The Widow's Vow: A powerful and atmospheric Victorian drama of love, loss and starting over from Rachel Brimble

An unputdownable historical saga set in Victorian Bath, where one woman must fight for freedom, friendship and a second chance. Perfect for fans of Catherine Cookson, Rosie Goodwin and Mary Wood. 📖✨ From grieving widow...

1851, England. After her merchant husband saved her from a life of prostitution, Louisa Hill was briefly happy as a housewife in Bristol. But then a constable arrives at her door. Her husband has been found hanged in a Bath hotel room, a note and a key to a property in Bath she knew nothing about the only things she has left of him.

To a new life as a madam…

Knowing the debt collectors will arrive any moment, Louisa must leave everything she knows behind, and move to Bath. But left with no means of income, Louisa knows she has little choice but to return to but her old way of life. But this time, she’ll do it on her own terms – by turning her new home into a brothel for upper class gentleman. And she’s determined the horrors she was forced to endure in the past are not experienced by the girls she saves from the streets.

Enlisting the help of Jacob Jackson, a quiet but feared boxer, to watch over the house, Louisa is about to embark on a life she never envisaged. Can she find the courage to forge this new path?

The Widow's Vow is the first in a gripping and gritty Victorian saga series from the bestselling author of The Home Front Nurses, Rachel Brimble. Readers love Rachel Brimble’s captivating historical sagas: ‘Heart-warming yet gritty and gripping… Compelling reading.’ Lizzie Lane

‘Fantastic!’ Rosie Clarke

‘Heartwarming! … Hard to put down!’ Patricia McBride

‘Skilled and vivid storytelling.’ May Ellis

‘Absolutely 10/10! Amazing storyline and loved the characters and setting.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A hopeful story about friendship and learning to trust. I love stories about women who strive for their own goals in life independent of men and who understand the joy and security of close female friendships.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Previously published as A Widow’s Vow.

© 2025 Boldwood Books (Ebook): 9781837030798

Release date

Ebook: 16 December 2025