A wonderfully captivating book, heartfelt and creative story of family, art and love. Set in England, 1908 where we find Alice Dalton looking to make her own life away from her wealthy parents. Taking a position as a stained-glass artist’s apprentice her new life begins but then she realises the man she now works for is the man she turned down in marriage.

This is a very interesting and intriguing read and I just couldn't put it down. Love the interaction between the two main characters and loved the historical aspect and the art. It is very easy to read and is a charming and beautiful story. Very much enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

An interesting historical fiction story, I enjoyed the characters. But the pacing seemed off in places.

I loved this book. I guessed the twists and I felt I always knew where we were heading, but I still loved this book.

I adored the characters and the author does an incredible job at making rounded and realistic. I’m late in reading this and immediately upon finishing it I’ve bought the second installment and requested the third as I’m just not ready to let go of these characters just yet. I’m also fascinated by glass art so really, this is doubly interesting for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

In the early 1900's ambition and love are at the crosshairs. It was a time when women were only meant to be wives and not meant to be heard or have opinions. The Dalton family, who are titled members of society in England, use their children as pawns to maintain their standards and recoup the money they have lost through bad investments Alice Dalton is being set up by her father to marry the son of a very wealthy family/ Neville Dalton came to an arrangement with Mr. Cutler who headed a large stock brokerage firm both in London and in America. It was Mr. Cutler who had begun to oversee all of the Dalton’s investments and finances. Alice learned at a family breakfast that Mr. Cutler had offered her brother Victor a position in his stock brokerage firm in America. It was there that she learned the arrangement between the Dalton family and the Cutler family that she would be marrying one of the two sons, Edmund or Gilbert. Having no say in the matter, Alice was having no part in this and fled. Quite by happenstance, Alice learned of a position as an artist's assistant...the artist being Edmund Cutler who had humiliated her years ago. Does this challenge that Alice undertook bring her to a new realization about Edmund? I'll not tell. This book was well written and very enjoyable. This is the first in the series, book 2 is already out (March 2024) and #3 is coming out in August 2024. I will be reading the next 2. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Artist's Apprentice" by Clare Flynn was an utterly captivating and heart-wrenching story that kept me completely engrossed from start to finish. Set in England in 1908, the novel follows Alice Dalton, a young woman who rebels against her aristocratic parents' plans for an arranged marriage and sets out to pursue her dreams of independence and artistic ambition.
Clare Flynn expertly captures the societal norms and constraints of the early 1900s, painting a vivid picture of a time when women faced limited opportunities and were expected to conform to strict gender roles. Alice's journey from a privileged upbringing at Dalton Hall to finding her path as an artist's apprentice is a poignant and empowering storyline that resonated deeply with me.
The character development in this novel is exceptional, with Alice emerging as a strong and resilient protagonist who defies expectations and fights for her autonomy in a world where duty, money, and class threaten to overshadow her dreams. I admired Alice's determination and courage as she navigated challenges and found her voice amidst the turmoil of family conflicts and societal expectations.
The relationship between Alice and Edmund Cutler, the artist she reluctantly becomes an apprentice for, is intricately woven with tension and complexity. Watching their dynamic evolve from animosity to mutual respect and understanding was a highlight of the book, and I appreciated the gradual development of their connection as they worked side-by-side on stained-glass commissions.
Flynn's writing is rich and evocative, drawing readers into the lush landscapes of rural England and the delicate artistry of stained-glass craftsmanship. The themes of love, ambition, and self-discovery are beautifully explored in this novel, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Overall, "The Artist's Apprentice" is a poignant and beautifully written historical fiction novel that explores themes of identity, independence, and the pursuit of artistic passion in a time of societal constraints. I was thoroughly immersed in Alice's story and found myself rooting for her every step of the way. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and compelling, character-driven narratives. Clare Flynn has crafted a remarkable tale that will stay with me long after finishing the final page.

A Historical Fiction Book Which Is Magically Narrated.

The Artists apprentice by Clare Flyne, is a professional and beautifully written book which is set before WW1. You have a real feeling of being right in there in the time. This is a historical fiction book which the author has captured beautifully with the beautiful historic background of a young women who works as an artist apprentice which was a very unusual position in the era.
Alice Dalton is being married of two Gilbert Cutler to help both family's fortunes but When Alice is humiliated by Gilbert Alice flees home for London to start a new life and moves in with her aunt who she met at a suffragette meeting. Alice loves the small rural village and the beautiful countryside, and she settles into her new life and gets a job cataloging books.
Edmund Cutler who is Gilberts brother has moved into the village as he has been commissioned to produce two stain glassed windows for Mrs. Bowyer, but Edmund will need an apprentice. Alice takes on the job even though she thinks Edmund is a constant irritant, but Alice quickly finds the work rewarding and loves working with both glass and paint. Surprisingly, Edmund finds she is a fast learner and a very willing pupil. They work well together, and they both soften to each other as they start to open up to each other.
The book works well as the two siblings from each family have their own issues to resolve. Alice is of a strong character and the book is fast paced with a moving story about survival and kinship. the description of the fauna, paintings and the stain glass windows are magically narrated leaving you pulled back in time with a fascinating storyline which is brought to life. I highly recommend this book if you love historical fiction Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved this storyline. It was tale of love, art, friendships and family feuds.

I love how the characters were drawn together, like fate.

Nice amount of history in there also.

This was a beautifully done book. Love being your best self and finding yourself even in the struggles around you.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set just before the 1st World War., Alice Dalton is being married off to Gilbert Cutler to sort out his family's fortune and prospects. The wedding doesn't take place and Alice leaves her family home.. The story follows her life as she begins work with an artist who specialises in stained glass. It is not as predictable as I thought it might be.
I can recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and love stories. I'm hooked and already reading the next book, The Artist's Wife.

Thanks to NetGalley abd Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read The Artist's Apprentice. I have already read this book under a different name - loved it!

This was an entertaining story with lots of action and situations. It is a bonus when you can learn somthing new whilst immersed in a story.
Well described characters and a fascinating storyline.

At the turn of the century, readers meet The Honourable Alice Dalton, whose parents want her to marry a family friend, and quickly at that. However, the first engagement goes horribly awry, a twist Alice certainly didn’t see coming, and the unrest that follows throws her entire life into disarray. Reconnecting with a distant aunt and taking up a role in the British suffrage movement, Alice moves on with her life as an independent modern woman, but her past comes into her new life when Edmund Cutler, the rude artistic brother of her former fiance, takes up a commission nearby. Alternating between Edmund and Alice’s perspectives, Clare Flynn brings readers into the British suffrage and art worlds in this romantic historical fiction novel. Alice is a strong, independent heroine who knows her own mind, while Edmund, initially unlikeable, comes around as the novel goes on and has some serious character development. Set in the years before World War I, Flynn brings the grassroots efforts and internal divisions within the suffrage movement to life, emphasizing the scale and scope of the movement and the women involved. A mostly lighthearted, enjoyable read, historical fiction fans are sure to enjoy Flynn’s latest book.

I have a grouch to make and not at all in the writing of the book, but of the blurb. The way that the blurb is written got me interested in the story and I was eager to request and read the title. The blurb suggests that the pair will end up working together quite soon after their upset and sparks will fly. It isn't until 56% of the book has gone by that the idea is mentioned and at 64% they start working together as the blurb promised. I felt like the beginning was long winded, purely because I was looking forward to seeing the blurb action occur. This is a disservice to the book, as, if it were written differently and the focus was on the lives they lead after the upset occurs, we wouldn't be put off by how long it took to get to the action.

The book itself was delightful! Well paced and beautifully written. The cast of characters is very full of the goodies and the baddies and I feel like I know some of them as the author has really brought them to life. I was upset at the circumstances the characters found themselves in and delighted in their joys too. I guessed the circumstances between both their brothers before it happened although what happened after was a shock! I have suspicions about Lotties origins too although due to the ending, I will have to wait for book 2 to find out more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this historical book. Very interesting and I learnt alot about this era. A new author for me and one I'll look out for in the future. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Artist’s Apprentice (Hearts of Glass #1) was the first book that I have read by author, Clare Flynn. I was quite impressed by her writing and her research into this time period. Clare Flynn excellently portrayed the early 1900’s as not a very opportune time for women. Families placed expectations on their daughters from a very young age. Living during those times put many restrictions on women. Most women that lived during the early 1900’s readily accepted the role that was dictated to them by society. A woman’s role in the early 1900’s was to get married, have children and keep her husband happy by making his home his palace and playing host to his guests. The Suffragette Movement was just catching on but there were enough women who were not interested in the goals the women who supported the movement had set for themselves. Those women were complacent with allowing men to continue to make decisions for them and not involve themselves in politics and voting. There were also defined class distinctions and crossing those lines was frowned upon. The characters in The Artist’s Apprentice were well developed, believable and likable for the most part. It was a compelling work of historical fiction.

Alice Dalton grew up in Dalton Hall and lived a life of privilege that she had always taken for granted. Her parents, Neville and Lavinia Dalton were from old English money. Alice had always been very close to her older brother, Victor, growing up. Recently, Alice’s father had made some poor business investments which had put the family’s financial situation in danger. Neville Dalton had invested in a bank in America that had collapsed. As a result, Neville Dalton came to an arrangement with Mr. Cutler who headed a large stock brokerage firm both in London and in America. Mr. Cutler had begun to oversee all of the Dalton’s investments and finances. Alice learned at a family breakfast that Mr. Cutler had offered her brother Victor a position in his stock brokerage firm in America. Victor had already agreed to accept the position. Both Alice and her mother were shocked by this news. Victor had always shared things with Alice. Why hadn’t he even mentioned this decision to her? The plan that had been set in motion was for Victor to learn all he could about the American stock exchange before he was brought back to London and eventually awarded a senior position in Mr. Cutler’s company. That was not the worst thing, though, that Alice was about to discover that day. Alice’s father and Mr. Cutler had been arranging a marriage for Alice to one of Mr. Cutler’s two sons.

Mr. Cutler’s oldest son, Gilbert, seemed the logical choice. Alice decided to go along with the arrangement and even began to think that it wouldn’t be so bad. She could have done much worse than she had done in deciding to marry Gilbert. After all, Victor and Gilbert had become good friends since they had met. Unfortunately, Alice discovered a deep dark secret that Gilbert had hidden from her. Alice was distraught when she learned the secret Gilbert had hidden from her. She refused to go forward with the engagement that had been planned. Alice’s parents and the Cutler’s were not ready to abandon their plan. They switched gears and insisted that Alice and the younger Cutler son, Edmund, get married instead. This union would guarantee financial stability and a respected place in society for both families. Edmund and Alice had not gotten off on a good foot. Signs of resentment and anger were evident from Edmund when he discovered the plot that was being considered. Edmund devised a plan of his own. When Alice discovered what Edmund had done she was completely humiliated. Alice made up her mind as soon as she learned what Edmund had done and came up with a plan of her own. She was going to leave her childhood home and escape the grim future she would have if she remained at Dalton Hall. Alice realized that her parents saw Alice as a “saleable commodity more than as their daughter “. Alice left Dalton Hall before the sun had risen and never looked back.

Alice had recently met her aunt, her father’s sister, Eleanor, an aunt who she had never seen or heard about while growing up. The two women met at a suffrage movement demonstration. Alice knew that she would be safe living with her aunt and her viscar husband in the village of Little Badgerton. After Alice had been in Litlle Badgerton for a while an opportunity was presented to Alice. An artist had been commissioned by a widow in the town to make two stained glass windows. The artist required an assistant and Alice’s aunt Eleanor thought that it might be a good opportunity for Alice. Art was always something that Alice dabbled in for her pleasure. Alice was quite talented but failed to recognize her own artistic skill. When Eleanor presented the idea of working as the artist’s assistant, Alice thought it was an excellent opportunity to learn a new form of artistic expression. Alice was ready to accept the challenge until she came to realize who the artist was. Edmund Cutler was the commissioned artist, the man who hated her and had humiliated her all those years ago. Despite all that, Alice accepted the position of Edmund’s assistant. Alice and Edmund were given an opportunity to work together, learn from one another and make the most beautiful pieces of stained glass art possible. What transpired between Alice and Edmund was slow to come but beautiful in every way.

I really enjoyed The Artist’s Apprentice by Clare Flynn and am so glad that there will be more books in this series. Alice’s character was so well portrayed. She was compliant when she thought she had no other choice but grew to become an independent and resilient woman. I enjoyed her part and leadership in the suffrage movement and admired her for refusing to give in to the norms society placed on women during the period of time she lived in. The romance that developed between Alice and Edmund was everything I hoped it would be. Edmund’s father, Mr. Cutler, was despicable. I hated how he treated Edmund’s mother and bullied everyone in his family. He was a selfish, self centered and greedy man. Edmund’s wife was also a very shallow woman with no ambition other than to gain material wealth that she felt she was entitled to. I enjoyed the fact that Clare Flynn included the arts and crafts movement in the form of stained glass art in her book. Both Alice and Edmund had been trapped in a life that they were forced to endure when they had lived under their parent’s control. I was so glad that both were able to learn to live their best lives together without the pressure their parents tried to impose and later by the norms society dictated. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to be written and published so I can read it. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for allowing me to read The Artist’s Apprentice (Hearts of Glass #1) by Clare Flynn through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I read the two books almost one after the other because they were good.


1908 and rich English-girls are still expected to do the right thing. Follow their parents instructions, I wouldn’t call it guidance here, and marry into the correct family. Alice seems pliant but she rebelled. The story continues with Edmund the spurred suitor marrying someone else, Edmund’s father taking on a protege, and cutting Edmund off. At the same time Alice finds employment in. Stained glass business with the spurned Edmund of all people.

Working and living with a married man is beyond the understanding or acceptance of most people at the time, and Alice seems to be isolated not just from her family but also from friends. Alice and Edmund have also got to face the prospect of a looming war.

History especially the social mores of the time, along with a typical rich family saga where what everyone thinks and says is very important, this was indeed a good illustration of the times.

England, 1908: Alice Dalton defies her parents by fleeing after a failed marriage arrangement with Edmund Cutler. She aims to live independently, regardless of how difficult this may be.

A chance opportunity leads Alice to accept an apprenticeship with a Stained Glass artist, who it transpires, is the man her father wanted her to marry.

As both artists have spurned their families and now live very different lives, their relationship unfurls in a manner they never would have predicted.

I really enjoyed The Artist's Apprentice and will add the follow-up, The Artist's Wife, to my list of books to read.

England 1908
This is the first story I have read by this author so I was excited to see how it read.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoy every minute! Our heroine finds herself rebelling against her parents and determined to make it on her own. When she is able to become an apprentice with a stained glass artist, she finds herself working with a man, most unexpected.

A journey of finding oneself and making the most of life!

Set in pre-WW1 this is a real wow of a story and one that everyone should be reading. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

Alice Dalton was a proper lady, considers herself artistic and musical. She was the daughter of aristocratic parents, which gave her privilege; however, she was held to a higher standard. Alice was matched to marry Edmund Cutler, which would elevate bad financial choices made by her father. This was a time when women did not have a choice with their lives. The relationship did not evolve and Alice decided living on her own would be her best choice.

Alice took a job working in an art study, shs was surprised that she was working for Edmund, the man Alice had been matched to.
I admired Alice’s independence by becoming the initial member of the Little Badgerton Women Suffrage Society, which speaks volumes considering that she was raised in privilege.

The novel deserves a 4 out of 5 stars, my issues for me was I had difficulty engaging with the novel. The story was well written and it was clear the author did her research.I would read more women’s literature, especially by this author.

Thank you Clare Flynn, Storm publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the uncorrected arc.