The cobbled streets of old Yorkshire are brought to life in this poignant and inspiring tale of love seeking to overcome bitterness and family struggles.

The Princess of Cragside tells the story of a young woman asserting her right to happiness, and forging her own path in life, set against a backdrop of social upheaval in post-war Britain. Perfect if you love Barbara Taylor Bradford and Dilly Court.

Bridie Foxcroft is a girl who values family above all else, so when her brother marries her best friend, Edyth, her dearest wish comes true.
The Foxcrofts live in a beautiful, old house nestling beneath formidable stone crags, and Bridie loves nothing more than venturing up the hillside in all weathers to look down upon her home. She has even secured her dream job at Frobisher's Doll Emporium, so life could not be any better.
Elliott Frobisher will one day inherit the emporium, and he has nothing but admiration and respect for the young woman with a kind heart, coated in commonsense.
But Bridie has a secret. She is in love with a man who is hated by the whole town, and her contented, sleepy life is about to become a thing of the past.
Finding our voice is so dangerous when speaking out against long-held resentments runs the risk of losing everything, and everyone, we hold dear.

What readers have said about The Princess of Cragside:

*****
I loved this book. Jo Priestley's writing style soon had me immersed in the strong storyline. Having visited a mill (now a museum) in Yorkshire last summer, I was able to create the setting in my mind's eye. The community prejudice, family loyalty and ensuing reactions were completely believable. An absorbing read!

*****
This was a good, heart-rending story. I cried with Bridie when things were really at their worst and laughed with her when she found love. The writing was excellent and each character was convincing. I shall look for more of Jo's books and I found this hard to put down

*****
This is a skilfully crafted story with so much packed into its 200 pages. These days, a lot of historical fiction is laced with modern attitudes and thinking, but Bridie and the wonderful ensemble of supporting characters are drawn with real care and are completely authentic to the period. I especially loved reading the dialogue between them - the author has such a good ear for how real people speak - and we learn much about each person and their situations from these interactions.
Whilst very character-driven, there is a captivating storyline, and sub-plot which move along at a pace and keep you reading. I also loved the vivid descriptions of the town and its surroundings.
If you like Catherine Cookson, I think you will love this book. The romance at the heart of this novel is subtly balanced with other broader themes of change, family, relationships and social mores and this brings to life the ordinary people of this Yorkshire town.

*****
A beautiful love story, riding on the emotional rollercoaster of family loyalties, honesty and truth .
I have read all of Jo's, books and they are all so well written with depth of characters, family life and loves of Yorkshire. But I have to say this story is my new favourite of them all, based around Christmastime, you almost feel like you are a part of the story yourself, totally drawn in and unable to put the book down. Well done. A well-earned 5 stars.

The Princess of Cragside is part of the Women of Old Yorkshire collection by Yorkshire-born author Jo Priestley; historical novels featuring relatable women, engaged in emotional journeys of self-discovery about love in all its many forms.

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• Literature & FictionGenre FictionFamily Life

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• Print Length: 215 Pages
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