The Candle Factory Girl: A gritty story of deceit and betrayal...
By Tania Crosse
4/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this ebook
Work at Price's Candle Factory in Battersea is tedious for intelligent, seventeen-year-old Hillie Hardwick, but she knows she is lucky to have a job at all.
Her home life is no better, as she constantly battles with her exacting and bullying father in order to protect her mother and five younger siblings from his abuse.
Her only solace is her loving relationship with the chaotic Parker family and her best friend, Gert Parker.
When matters violently escalate for Hillie, smitten Jack-the-Lad Jimmy Baxter seems her only salvation.
But could this be the biggest mistake of her life, and should she be looking for protection nearer home?
A story that crackles with unease where courage and friendship are the only hope.
What readers are saying:
'This is a great saga that packs so much emotion and passion into it that you are swept away' Dash Fan Book Reviews.
'This is a wonderful saga... In my opinion, this is her best book yet. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this one as a truly great read' Good 'N Ready.
'I really enjoyed this book, it has some great characters and I loved the setting!' Donna's Book Blog.
'For me it was a fast read, really well written storyline with characters you get invested in' Holly Senecal, NetGalley.
Tania Crosse
Delaying her childhood dream of writing historical novels until her family had grown up, Tania eventually completed a series of published stories based on her beloved Dartmoor. She is now setting her future sagas in London and the south east.
Read more from Tania Crosse
A Place to Call Home: An intense and emotive WW2 saga of love, courage and friendship Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nobody's Girl: A heartwarming saga of love and courage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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Reviews for The Candle Factory Girl
2 ratings1 review
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Candle Factory Girl is the newest novel by Tania Crosse. The story opens in Battersea in June 1931. Hillie Hardwick is seventeen years old and works in the candle packing department of Price’s Soap and Candle Factory. Hillie is an intelligent young woman, but her father would not let her continue with her schooling. Harold Hardwick is a brute and a bully who makes life miserable for his wife and five children. He is particularly abuse towards his wife, Nell and Hillie (physical and mental abuse). Hillie is even forced to turn her paycheck over to him each week. The one bright spot in Hillie’s life is her friend, Gert Parker and her extended family. The Parker family and their home is a refuge filled with love, comfort and kindness. One day Jimmy Baxter, who works in deliveries, starts flirting with Hillie. They begin spending time together behind her father’s back. When Harold becomes violent with Hillie, Jimmy offers her a way out. Will Hillie regret her decision? What does the future hold for Hillie?The Candle Factory Girl has nice writing and a slower pacing which suits the book. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into the story. Once I drawn into Hillie’s story, I was hooked. While Hillie was the main focus of the book, we also get the stories of her friends Gert, Jessica, Belinda. I thought Tania Crosse captured the era, locale and lifestyle. Her portrayal of the working class was realistic. People lived paycheck to paycheck in shabby dwellings with little pay and little food. However, there were bright spots in their lives with their friends, family, the local park, free concerts, etc. Hillie was a strong, smart female character. I enjoyed her friendships and the closeness she shared with her siblings. All the characters are genuine and believable. They had real problems, heartache and struggles. I could picture the scenes in my head while reading The Candle Factory Girl. The story has a feel-good ending and all the storylines were nicely wrapped up. The book does contain British slang that was true to the 1930s and there is some foul language along with the abuse. The Candle Factory Girl is my favorite book by Tania Crosse.