The book begins five years after Ella Bancroft’s fiancé Harper died from tuberculosis. Ella works as a milliner in partnership with Ivy Gladwin, their combined shop being called Ivella. She lives in Silver Street in Walsall in 1906 – the time of King Edward VII. She is still grieving from the loss of her love, but after consulting clairvoyant Tilda Hunter, she feels relieved that she can receive messages from her fiancé through her. But is this the case or is she being conned by Tilda?
Just as she wonders if she will ever get over her fiance’s death, a fascinating man walks into the hat shop. Will Ella finally find love again? And why is Dulcie Newland back in Walsall? This won’t be good news for Ella…
This book follows on from The Hat Girl of Silver Street, but I hadn’t read that and easily followed this story, as anything you need to know is explained.
Ella is a really interesting character and I liked her straight away. I enjoyed the dynamic between Ella, Ivy and their three staff members in the shop (Katy, Thora and Freda) and I also found it interesting learning how hats were made in Edwardian times. The book gives an authentic feeling of the period, it was all well-described and I could easily visualise everything. I liked how Ella’s neighbour would just walk straight into her house! I thought Paul Sampson was a great character too, with the added interest of him being a black man back when they were a rarity in England.
Overall, this novel has a bit of everything – drama, romance, friendship, tension, danger, jealousy… Ooh, so much to get your teeth into! And all with the backdrop of 1900s England. I really enjoyed it, I wanted to keep reading and find out what was going to happen. I look forward to reading more by Lindsey Hutchinson in the future.
9 out of 10
BLURB
The Hat Girl’s Heartbreak
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.
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3RvKmLJ
Author Bio –
Lindsey Hutchinson is a bestselling saga author whose novels include The Workhouse Children. She was born and raised in Wednesbury, and was always destined to follow in the footsteps of her mother, the multi-million selling Meg Hutchinson.
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Bookbub profile: Lindsey Hutchinson Books – BookBub
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