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The Green Ribbons: A classic tale of passion, vengeance and redemption (The Separation Series) Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 815 ratings

Oxford, 1900. When her parents die in a tragic accident, Heppie Wildman, homeless and penniless, must find her way alone in the world.

A post as governess at Ingelton Hall offers the chance to rebuild her life, and she quickly forms a bond with her eight-year-old charge and a close friendship with the local parson, Meritt Nightingale.

Heppie is irresistibly drawn to the handsome and elusive Thomas Egdon, the son of her employer. But life at Ingleton Hall is not as idyllic as it first seems. Who is the mysterious woman who appeared in her bedroom in the middle of the night? What is Thomas Egdon concealing from her? How can she escape the lecherous advances of her employer, Sir Richard?

In attempting to protect herself and her future, Heppie unleashes a chain of events with disastrous consequences for her own life and the lives of those she holds most dear.

The Green Ribbons is set in an English village on the cusp of a new century. From the award-winning author of The Pearl of Penang, this is a classic tale of passion, vengeance and redemption.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms Flynn moves the story along at a good pace with many twists and turns. Hephzibah's impetuosity drives a plot full of fear, shame and passion in an English setting - reminiscent of Jane Eyre." Historical Novel Society

About the Author

Clare Flynn writes historical fiction with a strong sense of time and place and compelling characters. Her books often deal with people who are displaced - forced out of their comfortable lives and familiar surroundings. She is a graduate of Manchester University where she read English Language and Literature. After a career in international marketing, working on brands from nappies to tinned tuna and living in Paris, Milan, Brussels and Sydney, she ran her own consulting business for 15 years and now lives in Eastbourne where she can look out of her window and see the sea. When not writing and reading, Clare loves to paint with watercolours and grabs any available opportunity to travel - sometimes under the guise of research. Her website is at www.clareflynn.co.uk

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01EVIFWP4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cranbrook Press (May 9, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 9, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 815 ratings

About the author

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Clare Flynn
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Historical novelist Clare Flynn is a former global marketing director and business owner. She now lives in Eastbourne on the south coast of England and most of her time these days is spent writing her novels – when she's not gazing out of her windows at the sea.

Clare is the author of fourteen novels and a short story collection. Her books deal with displacement – her characters are wrenched away from their comfortable existences and forced to face new challenges – often in outposts of an empire which largely disappeared after WW2.

Her latest novel, Jasmine in París, is published on 30th November 2021. It is the fourth in her best-selling Penang series and follows the fortunes of Jasmine Barrington in Paris in 1949/50 and her friend Howard Baxter in Johore during the continuing Malayan Emergency.

Clare's novels often feature places she knows well and she does extensive research to build the period and geographic flavour of her books. A Greater World - 1920s Australia; Kurinji Flowers – pre-Independence India; Letters from a Patchwork Quilt – nineteenth century industrial England and the USA; The Green Ribbons – the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century in rural England, The Chalky Sea - World War II England (and Canada) and its sequels The Alien Corn and The Frozen River - post WW2 Canada. She has also published a collection of short stories - both historical and contemporary, A Fine Pair of Shoes and Other Stories.

Fluent in Italian, she loves spending time in Italy. In her spare time she likes to quilt, paint and travel as often and as widely as possible. She is an active member of the Romantic Novelists Association, The Society of Authors, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

Get a free copy of Clare's exclusive short story collection, A Fine Pair of Shoes, at www.clareflynn.co.uk.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
815 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging with unexpected twists that keep them hooked until the end. They describe the book as an excellent read with a well-written and easy-to-understand writing style. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters, which draw them into their joys and pains. Overall, they consider it a satisfying historical fiction or romance novel.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Story twists"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging with unexpected twists and turns that keep them hooked until the end. The gentle storytelling creates depth and keeps the plot unpredictable. Overall, readers describe the book as a classic tale of love and revenge with a great ending.

"...The story was a page turner for me. I received an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review...." Read more

"...mistakes and rollercoaster outcomes, the author lays out a most enthralling plot with unexpected turns...." Read more

"...34;The Green Ribbons" has an excellent story line, but I gave it only four stars because the characters seemed a bit flat and without color...." Read more

"I enjoyed Green Ribbons. A classic tale of love and vengeance. You couldn’t help but feel for the main character ...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They say it's an excellent historical fiction and romance read that is worth their time.

"...This is well worth the read for historical fiction and romance readers. Big thumbs up!" Read more

"Loved this book. I wanted to know more about Merritt and Heppie. The Penang Series was also great.Ending not enough." Read more

"...Gripping and sad at the same time. Wonderful!" Read more

"A good book, lots of love,pain, full of life that could be anyone's life...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find the story engaging and easy to read, with an economical use of language. The book cover and design are also appreciated.

"...I especially love her economy of language. She captures the fear, shame, passion and despair in few words...." Read more

"I've recently been on a C!are Flynn reading binge as I find her writing wonderful...." Read more

"Beautifully written story. Definitely kept me engaged. Characters were true to their time. Vivid descriptions...." Read more

"A great tale beautifully written. Too many twits and turns to say more and risk giving the plot away. Look forward to the next one Claire." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters that draw them into their joys and pains.

"...Her characters are well developed, drawing me into their joy and pain...." Read more

"Beautifully written story. Definitely kept me engaged. Characters were true to their time. Vivid descriptions...." Read more

"...The characters spring to life and Clare Flynn's gentle storytelling washes over you creating layers of depth." Read more

"The characters were so well developed, the plot very unpredictable.... I blew through this book- I just enjoyed it so!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2016
    The setting and theme of The Green Ribbons reminded me of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre - English countryside, a governess and her young charge. Clare Flynn takes us to 1900 England and the small village of Nettlestock, a community of 142 souls, all "resistant to change". The character of Nettlestock plays an important role in this story. Its residents are impoverished and dependent on agriculture after the closing of the silk factory, the local squire is impervious to local demands, and his narcissistic son is burning through his father's money - horses, drinking and gambling.

    Hephzibah Wildman arrives in Nettlestock, alone and near destitute. Her parents' sudden death in an accident leaves her virtually penniless. With her step-brother the sole heir of all the estate, and no family to turn to, Hephzibah accepts the suggestion from a former student of her father's to apply for a governess position. When Hephzibah secures the appointment, she finds herself in the employ of the local squire, Sir Richard Egdon, a lecherous older man with a 10 year old daughter, Ottilie. His unwanted attention drives Hephzibah to avoid him as often as she can.

    She is quickly befriended by her step-father's former student, the Reverend Mr. Merritt Nightingale, himself a recent arrival, and viewed as an outsider by the residents. Both seeking adult companionship, they spend time walking the countryside, Hephzibah learning the local history from Rev. Nightingale. He is besot by her, but Hephzibah is oblivious to his feelings. It is when she meets Sir Richard's son, Thomas that she is bewitched and falls in love with him, which eventually leads to a disastrous marriage.

    The story builds to an extraordinary request that Hephzibah makes of Rev. Nightingale. The suspense of what his decision will be carries the story to another level. Throughout the book, Miss Flynn provides twists and turns that kept me interested. I especially love her economy of language. She captures the fear, shame, passion and despair in few words. Her characters are well developed, drawing me into their joy and pain. The English setting provides the historical perspective of a population left behind during the industrial age. What the green ribbons symbolize ties the beginning to the tale's surprising conclusion. The story was a page turner for me.

    I received an advanced copy of the book in return for an honest review. I also purchased the book as I wanted to see the published version - beautiful cover and well designed book.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2018
    I've recently been on a C!are Flynn reading binge as I find her writing wonderful. This book being another example of excellent storytelling.

    The story surrounds the life of Hetzibah, a young woman who recently lost her parents and has been offered a position as governess for the squire of a small village in Victorian Era England.

    Her new life brings her in contact with a
    pastor who is enamored with her since his years at college under the tutelage of her late father, a lecherous squire and the squires' handsome and irresponsible son.

    With her usual adeptness at working human emotion with all its frailties, mistakes and rollercoaster outcomes, the author lays out a most enthralling plot with unexpected turns. Everytime I thought I knew what was going to happen I was surprised and incorrect in my assumption. I find Flynn a very intelligent writer with an equally creative mind.

    This is well worth the read for historical fiction and romance readers. Big thumbs up!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2018
    I have almost forgotten it. Read several months ago
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2023
    Loved this book. I wanted to know more about Merritt and Heppie. The Penang Series was also great.Ending not enough.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017
    Clare Flynn is one of my favorite authors; her stories are compelling, interesting, and riveting. "The Green Ribbons" has an excellent story line, but I gave it only four stars because the characters seemed a bit flat and without color. Please keep in mind that Ms. Flynn has set the bar very high with her previous books. I am currently reading "The Chalky Sea," and this novel sucked me in right away---I will be up all night until I finish reading it. Regardless, I certainly do recommend "The Green Ribbons."
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2023
    I enjoyed Green Ribbons. A classic tale of love and vengeance. You couldn’t help but feel for the main character . An orphan alone having to make her own way in the world . Her relatives stealing her estate when her parents were killed. Then to find love so she thought and to have to doubt that love. To be at the mercy of her over zealous employer. Of course true love found a way. An a happy ending ensued. The story did have more happen to our heroine then most stories of this time period. Which made it a page Turner!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2022
    Not sure how this book received such praise...I ended up skimming over much of it just to be done with it. one thing that irritates me when reading a novel set in earlier centuries, as this one was supposed to be...is when the writer uses 21st century "buzz words" i.e. "you know the drill" or "you have a lot on your plate". It just spoils the moment. Such was the case with this book. Rated as a "Classic tale"?? Not at all.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
    Much like other Clare Flynn books, I couldn’t put this book down. Gripping and sad at the same time. Wonderful!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très bonne lecture
    Reviewed in France on March 18, 2023
    Comme toujours, Clare Flynn écrit remarquablement bien et ses histoires sont très prenantes. Celle-ci est particulièrement angoissante en ce qui concerne sa protagoniste Heppie qui semble attirer le malheur et la mort autour d’elle. On s’inquiète beaucoup pour elle et l’on se demande si elle s’en sortira un jour.

    Je ne veux pas spoiler le scénario donc je n’en dis pas plus, mais je recommande ce roman.
  • Linda Carol
    5.0 out of 5 stars Breath-taking story – highly recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2016
    The story opens In 1900 when Hephzibah's future looks bleak. Both her parents have been killed by a tram, and she has nowhere to live, and nobody to turn to. Pretty much all Hephzibah has are some green velvet ribbons. She never wears the ribbons herself, but they reappear again as a motif in this wonderful story that is all about the ties that bind.

    Hephzibah is smart and feisty. No, she doesn’t become professor of physics, rappel down a cliff, or inflict karate kicks on baddies. Her behaviour is totally appropriate for the time period. The other characters too are beautifully nuanced. Everyone is flawed, and almost everyone has redeeming features. There are few stereotypes here.

    There are big, big themes: love, lust, rejection, loyalty, deception, greed, prejudice, and of course sexism. Hephzibahs’s journey to happiness takes her through perils, both physical and emotional. And the author kept me guessing about the end until very late in the book.

    This is intelligent writing, laced with perfect dialogue. I highly recommend it, even to those who don’t normally read historical fiction/historical romance.
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic & Tragic
    Reviewed in France on November 3, 2021
    Reflecting the lives of 1900 showing the class difference, powerty bringing so much harsheness to family!
    Naive Heppy, not prepared for fending for herself!
    End a bit farfetched!
    Pass a good moments when reading it!
  • Love Reading
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Entertaining Story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2021
    This was a good story with lots of twists and turns that kept me reading to the finish. I felt quite sorry for innocent Hephzibah who falls for a charmer who only wants to use her for his own ends. There were some villains in The Green Ribbons although I couldn't decide if Sir Richard (her father-in-law) was good or bad. He certainly had some evil ways, but the writing of the author made him seem a hurt and damaged man. I'm not sure if that was supposed to happen.
    I did notice a couple of spelling mistakes and I do hope it's okay to mention them. Style should be stile and ewe should be Yew (tree).
    Otherwise I found The Green ribbons an entertaining story and well written. I'm happy to give four stars and recommend it to anyone who likes a romance set at the turn of the twentieth century.
  • Maggs
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting story , good flow.
    Reviewed in Australia on May 14, 2021
    So many emotions, fear, jealousy, anger ......
    Such interesting characters entangled as is life in a small village.
    And of course love 💕

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