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krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/review-2064-clothes-pegs/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/review-2064-clothes-pegs/
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
3.0
This book was my first introduction to Susan Scarlett and I appreciated the book for what it was. If you're in the mood for a light, fluffy romance, this book hits the spot. I enjoyed the airiness of her writing and a quickly moving plot.
In terms of cons, I really didn't appreciate the misogyny of the leading male character. I will say that his thoughts and words were representative of the time this story was written but they were hard to overlook. Lord David de Bett assumed the position of an elder teacher to Annabel and she never questioned it. When he got mad at her, he called her a "silly little fool" and compared his past love to an orchid and her to a "simple" cowslip. I don't know if being compared to a cowslip was considered a compliment but if someone used the word "simple" to describe me, those would be fighting words.
All this being said, I could appreciate this book for what it was and I'd be interested in reading more from Scarlett.
In terms of cons, I really didn't appreciate the misogyny of the leading male character. I will say that his thoughts and words were representative of the time this story was written but they were hard to overlook. Lord David de Bett assumed the position of an elder teacher to Annabel and she never questioned it. When he got mad at her, he called her a "silly little fool" and compared his past love to an orchid and her to a "simple" cowslip. I don't know if being compared to a cowslip was considered a compliment but if someone used the word "simple" to describe me, those would be fighting words.
All this being said, I could appreciate this book for what it was and I'd be interested in reading more from Scarlett.
msjenne's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Delightful
alic59books's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kermittuesday's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cute, light, vintage. I liked it!
jessreadthis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was such a sweet read about a naive girl turned model at the dress design house she sews for. It’s a tale of young love, friendship, family dynamics, and a happily ever after. I can see why Elizabeth Crawford in her Introduction quotes The Daily Telegraph “definitely unreal, delightful impossible”. Crawford goes on to say of Scarlett’s (Noel Streatfeild OBE) novels “They were fairy tales, with realistic backgrounds, categorized as perfect ‘reading for Black-out nights’ for the ‘lady of the house’” (Aberdeen Press and Journal). I can only imagine the delight in this escapist read where everything turns out all right in the end.
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
The author better known as Noel Streatfeild dashed off a set of twelve romantic novels that were hugely popular at the time, then fell into obscurity again. The first published is a Cinderella story of a girl who works as a seamstress for a fashionable dressmaker, then is thrust into the limelight when she's tapped for a modeling job. I loved the first half of this, with its typical Streatfeild cozy working-class family and the glimpse into the not-so-glamorous behind the scenes world of modeling, similar to the author's children's books about various theatrical and other professions.
Annabel's sudden elevation puts pressure on our heroine to be other than her own naturally charming self, while also providing her with opportunities for love and self-determination that were absent in her former milieu. Even though there was nothing especially deep or remarkable about them, Streatfeild somehow manages to create characters who seem to live off the page, and make you care about them.
The last section, which wrapped things up in a somewhat sketchy and superficial manner, was not so successful -- it seemed to have been written in haste, and could have done with a little bit more depth and thought to round out the promising beginning. I'd read more Scarlett novels, though, when I want a little glimpse into a mid-century working girl's life -- something Streatfeild always delivers on.
The author better known as Noel Streatfeild dashed off a set of twelve romantic novels that were hugely popular at the time, then fell into obscurity again. The first published is a Cinderella story of a girl who works as a seamstress for a fashionable dressmaker, then is thrust into the limelight when she's tapped for a modeling job. I loved the first half of this, with its typical Streatfeild cozy working-class family and the glimpse into the not-so-glamorous behind the scenes world of modeling, similar to the author's children's books about various theatrical and other professions.
Annabel's sudden elevation puts pressure on our heroine to be other than her own naturally charming self, while also providing her with opportunities for love and self-determination that were absent in her former milieu. Even though there was nothing especially deep or remarkable about them, Streatfeild somehow manages to create characters who seem to live off the page, and make you care about them.
The last section, which wrapped things up in a somewhat sketchy and superficial manner, was not so successful -- it seemed to have been written in haste, and could have done with a little bit more depth and thought to round out the promising beginning. I'd read more Scarlett novels, though, when I want a little glimpse into a mid-century working girl's life -- something Streatfeild always delivers on.
robinwalter's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
A pleasant story, with some very unpleasant characters. The story of the very sheltered Annabel finding her niche in life and love was sweet but unremarkable. This might have been because the personalities of the antagonists were much more fleshed out than Annabel's. Of her rival in love, the selfish spoiled rich girl, we are told that "Lady Harth, Octavia's mother, was an Australian with vast monies coming to her yearly from obliging sheep."
A brief flash of humour that helped paint a picture of the character.
Similarly, Annabel's work colleagues were depicted in detail, showing one as nice, one as vicious and venal, and one passively petty. Annabel's family were likewise described in detail, her dour and devout father, her long-suffering mother, her awkwardly shallow and selfish sister. Even the man she falls for was given strengths and weaknesses, and a back story to explain him.
Annabel herself though was a bit of a blank page for much of the story. This was by design obviously since she was very shy and retiring and devoid of self-confidence, her growing out of those traits one of the major arcs in the story. Nevertheless, having such a passive protagonist for half the book or more meant that I didn't feel drawn into the story.
The excellent introduction by Elizabeth Crawford mentioned that Streatfield never promoted or pushed her links to the Scarlett novels, and on the strength of the rather neutral impression left by this one, that decision is understandable.
A brief flash of humour that helped paint a picture of the character.
Similarly, Annabel's work colleagues were depicted in detail, showing one as nice, one as vicious and venal, and one passively petty. Annabel's family were likewise described in detail, her dour and devout father, her long-suffering mother, her awkwardly shallow and selfish sister. Even the man she falls for was given strengths and weaknesses, and a back story to explain him.
Annabel herself though was a bit of a blank page for much of the story. This was by design obviously since she was very shy and retiring and devoid of self-confidence, her growing out of those traits one of the major arcs in the story. Nevertheless, having such a passive protagonist for half the book or more meant that I didn't feel drawn into the story.
The excellent introduction by Elizabeth Crawford mentioned that Streatfield never promoted or pushed her links to the Scarlett novels, and on the strength of the rather neutral impression left by this one, that decision is understandable.