The brand new novel from Libby Ashworth, set in the mill towns of Lancashire. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Val Wood.
Will she follow her head or her heart?
Lancashire, 1842
Sixteen-year-old Bessie works long hours as a weaver in Blackburn, helping to support her family. Meanwhile, her older sister Peggy works as an apprentice at the Girls’ School, hoping for a more prosperous future as a schoolteacher.
Jennet and Titus Eastwood have always made decisions for their daughters’ futures. But as the sisters near adulthood they are determined to make their own choices. And with temptation in the way, will the girls find love – or infatuation – leads them astray?
Then an unexpected but familiar face arrives in town, and the family’s future is threatened. For Bessie and Jennet, a difficult choice must be made – love or family . . .
The Mill Town Lasses series
- The Cotton Spinner
- The Lancashire Lass
- A Family Secret
Beautifully Written, Well-Crafted Saga!
The third book in this series, and an excellent stand-alone read!
Bessie is an expert weaver at the local mill and her wages go to help keep the family. Her older sister, Peggy, works as an apprentice at the local Girls School, and hopes to qualify as a teacher one day. Their parents have always made decisions for their daughters but now the girls are coming of age, they want to decide things for themselves. Then some familiar faces return to Blackburn bringing upheaval to the Eastwood family. Will the family survive – or will some choose a different future?
Unsurprisingly, I’m late to the party again; actually, I didn’t realise this was part of a series until I got to the end of the book. I’m rather fond of a good historical saga, and this certainly fits the bill. A good story with lots going on, personable characters and lots of interesting scenarios popping up. Libby Ashworth is certainly an author worth reading – I really enjoyed this one and I’m sorry I didn’t come to the series earlier. Beautifully written, well-crafted with a good solid ending leaving no questions remaining all adds up to a novel I’m very happy to recommend to saga lovers, and give this 4.5*.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Georgia Williams of Penguin Random House for my spot on this tour; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.
Tags: historical saga
- Format: ebook, paperback
- Size: 410 pages
- Publisher: Cornerstone Digital
- Publication Date: 04 February 2021
- Book Links:
- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56878044
- https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Libby_Ashworth_A_Family_Secret?id=dNrgDwAAQBAJ
- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-family-secret-libby-ashworth/1137279461
- https://uk.bookshop.org/books/a-family-secret-an-emotional-historical-saga-about-family-bonds-and-the-power-of-love/9781787463585
- https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/fiction-poetry/a-family-secret-an-emotional-historical,libby-ashworth-9781787463585
- https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-family-secret-6
- https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/a-family-secret-the-mill-town-lasses/libby-ashworth/paperback/9781787463585.html
- https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-family-secret/libby-ashworth/9781787463585
- https://wordery.com/a-family-secret-libby-ashworth-9781787463585
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08977XW6G
Libby Ashworth was born and raised in Lancashire, where she can trace her family back to the Middle Ages. It was while researching her family history that she realised there were so many stories about ordinary working people that she wanted to tell. She has previously written historical novels – The de Lacy Inheritance and By Loyalty Bound – as well as local history books.
Libby currently lives in Lancashire with her son.
- Website: https://elizabethashworth.com/
- Facebook: @elizabethashworth
Grace J Reviewerlady 