Stacey Hall can sure knock out some fascinating thrilling superbly preformed characterisation of books that keep me totally enthralled, invested and entertained plus….. Urania Cottage was co-founded by Charles Dickens in Shepherd’s Bush on the then western outskirts of London in the late 1840s so although fiction it’s a fact.

A house for “fallen girls/women” which involved some that didn’t even realise they were seen that way.

There are a mixture of strong characters to those not so strong. Emotionally challenged.
The bonds formed within that house were touching.

The class distinction totally exact.

This author has fast become a favourite of mine as she takes parts in history that are very rarely explored and opens a readers mind to aspect of life that you never thought you’d want to know about, until one of Stacey Halls books and then it won’t leave you alone. You will always remember what the book was about.

Very impressionable.

If you’ve never read a book by this author and like historical fiction that delves in other than WWI OR WWII, try this.

Unfortunately a DNF as I was not drawn into the story and engaged in it. The premise was interesting but the characters were boring and I was not interested in continuing. A shame as I have previously enjoyed one of the authors books before

In a quiet house in the countryside outside London, the finishing touches are being made to welcome a group of young women. The house and its location are top secret, its residents unknown to one another, but the girls have one thing in they are fallen. Offering refuge for prostitutes, petty thieves and the destitute, Urania Cottage is a second chance at life - but how badly do they want it?

Meanwhile, a few miles away in a Piccadilly mansion, millionairess Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of the benefactors of Urania Cottage, makes a discovery that leaves her her stalker of 10 years has been released from prison . . .

As the women's worlds collide in ways they could never have expected, they will discover that freedom always comes at a price . . .

Unfortunately, the story fell a little flat for me and I did not feel the same excitement after I read the blurb, The storyline is no doubt intriguing, particularly as there are real life aspects to it; this is the premise of a story around Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts investing in a "halfway house for fallen women" being Urania Cottage in the 19th Century. Halls is a brilliant writer and you can sense the research that was carried out in the creation of this book. However, I felt this was not translated into the narrative itself.. Although I appreciate the need to show women from different backgrounds and how fate brings them together, often we see that with juggling multiple characters and storylines, there was alot of words but not alot of movement in the plot itself. At times, the story also feels disjointed as the POV jumps to a different characters multiple times within the same chapter and this made it hard to follow for me personally. Although the plot did thicken and build up in parts (I found the twist regarding Richard Dunn a noteworthy attempt to switch the pace of the book in the second half) but otherwise, I was not able to connect to the characters sadly and there seemed to be something missing. None of the romantic interests made sense to me - unless the moral of the story was that women at the time did just pick and settle with anyone because there was no genuine feeling/ability to have a "true connection".

Overall it was not as impactful as I hoped when I picked this up and I was struggling to get through this read at one point. Disappointing as this is the first book I have read by Stacey Hall and hope I can read Stacey's work in the future as the reviews of this book and others have been fantastic. Sadly it was not one for me but I do laud the attempt at bringing light to a part of history and time period which I had never come across before.

Thank you Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and Stacey Halls for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an unedited, honest review.

I really enjoyed this book & the fact it was inspired by real people & events was what piqued my interest.
I have read most of this authors books & have really liked them as I did this one.
Well written with good characters she sets the scene beautifully.
Set in 1847 this interesting plot takes us to a quiet house in the countryside in a secret location.
This is all about second chances given to a group of fallen girls.
Non of them know each other they range from prostitutes petty thieves & the destitute.
The question is how badly do they want their second chances.
Meanwhile the wealthy benefactor of this house Angela Burkett- Coutts has just found out some shocking news.
Her stalker locked away ten years ago has been released from prison.
How long will it be before she has to face the nightmare of it starting again.
The worlds of the women come together in ways they never expected.
Captivating heartwarming read.

I absolutely loved this book.Set in a very interesting era.I have read or listened to all of Staceys book now.Shes a fabulous talent, love the research she does on books andshes only just starting go Stacey.Loved, in this book she used real historical figure in novel.

I’ve read everything Stacey Halls has written to date, and with varied success. I LOVED The Familiars, I enjoyed The Foundling, but Mrs England was lacking a bit of depth for my tastes. The Household falls between Mrs England and The Foundling for me, and I think if you enjoyed either or both of those books then you’re going to love this one too. The vibes are a good match, and the sort of story feels inkeeping with those two. I do think The Familiars is a bit of an outlier, it doesn’t read in the same way as her others. Or perhaps I just feel that way because it was the first I read, and now it’s been a while - maybe I’d feel differently on a reread.

All that to say, The Household is a solid book. It takes an interesting time in history (set against the backdrop of Charles Dickens' home for fallen women) and delivers its story with compelling characters that move the plot along. It doesn’t do anything ground-breaking, but it’s also not trying to. I think this is the sort of Historical Fiction that can appeal to non-Historical Fiction readers, and gives it a wider appeal.

Not one that will stick with me, but a fun time, and worth giving a try next time you want a nice quick easy-reading HF to curl up with, this one delivers that perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The premise was very interesting, but The Household didn’t live up to it and I was mostly bored. The pacing was a problem, none of the characters really grabbed me and overall, I struggled to stay engaged.

Stacey Halls has written yet another historical fiction that ticks all the boxes. I loved this story, how it unfolded and the characters involved. The wonderfully realistic characters each have their own backstories which has impacted how life has moulded them into how they are now. The friendships and bonds that grow and develop between the characters is truly heartwarming.

The book also really makes you think about how women - class irrelevant at times - have been treated in the past and viewed as something lesser than by many in society.
I enjoyed The Household so much, the plot is packed full of drama and suspense and gallops along nicely with surprises galore. It will suck you into the pages and make you feel as if you have stepped back in time and are part of the lives of the characters.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK, Manilla Press, which did not influence my unbiased and honest review of the book.

This was an enjoyable read that was brilliantly written & wonderfully descriptive.
A great historical fiction read.

When I thought that Stacey Halls wouldn’t beat The Familiars, or at least wouldn’t be able to repeat my love for it, I was wrong again. The Household is an absolutely stunning read, wonderful writing, a story that is engaging and will get hold of you and not let you go, if you’re looking for a book you will not forget, this is for you.

It’s 1847, Urania Cottage in the countryside outside London, is being readied to receive it’s first residents, ‘fallen women’, the intention to offer a refuge to those coming from prisons - prostitutes, petty thieves - and the destitute. They are to be trained for service, and rehabilitated and given a safe place to live, so as they can go on to live a different life abroad. We learn the stories of Martha, Josephine, Emily and Annie through their time in Urania Cottage and beyond it’s doors. Mrs Holdsworth is the matron who runs the house, in charge of both the house and the residents. Her character and that of the women are so well drawn.

Urania Cottage was founded by Charles Dickens with benefactors, one of which is Angela Burdett-Coutts. Dickens doesn’t really feature in the story other than acknowledging his role in the project. In Angela Burdett Coutt’s house in Piccadilly in London she learns that her stalker is being released from prison early again. I love how Stacey Halls brings fact and fiction together, grounded in what is real and happened. Her stalker Richard Dunn is determined and misguided in his attention towards her. His life and that of Angela and the women residents of the cottage are about to collide.

Captivating, evocative and engaging. It is a story of hope, friendship and opportunity. It is up there with another favourite from Halls, Mrs England. Thoroughly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction, this is one to put on your TBR.

'The Household'. I ended up listening to this as I was struggling to finish it but, the q & a at the end was fascinating. While it was interesting, a privately funded household away from everything and everyone out in the Countryside, the Household taught young women vital life skills. Specifically, however, this Household (which Charles Dickens himself secretly funded with Angela Burdett-Coutts who created the RSPCA) focused on thieves, prostitutes, criminals as a way of bettering them for another life in Australia. While it was interesting and fascinating that this is steeped in history, I found it confusing with the stands of different characters.

This book is inspired by real people and events, it’s based in Urania cottage, a home for fallen women to give them a second chance that was setup by Charles Dickens and other benefactors. The story follows the lives of Martha and Josephine, two women who have both left prison under different circumstances to try again in a new home, and Angela Burnett-Coutts their millionaire benefactor.

I love Stacey Halls’ writing, she sets the scene so well I feel completely transported to her world when I’m reading. I think her descriptive writing contributed to the stark contrast between classes as the chapters flick between the girls at the home, and how they got there, and Angela’s privileged life as an heiress. Although Angela has her own problems that impact how she lives her life too.

I didn’t see where this one was going at all and how their worlds would collide so the ending was brilliant for me!

Definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great historical fiction with sweeping characters and a plot that had me hooked. It took me a while to get invested, but once I was I really enjoyed it

Never say never? It seems this adage comes true at least once in our lives.

Stacey Halls has written some of my favourite Historical Fiction novels. Beautifully written, ‘populated’ with characters that stay with you. Therefore, I was delighted to be approved for an ARC of her latest novel The Household. Alas, we were simply NOT meant to be.

The story is based on true events and, without a doubt, the vast majority of readers will find it interesting, moving even. To me? It was utter boredom on pages. A heiress with money to waste chooses to ‘’create’’ a ‘’household’’ for fallen girls instead of a hospital or an orphanage. The ‘’girls’ feel as if they have been locked up - never mind that most of them have recently arrived from prison - screaming ingratitude towards Angela with every sentence. Her keeper desperately tries to resemble Mrs. Danvers and poor Angela (the only character who is remotely interesting) tries to escape her stalker while pining for a man 30 years her senior.

Not impressed.

I am sorry to say that the toils, woes and troubles of prostitutes did not attract my sympathy or my interest. In addition, Mrs Holdsworth was irritating to the core. Certain parts of the plot ‘’felt’’ fake and cheap. For example, the remarks about colonization from a girl who can’t write her own name seem to serve a gimmick urge to satisfy a portion of the so called ‘’modern’’ audience. And don’t even get me started on the atrocious dialogue.

Yes, well, I doubt these people even KNOW how to read…

The atmosphere is excellent, and the sense of setting is beautiful. And that’s just about it. Unfortunately, this novel was not for me but I have no doubt it will appeal to the majority of today’s readers.

And that says a lot about today’s readers.

Many thanks to Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Stacey Halls is a great storyteller. Her characters come to life on the page and the pace is just right to hold and keep the reader’s interest. I’m particularly impressed that her stories have converted me to historic fiction. I thoroughly recommend it.

My thanks to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review The Household.

Stacey Halls is the queen of pulling you into her world. Deftly written, brilliantly described and wonderful.

Halls’ new book focuses on the founding of Urania Cottage, a house set up in 1847 by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts for “fallen women”. These women are offered the opportunity to train as domestic servants and to work abroad, letting them start afresh and be rehabilitated.

The Household focuses primarily on two of these fallen women, Martha and Josephine, and their stories. Halls’ ability to successfully fuse fact with fiction to give her readers a compelling story is one of the reasons why I enjoy her books so much.

Characteristic of Halls’ writing is ensuring that she gives a voice to women of the past, providing them with an opportunity to be the central focus of the story. Within this story, Dickens appears but is largely kept as a background figure, letting the female characters’ voices take precedence as can be seen in all Halls’ other books.

Urania Cottage’s co-founder Angela is also given a prominent role within the story, her wealth and status within society contrasting sharply to those of the women seeking help. An interesting aspect of the story is Angela’s personal issues with a stalker as it depicts the challenges of being a woman, even one of means, in 19th century English society.

My favourite book by Halls is still her debut The Familiars but The Household is still a compelling read although I found it a bit more disjointed than some of her other books and the pace quite slow at times within the book. If you enjoy historical fiction, add The Household to your tbr list.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for the arc. The Household is out now. 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fascinating story and even moreso because it's inspired by real life, I believe?! This novel was impossible to put down, not only because of the brilliant author's writing, but because of the plot, the characters and the emotion of it. Wow!

Having thoroughly enjoyed all of Stacey Hall’s previous books, I was eagerly awaiting this latest offering and was not disappointed.

Although I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as her previous ones, it is still very interesting historical fiction about Urania Cottage, a house set up in 1846 by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts, for street working and destitute women and girls, where they are trained up for service and a new start in life.

There are multiple stories in the book as we follow the lives of some of the girls following their release from prison, but also that of Burdett-Coutts, their wealthy benefactress.
I found the various threads hard to keep up with at times, hence the fact I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as her previous books, but it is still nevertheless a beautifully written and extremely interesting book about a place I had never heard of before.

As always, I now eagerly await the next offering from Stacey Halls. 4*

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy return for an honest review.