A very slow story about the romance between Jesse Boot, philanthropist and head of the Boots empire and Florence a young shop assistant. The real story is more interesting than this fictional attempt and I found the writing a bit flowery and uninteresting.

Deborah Carr's "Mrs Boots" is an inspiring story that shows how one woman yearned for more and grabbed her chance at both love and a new life. Carr fleshes out the captivating Florence Rowe and the struggles she faced in a time when women were not allowed to dream and before her husband's business empire was built. Watch this author--this is a series you'll want to stick with.

More a romance than the story of Boots but this is still an interesting historical novel. Florence meets Jesse Boots when he visits the Jersey Islands. Her parents are violently opposed to their match but love prevails. Of course it does! I loved the setting and think the characters are forming up nicely. There's a lot of years to go in this story so imagine there will be multiple installments. I wish that this had been edited more tightly to pull out the repetitive sections, which drag on the story. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm holding out hope for the next installment!

Mrs Boots is book one in a new historical series inspired by Florence Boot, the woman behind the Boots empire. I devoured this story, it was so captivating, interesting and beautifully romantic. Florence is a headstrong young woman who wants to help those in need. She never wanted to marry but when she met Jesse Boot, the son of the founder of Boots the chemist, she found a kindred spirit with him. However, their friendship was frowned upon by her family. Her mother in particular made her opinions quite clear and as a mother myself I could see her point of view but I also knew to stop the power of love is impossible.

Deborah Carr's words took me to an era were social etiquette was prevalent, religion and belief were very strong and the beliefs of Florence's mother were true to her character and faith. The atmosphere of the storyline was perfect, I could sense a time and place. Hearing about the life in the stationery shop in Jersey sounded wonderful and it brought back pangs of nostalgia of visiting small independent shops receiving personal customer service with my grandparents. Just hearing that shop bell indicating a new customer brings back pangs of warm, fuzzy emotions.

The budding friendship between Jesse Boot and Florence was lovely, especially as it took Florence by surprise how her feelings soon changed.

When you start a new book series and so wish the other instalments were instantly available to enable you to binge read them all; this is how I felt about Mrs Boots. As soon as I finished reading I felt compelled to research both Jesse and Florence Boot and the legacy they've left behind is inspiring.

A gorgeous start to a new historical series that captivated, charmed and inspired me.

When I saw the author's name on this book, I couldn't wait to read it! A great decision as this promises to be an excellent series.

Florence Rowe lives on Jersey; born there, she loves her home and her family. Working in the family business, life is good, but Florence dreams of more. Then she meets Jesse Boot, visitor to the island and, for the first time, feels the stirrings of love. But when Jesse approaches her parent for her hand in marriage, they refuse their permission. Can Florence accept their decision?

A gorgeous tale, very appropriate to the time it's set and the writing upholds this, maintaining the period all the way through. I'm so glad this is the beginning of a series, and I can't wait to read the rest! In these days of everything instant, it's good to be taken back to bygone times. The characters are beautifully drawn; the descriptions of Jersey are charming and it is a lovely read from beginning to end. Wonderfully written, I was completely captivated all the way through and am already looking forward to the next book. A full four stars, and worth every one of them!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I was eager to read this book as coming from Nottingham I have an interest in Boots and have been to some talks about its background. So, I was looking forward to this book to flesh out the story of Florence and Jesse.

I did find the book a little slow and the letters between Florence and Jesse sometimes repeating what we already knew had happened in the story. I was also eager to get to when Florence became Mrs Boots and began her wonderful work of which I know a little.

This is where I find the title misleading as this book only covers the period up to Florence becoming Mrs Boots - whilst a nice book and obviously a literary account and not historical as such, I feel this could have been background to the sequel book Mrs Boots of Pelham Street.

I did enjoy the social history aspects of the book and learning how young ladies had to behave at the time and also the setting of the Island of Jersey.

Thanks to Netgalley and OneMore Chapter for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

As this is the first installment of a promising series, we readers are introduced to the young Florence Rowe and her family at their Jersey home in the Channel Islands. Florence is a 19th-century woman who at 23 years old has a great amount of determination and desire to help others. When she is introduced to Jesse Boot, an older man vacationing on the island, Florence discovers a kindred spirit. As they continue to correspond with one another, Florence and Jesse begin to believe their feelings are something more. But is their road to marriage a happy one?


My thoughts: At this point, I think the series has plenty of potential. There was certainly enough of Florence and Jesse to have them rooting for it to all come together. But the writing was very repetitive in terms of Florence's mother's opposition to the match and often chapters ended or began with letters that summed up storylines that I was already fully informed about. But I will certainly keep an eye out for book two because I do believe Florence's story is really just beginning.



Goodreads review published 13/03/20
Expected publication 27/03/20

This novel is inspired by the true story behind the Boots empire. Florence Rowe works in her family's stationary shop, but she has always wanted to own a shop of her own. She has never cared about marriage and family, but when she meets Jesse Boot she changes her mind. They have like minds, aligned values and the same goals in life. They have a whirlwind courtship and he soon proposes. Florence's father gives his blessing but then rescinds it when her mother refuses to agree to the marriage as well. Her parents agree to reconsider the proposal in a year if they remain apart for the entire year, and only communicate by post. The book chronicled the year of correspondence while the couple anxiously await their reunion.
This book was fascinating. Florence and Jesse were generous and thoughtful people who wanted to make things better for the poor people in their community. This is a great book for anyone who has an interest in historical fiction.

It was such an enjoyable read and nice to learn about the creation of Boots. Fascinating characters, very good and engaging writing made this book a very good experience.

Thanks a lot to the publisher and NG for this copy.

You are not infallible and need to know your limitations. We all do. I, as a woman, am reminded of mine constantly, by my parents, my friends and societies parameters. You don't have the same barriers to overcome because you are a man. Your own restrictions. We each have them, just in different ways and some are more obstructive than others.

Florence Rowe's life was changed when Jesse Boots stepped into her father's store. Florence a 23 year old woman, living with her parents in Jersey Island United Kingdom. Set in the early 1900, Florence was a self-confident young woman who saw no need to be married but saw a promising future as a business woman who desired to make a difference in the life of others. She realized that she had opportunity where others had none.

Jesse visiting Jersey Island from England was quite taken with Florence and pursued her. Florence saw a difference in Jesse as he took her as his equal and valued her opinion. Their love story is sweet and hopeful. However, their love was tested when they were set apart for over a year. It is this year of separation that they thru letter writing, developed a love and respect that deepened.

This historical fiction hits on several points that I found appealing. One is the devotion to each other and Florence's resolve to remain true to what is right. She was very caring and devoted to family, co-workers and friends and the man known as Jesse Boots. I didn't realize that this was based on the Boot Empire and how the couple were a power house in the industry. I am assuming there will be more on the life of Jesse and Florence and I can't wait to see what they bring.

A Special Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A wonderful read a novel about the creation of Boots . Wonderful characters a book that drew me in,to their lives their world.A book that I cuddled up on my reading chair and entered the world of Boots,#netgalley #harpercollins

Really enjoyed this book thank you. Vibrant, believable, characters and an absorbing plot. I will ensure I look out for this author in the future!

A slow moving love story of Florence Rowe and her suitor, Jesse Boot. Part 1. It is the sweet beginning of Florence, a shop girl in her father;s bookshop in Jersey, and Jesse Boot's love story. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Deborah Carr has produced a lovely novel about a young girl growing up in Jersey with her family. Her writing style draws the reader in and captivates her audience.
Florence and her sister Amy work with their father in his stationery shop and they all live together with their mother in the flat above.
Florence had always been ambitious as a business woman in her own right and had no notions of ever getting married which was unsettling for her mother. Until one summer's day when Jesse Boot walked into their shop to speak with her father.
It soon became apparent that Jessie and Florence had become close and thoroughly enjoyed each others company so it was no surprise when Jesse approached her father to ask for her hand in marriage.
What unfolds next is however is going to test their love and loyalty to the limit.
Will there be a happy ending - read this journey for yourself. Most enjoyable.

Even if it's well written I couldn't connect to the story and it fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A delightful story of Florence Rowe working in her fathers bookshop on the island of Jersey. But then Jesse Boot catches her eye hes the owner of Boots the chemist but uts not a happy courtship for them both. I loved this book from the start as we enjoy Florence story a strong woman this will definitely pull at your heartstrings. Loved it.

Not the book i thought it would be i found it sadly lacking and could not finish it.This book could of been a lot better instead of being tedious.

Sadly this wasn't for me. The writing is clunky and the pace was slow. It wasn't how I thought it would be and sadly I cannot finish and will have to Dnf.

Review
So this was advertised as “inspired by the true story behind the Boots empire”. Therefore, i would expect the reader to learn of the work that takes place to build Boots with the support of Mrs Boot.

This is not the case. There is very little reference to the Boots Empire. In fact it’s a love story about Florence Rowe who works in her father’s stationers and Jesse Boot; their meeting and courtship, her mother’s disapproval and day trips around the island of St Helier, Jersey.

It’s nice, but that’s all! There’s too much emphasis on waiting for Jesse’s letters, then a repetition in these letters detailing Florence’s last few days that we’ve already heard about. We hear everything twice. So much was given to rearranging the table and display of books in the shop as an example. I could not see that the letters were actually taken from their courtship or whether they had been fabricated.

Sadly, I could not finish this book. It dragged for me too much and i started to get irritated by it. I only read one third.

I wouldn’t recommend this book and rate it 2 stars 🌟🌟

Thanks
Thank you to the author and publishers, Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an independent review.

I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.