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Quality Street #1
The Quality Street Girls
The perfect book for anyone who loves chocolate and Christmas
A seasonal delight, inspired by the true story of the Quality Street factory.
At sixteen years old, Irene ‘Reenie’ Calder is leaving school with little in the way of qualifications. She is delighted to land a seasonal job at Mackintosh’s Quality Street factory. Reenie feels like a kid let loose in a sweet shop, but trouble seems to follow her around and it isn’t long before she falls foul of the strict rules.
Diana Moore runs the Toffee Penny line and has worked hard to secure her position. Beautiful and smart, the other girls in the factory are in awe of her, but Diana has a dark secret which if exposed, could cost her not only her job at the factory but her reputation as well.
When a terrible accident puts supply of Quality Street at risk, Reenie has a chance to prove herself. The shops are full of Quality Street lovers who have saved up all year for their must-have Christmas treat. Reenie and Diana know that everything rests on them, if they are to give everyone a Christmas to remember…
A seasonal delight, inspired by the true story of the Quality Street factory.
At sixteen years old, Irene ‘Reenie’ Calder is leaving school with little in the way of qualifications. She is delighted to land a seasonal job at Mackintosh’s Quality Street factory. Reenie feels like a kid let loose in a sweet shop, but trouble seems to follow her around and it isn’t long before she falls foul of the strict rules.
Diana Moore runs the Toffee Penny line and has worked hard to secure her position. Beautiful and smart, the other girls in the factory are in awe of her, but Diana has a dark secret which if exposed, could cost her not only her job at the factory but her reputation as well.
When a terrible accident puts supply of Quality Street at risk, Reenie has a chance to prove herself. The shops are full of Quality Street lovers who have saved up all year for their must-have Christmas treat. Reenie and Diana know that everything rests on them, if they are to give everyone a Christmas to remember…
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2018
101 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
December 11, 2018
A story about the employees in the Mackintosh’s toffee factory that also involves Christmas? I was sold! The mere squeak of the cellophane wrappers of ‘Quality Street’ as they reveal all kinds of sweet and delicious toffee and chocolate confections is enough to set the old gastric juices flowing with desire!
Set in the 1930’s, it follows a group of girls working at the Mackintosh’s sweet factory in Halifax. Renee Calder may be the newbie, but she’s a bright girl with a keen interest in how the factory is run, and more to the point, how she can improve things for the workers whilst increasing their pay packets at the same time. This doesn’t go down well with everyone of course, and she soon finds herself in all sorts of trouble.
There were many threads to this well written storyline, some of which raised serious and important issues, but the overall feeling that I’m left with is how charming and heartwarming it was. The characters were believable, and the research into the Mackintosh factory and the family who founded it was impressive. Just one word of advice, have a tin of Quality Street to hand whilst reading it, because believe me, the longing for those delicious confections will be overwhelming!
*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Set in the 1930’s, it follows a group of girls working at the Mackintosh’s sweet factory in Halifax. Renee Calder may be the newbie, but she’s a bright girl with a keen interest in how the factory is run, and more to the point, how she can improve things for the workers whilst increasing their pay packets at the same time. This doesn’t go down well with everyone of course, and she soon finds herself in all sorts of trouble.
There were many threads to this well written storyline, some of which raised serious and important issues, but the overall feeling that I’m left with is how charming and heartwarming it was. The characters were believable, and the research into the Mackintosh factory and the family who founded it was impressive. Just one word of advice, have a tin of Quality Street to hand whilst reading it, because believe me, the longing for those delicious confections will be overwhelming!
*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
November 22, 2018
Set in the 1930's when Quality street chocolates where first produced. I felt like I had been transported back in time watching the workers hand wrapping and filling the tins of Quality street in the run up to Christmas. It must have been very tempting working on the Quality street line with the delicious aroma of chocolate and the various fillings.
The story takes you into the lives of the workers at the factory in the run up to Christmas. Reenie Calder has always dreamed of working at the chocolate factory. She can't believe her luck when just after leaving school she gets the chance of seasonal work at the factory, it's a dream come true for Reenie. She has a gift of problem solving and this leads her into all sorts of trouble with the other workers at the factory. It won't be long before things come to a head and this time it won't be Reenies doing.
I really enjoyed reading this story which was well researched and written. I would like to say thank you to Netgalley UK, the author Penny Thorpe and the publishers Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, Harper Collins in exchange for a honest review. This does not bias my opinion at all. I sincerely hope that there will be other books in the future about the Quality street girls as I enjoyed this one so much.
The story takes you into the lives of the workers at the factory in the run up to Christmas. Reenie Calder has always dreamed of working at the chocolate factory. She can't believe her luck when just after leaving school she gets the chance of seasonal work at the factory, it's a dream come true for Reenie. She has a gift of problem solving and this leads her into all sorts of trouble with the other workers at the factory. It won't be long before things come to a head and this time it won't be Reenies doing.
I really enjoyed reading this story which was well researched and written. I would like to say thank you to Netgalley UK, the author Penny Thorpe and the publishers Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, Harper Collins in exchange for a honest review. This does not bias my opinion at all. I sincerely hope that there will be other books in the future about the Quality street girls as I enjoyed this one so much.
December 14, 2025
What a pleasure to read!...I liked the easy to just be caught up in style as I call it. It was enlightening about the Quality St factory and candy making that was happening in Britain over the years as this was set in 1936. It reflected typical relationships and personalities as they were imaginable and relatable. I felt so caught up with this story; as if I was with them in a sense. The hardy, resilient nature of citizens to rally together during a time of crisis, a bitter sweet decision, and other forgiveness/satisfying conclusions were all a part of this drama type story. I really admired the cheeky character Reenie with her quick wit!
The political situation was represented alongwith history as married women weren't allowed to work and especially single moms were really in dire straits if they wanted to keep their babies... Pitiful.
It was a first time for this author but I wouldn't mind reading more by her as she passed my "one chance" kind of test.
The political situation was represented alongwith history as married women weren't allowed to work and especially single moms were really in dire straits if they wanted to keep their babies... Pitiful.
It was a first time for this author but I wouldn't mind reading more by her as she passed my "one chance" kind of test.
April 28, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and Netgally for sending me a copy of this book for review.
The Quality Street Girls focuses on four girls working in the Macintosh Toffee Factory during the 1930's. Rennie lands her first ever job on the strawberry cream line and is determined to be the fastest and quickest of all the girls and soon comes up with a scheme to make more money, Dianna is the Alpha of the factory, glamours and beautiful all the girls look up to her but she is hiding a secret from her bosses and her friends that could have a massive impact on her job and her life if found out, Mary and Bess are sisters, Bess in a wild one, seeing Dianna's good for nothing step brother Tommo and a sickly girl meaning her sister Mary having to do twice the work in the factory so both of them can keep their jobs.
This is a sweet (pun intended) historical novel about factory life in the 1930's the author does a good job of transporting you to the setting and you really get a sense of 1930's Halifax. I found I cared about all the girls and what happened to them especially well meaning Rennie. This book is a perfect read for Christmas but will leave you wanting to devour a whole box of Quality Streets.
The Quality Street Girls focuses on four girls working in the Macintosh Toffee Factory during the 1930's. Rennie lands her first ever job on the strawberry cream line and is determined to be the fastest and quickest of all the girls and soon comes up with a scheme to make more money, Dianna is the Alpha of the factory, glamours and beautiful all the girls look up to her but she is hiding a secret from her bosses and her friends that could have a massive impact on her job and her life if found out, Mary and Bess are sisters, Bess in a wild one, seeing Dianna's good for nothing step brother Tommo and a sickly girl meaning her sister Mary having to do twice the work in the factory so both of them can keep their jobs.
This is a sweet (pun intended) historical novel about factory life in the 1930's the author does a good job of transporting you to the setting and you really get a sense of 1930's Halifax. I found I cared about all the girls and what happened to them especially well meaning Rennie. This book is a perfect read for Christmas but will leave you wanting to devour a whole box of Quality Streets.
November 4, 2020
Irene, ‘Reenie,’ Calder is excited to score a seasonal job at Mackintosh’s Quality Street factory. Reenie is a real people person. She makes friends easily. She makes friends with Mary and Bess, two sisters at the factory. But Reenie is also a person who manages to get herself into trouble too often. Not intentionally. It just seems to follow her. Abiding by rules and learning when to be quiet are issues for her. But mostly her mistakes are from trying to help others and improve situations. Diana Moore runs the Toffee Penny line. She has worked hard and the other girls in the factory are a little in awe of her. But Diana has a secret which could threaten her job and more should it become known. Add to these the self-righteous, vindictive Frances Roth who has a set against Diana and would do anything to discredit her and you have a recipe for trouble.
Though this is fiction it loosely based on stories from the Quality Street factory where the author has been a historian and archivist for ten years. Reenie is enthusiastic and full of life character. She is easy to like. And it is easy to sympathise with Diana in her situation. A story of family, friendship, secrets, betrayal, harsh living and working conditions of the 1930s in England and a glimpse into the workings of a chocolate and toffee factory, it has all the ingredients of what should be a cracking read. Especially when trouble comes from an unexpected event.
While I liked it and there is certainly a lot going on, I never really became as engrossed as I expected to. It was interesting and well researched from a historical perspective, presenting a good picture of the times and the place this factory held in the lives of many. It also show the way people will often band together in a time of crisis. An enjoyable read it just never quite engaged me fully. Not sure why. But it is worth reading and worth reading the interview with the author at the end of the book.
Though this is fiction it loosely based on stories from the Quality Street factory where the author has been a historian and archivist for ten years. Reenie is enthusiastic and full of life character. She is easy to like. And it is easy to sympathise with Diana in her situation. A story of family, friendship, secrets, betrayal, harsh living and working conditions of the 1930s in England and a glimpse into the workings of a chocolate and toffee factory, it has all the ingredients of what should be a cracking read. Especially when trouble comes from an unexpected event.
While I liked it and there is certainly a lot going on, I never really became as engrossed as I expected to. It was interesting and well researched from a historical perspective, presenting a good picture of the times and the place this factory held in the lives of many. It also show the way people will often band together in a time of crisis. An enjoyable read it just never quite engaged me fully. Not sure why. But it is worth reading and worth reading the interview with the author at the end of the book.
November 30, 2018
Crimbo and Choc’s, 2 elements guaranteed to make a great read!
I think its important to point out the Author has many years experience as company archivist and historian for her local chocolate factory and this shows in her writing....her knowledge of ‘Mackintosh’s’ and ‘Quality Street’ and what ‘went on’ in the factories in the 1930’s ( when the book is set ) is nothing short of superb and you can tell she writes with a genuine love of her subject
From the start of this book you are transported into the Mackintosh factories and the ‘lines’ working Quality Street ( amongst other goodies ) and there you meet Reenie, Mary, Diana amongst others whose work and private lives intermingle to bring you the story of the Quality Street girls
I loved the characters in the book and ADORED,even though they were awful, the local Salvation Army busybodies Ms’s Roth and Vance ( Roth is also a ferocious Manager in the factory) the conversations between these 2 harridans is pure theatre and had me laughing out loud at their gossip whilst maintaining their sanctimonious air throughout, 2 classic characters
My fav Quality Street is strawberry cream so was great when these were mentioned and who knew they were hand wrapped in their colourful wrappers in the 1930’s?
At times it was a real eye opener into working life almost a century ago and also poverty and the struggles that come with it
There are a few serious issues tackled in the book yet they never overide the ‘ feel good’ factor
Living in Yorkshire for 10 years it was great to read about Halifax ( I always presumed Mackintosh’s were York based ) and to read about places often visited and never forgotten
I can imagine this as a good Sunday night TV series tbh as has all the elements needed
The book ends on a chocco Christmas high 😃
Worth noting after the book is a fascinating history of the Mackintosh family and company and also a very interesting Q and A session with the author
A pleasing happy informative season ready read that many will love
10/10 5 Stars
I think its important to point out the Author has many years experience as company archivist and historian for her local chocolate factory and this shows in her writing....her knowledge of ‘Mackintosh’s’ and ‘Quality Street’ and what ‘went on’ in the factories in the 1930’s ( when the book is set ) is nothing short of superb and you can tell she writes with a genuine love of her subject
From the start of this book you are transported into the Mackintosh factories and the ‘lines’ working Quality Street ( amongst other goodies ) and there you meet Reenie, Mary, Diana amongst others whose work and private lives intermingle to bring you the story of the Quality Street girls
I loved the characters in the book and ADORED,even though they were awful, the local Salvation Army busybodies Ms’s Roth and Vance ( Roth is also a ferocious Manager in the factory) the conversations between these 2 harridans is pure theatre and had me laughing out loud at their gossip whilst maintaining their sanctimonious air throughout, 2 classic characters
My fav Quality Street is strawberry cream so was great when these were mentioned and who knew they were hand wrapped in their colourful wrappers in the 1930’s?
At times it was a real eye opener into working life almost a century ago and also poverty and the struggles that come with it
There are a few serious issues tackled in the book yet they never overide the ‘ feel good’ factor
Living in Yorkshire for 10 years it was great to read about Halifax ( I always presumed Mackintosh’s were York based ) and to read about places often visited and never forgotten
I can imagine this as a good Sunday night TV series tbh as has all the elements needed
The book ends on a chocco Christmas high 😃
Worth noting after the book is a fascinating history of the Mackintosh family and company and also a very interesting Q and A session with the author
A pleasing happy informative season ready read that many will love
10/10 5 Stars
June 24, 2019
I was a little dubious to start but what an amazing read. Well-researched and very accurate to the 1930’s time-period. It was an excellent insight, particularly regarding women’s rights (or the lack there of) during the post-war period.
March 24, 2019
This is really a 2.5 rounded up. I was very excited when the book club choose this. It had good reviews and the cover looked so inviting! However, it just seems that the people who didn’t like it didn’t write a review. This is not a good book. It is just about Ok. The jacket promises 3 girls, one factory and a Christmas they’ll never forget. Well there were 4 main girls, and really it could have been set anytime as Christmas didn’t feature as I thought it would. It was almost incidental. The characters were good and Rabid Roth was suitably awful, and Reenie predictably strong and interesting. But the whole thing felt a bit contrived and almost naive, and the writing couldn’t save it. Diana’s secret was so obvious from the beginning that it was almost insulting the reader to reveal it as late as it was. This looked good but was a disappointment.
January 26, 2020
I Loved it so much, great storyline, fantastic characters, here's hoping there is going to be a sequel!
November 16, 2018
A lovely story about a group of young girls working in the Quality Street factory this book brought back lovely memories of my own christmas treats.I love the charactors and love joining them in their daily lives.Well Worth 5* and i have recommended this book.
September 5, 2019
The Quality Street Girls is a sweet story. I enjoyed reading this historical novel which took me back to the late 1930s in Halifax. There are historical references that capture the time period such as King Edward VIII stepping down for the women he loved, Wallace Simpson. Reenie Calder is a go getter with a bright outlook. She has spark and gumption. She is full of ideas which are not well received at the factory. I just loved her enthusiasm. Diana is a strong woman with more responsibility and, of course, her secret. I enjoyed watching these two diverse women evolve. Of course, Frances Roth is a bitter woman (there has to be a villain) who spends her days plotting ways to cause trouble (such a shame). It was interesting learning about the Quality Street chocolates. This is the first novel that I have read by Penny Thorpe and it will not my last. I found The Quality Street Girls to be a fascinating story with mouthwatering confections, family strife, inventive ideas, high spirits, and hard working women.
September 26, 2018
Loved this! Heart warming story about the power of friendship, whilst working in the iconic Quality Street factory in the 1930s in the run up to Christmas.
January 16, 2019
I was hooked by the cover,however the story or lack of story made it a challenge to get through. From the cover introduction I was expecting something totally different.
February 4, 2020
This book is beautifully written. I really didn't want it to end and actually felt sad reading the final page!
I love that it's set in the 1930s and that the detailed writing allowed me to visualise the setting, the homes, the factory and what the characters would look like in real life.
I can't wait for the next book!
I love that it's set in the 1930s and that the detailed writing allowed me to visualise the setting, the homes, the factory and what the characters would look like in real life.
I can't wait for the next book!
December 21, 2023
3.5⭐️ Nice to read a holiday book that didn’t have a lot of romance in it.
While the writing wasn’t perfect I liked the characters and enjoyed the historical aspects of The Quality Street Chocolate Factory. This book is written by the archivist of the Quality Street Factory and included a very brief history of the factory at the end as well as an author Q&A adding more background to the story.
While the writing wasn’t perfect I liked the characters and enjoyed the historical aspects of The Quality Street Chocolate Factory. This book is written by the archivist of the Quality Street Factory and included a very brief history of the factory at the end as well as an author Q&A adding more background to the story.
February 23, 2019
After a long search for this book, I finally got hold of it. I adore quality street, and consider Christmas incomplete without them. I want to start by reviewing the cover of the book, the illustration of 3 young ladies in their 30s clothing, the old English street with snow and the quality street logo at the top was the perfect cover. It was clearly very well thought through. I didn’t find it hard getting engrossed within in this book, the characters were all interesting in their own way and all had very intriguing stories. I could read this book over and over again and I’m hoping the author will write another one in the near future
November 16, 2018
I’m not sure why but this book didn’t grab me from page one. Once I got in to it though wow I couldn’t put it down. It’s a story about the Mackintosh factory in Yorkshire making Quality Street Chocolates. This is set in the 1930’s when Quality street were first made. It follows the lives of some of the factory girls whose lives were quite tough at this time. There are lots of ups and downs as we follow the rollercoaster of their lives. I really loved this book and I hope we have more adventures from the factory soon.
June 25, 2019
Honestly, I was really excited for this book and looked forward to when it came out. I was kinda disappointed though, with the final product. On the cover flap, it lists Mary and Beth, but in the book her name is changed to Bess. I guess that was sort of an inclination into the rough ride ahead of me? The plot itself had great potential: historical fiction set against a chocolate factory? Sign me up! But unfortunately the plot just does not deliver. The characters are really flat, and I feel like they just get random character traits assigned to them whenever applicable. Case in point, how Peter is described as shy yet he winked at Reenie... Maybe I'm just reading too much into it. Anyways, overall I was expecting a plot more suited for young adult readers and instead got a plot that I would recommend to a tween-teen reader. I'm giving the book only one star because of how long it took me to actually read the book; it did not draw me in as most stories do.
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September 19, 2019I really wanted to like this book more. I love Quality Street and Christmas but it just didn't grip me. I didn't warm to the characters except Renee and I would have liked more chocolate factory and less drama.
Sadly wouldn't read another by this author
Sadly wouldn't read another by this author
July 4, 2019
Just not for me, although I enjoyed Reenie and her horse, and the ending was nice.
December 29, 2019
I absolutely adored this book! I was expecting a lighthearted Christmas read, but was even more pleasantly surprised to find a book full of not only Christmas sweets, but fascinating characters dealing with all sorts of complex situations.
Our three main characters are Reenie, Diana and Mary. And honestly the only thing they have in common in the beginning is that they work for the renowned Mackintosh's Quality Street Factory. But as the story continues, and as our characters grow, they come together as friends, and support each other through difficult times. You'll be cheering them on by the end, and wishing you had a tin of Quality Street chocolates beside you while reading!🍬🍫❤
Our three main characters are Reenie, Diana and Mary. And honestly the only thing they have in common in the beginning is that they work for the renowned Mackintosh's Quality Street Factory. But as the story continues, and as our characters grow, they come together as friends, and support each other through difficult times. You'll be cheering them on by the end, and wishing you had a tin of Quality Street chocolates beside you while reading!🍬🍫❤
January 6, 2019
Melts your heart and mouth
Reenie calder sixteenth birthday gets the best present ever,she has got a job at mackintosh Halifax factory as a production line assistance. She is going to toffee town after her mum sent off glowing reference from miss duke former teacher and the vicar the best present ever for reenie and she has to turn up the same day to start. Characters Diana Moore mary and bess all work along side each other. This book takes us through all their troubles. I loved the story its a book I would recommend to read. Such a heartwarming book. The quality street girls certainly work on in this story
Reenie calder sixteenth birthday gets the best present ever,she has got a job at mackintosh Halifax factory as a production line assistance. She is going to toffee town after her mum sent off glowing reference from miss duke former teacher and the vicar the best present ever for reenie and she has to turn up the same day to start. Characters Diana Moore mary and bess all work along side each other. This book takes us through all their troubles. I loved the story its a book I would recommend to read. Such a heartwarming book. The quality street girls certainly work on in this story
January 1, 2020
This was a delightful and compelling story.
Considering I picked this up off of the “Christmas romance” table at the book store, I will say that I wasn’t expecting the story I got.
While there is a small hint of romance, the story focuses on these brilliant female characters, their friendships, their trials, and of course, what life for an unwed woman was like in 1930s England.
Thorpe has a unique way of telling a story and you feel like you’ve travelled through time while being lost in her pages.
I can’t wait to see what stories she comes up with next!
Considering I picked this up off of the “Christmas romance” table at the book store, I will say that I wasn’t expecting the story I got.
While there is a small hint of romance, the story focuses on these brilliant female characters, their friendships, their trials, and of course, what life for an unwed woman was like in 1930s England.
Thorpe has a unique way of telling a story and you feel like you’ve travelled through time while being lost in her pages.
I can’t wait to see what stories she comes up with next!
December 18, 2020
4 out of 5 stars
This is such a hard hitting story set in the quality street factory at the start of the 1930’s. Not a cosy read as we see real poverty and the struggles of the era but beautifully written with light mixed in with the darkness.
This is such a hard hitting story set in the quality street factory at the start of the 1930’s. Not a cosy read as we see real poverty and the struggles of the era but beautifully written with light mixed in with the darkness.
December 28, 2020
This was just lovely. A story of friendship, love, kindness but also betrayal. Set in the 1930s around Christmas with lashings of chocolate thrown in. Who doesn’t want to read a book like that. Well written, fun and so evocative of a bygone era. I loved this so much that I immediately downloaded the next book to my kindle.
July 18, 2023
Very goo
December 18, 2021
"Reenie gazed at the window display, and dreamed of growing up to be the kind of fine lady that bought Quality Street..."
September 25, 2022
A very fun read!
December 24, 2018
Inspired by the true story of the Quality Street factory and its loyal workers The Quality Street Girls by Penny Thorpe is a story steeped in nostalgia and will stir up many memories for its readers. We all know and love the famous brand that has been an accompaniment to our Christmas festivities for so many years. But how many of us have actually given scant thought to how this successful brand came about and who exactly were the people behind the delicious. mouthwatering creations? Little did the workers who toiled away on the factory floor in 1936 realise that the chocolate and sweets they were making would be a staple part of Christmas all these years later. Penny Thorpe has been an archivist at the Quality Street Factory for over ten years and thanks to her in-depth knowledge and passion for her subject she has brought us this wonderful book which celebrates factory life but yet does not portray it as all sweetness and light.
This book had so much depth to it with characters who experience ups and downs, joys and sadness but above all else they come together in times of strife to attempt to overcome problems and work as a team. The author has provided her readers with a fascinating, detailed account of factory life enthralling us with just how much work and effort went into producing chocolates that inspire so many memories for people the world over. Combined with some interesting and thrilling storylines, this made for an excellent read and one I found gripping from beginning to end with characters you root for and some which you feel deserve the old heave ho.
Mackintosh's Factory in Halifax, nicknamed Toffee Town, is the dominant setting for the story which follows four very different women as they make sweets in the factory where work and personal life collide in more ways than one. Reenie Calder is only 16 years old but is desperately hoping a job will arise that will prevent her from having to go into service, a life she doesn't want for herself. When she is given the chance to work at the factory she grabs it with wide open arms and is determined to make a success of her new job. Reenie was a girl wise beyond her years and to be honest for most of the book I forgot she was so young. From the outset she came across as a character full of promise, creativity and ingenuity. She could see solutions to problems or ways to improve work life and increase production that others just had no idea about.
Reenie was savy in more ways than one, she had a passion for solving problems and setting herself challenges. She was warned not to rock the boat with new ideas as the old ones are best but she is just not able to sit back when she sees what could be achieved. She took such an interest in the finer workings of the factory machinery and the bond she struck up with Peter, the new Time and Motion lad at the factory was a joy to see. Simply because he allowed her to voice her opinion and took her ideas for improvement on board in a time where it was a male dominated world. I mean women even had to give up work once they were married, I simply couldn't comprehend having to do that in this day and age.
Reenie was a fabulously written character who always got herself in many scraps and difficult situations but she rose above up everything and was always thinking two or three steps ahead of everyone else. Ways in which she could better the production at the factory but also when it came to the friends she had made. Despite being so young she slotted right in and I loved how the older women took her on board as a friend and an equal. Not taking her under her wing so to speak because she didn't need that at all. She was her own person and her arrival at the factory stirred things up a bit. Yes she may have been hasty at times and he did take action before thinking things through fully but everything she did was with the utmost of good intentions as she couldn't stand by and see other suffer in silence. It goes against the grain for her. If she observes something that needed fixing, be it with the factory or the personal lives of her friends, she will offer help or a suggestion to make life better for all involved. Reenie was not a person to be underestimated and her youth should not be taken for granted by anyone. She was kind and had a heart of gold and she won a firm place in my affections. The inclusion of her trusty steed – so to speak- was genius and offered plenty of comedic moments. It was different from having a dog that stole our hearts, this time it was an old loyal horse.
As for the other girls whom Reenie befriends they each have their own problems to deal with as they work the strawberry cream line or the toffee penny line, some grew on me more so than others. Mary and Bess are sisters and known as the Tudor Queens. Mary never cracks a smile and it seems like she is always covering something up but look a little deeper beneath the surface and Mary is not happy. She is keeping secrets and struggling but she remains loyal and steadfast to her family. Mary was a cold and aloof character who took time to warm up and to embrace what Reenie was trying to do but as the magic of the factory and the girls themselves begin to work she slowly started to thaw and came to understand you're better off working together rather than alone. As for her sister Bess she was the total opposite, she had her head permanently in the clouds and was very happy go lucky. She just always presumed everything would work out OK, that if there were problems someone else would sort them for her. She thinks little of the consequences of her actions and really she has gotten herself very deeply into a dark situation that needs sorting out soon before its too late. Will the girls be able to unite and help Bess and Mary?
Alongside Reenie for me the strongest and a stand out character was Diana. I could sense from the outset that in the past she had been through the mill and even now she hadn't come out the other side but was still in the midst of it all. Six years ago things changed for Diana and the carefree girl she once was has gone and in her place is someone who follows the rules and is respected on the factory floor. It felt to me like Diana was living by some sort of code and set of rules and boundaries that she had established for herself. To veer from any of this would upset the apple cart and with a long term goal in mind she couldn’t afford for this to happen at any cost. I guessed Diana's secret fairly early on but it didn't detract from her storyline in any way. In fact it made me admire her all the more and I understood her motives and actions even better. Outside the factory Diana's personal life was one she kept secret but as things began to unfold and danger, surprises and darkness to some extent began to make themselves known she had no option but to open up that little bit and embrace her friends. I felt she made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart broke a little bit for her. Frances Roth, the overlooker all the girls despise, had a cruel role to play and she was someone I desperately wanted something awful to happen to. I wanted a different outcome for Diana but I do think the author was brave to choose the option she went for. It shows times were tough and Diana was a woman who was brave and courageous and did what she felt was the right thing to do.
As work and the girls private lives intermingle, the enthusiasm Penny Thorpe had for her subject matter shone through as the various storylines began to take many twists and turns and join up with each other. I was on the edge of my seat wandering would certain things be discovered or left secret? Would certain people get the justice they deserved or would the poor innocents be the ones who the blame fell upon? The Quality Street girls is an honest, heartfelt excellent read that left me desperately wanting more. I do so hope we will read more about this wonderful group of girls as they all became so real I felt as if I knew them in real life. It is the perfect read for this time of year and yes I am going to say it a tin of the world famous Quality Street do need to be by your side whilst you become lost in the world of Reenie and co.
This book had so much depth to it with characters who experience ups and downs, joys and sadness but above all else they come together in times of strife to attempt to overcome problems and work as a team. The author has provided her readers with a fascinating, detailed account of factory life enthralling us with just how much work and effort went into producing chocolates that inspire so many memories for people the world over. Combined with some interesting and thrilling storylines, this made for an excellent read and one I found gripping from beginning to end with characters you root for and some which you feel deserve the old heave ho.
Mackintosh's Factory in Halifax, nicknamed Toffee Town, is the dominant setting for the story which follows four very different women as they make sweets in the factory where work and personal life collide in more ways than one. Reenie Calder is only 16 years old but is desperately hoping a job will arise that will prevent her from having to go into service, a life she doesn't want for herself. When she is given the chance to work at the factory she grabs it with wide open arms and is determined to make a success of her new job. Reenie was a girl wise beyond her years and to be honest for most of the book I forgot she was so young. From the outset she came across as a character full of promise, creativity and ingenuity. She could see solutions to problems or ways to improve work life and increase production that others just had no idea about.
Reenie was savy in more ways than one, she had a passion for solving problems and setting herself challenges. She was warned not to rock the boat with new ideas as the old ones are best but she is just not able to sit back when she sees what could be achieved. She took such an interest in the finer workings of the factory machinery and the bond she struck up with Peter, the new Time and Motion lad at the factory was a joy to see. Simply because he allowed her to voice her opinion and took her ideas for improvement on board in a time where it was a male dominated world. I mean women even had to give up work once they were married, I simply couldn't comprehend having to do that in this day and age.
Reenie was a fabulously written character who always got herself in many scraps and difficult situations but she rose above up everything and was always thinking two or three steps ahead of everyone else. Ways in which she could better the production at the factory but also when it came to the friends she had made. Despite being so young she slotted right in and I loved how the older women took her on board as a friend and an equal. Not taking her under her wing so to speak because she didn't need that at all. She was her own person and her arrival at the factory stirred things up a bit. Yes she may have been hasty at times and he did take action before thinking things through fully but everything she did was with the utmost of good intentions as she couldn't stand by and see other suffer in silence. It goes against the grain for her. If she observes something that needed fixing, be it with the factory or the personal lives of her friends, she will offer help or a suggestion to make life better for all involved. Reenie was not a person to be underestimated and her youth should not be taken for granted by anyone. She was kind and had a heart of gold and she won a firm place in my affections. The inclusion of her trusty steed – so to speak- was genius and offered plenty of comedic moments. It was different from having a dog that stole our hearts, this time it was an old loyal horse.
As for the other girls whom Reenie befriends they each have their own problems to deal with as they work the strawberry cream line or the toffee penny line, some grew on me more so than others. Mary and Bess are sisters and known as the Tudor Queens. Mary never cracks a smile and it seems like she is always covering something up but look a little deeper beneath the surface and Mary is not happy. She is keeping secrets and struggling but she remains loyal and steadfast to her family. Mary was a cold and aloof character who took time to warm up and to embrace what Reenie was trying to do but as the magic of the factory and the girls themselves begin to work she slowly started to thaw and came to understand you're better off working together rather than alone. As for her sister Bess she was the total opposite, she had her head permanently in the clouds and was very happy go lucky. She just always presumed everything would work out OK, that if there were problems someone else would sort them for her. She thinks little of the consequences of her actions and really she has gotten herself very deeply into a dark situation that needs sorting out soon before its too late. Will the girls be able to unite and help Bess and Mary?
Alongside Reenie for me the strongest and a stand out character was Diana. I could sense from the outset that in the past she had been through the mill and even now she hadn't come out the other side but was still in the midst of it all. Six years ago things changed for Diana and the carefree girl she once was has gone and in her place is someone who follows the rules and is respected on the factory floor. It felt to me like Diana was living by some sort of code and set of rules and boundaries that she had established for herself. To veer from any of this would upset the apple cart and with a long term goal in mind she couldn’t afford for this to happen at any cost. I guessed Diana's secret fairly early on but it didn't detract from her storyline in any way. In fact it made me admire her all the more and I understood her motives and actions even better. Outside the factory Diana's personal life was one she kept secret but as things began to unfold and danger, surprises and darkness to some extent began to make themselves known she had no option but to open up that little bit and embrace her friends. I felt she made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart broke a little bit for her. Frances Roth, the overlooker all the girls despise, had a cruel role to play and she was someone I desperately wanted something awful to happen to. I wanted a different outcome for Diana but I do think the author was brave to choose the option she went for. It shows times were tough and Diana was a woman who was brave and courageous and did what she felt was the right thing to do.
As work and the girls private lives intermingle, the enthusiasm Penny Thorpe had for her subject matter shone through as the various storylines began to take many twists and turns and join up with each other. I was on the edge of my seat wandering would certain things be discovered or left secret? Would certain people get the justice they deserved or would the poor innocents be the ones who the blame fell upon? The Quality Street girls is an honest, heartfelt excellent read that left me desperately wanting more. I do so hope we will read more about this wonderful group of girls as they all became so real I felt as if I knew them in real life. It is the perfect read for this time of year and yes I am going to say it a tin of the world famous Quality Street do need to be by your side whilst you become lost in the world of Reenie and co.
December 28, 2019
I was drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and the wonderful end papers. It really reminded me of the long ago Quality Street tins and not the ones today. The writing style unfortunately didn't grab me, but once I got to know the characters I was drawn in. Especially Renee who wanted to do so much good but didn't always get it right.
It certainly captures the naivety of a different time with the girls not being very worldly and plenty of misunderstandings afoot.
The book was written by the archivist from Mackintosh. I didn't discover this until the end of the book and actually her notes were so interesting that she could have just written a book without the story. This explains the well written social aspects of the book and for those alone it was worth reading for me.
Not particularly Christmassy you could read it at any time of the year.
It certainly captures the naivety of a different time with the girls not being very worldly and plenty of misunderstandings afoot.
The book was written by the archivist from Mackintosh. I didn't discover this until the end of the book and actually her notes were so interesting that she could have just written a book without the story. This explains the well written social aspects of the book and for those alone it was worth reading for me.
Not particularly Christmassy you could read it at any time of the year.
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