The Button Girls

Lily Baker #.5

by Patricia McBride

The exciting prequel to the Lily Baker series 1938, England. When Lily Baker's mother finds a way for them to leave their run down part of town, and finally esape her aggressive father, Lily is feeling positive about a fresh start at a new life.

While her mother will be a housekeeper, Lily has a chance to work in a factory, though she has even bigger dreams - and the tenacity to achieve them.

But Lily’s father isn’t going to let go that easily, and she lives in fear of him ruining everything – the life she is building for herself. Will Lily and her mother find the strength to begin all over again?

An emotional pre-war novella, ideal for fans of Elaine Everest, Vicki Beeby and Daisy Styles.

Genres: Historical Fiction, British Literature

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2024

Reviews

[marilyn goldthorp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The button girls

A good book but couldn't really get into the story as I felt there was no real story just segments of her life.the

[Nan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw and read the squib about The Button Girls, I didn’t realize that this book was #6 in the series, but a prequel to the series. Hummmmmm … I’ve never read a prequel prior to a series, but thought maybe I should and then read the series.

Quite frankly, I hope the series is better than the prequel. The setting is in England prior to her entrance into WWII. Work for women is practically nil, especially for those with limited education and skills. This book focused on spousal abuse and the woman’s sad acceptance of it. The heroine, I hope, is going to be her daughter who is determined to get out of that tragic cycle.

For those who have already read the other books in that series, I suppose this prequel will answer some questions. But I don’t recommend it as a stand alone.

I’m thankful to NetGalley and to the publisher for an early reader’s copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Button Girls by Patricia McBride is a prequel to the Lily Baker series. It is a short story that tells us a little about Lily Baker’s life in 1938. The chapters lacked a flow. They were more like separate scenes. I enjoyed getting to know a little about Lily. She is a smart girl with a plucky personality. Unfortunately, Lily’s father is free with mouth and fists. Mental and physical abuse happen and are discussed. I did not like how women accepted it as their lot (the laws were quite different back then). The Button Girls has a good main character, but I did not like the choppy story.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a prequel to the Lily Baker series. It was a short but sweet introduction to her and her life. She and her mom move to Oxford to escape her abusive father to be the housekeeper for a kind elderly, kind professor. She gets a job, finds friends, and starts life anew. I liked her character and I'm looking forward to reading more about her life. I have another book about her as an ARC and I'll likely get the rest in her series so I can find out more about her and life from here.

Thanks to Boldwood, Netgalley, and the author of the ARC of this book!

[Connie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked 'The Library Girls' by this author. However. 'The Button Girls" features painful and abusive family relationships. I have spent my life working with people who find themselves in these kinds of realtionships. Therefore, this book was no escape for me. And. For some reason, it ended abruptly and unhappily with no resolution of anything. Did Kindle load the whole book? Is this all there is?
Patricia A. McBride can write well. I will happily read the next installment of 'The Library Girls' but NOT anything more in The Button Girls series.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great quick read

I really enjoyed this story set just before WW2. It feels fairly typical of lives of the working class at that time. I was a little surprised at how it ended as it felt quite abrupt and like there should have been more to it but I would still recommend it to historical fiction fans

[James A. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Start?

Lily and her Mom flee before dawn to get away from her abusive Dad. A new start in Oxford. Mom as a housekeeper and Lily in a shirt factory. The professor is great to live with and Lily is able to take night courses working towards a certificate. Will it last...you'll have to read to find the answer

[Thundermusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prequel. And it DOES set up the series.

Poor Lily Baker! EVERYTHING happens to her.
Poverty, abuse, leading in political movements, fighting against the wealthy, bombing, fiance MIA, new love interest(s), abortion, capturing a spy, catching blackmarket dealing, catching looters, searching bombsites, first aid, tin hat squad, 🍆🍑 with married man, dead married man (who just happens to have a comatose wife), singing and acting in wartime shows,
But, yes, I'm going to finish the series. It's a nice piece of escapism.

[MRS J P WELSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a short read

I enjoyed the storybut it ended really abruptly. It would have been nice to know how all the characters progressed

[Teresa Lavoie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much of a book to be honest

I had just read a book on Bletchley park and thought the writer may be able to write something similar,obviously,that was not this book.

[Ann Crookall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story to read

Short and sweet I have read all the other books so now I will read the next book to get my mind back into the story

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so disappointed when it abruptly ended.

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely short story a reread for me