Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Sewing Room Girl

Rate this book
Born into service, sixteen-year-old Juliet Harper has always idolised her mother, Agnes. But Agnes is haunted by what could have been, and the glamorous life she might have lived if she stayed in Manchester rather than settling down in the Lancashire moorland with her husband. Life takes another unexpected turn when Juliet's father suddenly dies. Agnes's reputation as a seamstress leads to her being taken on by local landowners the Drysdales, where she is proud to work. But it will be a bumpy road for both of them as they settle in to their new lives. Will Juliet ever be able to choose her own path? And what will become of them when Agnes falls ill?

405 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2018

31 people are currently reading
91 people want to read

About the author

Susanna Bavin

9 books60 followers
I 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.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
134 (55%)
4 stars
63 (26%)
3 stars
36 (14%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Eileen.
90 reviews2 followers
November 10, 2022
Starting in 1892, the book chronicles the life of 15 year old Juliet Harper. She faces many trials and tribulations, jealous serving girls, a Land Agent seeking 'gratitude' for favours granted and family members who turn out to not be as they were described by her mother. She drops to incredible lows, but achieves her goals through hard work and determination. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, with it's below stairs revelations and descriptions of the work required from the seamstress to the Lady of the Manor.
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,136 reviews105 followers
February 24, 2020
What a story! In the same vein as Catherine Cookson and Josephine Cox, this is a compulsive read.

When Juliet's father dies, life is set to get much harder for both her mother and herself. Just when they seem to have conquered poverty and hardship, things get worse and Juliet finds herself alone and vulnerable. She must find the strength to carry on without her mother's protection and seeks help from her aunt and grandmother, strangers to her but family nonetheless . . .

This is a smashing read; with lots of period details of women's fashion as well as an exciting saga I found myself plunged into the late 19th century and really enjoyed all the small details of that time. With a skilfully crafted story and true-to-life characters from all sections of society, this is a very easy book to read and the author certainly knows her stuff! Rather riveting, full of information and, at times, quite exciting too! Definitely one I recommend and I look forward to reading more from Susanna Bavin in future.

My grateful thanks to the author for my paperback copy of her novel. This is - of course - my honest, original and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Deborah.
46 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2018
A definite page turner, I will remember each and every character in this marvellous story.
Totally engrossing, this novel pulls you in and doesn’t let you go, well you don’t want to go away.
You will experience a wide range of emotions from beginning to end.
I would definitely recommend this, and all of Susanna Bavin’s books: ‘The Deserter’s Daughter’, and, ‘A respectable Woman’.
Now awaiting her new book ‘The Poor Relation’.
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,745 reviews52 followers
May 21, 2019
Clough Lancashire 1892. Juliet Harper just fifteen years old, her pop's dies and Juliet and her mother move to Moorside where her mother takes a seamstress job working for her ladyship, and Juliet takes a job working for Mrs Naseby. a friendship is formed with gardener Hal Price but could this be a start of a romance for Juliet? Wonderfully written, definitely a tear jerker, Juliet has certainly had a fight throughout her teen years, i cannot fault this book and was sorry to read the end.
762 reviews17 followers
June 2, 2019
In 1892 the position of unmarried women was often difficult, if not impossible, even if that if one was talented and skilled. Juliet is a young woman who is attractive and brought up as a skilled needlewoman with a real flair for design, but circumstances, and some people, seem anxious that she does not succeed. This is a saga which reveals real challenges and some opportunities for young people at a time of change. Clothes and gardens can present new openings, but the power of gossip and jealousy can seem overwhelming. This well researched and brilliantly plotted novel is a powerful tribute to the strength of character of a young woman who has to fight against even members of her own family to find a role, and a way forward, as a new century dawns. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read and review a copy of this powerful novel.

Juliet Harper is just fifteen when the book opens in 1892. Her father has just died in an accident, and she is left with her mother, the tempestuous Agnes, who feels deeply the criticism she has always shown to her husband for making her ambition to open her own salon disappear. The village community in which they live has long been unimpressed by Agnes’ ambition and simultaneously admiring of a Mr Nugent, the local lord’s land agent. Juliet is fated to learn more of the latter as she moves with her mother into a sewing room at the local big house, as her mother is given the job of overseeing much of the household sewing, together with an ambiguous position in the hierarchy of servants. Juliet hates her job of caring for an old woman of the village, and seizes the opportunity to gain a position in a local shop where she can begin to use her sewing skills and talent for design. Her mother is jealous of her success, and Juliet’s life seems well set for success when she meets the young and ambitious Hal Price. Things begin to spiral out of her control when her mother falls ill, and a certain man acts to gain access to her. The anger and jealousy of another woman leads to a catastrophic event, and Juliet must act to save herself, even at the cost of leaving all she knows and loves. A new start seems to offer new hope, but she has reckoned without her powerful and influential grandmother, who determines that Juliet will be under her control. Can Juliet grasp the small hope that friendship brings, when she seems to be fighting on all fronts?

This book is a powerful testament to the courage of a young woman when everything is against her. In today’s society when we are aware of how the abuse of women can affect their lives, this book can be painful reading as brutal acts against teenage girls are tacitly accepted, whatever the results. The odds which are stacked against the characters and the ways they must employ to survive are well handled and the ending more than satisfactory. This novel reflects well the research and feeling for the period that the author has unquestionably developed, and as historical fiction writing it is an effective piece of social history in very dramatic form. I recommend this book for fans of sagas in which women must fight to survive, and who enjoy realistic writing.
Profile Image for Karen Mace.
2,421 reviews84 followers
May 27, 2019
This is the 3rd book from Susanna Bavin, and my 1st read of one of hers and I'm now excited to go back and read her other titles as I found this to be captivating, heartbreaking and such a wonderful read following the story of Juliet - and my heart broke for her many times throughout!! She is one of those characters who has a heart of gold but life seems to have such a downer on her - but she's full of determination and such a hard worker that you find yourself cheering on every success and happy moment she gets to encounter.

Juliet has a tough life ahead of her, especially after losing her father so she and her mother have to move and fend for themselves. Agnes finds work as a seamstress for a titled family and Juliet begins to work too, but life doesn't seem to be getting any easier for them, Juliet especially and she soon finds herself alone, picked on by other girls in the sewing room and working for the most loathsome character. But she does find an ally in Hal, who is working in the garden and builds up quite the friendship to the displeasure of others, who want to put as much distance as they can between the two.

Whatever Juliet faces, she never crumbles! And for that she is a total heroine! She has so much responsibility on her shoulders from the start and a heart of gold but people who come into her life seem to just treat her like dirt and take advantage of her. Even members of her own family aren't the most pleasant characters in the way they treat her, but she finds solace in her work and is remarkably tough and I think the creative side of dress making gives her an escape from the misery she has endured.

Set in the 1890's, I found this to be such a gratifying read and a main character who is difficult to be forgotten! She endures such horrific actions throughout, but her spirit is never broken and that is something to be admired!
Profile Image for Louise.
363 reviews20 followers
May 26, 2019
This is the first book I have read by Susanna Bavin and Oh My Goodness.. it won’t be the last!

I adored this fast-paced and meticulously researched historical saga with characters who came to life and stayed with me long after I had finished the last chapter.

The book is set in the late nineteenth century in the North West of England. Our main character Juliet finds herself alone with her dressmaker mother when her father sadly dies. Luckily, mother Agnes is given a job as a seamstress to an upper-class family and at first, things don’t seem too bad. However, Agnes is a bitter, unhappy woman, especially when it comes to her daughter Juliet who she refuses to praise and treats with disdain. Juliet secures a position in a dressmaking shop and begins a friendship with the ambitious gardener Hal Price, could this turn to romance?

The characters in this book just captivated me. It has its share of villains as well as the plucky heroine and the class divide comes through strongly. I loved the subtle dressmaking references and imagined the ladies labouring over the flamboyant outfits of the upper classes, creating masterpieces one tiny stitch at a time.

Expect to experience every emotion with this warm, moving, sometimes heartbreaking page-turner.
Profile Image for Pam Robertson.
1,464 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2020
Set in the 1890's, this novel takes you from the more rural Chorley, into the city of Manchester, in the 1890's. You see at first hand, the effect of the class system on the characters' lives and how some people's entitlement blighted others' lives. Agnes emerges as a courageous and determined individual, who comes to realise her talent as a seamstress and designer is the path out of poverty. At times, it is a torrid tale. Although women have a subservient role in socirty, taking status from their husbands, or even their employer, it is not just the male characters who get to rule the roost. Agnes comes up against some driven women who thought nothing of using her to get what they want. You have to feel for Agnes as she tries to assert her independence.

The period and setting are painstakingly researched and the full cast of characters are well drafted and credible. This can rightly be described as a pageturner. It kept me reading through all the twists and turns of the story. Agnes' friendship with Cecily is a light in the darkness at times and such a contrast to the hostility she sees from so many others.

In short: Manchester in the late 1890's comes alive.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

Profile Image for Tara.
132 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2018
If Susanna Bavin ever needs an alternative career, I think she should consider being a hypnotist.
I’m sure she must have had some training already because the minute I see one of her books, it’s impossible to look away; anything could be happening around me and I wouldn’t notice.
Her third book, The Sewing Room Girl, is a powerfully written story, full of twists and turns, heartbreak and smiles, that will stay with me for a long time.
Every single character pulls their weight. As usual, Susanna’s villains are enough to make me shiver when I think about them, even now.
I also think plucky, courageous Juliet might just be my favourite of Susanna's leading ladies (and I don't say that lightly).
The time period (late 1890s) and location seem meticulously researched. Susanna has the perfect touch when it comes to weaving in little titbits but not making it seem like a history lesson.
Her wonderful words lured me deeper and deeper into the tale until I found myself almost in a trance-like state (and very enjoyable it was too).
I pre-ordered this one and I will be doing the same with book four.
Profile Image for Christina Banach.
Author 1 book130 followers
October 15, 2019
If Susanna Bavin isn’t on your reading radar then she truly ought to be. This is the third novel I’ve read by this author and I can honestly say that it’s just as wonderful as the others. She takes an era from history - in this case it’s the 1920s - and crafts an intriguing, and thoroughly compelling story which is populated by memorable characters. The result of this? A novel to cherish.

Her writing is beautifully descriptive and provides a rich backdrop for the story’s action. Such is the well-judged pace of The Sewing Room Girl that I read this novel in a single weekend, over two days in fact. The protagonist, Juliet, is a remarkable character and her struggles are so vividly portrayed. I really felt for her, and felt like screaming at her mother at times although Ms Bavin’s skills of characterisation meant that I understood Agnes’ reasons for her behaviour as I read on. As for Mr Nugent, well let’s just say that this author has created an unforgettable villain!

This book has love (cue, Hal Price), friendship, adversity, life in all its complexity, and it throws light and understanding upon far-gone times. What a page-turner! I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Profile Image for Alva.
555 reviews48 followers
June 5, 2020
Oh Susanna Bavin, you have captured my heart with this one. Having read The Poor Relation I knew I would love this one too but who knew just how much. So much feeling for Juliet, so much admiration for the way she faced each and every one of the many challenges she was dealt from an early age. So much more understanding for the time she lived in.
This is truly a beautiful story of perseverance in the face of threat and danger, of how some people in life come to rescue you later, and some haunt you forever. How true love hangs in there and how people deal with tremendous loss and move on to acceptance. Juliet's journey through life is an extraordinary one. I loved this book.
287 reviews4 followers
October 14, 2019
The story begins in 1892 when Juliet Harper and her mother have to find a new way of earning a living when her father dies . Mother Agnes manages to find a live in position as seamstress to a local family belonging to the Gentry . Juliet makes an enemy of one of the maid servants . She believes that Juliet is after a job she thinks her sister should have .
Juliet will have to suffer a great deal before she has a chance of happiness and a home of her own
164 reviews
May 23, 2020
Another great read from Susanna Bavin, I've now read 3 of her books and they're all excellent.
This is the story of Juliet in the 1890's . Juliet is 16 and works with her mother in the Sewing Room of a big house where she upsets one of the maids and between that and her mother becoming too ill to work, Juliet has to make drastic decisions about her life.
No spoilers here just take my word and read it for yourself.
Profile Image for Catherine Boardman.
190 reviews
January 7, 2019
Unputdownable. I was gripped from the first sentence by the story of sixteen year old Juliet Harper born into service in a big house just outside Manchester. We follow her, deploying her skills as a seamstress, into Manchester and beyond. Once again author Susanna Bavin had me staying up way beyond my bedtime to finish the book.
Author 3 books21 followers
June 8, 2019
Loved this. Proper review to come.
4 reviews
April 26, 2020
Well what a book! When I started it I thought it was going to be a easy read but just when you thought that a twist appeared right up to the end.
Profile Image for Nicola Smith.
1,145 reviews44 followers
March 26, 2021
I've spent a few happy days completely absorbed in The Sewing Room Girl and I genuinely didn't want to put it down as I followed Juliet through some very tough times in her life.

The book opens in 1892 when Juliet Harper is 15. The death of her father leaves her and her mother, Agnes, in dire straits but luckily Agnes is taken on as seamstress to Lady Drysdale. At first it seems that their luck is holding but a series of tragic and traumatic events leaves Juliet alone in the world. She runs away to seek out the grandmother she has never known but unfortunately that doesn't make her life any easier. Far from it, in fact.

Looking back, I can't believe how much was packed into the 400 or so pages of this story and yet Susanna Bavin never compromised on emotion, characterisation or detail. Poor Juliet has struggle upon struggle thrust upon her but what an amazing character she is. Every time she got knocked down I was thrilled to see her get back up again a little bit stronger than before. In the manner of all the best saga writers, Bavin puts her characters thoroughly through the wringer, only to lead them out again and maybe put them through it again!

I felt totally drawn into the story, not just of Juliet, but her friends and foes too. Whilst she meets some lovely, lifelong, friends, she also makes some wicked enemies, and all the characters are well-drawn and play an important part in the story which the author weaves together so well. There were quite a few surprises that I never saw coming at all, plenty of heartbreaking moments, and some that made me smile too. I really enjoyed the late 19th century setting, and Juliet's work as a seamstress. I could put myself right there with her as she designed and made garments, and went from a village setting to the bustling heart of Manchester.

The Sewing Room Girl is an absolutely brilliant and compelling read that I didn't want to come to an end. I highly recommend it for all saga lovers.
Profile Image for Jaffareadstoo.
2,955 reviews
May 31, 2021

Juliet Harper's life changes forever when her beloved father dies and she and her mother are made to leave the cottage which has been their home for years. Finding work as a seamstress in the home of the local gentry offers both Juliet, and her mother, some element of security but fate has a fickle way of interfering and Juliet finds, to her cost, that not everyone wants to see her succeed. Juliet's life is far from easy but with resilience of spirit and a willingness to learn she is determined to make the best of herself despite the many setbacks which seem to come her way.

The author writes with a real sense of purpose and brings the north of England to life in such a readable way that it is easy to become immersed in the life of all her characters some, it must be said, are more likeable than others. The late Victorian era comes alive particularly in describing Juliet's fascinating career as a seamstress, and shows in detail the social and moral restrictions which were placed upon unmarried women. Location is a real focus point of the novel and the intuitive way in which the author writes about the rich heritage of the North of England is what makes this such a fascinating story and a real page turner.

The Sewing Room Girl is a wonderfully evocative historical saga. Rich in detail and alive with tragedy, heartbreak and happiness, it is a story which is every bit as good as I knew it would be from this talented writer of historical fiction.
14 reviews
January 22, 2021
Unputdownable!

Omg, these books keep me up until the wee hours. But worth the gritty eyes I will have all day!
When you discover an author and all their books are amazing it’s like a hallelujah chorus - yes Susanna Bavin you’ve knocked it out of the park again 🙌
Loved the characters, the multiple strands of the story weaving together and the tenacity of the female protagonist Juliet.
More, more, more!
Profile Image for Gerry.
70 reviews
May 30, 2019
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Susanna Bavin's books but the Sewing Room Girl is perhaps my favourite, such a beautiful story that is expertly written.
670 reviews
June 1, 2025
This book gives a small insight of what went on in that day and age and we are finding out it’s happening now still. Excellent
Profile Image for Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629).
939 reviews41 followers
September 3, 2025
2.75 Stars.

Oh I'm so sad. This one checked all of my boxes according to the reviews. Until I read it. Then I realized it checked boxes that were not mine. The icky boxes. Way to much ickiness.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.