Hallam Square

The Gibson Family #4

by Anna Jacobs

**Book four in the heart-melting Gibson Family series , perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Catherine Cookson and 'Call the Midwife' **

Lancashire, 1858. Annie Hallam has at last found complete happiness. She has three healthy babies and adores her husband Frederick. After years of struggling to make a living in the small town of Bilsden, Annie knows she deserves to sit back and enjoy her life - after all, she's not yet forty, and still in her prime.

But worries are on the horizon. Frederick has been looking rather pale lately. Her brother Tom hasn't moved on after the death of his wife. Rebecca, her half-sister, is longing for something more than her work in the salon. And William, her son, isn't happy at university.

And something much more dangerous is looming - a threat not only to Annie's peace of mind, but to her life . . .
*****************

Praise for Anna

'Catherine Cookson fans will cheer!' - Peterborough Evening Telegraph

'Anna Jacobs' books have an impressive grasp of human emotions' - Sunday Times

'Anna Jacobs' books are deservedly popular. She is one of the best writers of Lancashire sagas around' - Historical Novels Reviews

Genres: Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Romance

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 1996

About the author

Anna Jacobs has 87 novels published as of April 2019. She writes historical sagas and modern novels alternately, and in the past has written historical romances and fantasy novels (the latter as Shannah Jay).

She's addicted to story-telling and writes three novels a year. You can find a list of books and series on her website at www.annajacobs.com

Anna reads 3 novels a week. Happy reading, everyone.

Reviews

[Pauline Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooophs I started The Gibson series with the 3rd book! I have since read Salem Street and now I am reading High Street.
Wow I am a fan of Anna Jacobs stories, but this series is just brilliant 🤩 I absolutely love the character Annie Gibson, a woman ahead of her time. The only downside of this series is that one day soon I will finish reading them all 😞,

[Helen M Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read the first four in this series and enjoyed all. Now reading the fifth. Ms. Jacobs writing and subject matter is very like my all time favorite author, Catherine Cookson. I am so pleased to have stumbled across her work and intend to read each of her books! That will keep me busy for several months as she has been a very busy author.

I especially like the historical accuracy in events, speech patterns and lifestyles of the era. As I read, I feel as if I stepped back in time and exist in this mid 1800's cotton town. My family emigrated to the USA from a small Devon village in 1850 and these stories make me feel closer to them.

Thank you, Ms. Jacobs, for the hours of reading pleasure and even for the tears I've shed over Annie and her family's trials.

[Ruth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have given one star, not because of the storyline which I really enjoyed but because of the lack of punctuation. No opening quotes throughout many parts of the book. Chapter 30’s first sentence has a phrase repeated. The title of Chapter 31 has the name of the place misspelt! It ruined the book for me, and has made me unsure if I want to read others in the series.
I would have dismissed the proofreader and I’m disappointed at Hodder Books for allowing it to pass.
Having said that, I loved the characters of the book and the author made them come alive.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant story

The Gibson family are truly amazing the 💘they have for each other and their own families is wonderful whatever happens they stand by each other.The love between Annie and Fredrick and Tom and Rosie you can almost feel just reading the story.Beatrice was the most horrible person and Mabel .Mark having to go away was sad i hope he comes back in the next book.Tian sounds a lovely man especially for saving Annie i wonder in expectation in the next book.

[Victoria Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

Does the author not respect women?

First, I enjoy the character development in all the Annie Jacob’s series, however, does the main female character always have to be raped or assaulted? And why so many bastard births?
This book was poorly edited with a lot of grammatical errors. It didn’t flow as well as the first three in this series. Instead of being disappointed when the book ended I was relieved when last page was turned.

[Pati Mishler]

It is the year 1857 and Annie has married Fredrick Hallam the owner of the town mill, she had lost her husband Charlie several years ago. Annie and Fredrick had a great life together and born to this union was a daughter named Tamsin and a son named Edgar. Yes truly they were happy, Annieno longer ran The Bilsden Ladies Salon because when a woman married in those days she could no longer run her own business. But now Annie was happy and no longer wanted her own business.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again this was awesome. The story just flows on from the other 3 books. It’s a fantastic story and I can’t put it down. The characters are so true to form. Onto the last book in the series. I’m going to be sad when this series ends.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book ,as expected going on to read the last book in the Gibson saga

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Gibson family story. Not as good as the earlier books but still good.

[aprilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll continue the series

[Sean Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit of a letdown

Sadly this book opened with a familiar story line,which has happened too frequently in the 4 books of this series.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallam Square starts in 1858 when Annie Hallam has at last found complete happiness. She has three healthy children and adores her husband, Frederick. After years of struggling to make a living in the small Lancashire town of Bilsden, she can finally enjoy the fruits of her labours and she's not yet forty, still in her prime.

But there are worries Frederick has been looking pale and does become ill. Her brother Tom hasn't moved on after the death of his young wife Madeleine. Rebecca, her half-sister, is longing for something more than her work at the salon. And William, her son, isn't happy at university. He is starting to feel a spiritual calling at odds with the Gibson business mindedness.

And something much more dangerous is looming - a threat not only to Annie's peace of mind, but to her life as well.

Here we see Annie's eldest son William come more into his own person and how he and his mother come to terms with his calling.
Tom renews his friendship with his past girlfriend Rose now a famous singer raising their illegitimate son.
Annie's sister Rebecca becomes attracted to the new Lord Darrington (brother to the one who had killed Marianne Tom's wife) and he with her much to the concern of Annie and Frederick due to his status being above her. How this develops is nicely told.
How Frederick's wish for a family portrait introduces a new character to the series and to the Hallam circle of friends.

[Elaine Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her better books. This is one of the continuing saga of the Gibson family during the 1850's in Lacanshire,England. Told with great detail of characters and drama as to the situation of the times.

[Elisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Cheryl Kershaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantatasic series, l loved them all.