Lizzie's Secret

The Workshop Girls #1

by Rosie Clarke, Juliette Burton (Narrator)

London, 1938: Lizzie Larch is a 20-year-old hat maker in London's east end. She is happy and popular, but she carries a secret. Seven years ago she was viciously attacked and recovered in a private sanatorium where she miscarried a child.

Lizzie has no memory of the night of the attack, but secrets cannot stay secret for too long. When she starts courting her boss' nephew, a shocking revelation surfaces; threatening to destroy their new-found happiness.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Historical Romance

Audible Audio

Published August 11, 2016

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie Larch has nightmares from an event in her past that haunts her. She is desperately afraid but yet cannot remember much to be able to deal with the situation. All she knows is that she was attacked, and had a baby and that it all affected her so badly as a young teenager, she spent a lot of time in a sanatorium recovering. Doctors advised her aunt and uncle who she lived with, not to tell her what happened unless she remembered herself. So she has just tried to get on with her life. Despite her aunt’s disapproval, she gets a job as an apprentice hat maker. Lizzie soon discovers she has a real talent for it and she likes experimenting and designing new hats. She is helped by Ed, who along with his sick wife Madge, becomes a dear friend. She also attracts the attention of two men. One is Harry, nephew to her boss. The other is another businessman Sebastian. Is his interest just in her hat making skills or is there more to it?
Set at the beginning and during the Second World War, the story gives a clear picture of the impact war had on England and its people. Yet through it all, even when they could hardly buy rations, women wanted hats and the hat making business continued and thrived. Lizzie is a warm hearted, generous person who cares about others and is always seeking ways to help them. This includes Ed and Madge and also her dear friend Beth.
The book gives an interesting look at the way society and attitudes have changed over the years since. I found this an enjoyable read with a well-defined setting and largely likeable characters, although Lizzie’s aunt is a really nasty vindictive piece of work. I thought the ending was a bit predictable and quickly wrapped up, but otherwise an enjoyable read. There is a book two about Lizzie which I will probably try and get hold of at some stage.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book.

“If you are a fan of Katie Flynn you will love this book” is what the publishers say. Well yes I do! I loved all of Katie Flynn books and more like her. In my 20’s I read nothing else but historical fiction like this and Catherine Cookson. So going back to my roots of what got me into reading in the first place was a sheer joy to me.

Setting myself back to how life was then, it wasn’t easy for Lizzie. Neither would it have been to date.
But people’s morals were so different then. And yes, I’m getting older and in some ways it did have it’s good points but also had it’s bad.

This is the story of Lizzie, this is her secret.

But seeing she doesn’t remember it brings even more collateral damage.

I so loved this!
Did I say?!

What a fantastic writer this is.

[Heather York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and looking forward to the next part of the trilogy

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this audiobook by Rosie Clarke and I found it very interesting because the story was very well written and the narration was brilliant.
Very well researched and the book really gives an insight into people's attitudes in this era.

Lizzie Larch is attacked and left for dead when she is just fourteen.
She is very ill,loses the baby which was a consequence of the terrible attack that happened to her that night.
All poor Lizzie knows is that she was terribly ill and lucky to survive because her memory has been totally erased of that awful night.

The story follows Lizzie's life and the many challenges she has to face living in this era when morals where so important and good friends where hard to find.
I thought this story gave a good insight into wartime Britain and was a very interesting read.
I will be looking for more from this author as I enjoyed this story so much.

[Dora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to read about how society was around 1940s and how much more reserved people were towards male-female relationships. How easily a woman could be cast aside just by speaking to a man that wasn't her brother or her father. But then it was also inspiring to read that there were women that dared to be more dynamic and spirited despite social norms of the time.

I found the language a bit plain but maybe that was deliberate to portray the naivety of the period?

I can't say that I would recommend this book to a friend as the storytelling would need to be a bit more intense in emotions to do that. But i read it so quickly and effortlessly that says something about the book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book great story can highly recomend

[Hayley Wills · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Jess: Book #1 in a series called The Workshop Girls (in a very similar vein to The Tobacco Girls series that I have read by another author). The perfect easy read for a rainy weekend at the start of December.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lizzie Larch is a 20 year old living with her aunt and uncle because both of her parents were deceased. Lizzie was attacked several years earlier and spent time in a sanitarium recovering. She has never remembered that dreadful day and was unaware she had a miscarriage following. Her uncle adores her but her aunt is an spiteful woman. Lizzie finds a job in a hat making business and is determined to learn everything she can. She meets a young woman, Beth when she applies for the position and they becomes close friends. Lizzie starts dating the owner's nephew, Harry and becomes engaged. The uncle dies and leaves part of his inheritance to Lizzie much to her aunt's dismay. On the day of her wedding, her aunt visits her disclosing the secret of the attack. Then WWII breaks out and Harry enlists. The story shows the difficulties the British people endured with many of the men involved in the war effort being affected by the danger they faced every day. But it also shows the perseverance as well.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story, lots of good characters, evokes the era wonderfully. My only disappointment was that when I finished I didn't have a copy of the next book in the series to go on to. I had so enjoyed these characters that I wanted to cary on reading about them. That I think is probably a great compliment!

[Sarah Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure about this one. I disliked how basic the narrative style was and the character of lizzie was too perfect and had no flaws, she seemed quite flat, so I just couldn't relate to her or like her.
Having said that, the overall story is good, if unbelievable at times.

[ingrid davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Lovely story and I felt like I knew the characters.
Would recommend to friends.
Very well written and I shall read more from this author.

[Emma Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent couldn't put It down will read the second part of the series at some point

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of 3books audio book one brilliant book 5star

[Jennsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story focused on a lead female character Lizzie who had an awful thing happen to her when she was 14. She does not learn about it until later. This is set just before the second war, and she works making unique hats. The story is about difficult love and acceptance when she does marry and the “secret” comes out. Overall, the read was pleasant but left a lot open and didn’t really make much of an impression.

[Miss Lorraine Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars plus

I would recommend this book it was a lovely story from beginning to end. The characters in this book had me laughing and crying they were very believable and in my mind know what they look like. Well worth a read and well worth more than five stars. Can't wait to read the next book

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book.

I loved the characters, the storyline, and how it went along. I didn't feel I wanted to stop reading. I'm glad. The previous book had been a bit of a struggle. This is really good. Easy to read, enjoyable for a holiday read or anywhen.
I won't give spoilers but looking forward to the next book.

[brenda young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book , didn't like Lizzie's husband Harry I think smug sums him up , can't wait to start the next book in this series to see what's going to happen next .

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Good clean reading. Kept your interest from page one. Lizzie and Beth growing up together and experiencing life before and during the war. Sad and happy times, good family times and hard family times. It had love and adventure was just a good book all the way through.

[Kylie Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I could not put this book Down loved it It even made me cry :'( Such a heart warming and heartbreaking book You have to read it I'm off to read the next book in the series Lizzy's War :)

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love any WWII books. This author put in modern times and didn't stick with the historical facts of the 1940's.This would bother me as I was reading. This was a good book, but not anything special. I will continue to read the series.

[Mary E Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book well written looking forward to the next book

Excellent book looking forward to reading the next book I hadn't read this author before but I recommend it. I shall definitely read more of her books

[Hedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this books, it was sweet story about Lizzie and her friend Beth before war and during it. Two young girls are well behaved and good manners but it is definitely hard to survive alone, so they need to keep close and be there for each other.

[Sharon Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reat

Enjoyed the series, kept me interested. Liked the characters and storyline. Look forward to reading more by this site. Great

[Marilyn Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started off well if a bit farfetched but disintigrated into totally unbelievable before the end. Good for the soul if you can suspend cynicism for a while

[Aurora · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. The editing was awful and the repetition grated on me. The characters were interesting enough for me to want to continue the series.

[joan caryl jewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

This book was just what I needed - such a great easy read, wonderful storyline and characters.
I look forward to reading more books by Rosie Clarke.

[Cindy Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad to see there's a sequel because it ended with a lot of loose ends. Already ordered Lizzie's War and can't wait to read it!! 😉

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. Good story with plenty of characters.

[Sharon Broaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I am looking forward to following Lizzie’s journey,and the other characters.

Wonderful scene setting just before the war and as it fully gets going.

[Janet East · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzy

Enjoyed this so have it 5 stars. Love the way these books are written. So easy to read. Just can't put it down.