The Harbour Girl

by Val Wood

Scarborough, 1880 Jeannie spends her days in the town's teeming fishing port, waiting for Ethan Wharton to return on his father's trawler. She had always expected to marry the loyal and dependable Ethan, but when she meets Harry, a handsome stranger from Hull, Jeannie can't help but fall for his charm. When Jeannie falls pregnant and Harry breaks his promise to come back for her, she is alone. Resolving to make a better life for her and her child, Jeannie moves to the city in a bid to keep them from poverty. Starting over brings heartache and tragedy, and Jeannie finds herself longing for her lost love. But will Ethan find the strength to forgive her? If you enjoy books by Katie Flynn and Dilly Court, you'll love Val's heartwarming stories of triumph over adversity.

Genres: Historical, Romance, Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2011

About the author

Valerie Wood

Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book and I have become quite a fan of Val Wood and the stories she writes in the areas that are near where I live. Recommended.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great read that I just couldn't put down! My only complaint would be that the ending with Jeannie and Ethan finally getting together was a tad rushed!

[penelopewanders]

It seems to me I selected this from the bookcrossing Alphabet VBB a few years ago, and only pulled it out of my TBR bookcase now.
Initially I struggled to get into this, as it felt like too many red flags waving wildly, with the innocent young girl foolishly succombing to the charm of the big(ger) city boy...
Eventually, once Jeannie's fate was sealed, I began to appreciate the story far more.
Her courage and determination were good to read about, and of course it was a treat to learn so much about the fishing and herring trade at the turn of the (other) century.
It was a bit of a relief it ended as it did, because the inevitability of her situation, the inescapability, despite the obvious wrongness of it, was difficult for modern mindsets like mine to accept.

[Frances Brody · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's ages since I read a saga, and I thoroughly enjoyed this page-turner. It has the essential ingredients: plucky heroine, Jeannie, separated from her childhood sweetheart, Ethan, when she marries the wrong man and bears up under enormous hardship. What makes the story stand out for me is the meticulously evoked time and place: 1880s Scarborough and Hull, and the lives of fisherfolk. I could almost taste the salt in the air.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I do love a good historic romance novel, however this didn’t quite hit the spot for me. I thought the story dragged in places and I wish the author added more depth to some of the relationships. Saying that I found Jeannie’s story to be brave and resilient, albeit a little heartbreaking. It really opened my eyes as to how much lower class citizens struggled in this era, particularly when female who had few choices.

[Fran Mewse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book I couldn't put it down. Loved the storyline and the characters. Val Wood made it feel like it was happening around you. Will be on the look out for another from this author.

[Delina Belay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well thought out and written book. Val Wood did an incredible job at making me feel immersed in the story. The only reason why I didn't give it five stars is because I didn't really connect to the character of Jeanie. She just seemed to be continually making such stupid decisions that it started becoming frustrating to me.

I honestly believe that the story would have been ten times better if Mary was the main character. I felt that she was way more interesting, what with how she raises her children alone, and her inner conflict as she decides whether she should remarry or remain loyal to her late husband. Mary, I feel, is someone who many women can relate to much more than Jeannie, which is why I believe she would have been a much better protagonist.

Overall this was a really well written book with compelling characters, an empowering yet melancholic atmosphere topped with a vivid and immersive world. Well done Val Wood. You earned yourself a satisfied reader 😊

[Amy DeWolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, this was a sad book - poor Jeannie just couldn't seem to catch a break!

This was my first time reading this author and I really enjoyed her writing. She did a great job with her descriptions and I feel like I learned more about fishing in the 1880s.

I adored Ethan and the little side story of his dad and Jeannie's mom was cute. Harry was just a terrible cad and Connie can go choke on a herring.

I just wish there was more development at the end.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The harbour

Every page has had me held. Great story and as usual Val takes the readers hand and help you love the character's. I'd love to read how they all got on. Great story thank you Val 💖

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usual Val Wood format. The local interest of Hull is what draws me in.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Harbour Girl gives insight on poverty and survival struggles of British fishing communities in the 1800's. Jeannie, the female main character, demonstrates strength and courage beyond her years.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie

I loved this book reading about Scarborough and hull a great book I'm now hooked on vals books 5 stars .

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok, it felt like the ending was very rushed.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast page turner, very engrossed.

[Bernie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

[Vijay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harry was not a bad person but the situation was.
I felt sad when he died and i can just feel the thoughts harry must've felt when sea was engulfing him. The regret... the.. the Desolation.... i can't explain it in my words.
The promise that Harry made with jeannie on Christmas was left unexplored..
I wanted harry to get better with jeannie and ethan to move on with his life..
But this ending is not that bad at all.
SATISFYING READ I'LL SAY...

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got in to reading this book i couldnt put it down i kept saying to myself just another page and then it was another,i felt i was living this young girls life with her and how hard it was for her.

[Kath · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read - a good book to wind down with. I enjoyed the East Yorkshire historical background to the book and the story was typically Val Wood - tragedy and heartache but with a happy ending. If you like Catherine Cookson you will love this author.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Loved it .. Couldn't Put it Down ..

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

bit repetitive but enjoyed it all the same overall. Not sure id read more from this author though

[Robyn333]

Lovely story, I enjoyed reading this book

[Mookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the few penny paperbacks where I thought the romantic lead sounded hot AF.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story but felt it was rushed in some places and too sketchy in others, so very patchy which was a shame as the story was good, had me hooked, lots of twists, never boring, just lack of descriptions at times and weird sentences and jumping about in time n place suddenly.