The Matchgirl: Will this factory girl have her happy ending?

by Lynette Rees

A heartwarming saga, from the ebook bestselling author of THE WORKHOUSE WAIF Sixteen-year-old Lottie Perkins has an important decision to make... Conditions at the match factory she works at are dire. The girls get treated badly by the management and there is a severe risk to their health. But then a young journalist, Annie Besant, begins asking questions. Will Lottie and the other girls welcome her help, even when it could cost them their jobs - and their livelihoods...? Please this edition contains editorial revisions

Genres: Fiction, Romance

352 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2019

About the author

"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

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story

The Bryant and may match factory in bow London that tells the story of lottie Perkins and her family and friends during the big strike for better working environment is an astonishing story. I wish I could mark it a ten. It's a fantastic read that's truly Heartbreaking in places but also full of joys, smiles, as everyone United together. I loved it and wanted to read on and on. I learned a lot more than I knew by reading this book the authors careful research was all spot on. It's a book that I most certainly will read over and over and its one of my best so far this year

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lottie and the match girls

Reading this edition of the matchgirl was like seeing old friends for a catch up you are drawn in from page 1 it's like you are part of the story a brilliant read 5 STARS.

[Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, and found myself willing the girls to win their dispute for better working conditions. I almost felt like I was there protesting alongside, such was my hope for justice to be served. I have to say it did all become a bit fluffy and all- lived-happily-ever-after at the end which seemed a bit too far fetched given those times, still a good read and will look for other books by the same author.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad lives

It was eye opening reading about the way these poor girls lived and worked. It was wonderful that someone stood up for them. A must read book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book from the pen of Lynette Rees who always blends the charactors and the story so well,This book reveals the harsh conditions faced by these girls every day and well worth 5*

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read from Lynette Rees. It just makes you wonder what these poor ladies and girls put up with in the working conditions in Bryant and May's before the girls went on strike for better conditions. Lottie Perkins is the heroine in this story you can get into her character. I thoroughly recommend this book. Look forward to reading more from Lynette Rees.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Lynette Rees book and it won't be my last.
This story is based around true events concerning the Bryant and May match factory in London in 1888. The plight of the matchgirls made news as the girls and women suffered terrible conditions, the phosphorus used made them ill and they were often beaten by the foremen.
Lottie is the matchgirl that the story focuses on, her family struggles to manage after the death of her father so she works ten hour days at the factory for a small wage.
This book educates and entertains as I learnt I lot about the history making matchgirls and loved the story of Lottie and her family and friends.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great read, really loved it
Its 1888 in the East End of London and things are difficult for young Lottie and her family. Her mother is recently widowed and reluctant to leave the house.
As well as Lottie there are four younger brothers and sisters, twins Freddy and Davy are just five years old and sisters Daisy eleven and Bessie is twelve. Lottie is only sixteen but is the only wage earner in the family until her mother realises that unless she does something her family would be thrown out of their house into the street or the workhouse. She starts doing home working, making match boxes after getting refused a job in the factory. This can only be for the best after the conditions at the factory do not get any better.
What follows next is a very readable and lovely story, following the work and home lives of Lottie and her family and friends, what makes this story even more plausible is that it's based on a true story and the working conditions that the girls have to put up with in their day to day working lives would never be allowed today. You must read this book to find out what happens to Lottie and the rest of her family and friends and if you love family saga books you will not be disappointed. This is the first book that I have read by Lynette Rees and definitely won't be the last. A 5☆read.

[Diane]

A fabulous read telling the story of the Matchgirls working in the Bryant and May factory. The young girls had to put up with appalling working conditions, and often ended up suffering with the terrible phossy jaw. Lynette has written it in a way to draw the reader into the story and so feeling all the terrible suffering along with the factory girls. This tells the story mainly from the eyes of Lottie Perkins who as well as suffering the working conditions, she also ends up struggling against the unwanted attention of one of her bosses. This book is packed with a rollercoaster of different emotions as Lottie and her family and friends fight back for justice for the workers. I highly recommend this book and award it a well deserved 5 stars.

[Myreadbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Quercus books and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.

It features the young Lottie who at sixteen years old has to make an important decision.

She works in a match factory in horrible conditions. The employees are mistreated and their health is threatened. When journalist Annie Besant asks herself a lot of questions about this factory. Will Lottie and her colleagues accept her help? Will they keep their jobs?

A book in one piece, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving at certain passages, captivating, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lottie, her friends, and family all know how bad the conditions are at the match factory but they need their jobs and honestly, no one seems to much care until Annie comes along. Annie is a journalist and she stirs up the women. Lottie has to make a decision and she opts to strike. IF you aren't familiar with the condition in match factories (I wasn't), this is eye opening. It's a tribute to the strong young women who sacrificed to make things better not only for themselves but for others. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. A good read.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An historical romance set in London in summer of 1888.Main character works in a match factory ( Bryant and May ) in Bow ,London.
Set against the true events of the match girl strikes of same year in which they protested about the poor factory conditions where workers were subject to dangerous chemicals ( white phosphorus) and harsh treatment.
Also elements of romance and family life and attempted sexual abuse of the young girl workers by rich factory bosses.
A good read because based on true events and some real historical characters such as Annie Bessant .

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked

From page 1 I was hooked on this story it was entertaining and eye opening reading about those poor matchgirls I never knew what they went through years ago but this has opened my eyes I loved Lottie she was a young girl very trusting and that trust was abused I could go on and on but read the book for yourselves it's a winner definitely worth 5 stars and more

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can i say........fantastic

Lynette is such a grounded author...thoroughly researches her books as she has with The Match girl dilemma. This book has it all,tears laugh and anger. It takes you through hard home life to even more struggles with work, work conditions and appeal of higher work force can this ordinary girl take in a big company.... Read and find out

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart warning read

I enjoyed this book so very much! I found myself visualizing a short waist factory in my home town as I read this book. Hi look forward to reading more by MS Rees.

[LESLEY HEDISON · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very immature story

No thrills no excitement,no can't put it down, a very boring and immature story.
I need to get a cliff hanger book

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Could not put the book down, kept you interested until the end. Highly addictive reading, can’t wait god the next book

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book.

This book is an excellent story I couldn't lay it down every chance I got to read it. This book is well worth reading.

[Rosalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her books. I will look for more.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this book but I found it to be a bit slow and in the end decided to move onto something a bit more engaging. It obviously wasn’t my genre!

[Sian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it all in one night.... amazing

[Sue Hickling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story

[Bookwormbadger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this lovely historical fiction book that was set in the 1880s and based around working conditions in a match factory. Well written, gentle yet serious and emotive in places.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Quercus.

[Rita Bultitude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Well worth a read. Slow start but once you get into it you can't put it down really good book

[Laureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 actually. Better than average. This story painted a picture of how things were back in the day for women.

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was first Lynette Rees book. I thoroughly Enjoyed it and have bout more of her books. My only regret is not discovering Lynette much sooner. This was a fascinating read. I was intriguing to learn about the match girls.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rounded up on this book. It’s really closer to 3.5 stars. It was a good book based on a true story but still fiction. It’s based on unfair working conditions for women, young girls at a match factory in Great Britain. They had to work because it was a very poor area. What men/ husbands/brothers there were worked on the docks or met an early death. The book was set in June, 1888. Lottie is the main heroine. She is 16 years old. Her father has recently died. Her Mother has been in mourning for months. Lottie has twin brothers who are five years old and two sisters, one is twelve and one is eleven Lottie’s Mother has suddenly decided to try and get a job at the match factory. Lottie and her friends discourage her because the conditions at the factory are so bad. The smells were horrible with clouds of sulphurous smoke, the foremen wouldn’t let them go to the bathroom, take breaks or even wash their hands before they ate their lunch at their work stations. The story is about a reporter helping Lottie and her friends go all the way to Parliament for better working conditions. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest opinion.