I had read the previous books in the series and looked forward to this one.
I was not disappointed.
The story did seem slower , it showcased 1916 into 1917 but covered a great many details of the First World War - both from the conscription point of view and also the beliefs of the Quakers and the Clark family. This had quite devastating effects and was a good reminder to those of us with no idea of warfare, that those that chose not to bear arms for whatever ever reason could be taken and shot for cowardice.

The book is well written - the relationship between Louisa and Lucas could be questioned if one hadn’t read the previous books but was in context if one had. May Ellis had obviously done a lot of research which was explained in her author’s notes.
It was interesting to read the philanthropy of the Clark family when a well respected employee had a serious illness.

I look forward to the final book in the series and sincerely hope that life works out for Jeannie and Kate - and we find out what happens to some of the characters caught up in the war

A brilliant read

Yet another great addition to and already great series. Somehow I missed book 2 in the series but I still enjoyed this book immensely. The three girls, Jeannie, Kate and Louisa are working in the factory and this follows on with their lives and those of the families. It is about love and friendship, war and it affect on everyone.

Well written and easy to read this is a book and series that is great to read and brings family, friendship and war to life.

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

Set in the First World War in the town of Street, dominated by Clarks shoe factory, we follow the fortunes of three young girls. Kate has escaped from her abusive father and the floozy he brought to the family home following the death of her mother; Jeannie is still the Quaker peacemaker and is attracted to a man who seems to like her and Louisa has lost the love of her life and had to make some hard choices. The war rages on and some menfolk have returned wounded, while others are still serving. And the Quaker men are conscientiously objecting and paying a heavy price for their beliefs.

Its an entertaining and interesting read, full of the social niceties and prejudices of the time.

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

This is the third in the series and when I started reading it was like reconnecting with old friends. Louisa, Jeannie and Kate are still working at Clarks Factory while Louisa deals with her crumbling relationship with her parents, Kate is struggling with her relationship with an abusive father and Jeannie is still looking for love. The characters are very well developed and I still hate the animosity between the members of Holy Trinity Church and the Quakers. Other than that the area seems peaceful but the news of the war is always present and the worry for the young men of the town. The book didn't end on a cliffhanger but I heard there is one more book. I am looking forward to reading it but hate having to say good-bye to the girls.

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

Oh I love this series I could read it over and over again and this book doesn't fail. I'm so glad the girls are still friends and Jeannie knows Louisas secret. I cried when Lou's dad died her mum has turned into a horrible hard woman who obviously doesn't love her own daughter.
I hope Lou doesn't regret marrying Lucas and they do try and have a baby.
I can't wait for more in this series

The Clarks Factory Girls #3

Set in 1916. Louisa is trying to come to terms with the loss of Mattie. WWI continues. Jeannie, Louisa and Kate are friends who work at the Clarks factory. The country is in the grips of conscription. Kate befriends a young Quaker who had been arrested for refusing to fight. As Louisa's parents are still trying to find her a husband, she takes solace with Jeannie's brother Lucas.

This book follows on from where book two left off. The characters are well-developed, the story is well-written. It tells us how difficult choices were made and hard times were had by all.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MayEllis for my ARC of #DarkTimesForTheClarksFactoryGirls in exchange for an honest review.

Published 9th January 2025

Having read the others in this series I can only say that I was disappointed with this newest book. At times it was like walking through treacle, not making any headway whatsoever! Took me a lot longer than normal to complete and never really understood where this story was going! In my opinion this is not the author's best book. Stodgy, wandering and without a really great storyline, very disappointed.
Many thanx to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

I am absolutely loving this series based around the residents of Street and the workers of the Clarks Factory, mainly focusing on friends Kate, Jeannie and Louisa. It gives an insight into what life was like for communities during the First World War and the part that religion played. Louisa is still struggling to comes to terms with the loss of sweetheart Mattie and the relationship between her and her parents is worsening. Jeannie is growing very fond of Tom but feels he is hiding something and Kate , now settled living with Auntie Betty, has started to write to men who have been imprisoned for standing up against fighting. Easy to get totally absorbed in with really well thought out characters this is a great historical read. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

I've enjoyed this series up until this installment - it did not resonate with me. In retrospect there were several elements that have great potential for drama and interest and perhaps I simply wasn't in the right frame of mind. The Lucas/Mattie relationship seemed a little of left field but I did like how Lucas married Lou in order to save them both from their unattainable love of Mattie.

The challenges continue for the the Clark Factory Girls. Their continuing struggle had me in tears. I am ashamed to whine about life when women during World War One were worth so little. This series has been such an eyeopener about the time period. The women had so little of their own but they never gave up.

Small towns aren't always a united front. I didn't realize all the animosity between the Quakers and the Anglicans. The story was a constant reminder of how we let what we don't know create such fear. Many worked for the Clarks but at the same time they looked down on them for beinging Quakers.

World War One seems as if it will never come to an end. The women are having to step up into jobs that they know they well loose when the men come home. Many women sent off their husbands away with little means of communication, with little knowledge of what might happen. It was fascinating reading about the challenges. Their struggles of survival left me stunned. Their ability to adapt was awe inspiring.

This was another page-turner. I was unable to put it down so I could find out what happened next. It's number 3 in the series but could be read as a stand-alone. I wanted to find out what happened to the girls' lives and loves. WWI continues and the men on the street have to make difficult decisions between whether to head off to war or stay at home away from war and hope for peace. The owners of Clarks Factory as well as others are Quakers and peace-loving people. With conscription coming in they would be forced to go to war whether they wanted to or not. Even if they served in the war and were home recovering they'd be given a hard time about why they weren't currently serving. I'm really looking forward to the next in the series to find out what comes next for them.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author of this arc

Another brilliant book in the series and certainly is just as good as the others.

We continue the stories of the ups and downs of Louisa, Kate and Jeannie. Louisa is coming to terms without Mattie will she very get over him and will her parents accept what has happened. Kate starts writing to the men who consensual objectors who are in prison for not fighting in the War. Jeannie is having her heart broken but will she find true love only time will tell. The girls stick together to help each other.

I thought the book was wonderful it had sadness, happiness. It was an interesting reading the story and how the woman rallied to help in the War. There was nothing I didn’t like about the book and it certainly flowed along very nicely.

Look forward to the next book.

Would recommend this book and the whole series.

A wonderful 3rd book in the Clarks Factory Girls
Series. Jeannie, Kate and Louisa all work at the factory and spend a lot of time together outside of work as family and friends go off to WW1. This book seamlessly follows on from book 2 so it’s best to read these in order. Great characters, easy to follow and manageable chapters. Thanks to May and her publisher.

I received a free copy of, Dark Days for the Clarks Factory Girls, by May Ellis, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in The Clark Factory Girls series. The Clark Factory Girls, Jeannie, Louisa, and Kate are in the mist of a war in 1916. They is also love friendship, and other things going on in their lives. This was a really good read.

3rd book in the series and I have enjoyed them all. Great characters with a great story line, I honestly feel like they are great characters and I am invested in there day to day life like they are old friends
If you like historical saga’s then this book is for you

Another heartwarming saga. This is the 3rd book in the series and as always it was a wonderful read. These type of books are not for everyone but I really love them. Has a great storyline. Even better characters that you enjoy catching up with like old friends

The 3rd book in the Clark’s series and what a joy to read and catch up with Kate, Louisa and Jeannie. The war is still raging and the girls loved ones are been sent off to fight. Louisa is struggling to forgive her parents after she lost her beloved Mattie, Kate is still scared of her pa and Jeannie is worried her brothers are going to enlist. A great book with a wonderful characters and an enthralling story, can’t wait for the next one.

Dark Days for the Clarks Factory Girls by May Ellis

1916: As fighting in Europe continues, the Clarks Factory Girls find themselves caught in a divided community...

Another great book in this series , I almost feel the girls are my friends and I love finding out all their goings on.
As always, the author really manages to capture the era and how everyone managed at that awful time .
Recommended.

Heartwarming historical drama based on the village of Street and what was the Clarks factory. Part of a series,we catch up with the families,their ups and downs. A good read.

Louisa is still grieving the loss of Mattie and her parents are still trying to find her a suitable husband but Louisa wants no part in it as Mattie was her one true love. Kate is thriving and she befriends Gerald a quacker who refused to fight. Kate realises the truth depths that the nation is facing. Jeannie is torn between heart and head. Through it all the girls remain strong and their friendship steadfast. I loved being back with my three favourite friends and finding out what they have been up to. The historical facts are immersive as the story progressed I became enthralled and it was hard to put down. The characters are so lovely and yet they have each been through so much that I admire their grit and strength. The plot is exciting and makes me eager for more!