Counting Chimneys

Brighton Girls Trilogy #3

by Sandy Taylor

Brighton 1969: Dottie Perks steps off the train and breathes in the sea air, the smell of fish and chips, and the precious childhood memories of a friend and place she’ll never forget.

Dottie Perks has forged a new life for herself in London, a new job and sweet boyfriend Joe to keep her warm at night. She’s safe, happy and loved. What more could she ask for?

But when Dottie returns home to Brighton for a family celebration, the last person she expects to see is her first love; the boy who stole her heart... and broke it. Ralph Bennett.

As old familiar feelings come rushing to the surface, Dottie struggles to deny the strong chemistry that still exists between them. She can’t throw away everything to be with Ralph...can she? And if she does, how can they ever overcome the pain and tragedy of their shared past?

A beautiful, touching and heartbreaking story of love, loss and friendship. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Mary Gibson and Katie Flynn.

Discover how it all began...The Girls from See Saw Lane is available now.

‘Counting Chimneys is an emotionally charged novel that had me so enthralled that I lost all track of time. It is full of hope, love and heartbreak with some amazing friendships that will warm the cockles of your heart.’ By The Letter Book Reviews

‘It's the perfect book to lose yourself in on a long, hot summer day. A gentle read, moving at times, and one that leaves you with a warm glow when you turn the final page. Cal Turner Reviews

‘This book has all the right ingredients for the perfect reading adorable characters, a page-turning storyline, and plenty of emotion. It's truly wonderful!’ Louise Douglas

‘It's heart-wrenching storyline will totally absorbed. Will totally capture your heart. Eagerly awaiting the next instalment.’ Good Reads Reviewer

What readers are saying about The Girls from See Saw

'I loved this novel so much, even though it’s probably the most heart-breaking story I’ve read all year...it will totally absorb you and capture your heart.' That Thing She Reads

‘I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. It has all the ingredients for a perfect fantastic, loveable and very real characters, an emotional and compelling storyline, and a brilliant setting in time and place.’ Louise Douglas

‘Sandy Taylor has proven herself to be a very talented and gifted storyteller with an immense insight into family, friendship, love, and forgiveness...This is one of the most endearing, yet heart-breaking, novels that I have encountered in quite some time and will certainly not soon forget...Witty and humorous dialogue written with such ease truly brought this story to life and swept me away between the pages. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, you'll want to keep the box of tissues nearby!’ Kimberly’s Bookshelf

‘I have just started to read this one and am hooked! I love the vivid details of the time period and the closeness of the best friends.’ Weekend Reading

'I would recommend it to anyone...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Irish Literature

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2016

About the author

Sandy’s eighth novel, THE IRISH BOARDING HOUSE, was published by Bookouture on 1 September 2022 reaching #1 in the British and Irish Historical Literature category within six days of publication.

Sandy Taylor grew up in 1950s and 1960s Brighton, and now lives in Somerset. She is the author of THE IRISH NANNY (Bookouture 30 July 2021), a Kindle #1 bestseller in three categories simultaneously and #24 in the Kindle Top 100, THE ORPHAN’S DAUGHTER (Bookouture 5 February 2020), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 2021 Romantic Saga category awards, THE LITTLE ORPHAN GIRL (Bookouture, 24 September 2018), a Kindle Top 100 bestseller and a #1 Kindle Saga Bestseller, THE RUNAWAY CHILDREN (Bookouture 8 December 2017), which spent almost two weeks at the #1 Kindle Saga Bestseller position in December 2017, WHEN WE DANCED AT THE END OF THE PIER (Bookouture March 2017), COUNTING CHIMNEYS (Bookouture June 2016) and THE GIRLS FROM SEE SAW LANE (Bookouture December 2015). Sandy Taylor is published in three languages.

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story starts in 1969 with Dottie Perks in London with her loving boyfriend Joe. She is loved and happy. But then she has to go back to Brighton where she grew up. The place is filled with memories. it was there she fell in love with Ralph Bennett and she never expected to leave the seaside town. She had her family around her, the best friend in the world Mary and her relationship with Ralph. Then Dottie is betrayed and her best friend dies.
Ralph is the one person she definitely didn’t want to see when she goes back to Brighton. Feelings she thought she had buried rise to taunt her. What will life hold in store for Dottie, Joe, Ralph and Ralph's young daughter Peggy?
This is book 3 in a series. I had not read the other 2. No matter. It was easy enough to follow and become interested in the characters and the story. However as it went on it became very repetitive, and too much mooning over what was lost. I just basically wanted it to move on.
One of the characters I liked best in this story was Rose, who is larger than life and a person with a loving, generous nature. I also loved Dottie’s Mum, Dottie’s London friend Polly, Tom and Matthew. Not sure what it says about me or the book when I liked the secondary characters more than I did Dottie and Ralph.
Overall an enjoyable read if long winded. Others may respond more positively to this one than I did. I liked it, just didn't love it.

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed returning to Brighton and discovering what Dottie's been up to since the first book, The Girls From See Saw Lane. What I really like about these books are the characters. I think that Dottie is very relatable. Although, in this particular book I found her to a little weak and maybe that's not the right word. I just think that she put her life on hold waiting for **** and I don't think she should have. Another character that I found weak was Ralph. Ugh! I didn't think he was worth any attention from Dottie!! However, I love all the other characters--Polly, Rose, all of Dottie's family, exclusion would be Rita, what a sister! I also like the setting of Brighton. I just want to visit everywhere in England.....

The story was good, even though at times a little repetitive. I felt sorry for Joe and thought he deserved better. The thing I didn't like: this is suppose to be a trilogy. At the end, though, there was a lot of information of what happened to everyone and I mean years from when the story takes place. So I have no clue what's to be in the next book? From how the story ended in this book, I personally think that it's enough and doesn't need to continue.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counting Chimneys is the second book in the Brighton Girls Trilogy. I strongly recommend reading The Girls From See Saw Lane, the first book in the trilogy before reading this one.

I absolutely loved the first book in this trilogy and I have to say it has been absolute torture waiting for this one to come out as I have been wondering so often about how the characters were and what they had been up to. Well finally my wait is over.

It was so good to catch up with Dottie again. She has moved to London and has gotten on with her life. When she goes back home to Brighton for a christening though she realises that she has been living a lie.

Dottie and Ralph are obviously still madly in love with each other but the path of true love is anything but an easy one.

There are so many wonderful characters and it felt like I was amongst friends. There is only Dottie’s sister, Rita, that is quite stuck up but I slowly warmed to her the further into the story I got.

Dottie has made a good friend in Polly from her time in London as well as the land lady and two male tenants in her new abode. By the end of this book believe me nearly all the characters will have stolen a bit of your heart.

Counting Chimneys is an emotionally charged novel that had me so enthralled that I lost all track of time. It is full of hope, love and heartbreak with some amazing friendships that will warm the cockles of your heart.

Now for the torturous wait for the third and final one.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole I enjoyed this book which was set in 1969. I loved the mention throughout the book about the music and fashions of this era. Unfortunately I didn’t like the morals of Dottie who seemed quite content to hop from the bed of her current boyfriend to the bed of her ex. I found that part of the book disappointing and annoying. Apart from that the story was good.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Girls from See Saw Lane, which is the first book in this trilogy, and have been so looking forward to reading book two.

So much happened in Counting Chimneys, I devoured this book, as it filled me with such a mix of emotions throughout. It is one of those books that physically sucked me into its pages and surrounded me in the world it had created. I have such strong images of buildings and the beach in my mind, despite having never been to Brighton in my life.

If you love books with developed characters and a plot that is likely to fill you with strong emotions, then this is probably the book for you. I strongly recommend you read book one first, as this is the continuation of such an emotional and heart breaking story, so I think you will get more from this book if you have experienced what happened previously.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, the first one was See Saw lane [which I haven't read yet and will need to] this can be read as a standalone as I have just done.
But I feel I need to go back on the lovely street of See Saw lane to see and hear and experience the characters who were also in this read.

Its 1969 and Dottie is experiencing life as an adult living in London, away from Brighton where she was breathing in the lovely sunshine and sea air. With her gorgeous boyfriend, her new job, a place to live, what else can a girl want?

Then Dottie returns home one day to the sea air, smell of fish and chips, her memories for a family celebration. However, she doesn't expect to bump into Ralph.

Ralph was her first love. They were soul mates, friends and truly had an excellent relationship when they were younger, but, Ralph broke her heart.

Did Dottie ever get over Ralph?
Did Ralph ever get over Dottie?

Ralph married Dotties friend and had a child. But Ralphs wife died. Dottie got over Ralph marrying her best friend, but now Ralph is with another.

Dottie loves Joe, but its all gone sour. She starts questioning herself.

I found that Dottie was a really nice person, sometimes she found it hard to do the right thing, her heart was saying one thing and her mind was reasoning another.

I loved her Landlady, she was a character but, she was like a second Mom to Dottie with great advice as well as her own Mother.

Dottie's Father I felt kept into the background rather a lot and poked his head up in the story on occasion but really came into his own towards the end of the book.

The two 'theatrical' men friends of hers were funny, a joy to read and helped Dottie in a lot of ways.
I was intrigued with their story that came out towards the end of the books chapters, I would like to see that unfold more and how that affected them.

Remember this book is based around the 1960's so you need to get your mindset into that era.
I love these type of reads they were ones that I truly were introduced to in my teenage years from authors who wrote similar books as this. I went from Catherine Cookson to family dramas such as this, I have always found them a 'good' read and flow along nicely.

You can put this book down and pick it back up again at your leisure as its a nice gradually progression that the authors journey takes you on.

This made a nice change to have a story that has family drama, love and romance without the hyped sex, the attraction, the angst and dilemma's that I have experienced within the pages of this read.

I really did love it.

My thanks to Bookouture via Net galley for my advance copy.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first in the series-The Girls from SeeSaw Lane and was really pleased to get a copy of the second book in The Brighton Girls Trilogy.

Dottie starts the book living in London flat sharing with Polly and enjoying the single life. I loved their friendship and the easygoing nature of life in the city.

Once she has to move back home to Brighton we get to share in the lovely warm family around her- with the slightly irritating older sister. She finds somewhere new to live with a flamboyant landlady who rents her a top floor flat overlooking the sea. Rose is a lovely character with a colourful history and you can feel the people who share the house growing closer and more protective over each other. Rose has a heart of gold and sees Dottie through some rough times.

The characters are all so well drawn that you imagine yourself curling up in Rose's ground floor apartment sharing stories with Stephen and Tristan.

The 60's setting is really interesting with reference to the Beatles and the difficulties some members of society faced. Brighton sounds a wonderful place to be- I've only ever visited it in December when it's fairly cold having a paddle!!!!!!! I fancy going to get some of their fish and chips and eating it on the sea front.

I love Sandy's writing style, drawing you in and along with the story and I can't wait for the conclusion to the trilogy.

With many thanks to Bookoutre and Net Galley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tammy O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Dottie's family dynamics and her relationships with family, friends, co-workers and landlady, Rose.
I found Dottie's relationships with the men she loved to be tiresome. There were too many pages of repetitive thoughts, worries, and self doubt.
The story was all over the place and covered several years and events in Dottie's life. I thought I was close to the end when I was halfway through, but it kept going. The Brighton setting and cast of characters was charming and kept my interest.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORED The Girls from See-Saw Lane, the first book in this trilogy and was so looking forward to this one, and I was blown away! Wow! A beautiful book! Uplifting, heart-rending, funny, joyous and ultimately hopeful, this is a book about the tragedies and triumphs that make up a life and the travesties and heartbreak of love.I loved Aunty Rose so very much and the exchanges between Rita and Dottie and Nelson made me laugh. Loved this book. Love this series. Highly recommended.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this trilogy, The Girls from See Saw Lane, and couldn't wait to read more about the characters I fell in love with before.

Dottie is getting on with her life, far away from the life she lived in Brighton. She is happy in herself and is living life as best she can. She has put past heartache behind her, or so she thinks. All it takes is a family celebration in Brighton to bring her past back to haunt her, and bring long forgotten feelings back to the forefront of her mind and heart.

Ralph is the boy who broke Dottie's heart years before, and a chance meeting with him has her doubting everything she has in London. Can these two soul mates find each other again, or has fate got other plans in mind for them? Whatever happens, the pair will have to not on,y fight their own feelings, but those of other people around them.

This was a great read with characters I enjoyed meeting again. Dottie's sister, Rita, is hilarious in her own small minded, stuck up ways. The secondary characters are all well written and a pleasure to meet.

I'm unsure where the author is going to go next as this is part 2 in a trilogy, but I will await it eagerly.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly my thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

This is the second book in the 'Girls from See-Saw lane trilogy.
Whilst this book can be read as a stand alone, I would however suggest reading book 1first. So as you can get a feel for the characters and what has previously been occurring with some of them.

This book centres around Dottie Perks, her family, friends and her love life. I absolutely loved this book and I always get a warm glow inside of me when I read these saga type books. Sandy Taylor has written another fabulous book with some wonderful characters. At rimes I was so engrossed in the story I was actually smelling rhe sea air of Brighton and literally tasting the fish and chips ! This book made me laugh out loud at times and also made new cry at rimes.

I am now looking forward to Book 3 in the trilogy.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of a trilogy. It is the continuing story of the life of Dottie Perks. As with the last book it covers a wide range of emotions. There are also many interesting characters. I loved it and could not put it down. Can't wait for the third part. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read the first novel in the trilogy to it took me a little while to figure out what was going on, but I eventually got really into the story of love, loss and growing up. The novel had some seriously melodramatic moments but if you enjoy romantic historical fiction set in the swinging 1960's this is for you!
Thank to Netgalley for the advanced copy!

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Girls from See Saw Lane, I felt that I had to read this book. Once I started it I could not put it down. Following Dottie's ups and downs in her life after the death of her best friend since childhood Mary Pickles. I could not put this book down and it was read in a day. I am looking for to the third book in this Trilogy.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this as soon as I finished The Girls from See Saw Lane, and is was equally as good.
Focusing mainly on Dottie's life, family, friends and an enduring love.
Sandy Taylor, please write some more of these; I really enjoy your writing and story telling.

[Yesenia Serrano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those book that i keep reading it and reading it thinking It has to get better It just has to get better. I was glad to know how the story end it. But I have to say I agree with Rita's opinion about Ralph. I cant even say how much I hated how Dottie's character turn out.

[Jill Tool · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I’d like to thank Netgalley, the author and of course the publisher, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. Second of all I’d like to apologize to everyone for not getting the reviews posted soon as I had some major health issues. I am fine now thanks to my wonderful doctors. I would like to say that it has been wonderful to be able to sit and catch up on my reading.
This is book two in the Brighton Girls Trilogy. I honestly didn’t know this was a trilogy nor the second book in it the series. However, I didn’t have any trouble with being lost, feeling like I needed to read the other one first. This is a very good example of an author writing a series, but makes the books read like a stand-alone.
As I was reading the characters seemed very real and relatable. It was fun to visit the ‘60’s era, a time where you had a rotary phone, no computers, video games, cell phones. A time where children played outside, families actually sat down to supper together and had conversations.
Dottie returns to Brighton after living in London. She soon runs into her friend, ex-boyfriend, the one she thought was her soulmate, the one who broke her heart, Ralph. He ended up marrying on of Dottie’s friends, and then she died leaving him to raise their child on his own. But is she really over Ralph, as it appears he has moved on and Dottie is still single.
This is a book that fills you with so many emotions, relating to the characters and feeling as if they were your friends, you find yourself cheering for them, laughing with them and at them, your crying for them. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the first book in the series as I wait for the third and final book.

[Sandra Simm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!

I read the trilogy before I gave my review. I don't want to say anything re the stories and spoil it for anyone else. But read you must. I have laughed, cried and all manner of emotions going through me. Fantastic story telling at it's best.
I always read before I go to sleep. One night at the most upsetting part in book 2, I started crying. It was barely controllable, my husband asked me "whatever's the matter". I told him I had just read a really sad part. I had the bed sheet in my mouth. Then there were times I couldn't control my laughing. Every time I read out the passage my husband would end up laughing with me. Absolutely amazing, if I could, I would give it a hundred stars. Please whoever reads this author, Sandy Taylor, you are in for a treat. I am now reading her stand alone books now. Pretty awesome!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the trilogy sees Dottie as an adult. Between Brighton and London and back again, her love life will also make you dizzy. Complications are partly due to her goddaughter, Peggy.
"Dottie Perks has forged a new life for herself in London, a new job and sweet boyfriend Joe to keep her warm at night. She’s safe, happy and loved. What more could she ask for?
But when Dottie returns home to Brighton for a family celebration, the last person she expects to see is her first love; the boy who stole her heart… and broke it. Ralph Bennett.
As old familiar feelings come rushing to the surface, Dottie struggles to deny the strong chemistry that still exists between them. She can’t throw away everything to be with Ralph…can she? And if she does, how can they ever overcome the pain and tragedy of their shared past?" synopsis copied

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of a trilogy featuring the lovely Dottie Perks. An entertaining book featuring the highs and lows of Dottie's love life and how she copes with whatever life throws at her. She is very likeable but could do with being a bit more self assertive plus it's a pity that one or two of the other characters have yet to develop a bit of backbone, be less wishy washy. Once again great descriptions of Brighton in the 1960's, some fab new characters, a good mix of happy and sad times. Sandy has a lovely style of writing which keeps the reader turning the pages and to look forward to the 3rd book of Dottie's adventures. A lovely, heartwarming book from a great storyteller! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems to conclude this three book series. I am sorry to let these characters go. Dottie, like her Mum, Aunt Brenda, her Dad, and Clark are good and loyal to each other. I also was glad that Dottie found truly good friends like Polly, Millie, Tristan, Stephen, Mathew, and especially Rose. They were all lucky to have each other. For once I agreed with Rita, Ralph was weak and I think he used Dottie. She could have done better, but sometimes love is difficult for others to understand. I enjoyed this series enough to seek out other books by Sandy Taylor. From the synopses I read the others seem to be stand alone, rather than a series.

[Beverly Mccollum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have now finished the Brighton Girls Trilogy. And it was a lovely ride. The characters were well- developed and I thoroughly enjoyed following their exploits as the went through their lives-happy and tragic times. I must confess that I did get frustrated at times with our main character( Dottie) and her almost crippling indecisiveness. Somewhat melodramatic. But it was a quick and lively read. One note-while each book can stand alone I believe it’s much more enjoyable to read them in order. I’d recommend it.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first 2 books in this series: When We Danced at the End of the Pier and The Girls From See Saw Lane, but this one didn't work as well for me. Most enjoyable was the time spent at Oriental Place with Rose, Stephen, and Tristan. Less enjoyable was the on again off again romance between Dottie and Ralph. All in all, I felt like the book hit the necessary plot points for the author to satisfy the requirements of the genre but that as a reader I wished it could have taken a different path.

[Lucy Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

The continuing saga of Dottie and her first and only love, Ralph. This is the 3rd book in the series, the first being: When We Danced at the End of the Pier; the second being: The Girls from See Saw Lane. I found the writing to be very good, but I felt that the story was lengthy and had too many diversions, and that's why I gave it 3 stars. As a whole, I enjoyed the books tremendously, though. It was nice to follow the lives of the characters from one book to the next.

[Marge Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Counting Chimneys. Loved the continuation of Dottie's story. Everyone thinks this is the second book in a trilogy but it's actually the 3rd. The first book is We dances at the end of the pier. The girls from see saw lane is book 2. Also good. I did t even realize it was a trilogy until I finished the girls from see saw last e. Now I'll go back and read book one. It's about how Dottie's parents meet.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Sandy Taylor!

I love Sandy Taylor’s books! I’m not in to romantic novels, but hers are so different. They have such good stories that make you fall in love with the characters. I never want them to end! She writes in such a way that I know exactly what the characters are feeling. I only have one more or her books to read so I really hope she is writing away so there will be another one soon!

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book, not the second. Not sure why it’s billed as the second.

I loved SO MANY of the characters in this book - and yet, it was just torture watching this woman hung up on one man who was so freaking weak and spineless.

I couldn’t stand the Ralph part of the storyline - I had no use for him whatsoever. From the last book through this one. Loved most of the rest of the characters, though, and much of the writing! But this was definitely my least favourite of the three books.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice book to read. I was really curious after reading the 1st one. I read this one in English because it's not translated yet. Nice to read however Ralph started to get on my nerves. In life you should make decissions and stick to it. Not always changing your mind. The story was ok but it's good that this was the last one. Finally an end to the story.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the last in the Brighton Girl's Trilogy. I did not read #1 as I bought #2 after seeing it on Book Bub and did not notice it was part of a trilogy, but I read #2 and liked it. I did not like this one as well, but I did like it. A bit predictable, however, well, I won't say more as not to give anything away. It was a great sequel to #2 and well worth the read.

[Cathy Pierson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 5 star book but there were so many things that struck me as wrong. Strong women with seemingly insurmountable weak spots and not enough self-respect.
I wanted Dotty to open her eyes and embrace the beautiful
Person she was. I wanted Ralph to grow a pair. And I wanted to sit Peggy down and give her a stern talking to!
And yet I love the author and the pictures she paints!