- Title: Nellie’s Heartbreak
- Author: Rosie Clarke
- Publisher: Boldwood Books on May 5, 2021
- Genre: Historical Romance/Saga
- Pages: 386
- Available Formats: Paperback, Audiobook, Audio CDs, & Digital Edition
- Rating: 5/5
Trigger Warnings: Rape, Self-Induced Miscarriage, Domestic Abuse (with death), Child Abuse
Many thanks to Rosie Clarke, Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a digital copy of Nellie’s Heartbreak with a request for an honest review.
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Nellie’s Heartbreak Blurb
A new stand-alone saga set in Yorkshire around out the outbreak of the second world war and the unlikely relationship between a master and servant.
As a small child, Nellie Peace was always dreaming but sensed her mother’s rejection.
Provided by Rachel’s Random Resources for Tour Purposes
Abandoned and sent into service at Beaumont House at an early age, Nellie is lost and alone until she meets the unpredictable and reclusive artist, Lucas Harrington and falls in love with him.
This unlikely association between master and servant is encouraged by Lucas’s gentle natured Aunt Alice as Lucas sees something unusual in Nellie and is compelled to paint her.
Broken promises lead to inevitable heartbreak and Nellie flees Beaumont House in disgrace for London.
Alone again, Nellie must learn to live and fend for herself and her new-born child.
Can Nellie win a second chance of happiness and can she solve the mystery of her mother’s tortured past?
My Review
I fell in love with Rosie Clarke’s writing in her novel Stormy Days on Mulberry Lane. Clarke knows how to write a good saga. Nellie’s Heartbreak is exactly that, a life full of heartbreak. I cried the tears she wouldn’t shed.
Nellie Pearce lives with her mother’s hatred, but she didn’t know how much her mother hated her. Until the day she turned 15, and her mother sent her away to work in service. When Nellie arrived at Beaumont House, misery enveloped her. But, after a fashion, she made friends, and life got better for Nellie. But, heartache followed Nellie everywhere she went. She had a few bright lights, but they were always snatched from her just as she got comfortable.
Nellie is a wonderful character. She has enough moxie to make her a bit rebellious yet remain meek, essential to her work in service. Her friendship with Tom was one of the highlights of the book for me. Though, I was on the edge of my seat to see how his father figured into her life. I never did care for Lucas. I thought Nellie might straighten him out, but he remained a selfish jerk throughout. Nellie’s friendships with Cook, Maud, and Mary made my heart happy for her. She had people who loved her, and that makes all the tragedy seem smaller somehow.
Nellie’s cooking made my mouth water. Her meals reminded me of the food my grandma used to make for us. She was the best cook I ever knew. Nellie’s chicken with vegetables and dumplings was a childhood favorite for me. Grandma left out the vegetables, and her chicken and dumplin’s were the best.
I can’t think of another character that I loved as much as I love Nellie in a long time. Watching her go from a meek schoolgirl to a confident young woman gave me so much joy. With that said, I am happy to award Nellie’s Heartbreak 5 out of 5 stars. I know I tell you all to pick up these historical novels all the time, but this one is truly special. I hope you get a chance to read it. If you enjoy historical fiction at all, this book will likely be a good read for you.
See my review for Rosie Clarke’s Stormy Days on Mulberry Lane
About the Author – Rosie Clarke
Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series. She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner. She lives in Cambridgeshire. Rosie’s brand new saga series, Welcome to Harpers Emporium began in December 2019.
Author’s Contact Links: Twitter | Facebook | BookBub
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THis was a really special book. I enjoyed it too.
I completely agree. I loved it so much, even though I cried a lot.
Just the bit about the food you wrote made me hungry! I’m not sure if I’ll give this a go since I’m not the best at books that make me cry ?
Wonderful review!
It made me hungry too. ?