Mrs Boots of Pelham Street - Deborah Carr

Description

The next book in the charming historical series about Florence Boot, the woman behind Boots the Chemist!

As the wife of the esteemed druggist and businessman, Jesse Boot, Florence’s position in society is much changed from her quiet life as shopkeeper’s assistant.  Now a lady of means, Florence is expected to act in a way society demands.

And whilst Florence is more than happy to be a dutiful wife and a doting mother, as the Boots empire continues to grow, there is so much more to her than simply being Mama or dearest. Helping the staff and customers who rely on her and the business gives Florence an added purpose.

Can she show society that a woman can have it all…?

Review

This is a follow on to the first book "Mrs Boots" although it could be read as a standalone. I did read the previous book and was looking forward to catching up with Florence.

Most of this book is set in my home city and so I was familiar with the locations. In particular the shop on Pelham Street which still stands today albeit not a Boots store. I loved all the parts of the book which were set in the store and could easily visualise it all. I never knew that the Boots had a summer house on the banks of the River Trent called Plaisaunce (unfortunately there now stands a 1960s block of flats in its place). So, whilst this book is a work of fiction I did find out some lovely historical facts too. 

The book centres on Jesse and Florence, expanding their business and bringing up their young children. Unusually for the times, Florence continuing to work and not only that taking the children with her. I was most interested in how Florence developed the Boots store and the lending library which I had heard about. Florence is such a strong female lead. It is really amazing when reading both her care for her staff and her own revolutionary attitude to women at work to remember that this was not usual for the time.

I loved the scene at Christmas where all the preparations and food was described including that for the servants, it was a real upstairs downstairs affair. Although Florence does take very good care of her staff even accompanying them on a trip to Skegness. I know this was researched at the Boots archives and the author saw a lot of the items such as the menu which is described.

The only thing I didn't like was Jesse and his grumpiness and seemingly backward views towards the children and their education. It seemed at odds with his attitude to his own wife and what he encouraged her to do.

A lovely gentle read of times past but authentic regarding the Boots history. I'm giving this book 3 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.