Hardacre's Luck

Hardacre #2

by C.L. Skelton

The gripping sequel to the bestselling family saga Hardacre. Hardacre's Luck follows the triumphs and tragedies of the next generation of the Hardacre family in 1950s Yorkshire and London.

Hardacre's Luck sees the return of many familiar characters from the first book in the Hardacre saga.

Young Sam Hardacre leaves behind his life at the Abbey to continue the family tradition by starting his own business empire. Meanwhile, Harry Hardacre is now head of the household, but wonders which of the young Hardacre men should inherit his father's legacy. Joe's widow, Helen, plots the ultimate revenge on those who crossed her. And two best friends fight for the love of Maude and Albert's glamorous film-star daughter, Janet.

Praise for Hardacre and Hardacre's

'History comes alive ... innocents, rascals and middling humans - an authentic bunch to set against tempestuous times.' Publishers Weekly

'This skilfully written, always entertaining family saga ... rich in plot, pace and character ... polished storytelling.' Newsagent and Bookshop

'Compulsive reading.' Liverpool Echo

'The best family saga since Penmarric.' Manchester Evening News

For fans of rich and dramatic family sagas from the Forsyte Saga to Downton Abbey.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Family Saga

600 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 1984

About the author

(1919 - 1979), C.L. (Clement Lister) Skelton's varied career included stage and film acting, war service in the RAF, seven years as a lay brother with a religious order, hunting the Loch Ness monster and selling insurance and brushes door-to-door in the Scottish Highlands.

Reviews

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Well, doubt if I'll read anymore of this author's novels even though they're available through Kindle Unlimited which I have for free through the end of March. Slightly better then "Hardacre" but not enough for me to bump it up to 4 stars. Takes place in the 1950's and early 1960's. The main character is Sam Hardacre who is named for his Great-Uncle. At least I think the original Sam Hardacre is his Great-Uncle! There are so many characters in these 2 books that I had a difficult time keeping track of who was related to who!

[Gary David Reed]

Great

Really a great story! A little verbose at times but all characters developed as should be. Hopefully another book to continue the family saga.

[Linda]

wanted to finish the series

I liked the characters well enough to want to see how the family evolves in the second book. It was slow and drawn out. I skipped full pages and sections while the author waxed on about the backstory presented in book 1. Spoiler Alert: while common for the period the first cousin love affair turned me off.

[Viola]

Delightful Tale

This story is so rich and full of heart. The characters are flavored and salty. Loving this author and the style!

[Liberty R]

I really enjoyed this first book of this series. And was looking forward to carrying on the saga about the Hardacres.
I even watched the mini tv series because of book one. But seriously if they carried it on with this book I wouldn’t waste the time.
Firstly the book was very dry and as the amount of characters came it became too many - although I don’t know if it was that there was too many of just that this book was so hard going and only one or two characters you were really interested in.
I was reading this on ebook and it only got interesting at 87% and that wasn’t till the end either.
Yes like previous reviews I read. It had too much local dialect which I do find harder to read. But it wasn’t just that the story felt like the writer had been told you need to do another book and had to drag it out. Only forced myself to finish it as it was part of a set. I usually re read books but not going to get this book again. I normally try to read for at least a hour a day. I left it days it felt like a chore.

[Nina Stiffel]

After reading the first book, I was looking forward to the writers style. I was expecting a swift movement of the story, and fewer drawn out descriptions and events.
However, I feel like a different editor read this manuscript, and told her to do it differently.
The events in this book dragged out, to the point I was skipping pages and paragraphs and not missing anything.
Some of what happens in this book toward the end, does however lack the time it deserved. For example, I don’t think we really get time to know Mavis. To hear more about Jane’s reaction to Geordie and their relationship, would have been nice.
I’d like to know more about how Sam’s finances were after buying the house.
The second half of the book left me with too many questions at the end, and I feel like I knew too much at the start.

That said, I did enjoy this book, loved the family, and it’s characters, and seeing what became of them all.

[Sharon Coles]

While Hardacre's Luck doesn’t quite match the gripping momentum or believability of the first book in C.L. Skelton's trilogy, it remains a worthwhile continuation of the family saga. The plot admittedly leans into formulaic territory and feels a bit predictable at times, but the strong character development completely saves it. I already felt invested enough in the family's history to genuinely care about their ongoing journey and evolving dynamics. The narrative itself is smoothly executed, highly engaging, and flows well despite the familiar tropes. Overall, this is an enjoyable, cozy read that I would easily recommend to anyone who loves sweeping historical family dramas.

[Vivien FitzGerald-Smith]

An absorbing sequel to Hardacre

Loved this continuation of the Hardacre saga. Well developed characters, skilful plot twists and realistic challenges. CL Skelton has an immensely readable style which has wonderful lyrical moments and lovely sentence structure. The right words inevitably placed in the best order, a pleasure to read.

[Christine Cazeneuve]

Good

It was not as enjoyable as the first book. I found myself wanting this to end. It just didn't have the same dynamics as the first book although it started out promising. Very long winded at times and not enough characters nor character development of those that were there to make it interesting. A disappointment.

[linda]

many family members

With family comes all sorts of emotions triumph, despair, death, life, and everything in between. This was written as though the author fully understood family with all the additions and subtractions. Very pleasant reading an apparent real family history. Though it’s not, it just felt that way.

[Celia Wallace]

A satisfying read of family fortunes and misfortunes

A page turner as you want to see what happens next to the complex characters. It is well thought out that each member interacts in so many ways and circumstances. It keeps you hooked till the end and you are left wondering how they are going on from here.

[Reader]

Excellent book . Sorry when I had finished reading it as it and the first book Hardacre were great books. It was sometimes confusing, as working out who was related to whom , perhaps a diagram of the family tree would have helped. Some parts I found a little verbose,but this did not greatly detract from my reading the long and detailed family story. I am looking forward to the TV series.

[Dutchfarmeress]

Very enjoyable to read. Just the book you need on a rainy day, with a hot cup of tea. It is the sequel to Hardacre and the saga continues until the 1960's. It's about family, love, tradition and new things.

[Shelly Boltz-Zito]

Excellent

I loved it!!! The sequel is as good as the first book. It has heartbreak, love, drama, family drama, it has it all. What a fantastic book. I would love to see a 3rd book in this set to continue the family Hardacre!!

[Paulla Schreiner]

Wonderful family saga

I read the first book and then continued with this . The characters are finally drawn and intriguing in their complexity . Underneath it all, there is family love which conquers all.

[Smeakin2]

Better than the first

Definitely an improvement on the original this book follows one character over only 10-15 years and therefore spends a lot more time with characters. A good free book

[Dixie]

Sam Hardacre

Beautifully written, incredible historical fiction with the life story of a guttie and his family, their haps and mishaps, gains and losses. A book filled with tears, laughter and surprises. Great read.

[Mel]

It took over a month for me to be ready for the continuation of the series. This time I checked out the book and the audio at the same time. I think I will have to buy these because they are ones I want to repeat. The characters are too real not to miss. So I will have to revisit.

[Claire]

wonderful story

I loved both the first and the second Hardacres Luck. Cl Skelton writes gorgeous sentences and also is able to narrate both an unforgettable character as well craft a great story.
I am going to read all of his novels.

[Debra Tokach]

great family saga

I loved these books. Great characters and family dynamics. Colorful writing. I highly recommend. Even tho the family became rich…the original couple maintained their simple values

[Anne]

A family saga continues

After World War II a family continues to struggle with life, love, familial relationships and the changing post war world. All human emotions and experiences are wrapped up in the next generations of the Hardacre family.

[Jeanette Smith]

Bluidy BRILLIANT!!!

I can't even see to write a review about the book I've just read, my eyes are too full of tears knowing that I've reached the end of a beautiful family saga! Well, maybe not quite the end....

[E J]

Hardacres Luck

The sequel. Was good. Not as concise as first book, more characters and more wandering. Felt a family tree would have been useful in the front of the book. Still enjoyed it

[Pamela Myers Waters]

No real ending. Just stopped writing…..boooooo

Great saga until the end when it just stopped. No lore story. Just ended. I won’t waste my time reading anything else from this author as I don’t want to repeat that disappointment!

[Amanda]

Great Sequel

Not often is the sequel just as good as the first. I also love that, just like Hardacre, you learn so much about each characters personal perspective.

[MJJBANES]

Getting better and better

Enjoyed the first book and also engrossed with Hardacre Famiy Saga book2. Going to binge on book 3 as soon as possible.

[P.]

A much better book than the first in this two book series. Worth a read, even if you have to read the first one as well.

[Ellen Martin]

Hardacre's Luck is the second book of a family Saga that continues where the first left off. The characters are full of life and their lives and tribulations continue. Thoroughly enjoyed reading.

[Susan]

Another Family Saga that I much enjoyed.

[Jenny]

I read this on the back of the original Hardacre. I was quite disappointed & couldn’t recommend it.