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The Green Ribbons
In 1900, Hephzibah Wildman loses both parents in a tragic accident and is forced to build a new life for herself. Penniless and only eighteen, she must leave the security of the Oxford college where her stepfather was Dean, and earn her living as a governess. Her new employer, Sir Richard Egdon, a country squire in the village of Nettlestock, has designs upon Hephzibah. She in turn has eyes only for his son, the handsome Thomas Egdon.
Within months of arriving at Ingleton Hall, Hephzibah is embarked upon a route with unforeseen consequences and she is compelled to make a desperate decision that will change her life and the lives of those around her
Within months of arriving at Ingleton Hall, Hephzibah is embarked upon a route with unforeseen consequences and she is compelled to make a desperate decision that will change her life and the lives of those around her
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2016
355 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Clare Flynn
45 books221 followersClare Flynn is the author of eighteen historical novels and a collection of short stories. She is the 2020 winner of the UK Selfies Adult Fiction prize for her best-selling novel The Pearl of Penang, was shortlisted for the RNA Industry Awards Indie Champion of the Year for 2021 and won the award in 2022.
Clare lives in Eastbourne. on the south coast of the UK. She is a fluent Italian speaker and loves spending time in Italy. In her spare time she likes to quilt, paint and travel often and widely as possible.
Clare Flynn is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an active member of The Romantic Novelists Association, The Hostrical Writers Association, The Alliance of Independent Authors and The Society of Authors. More information about her books can be found at www.clareflynn.co.uk
Clare lives in Eastbourne. on the south coast of the UK. She is a fluent Italian speaker and loves spending time in Italy. In her spare time she likes to quilt, paint and travel often and widely as possible.
Clare Flynn is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an active member of The Romantic Novelists Association, The Hostrical Writers Association, The Alliance of Independent Authors and The Society of Authors. More information about her books can be found at www.clareflynn.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 8, 2017
The Green Ribbons is a beautifully written, heartbreaking story set in rural England in the year 1900. The story begins when Hephzibah, a young daughter of an Oxford Don, loses both her parents in a freak tram accident. This terrible event leaves her completely penniless, mostly due to her gender. In order to avoid destitution, Hephzibah is forced to leave her beloved Oxford to take up a position as governess at Ingleton Hall, in a small rural village of Nettlestock.
In Nettlestock Hephzibah meets Reverend Nightingale, a former student of her father’s and now a reluctant man of the cloth. For the Reverend, it’s love at fist sight, whereas Hephzibah thinks of him as a sweet new friend.
In The Green Ribbons, Clare Flynn captures beautifully the life of a young woman, of limited means, and of little experience, in turn-of–the-century England. I was transported to another time and could empathize with Hephzibah, as she first struggles to fight off the unwanted advances of an older, powerful man, then falls in and out of love, and finally, is faced with a seemingly impossible choice.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel, especially if you love historical fiction.
In Nettlestock Hephzibah meets Reverend Nightingale, a former student of her father’s and now a reluctant man of the cloth. For the Reverend, it’s love at fist sight, whereas Hephzibah thinks of him as a sweet new friend.
In The Green Ribbons, Clare Flynn captures beautifully the life of a young woman, of limited means, and of little experience, in turn-of–the-century England. I was transported to another time and could empathize with Hephzibah, as she first struggles to fight off the unwanted advances of an older, powerful man, then falls in and out of love, and finally, is faced with a seemingly impossible choice.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this novel, especially if you love historical fiction.
July 6, 2016
A true masterpiece The Green Ribbons cover91680-medium by Clare Flynn and published by Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd.
I have just finished to read it and I couldn't put down my smart phone while I was reading it. I loved it from the beginning to the end because powerful for the problematics involved in this book, extremely serious.
Love, passion, betrayal, discomfort, death, desperation, choices, desolation, violence, abuses, poverty, jealousy, this book will let you breath what life is and how a family can be in grade to keep buried important secrets.
Not only: how our choices, when not appropriate can change dramatically the destiny of all our dear ones and how a child can make the difference in a family in particular if born outside the marriage.
Another big thematic the opportunistic one. How much can a person use another one for his/her own interest and how much convenient is to do that after all?
Echoes of writers like Margaret Gaskell and Charlotte Bronte with her Jane Eyre sometimes popped up in my mind while I was reading this book. It's not just a love-story: The Green Ribbons is the mirror of a period, the mirror of a certain time, 1900 with all the customs, traditions, and decencies of that specific historical moment.
Remembered important historic facts like the death of Queen Victoria, the conditions of poorest people of the town, sometimes starved by a bad policy, a lot of men without work, the description of the local workhouse. The author will speak of the human traps at that time banned but still in use sometimes with all the consequences of the case, social life at the beginning of 1900. Indifference and/or big participation for trying to better this world and the main question without answer: why the world is this one?
The author's writing-style stunningly beauty and precious, it reminds at the best literature of the past, and all the characters she created, I can assure you, will remain forever in your heart for the frank, honest, real dialogues, - impressive - and description of the various characters. Wonderfully portrayed, Clare Flynn is able to look deeply in the soul of everyone giving to the various protagonists of the book an original voice and a great, impressive intensity.
The story starts in 1900 with Hephzibah, who is burying both her parents because of a horrible tragedy: a tram invested them both.
The name of the protagonist can appears strange. It's a Biblical name. It is the name given at the promised land. Hephzibah is also the name of the wife of king Hekeziah.
Her stepfather, with which she was in good relationship with, unfortunately hadn't planned at all to ending his life so abruptly and still young followed by his wife and so Hephzibah didn't receive anything.
Without relatives where to go and what to go?
Where to re-start an existence?
She receives a letter from an ex student of his dad, Reverend Merritt Nightingale from Nettlestock. A bit more old than her, but not that much she discovers that a family is searching for a governess if she wants that workplace. A little kid needs a new one.
Sometimes life changes abruptly plans and the girl accepts the work suggested by the reverend.
What she doesn't imagine is that this young man fell in love for her since the first time he met her while he was studying. He secretively hopes to marry her.
The arrival at Ingleton Hall good and bad at the same time for the girl. Little kid Ottilie is good and she appreciates Hephzibah, but the owner of Ingleton Hall Sir Richard can't keep his hands too distant from the girl as also happened and happens with other servants and staff of the mansion.
Refusing his sad and dirty abuses, that man repelled the girl, Thomas, Richard Egdon's son starts to be for the young girl reasons for dreaming. Dreaming a cleaned relationship, dreaming for a boy she is feeling a great attraction for.
After the latest violence against her perpetrated by Richard on her, Hephzibah escapes, motivated to leaving forever the workplace of governess.
Desperate, while she is walking to the village for speaking with Merritt the reverend, Thomas Egdon is returning home.
He understands what his dad, a man he hates, wanted to do to the girl and he suggests her of marrying him.
To the girl a real dream because she fell in love immediately for this boy although Thomas doesn't feel the same sentiments and is more interested in racehorses, gambling, and spending time to London with his friends.
Marriage life is not for him and he commit the error of wanting to marry Hephzibah and Hephzibah, without to have a lot of experience, to accept just because she feels attraction for this boy.
They rush to Scotland where they return wife and husband, groom and bride.
Merritt Nightingale when understands this news is devastated because truly in love for Hephzibah. He knows Thomas and he knows that he won't never be able to present her any kind of happiness.
Hephzibah and Merritt a lot in common: passion for books, trips, Merritt planned to go to Rome once, also the favorite city of Hephzibah. Now, all these plans created in his mind destroyed by a sad, devastating reality. Hephzibah can't be anymore his wife. His heart devoted to her, uninterested to find any other girl.
Thomas "was in love", like also his dad and many other men with Abigail Cake, a promiscuous girl of the village, violated also by her same members of her family with terrible consequences. A horrible story of abuses.
A child doesn't arrive because Thomas can't have them and Richard, his dad one day talking to Hephzibah, thinks maybe he will change his will in case. Scared by this perspective, Hephzibah will ask to Merritt for a special help...
The two, without to want it, will fall in love. It's a desperate love this one. Why? Merritt loved Hephzibah from the beginning but to Hephzibah this feelings completely new.
Hephzibah is substantially happy at first of her marriage with Thomas, she thinks that sex must be that one, that, after all, although her husband not always at home, she must continue to live her existence close to Thomas. She is in love with Thomas, but Merritt...
She didn't know that love was another story.
Hephzibah after all has had a son.
Tired of the continuous irresponsible behavior and debts of his son, Richard thinks again to send his son to hell keeping in the mansion only Hephzibah and the little toddler He can't risk that his money would go one day at his son. That man is not in grade to take care of their big house and interests and Richard, who created a fortune doesn't want to see it dispersed if not in proper hands.
Secrets in Egdon family numerous. I can't tell you all and I will stop here because these ones are the final crucial chapters and they will bring with them a lot of turmoil.
Just: remember that at the end of this book you will discover redemption, changes, renewal.
Oh: why this title The green ribbons you can ask? One of the few things Hephzibah kept of her mother...
I strongly suggest you this book. It's incredible! for intensity of feelings, dialogues, situations, scenarios. You will love it!
Thank you NetGalley.com!
Anna Maria Polidori
I have just finished to read it and I couldn't put down my smart phone while I was reading it. I loved it from the beginning to the end because powerful for the problematics involved in this book, extremely serious.
Love, passion, betrayal, discomfort, death, desperation, choices, desolation, violence, abuses, poverty, jealousy, this book will let you breath what life is and how a family can be in grade to keep buried important secrets.
Not only: how our choices, when not appropriate can change dramatically the destiny of all our dear ones and how a child can make the difference in a family in particular if born outside the marriage.
Another big thematic the opportunistic one. How much can a person use another one for his/her own interest and how much convenient is to do that after all?
Echoes of writers like Margaret Gaskell and Charlotte Bronte with her Jane Eyre sometimes popped up in my mind while I was reading this book. It's not just a love-story: The Green Ribbons is the mirror of a period, the mirror of a certain time, 1900 with all the customs, traditions, and decencies of that specific historical moment.
Remembered important historic facts like the death of Queen Victoria, the conditions of poorest people of the town, sometimes starved by a bad policy, a lot of men without work, the description of the local workhouse. The author will speak of the human traps at that time banned but still in use sometimes with all the consequences of the case, social life at the beginning of 1900. Indifference and/or big participation for trying to better this world and the main question without answer: why the world is this one?
The author's writing-style stunningly beauty and precious, it reminds at the best literature of the past, and all the characters she created, I can assure you, will remain forever in your heart for the frank, honest, real dialogues, - impressive - and description of the various characters. Wonderfully portrayed, Clare Flynn is able to look deeply in the soul of everyone giving to the various protagonists of the book an original voice and a great, impressive intensity.
The story starts in 1900 with Hephzibah, who is burying both her parents because of a horrible tragedy: a tram invested them both.
The name of the protagonist can appears strange. It's a Biblical name. It is the name given at the promised land. Hephzibah is also the name of the wife of king Hekeziah.
Her stepfather, with which she was in good relationship with, unfortunately hadn't planned at all to ending his life so abruptly and still young followed by his wife and so Hephzibah didn't receive anything.
Without relatives where to go and what to go?
Where to re-start an existence?
She receives a letter from an ex student of his dad, Reverend Merritt Nightingale from Nettlestock. A bit more old than her, but not that much she discovers that a family is searching for a governess if she wants that workplace. A little kid needs a new one.
Sometimes life changes abruptly plans and the girl accepts the work suggested by the reverend.
What she doesn't imagine is that this young man fell in love for her since the first time he met her while he was studying. He secretively hopes to marry her.
The arrival at Ingleton Hall good and bad at the same time for the girl. Little kid Ottilie is good and she appreciates Hephzibah, but the owner of Ingleton Hall Sir Richard can't keep his hands too distant from the girl as also happened and happens with other servants and staff of the mansion.
Refusing his sad and dirty abuses, that man repelled the girl, Thomas, Richard Egdon's son starts to be for the young girl reasons for dreaming. Dreaming a cleaned relationship, dreaming for a boy she is feeling a great attraction for.
After the latest violence against her perpetrated by Richard on her, Hephzibah escapes, motivated to leaving forever the workplace of governess.
Desperate, while she is walking to the village for speaking with Merritt the reverend, Thomas Egdon is returning home.
He understands what his dad, a man he hates, wanted to do to the girl and he suggests her of marrying him.
To the girl a real dream because she fell in love immediately for this boy although Thomas doesn't feel the same sentiments and is more interested in racehorses, gambling, and spending time to London with his friends.
Marriage life is not for him and he commit the error of wanting to marry Hephzibah and Hephzibah, without to have a lot of experience, to accept just because she feels attraction for this boy.
They rush to Scotland where they return wife and husband, groom and bride.
Merritt Nightingale when understands this news is devastated because truly in love for Hephzibah. He knows Thomas and he knows that he won't never be able to present her any kind of happiness.
Hephzibah and Merritt a lot in common: passion for books, trips, Merritt planned to go to Rome once, also the favorite city of Hephzibah. Now, all these plans created in his mind destroyed by a sad, devastating reality. Hephzibah can't be anymore his wife. His heart devoted to her, uninterested to find any other girl.
Thomas "was in love", like also his dad and many other men with Abigail Cake, a promiscuous girl of the village, violated also by her same members of her family with terrible consequences. A horrible story of abuses.
A child doesn't arrive because Thomas can't have them and Richard, his dad one day talking to Hephzibah, thinks maybe he will change his will in case. Scared by this perspective, Hephzibah will ask to Merritt for a special help...
The two, without to want it, will fall in love. It's a desperate love this one. Why? Merritt loved Hephzibah from the beginning but to Hephzibah this feelings completely new.
Hephzibah is substantially happy at first of her marriage with Thomas, she thinks that sex must be that one, that, after all, although her husband not always at home, she must continue to live her existence close to Thomas. She is in love with Thomas, but Merritt...
She didn't know that love was another story.
Hephzibah after all has had a son.
Tired of the continuous irresponsible behavior and debts of his son, Richard thinks again to send his son to hell keeping in the mansion only Hephzibah and the little toddler He can't risk that his money would go one day at his son. That man is not in grade to take care of their big house and interests and Richard, who created a fortune doesn't want to see it dispersed if not in proper hands.
Secrets in Egdon family numerous. I can't tell you all and I will stop here because these ones are the final crucial chapters and they will bring with them a lot of turmoil.
Just: remember that at the end of this book you will discover redemption, changes, renewal.
Oh: why this title The green ribbons you can ask? One of the few things Hephzibah kept of her mother...
I strongly suggest you this book. It's incredible! for intensity of feelings, dialogues, situations, scenarios. You will love it!
Thank you NetGalley.com!
Anna Maria Polidori
October 23, 2021
This was a good story with lots of twists and turns that kept me reading to the finish. I felt quite sorry for innocent Hephzibah who falls for a charmer who only wants to use her for his own ends. There were some villains in The Green Ribbons although I couldn't decided if Sir Richard (her father-in-law) was good or bad. He certainly had some evil ways, but the writing of the author made him seem a hurt and damaged man. I'm not sure if that was supposed to happen.
I did notice a couple of spelling mistakes and I do hope it's okay to mention them. Style should be stile and ewe should be Yew (tree).
Otherwise I found The Green ribbons an entertaining story and well written. I'm happy to give four stars and recommend it for anyone who likes a romance set at the turn of the twentieth century.
I did notice a couple of spelling mistakes and I do hope it's okay to mention them. Style should be stile and ewe should be Yew (tree).
Otherwise I found The Green ribbons an entertaining story and well written. I'm happy to give four stars and recommend it for anyone who likes a romance set at the turn of the twentieth century.
July 26, 2016
Not for me.
***Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
I would categorize this book as women’s fiction. The story is told from dual third person POV.
This was the first book I’ve read by Miss Flynn and sadly, since I mainly look for a HEA, not a good match for me. It might be for another reader. The rating reflects my personal opinion of this book.
The first reason for my not-for-me rating has to do with expectations. This book was marketed both as ‘romance’ and ‘women’s fiction’. And I took this to mean that it was a romance, but also contained other storylines. So, I decided to give this new to me author a try. The story starts from the perspective of the heroine, who’s for the sake of my convenience will just remain named heroine here. She is left homeless and penniless after her parents die and becomes a governess by the recommendation of a parson, a former pupil of her father. The POV then switches to that of the parson, who I then concluded to be the stories hero. I kept reading and reading, trying to find clues that a happy ending for the destined couple (why else write the book from those two POV’s) was in the stars. When the end came the heroine had learned a thing or two about choices and life, but that's not the type of happy ending I expected. So I was disappointed.
The second reason has to do with the writing style, characters and plot. The plot for a heart wrenching story was surely available, drama galore, but it all left me very emotionless. Too much tell and too little show. I didn’t get drawn in, didn’t feel for the main character, the heroine, or for the other characters in the book. Their actions left me at times baffled, not because of their stupidity in itself (which isn’t bad because making stupid decisions is human and the solution of those stupid choices can make for great reading) but because they didn’t fit with the characters. Why would the heroine, supposedly so in love with her husband, after making that choice I won’t mention here, suddenly find herself unable to stop herself from going to that cabin. Oh, it’s explained afterward with a few sentences, but to me those sentences only made the whole thing more unbelievable; entire books are written about this same plot, emotional fulfilling stories and this cannot be explained away like that. The choice of only adding a POV for the parson, and not for the husband also felt wrong considering the revelation at the very end of the book which made me feel truly sorry for how he was treated in this book.
Since my main focus in reading is on romance, and the focus of this author is on women’s fiction (drama), I don’t think I will be reading another book by this author. But I can see readers with a different focus liking this. For those readers to love Miss Flynn’s books, I would advise her to not focus on adding more drama to her stories, but focus on the emotions connected with the drama that’s already there, flesh out her characters with those emotions and by that draw her readers into the story. Less could definitely be more.
***Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
I would categorize this book as women’s fiction. The story is told from dual third person POV.
This was the first book I’ve read by Miss Flynn and sadly, since I mainly look for a HEA, not a good match for me. It might be for another reader. The rating reflects my personal opinion of this book.
The first reason for my not-for-me rating has to do with expectations. This book was marketed both as ‘romance’ and ‘women’s fiction’. And I took this to mean that it was a romance, but also contained other storylines. So, I decided to give this new to me author a try. The story starts from the perspective of the heroine, who’s for the sake of my convenience will just remain named heroine here. She is left homeless and penniless after her parents die and becomes a governess by the recommendation of a parson, a former pupil of her father. The POV then switches to that of the parson, who I then concluded to be the stories hero. I kept reading and reading, trying to find clues that a happy ending for the destined couple (why else write the book from those two POV’s) was in the stars. When the end came the heroine had learned a thing or two about choices and life, but that's not the type of happy ending I expected. So I was disappointed.
The second reason has to do with the writing style, characters and plot. The plot for a heart wrenching story was surely available, drama galore, but it all left me very emotionless. Too much tell and too little show. I didn’t get drawn in, didn’t feel for the main character, the heroine, or for the other characters in the book. Their actions left me at times baffled, not because of their stupidity in itself (which isn’t bad because making stupid decisions is human and the solution of those stupid choices can make for great reading) but because they didn’t fit with the characters. Why would the heroine, supposedly so in love with her husband, after making that choice I won’t mention here, suddenly find herself unable to stop herself from going to that cabin. Oh, it’s explained afterward with a few sentences, but to me those sentences only made the whole thing more unbelievable; entire books are written about this same plot, emotional fulfilling stories and this cannot be explained away like that. The choice of only adding a POV for the parson, and not for the husband also felt wrong considering the revelation at the very end of the book which made me feel truly sorry for how he was treated in this book.
Since my main focus in reading is on romance, and the focus of this author is on women’s fiction (drama), I don’t think I will be reading another book by this author. But I can see readers with a different focus liking this. For those readers to love Miss Flynn’s books, I would advise her to not focus on adding more drama to her stories, but focus on the emotions connected with the drama that’s already there, flesh out her characters with those emotions and by that draw her readers into the story. Less could definitely be more.
December 10, 2016
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I will not go into the details of the story line as that can be easily obtained from other reviews. What I will say is that this is a historical novel set at the turn of the 20th century, with an interesting plot. I was eager to keep reading towards the end as I wanted to know what would happen. The novel is well written, with vivid characters and a strong sense of setting which allows the reader to truly visualise what they are reading about. It is an easy read, but very enjoyable. I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who enjoys historical romance novels.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I will not go into the details of the story line as that can be easily obtained from other reviews. What I will say is that this is a historical novel set at the turn of the 20th century, with an interesting plot. I was eager to keep reading towards the end as I wanted to know what would happen. The novel is well written, with vivid characters and a strong sense of setting which allows the reader to truly visualise what they are reading about. It is an easy read, but very enjoyable. I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who enjoys historical romance novels.
August 13, 2018
Excellent read!
I've recently been on a C!are Flynn reading binge as I find her writing wonderful. This book being another example of excellent storytelling.
The story surrounds the life of Hetzibah, a young woman who recently lost her parents and has been offered a position as governess for the squire of a small village in Victorian Era England.
Her new life brings her in contact with a
pastor who is enamored with her since his years at college under the tutelage of her late father, a lecherous squire and the squires' handsome and irresponsible son.
With her usual adeptness at working human emotion with all its frailties, mistakes and rollercoaster outcomes, the author lays out a most enthralling plot with unexpected turns. Everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I was surprised and incorrect in my assumption. I find Flynn a very intelligent writer with an equally creative mind.
This is well worth the read for historical fiction and romance readers. Big thumbs up!
I've recently been on a C!are Flynn reading binge as I find her writing wonderful. This book being another example of excellent storytelling.
The story surrounds the life of Hetzibah, a young woman who recently lost her parents and has been offered a position as governess for the squire of a small village in Victorian Era England.
Her new life brings her in contact with a
pastor who is enamored with her since his years at college under the tutelage of her late father, a lecherous squire and the squires' handsome and irresponsible son.
With her usual adeptness at working human emotion with all its frailties, mistakes and rollercoaster outcomes, the author lays out a most enthralling plot with unexpected turns. Everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I was surprised and incorrect in my assumption. I find Flynn a very intelligent writer with an equally creative mind.
This is well worth the read for historical fiction and romance readers. Big thumbs up!
December 2, 2016
Hephzibah Wildman is 18 years old when suddenly she looses both parents in a tragic accident.
Left penniless when her step brother inherits everything, Hephzibah has no choice but to leave her home in Oxford and move to the small village Nettlestock to take up a post as a governess to the obnoxious Sir Richard Egdon. When she is not teaching Sir Egdon’s charge Ottilie, she finds that local vicar Merritt Nightingale is good company.
No long after she moves into Nettlestock, Hephzibah has a pair of green ribbons stolen from her bedroom at the Manor House. Quickly she realises who the culprit is but does not why they have stolen them from her.
“The Green Ribbons” is a gentle romance story set in a bygone era – a few twists and turns keep the story moving along. A pleasant story which was easy and enjoyable to read.
Left penniless when her step brother inherits everything, Hephzibah has no choice but to leave her home in Oxford and move to the small village Nettlestock to take up a post as a governess to the obnoxious Sir Richard Egdon. When she is not teaching Sir Egdon’s charge Ottilie, she finds that local vicar Merritt Nightingale is good company.
No long after she moves into Nettlestock, Hephzibah has a pair of green ribbons stolen from her bedroom at the Manor House. Quickly she realises who the culprit is but does not why they have stolen them from her.
“The Green Ribbons” is a gentle romance story set in a bygone era – a few twists and turns keep the story moving along. A pleasant story which was easy and enjoyable to read.
December 31, 2021
Another great novel by Claire Flynn
It's incredible to read about how women once had no rights and were treated as possessions even in marriage.
Happie loses her parents at 18 yrs. Unmarried she takes a job as a governess for a the daughter of a Squires daughter.
Not many options for her in those days her other options were marriage, work houses for the indigent, or to prostitute herself.
Naive and inexperienced she falls for the squires son and marries him after his father tries to sexually attack her.
But she soon realizes that she is still vulnerable and subsquent choices turn her life upside down with tragic results not only for her but the 2 men in her life.
It's incredible to read about how women once had no rights and were treated as possessions even in marriage.
Happie loses her parents at 18 yrs. Unmarried she takes a job as a governess for a the daughter of a Squires daughter.
Not many options for her in those days her other options were marriage, work houses for the indigent, or to prostitute herself.
Naive and inexperienced she falls for the squires son and marries him after his father tries to sexually attack her.
But she soon realizes that she is still vulnerable and subsquent choices turn her life upside down with tragic results not only for her but the 2 men in her life.
August 16, 2020
Enjoyed this book very much. I really love book written around the turn of the century, late 1800 to early 1900. It gives us a glimpse of how life was like back then , hardships, lack of jobs and how women were treated, on how as our heroine became penniless,and all that was available was a governess position where her virtue was constantly in danger. In those days the employer all thought that the women staff were fair game for sexual trysts or else they were dismissed from their post if they did not comply.
Sad times.
Good story line though with a good ending somewhat.
Sad times.
Good story line though with a good ending somewhat.
August 6, 2022
Turn off anything that is a distraction, you won't put this down
A beautiful and tragic tale of the hard lessons women are forced to go through without family or guidance and faced with uncertainty, vulnerability and ignorance in a man's world. Like all hard lessons that have to be learnt, it turns into an exceptance of self and reminds us that we only live once. A lovely setting in a Old Town revolving around a Manor House and its resident tyrants.
So grab a cuppa, curl up with a blanket and get lost in this wonderful tale of love and loss.
A beautiful and tragic tale of the hard lessons women are forced to go through without family or guidance and faced with uncertainty, vulnerability and ignorance in a man's world. Like all hard lessons that have to be learnt, it turns into an exceptance of self and reminds us that we only live once. A lovely setting in a Old Town revolving around a Manor House and its resident tyrants.
So grab a cuppa, curl up with a blanket and get lost in this wonderful tale of love and loss.
May 18, 2023
Jean38no
I enjoyed Green Ribbons. A classic tale of love and vengeance. You couldn’t help but feel for the main character . An orphan alone having to make her own way in the world . Her relatives stealing her estate when her parents were killed. Then to find love so she thought and to have to doubt that love. To be at the mercy of her over zealous employer. Of course true love found a way. An a happy ending ensued. The story did have more happen to our heroine then most stories of this time period. Which made it a page Turner!
I enjoyed Green Ribbons. A classic tale of love and vengeance. You couldn’t help but feel for the main character . An orphan alone having to make her own way in the world . Her relatives stealing her estate when her parents were killed. Then to find love so she thought and to have to doubt that love. To be at the mercy of her over zealous employer. Of course true love found a way. An a happy ending ensued. The story did have more happen to our heroine then most stories of this time period. Which made it a page Turner!
March 16, 2018
Another brilliantly written story by Clare Flynn, and sadly the last of her current books on my Kindle.
In 1900, recently orphaned Hephzibah moved from Oxford to rural Berkshire to take up a post as Governess to a young girl.
As usual, this a real page turner, and I am now faced with that dilemma of what to read next.
In 1900, recently orphaned Hephzibah moved from Oxford to rural Berkshire to take up a post as Governess to a young girl.
As usual, this a real page turner, and I am now faced with that dilemma of what to read next.
February 1, 2020
The story takes place in 1900, where a young women who looses her parent and must go on with her life alone. Her life is one of being lied to, loosing everyone she loved and a life of misery. She really only has one person she can trust or does she? This is a very interesting book with many twists and turns and an unexpected ending.
January 27, 2022
“What a tangled web we weave” best describes the thickening plot of this wonderful book. The story unfolds in ways that are clearly unpredictable. It definitely takes hold from the beginning and the pages rapidly turn to the very end. Clare Flynn has become my “go to” author when I need something to whisk me away into another world. This one is a must read!!
April 27, 2018
Doncha love convenience? In The Green Ribbons there's lots of it. At the end all the good people are still standing (and get great jobs!) and all the bad people die (YAY!) or suddenly, mysteriously, develop a conscience and start acting right. Three "Woo-hoo's" for all around perfection...
October 25, 2019
A lovely page turner
Enjoyed all of Clare Flynn’s books she writes with depth and feeling giving us that emotional insight in the times of real struggle and society was much less accepting of differences.
Enjoyed all of Clare Flynn’s books she writes with depth and feeling giving us that emotional insight in the times of real struggle and society was much less accepting of differences.
July 16, 2017
A story with no real focus
July 11, 2018
interesting read
August 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this book
April 3, 2023
I Read This in Twenty Four Hours
Much like other Clare Flynn books, I couldn’t put this book down. Gripping and sad at the same time. Wonderful!
Much like other Clare Flynn books, I couldn’t put this book down. Gripping and sad at the same time. Wonderful!
November 24, 2023
More, more, more
Loved this book. I wanted to know more about Merritt and Heppie. The Penang Series was also great.Ending not enough.
Loved this book. I wanted to know more about Merritt and Heppie. The Penang Series was also great.Ending not enough.
May 27, 2016
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Which I shall endeavour to give!
"The Green Ribbons" is the latest book from Clare Flynn, some of whose work I have read before. Clare has a way of introducing her characters very succinctly. You quickly learn enough of their history and personality to make a decision about their probable place in the events about to be described - although they often have a skeleton or two hiding in the wardrobe to make matters more intriguing!
This book, as before, is populated by characters who are not "perfect" - whatever that means. They have good points (most of them) and bad, which makes them more believable as human beings. Like the rest of us they have problems to deal with in life, and joys and sorrows, and so many difficult decisions to make along the way. Of course, life is easier to manage if we always make the right choices . . . but not many of us even in the real world can claim to do that.
Hephzibah Wildman (a lovely old Biblical name, pronounced Heff-zee-bah, more or less) begins this story at a difficult time. At eighteen she has recently lost her mother and stepfather, and must soon leave her home and make her own way in the world. In these circumstances she doesn't have much control over her future - she must find a new home and a way of supporting herself, preferably both together. And so the decisions begin.
I don't believe in telling the whole story in a review, so I won't. "The Green Ribbons" is a book which takes Hephzibah through several years of her life, along paths she had never dreamed she would travel and into both high and low places she could never have imagined. The book is absolutely crammed with emotions and adventures and some quite shocking twists and turns. Every time the reader thinks they know where this particular episode is leading - something will be said or done, or will somehow just happen, and turn everything (including poor Hephzibah) completely on its head. Some of these surprises are more believable than others, but the whole story rattles along at such a tremendous rate that the pure enjoyment of the tale makes it all work.
I'm sure Clare had a huge amount of fun writing this book. That's plain on every page, as well as her very impressive research into the history of the times, so that even the background details work. If you like historical fiction with a bit of everything expertly stirred into the mix, I think you'll enjoy this one.
"The Green Ribbons" is the latest book from Clare Flynn, some of whose work I have read before. Clare has a way of introducing her characters very succinctly. You quickly learn enough of their history and personality to make a decision about their probable place in the events about to be described - although they often have a skeleton or two hiding in the wardrobe to make matters more intriguing!
This book, as before, is populated by characters who are not "perfect" - whatever that means. They have good points (most of them) and bad, which makes them more believable as human beings. Like the rest of us they have problems to deal with in life, and joys and sorrows, and so many difficult decisions to make along the way. Of course, life is easier to manage if we always make the right choices . . . but not many of us even in the real world can claim to do that.
Hephzibah Wildman (a lovely old Biblical name, pronounced Heff-zee-bah, more or less) begins this story at a difficult time. At eighteen she has recently lost her mother and stepfather, and must soon leave her home and make her own way in the world. In these circumstances she doesn't have much control over her future - she must find a new home and a way of supporting herself, preferably both together. And so the decisions begin.
I don't believe in telling the whole story in a review, so I won't. "The Green Ribbons" is a book which takes Hephzibah through several years of her life, along paths she had never dreamed she would travel and into both high and low places she could never have imagined. The book is absolutely crammed with emotions and adventures and some quite shocking twists and turns. Every time the reader thinks they know where this particular episode is leading - something will be said or done, or will somehow just happen, and turn everything (including poor Hephzibah) completely on its head. Some of these surprises are more believable than others, but the whole story rattles along at such a tremendous rate that the pure enjoyment of the tale makes it all work.
I'm sure Clare had a huge amount of fun writing this book. That's plain on every page, as well as her very impressive research into the history of the times, so that even the background details work. If you like historical fiction with a bit of everything expertly stirred into the mix, I think you'll enjoy this one.
May 9, 2016
This is a fast-paced story which kept me reading avidly for two days.
The setting of a village in rural England is well described. I could imagine walking down the main street to the village green, or along the towpath by the canal. The local characters are typical of the time - the parson, the spinster school mistress, the young woman of easy virtue and the squire.
Into this village, there arrives a well-educated, orphaned young lady, Hephzibah, who is to become governess to the squire's adopted daughter. Predictably she falls in love with the handsome son of the squire. I must admit that I did not feel much empathy with the main characters. They were the instigators of their own misfortunes. However the story is compelling. One mistake leads to another and the dramas compound.
Before the conclusion, there are many twists and turns to the story, but all's well that ends well.
(This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
The setting of a village in rural England is well described. I could imagine walking down the main street to the village green, or along the towpath by the canal. The local characters are typical of the time - the parson, the spinster school mistress, the young woman of easy virtue and the squire.
Into this village, there arrives a well-educated, orphaned young lady, Hephzibah, who is to become governess to the squire's adopted daughter. Predictably she falls in love with the handsome son of the squire. I must admit that I did not feel much empathy with the main characters. They were the instigators of their own misfortunes. However the story is compelling. One mistake leads to another and the dramas compound.
Before the conclusion, there are many twists and turns to the story, but all's well that ends well.
(This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
May 23, 2016
Having read all of the author's previous books I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Clare Flynn is a wonderful story teller. She brings to life the rural English village where everyone knows everyone else's business and the local landowner rules the roost over both the villagers and his employees. Her characters have flaws which make them all the more human. For example Merritt is the lonely village parson, made lovable by his bumbling adoration of Hephzibar. Then there's Thomas, the handsome, spoilt wastrel who you really, really want to be the hero of the story. Finally, Hephzibar, the orphaned governess, who tries so hard to do the right thing. The book reminded me a little of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, but without the doom and gloom. Like Hardy's book chance and fate play a big part in Hephzibar's future. Will she live happily ever after? You'll have to read the book to find that out...
Clare Flynn is a wonderful story teller. She brings to life the rural English village where everyone knows everyone else's business and the local landowner rules the roost over both the villagers and his employees. Her characters have flaws which make them all the more human. For example Merritt is the lonely village parson, made lovable by his bumbling adoration of Hephzibar. Then there's Thomas, the handsome, spoilt wastrel who you really, really want to be the hero of the story. Finally, Hephzibar, the orphaned governess, who tries so hard to do the right thing. The book reminded me a little of Tess of the D'Urbervilles, but without the doom and gloom. Like Hardy's book chance and fate play a big part in Hephzibar's future. Will she live happily ever after? You'll have to read the book to find that out...
December 13, 2016
How far will she go to save her marriage? How far will he go to keep his promise?
1900. Eighteen-year-old Hephzibah Wildman's world is turned upside down when she loses her parents in a tragic accident. Homeless and destitute, she must leave the security of the Oxford college where her stepfather was Dean, to earn her living as a governess at Ingleton Hall.
Befriending Merritt Nightingale, the local parson and drawn to the handsome Thomas Egdon, she starts to build a new life for herself. When she attracts the unwanted advances of her employer, the country squire, Sir Richard Egdon, she makes the first of two desperate decisions that will change not only her own life but the lives of those around her.
Love and hatred, revenge and happiness. This book was well written, but not to my taste. I don’t think the narrative and speech gelled together properly. My rating reflects this. 3*
1900. Eighteen-year-old Hephzibah Wildman's world is turned upside down when she loses her parents in a tragic accident. Homeless and destitute, she must leave the security of the Oxford college where her stepfather was Dean, to earn her living as a governess at Ingleton Hall.
Befriending Merritt Nightingale, the local parson and drawn to the handsome Thomas Egdon, she starts to build a new life for herself. When she attracts the unwanted advances of her employer, the country squire, Sir Richard Egdon, she makes the first of two desperate decisions that will change not only her own life but the lives of those around her.
Love and hatred, revenge and happiness. This book was well written, but not to my taste. I don’t think the narrative and speech gelled together properly. My rating reflects this. 3*
May 9, 2016
A beautiful and moving story. The beginning reminded me of "Wuthering Heights" with governess, the lonely landowner who has employed the young beautiful woman who has just lost her family and the desolate out of the way village with the kind young parson. But there the two stories part ways. And I was thrilled and entranced with the journey that I found myself on. I felt like I had indeed stepped back in time to a small English village with 1900 morals and views. I loved the rhythm of the story. It allowed me time to savor the revealing of the plot, neither rushing or dragging out the story. A good story teller knows just when to dim the lights and when to turn them up and Clare Flynn is a good story teller.
"I received a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review."
"I received a free copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review."
December 14, 2016
The Green Ribbons is a well written piece of historical fiction set in the early 1900s in a village in Berkshire. A tale of love, hatred, betrayal and revenge, it's quite fast paced with a few twists and turns. The plot, in my opinion, does become a little contrived and predictable towards the end, maybe even a tad bizarre, and not always particularly believable. Some things just did not add up for me which I cannot dwell on here as it would spoil it for other readers.
There are some interesting characters. I particularly liked Hephzibah and was eager for her story to have a favourable outcome. I was rewarded with a happy (if a little rushed) ending. Hurrah!
The Green Ribbons is an easy, enjoyable and and entertaining read which I would recommend to those who like a good romantic saga set in a bygone era. I would rate it 3.5*.
Reviewed for TBC on Facebook.
There are some interesting characters. I particularly liked Hephzibah and was eager for her story to have a favourable outcome. I was rewarded with a happy (if a little rushed) ending. Hurrah!
The Green Ribbons is an easy, enjoyable and and entertaining read which I would recommend to those who like a good romantic saga set in a bygone era. I would rate it 3.5*.
Reviewed for TBC on Facebook.
February 8, 2017
I received an ARC from TBConFB for an honest review.
This historical book takes place in 1900. Orphaned Hephzibah is left penniless and through an ex-pupil of her step father finds a position as a governess.
On arrival she meets Merrit Nightingale, who was the local vicar; who had admired her from afar. In the big house she meets an amorous Squire, his handsome son Thomas and the girl she'd teach.
The father and son have a turbulent relationship and as a result Hephzibah marries Thomas. Thomas plays little attention to Hephzibah and over the years she fails to fall pregnant. As a means to save her hapless husband, she hatches a plan.
With intertwined liaisons, I found this book hard to read at times but for a light, historical read it feel others will enjoy it.
This historical book takes place in 1900. Orphaned Hephzibah is left penniless and through an ex-pupil of her step father finds a position as a governess.
On arrival she meets Merrit Nightingale, who was the local vicar; who had admired her from afar. In the big house she meets an amorous Squire, his handsome son Thomas and the girl she'd teach.
The father and son have a turbulent relationship and as a result Hephzibah marries Thomas. Thomas plays little attention to Hephzibah and over the years she fails to fall pregnant. As a means to save her hapless husband, she hatches a plan.
With intertwined liaisons, I found this book hard to read at times but for a light, historical read it feel others will enjoy it.
May 9, 2016
It was well written not repetitive or full of boring unnecessary details. Sometimes exciting, always interesting, with believable characters. For the most part the dialogue & actions were logical & believable. I felt like I knew the characters . Hephzibah, Thomas, & Merritt are quite sympathetic characters, though realistically far from perfect. I wish Hephzibah could've somehow heard Thomas's last revelation of his feelings for her. See........You do get involved.
I received an early , free Kindle edition to read so I could give an HONEST review. I read & write many reviews & appreciate getting true opinions.
I received an early , free Kindle edition to read so I could give an HONEST review. I read & write many reviews & appreciate getting true opinions.
December 18, 2016
A well written novel set in a rural village in the early 20th century. Victoria is still on the throne and women are still regarded as possessions, by their father, and subsequently, their husband. The story of Hephzibah is one of love, hate, desire and revenge and how impulsive, ill-considered decisions can wreak havoc on lives.
I found it hard to warm to Hephzibah, Thomas and the squire but was still drawn in by the writing and the pace is quite fast so it keeps the pages turning. I found some parts of the plot a little far fetched but overall this is a very enjoyable read.
My thanks to TBC on FB for the arc in return for an honest review.
I found it hard to warm to Hephzibah, Thomas and the squire but was still drawn in by the writing and the pace is quite fast so it keeps the pages turning. I found some parts of the plot a little far fetched but overall this is a very enjoyable read.
My thanks to TBC on FB for the arc in return for an honest review.
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