What do you think?
Rate this book
Silver Slippers
"Silver Slippers" by Temple Bailey. Published by Good Press. Good Press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. From well-known classics & literary fiction and non-fiction to forgotten−or yet undiscovered gems−of world literature, we issue the books that need to be read. Each Good Press edition has been meticulously edited and formatted to boost readability for all e-readers and devices. Our goal is to produce eBooks that are user-friendly and accessible to everyone in a high-quality digital format.
- GenresClassics
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1928
44 people want to read
About the author
Temple Bailey
104 books11 followersKnown as "Queen of the Romantic Novel", Irene Temple Bailey was born in Petersburg, Virginia. Her childhood was spent in Washington, D.C., and she attended a girls' school in Richmond, Virginia. In the early 1900s, she had her fiction published in national magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Cavalier Magazine, Cosmopolitan, American Magazine, McClure's, Woman's Home Companion, Good Housekeeping, and McCall's.
Her success with short stories inspired her to try her hand at books, and her first novel, Judy, was published in 1907. She eventually wrote over 25 best-selling books and became one of the most successful authors of her time. Later she also ventured into screenwriting; in 1914 she wrote the screenplay for the Vitagraph Studios film Auntie.
Temple Bailey is probably most famous for her short story, "A Parable of Motherhood."
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Her success with short stories inspired her to try her hand at books, and her first novel, Judy, was published in 1907. She eventually wrote over 25 best-selling books and became one of the most successful authors of her time. Later she also ventured into screenwriting; in 1914 she wrote the screenplay for the Vitagraph Studios film Auntie.
Temple Bailey is probably most famous for her short story, "A Parable of Motherhood."
Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 16, 2025
Joan thinks she has found her true love when she meets Drew, and she readily agrees to an engagement. But Drew is selfish and jealous, and he laughs at what he calls her "prudish morality." Joan is so unhappy that she turns for advice to a new acquaintance, Giles, a young man who owns a bookshop in town. Giles quickly recognizes Joan's innocence and sweetness, and vows that he will help her get away from greedy high-society people like Drew. But Joan finds herself fascinated with Drew, despite his faults, and she can't make up her mind to leave him. At the same time, she trusts Giles' wisdom, and wishes that Drew could be so steady and faithful.
I loved all the ups and downs of this romance! Poor Joan is tossed about and lied to and fooled, because she is so innocent and trusting. She mingles in high society where they are all lying to each other and flirting and gambling, but she longs for a simple life. I loved seeing her character development as she realizes the truth about her own soul, and finds the courage to demand the truth from others.
Giles is absolutely delicious! He's strong and steady and honest. He's everything a hero should be! I fell in love with him immediately because he loves books, but then I fell in love with him again over and over in every chapter as he consistently shows courage and kindness and generosity to everyone around him. You can really feel his struggle as he agonizes over how to advise Joan without pushing forward his own dreams of love on her. He is the soul of honor, and he genuinely cares for her, even if it means she might be happier with another man.
The writing really grips your emotions and I was crying through half the book, and not just about the whole emotional romance, but also the many supporting characters who have struggles of their own. Giles has a friend who is suffering after his injuries in the war. Joan brings comfort to a lonely old housekeeper at the hotel. Joan befriends a widow lady with two children. Even Drew's sister is weary of society facades and longs for some real connection. So many lonely and grieving people who have given up on their dreams, but in the end they all find peace and happiness.
I really enjoyed the many Christian themes in this book. Joan and Giles both spend time on their knees in prayer, asking God for guidance and strength. This brought so much depth to the story, and gave more meaning to their character arcs as they grow and find courage.
It was really refreshing to see a romance heroine falling in love, but then reconsidering and really thinking it through to discern what type of character and personality her fiancé has. She really analyzes whether or not she would be happy with Drew, and she has to face that question with courage, which is so hard to find when you are lonely and frightened and lost and that other person seems to have all the answers. I was inspired by her courage and discernment!
To see sensitive details of the short description of death and a paragraph about a fist fight, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/silver...
I loved all the ups and downs of this romance! Poor Joan is tossed about and lied to and fooled, because she is so innocent and trusting. She mingles in high society where they are all lying to each other and flirting and gambling, but she longs for a simple life. I loved seeing her character development as she realizes the truth about her own soul, and finds the courage to demand the truth from others.
Giles is absolutely delicious! He's strong and steady and honest. He's everything a hero should be! I fell in love with him immediately because he loves books, but then I fell in love with him again over and over in every chapter as he consistently shows courage and kindness and generosity to everyone around him. You can really feel his struggle as he agonizes over how to advise Joan without pushing forward his own dreams of love on her. He is the soul of honor, and he genuinely cares for her, even if it means she might be happier with another man.
The writing really grips your emotions and I was crying through half the book, and not just about the whole emotional romance, but also the many supporting characters who have struggles of their own. Giles has a friend who is suffering after his injuries in the war. Joan brings comfort to a lonely old housekeeper at the hotel. Joan befriends a widow lady with two children. Even Drew's sister is weary of society facades and longs for some real connection. So many lonely and grieving people who have given up on their dreams, but in the end they all find peace and happiness.
I really enjoyed the many Christian themes in this book. Joan and Giles both spend time on their knees in prayer, asking God for guidance and strength. This brought so much depth to the story, and gave more meaning to their character arcs as they grow and find courage.
It was really refreshing to see a romance heroine falling in love, but then reconsidering and really thinking it through to discern what type of character and personality her fiancé has. She really analyzes whether or not she would be happy with Drew, and she has to face that question with courage, which is so hard to find when you are lonely and frightened and lost and that other person seems to have all the answers. I was inspired by her courage and discernment!
To see sensitive details of the short description of death and a paragraph about a fist fight, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/silver...
March 24, 2025
A beautiful and tender novel! This is my very first Temple Bailey book and I'm totally hooked. The writing is gently compelling with exquisite descriptions and finely drawn characters. Though this is not a cozy vintage romance like a Kathleen Norris novel, it's just as enjoyable and lovely to read.
The relationship between simple, caring Joan and money-seeking, handsome Drew is the undercurrent of the story, while Joan's connection with the quiet and strong bookseller, Giles, runs parallel. Every single character is this book has stuck with me—Temple Bailey has a great talent for creating characters with an intense "real" quality that is unforgettable.
At one point, I had to stop reading this book because I was so invested and I had such a hard time distancing myself from the sorrow of one section of the story. But thankfully, once I returned to it, I began to love the book even more.
So many thanks to my vintage romance book buddy, Andrea (@sorrythankyou79) for finding and suggesting this author to me. She introduces me to the BEST vintage books!
If you enjoy themes of rags to riches, long lasting responsibilities, tender hearts, loyalty, friendship and/or discovering one's inner strength and basic needs, you will adore Silver Slippers. I can't wait to read more of this author's books!
The relationship between simple, caring Joan and money-seeking, handsome Drew is the undercurrent of the story, while Joan's connection with the quiet and strong bookseller, Giles, runs parallel. Every single character is this book has stuck with me—Temple Bailey has a great talent for creating characters with an intense "real" quality that is unforgettable.
At one point, I had to stop reading this book because I was so invested and I had such a hard time distancing myself from the sorrow of one section of the story. But thankfully, once I returned to it, I began to love the book even more.
So many thanks to my vintage romance book buddy, Andrea (@sorrythankyou79) for finding and suggesting this author to me. She introduces me to the BEST vintage books!
If you enjoy themes of rags to riches, long lasting responsibilities, tender hearts, loyalty, friendship and/or discovering one's inner strength and basic needs, you will adore Silver Slippers. I can't wait to read more of this author's books!
June 19, 2020
I've had this book sitting on my shelf for years and finally cracked it open this month. Temple Bailey was a bestselling author in her lifetime, and this 1928 book gives a fun taste of what people were reading then.
I actually liked Joan, the main character. She felt fairly real and grew throughout the story. Most of the other characters were a bit superficial. The story was not my favorite. It was too much romance without enough other stuff to keep it interesting. The characters felt like pawns of the author; she kept pushing them around, adding roadblocks, spinning out the story to the required length.
But it was super interesting just as a relic of its time, even though I knew from the first that Joan would end up with the man . Overall, I think I would read another book by Ms. Bailey if it crossed my path, but I'm not sure I'll be seeking any more out right away.
I actually liked Joan, the main character. She felt fairly real and grew throughout the story. Most of the other characters were a bit superficial. The story was not my favorite. It was too much romance without enough other stuff to keep it interesting. The characters felt like pawns of the author; she kept pushing them around, adding roadblocks, spinning out the story to the required length.
But it was super interesting just as a relic of its time, even though I knew from the first that Joan would end up with the man . Overall, I think I would read another book by Ms. Bailey if it crossed my path, but I'm not sure I'll be seeking any more out right away.
March 25, 2013
Another little gem from Temple Bailey.
Joan Dudley is orphaned as a young adult. She becomes the companion to her wealthy aunt and prey to a middle-aged man who is first attracted to her because of the possibility that she will inherit her aunt's money. Joan is at first enthralled by the life-style, people and things, that are her aunt's circle. She must come to decide at what price, if any, she is willing to give for her integrity of character. There are many people on each side of the question, almost devils and angels sitting on her shoulders. I like that Joan is not a perfect character. She sometimes succumbs to one, at other times she rises to the other.
Quotes: "A princess with a tray in her hand is still a princess." p.18
"Joan was gentle, but she had a keen sense of her own dignity and what was due it...She knew in all the intimate relations of life there will be, inevitable, friction, but she knew, too, that there are certain amenities which must be preserved if two people are to retain their mutual respect." p.68
"A man is only the bricks and mortar of a house. The woman is the hearthstone and the flame of the fire and the light of the lamp." p.157
"One must dwell, rather, on the deep significance of suffering. Gethsemane? And the world found a savior! Out of travail came strength, purification. It was old fashioned to speak of such matters, but wise men knew them." p.208
Joan Dudley is orphaned as a young adult. She becomes the companion to her wealthy aunt and prey to a middle-aged man who is first attracted to her because of the possibility that she will inherit her aunt's money. Joan is at first enthralled by the life-style, people and things, that are her aunt's circle. She must come to decide at what price, if any, she is willing to give for her integrity of character. There are many people on each side of the question, almost devils and angels sitting on her shoulders. I like that Joan is not a perfect character. She sometimes succumbs to one, at other times she rises to the other.
Quotes: "A princess with a tray in her hand is still a princess." p.18
"Joan was gentle, but she had a keen sense of her own dignity and what was due it...She knew in all the intimate relations of life there will be, inevitable, friction, but she knew, too, that there are certain amenities which must be preserved if two people are to retain their mutual respect." p.68
"A man is only the bricks and mortar of a house. The woman is the hearthstone and the flame of the fire and the light of the lamp." p.157
"One must dwell, rather, on the deep significance of suffering. Gethsemane? And the world found a savior! Out of travail came strength, purification. It was old fashioned to speak of such matters, but wise men knew them." p.208
January 23, 2020
I liked the atmosphere and characters the author created, but found the overall story a little disappointing. Too much reliance on external conflict (misunderstandings, letters gone astray, quixotic promises) made the second half of the novel drag a bit. Still had its charms though.
June 13, 2023
Look, I love a vintage romance as much as the next gal but this one ain’t it. The main character is an InNoCeNt girl who doesn’t like to play cards or flirt. She gets betrothed to a scoundrel whose main faults are… liking to have fun and having an ex? (He apparently has a shady past but we never get any details). Oh, and he doesn’t really love her, just the fact that she MIGHT inherit money one day. Our hero (not scoundrel fiancé) likens her to ship headed for rocks and it’s his MORAL duty to save her (not cuz he’s in love with her…spoiler, he is). Throw in some casual misogyny -“she was so independent as to be almost unfeminine” - and my least favorite trope of miscommunication and call it a day.
August 18, 2018
Follow a young woman as she becomes swept into a world of great riches and a an intoxicating love. As she goes on her journey she finds new friends, family, and those with her best interest at heart. Can she find happiness in this alien world? Will her love be all that she believes?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews