I’d describe this book as realistic fiction. The author has done an amazing job at creating imaginary characters and situations that depict the world and society. The characters focus on themes of growing, self-discovery and confronting personal and social problems.

A book of struggle and survival. I enjoyed reading about this mother/daughter duo and their adventures in becoming independent.

This the first in the Lily Baker stories.Lily and her mother leave Coventry for Oxford away from Lily's violent father where her mother has a job being housekeeper . This is a lovely story and read it in one day.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

This was an unexpected read. The book cover and title were catchy. I admire how short the pages were. I struggled with the last few pages of the book as I was not sure if the ending was happy or hopeful.  The characters executed their roles well. I will rate it 3 stars because it was not giving me the historical fiction saga I wanted, but the author  did well in her imagination for the plot.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this story about Lily and her mother after they move away from her father and her mother and she find work and friends.

I recommend this book.

This was a strong prequel novel, I enjoyed how good the characters were and that the setting they were in felt right. I was invested in what Patricia McBride wrote and enjoyed that it had such a great overall concept. It worked as a novella and I’m glad I read this.

This was a prequel to the Lily Baker series. It was a short but sweet introduction to her and her life. She and her mom move to Oxford to escape her abusive father to be the housekeeper for a kind elderly, kind professor. She gets a job, finds friends, and starts life anew. I liked her character and I'm looking forward to reading more about her life. I have another book about her as an ARC and I'll likely get the rest in her series so I can find out more about her and life from here.

Thanks to Boldwood, Netgalley, and the author of the ARC of this book!

The Button Girls by Patricia McBride is a prequel to the Lily Baker series. It is a short story that tells us a little about Lily Baker’s life in 1938. The chapters lacked a flow. They were more like separate scenes. I enjoyed getting to know a little about Lily. She is a smart girl with a plucky personality. Unfortunately, Lily’s father is free with mouth and fists. Mental and physical abuse happen and are discussed. I did not like how women accepted it as their lot (the laws were quite different back then). The Button Girls has a good main character, but I did not like the choppy story.

A lovely story that I really enjoyed reading.
Such a easy comfortable read.
Chapter after chapter the book pulls you into another time heartbreaking and sad, with happiness shining through that set off all your emotions.
Loved it .

What a lovely book I read it very quickly as it was quite short. I really hope there is another to come in this series as I want to know what happens to Lily and whether her mum stays with her awful dad. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I don’t understand why this is titled The Button Girls. This is a short story about a young woman who tries to move away from her abusive father and the life she and her mother try to build. The Depression and the build up to WWII are only vaguely mentioned. There are no buttons, the main character works in a shirt factory.

When I saw and read the squib about The Button Girls, I didn’t realize that this book was #6 in the series, but a prequel to the series. Hummmmmm … I’ve never read a prequel prior to a series, but thought maybe I should and then read the series.

Quite frankly, I hope the series is better than the prequel. The setting is in England prior to her entrance into WWII. Work for women is practically nil, especially for those with limited education and skills. This book focused on spousal abuse and the woman’s sad acceptance of it. The heroine, I hope, is going to be her daughter who is determined to get out of that tragic cycle.

For those who have already read the other books in that series, I suppose this prequel will answer some questions. But I don’t recommend it as a stand alone.

I’m thankful to NetGalley and to the publisher for an early reader’s copy of the book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Short historical drama set just before the start of war. Story finished a bit abruptly for me,I presenters will be more. A good read.

Lily is surprised one morning when her mother wakes her to announce that they are leaving her father, the domineering force in their lives. They decide to go to Oxford where there is more possibility of securing a housekeeper post. They are lucky when mum finds one with a Professor, as it’s a live in position. Lily looks around for a job, which she find with the textile factory. Lily becomes friendly with Jean who when visiting the manager of the Dream Palace helps to secure part-time jobs for them both.
Thinking themselves secure now is soon shattered when first Lily’s father discovers when’re they are. Will he persuade his wife to take him back! Then Mrs David the professor’s daughter turns up at the house accusing them of various things, will she take action.
I loved this because there’s plenty going on to keep your attention.
Favourite character was Lily . Least favourite character was Lily’s feckless father.

Hope there will be more of Lily in the future!