Where has Lindsey Hutchinson been all my life? Ever since a friend recommended her books to me a couple of years ago, I have enjoyed every single one them! They are such a delight to read and incredibly easy to devour. Her novels seamlessly weave tales of poverty along with love and friendship throughout the lower working classes in industrial Birmingham in the similar vein of Catherine Cookson did in the North East.

A WINTER BABY FOR GIN BARREL LANE is the sequel to the endearing "The Children of Gin Barrel Lane" in which we met the characters who return in this delightful installment along with many more who are sure to warm your heart.

Birmingham 1864: Returning to Gin Barrel Lane and Dolly Perkins is now 21 years old. She has come a long way since ten year old Jack Larkin found her huddled in the yard of his mother's gin house almost a decade ago. By 14 Dolly had gone into business with Nellie Larkin and together they purchased and opened the Daydream Palace across the road from Nellie's own Crown Saloon. As the business grows and becomes busier, Dolly must take on new workers to keep the bar open and the customers happy. But business is booming and the Palace is packed from opening till closing time every day.

Now the mortgage for the Palace is almost paid off and Dolly is looking to open another when word reaches her about several establishments going on the market. She views a couple of them but fears the cost of renovating them to above standard wouldn't be financially viable. Then Wilton Burton, son and co-owner of Burton's Brewery from which she and Nellie acquire their gin, tells her of a pub they deliver to up for sale. So Dolly takes Jack to inspect the premises but the surrounding stench is more than they could ask their employees or their customers to bear.

Until word reaches the delightful Aggie, who passes on information in return for free gin, about a pub that is about to go on the market. Regaling Dolly with news of the vast establishment on the corner of Great Barr Street, Dolly takes Jack to inspect the pub known locally as "The Bricky" and put an offer on it. The premises are indeed vast, clean and perfect for their requirements so Dolly and the pub landlord Lucas Freeman agree on a price and shake on it. She heads straight to the bank where she organises a mortgage for her new establishment and then to her solicitor to draw up the papers. However, upon returning the following morning, Lucas informs her that he has been offered above asking price by Ezra Moreton and he would be a fool to turn it down. After much consideration and planning on her solicitor's part, Dolly agrees to the new price and takes possession almost immediately with Lucas disappearing in the night, his passage booked for the Americas and escaping Ezra's wrath.

Dolly and Jack set to work on renovating the pub into a gin palace which they have called Emporium of Dreams. Dolly has retained the two existing barmen and hiring more staff for the kitchen, bar and the door with Jack to be the new live in manager. But from one of the bedrooms upstairs comes an awful smell which Lucas told them was the sewer, having complained to the council on numerous occasions to no avail. But their builder Eli Hodges informed them of the opposite...that there was no sewer...so what was causing that ghastly smell? As work begins on locating its source, no one is prepared for what they will find behind those walls.

When Ezra arrives one morning, his goons in tow, he is shocked to discover Dolly and Jack on the premises he believes he owns. But he is in for an even greater shock when he learns that Dolly is the new owner when he thought he had yet again outsmarted her. Humiliated once again by the woman, Ezra hightails it back to his Brewery where he takes his ever-growing frustrations out on his staff. And when word reaches him down the track that Dolly is looking to expand her business even further with the acquisition of not one but another two pubs, Ezra means to outsmart her once and for all by swooping in and purchasing them from under her.

But then winter arrives in full force with heavy snowfall that cuts off roads so the carts and cabbies and even draymen delivering brewery supplies cannot get through. And Ezra makes a foolish decision that could see his empire unravel. Is he canny enough to rise above the odds and claw his way back whilst making Dolly pay?

Meanwhile love is on the horizon for Dolly. Enjoying the regular company of Wilton Burton, she suspects she may be falling in love with him. But is he all that he appears? Jack certainly doesn't trust him and glares daggers at him every time he sees him in Dolly's company. And when the two are together, Jack is filled with an anger and jealousy that causes him to make a rash decision leaving Dolly high and dry as well as devastated.

Along with the return of Nellie, Nancy, Fred, Aggie, Dolly and Jack, we also meet new friends in Sadie, Alice, Bess, Gwen, Danny, Frank and Joey. Of course there are the reappearances of Dolly's solicitor Mr Sharpe and their builder Eli Hodges as well as the unwelcome one in Ezra Moreton. Life is tough for the working class but they aren't afraid of hard work. Even Dolly's crippled leg doesn't stop her from achieving her dreams. By the story's end, Dolly has expanded her business even more with the addition of a Brewery and a children's home that I wonder where life will take her next. Though she doesn't suffer fools, she is a kind and gentle soul who cares for her those who have become her family.

As with most stories of this type, there are a few tears as well as laughs to be had, though I did shed many a tear over one particular much-loved character and again at the end. A WINTER BABY FOR GIN BARREL LANE is a wonderfully engaging story that is an addictive read from beginning to end. And even when I turned the last page I was left wanting more. As the original children of Gin Barrel Lane, where will life take Dolly and Jack next?

I hope there is a third installment to this wonderful story as there is so much more to come for those on Gin Barrel Lane.

This heartwarming tale of family, friendship and beating the odds is perfect for fans of historical fiction sagas like Catherine Cookson.

I would like to thank #LindseyHutchinson, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #AWinterBabyForGinBarrelLane in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Gin Barrel Lane series and is set in Birmingham in the late 1800's
Another brilliant book by Lindsey Hutchinson
If you love Historical family sagas you will love this book.
It's full of fabulous characters and the author draws you in to the life and trials of what your reading.
I devoured this book in a very short time and couldn't put it down.
Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Now that Dolly runs the Daydream Gin Palace on Gin Barrel Lane she can finally control her own destiny, but sometimes fate still plays it's hand. Keen to expand her empire, Dolly and Jack take on their own pub, but they get more than they bargained for with the purchase.

Birmingham, 1864: We are back again on Gin Barrel Lane and all the characters are back along with some new ones. Jack and Dolly have known each other since they were kids and Jack's mother, Nellie took Dolly in.

Dolly is liked and respected by everyone who knows her. This book follows on from The Children Of Gin Barrel Lane and we learn how Jack and Dolly's lives have progressed. Dolly is just a young woman but she has a good head for business. But Ezra Moreton is always lurking around the corner trying to outsmart Dolly.

Lindsey Hutchinson knows how to write a good story with a canny knack of pulling you in and not letting you go until the book is finished.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LindseyHutchinaon for my ARC of #AWinterBabyForGinBarrelLane in exchange for a honest review.

3.5 stars.

As a whole, the story was good. It was easy to read but it lacked any depth for me. It does feature a good mix of characters (and there is A LOT of them!).
I also feel like the title doesn't fit the book - it's true that a baby is born but it happens much later in the story and it isn't a central storyline at all..

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Lindsey Hutchinson for the chance to read this book in return for my honest personal opinion.

I had not realised that this was the second book in a series (note to self - check if the books you are looking at are part of a series ) - so I hadn't met the characters before or knew their previous backstory.

At times it would have been useful to be able to put the characters into context but it was possible to read this book as a standalone book.

I must have led a sheltered upbringing as I had never heard of a Gin Palace until I read this book but it was well researched and well described. I felt some of the finer details were missing but these were probably well described in the first book.
As a historical fiction saga it was well written and kept me interested till the end - though this was slightly abrupt - one wonders if there is to be a book 3.

If this genre is for you then give this book a try - learn about the lives of Dolly and Jack, Nellie and all the characters they come across. There is love, a villain who gets his comeuppance, surprises and sadness.
It was Interesting reading about the hiring of domestic staff and how this was accomplished in 19th century Birmingham

Thank you again for all involved in this book

Set in industrial Birmingham in the 1860s, the author seamlessly works in dire poverty and desperate need for work in this era along with love and friendship. Not only this but we read about helplessness of the time and mysteries along the way.

Dolly is a young adult but has been through several life experiences so is direct and shrewd but also tender hearted. She operates busy Daydream Gin Palace and must hire several workers which she goes about in an interesting yet understandable way. When the opportunity opens, she buys another building to renovate for a second gin palace. The place reeks of what some say is sewer which is worrying. But it is something worse than sewer. Jack is responsible for the second palace and adds his own touches in his own way. He is also young but has the right experience. His mother factors into the story as do several other characters, many of which are acquainted with poverty.

I like the background stories, mysterious twists and hiring criteria as someone with an HR background.

If you're looking for something different, do read this fascinating Historical Fiction book.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this charming book.

Birmingham 1864.
Dolly Perkins is the boss lady at Daydream Palace known as the Gin Palace, a cripple with a stick, she had plenty looking out for her and was well respected in the community. She can be a bit soft to the needed around her, but did her job well and hiring staff from the servants registry builds up an empire at the Palace the Emporium the Brewery and a children's home.
Jack Larkin and Dolly go way back to Gin Barrel Lane but his feelings for her grow stronger, and work always seems to get in the way, do they both find each other and happiness much more than friends?
Ezra Moreton is watching Dolly's success with her pubs and wants them all at a good price he is a devious characters and curses her for out smarting him.
Dolly a remarkable woman throughout this book I just loved the story so much that leaves a lump in my throat, was sorry to read the end. A winter Baby for Gin Barrel Lane? read Dolly's story and fine out. Worth my 5 *****

As the second book in the Gin Barrel Lane series, it didn't disappoint! Lindsey has shown life in Birmingham in the late 1800's wonderfully. A mixture of poor and rich characters both strong and weak, the focus is on Dolly who co-owns the Daydream gin palace. Can she make a success of it? Will she find love? You'll find the answers by reading this wonderful novel!

Another brilliant book by Lindsey Hutchinson with a great story and characters that go so well together a book worthy of the 5*

Dolly is the owner of a the Gin Palace, she loves her life and loves the characters that frequent her bar.
Nellie who part own the bar with her but also help bring Dolly up lives across the road in another bar, with Nellie lives Jack her son, Nancy and Fred her best friends and also workers they are all a tight knit family which Dolly loves.

Dolly has a damaged leg and walks with a cane she is only twenty one but would love to settle down, but would anyone be interested in her with her affliction?? Dolly wants to fall in love, but is she looking in the wrong place??

This is Dolly's story of the characters who frequent the bar, of Dolly trying to make the business bigger and also trying to find love.

This is a feel good factor story with a lovely and lively mixture of characters who are a pleasure to read.

English saga writing at its best.I was drawn right into the story the characters their families, friends homes.Will be recommending the book the author.#netgalley it #boldwoodbooks

I knew I was going to love this book and wasn’t disappointed. We pick up with young Dolly, Jack and his mum Nellie along with her sidekick Nance . The gin palaces are doing well so much so they are thinking of expanding. However Ezra is still lurking in the background hoping to put a spoke in the wheel. I actually felt for him as the story develops.
I loved the way Dolly grew in confidence. I especially liked the touch about Aggie.
No to wait for another.

Thank you to Netgalley for this,ARC. I loved the book if you love Historical family sagas you will love this book. Cant wait to read more by this,author

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, the storyline was brilliant all about Dolly who is co owner of the daydream gin palace who is looking to extend her business with some twists and turns along the way including a dead body found in her new premises, love the way all her staff were treated as part of the family and how her customers were treated with respect, including good old Aggie who seems to know everything and passes her information on for a free tot of gin
Didn't want to put this book down once I started reading it, fabulous characters and Ezra who gets his just desserts, description was good and took us around Birmingham during the 19th century
Highly recommended and can't wait to read more if there is a follow on from this

Dolly is landlady of the Sunshine Palace gin House, who likes to help others. This story follows her life where her business grows, a customer dies and she is able to do something big for the community.

I love this kind of book, it educates about the way of 19th century life, while being entertaining. The story is gripping from the very beginning and keeps you guessing throughout.

The characters are mostly likable, except Ezra who gets his just deserts!

Overall if you like historical fiction with a bit of everything, you will love this book

This was a great book. I loved the story so heartwarming. Would follow this story if there's any more coming out