One of the world’s bestselling storytellers, Lesley Pearse writes brilliantly about survivors. Why? Because she is one herself . . .

‘Inspiring and hopeful, this heartwarming memoir will have you captivated’ Woman

‘An incredible memoir‘ Sun

‘[Lesley] is a great storyteller, and like all good stories The Long and Winding Road concludes with one terrific twist’ Daily Mail

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Born during the Second World War, Lesley’s innocence came to an abrupt end when a neighbour found her, aged 3, coatless in the snow.

The mother she’d been unable to wake had been dead for days. Sent to an orphanage, Lesley soon learned adults couldn’t always be trusted.

As a teenager in the swinging sixties, she took herself to London. Here, the second great tragedy of her life occurred. Falling pregnant, she was sent to a mother and baby home, and watched helplessly as her newborn was taken from her.

But like so many of her generation, Lesley had to carry on. She was, after all, a true survivor. Marriage and children followed – and all the while she nurtured a dream: to be a writer. Yet it wasn’t until at the age of 48 that her stories – of women struggling in a difficult world – found a publisher, and the bestseller lists beckoned.

As heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, Lesley’s story really is A Long and Winding Road with surprises and uplifting hope around every corner . . .

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‘I couldn’t put this book down. Although harrowing at times, Lesley’s indomitable spirit shines through. What an inspiration, what a book!’ Katie Fforde

‘Searingly honest, and fabulously entertaining, Lesley's life story is a poignant and powerful story that is truly unputdownable’ Milly Johnson

‘A totally gripping read, by turns tragic, mad-cap, heartbreaking and mind-blowing. And anyone who can read that final chapter without bursting into happy tears has to have a heart of stone’ Jill Mansell

‘An incredible life story from a literary icon, Lesley Pearse’s truth is even more gripping than her fiction’ Veronica Henry

‘This inspiring, heart-warming, extraordinary memoir will have you captivated’ Woman's Weekly

‘Humorous and heartbreaking, Lesley opens up to her readers in a way that is rare and very special. I was so gripped I read it twice’ Kate Furnivall

‘What a roller coaster of a ride. I couldn't do anything else until I'd finished this book. Gripping, heart wrenching. A true life Woman of Substance. It was an amazing read’ Jo Thomas

I couldn’t put this book down. Although harrowing at times, Lesley’s indomitable spirit shines through. What an inspiration, what a book! * Katie Fforde *
Searingly honest, and fabulously entertaining, Lesley's life story is a poignant and powerful story that is truly unputdownable * Milly Johnson *
A totally gripping read, by turns tragic, mad-cap, heartbreaking and mind-blowing. And anyone who can read that final chapter without bursting into happy tears has to have a heart of stone * Jill Mansell *
An incredible life story from a literary icon, Lesley Pearse’s truth is even more gripping than her fiction * Veronica Henry *
This inspiring, heart-warming, extraordinary memoir will have you captivated * Woman's Weekly *
Humorous and heartbreaking, Lesley opens up to her readers in a way that is rare and very special. I was so gripped I read it twice * Kate Furnivall *
What a roller coaster of a ride. I couldn't do anything else until I'd finished this book. Gripping, heart wrenching. A true life Woman of Substance. It was an amazing read * Jo Thomas *
Lesley is a survivor, you'll certainly want to read the extraordinary story of her life. Inspiring and hopeful, this heartwarming memoir will have you captivated * Woman *
An incredible memoir * Sun *
[Lesley] is a great storyteller, and like all good stories The Long and Winding Road concludes with one terrific twist * Daily Mail *

International bestselling author Lesley Pearse has lived a life as rich with incidents, setbacks and joys as any found in her novels. By the mid-sixties she was living in London, sharing flats, partying hard and married to a trumpet player in a jazz-rock band. She has also worked as a nanny and a Playboy bunny, owned a gift shop and designed and made clothes to sell to boutiques. It was only after having one son and three daughters that Lesley began to write. She published her first book at forty-nine and has not looked back since. Lesley is still a party girl.