I absolutely love Sara Sheridans books. They’re so easy to get into and so hard to put down.

The Secrets of Bythwood Square is no exception. It’s a great story populated with excellent, believable characters and woven with rich historical detail.

You can always rely on Sara for feisty independent women and in BS, the main characters are two women from very different backgrounds. Charlotte Nicholl is an heiress who is left to deal with her fathers secrets after his death and Ellory Mann, a working class girl trying to make her way in the male dominated world of photography. Both women fight against their upbringing and the restrictive society expectations of 19th c Scotland to make new lives for themselves and the reader is urging them on at every step.

In The Fair Botanist the author breathed life into 19th century Edinburgh. However the setting for Blythswood Square, - 19th Glasgow is a harder task. Glad to say that she absolutely nailed it. The hustle and vibrancy, the industry, trade and the poverty of the city is vividly brought to life. You can almost smell the Clyde and hear the horses and carts on the street.

Great range of characters in this one too from ambitious, flamboyant Jeremiah Catto and local busybody Mrs Grieg (grrr) to the inclusion of real life figures such as Frederick Douglass

Another excellent read from this author. Highly recommend

Thanks to Netgalley & Hodder for the chane to read an advance copy

The very different lives of Ellory and Charlotte are brought together gradually in this amazing tale of women who have had to be independent in a time when female independence was very much frowned upon. Wonderful characters and a beautifully interwoven story. You get a real feel for Glascow and Edinburgh too. A lovely story.

Ellory is fascinated by the world of photography and managed to get a job assisting Mr Hill alongside her disapproving cousin in Edinburgh. She knows her place but still managed to take pictures for her own portfolio dreaming of the future when she may become a photographer herself. An unexpected stroke of good fortune means Ellory is able to start her business in Glasgow. Her path crosses that of Charlotte Nicholl who recently has lost her father leaving her bereft in a sea of disapproval. She relied on her father for all guidance but cannot face the prospect of marriage even to her childhood friend Murray. Charlotte and Ellory become friends helping each other navigate the hazards of society and when Charlotte finds a disturbing cache of art she finds Ellory the only person she feels able to turn to. A fascinating, atmospheric story which I greatly enjoyed.

I was drawn to this book by the title. I am Glaswegian and Blythswood Square had a bad reputation when I was growing up. I do however love the Victorian era and the history of Glasgow. This story centres on two women who become independent in different ways. One chooses to be and the other has to be, due to circumstances. The description of Glasgow in the mid 19th century is really interesting. Landmarks I know well are only just being built, the river Clyde is a bustling thoroughfare. I think a map would have been a welcome addition to orientate those who are unfamiliar with the city. There are several themes : equality , poverty, religion, art, public v private matters, etiquette, expectations of society. Fans of Ambrose Parry will enjoy this book as it’s set in the same time frame as his Edinburgh saga. The characters are all important in their own way, they all contribute to the story. I wonder if there will be a sequel. I shall look out for more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook.