After reading the previous books featuring the Butlers, it’s now obvious why Vinnie Butler turned out the way he did. Queenie was the reason.

Queenie’s life hasn’t quite worked out as she planned. In love with one man but married to another, she will just have to make do and mend. Her kids are her life and she’ll do anything for them, especially first born Vinnie. But Queenie has a very warped sense of right and wrong. She can’t abide liars but doesn’t think nothing of telling little white lies. Manipulative and hypocritical, she has her way of doing things and you better not get in her way.

Queenie is an excellent addition to the Butler series. A good storyline with larger than life characters, it was a great read.

OMBG!! I was oh so happy to see a request for me to read and review #Queenie by Kimberley Chambers, I actually done my happy dance. What made the day even better was a small flurry of snow outside which allowed me to use the excuse of a 'snow day' which I did. I curled up in the corner with my fluffy blanket, chocolate and several large cups of tea and I didn't move (apart from trips to the loo) until it was finished. I know that it was incredibly decadent and greedy to devour this as quickly as I did but damn I thoroughly enjoyed it. My mind was so stuffed to the ginnels with the Butlers and all that goes with them that even today I am left with what I call a book hangover.

This is a prequel to the Butler family saga and I loved that were able to learn such a lot about Queenie, what shaped her and just how she became the strong complex woman that she is/was. If we are honest we all know that she's an opinionated, smart mouthed and sometimes vindictive woman but in this novel we really do see a lot more of her vulnerable side. I can't help but think that the wee saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' could have been meant for Queenie.

Growing up in the East End of London just before and during WW2 during what was called the phoney war' meant that there were times of extreme hardship an increase in crime, housing crisis and poverty. Queenie and her sister Vivvy had a troublesome relationship with their father, as for their mother she was a weak woman to a degree she wasn't strong enough to leave her husband and look after her family.. The girls didn't fare much better when it came to their husbands. I thought that Albie, her husband was a bit of a wally he showed such promise in the beginning but towards the end she would have been better off without him. As for Vivvy her husband Bill was just a tosser, he really didn't deserve her and I think if it wasn't for Vinny Butler he would never have married her.

Being sent away during the bombing was idyllic until it wasn't and the girls made their own way home with help from Patrick across the road. What happened when she was away shaped the way that she thought and went some way to explaining how she brought up her boys up the way she did, All their lives they were taught to always look out for each other and to never miss the chance of a quick earner. The Butler boys learnt and learnt well and from a very young age they became a force to be reckoned with. Vinny had his demons as well as an exceptionally dark side one that should never have seen the light of day, sadly it did and good old Queenie had his back every time..

Reading this there were moments when some of the things that Queenie came out with were absolutely hilarious and others where I cried in fact I'll be honest I went through the full range of emotions. My heart went out to Queenie on more than one occasion none more so than when she lost her beloved Aunt Edna in a horrific accident. I'm going to stop now as honestly you'll want to read the book and drawer your own conclusions.

Over the last few years I've read all of Kimberley Chambers work, she is one of the last authors that my mum recommended to me before she passed away (thanks mum x). The Mitchell and O'Hara series is another that just drags you in and takes on the story of their trials and tribulations and boy do they don't half have some tribulations. I promise you that if you are a fan of Jacqui Rose, Mandasue Heller or Martina Cole this I'd highly recommend that you give this author a bash she'll be right up your street.


Read for an honest review. Thank you Ms Chambers, Netgalley and HarperCollins

Queenie and her sister Viv were born in the back streets of Whitechapel. Living through a war which saw them evacuated, only made them stronger and more resilient. As they grow up and move through the decades Kimberley treats us to some interesting facts and provides a great ambience of each era.

We are slowly introduced to Queenie's young family, as well as her good friend and mentor, Mrs O'Leary. We find out what makes Queenie tick and what has made her the matriarch that she is in Kimberley's 'Butler' series. She has made some difficult decisions but always puts her family first, bringing her boys up to look after one another before anything else. Her family values are unquestionable, even if some of her decisions aren't.

You can tell that Kimberley has carried out an awful lot of research in writing this book. She has beautifully tied this story in with the later books in this series. It's gritty, filled with larger than life characters and has many poignant moments. It all makes Queenie such a treat to read.

I am a massive Kimberley Chambers fan and have been so looking forward to reading this book, it didn't disappoint in any way. I totally loved it and it easily gets five stars from me.

Another brilliant book, Kimberley Chambers really brings her characters to life and ensures that you the reader have a love/hate relationship with every last one of them. Authenticity runs through her books and this is no exception.

This author has done it again! What a book. Thank you netgalley for the ARC. As with all previous books by KC,this one tops them all. The main character being the Queenie,what a life she had! Thoroughly enjoyed. Gripped from the very first page.

you can see why this author is queen of crime I think this her best story yet but all other books are a brilliant read so recommend at last we have got a look at queenie s story and what a story it is always thought she was a hard cow but after reading this understand why .she not have a good life and I no longer think Albie was hard done buy . I don't want to give story away but it has it all love loss and I cried my eyes out praise for this author oh and its going on tv Yipee

Fans of KC have been waiting for this book, in previous books Queenie is the matriarch Mum/Nan/Sister/Friend in the Butler series and this book charts her life from the beginning right up to the first Butler book

Queenie is a legend in the other books and so it was good to see how she started life and what she did to make sure her boys succeeded, often amoral and even more often hypocritical she moved anything and anyone that stood in her boys way and equally anyone who got in her way with her well known fiery temper and single mindedness

Tbh I always liked Queenie in the other books but at times just what she ‘overlooked’ re her boys behaviours especially Vinnie didn’t endear me to her quite so much this time

BUT its a great read, KC is as legend as Queenie is and every one of the 512 pages is up to the usual story telling and ‘real’ life narrative and if you have enjoyed her last 14 books then you will adore this one as well

This is a great book to immerse yourself in and for fans of the Butlers a must read that cant disappoint and brings a huge feel good factor to her fans and readers

10/10
5 Stars

What a wonderful book
It was rich in laughter and it was horrible too
Vinny the eldest boy was a strange boy
And he was a killer with a mean streak
But it was a special book that was told about Queenie and it was a great book

Really loved this advanced copy that I was delighted to be offered by netgally.
Superb read, I have always enjoyed Kimberley chambers & reading about the butlers but to finally have a novel all about the mighty Queenie was amazing.

This is the prequel to the Butler series and wowzers what a prequel it is. This book tells the story of Queenie Wade as a child and growing up with her parents and younger sister Viv. We learn of her life during WW 2 right up to the early 1960’s. This book was absolutely fantastic. I honestly couldn’t put it down . Superb characters and a great storyline. A massive 5⭐️ read for me.

I loved this prequel to the Butler Stories, It tells the story of Queenie and Viv growing up in the East End during the second world war up to the 1960s. Once I started reading I didn't want to put it down, the writing is superb, bringing the story to life. Highly recommended

I loved this book and would give it more than five stars if I could.
It was great to get to know Queenie and everything she’s been through - and what a life she’s had!
Something terrible happened to her whilst she was sent away during the war but I think this made her stronger when she eventually spoke to Mary about it. This then shaped how she dealt with life and those she came into contact with.
When she had her sons she encouraged them to be the best they could be and whilst Albie criticises her for spoiling them, they are truly her world.
It was good to read about Vinny as he was starting out in life and there’s a few shocks in store here too.
I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Kimberley Chambers.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

What can I say about this marvellous book? For years now we've been reading about Queenie and her family's exploits, so to go back in time to see how Queenie became the matriarch she is today was wonderful and explained so much, especially how she's raised her sons.
This is an absolute must read for anyone to loves gritty drama. Whether you've read the Butler series or not, you need to read this!

In this prequel, we learn about Queenie and her sister, Vivian nd how their childhood affected how they led their adult life. It's set just before the outbreak of World War II and takes us through to the early sixties. Queenie, Viv and their parents lived in the East Ens if London. Their father fought in the war but was medically discharged. Queenie and Viv were sent away to the country once the bombings started. Ut a traumatic event brought them back home. Queenie makes a new friend in the woman who moves into the house across the street. Mary O'Leary becomes more like a mother to Queenie.

I'm a big fan of Kimberley Chambers. I've read all her books so when I learned she was writing this book, I couldn't wait to read it. The story tells us what Queenies life was like before we met her in The Trap. Her life has not been an easy one. You will need to read the book to find out the reasons why. The storyline is believable and the characters are dysfunctional but lovable. There is humor and sadness in the Butlers lives. This book can be read as a standalone, but I'm sure, if you haven't already read The Butker series, you will after reading this marvellous book. I highly recommend it.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Kimberley Chambers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve absolutely loved reading about the Butlers lives and have waited a long time to find out Queenie’s story. It was definitely worth the wait. To find out more about Queenie’s life as a young girl before raising her family and to learn what made her become the strong matriarchal character she became was fab. I would highly recommend this whole series to anyone who likes this genre.

Well what can i say except that in my own opinion Kimberley Chambers has given us her BEST book yet.I have been a massive fan of hers and have read all her books,the Butler books have given us so much entertainment and so when i read the blurb for Queenie i knew i had to have it.Queenie and Viv have a troublesome childhood but when they are evacuated Queenies life is never the same again.When they return home both girls settle back in but a shadow hovers over Queenie and Mary bides her time but eventually is told what happened.Now i have read this book i now know why Queenie is such a hard bitch in the Butler books.Kimberley Chambers you have nailed it and if i could i would give more *

Wow this was incredible. I love Queenie and was pretty sure I would enjoy the prequel as much as the other books, I actually think it is my favourite.

Kimberley's writing style brings the story to vivid life. I loved it. I would give more than five stars if it was possible.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book

the backstory to queenie and her sister and how their childhood had a profound effect on the way they lived their adult lives...

queenies dad was lovely when he was sober but a vicious violent drunk when he had had a few, though queenie and her sister never knew this side of him until he came back from war injured and couldnt keep a job...

also during the war queenie and her sister were sent away as every child that lived in london were...evacuated to the country but soon went back to london after a traumatic event that would shape the way queenie was for the rest of her life...would effect queenie for the rest of her life

a gripping novel that brings the east end to life, with many brilliant characters abound...it also gives insight into the lives that were lived in those times during the war after the war, the teddy boy era and into today and it worked so well...and you have to feel for queenie what she had to fight for and bring her boys up with the man she married who couldnt or wouldnt find a proper job

i look forward to reading the butler series with eager eyes and will look out for more of this authors works...

Sometimes only a Kimberley Chambers book will do and this weekend I feel so privileged to have gotten my hands on an early copy of her latest work. "Queenie" is an engaging read from the very first page. Chambers evokes wartime London with skill and aplomb. Her characters are vividly drawn and you can't help but love them all, even the rogues. I've been a fan of her writing for many years now, yet each book always feel fresh and makes for an exciting and compulsive read. "Queenie" is yet another classic which is impossible to put down. I loved it! An excellent prequel to the Butler series which also works well as a standalone.

Wow, I'm actually quite emotional after just finishing this. Firstly I was so excited yesterday 23.01.20 when I realised I could read this through netgalley. I adore kimberley Chambers she's my favourite author and the Butler family are my favourite family from all the books I've ever read,especially Queenie and Viv they literally make me howl with laughter. Their sayings have me laughing out loud alot and I love all the main characters in these books. Having read the final Butlers/Mitchells book as soon as it was released I truly thought that was the end so when I seen Queenie was being released I was so so excited I've been counting down the days for its release. I definitely was not disappointed I loved reading about Queenie from the beginning of her life, the reasons behind the way she was, And what turned her into the woman she became. I'm absolutely blown away by the whole story it's truly believable and this book tied up a few loose ends into things like why vinnie turned out the way he did, why vivs marriage had ended it really brought all the butlers books together in my opinion. I'm now going to read them again with fresh eyes especially after reading queenie I'm honestly so impressed and I now love the butlers a little bit more than I already did. Kimberley did an amazing job on this book I'm not sure if it was always planned or if it was planned afterthe last book in the series but she's absolutely smashed it and I could not put it down. I started it as soon as I downloaded it and only stopped at the last page. I've read the butlers books alot I recommend them all the time and Queenie is no exception. Slid straight into my favourite books and I'm so grateful I've had the opportunity to read it