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Trouble for the Boat Girl
1925 - The Midlands Born on the canals, feisty Beth Dawson knows danger lurks in the shadows and suspecting she might be pregnant after a vicious attack she quickly marries a fellow boatman. Her mundane existence is interrupted by the arrival of Anthony Wesley whose mission is to organise the impoverished boatmen for strike action. Feeling valued and soon falling for Anthony, Beth wants to help the cause in any way she can. Along the way she is befriended by the company owners rebellious daughter Abigail Gatehouse. She too is in love with Anthony and sensing the attraction between Beth and Anthony, Abigail is overcome with jealousy. Soon both young women are caught up in events that spiral out of control.
Only time will tell what the future holds for them both. In the meantime, it’s all about survival... Previously published as Where the Wild Thyme Blows by Jeannie Johnson
Only time will tell what the future holds for them both. In the meantime, it’s all about survival... Previously published as Where the Wild Thyme Blows by Jeannie Johnson
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2023
110 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 13, 2023
I've only recently discovered Lizzie Lane's books and I am absolutely loving her Coronation Close series. This is a very different type of story. It's about the lives of the people who lived and worked on the canals and the people who owned the business and in most cases the actual boats. There's a huge amount of history in the story and also a lot of information on Unions trying to improve the lot of the working man who barely existed on the pittance they were paid. However, it's the women's stories that are to the fore.
It was a very gloomy, dark and violent story throughout. I struggled through it and felt depressed reading it. There was no light at all, no let up on the darkness. Beth and Abigail are the two main characters from both divides of the social spectrum. Although Beth was born and reared on the Canals, she was unbelievably naïve. Abigail was out to shock for the most part, especially her Mother but was an over the top character. She was selfish to the core and was gung ho about everything until it affected her directly.
The writing is wonderful and the author's fans will enjoy reading it but it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book.
It was a very gloomy, dark and violent story throughout. I struggled through it and felt depressed reading it. There was no light at all, no let up on the darkness. Beth and Abigail are the two main characters from both divides of the social spectrum. Although Beth was born and reared on the Canals, she was unbelievably naïve. Abigail was out to shock for the most part, especially her Mother but was an over the top character. She was selfish to the core and was gung ho about everything until it affected her directly.
The writing is wonderful and the author's fans will enjoy reading it but it just wasn't for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an early copy of this book.
May 28, 2023
A very enjoyable read. The author's writing is so vivid you Will feel like you are apart of the story.
June 9, 2023
Trouble For The Boat Girl by Lizzie Lane is a marvellous novel looking at the social history of women and the poor. It is set in 1925.
The twenties were a turbulent time. World War I was over but England was hardly a land fit for heroes. The tale follows the boat people whose existence was threatened by the railways. The unions were just emerging and were not popular with the bosses. Work was precarious and poverty was rife. We witness how hard it is to change the attitudes from within. It is laws that are needed in order to make a difference.
We follow two characters from the upper classes who try to bring order and change for the impoverished people. We wonder, do they both really have philanthropy at heart? Or is it just a way to rebel against their family?
Children of the boat people receive very little in the way of education as they are never in one place for that long. We see a female character who wishes to change that. Teaching was seen as a female vocation and there was a choice to be made – teach? Or marry? You could not do both.
The plight of women was still tied to men – fathers, husbands, brothers, bosses. We witness the power of the fist which was far worse against the poor. The upper class patriarchs used the threat of the asylum, where women could be locked up for years, no questions asked.
Trouble For The Boat Girl was a powerful read about social injustice and the need for change. It is incredible to see that this was the state of affairs just a hundred years ago. The modern reader is grateful to all those who worked for change. This was an epic read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The twenties were a turbulent time. World War I was over but England was hardly a land fit for heroes. The tale follows the boat people whose existence was threatened by the railways. The unions were just emerging and were not popular with the bosses. Work was precarious and poverty was rife. We witness how hard it is to change the attitudes from within. It is laws that are needed in order to make a difference.
We follow two characters from the upper classes who try to bring order and change for the impoverished people. We wonder, do they both really have philanthropy at heart? Or is it just a way to rebel against their family?
Children of the boat people receive very little in the way of education as they are never in one place for that long. We see a female character who wishes to change that. Teaching was seen as a female vocation and there was a choice to be made – teach? Or marry? You could not do both.
The plight of women was still tied to men – fathers, husbands, brothers, bosses. We witness the power of the fist which was far worse against the poor. The upper class patriarchs used the threat of the asylum, where women could be locked up for years, no questions asked.
Trouble For The Boat Girl was a powerful read about social injustice and the need for change. It is incredible to see that this was the state of affairs just a hundred years ago. The modern reader is grateful to all those who worked for change. This was an epic read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2023
Trouble for the Boat Girl is a gritty Midlands-set saga from much-loved storyteller Lizzie Lane.
Born and bred on the canals, Beth Dawson is only too aware that the world is not a safe place for a woman. After a violent attack leaves her fearing that she’s pregnant, Beth marries a fellow boatman quickly. However, it quickly transpires that this course of action might just be the biggest mistake she has ever made. Beth’s life is full of drudgery and despair – until Anthony Wesley comes into her life wanting to improve the impoverished boatmen’s working conditions and she finds herself drawn to him.
Beth befriends rebellious Abigail Gatehouse, however, their friendship is threatened by the spirited company owner daughter’s burgeoning feelings for Anthony. Abigail knows that Anthony only has eyes for Beth, however, she cannot stop herself from becoming overcome with jealousy over the fact that the charismatic young man prefers her friend over her.
With the stakes having never been higher for both girls, survival is uppermost in both of their minds. Will Beth and Abigail ever find the fulfillment they seek? Or is it all going to end badly for both of them?
An immensely readable historical saga perfect for curling up with, Trouble for the Boat Girl is a heart-wrenching and poignant read from Lizzie Lane full of strong female characters, nail-biting drama and intense emotion that will keep readers entertained and enthralled from start to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Born and bred on the canals, Beth Dawson is only too aware that the world is not a safe place for a woman. After a violent attack leaves her fearing that she’s pregnant, Beth marries a fellow boatman quickly. However, it quickly transpires that this course of action might just be the biggest mistake she has ever made. Beth’s life is full of drudgery and despair – until Anthony Wesley comes into her life wanting to improve the impoverished boatmen’s working conditions and she finds herself drawn to him.
Beth befriends rebellious Abigail Gatehouse, however, their friendship is threatened by the spirited company owner daughter’s burgeoning feelings for Anthony. Abigail knows that Anthony only has eyes for Beth, however, she cannot stop herself from becoming overcome with jealousy over the fact that the charismatic young man prefers her friend over her.
With the stakes having never been higher for both girls, survival is uppermost in both of their minds. Will Beth and Abigail ever find the fulfillment they seek? Or is it all going to end badly for both of them?
An immensely readable historical saga perfect for curling up with, Trouble for the Boat Girl is a heart-wrenching and poignant read from Lizzie Lane full of strong female characters, nail-biting drama and intense emotion that will keep readers entertained and enthralled from start to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 13, 2023
I love this author and I was eager to dive into this new saga tale from her pen. But from the first page my blood was boiling and I found myself really struggling with this book. Which is a shame as I have read plenty and have loved many by Lizzie Lane. I love her Tobacco Girls series as well as her newer Coronation Close series. But this one just felt different and I simply couldn't get past Beth's father and his ignorant treatment of her. Having just lost a dear friend maybe I was in the wrong frame of mind, I don't know. But I had to pass on this one as it was for a blog tour and I simply couldn't read it.
I would like to thank #LizzieLane, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TroubleForTheBoatGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
I would like to thank #LizzieLane, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TroubleForTheBoatGirl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
June 20, 2023
If you like your books to be dark, sometimes depressing and with very few lighthearted moments then this is the perfect book for you. I can't fault the author's writing and her obvious research into life for the families who lived and worked the canals on narrowboats. There are scenes of rape, assault, miscarriages, marital abuse and scenes in an insane asylum just to name a few of the dark parts of the story. I much prefer a happier story with a lovely happy ending so to say I enjoyed this book would be wrong. It left me feeling down if I am being honest. But, as I said, if this is the kind of book you like then Lizzie Lane has done real justice to telling the story. It's worth 5 stars even if the type of story isn't my cup of tea. Just make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready when you read it!
July 2, 2023
Life working and living on the canals fascinates me immensely and so I grabbed the opportunity to read this new one by Lizzie Lane. I've read a couple of books by the author before and so was sure I'd enjoy this.
I loved the style in which Lizzie Lane writes her books and her characters. I especially loved the character of Beth Dawson in this one.
It's a hard story to read, set in a time when life working and living on the canal network in the UK was particularly tough. The book covers violence, aggression, rape, sadness, pain, frustration. It paints a dark picture.
However, I really enjoyed reading this historical family saga set in 1925 amongst the UK's waterways. One I'd recommend a read of if you enjoy family sagas in a historical setting.
I loved the style in which Lizzie Lane writes her books and her characters. I especially loved the character of Beth Dawson in this one.
It's a hard story to read, set in a time when life working and living on the canal network in the UK was particularly tough. The book covers violence, aggression, rape, sadness, pain, frustration. It paints a dark picture.
However, I really enjoyed reading this historical family saga set in 1925 amongst the UK's waterways. One I'd recommend a read of if you enjoy family sagas in a historical setting.
June 18, 2023
Sweet Beth. Tough Abigail. Two women doing what they need to do to survive.
Beth found herself trapped in a bad marriage. She longed to be free. Free to read and start a school for the boat children. Abigail did what she could to not gain her father's attention. But that came at a cost. Both trying to hide from something or someone.
Beth and Abigail both had an interest in Anthony. This led to dangerous circumstances.
An interesting story. I wasn't sure how it would end. My favorite character was Beth. I could feel her pain and frustration. I so wanted her to be able to escape her situation.
I received this from Boldwood Books to review.
Beth found herself trapped in a bad marriage. She longed to be free. Free to read and start a school for the boat children. Abigail did what she could to not gain her father's attention. But that came at a cost. Both trying to hide from something or someone.
Beth and Abigail both had an interest in Anthony. This led to dangerous circumstances.
An interesting story. I wasn't sure how it would end. My favorite character was Beth. I could feel her pain and frustration. I so wanted her to be able to escape her situation.
I received this from Boldwood Books to review.
June 24, 2023
Trouble for the Boat Girl is Lizzie Lane's latest offering. I have loved all of Lizzie's previous books and was looking forward to this one. While this is a good book in the main, I didn't like the violence although I understand it was what happened in the past and was needed for the story. We met Beth who has grown up on the canals with her father delivering goods; she meets Anthony who she falls for. However Abigail, is the company owner, therefore of a more superior class, who also finds Anthony attractive too and is jealous of Beth. This is a hard story to read because of the violence but it's about survival....
June 12, 2023
I love this author and this is another great read. Times are troubled for the families that work the waterways. With trains now taking a big chunk of their work the employers decide to get greedier and cut their pay. It’s a hard life to start with but with more competition and less money how will they survive without fighting for their livelihoods. Great characters some that you will love and others that you will love to hate bring this story to life. I recommend this book if you like this genre.
June 12, 2023
Trouble for the Boat Girl is another excellent read by Lizzie Lane. It is set in the midlands of England in 1925. From the very start I just knew that this was going to be a great read. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction saga and this one certainly ticked all the boxes for me. Times certainly weren’t easy for the people who worked the canals on their boats delivering merchandise . Beth Dawson has grown up on the canals and knows no other life. This family saga story kept me interested from the very start until the final chapter. A must read for fans of family sagas
June 14, 2023
I love Lizzie Lane books and The Boat Girl is another favourite. There are many characters to love particularly the protagonist Beth, there were also many characters I despised mainly the men because at the time it was a man's world and the women were just there to obey. I think the different times really shines through in this book. I enjoyed reading about life living on the water and the every day life and loves of Beth. A well written historical fiction saga and I am looking forward to reading the next book by Lizzie.
June 17, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In the early 1920s, Beth Dawson works on the boats in the canals. She marries a boatman but finds herself attracted to Anthony Wesley who is trying to organize the boatmen to strike. Her friend, Abigail Gatehouse, is in love with Anthony Wesley and Beth finds herself caught between the two. An interesting at canal life in this time in history.
In the early 1920s, Beth Dawson works on the boats in the canals. She marries a boatman but finds herself attracted to Anthony Wesley who is trying to organize the boatmen to strike. Her friend, Abigail Gatehouse, is in love with Anthony Wesley and Beth finds herself caught between the two. An interesting at canal life in this time in history.
May 16, 2023
Love Lizzie Lane books she is one of my favourite family saga authors.
Great book and couldn’t put it down. Beth Dawson is an interesting character, and when she she’s something she doesn’t like, she takes off, but sadly this is a decision she will soon regret.
Great book
Great book and couldn’t put it down. Beth Dawson is an interesting character, and when she she’s something she doesn’t like, she takes off, but sadly this is a decision she will soon regret.
Great book
July 15, 2023
A true life story
How hard was it to live in these times. We have to learn to appreciate what we have now. Be happy
How hard was it to live in these times. We have to learn to appreciate what we have now. Be happy
September 12, 2023
Heartening
Love it. such bravery from the women. They had it so hard in those days, and the life in the barges was especially so.
Love it. such bravery from the women. They had it so hard in those days, and the life in the barges was especially so.
October 15, 2023
My review of Troubles for the Boat Girl can be found on my blog...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
February 1, 2024
It was ok but not upto the usual Lizzie Lane standard. The storyline rang true to its time but it just didn’t hit the mark for me.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews