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The Mill Girl
A captivating story of love, family and survival, from a beloved author who 'tells a cracking story...an insight into people that is rarely found' (Nottingham Evening Post)Life is tough on the cobbled backstreet courtyards of Abbey Street, Warwickshire, in the 1840 boys are destined for the pit and girls for the mill. Despite this, clever, feisty Maryann is happy there - until her mother dies. Her family collapses, leaving Maryann coping with everything, exhausted and lonely. Especially as Toby, the boy she is set on marrying, insists they wait.When things are at their bleakest, Maryann is offered a a position as nanny to the daughter of the mill owner, Wesley Marshall. Though the house is filled with secrets and heartache, there is kindness, too, and to Maryann's surprise she grows close to Marshall. But their relationship has not gone unnoticed and it threatens to unleash a world of problems on them all . . .'A gifted writer. Tells a cracking story and does so with an insight into people that is rarely found' -Nottingham Evening Post
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2014
86 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Goodwin
106 books380 followersBefore becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 6, 2015
I enjoyed reading about Fleur. I wish the book was about a child with Down syndrome in the 1850s, I would have have enjoyed it so much more.
With all the wrong ideas and prejudice and how people thought at the time, it would have been sad and heart breaking, yet triumphant in the end.
But the book was about lots of other characters whom I didn't care much about. Maryanne was like a typical Mary Sue. Wesley who was the most passive leading male character I have ever read. And Toby who was just too good. And of course the baddies in Florence and Hugo who were so irritating and had an unsatisfactory ending. Florence was just unbelievable for the time of the story.
It could have been so much better if it concentrated on Fleur and if Wesley was a better character, instead of going in so many different directions with all the other characters.
Lots of other things were happening that could have been emitted and the story would not have been affected, like Violet's storyline.
It was not deep or emotional to make me feel for it, and I just didn't care much for any of the characters.
With all the wrong ideas and prejudice and how people thought at the time, it would have been sad and heart breaking, yet triumphant in the end.
But the book was about lots of other characters whom I didn't care much about. Maryanne was like a typical Mary Sue. Wesley who was the most passive leading male character I have ever read. And Toby who was just too good. And of course the baddies in Florence and Hugo who were so irritating and had an unsatisfactory ending. Florence was just unbelievable for the time of the story.
It could have been so much better if it concentrated on Fleur and if Wesley was a better character, instead of going in so many different directions with all the other characters.
Lots of other things were happening that could have been emitted and the story would not have been affected, like Violet's storyline.
It was not deep or emotional to make me feel for it, and I just didn't care much for any of the characters.
October 8, 2015
Maryann and Toby have always had an understanding that they would one day marry. But Toby is saving for a better life for them and that must come before anything else, even when Maryann is threatened by the workhouse. Eventually, she obtains a position as nanny to the local mill owner's Downs' Syndrome daughter. She is horrified that the child's aunt has been treating the child like a prisoner and gradually helps improve her life till she becomes a happy child who adores her papa. Through many trials and tribulations (well, this is a family saga after all!) Maryann and the mill owner, Wesley, draw closer through their mutual love of the child and eventually find happiness together. A rounded well-told tale reflecting many of the attitudes of the mid-1800s. One quibble - why do we never learn the fate of Hugo, Toby's dastardly brother. I really wanted him to get his come-uppance!
May 12, 2015
Another great historical saga book by Rosie Goodwin. I love these types of books. Maryann works at the mill. When her mum dies she is overrun with work and responsibility trying to run everything and look after the family. There are very dark accounts. Her boyfriend also thinks they should wait to get married.
When some of her siblings get work elsewhere things look very bleak until she is offered other work. Working in the big house can still be a struggle. She is working as a nanny for the mill owner. There are many secrets being kept in the house.
You feel part of the era- hoping that things are going to work out for Maryann.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group and Net Galley for a copy of the book.
When some of her siblings get work elsewhere things look very bleak until she is offered other work. Working in the big house can still be a struggle. She is working as a nanny for the mill owner. There are many secrets being kept in the house.
You feel part of the era- hoping that things are going to work out for Maryann.
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group and Net Galley for a copy of the book.
May 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, it's the first Rosie Goodwin book I've read and wish I had picked one up sooner.
I was hooked from the beginning, especially because it's set in my local area, I found it easy to have a good idea of what it was like.
There was so much going on throughout the book I really couldn't put it down, from the heartache, to unexpected twists, a real page turner.
I was hooked from the beginning, especially because it's set in my local area, I found it easy to have a good idea of what it was like.
There was so much going on throughout the book I really couldn't put it down, from the heartache, to unexpected twists, a real page turner.
January 11, 2016
My heart was pounding to complete reading this book. I chose this book from the library randomly without any idea about it. Since I have a love for victorian aged historical fiction, the story kept me going. Particularly which tells about big mansions with lots of simple controversies. There were some nooks not revealed in full or not ended up clear. The book is entertaining, enjoyable and kept me busy in thoughts. Four sleepless hours and if I could read 300 pages. Yes I did!! ###
March 10, 2015
I loved this book! It's a roller coaster of emotions I can tell ya. One minute your laughing, then loathing, crying for sad parts and crying at happy parts it was just pure brilliant I highly recommend this book!!!!!!
May 27, 2015
Another good read from Rosie
January 6, 2016
Really good historical set in the 1850s with some interesting plot twists.
February 4, 2017
Brilliant
Another good read from Rosie Goodwin she never lets me down I am looking forward to reading the next one
Another good read from Rosie Goodwin she never lets me down I am looking forward to reading the next one
February 2, 2018
One of my favourite books by Rosie Goodwin. Very well written and hard to put down. Recommended.
January 24, 2018
Simple, engaging mid-Victorian tale depicting working girl with breeding beset with family dramas in a world of struggle. Values of love, loyalty and sound literacy skills surviving in a framework of struggle, risk and genteel poverty are overtaken by monied drama and simple romance surrounding a widowed benefactor with a Down'Syndrome daughter being cared for at home.
Jealousy and rejection eventually overtaken by truth and affection.
Very BTB. An engaging easy read. Well detailed and developed human a d social obsevation. Nothing too fanciful.
Simple, clean basic philosophy of choices and resolutions featuring in the lives of us all.
Jealousy and rejection eventually overtaken by truth and affection.
Very BTB. An engaging easy read. Well detailed and developed human a d social obsevation. Nothing too fanciful.
Simple, clean basic philosophy of choices and resolutions featuring in the lives of us all.
April 17, 2024
Not my type of book normally but thought I'd give it a go, and what a great book it turns out to be , so many twists and turns that I read it in only a few days
June 25, 2023
Loved it 😃
December 6, 2018
This is my favourite genre: historical family saga. I had never read a book by Rosie Goodwin before, but having just finished and loved the TV series, "The Mill" , the title really appealed to me.
Maryann works hard at the local cotton mill, along with her father. Maryann's brother works in the coal mine, and her sister is still at school. Their mother is at home, weakened and unwell with the baby she is carrying. They have very little money and have suffered a lot of heartache, but they have each other. Little do they know it, but the family (and Maryann in particular) are about to go on an earth-shattering rollercoaster of events and emotions. Life as they know it is about to change forever.
The story kept me on my toes throughout! There were so many huge events that I could never get bored. Every time I got comfortable, a curve ball was thrown my way. My heart beat faster all the way through! It has to be one of the most exciting and event filled books of this genre that I've ever read. Death, suicide, murder, rape, prositution! It's all there!
I loved this book! I am already reading another book by Rosie Goodwin, "Homefront Girls", and enjoying it. Although I am really missing Maryann, Wesley, Fleur, Nellie and Cissie from The Mill Girl! Rosie writes with such an effortless skill and manages to bring the characters to life perfectly.
I have to say that I did have a personal attachment to this story. An integral character is a little girl called Fleur, who has Down's Syndrome. My daughter has Down's so I felt very protective towards the character. I was naturally on the defensive and very nervous and wary of how the author would handle the character of Fleur. I had nothing to fear though, as she was written with affection and a true understanding.
Rosie Goodwin is one of my new favourite authors! I have high hopes for her other books.
Maryann works hard at the local cotton mill, along with her father. Maryann's brother works in the coal mine, and her sister is still at school. Their mother is at home, weakened and unwell with the baby she is carrying. They have very little money and have suffered a lot of heartache, but they have each other. Little do they know it, but the family (and Maryann in particular) are about to go on an earth-shattering rollercoaster of events and emotions. Life as they know it is about to change forever.
The story kept me on my toes throughout! There were so many huge events that I could never get bored. Every time I got comfortable, a curve ball was thrown my way. My heart beat faster all the way through! It has to be one of the most exciting and event filled books of this genre that I've ever read. Death, suicide, murder, rape, prositution! It's all there!
I loved this book! I am already reading another book by Rosie Goodwin, "Homefront Girls", and enjoying it. Although I am really missing Maryann, Wesley, Fleur, Nellie and Cissie from The Mill Girl! Rosie writes with such an effortless skill and manages to bring the characters to life perfectly.
I have to say that I did have a personal attachment to this story. An integral character is a little girl called Fleur, who has Down's Syndrome. My daughter has Down's so I felt very protective towards the character. I was naturally on the defensive and very nervous and wary of how the author would handle the character of Fleur. I had nothing to fear though, as she was written with affection and a true understanding.
Rosie Goodwin is one of my new favourite authors! I have high hopes for her other books.
February 18, 2024
It's been a while, but if you're still suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawal, this book has just what you need. Cross-class intrigue, love, tragedy, and a lot of uncomfortable secrets being kept here and there. All topped off with a plucky heroine who will never let the lousy hand life has handed her get her down, and isn't afraid of the people above her on the pecking order. The mid-19th century Midlands setting is vivid and convincing (although the critic in me can't resist pointing out that teddy bears are mentioned several times - they weren't invented until 1902), the protagonists are well-drawn and imperfect while still giving you plenty to root for, and the antagonists are...well, maybe a little too evil to be believable, but they're nothing if not engaging.
So why only four stars? Spoilers ahead...
Because Toby, although sympathetic in some ways, is just too stupid to live. I might have been able to swallow his looking the other way on one of Hugo's transgressions, but all of them? Even at the cost of his own life? Nobody's family loyalty goes that far! That alone might have cost the book its fifth star, but it also doesn't pass the smell test that Maryann, who otherwise seems to be a very intelligent and sensible person, would have ever fallen in love with such a wishy-washy guy in the first place. It does make for a convincing character evolution when she realizes as much and gets over him, but I simply didn't find it believable that it would take her as long as it did.
Still a great read, though. I'm a big fan of Goodwin's and this just might be her best yet among the ones I've read.
So why only four stars? Spoilers ahead...
Because Toby, although sympathetic in some ways, is just too stupid to live. I might have been able to swallow his looking the other way on one of Hugo's transgressions, but all of them? Even at the cost of his own life? Nobody's family loyalty goes that far! That alone might have cost the book its fifth star, but it also doesn't pass the smell test that Maryann, who otherwise seems to be a very intelligent and sensible person, would have ever fallen in love with such a wishy-washy guy in the first place. It does make for a convincing character evolution when she realizes as much and gets over him, but I simply didn't find it believable that it would take her as long as it did.
Still a great read, though. I'm a big fan of Goodwin's and this just might be her best yet among the ones I've read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2016
In this book many things were just meh and the others just plain forced to meet the author's needs. On the whole a meh book to read if you don't expect something new, if you want meh characters and don't want a strong romance between the MCs.
It doesn't even seem a truly historical novel. I remember reading, some years ago, a "romance" book that told the conditions of laborer in the 19th century definitely better than this one that merely uses the subject to make the female MC pitiable. Finally, the male MC is a kind of spineless puppet. I didn't like him from start to end.
Definitely not a great read for me. Sorry.
It doesn't even seem a truly historical novel. I remember reading, some years ago, a "romance" book that told the conditions of laborer in the 19th century definitely better than this one that merely uses the subject to make the female MC pitiable. Finally, the male MC is a kind of spineless puppet. I didn't like him from start to end.
Definitely not a great read for me. Sorry.
April 11, 2015
Great historical saga with believable characters. The ending was a bit abrupt though.
December 1, 2017
Fantastic reading!! Definitely recommend
March 14, 2026
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead
This was a really enjoyable, historical read. I loved reading about the Victorian era, and Maryanne was a likeable heroine, as I liked that unlike a lot of Goodwin's female protagonists she wasn't just this one-dimensional, Mary Sue, for instance she actually shows impatience with her awful sister, unlike others that have had the patience of a saint even to those who treat them awfully.
However it did annoy me that she was still so set on being with Toby even after he made it clear just how useless he was, not only insisting they wait even when she is in dire need of support but also even after he bloody defended his dastardly brother after he raped an innocent girl, who she was friends with no less! This made me stop liking Toby immediately, as while I was never that crazy about him, seeing that he literally didn't even draw the line when it came to defending his horrible brother, including for something as serious as him raping a girl, I just couldn't stand him at this point. I don't see why Maryanne would have still been so interested in him for as long as she was. While his wrongful death sentence was indeed very dark and disturbing, I didn't actually feel too upset about this because of just how unlikable and annoying he had become, and being stupid enough to die for his brother who had basically killed him by proxy just made me not care very much when he was wrongfully executed. He was honestly the definition of "Too dumb to live."
Florence was also an incredibly horrible person, but it was interesting having a female antagonist for once, which we don't usually have enough of in Goodwin's novels, with them mostly being the typical sleazy, dastardly, odious male antagonist trope who nearly always raping or at least tries raping our beloved female protagonist (and usually just out of nowhere too). Well of course we still had the male antagonist trope here in the form of Hugo, but at least it's not the female protagonist he rapes here (though what he did to Cissie was still awful!) and in a rare instance the girl who gets raped here doesn't actually end up pregnant either.
One thing that did annoy me though is that we never find out Hugo's fate and thus never get to see if he gets his comeuppance or not, which I find was just not right after basically killing his brother by proxy (who while I didn't care much for by principle is still really wrong of course!). I also found Violet's storyline in the brothel to be pretty pointless, as it just didn't really add anything to the main story, just with it having been revealed that Florence was doing a scandalous business deal with the owners of the brothel, but it didn't really add anything, and had it been excluded from the story it really wouldn't have made a difference, and is over pretty quickly. Honestly I absolutely couldn't stand Violet, which is why I wasn't too upset when she died, which I guess was meant as a sort of comeuppance for how she manipulated and deceived Maryanne the way she did (which btw annoyed me that Maryann never found out that Violet was actually working at a brothel and had clearly lied to her). Violet was such a selfish, manipulative cow, and to be honest her role in the story as well as her storyline could have been excluded and it just wouldn't have made any difference at all.
The main story itself was very heartwarming of Maryanne and her blossoming relationship with Fleur and Wesley, as well as the Carters, being like a new family to her. It just annoyed me that it took Maryanne so long to realise that Toby wasn't the guy for her but rather Wesley was. It was beautiful seeing Maryanne's kindness towards Fleur which was just what she needed after having been so badly treated and abused by her aunt Florence. Nellie was perhaps my favourite character, and I liked just how shrewd she was.
This was a really enjoyable, historical read. I loved reading about the Victorian era, and Maryanne was a likeable heroine, as I liked that unlike a lot of Goodwin's female protagonists she wasn't just this one-dimensional, Mary Sue, for instance she actually shows impatience with her awful sister, unlike others that have had the patience of a saint even to those who treat them awfully.
However it did annoy me that she was still so set on being with Toby even after he made it clear just how useless he was, not only insisting they wait even when she is in dire need of support but also even after he bloody defended his dastardly brother after he raped an innocent girl, who she was friends with no less! This made me stop liking Toby immediately, as while I was never that crazy about him, seeing that he literally didn't even draw the line when it came to defending his horrible brother, including for something as serious as him raping a girl, I just couldn't stand him at this point. I don't see why Maryanne would have still been so interested in him for as long as she was. While his wrongful death sentence was indeed very dark and disturbing, I didn't actually feel too upset about this because of just how unlikable and annoying he had become, and being stupid enough to die for his brother who had basically killed him by proxy just made me not care very much when he was wrongfully executed. He was honestly the definition of "Too dumb to live."
Florence was also an incredibly horrible person, but it was interesting having a female antagonist for once, which we don't usually have enough of in Goodwin's novels, with them mostly being the typical sleazy, dastardly, odious male antagonist trope who nearly always raping or at least tries raping our beloved female protagonist (and usually just out of nowhere too). Well of course we still had the male antagonist trope here in the form of Hugo, but at least it's not the female protagonist he rapes here (though what he did to Cissie was still awful!) and in a rare instance the girl who gets raped here doesn't actually end up pregnant either.
One thing that did annoy me though is that we never find out Hugo's fate and thus never get to see if he gets his comeuppance or not, which I find was just not right after basically killing his brother by proxy (who while I didn't care much for by principle is still really wrong of course!). I also found Violet's storyline in the brothel to be pretty pointless, as it just didn't really add anything to the main story, just with it having been revealed that Florence was doing a scandalous business deal with the owners of the brothel, but it didn't really add anything, and had it been excluded from the story it really wouldn't have made a difference, and is over pretty quickly. Honestly I absolutely couldn't stand Violet, which is why I wasn't too upset when she died, which I guess was meant as a sort of comeuppance for how she manipulated and deceived Maryanne the way she did (which btw annoyed me that Maryann never found out that Violet was actually working at a brothel and had clearly lied to her). Violet was such a selfish, manipulative cow, and to be honest her role in the story as well as her storyline could have been excluded and it just wouldn't have made any difference at all.
The main story itself was very heartwarming of Maryanne and her blossoming relationship with Fleur and Wesley, as well as the Carters, being like a new family to her. It just annoyed me that it took Maryanne so long to realise that Toby wasn't the guy for her but rather Wesley was. It was beautiful seeing Maryanne's kindness towards Fleur which was just what she needed after having been so badly treated and abused by her aunt Florence. Nellie was perhaps my favourite character, and I liked just how shrewd she was.
January 8, 2024
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this book. I really like Rosie Goodwin's work but she really excelled herself with this one. It's not often I cannot put a book down but l literally couldn't with this. There was so much to the story - tragedy, heartache, prejudice, evil and love are just some of them which brings out so many emotions in the reader.
There were so many unexpected twists which makes a real page turner. Just one thing which I hoped would be explained at the end and that is what happened to Hugo? Having said he had disappeared, nothing more was said which I felt was a bit of a loose end. Nevertheless, a brilliant story and one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
There were so many unexpected twists which makes a real page turner. Just one thing which I hoped would be explained at the end and that is what happened to Hugo? Having said he had disappeared, nothing more was said which I felt was a bit of a loose end. Nevertheless, a brilliant story and one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
January 28, 2025
and just like that… another book 📖 finished 😅…
this was amazing… every kind of tear you could imagine, growing up watching Catherine Cookson Movies, but never been able to read her book due to the STRONG dialect in which she writes… stumbling across this author was a breath of fresh air 🫶🏽… this book was unputdownable 🫢… i had to obviously to do the housework & mother’s duties 😂… but the second i finished i was back in the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ another 5 star book for me …
this was amazing… every kind of tear you could imagine, growing up watching Catherine Cookson Movies, but never been able to read her book due to the STRONG dialect in which she writes… stumbling across this author was a breath of fresh air 🫶🏽… this book was unputdownable 🫢… i had to obviously to do the housework & mother’s duties 😂… but the second i finished i was back in the book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ another 5 star book for me …
October 20, 2025
This was an amazing good read, from start to finish. I could see what I was reading and pictures all the different places, by the way the story was written and told.
Rosie Goodwin is an amazing writer, I love reading her books on my kindle, I can't wait until I start the nest of her books.
The character had such different ways and stores oth good and bad, Hugh I could love and hate at the same time, where as Maryann was all a out helping others.
Rosie Goodwin is an amazing writer, I love reading her books on my kindle, I can't wait until I start the nest of her books.
The character had such different ways and stores oth good and bad, Hugh I could love and hate at the same time, where as Maryann was all a out helping others.
August 4, 2024
Really easy to read book full of tragedy. Just lovely to read a book set in Nuneaton, the town I was born and raised in. Knew all the places that were referenced which makes it take on a whole deeper meaning. The storylines were rather guessable but a good read nonetheless.
March 5, 2018
the tragic and heartwarming tale of Maryann Meadows and her family. I loved it!
January 6, 2019
Very good read
Enjoyed reading this one, felt a little slow to begin with but once I got into it I could not put it down.
Enjoyed reading this one, felt a little slow to begin with but once I got into it I could not put it down.
June 22, 2019
Oh my days, a fantastic read. Enjoyed every bit if it.
December 30, 2019
I liked the time period that this was set in and the twists to the story. The writer really takes you on a journey with the main character. It was another book that got me hooked!
November 22, 2020
Why did so many characters die damn
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2020
Once again a great book unable to put down
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2021
CW Child abuse
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I would SO have appreciated a content warning for this book! I almost had to abandon it because of this. However, I powered through, and absolutely loved it.
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I would SO have appreciated a content warning for this book! I almost had to abandon it because of this. However, I powered through, and absolutely loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews