Lindsey Hutchinson’s The Bad Penny is the latest gritty, emotional and dramatic Birmingham saga from this gifted storyteller.

Jared Johnson had been homeless and orphaned by the age of twelve and having had no choice but to pull himself up from his bootstraps and make his own luck in the world, had worked hard, made countless sacrifices and became a successful businessman by the age of twenty. Jared has, however, never forgotten his roots nor has he ever allowed his success to blind him to the suffering of others – which is why when he spots Clarice Connaught being brutally beaten by her father on the street, he swoops in to rescue her. But just who is this girl? Will she prove to be Jared’s salvation? Or more trouble than she’s worth?

Clarice has big dreams. She wants to possess the finer things in life and is willing to do whatever she can to have a future free of strife, pain and hardship. If her father isn’t ready or willing to provide her with what she wishes, then she will find somebody who will. Could Jared be the answer to all of her prayers? Or might joining forces with him lead her down a different path than the one she had envisaged for herself?

Jared and Clarice are survivors and they are going to need to trust their instincts and tread their own path because trouble is about to come knocking on their door…

Lindsey Hutchinson’s The Bad Penny is a gripping saga about survival, redemption and courage set in Victorian Birmingham that transports readers into a world gone by. Vivid, visceral and wonderfully atmospheric, The Bad Penny is a terrific yarn full of larger than life characters and plenty of drama and intrigue to keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

An evocative saga that doesn’t disappoint, The Bad Penny is another enjoyable tale by Lindsey Hutchinson,

Jared is back! I loved Jared’s character when I first came across him so was delighted when I could continue some of his story when he helps Clarice. Ah Clarice, the girl with dreams above her station! I didn’t warm to Clarice’s character yet I was completely taken in by her story which wove nicely with Jared’s!
Another great book from Lindsey Hutchinson, I hope to read more of Jared’s story!

What a good story, I liked the characters and the camaraderie with the men who work in the rag and bone yard run by Jared Johnson.

Clarice Connaught beautiful as she is, is only out for one thing and that is money. She`s a devious liar but she keeps the story interesting keeping up with her conning ways and high life.

Great book and at times gripping. There`s everything to keep the reader interested.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. xx

The Bad Penny by Lindsey Hutchinson

As others have already commented this is really a follow up to Jared 's story in The Ragged Orphan but at a push could be read as a standalone but believe me , you'd be missing out by not reading it first !😂

So we have moved into 1894 , still in Birmingham and Jared has met Clarice who he saves from her violent father. Romance is also in the air for Jareds friend Seth as he also meets a young women called Judith when they are on a night out down at the unicorn pub
.
Love is only promised to one of our duo , will it be Jared or Seth ?

The bad penny, another great book by Lindsey Hutchinson. After reading this book I realised that it was actually the 2nd book in a series, I would’ve enjoyed it more reading the first book first, but will now read it the wrong way round, it’s got a great storyline and a good page turner. An author I would always recommend ⭐️

A fabulous sequel to the Ragged Orphan where we catch up with Jared, his friends and the rag and bone yard but a new character Clarice is introduced who Jared believe he has fallen in love at first sight with. Clarice is a born liar who wants the high life and will do anything to get it, luckily Jared finds out what she is like before he gets in too deep.
Friendship, love, loyalty and sadness along with lies, arson and murder. What more could you want ?

I was eagerly awaiting this sequel after reading The Ragged Orphan last year. This did not disappoint as it was such a seamless continuation of the story with Jared and his friends and family. This book is such a wonderful written story with a heartwarming, real narrative that was clearly researched in depth. I love the friendships and the community spirit that helps these great characters triumph and cope with everything thrown at them.

I also love the second thread that runs through this book. Clarice is so hard to feel any sympathy for but I think that was the point so it is testament to @linziloopops writing style and character development that it illicits the emotions intended. I think it ended to quick and wanted more detail in Clarices ending.

Also I think these two stories may have benefited from being seperate books or Novellas not in a bad way I was just desperate for both stories to be longer I didn't want them to end.

I realised this book had characters from a previous book so read that first to ensure continuity. I wasn’t disappointed The characters Jared and Clarice fascinated me and Clarice’s behaviour had clearly been well researched I feel.

The author brings nineteenth century Birmingham to life and many historical facts are intertwined with the story.

Story of love, loss, abuse, addiction .that is very well crafted . I'd advise reading book 1 first so you get to know the backgrounds of some of the characters.

Loved it - really enjoyable read.

The Bad Penny is a very clean romance enjoyable read with a lot of incidents that circle around friendships and various people particularly what is going on with the two characters Jared Johnson and Clarice Connaught. If you have already read the other book in the series "Ragged Orphan", this can be read as a standalone novel as well. Jared works for the Big Irishman Toby McGuire who lives in Ivy Lane and has no choice. I admired the relationship Jared shared with Toby and his wife Alice. Jared's mother had died of starvation and his sister had succumbed to sickness. Jared rules the notorious Mr McGuire's territory. In Bad Penny, the young man Jared who is the same age as Clarice saves her from a severe beating by her father along Erskine Street.

Clarice accuses her father of being a boozer and a nasty drunker who is incapable of raising her even though he has a job at the brickworks, he spends most of his wages boozing. At the same time, her father called her lazy but she disagreed with her father and was determined to stand on her feet. All Clarice wanted was someone to take care of her without trying to batter her to death. Clarice felt lonely and burdensome with the trauma by herself while facing her father's actions. The enormity of her situation made Clarice run away from her home and father.

Jared Johnson had an interest in her and liked her much in the beginning. But they part ways and things change for good and forever in their lives. Clarice knew Jared would take care of her as her handsome savior whereas Clarice wanted more; she wanted it all; trips to the theatre, dining out at posh venues, furs, jewelry, and money- lots of money. Jared had to forget Clarice's Connaught and get on with life. Clarice knew Jared was not in a position to provide all these things to her. As Clarice leaves her home, she meets Clifford. Clifford takes her to theatres and beautiful restaurants and spends on her food. He takes her to fancy places and gambling houses. All she wanted now was to play cards and win. She started earning money and becoming rich, and that's all she cared about. She could take care of herself. She was using Clifford to go to Gambling clubs and play and it became her drug of choice and she knew she could never give up. Later Clarice gets banned from gambling houses as the suspicion of cheating is rumored around. She sets fire to these gambling areas and gets arrested by the police for it. Meanwhile, Jared gets married to Rose and starts his new and happy life with her. Toby dies of an attack and Alice and her friends grieve losing him along the way.

With a captivating and exciting storyline, this novel is a wonderful and cozy read. I couldn't put the book down. I'm looking forward to more books from this author.

Thanks to Rachel Random Resources, Netgalley, and Boldwood Books Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.

Novel Nerd Blog: https://smithareading.blogspot.com/

Even though this book can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading The Ragged Orphan first, to understand the setting and characters, as The Bad Penny is a continuation of Jared's story....

The Bad Penny is a detailed medium paced story set in 1894.

Hutchinson has reached and explored the society, customs and lifestyles of the working class. Interesting facts about the Victorian era, like jobs of hole and rope men. The theme of gambling is approached in an interesting and informative way. The writing style is easy to follow with a mixture of description and dialogue. By using the language of the time Hutchinson creates an authentic feel, yet I found some points were repetitive...

The character development of The Bad Penny gives the reader a brief background and recap of characters. The characters are relatable and realistic with their own personalities.

At 20, Jared is a kind chivalrous man. He enjoys his job as manager at McGuire's Rag and Bone Yard. After coming to the defence of Clarice, Jared becomes increasingly concerned for welfare and offers Clarice employment as his housekeeper...

Clarice is a headstrong girl of 19. She feels trapped and lonely since her mother passed away from childbirth when was 9. Clarice has stepped into the role of carer very young... After being attacked by her brute father, in the street, when a dispute about her seeking work ends badly, yet she doesn't accept Jared's offer...

For Jared, it's love at first sight, he quickly becoming enamored with Clarice. However, Clarice has little interest in pursuing a relationship with Jared preferring to find a wealthy suitor to look after her needs of grandeur and money. When the truth is revealed Jared left with little option than to try to forget her and move on...

Overall I feel that The Bad Penny gives an interesting look into the lives of the different characters. I had a lot of mixed feelings towards Clarice, as she is quite like a gold-digger yet I sympathised with her on so many levels. Hutchinson's style reminded me a lot of authors like Catherine Cookson and Jane Austen.
I would suggest reading The Bad Penny to people who enjoy reading historical fiction, women's fiction and sagas based on the Victorian era, as it is a character driven story about lies, deceit, romance and friendship.

I was so happy to be on this Tour because I loved and adored the Ragged Orphan and I couldn’t wait to get back to Jared and the scrapyard plus all his friends.

Even though this is the second in a series it definitely can be read as a standalone as the first book is Jared’s background story when he was younger.

This story starts packing a punch, when we see Jared rescuing a young Clarice from her dad when he’s violently attacking her in the middle of the street, Jared can’t just walk away so he intervenes and rescues Clarice and takes her for a lovely afternoon tea.
He thinks it could be love at first sight?.

Oh my this book was just so wholesome and lovely, I was delighted to be back in this world again, meeting old friends and a few new ones.

The author writes so beautifully and sets the scene that just draws you in and transports you back in time.

Jared has had so much sorrow in his young life and he deserves some happiness now he’s sorted with his friends and a job but what I didn’t expect was a character like Clarice she was absolutely unbelievable and quite scary I thought.

The Bad Penny is the latest novel from Lindsey Hutchinson and what a great story it is.

It's 1894 in Birmingham and Jared saves Clarice from her father's beating and finds himself attracted to her. Meanwhile his friend and house guest, Seth meets Judith in the Unicorn pub when the lads at work decide to have a night out. Love quickly meets Seth while things go awry for Jared.

Although you can read this as a standalone, we first met Jared, Toby, Seth, Alice and the other lads in The Ragged Orphan which I recommend you read as it will give you the characters backstory.

I enjoyed being to know the new characters and watching the young men fall in love. I felt as though I was their granny looking on! I read in one sitting!

Jared has a chance meeting with Clarice as she is being beaten in the street by her father. Jared of course steps in and after rescuing her he realises that he really likes her but there is more to Clarice then meets the eye and she may be more trouble than she is worth. I jumped at the chance to read this book and I have definitely not regretted it as it had me glued to my kindle. I liked all the characters except I felt nothing for Clarice and the plot is so addictive. It made me cheer and cry along with all the characters as I felt there pain and there joy. I hope that there will be many more books about Jared and his friends. It's definitely a winner from me!

I absolutely love historical fiction. I was thrilled that this was available to read.

I didn't realize that I read a previous book with the same characters. You could read this as a stand alone but I recommend that you read The Ragged Orphan first.

I really enjoyed the story. What wonderful characters! I came to love Jared, Alice, Tobey and Sam. They were family even though they were not blood related.

I hated the idea of any of them being hurt. I held my breath until the very end. I won't give anything away but WOW!

#rararesources
#blog tour
#LindseyHutchinson

The Bad Penny by Lindsey Hutchinson is one marvelous read. I was thrilled to see Jared Johnson (The Ragged Orphan) as manager of McGuire’s Rag & Bone Yard business. Also to catch up with the others there which now includes his father. Loved those Cavenor Brothers too! I do think that if one had not read Jared’s first book that they could still enjoy this one.

As the story began, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Clarice even though Jared seemed smitten with her. No fear, Lindsey Hutchinson knew exactly what and who Jared needed. Still Clarice showed another side to life in the Black Country. Sometimes life can be cruel but also kind in the end.

This is a heartwarming and heart-breaking story that shows life as it really is. The good, the bad and the sometimes-sad things that are going to happen in life. The characters’ resilience and friendships that are closer than family at times may this one special story. I loved The Bad Penny, recommending it to other readers too.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really like Lindsey Hutchinson books,vshe writes family sagas very well and this one was no different. I really enjoyed The Bad Penny.

The Bad Penny is the second book I’ve read by this author and yet again it’s one that completely hooked me from the very first chapter. This book is a follow up to The Ragged Orphan but it can 100% be read as a stand-alone. After reading the blurb for this one I thought it would be a nice romantic type of read but no this was way more than that. It was so nice to be back with Jared and his friends and discovering how life is for them all. Then in this book we are introduced to Clarice who seems to be having a difficult time with her father and Jared is determined to help this poor young lady. There is so much happening in this book that every single chapter is an absolute page turner. Lindsey Hutchinson is such a wonderful story teller as she reels you right in from the very first chapter.. All the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

It was great to meet up with Jared and all his friends at the rag-and-bone yard. This continues on from book 1 in the series but it would be possible to read this as a standalone.

This time two stories are interwoven - though the connections between the two are a bit tenuous in my opinion.

Clarice - or Clara as she wishes to be known - is determined to make good in her life whether by good means or foul. The story of her dependence into gambling is well researched and timely I imagine in today's times.

She was not a likeable person at all and had few redeeming features - other than a Dad who could see her bad side but continued to love her. I found myself getting really annoyed with her antics.
Jared carried on working hard for Toby and deserved the things that came his way -both in love and tragedy.

The book is well written and well researched - I found the end rather rushed and, for Clarice, rather unbelievable - though she got what she wanted in the end I suppose.

Hopefully we will hear more from Jared and Co?

This is another historical triumph from Lindsey Hutchinson

Jared and Clarice meet by chance one day. Each follow different paths and make different choices. It’s an easy to read book. I liked Jared and felt nothing for Clarice.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

It was well-written as well as emotional. You could relate to the characters, which were well-formed.

It kept you hooked from beginning to end..

I highly recommend this book.