok.
Loved this book. I am reading 3th book in series now. Well written and enjoyed history and how struggles of these women paved the way for other women to make a better life. I will definitely read more books written by this author.
A great book that shows it does not matter if you come from privilege or humble beginnings we can all encounter unbelievable struggles which we can overcome.
I also appreciate how far womens rights have come.
I kept reading hoping there would be answers to so many things in the story but was disappointed.
My new favorite author. So disappointed when book ended.
Impossible Dream was a first time read of titles by Gemma Jackson. I enjoyed it and believe I gained a perspective on the lives of people in Dublin during the time period in which it was set. I plan to read more titles in this series.