It's been five years since Ella Bancroft lost the love of her life, Harper Fortescue, and despite her friends' encouragement, she's still not been able to move on. The one thing keeping Ella smiling is the success of her hat shop, Ivella. Darcie Newland won't ever forgive Ella for stealing her fiancé and ruining her life, even though Harper was never really hers in his heart. After being exiled by her parents to Scotland after yet another scandal, Darcie is now back in Burmingham and set on revenge.

This is the second book in the series, and it follows on five years after Fortescue, fiancé of Ella Bancroft, passed away after catching TB. Ella has teamed up with her old rival, Ivy Gladwin and their shop Ivella is doing s0 well they've managed to hire some staff to help out. All the characters are back and some new ones too. I love Lyndsey Hutchinson; her books are always easy to read, but they will pull at your heartstrings too. There are characters you'll love and one you'll love to hate. Ella has faced a lot of obstacles in her life, but she always seems to overcome them. I've thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Ella and her friends.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #LyndseyHutchinson for my ARC of #HeartbreakForTheHeartGirls in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Lindsey Hutchinson for the chance to review this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I had read ''The Hat Girl from Silver Street' so it was lovely to revisit the characters and learn about their lives 5 years on from the previous book.
It would be possible to read this one as a standalone book though and still enjoy it and follow the storyline.

There was the normal mix of strong women who help one another when needed, there was love and sadness and redemption for one character whilst another that was horrible in the first book - eventually got a very sad comeuppance.

I won't provide spoilers but suffice it to say that the book is well written and is an easy read. - I am not from the West Midlands but found the vernacular speech easy to follow.

The book did have an ending but equally there could be plenty of scope for another book in the series

Thank you again to all involved in me being able to read this book

I didn't realise when I signed on for this ome that it was was the second in a series. My mistake, and I will say it can be read standalone though, which is good for a new reader. I think the book description actually gives you any relevant information you need too.

I liked that this one despite the time period it's set in featured female characters that are strong and independent.

As this is a new author to me I was pleased to find the writing style and pacing were both good, which is something that's important to me as a reader, and it allowed me to enjoy the story and read quickly.

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

Another delightful tale spun from the pen of Lindsey Hutchinson, THE HAT GIRL'S HEARTBREAK is the sequel to "The Hat Girl of Silver Street" but suffices well enough as a standalone. However, to fully appreciate the backstory alluded to in this book, I recommend you read the first book before diving into this one. You won't be sorry. If you like Catherine Cookson, you will love these books!

Walsall 1906: It's been five years since Ella Bancroft lost her fiance Harper Fortescue to tuberculosis just prior to their wedding, but still she has been unable to move on from her grief. Her business as a milliner has grown from her premises in Silver Street to partnering with her former employer Ivy Gladwin into the esteemed Ivella milliner's shop (a combination of their names Ivy and Ella) that is the talk of the town...and beyond. While Ivy's creations are still stuck in the bygone past, Ella's designs are more sought after and thus bringing the welcome trade to their shop. Ivy can't help but still feel a twinge of jealousy that Ella's designs are favoured over hers while at the same time being grateful to combine their talents to make their business the success it is.

Business is doing so well that they take on two new milliners - Freda and Thora - and a shop girl, Katy. And soon they all become the family that both Ella and Ivy lack. But it isn't long before they all become concerned about Ivy's sudden changing behaviour. She is more snappy than usual, frustrated and often forgetful. Ella seeks out advice to help Ivy in any way she can. What then follows is a heartbreaking journey into the degenerative state of Ivy's health as dementia sets in that could only end in tragedy. The women all rally around to support Ivy in any way that they can for as long as they can.

With so much going on, it would seem Ella has little time for romance but when she meets Nicholas Gerard at soiree, it's love at first sight. And yet she still can't let go of all her old fears attached to losing Harper so tragically before their wedding. And with her business and worries about Ivy, does she even have time for romance? But it seems Nicholas has yet to get that memo as he makes the journey from Birmingham especially to ask her to dinner. How could she refuse?

With all the furore going on in her head, Ella seeks out a medium in an attempt to seek permission from Harper in the afterlife to let him go and move on. But it seems her misplaced intentions bring her face to face with an old adversary who bears Ella grudge and a desire for revenge like no other. One that could threaten her life and her livelihood.

I so loved revisiting the characters from "The Hat Girl of Silver Street" and meeting new ones. Everyone is so warmhearted and welcoming it's like stepping into an embrace, so immersed into Ella's life we find ourselves. Flossie is like a mother hen and it was so good to catch up with her again. The new faces bring a different edge and new aspects to the story.

THE HAT GIRL'S HEARTBREAK is a wonderful tale that I read in one sitting, so easy are Lindsey Hutchinson's stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more by this fabulous author. If you like Catherine Cookson, you will like Lindsey Hutchinson.

A perfect easy read for those who enjoy historical sagas.

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

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

This is a wonderful story, and while it can easily be read as a standalone book, I really want to read the first in the series too, just to catch up with the early years of Ella Bancroft.
As a Midlander, I revel in books set in my neck of the woods, and those using the local dialect hold a special place on my bookshelf. Clearly, I wasn’t around during the period of this story but references to places I’m familiar with - like the Rag Market – take me back so effectively to my hometown.
Now, the story ...well, where to begin? It’s jam-packed with drama and yet is so full of heart and warmth that you can’t help but be drawn in. Ella and Ivy are co-owners of the hat shop Ivella, yet theirs is a trying relationship. Once rivals, they’ve now joined forces and their business has grown exponentially. It’s mainly down to Ella’s creativity, since Ivy’s designs are still stuck in bygone times, but nonetheless the two of them are enjoying a boom in business, and Ella is fast becoming known as the only place to buy a hat. Trouble is, this creates a little friction, and Ivy is a tad jealous. Ella manages to ignore the curt responses from Ivy and is hugely generous towards the older woman. Such is Ella’s character that she treats others well, but even she has noticed a change in Ivy, and when others in their workforce voice similar concerns, Ella seeks out advice to help Ivy. What follows is a heart-warming yet tragic foray into Ivy’s degenerating health as dementia sets in and causes her to forget things and get very frustrated with herself and others. The outcome is heartbreaking and so beautifully and sensitively handled by the author.
With all this on her plate (increased fame, rampant sales, and caring for Ivy) you might think romance would take a back seat. After all, Ella has suffered her fair share of loss already, and fear of being hurt again has prevented her from risking her heart. The romance subplot fully respects her fears and concerns yet sweetly blossoms towards the inevitable. Ella is apprehensive about moving on, and her visits to a “medium” to get permission from her dearly departed love to do so brings her back into contact with an old face, someone who bears Ella a grudge like no other. The desire for revenge is strong and action is imminent to threaten Ella’s livelihood.


It was so refreshing to read about women succeeding in their own businesses during those years when they were often treated like second-class citizens. I loved the mash-up of conflicts facing Ella, and how she handled them. There’s a lot of tension in the revenge subplot in particular and that had me racing through the book to see how it unfolded. However, I did feel that specific storyline fell a bit flat in its resolution and was a little too perfect an outcome. Nonetheless, I was totally pulled into Ella’s world, and once I’ve caught up with the first book in the series I hope there will be more to discover about The Hat Girl :)

ella lost her finance 5 years ago and the only thing that makes her happy is her hat shop. Love the setting and the characters.

The Hat Girl’s Heartbreak by Lindsey Hutchinson is a marvellous historical novel that I absolutely adored.
The action is set in 1906 in Walsall near the district of Caldmore (pronounced Karma) which I know very well from my three years spent at college there. It was easy for me to picture the action.
This is a tale with a moral showing how our actions and choices have consequences – both for good and for bad. We see that goodness is attractive, and that character will speak for itself.
A warm-hearted character offers help to those in need. Homes and livelihoods expand to give a warm welcome.
At a time when women were seen as second class citizens, it is good to see a group of women succeeding in business. Hard work and skillful hands are the order of the day.
Loss has ruled a life. Loss has kept a character living in fear of repetition. Loss has prevented life being lived to the full. It is time to step out of the shadows and take a risk on life again.
Friendship is important. When friends pull together, much can be achieved.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and realistic. They were easy to identify with and must be admired for their hard work and tenacity.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Hat Girl’s Heartbreak and look forward to much more by Lindsey Hutchinson.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

#blogtour review

The Hat girl's heartbreak is a fresh story especially the setting, that of a millener's shop. It made for an interesting backdrop and the story had the warmth of friendship shining through.

Book Two in the series that carries on after the hat girl's from silver street. Ella Bancroft is still grieving for Harper Fortescue who she lost five years ago to tuberculosis. working as a milliner transforming Ivy Gladwin hat shop Ivella and living in silver street in Walsall she is working on new creations in the Edwardian era of 1906 the new head gear for ladies are now large and fussy but there's always calls for funeral and wedding hats she talks Ivy round to getting in more staff.
Ella's neighbour and friend Flossie Wooley tells her to go out and start having fun again it's all work and no play.
This book has taking me into another era of Ella's life as the business blooms she gets a good name in the hat trade.
Will she ever find love again?
So good and this story is just as enjoyable as book two. I loved reading it all, and it will pull at all readers heart strings right till the very end.

Well was this worth the wait, most definitely. I’m sure I lived every moment with the characters, happy or sad.
Ella is struggling with her loss, which some take advantage of. Ivy has her own cross to bear.
There are some lovely new characters, some not as welcome as others. Will Ella find love and happiness ?