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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An excellent historical fiction. It was written so well and the characters were so interesting
A great book
A great book
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for approving me for an ARC of this book. Many years ago, before I started blogging, I read another of Tracy Rees’ books and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to this one. I buddy read this one with some of my book club friends and we absolutely loved it!
The story is told from the POV of four incredible young women; Olive, Mabs, Abigail and Otty. The youngest of the four is Otty. At twelve years old Otty is just starting to understand the world. She idolises her father and wants nothing more than to please him but she has a craving to learn and explore the world. Otty was absolutely adorable and whilst she was naïve to the way of the world I had a lot of admiration for her bravery and determination.
Abigail, also known as Mrs Finch, was a character you weren’t sure you could trust. Her treatment of Mabs at the start was appalling but I had a feeling very early on that something wasn’t right with her. As Abigail’s narration is introduced I could understand her resentment and her unnatural behaviours.
Olive was an old soul in a young body. I often had to correct myself as I kept visualising her a lot older than her actual age. Her relationship with Clover was beautiful and her general outlook on the world was very wise. What she did for Mabs was unbelievable and made me love her even more. She didn’t suffer fools easily and was not afraid to step out of the social norms. I also thought her parents were brilliant. Whilst they had their reservations at the start they still supported her and helped her to achieve her goals.
Of all the four women my favourite was Mabs. At such a young age she carried a lot on her shoulders. Her determination to provide for her brother’s and sister’s never waivered. She was selfless where her family were concerned and professional at all times. She didn’t want charity but was willing to accept the advice of Olive and Abigail.
Whilst all four women had their obstacles to overcome they each showed fierce determination and will to succeed. Together they were a force to be reckoned with! This was a beautifully written story of friendship, loyalty and not being afraid to follow your own path.
The story is told from the POV of four incredible young women; Olive, Mabs, Abigail and Otty. The youngest of the four is Otty. At twelve years old Otty is just starting to understand the world. She idolises her father and wants nothing more than to please him but she has a craving to learn and explore the world. Otty was absolutely adorable and whilst she was naïve to the way of the world I had a lot of admiration for her bravery and determination.
Abigail, also known as Mrs Finch, was a character you weren’t sure you could trust. Her treatment of Mabs at the start was appalling but I had a feeling very early on that something wasn’t right with her. As Abigail’s narration is introduced I could understand her resentment and her unnatural behaviours.
Olive was an old soul in a young body. I often had to correct myself as I kept visualising her a lot older than her actual age. Her relationship with Clover was beautiful and her general outlook on the world was very wise. What she did for Mabs was unbelievable and made me love her even more. She didn’t suffer fools easily and was not afraid to step out of the social norms. I also thought her parents were brilliant. Whilst they had their reservations at the start they still supported her and helped her to achieve her goals.
Of all the four women my favourite was Mabs. At such a young age she carried a lot on her shoulders. Her determination to provide for her brother’s and sister’s never waivered. She was selfless where her family were concerned and professional at all times. She didn’t want charity but was willing to accept the advice of Olive and Abigail.
Whilst all four women had their obstacles to overcome they each showed fierce determination and will to succeed. Together they were a force to be reckoned with! This was a beautifully written story of friendship, loyalty and not being afraid to follow your own path.
It's not what I would normally read, but I did enjoy it. The writing was gorgeous and the story was intriguing - if a bit predictable.
It was a little bit too much of a Happy Ending for everyone for my taste, but I get that this can be just the right thing for other readers. Or maybe even for me if I'm in another mood.
All in all, a really good read, especially if you're interested in historical novels.
It was a little bit too much of a Happy Ending for everyone for my taste, but I get that this can be just the right thing for other readers. Or maybe even for me if I'm in another mood.
All in all, a really good read, especially if you're interested in historical novels.
I really enjoyed this book (my first by the author) her writing skills really transport you to the Victorian times so you feel that you are engulfed in the story.
All of the characters were interesting and likeable, I’m happing there is a sequel.
A must for any historical fiction fan, I will be adding more of the authors books to my list.
All of the characters were interesting and likeable, I’m happing there is a sequel.
A must for any historical fiction fan, I will be adding more of the authors books to my list.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this. The characters were interesting. I absolutely loved Olive! She knew exactly what she wanted and how to get it and liked to shock people, I think. Her conversation with her old acquaintance about Clover made me laugh out loud! There was nothing new though in the plot to books I have read with similar themes.
I have read 2 other Tracey Rees books and I would read her books again in the future
I have read 2 other Tracey Rees books and I would read her books again in the future
I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Tracy Rees for this e-arc copy for review.
This is an historical fiction set in 1895 in London. It is told for the most part by three female characters.
Firstly we have Mabel Daley known mostly as Mabs who at the beginning of the book is working on the canals hauling ice and dressed as a boy so that she can work. Her family has fallen on hard times with the death of her mother and her grieving father not working regularly. There are five siblings at home that need caring for and that is what Mabs is trying to do. She hopes for a better life and through a friend she knows hears of a position in service that is a step up from working the canals, she gets interviewed and gets the job working for the Finch family newly living in London having come down from Durham. Mr Finch is employing Mabs as a companion to his wife who is unwell. He does not care that she has no experience just that she is able to watch and help his wife.
We then have Olive Westallen who at 28 is still unmarried and does not see the prospect of such happening in the future. She does however want to be a mother and decides that she will adopt a child from the local orphanage. Her parents who are well to do so finances will never be an issue for Olive tell her that society may not accept her for doing this, but she is adamant that is what she wants and so they support her in this endeavour. She goes to the orphanage with the view to adopting a child who is around 12 but the girl she has picked does not want anything to do with her. A young girl of around 4 asks if she could be chosen and so eventually this little girl that Olive names Clover is selected and goes with her to Hampstead to live in her nice home.
Finally we have Ottilie Finch – known mainly as Otty, she is the 12 year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Finch who Mabs is going to work for. Newly arrived in London, Otty wants to explore but her siblings who are all quite a bit older than her are not interested so she goes off wandering on her own and ends up at the canals where her father has investments. Here she meets Jill who is a black girl from the Caribbean who like Mabs is pretending to be a boy to get work. They form an unlikely friendship which is short lived when they are set upon. Otty does not understand why there is an issue but Jill more used to nastiness tells her its best that they do not meet again so that Otty does not experience any more trouble.
Later in the book we also have some chapters from Abigail Finch this is the wife of Mr Finch and Otty’s mother. She is supposedly ill with nervous health but Abigail’s story is somewhat different.
This book focuses on the woman’s position in society, spousal control/abuse and slightly on racism. I found it a very enjoyable read. There were one or two coincidences that moved the story on but this did not detract from my overall enjoyment and I am happy to recommend it.
This is an historical fiction set in 1895 in London. It is told for the most part by three female characters.
Firstly we have Mabel Daley known mostly as Mabs who at the beginning of the book is working on the canals hauling ice and dressed as a boy so that she can work. Her family has fallen on hard times with the death of her mother and her grieving father not working regularly. There are five siblings at home that need caring for and that is what Mabs is trying to do. She hopes for a better life and through a friend she knows hears of a position in service that is a step up from working the canals, she gets interviewed and gets the job working for the Finch family newly living in London having come down from Durham. Mr Finch is employing Mabs as a companion to his wife who is unwell. He does not care that she has no experience just that she is able to watch and help his wife.
We then have Olive Westallen who at 28 is still unmarried and does not see the prospect of such happening in the future. She does however want to be a mother and decides that she will adopt a child from the local orphanage. Her parents who are well to do so finances will never be an issue for Olive tell her that society may not accept her for doing this, but she is adamant that is what she wants and so they support her in this endeavour. She goes to the orphanage with the view to adopting a child who is around 12 but the girl she has picked does not want anything to do with her. A young girl of around 4 asks if she could be chosen and so eventually this little girl that Olive names Clover is selected and goes with her to Hampstead to live in her nice home.
Finally we have Ottilie Finch – known mainly as Otty, she is the 12 year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Finch who Mabs is going to work for. Newly arrived in London, Otty wants to explore but her siblings who are all quite a bit older than her are not interested so she goes off wandering on her own and ends up at the canals where her father has investments. Here she meets Jill who is a black girl from the Caribbean who like Mabs is pretending to be a boy to get work. They form an unlikely friendship which is short lived when they are set upon. Otty does not understand why there is an issue but Jill more used to nastiness tells her its best that they do not meet again so that Otty does not experience any more trouble.
Later in the book we also have some chapters from Abigail Finch this is the wife of Mr Finch and Otty’s mother. She is supposedly ill with nervous health but Abigail’s story is somewhat different.
This book focuses on the woman’s position in society, spousal control/abuse and slightly on racism. I found it a very enjoyable read. There were one or two coincidences that moved the story on but this did not detract from my overall enjoyment and I am happy to recommend it.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced