1912: Mabel Oakley is fourteen years old, she's an excellent student, and her teacher Miss. Chapman thinks she should continue her education and possibly go to high school. Mabel has two brothers, Edward who's about to start his carpenters apprenticeship and Stephen is still at primary school.

Andrew has a soft spot for his daughter, he works as a clerk at a solicitor’s office and the family gets by. His wife Alice handles the housekeeping, by tightening their belts, they should be able to afford for Mabel to stay at school for one more year.

When tragedy strikes, Alice tries her best, unfortunately Mable has to leave school and her cousin Lizzie knows of a vacant position. Lady McFarlane needs a maid, and Mable starts working as a live in domestic servant. Mable hates her job, she misses her family, the hours are long, with no free time, and she doesn’t trust her employer’s son.

Mabel confides in her friend Mr. Clarke how miserable she is, he promises her things will get better, and it’s not forever. Mabel's plight unfortunately was a common one at the time, most girls finished school early, had low paying jobs and handed their wages over to their families.

I received a copy of The Girl Who Dared to Dream by Diney Costeloe from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review. Ms. Costeloe has an informative and moving writing style, and you’re given a realistic impression of life in Edwardian England and through the point of view of a fourteen year old girl. Mabel is a plucky and bright young lady, she faces challenges head on, and doesn't give up in wanting more out of life and continuing to help her family.

Five stars from me, I highly recommend this book and the others in Diney Costeloe’s vast catalogue of historical fiction.

Set in 1912, Mabel dreams of staying on at school but when her father has an accident the whole family must give up on their dreams to help the family survive. Every member must do their bit. Another great novel by Diney Costello, for fans of historical fiction.

Mabel Oakley is a fifteen year old girl who aspires to break the mould and carve her way in the world. Unfortunately, her dreams are dashed when her beloved father has an accident and finds himself out of work, Mabel has to step up and go into domestic service, something she is loathe to do.

I really enjoyed this book, it was engaging and cosy. I thought the characters were very well written, you rooted for the good guys and you hoped the bad guys got their comeuppance!

It didn't completely hold my interest unfortunately and I would like to have read more about the political and economic background of the time but that's just personal preference and did not take away from the book.

If you want a nice, cosy and easy read, definitely pick this book up.

Thought-provoking, heartwarming and oh, so good!!
I loved every second of this book, as soon as I set eyes on the cover - yes, I am one of those readers who choose her books by the pretty covers :-) I was instantly drawn in, I mean look at it, isn'tit super pretty!! When I read the back blurb, I just had to read it and oh, boy is it good or what!!
The story is utterly charming and engaging, and the writing is so beautiful and compelling that I felt as though I was thrown back in time and walking side by side with the characters.
This is a win-win for me, I loved everything about it, and I am very excited about reading more from the author because I really haven't read as many Diney Costeloe books as I feel as really should have.

Set just before World War One,Mabel is a young girl with dreams. Unfortunately fate steps in and changes everything. A heartwarming saga.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

Another stunning saga from this wonderful Irish author, very authentic to the time and place. I love all of her books and this one did not disappoint in any way. Highly recommended.

What a fantastic read from beginning to end! It shows how our fate can be changed instantly, but we must also hold on to our dreams, no matter how difficult that may be!


Many characters from various backgrounds also demonstrate how "class" can be such a narrow-minded and harmful concept!! I'd love to hear the next instalment of this story!! This story's plot was fantastic! It was a pleasant read. I couldn't stop reading because the transitions between chapters and the characters' points of view were so smooth, and I frequently got lost in the story. I admired the generous characters who were willing to assist the struggling family. Mr Clark was my personal favourite.

A sweet and stirring story of a girl with dreams. Mabel’s quest to keep her dignity and live her life before WW1 with an injured father is inspiring for girls who are told their lives and prospects are limited. I hope this isn’t a solo book, but the first in a series that tells more about Mabel and her family during WW1

I enjoyed this pre-WWI story about Mabel Oakley, a 14-year-old girl, wanting to spread her wings and fly but finds herself bound by the expectations of her time and the responsibility of supporting her family. Having to become a domestic servant is definitely not what she wants, but this may be the only way to make the income she needs. Well worth the read.

Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book.

What a great read from page 1 right to the end! Shows how our fate can be transformed in seconds but we also need to hold onto our dreams, no matter how hard tht may be!

Many characters from differing backgrounds also shows how "class" can be such a narrow thinking and harmful thing!! Lovely story and would love to know the next part of this tale!!

Mabel Oakley wants to continue with her schooling to become a secretary but when her father becomes crippled after an accident she is forced to become a maid to help with family finances. Luckily she has Mr. Clark as a friend who is willing to help her live her dream life.

I loved the storyline of this story! It was a refreshing read. The transitions between the chapters and the character’s Points of view were so smooth I didn’t want to stop reading and I often got lost in the story. I loved all the generous characters that were willing to help the struggling family out. Mr. Clark was my favorite character because he treated Mabel like a daughter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Another great book by Diney Costeloe
What an amazing story about Mabel and her family and how they each had their own ambitions and how these were affected by their father’s tragic accident. This resulted in them all having to change their course of life to support the family. True emotions of sadness and hardship and yet determination to support each other despite life not working out as planned. Really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend.

London - 1912

At age 14, Mabel Oakley wants to remain in school for another year to allow her to study typewriting and possibly shorthand so she can become a secretary. She does not want to leave school now as she will then have to take a job as a maid.

Mabel has two younger brothers, one of whom is due to start an apprenticeship in carpentry will pay him almost nothing while he learns the trade.

Mabel’s father, Andrew, works for a solicitor but when an error is made by another employee, he gets blamed for not double checking the work and gets fired after working there for 20 years. Leaving the office, he is struck by an out of control dray and badly injured leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Now, her mother must take in sewing to help make money. In addition, Mabel must set aside her dreams of being a secretary and accept a job as a maid. Her brother must also give up his apprenticeship and get a paying job.

Mabel hates her job and is miserable. When she is accused of something she did not do, she is dismissed. Back at home, she knows she needs to find a job. What can she do?

Hope I haven’t given too many spoilers here. I really liked this book. The plot shows the plight of so many people during this time period and how hard they had to work to put food on the table. Mabel is a strong character and I liked her very much. Do enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was such a lovely escape of a book, transporting me to London just before the Great War. Mabel is 15 years old girl with hopes and dreams of becoming more. However, when tragedy strikes the family, Mabel cannot follow the path she hoped for, but the alternative route turns her into a young woman who is strong, courageous and full of heart.

''A brilliantly written, tender and compelling page-turner - I LOVED it!'

This is a heartwarming family story set in London pre WW 1. Our protagonist is Mabel, a 15 year old girl who has high hopes and dreams for herself. She does not want to go into “service” as most girls her age do. Mabel wants to continue in school and get a “proper” job. Tragedy strikes the family and Mabel cannot fulfill her plans. We follow her life as she is obliged to work as a servant for a wealthy family. A good story. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book - well written and with a great story line. Set in 1912, the Oakley family are doing quite well as Andrew works for a local solicitor, his sons are preparing for apprenticeships and his daughter Mabel dreams of going to secondary school and becoming a secretary.

However, events conspire to dash all these dreams, and Mabel finds herself going into service. However she clings to her dream, making friends with a local printer who encourages her to go to night classes to learn typing and keep the dream alive.

Its a great story, very believable and of its time, when education for women was considered to be a waste as they should be getting married and allowing their husbands to support them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the new novel by Diney Costeloe and is set 2 years before the onset of World War 1. It is based around the oakley family and is full of wonderful characters both lovely and not so nice . The book is based around the character of Mabel, a young girl who ends up in service but has lots of dreams and inspirations.
It's a really lovely book and I definitely recommend it.

It was 1912 when Mabel Oakley's father was seriously injured in an accident, and she had to put to one side her dreams of secondary school and training to be a secretary. Her family needed her help, along with her brother Eddie, who gave up his apprenticeship, and Stephen, who did odd jobs on the weekend and after school. Their mother Alice did sewing from home and between them they kept the wolf from the door. Mabel was determined never to work in service like her cousin Lizzie was doing...

But needs must and before long Mabel was working at the big house as a tweeny and although she hated it, she worked hard, relishing her half days and weekends off, which they rarely allowed. When trouble struck at the house, Mabel was dismissed and without a reference. She was shattered as she knew - as did her family - that she'd done nothing wrong. What could she do to help support her family now?

The Girl Who Dared to Dream by Diney Costeloe is a wonderful, heartfelt story about the poor and their struggles, and the determination of one young woman to not rely on anyone else but her own strength. I thoroughly admired Mabel and the rest of her family, determinedly working through what fate had dealt them, to remain together as one strong unit. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley, Ana Carter and Head of Zeus (Aria) for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1912 London in an era when women were not treated as equals in a man's world, The Girl Who Dared to Dream is a gorgeous book about one young woman who not only persevered through trials and dreamed big but adapted to new dreams. This book has it all...compelling history, family drama, heartache, villains, upstairs/downstairs life, relationships and hope. The story and writing are beautiful and engaging and I found myself utterly immersed in another world, enjoying it in one sitting.

Fifteen-year-old Mabel is the apple of her father Andrew's eye. He encourages her pursuit of becoming a woman of her own means as a secretary. However, one day life dramatically changes for the Oakley family which necessitates serious adjustments. Financial hardship forces swift action so Mabel secures a job, settling for something she hates for a pittance with little freedom. Her honour comes into question but she refuses to give up. Her beloved older friend Mr. Clarke, a printer, and teacher are mentors and their kindnesses are endearing. As Mabel's life goes on we are privy to her heart in times of sorrow and moments of joy.

My favourite relationship is that between dear Mr. Clarke and Mabel. Class distinction portrayals are fascinating and I really cared about the characters and rooted for Mabel.

If you are new to Historical Fiction, this is a wonderful introduction. If you are already a fan of the genre, this is unmissable.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this wonderful, wonderful book.