I stumbled upon 'Hardacre' while browsing through a dusty secondhand bookstore, and its premise hooked me instantly. The novel follows the Hardacre family across generations, starting with Sam Hardacre, a fisherman who builds a business empire
from scratch in the late 19th century. It's a sweeping saga of ambition, love, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of England's industrial revolution. The story delves into how wealth changes the family, with some members embracing greed while others struggle to retain their humanity.
What really stood out to me was the way the author, C.L. Skelton, paints the characters—flawed, vivid, and utterly human. The narrative spans decades, showing how the Hardacres' choices ripple through time, affecting their descendants in unexpected ways. The maritime setting early on gave it a unique flavor, and the shift into high society
drama kept things fresh. By the end, I felt like I’d lived alongside these characters, rooting for some and shaking my head at others.