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A Respectable Woman
After losing her family in the Great War, Nell is grateful to marry Stan Hibbert, believing she can recapture a sense of family with him. But five years on, she is just another back-street housewife, making every penny do the work of tuppence and performing miracles with scrag-end. When she discovers that Stan is leading a double-life, she runs away to make a fresh start.
Two years later, in 1924, Nell has carved out a fulfilling new life for herself and her young children in Manchester, where her neighbors believe she is a respectable widow and a talented machinist. But the past is hard to run from, and Nell must fight to protect the life she has made for herself and her children.
Two years later, in 1924, Nell has carved out a fulfilling new life for herself and her young children in Manchester, where her neighbors believe she is a respectable widow and a talented machinist. But the past is hard to run from, and Nell must fight to protect the life she has made for herself and her children.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
448 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2018
12 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Bavin
9 books58 followersI am a saga writer, living in beautiful North Wales. Moving here was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but my writing is inspired by my Mancunian roots.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 19, 2019
the book set in Lancanshire 1922 then Manchester tells the story of Nell Hibbit finding out her husband is a bigamous cheat living two lives, she flees to Manchester with her son and pregnant with another child. full of ups and downs along the way for Nell, making friends think shes a widow. i found this book a delightful read throughout, loved the characters and loads of twists, i highly recommend this book to fellow readers.
July 23, 2018
Absolutely enjoyed reading this book, which i came across in my local library. It's the first time that i have read any books by Susanna Bavin and certainly will not be my last. Recommended.
May 24, 2019
What a fabulous book this is Nell is a woman who finds out her husband has committed bigamy she is reeling from this but is determined that she is leaving.After she has left Nell builds a life for herself and her young son Alf and unborn baby in their new lodgings with the Brents.As time passes Nell has built a life for her little family,Alf and now baby Cassie are Nells world all that she does is for her children.I won't spoil the book for others but i have loved reading this book and i highly recommend you read it.5*
December 22, 2018
This fascinating saga kept me glued to the page; dialogue, viewpoint, pace - the author has it all. I have read The Deserter’s Daughter and the book was a joy. One of those unique novels that never fade from memory. Nell’s challenging journey to become A Respectable Woman is just as absorbing and memorable. Satisfying from beginning to end, I closed the book with a sigh of contentment. The ending will remain with me - until I re-read again - as is my habit with my favourite books.
August 14, 2018
Hands up .... the period between the wars in the 20th century fascinates me. Hands up .... well actually that was tricky because I broke my wrist and that makes holding and turning the pages of a book very very difficult. So page turningly engrossing is A Respectable Woman that a little pain and massive inconvenience didn’t stop me inhaling the book. One for lovers of historical fiction.
Read my full review here https://culturalwednesday.co.uk/book-...
Read my full review here https://culturalwednesday.co.uk/book-...
April 20, 2025
As I usually like murder mystery this book was a nice change, I was not very hopeful but even from thw first page I was hooked. It was a great story and I'm glad they got their happy ending
October 13, 2018
Another wonderful read from Susanna Bavin. I loved this author's first book, The Deserter's Daughter, so couldn't wait to read this one. From the first page, I was hooked, immersed in Nell's world, a rather grimy 1920s Manchester. I took to Nell straight away and was really rooting for her throughout. Everything about this story, from the wonderful, rounded, believable characters - some good-hearted, some positively scary (Edmund! What a character!) - to the perfect period detail, is spot on. It's a delight to read.
April 4, 2019
Honestly didn't think I'd enjoy this one. It took a long time (at least 70 pages) for me to get into it, but once I did get into it, I became hooked. The character of Edmond was truly the worst I've ever read; I hated him with a passion. Susanna Bavin wrote him extremely well, as he was a believable kind of horrid. The court scene was a fascinating insight into the sexism against women in this era. Jim was a love interest that I adored, and the children were actually likeable in this book - normally the kids are unbearable or dull. Overall, this was a fantastic read.
August 31, 2019
I'm a recent convert to the genre of Sagas and if they're all going to be this good then I'm glad to have finally started reading them! I found this to be such an enthralling read that I had to read it in one sitting and have taken the character of Nell to my heart as she had to put up with so much heartache but still found the strength to pick herself up and carry on.
Nell had faced heartbreak in her past - she lost her family in the Great War so was facing the world alone, until a soldier, Stan, walked into her life and seemingly was her knight in shining armour. She finds married life hard, with long hours working, trying to raise her son too while Stan seemed more interested in the opening hours of the pub. By chance she finds out the truth about Stan and his other family, so she does what is best for her and her son and runs away to Manchester to start over.
Life isn't much easier up there but she soon finds somewhere to live, a lovely woman called Leonie takes her in and treats her like her own daughter, and Nell works her fingers to the bone as a machinist as she now has 2 children to provide for. All those who know her now think she's widowed and admire her for her ability to stay so strong. All doesn't run smoothly though in her new home as Leonies' son in law doesnt' seem to like the influence Nell has over his mother in law - being nice to someone seems alien to him and the more you find out about him and how he treats his own family, the more it made my blood boil!!
As she creates a new life for herself, she never shirks the hard work and also turns into a bit of a heroine but that notoriety may soon become her downfall as the press attention brings back her past and to see how women were treated, even in the court system, at that time was appalling and quite an eye opener. With the help of her new friends you always find yourself cheering her on in her battles but always fearful that the attitudes of the time would go against her.
There were some vile characters in this book that were brilliantly described, and the character of Posy was just a delight - the author really captured the children in this so well! Naive in many situations, but wise beyond their years in others and their storylines really added extra depth to this story of triumph over adversity.
Nell had faced heartbreak in her past - she lost her family in the Great War so was facing the world alone, until a soldier, Stan, walked into her life and seemingly was her knight in shining armour. She finds married life hard, with long hours working, trying to raise her son too while Stan seemed more interested in the opening hours of the pub. By chance she finds out the truth about Stan and his other family, so she does what is best for her and her son and runs away to Manchester to start over.
Life isn't much easier up there but she soon finds somewhere to live, a lovely woman called Leonie takes her in and treats her like her own daughter, and Nell works her fingers to the bone as a machinist as she now has 2 children to provide for. All those who know her now think she's widowed and admire her for her ability to stay so strong. All doesn't run smoothly though in her new home as Leonies' son in law doesnt' seem to like the influence Nell has over his mother in law - being nice to someone seems alien to him and the more you find out about him and how he treats his own family, the more it made my blood boil!!
As she creates a new life for herself, she never shirks the hard work and also turns into a bit of a heroine but that notoriety may soon become her downfall as the press attention brings back her past and to see how women were treated, even in the court system, at that time was appalling and quite an eye opener. With the help of her new friends you always find yourself cheering her on in her battles but always fearful that the attitudes of the time would go against her.
There were some vile characters in this book that were brilliantly described, and the character of Posy was just a delight - the author really captured the children in this so well! Naive in many situations, but wise beyond their years in others and their storylines really added extra depth to this story of triumph over adversity.
March 10, 2021
I discovered this author's historical fiction last year when I read The Deserter's Daughter and was immediately impressed with her writing style and the authenticity of the historical setting. I am delighted to say that A Respectable Woman follows in the same absorbing style.
The story opens in 1922, when the country is adjusting to life after the Great War. Nell Hibbert is forced to take a long look at her circumstances when she discovers that her husband, Stan is leading a double life, and so, together with her young son, Nell flees to Manchester where she presents herself as a young widow. Life is a struggle, making ends meet is something of a challenge and with no man to help her Nell must become the sole breadwinner.
What comes across so strongly is the resilience of the northern spirit in close knit communities amongst people who have next to nothing materially, and yet they do everything they can to support those who can't always help themselves. The small, terraced streets where Nell makes her home could be any northern town, and the characters, who are portrayed so vividly, remind me so much of my own northern heritage. Strong, no nonsense women, who think nothing of caring for other women's children, well, what's one or two more when you already have a houseful of your own. However, for all the poverty and hardship, this is the story of a respectable woman who only wants to survive and care for her family. And yet as we discover throughout the course of the story, life is not going to be easy for Nell Hibbert and there are many obstacles to overcome before she can find the happiness she so richly deserves.
A Respectable Woman is a beautifully written historical saga which has all the little nuances of historical detail which make this author's work such a joy to read. The author brings to life a story which is packed full of action, from the sewing room of a Manchester clothing factory, to sharing a pot of strong tea, and a chat, in the back kitchen of a Chorlton terrace, there is never a moment when the story doesn't draw you into a forgotten way of life. Throughout A Respectable Woman there's pathos, danger and despair, but there's also humour and a strong sense of community, and in Nell Hibbert we have a feisty heroine whose fascinating story stays with you long after the last page is turned.
The story opens in 1922, when the country is adjusting to life after the Great War. Nell Hibbert is forced to take a long look at her circumstances when she discovers that her husband, Stan is leading a double life, and so, together with her young son, Nell flees to Manchester where she presents herself as a young widow. Life is a struggle, making ends meet is something of a challenge and with no man to help her Nell must become the sole breadwinner.
What comes across so strongly is the resilience of the northern spirit in close knit communities amongst people who have next to nothing materially, and yet they do everything they can to support those who can't always help themselves. The small, terraced streets where Nell makes her home could be any northern town, and the characters, who are portrayed so vividly, remind me so much of my own northern heritage. Strong, no nonsense women, who think nothing of caring for other women's children, well, what's one or two more when you already have a houseful of your own. However, for all the poverty and hardship, this is the story of a respectable woman who only wants to survive and care for her family. And yet as we discover throughout the course of the story, life is not going to be easy for Nell Hibbert and there are many obstacles to overcome before she can find the happiness she so richly deserves.
A Respectable Woman is a beautifully written historical saga which has all the little nuances of historical detail which make this author's work such a joy to read. The author brings to life a story which is packed full of action, from the sewing room of a Manchester clothing factory, to sharing a pot of strong tea, and a chat, in the back kitchen of a Chorlton terrace, there is never a moment when the story doesn't draw you into a forgotten way of life. Throughout A Respectable Woman there's pathos, danger and despair, but there's also humour and a strong sense of community, and in Nell Hibbert we have a feisty heroine whose fascinating story stays with you long after the last page is turned.
September 20, 2018
With her second book Susanna Bavin has cemented her place as one of the country’s leading family saga writers.
Following the success of her debut, The Deserter’s Daughter, it must have been quite a feat to come up with a story equally as good but, in my opinion, she’s produced something even better.
And I don’t say that lightly, as I loved her first book, but this one charmed me even more.
From the first page, Susanna pulls you into the backstreets of 1920s Manchester so that when you’re done you’ll be wanting to scrub your front doorstep and send your children out to play in the street with their mates (although no noisy games on a Sunday).
It’s a hard life, especially for a single mother, but you get a real sense of community as Nell’s neighbours pitch in to look after her children while she works - although no matter how hard she toils, she’ll never be allowed to earn as much as a man. Interesting that we are still having similar conversations today.
Along with Nell, there’s a wonderful cast, including swoon-worthy Jim, the solicitor turned window cleaner, Mrs Brent, who takes the family under her wing before finding her kindness repaid, and two lovely young characters in the shape of Alf and the beautifully named Posy.
Then there’s the villain. Susanna seems to have a particular skill for conjuring up nasty pieces of work and Edmund is up there with the best of them. Thinking about him still makes my blood run cold.
The story is so well written, with wonderful little details from the period adding to the colour of the tale.
Having learnt my lesson last time, when I carried on reading long after my bedtime, I gave myself some much needed ‘me time’ to enjoy this book. I am so pleased I did because, once again, I couldn’t put it down.
I’ve already pre-ordered her next book, The Sewing Room Girl. Hopefully I won’t have too long to wait.
Following the success of her debut, The Deserter’s Daughter, it must have been quite a feat to come up with a story equally as good but, in my opinion, she’s produced something even better.
And I don’t say that lightly, as I loved her first book, but this one charmed me even more.
From the first page, Susanna pulls you into the backstreets of 1920s Manchester so that when you’re done you’ll be wanting to scrub your front doorstep and send your children out to play in the street with their mates (although no noisy games on a Sunday).
It’s a hard life, especially for a single mother, but you get a real sense of community as Nell’s neighbours pitch in to look after her children while she works - although no matter how hard she toils, she’ll never be allowed to earn as much as a man. Interesting that we are still having similar conversations today.
Along with Nell, there’s a wonderful cast, including swoon-worthy Jim, the solicitor turned window cleaner, Mrs Brent, who takes the family under her wing before finding her kindness repaid, and two lovely young characters in the shape of Alf and the beautifully named Posy.
Then there’s the villain. Susanna seems to have a particular skill for conjuring up nasty pieces of work and Edmund is up there with the best of them. Thinking about him still makes my blood run cold.
The story is so well written, with wonderful little details from the period adding to the colour of the tale.
Having learnt my lesson last time, when I carried on reading long after my bedtime, I gave myself some much needed ‘me time’ to enjoy this book. I am so pleased I did because, once again, I couldn’t put it down.
I’ve already pre-ordered her next book, The Sewing Room Girl. Hopefully I won’t have too long to wait.
June 23, 2019
This is the story of Nell Hibbert and her adorable children set in 1920's Manchester. When Nell has some devastating news she gathers her child and a few possessions and runs away to start a new life. Times are hard, women were not supposed to be breadwinners and Nell is carrying her second child. Due to the incredible kindness of older residents and a warm community spirit, Nell takes up offers of childcare and secures a job as a sewing machinist.
When life catches up with Nell she finds herself in an unbearable position. However, a mysterious man with a troubled past is determined to help. Jim is working as a window cleaner and helping the poor while he recovers from a difficult time in his life. The residents are actually unaware that Jim is a trained solicitor from a wealthy background.
As well as Nell and her children, there is an amazing supporting cast and her friend Leonie's story is equally as captivating. Of course, there has to be a villain and some of Edwin's actions literally sent chills down my spine. The historical content is accurate and shocking, it highlights just how hard and unjust it was for women in this era. There is a warmth, kindness, and humour about this story that just stole my heart and the children just made me want to reach inside the pages to give them a huge hug.
Lovers of historical fiction will adore this book, I can't recommend it highly enough. Susanna Bavin has quickly become one of my favourite authors.
When life catches up with Nell she finds herself in an unbearable position. However, a mysterious man with a troubled past is determined to help. Jim is working as a window cleaner and helping the poor while he recovers from a difficult time in his life. The residents are actually unaware that Jim is a trained solicitor from a wealthy background.
As well as Nell and her children, there is an amazing supporting cast and her friend Leonie's story is equally as captivating. Of course, there has to be a villain and some of Edwin's actions literally sent chills down my spine. The historical content is accurate and shocking, it highlights just how hard and unjust it was for women in this era. There is a warmth, kindness, and humour about this story that just stole my heart and the children just made me want to reach inside the pages to give them a huge hug.
Lovers of historical fiction will adore this book, I can't recommend it highly enough. Susanna Bavin has quickly become one of my favourite authors.
July 7, 2020
Frequent gulps ricocheted between my mouth and my heart while reading this gorgeous story by Susanna Bavin. Susanna has the gift of drawing readers fully into the world of her characters. Nell, Alf & Cassie stole my heart, but Posy grabbed all the strings that make up my being. She tugged and tugged and I was completely undone by this gorgeous little girl. Normally, I cannot and will not read about cruelty to children - it's a subject that upsets me so much. In this story, I couldn't abandon Posy in her hour of need. I had to continue reading about her fearful life, something a child should never have to endure. I felt hatred for Edmund, real unadulterated hatred, while I could have shaken Hilda until she woke up to what was happening in her own house. And lovely Leonie - oh my heart thumped for her, her loss, her treatment at the hands of her son-in-law, her special friendship and connection with Nell. Little Alf is a joy and Jim a saviour! What more can I say about these truly special characters except it takes an extraordinary writer to weave a story of this nature and leave us still breathing at the end. If I could give this book six stars, I would.
July 29, 2018
This compelling page-turner has it all: a well-structured plot, wonderful characterisation, terrific dialogue and a strong sense of time and place.
A Respectable Woman tells the story of Nell Hibbert, a young woman who discovers her husband’s betrayal and strives to re-invent herself, and make a better life for her child and herself, through sheer tenacity and great strength of character. It’s a tale of secrets and lies; courage, determination and love; and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. I read it within 24 hours, that’s how engrossing it is!
Having adored this beautifully-written book and loved her debut, The Deserter’s Daughter, Susanna Bavin is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
A Respectable Woman tells the story of Nell Hibbert, a young woman who discovers her husband’s betrayal and strives to re-invent herself, and make a better life for her child and herself, through sheer tenacity and great strength of character. It’s a tale of secrets and lies; courage, determination and love; and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. I read it within 24 hours, that’s how engrossing it is!
Having adored this beautifully-written book and loved her debut, The Deserter’s Daughter, Susanna Bavin is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
May 21, 2019
A powerful story with memorable characters .
After losing her family during the first world war Nell marries Stan Hibbert thinking that his love and security will replace the family she lost .
Five years later she is a hard up housewife striving to make every penny do the work of two . Mother of a small boy and pregnant again she discovers a shocking secret about Stan . She takes her boy - and a stray cat and moves to Manchester for a fresh start.
Everyone believes that she is a respectable widow , even her children think their father is dead , but lies have a way of coming back to haunt you . Will Nell ever become respectable again ?
After losing her family during the first world war Nell marries Stan Hibbert thinking that his love and security will replace the family she lost .
Five years later she is a hard up housewife striving to make every penny do the work of two . Mother of a small boy and pregnant again she discovers a shocking secret about Stan . She takes her boy - and a stray cat and moves to Manchester for a fresh start.
Everyone believes that she is a respectable widow , even her children think their father is dead , but lies have a way of coming back to haunt you . Will Nell ever become respectable again ?
October 16, 2018
Women’s rights have come a long way from the historical setting of this novel. Nell has been used and abused, but she has lived her life with dignity and conducted herself with more respect than the “honorable” townsfolk. A wonderful read.
April 14, 2019
I loved this book from the beginning to the end, just could not put it down. This book is written with such feeling and is a beautiful story and well worth the five stars I have given. Susanna Bavin writes such lovely interesting stories. Thank you Susanna Bavin.
May 11, 2019
To begin with I was totally gripped and pleasantly surprised. Then once she went away I just got totally confused on who some characters were and sadly lost interest. So I only made it to page 158 :( maybe I quit too soon. But just couldn't stay into this book.
May 11, 2019
Excellent book didn't want to put it down. Loved the main characters especially Posy and Alf.
Main subject of bigamy and child abuse were covered extremely well.
I could picture all the streets and interior of the houses, especially poor Posy sleeping on the sink and Cassie in her drawer.
Main subject of bigamy and child abuse were covered extremely well.
I could picture all the streets and interior of the houses, especially poor Posy sleeping on the sink and Cassie in her drawer.
July 29, 2018
Totally absorbed in this book, a real page turner highly recommended
looking forward to reading more from the author.
looking forward to reading more from the author.
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May 16, 2021A very good read
March 15, 2022
What a book very emotional
April 6, 2020
I love reading these books set in Manchester. The dialogue and the characterisation, especially of the women is so authentic. They always take me back to memories of my grandma who was probably a young girl around the era this book was based on and lived her whole life close to Manchester. Just like the characters in this book my grandma lived in a two up two down most of her life.
There's a lot in this book in relation to the social problems of the day. Women were very much viewed as second class citizens and story lines cover employment, class divide and the social stigma of being a single parent - ie it's one thing to be a war widow, quite another to simply have left your marriage no matter how bad things were.
It has all the ingredients of a good saga. There's the bad apple in the story, well actually there's two including Nell's husband. There's the romantic interest between Nell and Jim (James) Franks who was a bit of a double act. In some ways I liked him but more so as James than Jim. For me personally, I wasn't quite so keen on him as Jim the window cleaner, he was just too overly nice for my liking.
There are some court scenes in the story which I thought were brought to life really well, to the extent you felt you were sat there in the court with them. It also struck me how little courts of law have changed in over a century in the way they address people.
Then there's the nasty characters. As well as Nell's cheating husband there was Edmund Tanner who made everyone's life a complete misery. If you're looking for a character to loathe in a book - he's your man.
It's an all-round emotional and compelling story with many threads and twists running through it and one which I really enjoyed.
There's a lot in this book in relation to the social problems of the day. Women were very much viewed as second class citizens and story lines cover employment, class divide and the social stigma of being a single parent - ie it's one thing to be a war widow, quite another to simply have left your marriage no matter how bad things were.
It has all the ingredients of a good saga. There's the bad apple in the story, well actually there's two including Nell's husband. There's the romantic interest between Nell and Jim (James) Franks who was a bit of a double act. In some ways I liked him but more so as James than Jim. For me personally, I wasn't quite so keen on him as Jim the window cleaner, he was just too overly nice for my liking.
There are some court scenes in the story which I thought were brought to life really well, to the extent you felt you were sat there in the court with them. It also struck me how little courts of law have changed in over a century in the way they address people.
Then there's the nasty characters. As well as Nell's cheating husband there was Edmund Tanner who made everyone's life a complete misery. If you're looking for a character to loathe in a book - he's your man.
It's an all-round emotional and compelling story with many threads and twists running through it and one which I really enjoyed.
December 8, 2023
This is the fourth and final book by Susanna Bavin that I have read and reviewed. I've loved all of them but A Respectable Woman is probably my joint favourite along with The Sewing Room Girl.
Nell Hibbert is married to Stan and has a young son, Alf. She goes out grafting, cleaning in a pub, to help the family make ends meet. However, finding out that Stan is living a second life that seems better than the one that she has with him pushes Nell to the limit and she runs away, taking Alf with her. In 1922 leaving your husband wasn't the done thing so she tells new acquaintances that she is a widow and gets on with starting a new life for herself. Of course, eventually the past catches up with her and Nell has to start a new fight, one to keep her family and all she has worked for safe.
This is one of those books that I didn't want to put down and a rare one where I didn't find myself keeping an eye on the page numbers. I was utterly engrossed in Nell and the new life she built for herself in Manchester. She's something of a trailblazer for the time, ambitious and determined to succeed and make a good life for herself. I loved Nell. Nothing seemed to keep her down for long and I was willing her to thrive and to continue achieving far more than her gender and class expectations.
There are many other characters to love in this book and a couple to hate too. My favourite was Jim, a man who returned from the Great War wishing to do more to help other people. I also liked the older women - Nell's landlady and her neighbours - who are pure salt of the earth types who will help anyone in need, and Posy, the landlady's plucky young granddaughter. The least said about Edmund the better, only that he's a very convincingly written villain.
Bavin had me hooked on Nell's story from page one and I was sad when it came to an end. If you like historical fiction/sagas then you're sure to love A Respectable Woman. This is a story that I found completely absorbing and I felt like I could step between the pages into a world that that felt real. I enjoyed it so much.
Nell Hibbert is married to Stan and has a young son, Alf. She goes out grafting, cleaning in a pub, to help the family make ends meet. However, finding out that Stan is living a second life that seems better than the one that she has with him pushes Nell to the limit and she runs away, taking Alf with her. In 1922 leaving your husband wasn't the done thing so she tells new acquaintances that she is a widow and gets on with starting a new life for herself. Of course, eventually the past catches up with her and Nell has to start a new fight, one to keep her family and all she has worked for safe.
This is one of those books that I didn't want to put down and a rare one where I didn't find myself keeping an eye on the page numbers. I was utterly engrossed in Nell and the new life she built for herself in Manchester. She's something of a trailblazer for the time, ambitious and determined to succeed and make a good life for herself. I loved Nell. Nothing seemed to keep her down for long and I was willing her to thrive and to continue achieving far more than her gender and class expectations.
There are many other characters to love in this book and a couple to hate too. My favourite was Jim, a man who returned from the Great War wishing to do more to help other people. I also liked the older women - Nell's landlady and her neighbours - who are pure salt of the earth types who will help anyone in need, and Posy, the landlady's plucky young granddaughter. The least said about Edmund the better, only that he's a very convincingly written villain.
Bavin had me hooked on Nell's story from page one and I was sad when it came to an end. If you like historical fiction/sagas then you're sure to love A Respectable Woman. This is a story that I found completely absorbing and I felt like I could step between the pages into a world that that felt real. I enjoyed it so much.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews