The Spinster's Hope Chest

by Robert W. Spencer

Lizzie Millett was born in Waterford, Maine, in 1861. She and younger sister Hattie escaped from their troubled childhoods and, each in her own way, built successful lives. Lizzie’s struggles to achieve personal and professional success in “a man’s world” of business are struggles which in some forms continue for women today.

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Catherine Pafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spinster’s Hope Chest is a compelling and beautifully crafted historical novel that brings Lizzie Millett’s journey to life with depth and authenticity. Robert W. Spencer paints a vivid picture of 19th-century Maine while exploring the timeless challenges women face in carving out their own paths. Lizzie’s perseverance, intelligence, and resilience make her an unforgettable heroine, and her story feels both historically grounded and surprisingly relevant. This first installment in the Lizzie Millett Series is engaging, inspiring, and rich with emotional truth a wonderful beginning to a thoughtful and well-researched trilogy.

[Kathy Eliscu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a relative newcomer to historical stories. But this one pulled me in, big time. Robert Spencer spins a great story, and I enjoyed every moment. Spencer writes an engaging story of a family in the 1800s, focusing on two sisters in Maine whose childhood struggles lead them, eventually, to more fulfilling lives. The fact that it takes place in Maine (Spencer is a volunteer historian) is fascinating, as he tracks familiar areas - but from olden times. I highly recommend this book. And I was sad when it ended...so I will be reading more from this author!

[Aurelia Hulls · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spinsters’ Hope Chest is one of those stories that quietly settles into your heart. Lizzie and Hattie’s journey from a difficult childhood to carving out lives of their own felt deeply real and incredibly human. Lizzie’s fight to succeed in a world stacked against her is both inspiring and heartbreaking. It’s a reminder of how far women have come and how many of their struggles still echo today. A beautifully told piece of women’s history.

[Michelle E. Shores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating piece of personal history brought to life in a well told fiction. Very believable and well written. Robert is a great story teller.