I liked this book and felt it was possible to get a really good understanding of poverty in this area of London in the time of Jack (or Jacqueline) the Ripper. I have not read about the idea of the Ripper being a female before so this was an interesting notion for me and O'Neill had very clear reasons as to why this idea was so likely.
The characters were believable and the whole story enjoyable. I always appreciate the idea that at this time there was so little that women were allowed to work at it was easy to fall into prostitution and it was interesting to see Ettie achieve the opposite and rise above her situation and make a life for herself.
I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

Whitechapel Girl is a historical fiction novel that features one female lead character from Whitechapel named Ettie. Ettie winds up being presented with the opportunity to leave her poor, abusive life in Whitechapel for a chance at a new life. In the meantime, readers are also introduced to Celia, a non-Whitechapel girl who is drawn to helping the women of Whitechapel. In the end, their lives cross and Ettie winds up learning that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. All of this takes place during the Jack the Ripper period of history, which was what really drew me to this book. I was reminded of episodes of Ripper Street while reading the book. I felt the author captured the poverty stricken parts of Whitechapel very well. Unfortunately, there was so much going on with both characters. The story switched back and forth in perspective a lot and at times it would get confusing. This also tended to make the story drag. There was too much fluff background story. I felt that Celia was deserving of her own story.

Gilda O'Neill does it again! What a captivating story about Ettie Wilkins who lives in the hard worn poverty stricken lanes of Whitechapel. She dreams of a better life as most did. The highlight for her and many others is the Penny Gaffs which is where she meets Professor Jacob Protsky. She becomes his muse and her world opens up and she feels like she will have a better life but there is always the pull of Whitechapel, her mum and her roots. Gilda description of the life of "the brides" and the Whitechapel community is as always so true and very well researched. This book held me captivated from page 1. It's a wonderful story and I recommend reading it if you are interested in the bygone days of London.

Whitechapel girl is about a young girl called Ettie who has had enough of her life in Whitechapel living in poverty and wants out.

She meets Jacob at a he's Famous Professor Protsky’s Genuine Freak Show and becomes mesmerised by him.

She stays back after the show where she speaks to Jacob and he offers her a way out of her life.
He wants to train her to be he's assistant, the best Physic around.

After much consideration and being fed up with being abused by her mothers drunken lodger, she runs off with Jacob leaving her old life behind her.

However she just keeps getting pulled back to her Whitechapel roots. But is it Ettie who has changed or her friends.

Running alongside the main story is Celia. Another young lady who is abused by her dad.
He is in the medical profession and soon teaches her he's trade.

Celia becomes attached also to the poverty and hardship of Whitechapel and soon makes it her mission to help the mothers and working girls of Whitechapel.

I did enjoy reading Whitechapel Girl, but I found the stories to be rather confusing.
I feel that Celia'so story could easily be written as a separate book. I understand that Celia wanted to help make Whitechapel better for the women but I couldn't understand how her story fitted in with Ettie as she spent her whole time trying to escape.
I understand they become friends but I feel the actual story seemed to be stretched out a little too long.

This was a tough book to review as all though I gave it 3* I think it's more a 3.5
In regards to recommendations I feel that just because I found it difficult to read, This may appeal to others.
As this is just my personal taste and opinion.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
I do like books on Jack the Ripper whether it is a straight up history or a historical novel. Almost 130 years since his horrible crimes, he is still a fascinating character. While he plays a major role in this story, he is but a part of the greater narrative.
Ettie is a Whitechapel girl who faces the same poverty, brutality, abuse and depravity of other young women. But Ettie has something special that allows her to escape. She is flung into the hypocritical world where morals are espoused while the reality is the opposite. She does not fit in either world which makes her a perfect foil through which the reader can experience the ugliness of Victorian London.
The author creates characters for whom the reader can root so when one falls into the abyss, it is all the more shocking and sad. Despite the darkness of the tale and the bleakness of the lives portrayed, there is still a touch of hope. There are also unanswered questions about the identity of Jack. Somehow they work and yet leave the reader wondering. Could it be...?
I give this the full five purrs and two paws up.

I couldn't really get past the written accents & despite the interesting summary, I didn't like any of the characters & just couldn't get into it.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy.