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Quality Street #3
The Quality Street Wedding
Romance is in the air at the nation’s favourite sweet factory
Rumours about a war with Germany have been whispered around the Quality Street factory for months, so to distract themselves, they girls are betting on who is most likely to announce wedding bells.
Reenie and Peter adore each other, but as a married woman, Reenie would never be allowed to keep the job that means so much to her. Mary has fallen for her manager at the factory despite this being strictly against the company rules. Even spiteful Dolly has got a new fella in her sights.
Everyone a sense of urgency and there is so much more at stake than a box of chocolates – can the Quality Street girls keep calm and be ready for anything – even a wedding?
Rumours about a war with Germany have been whispered around the Quality Street factory for months, so to distract themselves, they girls are betting on who is most likely to announce wedding bells.
Reenie and Peter adore each other, but as a married woman, Reenie would never be allowed to keep the job that means so much to her. Mary has fallen for her manager at the factory despite this being strictly against the company rules. Even spiteful Dolly has got a new fella in her sights.
Everyone a sense of urgency and there is so much more at stake than a box of chocolates – can the Quality Street girls keep calm and be ready for anything – even a wedding?
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2021
21 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 22, 2021
I enjoyed this 3rd book in the series. There are similarities to our Covid 19 times as the book covers an outbreak of scarlet fever and having to quarantine. There is a wedding in the book, Ruffian surprises everyone, and one of the characters gets her comeuppance. The book ends on a bit of a cliff hanger so I look forward to (I hope) another book in the series.
April 28, 2025
Having read and enjoyed the first two novels in Penny Thorpe’s “Quality Street” series, it’s quite exciting to see that the third carries the title “The Quality Street Wedding”. There have been so many delightful characters in the first couple of books that the prospect of one of them celebrating in such a way makes me happy right from the start. But it could be any of the girls, with Reenie and Peter’s relationship deepening, Mary falling for her line manager, with various seemingly insurmountable issues, and Bess desperate to be married and to start a family.
But at this point in history, joy is hard to be found in the Quality Street Factory, with the threat of war and the increase in fascism affecting their daily lives. There is also an outbreak of scarlet fever in Halifax, which is thought to be the same strain as resulted in several deaths in nearby Doncaster not long ago. Mrs Starbeck is still finding ways to interfere in everyone’s lives and she is being equally assisted and blocked in turn by her assistant, Dolly Dunkley, who has been promoted beyond her abilities and levels of effort, but has not become any easier to deal with, even for Mrs Starbeck.
The two of them are refusing to help maintain health and safety in the face of the epidemic, which has resulted in the factory being under more strain as lines are shut down and quarantines are imposed. They are also very much against the employment of Albert Baum as head confectioner, with him being German and Jewish and are not making it easier for him to relocate with his family and to start a new life with Mary. Meanwhile, Reenie and Peter’s relationship is getting rockier, as Reenie knows that to marry Peter would end her time at the factory and she is not keen for this to happen and it seems the only person in a relationship that may lead to marriage is Dolly, who has found a man perfectly suited to her and is determined to obtain his lifestyle as soon as possible.
“The Quality Street Wedding” is a book of two halves in some ways and, indeed, takes place as much outside the factory as it does inside, featuring more about the lives of the workers as their work. Although they have met their partners through their work, Reenie and Mary’s relationships take place more outside the factory, as they debate how to proceed and what will even be possible. This is also true of Dolly’s situation and whilst her work is touched upon perhaps more than the others, the main focus of her story is also in her hoped for wedding and her desire to be away from having to work for a living as soon as she can manage it, although as ever she will have things entirely to her satisfaction and her way of doing things is the only way.
Indeed, with scarlet fever and the threat of war resounding around Halifax and the factory, Dolly’s incompetence adds a touch of welcome humour. Whilst before she has been a malevolent spirit trying to disrupt things, she has moved to being merely lazy and incompetent this time around and her lack of effort, which itself is useful in reducing the effectiveness of Mrs Starbeck’s nastiness. When this is combined with the almost slapstick events early on involving a toy soldier and the continuing adventures of Reenie’s horse Ruffian, as well as her sister’s attempts at advancing herself and Bess’s ongoing scattiness, there’s a lot more humour and silliness in here, which may be a deliberate attempts to offset the darker plotlines elsewhere in the novel, but is welcome regardless.
With so much going on this time around, “The Quality Street Wedding” was a little slower to read than the earlier books, as there was less character-driven writing here and more plot-driven work. This is not a bad thing, as mentioned above, and proved to be highly enjoyable in some ways, but it is a reflection of both the times of history and the times the novel was written in and you can tell the difference. However, it is still a great read and the change in the balance of the writing has not impacted the quality of it and there is more than enough plot and interest to be going around and if you’ve enjoyed the first books in the series, there is no reason you won’t enjoy this one, too.
But at this point in history, joy is hard to be found in the Quality Street Factory, with the threat of war and the increase in fascism affecting their daily lives. There is also an outbreak of scarlet fever in Halifax, which is thought to be the same strain as resulted in several deaths in nearby Doncaster not long ago. Mrs Starbeck is still finding ways to interfere in everyone’s lives and she is being equally assisted and blocked in turn by her assistant, Dolly Dunkley, who has been promoted beyond her abilities and levels of effort, but has not become any easier to deal with, even for Mrs Starbeck.
The two of them are refusing to help maintain health and safety in the face of the epidemic, which has resulted in the factory being under more strain as lines are shut down and quarantines are imposed. They are also very much against the employment of Albert Baum as head confectioner, with him being German and Jewish and are not making it easier for him to relocate with his family and to start a new life with Mary. Meanwhile, Reenie and Peter’s relationship is getting rockier, as Reenie knows that to marry Peter would end her time at the factory and she is not keen for this to happen and it seems the only person in a relationship that may lead to marriage is Dolly, who has found a man perfectly suited to her and is determined to obtain his lifestyle as soon as possible.
“The Quality Street Wedding” is a book of two halves in some ways and, indeed, takes place as much outside the factory as it does inside, featuring more about the lives of the workers as their work. Although they have met their partners through their work, Reenie and Mary’s relationships take place more outside the factory, as they debate how to proceed and what will even be possible. This is also true of Dolly’s situation and whilst her work is touched upon perhaps more than the others, the main focus of her story is also in her hoped for wedding and her desire to be away from having to work for a living as soon as she can manage it, although as ever she will have things entirely to her satisfaction and her way of doing things is the only way.
Indeed, with scarlet fever and the threat of war resounding around Halifax and the factory, Dolly’s incompetence adds a touch of welcome humour. Whilst before she has been a malevolent spirit trying to disrupt things, she has moved to being merely lazy and incompetent this time around and her lack of effort, which itself is useful in reducing the effectiveness of Mrs Starbeck’s nastiness. When this is combined with the almost slapstick events early on involving a toy soldier and the continuing adventures of Reenie’s horse Ruffian, as well as her sister’s attempts at advancing herself and Bess’s ongoing scattiness, there’s a lot more humour and silliness in here, which may be a deliberate attempts to offset the darker plotlines elsewhere in the novel, but is welcome regardless.
With so much going on this time around, “The Quality Street Wedding” was a little slower to read than the earlier books, as there was less character-driven writing here and more plot-driven work. This is not a bad thing, as mentioned above, and proved to be highly enjoyable in some ways, but it is a reflection of both the times of history and the times the novel was written in and you can tell the difference. However, it is still a great read and the change in the balance of the writing has not impacted the quality of it and there is more than enough plot and interest to be going around and if you’ve enjoyed the first books in the series, there is no reason you won’t enjoy this one, too.
September 1, 2021
Rumours about a war with Germany have been whispered around the Quality Street factory for months. It’s hard for everyone to get their heads around air raids, rationing and the threat of bombings, so to distract themselves, they girls are betting on who is most likely to announce wedding bells.Reenie and Peter adore each other, but as a married woman, Reenie would never be allowed to keep the job that means so much to her. Mary has fallen for her manager at the factory despite this being strictly against the company rules. Even spiteful Dolly has got a new fella in her sights.
The threat of war has given everyone a sense of urgency and this time there is so much more at stake than a box of chocolates – can the Quality Street girls keep calm and be ready for anything – even a wedding?A marriage bar is the practice of restricting the employment of married women.The practice lacked an economic justification, and its rigid application was often disruptive to workplaces. Marriage bars were widely relaxed in wartime, however, due to increased labour demands.To avoid seemingly discriminatory practices, many employers utilized marriage bars to classify married women as supplementary staff, rather than permanent.A misshapes shop sold chocolate and other food items cheaply.Saturday girls was a term coined to describe women using part-time, weekend work to enhance their lives, prospects and financial freedom.The Factory Acts were a series of acts passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to regulate the conditions of industrial employment.The Burmah Oil Company was a leading British oil company which was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.For about a century, the company, through its subsidiaries, played a major role in the oil industry,through its significant influence over British Petroleum.The Co-operative Women's Guild was an auxiliary organisation in the UK which promoted women in co-operative structures and provided social and other services to its members.The Mother's Union is a Christian charity that supports monogamous marriage and family life,especially through times of adversity.
The threat of war has given everyone a sense of urgency and this time there is so much more at stake than a box of chocolates – can the Quality Street girls keep calm and be ready for anything – even a wedding?A marriage bar is the practice of restricting the employment of married women.The practice lacked an economic justification, and its rigid application was often disruptive to workplaces. Marriage bars were widely relaxed in wartime, however, due to increased labour demands.To avoid seemingly discriminatory practices, many employers utilized marriage bars to classify married women as supplementary staff, rather than permanent.A misshapes shop sold chocolate and other food items cheaply.Saturday girls was a term coined to describe women using part-time, weekend work to enhance their lives, prospects and financial freedom.The Factory Acts were a series of acts passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to regulate the conditions of industrial employment.The Burmah Oil Company was a leading British oil company which was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.For about a century, the company, through its subsidiaries, played a major role in the oil industry,through its significant influence over British Petroleum.The Co-operative Women's Guild was an auxiliary organisation in the UK which promoted women in co-operative structures and provided social and other services to its members.The Mother's Union is a Christian charity that supports monogamous marriage and family life,especially through times of adversity.
February 24, 2023
It is 1938 and war is about to break out, not only that but the Mackintosh factory is dealing with a deadly case of Scarlet fever.
Amidst this backdrop we have speculation of who will be hearing wedding bells first, Renee with Peter or Mary with Albert.
But there are complications for Mary and Albert, being a German Jew he has to jump through hoops to stay in Britain and be able to be married before his temporary permit runs out.
Can they find a loophole before he is sent back to a terrible fate in Germany?
This was another great addition to the series as we see the factory and the girls dealing with being on the brink of war and all the changes that ensues to their daily lives.
Amidst this backdrop we have speculation of who will be hearing wedding bells first, Renee with Peter or Mary with Albert.
But there are complications for Mary and Albert, being a German Jew he has to jump through hoops to stay in Britain and be able to be married before his temporary permit runs out.
Can they find a loophole before he is sent back to a terrible fate in Germany?
This was another great addition to the series as we see the factory and the girls dealing with being on the brink of war and all the changes that ensues to their daily lives.
June 8, 2022
Nope. Too soon. I didn’t enjoy reading a story about another very contagious disease. It was not a lovely escape like the other books were, even though it is called “Wedding”. Think about weddings. They are such happy times. They are beginnings. But it felt like there were more endings than beginnings in this book.
And speaking of endings…. THAT was not an ending! I turned the page completely expecting the conversation to continue and found, instead, that the book was finished. What?!?!
Nope. This book didn’t meet my expectations. The other books in the series are better.
And speaking of endings…. THAT was not an ending! I turned the page completely expecting the conversation to continue and found, instead, that the book was finished. What?!?!
Nope. This book didn’t meet my expectations. The other books in the series are better.
March 2, 2024
It was an interesting read with lots of complex plot lines and intriguing characters, but for me the parallels with COVID-19 were too much too soon. It was entertaining to read of an epidemic during a different time period, alongside the rumours of war, however for me there just seemed to be something missing that I can’t put my finger on.
July 21, 2021
How can you not love these? They whip along, with satisfying villainy, romance, and friendship. Plus excellent subtext about how no, actually, life was not always better in the past. And solid historical research to back it all up. Bring it.
May 7, 2022
Such a easy enjoyable read no dramas lots of laughs and I remembered all the characters from the previous books
October 21, 2022
A brilliant third book an interesting story I truly hope for many more of these books history made personal and brilliantly written and relatable I cannot recommend this book enough
February 10, 2023
I did not read this book. I could not get into the other two this was a very big disappointment to me.
June 19, 2023
Just as good as the first two books. I love the people in these stories, they are so true to life. I have always been interested in history & chocolate so perfect for me. Well written.
November 14, 2023
Another great book of Quality street.
I couldn't believe how this story was going to be.
It was just amazing.
Looking forward to the next story.
I couldn't believe how this story was going to be.
It was just amazing.
Looking forward to the next story.
February 13, 2025
For there in the end
I found this book a little harder to get into until the 1st two. But got there in the end. I now have the 4th one to start let's hope it easier to get into
I found this book a little harder to get into until the 1st two. But got there in the end. I now have the 4th one to start let's hope it easier to get into
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews