This is the second book in a series. I loved all the characters. The story was so sweet. Hoping that the author writes another in this series

I have been a fan of Rosie’s work for a little while. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I hope to get there one day soon. Last year, I had the good fortune to read ‘The Mother’s Day Club’ and I loved it. When I heard that Rosie was due to release another book in the series, I knew that I had to read it just as soon as I could. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the second book in the ‘Women On The Home Front’ series was released in e-book and paperback format on 3rd March 2022. I adored reading ‘The Mother’s Day Victory’ but more about that in a bit.
As soon as I started reading, I felt that I had been reunited with old friends in the shape of Prue, Thea and Marianne. A new character called Anna appears in the story and I really felt for her. Anna hasn’t had it easy in her short life. Anna is a German but she is also a Jew and she had to flee her homeland for safety reasons. Her father was arrested by the Nazis and she doesn’t have a clue where he is or what he is doing or even if he is still alive. She isn’t always treated well by the people she meets, who see that she is German first and foremost. Anna is a lovely young lady, who is in need of some friends, love and support and thankfully she finds those things in the tight friendship group of Thea, Prue, Hattie and Marianne, who take her under their wing.
As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was in for a treat and that there was no way on earth that I would be moving very far from my reading spot. I was drawn into the story from the start and the book seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t going to break. I picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two to say that I had made a start on the book but I became so wrapped up in the lives and loves of the different characters that I was still sat there reading over twenty four chapters and a few hours later. I just couldn’t put the book down. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. I soon got to the end of ‘The Mother’s Day Victory’ and I had to say goodbye to Thea, Prue, Marianne, Anna and Hettie. I found ‘The Mother’s Day Victory’ to be the true definition of an unputdownable page turner of a read, which I absolutely loved. I was gripped by the story from start to finish and on the edge of my seat throughout the story.
‘The Mother’s Day Victory’ is superbly written but that is certainly true of Rosie’s books in general. Rosie has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. Rosie writes in such a way that the story reads like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Rosie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she describes them. She describes them so vividly and realistically that they seem just as real as you and I. Rosie has clearly done a lot of research into the period in which the story is set and this shines through in the quality of her writing and makes the story seem that bit more authentic. Although I knew a fair bit about the Second World War, this book taught me something that I hadn’t previously known so in that respect this book is also educational. I love the way in which Rosie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I adored reading ‘The Mother’s Day Victory’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Rosie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

In this book we're introduced to Anna Weissenborn who is an evacuee and through a friend has got her a job doing the gardens with Thea these gardens are very important to the whole village it helps with extra food Anna fits right in and with life there are twists and turns, we meet up with violent steel one of Thea's old friends from the ambulance drivers in London this book is jam packed full of greatness shed a few tears on the way. I will definitely be recommending this one! A gripping read and easy five stars.

It’s actually difficult to put in words how much I absolutely loved this book. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I hope there will be many more.

In this book we meet Anna, and she is welcomed into the wonderful community in Great Plumstead, and into Thea’s home.

Right from the start I was swept up into the story, and I was enthralled from beginning to end. Even though it is wartime, and such a difficult and often heart-breaking time, there is such a warmth and sense of congeniality infused throughout the pages that it makes for a comforting and uplifting read.

The characters are so authentic, and like old friends, and it’s very easy to get to know them all, and to care about what happens to them.

This book could be read as a standalone, as it does explain previous events, but I’d recommend that anyone who loves gorgeous historical fiction should read the two books in the series. You’re in for a treat if you do.

A book to savour and enjoy, I genuinely didn’t want it to end.

Rosie Hendry’s The Mother’s Day Victory is a heartfelt wartime saga perfect for fans of Call the Midwife, Donna Douglas and Nancy Revell.

Norfolk, 1940 and the war shows no signs of slowing down. While the men are away fighting for king and country, the women are keeping the home fires burning and in the village of Great Plumstead, sisters Prue and Thea are doing their utmost to ensure that they do their bit for the war effort. The two sisters have thrown themselves body and soul into ensuring that they help defeat the enemy and nothing is too much trouble for them. From organising clothing drives to running the mobile canteen for the Women’s Voluntary Services, there is absolutely nothing the two sisters won’t do.

When German girl Anna arrives in the village after fleeing the war, Thea opens up her home to her. The poor young woman had witnessed all manner of atrocities during the war and Thea welcomes her into her family with open arms. However, not everyone in the village is as welcome as Anna and many view the newcomer with suspicion. With the authorities also looking at Anna with suspicion and panic sweeping the nation, it isn’t long before the young girl is taken by the authorities where she is accused of being a spy. However, the women of Great Plumstead will not let one of their own suffer alone and they vow to do whatever it takes to prove Anna’s innocence.

Rosie Hendry writes so well about village life in wartime, readers will feel as if they are part of the community of Great Plumstead. The Mother’s Day Victory is a warm-hearted saga that celebrates women’s friendship, female endurance in times of great adversity and the lengths they go to to protect their friends and neighbours.

Full of charm and heart, Rosie Hendry’s The Mother’s Day Victory is a lovely wartime saga perfect for curling up with.

This book picks up right after the first one ends, and that is why I think I should have read the first one. That being said, I did enjoy this book, although I have heard that the first was much better. I will leave that for you to decide. I did enjoy that I got brief summaries of what had happened so that I was not completely lost. 

We are in the village of Great Plumstead, getting ready to welcome Anna, who has fled her homeland after sanctions were placed on the Jewish people. Anna gets a mixed welcome, as I imagined a lot of people did during this time period. Honestly, this was a very real portrayal and description in my opinion. 

Of course, then Anna was taken away with all of the other German immigrants. The process of trying to decide if she, and the other immigrants, are a threat is rather lengthy and a bit boring to me. When Anna was first taken away, I was scared for her, but as the story unfolds, I almost forgot she was imprisoned. I guess I expected a little more from a historical fiction novel than this. As I previously stated, it is not bad, but it is rather tame in comparison to my expectations.

This is book 2 in the Women on the Home Front series by Rosie Hendry and what a wonderful, heartwarming tale set mainly in Norfolk at the beginning of WWII. We learn about refugee, Anna, having to find somewhere else to work. One of her friends tells her about Thea and Rookery House needing a gardener; never having gardened before, Anna is dubious but agrees to give it a try. Without giving anything away, Anna is subjected to some harshness in the village which obviously makes her feel uncomfortable but Thea and her family look after her. I can't wait for the next installment.

The second of the Women on the Home Front series, and an absolute delight to read. I love a good wartime saga, and Rosie's books never disappoint.

With the time period will researched, I loved reading about the ladies of Rookery House, and how they all pull together on the Home Front, keeping the wartime spirit very much alive.

Beautifully written, with some old faces and some new. Visually descriptive, so you can imagine yourself there alongside the ladies of Great Plumstead.

Anna's story is absolutely heartbreaking, I can't begin to imagine how she felt. This aside, this is a heartwarming read, full of community spirit and heart.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mother's Day Victory is the second in Rosie Hendry's Women on the Home Front series. The Mother's Day Victory follows sisters Prue and Thea in their small community in Norfolk, as they do what they can to support the war effort. When Anna, a young German Jewish woman who has fled Nazi rule settles with Thea, tensions rise as some people begin to be suspicious about her intentions. Anna's story is a heartbreaking one, but it was one that we need to read about. So many of the historical novels I read are from the British perspective, it was nice to read one from the perspective of the persecuted. Despite finding herself safe from Nazi rule, she still finds herself facing prejudice in the place she thought she would be free - despite being Jewish, her German roots continue to bind her to the atrocities in Europe.

Rosie Henry really brought a new perspective to WWII fiction for me, and I loved it. Obviously I loved the camaraderie and 'can do' attitude of the women in Great Plumstead - it's always wonderful to read about communities coming together to support those protecting their country. But learning a little more about Anna, and those like her who managed to escape the Nazi regime was fascinating. I will go back and read The Mother's Day Club so that I can learn more about the women in Great Plumstead, but in the meantime I am more than happy to recommend this novel to you. It is full of strong, capable women who fight for what is right - very fitting for International Women's Day! I shall definitely be reading more of Rosie Hendry's work!

This book continues just a mere few weeks after the first instalment, so it is a good idea to read this series in order. However, I did not enjoy this story as much, thinking it was lacking a spark or sense of threat that I found in Hendry’s earlier novel.

Returning to the quiet village of Great Plumstead, familiar faces are thankfully provided with the briefest of summaries in the opening chapters, helping jog my memory about who was who from the first book. Like before, the village is set to welcome a new stranger to the community: German-fled Anna, who has left her homeland after increasing sanctions placed on the Jewish people. Hendry appropriately describes Anna’s mixed welcome to the village, acknowledging that not everyone feels comfortable with her arrival and suspect her of connections to the Nazi regime. It felt like a rather realistic depiction and not as innocent and easy as books of a similar genre portray.

No sooner has Anna settled down with Thea at Rookery House, then she is taken away to London and imprisoned with other German immigrants. Whilst not considered as a significant threat, Hendry portrays these measures as a means of protection, both for Brits and the immigrants themselves. This is because of the growing danger of a German invasion to the country and, until lengthy procedures have been followed to determine whether they will be safe in the country, Anna and many other women are isolated from the rest of the world.

It was at this point in the story that I thought Hendry lost her warming spark that I found with the first book. Switching between Anna and Great Plumstead, I found myself waiting for a big revelation that would add some further pace and excitement to the story. Aside from the heavy bombing described in London, which was referred to as Black Saturday and the beginning of the Blitz, I thought the story plodded as gently as life in the countryside. I did not grow to fear for Anna’s safety, but instead wanted to see some of her new acquaintances to be more than the character described. In short, I was wanting more excitement and surprises in what felt like a rather predictable narrative.

Even with recognisable, nasty characters from the first book, such as Victor, failed to leave an impression with me. Finally the reasons behind his suspicious behaviours are revealed, but I don’t think Hendry did enough to exploit this in the story. Instead, it felt like the writer was harbouring too much material for the natural follow-on story in this series. This was quite a disappointment as I was wanting the story to pack a bit more of a punchy narrative.

I think I appreciated the rosy, warming narrative in the first book than I did this time around. With the country very much in the midst of a raging war, I wanted this to be reflected in the pace and atmosphere in the story. Acknowledging that perhaps the countryside did not experience what central cities did, I think Hendry could have added more depth to some of the new characters in this novel. Instead, it all felt a bit too ‘easy’ for the majority of the book, as village life continues and the women pull together and barely face any sacrifices. Even when the heavy London bombing was described, I don’t think it was quite as atmospheric as I had hoped it to be.

Despite these misgivings, I still have enjoyed the series and look forward to what the next book has in store. Based on how Hendry closes the narrative, I think there is potential for some really interesting stories to follow. Overall, this book has been a pleasant read about the Second World War and I think it will appeal to audiences who don’t necessarily want something heavy with conflict, particularly with the times we are living in today.

With thanks to Little Brown books, Sphere, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Mother’s Day Victory by Rosie Hendry
MY REVIEW
The novel begins in Oxfordshire, March 1940. Anna, who is Jewish and from Berlin, loses her job as a governess, because the boy’s father has to send him to boarding school. She ends up relocating to Great Plumstead, a village in Norfolk, where she moves into Rookery House to help Thea in the garden.
Thea and Prue are sisters, both busy doing their bit. Then there’s Hettie (who makes delicious butter and cheese from the cow’s milk) and London evacuee Marianne with her baby daughter Emily.
There’s a lovely community there with lots of activities for the women to help with the war effort and Anna fits in really well, but being German still goes against her in some ways. I won’t spoil anything by explaining what happens, but I loved her rapport with Eva in the story.
I really enjoyed this, it’s full of great female characters and the 1940s setting feels very authentic (if rather poignant, considering the situation in Ukraine right now). I also liked reading how the farm worked and especially after the arrival of Primrose the cow. (Milking a cow by hand is something I’d love to try!)
It’s an easy read, a joyful one and a nice bit of escapism in the present climate.
8.5 out of 10

Those who have read the first book in this wonderful series will be as delighted as I was to return to the village of Great Plumstead in Norfolk where we meet again the characters we grew to know, and love, in The Mother's Day Club. This story begins with the story of Anna Weissenborn who has escaped persecution in Germany in order to make a new life in England. However, in 1940 all enemy aliens are viewed with suspicion even those who pose no threat to the country's security. At first Anna is welcomed at Rookery House without prejudice from Thea, Hettie and Marianne, but there are some in the village who are, initially less welcoming. As the war grows ever stronger, Anna finds that her past is about to come back to haunt her, much to the dismay of those who have grown to know and love her.

I think this latest novel emphasises the difficulties that were being experienced on the home front. The very real threat of a German invasion is very much at the forefront of everyone's mind, and frequent air raid warnings and nights spent in Anderson shelters brings this danger ever closer. The way the women of Great Plumstead pull together in this time of great trouble is very much in evidence, be they making do and mending, restoring old clothes to use again, collecting bits of household rubbish to use as salvage or driving the WVS canteen around the area.

The Mother's Day Victory is a beautifully written story with a true sense of the camaraderie which brings the wartime spirit very much alive. There's warmth and wisdom, happiness and sadness, and yet throughout it all the women of Great Plumstead rally forth with stoicism and practical common sense.

THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is the second book in the Women on the Home Front series by Rosie Hendry, following on from "The Mother's Day Club" which introduced the characters we have come to know and love. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and have been eagerly awaiting this one and naturally I wasn't disappointed. It was wonderful to catch up with the women of Great Plumstead once again, as well as meeting a few new ones.

Oxfordshire 1940: The story begins with Anna Weissenborn, a governess to a young boy Thomas, when her employer Mr Jeffries informs her that his job required him to go abroad and therefore he would be putting Thomas into boarding school thus making her position with them no longer needed. Armed with a glowing reference, Anna makes her way back to London where she contacts Julia, the woman who took her under her wing when she first came to the country as a Jewish refugee fleeing the Nazi regime. As it happens, Julia puts her in touch with her friend Thea Thornton who is looking for someone to help her in her gardens producing fruit and veges for the bustling Norfolk village.

Great Plumstead, Norfolk, 1940: When the train pulls into the station, Thea is there to greet her new charge and briefly shows her the village on their walk home to Rookery House. There Anna meets Hettie and Marianne as well as Reuben and Bess, his dog. As well as her sister Prue and niece Alice. Anna is a quick learner and picks up her gardening duties in no time proving to be an asset to Rookery House. When she is invited to a WI meeting, it becomes clear that some of the villagers aren't at all happy about Anna's presence. It seems all they can see is a German and they immediately think Anna is a spy for the Nazis...but after a heartrendering description of what she endured at the hand of the Nazis and what it means to be Jewish in Germany, the villagers are at once shocked and apologetic.

But Anna is no stranger to prejudice. It is not the first time nor will it be the last. As a category C "enemy alien", Anna is not considered a threat to the nation's security and is therefore free to live where she chooses. Her only stipulation is that she must report to the local police station upon arrival...which, considering she has already been deemed not a threat, seems a bit unnecessary. But Anna is happy to do what she must do to remain free in England.

But the freedom she has taken for granted since evacuating here is about to be lost when one morning she is awoken and rustled from her bed, having been sanctioned to be taken to a place of internment as an enemy alien. But this can't be right...she has already been deemed as non threatening. But no matter how much Thea argues, no matter who she argues with, the orders have come from high up and they are just the foot soldiers carrying out their sanctioned duties.

But Thea will not rest until Anna is free again. However, with the order coming from the government, arguing with the government often proves fruitless. And yet she does not give up. She writes letter after letter after letter. But will the government listen? Will anyone listen? Or is the fact that Anna is German means that she is just too much of a risk to Britain? Despite her tribunal finding her not to be and thus categorising the lowest possible threat? Will Anna ever come home again? Will she ever be free again?

THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is a heartwarming addition to this wonderful series as we meet up with old friends once again and make some new ones. Even Victor is still flexing his materialistic muscles...but for how long? There is so much packed into this installment what with Edwin taking up his position as an ambulance drive/orderly in London and the dreaded onset of the Blitz.

A delightful quick and easy read I read in a day, THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is perfect for fans of wartime sagas such as Lizzie Lane, Pam Howes, Pam Weaver and Rosie Clarke.

I would like to thank #RosieHendry, #Netgalley, #SphereBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheMothersDayVictory in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

After reading book one I was looking forward to reading this one.

Back in Norfolk, the start of war, both sisters Pru and Thea are doing their bit to help those in need.

We are introduced to Anna, who has recently had to leave her job as a tutor, as the child’s father has to follow orders so his son is going to boarding school.

But, there’s some in the village who are not happy with Anna being there, as she’s German and is in England to leave behind the way the nazis treated people like her.

Having to go into a police station to register every time she moves locations is something Anna is not happy about.

So when she’s caught up in the all “ enemy aliens”, order, she’s gobsmacked as Anna, at a tribunal was put in category C - the lowest - meaning she isn’t a risk to anyone or in anyway. Thea tries to do everything she can to get her free, but as the orders have come from top level, there’s not much she can do.

Showing how a village comes together to make there residents feel safe and looked after, even though their family members are away fighting in the war.

It’s a page-turner as there is a lot happening.

Cannot wait for the next book.

4.5 A fabulous followup to The Mother's Day Club. It was wonderful to catch up with Thea, Prue, Hettie and Marianne again. How they welcomed Anna into their lives and helped her was utterly heart warming. Anna's story broke my heart. It was so horrific what people went through during the war but seeing how people came together to help others was just lovely. I can't wait for the follow up.

Oh it was lovely to join Thea and Prue again. With the war ongoing the ladies are doing their best for the war effort with growing their own food and enlisting villagers to help, running the WVS mobile canteen, holding the monthly meetings in the village where it was a surprise some of the things that were considered as useful during the war years. Thea is still at Rookery House we’re all who come to stay are considered family. Young Anna being one of them. Anna is a refugee from Germany where her family were badly treated by the German army, Will Anna be treated better in this country once her origins become public knowledge?
I loved the warm family atmosphere of this book and the fact that people were so accepting during these difficult years.
Look forward to Rosie’s next book.

We are in Norfolk at the beginning of the war and Pru and Thea are doing lots to help the war effort. Soon Anna joins them as she has lost her job as a tutor/nanny as the child is being sent away to boarding school. Not everyone is happy about Anna being in the village- she is German and came to England to escape the nazis as she is jewish. She has to register at the police station so they know where she is living. When all “ enemy aliens” get taken away, Anna is flabbergasted as she had been categorised at her tribunal as category c- the lowest possible one. The women do all they can to try and get her back but as it is government led there is no choice.
I quickly took to this- there is a real warmth of character with determination and tenacity clearly showing through. A village doing its very best in all manner to keep the residents fed and safe during the war and the traumas many are being put through one way or another. Lively and likeable characters keep the pages turning and there are lots of things going on as well as the war issues. A wonderful, highly entertaining read.
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This is the 2nd book in the series and does not disappoint. Really enjoyed this book which is set in wartime Britain
The first book is Mother’s Day club.

Rosie Hendry is a great writer and never fails to deliver a great book, this book is about friendship and living in different lifestyles.

Looking forward to the next book

This book is a lovely heartwarming story of the women in Great Plumstead and their homefront work for the war effort. A young German Jewish girl arrives to live and work with Thea,a teacher back home Anna can only get get domestic work and so has never done gardening work before but she is a quick learner.On her first meeting with some villagers Anna suffers prejudice but chooses to ignore it until she she is encouraged to share her story.I have loved this book and look forward to the next well done to Rosie Hendry 5*

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC
Well what can I say Rosie but WOW. The 2nd book in the series. If you love family saga you will love this series based in Norfolk you feel like you are part of the story. Cant wait to read more by this author