I love AnneMaries books and have been lucky again to get an advance copy from NetGalley. Thankyou so much, I loved it!

this book is yet another great addition to Anne-Marie bear novels
it's an enjoyable and gritty read and I recommend it.

This book is absolutely fantastic, yet another great story from the extremely talented Anne-Marie Brear. Full of emotion, compassion and excitement. A must read! Can't wait for the next book.

Lorrie's Story

A story of sadness, romance, heartbreak, secrets and betrayals.
Lorrie and her father run a boatyard on the docks. She does the books for her father and he runs the boatyard.

All seems happy and serine, however, the book uncovers an unexpected romance with heartbreaking and long lasting consequences.

Then she has to deal with her father's death and how it happened and the following fallout from the fire and his death and the betrayal of someone her father trusted.
one member of her father's staff is a friend to Lorrie as well as her best girlfriend. Together they help her though some very troubling times.

It is an engaging emotional story and definitely a page turner. I enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to AnneMarie Brear for writing the story, to Boldwood Books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book to read and review.

What a wonderful book continuing on from the last book which both the books can be read as stand alone.

This book is about Lorrie and her life living in the boatyard her Father owns. She works in the office paying all the bills. Lorrie meets Matteo who is a distant relative of her Mother’s who ends up helping out at the boatyard after an accident. We see Lorrie having feelings for Matteo. The workers at the boatyard help Lorrie out when a mishap happens.

I could see the way the book was going and wasn’t surprised by the ending.

I enjoyed reading the book seeing the characters from the previous book. The characters all worked well together.

The book flowed along nicely and I certainly could not put the book down.

Every book I have read by this author does not disappoint and are all well written.

Recommend this book.

I didn't know upon starting the book that this was actually the second book in The Waterfront Women series. I believe from reading other reviews that they are standalone books so hopefully it didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the book by not having a background on the other women's backgrounds or stories. He vivid description of both the changing time, attitudes of men and the thorough description of the surround area make you feel as through you are there in the book. She has obviously done her research on Yorkshire, in the victorian Era.

This is the first book I have read by the author but it certainly won't be the last. I really enjoyed AnneMarie Brears writing style. The story begins in Wakefield, Yorkshire 1871 this story follows Loretta Chambers who has worked at the dockside boatyard yard her whole life, and has been brought up with her father Edward after the death of her Italian mother when she was six. With advances in technology and the train arriving in the local vicinity the trade that once kept the family afloat is on the incline and Loretta is worried about how they are going to make ends meet and pay the wages. Having no choice Ernest must give a percentage to Oswald Lynch to help get repairs done that the business seriously needs. We can tell straight away that Oswarlds plans for the boatyard and Loretta and not as sweet or helpful as he pretends. Loretta has an instant dislike to him and tries to keep her distance. Then the charming Matteo arrives from Italy and Loretta has lots more choices and decisions she has to make.

I really like this kind of romance, proving that back in the day times were hard and difficult decision could change your whole future. This story will definitely tug on your heart strings, especially as Loretta is so likeable. This book is about romance, friendship, love for family and second chances. I think I particularly enjoyed the setting of this books as my Dad was a Stevedore and I spend most of my childhood at the boatyard where he worked, so it definitely took me back down memory lane. I will definitely be trying to get my hands on the other books in the series and I really enjoyed this one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and BoldwoodBook for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is the fourth book from AnneMarie Brear I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, having previously read The Soldier’s Daughter, The Tobacconist’s Wife and The Waterfront Lass, the latter of which is the first book in this Waterfront Lass trilogy.

While The Dock Girl’s Shame references characters from the first book, this can easily be read as a standalone (although I’d highly recommend reading both!) and focuses on the tale of Lorrie, the daughter of a boat yard owner.

Set in Yorkshire in the Victorian era, the author transports you to the heart of Wakefield with her vivid descriptions of the landscape and changing times, making you feel completely immersed in the setting. The customs and traditions of the time are well researched and indicative of the beliefs held by men at that time about a woman’s role in society.

Lorrie is a wonderful main female character who is determined to stand on her own two feet, having run the accounts for the boatyard since she was a teenager and who is respected amongst the workers. She isn’t afraid to take on those such as Oswald Lynch and voice her opinions on the running of the business, even though he believes it is not her place to do so. She certainly faces plenty of challenges in her life but is strong and resilient and I warmed to her immediately.

The storyline is engaging from the outset, particularly with the introduction of Matteo Falcone and I found myself continually wanting to read ‘just one more chapter’ to find out what happened next.

A hugely enjoyable read and now I’m eagerly awaiting the final book of the trilogy!

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

I am a huge fan of AnneMarie and her work. By no means have I read everything that she has written but that is something that I hope to rectify in the not too distant future. I just love the fact that she writes such superb historical fiction. I read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in 'The Waterfront Women' series, which is called 'The Waterfront Lass' and I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the second book in 'The Waterfront Women' series is called 'The Dock Girl's Shame' and it was released on 16th March 2024. It's another cracker of a story, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.

As is usually the case with AnneMarie's books, I was drawn to 'The Dock Girl's Shame' by the fact that I saw AnneMarie's name on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet. The fact that it's the second in 'The Waterfront Women' series was the icing on the cake. As soon as I started reading the story itself, I realised three things - firstly that I was reading something special, secondly that I was going to become addicted to the story and thirdly that the story was going to tug on my heartstrings. Well I was spot on with all three predictions. This was a special story, I became addicted to the story and the story did tug on my heartstrings on several occasions. I picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the different characters that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of 'The Dock Girl's Shame' and had to say goodbye to Loretta (Lorrie) and the other characters. I found 'The Dock Girl's Shame' to be a gripping, tense, dramatic and emotional story that certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge o my seat throughout.

'The Dock Girl's Shame' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from AnneMarie Brear. AnneMarie has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. AnneMarie certainly knows how to grab the reader's attention and draw them into what proved to be one hell of a story and then some. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly brisk pace throughout. AnneMarie's love for her characters shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. Reading 'The Dock Girl's Shame' felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, highs and lows, twists and turns and so on. I found that I went through the different emotions that the different characters went through. I love the way in which AnneMarie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Dock Girl's Shame' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of AnneMarie's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This is the second book in the Waterfront Girls series and having loved the first book I was really excited to read this one. It certainly didn’t let me down as I loved it. This book centres mainly around Loretta Chambers, affectionately known as Lorrie. Lorrie is the daughter of Edward Chambers who is the owner of a boatyard and she works hard along with her father to keep the business going, times are difficult but Lorrie is a very determined young woman. Things however don’t always work out in her favour and we see what happens as we read through the chapters. I really liked Lorrie and felt she was such a strong and warm hearted woman. The other characters were also well written, some were lovely like Lorrie’s two friends Fliss and Meg. However there were other characters who were really despicable but you can read about them more in this book. The author writes this series so well and the descriptions of the places are so vivid I could picture being down there at the dockyard whilst these people are going about their daily business. I finished this book with a smile on my face knowing that there will soon be a third book in this great historical saga series.

Sunday, March 17, 2024
The Dock Girl's Shame



Loretta loved working with her father at the docks. But everything changed when her father made a deal with Oswald Lynch. Trouble soon followed.
Loretta made a mistake which led to shame and guilt. Can she ever show her face again?

Great characters. I loved Jonas Bannerman. He was a genuine, caring man. Does Loretta even see what is in front of her?

I had a horrible time reading about how some people in her community treated Loretta after her secret was leaked. Even one of her closest friends was very judgemental. How times have changed.

This is the second book of The Waterfront Women series. I've read both. This could be a stand alone book.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book. Thank you Boldwood for giving me the opportunity to read this.

I received a copy of this for free, to review as part of a book tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

When I first started reading this, I immediately felt a connection with the protagonist, Lorrie. I liked her as a character because she seemed strong-headed and determined. I was lured in by the spark between Lorrie and Matteo, so I quickly became invested. I found myself thinking a lot about Lorrie's situation, torn between her desire to be with Matteo, and her duty to her father.

As I read on, the book tugged at my heartstrings more and more, as I began to feel more afraid for Lorrie, and more concerned about what might become of her. The story's ending wasn't quite what I hoped for, but I think it will please most readers.

This book felt like an emotionally difficult read in places, but I had to see it through to the end, and I enjoyed being part of Lorrie’s journey while I was reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This is the second book in AnneMarie Bread Waterfront Woman series.This story is about Lottie Chambers who works in her dads boatyard trying to keep it you going as the railways are starting to take over.Then she meets Italian Mattoe Falconewho turns her head but she knows she can never leave and go to Italy .and leave her father.Lottie now has a secret that could ruin her life forever. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

A broken heart, a shameful secret, a historical saga set in Wakefield, Yorkshire in 1871 where we find Loretta Chambers in a situation no family of the time wants to be in. How will she get through this tough time, a new baby, no husband and tragedy. This is a story that will keep you glued to the pages of this book.

It is riveting and heart-breaking, engaging and dramatic. It is a book you won't want to put down. This book has it all! Secrets, betrayal, drama, hardship and so much more. I loved Loretta Jane Chambers. and found her to be a courageous and strong woman. This is a well written story, was easy to follow but had much depth and emotion. A wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Lorrie Chambers is trying to keep her father's boat yard afloat. The arrival of the handsome Italian Matteo makes Lorries heart flutter but she could never leave to go to Italy with Matteo. I loved Lorries feisty spirit and I think she can do much better than Matteo who I found to be arrogant. Lorrie seems to be innocent and naive but under the surface she is a very strong and capable woman. The plot kept me engaged and even through the tough times I could feel the hope of joy squeezing out the pages. A wonderful appealing historical saga and I am so happy to have had the pleasure of reading The Dock Girl's Shame!

Another winner from AnneMarie Brear! There has not been a single book of hers I have not thoroughly enjoyed and could not put down once starting. She grabs me every time with her memorable historical characters, atmospheric settings and moving events. We often see women in her stories who are strong, independent, courageous and not happy to accept the norms of the time. These historical women are always faced with monumental challenges but become resourceful overcomers.

And in The Dock Girl’s Shame, AnneMarie delivers such a heroine. From the first intriguing paragraph to the very last past, my heart was tossed about following the path and happenings of Loretta Jane Chambers. She certainly experienced some heart breaking tragedies. Yet managed to overcome her losses and begin again. Lorrie, as she is known by her friends, works in her father’s boat building and repair business. She oversees many aspects of his establishment including accounts, purchases and payroll—to name a few. She is smart, confident and not afraid to speak her mind. But she has a challenge on her hands. When the novel opens, they are at a rough point in the business. No matter how many times she checks and tries to balance the figures, she still comes up short. Her father has taken on a partnership and it appears all it has done has put him in the red. He has more bills and expenses than money to cover them. Although the railways may be taking some of the trade away, Lorrie blames some of this loss on her father’s partner: a man not to be trusted who has sold them out as cheap labour.

Then an attractive Italian lands on her doorstep claiming to be a member of her late mother’s family. He has brought a gift from her late great-grandmother. But her father is not keen on Matteo’s presence. Apparently there is some bad blood between the families and we learn later what caused it: a secret her father has carried that will surprise Lorrie. But before this revelation, she loses her heart to this man. Of course, things certainly do not go as she hopes. He must return to Italy. His family expect him to take over a relative’s vineyard, enter a prearranged marriage and carry on their traditions. Although he is attracted to Lorrie, will he forgo his family’s wishes and marry her instead?

Then another man, a boat builder-designer like her father enters her life. A powerful friendship is made that begins the healing process. I liked this guy very much! Will she be able to break free of the previous affection and start again? He is a man who has also known suffering and loss and becomes a great source of help in Mr Chamber’s business while he tries to heal after an accident. But he also is balm for Lorrie’s heart. How far will this new relationship go?

As for the antagonist of this novel, her father’s business partner, he is a loathsome character of deception! Lorrie is right in her suspicions but even she did not know how bad he can be. Later in the story we discover some wicked truths about this man. And we watch as he plots and plunders and proves to be even worse than anyone thought!

The Dock Girl's Shame is a story filled with secrets, disasters, greed, betrayal and loss. And sorting out your friends and enemies. But there is also hope and healing at the heart of this novel and the ending made my heart sing! Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood and Netgalley for a review copy.

Excellent , I throughly enjoyed it. Emotionally charged a story of life, love, trust, sadness and triumph of good over bad. Highly imagined and an interest holder, this is set to be a cozy read, it leaves you revelling in thoughts of how it all pans out. An interesting story. Five stars.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had read the first book in the series centred round Meg, It is possible to read this one as a standalone book - this one being more about Lorrie and her father Ernest.

It was well written and well researched and it was obvious that AnneMarie Brear knew the area of Wakefield that she was writing about.
It was interesting to read about the boatyard and the canal life and how this was threatened by the advent of the railway.

There is romance, one character that you love to hate, shame and in the end redemption. And that bad character gets their comeuppance in finally.

I look forward to the next book in the series which presumably will be Fliss' story.

A great read for those that love historical fiction and saga style books

A broken heart...a shameful secret...

This is the second in the Waterfront Women series, the first being "The Waterfront Lass" which I loved. This one is another standalone tale featuring Lorrie Chambers, one of the three waterfront lasses in which the series surrounds. As the first one was Meg's story and this one is Lorrie, I can only assume the third will centre around Fliss. As with the first book, this is another great read which I devoured in one sitting once again.

Lorrie Chambers has lived on the waterfront with her father Ernest Chambers since she was six years old after the death of her beautiful Italian mother Arianna. He was the sole owner of Chambers Boatyard Builders and Repairs, that is until the entrance of Oswald Lynch, with whom her father sold a percentage of the business to in order to save it from going under. But Lynch made Lorrie's skin crawl and she feared he had nefarious plans for the boatyard and her father. However, her father refused to be swayed. And no matter how much Lorrie tried to keep out of Lynch's way, he continued to seek her out even proposing marriage on occasion. Something which made Lorrie baulk at the sheer thought of it.

Then one day, handsome Italian Matteo Falcone enters the boatyard with a gift for Lorrie from her great grandmother, for whom she was named, who had recently passed away. It seems they were distantly related - their great grandmothers being cousins. Lorrie's father was furious at Matteo's sudden appearance and thought nothing good could come of it. But Lorrie found herself attracted to Matteo and when her father was suddenly injured, he stepped in to help run the boatyard until her father recovered.

But the more time the pair spent together, the more chance trouble would come of their union. But that was to be the least of Lorrie's troubles to come. How would she fare when more tragedy struck and threatened her livelihood?

Another good solid read from Aussie author AnneMarie Brear that I thoroughly enjoyed as I whiled away the hours of the afternoon. I didn't care for Matteo one bit. He wanted his cake and to eat it too. In my experience, Italian men are far too sure of themselves and self-absorbed. I knew any dalliance with him would spell trouble for Lorrie...and the title kind of gave that part of the story away. However, I didn't agree with the title as Lorrie proved herself to be a strong and resilient woman in the face of adversity.

I look forward to reading Fliss' story next and wonder what Ms Brear has up her sleeve for that one.

Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson, Lindsey Hutchinson and Dilly Court.

I would like to thank #AnneMarieBrear, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheDockGirlsShame in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

It was 1871 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, and Loretta Chambers had been alone with her father since she was six years old. Her mother had been Italian and she and Lorrie's father had loved each other dearly. But her family would have nothing to do with him as they blamed him for taking their daughter away from them. When Italian Matteo Falcone arrived at the family boatyard office one day, with a gift for Lorrie from her great-grandmother who had recently passed, Lorrie's dad was furious. He would never speak of Lorrie's mum, and refused to have Matteo in the place.

With the constant harassment from the sly, rough partner of the business irritating Lorrie, she was determined to keep the yard going. The railway was taking more of their trade, and the struggle to make ends meet; to pay the wages of the men, kept Lorrie on edge. But danger was ahead of them, and tragedy wasn't far behind. What would the strong, determined and loyal Lorrie do?

The Dock Girl's Shame is the 2nd in the Waterfront Women series by Aussie author AnneMarie Brear and I thoroughly enjoyed it. With plenty of mystery and intrigue, along with angst and duty, I felt for Lorrie - hers was a well-crafted character. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read by Annemarie Brear, this is the 2nd instalment of this series of books and just loved it. It’s the story of Lorrie and her father Ernest who run a boat yard in Wakefield in 1871. The book is so well written and has great characters and just a tad emotional in places.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books for the great early read.