'Real sagas with female characters right at the heart' Woman's Hour'Heart-warming, emotional and simply wonderful . . . If you think family sagas aren't for you, you've never read Glenda Young's books - pick one up today and you'll be converted' 5 * reader reviewIf you love Dilly Court and Rosie Goodwin, you'll LOVE Glenda Young's 'amazing novels!' (ITV's This Morning presenter Sharon Marshall)'A super saga with a sparky heroine' People's Friend'Definitely an author not to be missed when it comes to family sagas' The Book Magnet'Writes superb historical fiction that bring the era alive. Her books are unbeatable and unputdownable' Ginger Book Geek'The perfectly imperfect, human nature of Glenda Young's characters are what keeps her readership hooked' Clyde's Corner'Gritty, compelling and full of heart . . . an exceptional saga' Bookish Jottings................................................................'She's just a paper mill girl.'Seventeen-year-old Ruth Hardy works long hours at Grange Paper Works, with her younger sister Bea, and spends her free time caring for their ailing parents. Their meagre income barely covers their needs, so when Bea reveals that she is pregnant out of wedlock, Ruth knows even tougher times are ahead.Ruth's hard work at the mill does not go unnoticed and it looks as though luck might turn when she's promoted. But when the arrival of Bea's baby girl ends in tragedy, Ruth is left with no choice but to bring up her niece herself. However, news of Ruth's plan brings a threatening menace close.Although Ruth's friendship with the girls at the mill, and the company of charming railway man, Mick Carson, sustain her, ultimately Ruth bears the responsibility for keeping her family safe. Will she ever find happiness of her own?................................................................Look out for all of Glenda's compelling sagas - Belle of the Back Streets, The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane, The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon, The Paper Mill Girl and The Miner's Lass - out now!Plus, Glenda has launched a brand-new cosy-crime mystery series - don't miss Murder at the Seaview Hotel and Curtain Call at the Seaview Hotel - out now!What readers are saying about Glenda's heartwrenching 'Better than a Catherine Cookson' 5* reader review 'Wonderful read, full of rich characters, evocative description and a touch of romance' 5* reader review 'Just wanted it to go on forever and read more about the characters and their lives' 5* reader review&l
Glenda Young writes such lovely atmospheric stories that draw you in and take you on a journey.Ruth Hardy has a hard life working all day at the mill then going home to care for her sick parents as well as all the household chores to be done, she also has to keep an eye on Bea her sister which is getting hard.When ruth is promoted at the mill could her life be changing for the better or will it make her life twice as hard.Thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for the chance to read this fabulous book 5*
Highly recommended. We see the paper being made from rags and esparto grass, with a room full of girls seated at cutting benches ripping up the rags as they were brought to the Ryhope mill near Sunderland. Life wasn't easy and money was scarce, especially for young women who were paid less than men. What we don't see is the finished rolls of paper, but I guess the girls didn't get near that bit.
Family complications include a hasty wedding and ill parents, a new baby who can't be brought to work, and more than one death. We also see the upper class, reformers in the new Methodist tradition, trying to help the workers.
The author visited a working paper mill and made her own sheet of paper, which all shows in the telling. This is an unbiased review.
‘The Paper Mill Girl’ is the fifth book in the Ryhope Village series. I have read, loved and reviewed each of the earlier books in the series and I couldn’t wait to read ‘The Paper Mill Girl’. So I grabbed my copy of the book, I grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for an afternoon of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Paper Mill Girl’ but more about that in a bit. I loved the character of Ruth Hardy and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact by the time I got through the first third of the story, I had begun to think of her as a friend. She is certainly a young lady, who has had to grow up quicker than perhaps she should have. Her mother is suffering from an illness and her father has been left permanently disabled by an accident at the pit and Ruth has been doing her best to care for them both. In fact it sometimes seems as though she and her parents have swapped roles. I hope that makes sense. Ruth’s life isn’t made any easier by the fact that she ends up having to bring up her niece Maude too. All this whilst she is holding down a job at a busy paper mill. The poor girl is that busy worrying about and caring for others that she seems to have forgotten to look after herself too. There were so many times where I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to give her a reassuring hug or to remonstrate with whoever had upset her. There is a glimmer of hope in the future and a potential love interest. I just kept everything crossed that Ruth would get the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not ging to tell you. Oh my word, ‘The Paper Mill Girl’ really is an amazing read. The book developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. I picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to make a start but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I was still reading several chapters later. In fact I was so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. I read the book in a single day because I couldn’t bear to put the book to one side. Part of my addiction to the book is due to the fact that I thought so much of Ruth. All too quickly I reached the end of the book. I found ‘The Paper Mill Girl’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. ‘The Paper Mill Girl’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of Glenda’s books in general. Glenda grabs your attention from the start and draws you into what proves to be a compelling story. I I love the fact that she bases her stories in Ryhope, which isn’t that far from me and I have family from there too. I never got to meet my Ryhope relatives but by reading books such as Glenda’s, I feel closer to them somehow. Glenda brings Ryhope alive and I feel as though I know the area, even though I have hardly stepped foot over there. I found that I became so involved in the story that I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to defend Ruth and to protect her from others. A strange coincidence is the fact that a lot of the names in the book appear in my own family tree- including my mother’s maiden name, my Dad’s family name (Bobby) and the Hardy family. I kept imagining my relatives as characters in the book. I hope that makes sense. In my own opinion, Glenda Young writes superb historical fiction that bring the era alive. Her books are unbeatable and unputdownable. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Paper Mill Girl’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Glenda’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Glenda Young is definitely an author not to be missed when it comes to family sagas and I have been a fan of hers since I read Pearl of Pit Lane almost a year ago. Although tinged with sadness, The Paper Mill Girl is a wonderfully heart-warming novel filled with strong, colourful characters that I took to my heart.
I loved the main character of Ruth Hardy; dedicated to looking after her unexpectedly expanding family, Ruth is also the best friend a girl could have. Friendship plays a huge part in the book as the rag room girls work, laugh and love together. In a time where every penny counts, they are always willing to share what they have and look after each other and their lunchtime outings never failed to put a smile on my face.
Set in 1919, it's a stark reminder that it's very much a man's world and Ruth is in the unenviable position of being the sole breadwinner as the Hardy family struggles to keep a roof over their heads in the back room of the Guide Post Inn. It's shockingly amusing that men always find money for beer whilst their wives could be at home boiling the bones of a chicken to feed their family. I'd take beer over chicken any day though!
I'm not ashamed to say that I shed a tear or two while I was reading The Paper Mill Girl. Glenda Young's beautifully warm writing really brings the characters to life and I experienced their emotions alongside them. I was positively beaming towards the end of the book and tears of happiness brimmed in my eyes but I quickly blinked them away so I could keep reading as I didn't want to miss a single word.
I always look forward to reading the author's note in Glenda Young's books as her research is outstanding and adds authenticity to the story. I actually didn't realise that Sunderland had a paper mill and even though I've had a book in my hand for most of my life, I had never considered the composition of paper. It was really interesting to get a glimpse inside a working mill in 1919 through Glenda's fantastic storytelling.
The Paper Mill Girl is heart-warming, emotional and simply wonderful. It's perfect escapism and I really can't recommend it highly enough as I absolutely loved it. If you think family sagas aren't for you, you've never read Glenda Young's books - pick one up today and you'll be converted.
Many thanks to Headline for sending me an ARC to read and review for the blog tour; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
An outstanding tale of courage, hope and loyalty, The Paper Mill Girl is another must-read saga from Glenda Young’s immensely talented pen.
The burdens of duty and responsibility weigh heavily on seventeen year old Ruth Hardy’s shoulders. The hours are long at Grange Mill Paper Works and when the working day is done, Ruth has to roll up her sleeves yet again and look after her ailing parents. Money is tight and her salary meagre and Ruth has to make plenty of sacrifices in order to keep the wolf from the door and her parents and her sister Bea as far as she possibly can from the shadow of the workhouse. Life is tough enough already for Ruth and her family and when Bea announces that she is pregnant out of wedlock, it looks like there are harder times ahead for them all. Yet, Ruth refuses to be deterred, but can she handle all that is being thrown her way? Or will she end up crumbling under all the pressure?
Ruth’s work at the paper mill hasn’t gone unnoticed as she soon gets promoted, but just when things finally seem to be going her way for once, there is further upheaval in store for her and her family when her sister’s pregnancy ends in tragedy. Heartbroken and grief-stricken, Ruth needs to be strong once again as she has an infant child to bring up. However, her selfless act will have serious repercussions for her and her family which will bring a dangerous enemy intent on wreaking havoc and destruction closer and closer. But just when all seems completely lost and desperate, Ruth finds herself drawn to charming railway man Mick Carson…
Will happiness ever be within Ruth’s reach? Or will she forever be condemned to a lifetime of loss, heartache and regret?
Gritty, compelling and full of heart, The Paper Mill Girl is an exceptional saga about resilience, survival and love that tells the story of a brave, steadfast and compassionate young woman willing to do whatever it takes to protect the ones she loves. Ruth is a wonderful heroine whose strength, sensibility and capacity for forgiveness will bring readers to tears on many an occasion.
When readers pick up a Glenda Young saga, they know that they are in very safe hands and that is certainly the case for her latest first-class tale, The Paper Mill Girl.
Another lovely enchanting novel from this author that reader's just grow to love. Ruth Hardy and her sister Bea both work at the Grange Paper Works in Ryhope Sunderland, and talks is they have a new owner arriving taken over from the Blackwells, and changes are going to happen, both live in one room with their sick parents in the Guide Post Inn run by the landlady Mrs Pike, they rely on their wages to pay the rent and food, it's September 1919 and Ruth is keen on Mick Carson but with work and commitments at home courtship is hard to do, while Bea her sister is out gallivanting with Jimmy Tate who couldn't hold down a job Ruth is not keen on him one bit. what will the Mill and home she is worried would they still have jobs her mind is full of what if's, then her sister drops a massive bomb shell that they could do without. this book is a true heartbreaker, in places for the special main character Ruth, who's such a strong willed girl, all these authors books are stand alone, but what makes them special is the added bonus of seeing other main characters along the way that put a lump in your throat as you grow to know them. such unique, this book brings a wholesome Joy into your heart. so what does the future hold for Ruth? I do recommend you read and find out, its one inspirational book to read.
Thanks to Net Galley for offering the opportunity to read this book. I found this book totally absorbing - it follows Ruth Hardy and her life as a worker at the Grange Paper works. What I loved about this book is the description of life and hardships experienced as a Mill worker. You felt like you were transported experiencing how difficult it was to live through poverty and illness and I felt great admiration for Ruth putting her life on hold completely for her parents and sister Bea at the risk of losing her true love. The book was very interesting and brought out all sorts of emotions. it was concluded very nicely which I also loved - some books you are left to your own conclusions. would highly recommend
I could not put this book down you certainly will need tissues as the ready.
Ruth and her sister Bea work at the paper mill. Ruth will fight for the girls in the department she works in. She is also looking after her parents as her Father was hurt in the mine and cannot work so it is Ruth and Bea’s income that keep them.
Ruth is certainly a strong character and circumstances change for her to make things a wee bit better for her at the mill.
There is romance and also some sad bits in the book.
Excellent story set in early 20th century village in Sunderland.Story based around a young girl who works in a paper making factory ( Paper Mill) in the Grangetown/Ryhope area of Sunderland.Most of story set in Ryhope village, Sunderland ( now in the present day county of Tyne and Wear). A must for both historical fiction and local fiction readers alike.The characters are real and true to life. The coalmine area's really well researched and even has a brilliant and historically accurate map of Ryhope Village in 1919 in the front of the book.
I absolutely adored The Paper Mill Girl! Glenda Young's vivid portrayal of 19th-century England and her compelling characters had me hooked from the first page. Ruth's strength, resilience, and unwavering hope in the face of adversity were truly inspiring. I couldn't put this book down, and I'm already eager to dive into Young's other works.
Another stunning saga from Glenda Young it was unputdownable and the main star Ruth was amazing I would like to see a follow on with this story just to see how things turn out for the three girls and their lives sad about Bea and Jean heart breaking but good fun inbetween would definitely recommend this book and give it more than five stars
Another absorbing story from Glenda Young, continuing the Ryhope series with Ruth’s story of love, loss, tragedy and community. The characters come to life and the setting is woven in perfectly in this satisfying read.
Really enjoyed this book another book that I never wanted to stop reading I must say only my 2nd book by Glenda but she got me hooked Can wait to read more from Glenda young Starting my 3rd book now x
I actually loved this book so much that I have been reading it all day because I wanted to find out what happened to Ruth and Mick. This story flowed so well and I was hooked from start to finish, would love to know what happened next too
After living in poverty most of her life, and losing her little sister and looking after her niece and everyone else, when when will she look and find happiness for herself and is it with Mick Carsen? Loved this book 5 Stars and more
An enjoyable pleasant and easy read. Read it in a day. Character driven and plenty of day to day drama for Ruth. I really wanted to see Ruth finally have a bit of luck and happiness for a change.
Another brilliant book by Glenda Young, I've only got one more of her books to read (waiting on delivery) then I will of read all of her books :) Definitely recommend 👌