The Hat Girl's Heartbreak (The Hat Girl from Silver Street #2) by Lindsey Hutchinson
Genre: Historical fiction, Saga
Read: 17th October 2022
Published: 20th October 2022
★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
DESCRIPTION:
Will it be tears or triumph for the Hat Girl from Silver Street?
It’s been five years since Ella Bancroft lost the love of her life, Harper Fortescue, and despite her friends’ encouragement, she’s still not been able to move on. The one thing keeping Ella smiling is the success of her hat shop, Ivella. Her beautiful designs and fabulous creations are the first choice for the fashionable Edwardian ladies of Walsall, and her fame is spreading far and wide.
Darcie Newland won’t ever forgive Ella for stealing her fiancé and ruining her life, even though Harper was never really hers in his heart. After being exiled by her parents to Scotland after yet another scandal, Darcie is now back in Birmingham and set on revenge.
As her hat shop flourishes, and the possibility of a new love appears when she least expects it, Ella finally dares to hope for a happy future. But storm clouds are gathering over the Black Country, and life might have other plans for the hat girl from Silver Street.
The Queen of the Black Country sagas is back with this page-turning story of friendship and fun, love and second chances. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.
MY THOUGHTS:
Another delightful tale spun from the pen of Lindsey Hutchinson, THE HAT GIRL'S HEARTBREAK is the sequel to "The Hat Girl of Silver Street" but suffices well enough as a standalone. However, to fully appreciate the backstory alluded to in this book, I recommend you read the first book before diving into this one. You won't be sorry. If you like Catherine Cookson, you will love these books!
Walsall 1906: It's been five years since Ella Bancroft lost her fiance Harper Fortescue to tuberculosis just prior to their wedding, but still she has been unable to move on from her grief. Her business as a milliner has grown from her premises in Silver Street to partnering with her former employer Ivy Gladwin into the esteemed Ivella milliner's shop (a combination of their names Ivy and Ella) that is the talk of the town...and beyond. While Ivy's creations are still stuck in the bygone past, Ella's designs are more sought after and thus bringing the welcome trade to their shop. Ivy can't help but still feel a twinge of jealousy that Ella's designs are favoured over hers while at the same time being grateful to combine their talents to make their business the success it is.
Business is doing so well that they take on two new milliners - Freda and Thora - and a shop girl, Katy. And soon they all become the family that both Ella and Ivy lack. But it isn't long before they all become concerned about Ivy's sudden changing behaviour. She is more snappy than usual, frustrated and often forgetful. Ella seeks out advice to help Ivy in any way she can. What then follows is a heartbreaking journey into the degenerative state of Ivy's health as dementia sets in that could only end in tragedy. The women all rally around to support Ivy in any way that they can for as long as they can.
With so much going on, it would seem Ella has little time for romance but when she meets Nicholas Gerard at soiree, it's love at first sight. And yet she still can't let go of all her old fears attached to losing Harper so tragically before their wedding. And with her business and worries about Ivy, does she even have time for romance? But it seems Nicholas has yet to get that memo as he makes the journey from Birmingham especially to ask her to dinner. How could she refuse?
With all the furore going on in her head, Ella seeks out a medium in an attempt to seek permission from Harper in the afterlife to let him go and move on. But it seems her misplaced intentions bring her face to face with an old adversary who bears Ella grudge and a desire for revenge like no other. One that could threaten her life and her livelihood.
I so loved revisiting the characters from "The Hat Girl of Silver Street" and meeting new ones. Everyone is so warmhearted and welcoming it's like stepping into an embrace, so immersed into Ella's life we find ourselves. Flossie is like a mother hen and it was so good to catch up with her again. The new faces bring a different edge and new aspects to the story.
THE HAT GIRL'S HEARTBREAK is a wonderful tale that I read in one sitting, so easy are Lindsey Hutchinson's stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more by this fabulous author. If you like Catherine Cookson, you will like Lindsey Hutchinson.
A perfect easy read for those who enjoy historical sagas.
I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheHatGirlsHeartbreak in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.
Social Media links:
Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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