The Household is a wonderful novel based on fact and given a very human treatment. The story of Urania Cottage and its inhabitants is fascinating, not least because of its set up. Formed by a committee of like-minded ‘reforming’ philanthropists, put together by the writer, Charles Dickens, Urania Cottage was designed with the idea of helping fallen women who wanted to be helped. They would spend a year in the cottage, watched over by a Matron or Housekeeper, and learn basic literacy skills, how to cook and keep house and after that one year period, if they wanted to, they could go to Australia equipped with the skills to build new lives for themselves.

In Stacey Halls’ book there are rules to living this way; no leaving the house unaccompanied. No discussing their past lives. They will take regular religious instruction at the cottage. Dickens himself was instrumental in choosing residents for Urania Cottage. He scoured the prisons and workhouses looking for suitable candidate. He promised the substitution of ‘an active, cheerful, healthy life’ for life in prison or a return to poverty when they were let out.

Though some of the young women felt that they were being offered penal transportation, for many it felt like an opportunity to start afresh and away from the things that had previously brought them low. So they choose a new life in Urania Cottage, situated in Lime Grove in Shepherds Bush, far enough away from the thrumming city to keep them away from temptation. Dickens realises though that not all women who have fallen want to be saved and Urania House will come to understand that is true, too.

Heiress Angela Burdett-Coutts is an enthusiastic funder of the Urania Cottage project, but she has her own concerns to tangle with. Plagued for many years by a stalker until he was finally sent to prison, she has just discovered that he has been released early and she cannot go out or rest easily without a police escort. Constantly on the lookout, her nerves are frayed and her temperament weakened.

She had hoped a good friend would look upon her with favour when she suggested they might wed, but he firmly shut the door on that prospect and Angela feels alone and dejected.

She does however gain enjoyment and satisfaction from her visits to Urania House, where Mrs Holdsworth runs the house well and looks after the girls. They are in a quiet country location, where they do not advertise what goes on in the house and the women’s outdoor pursuits are mainly limited to keeping the garden.

Stacey Halls brings it all to life as we meet each girl and understand their situations, where they have come from and their hopes and dreams for the future. Told from multiple perspectives, including Angela’s, we understand the hardships these women have endured and how they have had to learn to survive. But these are not weak women or silent sufferers, rather they have the will to take a chance or to realise when it is not working for them. Seeing Urania House for the first time, Martha is reminded of ‘a doll’s house, of a staged domestic life where, upon closer inspection, the fire is a pile of ribbons and the windows are pasted shut.’ None of the girls think this is a normal way to live, however much it may be better than the prison they have just left.

The Household starts slowly with wonderful settings of Victorian London brought to life by Stacey Halls trademark imagery which spills from every page to illuminate the lives of these women. That slow burn gains tempo as the plot takes on new twists and turns and more than one woman finds herself in jeopardy.

Verdict: I really enjoyed this historical fiction and I loved learning about Urania House, how it came about and the lives of the different women who lived there. Stacey Halls makes it all live and breathe and brings us a captivating, emotional tale of friendship courage and resourceful determination.

📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

#TheHousehold by @staceyhallsauthor @bonnierbooks_uk

➡️synopsis

This was actually a really lovely to read; as already a fan of this author, I was used to quite intense plots to her stories - not a bad thing, but my tired and over stimulated mind found peace here. This read like a saga without an overload of dates and history. Nothing was overdone and while you did had a few characters/stories to keep track of they were all afforded a decent chunk at a time which made it feel easy to follow. Like I say nothing was over egged and it all came together neatly at the end. Although this was historical fiction it definitely had thriller feels and demonstrated that really some stories are as old as time! I’d definitely recommend this one!

With thanks to author #StaceyHalls #bonnierbooks and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one early!

RELEASING: APRIL 11th

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

I loved Stacey Halls' previous novels but unfortunately I'm a bit disappointed this one. While it is an interesting historical fiction novel, it just fell short of the expectations I had.

One aspect of the book I did enjoy, which is true of all Stacey Halls' novels, is how she champions women, especially those who have fallen on hard times. I could feel the anxieties and aspirations of the women at Urania Cottage, and I could sympathise which each of them as they yearned for a better future. Angela's storyline added another layer, as she dealt with the constant threat of her stalker. Her story highlights that wealth doesn't necessary guarantee safety and security for women at that time.

Another aspect where Stacey Halls excels is the vivid depiction of Dickensian London. She expertly brought the bustling streets to life, from the opium dens to grand mansions, making the city itself feel like a character in the story. She seamless blends fact with fiction as I felt fully immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the era.

However, for me, the pacing was slightly off with this book. It lacked the tension I was expecting and for the first 75% of the book, I found it quite hard going. There was so many characters and different perspectives and I felt the plot suffered because of it. It found it hard to connect to some of the women and would have preferred more character development, which admittedly is difficult when there are so many of them.

I did find that the final quarter of the novel picked up the pace and effectively tied together most of the loose ends. However, I just didn't find myself as invested in the characters or the storyline as I would have hoped.

I usually love this author but this one was sadly a miss for me. I find it really hard to get into, there didn’t feel like it had much plot or direction and there were far too many similar characters in it.

Great story based on true events (Urania Cottage set up buy Charles Dickens for 'fallen women' & funded by Angela Coutts ' heiress of Coutts bank).
If you don't mind historical inaccuracies (I'm not sure Angela Coutts would have become so personally involved & real historic figures having fictionalised storylines) then the story bowls along!

This is the second book I have read by Stacey Halls, The first book I read was the familiars. I loved this book being a mixture of fact and fiction it kept me gripped right from the start. The characters are extremely well written and the fact that Charles Dickens is in it kept me hooked. I shall certainly be reading more by this author.

Mesmerising book.

Urania Cottage in Shepherds Bush is being kitted out, everything brand new for the purpose of the young girls who will move into there for a while, whilst being trained for a better life. To leave behind a life of vice or crime. To hopefully start a fresh page of life.
A committee is behind this including Miss Angela Burdetett Coutts and the writer Mr Charles Dickens.
Will it go according to plan?
Set in the mid nineteenth century.

What a mesmerising book, I was hooked throughout.
A range of different characters from all walks of life come together. Miss Angela Burdett Coutts an extremely wealthy woman from the Banking industry and also a real life character of the times, features more prominently than Mr Charles Dickens who’s character is brief, more in the background of the book.
I don’t want to delve into the story and spoil the plot for anyone, suffice to say this book for me was so hard to put down. I wanted to know what would happen next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

I absolutely devoured The Household by Stacey Halls. It is a brilliant read, with twists and turns and interesting characters.

The story intermingled several stories at the same time, allowing the central characters to develop fully. The story starts by following an heiress and some "fallen women" and then follows to show how their lives interconnect and add balance and rythym to each others.

I don't want to say too much as it may contain plot spoilers.

I loved Mrs England by Stacey and had initial concerns, before opening the book, that this may not reach the same heights but I was wrong

This novel cements Stacey Halls place as an excellent writer. I loved it

My review of The Household by Stacey Halls (5 stars) - out on the 21st of April

Thank you Bonnie Books and Stacey Halls for this advanced readers’ copy of The Household in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic historical fiction novel set in Victorian London. Loosely based on true events, this is a story about Urania Cottage, a house of redemption for “fallen women” founded by Charles Dickens and Angela Burnett-Coutts.

We follow a group of women from different classes and backgrounds, and with different stories. Each of them has to fight… and not just for their happiness, but for their security. We follow our characters through the dangers of Victorian society that offers such few opportunities for women who strive to be safe and secure.

We follow the story from multiple POVs, as our characters try to find their loved ones and reconnect with their families in the utter chaos that is London in the 1840s. Stolen identity, forged correspondence, thievery, opium dens and brothels, right across the street from grand mansions where esteemed ladies and gentlemen attend parties and drink champagne. The streets of London have been described so vividly, that I felt like I was with our characters, walking through the hustle and bustle of Soho and Piccadilly. The city is a character in its own right.

“The city is cruel but not heartless; it always offers a step to sit on, a secret corner to tuck oneself in. There are thousands of people doing thousands of jobs, fine parks and wide streets in which rich and poor may walk side by side. In London, a cat may look at a king.”

Though not fast-paced, I loved the way this story unfolded through a series of interconnected events coming together like puzzle pieces. This is such a well-thought-through and developed piece of writing, that I don’t think I will ever stop thinking about it.

This is also a character-driven story, and I grew to appreciate the women of Urania Cottage. Every single one of the characters has been developed so well, I would love to find out what happens to them next.

“She knows she will never think of London as home, will never truly think of anywhere as home again. Home was a whitewashed cottage with sheets in the kitchen, hollyhocks in the garden, three sisters in a bed. Home is only a memory. And she is grateful for it, because to have had it and lost it is better than never having it at all.”

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley, Bonnier Books UK, and the author for providing me with an E-ARC to offer my candid review of this book.

Having been a fan of the author's previous works, I eagerly requested this book upon seeing it advertised on NetGalley. Securing an ARC of this book felt like a true honor, and I can confidently say that the author did not disappoint; this may even be her best work yet.

"The Household" delves into the story of Urania Cottage, a sanctuary established to offer women facing adversity a chance at redemption and reintegration into society. Drawing inspiration from Charles Dickens's real-life philanthropic efforts, the novel authentically portrays historical events and figures.

The narrative unfolds through various perspectives, offering insights into the lives of the women residing at the cottage, each grappling with their own challenges. Additionally, Angela's viewpoint sheds light on her decade-long ordeal with a persistent stalker.

This book poignantly highlights the plight of women in 1846, showcasing their struggles and the societal pressures that often led them to resort to desperate measures. Through the lens of Urania Cottage, Dickens's belief in redemption and the value of empowering women is vividly portrayed.

Furthermore, the narrative underscores the systemic disregard for women's voices, as Angela finds herself excluded from crucial decisions despite her status and wealth.

In conclusion, "The Household" is a compelling work of historical fiction by Stacey Halls, offering a captivating narrative for fans of Charles Dickens and enthusiasts of historical fiction alike.

Stacey Halls has a talent for creating believable and flawed characters. I love how she's taken historical figures in this book and brought them to life.
The girls at the house all have their various issues and dreams. It's how they come together that makes this endearing.
An enjoyable read.

In 1847 the richest woman in London Angela Burdett-Couttes gives some of her money to set up a cottage for fallen women. The fallen women are in fact young girls released from prison who have shown a willingness to lead a better life.
It is run by a matron who has worked in different prison settings and the girls will learn how to cook,clean,bake etc then leave for a life in Australia or suchlike to start life again with a clean slate.

The cottage is governed by a board of benefactors one of whom is Charles Dickens.
He interviews the girls about their life and why they turned to crime. He might have been genuinely interested but it seemed as if he just wanted material for his books.
The girl's crimes were caused by poverty and hunger and the need to stay alive which I thought the rich people never really understood.
This book was so good, there were so many things happening within the chapters.
Rich people aren't immune from bad things happening to them and Angela has been persued by a stalker for ten years. He has been jailed for this but is now being released and Angela is quite rightly terrified.
Saying anymore would be giving away the story so I'll finish by saying I loved this and the ending sounds like there could possibly be a sequel. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Totally engrossing from start to finish!
Based on the real life ‘Urania House’ - a charitable project aimed at ‘rehabilitating fallen girls’ into more respectable positions in households or a new life in Australia. The committee was headed by, amongst others, Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett Coutts.

I was mainly fascinated by the real-life character of Angela Coutts. I had to do a bit of mid-read research about this remarkable woman. The sheer amount of philanthropic work she undertook was mind-blowing!

The fictional characters were superb too. So well fleshed-out and utterly absorbing.
Five stars all the way!

I enjoyed reading The Household. With multiple POVs, the well researched and descriptive writing transports the readers to the Victorian era. What captured me the most was how women were treated back then and the feeling relief that there were benefactors who think of previously imprisoned women and help them. Second chances, fresh starts, kindness, sisterhood with twists and turns are central to the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK, Manilla Press, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion

I have loved all of Stacey Halls’ books and this was no exception. Another beautifully written and mysterious, twisty historical novel.


Thank you for the ARC!

Another cracker of a story by Stacey Hall!
We meet the girls that have been to prison and now are moving to a house that gives them a chance to leave with skills to take forward and get employment or help to secure a husband ! Although it feels like they are free, they are constantly watched and disciplined. It seems to work well, but as we get to know Martha, Polly ,and others, we see how much they need to succeed! Mrs Holdsworth and Miss Coutts, who is a member of the charity’s board. She has problems of her own. Her stalker has just been released from prison and she’s scared he’ll be coming after her again, This makes the story really interesting! Miss Coutts is a lovely character who I had a lot of time for! She wanted this project to work. She threw herself into trying to help, which I think helped take her mind off her current situation.
A fantastic read!
Many thanks to Bonnier Books for the chance to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley.

This was my first Stacey Halls read and I don't know why I was expecting a gothic chiller. Instead I got a Victorian mystery which was quite enjoyable but not amazing. I'm still going to give her previous books a go as it could just be me, not the book.

Unfortunately I could not finish the book due to me not being able to get into it.
It is probably a really good book, just not for me unfortunately. I downloaded the book to see if I could get out of my comfort zone for books but it doesn’t seem like this one was for me.

4.5⭐️ Fans of a period drama will love this story set in the dark, dank Dickensian streets of London.
We follow the stories of several girls offered a new start in a home for fallen women upon release from prison.
I loved the writing style and was completely engrossed in the setting and journey of each character.

The premise for this was an interesting one - a redemption home for fallen women set up and paid for by a committee who include none other than Charles Dickens (no doubt for research purposes!). The women themselves are from all walks of life and you feel such empathy with the thousands of women who found themselves in dire situations and these lucky few who have been chosen. You question whether or not they truly are 'lucky' though as several events happen within the novel with a huge twist at the end too that did take me by surprise! I would highly recommend to anyone, especially those interested in historical fiction!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **