L'ouverture du grand magasin

Harpers Emporium #1

by Rosie Clarke, Martine Desoille (translator)

" Des personnages merveilleux qui vous plongent dans la féerie d'un grand magasin chic. Éblouissant ! "Goodreads



En ce mois de mars 1912, le Tout-Londres frissonne en attendant l'événement de l'année. Harpers, un grand magasin pouvant rivaliser avec la célèbre maison Harrods, va bientôt ouvrir ses portes sur Oxford Street.
Pour l'heure, Harpers recrute son personnel et les candidates se bousculent. Sally, Beth, Maggie et Rachel font connaissance lors de leurs entretiens d'embauche.
Toutes quatre ont la chance d'être recrutées. L'aventure Harpers peut commencer pour ces petites mains, qui vont devenir demoiselles de magasin.
Entre peines de coeur et coups du destin, petites joies et grands espoirs, Rosie Clarke nous entraîne dans le quotidien de ces jeunes femmes déterminées à réussir, bientôt soudées par une amitié indéfectible.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, British Literature, Historical, 20th Century

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2024

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow did I ever enjoy this one!! It was my first Rosie Clarke book and it won't be my last!

What a delight and I just loved the time and setting of the story. It is 1912 and in London, England a real buzz is in the air. A new department store is opening and hiring workers. Four ladies begin to work together in the new store and form a friendship. I was fully charmed by all of the ladies and their stories. So much is packed into this little book. I can't wait to read the second instalment. Just marvellous! If you enjoyed the tv series, "Mr. Selfridge" then you need to start reading this book. You will not be disappointed!

I would like to kindly thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for granting me access to this Advanced Reader Copy.

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Heart Warming Story of Friendships.

The Shop Girls of Harpers is a heart warming story of Friendship.

This is the first book in a new series, which I'm really looking forward to reading!

Four Women all attend a job interview to work in Harper's, a new department store in Oxford Street.
It's from that interview the Four Women meet, become work colleagues and the best of friends.

Sally, Beth, Margaret and Rachel are very different, there backgrounds and lifestyles,
Sally grew up in a orphanage and now lives in a hostel.
Beth was her Mother's Carer up until she passed away, now she lives with her Aunt helping her out with household chores.
Maggie (Margaret) is forced to leave school, despite her fathers plees to stay on, she knows she has to get a job to support her family, after her Father is bed ridden from an accident at work.
Rachel ( Mrs Craven) is the supervisor at Harpers.

As the Four Women work closely together their Friendships grow stronger.
One thing that really shines through is the support, Bond and care they have for each other as the face many ups and downs, heartache and joys together.

I really enjoyed reading all about the day to day running of Harpers a big department store, the roles the women have at work and the rules and regulations.

Rosie Clarke always writes with such passion, her books are always authentic and well researched and once again Rosie has written an authentic heart warming historical Saga.

If you are looking for a New Historical Saga, Series, that's Heart Warming, Compelling and Authentic, that features strong friendships, trials and tribulations of each woman, strong, relatable female characters, and a wonderfully enchanting location then you will love The Shop Girls of Harpers!


Thank you to Boldwood Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...

[Louise Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oxford Street #1

Set in 1911. Sally, Beth, Margaret and Rachel all meet when they go for a job interview for an up and coming new store in Oxford Street. They were all successful in securing positions. The women all come from different backgrounds. The women come up against many situations while at work and in their home lives.

Although this was an enjoyable read, there were certain factors that weren't up to my expectations. There were parts that were repetitive and other that were overdone. The plotline was a little lack lustre. There is a little character building that I hope we learn ore about in the next book. I think the descriptions of the preparation of a big store were spot on. The ending felt a bit rushed but I'm looking forward to reading what happens next when the second book becomes available.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Boodworld Books and the author Rosie Clarke for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Vonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it would be a mediocre fluff novel. I was sorely mistaken! I got sucked in immediately and could not put it down! This is the first of a series and I can't wait for the rest! The depth of characters and richness of their stories keeps you reading. The individual story lines are warm and familiar like hanging out with a friend. Highly recommended!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heads up. This review has more to say about my train of thought than the writers actual talents. I gave this 3 stars as the story and writing was OK. Feel free to skip the rest of this for your own sanity.

I listened to this on audio book. I quite enjoy historical fiction and non fiction but I just didn't feel like I was immersed in the era a lot of conversations just seemed too modern and some of the details just didn't seem historically accurate and no matter how pedantic it really ruins a book for me.
I am aware this is a personal opinion and these little details wouldn't matter to others. I'm not claiming to have a full history knowledge either

For example the £10 deposit they had to pay for a 2 bedroom flat. If the average rent in 1910 for a 3 bed house was £15 a year rhe deposit seems a bit steep and would shop girls really be able to save up that kind of money whilst paying rent and living expenses? was 15 shillings really a normal starting wage for an unexperienced shop girl when average wages for women were £30 a year? School leaving age was 14 chances are Sally would have been sent into service at that point and what has Maggie been doing for the last 2 years if it was intended she would go to college? Would you need to attend college to become a teacher was it even possible for her to train to be a doctor like her father wanted. Would edwardian girls be shouting "you bitch" at each other and some of the phrases used throughout the book it all seemed a bit too modern.
I could go on asking questions and googling for confirm to my hearts content but I think I will just move on to another book.

TO be BRIEF my mind was too busy going off on a tangent about all these thoughts to actually enjoy the story.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I purchased it for my Kindle after reading the awesome Mulberry Lane series.

This book is set prior to WWI in London. I enjoyed the time period, the character cast, and the setting of Harpers Dept Store.

Looking forward to the next book to see what Rachel, Sally, Beth, and Maggie get into.

5/5 stars

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four young women, in 1911 England, find sales girl positions in a department store and become fast friends. This is an enjoyable historical fiction by Rosie Clarke.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Rosie Clarke's books for quite a while now. I have loved each and every book that she released in the Mulberry Lane series. As well as being a book nerd, I am also a huge history nerd with a particular focus on early 20th Century Britain. Rosie Clarke writes fantastic fiction set during that time period so you can imagine why 'The Shop Girls Of Harpers' screamed 'read me' at me. I couldn't wait to start reading 'The Shop Girls Of Harpers' but more about that in a bit.
I loved the group of four girls, who are the main characters in this story. They all meet when they are interviewed for positions at Harpers. Little do they realise just how much that interview will change their lives for ever. For not only do the girls become colleagues but they also become the best of friends. Their friendships will withstand lots of trials and tribulations and will last for the rest of their lives. 'The Shop Girls Of Harpers' is the first in a new series focusing on the staff 'Harpers Emporium' and I look forward to discovering much more about their families and their lives.
Oh my word, Rosie Clarke has done it again. She has written yet another fantastic piece of historical fiction. As soon as I opened the front cover of the book, that was it for me. I just knew that I wouldn't be able to put the book down for the rest of the day and so it proved to be. The book wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I didn't want to break. I also feared on missing out on some vital element of the story and missing out on some gossip. I reached the end of the book far quicker than I had either anticipated or expected. I was enjoying the book so much that I just didn't want it to end.
'The Shop Girls Of Harpers' is brilliantly written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Rosie Clarke. She certainly knows how to grab your attention from the cover alone and once she has your attention, she won't release you until the very last word on the very last page. Rosie writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I did feel as though I had borrowed the Tardis from Dr. Who and I had travelled back to pre- World War One Britain with all the relevant sights, sounds, smells, fashions and attitudes. Through Rosie's fantastic writing, I did feel as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Shop Girls Of Harpers' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I can 100% guarantee that I will be reading more of Rosie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy of this book

I enjoyed the Shopgirls of sharpers for entertainment value. The dialogue seems a bit repetitious and the plot was thin. However, it was charming detail about turn of the century London department stores. The bit with the Titanic was overdone!! Give the son another name for goodness sake! And I understand it was to help put the story in context but it wasn’t really relevant as the son could have been given other employment, even on another liner! I didn’t think it was a good plot device, even for the sister’s delayed departure!
Again a sweet read but the ending was abrupt and felt as though it was a cliffhanger just to make readers buy the next in a series, but I don’t feel compelled to have to know what happens to the four women.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this as it was set in an old-time department store. I was looking forward to the friendships that would form and I was not disappointed on that point. The problem I had with the story was the portrayal of the men. Their "intense" looks were indistinguishable between interest or hatred? Come on. That is a convenient and unoriginal portrayal of men's emotions. I like men and this was totally unfair of the author. The store owner, the ex-boyfriend, the bar manager. They all came across creepy as heck! No thanks.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book to read and the first of a new series with characters that blend so well and a great story of friendship,family and love.well worth 5*

[Gwen Hight · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shop Girls of Harpers( Welcome to Harper's Emporium)

This is a good story about she girls that are hired together in a department store and they become friends

[Lucie Aran · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** Děvčata z Harpers ***
Příběh o přátelství, který zahřeje u srdce a pohladí po duši.
Mám ráda tento typ historických příběhů. I když se v podstatě jedná pokaždé o stejný koncept, respektive možná právě proto, si je pokaždé moc ráda přečtu.

Kniha začíná v roce 1911. Je to doba plná změn a objevů, ale později také ztrát. Doba, která jen umocňuje příběh o přátelství čtyř žen – Sally, Beth, Margaret a Rachel, které spojí právě otevření prvního z obchodů Harpers v Londýně. Jejich osud mě zaujal a příběh skutečně bavil. Autorka píše velice čtivě a autenticky. Díky tomu nebylo těžké si jednotlivá děvčata oblíbit a prožívat s nimi každodenní radosti i strasti. To vše v obklopení nostalgie, a krásných věcí, jako jsou klobouky, šperky a šátky.

Tato série má v současnosti v originále 8 dílů, které provedou své čtenáře obdobím od roku 1911 až do roku 1926. Už teď se moc těším, jaké příběhy přinesou a doufám, že se dočkáme kompletního překladu.

[Cheryl Schlesinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started this series of books ...first book (of four) begins in 1901 where a new department store opens that serves the upper middle class of London. Four women ranging in age from 16-35 begin much needed employment in the jewelry, hat, scarves and gloves department....The book reads like a British soap opera ....the trials and struggles of the lower class, the strictness of proper behaviors and the consequences for failure to adhere to what was expected of women of that day and age. I’m moving on to the 2nd book as the women suffrage movement begins. The characters are interesting and the various plots singularly and intertwining makes for an enjoyable book.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shop Girls of Harpers by Rosie Clarke is the debut of Welcome to Harpers Emporium series. It is March of 1912 when Beth Grey heads off to interview for a position with Harpers. The store has completed construction but has yet to open to the public. While waiting for her turn, Beth meets Sally Ross and Maggie Gibbs who are also applying for positions. The four girls are thrilled when they are hired and get to work in the same department under Rachel Craven. This is the beginning of a lifelong friendship for these four ladies along with new adventures. I was immediately taken in by The Shop Girls of Harpers. I have enjoyed reading Rosie Clarke’s other novels and this one did not disappoint. The author has an engaging writing style that draws the reader right in. I like the four ladies who are getting an opportunity to work at a brand new store. They are strong female characters. They each come from different backgrounds with differing personalities. Somehow, though, they click. I enjoyed the comradery between the ladies and the bond they formed. I liked reading about the day to day running of Harpers. The various departments and how they functioned. One of my favorite characters was Fred, the porter, who brought the stock up to the various departments. He is such a kind, thoughtful man. I can tell the author did her research for this book. It felt authentic to the time period with the clothing, music, books, and world events. I liked how she worked the Titanic sinking into the storyline. I just loved reading about the fashions from this time period. The beautiful hats were my favorite. These ladies worked among beautiful clothes and accessories that they could not afford to purchase. The Shop Girls of Harpers is a heartwarming historical novel, and I cannot wait for Love and Marriage at Harpers. The Shop Girls of Harpers is a story of friendship where four women stick together through the ups and downs of life.

[michele thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm Hooked!

I truly enjoyed this book and found it very hard to put down. I just loved the storyline and the young ladies. I cannot wait to read more of the authors novels.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of girls finding their way

This book is well-written and has lovely, lively characters. Set in London at Harper's Department Store - fun to learn what fashions were popular at that time. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read a lot Rosie's other books I was delighted to get a chance to read this first book in a new series early. It was utterly FANTASTIC
Harper's department store in london opens with 4 very strong ladies playing there part I could not put it down it was totally captivating from beginning to end can't wait for the next part this is a book for all ages to read it really is a
FULL- THROTTLE TRUMPET TOOTING
EXTRAVAGANZA.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by no means great literature. It won't appeal to everyone. I think the editor may have fallen asleep in a few spots, and woke up and continued reading on the next page. And yet, I'm giving it three stars.

It was a fine mix of sadness and happiness, and the characters were nicely developed. I was so happy to see there was a sequel available so I can keep up with their lives. This is the sort of palate cleanser my brain needs more often amidst 2020's day-to-day uncertainty and uneasiness.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like reading a first draft. There was a lot of potential in it - but there were so many grammatical errors and typo's that should've been picked up in editing. Also the fact that 90% of the book seems to be about inventory they're selling and how much it is and how nice it is AND WOE IS US WE CAN NEVER AFFORD THIS AT LEAST WE CAN TOUCH IT?!

Then all the drama happens right at the end of the book and it goes back and forth and back and forth and is really quite ridiculous. It seems like a poorly planned, poorly executed - but extremely well researched book.

[Lois cowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just loved this book couldn’t stop reading it loved all the characters sally for standing up for her self so glad Maggie and Beth are finding there feet the way they have just got on with each other straight away and working together with Rachel to make their dept a success just starting to read next instalment can’t wait to find out how they all get on and make Harper’s a bigger sucess

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start for a new series, this book is heartwarming and engrossing.
I liked the well researched historical background, the fleshed out cast of character and the enjoyable plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Marilynn Wrigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books set in England and in that era. The characters were well written and the story moved along and kept my interest. I am reading the next in the series, BUT that said, I resent books that insist you buy the next to read a “finished” story. I enjoy series with books that can stand alone.

[Laura Rookyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Absolutely wonderful book by Rosie Clarke. A must read for any British historical fiction fan. Detailed, extremely well written, and characters to both love and hate.

[Jan Convey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Really enjoyed this book now reading the next one, think Rosie Clarke is a very clever writer, loved all her books sofar

[Mielou!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabuleux !!

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story follows four girls -- Beth, Sally, Maggie, and Rachel -- as they begin new jobs at Harpers Emporium, a brand new department store in London that seems sure to make a splash on the shopping scene. Though at first only coworkers, the girls soon become close friends, sharing in each other's joys and helping to relieve heartaches when they come.

I truly enjoyed the friendship aspect of this book; each girl sacrifices something in order to help another when needed. Though they come from differing backgrounds, their shared experience as shopgirls at Harpers brings them together, through thick and thin.

Other than the girls’ friendships, this felt like a first draft of a story, with every extraneous detail from historical research included just to be sure nothing is missed. There are various B plots that pop up and disappear for no other reason than to increase the story’s length. Though the girls’ jobs at Harpers are obviously center stage, the details of their transactions there are described in painstaking detail, taking away from important interactions and overall character growth.

Certain relationships progressed within the blink of an eye without much explanation, while the characters themselves never had an opportunity to grow or change. With a certain lack of definitive “plot” -- it reads more as an account of the girls’ day-to-day experiences -- there was ample room for individual growth that we never got to see.

Additionally, there was an extended focus on the events of the Titanic’s sinking; the story takes place in the spring of 1912 so it makes perfect sense that the ship’s story would be part of the news. However, the Titanic takes on a much bigger part of the book, overwhelming conversation and stalling overall progress, especially since none of the main characters’ lives were affected by anyone lost or closely connected to the tragedy.

Obviously thoroughly researched, this felt like a draft of a story where all the pieces were there but they simply weren’t assembled properly. I felt like I was being told I need to care about these women without ever being shown why I should.

Thanks to the publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

[Bru ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rate: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

So, this one was a solid read.
First, I would like to start by the all the things I loved about this book.
This was a beautiful story about friendship and I really loved how we start to see their individually life, how they are all struggling with something and then we get to see how their friendship helped with everything. I also loved the way that Rosie Clarke created theses 4 amazing and captivating women.
I really appreciated how the writing was so flued, calmed and without big surprises. And when there were surprises, they were predictable but not in a bad way.
On the bad side, I think that the story went in a really slow rhythm and I didn’t enjoy it. What made this a 3 instead of a 4, was the fact I feel like some of the romantic scenes were rushed at the end. Everything happened in just a couple of pages and that doesn’t feel right with me, especially because this book was such a solid read that when everything happened so fast, it felt weird with the course of the book.
I also didn’t enjoy the ending… Even though I’m aware that it’s part of a series, I felt like I just needed a little more information and a little more closure. I understand that it was an attempt of creating mysterious, but it wasn’t successful at it.
I will be considered buying the second one, just because I loved these women so much and I want to see what happens in their life.

[Becki Basley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shopgirls at Harpers (Harpers Emporium series book one )by Rosie Clark (Audiobook read on Hoopla app)

The year is 1911 and four women meet as they wait to interview for work at a new store called Harpers, not knowing that this meeting was the start of a life long friendship for the group of four.

Sally, Beth , Margaret and Rachel come from very different backgrounds. Sally grew up in an orphanage and now lives in a very rough hostel, which may as well be called hostile. She spends as much time as she can away from it.

Beth had cared for her very sick mother until she passed away. She now lives with an aunt and must not only pay her rent but do a majority of the housework to keep her place there. While her aunt does treat her better, she really ticked me off at the beginning of the book.

After her dad had an accident at work, Maggie is forced to leave school to find a job to help make the bills until her Dads settlement money appears. She does her days work and comes home to take care of her Dad while her mother goes out with friends.

And then there is Rachel. She becomes the other girls supervisor at Harpers and quickly becomes friends with them. She has her own past to deal with.

[Farrah I · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a new clothing/jewellery/household item store opening in London by a American owner. It is about the start of a new friendship between 4 women of various ages and backgrounds, women’s rights and finding love in a male dominated world.

Nothing not to like about this book! I loved the bonding between Fred and Beth, her aunt too. It was sad Beth didn’t get to spend too much time with her after she’d changed.
I loved Mick and his selflessness, even now I was rooting for him and Sally and I hope he gets his girl in the end whom ever it may be!

Jack and Beth were my favourite couple. I liked Sally and her attitude towards life the most. She knew what she wanted and she goes after it.

I mostly liked the friendship of the 4 original Harper girls!

I’m also surprised nobody commented about the authors play of Jacks character and the similarities between the Jack from Titanic. Unsure if the author is a Titanic fan but I liked her letting this Jack who works a steward and was on the Titanic too, a excellent swimmer as well, live on!