I thought I would share a new book with you called The Corset Factory: Threads of Destiny by Valerie Anne Hudson (Author). I received a PDF copy of the book in exchange for this review from Voracious Readers. Inside this post are my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase I will make a small percentage off the items you purchased.
I would like to let you know this book has been called YA but if you were to ask me I would say its a Historical Novel because it touches on the Victorian England’s Industrial Revolution which I enjoyed reading about and was able to share things from the book with my son in his Homeschool Reading Class.
The story is about Lottie Crawford a young English lady who works as a servant for the Gilberts in their Belvedere House. Despite living in poverty, she always tries her best to do her job well. However, one day, one of the people Lottie was working for, William Gilbert got her in trouble by asking her for a drink when she wasn’t supposed to do that for him. Elizabeth Gilbert, William’s sister, accused Lottie of stealing from the Gilberts, and as a result, she was fired from her job.
Lottie’s life became more challenging after losing her job, but she found work in the corset factory owned by Mr. Gilbert. However, unfairness and injustice were prevalent at every corner of the factory. Meanwhile, Elizabeth wanted to take control of her father’s factory and Henry Bertram’s textile warehouse. When the two situations collided, it was entirely up to these girls to determine what would happen next.
I liked how there is a good girl and a bad girl and at times I would root for the good girl and other times for the bad girl but at other times I wanted to wring her neck. In the novel we learn about not only being rich but poor and let me tell you if I had lived back then I sure wouldn’t have wanted to be poor.
About the book:
In the heart of Victorian London lies a tale of two women … bound by their stations, yet worlds apart.
Lottie Crawford’s life in poverty sharply contrasts with the luxurious existence of Elizabeth Gilbert, daughter of a wealthy industrialist. While Lottie toils long hours in low-paying jobs as her family descends into despair, Elizabeth yearns for a life beyond the gilded cages of high society.
In “The Corset Factory,” their worlds collide amidst secrets and scandals. Lottie, a girl of quiet strength and compassion, struggles under the weight of her family’s crumbling world. Her brother’s criminal acts and a looming eviction threaten to shatter their lives. Elizabeth, fiercely intelligent and desperate for power, crafts a dark plan to secure her freedom. Their paths intertwine at Mr. Gilbert’s new corset-making factory, a place of harsh realities and hidden truths.
As Lottie uncovers shocking secrets about her own identity and battles for justice in the oppressive factory, Elizabeth’s sinister plot to gain control unfolds. In a world where a woman’s fate is often tightly laced by society’s expectations, both must fight for their destiny.
“The Corset Factory, Book 1: Threads of Destiny” weaves a captivating tale of determination, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of one’s place in a world that often seems predetermined. What will the fates hold for Lottie and Elizabeth? The answer lies in the turning of these pages, where every thread of destiny is intertwined.
Meet the Author: Valerie Anne Hudson
Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Val was pushed into the teaching profession as were thousands of her peers during the same era (a long time ago, but it would be embarrassing to say exactly how long) due to a teacher shortage. Her dreams of living the glamorous life of an air stewardess dashed, Val was packed off to teachers’ college, followed by a couple of years teaching in inner city Birmingham–quite the learning curve for any young teacher.
But Canada was calling. Some family members had already immigrated to this wonderful Country, and Val was determined to join them. Once in Ontario, it was a shock to be informed that her British teaching qualifications weren’t sufficient to get her back in the classroom. Not to be deterred, Val worked for the Bank of Montreal by day, while earning her Bachelor’s and teaching degree by night.
Having taught for over 25 years as a regular classroom teacher, a French teacher, and in her later years, Special Education teacher, Val has since retired and set up her own copywriting business in a fervent desire to write. An award-winning writer, she now spends most of her time writing historical fiction rather than copywriting, which, after all, is far more entertaining!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
