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The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl
As a terrible storm rages, Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a distressed young woman at her cottage door, heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. But by dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.
When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.
The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.
Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?
Praise for AnneMarie
'Poignant, powerful and searingly emotional, AnneMarie Brear stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest works by some of the genre’s greatest writers such as Catherine Cookson, Audrey Howard and Rosamunde Pilcher.'
When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.
The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.
Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?
Praise for AnneMarie
'Poignant, powerful and searingly emotional, AnneMarie Brear stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest works by some of the genre’s greatest writers such as Catherine Cookson, Audrey Howard and Rosamunde Pilcher.'
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2022
724 people are currently reading
2567 people want to read
About the author
AnneMarie Brear
66 books289 followersAustralian born AnneMarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances and sometimes the odd short story, too. Her passions, apart from writing, are travelling, reading, researching historical eras and looking for inspiration for her next book.
https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
http://www.annemaribrear.com
https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
http://www.annemaribrear.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
January 30, 2022
In a Nutshell: The story wasn’t exactly what I had expected, but it was quite interesting for its genre. But what a spoiler of a title! Sheesh!
Story:
A warning coming your way: DON’T READ THE GOODREADS BLURB!!! It reveals too much of the story and spoiled my reading experience. As I progressed through the initial chapters, I was wondering what made me request a historical romance, a genre I haven't read in ages and don’t pick nowadays. That's when I took a relook at the blurb and realised that the events mentioned therein don't even begin until 45% into the book!
I can save you from the spoilers in the blurb, but I am sorry I cannot save you from the spoiler in the title. I wonder who decided to name this book, “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. The appearance of the titular ‘orphan’ is a little before the midway mark, and the first appearance of the peacock shawl is much earlier, around the 18% point. Elementary, my dear Watson! The woman having the peacock shawl is going to give birth at some point in the story, and whoops, she’s gonna die too! (“Orphan” after all, not just “baby” in a peacock shawl! Aargh!) If the shawl were of an ordinary colour such as “red”, I would not have noticed anything when it was first mentioned, but calling it “peacock” is such an obvious giveaway to what’s going to happen.
Since the title is already a spoiler, I suppose it does no big harm if I mention that the orphan's dad isn’t dead. But he doesn’t make a direct appearance in the story at all. It irritated me that no one was gunning to catch the male culprit and making him pay; the entire focus/blame was on the woman, as always.
Of course, I ought to look at the merit of the plot and the characters, and this is where the book does pretty well. The story proceeds at a fairly quick pace and most scenes contribute in taking the plot ahead. There is a variety of characters in the plot and most of them are carved well. Annabelle and John steal the show with their conflicting feelings and their courage to go against the norm. There are some secondary characters too who make a strong impact.
What I loved most of the book was its historical detailing. I always used to wonder what the men of historical times did. Though an avid reader of historical fiction, I have hardly read a book that focusses on the activities of the wealthy landowners of the past. The only male activity consistently mentioned in classics is hunting. Contrast this with the extensive details on women’s hobbies such as overseeing the house, getting new clothes tailored, playing the piano, drawing/painting, reading, and so on. This book finally shone some light on what the rich men of yore did. Also, as Annabelle is one of the village folk than the upper class gentry, her track reveals a lot about life for the ordinary villagers of those days.
Another historical thing the book handles well is the glimpse it offers into the unseen side of English towns: the poorer neighbourhoods and the tough lifestyle of these “city” dwellers. This is again something most historical fiction novels ignore, as we only see the perspective of those loaded with money and land.
The story does go somewhat over the top at times. It is also pretty predictable. Then again, this genre thrives on predictability so this ought not to take away anything from the book.
Overall, I enjoyed the glimpse into historical England, I loved the quick pacing, I liked a lot of the plot and the characters, and I hated the title for spoiling my fun of discovery.
3.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Yorkshire, England: 1850. Twenty-two year old Annabelle Wallis lives with her adopted mother in a little village near York. Both of them are herbalists and use their garden to sustain themselves and provide herbs to the village. Annabelle is being courted by her best friend, a shepherd named Dickie, but she is sure that she doesn’t feel the same. Enter local rich boy John Hartley. One look at him and Annabelle knows what she wants. But this is obviously impossible due to class differences. Circumstances however change for both of them and soon Annabelle ends up on the run and John Hartley is determined to locate her. Will things end well for both of them?
A warning coming your way: DON’T READ THE GOODREADS BLURB!!! It reveals too much of the story and spoiled my reading experience. As I progressed through the initial chapters, I was wondering what made me request a historical romance, a genre I haven't read in ages and don’t pick nowadays. That's when I took a relook at the blurb and realised that the events mentioned therein don't even begin until 45% into the book!
I can save you from the spoilers in the blurb, but I am sorry I cannot save you from the spoiler in the title. I wonder who decided to name this book, “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. The appearance of the titular ‘orphan’ is a little before the midway mark, and the first appearance of the peacock shawl is much earlier, around the 18% point. Elementary, my dear Watson! The woman having the peacock shawl is going to give birth at some point in the story, and whoops, she’s gonna die too! (“Orphan” after all, not just “baby” in a peacock shawl! Aargh!) If the shawl were of an ordinary colour such as “red”, I would not have noticed anything when it was first mentioned, but calling it “peacock” is such an obvious giveaway to what’s going to happen.
Since the title is already a spoiler, I suppose it does no big harm if I mention that the orphan's dad isn’t dead. But he doesn’t make a direct appearance in the story at all. It irritated me that no one was gunning to catch the male culprit and making him pay; the entire focus/blame was on the woman, as always.
Of course, I ought to look at the merit of the plot and the characters, and this is where the book does pretty well. The story proceeds at a fairly quick pace and most scenes contribute in taking the plot ahead. There is a variety of characters in the plot and most of them are carved well. Annabelle and John steal the show with their conflicting feelings and their courage to go against the norm. There are some secondary characters too who make a strong impact.
What I loved most of the book was its historical detailing. I always used to wonder what the men of historical times did. Though an avid reader of historical fiction, I have hardly read a book that focusses on the activities of the wealthy landowners of the past. The only male activity consistently mentioned in classics is hunting. Contrast this with the extensive details on women’s hobbies such as overseeing the house, getting new clothes tailored, playing the piano, drawing/painting, reading, and so on. This book finally shone some light on what the rich men of yore did. Also, as Annabelle is one of the village folk than the upper class gentry, her track reveals a lot about life for the ordinary villagers of those days.
Another historical thing the book handles well is the glimpse it offers into the unseen side of English towns: the poorer neighbourhoods and the tough lifestyle of these “city” dwellers. This is again something most historical fiction novels ignore, as we only see the perspective of those loaded with money and land.
The story does go somewhat over the top at times. It is also pretty predictable. Then again, this genre thrives on predictability so this ought not to take away anything from the book.
Overall, I enjoyed the glimpse into historical England, I loved the quick pacing, I liked a lot of the plot and the characters, and I hated the title for spoiling my fun of discovery.
3.75 stars from me.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
March 5, 2022
This story is filled with flowing descriptions and just enough romance thrown in to consider it part of that genre.
Read full review in the 2022 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 18, 2022
Honoring a Promise
AnneBelle Wallis is an orphan raised by an herbal lady who lives in a cottage on the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. After the death of her guardian she is alone in the cottage when a young woman in the throes of childbirth arrives at her door in the middle of a bad storm.
AnneBelle helps with the birth and wraps the child in a peacock shawl the lady hands her. While AnneBelle sleeps the lady slips away. Later AnneBelle finds a note asking her to care for the child. When she hears of the death of Eliza Hartley she is frightened that she will be blamed for the murder and she feels she needs to honor the promise she made to Eliza to keep the child from the family.
AnneBelle takes the child and hides in the slums of York, not a good place for her or the babe.
It is a story of a young woman afraid to tell her family of her pregnancy because it will ruin their good name and they will force her to put the child in an orphanage. She knows AnneBelle's guardian took her in as an orphan and she asks AnneBelle to care for her child in the same way.
I think that Annabelle showed great courage in taking the child and trying to keep her promise, but
I thought the characters were all set well, the descriptions of the cottage and the Hartley estate were very vivid as was the descriptions of the York slums. I like the character of AnneBelle and of John Hartley, he was a compassionate and caring character. I liked the character of Dickie, he was a good friend to AnnaBelle as was Ginny.
It was a good story about the shame of an unwed mother in the this time period, the power of friends and the courage of the young women in the story.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it.
Thanks to AnneMarie Brear for writing a great story, to Boldwood Books for publishing it, and to NetGalley for making it available for me to read.
AnneBelle Wallis is an orphan raised by an herbal lady who lives in a cottage on the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. After the death of her guardian she is alone in the cottage when a young woman in the throes of childbirth arrives at her door in the middle of a bad storm.
AnneBelle helps with the birth and wraps the child in a peacock shawl the lady hands her. While AnneBelle sleeps the lady slips away. Later AnneBelle finds a note asking her to care for the child. When she hears of the death of Eliza Hartley she is frightened that she will be blamed for the murder and she feels she needs to honor the promise she made to Eliza to keep the child from the family.
AnneBelle takes the child and hides in the slums of York, not a good place for her or the babe.
It is a story of a young woman afraid to tell her family of her pregnancy because it will ruin their good name and they will force her to put the child in an orphanage. She knows AnneBelle's guardian took her in as an orphan and she asks AnneBelle to care for her child in the same way.
I think that Annabelle showed great courage in taking the child and trying to keep her promise, but
I thought the characters were all set well, the descriptions of the cottage and the Hartley estate were very vivid as was the descriptions of the York slums. I like the character of AnneBelle and of John Hartley, he was a compassionate and caring character. I liked the character of Dickie, he was a good friend to AnnaBelle as was Ginny.
It was a good story about the shame of an unwed mother in the this time period, the power of friends and the courage of the young women in the story.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it.
Thanks to AnneMarie Brear for writing a great story, to Boldwood Books for publishing it, and to NetGalley for making it available for me to read.
February 3, 2022
This is a book you want to cozy up with a fire blazing and a cup of tea at your side. You will not want to put it down once you have been transported to the English countryside. AnneMarie Brear has a way to bring the scene to life. Vivid descriptions of the lush gardens, lavender tickling your nose, and a pony up to his typical moody tricks. Setting the scene for a tale. Annabelle Wallis was orphaned as a baby and taken in by the herbalist, Widow Wallis. She has grown up in a cottage on the Hartley Estate, where they tend their gardens and make their living by selling vegetables and tonics in the village. One night as a storm is raging, Eliza Hartley pounds on the door pleading for help. Annebelle could not turn her away or the baby she delivers. Afraid she has done wrong Annabelle flees everything in the world she knows, determined to give this baby everything she was given. No matter the consequences.
The characters are all well developed and add to the vibrancy of the story. The book quickly grabs your attention, and the storyline will have you rooting for Annebelle! There is also a bit of romance between the classes. Will they be allowed to love one another or will rules keep them apart? You must read to find out. Thank you to AnneMarie Brear and Boldwood Books for this intriguing book.
The characters are all well developed and add to the vibrancy of the story. The book quickly grabs your attention, and the storyline will have you rooting for Annebelle! There is also a bit of romance between the classes. Will they be allowed to love one another or will rules keep them apart? You must read to find out. Thank you to AnneMarie Brear and Boldwood Books for this intriguing book.
January 31, 2022
The book begins in Yorkshire in July 1850. Annabelle Wallis lives with Widow Wallis, an elderly woman. We learn that twenty-two years ago, she brought Annabelle home as an orphaned newborn baby from the market and raised her as her daughter.
They live a quiet existence, growing produce to sell at the market, but Widow Wallis is worried what will happen to the girl after she has died. The local shepherd Dickie wants to marry her, but Annabelle would prefer just to remain friends.
John Hartley returns to Hartley Manor after seven years away. He’s now thirty years old and encounters Annabelle in the village, after her horse is scared by a dog. There in an immediate attraction between them, but surely their huge difference in social standing will prevent any kind of romance…
I don’t want to give away any more of the story, because I enjoyed how it all unfolded and hope you will read the book and enjoy it too. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction and romance, authors like Nadine Dorries and Catherine Cookson.
It was a lovely story, it held my interest all the way through. The characters are really well-written and the settings brilliantly described. I would definitely read more of her books and I think it would make a great film too!
They live a quiet existence, growing produce to sell at the market, but Widow Wallis is worried what will happen to the girl after she has died. The local shepherd Dickie wants to marry her, but Annabelle would prefer just to remain friends.
John Hartley returns to Hartley Manor after seven years away. He’s now thirty years old and encounters Annabelle in the village, after her horse is scared by a dog. There in an immediate attraction between them, but surely their huge difference in social standing will prevent any kind of romance…
I don’t want to give away any more of the story, because I enjoyed how it all unfolded and hope you will read the book and enjoy it too. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction and romance, authors like Nadine Dorries and Catherine Cookson.
It was a lovely story, it held my interest all the way through. The characters are really well-written and the settings brilliantly described. I would definitely read more of her books and I think it would make a great film too!
January 19, 2022
I thought there would be a little more intrigue in this book, so was initially disappointed. But once I accepted that it's a love story, I enjoyed it tremendously. I liked the characters and the way events unfolded, although I did think it ended rather abruptly, although any other ending would likely have felt as if it were dragging. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, for the opportunity to read it.
February 1, 2022
This is a very gripping historical romance by AnneMarie Brear and the first of her books that I have read. Annabelle Wallis' story is a beautiful one, set in the lush English countryside, one is transported to a different place and time by the delightful descriptive writing of the author. I was immediately in Victorian England, on a vast country estate. I could see the charming cottage where Annabelle was raised by the widow Wallis. It was easy to picture the cozy cottage with the flowers and herbs all around, making a wonderful place for Annabelle to grow up.
But when Annabelle finds herself suddenly alone for the first time ever she is filled with dread, not knowing what to make of her circumstances and how she is to survive without her loving guardian to guide her.
Thrust suddenly into situation that is nothing but surreal to the innocent, sheltered Annabelle, she must make life altering decisions at short notice, changing her life as she has known it forever.
I totally enjoyed Annabelle's story, it swept me away and I didn't quit reading until I finished. I am not usually one for romance novels, but this one held me in it's enchanting grip till the very end. I fully recommend this historical romance to all fans of the genre, it is a beautiful story with a wonderful feel good ending. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you to #BoldwoodBooks and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
But when Annabelle finds herself suddenly alone for the first time ever she is filled with dread, not knowing what to make of her circumstances and how she is to survive without her loving guardian to guide her.
Thrust suddenly into situation that is nothing but surreal to the innocent, sheltered Annabelle, she must make life altering decisions at short notice, changing her life as she has known it forever.
I totally enjoyed Annabelle's story, it swept me away and I didn't quit reading until I finished. I am not usually one for romance novels, but this one held me in it's enchanting grip till the very end. I fully recommend this historical romance to all fans of the genre, it is a beautiful story with a wonderful feel good ending. You won't be disappointed.
Thank you to #BoldwoodBooks and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
November 18, 2022
Soo good!! Loved this book! Honest to goodness family values, some heartbreak and overcoming obstacles. Just loved it! Read it if you haven’t 😊
February 7, 2022
I loved this book I give it a 5 star rating as I was so captivated with the story. I felt as if I was actually there. Poverty in those days must have been a horrible experience. I was in tears in a few sections and then in tears at the end with the outcome. I wish Ma could have shown me how to get medicine from the special plants that she grew. Her cottage sounded like a beautiful place to want to live, to curl up and sit in the sunshine with a cuppa and just read more of AnneMarie's books. Such a truly fantastic author
April 7, 2022
Painful
This was...... really hard to get through. So much potential, but the amount of fluff story line and back story and filler was just painful to get through. If it had been a novella that would have been absolutely perfect, as the actual story was absolutely lovely and written beautifully.
This was...... really hard to get through. So much potential, but the amount of fluff story line and back story and filler was just painful to get through. If it had been a novella that would have been absolutely perfect, as the actual story was absolutely lovely and written beautifully.
August 1, 2022
I enjoyed the book. I was somewhat disappointed in that I thought the ending was somewhat abrupt and rushed. I don't know how to word it without spoiling it for readers who might be interested in reading this book.
January 26, 2022
My first read by author AnneMarie Brear and what a delightful read it is! As soon as I began I was swept away back to the Victorian era of the windswept Yorkshire Dales to the foetid slums of York. The author's descriptions were vivid enough to picture them without being bogged down in overt detail whilst bringing a realism to the tale. Almost at once I felt like I was reading Catherine Cookson or Dilly Court, both of whom I adore. Needless to say, I read this book in one sitting one afternoon...I could not put it down until I finished.
Set in the Yorkshire Dales in 1850, Annabelle Wallis lives in a cottage on the edge of the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. She is an orphan whose mother entrusted her to her friend Amy Wallis, an herbalist known locally as Widow Wallis having lost her husband in a tragic accident fifty years before. Widow Wallis saved the life of the then Lady Hartley and, in a gesture of gratitude, was granted lifetime occupancy of the cottage in which she and Annabelle now live. Villagers come to her for tonics and herbal remedies for their ailments, swearing by her tinctures, as well as being entrusted as their unofficial midwife as the need arises.
Annabelle has always viewed her guardian as her mother, referring to her as Ma who has taught twenty two year Annabelle everything she knows about herbs and their uses. Together they frequent markets and fairs selling their tonics and remedies which are indeed sought after. But Ma is aging, though she has never revealed her true age, and when she dies suddenly Annabelle is bereft. Now everything she has ever known is about to change. The only home she has ever known, the cottage she has grown up in, will now revert back to the Hartley estate thus rendering her homeless.
But a chance encounter with John Hartley, brother of the owner of the estate, and a promise that she may remain sets Annabelle's heart aflutter. The moment she and John Hartley set eyes on each other, it is obvious to everyone but them that they are meant for each other...except for the slight technicality of the class divide. He is a wealthy landowner, she is working class...and never the twain shall meet. Except that it does. Neither Annabelle nor John can stop thinking of the other, although neither of them give their feelings a voice. Instead they pretend it isn't there whilst avoiding the other.
And then one night in the midst of an horrific thunderstorm, a knock at Annabelle's door reveals a young woman heavy with child and very obviously in the throes of labour. She pleads with Annabelle to help her deliver the child without the aid of a doctor. Moments later, a baby girl is born and the woman extracts a vehement promise from Annabelle to keep her secret. By the morning, the woman has vanished leaving behind a note reminding Annabelle of her a promise and her baby wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.
The following day when news spreads throughout the village about the sudden death of Lady Eliza Hartley, Annabelle fears the promise she made was a foolish one. Especially when the family discovers the truth thus holding her to blame. Terrified, Annabelle flees the only home she has known with the child wrapped in the peacock shawl, intent on honouring the promise she made.
When John Hartley discovers the truth, he endeavours to find Annabelle and the child. But Annabelle proves hard to find...and yet, she cannot hide forever. Can she? But if she is found, will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?
THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is a delightfully easy read from beginning to end, reminiscent of the late great Catherine Cookson. The descriptions were vivid without being too much and the characters were well-developed enough to cheer them on. I loved the characters of Annabelle and John, as well as those of Ginny and Dickie, though he was persistently annoying at first. The fact that Annabelle draws her parallels to her own circumstances was incredibly noble in doing the same that her Ma did for her by taking in this child.
I found THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL incredibly easy to read and did so in one sitting, easily immersing the reader into the Victorian era with seamless and expert storytelling. Although predictable, it's the journey we are taken on that makes it so enjoyable. It's simple, it's sweet and an absolute pleasure to read. I was thoroughly absorbed from start to finish.
THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson.
I would like to thank #AnneMarieBrear, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheOrphanInThePeacockShawl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Set in the Yorkshire Dales in 1850, Annabelle Wallis lives in a cottage on the edge of the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. She is an orphan whose mother entrusted her to her friend Amy Wallis, an herbalist known locally as Widow Wallis having lost her husband in a tragic accident fifty years before. Widow Wallis saved the life of the then Lady Hartley and, in a gesture of gratitude, was granted lifetime occupancy of the cottage in which she and Annabelle now live. Villagers come to her for tonics and herbal remedies for their ailments, swearing by her tinctures, as well as being entrusted as their unofficial midwife as the need arises.
Annabelle has always viewed her guardian as her mother, referring to her as Ma who has taught twenty two year Annabelle everything she knows about herbs and their uses. Together they frequent markets and fairs selling their tonics and remedies which are indeed sought after. But Ma is aging, though she has never revealed her true age, and when she dies suddenly Annabelle is bereft. Now everything she has ever known is about to change. The only home she has ever known, the cottage she has grown up in, will now revert back to the Hartley estate thus rendering her homeless.
But a chance encounter with John Hartley, brother of the owner of the estate, and a promise that she may remain sets Annabelle's heart aflutter. The moment she and John Hartley set eyes on each other, it is obvious to everyone but them that they are meant for each other...except for the slight technicality of the class divide. He is a wealthy landowner, she is working class...and never the twain shall meet. Except that it does. Neither Annabelle nor John can stop thinking of the other, although neither of them give their feelings a voice. Instead they pretend it isn't there whilst avoiding the other.
And then one night in the midst of an horrific thunderstorm, a knock at Annabelle's door reveals a young woman heavy with child and very obviously in the throes of labour. She pleads with Annabelle to help her deliver the child without the aid of a doctor. Moments later, a baby girl is born and the woman extracts a vehement promise from Annabelle to keep her secret. By the morning, the woman has vanished leaving behind a note reminding Annabelle of her a promise and her baby wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.
The following day when news spreads throughout the village about the sudden death of Lady Eliza Hartley, Annabelle fears the promise she made was a foolish one. Especially when the family discovers the truth thus holding her to blame. Terrified, Annabelle flees the only home she has known with the child wrapped in the peacock shawl, intent on honouring the promise she made.
When John Hartley discovers the truth, he endeavours to find Annabelle and the child. But Annabelle proves hard to find...and yet, she cannot hide forever. Can she? But if she is found, will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?
THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is a delightfully easy read from beginning to end, reminiscent of the late great Catherine Cookson. The descriptions were vivid without being too much and the characters were well-developed enough to cheer them on. I loved the characters of Annabelle and John, as well as those of Ginny and Dickie, though he was persistently annoying at first. The fact that Annabelle draws her parallels to her own circumstances was incredibly noble in doing the same that her Ma did for her by taking in this child.
I found THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL incredibly easy to read and did so in one sitting, easily immersing the reader into the Victorian era with seamless and expert storytelling. Although predictable, it's the journey we are taken on that makes it so enjoyable. It's simple, it's sweet and an absolute pleasure to read. I was thoroughly absorbed from start to finish.
THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson.
I would like to thank #AnneMarieBrear, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheOrphanInThePeacockShawl in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 15, 2024
Another winner from AnneMarie Brear! There has not been a single book of hers I have not thoroughly enjoyed and could not put down once starting. She grabs me every time with her memorable historical characters, atmospheric settings and moving events. We often see women in her stories who are strong, independent, courageous and not happy to accept the norms of the time. These historical women are always faced with monumental challenges but become resourceful overcomers.
And in The Dock Girl’s Shame, AnneMarie delivers such a heroine. From the first intriguing paragraph to the very last past, my heart was tossed about following the path and happenings of Loretta Jane Chambers. She certainly experienced some heart breaking tragedies. Yet managed to overcome her losses and begin again. Lorrie, as she is known by her friends, works in her father’s boat building and repair business. She oversees many aspects of his establishment including accounts, purchases and payroll—to name a few. She is smart, confident and not afraid to speak her mind. But she has a challenge on her hands. When the novel opens, they are at a rough point in the business. No matter how many times she checks and tries to balance the figures, she still comes up short. Her father has taken on a partnership and it appears all it has done has put him in the red. He has more bills and expenses than money to cover them. Although the railways may be taking some of the trade away, Lorrie blames some of this loss on her father’s partner: a man not to be trusted who has sold them out as cheap labour.
Then an attractive Italian lands on her doorstep claiming to be a member of her late mother’s family. He has brought a gift from her late great-grandmother. But her father is not keen on Matteo’s presence. Apparently there is some bad blood between the families and we learn later what caused it: a secret her father has carried that will surprise Lorrie. But before this revelation, she loses her heart to this man. Of course, things certainly do not go as she hopes. He must return to Italy. His family expect him to take over a relative’s vineyard, enter a prearranged marriage and carry on their traditions. Although he is attracted to Lorrie, will he forgo his family’s wishes and marry her instead?
Then another man, a boat builder-designer like her father enters her life. A powerful friendship is made that begins the healing process. I liked this guy very much! Will she be able to break free of the previous affection and start again? He is a man who has also known suffering and loss and becomes a great source of help in Mr Chamber’s business while he tries to heal after an accident. But he also is balm for Lorrie’s heart. How far will this new relationship go?
As for the antagonist of this novel, her father’s business partner, he is a loathsome character of deception! Lorrie is right in her suspicions but even she did not know how bad he can be. Later in the story we discover some wicked truths about this man. And we watch as he plots and plunders and proves to be even worse than anyone thought!
The Dock Girl's Shame is a story filled with secrets, disasters, greed, betrayal and loss. And sorting out your friends and enemies. But there is also hope and healing at the heart of this novel and the ending made my heart sing! Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for a review copy.
And in The Dock Girl’s Shame, AnneMarie delivers such a heroine. From the first intriguing paragraph to the very last past, my heart was tossed about following the path and happenings of Loretta Jane Chambers. She certainly experienced some heart breaking tragedies. Yet managed to overcome her losses and begin again. Lorrie, as she is known by her friends, works in her father’s boat building and repair business. She oversees many aspects of his establishment including accounts, purchases and payroll—to name a few. She is smart, confident and not afraid to speak her mind. But she has a challenge on her hands. When the novel opens, they are at a rough point in the business. No matter how many times she checks and tries to balance the figures, she still comes up short. Her father has taken on a partnership and it appears all it has done has put him in the red. He has more bills and expenses than money to cover them. Although the railways may be taking some of the trade away, Lorrie blames some of this loss on her father’s partner: a man not to be trusted who has sold them out as cheap labour.
Then an attractive Italian lands on her doorstep claiming to be a member of her late mother’s family. He has brought a gift from her late great-grandmother. But her father is not keen on Matteo’s presence. Apparently there is some bad blood between the families and we learn later what caused it: a secret her father has carried that will surprise Lorrie. But before this revelation, she loses her heart to this man. Of course, things certainly do not go as she hopes. He must return to Italy. His family expect him to take over a relative’s vineyard, enter a prearranged marriage and carry on their traditions. Although he is attracted to Lorrie, will he forgo his family’s wishes and marry her instead?
Then another man, a boat builder-designer like her father enters her life. A powerful friendship is made that begins the healing process. I liked this guy very much! Will she be able to break free of the previous affection and start again? He is a man who has also known suffering and loss and becomes a great source of help in Mr Chamber’s business while he tries to heal after an accident. But he also is balm for Lorrie’s heart. How far will this new relationship go?
As for the antagonist of this novel, her father’s business partner, he is a loathsome character of deception! Lorrie is right in her suspicions but even she did not know how bad he can be. Later in the story we discover some wicked truths about this man. And we watch as he plots and plunders and proves to be even worse than anyone thought!
The Dock Girl's Shame is a story filled with secrets, disasters, greed, betrayal and loss. And sorting out your friends and enemies. But there is also hope and healing at the heart of this novel and the ending made my heart sing! Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for a review copy.
February 11, 2022
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl by AnneMarie Brear is a Victorian historical romance set in Yorkshire in 1850. This engaging historical family saga, a tale of love, family secrets and loyalties, is filled with hope and resolve.
Annabelle lives in a secluded little cottage on the outskirts of the village of Hartledale near York, with Widow Wallis who adopted her as a baby. She thinks of her home as a little piece of paradise, as the cottage is bordering the wide pastures, and has a well-cultivated herb garden.
Annabelle is twenty two, and by the standards of the young women in the village she is late to be married. A local shepherd Dickie is trying to court her. He is kind and sweet, has a secure position on the Hartley estate and would make a good husband. Ma encourages her to marry Dickie to secure her future, but Annabelle hesitates.
A chance encounter with John Hartley, the wealthy estate owner who is back from his travels abroad, sets her heart aflutter. She is flattered by his attentions, but is also feeling confused.
When a tragedy strikes, Annabelle has to rethink her future options. "Ma had been her rock, the rudder to steer her through life. From now on she was alone and the idea was unimaginable". While the villagers had a full respect and trust in Widow Wallis, they don't believe her young ward is able to step into her shoes. Annabelle is on the point of losing her home and livelihood, when the events of one stormy night will change her life forever.
As the storm is raging, a young woman, heavy with child, is on her doorstep. Annabelle recognises the woman. It is Lady Eliza Hartley. Eliza insists on staying in the cottage to give birth, and forbids Annabelle from calling for help. She says that no one must know she is there. She has nowhere to go, and cannot confide in her family. As an unmarried woman, she will bring disgrace on her family if her secret is exposed.
The baby girl is born. Her mother leaves the cottage in the early hours, while Annabelle has nodded off in exhaustion. She also leaves her silk peacock shawl and a letter, imploring Annabelle to look after the baby, promising to pay for her care. "I beg you to keep my secret for the sake of my family's reputation and my own. My disgrace should not tarnish my family. If you have any respect for them, I implore you to never reveal my secret. The baby's fate lies in your hands".
Eliza arrives home, heavily heamorrhaging after the birth, and collapses in her room. She will not recover.
When Annabelle hears the news that Lady Eliza Hartley is dead and her family is trying to trace her last steps, she is terrified that she will be blamed for Eliza's death. And there's a poor innocent baby who might end up in the orphanage, unloved and neglected.
In fear and despair, Annabelle flees the village for the filthy slums of York. She plans to find a job and raise the baby as her own. Life in the slums is hard and dangerous. Annabelle is not streetwise, and she finds it hard to adjust to living in the smelly, overcrowded, noisy and squalid environment. This is also not the right place to bring up a baby.
John Hartley is determined to find the child of his late sister, searching around for any information. It seems like an impossible task, but he is adamant. He keeps thinking about Annabelle, who has got "under his skin, into his heart and mind". Meeting Annabelle has changed him, he realises that she is totally unsuitable in every way, being not of his class, but she makes him feel alive.
If only he could find both Annabelle and the baby.
Annabelle can't hide forever from the Hartleys, but how can she give up the child she loves?
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a moving and compelling story, with captivating characters and a strong sense of place. Using her extensive historical knowledge and research, the author creates a page-turning historical drama that will tug you on your heart strings.
It celebrates the courage and independence of women, even in the constricted and suffocating Victorian society, their strength and the power of sisterhood. There are wonderful female protagonists. Apart from the main character, there is a wise and caring Widow Wallis, loyal Ginny (Annabelle's friend) and her warm-hearted cousin Nellie who provides Annabelle with a place to live in York and helps with nurturing the baby.
This beautifully written saga made me think it will make a wonderful costume drama on BBC or Netflix.
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl would appeal to fans of emotionally-charged historical family sagas.
Annabelle lives in a secluded little cottage on the outskirts of the village of Hartledale near York, with Widow Wallis who adopted her as a baby. She thinks of her home as a little piece of paradise, as the cottage is bordering the wide pastures, and has a well-cultivated herb garden.
Annabelle is twenty two, and by the standards of the young women in the village she is late to be married. A local shepherd Dickie is trying to court her. He is kind and sweet, has a secure position on the Hartley estate and would make a good husband. Ma encourages her to marry Dickie to secure her future, but Annabelle hesitates.
A chance encounter with John Hartley, the wealthy estate owner who is back from his travels abroad, sets her heart aflutter. She is flattered by his attentions, but is also feeling confused.
When a tragedy strikes, Annabelle has to rethink her future options. "Ma had been her rock, the rudder to steer her through life. From now on she was alone and the idea was unimaginable". While the villagers had a full respect and trust in Widow Wallis, they don't believe her young ward is able to step into her shoes. Annabelle is on the point of losing her home and livelihood, when the events of one stormy night will change her life forever.
As the storm is raging, a young woman, heavy with child, is on her doorstep. Annabelle recognises the woman. It is Lady Eliza Hartley. Eliza insists on staying in the cottage to give birth, and forbids Annabelle from calling for help. She says that no one must know she is there. She has nowhere to go, and cannot confide in her family. As an unmarried woman, she will bring disgrace on her family if her secret is exposed.
The baby girl is born. Her mother leaves the cottage in the early hours, while Annabelle has nodded off in exhaustion. She also leaves her silk peacock shawl and a letter, imploring Annabelle to look after the baby, promising to pay for her care. "I beg you to keep my secret for the sake of my family's reputation and my own. My disgrace should not tarnish my family. If you have any respect for them, I implore you to never reveal my secret. The baby's fate lies in your hands".
Eliza arrives home, heavily heamorrhaging after the birth, and collapses in her room. She will not recover.
When Annabelle hears the news that Lady Eliza Hartley is dead and her family is trying to trace her last steps, she is terrified that she will be blamed for Eliza's death. And there's a poor innocent baby who might end up in the orphanage, unloved and neglected.
In fear and despair, Annabelle flees the village for the filthy slums of York. She plans to find a job and raise the baby as her own. Life in the slums is hard and dangerous. Annabelle is not streetwise, and she finds it hard to adjust to living in the smelly, overcrowded, noisy and squalid environment. This is also not the right place to bring up a baby.
John Hartley is determined to find the child of his late sister, searching around for any information. It seems like an impossible task, but he is adamant. He keeps thinking about Annabelle, who has got "under his skin, into his heart and mind". Meeting Annabelle has changed him, he realises that she is totally unsuitable in every way, being not of his class, but she makes him feel alive.
If only he could find both Annabelle and the baby.
Annabelle can't hide forever from the Hartleys, but how can she give up the child she loves?
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a moving and compelling story, with captivating characters and a strong sense of place. Using her extensive historical knowledge and research, the author creates a page-turning historical drama that will tug you on your heart strings.
It celebrates the courage and independence of women, even in the constricted and suffocating Victorian society, their strength and the power of sisterhood. There are wonderful female protagonists. Apart from the main character, there is a wise and caring Widow Wallis, loyal Ginny (Annabelle's friend) and her warm-hearted cousin Nellie who provides Annabelle with a place to live in York and helps with nurturing the baby.
This beautifully written saga made me think it will make a wonderful costume drama on BBC or Netflix.
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl would appeal to fans of emotionally-charged historical family sagas.
January 27, 2022
It’s only fairly recently that I became a fan of AnneMarie’s work. By no means have I read everything that she has written but that is something I hope to rectify by the end of the year. I love the way in which she writes such fantastic sagas. I read the synopsis for ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ and it certainly sounded as though it would turn out to be another amazing saga. Well it was certainly all that and more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ from the very start. As soon as I started to read I knew that I wouldn’t be doing much apart from reading for the rest of the afternoon. That’s exactly what happened too. To say that reading this book became an addiction is a huge understatement and then some. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. I had become so attached to certain characters and so wrapped up in their lives that I had to keep reading to see how things turned out for them. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ to be another cracker of a saga story. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ is superbly written but that is true of AnneMarie’s books in general. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of an emotional story. AnneMarie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she describes them. She describes the characters so vividly and thoroughly that they seem just as real as you and I and not characters in a book. Reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns. The story certainly tugged at my heartstrings and then some. I love the way in which AnneMarie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly he reading more of AnneMarie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I was drawn into ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ from the very start. As soon as I started to read I knew that I wouldn’t be doing much apart from reading for the rest of the afternoon. That’s exactly what happened too. To say that reading this book became an addiction is a huge understatement and then some. I found it nigh on impossible to put the book to one side for any length of time. I had become so attached to certain characters and so wrapped up in their lives that I had to keep reading to see how things turned out for them. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of the story. I found ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ to be another cracker of a saga story. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ is superbly written but that is true of AnneMarie’s books in general. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of an emotional story. AnneMarie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she describes them. She describes the characters so vividly and thoroughly that they seem just as real as you and I and not characters in a book. Reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns. The story certainly tugged at my heartstrings and then some. I love the way in which AnneMarie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly he reading more of AnneMarie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
February 4, 2022
Life was going great. Annabelle loved her home and especially loved the woman who took her in all those years ago. Annabelle had no worries. Mum tried to prepare her for the future but Annabelle wouldn't listen. And now she found herself in trouble!!
I loved the book. This is my first by Annemarie Brear. I enjoyed all of the characters in the book. I especially liked Nellie. She had a heart of gold. Annabelle learned that her "normal" was not everyone else's normal. She was learning survival skills by Nellie and by Nellie's children.
The title mentions the peacock shawl. A shawl is a wrap to keep you warm or protected (a cover). The spiritual meaning of a peacock feather is a symbol of peace. I took this symbolism of Annabelle and the infant were wrapped in GOD's love and peace. It took awhile for Annabelle to realize this and make the difficult decision she needed to make.
As you read this story, you can assume it was going to turn out one way. It had some twists and turns in the story line that surprises you.
#BookandTonic. #The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl
#BOLDWOODBOOKS
Yorkshire Dales 1850
As a terrible storm rages, Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a distressed young woman at her cottage door, heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. But by dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?
Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3bvURLt
Author Bio –
AnneMarie Brear is the bestselling historical fiction writer of over twenty novels. She lives in the Southern Highlands in NSW, and has spent many years visiting and working in the UK. Her books are mainly set in Yorkshire, from where her family hails, and Australia, between the nineteenth century and WWI.
Social Media Links –
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/annemariebrear
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/annemariebrear
Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annem...
I loved the book. This is my first by Annemarie Brear. I enjoyed all of the characters in the book. I especially liked Nellie. She had a heart of gold. Annabelle learned that her "normal" was not everyone else's normal. She was learning survival skills by Nellie and by Nellie's children.
The title mentions the peacock shawl. A shawl is a wrap to keep you warm or protected (a cover). The spiritual meaning of a peacock feather is a symbol of peace. I took this symbolism of Annabelle and the infant were wrapped in GOD's love and peace. It took awhile for Annabelle to realize this and make the difficult decision she needed to make.
As you read this story, you can assume it was going to turn out one way. It had some twists and turns in the story line that surprises you.
#BookandTonic. #The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl
#BOLDWOODBOOKS
Yorkshire Dales 1850
As a terrible storm rages, Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a distressed young woman at her cottage door, heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. But by dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.When news spreads that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead, Annabelle realises the terrible secret she has stumbled on. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees to the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the precious orphan as her own.The cobbled streets of York’s slums are no place for a young woman like Annabelle or a Hartley babe and John Hartley is determined to bring them both home. But Annabelle proves impossible to find.Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?
Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3bvURLt
Author Bio –
AnneMarie Brear is the bestselling historical fiction writer of over twenty novels. She lives in the Southern Highlands in NSW, and has spent many years visiting and working in the UK. Her books are mainly set in Yorkshire, from where her family hails, and Australia, between the nineteenth century and WWI.
Social Media Links –
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/annemariebrear
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/annemariebrear
Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annem...
January 30, 2022
Dilly Court and Lesley Pearse fans will be completely gripped by Annemarie Brear’s latest Victorian saga, The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl.
Annabelle Wallis is shocked when during a terrible storm she finds a pregnant young woman at her door about to go into labour. Moments later, a baby girl is born, but by morning, the child’s mother vanishes leaving her child clad in a silk peacock shawl. When news reaches Annabelle that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner John Hartley, has been found dead, she realizes she has inadvertently found herself tangled in a terrible mystery that puts her directly in the line of fire. Terrified that she will be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees Yorkshire for the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the child as her own.
John Hartley is desperate for answers and he is convinced that Annabelle holds the key to uncovering the mystery behind his sister’s tragic death. Determined to go to the ends of the earth to find her, John will leave no stone unturned to locate Annabelle. However, despite all of his best efforts, the elusive Annabelle proves absolutely impossible to find.
With the York slums full of danger and peril, Annabelle finds herself far from home and with nobody to rely on other than herself. With a child in her care she grows to love as if she was her own flesh and blood, will Annabelle’s act of kindness end up costing her everything? Or will it end up bringing her the happiness she had long given up on?
Full of grit, warmth, hope and heart, Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is an engrossing and poignant Victorian saga full of characters that leap off the pages, compelling drama, heart-wrenching pathos and searing emotional intensity guaranteed to hold readers spellbound and eagerly turning the pages.
Wonderfully evocative, highly atmospheric and powerfully written, saga fans will want to add Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl to their auto-buy list.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Annabelle Wallis is shocked when during a terrible storm she finds a pregnant young woman at her door about to go into labour. Moments later, a baby girl is born, but by morning, the child’s mother vanishes leaving her child clad in a silk peacock shawl. When news reaches Annabelle that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner John Hartley, has been found dead, she realizes she has inadvertently found herself tangled in a terrible mystery that puts her directly in the line of fire. Terrified that she will be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees Yorkshire for the filthy slums of York, where she plans to raise the child as her own.
John Hartley is desperate for answers and he is convinced that Annabelle holds the key to uncovering the mystery behind his sister’s tragic death. Determined to go to the ends of the earth to find her, John will leave no stone unturned to locate Annabelle. However, despite all of his best efforts, the elusive Annabelle proves absolutely impossible to find.
With the York slums full of danger and peril, Annabelle finds herself far from home and with nobody to rely on other than herself. With a child in her care she grows to love as if she was her own flesh and blood, will Annabelle’s act of kindness end up costing her everything? Or will it end up bringing her the happiness she had long given up on?
Full of grit, warmth, hope and heart, Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is an engrossing and poignant Victorian saga full of characters that leap off the pages, compelling drama, heart-wrenching pathos and searing emotional intensity guaranteed to hold readers spellbound and eagerly turning the pages.
Wonderfully evocative, highly atmospheric and powerfully written, saga fans will want to add Annemarie Brear’s The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl to their auto-buy list.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2022
Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a young woman at her cottage door, in the middle of a storm heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. By dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.
When she hears that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead she realizes who the young woman was. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees. John Hartley is determined to find both Annabelle and the baby home. Annabelle has been lucky so far but she can’t stay hidden forever! When she is found will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?
I really enjoyed this book! This was such an easy read for me! I was able to finish it in one sitting! The writing is vivid and gripping! It has that classic boy meets girl and falls in love feel which for me just added to the charm of the book! But it's also emotional and heartbreaking at times and that is where you become invested in the story! You can't help but want to know what will happen with Annabelle and the baby! Happy reading everyone!
When she hears that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead she realizes who the young woman was. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees. John Hartley is determined to find both Annabelle and the baby home. Annabelle has been lucky so far but she can’t stay hidden forever! When she is found will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?
I really enjoyed this book! This was such an easy read for me! I was able to finish it in one sitting! The writing is vivid and gripping! It has that classic boy meets girl and falls in love feel which for me just added to the charm of the book! But it's also emotional and heartbreaking at times and that is where you become invested in the story! You can't help but want to know what will happen with Annabelle and the baby! Happy reading everyone!
January 28, 2022
This is first book I have read by AnneMarie Brear and I thoroughly enjoyed it - as a fan of sagas and historical romance, The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl has all the elements I want to find in these genres.
Annabelle Wallis is a young girl, raised by her 'Ma' who took her in when she was orphaned as a baby - their life has been a good if humble one, living as tenants on the estate of the Hartley family. When the daughter of the family, Lady Eliza arrives on Annabelle's doorstep in labour and with her beloved 'Ma' recently deceased, Annabelle does her best to help Eliza's with the baby's delivery. But then she is left with the baby...
The story follows Annabelle as she struggles to keep herself and the baby safe amid the poverty and dangers of York's underbelly. All the while, John Hartley (Eliza's brother) is trying to track Annabelle down believing her to have fled in desperation - he has to find the young woman he noticed long before Annabelle did what she thought she must to save his sister's baby.
A wonderful read - recommended!
Annabelle Wallis is a young girl, raised by her 'Ma' who took her in when she was orphaned as a baby - their life has been a good if humble one, living as tenants on the estate of the Hartley family. When the daughter of the family, Lady Eliza arrives on Annabelle's doorstep in labour and with her beloved 'Ma' recently deceased, Annabelle does her best to help Eliza's with the baby's delivery. But then she is left with the baby...
The story follows Annabelle as she struggles to keep herself and the baby safe amid the poverty and dangers of York's underbelly. All the while, John Hartley (Eliza's brother) is trying to track Annabelle down believing her to have fled in desperation - he has to find the young woman he noticed long before Annabelle did what she thought she must to save his sister's baby.
A wonderful read - recommended!
February 2, 2022
The Orphan In The Peacock Shawl is a historical fiction novel that follows Annabelle, an orphan taken in as a baby by Widow Wallace. Annabelle has led a relatively fortunate life until a series of events force her to flee her pretty cottage for the slums of York with a wealthy estate owner trying to hunt her down.
I throughly enjoyed this book. The descriptive writing transports you to the picturesque rolling Yorkshire Dales countryside and then with Annabelle to the slums of York.
Annabelle, and all the other main characters, are well written and likeable. Despite being Annabelles story I really felt for the wealthy Hartley family too. I loved Annabelle’s friendships and relationships with the different characters as well.
1850’s England isn’t a time period I would normally read, but it’s fascinating. I loved learning how people lived then, how they earnt their money and the morality of the time. The opposite of the wealthy family estate and the poverty of the slums is really well written, albeit quite horrifying to think so many people had to live like that.
My only complaint is that, whilst I enjoyed reading Annabelle’s former life, I would have liked the main storyline to have got going a bit quicker.
The ending of the book whilst “finishing” this story is left in way that another book could follow. Which I would definitely want to read!
I throughly enjoyed this book. The descriptive writing transports you to the picturesque rolling Yorkshire Dales countryside and then with Annabelle to the slums of York.
Annabelle, and all the other main characters, are well written and likeable. Despite being Annabelles story I really felt for the wealthy Hartley family too. I loved Annabelle’s friendships and relationships with the different characters as well.
1850’s England isn’t a time period I would normally read, but it’s fascinating. I loved learning how people lived then, how they earnt their money and the morality of the time. The opposite of the wealthy family estate and the poverty of the slums is really well written, albeit quite horrifying to think so many people had to live like that.
My only complaint is that, whilst I enjoyed reading Annabelle’s former life, I would have liked the main storyline to have got going a bit quicker.
The ending of the book whilst “finishing” this story is left in way that another book could follow. Which I would definitely want to read!
February 12, 2022
Oh my, this was such a fantastic story! I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. I have always loved historical fiction and always feel when I read it that I am “coming home“.
The story was filled with wonderful characters. Of course Annabel steals your heart right from the very beginning. And then all the characters she meets along the way. Including her best friends and of course John Hartley, who also steals your hear in the very beginning. Excellent character development. I felt like I knew the minor characters just as well as the main ones.
It is full of little adventures, suspense and twists, sadness and sweetness, and a wonderful love story.
This was a perfect read for me and exactly what I needed right now. I can not believe this was my first book by this author! This is exactly the kind of writing I love. I just added about 10 other books by this author to my wish list! This will not be my last!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources - Thank You!!
The story was filled with wonderful characters. Of course Annabel steals your heart right from the very beginning. And then all the characters she meets along the way. Including her best friends and of course John Hartley, who also steals your hear in the very beginning. Excellent character development. I felt like I knew the minor characters just as well as the main ones.
It is full of little adventures, suspense and twists, sadness and sweetness, and a wonderful love story.
This was a perfect read for me and exactly what I needed right now. I can not believe this was my first book by this author! This is exactly the kind of writing I love. I just added about 10 other books by this author to my wish list! This will not be my last!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources - Thank You!!
December 10, 2022
Overall I really enjoyed this book, the characters were interesting and written well, and the author set the story up well in the beginning, however as we moved through to the middle and particularly to the end of the story things seemed rushed, the world building wasn't there as much. And finally, The ending in particular felt rushed and off for me.
There was no real relationship/connection developed between the two main characters that would realistically result in then being together. Annabelle is depicted as someone who tends to be logical and not given over to emotion, despite her feelings so I personally didn't really see her giving in that quickly to the marriage proposal without any proper courtship or romance.
I definitely felt the difference in class and John railing against that and courting Annabelle despite expectations could have been delved into a bit further before the marriage proposal, but other than that little bit I would happily read more of their story.
There was no real relationship/connection developed between the two main characters that would realistically result in then being together. Annabelle is depicted as someone who tends to be logical and not given over to emotion, despite her feelings so I personally didn't really see her giving in that quickly to the marriage proposal without any proper courtship or romance.
I definitely felt the difference in class and John railing against that and courting Annabelle despite expectations could have been delved into a bit further before the marriage proposal, but other than that little bit I would happily read more of their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2022
Been a fan of AnneMarie Brear ever since I read ‘The Slum Angel’ (still her best book to date). Read a few others that didn’t come close to the aforementioned book. However, the Orphan in the Peacock Shawl comes close. It’s a lovely story. As with all Brear books, the reader knows it’s going to be sad at some stage, obstacles have to be overcome, but there is always a happy ending.
AnneMarie Brear books are the literature version of Hallmark movies. Always something for the heart, easy to read, light escapism. So don’t expect highbrow or anything that would win the Nobel Prize for Literature. But instead just settle down in your favourite chair, get comfortable and escape to a world where the very likeable main protagonist has to struggle, but will find her happy ending. I always finish a Brear book with a smile.
4.5 stars.
AnneMarie Brear books are the literature version of Hallmark movies. Always something for the heart, easy to read, light escapism. So don’t expect highbrow or anything that would win the Nobel Prize for Literature. But instead just settle down in your favourite chair, get comfortable and escape to a world where the very likeable main protagonist has to struggle, but will find her happy ending. I always finish a Brear book with a smile.
4.5 stars.
October 9, 2022
A really great story!
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a well-written, and well-developed story about a young woman named Annabelle. She is a kind and caring person who is left with another woman's baby to care for. We follow her as she has to cope with loneliness, heartache, fear, frustration and loss, all the while devoted to protecting and caring for the baby. This is a story about keeping a promise, no matter what. It is about finding your place and adapting to it; it is about remembering where you came from and honoring a parent who raised you even though you had been an orphan, and now she has the opportunity to do the same. This is a wonderful story, a story of hope, of never giving up, of moving forward when you have no idea where you will wind up, but maybe it is where you are supposed to be.
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is a well-written, and well-developed story about a young woman named Annabelle. She is a kind and caring person who is left with another woman's baby to care for. We follow her as she has to cope with loneliness, heartache, fear, frustration and loss, all the while devoted to protecting and caring for the baby. This is a story about keeping a promise, no matter what. It is about finding your place and adapting to it; it is about remembering where you came from and honoring a parent who raised you even though you had been an orphan, and now she has the opportunity to do the same. This is a wonderful story, a story of hope, of never giving up, of moving forward when you have no idea where you will wind up, but maybe it is where you are supposed to be.
January 9, 2022
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl.
What a delightful book by the author. I finished this book in two sittings and I am so glad to rate it five gold stars!
The heroine of the plot, Annabelle is such a delightful character whom readers can relate with on a realistic level.
John, Dickie, Nellie and Ginny made me to love them.
The title really suits the plot.
This author writes excellently well, I must confess. Her imagination was so vivid and realistic. I read the book with the plot playing like a movie in my head.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
What a delightful book by the author. I finished this book in two sittings and I am so glad to rate it five gold stars!
The heroine of the plot, Annabelle is such a delightful character whom readers can relate with on a realistic level.
John, Dickie, Nellie and Ginny made me to love them.
The title really suits the plot.
This author writes excellently well, I must confess. Her imagination was so vivid and realistic. I read the book with the plot playing like a movie in my head.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
February 10, 2022
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl by AnneMarie Brear Pub Date: 27 Jan 2022 - review
It is an idyllic life she lives with her adoptive mother in a cosy cottage in a village on the Yorkshire countryside. She and her mother sell herbs and potions and her mother is the local healer/midwife. But that life gets a lot heavier and she ends up in the slums.
The book is a good read and pictures Victorian life. The romance part is a bit "fast" and I am not sure if it is realistic in a society that was highly regulated. On the other hand it is clear he does not care about all of that and is a younger son.
It is an idyllic life she lives with her adoptive mother in a cosy cottage in a village on the Yorkshire countryside. She and her mother sell herbs and potions and her mother is the local healer/midwife. But that life gets a lot heavier and she ends up in the slums.
The book is a good read and pictures Victorian life. The romance part is a bit "fast" and I am not sure if it is realistic in a society that was highly regulated. On the other hand it is clear he does not care about all of that and is a younger son.
January 30, 2022
Such a gorgeous book, perfect to cosy upon the sofa with. With the descriptions being so vivid, I found myself closing my eyes & drifting off to the cobbled slums with Annabelle.
A beautifully written, captivating love story between the rich & the poor, with some great well developed characters.
I haven't read anything by this author before, but definitely want to now. The author's writing draws you into the story, compelling me to stay until the last page.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
A beautifully written, captivating love story between the rich & the poor, with some great well developed characters.
I haven't read anything by this author before, but definitely want to now. The author's writing draws you into the story, compelling me to stay until the last page.
Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.
July 24, 2022
A very near 4 Stars!
The Orphan In the Peacock Shawl seemed to take an age to get going but once it did, it was actually pretty good. (It's also not my usual type of read but I like to switch it up once in a while!) Part of the reason I struggled with it was that I didn't like some of the male characters and their attitudes - then I realised that that was genuinely the attitudes of the time and for that alone the author is to be commended. A bit of a niggle for me is that the book ended all of a sudden - it (well, I) needed an epilogue!
The Orphan In the Peacock Shawl seemed to take an age to get going but once it did, it was actually pretty good. (It's also not my usual type of read but I like to switch it up once in a while!) Part of the reason I struggled with it was that I didn't like some of the male characters and their attitudes - then I realised that that was genuinely the attitudes of the time and for that alone the author is to be commended. A bit of a niggle for me is that the book ended all of a sudden - it (well, I) needed an epilogue!
August 9, 2023
Annabell is an orphan taken in by an older widow and raised as a daughter from infancy. She grew up helping make herbal remedies and was beginning to attend births. Shortly after her mother dies, she delivers an unwanted baby. She is sworn to silence and to raise the baby. She flees to avoid blame for the baby's mother's death. The baby's uncle relentlessly searches for them both.
The story pacing was slow, and I found the dialog uninspiring in many places. The first third of the book focuses on Annabell and the setup for the plot. We meet John and the two of them just click together, but the class difference keeps them both from progressing a relationship.
The story pacing was slow, and I found the dialog uninspiring in many places. The first third of the book focuses on Annabell and the setup for the plot. We meet John and the two of them just click together, but the class difference keeps them both from progressing a relationship.
October 25, 2025
An enjoyable read set in the Yorkshire countryside in 1850. We meet Annabelle Wallis, a young woman whose evening is disrupted one rainy night by the wealthy landowner’s daughter who is in labor about to give birth to her illegitimate daughter.
What follows is both an interesting historical fiction/romance novel. Annabelle has promised to care for the baby as Eliza cannot shame her family with her illicit daughter. When Eliza returns home she unfortunately dies from childbirth complications. Fearing blame or legal action against her Annabelle leaves home with the baby and in hot pursuit of her is the handsome and wealthy brother,John Hartley who happens to have eyes for Annabelle.
I enjoyed the detailed countryside descriptions and contrast that to the slums of nearby York where she fled to. Nothing too terribly compelling but an entertaining, well written story.
What follows is both an interesting historical fiction/romance novel. Annabelle has promised to care for the baby as Eliza cannot shame her family with her illicit daughter. When Eliza returns home she unfortunately dies from childbirth complications. Fearing blame or legal action against her Annabelle leaves home with the baby and in hot pursuit of her is the handsome and wealthy brother,John Hartley who happens to have eyes for Annabelle.
I enjoyed the detailed countryside descriptions and contrast that to the slums of nearby York where she fled to. Nothing too terribly compelling but an entertaining, well written story.
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