My first read by author AnneMarie Brear and what a delightful read it is! As soon as I began I was swept away back to the Victorian era of the windswept Yorkshire Dales to the foetid slums of York. The author's descriptions were vivid enough to picture them without being bogged down in overt detail whilst bringing a realism to the tale. Almost at once I felt like I was reading Catherine Cookson or Dilly Court, both of whom I adore. Needless to say, I read this book in one sitting one afternoon...I could not put it down until I finished.

Set in the Yorkshire Dales in 1850, Annabelle Wallis lives in a cottage on the edge of the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. She is an orphan whose mother entrusted her to her friend Amy Wallis, an herbalist known locally as Widow Wallis having lost her husband in a tragic accident fifty years before. Widow Wallis saved the life of the then Lady Hartley and, in a gesture of gratitude, was granted lifetime occupancy of the cottage in which she and Annabelle now live. Villagers come to her for tonics and herbal remedies for their ailments, swearing by her tinctures, as well as being entrusted as their unofficial midwife as the need arises.

Annabelle has always viewed her guardian as her mother, referring to her as Ma who has taught twenty two year Annabelle everything she knows about herbs and their uses. Together they frequent markets and fairs selling their tonics and remedies which are indeed sought after. But Ma is aging, though she has never revealed her true age, and when she dies suddenly Annabelle is bereft. Now everything she has ever known is about to change. The only home she has ever known, the cottage she has grown up in, will now revert back to the Hartley estate thus rendering her homeless.

But a chance encounter with John Hartley, brother of the owner of the estate, and a promise that she may remain sets Annabelle's heart aflutter. The moment she and John Hartley set eyes on each other, it is obvious to everyone but them that they are meant for each other...except for the slight technicality of the class divide. He is a wealthy landowner, she is working class...and never the twain shall meet. Except that it does. Neither Annabelle nor John can stop thinking of the other, although neither of them give their feelings a voice. Instead they pretend it isn't there whilst avoiding the other.

And then one night in the midst of an horrific thunderstorm, a knock at Annabelle's door reveals a young woman heavy with child and very obviously in the throes of labour. She pleads with Annabelle to help her deliver the child without the aid of a doctor. Moments later, a baby girl is born and the woman extracts a vehement promise from Annabelle to keep her secret. By the morning, the woman has vanished leaving behind a note reminding Annabelle of her a promise and her baby wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.

The following day when news spreads throughout the village about the sudden death of Lady Eliza Hartley, Annabelle fears the promise she made was a foolish one. Especially when the family discovers the truth thus holding her to blame. Terrified, Annabelle flees the only home she has known with the child wrapped in the peacock shawl, intent on honouring the promise she made.

When John Hartley discovers the truth, he endeavours to find Annabelle and the child. But Annabelle proves hard to find...and yet, she cannot hide forever. Can she? But if she is found, will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?

THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is a delightfully easy read from beginning to end, reminiscent of the late great Catherine Cookson. The descriptions were vivid without being too much and the characters were well-developed enough to cheer them on. I loved the characters of Annabelle and John, as well as those of Ginny and Dickie, though he was persistently annoying at first. The fact that Annabelle draws her parallels to her own circumstances was incredibly noble in doing the same that her Ma did for her by taking in this child.

I found THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL incredibly easy to read and did so in one sitting, easily immersing the reader into the Victorian era with seamless and expert storytelling. Although predictable, it's the journey we are taken on that makes it so enjoyable. It's simple, it's sweet and an absolute pleasure to read. I was thoroughly absorbed from start to finish.

THE ORPHAN IN THE PEACOCK SHAWL is perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Catherine Cookson.

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

Such a wonderful historical fiction story that is set in Yorkshire. I found it a very moving storyline that captured my attention from the start. With a great cast of characters you coukd feel the emotions throughout the book. Very uplifting and such an enjoyable read.

1850s • Yorkshire, England

The story's heroine, young Annabelle, has had an idyllic childhood, living with her adopted mother, the village's herbalist/mid-wife. Their home is on the property of the local estate and once Mom dies their home will revert back to the wealthy landowners, the Hartleys. Annabelle and John Hartley lock eyes on each other and guess what happens next?! But, it's the 1850s and love doesn't exist between the rich and poor.

Tragedy occurs, more than once, and Annabelle has decisions to make. We only hope she succeeds!

Well-written characters and vivid landscapes - soak in the sights and smells of the cottage gardens as well as the filthy slums of York. Quick read, highly recommended.

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I really enjoyed this book. It gets you involved and you want them to remain undetected. Very well written.

I thought there would be a little more intrigue in this book, so was initially disappointed. But once I accepted that it's a love story, I enjoyed it tremendously. I liked the characters and the way events unfolded, although I did think it ended rather abruptly, although any other ending would likely have felt as if it were dragging. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Boldwood Books, for the opportunity to read it.

Honoring a Promise

AnneBelle Wallis is an orphan raised by an herbal lady who lives in a cottage on the estate of the wealthy Hartley family. After the death of her guardian she is alone in the cottage when a young woman in the throes of childbirth arrives at her door in the middle of a bad storm.

AnneBelle helps with the birth and wraps the child in a peacock shawl the lady hands her. While AnneBelle sleeps the lady slips away. Later AnneBelle finds a note asking her to care for the child. When she hears of the death of Eliza Hartley she is frightened that she will be blamed for the murder and she feels she needs to honor the promise she made to Eliza to keep the child from the family.

AnneBelle takes the child and hides in the slums of York, not a good place for her or the babe.
It is a story of a young woman afraid to tell her family of her pregnancy because it will ruin their good name and they will force her to put the child in an orphanage. She knows AnneBelle's guardian took her in as an orphan and she asks AnneBelle to care for her child in the same way.
I think that Annabelle showed great courage in taking the child and trying to keep her promise, but

I thought the characters were all set well, the descriptions of the cottage and the Hartley estate were very vivid as was the descriptions of the York slums. I like the character of AnneBelle and of John Hartley, he was a compassionate and caring character. I liked the character of Dickie, he was a good friend to AnnaBelle as was Ginny.

It was a good story about the shame of an unwed mother in the this time period, the power of friends and the courage of the young women in the story.

I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it.

Thanks to AnneMarie Brear for writing a great story, to Boldwood Books for publishing it, and to NetGalley for making it available for me to read.

This is a very well written book that drew me in from start to finish. Annabelle is a character who is strong and loving trying to bring up an orphaned child in very tough circumstances. As you read you feel for Annabelle and the child and you want her to succeed in her intentions to not be found.

I really enjoyed this book as it was easy to read and it kept my interest. It had everything a good book should have. Imagination, emotion, suspense, strength. It is one I would definitely recommend.

My first read by this author and what a lovely tale it was. Set in the Yorkshire Dales in 1850 it’s a historical romance but more than that a story of a brave young woman determined to do what she believes is the right and honest thing to do faced with a difficult situation.

Briefly, Annabelle is an orphan who was adopted as a baby by a single woman who she called mother. But when her ‘mother’ dies she finds out that her home will revert to the estate of the Hartley family and she will be homeless. Then Lady Eliza Hartley comes to her door about to give birth. Annabelle helps her but Eliza runs home leaving the baby behind. When Eliza then dies Annabelle runs away with the baby determined that she will not be sent to an orphanage. She ends up living in the slums of York. What she doesn’t know is that Eliza’s brother Is searching for her and the child.

A very enjoyable read that I read in one sitting. Well written with some great characters I really felt for Annabelle and admired her stoicism throughout some dreadful times, and her determination to see that the baby had the best life she could. I would definitely read this author again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Annabelle is the ward of Widow Wallis who has cared for her since her birth, there are just the two of them with no other relatives. As Annabelle has grown up her Ma has taught her about the healing power of herbs and making healing potions. This together with produce from the cottage gardens has given them enough to live on. They live in the cottage rent free as a thank you from the owners of the big house for a service that Widow Wallis did for them but on her death the cottage will be taken back by the estate. How will Annabelle cope if she has to leave the cottage perhaps the Estate owners will let her stay on?
I enjoyed this book, it gets to be a little predictable but there again I would have not liked it to finish any other way.

Annabelle Wallis is shocked to find a young woman at her cottage door, in the middle of a storm heavy with child. Moments later a baby girl is born. By dawn, the mother has vanished, leaving behind the helpless child wrapped only in a silk peacock shawl.

When she hears that Lady Eliza Hartley, sister to wealthy estate owner, John Hartley, has been found dead she realizes who the young woman was. Terrified she’ll be blamed for Eliza’s death, Annabelle flees. John Hartley is determined to find both Annabelle and the baby home. Annabelle has been lucky so far but she can’t stay hidden forever! When she is found will she be able to give up the child she has raised and loves as her own?

I really enjoyed this book! This was such an easy read for me! I was able to finish it in one sitting! The writing is vivid and gripping! It has that classic boy meets girl and falls in love feel which for me just added to the charm of the book! But it's also emotional and heartbreaking at times and that is where you become invested in the story! You can't help but want to know what will happen with Annabelle and the baby! Happy reading everyone!

The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl.

What a delightful book by the author. I finished this book in two sittings and I am so glad to rate it five gold stars!

The heroine of the plot, Annabelle is such a delightful character whom readers can relate with on a realistic level.

John, Dickie, Nellie and Ginny made me to love them.

The title really suits the plot.

This author writes excellently well, I must confess. Her imagination was so vivid and realistic. I read the book with the plot playing like a movie in my head.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was heartwrenching and very emotional. There was lots to admire Inthe story,the description of the run down housesin York, the characters and the storyline. I recommend that you read this emotional book which does have a happy ending.

Just loved this new book from one of my favourite authors ,so well written and what lovely characters. Sometimes when life throws you a curved ball you take the wrong turning as did Annabelle., she thought she was doing the right thing ! Luckily due to circumstance and fate all works out for her and the baby.
Thanks again to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early read 📚

What a heart wrenching story. Annabelle was taken in by a kindly old woman who had no children of her own. and grew up feeling loved. When she dies she doesn't know what will happen to her. When a well to do lady turns up in the middle of the night and goes into labour her life will no longer be the same. She makes a promise to keep the birth secret from the ladies family not knowing at the time that by doing so she will no longer be able to stay where she grew up.
I loved this book from beginning to end and would highly recommend it.

Absorbing read. . Annabelle who was an orphan herself assists with a birth when she suddenly has a woman at her door late at night. Her friends from the big house help her the day after, Annabelle is scared by the outcome and makes some rash decisions. Will she let her feelings rule her head.
Thanks to Netgalley for introducing me to this author it definitely won’t be the last.

Really enjoyed this book, I found this book easy to read and with great description that made you feel like you are there in the story. I’d definitely will keep an eye out for more by this author.

Set in the Yorkshire dales, 1850 this is Annabelles story. Taking care of a baby girl left in a silk peacock shawl that takes us to York City, a beautiful historical family saga, that's so enjoyable to read i enjoyed every chapter.

Even though this was written in the present and set in the the past it read to much like a Victorian novel for my taste. The Victorian period of literature was not my cup of tea. However readers who want more books that read like that will more than likely enjoy this one.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

"Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she ever give up the baby she loves?"

Although there's not a lot of depth to the characters, the story is well written and the history seems plausible. A simple, very sweet, kind and predictable story of boy meets girl.

2.75☆

Really enjoyed this book based in the Yorkshire Dales 1850. A tale about Annabelle who assists a woman who randomly turns up in labour at her door and begs for help. The tale develops as to how Annabelle tries to look after their baby and keep her promise to the distressed mother whilst encountering difficulties in doing so,

I found this book easy to read and with great narration and description you actually felt you were present. Would definitely read another book by this author.