A Shop Girl Gets the Vote

Rachel Brimble

Feb 2019 · Head of Zeus Ltd

About this ebook

1911, Bath.

Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner Esther Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington's Department Store. She has hopes and dreams for women's progression and will do anything to help secure the vote.

Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.

When Esther and Lawrence meet, their mutual understanding of life's challenges unites them and they are drawn to the possibility of a love that neither thought existed.

With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists' determination to secure the vote. Will Esther's rebellious nature lead her to ruin or can they overcome their pasts and look to build a future together?

Previously published as A Rebel at Pennington's.

Ratings and reviews

Esther Stanbury is living in Bath with her aunt, having been forced from her childhood home after her mother’s death and her father’s remarriage and his increased frustration with her unwillingness to scale back her activities regarding women obtaining the vote. Her stepmother is particularly vile, playing both sides against the middle, telling tales and generally poisoning Esther’s reputation with her father, and the option of moving to her aunt Mary’s house, while not ideal and a far cry from the acceptance and love she felt from her mother, is a safe place that offers her reasonable freedom of movement. Set in the years leading up to World War I, the changes in British society are coming, too slowly for Esther and her like-minded friends. Lawrence Culford is a widower with two young children: a self-made man, he’s turned his back on his childhood home and ‘estate’ after years of physical and mental abuse. With the death of his wife in childbirth, and the realization that the loveless marriage may have brought him the best opportunity to ‘reframe’ his life with his children in ways completely different from his own life, he’s tightly controlled and close-mouthed about his childhood and background, determined to make a success of his life without another woman who may see the broken boy hidden within himself. Working as the head of the team that decorates the displays and windows at Pennington’s, a successful store (think Selfridge’s) run by the daughter of the founder and her new husband. Esther’s designs are modern and eye-catching, and she never misses an opportunity to push the votes for women and equality issue forward. I wanted to really enjoy this book as both Esther and Lawrence are two people who clearly are built with a more modern sensibility than was common in their time, and truly they both did have a ‘better future’ in mind for society. But, something kept me from truly grabbing onto the characters and truly becoming involved in their lives. The writing was solid, and descriptions were clear and often vibrant, there was just a remove from the emotional connection I had hoped to find, and it made this story far too easy to put down and aside in favoir of other tasks. Not being set in London, the contrasts of vehemence in support of the cause of equality and the quick race to wrap up the loose ends and make a happy ending wasn’t justified in the often repeated determination of both characters to ‘careful thought’ and caution. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

A Rebel at Pennington’s features Esther Stanbury who was raised by her mother to fight for women’s rights. Esther does not see a way to fight for what she believes in and having a family. Her father’s ultimatum is the cause. Love has a way of challenging your beliefs and resolve. Lawrence had a cruel father and he is determined to not be like him. He was forced into one arranged marriage and will not let his mother do it to him again. Each have issues to overcome before they can move forward. We get to see the struggles suffragettes faced in England. The criticism, insults, items hurled at them, and being tossed into jail. There were different groups with some who did peaceful demonstrations and others that chose a more militant approach. I thought the author captured the attitudes of the people during the time along with the atmosphere prior to George V’s coronation. I am glad that the author included Elizabeth Pennington in the story. We get to see how she is faring after taking over the store and marrying the man she loves. I enjoyed the descriptions of the windows and displays at Pennington’s. They were unique for the time period and would have attracted customers. A Rebel at Pennington’s is nicely written with steady pacing which makes it easy to read. The attraction between Esther and Lawrence is electric and unmistakable. I do want to let readers know there is mild foul language scattered throughout the book and there is a very descriptive, intimate scene. For those who love historical romances with a rebellious woman and a dashing widow, then do not miss out on A Rebel at Pennington’s.

1911 Bath. Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner Esther Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington's Department Store. She has hopes and dreams for women's progression and will do anything to help secure the vote. Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness. When Esther and Lawrence meet sparks fly over a toy cricket set. The more they meet the more they fall in love but Esther doesn’t want a life as a housewife under the thumb of a husband. Lawrence is a widower with two small children, his first marriage was arranged & he’s quite happy with his life of raising his children & managing his hotel until he meets Esther. A well written page turning book, I loved the first book in the series & was looking forward to Esther’s story & I wasn't disappointed. This book could easily be read on its own but I loved catching up with Penningtons & characters from the first book. The book was well researched I really felt for the women fighting for the vote & so grateful that they did. It highlighted their struggle & I was also drawn into a society emerging from the Victorian & Edwardian eras & moving forward into the Georgian era when life changed so much in the quarter century of George V’s reign. The characters were very well portrayed, I liked both Lawrence & Esther both had their insecurities which only add to their characters. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

About the author

Rachel Brimble lives in Wiltshire with her husband of twenty years, two teenage daughters and her beloved chocolate Labrador, Tyler. Multi-published in the US, she is thrilled to have a new beginning writing for Aria in the UK. When Rachel isn't writing, she enjoys reading across the genres, knitting and walking the English countryside with her family... often stopping off at a country pub for lunch and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc.