I read books and I know things: Sarah’s Destiny (The Ancestors) by Vicky Adin

Young Sarah Daniels is the heart, soul and future of The White Hart Inn on the Welsh Back. Alongside the quay and wharves on Bristol’s floating harbour, she dreams of finding love, and a destiny where she can escape the drudgery and tragedy that life usually delivers Victorian women. But dreams are free, and few share her ideals. When reality strikes, and Sarah learns the hard way that life is unkind, one man offers her hope.

Through many decades of heart-aching loss, false promises and broken dreams, the young widow clings to that one hope. With six children to care for, she takes risks few others would consider. She breaks conventions and makes sacrifices to keep that hope alive.

Will her wishes come true, or is she destined to be another unfortunate in the sea of many?

A Five Star Read

Sarah’s Destiny follows Sarah, a young woman who’s spent so long doing what’s expected of her that she’s barely had time to think about what she actually wants. Working at the White Hart Inn keeps life ticking along, but it’s clear she feels trapped by the routine and responsibility that come with it.

I found myself rooting for her quite early on. She’s not written as some dramatic heroine who suddenly changes overnight — her growth is slow, awkward at times, and all the more believable because of it. The people she meets and the experiences she has gradually make her question whether the life she’s settled for is enough.

What I liked most was how quietly the story unfolds. The relationships take time to build, conversations matter, and even the smaller moments feel important. It’s the sort of book that doesn’t need huge twists to keep you interested because the characters carry it naturally.

* Change happens gradually, in ways that feel honest and believable.

* Relationships develop through trust, time, and shared experience.

* The novel thoughtfully explores duty, independence, and self-worth.

My thoughts summed up in one posh sentence

A thoughtful, character-driven historical novel that builds gently and stays with you long after the final page.

This book is available on

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Vicky Adin

Like the characters in her books, Vicky has a passion for family history and a love of old photos, antiques, and treasures from the past. After researching the history of the time and place, and realising the hardships many people suffered, Vicky knew she wanted to write their stories. Tales of love and loss, and triumph over adversity. Her latest release, Sarah’s Destiny, Book 1 of The Ancestors series, is inspired by a true love story set in Bristol.

Vicky particularly enjoys writing inter-generational sagas, inspired by true stories of early immigrants to New Zealand, linked by journals, letters, photographs, and heirlooms.

She’s an avid reader of historical novels, family sagas and women’s stories and loves to travel when she can. She has a MA (Hons) in English and Education. Her story of Gwenna won gold in The Coffee Pot Book Club Women’s Historical Fiction Book of Year in 2022 and several of her books carry the gold B.R.A.G medallion.

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