Een goede dochter

Girls Who Dared #1

by Diney Costeloe

Londen, 1912. Iedereen gaat ervan uit dat Mabel net als haar nichtje op haar veertiende van school gaat en dienstmeisje wordt bij een rijke familie. Mabel gruwt van het idee, het is haar droom door te leren voor een kantoorbaan. Net als ze haar ouders heeft overtuigd om haar die kans te geven, slaat
het noodlot toe.
Mabel ziet zich gedwongen haar dromen op te geven en treedt in dienst bij de rijke familie McFarlane. Al snel wordt ze in een onmogelijke situatie gebracht, en lijkt het geluk verder weg dan ooit. Maar Mabel geeft niet op…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, 20th Century, Adult

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2023

About the author

Encouraged by my publisher father, I have been writing all my life. When I was five, he took my first effort to his office and brought it back in a cardboard cover with the label, 'Tom's Party'written by Diney, published by Daddy.
I've never looked back and always have some writing on the go.
To date I have written 10 romantic novels under the name of Diney Delancey (I liked the shape of the name and it sounded like a romantic novelist) and four novels as Diney Costeloe.
All are also in large print and several recently published as e-books.
See my reviews on Amazon and on my website, http://www.dineycosteloe.co.uk or http://castlehavenbooks.co.uk

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

1912: Mabel Oakley is fourteen years old, she's an excellent student, and her teacher Miss. Chapman thinks she should continue her education and possibly go to high school. Mabel has two brothers, Edward who's about to start his carpenters apprenticeship and Stephen is still at primary school.

Andrew has a soft spot for his daughter, he works as a clerk at a solicitor’s office and the family gets by. His wife Alice handles the housekeeping, by tightening their belts, they should be able to afford for Mabel to stay at school for one more year.

When tragedy strikes, Alice tries her best, unfortunately Mable has to leave school and her cousin Lizzie knows of a vacant position. Lady McFarlane needs a maid, and Mable starts working as a live in domestic servant. Mable hates her job, she misses her family, the hours are long, with no free time, and she doesn’t trust her employer’s son.

Mabel confides in her friend Mr. Clarke how miserable she is, he promises her things will get better, and it’s not forever. Mabel's plight unfortunately was a common one at the time, most girls finished school early, had low paying jobs, and handed their wages over to their families.

I received a copy of The Girl Who Dared to Dream by Diney Costeloe from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Costeloe has an informative and moving writing style, and you’re given a realistic impression of life in Edwardian England and through the point of view of a fourteen year old girl. Mabel is a plucky and bright young lady, she faces challenges head on, and doesn't give up in wanting more out of life, and continuing to help her family. Five stars from me, I highly recommend this book and the others in Diney Costeloe’s vast catalogue of historical fiction.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author that I've read and I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover her. I read this in one day. From page one I was hooked.
Mabel is fourteen years old and wants to stay on at school for another year. She loves learning and wants a better life than a girl normally had in those days. Tragedy strikes and she has to give up her dreams and go into service. She hates it. The conditions are tough. Long, hard days with hardly any time off and having to constantly dodge the son of the house, which was the norm at the time I believe. An incident in the house where she works ends with the loss of her job. There are some nasty people in the house and I was delighted when one got their comeuppance.
Mabel is a flawed character and this only makes her more real. She has a lovely, caring family but she can be a bit of a brat at times. There is a great cast of characters and the book flows along at a nice pace. I do hope this is a series as I would like to see how she and her family progress in life especially with World War I on the horizon.

Thanks to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for an early copy of this book to read.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing this author’s books in bookshops for years, I’m thankful for the opportunity to finally read one. I’m shocked it’s taken me this long and disappointed at missing out on such great historical fiction.

At the center of this book is Mabel Oakley and her plan for her future. Readers will be in awe at her tenacity and empathize with her sacrifice. Hardship forces Mabel to shelve her dreams to support her family. This feisty girl learns to navigate a future she hadn’t planned.

Many of us have walked, are walking, or will at some point, walk through seasons of uncertainty, unmet dreams and feel unfulfilled. Seeing a character grow, live and prosper after her life takes an unexpected twist, is encouraging.

Costeloe’s wonderful characters and her engaging plot kept me interested. Her theme about help coming from the most unlikely of people was well presented. It was reaffirming to read about a strong female character who blossomed despite her circumstances.

I was gifted this advance copy by Aria and Aries and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read two other books from this author,And this book was another fantastic read, was hooked from the start. Mabel dream was to become a secretary,but her fathers accident was serious he lost his job no longer walk,she and her brothers had no choice but to bring in an income to help her mother,she took a job her cousin was doing to go into service.she later got accused of a crime she didnt commit. This story about hardship and sacrifice your dreams to help your family to survive. Highly recommended.

I would like to thank netgalley, and aria&aries and the author Diney Costello for a copy of this book to read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1912 two years before the war, fourteen-year-old Mabel Oakley is a good student and dreams to go to Secondary school to learn to become a secretary. She wants to better herself and not leave school and go into service as a maid like some of her peers. But life doesn’t always go as you want it to. When her father has an accident that leaves him paralysed. So, without no money coming in she takes a job as a in between maid. But it is short lived when she is accused of stealing and is sacked from her job.
Thank you NetGalley and Aria for a copy of the girl who dared to dream. This is the second novel from the author I have read, and I really enjoyed this novel of one women’s strength and determination to make something of herself in the times of hardship and where women were destined just to go into service. Be seen and not heard. This is a heart-warming story of one family struggles, and I loved the character of Mabel. How strong she was. She was head of the times of a woman being trying to independent in a world full of men. 5 stars from me.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was 1912 when Mabel Oakley's father was seriously injured in an accident, and she had to put to one side her dreams of secondary school and training to be a secretary. Her family needed her help, along with her brother Eddie, who gave up his apprenticeship, and Stephen, who did odd jobs on the weekend and after school. Their mother Alice did sewing from home and between them they kept the wolf from the door. Mabel was determined never to work in service like her cousin Lizzie was doing...

But needs must and before long Mabel was working at the big house as a tweeny and although she hated it, she worked hard, relishing her half days and weekends off, which they rarely allowed. When trouble struck at the house, Mabel was dismissed and without a reference. She was shattered as she knew - as did her family - that she'd done nothing wrong. What could she do to help support her family now?

The Girl Who Dared to Dream by Diney Costeloe is a wonderful, heartfelt story about the poor and their struggles, and the determination of one young woman to not rely on anyone else but her own strength. I thoroughly admired Mabel and the rest of her family, determinedly working through what fate had dealt them, to remain together as one strong unit. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley, Ana Carter and Head of Zeus (Aria) for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Marloes · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful. The strong female characters, especially in the era of early last century.
It's my first book by this author.
I have ordered several more.
The writing style is very much like Dilly Court.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Eindelijk een boek wat ik ECHT leuk vind! Je leert echt veel over de tijd van toen. 6 sterren voor dit boek!♡

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gewoon weer mooi! Ik had ook niet anders verwacht van haar😊

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1912 London in an era when women were not treated as equals in a man's world, The Girl Who Dared to Dream is a gorgeous book about one young woman who not only persevered through trials and dreamed big but adapted to new dreams. This book has it all...compelling history, family drama, heartache, villains, upstairs/downstairs life, relationships and hope. The story and writing are beautiful and engaging and I found myself utterly immersed in another world, enjoying it in one sitting.

Fifteen-year-old Mabel is the apple of her father Andrew's eye. He encourages her pursuit of becoming a woman of her own means as a secretary. However, one day life dramatically changes for the Oakley family which necessitates serious adjustments. Financial hardship forces swift action so Mabel secures a job, settling for something she hates for a pittance with little freedom. Her honour comes into question but she refuses to give up. Her beloved older friend Mr. Clarke, a printer, and teacher are mentors and their kindnesses are endearing. As Mabel's life goes on we are privy to her heart in times of sorrow and moments of joy.

My favourite relationship is that between dear Mr. Clarke and Mabel. Class distinction portrayals are fascinating and I really cared about the characters and rooted for Mabel.

If you are new to Historical Fiction, this is a wonderful introduction. If you are already a fan of the genre, this is unmissable.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful, wonderful book.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

London - 1912

At age 14, Mabel Oakley wants to remain in school for another year to allow her to study typewriting and possibly shorthand so she can become a secretary. She does not want to leave school now as she will then have to take a job as a maid.

Mabel has two younger brothers, one of whom is due to start an apprenticeship in carpentry will pay him almost nothing while he learns the trade.

Mabel’s father, Andrew, works for a solicitor but when an error is made by another employee, he gets blamed for not double checking the work and gets fired after working there for 20 years. Leaving the office, he is struck by an out of control dray and badly injured leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Now, her mother must take in sewing to help make money. In addition, Mabel must set aside her dreams of being a secretary and accept a job as a maid. Her brother must also give up his apprenticeship and get a paying job.

Mabel hates her job and is miserable. When she is accused of something she did not do, she is dismissed. Back at home, she knows she needs to find a job. What can she do?

Hope I haven’t given too many spoilers here. I really liked this book. The plot shows the plight of so many people during this time period and how hard they had to work to put food on the table. Mabel is a strong character and I liked her very much. Do enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[ROBIN RUIZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this author, I have read everything she has written.
It’s 1912 and Mabel Oakley wants to make her own future. Unfortunately when her dad becomes disabled her life takes a turn she didn’t expect.
I love everything about this authors writing, great characters, great story, and I will forever read anything she writes!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Diney Costeloe books and this is no exception. It's well-written and you can't help but cheer for Mabel as she follows her dreams. I would definitely recommend this book and this author to my friends and family!

[Debbie | Bookaholic_Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Londen, 1912. Iedereen gaat ervan uit dat Mabel net als haar nichtje op haar veertiende van school gaat en dienstmeisje wordt bij een rijke familie. Mabel gruwt van het idee, het is haar droom door te leren voor een kantoorbaan. Net als ze haar ouders heeft overtuigd om haar die kans te geven, slaat het noodlot toe.
Mabel ziet zich gedwongen haar dromen op te geven en treedt in dienst bij de rijke familie McFarlane. Al snel wordt ze in een onmogelijke situatie gebracht, en lijkt het geluk verder weg dan ooit. Maar Mabel geeft niet op…

𝚆𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚔 𝚎𝚛 𝚟𝚊𝚗 𝚟𝚘𝚗𝚍?
Voor mij was dit de eerste kennismaking met schrijfster Diney Costeloe, maar de flaptekst trok me meteen. En nu het boek uit is, wil ik zeker meer van haar gaan lezen; wat een fijne schrijfster! Ze weet een prachtige weergave neer te zetten van het leven in Londen van begin 1900. Het klassenverschil, het harde leven en ook hoe het hele gezin mee moest werken om voor voldoende eten te zorgen.

Hoewel het verhaal draait om Mabel, komen in andere de hoofdstukken ook bijvoorbeeld haar ouders en broers 'meer aan het woord', waardoor je het verhaal vanuit meerdere standpunten gaat lezen. Dat samen met een vlotte schrijfstijl en niet al te lange hoofdstukken, maakt het een fijn te lezen boek.

Maar vooral het verhaal en de persoon Mabel is er wel een die je raakt. Een jong meisje, vol plannen die deze gedwongen opzij moet zetten. Maar ook een meisje met heel veel wilskracht en doorzettingsvermogen om in haar dromen en eigen kunnen te blijven geloven, zelfs als alles tegen lijkt te zitten.

Aan het einde van het boek zit ook nog een spannende wending, die in de eerste instantie wat uit de lucht lijkt te vallen, maar voor de 'losse eindjes' tussen de personages wel een mooie toevoeging is. Eerlijk is eerlijk; mijn romantische ik vond het einde een klein beetje tegenvallen, maar helemaal passend bij Mabel!

[Pheebs · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I initially began reading this novel, I was interested to see where Mabel’s journey would take her. She had such potential as a young woman who refused to conform to society’s standards of what was expected for women of the period.

However, I feel that in the several hundred pages that this novel comprises of, very little was actually achieved. The characters are undeveloped and serve as plot devices rather than creative constructs, plot points such as the watch theft and the final conflict between Mabel and Everette felt unrelated to the plot etc. Overall, a lot was said about very little.

One aspect of this novel that I cannot look past is the complete lack of acknowledgement to what was happening in society during 1912 in London. There is no mention of imperialism on the continent or the suffragette movement - all of these factors should have influenced Mabel’s attitude and behaviour, but it is never even mentioned.

Whilst the book was not an unpleasant read and felt easy to breeze through, the potential it had to be an empowering novel fell flat - there was no lasting impact.

[Marlou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leest net zo fijn weg als al haar andere boeken. Soms was de hoofdpersoon een tikkeltje irritant maar al met al heeft het verhaal mij zelfs tot tranen geroerd.

[Veronique Wilbrink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze recensie is eerder verschenen op Koukleum.nl.

Ik heb tot nog toe één boek van Costeloe gehad wat ik minder vond, dat was ‘De verloren vader’, op de een of andere manier, kwam ik destijds niet in het verhaal, en daardoor heb ik die toen aan de kant gelegd en daarna ook niet meer gelezen. De verhalen van Costeloe gingen tot nog toe bijna allemaal over de Tweede Wereldoorlog en hierdoor was ik meestal meteen gegrepen door het verhaal. De verloren vader ging niet over de Tweede wereldoorlog dus of hij mij daarom niet meteen pakte? We zullen er wellicht nu achter komen, nu dit boek ook niet over de Tweede Wereldoorlog gaat.

Deze keer heeft ze het anders aangepakt en begint het verhaal in 1912, nog voor de Eerste Wereldoorlog. De boeken over die periode zal ik normaal niet zo snel ter hand nemen, echter de korte inhoud sprak mij aan en ik wilde het daarom toch een kans geven. Ik werd ook deze keer aangenaam verrast door Costeloe. Ze wist me al vrij snel in het verhaal te trekken. De jonge Mabel wil graag verder leren, wat vrij ongebruikelijk is voor die tijd. De meeste jonge meisjes gaan van school af om ergens in een rijk huishouden te gaan werken als dienstmeisje. Zo heeft het nichtje van Mabel ook gedaan en Mabel gruwt hiervan. Dan gebeurt er van alles waardoor de vader van Mabel in het ziekenhuis belandt en de kostwinnaar in het huishouden wegvalt. In die tijd betekende dat, dat anderen in het gezin moesten bijdragen in het inkomen en Mabel heeft de leeftijd dat ze van school kan om te gaan werken en hier wordt ze op gewezen en ondanks dat ze dit eigenlijk niet wilt, beseft ze dat ze niet anders kan. Als ze aangenomen is, merk je al gauw dat ze hier niet voor in de wieg gelegd is, ze heeft te veel een eigen mening en daar komt ze ook regelmatig voor op. Op een bepaald moment wordt het verhaal zelfs nog even spannend.

Het verhaal wordt vanuit verschillende personages verteld, ondanks dat het verhaal om Mabel draait komen ook bijvoorbeeld haar broers en ouders regelmatig aan het woord en hierdoor krijg je als lezer een compleet beeld. Dit, in combinatie met de vrije korte hoofdstukken, zorgde er voor dat ik door de hoofdstukken heen vloog.

Ik had al vrij snel het vermoeden wie er achter zat, waar achter, zul je denken, daarvoor moet je het boek lezen, dat ga ik natuurlijk niet verklappen. Maar ondanks dat heeft Costeloe het verhaal toch zo opgeschreven dat het boeiend bleef en ik het boek maar met moeite weg kon leggen.

De personages die een rol spelen zijn goed uitgewerkt en hierdoor kon ik mij een goed beeld vormen van de personen. Ook heeft Costeloe de omgeving beeldend beschreven, waardoor ik het gevoel had alsof ik rond liep in het huis van de rijke familie McFarlane. Het verhaal speelde zich echt als een film voor mijn ogen af, hier kan ik echt van genieten.

Costeloe wil, naar mijn gevoel, een duidelijk boodschap over brengen, namelijk blijf altijd in je dromen geloven en geef ze niet zomaar op. Ook al heb je soms tegenslagen, dan kan het soms toch zijn dat ze met een beetje uitstel alsnog uit kunnen komen. Maar ook dat je soms geholpen wordt uit onverwachte hoek en dat er mensen zijn die je belangeloos helpen, hoe onvriendelijk je ook tegen deze mensen bent. Gelukkig worden de onvriendelijke woorden altijd weer terug gedraaid als diegene ziet dat ze fout zaten. Dat is een mooie eigenschap die ook niet iedereen bezit. Ik denk dat klaarstaan voor een ander vroeger veel eerder gebeurde dan tegenwoordig. In de huidige maatschappij is het ieder voor zich en heeft bijna niemand meer tijd.

Zoals de meesten weten luisteren wij het boek ook tijdens het lezen als deze op Kobo Plus verkrijgbaar is. En dat was ook het geval met dit boek. Dit boek wordt voorgelezen door Tanneke Hartzuiker en ik vond haar stem erg goed bij het verhaal passen. Ze wist de emoties goed over te brengen en hierdoor kwam het verhaal nog beter binnen.

Als je van historische verhalen houdt, kan ik dit boek alleen maar aanraden, ook al is het een ander verhaal dan de overige verhalen van Costeloe, ook dit verhaal weet ze met veel overtuiging te vertellen.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read Diney Costeloe and I loved every page. She's an author I've often heard about but never actually picked up...until now. I will be adding her to my historical authors list, that's for sure. I love her easy style and the heartwarming essence to her characters.

1912: Fifteen year old Mabel Oakley has dreams. She wants to continue her schooling beyond the basics, to study and complete her exams and become a secretary. Her father has agreed to her going onto the secondary school and her entrance exam is set. Mabel is going places...only the direction is about to change course.

Andrew Oakley works as a senior clerk for Sheridan, Sheridan and Morrell solicitors and has done for nigh on twenty years. But a mistake made has cost him dearly, in more ways than one, and on his way home his steps in front of a brewer's dray without thinking.

Mabel is all excited that she is going to continue her schooling to become a secretary and earn a living for herself. She has been busy chattering and making plans with her mother before heading upstairs to do her homework. When she returns to the kitchen for tea, she finds her mother looking out into the street wondering what's keeping her father. He's not yet home, so maybe he's working late again.

News of Andrew's accident reaches his wife Alice by way of a neighbour and after visiting him in the hospital, she learns his fate. He will live but he will no longer walk. Alice must be strong and band their children - Mabel, Eddie and Stephen - together to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, as well as care for their father.

It isn't long before Mabel's dreams of becoming a secretary dissolve into a cloud of dust. With her father's accident and no longer able to keep his family, it's up to the rest of them to pull their weight. And so when her cousin Lizzie tells of a maid's position coming up for the family she works for in Mayfair, Mabel does what she always vowed she wouldn't do - go into service.

Mabel hates the job and misses her family. The hours are long with hardly any time off and arduous but she knows her family are relying on her. Her cousin Lizzie has given her the rundown of the house and the servants - who to watch and who to steer clear of, their employer's son Iain being one of them. And it was when she was steering clear of Iain's playful advances that she was seen coming out of a room she had no place being in. Then when she returns from a weekend off she is greeted by the stern housekeeper and accused of theft - from the room she'd previously had no business being in! Mabel swears she's innocent but one of the items was found in her bedside locker and so she was dismissed without reference.

Returning home, Mabel instead stops by her friend Mr Clarke's in the printshop by the railway and confides in him - how miserable she is and of the accusations against her. He listens with a friendly ear, gives advice and tells her that it's not forever, that things will get better; that there may be something better for her on the horizon. But Mabel can't see it just now. All she knows is that she had a job she hated and now she has let down her family who were relying on her income. What was she going to do?

This is a heartwarming and touching tale from start to finish. The author pens her characters with such warmth while others with abhorrence. It is easy to feel sympathy where it's due and none where it isn't. She delivers a heartfelt story of a working class family and their struggles, and one girl's strength and determination to rise above her odds.

I picked up this book as I had the second one to read but on discovering this came first I decided to read them in order. And I'm glad I did.

Perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Catherine Cookson and Francesca Capaldi.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

1912. London.

"Life has a way of kicking you in the teeth, you know."

Mabel Oakley didn’t know that life could be so cruel. At 15, Mabel had plans for her future. She planned to become a secretary like Miss Harper, the secretary to the senior partner at the law firm where her father worked. However, a day in February that everything changed for Andrew Oakley had a ripple effect that changed the future for everyone in the family. Circumstances and dreams would change, and no family member could stop it. Mabel would be going into domestic service, employed by Sir Keir and Lady McFarlane, the same family that employed her cousin Lizzie.

To move onward, new experiences, new ways of doing things, and new circumstances must be accepted. Some are scary. Some seem impossible to endure. But there is never any doubt that this family will stay together and push through, resolute and determined.

I loved the character of Mabel and the relationships with her family, Miss Chapman, and Mr. Clarke. From the early days of excitement encouraged by her teacher to disappointment and disillusionment as she realizes that dreams don’t always come true to acceptance to betrayal to finding her way. Mabel was always aware that her path would be different from other girls her age, not realizing that, ultimately, changes would bring a future that suited her perfectly.

The differences between men and women are well portrayed within socio-economic differences and cultural dictates, expectations, opportunities for education, employment including apprenticeships, and social norms. A beautifully written, captivating story with hardship, sacrifice, courage, resilience, and love.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Dared To Dream by Diney Costeloe is a marvellous historical novel and the first book in a fabulous new series entitled Girls Who Dared. I cannot wait for subsequent books.
The setting is London in 1912. The world is teetering on the edge between the old and new order. Girls have always been seen as the weaker sex but leading lady, Mabel Oakley is all set to prove her critics wrong! She knows her own mind and is able to break out of the traditional mould, not being afraid to speak up. She has her dreams too.
We see that in order to beat the system; one has to stand against it. Nothing will stand in Mabel Oakley’s way of her desire to have more education than was usual for a girl – until one fateful day when dreams must be laid aside.
The upper classes still flaunt their wealth and their opinions. The reader glimpses a life below stairs where not only do the upper classes rule, but the servants have a pecking order too. We witness the awful conditions for the young female servants, who are taken advantage of.
There is no welfare state. Following an accident to the breadwinner, all family members must get a job including the youngest, a thirteen-year-old boy.
There may not be much money, but there is a lot of love.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic. The leading lady is plucky and friendly. When she extends the hand of friendship, it is always given in love.
We see that prejudices exist in many areas of life – females, the working classes and the Jewish store owners. It is shocking to witness the dreadful attitudes of the upper classes towards the Jewish shop owners.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Girl Who Dared To Dream and am looking forward to more from Diney Costeloe

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read a couple of this author’s previous books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I was excited to see that she has a new book.

This is a cozy family tale set in London pre WW 1. Our lead character is Mabel, a 15 year old girl who has high aspirations for herself. She does not want to go into “service” as most girls her age do. Mabel wants to continue in school and get a “proper” job. Tragedy strikes the family and Mabel cannot fulfill her plans. We follow her life as she is obliged to work as a servant for a wealthy family.

I've always enjoyed historical novels and period stories. The way of life over hundred years ago is very interesting. The author's description of Mabel's struggles at a job tugs at the reader's heart. A bit of a mystery develops discrediting Mabel's reputation.

This has been a great story to lose myself in. Mabel's character shows amazing strength and determination for someone of her age. She experiences hardship but has the gumption and tenacity to rise above it all. She is headstrong but she is ethical. She is outspoken. She loves her family (mother, disabled father and 2 younger brothers) and wants to play a responsible role in that family.

I think this book would appeal to fans of Rosamund Pilcher. The writing style is similar, smooth flowing and easily draws the reader in. I appreciate a good story. These days, when the world is in so much turmoil, it feels good to lose myself in a good story.

Mabel is The Girl Who Dared to Dream and she achieved her Dream. Mabel is a young lady who is way ahead of her time!

[Jennifer Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabel has dreams of going to school to become a secretary in London a few years before WWI breaks out. Due to an accident that impacts her father’s ability to provide for his family, she instead must take a service job in order to contribute to her family’s income. Avoiding the advances of her employer’s son, the ire of the more senior service workers, and the worry of her parents and the new life they are leading, Mabel tries her best to accept her circumstances for what they are. Then she is accused of a crime and her luck turns.

Mabel’s family has a series of misfortunes during the course of the book. Readers who have faced a streak of unfortunate challenges will sympathize with what they are going through just to provide a meal and home for the family. Educations and apprenticeships are sacrificed because during the 1910s this cost families money that Mabel’s family simply didn’t have as a result of losing the decent income her father had before his accident.

Mabel is a young woman who doesn’t give up on herself or her dreams. I found not only her spiritual strength, but mental and emotional strength enlightening. When you look at the obstacles that ere thrown at her in a short time, you truly appreciate the strong female character that she is. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

#netgalley #arc #dineycosteloe #thegirlwhodaredtodream #ariafiction #ariesfictionbooks

[Francisca den Otter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabel, a young girl of fifteen, is doing very well in school and is having a great time. Her teacher would like to consult with her parents because she thinks that Mabel should take the exam so that she can go on to secondary education. Mabel likes this idea because she doesn't like to become a live-in maid after school, just like her niece. Unfortunately, the letter will never be written because Mabel, completely against her will, has to drop out of school to contribute to the family income after her father's accident.

Her eldest brother also quits his intended place as an apprentice with the carpenter and goes to work in the market so that he immediately earns money and does not cost money. So, there is no other option for Mabel than to become a live-in maid, that way she doesn't cost any money at home, and she earns a small salary with which she can contribute at home. The only bright spot for Mabel is that she becomes a maid in the same house where her niece works and therefore has a familiar face around her. As she imagined, she doesn't like the job, but she does make the best of it.

Not too pleasant things happen in the house where Mabel works and because she doesn’t mince words and she certainly does not let herself be walked over it is getting back on her. Unfortunately, she has to pay for this, and it does not make life easier for her nor her family. Fortunately, help comes from an unexpected source and Mabel manages to get everything back on track, but unfortunately it is not a 'and they lived happily ever after'. No, regrettably there is still some setback, do they know how to overcome that?

Diney knows very well how to describe what life was like in a working-class family during that time, but also how all the staff in a wealthy household worked and got treated. I really enjoyed the book

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - well written and with a great story line. Set in 1912, the Oakley family are doing quite well as Andrew works for a local solicitor, his sons are preparing for apprenticeships and his daughter Mabel dreams of going to secondary school and becoming a secretary.

However, events conspire to dash all these dreams, and Mabel finds herself going into service. However she clings to her dream, making friends with a local printer who encourages her to go to night classes to learn typing and keep the dream alive.

Its a great story, very believable and of its time, when education for women was considered to be a waste as they should be getting married and allowing their husbands to support them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabel Oakley wants to continue with her schooling to become a secretary but when her father becomes crippled after an accident she is forced to become a maid to help with family finances. Luckily she has Mr. Clark as a friend who is willing to help her live her dream life.

I loved the storyline of this story! It was a refreshing read. The transitions between the chapters and the character’s Points of view were so smooth I didn’t want to stop reading and I often got lost in the story. I loved all the generous characters that were willing to help the struggling family out. Mr. Clark was my favorite character because he treated Mabel like a daughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Christina J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read most of Costeloe's books, and they were hard to put down. This was not her finest, unfortunately. It was very formulaic and quite dull. I liked the heroin, Mabel, as she was a strong, independent young woman who knew her own mind. Mr. Clark was a likeable character, and, of course, there was a villain who had to be thwarted.

I thought, at first, I had read this book and even looked to see when it was published, but I had not. It was like I've read bits and pieces pulled from other stories I've read.

I don't know that I was all that pleased with the ending. I made an assumption about what happened, but it wasn't clear. Usually in an epilogue, it wraps things up. It didn't quite do that.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diney Costeloe- where have you been? “The Girl Who Dared to Dream” is the first book of yours that I have read and I am hooked! I loved reading about beautiful and bold Mabel - a girl who knew her own mind - something that was quite unheard of in post WW1 England. From her family life and dreams to become a secretary, to being forced to work in service - something she despised, the story flowed beautifully. Mabel, a young woman who stood up for her rights, ended up working for her wonderful elderly friend Mr Clarke. Without giving away too much, Mabel falls on her feet and couldn’t be happier. The only issue is the book finished before I was ready to finish it! I need to know more! Please let there be a sequel!

[Ka8leen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een mooie historische roman. Eentje over feminisme avant la lettre in een tijd (1912) waar het geen evidentie was. En tegelijkertijd ook nederig om te zien hoe wendingen van het leven je dromen kunnen doen veranderen. Ook al geef je niet op en geef je toch een deel van je dromen op. De sfeer van 1912 waar je als je arm bent je kansen op werk zo drastisch verminderen. Hoe je blij moet zijn omdat je huispersoneel wordt ook al wil je dit helemaal niet maar toch het geld nodig hebt (ook al is het dan nog zo weinig..). Ik werd heel nederig door dit boek. Wat een verschil met de tijd waarin wij leven met zoveel meer keuzes, ook al zijn ze ook in deze tijden soms beperkt. Het boek met plezier gelezen.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story that reminded me of a Masterpiece theater show. Bits of Downton Abbey among many interlacing stories with a great cast of characters both loveable and despicable.

Mabel, young girl in the early 1900’s is forced to grow up quickly and dreams to become more than her station. Growing up so quickly is of course fraught with challenges and she is met with some tense sexual encounters throughout, shedding light on just how poorly women were treated. Dreaming was frowned upon but Mabel continued on.

My favorite character was the elderly Mr. Clark who saves her life in more ways than one. He respected her despite her age and sex and was a sweet and encouraging presence in her life.