Member Reviews

With the Great War over things are starting to return to normal, well as normal as it can be. It is 1920 and Harpers is beginning to see stock and also customers. There are new lines available as shipping and transport routes are now open. For some, it is a chance to get back to the way things used to be, for others they like the new freedom that they had. Women are being forced back into their previous roles as wives and mothers rather than workers. Some prefer to be out working and earning a wage though. Luckily for those who work at Harpers, there are things in place to help with this.

The Women's Movement is becoming a little more prominent and they are gaining a footing. Some of the men returning have got mental and physical wounds that need to heal, it is now that we start to realise the psychological impact war has, it has a name 'shell shock'.

For those at Harpers, there are changes afoot, people have come and people have gone, some have moved on and some have married. This is what Harpers is all about, giving people a chance and helping them where possible. With each of the books, there are a few new characters to get to know, and this story has some very interesting ones and some fabulous storylines.

Sally and Ben are still trying to deal with the store and their family, they will also have some other shocking news to cope with and it is going to test them. As for the new characters, well I will let you meet them, they are different but hard working, for the most part. They each have their own past and it does shape who they are in the story.

With war and death there is grief and how it is dealt with can affect how you are seen. Obviously, there will be sadness, but also resentment. The latter shows its head in various ways and can have some consequences that I didn't see coming.

Once again the author brings in some of the news of the day, and these help remind the reader of the time and era they are in. The fashions and how women were so daring to wear a hemline just under the knee made me chuckle. There is still however poverty that has always been an issue and it has not gone just because the war is over. People are still overcrowded and families do tend to live together.

This is a fabulous series and I have read these in order, well I started from book 3, but I have been addicted to them from there. I am aware of things from the first two books as the author does give a brief but handy recap of things.

The story is one that shows how people are coming to terms with life after the first war, The Great War. How attitudes are changing and that things are never going to be the same. A sense of family and friendship is strong in this series and it continues with this book. One for fans of sagas, historical fiction and romance and one I would definitely recommend. I adore coming back to this series and seeing what the author has lined up for the girls at Harpers.

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Changing Times At Harpers by Rosie Clarke is a marvellous historical novel and the seventh book in the Harpers Emporium series. It can be read as a stand-alone.
I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces. It is now 1920, the first world war is behind but its affects are still being felt in the form of shell shock. A character has been altered from a gentle soul to an angry, fearful young man. With specialist care, it is hoped that he will recover.
The 1920’s are years of change. Women did men’s jobs during the war and kept Britain going. Now they are being forced back into the home but having tasted freedom, the Women’s Movement is gaining momentum and lobbying for change.
Women have a mental strength of character but can still be overpowered physically by men who are stronger.
Tragedy strikes as illness brings down a family member. We see the shock and devastated lives.
Family is important. We see families pulling together. Harpers functions as a family, looking after and encouraging all of its workers. Harpers is a family run department store that is philanthropically minded, helping women with children and men returning from war to reintegrate into society.
There are some big hearts who find themselves able to forgive the most appalling behaviour.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and realistic. I am thoroughly enjoying the Harpers Emporium series and cannot wait for subsequent books.
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.

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Changing Times at Harpers by Rosie Clarke is the seventh book in the “Welcome to Harpers Emporium”.

I love reading novels set in post-WW I England. I know the subject matter is sometimes sad, but then after the war, many soldiers came home with what is now PTSD. Back then, these poor souls were shunned as though they were defective. It was difficult for them to return to normal family life.

This story is about Marion, Lilly, and Sally, who have all been changed by the war in one fashion or another. Harpers is a store that is trying to keep going despite the bombings that partially damaged the building. The main theme, I believe, is to underscore that times are changing, and jobs that have been held by women are now being given to returning soldiers. Some family problems result from all of the changes after the war.

I enjoyed reading about what might have happened in London and all of England after the war to end all wars. I have read more of Ms. Clarke’s novels and have been engaged in each one.

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Having read all of the previous Harpers books, I was very much looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint. In fact, this one is probably the best in the series so far! A tad more dramatic than earlier books in the series, it kept me reading way into the night when I should have been sleeping! I hope this isn't the last we hear from Harpers!

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I’ve read all the previous books in this series.

This book’s story is about after the war, and it was lovely to catch up with the girls, Sally, Beth and Marion, as well as meet new characters.

I hope there’s more books to come after this one.

I highly recommend this book.

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Wonderful to have a great catch up with the Harper Girls, they have come a long way on there journey.
Harpers department store is doing so well now after the war, I still love the old characters .can highly recommend for a great cosy read.

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Another good book in the series although I found this one a lot sadder than others. Death, illness, accidents all made it not quite the bedtime reading I have enjoyed with the others in the series. Once again the book was well written and followed the lives of the characters in the series we have got to know and love. I missed some of the characters not really featuring much but don't like to name names as don't want to spoil it for others. The death of one of the main characters will be a loss to the series as she was very likeable and brought a lot to the books.

Once again I will look forward to the next in the series - thank you for the opportunity to read the book and offer my review.

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Absolutely love this series, great to catch up with the characters and meet some new ones. Great storyline and hopefully not heard the last from Harpers.

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Absolutely love all these books and hope there are many more to come.

Following the lives of the harper girls old and new is so lovely.

This story takes place post ww2.

If you like Lizzie lane sagas or Pam howe then these books are for you, but start from book one, to get to know the girls

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For some reason I thought the last book in the series was really the last but I was so happy to see another one published. I think this could go on and on now.
We are in peacetime,the war is over and people are trying to get back to normality. Some have had their lives changed forever. Those who have lost loved ones,children orphaned, men who have returned from war scarred mentally and physically.
Harpers has Ben in charge once more with Sally working part time. Ben is being very sharp with Sally and she knows something is going on but what is it?
As well as Beth and Marion and Sally still staying in each other's lives there are new characters working at Harpers. The story of Lilly was such a sad one and one that has probably happened to many young girls in those times when women were blamed for everything men did.
The book was also a social history of the times, reminding us of the way of life after the war.
Another great book in the series. I felt quite sad when I finished it,I could have gone on reading more.

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The Harpers Girls keep going in this wonderful saga. We are in peacetime for a while and you can follow as the girls have families and watch as the fashions and the world go into the new decade. A great read

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Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood books for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I have read all the books in this series, and loved all of them. Even though there is some time between the publication of each book, it is so easy to remember the characters and pick up where the last book ended. This story takes place after the war letting the reader know what is happening with Sally, Beth and Marion. We also meet some new characters. I hope the author continues to add more books to this series. It is one of my favorites!

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This is an amazing book...
After the last one which was good but not as good as the rest I was a bit unsure about how this one would be. But it didn't disappoint me it's brilliant and touching that Rosie Clarke talked about men's mental health back then it's sad how men back then suffered through no fault of their own even now men won't talk about their feelings and problems.
I'm happy everyone is happy in the end. I love this series can't wait to find out if there will be another one.

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A absolutely great installment of this saga. Its like catching up with old friends with every installment I read.
This is a enjoyable book a great holiday read if you wish

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Another fantastic. Instalment in the Harper girls series.
Really enjoyed this book catching up with the lives of Sally Beth and Marion and also getting to know new characters. Ben is back in charge but there is some heartache to come for both him and Sally but with the help of the friends they hold dear life moves on.
Can’t wait for another instalment

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Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book in this series. Love we have fooled the girls through all emotions. Family saga at its best

Really don’t want the series to end

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What an enjoyable series!
We join the Harpers family as they are emerging from all the restrictions of war, also as they adjust to life again when their families return from the forces. This was a difficult time as women found independence earning their own money and deciding how it should be spent to suddenly find themselves out of work as the men returned to their jobs. Some of the men had to undergo severe treatments to cure them of shell shock Etc. Sally is as caring as ever, looking after everyone at work and home, who looks after her!
Not all the supervisors in store are as caring as Sally and make life for the juniors very difficult.
My favourite character this time was Lilly Rose who has a kind heart looking after her bed ridden mother and brothers & sisters. Someone decides to take her innocence, will she recover? Then the charming Mick O’Sullivan returns although not everyone trusts him to begin with.
I do hope there will be another.

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