Duty and Dreams at Harpers

Harpers Emporium #10

by Rosie Clarke

A heartwarming 1930s saga of family, friendship and daring to dream from MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Rosie Clarke. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Kitty Neale and Pam Howes!'Brilliant read. Wonderful characters that draw you into Harpers world. Thoroughly enjoyable' - Kitty NealeCan Harpers survive and thrive through the Great Depression?

London 1931

Sally Harper barely has time to catch her breath after the tragic death of her husband, Ben. Heartbroken, she must stay strong as Harpers Emporium and the livelihoods it supports struggles through hard times and a nation weighed down by depression.

At home, her children are grieving in different ways. Peter does his best to cope, while Jenny’s sorrow has turned to anger and defiance. As questions about their future and the legacy they will inherit loom large, Sally faces them alone—wishing Ben were still by her side. Peter dreams of becoming a chef, and Jenny longs for the stage, but can Sally help them follow their passions?

With the steadfast support of friends and family, she carries on as best she can. At Harpers, Beth Burrows is surprised to find she’s expecting her third child, while Kitty Wilson and Maureen Wright flourish in their new roles. But will happiness extend beyond work—for them, and for Sally herself?

A tale of renewed hope, dreams and survival set against the tough 1930’s and the Great Depression.

If you love this, try Rosie's other series - Blackberry Farm, The Trenwith Series, Dressmakers Alley and Mulberry Lane

Praise for Rosie

'Brilliant series. Another great read in the Harper series. Rosie Clarke makes all her characters seem so real, new ones are added which makes for good and exciting storylines, such good writing makes it so hard to put down so the ending comes far too fast..' - Reader Review

'Top-notch saga writing. A superb saga from a talented storyteller. Another immersive, captivating and compelling read from Rosie Clarke readers will struggle to put down' - Reader Review

'Love these books there is eight in the series and I have enjoyed reading each one' - Reader Review

'Another great read by Rosie Clarke. Looking forward to your next book which will hopefully follow Kitty's future.' - Reader Review

'As always there are lots of laughs and lots of tears in the Harpers books, I love them all, such a lovely story thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you Rosie for yet another lovely book' - Reader Review

'Having enjoyed Rosie Clark's previous 7 books in the Harper series, number 8 did not disappoint. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to read the next in the series!' - Reader Review

'Great catch up with everyone at Harpers, some strange encounters and some dark possibilities. Love the newer characters and their lives connected to Harpers. Brilliant writing and great stories' - Reader Review

'An absolutely wonderful book series. I love all the characters and all they get up to. Hopefully there will be more in this series. After all they have another war to get through. I highly recommend Rosie and all her books.' - Reader Review

' Brilliant read. Wonderful characters that draw you into Harpers world. Thoroughly enjoyable' - Kitty Neale

'Love it. Read the whole series. Love them. I just love Rosie Clarke. Now got to find something else. I just find her reading so easy.' - Reader Review

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2026

Reviews

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 10 in the Harpers Emporium series. I’ve been with this series since book one and I absolutely love it. Being back with Sally Harper and all the other characters is like being back with dear friends. Like the previous books as soon as I started this one I was transported back to London in the 1930’s and the lives of the wonderful characters, Sally Harper is trying to keep Harpers afloat whilst also dealing with her tragic loss.. however her family and friends are always close by to help her. Each character has something going on in their lives which makes for a really great story. As mentioned it’s book 10 but it can be read as a standalone.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duty and Dreams at Harper’s by Rosie Clarke is the newest installment in the Harper’s Department Store saga. They have made it through WWI and are now facing the Depression. Their customer base is changing and the high-end clientele was no longer buying. Sally is making changes and she hopes they will work. She has already opened a tea shop where the furniture department used to be. She even used some of the furniture that wasn’t selling. Mick O’Shea is still in the picture patiently waiting for Sally to decide to marry him. Ben has been gone for two years now and she is still sad, but recovering. Their daughter, Jenny, had been nothing but sullen and unpleasant since Ben’s death. Sally is taking it all in hand and talks to her daughter about a new school, where she could learn to sing and dance. Her father had told her that was a bad idea, but Sally just wanted her to be happy. As always there is plenty going on with Harper’s and their employees.

Sally is a strong woman made stronger by the war and the death of her husband. She’s a terrific character. Mick had always been in the background, always ready to support her and help her. This is an entertaining saga, not so much a plot, but more a slice-of-life, with small plots along the way. It is a window into the lives of some regular people in post-WWI England. And, it is fun, and interesting, and sometimes sad. People live and they die, just like in the lives of ordinary people everywhere. Good read.

I was invited to read Duty and Dreams and Harper’s by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RosieHarper #DutyAndDreamsAtHarpers

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper's Emporium #10

London, 1931. Sally Harper has not a moment to draw breath following the tragic death of her husband Ben. Heartbroken, she has no choice but to remain strong as many people's livelihoods depend on Harper's Emporium surviving the tough times and depression suffocating the country and its people. Then there are also her children, Jenny and Peter, who are trying to come to terms with the death of their father whilst growing up. Peter is struggling manfully to cope, but Jenny's grief has made her angry and defiant. Decisions must be made about their future and the legacy that they will one day inherit, a burden that would be easier to bear if Ben was still alive. Peter wants to be a chef and Jenny has a burning desire to sing on the stage. Can Sally help them realise their dreams?

Set during the Depression, lots of people are out of work. The characters are well-developed, the story is well-written. Every character has their own story. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Published 9th July 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #RosieClarke for my ARC of #DutyandDreamsatHarpers in exchange for an honest review.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 10 in a series, and although I hadn’t read any of the previous books, the story still made sense. Set during the Depression, times are tough and a lot of people are out of work. This impacts Harper Emporium, although Sally is determined to keep her staff. Still grieving her husband, she has two teenage children to care for. Events happen to the various characters, and clearly there is a long history between them. Enjoyable and realistic characters, kindness and resilience all make for a pleasant and undemanding read. Fortunately the previous books are available so I will go back and read them, even though some of the events were referenced in this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy to read and freely review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latest book in the series, we catch up with Sally, her friends and family.

Sally is doing her best to carry on after her husband was murdered in America. They can't prove that he was murdered, so she has to settle for telling people he was run over in a normal case of hit-and-run. Their daughter Jenny was very much a daddy's girl and is going through a rebellious age. She doesn't think her mother cares enough that her father is dead. She especially doesn't like the amount of time that she spends with Mick. He was good friends with Sally's husband, and he has secretly loved her for the longest time.

Harper's could easily fall because of the depression, but with Sally's innovative ideas, the store continues to thrive.

[Katie Awdas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've loved this series but really struggled with this book. I just couldn't get into it and was a bit bored. Usually I can't put them down but this one sadly was not the case. I don't warm to Jenny and she featured highly in the title so perhaps that didn't help. I appreciate it was a hard time of history to live through but there seemed to be more doom and gloom than happiness and sometimes at the end of the day when reading all you want is something to make you smile. Perhaps with the forthcoming various weddings the next book will be happier.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read and review a preview copy.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great catch up with all the characters from Harpers. Sally Harper has it hard since the death of her beloved Ben and now the depression that’s hitting people hard. Will she be able to keep Harpers running or will she need to make changes to survive in this current slump. There are happy and sad times in this book for all the characters, but one thing doesn’t change and that’s the strong bonds of friendship that have seen them through since they were young shop girls together all those years ago.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another excellent installment of Harper's Emporium, highlighting the daily lives of the staff and customers. Set in 1931 during the Great Depression, life has become challenging as people face uncertainty about the future. Surprisingly, Harper is managing to cope. Sally Harper, heartbroken after the accidental death of her husband, must work to support herself and her two children, Jenny and Peter. Fortunately, she has her colleagues at Harper's to help her through this tough time.

Overall, this series has been wonderful, and I have enjoyed every part of it.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent chapter in the Harpers saga. I've stuck with all the characters over the past 9 books and the 10th has been just as good. Yes, it's a bit twee, but you get invested in the characters, through their ups and many downs, heartbreaks and tragedies, and the ravages of the first world war. I hope Rosie keeps writing the series to take them all through WW2 and beyond. I, for one, will keep reading. A year to wait for No 11 though!

[Melanie Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed catching up with Sally and the girls from Harpers. Having read and loved every book so far, I am always excited to read the newest book in the series. Seeing how the characters grow and develop is wonderful, and I am looking forward to seeing what Sally will do going forward and the changes it will bring

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about the lives during trying times of the Great Depression. Times were tough during the 30’s and Sally Harper didn’t catch a break during it. This book is a great resource of a nice historical fiction.

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful new instalment in The Harper series. Sally continues to run the Harpers store alongside Kitty. New characters appear and the Harper children have grown up. Lots of exciting twists and turns.
Thanks to Rosie and her publisher. I can highly recommend this book.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful series

I have enjoyed this entire series! The character development has been wonderful and I have enjoyed the growth & changes of all of the. The success and challenges of every woman have been inspiring. I am about to start the next one!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper's lives on

Worth the wait..Harper's Emporium...Has seen alot of changes...Sally Harper has been.. strong through it all...But without Ben...its become more than she can handle

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tried and True

These books have always been a wonderful story. I hate to see them end. Rosie is a master storyteller and you can visually see the story and feel the emotions. She puts you right in the scene.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great book, easy to read and enjoy, has trials and tribulations in it but nothing is too heavy. It’s nice to be able to just enjoy the lives of the families we’ve come to know and live as they grow and evolve. Can’t wait for the next one to be written!

[Mr A Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic of Harpers

Another great read and hope another book will be written soon
by Rosie Clarke
Always a brilliant read from start to finish

[Heather Conboy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great piece

Can't believe book 10 and another great piece in the Harpers jigsaw of life. Rosie Clarke weave a spell of words in this collection