Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Betsey

Subtitle: (Hartford Manor #Prequel)

Author: Marcia Clayton

Genre: Historical Romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: Prequel

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63333195-betsey

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

Meet Betsey, a young and neglected child in a small village, shouldering responsibilities beyond her years. Her father a drunk who spends his money on alcohol instead of his family. Abandoned to die after her mother’s death.

What I liked about the book:

I liked the book in its entirety. Despite her poverty and the challenges she faced, she never gave up.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

When we find out the reason behind the suspense.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it is the prequel to a series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a historical fiction novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Maybe

Adult Yes

If you like historical fiction, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

Set in 1820, Betsey is the prequel to the much-loved Hartford Manor Series.

Betsey, a sadly neglected child, is shouldering responsibilities far beyond her years. As she does her best to care for her little brother, Norman, she is befriended by Gypsy Freda, an old woman whose family is camped nearby. Freda's granddaughter, Jane, is also fond of the little girl and is concerned about her.

Thomas, the second son of Lord Fellwood, happens across the gypsy camp and becomes besotted with Jane. However, Jasper Morris, the local miller, also has designs on the young gypsy, and inevitably, the two men do not see eye to eye.

Betsey is drawn into their rivalry for the attention of the beautiful young woman, and she finds herself promising to keep a dangerous secret for many years to come.

About the Author:

I was born in North Devon, in the South West of England, the daughter of a farmer, and my family has lived in this area for generations. I've always enjoyed the beautiful countryside and the peaceful way of life to be found here and would never wish to live anywhere else.

When I left school I worked in a bank for several years until I married Bryan, and then stayed at home for a few years to care for our three sons. As they grew older I returned to work, first as a Marie Curie nurse, caring for the terminally ill, and then for the local authority where I stayed until retirement.

I wrote my first book "The Mazzard Tree", in spare moments over several years as I was also working full time and raising my family. My second book, "The Angel Maker" is a sequel to the first and was written after I retired. I have recently released the third book in the Hartford Manor Series, "The Rabbit's Foot".

Set against the harsh background of the rough, class-divided society of Victorian England, this heart-warming and captivating series portrays a young woman who uses her determination and willpower to defy the circumstances of her birth in her search for happiness.