Thank you for stopping by I'm delighted to be sharing my review for The Mistress of Pennington's by Rachel Brimble as part of the blog tour today. First of all though let's take a look at the description for the book...
Title of Book: The Mistress of Pennington’s
Series: Pennington’s Department Store
Genre: Saga/Romance
Release Date: 1st July 2018
Publisher: Aria Fiction
1910 – A compelling tale of female empowerment in Bath's leading department store. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr Selfridge and The Paradise.
Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath's premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him.
Determined to break from her father's iron-clad hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they forge forward to bring Pennington's into a new decade, embracing woman's equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure.
Can this dream team thwart Edward Pennington's plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?
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After reading the description for this book I couldn't wait to start this story and Rachel Brimble has created a wonderful character in Elizabeth. I loved her determination and spirit her personality shines through in this book as we see her strive to become something more than what society at that time demanded or expected. Especially as she faces opposition from her father, each day trying to prove her worth in business. Elizabeth is forward thinking and wants to improve not only her life but the lives of the people who work at Pennington's.
You also meet Joseph who is trying to help make his family business an even bigger success and decides that Pennington's is the way to go. There are a few layers to his character that was lovely to see as they are slowly revealed along with a sadness due to his past.
The story comes to life with wonderful descriptions especially of the department store but also of that era. Along with a lovely romance that will leave you smiling away to yourself. Like me I'm sure you will be rooting for Elizabeth and Joseph as they work together for a better future.
A truly wonderful story that pulls you into the past with love.
With thanks to Brook Cottage Books for my copy.
Her gentle study drifted to his mouth and back again. ‘Did you love her? The woman you once worked with?’
Joseph stared, as disquiet whispered through him. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘I find it implausible that a man who holds women in such high regard has not known what it means to love one. You have been in love. I see it in your eyes. Unfortunately for you, they’re very revealing.’
He ran his gaze over her face and hair. Every sound muted. The amber glow of the few lit candles danced over her skin, turning it pearlescent. ‘I was married. To a wonderful, caring woman. A woman who worked beside my father and I every day after we were married.’
Her voice softened. ‘What happened to her?’
‘She died.’ He would tell her no more, the shame of his failure burned like acid in his chest and he quickly stood, wanting the intensity to ease, her justified scrutiny to end. ‘Will you try on a pair of gloves?’
He brushed past her and breathed deep as he approached a box of his finished gloves. Lifting a pair of soft kid, perfectly stitched and the exact green of her eyes, the pale cream stitching the colour of her skin.
When he turned and walked back to his bench, she had sat in his seat. She carefully watched his approach, her eyes unreadable.
Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.
In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a brand new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s releases in July 2018.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.
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£25/$25 Amazon Gift Certificate
Thanks so much for such a wonderful review, Rae! So glad you enjoyed Elizabeth & Joseph's story :)
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