1915. Best friends Louisa Clements, Jeannie Musgrove and Kate Davis have been working at the Clarks Factory since they left school and they sew shoes linings in the Machine Room. Like everyone in Street, Somerset, their worried about the war and what’s happening across the channel. The local lads are signing up, with their pals and they think it’s going to be a grand adventure.

Louisa's the first of the trio to suffer a loss, she then discovers she has another problem and her strict parents are extremely disappointed in their only child’s reckless behaviour. Louisa’s forced to make a difficult choice, it breaks her already shattered heart and she’s not sure if she will ever forgive her parents. Kate’s life has never been easy and it’s much harder since her mother passed away. Her siblings have left home and she’s has to keep house for her dad and work full time, and he’s mean, moody, a drunk, and it gets worse. Jeannie’s family are Quakers and she can't believe it when her older brother Lucas joins up, her mother takes the news badly and Jeannie has to work, to all the chores and make sure her teenage brothers don’t get into trouble and despite John and Peter promising Lucas they would help her and behave.

The narrative focuses on Louisa’s, Kate’s and Jeanie’s relationships with their families and how the war changes things, their struggles and problems, how the friend’s help and support each other when they can and unfortunately somethings they are out of their control.

I received a copy of Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls by May Ellis from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The story includes relevant topics and subjects for the time and the impact the war had on the villagers. The Clark family were Quakers and so are many of their employees, this caused friction in Street and women started giving out white feathers.

When the British government announces all unmarried men between the ages of eighteen to forty one will be called up and everyone wonders what will happen to those who won’t fight due to their religious beliefs. The narrative shows the inequality between men and women and the forms of abuse and violence against them is another relevant topic and how it’s handled and big brothers come in handy.

The main theme of the novel is the friendship between the three you ladies, how each one has to overcome obstacles and challenges, and they show maturity beyond their years. Five stars from me, I have enjoyed both books in this series so far, Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls and The Clarks Factory Girls at War and I’m really looking forward to the next book by Ms. Ellis and to see what happens next in Louisa, Kate and Jeannie lives and the other characters.

This is the second in a series, an enjoyable, engrossing read except I have not read the first one, so I did find this a little difficult to initially get into, so I suggest read this series in sequence. For some reason (I think the clothing on the cover graphic, which to me looked 1940s?) I was expecting this to be set during WWII not WWI - which, actually, was quite a pleasing discovery.

Louisa Jeannie and Kate are a nice bunch of young ladies, good friends who are devoted to helping each other through the good and bad times - and this being war there are plenty of bad times for them to cope with. The story is one of friendship and courage through times of hardship, and should very much appeal to readers of this genre of novel.

I did find, having finished, that I had several questions that need answering about the characters, their lives, their future, questions which will undoubtedly be answered in a following book of the series, but which left me a little dissatisfied - this will not be a problem for readers who are engrossed in the series, however as they are bound to want to grab the next installment as soon as possible.

A good read for those who like this type of family war-torn saga.

Enjoyed this book from the beginning but around half way through it seemed to fall a little flat. The letters sent back and forth were OK to start with but they seemed to grow in length.......personally, I don't think they added to the story line.
As stated I found the book to fall flat at times but will look out for the next book in this series.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

Courage for the Clark’s factory girls, the 2nd book in the series, and what a follow up, I loved the first book but this was even better, I couldn’t put it down. We return to the village Street and the Clarks factory to catch up with Jeannie, Kate and Louisa. All 3 girls lives are turned upside down with various family matters but their friendship brings them through everything even when they think it can’t. Louisa is struggling when mattie her first love enlists to fight in ww1, Kate has got even more problems with her cruel father, and jeannie is drowning under the stress of keeping her family together. A wonderful book and I can’t wait for the 3rd book in this wonderful series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1915 C&J Clarks shoe factory.
Together they can brave the storm as we once again join Louisa Jeannie and Kate.
A lovely story of hardship and courage to be enjoyed.
I am loving this series from the author.
Inspirational chapter after chapter right through, as we see the girls in their private lives bring you sorrow and happy endings.

Another saga involving Jeannie, Louisa and Kate. Best as always to read it in order and I can’t wait for the next one as this book leaves you with so many questions. WW1 is still in full flow so adjustments need to be made as well as village problems and the involvement of Clark’s Shoe Factory. An easy 5 stars 🌟 with wonderful characters and storyline. Thanks to May and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

Brilliant book. It unfolded great I love these books because it's like catching up with old friends. I totally read this in a couple of days

We return to the village of Street and to the lives of Louisa, Jeannie and Kate who all work in the machine room at Clark’s shoe factory.
Louisa doesn’t have her troubles to seek this time which isn’t helped when her parents turn against her by sending her to her aunts to live. They don’t reckon on Louisa having plans of her own!
Meanwhile Kate has issues of her own with her father Reg, who previously only thought of food and cider has developed a liking for women, especially Beryl.
Jeannie is worried about her mother who appears to be weakening by the day, not helped when Lucas decides to join up which as a Quaker he doesn’t have to do!

I loved the way the story unravelled, even when you’ve an idea which way that will be, I enjoyed the twists and turns in the road getting there.
My favourite character was Lucas, least favourite without a doubt has to be Beryl.
I would definitely give more than ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and to say I can’t wait for the next instalment is an understatement.

A great addition to the Clark’s Girls series and I hope the next one comes out soon. I could hardly put this one down! More!