A scintillating historical romance set between WW1 and WW2 when the Roaring Twenties were at their height. As Elizabeth comes of age, her parents announce a lucrative marriage, but Elizabeth or Birdie dreams of independence and escape from all the constraints and makes her plea to attend art college in the Cornish coast. There, she meets all sorts of wealthy and bohemian individuals and discovers that gaining independence is only the start, that she really needs to discover herself and her true desires. It is a beautifully written debut novel from Olivia Horrox. #beautifullittlefools #oliviahorrox #emblabooks #netgalley

A coming of age novel of self discovery and worth. The characters are brilliant and the storyline interesting. I absolutely loved how the settings are all described making you able to picture it in your mind and feel like you are there.

Thank you for this advanced copy which was a great read, I had trouble putting this down! I liked the way it was written and it made for an easy read. I would definitely recommend and look forward to reading another book by this author! A stunner! I guarantee you’ll put everything on hold until you arrive at the shocking final scenes! With a deftly drawn cast of characters, an intriguing plot and an immersive and compelling narrative, this is a one sit compulsive read. For all lovers of historical fiction!

A coming of age set between WWI and WWII. The setting is Britain, a time when the social norms of the day were changing. We step into an era that was filled with aristocratic elite and all their excesses, the gap between the social classes and the forbidden passions and romances, broken hearts, dreams shattered and others fulfilled. An era that really was a "blip" in history, however, the indulgences came to life in the pages of this book. I believe I have found a new author to follow and can't wait to read what's next.

This charming novel reminded me of The Beautiful Visit by Elizabeth Jane Howard, which is high praise indeed! Set in a fairy-tale like Cornwall setting in the 1930s, the heroine comes of age while the sinister drums of war beat in the background. The star-crossed love story, idyllic setting and well-rounded characters make this book a joy to read.

When the story begins, Elizabeth's parents have arranged a match with the ghastly eentrepreneur Charles Bonham. Luckily, her aunt is against this, and makes sure that she can go to the art college in Cornwall where she won a scholarship instead. However, Charles thinks that she has gone to finishing school!

In Cornwall, Elizabeth falls in with bohemian Nina, Eddie and Babs , and decides that the name 'Birdie' suits her better. Trouble looms, however, when she starts to have feelings for the heir to the manor, Alexander, and she also tries to help anguished Nina, who has her own problems. The friendship between Birdie and Nina is well-drawn, and so is the question of whether their conflicted relationships with men will break it up.

The main flaws with this novel are that it is a bit too old-fashioned for the era in some ways, and extremely modern in others. Birdie's parents arranging a marriage for her seems a bit far-fetched, considering that this is the 1930s, for example. I am also not sure that a lesbian woman would have called her girlfriend her 'partner' in the 1930s. Birdie herself seems to be well-aware of homosexuality, considering that she has had such a sheltered upbringing, although that's possible. These are my opinions, and minor details with the novel.

I look forward to more novels by Olivia Horrox.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

"Beautiful Little Fools" is a page turner of a book set mostly in Cornwall in 1932. It is the story of Elizabeth (nicknamed Birdie) pursuing a final summer of freedom before an unwanted marriage arranged by her parents. Her "fiance" has requested that she be sent to a finishing school but she manages, with the collusion of her aunt, to get herself enrolled at the St Agnes School of Art.

In St Agnes she meets many interesting people, both at the art school and in the surrounding area, who broaden her horizons and help her to see what she could become. Birdie makes some good friends, who sometimes lead her astray, and she is truly happy for the first time in years. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I loved this book. It felt like a modern Eva Ibbotson in all the best ways. The romance was infuriatingly dreamy and the setting just gorgeous. I want a whole series of sequels

This is a coming of age novel set in the time period between WWI and WWII.
Birdie wants nothing but to be an artist, her parents want her to make a good match and marry. Her parents, disregarding protests from Birdie forge ahead making a deal with a proper young business man for Birdie's hand in marriage at the beginning of the next year, with the provision that she is sent to a finishing school in the interim. Birdie is dismayed when she hears the plan but with an intervention from her aunt, Birdie is permitted to attend St. Agnes' School of Art, where she meets other young people like herself that want to experience life through their art.
If you like reading about the "Bright Young Things" of the roaring twenties, the bohemian lifestyle filled with passion, music and plenty of booze then this is the book for you. It has it all, the aristocratic elite with all their excesses, the gap between the social classes and the forbidden passions and romances, broken hearts, dreams shattered and others fulfilled.This is a great, glowing look at a bygone era that was a wisp in time and then gone forever filled with all the excitement of new discoveries and breakthrough achievements.
I recommend this novel for all readers who, if anything like me are enamoured with this era, I have always been in love with the roaring twenties, this book deepens my attraction to this magical era in our history.
Thank you to Embla Books and Net Gal;ley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return..

A story about a woman who discovers independence and what she really wants. Set after WWI in the world of artisti it's a well plotted and interesting novel.
The characters are well done and I liked it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A wonderful book full of romance and whimsy. Horrox is a new and original voice in historical romance and i can't wait to see what she does next

'Beautiful Little Fools' is a coming of age set amongst the post-WW1 era of Britain's Bright Young Things. A time charactised by Bohemian socialites and aristocrats trading conventions for rebellion and flamboyance. The war to end all wars had rattled societal norms and reverberated carpe diem.

Elizabeth Graham should be getting married, in fact, her parents tell her she is getting married, but Elizabeth wants more freedom, not less. Against their better judgment, her parents begrudgingly allow Elizabeth to attend art school for the summer prior to getting married. At St. Agnes' School of Art, 'home to dreamers, the unconventional and reprobates', Elizabeth unfurls her wings and takes flight as Birdie. She quickly learns though that independence isn't just about being free from the cage your parents and their expectations surround you in, it's about being true to who you really are.

Olivia Horrox's debut novel, 'Beautiful Little Fools', paints the post- WW1 landscape of unadulterated indulgence, amongst the young elite, vibrantly. The story matures alongside Elizabeth and results in an interesting, easy-to-read piece of romantic, historical fiction.

Birdie wants to be an artist and her family want her to marry. they agree to let her go to art school for a year, but Birdie has no plans to return home. very enjoyable read

Beyond excited to read this beautiful book. I love stories like this about someone escaping what’s planned for them to go and do what there heart years to do. Full review to follow both here and on the blog.

Elizabeth "Birdie" Graham must defy her family to discover herself.

Birdie dreams of becoming a professional artist, but the constraints of society demand she marries well. In order to fulfil her dreams, she makes a deal with her parents: to let her spend a year at the St. Agnes School of Art in Cornwall, after which she will return home and marry the insufferable but influential and wealthy Charles Bonham, as per her parents' wishes.

Birdie however, has no intention of ever going back. Free of responsibility for the first time, she finds herself surrounded by a crew of bohemian artists who show her just how dizzying independence can be. And when she meets the magnetic, but troubled, Tremayne family, she will be forced to ask herself exactly what kind of woman and artist she really wants to be.

Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and The Great Gatsby