You can usually count on Maureen Lee for a good read and the first two-thirds of this book was enjoyable, involving and satisfying, just as I expect this author's books to be. The last third I did not find as involving and satisfying -- it was almost like she wanted to carry the characters into a 3rd decade but by that time the characterizations as well as the plot were getting weak and it all felt forced. This is the first time I have felt letdown by this author. I have always enjoyed her tales of working class folks in Liverpool in the mid 20th century and while this one was not bad, it just wasn't as good as her other books that I have read.