This is one of my all time favourite books (trilogy) and I always recommend it to people looking for a women's fiction/romance saga. It is well written and spans several years. I highly recommend it!

A truly enthralling, remarkable story from a really good author.

Thoroughly enjoyed this bopk, great cast of characters and I was fully immersed in it. Pleased to hear there are 2 more books in the series.

The premise of the book is centered around our protagonist, Fiona Finnegan, who was born to Irish parents in the Whitechapel area of the East end of London, when Jack the Ripper was causing ripples through the capital. Fiona works in a tea factory and although her family are poor, like most working class families at the time, they are among the respectable working poor. Fiona has dreams and ambitions beyond the tea factory and Whitechapel, and along with her boyfriend Joe, they are saving up to open up their own business to rival the large national stores of that time. However a chain of events unfold leaving Fiona's plans and dreams in pieces and forcing her to leave London for New York.

I started reading this book expecting a historical fiction, but it's not quite what I expect from that genre. I wouldn't class it as women's lit/chick lit either. It's a kind of hybrid between the two. Better written than your average chick lit, but most definitely not a pure historical fiction book.

The dialogue could be a bit cheesy at times, and the characters often said things that I'm sure wouldn't have been in usage in the 1800's, even in the latter part of this period in which the book is set. Some words are definitely Americanisms and not used often in the U.K; words such as stoop, candy, chantey, and sidewalk, which sounds picky, but adds to the feeling of lacking in authenticity, of parts of a book supposedly set in late 19th century London. Some of the storylines are a bit far fetched, particularly the Jack the Ripper incidence. How many tragic things can happen to one family in such a short period of time...I'm also not sure about the ease with which some of the characters made money and climbed the social ladder. I'm not confident it would have been as easy as the author made it out to be, especially not for working class people during the latter part of the 19th century. At times I felt like the book was written by two different people, the corny dialogue and some unconvincing storylines were completely at odds with the parts of the descriptive writing that was well researched.

All in all though I enjoyed this book, and I'll read the next book. Just don't read this if you fancy a quick read, it's long, very long, and with more than one book in the series is like a saga set over many years and sweeping between continents.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

A real page turner, will definitely look out for future books from this author.

East London 1888 is a place where in its shadows thieves , whores and dreamers mingle.

Fiona Finnegan works in a tea factory. She hopes to one day along with her lifelong love, Joe Bristow. Fiona & Joe struggle, save and sacrifice to achieve their dreams.

Then Fiona's life is shattered when a brutal man takes nearly everything and everyone she holds dear. Fearing for her life she flees London and goes to New York. But Fiona's old ghosts do not rest easily and she has to return to London a deadly confrontation..

A fantastic read. So well written with believable characters. A period drama with a mix of good and evil.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (UK & ANZ) and the author Jennifer Donnelly for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed 'The Tea Rose' and would heartily recommend it. Am also pleased to learn that it is a trilogy and will look forward to reading the follow on books as well. Would definitely read other books by this author.

Amazing book, when I picked it up I wasn't sure what to expect, having read some of Donnelly's YA fiction I was intrigued to see what she could offer in terms of romantic fiction. I LOVED it!! Reminded me very much of the Lesley Pearse books I love so much. I can't wait to read the next one.

Fiona is a rough daughter of an Irish docker and a cockney mother in the time of Jack the Ripper. Despite the unappealing opening this is a really enthralling book.
It has extremely crude language from the dregs of London and the cream of society too, but has an awful lot beside. The final scenes seemed a little contrived and over-extended, it reminded me of a silent melodrama the way the triumph of good over evil has many setbacks but elsewhere it is a gripping tale.

Fiona/Fe has to struggle to survive and is not hampered by manners or reticence. She does, however, have a generous heart and uses her force to help those who are struggling. Something she continues to do even when her own circumstances change.
From the salty Thames washed steps of Whitechapel to the slums of New York along with the cream of New York's industrialist rich and back again to the most lavish scenes in London - the deails are fascinating.

The evolving of the advertising industry is really good as are the descriptions of the lovely attire of those dining at Delmonico's are really evocative and then the Impressionist scene of Paris and area.

Fe remains a docker's daughter with worker's hands and no glass slipper converts her into a lady - but the way she does evolve is entirely believable.

If in doubt, go past the opening else you will miss a real treat

A great historical saga well 'researched.
One falls in love with Fiona Finnegan the heroine from the very first page and her tortuous journey through life to eventually find true love with her first love Joe.
The story is set against the backdrop of Whitechapel and the Ripper murders and the hardships of working class people.
It shows how with hard work and grit and determination that one can succeed.
I loved it and can't wait to read her next book in the saga

Loved this book - unforgettable. A great series that I can attribute to starting my love of historical fiction.

The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is an epic historical read. Spanning the years from 1888 - 1898 and moving from the grimy streets of Jack the Ripper's Whitehall to New York city, it really is a gripping read.
The novel shows the awful poverty at the time combined with the bulldog spirit of the people. "Life's trials [were] easier to bear with a strong cup of tea in hand." Sacrifices and love kept families together.
There is the theme of dreams. "The day you stop dreaming... you are as good as dead." People will try to take your dreams from you but you need to dig deep and hold on. "Keep a hold of your dreams... never mind about people who tell you you can't." Hard work and perseverance will help you achieve your dreams.
There is the theme of love in the novel - all sorts of different types of love - family love, first love, friendship love and more. The bond of friendship ties in to this theme of love.
There are some hard hitting topics - murder, mayhem, conspiracy, revenge, gangs and more. Life in nineteenth century Whitehall was hard. Not only was there the poverty but there was fear - fear that Jack could be lurking around any corner. Jennifer Donnelly tells it as it was. She pulls no punches. Life was not nice but family and friends were loyal on the whole.
There were a few 'bedroom' scenes. These were not to my taste so I skipped over them. I did not let them detract me from what was a powerful and epic read.
The Tea Rose had my attention from the start. I loved its gutsy heroine Fiona. She had my attention immediately and I championed her throughout the novel.
A gripping and epic read.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Fabulous book begins in 1888 in the slums of the East End of London during Jack the Ripper's reign of terror.. We follow the lives, trials and tribulations of Fiona Finnegan and Joe Bristow. I was on the edge of my seat, I cried and I smiled.