The Ladies of Llanfairpwll: A moving historical novel of friendship, sisterhood, and the women who shaped history

by LK Wilde

Wales, 1915.

Angharad Williams lives alone with her secrets and wants to keep it that way. But when her village hosts the formidable yet visionary Canadian, Madge Watt, Angharad is drawn into a movement that promises to change lives- but could destroy her own.

The pioneering Women's Institute at Llanfairpwll, set up under Madge’s guidance, is all about breaking taboos, educating, and giving women a voice. It is also a place where Angharad finds something that has been missing all her life- friendship.

But Bryn, Angharad's brother, detests the women’s pioneering spirit. He threatens not just the fledgling institute, but also Angharad herself. As the only one who knows her past, Bryn holds the power to drive her from the village and from everything she now holds dear.

Part of the Forgotten Women of History series. Each novel is a complete standalone story inspired by real women and true events.

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Jo Wakefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much so I read it over a couple of days. Very easy to read and the ladies involved are easy to follow as the chapters move between them. Basing the story around the WI and how they helped during the war years was both interesting and something different. I have read alot of this authors books and recommend them all, but especially this one.

[Ellen Massaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the many women in this novel and all that they lived through in the early 1900's. I found myself rooting for the women and couldn't read it fast enough! Thank you to Ms Wilde for her words on each and every page.

[Abigail Yardimci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story of friendship, bravery and determination I couldn’t help but smile whilst reading the whole thing. I loved the fusion of historical fact and skillfully written fiction so much and the combination of the two was effortlessly enjoyable. I’ve never really thought about how the Women’s Institute began but was hooked from the beginning and loved the way the history unfolded alongside this powerful and moving tale of three women who found so much magic in each other. The backdrop of WW1 was respectfully drawn and the class disparities between the women, as well as their individual struggles were illustrated highly authentically. I left this book feeling emboldened and inspired to somehow keep their legacy alive. What a powerful story!

[N.S. Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog - https://nsfordwriter.com - on 7th August 2025.

This is a moving, well-researched historical novel set in the Welsh town with the very long name, shortened in this book to Llanfairpwll. It has themes of women's suffrage, friendship and community.

The story takes place during the First World War and is narrated by three very different, distinct women. Angharad lives an isolated, downtrodden existence, afraid that her secrets will get out. Carys works on the family farm, while her brothers and her betrothed have gone to fight. Ffion has a life of privilege but her children are sent away to school and her husband is horrible. These women bond over the formation of the Women's Institute and over time their characters strengthen, allowing them to take charge of their own destinies.

I enjoyed the novel, finding it educational as well as compelling. I was interested in the protagonists and I liked the setting, on the island of Anglesey. There was some Welsh in the text and I wouldn't have a clue how to pronounce it! The book was perhaps a little too lengthy for me and there was some over-use of particular phrases, such as someone having a lot on their plate or exclaiming 'goodness'. However, I'd recommend the book and I thought it superior to the others I've read by this author, Queenie of Norwich and The House of Many Lives.

[Helen Aitchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of strength, friendship, and challenging oppression. The Ladies of Llanfairpwll tells of the development of the first Women’s Institute (WI) in the UK, in 1915. Alongside this, it tells the story of women’s roles during the First World War.
The characters weave the most incredible story through their own circumstances and connecting with the purpose of the development of the WI.
I adored Angharad, who struggled under the dominance of her brother and her past. I became invested in her immediately and felt all her emotion. She’s a character that will remain with me for a long time.
I loved how community began to be created through the WI, and the stories of the process and members, and the reflections on society and women’s roles in the 1910s. It’s a powerful account that is poignant and demonstrates trailblazing women at the time — who were driven by empowering females to be heard.
This is a brilliant book on many layers, combining history with female characters who are relatable. It’s a longer book, but I really didn’t want it to end.
The authors’s note and bookclub questions at the end were wonderful touches. An exceptional book mixing research, facts, and fiction. Highly recommended.

[Linda Jeffreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

l’ve just finished The Ladies of Llanfairpwill by L.K. Wilde and l absolutely loved it.
A very moving and thought provoking storyline…based on the fascinating account of the origins of the Women’s Institute in Wales in 1915, told wonderfully by the author through the eyes of three diverse fictional characters.

Apprehensive Angharad, fiesty Ffion and farm girl Carys. They all have their own issues and very different class statuses but nevertheless form a strong friendship.
The narrative takes us on a journey through the early years of the Institute and through these three ladies personal stories.

The WI was inspired by the Canadian Women's Institute, which was established to connect women in isolated rural areas.
The organization aimed to give women a voice, encourage their participation in community life, and boost food production during WW1.

It’s amazing how the power and influence of a group of women who collectively get together and use their voice, help their community survive the war years of WW1. An amazing and very interesting historical fiction.

LK Wilde has written a very compelling story…which is very well written…I loved it. If you enjoy historical fictional I highly recommend it.

[Ninaminacat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is simultaneously a light and easy read and a satisfying delve into history, which stimulated me to do a little background research of my own. If you are interested in the history of Wales or of the WI or if women's history is your thing, this is a good choice for you. I particularly enjoyed seeing how revolutionary the WI was in admitting members of different classes and religious denominations and encouraging them to work side by side as equals.

Not only does it deliver on the factual front (with an author's note to help with distinguishing fact from fiction), but the characters come alive on the page, making it a bit of a tear-jerker! In the early part of the book there is some repetition of particular sentiments, which I found slightly annoying and I had worked out Angharad's secret within a few chapters, but overall, I found this an enjoyable read.

I will give the final word to the genuine historical figure of Colonel Stapleton-Cotton, who did so much to assist the establishment of the WI in Llanfairpwll, since the motto attributed to him in the book is one by which we could strive to live: "Look up, not down; look out, not in; and lend a hand."

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of fact entwined with fiction. The Ladies of Llanfairpwll begins a year into WWI, where life is changing for everyone beyond recognition.

It follows three main characters, their friends, families and their local community. The story shows the coming together of different social classes, at a time when many men were away at war, and the conception of the very first Women's Institute in the UK.

The story is full of joy, sorrow, love, fear, friendship, acceptance, empowerment and secrets.

I found myself researching the real life characters within the story and the Women's Institute.
The story also brought back a long forgotten memory of my mum being a member of The Women's Institute when I was a young child.

LK Wilde has written a very compelling and engaging story. A fantastic read which I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to those already familiar with LK Wildes' work and newcomers alike.
I hope the Author has plans to write more books on the characters, I would love to know what happens to Angharad next.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This for me was one of those books where I got totally immersed into this world and was rooting for the women of Llanfair! Love how a war book focuses on the women and not the men. And what women we meet! Shy and nervous Angharad, hard worker Carys and fiesty Ffion. All striking with their own issues in their own way and not with the same status. I loved to hate a couple of the men, and loved the sense of community shown with the formation of the WI. This shows the resilience of women beautifully.

This is a long read at nearly 500 pages, but didn't feel that way. Getting the different women's points of view made for gripping chapters, and addictive reading.

[MetLineReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read with two narrators detailing life in WWI North Wales, including the establishment of the first Women’s Institute. Angharad’s life is overshadowed by her overbearing minister of a brother, while Ffion is facing a miserable life with her children away at school and an overbearing husband.
What follows is a tale of friendship and grit despite the hardships that many of the women faced, while the men were away at war.
Sold to me as a romance, I wouldn’t say that this is a central theme of the book - but a side note

A good read nonetheless but not really a romance at heart.

[Judith C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great historical fiction, and as usual with LK Wilde she takes a unique event this time with the foundation of the Women’s Institute. The characters are easy to follow, most you’ll love, a couple you won’t. I learnt so much about the WI, its origin and what a big part it played in social change for women. Set in war time but not directly about the war. (also touches on the flu epidemic of 1918 often overlooked by the war).

[Audrey Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive this as my very first ARC. I laughed, cried, and shouted at some of the characters. I was hooked from the very first page. I would love there to be a sequel in order to find out what happens next with the characters.

[christine mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story following characters in the beginning of ww1,some very sad parts for angharad because of her brother,this starts the WI and has some very fascinating information, definitely a page turner ,bringing different people together no matter there class

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

Great read! Characters are very interesting and real. The book is beautifully written and deals with what woman’s live were like during that time.