Kind Hearts & Good Manners
The Waterfront Lass by AnneMarie Brear is a fabulous historical novel which I really enjoyed.
The action is set in Wakefield in 1870. The reader drops into both the homes of the working classes and the drawing rooms of the upper class. We see that for some, there is no distinction but for others, clear class lines are drawn.
What makes someone a lady or a gentleman? It is not wealth or status but manners that makes a person. We witness the dreadful snobbery of some, in contrast to the kind hearts of others.
Philanthropy is practiced as purse strings are opened to those in need. We see the generous hearts of those who have little sharing with those who have nothing. Budgeting is important, whether you have much or little.
Friendships are beautiful to see. There are some very heart-warming alliances within the book. I loved dropping in on the conversations with the gardener and also the new ladies maid.
Within the working classes we see the males exerting their dominance. There are some with dreadfully loose morals. It is always the women who suffer and are left to pick up the pieces. Equality between the sexes is still a long way off.
True love buds and blossoms where it will. It is beautiful to witness.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Waterfront Lass. It was an epic tale of the existence of hand to mouth of the working classes that contrasted with the riches of the upper classes.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
The Waterfront Lass
Wakefield 1870
On the banks of the River Calder, Meg Taylor struggles to care for her younger siblings and sick mother whilst her father is away working as a boatman on the canals. The slums where they live are rife with disease, and Meg longs for a different life, away from the grinding poverty, but she’ll never leave her family.
But with the canals slowly dying as trade moves to the railways, and with Meg’s father stubbornly holding onto the past, Meg fears her family’s future is going to get even bleaker. If only there was a way she could save them….
Christian Henderson is tired of the greed of his wealthy family. He sees the poverty around him and wishes he could do more to help the proud working-class people he meets. People like Meg Taylor, whose courage he so admires.
From the moment he meets Meg, Christian is captivated – Meg might be poor, but she is proud and spirited
Meg’s dreams of being with a man like Christian are fantasy. How can a lass from the waterfront be with a wealthy man such as he?
And worse, if she follows her heart to be with him, what will happen to the family she loves?
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/waterfrontlasssocial
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. Her first title for Boldwood was published in January 2022.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear
Twitter: https://twitter.com/annemariebrear
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemariebrear/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AnneMarieBrearNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annemarie-brear