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  • Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts

  • By: Mary Gibson
  • Narrated by: Anne Dover
  • Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (502 ratings)

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Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts

By: Mary Gibson
Narrated by: Anne Dover
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Summary

They call them the custard tarts - the girls who work at Pearce Duff's custard powder factory in Bermondsey before the First World War. Conditions are hard but nothing can quench the spirit of humour and friendship. But the shadow of the coming war looms over them; it will pull London's East End together as never before - even while it tears the world apart.

©2014 Mary Gibson (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd
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Critic reviews

"A fabulous, fascinating read." (Vanessa Feltz)

What listeners say about Custard Tarts and Broken Hearts

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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What a great story.

Coming to the end it was hard to say goodbye to the wonderful characters so well portrayed in this story of love and hardship during the first World War.
Anne Dover is the Queen of narrators, she gives life to each and everyone.
Such a brilliant combination of Author and Narrator.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

This story by Mary Gibson was brought to life by Anne Dover you were taken back to time of hardship which was held together by strong family values

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I think I am regressing

As a teenager, I read a lot books in this genre, borrowed from the library when I went to stay with my grandmother. It seems that I have never grown out of them, because I am enjoying a run of stories like this, as well as Georgette Heyer, all over again. I think it is a reaction to the lockdowns. I don't want to be challenged by my listening at the moment, I want to be distracted and comforted. That is what this story provided.

Very well read, too.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable listen

Enjoyed listening to this book. A nostalgic story with an array of lovable characters. The storyline takes you through just before to just after the First World War and gives a feel of how life was on the home front during that time.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Light, easy read

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It’s mostly lighthearted with good character development and a slightly predictable, but enjoyable storyline.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Emotional beyond words

I really wasn't sure about this book but decided to give it a go, I am so glad I did. I have learned so much about social history from this story. I found that became emotionally attached to Nellie, a very likeable character. A tremendous performance by Anne Dover, as always. Highly recommended.

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enjoyable story

Any additional comments?

this book covers so much, strikes - the dockers followed by factory workers for higher wages and equal pay even in those far off days. the hardship of the times bringing up a family on low wages, implementing it with working in the evenings too.
we then enter into the war years where women take on men's job hoping their men will come back safe from fighting in france.
anne dover did a good job of performing the book.

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Custard tarts

I have loved the spell binding story filled with so much. Thank you for sharing

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Couldn’t put this book down ! So to speak 😂

A beautiful story that kept me totally engrossed in the story and the life of the characters, all enhanced by the great narration of Anne Dover.

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custard tarts and broken hearts

loved it .What a wonderful story .A LOT OF HEART aches but came right in the end .

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