REVIEW: The Pick Pocket's Return by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Pick Pocket's Return (Pick Pocket #3) by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas

Read: 15th March 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 12th March 2025

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Abandoned, penniless and orphaned as young children, Bertram and Alice saved each other from a terrible fate.

For seven long years they have been kept apart, Bertram, BJ to his friends, learning how to survive and then thrive in the penal colonies of Australia, and Alice growing her prosperous chain of bakeries in the Black Country town of Wednesbury.

Now BJ’s sentence is nearly up and he has a choice to make. Queen Victoria’s England has changed since he’s been away and so has Alice. Should he leave behind the life he’s built and face the terrifying, months-long voyage back home?

The memory of the boy who saved her from starvation by teaching her how to pick pockets has sustained Alice for all these years and now he may be coming back to her. Can Alice and BJ finally get their happy ending or does fate have other plans for the pickpocket orphans?

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with an unforgettable story of friendship and bravery, heartbreak and joy. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY THOUGHTS:

Can she finally get her happy ending? Or does fate have other plans?

The third and, I assume, final book in the Pick Pocket's trilogy sees Alice and BJ's tale come to a close. I was sad to say goodbye to them as I had come to know and love them and all their friends.

Alice met BJ when he saved her from a terrible fate and took her under his wing. He taught her to pick pockets, to scavenge and to make the best of it on the streets of Wednesbury. They set up a camp of sorts on the heath where they ate and slept until fate ripped them apart when BJ was caught breaking into a house (though he never stole anything). Still, he was sentenced to seven years transportation to the penal colonies of Australia. And boy, was he in for a shock when he set foot on the dry and arid land. The heat was relentless and like nothing he had ever known. 

Meanwhile Alice had been taken in by a couple who used to take pity on the air and feed them leftovers from their bakery. The Greens taught her everything they knew and gave her a home in which she felt safe and loved. But then fate came knocking once again and a fire tore through the bakery from which Alice escaped but the Greens were not so lucky. 

Both had been dealt harsh hands in life but they rose above their circumstances and made the best of things. For BJ, that meant knuckling down an enduring the harsh Australian heat while for Alice, she continued to scavenge and pick pocket until she decided to open her own bakery. After all, the Greens taught her everything they knew. And her bakery thus became the talk of Wednesbury which enabled her to expand into a thriving chain of several bakeries. As for BJ, he was lucky with his sentence in that the cattle station (not ranch, as we don't call them that but stations) he was working on was a fair place to be. The owner, Mac, took BJ under his wing and over the seven years of his sentence there, he had risen to overseer and was well-liked and well-respected amongst the men. Mac looked on him as a son while for BJ, he was the father he never had. He had even learnt to read and write, receiving an education whilst there. Thus enabling him to write to Alice and read her letters to him.

Now the seven years are nearly up and both Alice and BJ are counting down the days till his release. But BJ has made a life for himself - will he want to return to England and give up the land he has come to love?  And Alice, she so desperately wants to see BJ again, but will he want to return? Their lives have changed so much since they last saw one another...will they still recognise the other after all this time? They were barely 13 years old when they were separated and now they are adults with wealth in their own right. Now that their pick pocketing days are behind them, will they fall into their easy friendship once again? That is, assuming, BJ returns at all. Alice has no idea and lives with the hope that he will but fears the land he was sent to as punishment, the land he has come to love, will keep him there.

I assume that this is the end of the line for our pick pocketing friends, but I would love to know what's in for them beyond this. However, the ending is satisfactory enough as it stands should the story not continue. There were tears at the appropriate moments and as such an easy read that it is, I devoured it in one sitting last night.

Another enjoyable foray into the Black Country via Lindsey Hutchinson's pen and I enjoyed my stay there, as I generally do. Her books are nice quick easy reads which once you start, you don't want to put down but don't want to finish either. As always, I look forward to more by the author.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ThePickPocketsReturn in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Pick-Pocket's Plight by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Pick-Pocket's Plight (The Pick-Pocket Series #2) by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas

Read: 19th January 2025

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 25th October 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

They only had each other – now they’re being torn apart.

When thirteen-year-old Bertram Jordan is arrested and sent to a penal colony in Australia, his biggest regret is leaving behind his friend Alice Truelove. The children were each other’s comfort when they had to live rough on Wednesbury heath, surviving on whatever meagre funds they could pilfer from passing market-goers. Now they must face their futures alone.

While BJ is learning to survive and then thrive on a cattle ranch in Fremantle, surrounded by the hundreds of other men and boys who have been shipped from England, Alice is making her own way in the poverty-stricken Black Country. When a stroke of good fortune means that Alice can start her own business, she cunningly disguises her young age, and before long has established a thriving bakery. As her business grows, so do her responsibilities, and Alice relishes the opportunity to help those who helped her when she was down.

But every night as Alice and BJ rest their heads on opposite sides of the world, both go to sleep with the same last thought. Will they ever see each other again?

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a fascinating tale of bravery, forever friendship, heartbreak and joy. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY THOUGHTS:

Will she ever see the boy who saved her again?

When BJ, Bertram Jordan, is sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia, his biggest regret (and worry) is leaving behind his friend Alice. An adept pick pocket, BJ took Alice under his wing when the pair lived rough on the Wednesbury streets, setting up camp on the heath ans surviving on the meagre funds they could pilfer and scavenging in the market.

But now, BJ was gone. And Alice must face the near future without him. At first, taken in by the Greens who always took pity on the pair, giving them leftovers from their bakery so that they wouldn't go hungry, Alice came to look at them as the parents she didn't have. They picked up where BJ left off and began teaching her how to bake. Until one night a fire tragically destroyed their bakery and claimed the lives of Alice's new found mentors. Alice went back to what she knew - pilfering and pick-pocketing. Until a surprising find offers her new hope.

Now Alice runs a small bakery on Russell Street, employing a family as sale assistants and cleaner as well as a couple of bakers. So successful does her business become that she finds herself having the means to buy new premises to open a second bakery, thanks to her "savings" found from her pick-pocketing days. Going from strength to strength, Alice can barely keep up the demand and begins looking for a third larger premises. But is she biting off more than she can chew? Would it be the success her other two are?

Meanwhile in Australia, BJ is well into his seven year sentence serving on a cattle station out of Fremantle. The owner of the station, Mac, is a fair man and sees a potential in BJ taking him under his wing and training him up for bigger things. Soon the uneducated boy from the Black Country finds himself getting an education, learning to read and write and overseeing the hundreds of convicts on Mac's land. The boy is whip-smart, coming up with some good ideas which bode well for not only Mac, but the rest of the convicts under his watch.

Though it's been four years since he left England, neither BJ nor Alice have forgotten the other. Both continually write full of news of their plights while each are secretly counting down to when BJ gets his Certificate of Freedom. But what then? BJ has made a life for himself in Australia. He enjoys the work and Mac is like a father to him. He longs to return to Alice but what will that mean for him?

Another heartwarming easy read from Lindsey Hutchinson. I loved it from beginning to end. I found I slipped back into BJ and Alice's story with such ease and though I didn't want to leave, it ended all too soon. I look forward to the third book which I'm sure will be equally endearing.

As this is the second book and follows on from the first, I recommend you read "The Pick Pocket Orphans" first. BJ and Alice are to warm your hearts.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #ThePickPocketsPlight in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Pick-Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Pick Pocket Orphans by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian era

Read: 16th March 2024

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 21st March 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Thirteen-year-old Alice Truelove can’t take another day of her father’s cruelty.

Better a life on the streets than being constantly blamed for her mother’s sad death, or that’s what Alice thinks as she packs up her meagre possessions. But fending for herself in the Black Country town of Wednesbury is not as easy as she expected, and it soon hits her that without help she will quickly be hungry and cold.

Bertram Jordan, or BJ to his friends, became an orphan much too young after his parents were stolen away by influenza. Growing up on the streets has not been easy, but BJ has learnt to survive, and when he meets Alice, alone and desperate, he’s happy to take her under his wing.

As Alice learns the tricks of the pick-pocketer, the best ways to charm the stallholders on the market and the skills to get by, the two children become firm friends. So, when BJ makes a fatal mistake, Alice can’t bear the thought that she might lose her only friend – forever…

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking tale of friendship, families and survival against the odds. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY THOUGHTS:

The only way to survive is to stick together...

What a delightful yet emotional read this was, as most of Ms Hutchinson's books tend to be. From the streets of the Black Country to the sunny climes of Western Australia, we follow the story of two youngsters, relative orphans, who find each other on the streets.

Alice Truelove has bore the brunt of her father's anger and near-hate for most of her life, even moreso now after the death of her mother the year before. Tired of being his verbal whipping girl, Alice packs her meagre possessions and steals away from the two-up two-down she has called home for thirteen years. A life on the streets is far more inviting than another day bearing the brunt of her father disdain for her a moment longer.

But she soon finds that life on the streets is far from easy though she still favours it from the alternative. It isn't long before she meets BJ, Bertram Jordan, who has long since learned to survive on the streets, pilfering and scavenging where he can. Though of indeterminate age, he takes 13 year old Alice under his wing and teaches her the ways of the streets. She soon becomes adept at pick-pocketing, filching and scavenging in the market square at the end of the day. Together they look out for each other.

But then one day, BJ fails to return and Alice begins to worry when by morning he still hasn't returned. She begins to ask around the market, ending up at Green's Bakery who have always looked after the two youngsters. A quick visit to the local constabulary with the gift box of some delicious pastries, Josie Green returns with the solemn news that BJ has been arrested for burglary. An appearance before the cranky Justice of the Peace sees him bound over to the assizes for trial and sentencing, for which he receives seven years transportation to Australia. Without BJ by her side, Alice must learn to fend for herself once again.

No one could predict what comes next for the two youngsters. BJ on a ship to Australia and Alice taken in by the Greens. A brighter tomorrow may be in their futures but not before tragedy strikes sending their lives on a course they didn't foresee. Alice is lost without BJ and seven years is a long time. What if she never sees him again?

Another delightful read by Lindsey Hutchinson though the ending feels a little unfinished but I'm guessing that is because the story is not yet over, with this being the first in a trilogy.

I do so love this author and her heartwrenching tales and I even found parts of this one somewhat deprssing. But it does pick up with the promise of a brighter tomorrow...just what that all entails we will have to wait and see what's in store for them. 

Another cracking read.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ThePickPocketOrphans in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Bad Penny by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Bad Penny by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victoria era

Read: 9th September 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 14th September 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

If you're born with nothing you have to make your own luck.

When Jared Johnson first meets Clarice Connaught he saves her from the hands of her father, who is brutally beating her in the street. Never one to walk past someone in distress, Jared doesn’t hesitate to help. But who is this girl and what is her story?

Jared Johnson started with nothing. At just twelve-years-old he was orphaned and homeless, but eight years later, Jared is a success. Running McGuire’s Rag & Bone Yard and surrounded by friends, all Jared needs now is to find the perfect girl to settle down with.

Nothing has come easy for Clarice but still she has dreams of a grander life and the finer things. And if her father isn’t willing to provide them then Clarice will do anything to find someone who is.

Jared and Clarice have one thing in common – they are survivors – and in Queen Victoria’s Birmingham you need your wits about you to keep the wolf from the door. But Clarice isn’t everything she seems, and like a bad penny that always shows up, she brings more trouble for Jared and his friends than they could ever have imagined…

Lindsey Hutchinson, the top 10 bestseller, Queen of the Black Country Saga, is back with a page-turning and heart-warming story perfect fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY THOUGHTS:

Her life can turn on the toss of a coin...

Birmingham 1894: We meet up with Jared Johnson once again as he manages Toby Maguire's Rag and Bone yard, this time not as a ragged orphan, but an established man of means and dreams. When he hears the screams of a young girl being beaten by her father, Jared immediately comes to her rescue of this damsel in distress. He offers her to afternoon tea and to take her on as a housekeeper to keep her away from her father's mean drunken fists. But Clarice has other ideas. Grander ideas. And they won't be found with Jared Johnson.

Clarice Connaught is the only child of John and Jenny, her mother having died of pneumonia after the death of a baby she tried birthing. Since then she has had to skivvy and keep house for her and her father while he works hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. At 19, John feels it's long past time Clarice got herself a job to help bring in another wage. That, or finds herself a husband. But again, Clarice has other ideas. None of which mean lifting a finger or become a man's skivvy.

As soon as Jared saw Clarice he was taken in by her beauty...and the stories she told him about her life at home. He worried for her and her safety and stopped by the next day to check on her. As he turned to leave, he was disheartened to see that she did not wait to see him off but had rather closed the door. Jared thought it was love at first sight...until he met Rose. Then life changes considerably as he finds love and secures his place in the world. 

Wanting more than love and a life of skivvying, Clarice packs a few belongings and with the housekeeping money flees to find greener pastures.  She wants a more comfortable life, a grander life. She wants money and status and all the things those have to offer which she won't find around here. And so she becomes Clara Christian and meets Clifford St John who introduces her to casinos. There she plays the hand she knows best - cards - and wins handsomely. Her appetite whet, she craves the tables and the winnings she collects from them, building her wealth and therefore able to keep herself in the luxuries to which she has grown accustomed. But like a bad penny, nothing lasts forever...

What a delightful read THE BAD PENNY is! I was so thrilled to revisit Jared and his friends at Maguire's once again. Though mostly feel good throughout, there is an emotional event that is both heartbreaking and lifechanging for Jared and everyone else. I love how they all band together like one big family. The two stories of Jared and Clarice are woven together nicely while two separate threads they still entwined on the fringes. As much of a bad penny Clarice was, I was actually please with her outcome despite the circumstances. And as for Jared? I'd love to see more of him, Rose and their friends.

As usual, Lindsey Hutchinson has woven another delightful tale that is worthy of 5 stars. It is an exceptionally easy and quick read easily devoured in one sitting.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheBadPenny in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Ragged Orphan by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Ragged Orphan by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas

Read: 24th February 2023

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 24th February 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

When 12 year-old Jared Johnson’s little sister dies, just hours after his mother breathes her last after wasting away so her children could eat, he knows he is on own. 

Desperate to avoid the workhouse, he does everything he can to survive the inhospitable streets of Birmingham. Jared is blessed with the gift of the gab and soon attracts the attention of the King of the Tatters, Toby McGuire. Recognising a kindred spirit, Toby soon has Jared out on a cart hustling for rags.

Jared loves driving his horse Bess, shouting ‘any old rags’ as loud as he can, and it’s not long before he’s thriving. But being successful can bring you enemies as well as friends. Toby knows that Jared is destined for bigger things – provided his big mouth doesn’t get him hurt first…

The top 10 best-seller is back with an unforgettable story about an unforgettable boy. Heart-breaking and heart-warming, fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews will fall in love with this latest page-turner from Lindsey Hutchinson.

MY THOUGHTS:

Another heartwarming tale from the Queen of the Black Country sagas as we meet and follow a young orphan lad who has just lost both his mother and young sister. As with all of Lindsey Hutchinson's reads, it is heartbreaking in places and yet it is filled with warmth and love culminating in a wonderful heartwarming ending. 

Jared Johnson is just twelve years old when his mother and young sister Maisy breathe their last, and he has no choice but to leave them in the place that was their home, to go in search of a way out of the poverty-stricken life to which he was born. He leaves word with his kindly neighbour who sees to his mother and sister's send-offs while he begins scavenging around the markets in search of food to survive. He spends one night under the stars by a fire to keep him warm before realising he needs to come up with a better plan. That's when Jared remembers the abandoned cottage he and Maisy used to play in. Upon finding the cottage still abandoned and in complete disrepair, Jared sets up sticks there and goes about making himself a home.

Upon finding an old pram, he dismantles it and uses its wheels and base to build himself a cart to go about making himself something of a living. He knows there's money to be made in buying rags and bones from those in need of a penny or two to feed their families and before long begins to make himself a grand old living. He makes enough to clothe and feed himself whilst gradually making the cottage more habitable. His success does not go unnoticed and in a couple of years' time he is approached by one of Toby Maguire's men and threatened for poaching their patch. Instead of taking the threat to heart, Jared decides to face the man behind the name who runs this band of tatters.

Toby Maguire is known for being a brutal businessman with a ferocity not to be messed with. Jared's open and forthright manner struck a chord with Toby as he saw something of himself in the young lad. He decided to take a chance on him and he wasn't sorry, for Jared brought plenty of ideas to the business and had a smart head on his shoulders. Of course some didn't appreciate the new lad coming in and bringing with him new ideas that created extra work for them. But Jared was not to be swayed. He had bigger plans. One day, he would be "the tatter millionaire", running his own band of tatters...a success in his own right. And he intended to learn as much as he could from Toby Maguire.

THE RAGGED ORPHAN is a delightful tale that is an incredibly easy and quick read that is easily devoured within hours. Though heartbreaking story, it is an uplifting and unique one in which Jared may have lost his only living family but, in his job as a tatter for Maguire, finds a different kind of family. And each with their own heartbreaking stories to tell.

A consuming read, THE RAGGED ORPHAN would make an ideal series following Jared and his friends. Given with how it ended, I do hope we see more of young Jared and his band of tatters along with wonderful Toby and Alice.

I was only introduced to Lindsey Hutchinson a couple of years ago and she has since become one of my go-to authors with her easy style and heartwarming reads. THE RAGGED ORPHAN is no different. It is a quick read with short snappy chapters that keep the pace moving with a plot filled with tension as well as some delightful moments also. At 240 pages it is one of her shorter novels but it was such a delightful read I was sad to see it come to an end. 

Once again Lindsey Hutchinson thrills fans with another heartwarming read buried deep in the past shrouded in the societal and social issues facing the working class at the time - poverty, hunger, alcoholism, violence. And yet, not without hope.

Another delightful read sure to warm the hearts of saga fans and Lindsey's own band of readers/fans.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheRaggedOrphan in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Hat Girl's Heartbreak by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Hat Girl's Heartbreak (The Hat Girl from Silver Street #2) by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Saga

Read: 17th October 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

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 Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Runaway Children by Lindsey Hutchinson

The Runaway Children by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian era

Read: 5th February 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 10th February 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A heart-warming saga about surviving against the odds and finding a family, from top 10 bestseller Lindsey Hutchinson.

In two rundown, abandoned houses, at the side of a barren Black Country heath, live six children with no family but each other. Abandoned or orphaned, every day is a fight to find food and keep warm. But they are determined to stay free of the clutches of the workhouse and the horrors that would face them if they were ever torn apart.

Dora Parsons lives with her mother Mary and her evil grandmother Edith. Edith’s house may be comfortable and warm, and food is plentiful, but every day Dora suffers at the hands of her spiteful gran. Desperate to protect her child, Mary longs to run away but she has no money to keep them alive and nowhere else to call home.

When fate intervenes and Mary and Dora meet the children, events are set in train that will change all their lives forever. But will the friends find peace and comfort at last, or does the chill of the winter signal the most desperate ending of all…

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with a heart-breaking, page-turning story of survival, friendship and what it means to be a family. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY REVIEW:

Set in late Victorian times, THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN is another delightfully easy read by author Lindsey Hutchinson of whom I never grow tired of reading. So absorbing was the tale that was woven I read it almost in one sitting had it not been for the incredibly late hour (and me paying for it the next day...lol). And as soon as I turned that final page I was left with a feeling of completeness. The story that plays out is unique, heartbreaking and yet it is hauntingly beautiful at the same time whilst reminding us that we don't have to have anything to have everything that we need.

Ten year old Dora Parsons lives with her mother Mary in circumstances from which they see no escape. Through financial necessity, the pair live with Dora's wicked grandmother Edith, who is the epitome of the old witch who lives in the forest upon whom Hansel and Gretel stumble and eats little children for dinner. Edith is a hateful and deplorable woman. She loathes the very existence of Dora and uses every opportunity to abuse the young girl. Her greatest wish is to get rid of Dora so that she can have Mary all to herself to be at her beck and call. Unfortunately, Edith holds the purse strings of which she reminds them both at every opportunity so Mary therefore feels indebted to her...as she is her mother after all.

Mary and Dora came to Edith when Dora was just a baby and they have been trapped in the mausoleum of a house ever since. Dora has never been to school as Edith refuses to pay good money for the child's education so Mary has schooled her in her letters and numbers and taught her to read. The fact that she has never been to school does not reflect in her obvious intelligence, but Edith only scoffs at the mere thought that "the child" even has a brain. Taking every opportunity she can to abuse her, Edith rules the pair with a the threat of her cane should Dora step out of line. Dora continues to try to earn favour with the old witch but it just falls on deaf ears. 

Until one day, Edith goes too far...

One day whilst playing outside the walls of her grandmother's house, Dora meets a young boy called Skinny and all at once is introduced to a different world when he takes her and Mary back to the derelict houses in which he and five other children live, fending for themselves. This chance meeting changes the lives of both families and brings them all together. Almost at once Mary can see a light shining from Dora that never has before as she plays with her new friends. Living at Edith's house and never having gone to school, poor Dora never had any friends. And in these new-found friends, Mary has found a peaceful happiness also. Almost like a lifeline. For these children have nothing and yet they have everything they need in each other.

And then one day, their lives take an unexpected turn and they only have those six young children to help them...

But what none of them know is that there is someone watching them. Knows who they are and where they live...and that their needs are greater than they ever were before. So when crates of food begins to arrive at their door weekly, none of them know what to make of it. Nor do they understand the builder who came to assess the houses for repairs or the census person who took each one of their particulars. Soon things begin to take place that make no sense at all and Mary and the children wonder who is watching them...and more importantly...why?

Throughout this wonderful story I could see parallels with one of the author's previous works "The Five Shilling Children" in which a group of orphaned children band together and live in a derelict house, scavenging by day and protecting each other by night. But this story is about more than just the children. It is about Mary, Dora and even evil Edith whose favourite pastime was to disrupt and argue with as many people as she possibly could and walk away leaving carnage in her wake. Edith truly is a deplorable character who readers will love to hate. She is abusive, argumentative, spiteful and bitter to the end. Whilst on the other hand, you will fall in love with Mary, Dora and their band of orphans. I also loved Elijah and Charity as well as the addition of Mason.

THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN is a truly delightful read that is emotive and magical with wonderful ending. You won't want to miss the opportunity to read this beautiful and inspiring story. I was completely absorbed by it and enjoyed every minute I was transported there. 

As with every Lindsey Hutchinson book, I truly loved THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN and simply could not put it down. And I cannot wait to see what this wonderful author has in store for us next.

Highly recommended.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheRunawayChildren in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane by Lindsey Hutchinson

A Winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane (Gin Barrel Lane #2) by Lindsey Hutchinson

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Victorian Era

Read: 17th August 2021

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 24th August 2021

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Dolly Perkins and Jack Larkin have grown up in the notorious gin palaces of Birmingham.

It’s a world of happiness and friendship, but also violence and poverty. Now that Dolly runs the Daydream Gin Palace on Gin Barrel Lane she can finally control her own destiny, but sometimes fate still plays its hand.

 

Keen to expand her empire, Dolly and Jack take on a new pub, but they are in for a shock when a foul smell in one of the bedrooms turns out to come from a body hidden in the wall. 

As the police hunt for their suspect, rumours abound, spread by the local urchins – happy to be used as runners for a little bit of food and a coin or two. 

But rumours can be dangerous, and as one of the worst winters on record covers everything in snow, Dolly and Jack have to fight for the lives they have made for themselves, and for the urchins that they have come to think of as family.  Will the arrival of a new baby on Gin Barrel Lane bring the promise of new hope, or will the long-awaited thaw uncover new secrets and new tragedies…

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back on Gin Barrel Lane with a rip-roaring, heart-warming, page-turning story of family, friendship and beating the odds. Perfect for fans of Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

MY REVIEW:

Where has Lindsey Hutchinson been all my life? Ever since a friend recommended her books to me a couple of years ago, I have enjoyed every single one them! They are such a delight to read and incredibly easy to devour. Her novels seamlessly weave tales of poverty along with love and friendship throughout the lower working classes in industrial Birmingham in the similar vein of Catherine Cookson did in the North East.

A WINTER BABY FOR GIN BARREL LANE is the sequel to the endearing "The Children of Gin Barrel Lane" in which we met the characters who return in this delightful installment along with many more who are sure to warm your heart.

Birmingham 1864: Returning to Gin Barrel Lane and Dolly Perkins is now 21 years old. She has come a long way since ten year old Jack Larkin found her huddled in the yard of his mother's gin house almost a decade ago. By 14 Dolly had gone into business with Nellie Larkin and together they purchased and opened the Daydream Palace across the road from Nellie's own Crown Saloon. As the business grows and becomes busier, Dolly must take on new workers to keep the bar open and the customers happy. But business is booming and the Palace is packed from opening till closing time every day.

Now the mortgage for the Palace is almost paid off and Dolly is looking to open another when word reaches her about several establishments going on the market. She views a couple of them but fears the cost of renovating them to above standard wouldn't be financially viable. Then Wilton Burton, son and co-owner of Burton's Brewery from which she and Nellie acquire their gin, tells her of a pub they deliver to up for sale. So Dolly takes Jack to inspect the premises but the surrounding stench is more than they could ask their employees or their customers to bear. 

Until word reaches the delightful Aggie, who passes on information in return for free gin, about a pub that is about to go on the market. Regaling Dolly with news of the vast establishment on the corner of Great Barr Street, Dolly takes Jack to inspect the pub known locally as "The Bricky" and put an offer on it. The premises are indeed vast, clean and perfect for their requirements so Dolly and the pub landlord Lucas Freeman agree on a price and shake on it. She heads straight to the bank where she organises a mortgage for her new establishment and then to her solicitor to draw up the papers. However, upon returning the following morning, Lucas informs her that he has been offered above asking price by Ezra Moreton and he would be a fool to turn it down. After much consideration and planning on her solicitor's part, Dolly agrees to the new price and takes possession almost immediately with Lucas disappearing in the night, his passage booked for the Americas and escaping Ezra's wrath.

Dolly and Jack set to work on renovating the pub into a gin palace which they have called Emporium of Dreams. Dolly has retained the two existing barmen and hiring more staff for the kitchen, bar and the door with Jack to be the new live in manager. But from one of the bedrooms upstairs comes an awful smell which Lucas told them was the sewer, having complained to the council on numerous occasions to no avail. But their builder Eli Hodges informed them of the opposite...that there was no sewer...so what was causing that ghastly smell? As work begins on locating its source, no one is prepared for what they will find behind those walls.

When Ezra arrives one morning, his goons in tow, he is shocked to discover Dolly and Jack on the premises he believes he owns. But he is in for an even greater shock when he learns that Dolly is the new owner when he thought he had yet again outsmarted her. Humiliated once again by the woman, Ezra hightails it back to his Brewery where he takes his ever-growing frustrations out on his staff. And when word reaches him down the track that Dolly is looking to expand her business even further with the acquisition of not one but another two pubs, Ezra means to outsmart her once and for all by swooping in and purchasing them from under her.

But then winter arrives in full force with heavy snowfall that cuts off roads so the carts and cabbies and even draymen delivering brewery supplies cannot get through. And Ezra makes a foolish decision that could see his empire unravel. Is he canny enough to rise above the odds and claw his way back whilst making Dolly pay?

Meanwhile love is on the horizon for Dolly. Enjoying the regular company of Wilton Burton, she suspects she may be falling in love with him. But is he all that he appears? Jack certainly doesn't trust him and glares daggers at him every time he sees him in Dolly's company. And when the two are together, Jack is filled with an anger and jealousy that causes him to make a rash decision leaving Dolly high and dry as well as devastated.

Along with the return of Nellie, Nancy, Fred, Aggie, Dolly and Jack, we also meet new friends in Sadie, Alice, Bess, Gwen, Danny, Frank and Joey. Of course there are the reappearances of Dolly's solicitor Mr Sharpe and their builder Eli Hodges as well as the unwelcome one in Ezra Moreton. Life is tough for the working class but they aren't afraid of hard work. Even Dolly's crippled leg doesn't stop her from achieving her dreams. By the story's end, Dolly has expanded her business even more with the addition of a Brewery and a children's home that I wonder where life will take her next. Though she doesn't suffer fools, she is a kind and gentle soul who cares for her those who have become her family.

As with most stories of this type, there are a few tears as well as laughs to be had, though I did shed many a tear over one particular much-loved character and again at the end. A WINTER BABY FOR GIN BARREL LANE is a wonderfully engaging story that is an addictive read from beginning to end. And even when I turned the last page I was left wanting more. As the original children of Gin Barrel Lane, where will life take Dolly and Jack next?

I hope there is a third installment to this wonderful story as there is so much more to come for those on Gin Barrel Lane.

This heartwarming tale of family, friendship and beating the odds is perfect for fans of historical fiction sagas like Catherine Cookson.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #AWinterBabyForGinBarrelLane in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Lindsey Hutchinson was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands and is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. Tying up the manuscripts for her her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson, rekindled her love for storytelling and it seems she was always destined to follow in her footsteps.

Lindsey lives in Shropshire with her husband and Labrador, loves to read and enjoys photography.

Social Media links:

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook