A heartwarming and gripping saga series perfect for fans of Elaine Everest and Rosie Clarke.

1915: As war continues to rage across the Channel, the families of the Somerset village of Street can no longer avoid its long shadow.

Workers in the Clarks shoe factory, at the heart of the village, have left for the army in droves, and news from the Front seems to grow darker by the day.

When life-long friends Louisa, Jeannie and Kate receive the news they had been fearing, all hope seems lost. And Louisa’s world will be rocked further when she makes another discovery, one that will see her cast out by her family, changing her life forever.

Kate and Jeannie are determined to be strong for their friend, but each of them has their own problems to bear, and when Jeannie’s beloved brother Lucas enlists, she fears history is about to repeat itself.

Can the Clarks factory girls help each other through the darkest days and keep hope alive?

Join the readers who have fallen in love with May Ellis's brilliant books:

‘If you like Annie Murray and Margaret Dickinson you will love this.’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

'A fantastic historical fiction read, full of heartbreak and hope.’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I enjoyed every bit of this book right from the start. The author has done a great job in this heartbreaking story. A new author for me.** Superb reading right to the end**.’ —Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A gripping and emotionally resonant novel that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the series.’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘An amazing and sweet story of three girls trying to deal with their families at the beginning of WWI and learning to grow up’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘What a wonderful book telling the story about Clarks and the families that work for Clarks. Also what a great start to a series.’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A truly wonderful story of what life was like for three young ladies working in the Clark’s factory during World War One.’—Goodreads review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls" was written by May Ellis.

May Ellis wrote contemporary women’s fiction, gritty 1960s dramas and YA fiction as Alison Knight. May is now writing saga fiction for Boldwood including her bestselling series based on the real-life stories of the Clark’s factory girls and her WW2 series, The Cider Girls.
She has travelled the world,, and now lives in Somerset, within sight of Glastonbury Tor, in a house built on the site of a former Clarks shoe factory. Her Somerset-based stories are inspired by her move to the area and her love of social history. Her standalone novel, Lily’s Choice is based upon real events in her family in London in the 1960s. This book is a finalist in the Page Turner’s True Story Award 2026.

Yes, "Courage for the Clarks Factory Girls" is part of the "The Clarks Factory Girls" series.