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The Shop Girls of Chapel Street
**Don't miss Jenny Holmes's latest wartime series, The Air Raid Girls. Part 3 - The Air Raid Wartime Brides - is available now!**
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Orphaned young, Violet Wheeler has been brought up by her aunt - but after Winnie's death, she feels like she's lost everything. With no-one to turn to, she has to rely on the goodwill of the community to help her out.
At the Jubilee drapers, amongst the spools of ribbon, skeins of silk and latest thirties fashions, Violet finds a refuge. She's offered a chance to get back on her feet, and with that an unexpected chance to discover love. It's only when a forgotten piece of jewellery with a mysterious note surfaces that Violet is thrown back in to the past again, and starts to wonder what secrets there might be in her family's history.
As Violet becomes desperate to find answers about her mother and father, long-buried secrets threaten the stable life she's been building. Can her new friends steer Violet towards a happy ending against all the odds?
A heart-warming, nostalgic tale of triumph over adversity that readers of Katie Flynn, Donna Douglas and Call the Midwife will adore.
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Readers love Jenny
'There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book' 5 star review
'I couldn't put this book down' 5 star review
'Loved the whole story' 5 star review
'This is a totally absorbing book' 5 star review
'An excellent read put together in fine style' 5 star review
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Orphaned young, Violet Wheeler has been brought up by her aunt - but after Winnie's death, she feels like she's lost everything. With no-one to turn to, she has to rely on the goodwill of the community to help her out.
At the Jubilee drapers, amongst the spools of ribbon, skeins of silk and latest thirties fashions, Violet finds a refuge. She's offered a chance to get back on her feet, and with that an unexpected chance to discover love. It's only when a forgotten piece of jewellery with a mysterious note surfaces that Violet is thrown back in to the past again, and starts to wonder what secrets there might be in her family's history.
As Violet becomes desperate to find answers about her mother and father, long-buried secrets threaten the stable life she's been building. Can her new friends steer Violet towards a happy ending against all the odds?
A heart-warming, nostalgic tale of triumph over adversity that readers of Katie Flynn, Donna Douglas and Call the Midwife will adore.
----------------------------
Readers love Jenny
'There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book' 5 star review
'I couldn't put this book down' 5 star review
'Loved the whole story' 5 star review
'This is a totally absorbing book' 5 star review
'An excellent read put together in fine style' 5 star review
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2016
39 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Holmes
43 books68 followersJenny Holmes lives in a beautiful part of Yorkshire and sets her sagas in the industrial heartland nearby. She enjoys horse riding, gardening and walking her dog in the dales. She also writes children's books as Jenny Oldfield.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 28, 2016
This isn’t my normal genre of reading but every so often I find myself succumbing to reads like this, with a nice painting usually of a pretty smiling girl on the front. I know just by looking at it what I am going to get, something nice and easy to read, set in the first half of the twentieth century and oozing nostalgia, romance and drama. I found this book to be absolutely lovely and a first class example of this type of read. It is the story of Violet, orphaned as a baby and raised by her Aunt Winnie and Uncle Donald who suddenly finds her world turned upside down.
I loved the setting, a 1930s northern mill town and, in particular, the girls who work in Chapel Street – in the shops, especially Jubilee, the drapers shop and I really liked all the talk about fashion and dressmaking, as well as the camaraderie between them. It is a fantastic story which is romantic and dramatic all the way to the last page. There are long hidden secrets to be unearthed in a tale that is comfortably unpredictable. There are some really nice characters, as well as some you wouldn’t give the time of day to if you met them in the street and I was totally immersed in all their goings-on.
I cannot think of anything that I didn’t like about this book. I enjoyed every single page of it and was quite sad when I got to the end. Highly recommended.
I received a review copy from the publishers via Netgalley for review purposes.
I loved the setting, a 1930s northern mill town and, in particular, the girls who work in Chapel Street – in the shops, especially Jubilee, the drapers shop and I really liked all the talk about fashion and dressmaking, as well as the camaraderie between them. It is a fantastic story which is romantic and dramatic all the way to the last page. There are long hidden secrets to be unearthed in a tale that is comfortably unpredictable. There are some really nice characters, as well as some you wouldn’t give the time of day to if you met them in the street and I was totally immersed in all their goings-on.
I cannot think of anything that I didn’t like about this book. I enjoyed every single page of it and was quite sad when I got to the end. Highly recommended.
I received a review copy from the publishers via Netgalley for review purposes.
March 1, 2016
Violet was taken in by her Aunt Winnie when she was orphaned as a baby. She learnt dressmaking skills with her. When tragedy strikes Winnie needs to find work using these skills to earn extra money.
I loved all the characters in Chapel Street- even the unpleasant ones as they are so cleverly drawn. Some cheeky chappies add the romance element and the Jubilee drapers girls providing wonderful friendship.
There are secrets to be unearthed, and dark subects are introduced and handled well. It also giveslovely insight into the designs and workmanship of the time and the joy that the ladies had in discovering new fashion..
I absolutely love 'saga' type books and Jenny Holmes is going to be joining by list of favourites in the genre. It's the 2nd book she's released and I have enjoyed both.
With many thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishes and Net Galley. You are always assured a wonderful read with Random House.
I loved all the characters in Chapel Street- even the unpleasant ones as they are so cleverly drawn. Some cheeky chappies add the romance element and the Jubilee drapers girls providing wonderful friendship.
There are secrets to be unearthed, and dark subects are introduced and handled well. It also giveslovely insight into the designs and workmanship of the time and the joy that the ladies had in discovering new fashion..
I absolutely love 'saga' type books and Jenny Holmes is going to be joining by list of favourites in the genre. It's the 2nd book she's released and I have enjoyed both.
With many thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishes and Net Galley. You are always assured a wonderful read with Random House.
April 9, 2016
I love these type of books and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Highly recommend if you like this saga type genre.
August 3, 2016
Another good read, I found this one hard to start with but after the first chapter it got much better.
February 26, 2016
Increasingly I find myself drawn to books in the saga vein as they offer nice, easy, quick reads with good storylines. I like to alternate between books of a more serious nature, 'chick-lit' and historical fiction and the saga genre provides the perfect antidote when I need something light. Again with this book The Shop Girls of Chapel Street I have discovered a fabulous author in Jenny Holmes. This is only her second release but already she has been compared to the likes of Katie Flynn and Margaret Dickinson and for fans of the tv series Call the Midwife. I would liken Jenny's writing to that of Rosie Archer who I have only recently discovered. This book was a pleasure to read and gave the reader a detailed insight into the lives of women in a small English town in the early 1930's. Based in or around one or two specific streets the author builds up a picture of women and their families who didn't always have life as easy as they would like it but yet they always made the best of every opportunity and situation that presented itself. Initially with this book I did think there were a bit too many characters introduced in the first few chapters. I was attempting to read between the lines and discover who had been the focus of book one The Mill Girls of Albion Lane. It wasn't hard to find out what had happened but it only made me think should I have read this beforehand. After a while my fears were allayed as this is perfect to read as a stand alone as the book introduces readers to Violet Wheeler - an 18 year old girl on the cusp of womanhood who through circumstances that unfold at the beginning of the book finds herself faced with adversity and a life changing situation. Has she the strength to embrace new chances whilst not letting gossip and rumours get her down?
We meet Violet on a really happy occasion as she has been chosen as Gala Queen for the Whitsun celebrations. All her hard work making her gown has paid off and she embraces the festivities with glee and pleasure. But soon Violet's happy carefree days will be shattered but will her aspirations to be a seamstress go down the drain or has she courage to fight against the tide of change to become the person she knows she can be deep inside? Ever since her mother died at a young age Violet has lived with her Aunt Winnie and Uncle Donald. Her father Joe (Donald's brother) had been killed in the war and the family did the right thing and took Violet in. Violet enjoys a special, close relationship with Winnie but Donald for many years has appeared distant, cold and aloof. He has never mistreated her but still she doesn't feel the love or connection from her Uncle that a father figure should offer. Violet spends her days working for Ben Hutchinson in the grocer's shop on Chapel Street. He is a mean boss and doesn't have much time for her but she knows the family need every penny they can get despite the success of Donald's barber shop. The work is monotonous, rigid and humdrum and never varies from day to day. She dreams of working in Jubilee Drapers or establishing her own shop. Jubilee Drapers is run by Ida Thomson and Muriel Beanland and is an Aladdin's cave of colour, bolts of cloth, fabric, ribbons, buttons and lace. Unfortunately Violet's normal life is shattered when Winnie suddenly passes away. Violet is left bereft and also stuck with Donald who has little time for her and undergoes a personality transplant for what reasons we are not sure. We see an even more darker, mean spirited side emerge. Soon Violet finds herself evicted through no lack of trying to find the rent money. Donald abandons her to her fate but Violet is young, strong and determined and her friends will not see her go down the wrong path.
Throughout the book Violet grew in strength and her character development was excellent. It wasn't all plain sailing for her and she uncovers secrets that were meant to stay hidden forever which turn everything she thought was true on its head. This aspect of the storyline was really intriguing and the author did have us guessing right up until the end. When everything came to light it made me see characters in a different light and it went a long way in showing how people may act a certain way for a reason and not necessarily because they want to. Jenny Holmes did a fantastic job of creating such a vivid picture of life back in the 1930's, I really felt she could let her imagination run riot but also backed it up well with fact. Not having the threat of World War Two looming (as is often the focus of books in this genre) there was free rein to create a good solid storyline which is what Jenny did in the most effective of ways. I loved the sense of community spirit and how the women could drop into each others shops and have a chat. There was friendly rivalry between the Jubilee Drapers and Sylvie’s dressmaking shop. Violet has to keep everything going but does after a time allow time for herself by joining a theatre group and it was great to see her woes and troubles which had begun to weigh her down slightly dissipate when she was surrounded by the group.
A book in this genre wouldn't be complete without a bit of romance and Violet was described as a 'Cinderella, dreaming of her prince but always prevented from going to the ball'. Oh how I wished her dreams could come true and I was keen to discover would it be Eddie or Stan that would catch and take hold of Violet's heart? Eddie initially appeared like he hadn't much to offer Violet but over the course of the book he showed his true metal and stood by Violet when others began to have doubts about her character. Overall he came across as sincere, kind and a man who would always look for the truth instead of listening to and believing idle gossip. Stan on the other hand seemed a bit of a player, always up for a laugh and never quite able to commit to anything. But his storyline surprised me in the end.
What made The Shop Girls of Chapel Street such an enjoyable read was the numerous storylines ongoing that came together very well. There was no repetition or monotony and the book had a lovely flow to it. There was a more serious storyline included with Colin Barlow and I applaud Jenny for writing about this because the issue still happens today. It was sensitively and gracefully dealt with even though I didn't like what was happening to Violet. She could have let what was happening get her down but she was determined to make the most of her new job and not let one man ruin everything she had worked for. I admire Violet's gutsy attitude she knew who to keep close by her side and who to confide in and she was never ruthless in how she went about creating positivity in her life. Others weren't pushed aside in her quest to make her new life a success. When she attempts to uncover the secrets concealed since her birth her character shone through and I loved her all the more. She took everything in her stride and didn't loose the head where many others might have. I hadn't guessed what the big reveal would be and I like that in books. Furthermore this wasn't the entire focus of the story and truthfully it really didn't have enough meat to it to be the primary storyline.
This book proved to be another excellent addition to the saga genre and I thoroughly enjoyed the easy to read writing with a clever plot and loveable characters. I have now put Jenny's next release The Midwives of Raglan Road on my wish-list and look forward to its release in September. Meanwhile Violet and co will provide with you a delightful, entertaining read.
We meet Violet on a really happy occasion as she has been chosen as Gala Queen for the Whitsun celebrations. All her hard work making her gown has paid off and she embraces the festivities with glee and pleasure. But soon Violet's happy carefree days will be shattered but will her aspirations to be a seamstress go down the drain or has she courage to fight against the tide of change to become the person she knows she can be deep inside? Ever since her mother died at a young age Violet has lived with her Aunt Winnie and Uncle Donald. Her father Joe (Donald's brother) had been killed in the war and the family did the right thing and took Violet in. Violet enjoys a special, close relationship with Winnie but Donald for many years has appeared distant, cold and aloof. He has never mistreated her but still she doesn't feel the love or connection from her Uncle that a father figure should offer. Violet spends her days working for Ben Hutchinson in the grocer's shop on Chapel Street. He is a mean boss and doesn't have much time for her but she knows the family need every penny they can get despite the success of Donald's barber shop. The work is monotonous, rigid and humdrum and never varies from day to day. She dreams of working in Jubilee Drapers or establishing her own shop. Jubilee Drapers is run by Ida Thomson and Muriel Beanland and is an Aladdin's cave of colour, bolts of cloth, fabric, ribbons, buttons and lace. Unfortunately Violet's normal life is shattered when Winnie suddenly passes away. Violet is left bereft and also stuck with Donald who has little time for her and undergoes a personality transplant for what reasons we are not sure. We see an even more darker, mean spirited side emerge. Soon Violet finds herself evicted through no lack of trying to find the rent money. Donald abandons her to her fate but Violet is young, strong and determined and her friends will not see her go down the wrong path.
Throughout the book Violet grew in strength and her character development was excellent. It wasn't all plain sailing for her and she uncovers secrets that were meant to stay hidden forever which turn everything she thought was true on its head. This aspect of the storyline was really intriguing and the author did have us guessing right up until the end. When everything came to light it made me see characters in a different light and it went a long way in showing how people may act a certain way for a reason and not necessarily because they want to. Jenny Holmes did a fantastic job of creating such a vivid picture of life back in the 1930's, I really felt she could let her imagination run riot but also backed it up well with fact. Not having the threat of World War Two looming (as is often the focus of books in this genre) there was free rein to create a good solid storyline which is what Jenny did in the most effective of ways. I loved the sense of community spirit and how the women could drop into each others shops and have a chat. There was friendly rivalry between the Jubilee Drapers and Sylvie’s dressmaking shop. Violet has to keep everything going but does after a time allow time for herself by joining a theatre group and it was great to see her woes and troubles which had begun to weigh her down slightly dissipate when she was surrounded by the group.
A book in this genre wouldn't be complete without a bit of romance and Violet was described as a 'Cinderella, dreaming of her prince but always prevented from going to the ball'. Oh how I wished her dreams could come true and I was keen to discover would it be Eddie or Stan that would catch and take hold of Violet's heart? Eddie initially appeared like he hadn't much to offer Violet but over the course of the book he showed his true metal and stood by Violet when others began to have doubts about her character. Overall he came across as sincere, kind and a man who would always look for the truth instead of listening to and believing idle gossip. Stan on the other hand seemed a bit of a player, always up for a laugh and never quite able to commit to anything. But his storyline surprised me in the end.
What made The Shop Girls of Chapel Street such an enjoyable read was the numerous storylines ongoing that came together very well. There was no repetition or monotony and the book had a lovely flow to it. There was a more serious storyline included with Colin Barlow and I applaud Jenny for writing about this because the issue still happens today. It was sensitively and gracefully dealt with even though I didn't like what was happening to Violet. She could have let what was happening get her down but she was determined to make the most of her new job and not let one man ruin everything she had worked for. I admire Violet's gutsy attitude she knew who to keep close by her side and who to confide in and she was never ruthless in how she went about creating positivity in her life. Others weren't pushed aside in her quest to make her new life a success. When she attempts to uncover the secrets concealed since her birth her character shone through and I loved her all the more. She took everything in her stride and didn't loose the head where many others might have. I hadn't guessed what the big reveal would be and I like that in books. Furthermore this wasn't the entire focus of the story and truthfully it really didn't have enough meat to it to be the primary storyline.
This book proved to be another excellent addition to the saga genre and I thoroughly enjoyed the easy to read writing with a clever plot and loveable characters. I have now put Jenny's next release The Midwives of Raglan Road on my wish-list and look forward to its release in September. Meanwhile Violet and co will provide with you a delightful, entertaining read.
April 22, 2018
Good Lord I don’t know how this book has good ratings, I guess it takes all sorts...
The drama is mediocre at an extreme stretch, the pace is slower than a disabled slug, the characters are unmemorable and silly for the most part, the main character is immature, ditzy and overly innocent to the point she’s loathsome. This book could have been written in 200 pages or less, but alas there are 427 pages of boredom. It’s comparable to the weakest, most watered-down tea in the world. Strike that- it’s just plain sour milk.
Don’t bother unless you want to repeatedly bang your head off a wall with boredom and force yourself through it to meet a reading goal.
The drama is mediocre at an extreme stretch, the pace is slower than a disabled slug, the characters are unmemorable and silly for the most part, the main character is immature, ditzy and overly innocent to the point she’s loathsome. This book could have been written in 200 pages or less, but alas there are 427 pages of boredom. It’s comparable to the weakest, most watered-down tea in the world. Strike that- it’s just plain sour milk.
Don’t bother unless you want to repeatedly bang your head off a wall with boredom and force yourself through it to meet a reading goal.
May 5, 2017
Life has its ups and downs no matter what decade you live in!
Slow start, but once you get into it there are twists and turns in young Violets life. Even through set in the 30's it's can be related to modern lifestyles
Slow start, but once you get into it there are twists and turns in young Violets life. Even through set in the 30's it's can be related to modern lifestyles
October 10, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. another good written book by Jenny Holmes. her writing flows and easy to read books draw you into the story line very fast. a great new author who has become one of my new favourites. cant fault her writing at all.
November 23, 2019
A lovely pleasant, easy to read book. Violet has been brought up by her aunt and uncle, very much loved by her aunt but not so by her uncle. The aunt dies suddenly and it is soon after this her uncle turns his back on her.
August 30, 2022
Not my favourite of Jenny Holmes’ books, but easy summer reading. I have to admit that I worked out the twist in the story long before it happened. That said, I always find it interesting reading about the (fictional) lives of those who lived through the 1930s.
January 21, 2018
Enjoyed the story, just a little dull at times and long winded. Not as good as The Telephone Girls.
May 20, 2018
A good holiday read a run on book of the same without good ho
A very good holiday read interesting follow on book of the same series
Will be read ing all of the!
A very good holiday read interesting follow on book of the same series
Will be read ing all of the!
June 20, 2018
Shop girls
Very good book real characters that you can really believe in grips you from beginning to end . Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
Very good book real characters that you can really believe in grips you from beginning to end . Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book
July 24, 2018
Brilliant
Great holiday book hope there is a follow up easy read heartening family saga what will happen to violet and Eddie
Great holiday book hope there is a follow up easy read heartening family saga what will happen to violet and Eddie
April 26, 2019
Shop girl from chapel lane
Excellent book very well written. Usual family saga with a few surprises thrown in. Great characters that you took to your heart. Highly recommended
Excellent book very well written. Usual family saga with a few surprises thrown in. Great characters that you took to your heart. Highly recommended
July 16, 2024
Easy read, nice storyline, different characters and personalities
February 22, 2017
Really enjoyed reading this book. A simple storyline that is effective and a joy to read.
April 19, 2016
I was given the ebook from the publisher via Netgalley for a fair and unbiased review.
Voilet has been brought up by her Aunt Winnie and Uncle Donald, Violet has always been loved and looked after by her Aunt Winnie, but Uncle Donald seems to resent Violet why???
After Winnie falls ill and dies Violet is struggling trying to look after the house and the bills as Uncle Donald has given up.
They loose the house and Uncle Donald goes his own way which means Violet has to fend for herself, being employed in a green grocers for very little money this doesn't help her situation.
Violet has to rely on the goodwill of people around her to help her situation.
Why was Uncle Donald so against Violet?
Can Violet sort her life out to make her dream come true?
Lovely saga story with the feel good factor but also dark in places!!
Recommended Read!
Voilet has been brought up by her Aunt Winnie and Uncle Donald, Violet has always been loved and looked after by her Aunt Winnie, but Uncle Donald seems to resent Violet why???
After Winnie falls ill and dies Violet is struggling trying to look after the house and the bills as Uncle Donald has given up.
They loose the house and Uncle Donald goes his own way which means Violet has to fend for herself, being employed in a green grocers for very little money this doesn't help her situation.
Violet has to rely on the goodwill of people around her to help her situation.
Why was Uncle Donald so against Violet?
Can Violet sort her life out to make her dream come true?
Lovely saga story with the feel good factor but also dark in places!!
Recommended Read!
October 25, 2019
Thank You to @PenguinRHUKNews @netgalley @PenguinUKBooks
This book was very enjoyable. Young Orphaned Violet is brought up by her aunt & uncle until her world is turned upside down. There are secrets, nostalgia and of course romance in this book which is a genre I normally never read but really enjoyed.
This book was very enjoyable. Young Orphaned Violet is brought up by her aunt & uncle until her world is turned upside down. There are secrets, nostalgia and of course romance in this book which is a genre I normally never read but really enjoyed.
April 15, 2016
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
The Author gives a great impression of life in the 1930's. with a smashing story which is a joy to read.
A great vacation read.
The Author gives a great impression of life in the 1930's. with a smashing story which is a joy to read.
A great vacation read.
October 10, 2017
Another good book from Jenny Homles.
Rate this one as 4 stars, felt it wasn't as good as her first book but still agreat read. don't dismiss this book due to my rating . just how I felt.
Rate this one as 4 stars, felt it wasn't as good as her first book but still agreat read. don't dismiss this book due to my rating . just how I felt.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews