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Dreams Come True at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas #Review

  Manchester, 1943. I am delighted to feature another in the WW2 saga by Maisie Thomas. Dreams Come True at the Wartime Hotel  was published on March 29th by Boldwood Books .    Kitty’s new venture, hosting wedding receptions at Dunbar’s Hotel, has got off to a flying start, and she’s looking to the future. With the tide of the war turning and victory on the distant horizon, Kitty is keen to keep her independence once the men come home. But will her spendthrift husband Bill agree to a divorce – and to letting her keep the business? Beatrice’s work in welfare is hugely rewarding, and she loves the children’s clubs she runs at Dunbar’s. But when a spate of thefts breaks out locally, the police become involved. Could the children be to blame, or can Beatrice help discover the true culprits? Former hotel maid Lily knows she still loves her estranged husband, Daniel. But can there be any chance of a reconciliation, when he discovers she is pregnant with another ma...
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The Mersey Girls by Sheila Riley #ReckonersRowBook2 #Review

 

The second in the Reckoners Row series, this historical novel by Sheila Riley was publioshed by Boldwood Books on 18th August.  

Liverpool 1950

When Evie Kilgaren takes over the running of the back office at Skinner and Son's haulage yard, she has no idea she is walking into a hive of blackmail, secrets and lies.

Her fellow co-worker and childhood nemesis, Susie Blackthorn, is outraged at being demoted and is hell-bent on securing the affections of local heartthrob Danny Harris.

Grace Harris, a singer on the prestigious D’Angelo transatlantic ocean liners, is returning home engaged to be married. But Grace is harbouring her own shocking secrets and something valuable her fiancé very desperately wants back.

As we return to the lives and loves of those who live and work in the Mersey Docklands, not everything is as it seems and love and luck are rarely on the same side.

 

My Thoughts

Set in Liverpool in the aftermath of the Second World War, you see the inhabitants beginning to adjust to life in post war Britain. The story centres around two women. Evie is capable, hardworking and well- meaning and she sets about her new job as office manager with a determination and belief in her own worth, Grace has led a glamorous life on board a luxury cruise liner but has returned to Liverpool with a secret. Their lives are intertwined. There is plenty to enjoy in the story and some surprises in store. 

    There is plenty of period detail in the story as 1950 dawns. Times are hard for most and it is a struggle for some to make ends meet. You also see some family values, with both good and poor parenting on show. I found Danny and Evie's story the more relatable. You feel that hard work is going to bring success for them. In all, this is a satisfying read. 

In short: 1950's Liverpool

 

About the Author

 

Sheila Riley wrote four #1 bestselling novels under the pseudonym Annie Groves and is now writing the Reckoner's Row series under her own name. She has set it around the River Mersey and its docklands near to where she spent her early years.  She still lives in Liverpool.

You can follow Sheila here:  Website

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Book link:  Amazon UK

Thanks to Sheila Riley, Boldwood Books and Rachel of  Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

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