The Suffragette of Ironbridge: A gorgeously heartwarming and addictive new WW1 saga

by Mollie Walton

'What a storyteller Mollie Walton is, all of the Ironbridge books are phenomenal'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Evocative, dramatic and hugely compelling . . . I loved it' Miranda Dickinson

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Ironbridge, 1911: Childhood sweethearts Jo and Alfie Woodvine couldn't be happier to finally be married with a home of their very own. But when their son, Harry, arrives, Jo finds herself quickly cut off from the world. Though she loves her baby, she hadn't anticipated the confines of motherhood - the long nights and the loneliness.

Only when she is introduced to a local group of bold suffragettes does Jo finally find her spark again - and with it a new sense of purpose. These brave, uncompromising women are willing to risk life and limb for the cause, and, despite her husband's reservations, Jo is determined to be a part of it however she can.

But 1914 brings news of war in Europe and as tragedy comes to Ironbridge, can Jo find the strength to keep helping others, even in the darkest hour of wartime?

Return to Shropshire for a spell-binding new WW1 saga novel, full of compelling historical detail and an addictive story of love, loss, heartbreak and bravery...

Praise for The Ironbridge

'A compelling blend of real history, rich period detail, and a gritty, authentic story brimming with love, loss, intrigue, hope, and bitter revenge' Lancashire Evening Post

'A Journey. Compelling. Addictive.' Val Wood

'Walton has created a brilliantly alive, vivid and breathing world in Ironbridge' Louisa Treger

'Feisty female characters, an atmospheric setting and a spell-binding storyline make this a phenomenal read' Cathy Bramley

'Such great characters who will stay with me for a long time' Beth Miller

'The attention to period detail and beautiful writing drew me right in and kept me reading' Lynne Francis

'Vivid, page-turning drama' Pippa Beecheno

'A powerful sense of place and period, compelling characters and a pacy plot had me racing to the end' Gill Paul

'A story that is vivid, twisting and pacy, with characters that absolutely leap off the page' Iona Grey

'Beautiful and poignant' Tania Crosse

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 9, 2026

Reviews

[Dee Groocock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo and Alfie Woodvine were best friends from when she started at the same school as him. Over the years, their friendship and love for each other grew, and they married. When baby Harry came along, Jo became distant, she struggled with life in general, then her mother-in-law took her to a meeting that changed everything. It’s 1914 in Ironbridge, and Jo has attended a meeting of the Sufragettes. Back home, Jo is a changed woman, she has a passion for something, no longer feels so lonely, fire is burning in her for the rights of women.

As quick as it started, things change … World War One is taking all the men away, and Alfie also joins up. The Sufragettes have to pause whilst war is ongoing. Feeling alone and anxious again, Jo gets involved with helping evacuees who come to England needing help. Her life takes on purpose again, she keeps busy, and we follow her life through these difficult and troubling times.

Mollie Walton is a superb writer, I’ve loved all of the Ironbridge stories, she takes you on a journey with the characters in the books. You come to know these characters well and feel their pain, their joy, their love.

Jo’s character took a piece of my heart, from her childhood to adulthood, she saw things she shouldn’t have, she was an angry but loving woman. I loved the relationship she had with Alfie, and also her in-laws.

The research shines off the pages, so much detail and information regarding Sufragettes, as well as life in the trenches and the devastation caused by World War One.

I also enjoyed the cameo appearances and Easter eggs in the story.

A stunning and heartwarming read that I found to be emotional at times too.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and it's a very good read! There is so much information you can tell a lot of research went into it, especially the part set in WWI. There were a couple of descriptions of this event that made me queasy which is a good sign, you know the writing is good.
Jo is the main character. It starts with her as a young child and follows her as she grows up. There are big timeline jumps but it works well. Ironbridge, where the story is set, is a place I don't know but it was wonderfully depicted.
To me the book was ambling along and then we come to a chapter dealing with something that's happening in Belgium and the story really took off. The book might be titled The Suffragette of Ironbridge but it's the war that gets the biggest chunk of the story. I thought by the title we were going to be delving into the Suffrage movement in detail but that didn't really happen.
One problem I had was, I didn't like Jo. She had a selfish streak running through her that I couldn't get to grips with.
I thought there was going to be a sequel as I was reading but there's an epilogue so I don't think there will be.
If you like historical stories about families and world events you'll enjoy this read.

Many thanks to Headline and NetGalley for an early copy.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

WW1 heartwarming saga.
Book 5 from this unique story teller.
Ironbridge Stropshire1911
Jo and Alfie Woodvine with Jo fast becoming involved with the suffragette group.
1914 see's the news of the breakout of war, we see Jo helping others at the refugee office in Ironbridge.
This book is full of courage and beauty, compelling right through.
With the suffrage of women warriors to give us the same rights as men.
I could not put it down reading on chapter after chapter.
It truly is a wondering story.