I am delighted feature another in the WW2 saga by Maisie Thomas. Hopeful Hearts at the Wartime Hotel is published today by Boldwood Books.
Manchester, 1942.When Kitty
Dunbar was forced to confront her husband’s debts and close the family
hotel, she transformed Dunbar’s into a storage business for bombed-out
families. But with her daughter to support, and relishing her new
independence, Kitty is keen to come up with more ways to use the once
prestigious hotel.
Sharing her home are former chambermaid Lily, and kind-hearted welfare worker Beatrice,
both haunted by past loss. Together, the three women create a new kind
of family in the heart of the Manchester Blitz: one built on respect and
resilience. When Kitty suggests hosting wedding receptions in the old
dining room, her friends are happy and willing to lend a hand – and help
to serve ‘Dunbar’s Wartime Wedding Punch’!
But when
Lily meets a handsome doctor, and Beatrice comes face to face with an
old flame, will hearts finally be mended, or broken once more?
While war rages around them, can these three women find the courage to keep fighting for their dreams?
My Thoughts
Kitty's life in wartorn Britain proved as interesting as ever and she emerged as an independent but kind and compassionate character. Her world surrounds her daughter who is growing up fast and her relationship with her husband is as difficult as it has always been. The restrictions put upon married women was shocking to a modern reader and you are in wonder at Kitty's ingenuity as she tries to get around the attitudes and behaviour of her husband and the authorities. She finds allies in some other working women and the strong friendships she has with the other inhabitants of the hotel keep her going.
Beatrice and Lily are still living at the hotel and their past relationships catch up with them. You cannot help but feel for Beatrice who feels that life has passed her by and she has a strong longing to be a mother. Lily finds new opportunities but the lure of the past proves to be very strong. The period detail captures life in Manchester in the time and I enjoyed spotting references to familiar landmarks.
In short: strong women rise to the challenge.
About the Author
Susanna Bavin and Polly Heron. As Polly, she writes the
1920s saga series, The Surplus Girls. As Susanna she has written four
stand-alone sagas and is also a new WW2 saga series, The Home Front Girls, of
which the first three books will be published in 2024. Maisie was born and
brought up in Manchester, which provides the location for her Railway Girls novels. She now lives on the
beautiful North Wales coast with her husband and their two rescue cats. They
have enjoyed many holidays chugging up and down the UK’s heritage steam
railways and their favourite is the Severn Valley Railway.You can follow Maisie here: Facebook | X (Twitter)
Purchase Links
Thanks to Maisie Thomas, 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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