The Jam Factory Girls

Life for Elsie is difficult as she struggles with her alcoholic mother, caring for her siblings and working long hours at Swift's Jam Factory. Thankfully her friend Dot helps to smooth over life's rough edges. But when they meet Millie Swift, their bosses' daughter, they are surprised to feel drawn to her. When disaster strikes, it binds the women in ways they could never imagine. <br /><br />I was pulled into this story by the end of the first chapter. It's a gritty and emotional read. The story is set around pre war London. We follow the friendships of the three women and the relationships within their families. I liked the three main characters, I laughed and I cried with them. The book is descriptively written. I could not put this book down. Fans of the author and the era will love this book. <br /><br />I would like to thank #NetGalley, #PamMacmillan and the author #MaryWood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a book, I absolutely loved it! Once you start reading this book, a first in a new series by the exceptionally talented Mary Wood, you will be lost. Nothing else mattered whilst I was reading this book - I was well and truly hooked! <br />Honestly, this author doesn't hold back and will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.<br />The story is set for most part in the East End of London, just before the first World War and our leading ladies: Elsie, Dot and Millie are a trio not to be messed with. BUT they each have such a caring nature and will willingly help anyone who deserves it.<br />Elsie and Dot have known each other all their lives, and so have their Mother's, but why do their Mothers no longer speak? As the story progresses it becomes clear why, but much more is revealed.<br />I loved everything about Elsie; and Dot, also a great character but I did feel that she needed to 'try' and stand up for herself more. Without a doubt my heart went out to them and I was so glad that they had each other, and were able to draw strength from one another. <br />Millie is from a higher class than Elsie and Dot, but by, did that girl have a strong head on her shoulders! I loved Millie's way of thinking and believe that I would have felt and acted just the same way as Millie.<br />I loved seeing these young women come together and nothing could have prepared me for what each had to endure. <br />The story really is flawless and held my attention throughout; I eagerly read through each chapter, wanting to find out what else was going on and to see how it would end.<br />This story is full of drama, tension, it's tragic in a few parts, joyful in others, and I am so excited for the next book in this sure to be a hit series!<br />Even the Unsavoury characters were entertaining and I like that the author doesn't hold back as in my opinion, it makes it more true to real life. Bad things happen every day and sometimes some good can come out of it. <br />Thank you for such an entertaining read, I loved getting to meet and spending time with three beautiful characters. <br /><br />My thanks to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley.

As always, another great saga from Mary Wood. Full of likeable characters, and some not so likeable rogues. The first in a trilogy.

Thanks to Net Galley for granting me this book. The Jam Factory Girls was a book I enjoyed about friendships and families set in the heart of pre-war London. Elsie and Dot are the very best of friends and work at the Swift Jam Factory, the novel follows their lives and relationships within their families. They meet Millie Swift who is the daughter of the boss at the factory - whereupon things develop quite quickly with a surprising turn of events and secrets revealed.. I enjoyed this book

Mary Wood really brings to life pre-war London through the lives of Elsie and her family. The reader is drawn into the story from the start and the portrayal of conditions in the jam factory is well researched and authentically detailed. When Elsie and her best friend Dot cross paths with Millie, their lives intersect in ways that they cannot begin to imagine. <br /><br />Mary's down-to-earth style perfectly captures the period through gritty realism and carries the reader along until the grand finale. A great story from a great storyteller.

The first book in the series, and we meet Elsie Makin the year is 1910, and Swift's Jam Factory in Bermondsey, London, is her place of work, along side her best friend Dot Grimes. Jam Jar washing and sorting out the fruit, it was a heavy workload.<br />Millie Millicent Hawkesfield's is the bosses daughter, wanting to know the jam trade, and the three struck up a secret friendship.<br />Elsie lives with her three brothers and her mum Kitty and they were barely scraping by.<br />but what trouble lays ahead for them all?<br />This book has everything rolled into one, secrets, heartache sorrow and joy, it has your emotions running all over the place. <br />As i kept reading, I found myself saying just one more chapter, it pulls you into the whole book, as so much is happening.<br />i've enjoyed Elsie Dot and Millie's story so much, a delight to read with a Jam and cream scone and a cup of "Rosie lee".

Mary Wood always draws you into the story to travel the road her characters take,Elsie,Dot and Millie are three very different young girls with a thirst for life.Lovely book well worth the 5*

This is an absolutely delightful story which portrays the lives of ordinary people in early 1900s London, from the very talented author Mary Wood, where we meet two girls, Elsie and Dot, who work at the local jam factory in Bermondsey London, where both poor living and bad working conditions are all too common. They have to work hard, but they have their friendships and cockney camaraderie amongst their neighbours and work friends too. <br />Millie (or Millicent) is the daughter of the jam factory owner and she is horrified at both the working and living conditions of the female staff and is determined to do something about it. What happens after a horrific accident affects the lives of all three girls. As the story progresses the lives of these three young women will never be the same again, full of hardships, friendships, and heartache, this is a truly lovely story, which I didn't want to end and can't wait to read the next in this series which is due out in May 2021 (Secrets of the Jam Factory Girls) so I can find out what happens to Millie, Dot and Elsie.<br />A 5☆ read.

Wow! What a roller-coaster of an emotional read this book was! I don't think I've recovered from finishing off reading it yesterday yet.<br /><br />Thank you Mary for taking this reader through the wringer and out the other side. This is writing of the highest order that I cannot praise highly enough. <br /><br />The story of Elsie, Millie and Dot in the years just prior to the outbreak of WW1, set in and around the Jam Factory of the title. If you want a happily-ever-after book, then tis won't be for you, but that is realistic writing and story-telling, and the book is all the more powerful for this style of writing.<br /><br />In short, this is one of the best books I've read; full stop!

This was a pleasant surprise. <br /><br />Very graphic and not what I thought this would be about. Full of heart stopping moments. But also love, warmth, friendship and family. <br /><br />I really enjoyed this book. Especially the resilience of the women.