Babbacombe's

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

This was on @julieclair ‘s #auldlangspine list and it was a sweet, charming read about a young woman who works at the local department store alongside the owner‘s son, who is pursuing her and is becoming a better person because of her, and also alongside her scheming and unpleasant cousin. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-babbacombes-by-susan-scarlett.htm...

@monalyisha

monalyisha This one really intrigued me when I was investigating your list! Apparently, all I want to do this year is read adult novels written by Children‘s book authors. 😆 12mo

julieclair Excellent review on blog spot! So glad you enjoyed this one. 😀 12mo

37 likes2 comments

Centique

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Felt like something sweet and picked this based on the reviews from the #furrowedmiddlebrowclub It was so sweet and i really enjoyed the insight into the way department stores used to work and the jolly antics of this spry little family. Of course being a “good girl” is the idea being celebrated here and its all a bit of a fairytale - but lightly done and with plenty of humour. ⬇️

Centique I loved Beth‘s straightforward common sense contrasted to Dulcie‘s committed manipulating. A little gem of a book that made me smile 😍 12mo

Ruthiella Glad you enjoyed it! It was a cute story. 12mo

elkeOriginal Nice to see the group read inspired you too! 12mo

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batsy Oh, Dulcie! She was a handful 😆 Happy that you liked it, too. 12mo

CarolynM Absolutely a fairy tale and all the better for it😀 12mo

jlhammar Nice review! Glad you enjoyed it. 12mo

LeahBergen We all need a little fairy tale once in a while, don‘t we? ❤️ 12mo

Centique @LeahBergen @CarolynM thank god for fairytales - a sweet escape! 12mo

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BookNAround

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

Starting my first book from @julieclair ‘s #auldlangspine list. 😁

LeahBergen I hope you like it! It‘s frothy and fun. 13mo

BookNAround @LeahBergen I just read it straight through in one sitting. It was a charming delight. 13mo

julieclair Yay! I‘m so glad you loved it! 😀 13mo

Tamra Exactly right, charming! 😁 13mo

batsy It is such a delight! 13mo

48 likes5 comments

Lizpixie

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

Kicking off #WinterGames & #20in4 #readathon behind as usual, but at least I got my tree finished! Couldn‘t quite fit the angel in the picture but the hubby is thrilled to finally have his train working🚂Still working on my games #bujo but I‘ll get there eventually🫣Starting my reading with the #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub read for Nov/Dec. Good luck everyone! #TeamEvergreen 1pt

Clwojick, Andrew65

Andrew65 Best of luck 😁 14mo

35 likes1 comment

batsy

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Another lovely treat from Noel Streatfeild aka Susan Scarlett. There's a loving family, a dashing romantic interest, department store intrigue, & intrepid dogs. I adored Scissors ? & his commitment to tail-thumping as a sign that he's listening as his lovelorn human drones on about a girl. I needed David to be a bit more mysterious & angsty, though ? And Dulcie! Oh my. Felt bad about the double standards for women but she was a great "villain"!

batsy #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub @Aimeesue @CarolynM @catebutler @Cathythoughts @CatLass007 @elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @Jess_Read_This @jlhammar @julieclair @Kimzey @kwmg40 @LeahBergen @Lizpixie @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @Tamra @Teresereading @willaful 14mo

Jess_Read_This Good point about needing David to be a bit more angsty! I thought we might see more from him when we learn about his design work and wanting to be separate from the company. But one elevator stop later and he‘s slicing meats in the basement to get a girl 😂 14mo

kwmg40 I love the story as it is but I can also see how an angsty David could enhance it! 14mo

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Tamra Dulcie made for a fun villain! 14mo

Aimeesue Great review! I actually felt a bit sad for Dulcie - so alone and reeking of desperation. Not to excuse her interfering behavior of course, but yikes, what a way to live. 😕 14mo

quietjenn I've quite the soft spot for angsty boys, so I would've been ok with that 😉 14mo

batsy @Jess_Read_This Hahaha exactly! 14mo

batsy @kwmg40 It's just me and my fave trope getting in the way 😂 14mo

batsy @Tamra She was a character that was fun to hate but yes @Aimeesue that's what made feel somewhat sad for her, too. To be so disliked... 14mo

batsy @quietjenn You get it 😉 14mo

jlhammar Oh, Dulcie 😂 Good point about the double standards! 14mo

Ruthiella I was hoping that Mrs. Janet would somehow turn Dulcie around…but alas no. 14mo

julieclair Great review! And yes, @Ruthiella , I was hoping the same thing, and a bit disappointed when it didn‘t happen. 14mo

batsy @jlhammar It just made me a bit sad! And guilty that I was enjoying hating on Dulcie 😅 14mo

batsy @Ruthiella @julieclair I know! I was kind of hoping it would work. 14mo

willaful @batsy It's okay -- she was named Dulcie, we're supposed to hate her. 😂 14mo

LeahBergen Great review! And I‘m ashamed to admit that I very much enjoyed hating on Dulcie. 😂 She felt like the most loathed characters in my old childhood favourites (if that makes sense). She‘s a “Nellie Olsen”. 😆 14mo

batsy @willaful 😂 14mo

batsy @LeahBergen Oh yes, I totally get it! Nellie Olsen is a perfect example 😆 14mo

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julieclair

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Reading this book was like getting a warm and cozy hug from a favorite aunt. Sweet, heartwarming, perfect!

Another lovely #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub pick!

@LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @Jess_Read_This @Kimzey @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @CarolynM @Lizpixie @elkeOriginal @Aimeesue @batsy @Tamra @Teresereading @kwmg40 @Cathythoughts @CatLass007 @jlhammar @Ruthiella @willaful @Sparklemn @MrsK

Ruthiella It really was quite warm and cozy! It even ends on Christmas Day! 😂 PS I love the background yarn chose to set off the book cover. 😍 14mo

CarolynM Nice review. Definitely a feel good read!🥰 14mo

Jess_Read_This Lovely review! It did feel like a warm hug of a book! 14mo

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kwmg40 I totally agree with you! 14mo

Tamra Perfect description! 14mo

Aimeesue Yes! 14mo

quietjenn So much so. 14mo

jlhammar Exactly! Great way to put it. 14mo

LeahBergen That‘s just how I felt about it, too! 🥰 14mo

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kwmg40

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Though the story was a little predictable, it was utterly delightful and a pleasure to read. I especially liked the relationship between David and Scissors, and I love the cover image!

#NovelNovember @Andrew65
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#RushAthon @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

kwmg40 @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @batsy @jlhammar @LeahBergen @elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts @Jess_Read_This @erzascarletbookgasm @Kimzey @catebutler @CarolynM @Quietjenn @Sparklemn @willaful @julieclair @MrsK 1y

Tamra I agree all the way around. 😄 1y

Ruthiella I love the cover as well. I could have read pages and pages about the inner workings of the store and its hierarchy! 😃 1y

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DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y

LeahBergen I‘m with @Ruthiella ! 😆 1y

batsy It is such an enchanting cover! I just started and just met David and Scissors 😁 14mo

CarolynM ❤️ 14mo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 14mo

jlhammar So glad you were able to squeeze it in! Yes, love the cover and I, too, could not get enough of the department store details. I'm excited that we have another Scarlett to look forward to in January! 14mo

kwmg40 @Tamra @Ruthiella @LeahBergen @batsy @jhammar I'm glad I'm not the only one who loved the cover. It made me wish I could play a Sims-like video game based on Babbacombe's! 14mo

kwmg40 @DieAReader @CaroylnM @TheAromaofBooks Thanks for stopping by! 14mo

Jess_Read_This So glad you were able to join us! I‘d be all about a Sims “Babbacombs”! 14mo

kwmg40 @Jess_Read_This Glad someone else feels the same way! 😄 14mo

46 likes13 comments

Jess_Read_This

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

So glad for the lovely #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub members that tagged me in all their lovely reviews. I immediately got hustling to participate and enjoyed the book immensely. I love reading books that make me smile while reading. The wholesomely sweet Carson family charmed me. Just the right amount of light suspense in a jealous cousin, young romance, and a happy Christmas ending was what I needed.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, Lizpixie, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, Teresereading, kwmg40, Cathythoughts, CatLass007, jlhammar, Ruthiella, julieclair, willaful

Tamra So glad you joined in! 💙 1y

quietjenn It really was a lovely one. Glad you thought so too. 1y

Ruthiella The Christmas ending turned out to be well timed for us! I think S. Scarlett is going to be a sure thing in the future. 😀 1y

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Lizpixie I‘ve just bought my own copy so looks like I‘ll be joining for this one at least!💙 1y

batsy Lovely review! That's great that there's a Christmas ending... Still hoping go squeeze it in before the month is out 🙂 1y

LeahBergen The Christmas ending was just what I needed! 😊 1y

CarolynM Lovely review 🙂 Susan Scarlett writes wonderful families! Hope you enjoy this sweet story @Lizpixie 1y

jlhammar Great review! I agree, so enjoyable and that ending was perfect timing. 14mo

48 likes8 comments

rubyslippersreads

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

I loved Scissors and Keith Prowse, but of course, Nicky and Sadie‘s favorite character was Penny. 😹

We all loathed Dulcie, though.

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

@quietjenn @Jess_Read_This @Kimzey @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @CarolynM @LeahBergen @elkeOriginal @Aimeesue @batsy @Tamra @Cathythoughts @jlhammar @Ruthiella

SheReadsAndWrites Oh my goodness - those faces!!! We have had weiner dogs for years and I miss them. 😊🐾❤️ 1y

elkeOriginal Only hatred of Dulcie can bring dogs & cats together! 1y

Tamra Loved to hate Dulcie! 😆 1y

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Ruthiella Adorable! Were it not for Scissors, there would be no story. ❤️🐶 1y

Aimeesue Awwww, sausage dog puppies! ❤️ 1y

LeahBergen Love this! 😂 1y

jlhammar This is great 😂 1y

elkeOriginal @Ruthiella Good point that Scissors was THE most important character! 1y

CarolynM Perfect review😸🐶 1y

rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @elkeOriginal Maybe the book should have been titled Scissors, since he‘s much more important to the story than the department store. 1y

elkeOriginal @rubyslippersreads Agreed! With a portrait of him on the cover 🐾 1y

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LeahBergen

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Well, this was a delight. I‘m going to start prescribing myself a Susan Scarlett book when I need a bit of a lift!

Beth Carson, fresh from school, has a “meet cute” with the son of the owner of a big department store where she works. Throw in a scheming tart of a cousin, a beloved little brother losing his eyesight, a couple of wiener dogs, and a fancy dress ball and you‘ve got the makings of a good old Cinderella story. Loved it!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Ruthiella

LeahBergen #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub 1y

Ruthiella That‘s a prescription I can recommend! 😂 1y

Tamra Perfect bookmark! 1y

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Ruthiella @Tamra So true! I hadn‘t noticed. Very clever @LeahBergen ! 👏👏👏 1y

willaful That's the same cover as

Business As Usual

quietjenn Indeed, perfect! And I love how you summed everything up (but especially Dulcie 😆). 1y

BarbaraBB @willaful That is weird!! 1y

BarbaraBB It looks very attractive and it‘s always good to have such books at hand 😀 1y

LeahBergen @Tamra @Ruthiella So glad you noticed. I DID think I was being pretty clever. 😆 1y

LeahBergen @willaful Yes, I immediately noticed that when I bought Business As Usual after I bought this. It‘s the Greyladies edition from 2014. It must be the most popular image that pops up when you look for “midcentury department store”.😆 1y

LeahBergen @quietjenn That Dulcie was a corker. 😆 1y

LeahBergen @BarbaraBB We all need some good light reads at hand, don‘t we? 😄 1y

Jess_Read_This So glad to hear this was a good one! 1y

jlhammar It really was a delight. Great review and love the bookmark! 1y

Kimzey Great review! I‘m behind on my reading but looking forward to a happy fairy tale! I enjoyed Clothes-Pegs, so I‘m sure this will fit the bill. 1y

LeahBergen @Jess_Read_This It really was a delight! It ends in a Christmas scene so it would make a lovely holiday read. 1y

LeahBergen @jlhammar Thank you! 1y

LeahBergen @Kimzey I‘m sure you‘ll enjoy it if you liked Clothes-Pegs. 👍 1y

Aimeesue Great bookmark! So on point! 1y

LeahBergen @Aimeesue Harrod‘s may be a bit posher than Babbacombe‘s but I bet you they don‘t have a dishy catch like David in Cut Meats. 😆 1y

erzascarletbookgasm It‘s great that everyone‘s loving this! Sounds more fun than Clothes Peg. 1y

LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm I‘m trying to decide which one I liked more 🤔 … yep, this one! 1y

batsy Perfectly matched book and bookmark 😍 (I'm super behind but hoping to squeeze it in before the month is out!) 1y

LeahBergen @batsy This is a perfect bit of fluff for when you need it! 😊 1y

catebutler Just started, so I am very behind!! But I‘m so glad to see everyone has loved this. 1y

LeahBergen @catebutler I think you‘re going to like it, too! 😊 1y

68 likes26 comments

Aimeesue

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Noel Streatfeild/Susan Scarlett wrote light romances centering on working women. Despite the formulaic plotline (NS loved variations on a theme!) I enloyed it v. much. The dept store setting was fun & reminded me of my grandmother‘s stories of working at England Brothers Dept Store as a young woman - she saved up to buy silver serving pieces for her new home, much like Janet‘s Fur Box. I vividly remember shopping there ⬇️
#FurrowedMiddlebrowclub

Aimeesue 2/ as a kid, and taking the elevators up and down - it even had one of those sliding gates that had to be closed, not automatic doors. Christmas shopping at England Brothers was a must! 1y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @batsy @jlhammar @LeahBergen @elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts @Jess_Read_This @erzascarletbookgasm @Kimzey @catebutler @CarolynM @Quietjenn @kwmg40 @Sparklemn @willaful @julieclair @MrsK 1y

Tamra What a great memory! 1y

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Aimeesue @Tamra I‘m just glad there were no mean lift girls like Dulcie! 😄 But I did a lot of reminiscing while reading this one! (edited) 1y

Ruthiella I also thought about the golden age of department stores while reading. The attention to detail, the level of service, everything under one roof… I‘m not interested in going back in time, but it‘s fascinating to contemplate how commerce has changed. 1y

willaful @Ruthiella An online friend in the UK mentioned that one of their stores known for personal service has gone completely self check-out. It wouldn't want to go back either but it does feel like a loss. 1y

quietjenn What a lovely personal connection! 1y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella Yes! My mother *still* has several boxes from England Brothers that she stores things in - because they‘re GREAT boxes. Bright blue and probably 45 years old at this point, but still doing their jobs! 1y

Aimeesue @willaful Yes, it‘s a definite loss. How sad for all of us. 1y

Aimeesue @quietjenn I‘ve been reminiscing about those elevator rides all day! They actually had an elevator operator! And the candy department! They had square lollipops 🍭 1y

batsy What a lovely memory and connection. The elevator operator and the square lollipops... I can almost see it 🤩 1y

willaful Just thought of reading a Helene Hanff book recently -- the events of 84 Charing Cross Road couldn't happen today. (Though of course the internet provides other cool connections between people.)

84 Charing Cross Road

jlhammar How wonderful that you got to hear those stories from your grandmother! I really enjoyed this book about the golden age of department stores in Minnesota.

Thank You for Shopping: The Golden Age of Minnesota Department Stores

Tamra Elevators with the gates totally creep me out! I will admit I‘m not very fond of modern ones either. 😳 1y

Aimeesue @batsy Wish I could *taste* them - they were delicious! 1y

Aimeesue @willaful 84CCR is one of my favorites! It absolutely wouldn‘t be possible today. Can you imagine trying to send a ham in the mail? (Which was very touching, actually.) 1y

Aimeesue @jlhammar Oh, that sounds delightful! I came across some vintage pics of people shopping in England Brothers in the ‘50s wearing suits or ladies in hats and gloves! 1y

Aimeesue @Tamra I hate the glass ones. They make me dizzy. 😵‍💫 1y

LeahBergen What a great memory! I miss the old department stores that I used to shop in with my Nan (and she still wore white gloves when she went out 😆) 1y

Aimeesue @LeahBergen Fabulous! I still have a pair of my mother‘s white gloves someplace. I think she probably only wore them to church, though! 1y

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen My great aunt used to say you could see how dirty the escalator handrails and other stuff was by how filthy your white gloves got while you were shopping. 😂 1y

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Eww! Maybe they knew what they were doing, wearing those gloves! 1y

Aimeesue @rubyslippersreads Ack!!! 1y

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @Aimeesue Gives the “white glove test” a whole new meaning. 😒 1y

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quietjenn

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Such a nice, pleasant read - cozy as a cuppa on a cool Autumn night. Loved the warm family dynamics and the romance was very sweet. And agree that the final scene makes it a lovely way to kick off the holiday season.

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

quietjenn @Ruthiella @rubyslippersreads @Tamra @batsy @jlhammar @LeahBergen @elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts @Jess_Read_This @erzascarletbookgasm @Kimzey @catebutler @CarolynM @Aimeesue @kwmg40 @Sparklemn @willaful @julieclair @MrsK 1y

Tamra Agreed! Love that fabric design 😍 (edited) 1y

Ruthiella Yes, it did turn out to be timely season-wise! 😂 1y

See All 8 Comments

CarolynM Lovely review🙂 1y

jlhammar A pleasant read indeed! That Christmas scene at the end was a nice bonus. 1y

LeahBergen I loved how it ended at Christmas, too! 1y

Jess_Read_This A Christmas scene at the end?? I might need to try to catch up and read it this weekend! 🎄 1y

quietjenn @Jess_Read_This it's a sweet one that goes down pretty easily and quickly. 1y

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Ruthiella

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Look! It‘s Beth and Barbara Allen chatting about their engagements! 😂 This was a charming fairy tale of book. In the last chapter, I thought Tiny Tim might pop up with a “God bless us, every one!” Beth Carson begins as an assistant in Gowns in the same local department store her dad‘s worked at for 30 years. She‘d have liked to have gone to secretarial school, but there‘s no money for that. Her future looks up however when meets the boss‘ son.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, kwmg40, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Sparklemn, julieclair, willaful, MrsK

Ruthiella #furrowedmiddlebrowclub 1y

Tamra What a perfect pic! That is so funny that you picked up on the Tiny Tim vibe because I was thinking exactly same. 😆 🩼 1y

jlhammar How perfect! 😂 Yes, was definitely feeling A Christmas Carol at the end. 1y

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Ruthiella @Tamra @jlhammar Good to know it wasn‘t just me! 😅 1y

Aimeesue Great pic! 1y

Ruthiella @Aimeesue Thanks 😊 1y

CarolynM Lovely review 🙂 1y

Ruthiella @CarolynM Why thank you! ☺️ 1y

batsy I still haven't started but I'm glad to see the positive reviews 😊 1y

Ruthiella @batsy That‘s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes! I think you will enjoy when you get to it! 😃 1y

LeahBergen It IS them! 😆 1y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I know, right? 😆 1y

Jess_Read_This I love the idea of a fairy tale book right now. Lovely review and I will try to get it read this weekend! 1y

Ruthiella @Jess_Read_This It will definitely hit the spot if you need a dollop of HEA! 1y

67 likes14 comments

Tamra

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Perfect cozy family romp to kick off the holiday season! I kinda wish there had been more Dulcie shenanigans. 🤭
#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

Tamra @erzascarletbookgasm @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @batsy @catebutler @elkeOriginal @kimzey @jess_read_this @Sparklemn @MrsK @jlhammar @elkeOriginal @willaful @julieclaire @Aimeesue @batsy @Kimzey (edited) 1y

jlhammar It really was! I would definitely have been down for more Dulcie - she was perfectly terrible. 1y

Tamra @jlhammar 😆 one of the deplorables in Hilary‘s basket. 1y

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jlhammar Love it 😂 1y

Ruthiella I thought maybe she would come around and be redeemed, but nope! At least Janet got to speak her mind! 😆 1y

Tamra @Ruthiella that was satisfying indeed! I thought she‘d have a reformation too - I‘m glad she didn‘t because life just isn‘t so tidy. Makes me want a Dulcie sequel! 1y

CarolynM I don‘t think there was ever any hope for Dulcie😆 Great review. 1y

LeahBergen Dulcie was the Nellie Olsen of this tale. 😆 1y

Tamra @CarolynM apparently not! 😆 She made it fun though. 1y

Tamra @LeahBergen spot on! 1y

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jlhammar

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

That was just so nice! Perfect comfort reading. Really enjoyed the department store setting and all the fashion details. Dulcie “pride of the lifts” 😂 was a great villainess. And Paul, with his fierce loyalty to Penny the cat, was a hoot! David was actually rather charming and had some fun lines as well - watch for the worm!

Oh, and it ends with a cozy Christmas scene so wouldn‘t be out of place on a feel-good Dec TBR.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

jlhammar Can't wait to find out what Furrowed Middlebrow delights we'll be reading next year! 1y

Tamra Definitely fits the comfort read genre! 1y

Ruthiella I liked David too. He was quite down to earth. I wish I had had access to these Susan Scarlett books as a tween/teen. I would have gobbled them up! 1y

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willaful I think David's a much better love interest than the Clothes-Peg fellow. 1y

jlhammar @Ruthiella Oh me too! I would have loved them. 1y

jlhammar @willaful For sure! 1y

CarolynM Great review. I‘d love to know if David‘s invention was a success or if he had to resign himself to running the shop after all😆 1y

LeahBergen “Pride of the lifts” made me laugh 😆 1y

batsy Great review! I'm looking forward to it. 1y

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jlhammar

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

I‘d never heard of Keith Prowse before the naming of Keith Prowse, the dachshund puppy so had to educate myself. Thought I‘d share this old advert with the referenced slogan.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella Fantastic ! Thanks for the detective work. 1y

CarolynM Oh, well done! I did wonder🙂 1y

Tamra Awesome! 1y

Kimzey Great find! 1y

LeahBergen That‘s great! I looked it up, too. 1y

51 likes5 comments

jlhammar

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

I‘m loving all of the clothing descriptions and department store details in this book. Pictured are the lift girls of Selfridge‘s, 1928. Though Babbacombe‘s is set a bit later, I can just picture our scheming Dulcie in her green “huntsman‘s style” suit and “ridiculous boots.”

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

Ruthiella You know, I‘m ok with managing my own elevator, but I sure wish the still had full service gas stations. 1y

Tamra @Ruthiella oh my gosh yes! Especially in cold climates. 🥶 1y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella You could head to New Jersey - you HAVE to have your gas pumped for you. It‘s illegal to do it yourself! 😁 1y

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Ruthiella @Aimeesue Oregon too. But I want them also to check my oil, water and tires and wash my windshield. 1y

Aimeesue @Ruthiella Sadly (?) Oregon no longer requires it. New Jersey now stands alone in the professional gas- pumping department. But yes, the window washing would be very nice! 1y

LeahBergen Look at those cute outfits! 1y

58 likes6 comments

CarolynM

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Totally charming. It is such a pleasure to escape into a world where good and decent people triumph while those behaving badly get nowhere. Penny the cat was a joy too.

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, batsy, Tamra, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Ruthiella, Sparklemn, MrsK

jlhammar Looking forward to more Penny the cat! I‘m not very far in yet, but really enjoying so far. Your coffee looks wonderful ☕️ 1y

Tamra What a fabulous pic! 1y

LeahBergen What a lovely photo. I haven‘t started yet but I‘m pretty sure I‘m going to love it. 😆 1y

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Ruthiella Penny the cat ! 😻 I didn‘t read anything yesterday. 😢 But I want to see Dulcie get her comeuppance! 😆 1y

Tamra @Ruthiella 😂yes! 1y

batsy Lovely photo! I haven't started yet but I'm glad you enjoyed it. And am most intrigued by Penny the cat 🐱 1y

LeahBergen I liked when Janet wondered what Paul would think of what Penny the cat got up to in his nighttime prowlings 😆 1y

CarolynM @LeahBergen That line made me smile too😆 1y

80 likes8 comments

elkeOriginal

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Such a fast and fun lighthearted read for this month‘s #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub! Beth‘s foray into dept store worklife is a delight - from warm fuzzy family homelife to frantic sales days and mild dramas throughout. Her junky cousin plays the villain trying to annoy everyone but especially interfere in Beth‘s love story - but happiness prevails after (more than) a few misunderstandings. As it should.

elkeOriginal @erzascarletbookgasm @rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella @batsy @catebutler @elkeOriginal @tamra @kimzey @jess_read_this @Sparklemn @MrsK @jlhammar 1y

Ruthiella Great review! This one really does read fast. I‘m at 60% and will probably finish tonight, unless something else intervenes! 1y

rubyslippersreads ❤️ your glass slipper! 1y

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Tamra I‘m really enjoying the romp! 1y

LeahBergen Lovely review! I‘ll be starting it in a day or two. 1y

jlhammar It really is fun so far! Look forward to reading a bit more this evening. 1y

elkeOriginal @rubyslippersreads I have many in different colors! So glad you like it😉 1y

CarolynM Great review. I‘m enjoying this book so much🙂 1y

LeahBergen The glass slipper certainly fits the Cinderella theme of this story! 👏 1y

elkeOriginal @LeahBergen HA! Love how you found meaning where I had not 😆 1y

LeahBergen 😆😆 1y

33 likes11 comments

elkeOriginal

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

pick

Such a fast and fun lighthearted read for this month‘s #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub! Beth‘s foray into dept store worklife is a delight - from warm fuzzy family homelife to frantic sales days and mild dramas throughout. Her junky cousin plays the villain but happiness prevails after (more than) a few misunderstandings. As it should.

17 likes

Ruthiella

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

Noticing a few parallels between this and Clothes Pegs. Janet Carson has a money box for a fur coat which is constantly raided for family emergencies, just like Ethel Brown‘s savings for her much wished for green velvet curtains. The dads even have the same name, George, and are hardware clerks. 😂 Lorna/Girda are very similar personalities as are Annabelle/Beth. Not complaining-clearly Streatfeild had a formula, if it‘s not broken, why fix it?

willaful Yes, I think these were two of the most similar. There's more variety in the others I've read. 1y

Ruthiella #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub 1y

jlhammar I was just reading the first chapters last night and thinking the very same thing! 1y

Tamra Yes, so true! 1y

64 likes4 comments

Tamra

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

I think this one is going to be fun! 😉

#furrowedmiddlebrowclub

LeahBergen Indeed! 😆 1y

Aimeesue 😂😂😂 1y

Ruthiella Oh Dulcie! Will she be reformed? 🙊 1y

50 likes3 comments

Ruthiella

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

Oopsie Whoopsie! I almost forgot about our last #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub pick of 2023. 😬 Thank you @LeahBergen for reminding me. 😊

It‘s the return of club favorite, Susan Scarlett. I‘m expecting a sweet romance, let‘s see if I am right. As usual, we aim to be finished around mid month. Please post any thoughts you care to share as you go and tag the club members.

Any other Littens want to be included, let me know. 😃

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Jess_Read_This, Kimzey, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, Aimeesue, batsy, Tamra, kwmg40, Cathythoughts, jlhammar, Ruthiella, Sparklemn, julieclair, MrsK

catebutler Looking forward to this!! 🤗 1y

Tamra Thank you for the tag! 😁 1y

quietjenn Thanks! 1y

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Ruthiella @catebutler @Tamra @quietjenn I‘m ready for some department store romance! 1y

LeahBergen Yay! I think this is going to be a fun one! 1y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I think so too! 1y

CarolynM So looking forward to this one🙂 1y

elkeOriginal I‘m in! Love this cover 💖 1y

Ruthiella @CarolynM Me too. I really enjoyed Clothes Pegs. 1y

Ruthiella @elkeOriginal I love the cover too! It makes me want to visit an old fashioned department store. 😃 1y

willaful I've already read it but please tag me so I can see the discussion. 1y

Ruthiella @willaful Will do! 👍 1y

erzascarletbookgasm Sounds similar to Clothes Pegs, should be a fun read! 1y

kwmg40 I‘m looking forward to this one! 1y

quietjenn @Ruthiella I could definitely do with some cozy right now! 1y

julieclair This looks soooo good! 😃 1y

batsy Oh, thanks for the reminder! I'm down for some fluffy department store comfort 😁 1y

jlhammar Looking forward to it! 1y

Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm @kwmg40 @quietjenn @julieclair @batsy @jlhammar Looking forward to a soothing read. Fluff, cozy department store comfort would hit the spot just now. ☺️ 1y

Kimzey Thanks for the reminder! And I need to explore my selections to vote on for 2024. 1y

Ruthiella @Kimzey I know! It‘s exciting to contemplate what six titles we might read next year. 😃 1y

LeahBergen Do you want me to create a post for us to vote on our picks for next year? Or have you made one? I have a handy list of our voting order. 😁 1y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I am happy to let you handle the voting. 👍😊 1y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella Perfect. Let‘s hammer this out for next year. 😆 1y

52 likes1 stack add24 comments

shawnmooney

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

https://youtu.be/J9ZLsctU6EA

A playlist of all episodes in the Bite-sized Book Chat series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU-61cZp1pQdBH5V0Zb9q-2ujl4PY8nhf

Chat #1: with Lil from West Midlands
@lilsvintageworld

Babbacombe's by Susan Scarlett

Clothes-Pegs by Susan Scarlett, Noel Streatfeild

Chat #2: with Kezia from Ohio

What Napoleon Could Not Do by D.K. Nnuro

shawnmooney Chat #3: with Alina from Rotterdam

The Fat Lady Sings by Jacqueline Roy

Chat #4: with Alex from Hamilton, Ontario
@alex.kerner

A Little Luck by Claudia Piñeiro
Frances Riddle (Translator)

Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro
Frances Riddle (Translator)

1y

17 likes1 comment

Ruthiella

Babbacombe's | SUSAN. SCARLETT

For your consideration voting members of the #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub :

📚I figure we might be ready for more fairy tale romance ten months from now from Streatfeild and I love anything set in a department store!

📚 However, I‘m also a sucker for bringing a house back to life story and the Italian seaside might be lovely for those readers approaching the winter season.

The choice is yours! 😊 Voting is open till next week Friday.