What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mill Town Lasses #2
A Lancashire Lass
Lancashire, 1832: Maids Hannah and Mary find themselves with no jobs and no home when their employer, Henry Sudell, loses all his money and disappears in the middle of the night. They have no choice but to return to Blackburn where Hannah is lucky to be taken in by her sister Jennet and brother-in-law, Titus, but Mary must seek lodgings in the infamous Star beer house.
Mary tries to get her job back as a weaver, but the influx of workers from the countryside and no support for the working class means that jobs are scarce. With no other choice she remains at the beer house, forced to risk her reputation and even her life.
In the middle of a cholera outbreak and political upheaval, can Mary ever find a way to recover all she's lost?
Mary tries to get her job back as a weaver, but the influx of workers from the countryside and no support for the working class means that jobs are scarce. With no other choice she remains at the beer house, forced to risk her reputation and even her life.
In the middle of a cholera outbreak and political upheaval, can Mary ever find a way to recover all she's lost?
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 6, 2020
53 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 12, 2022
Friends Hannah Chadwick and Mary Sharples wake up one morning, and discover their employer Henry Sudell has done a moonlight flit, they have lost their jobs as maids, and they have no choice but to return to Blackburn. Hannah’s sister Jennet is married to Titus Eastwood, he’s willing to let her stay and unfortunately they have no room for Mary.
A desperate Mary needs a place to sleep, she refuses to return to her parents house, and she finds lodgings at Star Beer House. Mary tries all the mills, they don’t have any weaving positions available and Mrs. Hall offers her a part-time job serving in the bar. The owner of the local pawnshop, is a drinker at the Star, he wants more from Mary than a drink and will she give in to his demands?
While living with her sister, Hannah drops her niece off at school, she meets the boy’s teacher Mr. James Hindle, she admires him from a distance and he wouldn’t be interested in her? Hannah is employed as a maid by the Feildens, she feels bad that Mary missed out on the job, and her brother-in-law Titus helped gain her position.
Everyone is nervous when there is an outbreak of cholera, Jennet has an idea for a wash house to be opened in the area, she has the support of the doctor, and it all hinges on the results of the local election. Life in Lancashire in the 1830’s is hard, especially for young women like Hannah and Mary looking for work and families with children, due to poverty, overcrowding and poor sanitation diseases spread like wildfire and social reform was needed. After the election is lost, riots break out, Hannah and Mary face further challenges, and Mary has to make a difficult decision.
I received a copy of A Lancashire Lass by Libby Ashworth from NetGalley and Random House UK in exchange for an honest review. Life was difficult in Lancashire during the 1830's, the authors research is thorough and I can understand why the people were fighting for better working conditions, social reform and four stars from me.
A desperate Mary needs a place to sleep, she refuses to return to her parents house, and she finds lodgings at Star Beer House. Mary tries all the mills, they don’t have any weaving positions available and Mrs. Hall offers her a part-time job serving in the bar. The owner of the local pawnshop, is a drinker at the Star, he wants more from Mary than a drink and will she give in to his demands?
While living with her sister, Hannah drops her niece off at school, she meets the boy’s teacher Mr. James Hindle, she admires him from a distance and he wouldn’t be interested in her? Hannah is employed as a maid by the Feildens, she feels bad that Mary missed out on the job, and her brother-in-law Titus helped gain her position.
Everyone is nervous when there is an outbreak of cholera, Jennet has an idea for a wash house to be opened in the area, she has the support of the doctor, and it all hinges on the results of the local election. Life in Lancashire in the 1830’s is hard, especially for young women like Hannah and Mary looking for work and families with children, due to poverty, overcrowding and poor sanitation diseases spread like wildfire and social reform was needed. After the election is lost, riots break out, Hannah and Mary face further challenges, and Mary has to make a difficult decision.
I received a copy of A Lancashire Lass by Libby Ashworth from NetGalley and Random House UK in exchange for an honest review. Life was difficult in Lancashire during the 1830's, the authors research is thorough and I can understand why the people were fighting for better working conditions, social reform and four stars from me.
September 19, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Lancashire 1832: Maids Hannah and Mary find themselves with no jobs and homeless after their employer, Henry Sudell, loses all his money and does a moonlight flit. They have to return to Blackburn. Hannah's sister, Jennet takes her into her home but Mary has to seek lodgings and finds a room in the infamous Star Beer House. Jobs are scarce and Mary has to risk her reputation and life staying and working at the Beer House. There's also a break out of cholera and political upheaval to overcome.
We get an insight into how the poor had to live. Hannah finds herself another job as a maid and Mary believes she should have had the opportunity to work there. The characters speak in the local vernacular of the era. Women were badly treated and life was hard. We follow both girls through their daily struggles. This is an addictive and gripping read. I could not and did not want to put this book down. Fans of historical fiction will love it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUK #Cornerstone and the author #LibbyAshworth for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lancashire 1832: Maids Hannah and Mary find themselves with no jobs and homeless after their employer, Henry Sudell, loses all his money and does a moonlight flit. They have to return to Blackburn. Hannah's sister, Jennet takes her into her home but Mary has to seek lodgings and finds a room in the infamous Star Beer House. Jobs are scarce and Mary has to risk her reputation and life staying and working at the Beer House. There's also a break out of cholera and political upheaval to overcome.
We get an insight into how the poor had to live. Hannah finds herself another job as a maid and Mary believes she should have had the opportunity to work there. The characters speak in the local vernacular of the era. Women were badly treated and life was hard. We follow both girls through their daily struggles. This is an addictive and gripping read. I could not and did not want to put this book down. Fans of historical fiction will love it.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #RandomHouseUK #Cornerstone and the author #LibbyAshworth for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the arc of A Lancashire Lass.
This follows the Sudells whom have gone bankrupt from their cotton mill and all staff are now redundant. they have no references or pay how will they find another job like this.... the story is told through Hannah and Mary's background, they end up going to Blackburn, they both try to find another mill job but not that easy so Mary lends a hand at the pub in evenings and Hannah is with Jennet and Titus.
This is a heartwarming story involving, two young girls made redundant and try to find a new way to live and you see their bond be tighter than ever, I loved this so much.
4 stars - recommend highly.
This follows the Sudells whom have gone bankrupt from their cotton mill and all staff are now redundant. they have no references or pay how will they find another job like this.... the story is told through Hannah and Mary's background, they end up going to Blackburn, they both try to find another mill job but not that easy so Mary lends a hand at the pub in evenings and Hannah is with Jennet and Titus.
This is a heartwarming story involving, two young girls made redundant and try to find a new way to live and you see their bond be tighter than ever, I loved this so much.
4 stars - recommend highly.
July 27, 2020
I loved reading this story Libby Ashworth draws you in and you feel for the characters and the struggles they face excellent book 5*
July 18, 2020
The Sudells have gone bankrupt from the cotton mill and all staff are now without a job. With no reference or pay how will they find another job?
This tells us Hannah and Mary's story as they head to Blackburn, Hannah stays with Jennet and Titus, and Mary at the Star pub lending a hand in the evening. Both try to go back into mill work but its not that simple.
A delightful story for these two girls, who go through so much in their lives, to survive and find true happiness and love. This book is a inspirational read,with a perfect ending.
I loved it.
This tells us Hannah and Mary's story as they head to Blackburn, Hannah stays with Jennet and Titus, and Mary at the Star pub lending a hand in the evening. Both try to go back into mill work but its not that simple.
A delightful story for these two girls, who go through so much in their lives, to survive and find true happiness and love. This book is a inspirational read,with a perfect ending.
I loved it.
July 18, 2020
Firstly thank you to Net Galley for granting me this much awaited second book in the series of The Mill Town Lasses. I read the first book, The Cotton Spinner and was really excited to continue with this book which focuses on two friends Hannah and Mary. They worked together as maids but their employer, Henry Suddall, does a moonlight flit leaving them both without jobs.
The story follows them both throughly their struggles and I loved the fact that Libby ties it into the families and characters of the first book effortlessly so it’s easy to remember the past connections. You feel as if you have been transported back in time with politics, cholera and back street abortions the atmosphere is gripping.
Loved this book as much as the first and cannot wait for book three. Highly recommend.
The story follows them both throughly their struggles and I loved the fact that Libby ties it into the families and characters of the first book effortlessly so it’s easy to remember the past connections. You feel as if you have been transported back in time with politics, cholera and back street abortions the atmosphere is gripping.
Loved this book as much as the first and cannot wait for book three. Highly recommend.
August 6, 2020
I would just like to thank Isabelle from Penguinrandomhouse for sending me a paperback copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This story is set in Lancashire in 1832 and focuses on Mary - a maid. When she finds herself with no job and no home to live in, she must find lodgings in the infamous Star Beer House and there she tries to get back all that she has lost.
This is the second book in the series but how it is written we get to remember what is in the first book.
As I read through the story the writing was very atmospheric and I felt like i was being transported back in time.
This book was a wonderful, inspirational read with a most perfect ending.
This story is set in Lancashire in 1832 and focuses on Mary - a maid. When she finds herself with no job and no home to live in, she must find lodgings in the infamous Star Beer House and there she tries to get back all that she has lost.
This is the second book in the series but how it is written we get to remember what is in the first book.
As I read through the story the writing was very atmospheric and I felt like i was being transported back in time.
This book was a wonderful, inspirational read with a most perfect ending.
September 12, 2020
A Lancashire Lass had me hooked right from the beginning. Libby Ashworth delves into the hardships faced by townspeople in the industrial north but in particular the difficulties for women. With customs that constrained women and offering little choices in life, Libby places us firmly into the shoes of her characters and what they had to endure. I am looking forward to the next installment of life in the Mill Towns.
September 10, 2020
Mary and Hannah work as maids at the Sudell’s home but when their employer’s cotton mill business takes a hit, the family escape in the night leaving Mary and Hannah jobless and in need of new lodgings.
Hannah goes to stay with her sister Jennet and her brother-in-law Titus and their children and Mary, having nowhere to go, lodges at the Star inn, in exchange for helping the proprietor Mrs Hall with the running of the inn. Mary is expected also to provide ‘services’ for some of the customers and we soon see how much of a downward turn Mary’s life takes. By contrast, Hannah finds employment as a maid once again at the Fielden family’s house which shatters the girls’ friendship as Mary believes she should have had the opportunity to work there herself.
Being set in 1832, in Lancashire, the author, being clearly passionate about the area, brilliantly portrays the hardships of life in that era particularly for women. The speech between the characters is in the local vernacular of the time which sets the scene and immerses you totally in the story and era.
I loved the story and the characters - particularly Mary and Hannah - and felt sorry for how badly women were treated and how hard life was for them at the time. They constantly felt the impact of the lack of choice over their bodies, their homes and in society in general but still the author manages to create strong, likeable female protagonists (Jennet in particular).
I learnt a lot about life in that era - the story is set with the backdrop of a cholera epidemic and its devastating consequences on families. Overall, A Lancashire Lass is a brilliant book which I thoroughly enjoyed and devoured and it left me really wanting to read the other books in the series.
Hannah goes to stay with her sister Jennet and her brother-in-law Titus and their children and Mary, having nowhere to go, lodges at the Star inn, in exchange for helping the proprietor Mrs Hall with the running of the inn. Mary is expected also to provide ‘services’ for some of the customers and we soon see how much of a downward turn Mary’s life takes. By contrast, Hannah finds employment as a maid once again at the Fielden family’s house which shatters the girls’ friendship as Mary believes she should have had the opportunity to work there herself.
Being set in 1832, in Lancashire, the author, being clearly passionate about the area, brilliantly portrays the hardships of life in that era particularly for women. The speech between the characters is in the local vernacular of the time which sets the scene and immerses you totally in the story and era.
I loved the story and the characters - particularly Mary and Hannah - and felt sorry for how badly women were treated and how hard life was for them at the time. They constantly felt the impact of the lack of choice over their bodies, their homes and in society in general but still the author manages to create strong, likeable female protagonists (Jennet in particular).
I learnt a lot about life in that era - the story is set with the backdrop of a cholera epidemic and its devastating consequences on families. Overall, A Lancashire Lass is a brilliant book which I thoroughly enjoyed and devoured and it left me really wanting to read the other books in the series.
August 25, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author and I loved it. Set in North West England in the 1830’s the story is really interesting. We see how different and difficult life was for people back in those days. A great story with good characters.
January 29, 2022
Book 2 in the series, this is mainly about Hannah and Mary. I enjoyed this historical novel but the injustices of the time make me angry. It's definitely not all bleakness and despair so don't let me put you off. I'm going to binge read the next instalment now!
July 4, 2025
Here me out…. Yes, it looks like something my gran would have read but it’s beautifully written in Lancashire dialect. It’s taught me so much about how my great great great grandparents would have lived and about the politics and social issues of the time. Loved it!
August 16, 2020
The unthinkable happens when the rich Sudell family loose everything and do a moonlight flit. Hannah and Mary had thought their jobs had been a way out of the mills in Blackburn but now they had no work, no references and no pay. The book gives an insight into the lives of the poor and impoverished in the Lancashire Town in the mid 19th century. It is well written and researched and I loved it.
August 17, 2020
Historical drama set in a turbulent time of reform. The characters are well portrayed,especially the girls,who struggle with the choices available to them. A good read
August 17, 2020
Great Book
This is a brilliant book and I can't wait for the final book in this series to come out in February.
This is a brilliant book and I can't wait for the final book in this series to come out in February.
December 21, 2020
Lovely book!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend to read. Could not put book down once I had started reading loved book!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend to read. Could not put book down once I had started reading loved book!
January 5, 2021
Having grown up in Feniscowles this was a very good read
Read
April 6, 2021Great read
April 13, 2023
Loved the 2nd book in the series and looking forward to the next one
February 15, 2025
Found the story a bit disappointing compared to authors other stories.
January 27, 2021
This is the second of The Mill Town Lasses trilogy and I am looking forward to the third part coming out in Feb 2021......A Lancashire Lass was quite a historic lesson on cholera and workers rights...and that was no rights...And the only people that had the vote was ones that paid £10 or more in rent...Great storyteller in the Catherine Cookson manner.
November 12, 2020
A quick, easy read. Wasn't my favourite of this genre unfortunately.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews