This was a lovely quaint old fashioned tale based around the time of the first world war . Life was hard with the country in mourning of their loses and the recession that had hit the nation . This is a uplifting read of family ties , poverty and good old fashioned love. The main character Belinda is a tough cookie who wants everyone to love her and you cannot help but be in awe to her as the story unfolds . Family is a big part of this book and the loses that occurred within the large family units that there was in this era. Your sympathy goes out to these families who endured these hardships and the book gives a humbling effect and at the same time that love will win through in the end .