This is the second book in the Clarks Factory Girls series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
It’s September 1915. Eighteen-year-old Louisa Clements lives in the village of Street in Somerset. She is planning to marry Mattie Searle, once he gets home from the war in France. She works at the Clarks shoe factory along with her friends Kate and Jeannie. But then Kate’s sister Peg arrives to tell her the worst news – Mattie has been killed.
Kate and Jeannie have their own problems too. Kate’s mother has recently died and her father gets drunk and hits out. And then there’s Beryl, but I’ll leave you to find out about her. Oh my! Meanwhile, Jeannie’s older brother Lucas (19) decides to enlist, leaving only Jeannie, her mother and two younger twin brothers – Peter and John - at home.
Meanwhile, Louisa has more problems to deal with, her parents insisting she move to live with her aunt. Peg is married to Will Searle (Mattie’s brother) and when they move to Lincolnshire (my home county!), Louisa escapes with them.
I enjoy books set in England in the past and featuring great female friendships. I love all the historical detail and finding more about the time when my Nanna (1907-2007) was young. I especially enjoy the social aspect of it, particularly how women managed with their partners, sons and brothers at war and how they kept life at home stable. In this story, it’s shocking that an eighteen-year-old has to deal with the enormity of losing her fiancé in war, because she seems so young, but of course, this kind of thing happened all the time during WWI.
It was also interesting finding out about the girls’ work at the Clarks shoe factory and what their job entailed. It’s all beautifully described with the smells and the sounds painting a vivid picture.
The story was really easy to get into, I was hooked at the first page. You feel so much sympathy for young Louisa and get drawn into the world of her, her family and friends in 1915. It’s well-paced and holds the reader’s interest throughout, as we follow the lives of the characters with all the ups and downs.
Overall, I enjoyed every aspect of the novel and look forward to catching up with the characters in future books.

This is the second book in the Clarks Factory Girls series and it was for me another wonderful read. It’s a dark and scary time for the Clarks factory workers and many of the male employees have left to do their duty.in the army. Those that are left behind worry about their loved ones who have gone to fight in the war. The story again focuses mainly on the three friends Louisa, Jeannie and Kate. Each of them are dealing with their own personal problems but they are always there to help and support one another. I just love the characters in this book, especially the friendship between the three girls. Admittedly there are some pretty nasty characters as well but in a way I love them also as the author writes them so well I can almost picture them in my head and feel their nastiness oozing out of the pages ! The descriptions of the factory and life in Street is depicted so well in the book and I truly loved every chapter. I can’t wait for the third book to catch up with everyone again.

I first discovered May and her amazing work earlier this year when I read and reviewed the first book in the 'Clarks Factory Girls' series, which is called 'The Clarks Factory Girls At War' and was released earlier this year. Since then I have been impatiently waiting for the second book in the series to be released. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the second book in the series is called 'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' and it was released on 29th June 2024. It's a superb addition to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' but more about that in a bit.

As soon as I saw the name 'May Ellis' on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet, I was in heaven! I knew that I was in for a treat and that I wouldn't be doing anything other than reading for the rest of the day. I must be psychic because that is actually what happened. I had initially picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I should have known better because I was still sat there reading several chapters and a couple of hours later. From then on it's safe to say that my Kindle didn't leave my sight and I found every excuse I could to avoid putting my Kindle down. This was one of those books that drew me in and didn't let me go until long after I had read the last word on the last page. I felt as though I had reunited with old friends in the shape of the three main characters and I had to keep reading to find out how their particular part of the story was going to pan out. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and all track of just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' and had to say goodbye to Kate, Jeannie and Louisa. I found 'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' to a gripping, tense, emotional and dramatic story which certainly kept me guessing and kept my attention throughout.

'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' is superbly written and then some, but I expect nothing less from May Ellis. May has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of May's books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. May certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proved to be one heck of a read and then some. May clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. May makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. As I mentioned earlier, I considered Louisa, Kate and Jeannie to be friends of mine. May has obviously done an awful lot of research into the time period during which the story takes place and this helps the story seem that bit more authentic. I also found this book to be educational in the sense that I learnt things about the Quaker religion that I hadn't known previously. Reading 'Courage For The Clarks Factory GIrls' certainly took me on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the highs, lows, up and downs and so on. I love the way in which May makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, ,I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of May's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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

I had read the first book in the series and was looking forward to the next instalment. This applies to the third as well - I will look out for that too.
While it is possible to read this as a stand-alone book one would have far more context and understand the characters more if one had read the first book.
It has been interesting to read about the Quakers and their faith and how outwardly ‘Christian’ people struggle with the concept of ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Forgiveness also fails then at times.
This follows the lives of Kate, Jeannie and Louisa and their respective families. I felt sorry for them all in different ways. The small mindedness of a rural Somerset town was very typical of the times I am sure. There was a tendency to the same in the 60s.

The book is well written and well researched and a pleasure to read. I was often sneaking a few more pages when I really should’ve be doing something else.

Book three can’t come soon enough for me - thank you

This book does not disappoint and is just as good as the first book.

We see how the lives of Louisa, Kate & Jeannie carry on. Louisa is trying to get on with life after Mattie has gone off to War. Kate is dealing with her Father who continues to make her life not very good. Jeannie is trying to make sure her Mother is cared for as she continues to be weak. Some of the men go off to War. Will things get any better for the woman.

I could not put this book down and wanted to read on more to find out what happened to them all.

It certainly makes you think how the men coped with the War and the woman keeping the families together.

The characters all work well together and I look forward to reading the next book in the series to find out what happens to them all.

Would recommend this book and the author weaves the story together well.

The Clarke factory girls are back.
Lou’isa Kate and Jeannie get devastating news which causes family problems for one of them. Each with their own burdens and problems the are determined to be there for one another especially as the factory workers are leaving the village in their droves to join the front line.
Great wee series loving the friendships being forged great reading

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, just like I did the first one. I was engrossed and couldn’t put it down.

Back in Village Street, we meet up with Jeannie, Kate and Louisa. The girls lives change with things happening in their families but what doesn’t change is their friendship which helps them in times of need.

When Mattie decides to enlist in the war, Louisa is finding it hard to deal with, meanwhile Katie, is having a hard time with her father, and her problems seem to grow rather than calm down, and Jeanie is buckling under the pressure of keeping the family together after her brother also enlists.

I highly recommend this book.

This the second book in the Clark factory series.Life for the three friends Louisa,Kate and Jeannie doesn't get any easier.Lisa's young man Mattie goes against his Quaker up bringing and enlists in the war. Katie life gets harder after her mother passed away and she has to look after her drunken father and still work at the factory. Jeannie's family are Quakers and can't believe it when her brother enlists,which her mother finds hard to accept. This was another great book in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

This focuses on Louisa, Jeannie and Kate. All work at the Clarks Shoe Factory and the war is raging. Louisa's sweetheart, Mattie, decides to enlist even though he is a Quaker and she can't understand why he would go against his religion. Kate's mother has passed away and her home life is horrible with a drunken father who beats her and keeps all of her paycheck and Jeannie's brother, Lucas, also enlists and she is left with taking care of an ill mother and two rowdy teenage boys.

I got almost half way in and I was so confused about how the characters were related and realized that this was the second in a series. I got my hands on a copy of The Clarks Factory Girls at War and then everything fell into place. I may have liked book 1 a bit more but this was still a 4* read. The characters are well developed. I hated Louisa's parents hiding behind their religion but being anything but kind. I have to say I was surprised by the animosity between the "Christians" and the Quakers. I loved the way the girls were so close and often looked out for each other but then in the end I was touched by the friendship Louisa developed with Lucas who was Mattie's best friend. At times the writing seemed simple and maybe repetitious but I would still read the next installment of the Clarks Factory Girls.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with a digital copy.

Such a thoroughly enjoyable series. I was thrilled to catch up with Kate, Louisa and Jeannie. In this book they are once again supporting each other through the sorrows and joys of their private lives. I felt so inspired by the courage they each have despite whatever hardships are thrown at them. Every chapter is heartfelt and you can feel the sincerity through the words. I had to remind myself that the characters and story is fictional. I didn't want it to end and can't wait for the next book to see what is instore for the girls.

Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls - May Ellis 👞

This is the second book on the series following three friends, Louisa, Jeannie and Kate. They’re all such good friends and it was a great follow on from the first book. It was full of friendship, love and loss. It is a heartwarming story centred around helping each other through the war.

I highly recommend for fans of historical fiction. I can’t wait to read more about these girls.

Oh this book had me in tears. Both happy and so sad..
I hate the fact that Mattie died and Louisa had to go away...
I'm so happy Lucas got to come home and that his ma has improved so much already.
Jeannie can hopefully now relax a bit and have her own life.
Now Lucas is home I hope the twins behave..
I can't wait for the next one in the series.

My goodness small town gossip flows off the pages of Courage for the Clark Factory Girls. I would love to have been a fly on the wall within the Clark Factory rooms. The story was very entertaining thanks to the gossip and busy bodies. The conflicts between the different religions was very enlightening.

I never knew much about the Quakers before beginning this series. How challenging it must have been for them during World War One. Love between those of different religions was frowned upon. For Louisa, it made a future impossible. The man she loved, Mattie, was a Quaker who went to war trying to win her father over. Everything changed when he did not return and her secret is at risk of being revealed.

Her secret brings many people together. I was taken to different towns, driving down roads I would never been able see travel. I experienced how soldiers were treated when they returned from war. I learned how life was during World War One in a small town that relied on a factory for their surival.

Page after page increased my knowledge. Page after page I was given new items to research. Page after page opened my heart to those that lived during that time. With every page I got more excited to read the next page. Now I am even more excited to read the next book.

It was great catching up with friends Louisa, Kate and Jeannie who all work at the Clark’s shoe factory. Life is tough for everyone in the village and at the factory as more of the men sign up to go to war. Friendships are put to the test, hearts are broken and all three have to deal with some unimaginable events and emotions. Amongst all this there are some more happy moments and the strength of the three friends shines through. This had me totally hooked from page one. It’s very easy to work out how everyone is connected and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first one. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

A wonderfully told story of how attitudes have changed over the years and girls are no longer snubbed if they have a baby out of wedlock. This story was sad in places but, it finishes on a question mark so, I'm looking forward to the next in this series. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

It was nice to catch up with Jeannie, Kate and Louisa again. Life was hard during World War One and the girls were all finding it difficult for reasons of their own. I enjoyed following the ups and downs of their lives and their strong friendships that helped them. I look forward to seeing what happens next to them all in the next book.

Historical drama set during the war. Part of a series we meet again the girls who work in the Clarks factory in Street. There is much heartbreak and emotions run high.

A great story of strong women navigating the challenges of War, Courage of the Clarks Factory Girls, set in a Somerset village, and it tells a tale of female friendship, and personal struggles, as three young women face the devastating effects of war on their lives and relationships. Showing the factory girls' resilience and determination, a great addition to the series.

Set in 1915, this series follows the girls working at C&J Clarks shoe factory. A story of hardship and courage, sorrow and happiness.

I’m thoroughly enjoying this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

1915. Best friends Louisa Clements, Jeannie Musgrove and Kate Davis have been working at the Clarks Factory since they left school and they sew shoes linings in the Machine Room. Like everyone in Street, Somerset, their worried about the war and what’s happening across the channel. The local lads are signing up, with their pals and they think it’s going to be a grand adventure.

Louisa's the first of the trio to suffer a loss, she then discovers she has another problem and her strict parents are extremely disappointed in their only child’s reckless behaviour. Louisa’s forced to make a difficult choice, it breaks her already shattered heart and she’s not sure if she will ever forgive her parents. Kate’s life has never been easy and it’s much harder since her mother passed away. Her siblings have left home and she’s has to keep house for her dad and work full time, and he’s mean, moody, a drunk, and it gets worse. Jeannie’s family are Quakers and she can't believe it when her older brother Lucas joins up, her mother takes the news badly and Jeannie has to work, to all the chores and make sure her teenage brothers don’t get into trouble and despite John and Peter promising Lucas they would help her and behave.

The narrative focuses on Louisa’s, Kate’s and Jeanie’s relationships with their families and how the war changes things, their struggles and problems, how the friend’s help and support each other when they can and unfortunately somethings they are out of their control.

I received a copy of Courage For The Clarks Factory Girls by May Ellis from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. The story includes relevant topics and subjects for the time and the impact the war had on the villagers. The Clark family were Quakers and so are many of their employees, this caused friction in Street and women started giving out white feathers.

When the British government announces all unmarried men between the ages of eighteen to forty one will be called up and everyone wonders what will happen to those who won’t fight due to their religious beliefs. The narrative shows the inequality between men and women and the forms of abuse and violence against them is another relevant topic and how it’s handled and big brothers come in handy.

The main theme of the novel is the friendship between the three you ladies, how each one has to overcome obstacles and challenges, and they show maturity beyond their years. Five stars from me, I have enjoyed both books in this series so far, Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls and The Clarks Factory Girls at War and I’m really looking forward to the next book by Ms. Ellis and to see what happens next in Louisa, Kate and Jeannie lives and the other characters.