What do you think?
Rate this book
Rose Alley
Rose Alley is one of the city's worst slums - a place where hunger, filth and violence are a way of life. It's no place for proud Queenie Logan and her daughter Gillyflower. And it seems Queenie's dreams of escape will come true. Transformed by Miss Hunter's School for Girls, Gilly opens a successful dressmaking shop. And though she always thought she would marry the boy next door, soon she is courted by one of the richest young men in the city.But they have made a terrible enemy, who lurks in the Liverpool slums and seeks his chance to destroy them. And in the respectable new world they have joined someone else will prove even more dangerous to Gilly and those she loves.
470 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
8 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Howard
63 books51 followersAudrey Howard was born on 1929 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK, and grew up in St Annes on Sea, Lancashire, where she lives in her childhood home.
Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels published since 1984. In 1988, her novel The Juniper Bush won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Before she began to write she had a variety of jobs, among them hairdresser, model, shop assistant, cleaner and civil servant. In 1981, while living in Australia, she wrote the first of her bestselling novels published since 1984. In 1988, her novel The Juniper Bush won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 10, 2024
I've owned a copy of Rose Alley for some time.
I got to page 11 and started to get frustrated. The way it bounces between present and past, with the way the characters spoke; I assume a dialogue that I'm not familiar with, every word is shortened and abbreviated. It does mention that the characters are somewhere in the UK, Irish and travellers. So, maybe I'm just not accustomed to accented dialogue written down.
I really struggled with this book.
The way it jumps between multiple POVs and endless backstories, including detailing everything right down to where the tea cups were made from.
This also bogged itself down with trying to be historically accurate I some parts. Detailing the suffragettes and the royal family of the time period.
It was just all too much.
I got to page 11 and started to get frustrated. The way it bounces between present and past, with the way the characters spoke; I assume a dialogue that I'm not familiar with, every word is shortened and abbreviated. It does mention that the characters are somewhere in the UK, Irish and travellers. So, maybe I'm just not accustomed to accented dialogue written down.
I really struggled with this book.
The way it jumps between multiple POVs and endless backstories, including detailing everything right down to where the tea cups were made from.
This also bogged itself down with trying to be historically accurate I some parts. Detailing the suffragettes and the royal family of the time period.
It was just all too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2018
If you like a rags to riches, fantastical, bodice ripping, tear jerker, this is the book for you. That said, it wasn't the book for me. I prefer something more realistic. I found the middle dragged. There were times she felt the urge to repeat the story line again for you, and the number or times every fleck in their eyes or hair was described got a bit irritating. I didn't find the main love story that believable either, it also dragged on because they never really talked to each other. The characters were often stereotypical - empty headed school girls, drunk and lazy poor, judgemental rich - all except for our lead characters, who through a combination of intelligence, hard work, and of course, exceptional good looks, could overcome every adversity. Overall, OK for a holiday read, but not one I would recommend.
Read
January 27, 2021The novel started well, I was actually appreciating the detailings put into the scenes by author. But moving on, I saw it coming too often and mostly repeatative, to the extent that I started skipping the non-dialogue portions (although I never intend to do so). Also, the characters were facing problems so very often that at one point I stopped feeling bad for them. I was actually expecting problems in the coming chapters. In general terms, very predictable. However, it wasn't realistic in many terms.
I saw alot of attempts by author to show the protagonist as self-standing, independent girl. But neither author nor the characters of the novel could ignore her physical beauty. So, needed or not needed, her beauty will be described in every move of hers (be it physical movement or intellectual upliftment).
Love is very unrealistic here and seemed to have sprouted out of physical attraction, nothing substantial so to say.
I won't recommend this novel, if you want a good engaging story to read. To people who want to have a closer look at gender roles in the contemporary period, this book can be helpful. See how the fierce and defiant femininity is none other than another form of submission to the established gender role for women, and their position as an eye-candy.
I saw alot of attempts by author to show the protagonist as self-standing, independent girl. But neither author nor the characters of the novel could ignore her physical beauty. So, needed or not needed, her beauty will be described in every move of hers (be it physical movement or intellectual upliftment).
Love is very unrealistic here and seemed to have sprouted out of physical attraction, nothing substantial so to say.
I won't recommend this novel, if you want a good engaging story to read. To people who want to have a closer look at gender roles in the contemporary period, this book can be helpful. See how the fierce and defiant femininity is none other than another form of submission to the established gender role for women, and their position as an eye-candy.
August 22, 2021
My first Audrey Howard book. A lovely girl from the slums tries to improve her circumstances and rise above the filth that she was born in. Not as bad as Catherine Cookson's Kate Hannigan, which has a similar premise. Is this a popular trope? Firstly, I would've liked it even more if I had not been subjected to seemingly endless descriptions of clothes. I didn't know what sort of fabric swansdown was. I do now. Secondly, the author sees it fit to remind us, page after page, that Gilly with her coral-pink mouth and her high cheekbones and her lustrous hair that was the colour of cinnamon and beech leaves in autumn - was lovely; women marvelled at her beauty and the men smiled or ogled at her and were ready to do her bidding at a moment's notice. This book made me realise that beauty is a double-edged sword; it might save you from unrequited love but also attracts attention from unsavoury characters such as Tom Wilson in this story. I must say I did not expect such graphic descriptions of violence and sexual assault. It's not for the faint of heart.
June 17, 2020
It was a hard read for me because of the way the author writes things. She would be telling one story and in the middle of that story start another. It would get confusing, but otherwise a very good story about a beautiful girl that lives in the lower class of Liverpool.
January 20, 2019
An excellent fiction book that has a lot of historical components. An easy read that holds your interest and keeps you engaged.
October 20, 2024
I enjoyed the storyline but found it a bit repetitive like they were trying to pad out the story to get a number of pages.
July 15, 2013
Review taken from my Blog Post #98 in March 2011 - book borrowed from library.
I have to admit that I should have been working this morning, I'm busy. I most definitely should not have spent the last 30 minutes sobbing. If in fact I had not been crying quite so hard, it would probably only taken me 20 minutes to finish this book. If you do one thing if your life .............. read it. This woman is a creative storytelling genius.
I happily admit that it did keep me awake for a bit of the night, such is the connection that you are made to feel for the characters. A resounding 5+ *****+ stars from me.
What surprised me more than anything is that actually, the book is set in a slightly later time period than I normally prefer, that of the Industrial Revolution. To my horror upon reading the back cover it was also set in the black slums of Liverpool - I never descend much below the level of aristocrat, and definitely not north of Watford in my reading choice!. That is probably why this book has lurked around on my "to be read shelf" for so long. I kept putting it back in the "to be returned to the library pile" and my Mother kept putting it back on the "to be read pile". I have to admit that I begrudgingly picked it up, so really I could just tell her "........ of yes, I tried it. Didn't like it. Now please send it back where it belongs".
This is therefore a salutatory lesson that you should literally never judge a book by its cover, or what it indicates on the back cover is contained inside.
The story of a proud woman, Queen Logan, who gives birth to an illegitimate daughter in the black slums of Liverpool, but who is determined by the dint of her own extremely hard work to provide better for her daughter Gillyflower. She provides a protected home, an education for her, and has high hopes that she will one day marry her childhood sweetheart, Jem Wilson (7 years her senior).
However, fate and more importantly the truest of true loves has different ideas. Gilly gets her education, and opens her own shop, but the two most precious people in her lives suffer terribly along the way. She also finds a life-long friend and develops a powerful, and vengeful enemy along the way.
It is one of the most enthralling and well craft books I have ever read, and has definitely extended my circle of interest to include other stories not based necessarily around the Ton.
I have to admit that I should have been working this morning, I'm busy. I most definitely should not have spent the last 30 minutes sobbing. If in fact I had not been crying quite so hard, it would probably only taken me 20 minutes to finish this book. If you do one thing if your life .............. read it. This woman is a creative storytelling genius.
I happily admit that it did keep me awake for a bit of the night, such is the connection that you are made to feel for the characters. A resounding 5+ *****+ stars from me.
What surprised me more than anything is that actually, the book is set in a slightly later time period than I normally prefer, that of the Industrial Revolution. To my horror upon reading the back cover it was also set in the black slums of Liverpool - I never descend much below the level of aristocrat, and definitely not north of Watford in my reading choice!. That is probably why this book has lurked around on my "to be read shelf" for so long. I kept putting it back in the "to be returned to the library pile" and my Mother kept putting it back on the "to be read pile". I have to admit that I begrudgingly picked it up, so really I could just tell her "........ of yes, I tried it. Didn't like it. Now please send it back where it belongs".
This is therefore a salutatory lesson that you should literally never judge a book by its cover, or what it indicates on the back cover is contained inside.
The story of a proud woman, Queen Logan, who gives birth to an illegitimate daughter in the black slums of Liverpool, but who is determined by the dint of her own extremely hard work to provide better for her daughter Gillyflower. She provides a protected home, an education for her, and has high hopes that she will one day marry her childhood sweetheart, Jem Wilson (7 years her senior).
However, fate and more importantly the truest of true loves has different ideas. Gilly gets her education, and opens her own shop, but the two most precious people in her lives suffer terribly along the way. She also finds a life-long friend and develops a powerful, and vengeful enemy along the way.
It is one of the most enthralling and well craft books I have ever read, and has definitely extended my circle of interest to include other stories not based necessarily around the Ton.
October 22, 2012
I can’t say I really enjoyed this book it was too sad but too riveting to stop.
December 2, 2009
Good 19th century historical romance read.
It is the story of Queenie and her daughter Gillyflower who come from Rose Alley - one of Liverpool's worst slums. It is about their journey to better themselves and escape the slums. I enjoy themes where one starts out with nothing and works hard to achieve their dreams against the odds. It's not a light read as it deals with some heavy themes like violence against women. The environment and scenes were very descriptive so you can really picture it well. It was a little repetitive at times though but I like how it was from several different characters perspectives and not just the main character.
It is the story of Queenie and her daughter Gillyflower who come from Rose Alley - one of Liverpool's worst slums. It is about their journey to better themselves and escape the slums. I enjoy themes where one starts out with nothing and works hard to achieve their dreams against the odds. It's not a light read as it deals with some heavy themes like violence against women. The environment and scenes were very descriptive so you can really picture it well. It was a little repetitive at times though but I like how it was from several different characters perspectives and not just the main character.
March 16, 2012
Rose Alley is the gripping story of growing up in a terrible environment with no guarantee of ever getting out or even survival, for that matter. Young and beautiful Gilly finds herself torn in a love triangle and crossed with enemies who are determined to ruin her life.
Audrey Howard is such an amazing author. Her stories are the ones that will never fade away from your memory, her descriptions of the clothes, the beauty of her heroines and the trouble they get into is just breathtaking. Her novels are a must-read for any lover of historical romance, as they are truly one of the best in the category.
Audrey Howard is such an amazing author. Her stories are the ones that will never fade away from your memory, her descriptions of the clothes, the beauty of her heroines and the trouble they get into is just breathtaking. Her novels are a must-read for any lover of historical romance, as they are truly one of the best in the category.
May 21, 2011
I loved this book! Very romantic. 'The sight of her holding the mand of a man, and laughing as thought she had not a care in the world, was crucifying him...There was something about Gilly Logan, a beauty not just of her face but in her heart and soul. It shone from her and when men looked at her they recognised it. She was completely aware of it, of her loveliness, the glow that shone from her and that was what was so special about her.'
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2013
A really enthralling novel about a young girl trying to make something of herself in a class-defined society in Victorian times. Some of the description was beautiful and the characters were equally engaging.
December 16, 2015
It got a little repetitive with the constant disasters and I thought more could have been done to develop the bond between Lucas and Gilly. I also thought the ending was a little rushed, another chapter or two would have been good. Not my favourite Audrey Howard novel but still enjoyable!
January 13, 2008
A good read but not a usual Audrey Howard ending, the ending came a little too quickly for me - the book sped up in the last few pages and left me going "whattttttttt?"
July 13, 2009
An awesome read
July 8, 2012
good read but feel the author just finished up the book in 1 page
March 22, 2016
I loved this book. Excellent!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews