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Woman's Own
Ablaze against the bustle of nineteenth-century Philadelphia is this sweeping saga of three generations of strong, indomitable women – all seemingly cursed when it comes to love. At its center is young Lilly Armstrong, a beauty on the brink of womanhood, too brave and too fearless to settle for the status quo. In a booming city animated by inventors, builders and artists, and now excited for the great Centennial Exhibition, Lilly aspires to carve out a life of independent freedom for herself and her women kin – lives not dependent on men.
But of course there is a man – a man who admires Lilly, who thinks like she does and who would move heaven and earth to help Lilly realize her dreams.
With the guidance of her quietly resilient mother and the unexpected aid of her estranged and powerful grandmother – and despite the foolish meddling of her shallow and ambitious sister – Lilly is determined to lead her family of women into the challenge of...
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1990
299 people are currently reading
959 people want to read
About the author
Robyn Carr
161 books12.6k followers Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 25, 2018
This was one of those books that you never want to end. I listened to it in my car every day between home and work and felt I really got to know each character well.
This book spanned the lives of 4 generations of women, though admittedly the fourth was only a young child at the end of the book. Retaining the interest of the reader whenever a new generation is introduced can sometimes be tricky for an author because the reader has already grown fond of the previous generation of characters. Robyn Carr however introduces her characters effortlessly and so we read about them all together as a family, learning more about each of them at the same time.
I loved this story. I loved the strength of Amanda and Lilly and the gentleness of her mother Emily. Lilly’s self-centred sister Patricia was easy to dislike and Andrew and Noel easy to love.
I especially loved learning all the historical aspects of the era. Thank goodness women’s rights have changed the plight of women between then and now. It was fascinating to read about the differences between then and now and to see what they all endured in the name of morality, gender inequality, societal expectations and socio-economic variations. The ending of the book wound all the stories/relationships of the characters up well and was a lovely way to finish the story. A lovely read
This book spanned the lives of 4 generations of women, though admittedly the fourth was only a young child at the end of the book. Retaining the interest of the reader whenever a new generation is introduced can sometimes be tricky for an author because the reader has already grown fond of the previous generation of characters. Robyn Carr however introduces her characters effortlessly and so we read about them all together as a family, learning more about each of them at the same time.
I loved this story. I loved the strength of Amanda and Lilly and the gentleness of her mother Emily. Lilly’s self-centred sister Patricia was easy to dislike and Andrew and Noel easy to love.
I especially loved learning all the historical aspects of the era. Thank goodness women’s rights have changed the plight of women between then and now. It was fascinating to read about the differences between then and now and to see what they all endured in the name of morality, gender inequality, societal expectations and socio-economic variations. The ending of the book wound all the stories/relationships of the characters up well and was a lovely way to finish the story. A lovely read
June 27, 2013
Whenever I read a book by Robyn Carr, I know I am going to enjoy it. It is going to make me feel glad I read it. This book was even more so for me. It was an epic read. Robyn's books are never without depth. And this one for me was doubly so. Her story, or saga as I think of this one, is was so different from her contemporary books and series. This book was in the vein for me of "A Woman of Substance". Three different generations of woman who live in 19th century Philadelphia , who are strong, intelligent and who's only want in life is to be with the men they love and to be at the same time strong and independent. In an era where woman of society, were seen to be only a wife and a mother and who must live to a strict code of conduct as chattel to their husbands, these woman were independent and carved out an empire that gave them meaning and the riches to live the live they wanted. But it did not come without risks, sacrifice and heartache. But, these woman overcame all of these to have the thing they most wanted Love. I give this book a 5++ rating.. It should be read by all who are fans of Robyn Carr.
February 5, 2019
This saga of three generations of Philadelphia women is set against the backdrop of the Centennial Exposition of 1876 and the decade following. Amanda, Emily and Lily represent three generations of one genteel family. When Amanda's husband Richard died, she discovered that he had given away nearly her entire fortune and left a mountain of debt. Forced to sell the family home, she tries simultaneously to talk her daughter out of marrying a fortune hunter. Seventeen-year-old Emily insists on the marriage, only to find that her husband doesn't value her at all once he discovers she is no longer an heiress. Abandoned and impoverished with two small daughters, Emily claws her way to respectability, becomes a boarding house operator and raises her daughters alone. Amanda goes to Europe and repairs her fortunes by remarrying. It is left to Lily, the youngest granddaughter to take her grandmother's new money and turn it in to a real fortune. Most of the men in this story are either cads, weaklings or delusional, but Amanda's lawyer, Emily's eventual second husband and the man Lily loves and waits for, are the exceptions.
December 10, 2018
A little long, but a good read overall.
I enjoyed this book but felt it lasted too long and that the characters were so far ahead of their time that it lost touch with contemporary time. Lilly was very strong, but she found that going against society was a hard choice. I admired her mother, Emily, the most of all characters.
I'm glad that the ending was resolved and the lovers could be together, but felt it was contrived.
I enjoyed this book but felt it lasted too long and that the characters were so far ahead of their time that it lost touch with contemporary time. Lilly was very strong, but she found that going against society was a hard choice. I admired her mother, Emily, the most of all characters.
I'm glad that the ending was resolved and the lovers could be together, but felt it was contrived.
January 5, 2019
Woman's own
This was not my favorite book of Robyn Carr. I didn't like any of the characters. I kept reading thinking it would improve, but the characters just were not likeable. I was so glad to be finished with this book. Stick to her Thunderpoint and other books. That's where Robyn Carr really shines.
This was not my favorite book of Robyn Carr. I didn't like any of the characters. I kept reading thinking it would improve, but the characters just were not likeable. I was so glad to be finished with this book. Stick to her Thunderpoint and other books. That's where Robyn Carr really shines.
June 13, 2019
Woman’s Own
Very intense story! It took me several days to finish!i I would not have recognized this as being written by Robyn Carr.... totally different from anything I have read in a while. Interesting story about 4 women, grandmother,mother, 2 granddaughters! All different personalities... good story, Ms Carr is an excellent writer ..
Very intense story! It took me several days to finish!i I would not have recognized this as being written by Robyn Carr.... totally different from anything I have read in a while. Interesting story about 4 women, grandmother,mother, 2 granddaughters! All different personalities... good story, Ms Carr is an excellent writer ..
May 17, 2019
Great read! Loved it!!!
Enjoyed the many layers of this saga. This is one of Carr 's earlier books. It is well -written, there are strong characters, and her humour shines through as always. Highly recommend!!!
Enjoyed the many layers of this saga. This is one of Carr 's earlier books. It is well -written, there are strong characters, and her humour shines through as always. Highly recommend!!!
August 14, 2019
Loved the characters in this book. Women struggling with their lives one at a time. Single women in business one at a time. Family always their to help one way or the other, good or bad. I wish there was a sequel to this...
July 3, 2020
Amazing
This book had me from the beginning !! The women are all different from the same family but with different generations lead you through their trials and triumphs. Loved loved loved this story
This book had me from the beginning !! The women are all different from the same family but with different generations lead you through their trials and triumphs. Loved loved loved this story
July 18, 2021
This story follows 4 generations of women in a family in Philadelphia in the late 19th century. The historical aspects are interesting but the emphasis is on social attitudes toward women. The narrator did a nice job on the various voices needed.
August 1, 2022
This book was slow to get going. After the grandmother returned, the story became a lot better.
The characters are interesting, very strong woman, except 1, who was very selfish and self centred.
Overall a good book.
The characters are interesting, very strong woman, except 1, who was very selfish and self centred.
Overall a good book.
January 12, 2013
This book has been sitting on my shelf for years, but I finally sat down and read it. I must say I did enjoy it.
Woman's Own is the story of three generations of women in 19th century Philadelphia. I'm more familiar with Victorian England than the US so it was a nice change - though at times I thought her historical detail was just... off.
The book begins with a Midwife making her way to the poorest section of Philadelphia to help a woman in childbirth. She reflects on the many way women end-up in the shacks along the river, and recalls this woman is condemned even by other poor women because she has no skills - she can't even make bread if she's given the ingredients. The Midwife births the woman's daughter, but, though she normally doesn't help other women, she takes her in.
That's the prologue -- the book skips ahead about 15-17 years, and the poor woman is now running her own boarding house, and has a fairly decent side business making jams, jellies, and sweetbreads to sell in her new neighborhood. Her older daughter, the one who was a year or two old in the prologue, is now 17. The younger, the one born in the prologue, is now 15. We also meet the men and women living in her boarding house.
Things move along, but through a series of misfortunes, Emily (the mother) finds herself without boarders. Patricia, the older daughter, is set on getting herself a rich husband because she feels she has no skills (unlike younger daughter, Lilly). Unfortunately, she's vain, pushy, and doesn't listen to anyone - including her mother who was abandoned by her own rich husband. Patricia is very like Scarlett O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind except no one likes her and she's less sympathetic. Patricia's shenanigans end up with her being raped. Though her mother is at first sympathetic - both Lilly and eventually Emily end-up blaming Patricia for her own rape.
Lilly is bookish and strong. When her mother sends her to an inexpensive girl's finishing school, she rapidly gets bored - and starts spending her time at the library instead. There, she meets library patron Andrew, who signs permission for her to read whatever she wants.
With the problems at the boarding house, however, Emily's health deteriorates and she develops consumption (TB). Just when things seem at there worst - Amanda arrives. Amanda is Emily's mother. Emily had quarreled with her to marry "the man she loved" - the self-same rich so-and-so who abandoned her. Amanda is filthy rich, having married and been widowed three times - each time more or less to a more wealthy man. (When Emily's father died he left the family in debt - Amanda's forced to sell off the family home to survive - it's the other cause of the rift between mother and daughter.)
Amanda's return is the luck and the money Emily and her daughters need. Patricia decides she wants to force her rapist to marry her -- thinking she wants his money, she'll be accepted into society - which she also wants, and that no one will love her because she's lost her virginity. Emily and Amanda warn her - but Patricia insists. Amanda uses her power as a pillar of Philadelphian society to arrange and pay for the marriage. Patricia finds out her mother and grand-mother were correct in their warnings, and is quickly miserable.
Lilly, meanwhile, has her own dream. Seeing how her mother turned the boarding house into a profitable business (for awhile), and having read up on it -- she decides to first buy the hotel her grandmother has moved the family into, and then to build her own hotel. Amanda pays for her world-wide "homework" trip, where Lilly learns all there is to know about luxury hotels.
Lilly, Amanda, and Emily are soon running their own hotel. It's the most interesting part of the book -- but it's a bit anarchistic. In the Victorian Age, American women couldn't vote, hold property, work, or even read (popular thought had it women's "delicate" minds would explode if they read books). Occasionally, the blatant sexism of the age emerges, but for the most part the novel lets these women do what they want - acting almost modern. It helps that Amanda is extremely rich and from one of Philadelphia's oldest, richest, and most respected families. In some ways, the section of the book would make a good television series.
Various other threads of the novel emerge, occur, and conclude. Lilly, eventually runs into her old pal, Andrew, again and they start an affair. Patricia also, after many hard lessons, finds her own happiness - then disappears (tho' Lilly doesn't approve of her own sister's actions).
Woman's Own is the type of book that's almost like an ice cream sundae or a rich, decadent dessert. It's a fun, interesting, and engaging read. But when you think about it -- it's full of a lot of the cliches of quote "women's fiction" unquote, which is why I seldom read that genre of romantic fiction. I liked Lilly alot, and she's fascinating as a businesswoman - but the moment she starts her affair, I thought, "Oh, I'm done." Still, if you want something frothy, it's worth it -- and the writing style is very competent.
Woman's Own is the story of three generations of women in 19th century Philadelphia. I'm more familiar with Victorian England than the US so it was a nice change - though at times I thought her historical detail was just... off.
The book begins with a Midwife making her way to the poorest section of Philadelphia to help a woman in childbirth. She reflects on the many way women end-up in the shacks along the river, and recalls this woman is condemned even by other poor women because she has no skills - she can't even make bread if she's given the ingredients. The Midwife births the woman's daughter, but, though she normally doesn't help other women, she takes her in.
That's the prologue -- the book skips ahead about 15-17 years, and the poor woman is now running her own boarding house, and has a fairly decent side business making jams, jellies, and sweetbreads to sell in her new neighborhood. Her older daughter, the one who was a year or two old in the prologue, is now 17. The younger, the one born in the prologue, is now 15. We also meet the men and women living in her boarding house.
Things move along, but through a series of misfortunes, Emily (the mother) finds herself without boarders. Patricia, the older daughter, is set on getting herself a rich husband because she feels she has no skills (unlike younger daughter, Lilly). Unfortunately, she's vain, pushy, and doesn't listen to anyone - including her mother who was abandoned by her own rich husband. Patricia is very like Scarlett O'Hara in the film Gone with the Wind except no one likes her and she's less sympathetic. Patricia's shenanigans end up with her being raped. Though her mother is at first sympathetic - both Lilly and eventually Emily end-up blaming Patricia for her own rape.
Lilly is bookish and strong. When her mother sends her to an inexpensive girl's finishing school, she rapidly gets bored - and starts spending her time at the library instead. There, she meets library patron Andrew, who signs permission for her to read whatever she wants.
With the problems at the boarding house, however, Emily's health deteriorates and she develops consumption (TB). Just when things seem at there worst - Amanda arrives. Amanda is Emily's mother. Emily had quarreled with her to marry "the man she loved" - the self-same rich so-and-so who abandoned her. Amanda is filthy rich, having married and been widowed three times - each time more or less to a more wealthy man. (When Emily's father died he left the family in debt - Amanda's forced to sell off the family home to survive - it's the other cause of the rift between mother and daughter.)
Amanda's return is the luck and the money Emily and her daughters need. Patricia decides she wants to force her rapist to marry her -- thinking she wants his money, she'll be accepted into society - which she also wants, and that no one will love her because she's lost her virginity. Emily and Amanda warn her - but Patricia insists. Amanda uses her power as a pillar of Philadelphian society to arrange and pay for the marriage. Patricia finds out her mother and grand-mother were correct in their warnings, and is quickly miserable.
Lilly, meanwhile, has her own dream. Seeing how her mother turned the boarding house into a profitable business (for awhile), and having read up on it -- she decides to first buy the hotel her grandmother has moved the family into, and then to build her own hotel. Amanda pays for her world-wide "homework" trip, where Lilly learns all there is to know about luxury hotels.
Lilly, Amanda, and Emily are soon running their own hotel. It's the most interesting part of the book -- but it's a bit anarchistic. In the Victorian Age, American women couldn't vote, hold property, work, or even read (popular thought had it women's "delicate" minds would explode if they read books). Occasionally, the blatant sexism of the age emerges, but for the most part the novel lets these women do what they want - acting almost modern. It helps that Amanda is extremely rich and from one of Philadelphia's oldest, richest, and most respected families. In some ways, the section of the book would make a good television series.
Various other threads of the novel emerge, occur, and conclude. Lilly, eventually runs into her old pal, Andrew, again and they start an affair. Patricia also, after many hard lessons, finds her own happiness - then disappears (tho' Lilly doesn't approve of her own sister's actions).
Woman's Own is the type of book that's almost like an ice cream sundae or a rich, decadent dessert. It's a fun, interesting, and engaging read. But when you think about it -- it's full of a lot of the cliches of quote "women's fiction" unquote, which is why I seldom read that genre of romantic fiction. I liked Lilly alot, and she's fascinating as a businesswoman - but the moment she starts her affair, I thought, "Oh, I'm done." Still, if you want something frothy, it's worth it -- and the writing style is very competent.
October 6, 2019
Found this book took a bit to get into then I loved it. One of her older books so reason why it took a while, love her series book of Virgin River especially
June 23, 2020
This was good, I liked most of the people in the story and getting to know them. One I was ready to drop on her head, that means good writing to me.
February 16, 2022
Not a typical Robyn Carr book. It took a short while to get into it, then it got interesting, several generations of family dealing with their lives.
May 1, 2023
Not my favorite Carr book, did not care for the reader of the audio book. (It was not Therese Plummer).
August 18, 2024
Enjoyable historical fiction set in Philadelphia around 1880s. Story centers around a family of strong women who face many challenges, particularly on the romantic front.
February 14, 2025
History, romance, strong characters in Philadelphia setting. Very enjoyable read!
November 26, 2025
Easy, enjoyable read.
October 29, 2016
First off, I have to say I DNF this book at 47% on my kindle. I love Robyn Carr's Virgin River and some of her recent standalones, such as What We Find, Backward Glance, Swept Away, and etc. What's great about Carr's writing is her ability to create believable characters, a great cast of supporting characters and the world they live in with their slice of life moments.
However, I think Woman's Own is a miss. While I initially do like the women in this story, being strong and distinctly different with their own dreams and problems, it quickly becomes apparent there's too much caricature. It feels as if Carr is hellbent on pushing certain types of character and keeps hammering it while forgetting to make it realistic or entertaining.
So, this book is a miss because firstly the characters fall flat from her later works (oh, the women were strong in this book but the caricature presentation made it unrealistic), and secondly the plot is plain boring. Yea, I think Carr spent too much time trying to build one-dimensional strong women but forgot to write an entertaining plot.
Frankly, I am surprised to find so many 5s and 4s for Woman's Own but after realizing most of these are from female reviewers shouting "I LOVE THIS BECAUSE THE WOMEN ARE SO STRONG" (but kinda neglected other aspects of a book that would make it good/bad)...well I guess...
Unfornately, this book is a two star because it was just plain boring. Note: After realizing this is one of her earlier books, I guess it's not that surprising it isn't as good as her recent ones.
October 10, 2011
A very full historical covering multiple generations. I was totally absorbed toward the end but it took a long time to setup all the characters and sometimes it seemed more like a woman's lib book than romance. Emily, daughters Lilly & Patricia, and mother Amanda are all extremely challenged by the men in their lives.
July 7, 2013
This story is set in Philadelphia in the late 1870's and early 1880's. It is the story of four women from the same family. A mother, daughter and two granddaughters and hows lies can come back to hurt you. Each woman is searching for love which in this society is hard to do if you wish to be true to yourself.
December 13, 2021
I have been reading this book a little bit everyday but apparently I've only read 15% of it. So I'm giving this one a miss. The beginning is interesting, and if the story were about Emily I might care, but so far nothing's been happening and I don't care enough to keep reading until something does happen.
November 28, 2008
A 19th century novel about Philadelphia , this story revolves around a family of women and their ways of coping with their plight in that era. A couple of good romances and a great cast of characters. Loved the story and it made me thankful for the women's movement !!
January 7, 2009
It took me forever to read this book, probably more due to being in a "reading funk" than the quality of the book. Having said that, the book was a very old-fashioned read, reminiscent of Gwen Bristow's books. I kept at it because I did want to find out what happened to the characters.
January 29, 2011
Just loved this book. I enjoy reading about that time period and I thought the characters were great. I agree with an earlier reviewer...it made me think about and appreciate the early woman's movement.
February 16, 2011
Though I found this book slow reading--small print--the story was intriguing and very satisfying. It concerns the lives of four women in the Philadelphia of 1859 and 1876 to 1884. Each of them shows different strengths and weaknesses as they struggle to survive.
June 24, 2013
The author did a wonderful job telling the story of 3 strong successful women in a time where women were seen and not heard. The love and struggles of these women were up front & personal. Life takes center stage in their daily lives but it's complicated by the love of the unattainable men.
May 11, 2015
This book was epic like a series all in one. Four woman, who's lives can be described as not only epic, but, tragic, selfish, loving joyful, with life's disappointments and success' gained through hard work. I loved it.
September 18, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It has been a long time since I've read a book in this time period and it really made me feel good. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews