BookReview NEW BEGINNINGS FOR THE SURPLUS GIRLS by POLLY HERON

ABOUT THE BOOK

Manchester, 1923: Jess Mason is determined to make her own way in the world.

When a misunderstanding on a job application means she’s appointed manager for Holly Lodge, a home for old soldiers, she must convince the owner that she can run things just as well as any man – if not better.

Tom Watson has not been the same since the war. Traumatized by his experiences on the battlefield, he has vowed to himself that he must go through life alone. But when he takes on the job to renovate Holly Lodge and meets Jess, all the walls he built around himself start to come crumbling down.

As challenges arise in the opening of the new soldiers’ home, Jess must fight tooth and nail to hold on to her precious new role. And as her and Tom grow closer, she can’t help but wonder if there is room in her life for both love and the career she’s always dreamt of.

PUBLISHED BY CORVUS

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

 MY REVIEW

This is Book 4 in The Surplus Girl series – but easily readable as a standalone – and it’s set in 1923 as we follow these characters we’ve grown to love as we watch over their lives during and after the war. And the author has done another wonderful job of transporting us right back in time, as we get a real sense of the battles women of the time faced with ideas of what they should and shouldn’t be doing, especially where it concerns working.

And Jess, especially, is faced with these attitudes when she becomes manager at a home for old soldiers. Having to work doubly as hard to prove herself, she is no shrinking violet in knowing what needs to be done and I just loved her positive ‘can do’ attitude. Although women like her could then be seen as ‘pushy’ – women really couldn’t win either way!!

Work is needed to be carried out at the home, and that introduces us to Tom, who is a wonderful soul and is a great sounding block for Jess, but you always get that sense that he is holding something back.

There’s always drama right around the corner, and I loved seeing how the women faced up to things when they showed up! There’s also a really good feel about showing the realities of humanity, good and bad, and gave me all the feels when you saw good things start to happen to good people!! It really does restore your faith in humanity.

It was also lovely to catch up with characters from previous books, especially Prudence and Patience, and seeing what life was throwing at them and that’s what I love about this series! You feel a real connection with the characters you’ve been introduced to and just want to keep following their stories as new chapters begin for them. Highly recommended if you love a wonderful, historical saga!!

★★★★★

My thanks to the author for an advanced reader copy, in return for a fair and honest review!

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#BookReview THE RAILWAY GIRLS IN LOVE by MAISIE THOMAS

The brand new Railway Girls novel set in Manchester during WWII. Perfect for fans of Nancy Revell, Daisy Styles and Margaret Dickinson.
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Readers LOVE the Railway Girls:

‘Gripping and intriguing’
‘Great story lines’
‘Exceptional story . . . a must-read‘
‘Poignant‘
‘Emotional . . . strong women’

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Love is in the air, and together the railway girls can overcome even the hardest of times.

Mabel has finally put the past behind her, and her relationship with the dashing Harry is stronger than ever. That is, until an old flame shows up, leaving Mabel questioning her future.

Meanwhile Joan has made amends with Bob – if only she could do the same with Gran. And there’s still that family mystery she wants answer to, isn’t there?

As a mother and grandmother, Dot Green has always put her family first. Her job as a parcels porter has brought new purpose to her life, so is it finally time to start following her heart . . .

Life as a railway girl is busy but as war rages on and air raids disrupt daily life, the women realise they need each other more than ever, especially when there might be wedding bells on the horizon. 

PUBLISHED BY ARROW

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon

MY REVIEW

It feels wonderful to be back in the company of The Railway Girls once more, and in this 3rd book in the series, we get to witness more of the day to day goings on in the life of these women as they cope with life during the war, alongside their own personal dramas – and there’s always lots going on in their work and family lives to explore!

Life in Manchester in 1941 is ticking along – the women are settling in their new roles, and are just happy to be doing what they can to help at this time. They feel useless when they’re not doing anything, so their new jobs give them a purpose. It still doesn’t get any easier though living life with the fear of air raids on a daily basis, but it has to! And Mabel, Joan and Dot are finding life is not getting any simpler!

You really get a great sense of the time with the way the story is written, and get to experience life in the 40’s through these women and the issues facing them at the time. Shocking secrets from the past are also revealed and goes to show that what you believe to be true is not always as it seems, and that support of family and friends really comes to the front throughout as events play out.

This series never seems to disappoint with the drama and history, and showing that life for these women is anything but simple, and I love losing myself in their stories in each book. Can’t wait for more!!

★★★★★

My thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy, in return for a fair and honest review.