This book is so well researched and is written so well.
The characters were well developed and had depth.
I laughed and I cried. I would recommend this book to historical fiction fans.

A beautiful read with lovely characters and a great plot. I can't wait to read more from the author in the future.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Girls In Tin Hats by Annie Murray is a powerful historical tale that will break your heart whilst simultaneously filling it with love and admiration.
The novel is set in Small Heath in Birmingham during the early years of World War II. It is a close-knit community with some big personalities. People were poor, living in back-to-backs, food was rationed but they shared all they had and helped where they could. People were in and out of each other’s homes as the spirit of community was alive and well.
Birmingham suffered dreadfully during the Blitz. It is a well-known fact that much of Coventry was destroyed on the night of 14th November 1940 but Birmingham also suffered, being bombed night after night. (Incidentally my Dad who lived in Birmingham at the time kept a notebook of bombing raids, it makes for fascinating reading) The indomitable spirit of the Birmingham people could not be kept down.
We follow the wardens on their nightly duties. They keep others safe as they walk the streets whilst the bombs fall. They see sights that no one should have to see.
Life goes on – babies are born, people fall in love despite, or maybe because of, being surrounded by death. Old friendships are strengthened, new friendships are made.
We witness the morals of some being eroded, as they lived for today because tomorrow was not guaranteed.
As with all Annie Murray’s novels, the characters are realistically and wonderfully drawn. I loved hearing, in my head, the Birmingham dialect.
Birmingham is my home town so I loved being familiar with the locations and the people.
Girls In Tin Hats was a fabulous read about a wonderful community of people.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Welcome back Annie Murray! After reading the very different novel "Mother and Child" and not enjoying it, I welcomed the return of Annie to the genre she does best...and she didn't let me down! I have read a plethora of WW2-based stories and each one is unique in their own way, but GIRLS IN TIN HATS was different in that we see the destruction of war through the eyes of two women who become Air Raid Wardens.

Birmingham 1940: Shy and self-conscious 20 year old Violet Simms lives with her domineering mother above a pawnbroker's shop in a cold and hostile environment. May Simms has had a hard life and spends the rest of it taking it out of her daughter Violet. She belittles her, criticises her, blames her and has no qualms in telling her that men are only after one thing. Yet she becomes whiny and needy should Violet try to escape the stifling environment for something more cheerful...even going to work.

So when Violet decides to become an Air Raid Warden, May is quick to tell Violet she is selfish and thinking only of herself...leaving her mother all alone and at the German's mercy. But Violet wants to do her bit for the war effort and feels compelled to help others in the midst of the horrors they now face. It's not selfish at all, but rather selfless to put herself in harms way to help others.

During the course of her duties as an ARP Warden, Violet meets special constable George Cherry who, because of a limp, was exempt from fighting. Violet cannot help but be enamoured by George and his constant cheerfulness and soon the pair meet up as regular as they can. Violet knows she must keep George a secret from her mother who would soon spoil things for the young couple. After all, May has always told her daughter that men are only after one thing and one thing only. But she knows George is not like that. And soon she meets his family who are just as lovely as he is. Violet thought her home life was something normal and expected George's mother to be much like her own, but she couldn't be more different. The family welcomed her with open arms and it wasn't long until Violet dreaded returning home. And when she did, it was to a barrage of questions as to where she's been and who with...

But George has always wondered why he has never been back to Violet's to meet her family...and thinks maybe she might be ashamed on him. But no matter how much she tries to explain the way her mother is, George finds it hard to comprehend as he has never known such hostility from his mum. But as Violet and George become more serious and he asks her to marry him, Violet knows she must introduce them. But nothing will prepare her for what is about to come...

Grace Templeton couldn't be more different from Violet. She too has joined the ARP Wardens and often patrols with Violet. Gregarious and outgoing, Grace is from a family of ten children all of whom she adores. Having grown up with the Ovals, Grace and Jimmy had been unofficially stepping out together so when he joins the army and is sent abroad, the two continue writing to each other with Grace looking forward to his letters.

But something is missing...and she doesn't know what. She loves Jimmy, or believes she does, but he's just...well, Jimmy. As is her nature, Grace is looking for a bit of excitement and she's not sure Jimmy does that to her. He's safe and secure Jimmy...but not exciting. And then one night whilst she and Violet perform a rescue on a collapsed house, she meets good looking and charming Harry Cobb. And before long, the two are meeting in shadowy corners, in darkened alleys, stolen moments during the blackout where Harry ignites something exciting in her she has never felt before. Certainly not with Jimmy. And yet...something doesn't feel right. Why do they only meet at night? Why does Harry not walk out with her in public? And why is he always intent on delving beneath her skirts without so much as a by-your-leave?

Then one night while Grace was seconded away in a darkened alley fumbling in the dark with Harry, one of her younger brothers ran into the ARP post looking for her. Grace had told her family she was on duty that night...but she wasn't. And no one knew where she was. Something terrible had happened and they needed Grace right away. Afterwhich, Grace felt so much shame for what she was getting up to when her family needed her most. And then the German's bombed the BSA factory where her father worked...and Grace was in an awful state wondering if he was buried amongst the rubble or if he was safe.

GIRLS IN TIN HATS is the story of two very different women with two very different stories and paths in life who meet when they join the ARP together. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming. There will be tears, there will be laughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and its easy style. Violet and Grace are both very likable and easily relatable. Most characters are likable, even if they aren't in the beginning, you will grow to like them. All except May and Harry. I didn't like either of them. May was a selfish cow who used emotional blackmail to keep her dutiful daughter in line. She spent her entire life lying to her about her past and continues to do so. She is thoroughly unlikable, despite knowing she'd probably had a tough life. And Harry...there was just something underhand about him. I kept inwardly screaming at Grace to run and go back to Jimmy...but she didn't listen. Not even when she knew what she was doing was wrong and shameful. Harry was the epitome of men that Violet's mum had warned her about and yet it was Grace who fell under his spell.

A wonderful realistic story set during the Blitz on Britain...this time in Birmingham...GIRLS IN TIN HATS draws you in right from the start with it's descriptions of life during wartime. A story of utter chaos and bravery as the people stood together to defeat the enemy.

Perfect for fans of of wartime historical fiction, GIRLS IN TIN HATS is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming of two girls whose lives will be changed forever by friendship, love, tragedy and joy.

I would like to thank #AnnieMurray, #NetGalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #GirlsInTinHats in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

An excellent saga story set in Birmingham in the 1940’s. I just love this type of book and this one was no exception.

What a fantastic story the characters and storyline were fantastically throughout,areas to the end book I was so engrossed from start to finish and would highly recommend to others who like this era.

Another brilliant saga set in Birmingham from the Queen of wartime fiction. As usual it’s packed with detail and a good solid realistic family story. Loved it!

Struggled initially to get into the book. Couldn't remember other books by this author using the term 'Mom' which I now understand is a Birmingham phrase (it made the book feel American to start with). A few chapters in and I felt more at ease with the characters and enjoyed the remainder of the book. I have read all by the author and generally always enjoy them and would recommend to others. I thoroughly enjoy reading about the roles which women were able to occupy during wartime. Through books like this the reader can learn more about the history of the country.

A good read with lots of interesting details about the bombing of Birmingham the blitz. Lots of lovely characters and spirit.

Violet Simms who lives with her domineering mother is a shy girl with no friends,but determined to have some sort of freedom away from mom joins the ARP as a volunteer and soon makes friends with Grace Templeton and others in their team.Violet has never known life like it and is also scared but determined to do her bit.Annie Murray always writes great books and people will love this one too.5*

My favourite kind of book family saga with the the added pleasure of the girls working during the war. Brilliant author as always

booklover BEV 



Birmingham 1940, and twenty years old Violet Simms lives with her mom May small shy and wore spectacles, never had a boyfriend, with a very strict mom watching her like a hawk. Grace Templeton blonde and full of life twenty one year's old living at home with her parents and siblings all crammed in like sardines. both had day jobs, join together to become ARP volunteers at night during the air raids keeping people safe, in Archibald Street where they both live. Kitted out with uniforms and their very own protective Tin Hats begin training first at Kings in Norton. Two very different girl's who become friends, the community in Archibald Street always pull together. This book takes us through harrowing times of bombed homes and also a lot of work places and businesses, that brings casualties in their thousands, never a quiet night, and exhaustion work for the girl's. Their private lives also suffer a few ups and downs. I loved this book throughout with many characters that grow on you. It's definitely a book that keeps bringing you lots of different backgrounds into how it was in Birmingham and how the people suffered, totally Heartbreaking right through.