Alice Dalton's life is changed utterly by a series of events, none of which she has caused. Turning her back on her parents and their plans for her, she leaves her home and finds sanctuary with her recently discovered aunt and uncle in the Hampshire countryside. After a few peaceful years in which she becomes a part of her adopted village, her life is once again turned upside down. Her past comes back to meet her and decisions made by others threaten to cause more upheaval.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book set in the early years of the twentieth century. The characters were strong and developed well and the plot cracked along at a good pace. Some of the twists and turns were predictable but others took me by surprise (which, I suppose is akin to real life). Before I got to the end, I was looking forward to the sequel.

Clare Flynn, The Artist’s Apprentice, Storm Publishing, February 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this uncorrected proof for review.

This is the first of Clare Flynn’s novels that I have read. There is a lot to admire, for example the range of political and feminist issues that are covered in this essentially romantic novel. However, although I found the novel a good read, engaging, with interesting characters, I cannot give the writing an entirely positive response. Despite that, I am pleased to have had the opportunity to read this example of this popular author’s work and would like to know what happens to the main protagonists in the follow up, The Artist’s Wife.

The novel begins in January 1908 at Alice’s home, Dalton Hall, in Surrey. Alice is sketching in the frost on her window and must take diversionary action so that her lateness to breakfast goes unnoticed. Taking in the mail to effect this, Alice is confronted with an envelope addressed in writing with that makes her uneasy. It is an invitation from the American born wife of a newly rich neighbour, Cutler, inviting them to tea. Lord Dalton is pleased; his wife, unaware of the financial reason for her husband’s enthusiasm, is not. Alice is wary. Her brother, Victor, supports his father – he has prospects of joining the profitable Cutler firm of stockbrokers.

From this beginning, that deftly sketches the outward reasons for the proposed relationship, gradually a more ominous story begins to emerge. Alice and the proposed marriage between her and the older Cutler son appear to be the crucial protagonists in the debates that arise over women’s position, their role in preserving family fortunes through marriage, and their lack of independence in choosing a partner. Behind this story is another that will become pivotal in deciding Alice’s future.

This future brings her into contact with her estranged aunt, and eventually Edmund Cutler, the younger brother whose rebellion has led him into becoming a stained-glass artist. The development of this story includes a wealth of information about the world of art, and impressive detail about the particular art of stained glass. The information here is so engaging that it is difficult to imagine readers not wanting to see for themselves the windows so well described. In the acknowledgements Flynn provides the locations that helped inspire the novel. Christopher Whall, to whom Edmund becomes apprenticed is a real person and his book also provided a source. Others, named in the acknowledgements, are Mrs Bradley, wife of the headmaster of Bedales where Emmeline Pankhurst spoke at a meeting; Karl Parsons, a teacher who worked for Whall; and Mary Lowdnes, a female stained-glass artist and supporter of the women’s movement.

Women’s suffrage and the relative merits of the more radical movement the WSPU under Emmeline Pankhurst in contrast with the National Union of Women’s Suffrage are discussed through the characters and events. Flynn’s attention to both the public and private manifestations of discrimination against women and need for political activism as well as personal resistance are argued in an engaging manner, making this novel a worthy social commentary on the time leading up to World War 1.

The Artist’s Apprentice combines public and personal stories well. Alice and Edmund’s complicated past and defiance of society and the themes of women’s equality and recognition of the need for acceptance of new social mores makes a strong novel and good forerunner to The Artist’s Wife which follows.

England 1908. Alice’s father wanted her to marry Edmund. She wants to make a life for herself. She becomes interested in art. Imagine her surprise running into Edmund, both fighting their feelings for each other. I enjoyed learning about their at as they fell in love.

What a beautiful story. I just felt for Alice who had her life mapped out for her. Her parents Lord & Lady Dalton were only concerned with getting the wealthiest beau for her, they would debate the subject while Alice was in the room without ever consulting her.
Once it was decided that she would be engaged to one of the Cutler sons who her brother Victor knew, things moved swiftly.
Like all best laid plans they don’t always take the straightest path.
Poor Alice sees things that she could never have imagined before.
When she decides to engage with the suffragette movement little did she know that a chance meeting on the train would be her refuge when she decides to escape her domineering parents.
The story just flows, and keeps you awake at night desperate to know what happens next.
I loved Eleanor and the unlikely Mrs Bower. Can’t say I was taken with either of the Fitzwarren men.
Now I can’t wait to read the next one.

Alice Dalton decides to give up her wealthy life instead of marrying. She just wants to find a like-minded person, she doesn't want to settle for less and with the help of her estranged aunt Eleanor she gets the life she wanted until Edmund reappears.
A good start to this saga where there are characters that express various background issues of the time such as suffragettes or imposed marriage. Most of the characters evolve as the story unfolds and with some you will empathise and with others not so much.
The main characters will have to face several challenges during the novel and overcome them with a strong and constant love.
I can't wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book of the saga.

A captivating story of aristocracy, romance, and determination.

Alice Dalton lives with her wealthy parents in England in 1908. Her family needs her to marry the son, Gideon, from a wealthy family in order to maintain their status. What ensues for Alice is heartbreak and deception. The arranged marriage with Gideon does not work out. Yet, the two families attempt to continue the arrangement with Edmund, an artist and the younger son. Alice and Edmund flee their families. Fast forward years later, Alice is living with her aunt and gets a job working for Edmund as an apprentice. Their relationship blossoms, and they fall in love.

There was a build-up to the romance. The author did an amazing job of laying out the characters before they came together and fell in love. Alice grew from a duty bound daughter to an independent, strong woman. I wasn’t really a fan of Edmund, who was a little bit of a doormat, until he fell in love with Alice. He found his strength in the love of Alice.

I recommend this book for those who like historical fiction and romance. Pre-order today! This book will be published on February 13th. Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for the e-ARC.

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected from reading the description. Alice was being married off to someone who was useful to her father’s life. When things intervene, and the marriage plans are in tatters, Alice leaves her family home. Set amidst the time of the Suffragette movement, this book explores women’s and men’s roles and expectations. Alice ends up being quite unconventional. Edmund's story is just as sad, as his sad home life and subsequent impetuous marriage leave him in an ordinary situation. I genuinely liked the main characters and the subtle humour that ran under this especially when Alice lives with her aunt. I hope the sequel comes out soon, as I am invested in these characters and especially want to see what Victor has planned and what the war brings to these characters. Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy to freely review.

BOOK: THE ARTIST'S APPRENTICE
AUTHOR: CLARE FLYNN
PUB DATE: FEBRUARY 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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For me, this book was boring in the beginning, very good after, but I was really really annoyed at the ending. If I had known it would be like that I'd never have read it.
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I liked the MCs until they did 'what will not be named.' I liked their courage to leave their stifling, overbearing homes and families. I liked the author's wonderful writing and storyline, it kept me turning the pages. I also liked tidbits of the suffrages' movement.
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I liked and felt sorry for Edmund, but he dug his grave. While I know life was difficult for him, nothing, nothing justified what he and Alice were doing. And Victor, Alice's brother was a horrible guy and he was my least favorite character. I hated how he blamed Alice to the end
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This book was very good and okay. But, I'll not be reading the second book in the series because I do not like Alice and Edmond anymore. But, I'll still recommend it if you don't mind adultery.

England 1908; Alice Dalton lives under the expectations of her aristocratic father and when her planned marriage to the son of a wealth stockbroker ends in tragedy, her father plans that instead she will marry his younger brother Edmund Cutler. When this ends in her humiliation, Alice leaves the home of her mother and father determined to make a life for herself.
Though raised as a lady with no opportunity to pursue and education or training in anything, Alice is stunned to meet again the man who rejected her and married someone else, Edmund Cutler.
However, this meeting eventually allows her to pursue a similiar to his: art. Working together and composing stained-glass window commissions for a prominent widow, Alice cannot ignore her growing attraction for Edmund.
I very much enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more by this author particularly the second book in the series, The Artist's Wife.
Thank you NetGalley for my copy of this story.

I am shocked at how quickly I was completely captivated by this book. The entire premise is out of my comfort zone. I don't have an artistic bone in my body and this historical period is one of my least favorites but I loved this book. The story gathers speed very quickly with clearcut villains, truly despicable people. Although I expected a culture clash between the aristocracy and everyone else, I didn't expect thoughtful depictions of gender identity and the British suffragette movement. Indeed, they are central to the entire story and equally current today. I cheered for Alice as she picked herself up and wished we all had an Aunt Eleanor to turn to as she did. I marveled at the strength of these early feminists who had to fight against a powerful patriarchy. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, not paying enough attention to a rapidly approaching final page. All too soon it was 1914, with serious foreshadowing of World War I but I wasn't ready for it to end. Fortunately, there will be another book in the series and I hope it's published quickly because I can't wait to see what the future holds for Alice and Edmund. This one is a winner.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

OMG what a story! Historical romance, the pages practically turned themselves. I couldn't put it down, it flowed perfectly. A story of two families, two lovers and where life took them. I cannot wait for the next in the series!

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.