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In a second volume about Annie Gibson, Annie finally manages to open a dressmaking salon on High Street, but Annie's triumph is shortlived when she finds that someone is trying to undermine her business. By the author of Salem Street.

359 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

234 people are currently reading
219 people want to read

About the author

Anna Jacobs

233 books513 followers
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.

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5 stars
711 (67%)
4 stars
248 (23%)
3 stars
67 (6%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
1 star
17 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Joan.
296 reviews
September 6, 2016
Book 2 in the Gibson family saga continues the story of Annie Gibson and her family. Set in a mill town in North West in the late 1800s. Really hooked onto this family saga now so book 3 on order from the library!
Profile Image for Katie.
236 reviews
June 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book much more than the first in the series. I had no idea some of its twists and turns were coming and I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Julie.
457 reviews5 followers
September 18, 2015
Jacobs tells a romantic tale of hard work and success, even when jealous, greedy people try to stop Annie. I enjoy reading about the morals of 19th century England, about main characters wanting to do good for others, and wanting to succeed themselves. I also think Jacobs does a good job of taking time to develop characters, making you second guess intentions.
I do wish the book had included Annie's son, William more. We know she loves her young son, but it seems like she leaves him at home for her cook and her dad to care for and worry about. She's a working woman who is gone all day.
I wonder if there will be more on her motherly aspect in the next book.
Just as a general comment, the author's name is Anna, the protagonist is Annie, and one villain is Annabelle. Ha.
Profile Image for Lynne House.
13 reviews
July 15, 2016
Good read

I enjoyed this book. It was good at lifting my mood. Even though tragic things happened things worked out in the end. If life really worked like that it would be great. I am tempted to download the next book but after reading two in a row I am going to have a break as I want to think of Annie having a happy ending for now.
Profile Image for Kim Foley.
2 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2016
Brilliant book again loved it bring on ridge hill. NEVER NOT ENJOYED ONE OF ANNA JACOBS book!S

I would definitely recommend this book to any age group to read.!!!!!! Spoil yourself and read this book. I bet you won't be able to put it down.
Profile Image for Pauline Haney.
76 reviews10 followers
August 11, 2022
I am really enjoying reading this second story in The Gibson series Annie Gibson is a wonderful character
Sadly I have now finished this book, it took so many twists and turns, I was riveted, loved every moment of the story ❤️
Profile Image for Sherrill.
100 reviews1 follower
October 12, 2009
didn't like it as well as Salem Street, the one befor this one
529 reviews1 follower
Read
December 6, 2016
This book is best read after Salem Street but Anna Jacobs sets the scene so that it can be read as a stand-alone. Interesting characters that I wanted to find out about.
5 reviews1 follower
Read
July 5, 2022
This is the second book of The Gibson Saga, Annie had escaped from Salem Street, “ The Rows” it was called the really poor section of town when she went to work for the Doctor and his wife. She only returned at 17 when a rape left her pregnant and her sweetheart Matt rejected her for the same reason. Annie did find a gentle man that took her and her son in a gave them a nice home. Annie’s stepmom died and she was left to care for them all, she was a great housekeeper and a wonderful seamstress so she began to flourish.
93 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2020
Another brilliant story.

Hooray for the Gibson family they all worked so hard to make thing's better for themselves.Annie's salon sounded so posh with it's retiring room I'm really glad she got the respect she deserved for all her hard work,and Tom for his and his junk yard.Mr Hallam was also impressed with Annie as the good business woman she was i can't wait to read the next book with all the weddings coming up.
Profile Image for Sean Harding.
5,829 reviews34 followers
January 18, 2019
The saga continues in this the second entry i the series, and whilst it is all pretty average fare, with nothing extraordinary, it is entertaining and keeps you interested enough to want to follow the characters and the storyline. Book three at some point later on!
Profile Image for Amy.
49 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2017
I think it might have been slightly better than the first one...Very intriguing and amusing. Annie is a strong character that others can relate to even if she is from the 1800s.
61 reviews
November 4, 2019
Enthralling

Absolutely enthralling stories. Kept mr hooked until the end. So much drama and social history. A real eye opener. Brilliant
Profile Image for K S Renuka.
16 reviews13 followers
November 7, 2019
A book I could not stop reading

What is their to dislike? None whatsoever. I just cant pit the book down. Wish it never ends and I wish to keep reading Anna's books forever
244 reviews
March 22, 2021
Enjoyed reading the Gibson saga going to be the next book in this series
Profile Image for Shy.
27 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2021
Enjoyed this book. I will most certainly read more on the Gibson. Would definitely recommend
131 reviews
December 30, 2023
Captured from the first chapter, had to get the whole series, follow this great family through every possible occasion. Love, laugh and cry with them
54 reviews
April 22, 2024
great series

I’m living this series it’s another great read can’t wait for the next one I’ve just downloaded it to start to read now
Profile Image for Suzanne.
1,244 reviews19 followers
May 24, 2024
Is this was a awesome second book. I love Anna jacobs books and stories. They are just awesome. Now going to read number 3 ❤️
Profile Image for Sandra.
584 reviews18 followers
October 4, 2023
Not as good as Salem Street, but still a great Anna Jacobs book!
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,038 reviews34 followers
October 7, 2025
Book 2 in the Gibson family saga starts in 1845 and Annie is now 25, a widow and determined to succeed in her own dressmaking salon in the High Street of the Lancashire mill town of Bilsden. But someone is trying to undermine her business, and several men are persistently trying to win favour with the beautiful young widow.
It doesn't disappoint and there are more twists and turns for Annie and her family, more friendships and enemies emerge as well as a new business partner - the millowner Frederick Hallam who enter the lives of Annie and her brother Tom. Even better than Salem Street the story and the characters just get better. I loved this one.
As well as Annie achieving some personal happiness at last it is also nice to see Tom falling for Madeline the Doctor's daughter and how his traditional views of the wife role is gently challenged by Madeleine.
Also, with the death of May Annie can be more active in the lives of her father and his children to alleviate their neglect and provide them with hope for a future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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