A Shop Girl at Sea (Pennington's, #4)

by Rachel Brimble

[Lynn]

Amelia Wakefield loves her job at Pennington's in Bath, working as acting window designer. When her boss proposes a trip to New York to find out how the departments stores in the city operate, it's both a surprise and an opportunity of a lifetime. Even more, when she and fellow worker Mr Weir are booked to travel on the inaugural sailing of the Titanic. On board, she meets crew member, Samuel Murphy, but as tragedy strikes, Amelia has to decide where her heart and loyalties lie.

Meanwhile back in Bath, window design assistant, Ruby Taylor is trying to escape from her abusive mother. Help comes from another work friend and widow, Mrs Victoria Lark. She offers Ruby and her young brother a safe home. Only, Ruby has a secret which burns deep, as does Victoria.

Seaman Samuel Murphy is a crewman working on the Titanic. New York-bound he hopes the trip to America is a stepping stone to a new future. He meets Amelia, a shop-girl during the Atlantic crossing an unexpected complication. However, when the ship hits an iceberg, the unfolding events seal his fate for the future.

This is another beautifully written novel by Ms Brimble, set in 1912, two plot lines following Pennington's staff; Amelia's adventure to New York and the blossoming friendship between Ruby and Victoria.

The Titanic scenes are adrenalin-fuelled as the two love birds act on what they believe is important as time is rapidly running out for them to try to remain safe. The poignant scene between Amelia and Mr Weir is heart-breaking, highlighting the dilemma faced by those who put other peoples safety before their own.

The close friendship between Ruby and Victoria is dealt with sensitively at a time in history when such a relationship was illegal. The reactions of fellow workers amplify the precarious situation both women are living where gossip and innuendo draw attention to them when they are trying to portray their living arrangements as a practical arrangement for Ruby and her brother.

The theme throughout the novel is one of overcoming hurdles and adversity in life. Amelia, Samuel and Ruby find their strength to follow their hearts, accepting life is too short to not follow your dreams and desires. For anyone looking for historical romances in and around the second decade of twentieth-century England, I highly recommend this and the other novels in the Pennington series.

***arc generously received courtesy of Aria Publishing***