Rosie Clarke – Nellie’s Heartbreak

‘Nellie’s Heartbreak’ by Rosie Clarke is a standalone saga set in Yorkshire. I have read plenty but not all of Rosie’s work and I love her books. Notable books for me are the Mulberry Lane series. I knew I would love this book before I opened my kindle.

We are introduced to Nellie who has always felt her mums rejection of her from being little. Now she is fifteen and has to go into service to Beaumont House. She has no choice but to go as her mum has found her the place. When she arrives she meets Lucas who was badly injured and a recluse. He decides he wants to paint Nellie and from then they spend one hour together daily while he paints her. Nellie is about to understand the reason her ma always told her to keep away from men and that the gentry do not marry the servants.

Told from Nellie’s point of view we gain a bird’s eye view of a servants life and what happens when promises are broken. I really wanted to protect Nellie, she brought out every bit of my maternal instinct. A fifteen-year-old having a life like that just tore my heart apart. This is a testament to Rosie Clarke’s skill at making characters.

Every time I read a Rosie Clarke book I have the feeling like I know these people and ‘Nellie’s Heartbreak’ was no different. I was taken back to the harsh times Nellie lived through where men were King and women did as they were told with no questions. Yet another emotional rollercoaster of a story that I lapped up.

Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the copy of the book.