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The Cobbler's Wife
How far will she go for happiness?
For years Seren James has yearned for a child of her own. Married to a man who has little care for her, she longs for something to fill the emptiness within - and fears that she is almost out of time.
When Seren meets a woman who says she can help, she thinks her dreams have come true. But the locals suspect Anwen of witchcraft, and any association with her may taint Seren too.
And as Seren finds herself growing closer to Elwyn Evans, the local minister, who has made no secret of his attraction to her, she must ask herself what it will take to find happiness - and whether she is willing to pay the price . . .
For years Seren James has yearned for a child of her own. Married to a man who has little care for her, she longs for something to fill the emptiness within - and fears that she is almost out of time.
When Seren meets a woman who says she can help, she thinks her dreams have come true. But the locals suspect Anwen of witchcraft, and any association with her may taint Seren too.
And as Seren finds herself growing closer to Elwyn Evans, the local minister, who has made no secret of his attraction to her, she must ask herself what it will take to find happiness - and whether she is willing to pay the price . . .
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Published July 29, 2019
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About the author
Lynette Rees
36 books66 followers"My favourite author - this lady has just overtaken Catherine Cookson - I can't wait to read more!" ~ Amazon Reviewer
Lynette Rees lives in Wales and has been writing since she was a child. She's in the fortunate position of being a hybrid author - as well as independently publishing some of her novels, she's also published with Quercus Books/Hachette UK. Currently, her most popular novels with readers are: The Governess, Ada the Coster Girl, The Cobbler's Wife and The Ragged Urchin.
Lynette's historical fiction novel, 'The Workhouse Waif', hit the number one spot on the Amazon Kindle bestseller list in 'Victorian Historical Romance' during October of 2016 - it remains one of her favourite books to date. Much to her delight at the time, she was contacted by the commissioning editor of Quercus Books who had downloaded the book from Amazon Prime and loved the story so much that she devoured it all in one sitting! The Workhouse Waif was one of the first books ever enrolled on the then, new Amazon Prime Reading programme. The commissioning editor went on to offer Lynette a traditional publishing deal for that book and three others in the series which were published during 2018 and 2019.
Lynette enjoys the freedom of writing in a variety of genres including: crime fiction and contemporary romance, though her first love is historical fiction which complements her interest in local history and genealogy. When she's not writing, or even when she is writing, Lynette enjoys a glass of wine and the odd piece of chocolate as she creates stories where the characters guide her hand. She honestly has no idea how a story will turn out until the characters tell their own tales in their own unique ways.
The most important thing to Lynette is her family and her stories illustrate this with their warm characters who often show a great deal of compassion for others and the plight they find themselves in.
Praise for Lynette Rees:
The Matchgirl: "Beautifully written and imagined, this is both an entertaining story and a fascinating slice of life-changing history..." - book review - The Lancashire Post
Beneath a Sicilian Sun (retitled: Seduced by the Sicilian): "I was seeing everything described in this. This story is also very emotional and touching with everything that happens. The emotions that they feel are expressed beautifully..." - Sanfrancisco Review of Books
Lynette Rees lives in Wales and has been writing since she was a child. She's in the fortunate position of being a hybrid author - as well as independently publishing some of her novels, she's also published with Quercus Books/Hachette UK. Currently, her most popular novels with readers are: The Governess, Ada the Coster Girl, The Cobbler's Wife and The Ragged Urchin.
Lynette's historical fiction novel, 'The Workhouse Waif', hit the number one spot on the Amazon Kindle bestseller list in 'Victorian Historical Romance' during October of 2016 - it remains one of her favourite books to date. Much to her delight at the time, she was contacted by the commissioning editor of Quercus Books who had downloaded the book from Amazon Prime and loved the story so much that she devoured it all in one sitting! The Workhouse Waif was one of the first books ever enrolled on the then, new Amazon Prime Reading programme. The commissioning editor went on to offer Lynette a traditional publishing deal for that book and three others in the series which were published during 2018 and 2019.
Lynette enjoys the freedom of writing in a variety of genres including: crime fiction and contemporary romance, though her first love is historical fiction which complements her interest in local history and genealogy. When she's not writing, or even when she is writing, Lynette enjoys a glass of wine and the odd piece of chocolate as she creates stories where the characters guide her hand. She honestly has no idea how a story will turn out until the characters tell their own tales in their own unique ways.
The most important thing to Lynette is her family and her stories illustrate this with their warm characters who often show a great deal of compassion for others and the plight they find themselves in.
Praise for Lynette Rees:
The Matchgirl: "Beautifully written and imagined, this is both an entertaining story and a fascinating slice of life-changing history..." - book review - The Lancashire Post
Beneath a Sicilian Sun (retitled: Seduced by the Sicilian): "I was seeing everything described in this. This story is also very emotional and touching with everything that happens. The emotions that they feel are expressed beautifully..." - Sanfrancisco Review of Books
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 19, 2021
Seren Edwards marries the village cobbler, Morgan James and he’s tall, charming and handsome. Seren wants to have children, Morgan accuses her of being barren and despite only being married for a few months. A desperate Seren visits Anewn Llewellyn, a herbalist and some of the locals accuse her of being a witch. Due to Morgan’s excessive drinking, he stops opening his shop, she tells Seren it’s only going to get worse, and she should leave him.
A new minister has taken over the parish, Elwyn Evans is kind and caring man and Seren regrets marrying Morgan. When the situation for Seren escalates, Mr. Watkins the owner of The House of Blazes, a notorious place of ill repute and he finds her a safe place to stay. Living in a boarding house with Jim and Marged, she hears of a terrible Cholera outbreak in Lewis square where her aunt lives and it spreads further throughout Abercanaid, Seren’s worried about her mother Mabel and sister Gwen.
The Cobbler’s Wife by Lynette Rees is set in 1866, it’s a historical saga, and it portrays life at the time, in a small Welsh village and a coal mining town. Many women suffered terrible abuse by their husbands, they had no rights, lived in poverty, with poor sanitation and infectious diseases spread very quickly due to overcrowding. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, Seren is a resilient character and a strong woman, I look forward to reading The Workhouse Waif and three stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
A new minister has taken over the parish, Elwyn Evans is kind and caring man and Seren regrets marrying Morgan. When the situation for Seren escalates, Mr. Watkins the owner of The House of Blazes, a notorious place of ill repute and he finds her a safe place to stay. Living in a boarding house with Jim and Marged, she hears of a terrible Cholera outbreak in Lewis square where her aunt lives and it spreads further throughout Abercanaid, Seren’s worried about her mother Mabel and sister Gwen.
The Cobbler’s Wife by Lynette Rees is set in 1866, it’s a historical saga, and it portrays life at the time, in a small Welsh village and a coal mining town. Many women suffered terrible abuse by their husbands, they had no rights, lived in poverty, with poor sanitation and infectious diseases spread very quickly due to overcrowding. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, Seren is a resilient character and a strong woman, I look forward to reading The Workhouse Waif and three stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
May 24, 2019
Another brilliant book from the pen of Lynette Rees,you are drawn in from page one.Seren is a lovely woman and very caring you are wishing her happiness in her life.A great book 5*
February 9, 2021
I read the paperback edition but couldn't seem to add it.
A very enjoyable read. As in other books by Lynette Rees this story was obviously well researched. The story revolves around Seren who is treated badly by her husband, Morgan. It is set in Wales in a small village near Merthyr Tydfil in the 1860's. This story seems to carry you from one scene to the next, at times a gentle read at others full of adventure. The characters were all fabulous. It reminded me a lot of Dilly Court books I have read.
A very enjoyable read. As in other books by Lynette Rees this story was obviously well researched. The story revolves around Seren who is treated badly by her husband, Morgan. It is set in Wales in a small village near Merthyr Tydfil in the 1860's. This story seems to carry you from one scene to the next, at times a gentle read at others full of adventure. The characters were all fabulous. It reminded me a lot of Dilly Court books I have read.
June 2, 2019
A story to be told
Set in Merthyr Tydfil Abercanaid this tells the story of Seren James, husband Morgan who runs his own cobbler shop. A brute of a man her mother and sister do everything they can to keep her safe from him, all he wanted her for was to provide him with a son. Seren had to get away from Morgan,a wife beater, hard drinking cheating man who had not a good bone in his body. This book is a harrowing read right through,I was gripped straight into it, will Seren eventually find happiness? Read on to find out. I loved it.
Set in Merthyr Tydfil Abercanaid this tells the story of Seren James, husband Morgan who runs his own cobbler shop. A brute of a man her mother and sister do everything they can to keep her safe from him, all he wanted her for was to provide him with a son. Seren had to get away from Morgan,a wife beater, hard drinking cheating man who had not a good bone in his body. This book is a harrowing read right through,I was gripped straight into it, will Seren eventually find happiness? Read on to find out. I loved it.
June 1, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Seren was trapped in an abusive marriage and just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse Morgan her husband decided to sell her to a local butcher in a nearby town. Seren is also pregnant and has to rely on family and strangers that soon become friends to escape her brutish husband. It is quite a rollercoaster of emotions for Seren. Will she ever be safe or happy again. I highly recommend reading this book if it is your kind of genre you won’t be disappointed
June 3, 2019
Seren
What a fantastic book the story of Seren and Morgan and Elwyn is a book that had to be read it also has the famous Maggie in this is a definite 5 STARS from starting it i couldn't put it down .
What a fantastic book the story of Seren and Morgan and Elwyn is a book that had to be read it also has the famous Maggie in this is a definite 5 STARS from starting it i couldn't put it down .
June 6, 2019
Another five star read yet again from Lynette Rees. This story of Seren James has you hooked from the beginning to the very end. I Just could not put it down. As alway you can rely on a terrific read from Lynette, I have never been disappointed yet!. A recommended read.
November 26, 2021
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would...
May 31, 2019
A nice story set in 19th century Wales, with some good historical detail. I liked the characters and the story, but was a little confused about the main female character, Seren, being described in ways which did not seem to fit with what I had read. I also thought the book would benefit from editing as there were some grammatical errors. I would read more from this author though!
Thanks to the publisher for a digital review copy.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital review copy.
July 20, 2020
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of reading this book. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and would now try other books. A first class entertaining read - descriptive and very absorbing from page one - the main character Seren was such a lovely caring person and you just hoped that happiness would come her way eventually - a really good book that I would recommend
September 11, 2020
Seren the cobblers wife has only been married 12 months to a violent man Morgan
Set in Wales a village reliant on the pit & ironworks
Seren finds kindness from Ansen & the new vicar Elywen Evans
The village folk especially the women can be cruel but Seren needs to get away
This book tells of what happened next
Set in Wales a village reliant on the pit & ironworks
Seren finds kindness from Ansen & the new vicar Elywen Evans
The village folk especially the women can be cruel but Seren needs to get away
This book tells of what happened next
June 16, 2019
A Wonderful Woman Deserves a Happy Life
I really was engrossed in the story of this lovely young woman! She was faced with so many difficulties than she definitely deserved a better life!
I really was engrossed in the story of this lovely young woman! She was faced with so many difficulties than she definitely deserved a better life!
September 26, 2025
I really enjoyed this and became invested in Seren the main character. You get drawn into her life, the loneliness feels as her husband cares very little for her and is exceptionally cruel. A page turner where you want the next page to bring her some happiness
June 4, 2019
Excellent
I truly enjoyed this story! Lynette Rees is a very talented story teller and I look forward to more of her writings
I truly enjoyed this story! Lynette Rees is a very talented story teller and I look forward to more of her writings
June 9, 2019
Gritty
The year when men were men and women were possessions. This story let's the reader get their teeth into this fabulous book. A well worth book
The year when men were men and women were possessions. This story let's the reader get their teeth into this fabulous book. A well worth book
June 23, 2019
Predictable
I loved the story, but as soon as the minister appeared upon the scene I just knew Serene and he would end up together.
I loved the story, but as soon as the minister appeared upon the scene I just knew Serene and he would end up together.
July 23, 2019
I loved this book and I am going to read her next one. Great characters.
June 9, 2020
So bad... so so soooo bad
The romance was not even moving
The romance was not even moving
November 24, 2020
A good saga set in wales with the usual strong woman fighting drudgery
April 27, 2021
Review will soon be on my blog themumwhoread.wordpress.com
May 7, 2024
Very good, had me hooked and really feeling for Seren , and pleased that it all came good in the end.
November 7, 2024
WOHHH I REALLY LOVE THISSSS, IT WAS SO GOODDDDD I SWEAR. ANG DAMING NANGYARI, AND THE GIRLL SEREN WAS SO STRONG TO HANDLE ALL THE SHTZ THAT'S SHE BEEN THROUGH
December 29, 2025
loved it
December 16, 2019
Not exactly my type of book. Kind of predictable and cookie-cut. Despite that it was well wrote and would be a good fit for someone that like the kind of romance running-for-the-bad-husband-and-falling-in-love-with-the-perfect-new-man-that-just-happens-to-move-to town type.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews