I really enjoyed this debut by Emma Cowing. Set in 1900s in Scotland, it was emotional read telling the story of Lena who sets up a Women's Travelling Circus. I enjoyed the characters and their stories.
Thanks to Netgally and Hodder & Staunton for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Set in 1910 it’s the story of four strong, resilient women starting an all ladies circus and travelling and performing across Edwardian Scotland
Loved the family history background from the author’s own family
A brilliant debut novel capturing the magic and beauty of the big top, but also the determination and strength of the women in face of opposition and adversity
Spellbinding - enter the ring you won’t be disappointed
Thanks @emmcowing @hodderbooks & Netgalley for the amazing debut eARC

Historical fiction that fills in the gaps
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Inspired by Cowing’s own family, this Edwardian historical novel brings to life four brave women attempting to take charge of their own destinies as they start an all-female circus. Cleverly interweaving the women’s pasts and their present, Cowing builds a nuanced and realistic portrait of an Edwardian underclass, full of highs and lows, joys and sorrows, and drama like you might not believe but never becoming too much. This is historical fiction that fills in the gaps, giving us never-before-seen detail with emotional heft; and an exciting addition to the library of travellers’ fiction.

Four and a half stars

Thanks to Holder & Staughton and NetGalley for ARC,
Admittedly this isn't my usual reading choice but I'm so glad I took the chance - set in Edwardian Scotland, centring on the often overlooked and richly detailed world of travelling show people, this follows a small troupe of young women trying to make names for themselves and find some safety and security. They all have secrets, they all do what they have to do to survive, and they are a family of sorts.
The richly detailed world and the slow pace of the opening chapters will not be everyone's cup of tea, and there is some melodrama appropriate to the age, but overall I was charmed and utterly involved in this till the end.

I was a little unsure as I started this book, but after the first couple of chapters it drew me in to a most delightful and unusual story. The story takes place in Scotland and follows the first all female circus to perform along the well trodden route that circuses and fairgrounds have followed for years. Beautifully written, it draws all of your emotions as the story unfolds. Highly recommended.

I was intrigued by the description of this book and the lovely cover.

It started off well but I don’t think this book was for me. There were bits that felt a bit long which made me feel reluctant to continue.

I’ve had a read of other reviews and I definitely seem to be in the minority here so I’m sure the book will do well.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me as it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I found the writing very flowery and it read more like literary or women's fiction than "romance" which I probably should have realised from reading the description of the book, but I guess I didn't!

I really loved the premise and I'm still giving this 3 stars as I can absolutely see how others would LOVE this book, but I personally just couldn't get into the style of writing. Just a personal preference!

The book started with the words of an old folk song which I have sung so the book draw me in from the beginning. The way in which the circus travelled and interacted with the other show people is very different to how it seems today, I loved there being a women's show and how rare that must have been at that time.
The story was sad in parts and people's stories didn't end where you might have wanted them too. A good read with twists I didn't see!

I love a good circus tale so was looking forward to reading Emma Cowing’s debut novel The Show Woman. It proved to be an unexpected story of three strong-minded women who form a groundbreaking women’s circus. Set in Edwardian times there are some shocking moments of child abuse, poverty and abandonment against the backdrop of circus life where catastrophic accidents happen. There is light amidst it all thankfully with two tender love stories. Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Staunton for the eARC.

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

This book was set in the early 1900s with the unique and interesting premise of a woman-only circus. Focused on a group of friends who each has an interesting backstory, they come together, against all odds, to create a circus. There were some interesting twists and turns and the book was filled with likeable characters so it was a pleasure to read. I think this was Emma Cowing's first book and I would definitely pick up another by her.

|:: The Show woman
By Emma Cowing
Chapter 27 Page 173
And on the night before.
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

{“Are we ready?” Asks Lenna, and the trail out into the fading dusk of the evening. It has been a hot day, too hot for September, and the air feels thick and close. It prickles at their skin, even as the sky turns dark.
“Could be rain coming,” says Violet. As they make their way towards the town, arms linked, laughing about the boy in the last show of the day who insisted on being ridden around the ring on Tommy Pony after the show then stood up on his back, promptly toppled over and had to be caught by Violet, they attract attention.
A cart goes past with two lads on the back, barefoot and with bottles of beer in their hands, and they wolf-whistle at the four women and ask if they want a ride. “Not where you're going,” says Violet.
And they laugh as the wagon disappears into the dark. They pass a flower bed and on a whim, Lenna leans in and plucks a small white flower for Carmen's hair.
Further into town now and men in smart suits and bowler hats cast admiring glances their way, right up to the theatre door. }


In this adventure, we follow Lenna down a circus-fueled rabbit hole of delight on what life may have looked, felt and seemed like from a traveller. Lenna, who breathed fire into the outdoor life, loved, lost and fought for all she knew, making her the Show woman she was.

Lenna was a really likeable character, she came across as motherly even though she was young in her days. Having just lost her father and her mother still missing after mysteriously disappearing years before, Lenna finds herself in a predicament. Should she sell up, or move on/away? Start fresh? Maybe start a whole new life?
But as luck would have it, her friend Violet also finds herself on the lonely path of.. wondering what to do next. They decide to put together their very own circus - a woman's circus!
And so it begins. Auditions! Rehearsals. A new era of circus entertainment, but someone isn't happy about their success. Someone is out to try and stop, destroy.. hurt the four young women trying to bring smiles to those around them.
With so many enemies and the girls being pulled apart, literally from the seams they have woven themselves into.. how are they meant to navigate independence with hidden attacks along the way?
Where is Lenna's mother? Why is the famous old lady obsessed with Violet? What is Rainbowgirl hiding? Why does being around men affect Rosie so much?
I guess you will have to read to find out!

A beautiful story of friendship, hardship and trials and tribulations amongst the small majority of the world who are overlooked. It takes skill to go in front of a camera all day and perform but these artists are on show 24/7 because they are unique, different and so magical in their own rights. I mean who else wanted to run away with the circus when they were younger? And in this story, Rosie fulfilled that dream for a lot of us. I loved everything about this book, it was a gift I didn't know I needed. Thank you.


A huge thank you to Emma Cowing, Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and relay my honest feedback. ::|

Filled with stronge, plucky female characters immersed in a male dominated world - that of the circus - as they fight to prove themselves, and to survive. Atmospheric, with plenty of twists.

A mesmerising read that drew me in from page 1. Beautiful author craft, a captivating story and some really great characters.

Inspired by her own grandmother and great aunt, Cowing tells the story of the Edwardian Glasgow show women, who travelled around a Scottish circuit of fairgrounds with their theatre and trapeze show.

The story brings together a group of women all escaping their lives for different reasons - Lena and Violet are already travelling show people, but they’re joined by Carmen, from Spain, and Rosie from Ayrshire, whose story of (TW) child abuse was particularly dark.

It was an empathetic exploration of found family and the complicated relationships that entangle themselves across generations of close-knit communities, full of secrets, loyalties and grudges.

It was easy to get immersed in the gritty, sparkling world of the fairground - it was an emotional story with several tragic moments, but with an uplifting thread of determination and hope throughout.

A circus, a young lady and the start of a new life when she is left without parents, is told to find a husband and then decides t go with Violet, 'the greatest trapeze artist that ever lived' to form their own troupe. This is a book that is inspired by the author's Aunt Violet and is a wonderful and evocative story.

I loved this book and its story, the lives of two strong and inspiring women of the times, proving that women can and will do what they are good at, in a world that revolves around men. This is an inspiring story and one that I do highly recommend. I loved it and want to read more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The premise of this book was intriguing and held much promise. The opening scene is a great hook and I wanted to enjoy the rest of the novel.

But I'm afraid this kind of writing style doesn't work for me. It never went into enough depth or dwelt on any plot development long enough for me to feel immersed in the storyline. It gave me a rather superficial reading experience. It was also rather episodic which is a structure I don't really enjoy. Then, finally I felt the character plot arcs felt a bit convenient and contrived and lacked realistic nuance and a non-linear construct.
I'm sure many readers will enjoy this feminist historical fiction, but I enjoy a writing style which has more of a evolved storytelling daring to take time from the plot to give me descriptions, time in the minds of characters and some imagery and metaphor to add richness to the prose.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this book. A nice easy read with plenty going on. Good character development and scene setting.
I definitely read more by this author.

I really enjoyed this book! Inspired by the experiences of the author's Aunt Violet, a trapeze artist, we get a glimpse into the culture and experiences of a travelling Circus family in the Victorian era.

When Lena Loveridge's father dies, she inherits the family carousel so she decides to use the money from it's sale to start-up her own ladies circus with her cousin Violet. However, in a time when women were rarely taken seriously in business this was incredibly hard and with stiff competition from established circuses it was hard to get it going.

A great piece of historical fiction, with strong female characters.

Thank you for the ARC! Sadly unable to read as this was downloaded onto a device I no longer have access to and the book has since been archived.