Synopsis
Once a workhouse girl, always a workhouse girl…
Enid Hardcastle has always had a hard life, but when her family can’t make ends meet and are moved to the workhouse, it feels like things can’t get any worse.
But luckily for Enid, her friendship with local boy Jimmy gives her the strength she needs. Also from the cold, hard streets of Merthyr, Jimmy has made his name as an entrepreneur, repairing boots and hand-delivering them to the fine people of the town.
Enid has seen for herself that you can make a better life for yourself, so with Jimmy’s help, she sets about trying to save her family.
But there are even darker places than the workhouse, and as the rumour mill churns, it appears there’s an even more dangerous fate she will need to avoid…
An emotional and nostalgic historical saga that will have you turning pages, engrossed. Perfect for fans of Sheila Newberry and Lynn Johnson.
Author Bio
Lynette Rees lives in Wales and has been writing since she was a child. She’s in the fortunate position of being a hybrid author – as well as independently publishing some of her novels, she’s also published with Boldwood Books.
The Winter Waif, the story of one young girl’s struggle to overcome adversity following the death of her mother, was published by Boldwood Books in January 2024. This will be followed by two other titles focusing on the lives of another two children growing up in the bustling Welsh town of Merthyr Tydifl where the ironworks and coalpits are the main industries and a life of hardship is the norm. The second in the series, The Workhouse Girl, will be published on May the 31st. This book tells the tale of a fourteen year old girl whose family hits hard times when her father loses his job at the ironworks and they’ve little choice other than to enter the workhouse. This will be followed by a third book at the end of the year.
Lynette enjoys the freedom of writing in a variety of genres including: crime fiction and contemporary romance, though her first love is historical fiction which complements her interest in local history and genealogy. When she’s not writing, or even when she is writing, Lynette enjoys a glass of wine and the odd piece of chocolate as she creates stories where the characters guide her hand. She honestly has no idea how a story will turn out until the characters tell their own tales in their own unique ways.
The most important thing to Lynette is her family and her stories illustrate this with their warm characters who often show a great deal of compassion for others and the plight they find themselves in.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlynetterees
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LynetteRees0
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LynetteReesNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynette-rees
My Review
The Workhouse Girl by Lynette Rees
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Workhouse Girl is a quick, engaging read. The story centers around Enid and her experiences as a maid. There is a theme of overcoming adversity and standing up to the people who have wronged you.
This is a feel-good story which I think it made it feel improbable to me at times.
The ending seemed abrupt and for me was not particularly satisfying. I am assuming that the author plans to write additional books about these characters since the story, especially related to Enid and Jimmy, was unresolved.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this story and I was interested in the outcome of the main character who was a kind and strong woman. My final rating would be 3.5 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
