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Cordwainers #1
The Shoemaker's Daughter
When Hari Morgan's father died, he left her nothing but an ailing mother and the tools of his shoemaking business. But what he also passed on to his daughter was a rare and unusual gift—that of designing and making shoes that were stylish and different. One of the first to realize this was Emily Grenfell, the spoiled daughter of one of the richest men in Swansea. Emily, who resented the beauty and courage of Hari Morgan, nonetheless was delighted with the dancing slippers she made for her debut at the Race Ball. It was to be the beginning of a lifetime of friendship, hatred, and rivalry between the two girls for, as Hari's business and fame began to grow, so did Emily's fortune began to decline.
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 1991
33 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Iris Gower
55 books23 followersIris Gower (b. 1935) was a Swansea-based novelist. Her historical romances are all set within Swansea and Gower in South Wales.
Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.
She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.
Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.
Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.
She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.
Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 23, 2020
The Cordwainers #1
When her father dies, Hari Morgan has to make a life for herself and her ailing mother. She decides to carry on with the family shoe making business. Her talent leads to the unlikely friendship with Emily Grenfell, the daughter of one of the richest men in Swansea. But friendship is fickle and the women's fortunes change. They both fall in love with Emily's cousin, Craig Grenfell.
We follow Hari Morgan from childhood through to adulthood. Hari and Emily are strong willed characters. This is a captivating read. I needed to know what was happening next in the young women's lifes. I liked the authors writing style. Emotions tun high throughout the book. There's romance, betrayal and intrigue. A great start to a new series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #IrisGower for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When her father dies, Hari Morgan has to make a life for herself and her ailing mother. She decides to carry on with the family shoe making business. Her talent leads to the unlikely friendship with Emily Grenfell, the daughter of one of the richest men in Swansea. But friendship is fickle and the women's fortunes change. They both fall in love with Emily's cousin, Craig Grenfell.
We follow Hari Morgan from childhood through to adulthood. Hari and Emily are strong willed characters. This is a captivating read. I needed to know what was happening next in the young women's lifes. I liked the authors writing style. Emotions tun high throughout the book. There's romance, betrayal and intrigue. A great start to a new series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #IrisGower for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2020
The Cordwainers #1
When her father dies, Hari Morgan has to make a life for herself and her ailing mother. She decides to carry on the family shoe making business. Her talent leads to the unlikely friendship with Emily Grenfell, the daughter of one of the richest men in Swansea. But friendship is fickle and the women's fortunes change. They both fall in love with Emily's cousin, Craig Grenfell.
We follow Hari Morgan from childhood through to adulthood. Hari and Emily are strong characters. This is a captivating read. I needed to know what was happening next in the young women's lifes.i liked the authors writing style. Emotions run high throughout the book. There's romance, betrayal and intrigue. A great start to a new series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #IrisGower for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When her father dies, Hari Morgan has to make a life for herself and her ailing mother. She decides to carry on the family shoe making business. Her talent leads to the unlikely friendship with Emily Grenfell, the daughter of one of the richest men in Swansea. But friendship is fickle and the women's fortunes change. They both fall in love with Emily's cousin, Craig Grenfell.
We follow Hari Morgan from childhood through to adulthood. Hari and Emily are strong characters. This is a captivating read. I needed to know what was happening next in the young women's lifes.i liked the authors writing style. Emotions run high throughout the book. There's romance, betrayal and intrigue. A great start to a new series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #IrisGower for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2020
Hari is a shoemaker, when both her parents died she had to survive working hard with William a young apprentice who came to live with her.
She met Craig Grenfell when he escaped from prison and hide in her house and help him prove his innocence.
Emily Grenfell is a rich girl whose life is going to take a turn when her father died ruined and leave her with nothing.
Emily and Hari are both strong willed women, determined to succeed despite the struggles they meet to build their business.
Their rivalry is going to drive them apart and they are going to take new paths.
For Emily it's real change of mind, she is no longer the snob she use to be, she 's more humble and compassionate.
Hari's life seems more complicated, especially her relationship with the man she love, her business, her marriage...
Their is a Lot of twist and turn in this story. The story is captivating and well written but I didn't always like Hari's choices.
I received a copy of this book and this is an honest review.
She met Craig Grenfell when he escaped from prison and hide in her house and help him prove his innocence.
Emily Grenfell is a rich girl whose life is going to take a turn when her father died ruined and leave her with nothing.
Emily and Hari are both strong willed women, determined to succeed despite the struggles they meet to build their business.
Their rivalry is going to drive them apart and they are going to take new paths.
For Emily it's real change of mind, she is no longer the snob she use to be, she 's more humble and compassionate.
Hari's life seems more complicated, especially her relationship with the man she love, her business, her marriage...
Their is a Lot of twist and turn in this story. The story is captivating and well written but I didn't always like Hari's choices.
I received a copy of this book and this is an honest review.
July 27, 2020
This is an in depth book that takes you on a journey to Hari’s life.
This is the first book by Iris Gower and her style of writing is fascinating.
The book cover is so beautiful.
I learnt from this book that no matter your title on earth, every human being is important, useful and deserves to love and be loved for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
This is the first book by Iris Gower and her style of writing is fascinating.
The book cover is so beautiful.
I learnt from this book that no matter your title on earth, every human being is important, useful and deserves to love and be loved for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
July 9, 2020
I have really enjoyed reading this book with its evocative and descriptive storyline and I would thoroughly recommend this reading of this book to anyone. The characters are are real people your seem them as friendly your pulled into the story from the first few pages a great easy to read book
July 31, 2020
Hari is a shoemaker, when both her parents died she had to survive
working hard with William a young apprentice who came to live with her.
She met Craig Grenfell when he escaped from prison and hide in her house and
help him prove his innocence.
Emily Grenfell is a rich girl whose life is going to take a turn when her father
died and leave her with nothing.
Emily and Hari are both strong willed women, determined to succeed despite
the struggles they meet to build their business.
Their rivalry is going to drive them apart and they are going to take new paths.
For Emily it's real change of mind, she is no longer the snob she use to be, she 's
more humble and compassionate.
Hari's life seems more complicated, especially her relationship with the man she love, her
business, her marriage...
Their is a Lot of twist and turn in this story. The story is captivating and
well written but I didn't always like Hari's choices.
working hard with William a young apprentice who came to live with her.
She met Craig Grenfell when he escaped from prison and hide in her house and
help him prove his innocence.
Emily Grenfell is a rich girl whose life is going to take a turn when her father
died and leave her with nothing.
Emily and Hari are both strong willed women, determined to succeed despite
the struggles they meet to build their business.
Their rivalry is going to drive them apart and they are going to take new paths.
For Emily it's real change of mind, she is no longer the snob she use to be, she 's
more humble and compassionate.
Hari's life seems more complicated, especially her relationship with the man she love, her
business, her marriage...
Their is a Lot of twist and turn in this story. The story is captivating and
well written but I didn't always like Hari's choices.
June 19, 2020
A perfectly marvelous book! Reminded me of the writing in People's Friend - in other words well-done. Hari is the sole support for her and her mother but she has a trade - she is a shoemaker - like none I have ever seen. the whole shoe making business was very interesting to me and the rise and fall of her fortunes in one short book were great. Talk about a gutsy , never complain or feel sorry for yourself woman. . Another great point for many readers - it has a marvelous plot, character development, but no sex, bad words or violence - well a little violence but not so much it will turn the reader off . I really liked this book! Perhaps too take/ predictable for some, but for women of a certain age............Perfect
December 13, 2020
I was involved in the characters, the setting was interesting (Swansea and the growth of mechanisation in the shoe industry) so enjoyed some aspects. However, while I realise that life was hard then, and a lot of people got sick and died, I found this story was such a catalogue of disasters, it reminded me of a TV soap. There was plenty of hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, good sense, creative talent, tremendous kindness and generosity, prosperity, family, love... and none of it seemed to offer any hope for most of the book.
An involving read but far from cheerful.
An involving read but far from cheerful.
January 11, 2023
I expected more from this book, it is at best an elongated Mills and Boon story, fine if you want something to eat up an hour on a long journey but nothing that would make you recommend it to a friend.
It it the first book I have read by this author although I have heard of her and I must say it does not make me want to read more.
The characters were wishy washy, the writing was amateurish and there was nothing outstanding in the plot.
I am glad that I purchased a digital copy of this so I have no qualms about hitting the delete button.
It it the first book I have read by this author although I have heard of her and I must say it does not make me want to read more.
The characters were wishy washy, the writing was amateurish and there was nothing outstanding in the plot.
I am glad that I purchased a digital copy of this so I have no qualms about hitting the delete button.
July 27, 2020
This is an in depth book that takes you on a journey to Hari’s life.
This is the first book by Iris Gower and her style of writing is fascinating.
The book cover is so beautiful.
I learnt from this book that no matter your title on earth, every human being is important, useful and deserves to love and be loved for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
This is the first book by Iris Gower and her style of writing is fascinating.
The book cover is so beautiful.
I learnt from this book that no matter your title on earth, every human being is important, useful and deserves to love and be loved for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
July 10, 2020
A great family saga. We follow Hari Morgan from childhood to adulthood. We feel her trials in the poor neighborhood she is raised in to the life she hoped for. But is it what she hoped it would be? This novel has it all, romance, friendship, betrayal and high emotions. I will certainly read more of this series.
July 3, 2020
It took a little bit for me to get into the book, but once I did I had to know the ending. I’m sad that friendship really weren’t mended and that the “bad guys” didn’t get theirs, but all in all it was a good book. Off to read the next one.
October 28, 2017
brilliant and a very happy ending.
December 17, 2021
Enjoyed it.
July 18, 2022
Good read, had trouble putting it down.
November 9, 2025
Wow. Brilliant from start to end. Can’t wait to start the next one
August 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this
September 19, 2015
I enjoyed this book and was just surprised that editing didn't catch one flaw in the book (very obvious one) - but it wasn't important to the story... Very light read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews