Having previously enjoyed the author's Reckoner's Row series and then "The Mersey Mistress" , which was the first in this new Docklands series set on the River Mersey, I was excited to meet up with Anna and Ruby once again. I thoroughly enjoyed their stories in the first book, their tragedies and heartaches along with their lives, loves and joys. The first book introduced us to a cast of characters we grew to love in Anna, Ruby, Archie, Ned, Izzy, Lottie, Sam and Ellie including the not so nice ones in Jerky, Giles and the priest Father Parsons. In THE MERSEY ANGELS we meet up with them once again as life takes a different turn in each of their lives.

When we left them at the end of "The Mersey Mistress" , Ruby's father had passed away and she was finally able to marry her lifelong love Archie. Surprisingly her estranged father had left Ashland Hall and its estate to Ruby while his elder daughter May inherited Ashland Lodge within the grounds of the estate. Giles was so angered by the outcome that he packed himself and May back up and they returned to his parish in Scarborough, for he had been so sure the Hall was coming to May and therefore him and he'd already begun firing staff and making arrangements to move in.

Now Ruby was in the process of refitting Ashland Hall with electricity and making the necessary arrangements to open as an Auxillary Hospital for soldiers returning from the Front. With Anna and Ellie trained up as nurses, they handed in their notices at a nearby hospital and took up positions at Ashland to treat returning soldiers alongside Doctor Bea, a brash wiry haired Scotswoman who does not suffer fools.

Anna's story began in "The Mersey Mistress" also as a young girl who was made homeless when her house was burnt to the ground with her mother and twin brothers inside. Her ten year old brother Sam had been picking up a birthday gift for their mother he had saved for by carrying passengers' bags from the docks for them. But he had returned to find his home a pile of ashes and was taken to the vicarage where Father Parsons had taken him to the orphanage and nefariously arranged a passage for him to Canada and a new life, telling Sam that his sister Anna had died in hospital. But his new life was nothing like it was promised and Sam was beaten and abused before he managed to escape and was taken in by a kindly doctor. When war broken out in 1914, Sam signed himself up in the hope that he will one day return to Liverpool. He wrote a final letter home to Ruby and Archie asking them to put some flowers on Anna's grave for him, which is when they realised Sam believed her to be dead.

Now as a nurse in the Ashland Auxilliary Hospital, Anna works tirelessly alongside Ellie, Ruby's secret daughter who had been stolen from her and Archie ten days after her birth by Giles and her father. But Anna dreams of searching for her brother Sam and when young Nipper Woods is brought in as a casualty of war, he tells Anna that Sam says hi. Is he delirious? Anna isn't sure but one thing she is sure about...she wants to be posted overseas so she can find her brother. In his letter two years ago, he told Ruby and Archie that he was going off to war so where else would he be but at the Front? But for now, Anna knows she is needed here. Besides, when Ned comes home on leave she wants to be here to see him. The couple have grown closer over the years they have lived with Ruby and Archie, particularly when Ned rescued her from Jerky Woods' advances in a dark alley one night. The friendship then grew into something more and it is her fondest hope that he will return unscathed so that they may marry.

When Doctor Bea announces she is joining the Red Cross overseas, Anna and Ellie decide to go with her...much to Ruby and May's horror. But the two women are old enough and their services are needed at the Front to the many soldiers that come in by the hour. Both are excited by their new adventure but nothing prepares Ellie for the lack of facilities available, having been sheltered all her life. They meet and make fast friends with the effervescent Daisy Flynn who, as luck would have it, was shipped to Canada on the same passage as Anna's brother Sam.

But nothing could prepare Anna for the sheer joy she would feel when she finally comes face to face with her brother now all grown up at 17 and working as a medic. But just as quick as she found him comes the threat of her losing him all over again. And with not having heard from Ned in months, Anna fears she has lost the two men she loves the most in the world.

Back home in Liverpool, life goes on as normal for those left behind on the home front. And yet it has changed dramatically for so many in the years since war began. They said it would be over by Christmas...they just didn't define which Christmas!

As with the first book "The Mersey Mistress" , there are various stories running throughout involving each of the key players. There are still many secrets but they too come to the surface and bring everyone full circle. As this book begins in 1916, the war is well underway so a fair portion of it is devoted to the battlefield both in the trenches and the field hospitals. There are more losses along the way - some tragically cut short while others may not be so missed.

The reader will be taken through a range of emotions as we are left wondering who will return from the Front and who will not. THE MERSEY ANGELS is a delightful addition to the Dockside saga series and while there was an element of rounding off the stories by the books conclusion, I hope this isn't the end and that we hear more from Anna, Ruby and their extended families.

Thoroughly enjoyable, THE MERSEY ANGELS can be read as a standalone as there is enough backstory included to not leave the reader behind. But I do recommend reading "The Mersey Mistress" as it is a very different tale to this one that is emotional and tragic on a whole other scale. To better understand the characters in this one, I do recommend reading "The Mersey Mistress" first.

Enjoyable easy read, THE MERSEY ANGELS is perfect for fans of historical wartime fiction and sagas. I highly recommend.

I would like to thank #SheilaRiley, #Netgalley, #RachelsRandomResources and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheMerseyAngels in exchange for an honest review.

Another gripping saga from an author at the top of her game!

Ruby and husband Archie have finally moved into Ashland Hall. As the Great War rages on, most of the family are doing their bit one way or another and with the ever increasing wounded returning with injuries, Ruby decides to turn the Hall into a hospital. Anna and Ellie take the decision to take their nursing skills to France while they worry about loved ones in the throes of the action.

This is a thoroughly good tale which doesn’t shirk away from the horrors of war – nor should it. A family saga following lots of different angles all brought together with some very skilful writing. Great characters and more that a bit of truth sprinkled through the pages making this an interesting and stirring read. I have enjoyed previous novels by this author and this is of the same high calibre. A moving and inspiring read which I’m happy to recommend and give 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley. This is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.

This is the second book in the Liverpool Saga series and carries on from The Mersey Mistress. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but I do think that it works better if read in order.

As the synopsis describes, Ruby has moved into Ashland Hall. WWI is taking its toll and the casualties are mounting, Ruby decides that she will give over the hall to help the injured servicemen as beds and hospitals are in short supply. As the injured are brought in thoughts of loved ones away in Europe is always on the minds of those who are home in Briain. Everyone, well almost everyone is wanting to do their part.

Set in 1916, the author uses her knowledge of the Liverpool area, to give the reader a chance to glimpse the lives of those who lived and worked both in Liverpool and further afield. This is a story that has its hardships and also its secrets. Even though the war is going on people still have to carry on with their everyday lives. For some that means working longer, doing jobs they would never have been considered for and putting themselves in the midst of some of the worst events in history.

The story does focus on key people, I found myself quite caught up in their various stories. Wondering along with the characters if a loved one would return, if they would be injured and if a telegram would bring the worst news. Following the characters as they struggled with loss, love but with a hope that things would be ok.

This is a story that falls into the saga and historical fiction genres. It is an addictive read and one that brought attitudes, social etiquette, some politics into the lives of the characters. It is a book and a series I am really enjoying and The Mersey Angels is one I would happily recommend.

Another excellent story by Sheila Riley. This author writes evocative descriptions and heart-warming emotions of a tumultuous era. This author takes you into a world where the characters are real and you easily care for them. The Mersey Angels is enjoyable from the first page until the last.

This is not a book I would have chose myself, but I got a widget from the publisher, so I decided to give it a try.
It's an easy read, but also informative about the historical time, as well having some mystery elements and some depths in the story that make it very interesting and engaging.
Despite being the second one in a series, the story is easy to follow and the characters are believable.
The style is not exactly my favourite, there are a lot of repetitions, both of expressions and of whole sentences, that made the reading difficult for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1916 Liverpool, this book is chock full of nooks and crannies to explore and get immersed in. The author includes historical bits and facts and what was de rigueur for the era such as "wristwatches". She writes about the grit and heartache as well as tender and interesting moments. One moment we feel hope, another disgust, another joy and another sorrow, an emotional rollercoaster of sorts. Zeppelin raids are becoming more common and RMS Lusitania had been sunk.

Ruby and Archie move back into Ashland Hall. As a dreamer and and a doer, Ruby makes big changes at the house. The valuables are locked away and the house becomes a beautifully-run auxiliary hospital for thirty patients with plans for more. Ruby puts her government stipend to excellent use...no equipment is out of reach and the best supplies and procedures are used. The doctor demands that the bandages be changed often, for example, which wouldn't happen at field hospitals. Nurses Anna and Ellie are in their element and see it all. Or so they think.

Anna hasn't seen her brother for years and her hope is waning. Lottie, another young woman, believes she is in love with her prince. Izzy and Nippy also have large roles to play in the story. So do secrets which take the reader all over from the hospitals to the tenements to the battlefield. Some characters are dear and loveable, others despicable. We see the effects of war and how people cope with it differently.

Those who enjoy a great Historical Fiction with informative historical bits should gravitate towards this and grab it. It has depth some don't have. The mystery elements are well integrated.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Sheila Riley for the chance to read this book.

I had not read the previous book in the series, but I have read some of the books the author has written since she took over the Annie Groves name.

I enjoyed the premise of the book, I like books about WW1, nursing and the lives of the those brave women that did all they could for the soldiers sent to the carnage that was life in the Trenches.
However I found this book incredibly hard to read, so much of the narrative was repeated, sometimes similar sentences even. This made the fluency of the prose difficult to follow at times.
As with many romance sagas some of the events were contrived - but it was easy to follow the characters even if the first book hadn't been read.
I am sure the book was well researched, the descriptions of the conditions in the Trenches and the utter futility of the War and the wastage of the lives of so many for so little movement forward was heart rending at times.

Not really sure that Sheila Riley's writing style is for me - but don't let that put you off

Thanks again for the chance to read this book in return for a review of my own opinion

I loved it Better than the last one will miss Anna and Ruby can't wait to see if we get further adventures, set after the sinking of Lusitania the books shows what happened towards the end of WW I with Ned missing and a long awaited reunion this book makes you happy and sad at the same time will surely recommend it

Another fabulous book from Sheila Riley with a story and characters that blend so well together,it also a book i will highly recommend.5*

This novel is set in 1916 in Liverpool and follows the story of Ruby Swift. After the death of her father, Ruby and her husband move back to her family home
As the war progresses Ruby turns the old hall into an auxiliary hospital for wounded servicemen.
I enjoyed this read. It's a well researched and enjoyable novel full of nostalgia with losses and loves throughout.
Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

If you want to settle with a good read, this is for you. Read it in no time, makes you sad, brings tears to your eyes then makes you laugh out loud.
The characters are like old friends, from the first page they come flooding back. Loved it. The attention to detail is impressive.
I’m sure there is another book there about Ellie. Shame there are only ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lovely series the characters really come alive.I was drawn right into the story Sheila Riley never fails to write wonderful sagas.Will be recommending.#netgalley #boldwoodbooks

The Merseyside Angels is a gripping tale from the very first page when Ruby agrees to turn her home into a hospital during WW1 she didn't realise it would become the best. But then Anna and Ruby's daughter Ellie go off to nurse on the front in France to search for Anna's long lost brother Sam. There are other just as gripping tales weaved through the book too.

Brilliant book, well written and highly recommended. The characters are both believable and relatable.

Wow! What a fantastic read very emotional and a great second book in the ruby series. Loved the characters and the way the story unfolded. Love all the books by this author and this latest instalment didn’t disappoint. Hope there maybe future books involving ruby Archie and all the family they have cobbled together.
Highly recommended read

Having not read the previous books I still managed to keep up with the storyline, thought the characters were lovely and took a shine to all of them, storyline and setting were good also, if you like historical sagas then you will enjoy this one

Story starts slow and some what confusing. Ends well with most story lines resolved. Somewhat predictable and characters are rather the typical for the time period.

I love this series. It's completely amazing. I can't get enough of it. This book was good plus heartwarming

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of one of my favourite authors. I love this series and can't wait to read more.
If you like family sagas and books based in the war this is definitely for you