Love the setting, love the girls and love the story. Historical, Romance, War and Emotion. This book has it all and I enjoyed reading the story of the factory and especially the girls. This book flowed well and was written with emotion and sensitivity. The characters are wonderful and so real which makes for an even more enjoyable read as you can relate to thee people.

This is a book that is easy to read but still has plenty of substance. Being a series I look forward to seeing where this story will go. A truly heart-warming and wonderful read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

What an utterly delightful story. I really felt as if I were in Street with the girls.

It was lovely to read a book set in Somerset, I especially like the mention of Compton Dundon, however brief it was as my family used to run the pub there.

I loved the varied cast of characters, who all felt real and believable. Some of the conversations the boys had made me cross, I often forget how exist people were then. But then, some of the girls reactions, not telling the boys how they really feel so they don't upset them, still happen today.

I also enjoyed the social history side of the book. Mentions of unions, clashing denominations within the Church, and of course the suffragettes. It seemed very apt that I read this book on international women's day!

Not quite what I excected. I found the historical information about the Clarks Factory and the Quakers interesting and the cultural narratives of the time to be accurate. However, as I read this book, I felt it was more of a YA story. Thanks #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks

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

I was born and brought up in Somerset and my family came from some of the rural villages near Street and Glastonbury.
I also wore Clarks shoes until I left college at 18 (then I had to have K shoes for nurse training)

I disagree with those that said this book was designed for teens - it was a fact of life that people left school at 14 and had to work but were still under their parents until they were 21. It was interesting to read of the differences between the Anglicans (in all their forms) and the Quakers - and how this affected those that wanted to 'do their bit' in WW1

Personally I found the book very slow - and felt that much of it could have been shortened and maybe the story and the lives of the girls could have been extended further into WW1. I seemed to plod through it and ended up nearing publication day which wasn't my intent
Then it seemed to end very abruptly - ready, no doubt, for the next in the series.

Having said that it seemed well researched - and most of the characters were likeable - other than one of the girl's fathers who was nothing more than a drunken brute

I will look for further episodes from the Clark's girls if only to see if the publishers and author have taken on board the constructive criticism of these reviews.

Great start to a hopefully great saga. Three girls all friends work in the Clarks factory. But soon we is declared and it splits the once happy village because the Clarks factory owners are Quakers. The girls must find out for themselves which camp they fall into which is complicated when family and loved ones are enlisting except for the Quaker men.
Brilliantly written looking forward to more to come from the girls and their families.

I loved The Clark Factory Girls At War ,I was drawn right in.to their world their lives. Each girl came alive we shared their joys and heartache. Historical fiction at its best.#netgalley #boldwoodbooks.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers. I really enjoyed all the characters and the storyline in this book it just showed how hard things were and how people worked together. Loved it.

I really love reading a historical saga and especially ones that are part of a series , so when I was invited on the blog tour for this new series I could hardly wait to start reading it. It’s 1914 and Britain has declared war on Germany and the village of Street in Somerset is rocked by this news. The village has the Clark’s shoe factory at the centre of village life and with many men off to war it’s left to the women to keep the factory in operation along with those men who because of their religious beliefs won’t be signing up to fight in the war, this is causing some disagreements between the workers. However the main focus of the story is on the 3 life long friends , Louisa , Jennie and Kate who all work at the shoe factory. I was immediately drawn to these three young women who each had their own problems, one in particular I was rooting for every step of the way and couldn’t believe at times what a hard life she had. From start to finish I was immersed in the story of their lives and those of their families . This is a wonderful start to a brand new saga series and I look forward to the second book to catch up with these ladies.

This was a great new series about 3 friends Louisa,Jeannie and Kate who all work in the Clarks shoe factory ,owed by the Clark family.The Clark family are Quakers who are pacifists so don't believe in fighting.The war comes and the families are torn apart as what to do and what they should do.The three girls each have different ideas but can the 3 still be friends.Thank you to Netgalkey and Boldwood books.

A highly entertaining start to a new historical saga. Louisa, Jeannie and Kate are lifelong friends and although they are only young they work hard at Clarks shoe factory. The premises of the story is the girls friendship and I love how they are there to support each other through whatever life may throw at them. The girls start courting beaus but the war makes life hard for everyone. I became hugely invested in the outcome for the three girls and I particularly have a soft spot for Kate. If you enjoy historical sagas then this one is a beauty that I can definitely recommend. I am super excited for the next book in the series and I am hoping for some thrilling changes for Louisa, Jeannie and Kate!

The Clarks Factory Girls at War by May Ellis is a historical fiction story of life in the Somerset village of Street when Britian goes to war against Germany. This story of three long time childhood friends does not just highlight the difference in opinion concerning politics and religion but also the lack of rights that women had in 1914 England. I guess I knew some of this but was still shocked to read that a father could collect a teenage girl’s wages from the employer. For Kate Davis this was a regular occurrence in which her father drank away her hard-earned wages.

The Clarks shoe factory has employer many and most of the small village. Many young women work there until marriage. However, Louisa, Jeannie and Kate were friends long before working there. This story of their lives shows the differences in their social standing and religious connections. I was surprised to see bias among these groups since all would be consider Protestant. An interesting and enjoyable story in which we see the 1914 Englis world through the eyes of the young adult characters.

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.

The Clark’s Factory Girls At War is set in Somerset as England declares war. Louisa, Jeannie and Kate are three young women with a friendship that began as children, together they endure loss and love while not letting their beliefs, religion or politics get in the way of their friendship. As war continues and men join up, the three women continue the family tradition of working at the Clarks shoe factory. An interesting easy to read story, I did find myself skipping parts as I felt them a bit long winded, however I am looking forward to the continuation of this series.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheClarksFactoryGirlsatWar #NetGalley

I loved this story. It tells the story of three young women who work at the clark's factory during WW1. loved the characters.

MayEllis exquisite writing of The Clark’s Factory Girls at War, is the brilliant story of three young women, Louisa, Kate and Jeannie, their families, their loves, their lives working at the Clarks shoe factory during WWI.
It brings it to life with all the stress, struggles, anxiety and joy they find with each other each day. I have flown through the reading of the book, because I have loved it so much.
#TheClarksFactoryGirlsAtWar
#Boldwood
#MayEllis

I loved the premise of this book, and I liked meeting Louisa, Jeannie and Kate. The factory was atmospheric. Clarks shoes are a brand name I heard a lot growing up, and the town I lived in, as well as nearby towns and cities. So many places had a Clarks shoe shop. I could almost smell the leather of the shoes and the shoe polish, which are things I have, and always will, associate with Clarks.

Some of my shoes were Clarks brand when I was a child. I still have some Clarks sandals I bought as an adult.

Clarks shoes were always known to be well made, strong and good quality.

Life seems to just follow its everyday course for each family in the book, That is, until one day when war strikes. Everyone has different ideas and opinions, but will they be able to be united and support each other.

Will Louisa’s Jeannie’s and Kate’s friendship survive?

The Clarks Factory Girls at War gives a nostalgic look into Clarks shoes and has family hardships and drama. It’s a book I enjoyed and would recommend. I’m glad it is part of a series.

Thanks to May Ellis, Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

The Clarks Factory Girls at War is the first book in a series following the lives of three teenage girls, their families and friends. Set at the beginning of the war, conscription hadn't yet been brought in and, naively, everybody believed that the fighting would all be over by Christmas.

I appreciate when an author has put a lot of research into fact-based stories. I was fascinated to learn about the Clarks factory, not least that the owners were Quakers. Some of their workers were 'Friends' (Quakers), others weren't. When young men signed up to fight in the war there was much tension in both the factory and the town because the 'Friends' were pacifists and wouldn't fight.

The three teenagers, best friends, each had their trials and tribulations throughout this book. Any romance was sweet, or bittersweet, and their home lives were by no means easy. One of the girls in particular has a horrendous home life and I could have cried at what she endured.

The book had me run the gamut of emotions and I needed tissues at the ready. It was a little slow at times, but for the most part, the pace of the story was steady. I didn't realise when I started the book that it was part of a series. I was sad when I realised I would have to wait for the next book before finding out what happens next! The story didn't end on a cliffhanger but it left me wanting more! That's not a bad thing of course!

Not for me

I’m clearly in the minority for this one, but I just didn’t connect with the characters. The time period was interesting, as well as the historical aspects of Anglican versus Quaker. I felt like the young ladies was very immature, even given the time period. Perhaps this would be better marketed to young women or older teens. I also love Clark’s shoes and the background was interesting.

Thanks to the author for sharing this with the world and me, but my opinions are my own.

The village of Street in Somerset was very much in thrall to the Clarks family - Quakers who owned the shoe-making business that was the main employer for the area, including ancillary services. The First World War is looming, and friends Jeannie, Louisa and Kate work at the factory, straight from school. The three friends are like all teenagers, keen to find a boyfriend and enjoy life. But their lives have a shadow of war looming over them.

They have very different home lives - Jeannie is a Quaker, living with her mother and brothers, having lost her father to an accident that her mother is still 'suffering with her nerves' as a consequence. Louisa's father is an overseer in the factory and determined that she should marry well, preferably a good churchgoer. Unfortunately Louisa is smitten with Mattie, a Friend. Kate has an ailing mother and a drunkard father to cope with. The book details the social standards of the time, and how young girls were expected to behave.

These back stories swirl around as the boys are first encouraged to volunteer to join the army, despite it being against the Friends' beliefs. It makes for the start of an enjoyable series and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book will be nice to find out what happens to the girls after the war so hopefully theres a follow on book 5 stars definately

This one didn't quite work for me. It read more like a young adult book due to the age of the characters. While they were acting like adults, they still acted like teens. The swearing was a bit unnecessary and felt thrown in just to try and make it feel more mature. I did like how the book examined many relevant issues, such as politics, employment, and religion in the early 1900s. I've heard of Clarks shoes for years, so their factory, as seen through the eyes of their workers, was an interesting part of the story. The author did a good job of showing the struggles women faced at this time in history.