A forgotten journal. A “plain” girl. A voice that refuses to fade. In 1889 , ten-year-old Phoebe Miller is told by her tutor, the mysterious Lady Alice , that a proper young lady keeps a journal. Phoebe doesn’t feel very “proper.” She is plain, sharp-tongued, horse-mad, and far more interested in Latin and geometry than in frills. But she opens a leather notebook and begins to write anyway. What starts as a child’s homework soon becomes the record of a lifetime. From a working-class home on the edge of High Wycombe , Phoebe writes about everything: the horses her family trains, her mother’s soap and sewing, the ache of first love, the sting of grief, and the constant tug-of-war between faith, doubt, and independence. She never imagines that anyone outside her family will read a single word. More than a century later, her great-great-granddaughter Chloe Weston McKenzie opens a dusty cabinet in a family barn and finds seven weathered journals waiting in the dark. Those pages—funny, fierce, and heartbreakingly honest—become the heart of this book. Just a Plain Girl from High Wycombe is a deeply human work of historical fiction, drawn from real family archives. Told in an intimate journal style, it follows one “ordinary” girl as she grows into a woman of learning, conviction, and quiet courage in a world that expects her to stay small. Perfect for readers who love: • Journal-style and letter-style fiction • Victorian and Edwardian era stories told from the inside • Strong but gentle depictions of faith, doubt, and intellectual curiosity • Multigenerational narratives where descendants uncover hidden histories Sometimes the “plainest” girl leaves the most enduring legacy. Book Reviews "It felt like reading a real girl's diary from 1889." I forgot I was reading a novel and not an actual historical journal. "For anyone who has ever kept a journal and wondered if it mattered." A love letter to quiet girls who write. "A slow, rich, deeply satisfying read." Watching Phoebe grow was incredibly moving. "Historical fiction with a pulse." Realistic details bring Victorian life alive. "Phoebe is the kind of heroine I wish I'd met when I was younger." She's clever, questioning, and unforgettable. "I meant to read one chapter and ended up reading half the book." Addictive and beautifully written. "A bridge between grandmothers and granddaughters." It made us talk about our own family stories. "Faith, doubt, and intellect handled with respect." Authentic and balanced portrayal. "Perfect for book clubs." So much to discuss about women's roles and legacy. "Quiet, but it stays with you." Poignant and timeless. Editorial Reviews "An intimate, epistolary triumph." A time capsule opened in your hands. "History told from the writing desk." A luminous portrait of a working-class girl. "For fans of journal-style fiction." Classic yet fresh and deeply personal. "A rare blend of heart, humour, and heritage." Quiet lives echo loudly across time. "Intellect and faith in conversation." Spiritual and smart without being cold. "A love story between generations." Moving dialogue between past and present. "Working-class Victorian England, seen from the inside." Vivid and authentic. "A gift to readers who cherish overlooked voices." Thoughtful and empowering. "Beautifully crafted, quietly radical." Challenges who we think deserves to be remembered. "A gentle, unforgettable addition to historical women's fiction." Emotionally rich and resonant. When I first opened the cabinet in that barn and found Phoebe's journals, I didn't think, " I've found a book ." I thought, " I've just met someone ." Her handwriting was spidery and uneven, her spelling sometimes wayward, but her mind—sharp, curious, stubborn—leapt off the page. She was not a queen, not a suffragette, not a famous writer. She was just a plain girl from High Wycombe. And yet, as I read, I felt her sitting beside me, speaking across more than a century. Editing these journals has been an act of devotion. I wanted readers to meet Phoebe as I met her: unpolished, honest, and wholly herself. My hope is that somewhere, as you read, you will recognise a piece of your own story in hers—a question you've asked, a doubt you've carried, a dream you've tucked away. If this book does anything, I hope it reminds you that no life is truly ordinary, and no voice is too small to matter. — Chloe Weston McKenzie Chloe Weston McKenzie is the editor and author behind Just a Plain Girl from High Wycombe . In 2006, while sorting through her great-aunt's belongings, she discovered a locked wooden cabinet in a family barn. Inside were seven worn journals written by her great-great-grandmother, Phoebe Miller . Working with her cousin Allison Carroll, Chloe edited and prepared the texts with care, preserving Phoebe's authentic voice and bringing her remarkable story to readers today.