This book is stellar!
I was so engrossed in the plot I forgot the characters were all fictional.


The author did a remarkable job drafting history and knowledge of cotton weaving in the book.


I highly recommend this book if you desire a cozy book that has the perfect turns and twists in it.

The book cover is beautiful and the plot so easy to follow.

The main character is so strong. I really admire her strength.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

Thank you for the chance to read this title in return for my own opinion

I had requested this book and the sequel when I found they were part of a series but was declined for the sequel. Sadly I will not be rushing to purchase it.
Although I found the story interesting I didn't gel at all with the characters and often found myself wondering 'Why?' they did certain things.
It did however make me research into the mechanisation of weaving and the Reform movement and the Luddites. I had learnt about the Corn Laws whilst doing a history 'O' level many years ago but hadn't appreciated the effect it had on the working classes.
The story does have heart breaking elements and is a page turner to find out what happens next. It is written in the vernacular and I did find myself actually saying the words at times.
It was interesting that Titus ate better in prison and had a more fulfilling life than Jennet who was left at home.

But for me it all felt so predictable - and I have no real urge to read anymore about these characters, It would be easy to write a synopsis of the story but that would spoil it for others that would like to read it.

I got to 94% of the book read and felt I really ought to finish for the night but would just read to the end of the chapter - turned the page and the book finished - which I found a great disappointment. It all finished so abruptly - though it was obvious that the story would continue - in fact the last line might as well have been 'to be continued '

Thank you again to the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book

What a delightful read THE COTTON SPINNER by Libby Ashworth is! Set in the industrial north west amidst poverty as well as the gentry, once I was there I didn't want to leave. It is well written, captivating and wholly engrossing from beginning to end.

Lancashire, 1830: Jennet and Titus Eastwood are struggling to make a living and move from their comfortable home in the country to Paradise Lane, Blackburn for work in the cotton mills. They are both accustomed to working from home, with Jennet a cotton spinner and Titus a weaver, as they have done all their lives like their families before them. But when the mills began to take all their trade, Jennet and Titus found there was no work for hand spinners and weavers with their ability to produce more cloth in a much faster time.

The house in Paradise Lane was a poor sight in comparison to the one they left behind and the air now thick with dust and smoke from the mills, making the clean country air they were accustomed to a distant memory. But with a young baby to care for, they had to go where the work was and Titus soon found himself employed at the local mill on one of the machines. But the hours are long and the wages are low and when their young daughter is taken ill, Jennet must use some of the money from the sale of their hand loom to pay for a doctor. Then when the mill owners discover they are producing cloth quicker than they can sell it, they have to let some of their workers go...and on a last come first to go basis, Titus soon finds himself out of work once again.

When they first moved into number 10 Paradise Lane Jennet and Titus knew no one, but they were soon befriended by their kindly neighbours Lizzie and George. Lizzie, especially, became a good friend to Jennet during the long days when Titus was still at the mill. Jennet thought about finding some work herself and Lizzie gave her the name of a woman who minds children should she do so and need someone to take little Peggy during working hours. But Jennet was accustomed to having Peggy with her while she worked and refused to entertain the idea of someone else caring for her child.

But she had to do something as the money from the sale of their loom was fast dwindling and with Titus out of work, they still needed to eat and pay the rent. Then one night George next door tells Titus of a reform meeting taking place up on the moors, and despite Jennet's misgivings, Titus is drawn into attending. But it all goes horribly wrong when the meeting is hijacked and a decision is made to storm the mill. Then when he and George become separated, Titus finds himself carried along with the surge of the crowd and is ultimately in the wrong place at the wrong time. When the constables arrive, he is arrested along with the others and taken to Preston until his hearing in a couple of days.

When Jennet sees that George has returned home but Titus hasn't, she begins to worry. George has no idea what happened to Titus as they had become separated but he agreed to stand up and speak to his character at his hearing. But on the morning of the hearing, George informs her that he cannot go as he must stay with Lizzie who has been ill and taken a turn for the worse. So Jennet and her father make the journey on their own. They return disheartened with the news that Titus has been bound over for trial at the Assizes in Lancaster in three months time.

How will Jennet and Peggy survive without Titus' income? Can she find work and look after Peggy at the same time? Will her parents be able to help her, though they live more than an hours' walk away?

Then Jennet's sister Hannah comes to stay with her and the two women get work at the mill while Peggy stays with her parents in the country. But it is long and hard and there is also the roving eye and wandering hands of Mr Hargreaves. But more than that, Jennet soon finds herself pregnant with another man's child and worries what Titus will say when he finds out. And soon she finds herself begging for relief from the vicar's wife for assistance to help feed Peggy.

THE COTTON SPINNER is a beautifully spun historical saga which sweeps us back in time to the harsh realities of poverty and life in the industrial north west. It takes us from the countryside to the grim streets of Blackburn to the noise and dust on the factory floor to the harsh working conditions and low wages and then into the Victorian penal system - it was the epitome of hell on earth.

Libby Ashworth uses her own ancestors as inspiration for this story, bringing the time period alive and the lives of Jennet and Titus in this beautifully told tale.

THE COTTON SPINNER is the first the Mill Town Lassies series set in the industrial north west. I read this book in one sitting, loved it and cannot wait to devour the next installment "A Lancashire Lass".

Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson and Dilly Court and lovers of historical fiction sagas.

I would like to thank #LibbyAshworth, #NetGalley and #RandomHouseUK and #CornerstoneDigital for an ARC of #TheCottonSpinner in exchange for an honest review.

Such a lovely book.
Jennet and Titus are cotton spinners, they are struggling to make a living in the country so decide to move to Paradise Lane in Blackburn the lure of the big industrial mills draw them. But one night Titus gets attracted by a reform meeting and goes along with his neighbour leaving Jennet at home to care for their young child.
This is when the story infolds it is a tale of severe hardship and poverty.

I wanted to stay with it till the end it drew me in and kept me enthralled I loved every page and am very much looking forward to the next instalment in their lives "A Lancashire lass"
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. x

A beautifully written and very atmospheric book. There’s plenty of detail, and the poverty and hardship of the time are clearly portrayed. I absolutely loved the writing - the tale itself was pleasing too - and I’m looking forward to more from this new author!

Firstly thank you Net Galley for granting this book. This is the first book I have read by Libby Ashworth and I am totally hooked. Such a lovely book - strong characters and storyline - can not wait to read the second book A Lancashire Lass to follow the lives of Jennet and Titus. Feel I could not read this book quick enough- it did not disappoint

I enjoyed this book, it was interesting and drew you back to the time that it portrayed. The story captivated my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed learning of the lives of the characters and their backgrounds and how life was so different to it is now. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read historical UK fiction.

I would like to thank Isabelle Ralphs and Arrow Publishing for sending me a copy of the book and for asking me to review the first in this new historical saga.
The Cotton Spinner is a tale of hardship during a period of time where the industrial age is beginning. Jennet and Titus have to make the hard decision to move from the countryside to Blackburn and leave behind all they know. Their new life in Paradise Lane is hard and not what they expected. Things are changing and work and life as they knew it will never be the same. To make matters worse Titus is arrested and Jennet finds herself alone and pregnant and not with Titus's child.
This was a real easy read and one I really enjoyed. Historical accurate you are drawn into the live in 18th century Britain where women have to be strong and the men have to fight for their entitlement.
Libby has created a wonderful story that is connected to her own family history and it was a delight to read.

A story set in the most disruptive time in the weaving industry. Everything is changing for the main characters,who were well portrat. Ending was A bit abrupt,although I know there is more to come.

The Cotton Spinner is a story set in the industrial northwest the poverty of working class and Jennets story. I can highly recommend this book 5*

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in two days. I enjoyed learning a bit about the 1820s era of the 'Luddites' and how the story weaved through such changing time sin English history. Jennet and Titus were great characters and true to life.

The Cotton Spinner is a well-written novel about the industrial northwest and the abject poverty of working class labourers at the onset of the industrial revolution. It’s a well-researched story any fan of historical fiction would enjoy.

Brilliant. This book has been beautifully written I love the use of dialect throughout which adds to the trials and tribulations of Jennets story. The characters felt real and the story is historically accurate which makes me feel grateful for what I have today. This story shows the strength of women of the era having to juggle family and work and keep their menfolk happy. I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. I can't wait for the next installment.