The foundling is a second book from Stacey Halls. Having read her first book, the familiars, I really wanted to read this one as I love her writing style. Her descriptions make me feel like I'm there, can see and smell and taste the life in Georgian London. Bess , a young shrimp seller has to give away her newborn as she is too poor to keep her. 6 years later she saved 2 pounds and goes back to the foundling hospital to get her back but the documents claim that the babys mother picked her up a day after the child was left there. In the chapel Bess sees a girl that looks like her and is convinced its her. The girl lives with a cold and secluded widow and Bess tries to get a job in the household to be closer to her daughter. The story is written in parts from the perspective of Bess and Alexandra , the rich widow, which shows how different their worlds are but how both women struggle with their lives and how hard they try to change their fate. It's a heartbreaking and heartwarming story.