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Rachel Brimble
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A New Start for the Shop Girls: A heartwarming and uplifting saga from Rachel Brimble (The Pennington's Shop Girls) Kindle Edition

by Rachel Brimble (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 580 ratings

A heartwarming and uplifting saga series that fans of Rosie Clarke, Pam Howes and Dilly Court will love!

1910, Bath, England – Hardworking and whip smart, Elizabeth Pennington is the rightful heir of Bath’s premier department store, Pennington’s. But her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire. He is resolute a man will succeed him.

Determined to break from her father's hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting Pennington’s, Elizabeth makes two lifelong friends in Esther and Cornelia – who both work in the store.

She also forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. They have the same goal: bring Pennington's into a new decade while embracing women’s equality and progression. But, despite their best intentions, it is almost impossible not to mix business and pleasure…

Can Elizabeth, her friends, and the man she’s increasingly falling in love with, thwart Edward Pennington’s plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin them all?

What readers are saying about Rachel Brimble’s gorgeous historical sagas!

‘Heart-warming yet gritty and gripping… Compelling reading.’ Lizzie Lane

‘I absolutely loved this book…. I couldn’t put it down.’ Fenella J Miller

‘Fantastic!’ Rosie Clarke

‘Heartwarming! … It was hard to put down!’ Patricia McBride

‘Skilled and vivid storytelling… I can’t wait to read more.’ May Ellis

‘Absolutely 10/10! Amazing storyline and loved the characters and setting, loved how the girls forged a friendship and stuck by each other, can’t wait to read more about these ladies.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A hopeful story about friendship and learning to trust. I love stories about women who strive for their own goals in life independent of men and who understand the joy and security of close female friendships. I’m looking forward to more books in the series!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Previously published as A Shop Girl in Bath.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Pennington's
  2. Print length
    378 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Boldwood Books
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    April 9, 2025
  7. File size
    3.5 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DPVVP8CC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 9, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 378 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836789994
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Pennington's
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 580 ratings

About the author

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Rachel Brimble

Rachel Brimble

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath.

She’s the author of more than 30 novels, including the Amazon bestselling Home Front Nurses series as well as the popular Shop Girls series and many single titles. Set in Bath during WWII, the third book in the Home Front Nurses series, Winter Wishes for Home Front Nurses releases 1st August 2025

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
580 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Book Squirrel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Set in the early years of the 20th century amidst the campaign of the Suffragette movement and aa growing awareness of the inequality of women in a “man’s world”, the story of Elizabeth Pennington’s struggle to be acknowledged as an equal by her father is one that captures the challenges and frustrations of the generations of women who worked together to change the way the western world operated. More than a hundred years after the events that frame the story, in a world that has changed so much and yet seems to have progressed so little at the same time, readers can still be inspired and challenged by the commitment and aspirations of Elizabeth and other characters in this book.

    Magnificent and luxurious, the eliteness of Pennington’s department store in Bath and the exclusivity of its clientele provide Elizabeth both enormous opportunity and significant frustration as she fights to bring the business into a new century and to make it increasingly relevant to a rapidly changing society.

    Through Elizabeth’s experiences as businesswoman, daughter, lover and friend, the reader is confronted with a number of issues that women faced, often finding them insurmountable, and thus gains a clearer understanding of why so many women fought so hard to achieve greater equality— not just the right to vote, but also to be treated with respect, to be able to make their own decisions, and to overcome all sorts of deeply-ingrained discrimination that plagued them.

    Even though Elizabeth is of a much higher social class than most of the readers, she is relatable and believable in her frustrations and responses to the society in which she lives. The cast of characters are realistic and believable, presenting a fair representation and cross-section of the working and upper classes that existed in society at the time.

    While there is some adult content, making it suitable for an adult audience only, this is a most enjoyable work of historical fiction that it well worth reading.
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  • Lulu
    4.0 out of 5 stars My How Times Have Changed (Or Have They?)
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    As women struggle to emerge into their own identities and step out from behind their male counterparts (be it father, husband or boyfriend) it is interesting to read how times have changed. Or have they? Still finding ourselves in a kind of "power" struggle, you read a story like this and think we've come a long way! It is interesting to note not only the division of the sexes and the classes, but how department stores played into this. Yes, women were hired to work behind the counters, but only that. The biggest fight in that upward movement was between Elizabeth Pennington and her father. A man who doesn't see or acknowledge her potential. An interesting story in the shadow of Downton Abbey, which I thoroughly enjoyed, as I have enjoyed reading this book. What really brings to mind is the fact that today these big department stores are now facing an uneasy future. Social media has taken over, and now we can shop online from the comfort of our homes. For myself, I still enjoy going out to the stores, shopping around, feeling the quality of the clothing and trying on garments. It is an afternoon
    escape.

    This book, for those of you who enjoyed watching the likes of Downton Abbey, etc. this book is highly recommended.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • R. R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Captivating story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2018
    Elizabeth Pennington is a hard working woman in her father’s department store during a time when women were fighting for equal rights as men. Elizabeth is looking towards expanding Penningtons and wants to take the department store into the future by bringing in not just the affluent, but the middle class as well. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s father is stuck with the times and does not believe women are capable of managing a business. Instead, women should marry according to their station and be content becoming a wife and mother. Elizabeth’s plans of advancing outside of the women’s department of Pennington’s is constantly being halted by her domineering father. This all changes when Joseph Carter, a small scale glove and hat maker, enters Pennington with the hopes of commissioning some of his designs for extra income in order for his father to finally be able to retire. Elizabeth is able opens up to Joseph and together they shine and both want to take Pennington’s to a higher level in sales and affordability. But, with Elizabeth’s controlling father pulling the reins how could Elizabeth and Joseph ever achieve their goals and aspirations?

    Elizabeth Pennington is such a great character. She is loving and kind which is a direct opposite of her cold and controlling father. She has heart and wants what is best for the department store. She wants to take Pennington’s and turn it into one of the best and leading stores people want to shop in. She has grit and determination, but you can see how she falters at times when it comes to her father. Even though I felt Elizabeth was strong, you can still see her insecurities when it comes to her father. But, when she meets Joseph a new confidence emerges from within and it was so nice to see the changes within in her and how she grows as the story progresses.

    Joseph Carter is such a standup guy. He is passionate and kind and deep down is a family man who cares about his father as well as others, especially the poor. He does have a tragic past, one that he blames himself for. Joseph believes that he doesn’t deserve to feel or ever be happy. My heart was just breaking for him and his story. But when he meets Elizabeth, he can’t help but feel an attraction towards her. Something he never thought he would ever feel for a woman again. It scares him and yet at the same time it makes him realize that he is worthy of love and commitment. He also treated Elizabeth as an equal in both business and outside of business.

    I absolutely loved the history portion of this story and the suffrage movement is interweaved through its pages. It was a different time back in 1910 where women virtually had no rights and had to adhere to their fathers or husbands wishes. The movement wanted to put an end to all of that and allow for equal opportunity for all women. Even though, this was just a small part in this story, it took on a huge roll amongst each of the main characters.

    The story in itself flowed smoothly and I never felt as if I was rushed and I found myself glued to its pages, where I could easily feel the emotions of each of its characters which in turn allowed me to empathize and understand Elizabeth and Joseph…and yes, even Elizabeth’s father, for as cruel and mean he was at times also has his own sad story to tell.

    The Mistress of Pennington’s is a heartfelt story that both captivated me and surprised me from the very first page until the last. The story is set against the backdrop of an era where the views on women were slowly starting to change for the better. If you like history thrown in with a shaky family dynamic and an incredible and tender romance, then you definitely want to pick up this well written and thoroughly engrossing story.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Wordy
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Very verbose! I kept skimming over paragraphs . The story seemed weak and predictable. The descriptions of the workers uniforms made them sound horrible.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Erin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the book and the story was wonderful.. would recommend
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  • Clare Roden (Clare & Lou's Mad About Books)
    5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Already being a lover of Rachel Brimble's stories, especially her historicals, I was so excited to get started on this the first book in her new series set in Edwardian England. The Mistress of Pennington's is set in 1910 at a time when women were still thought of as being incapable of having grand ideas of advancing themselves and of being equal to men, but this was also a time where small change was starting to happen and women were actually starting to fight for their rights, to get their voices heard and to be given the right to vote. This story features some of the struggles that women faced through the eyes of Elizabeth Pennington who tries to get her father Edward Pennington to give her more responsibility at their family store. Edward Pennington is a man very much prejudiced against women having any kind of position of authority, thinking that only a man has the intelligence to run his store and that Elizabeth should marry a man of his choosing for position and money. Elizabeth has other ideas about her life as she is a woman with her own mind, she is a strong and stubborn character that refuses to do her fathers bidding and fights him every step of the way. Joseph Carter is a forward thinking man that realises the changes that are happening and that there is a need to move with the times of the new modern era. He and Elizabeth bring forth those changes while trying not to fall in love. Their romance is very sweet and endearing it not only adds some very light hearted banter between the characters it helps to enhances the story. It pulls both of them emotionally in very different directions, and it leaves them both feeling guilty of where their romance will lead them and what consequences they will both face because of it.
    This truly is my favorite of Rachel's books as she has totally outdone herself with her attention to detail and accuracy of the time period of which the book is set. The story was a pleasure to read as the writing was so very good and easy to get lost in. The characters were interesting and very well developed as was the plot of this book. It's a captivating read that touched my heart deeply and is currently one of my top 5 favorite books to have read so far this year.
    A brilliant 5 Stars!
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  • Belinda Butterfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in Australia on January 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Easy read and characters very engaging.
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  • Tracey B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn't put it down hope the next one is as exciting .looking forward to reading it.
    I can't wait.
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  • Jacquie Jerard
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A fathers misdirected love for his daughter. A lonely man this is an affair of hearts and minds and shopping.
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