A Shop Girl in Bath

Rachel Brimble

Jul 2018 · Head of Zeus Ltd

About this ebook

1910 – A compelling tale of one woman's fight for recognition in Bath's leading department store.

Hardworking and whip smart, Elizabeth Pennington is the rightful heir of Bath's premier department store – but her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire. He is resolute a man will succeed him.

Determined to break from her father's hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting Pennington's, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. They have the same goal: bring Pennington's into a new decade while embracing woman's equality and progression. But, despite their best intentions, it is almost impossible not to mix business and pleasure...

Can the two thwart Edward Pennington's plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?

Previously published as The Mistress of Pennington's.

What readers are saying:

'It was so interesting to read... I hope Rachel Brimble writes another book about these characters. Highly recommend!' Sharon Brewer, NetGalley.

'The story was a pleasure to read as the writing was so very good and easy to get lost in... It's a captivating read that touched my heart deeply and is currently one of my top 5 favorite books to have read so far this year' Clare Roden, NetGalley.

'This story [...] brought out the fact that hard work and determination pays and that you can succeed despite the odds' Mystica Varathapalan, NetGalley.

Ratings and reviews

Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath's premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him. Determined to break from her father's iron-clad hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they forge forward to bring Pennington's into a new decade, embracing woman's equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure. I wasn’t sure whether I would like this novel, reading the blurb it seemed it would be a mix of Mr Selfridge & A Woman of Substance but I was proved wrong. It was a very entertaining read Elizabeth a young woman desperate to prove to her Victorian father that his worthless daughter was just as hard working as a son would have been. Joseph was another hardworking forward thinking young man determined to be successful. Their attraction was immediate & they quickly grew to like, respect & then to love each other. Edward was what I think of as a stereotype Victorian man – stiff upper lip, outwardly seen to be all that was upright & proper but behind closed doors anything but. The story flowed extremely well & I found myself engrossed in it. I look forward to reading more from this new author to me 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.