The reader will enjoy getting lost in this book and immersing oneself in a he lives of these deftly drawn , heartfelt characters.
Many thanks to Hera and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

If there’s one thing that I like doing, it’s discovering new authors and Carol MacLean is certainly a new author for me. As well as being a book geek, I am also a historical fiction nerd with a particular interest in the Second World War. I read the synopsis of ‘Jeannie’s War’ and it certainly appealed to me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Jeannie’s War’ but more about that in a bit.
Every so often I come across a book that blows me away. ‘Jeannie’s War’ is one such book. As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was onto something special and that I would soon become addicted to reading it. The story seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. I had picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the characters that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. The first time I checked my reading progress, I was staggered to realise that I had read the over a third of the story in one go. My Kindle was well travelled that day as it travelled everywhere with me because I couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Jeannie’s War’ and I had to say farewell to Jeannie an the rest of the characters.
‘Jeannie’s War’ is superbly written. Carol certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a story and then some. ‘Jeannie’s War’ is the first book in ‘The Kiltie Street Girls’ series and what a superb start to a new series. I loved the fact that the story was set in Glasgow at the beginning of the Second World War. We had a family friend from Glasgow who was about the same age as Jeannie in the story and so this story made me think of her . Every time I came across a bit of Scottish dialect that I would ‘hear’ the voice of our friend. Carol clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She literally makes them seem just as real as you and I. Reading this book did take me on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the ups and downs, twists and turns. I love the way in which Carol makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Jeannie’s War’ and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Carol’s work in the future. ‘Jeannie’s War’ has to be one of my top reads of 2022 so far. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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

It’s 1939, in Glasgow..

Jeannie has always been shy and on the day that she hears on the radio that war has started, Arthur, a soldier asks her to marry him and she accepts, but she’s thinking whether she’ll fit in with his way of living as they both come from different backgrounds.

As WWII has begun, the wedding will have to take a back seat. Finding work at a local ammunition factory, she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. Working together to make things for the war, the four share their worries, good times and romances with each other.

Jeannie is happy knowing she’ll marry Arthur and be happy living with him. That is until she meets Bill, he’s a Canadian soldier. Meeting him makes her realise that maybe there’s something not quite right about her relationship with Arthur.

The story was emotional at times, learning about how families lived during the Second World War in Glasgow.

I found myself wanting to know what happens next.

I cannot wait for the next book.

Highly recommend this book.

Jeannie’s War by Carol MacLean is an engaging novel set that takes us to Glasgow, Scotland in 1939. The Dougal family is in their flat on Kiltie Street listening to Neville Chamberlain on the wireless as he declares they are now at war with Germany. Jeannie Dougal is a reserved young woman who does not realize her own beauty because of a faded strawberry birthmark on her face. She considers herself fortunate to be stepping out with the handsome Arthur Dunn. Arthur comes to the house after the broadcast and asks Jeannie to marry him. Jeannie accepts his proposal even though she is a little unsure. They have only gone on a couple of dates, and they are from different backgrounds. While the Dougal’s live in the tenements, Arthur and his mother live in a home in an upper middle-class neighborhood. Arthur heads off to training after enlisting while Jeannie begins working at Fearnmore’s factory where they are making munitions. At the factory, Jeannie befriends Eileen Boyle, Janet Thom, and Annie Morris. When Jeannie goes out with her friends one evening, she meets Canadian solider Bill. Jeannie finds herself attracted to Bill and feels a spark with him that she has never felt with Arthur. Jeannie made a commitment to Arthur, though, and she intends to honor it. But then something happens could change the family forever. I enjoyed reading Jeannie’s War by Carol MacLean. I found myself drawn into the story. I was curious as to how everything would turn out. I like the author’s writing style. It made the story easy to read. Jeannie’s War had a good pace and flow. The story focuses on Jeannie, but we also spend time with Eileen, Jeannie’s mother, Jimmy who is Jeannie’s brother who is in the army, Jeannie’s youngest siblings in the countryside, and Jeannie’s younger sister. Kathy, Jeannie’s sister is fifteen going on twenty-five. She is a temperamental young woman who likes to get her way. The characters are a mixed bunch (some you like and some you do not). I thought they were realistic. I enjoyed the descriptions of Glasgow. I thought the author captured the time period especially the munitions factory. I can tell the author did her research. I like how the novel ended and I am looking for the next book in The Kiltie Street Girls series. Jeannie’s War is a poignant historical tale with avowal of war, rationing regulations, a temperamental teenager, war work, a precious pig, firm friends, and a problem to ponder.

What a thoroughly enjoyable tale set in Glasgow at the onset of WW2 that I devoured almost in one sitting. A quick read that has an easy style and flows seamlessly, JEANNIE'S WAR is the story of Jeannie and her family, the Dougals. Like most wartime sagas, this one focuses on a working class family inflicted by the ravages of war as their sons, brothers and loved ones are soon shipped out to fight the enemy in Europe. And like most wartime sagas, they feel the ripples and far reaching tentacles of the enemy as the war that was meant to be over by Christmas continues over the course of the next several years, changing lives with it.

Shy and reserved Jeannie Dougal and her family of six live in a two room tenement flat on Kiltie Street when the prime minister announces the declaration of war in September 1939. Her fifteen year old sister teases her that the young man she has stepped out with twice, Arthur Dunn, will surely be proposing before he heads off to war. Marriage? To Arthur? But she hardly knows him! And yet, it's exactly what Arthur has in mind when he calls on Jeannie that afternoon. Though instead of asking her, he informs her they should get married and then goes on to tell her what will happen, assuming her answer before she's had a chance to give it. But her mother thinks Arthur is a wonderful catch. He's handsome, has a secure job in a bank and is middle class with far better prospects than those that could be found on Kiltie Street. So Jeannie acquiesces to his wishes, insisting on a long engagement...to give them time to get to know one another. However, if Arthur is unemotional and aloof, his mother Helen is the polar opposite and Jeannie adores her from the moment they meet.

It isn't long before Jeannie begins to see the vast differences between them, despite her being working class and he middle class. That, it seems, is the least of their problems. Arthur doesn't like it when Jeannie announces her wish to work at the new munitions factory, he doesn't like it when she's affectionate, he doesn't like dancing or going to the cinema, he doesn't like her have an opinion of her own...basically he doesn't like much of anything. He may seem closed off emotionally and somewhat aloof but Jeannie soon discovers other behavioural traits in her fiance that makes her uncomfortable. Helen says he takes after his late father with a sympathetic look at her daughter-in-law-to-be. But it seems that Arthur has taken over where his father left off in controlling every aspect of his mother's life and thus expecting Jeannie to look after his invalid mother in his absence. But Helen is anything but an invalid and when she begins joining Jeannie's mother Mary in helping the WVS, Arthur is livid and demands she cease the activity at once.

But it's Arthur's parting remark one evening before he leaves to fight for King and country that shocks Jeannie to the core. His cruel comment left her shaken and sobbing herself to sleep. I would have called the engagement off right then, as he obviously had so little respect for the woman he was meant to love; the woman he was to marry. But Jeannie had made a promise and she wouldn't break it and shame her family.

One evening, her friends from the factory - Eileen, Janet and Annie - convince her to join them at a dance which is teeming with military personnel on leave. There Jeannie meets Canadian Bill but, despite her instant attraction to him, borders on rude as she is aware of her engagement to Arthur and her worry if he were to find out she went dancing. But she soon finds herself on the dance floor with Bill and enjoying herself immensely. And before long, Bill becomes a friend of the family as Jeannie continues to fight her growing feelings for the kind and gentle Canadian.

Then as the bombs begin to fall on Glasgow the realities of war hits the community as their city is rocked to its foundations. Innocent people are killed, buildings are decimated and lives are changed forever. Jeannie soon discovers that she has shed her shy and reserved demeanour and in its place is a bolder more forthright young woman...much to Arthur's chagrin. He wants a quiet obedient wife, but will Jeannie acquiesce to his will?

But it's not only Jeannie's life that changes but those of her new friends as well as her family. New loves and new beginnings abound while across the waters in Europe war continues to rage on. Will their loved ones return? And how will the war affect those left behind keeping the home fires burning? As for Jeannie...will she fulfill her promise to marry Arthur or will she follow her heart with Bill?

JEANNIE'S WAR is more than just a romance; it is a story of friendships, family and community pulling together during one of the darkest times in history as they fight battles of their own at home with rationing of food, clothing and petrol, Anderson shelters and evacuation.

The story unfolds primarily through Jeannie's eyes, as she is the main character, but we also catch glimpses from others' perspectives as well. The story itself is heartwarming, emotional and thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. I am thrilled to hear there is to be a sequel and I eagerly await it!!

An easy read, JEANNIE'S WAR is perfect for fans of wartime sagas such as Call the Midwife, Rosie Clarke and Pam Howes.

I would like to thank #CarolMacLean, #Netagalley, #HeraBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #JeanniesWar in exchange for an honest review.

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

Loved this well written book. Will be looking out for more from this writer.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I chose this book because it is based in my home town of Glasgow so the streets and places were familiar.
It follows the lives mainly of the Dougal family. Jeannie and her sisters Kathy and Isa, brothers Jimmy and Bob..
Jeannie’s boyfriend Arthur can be a bit overpowering and his word is law, so much that when he decides to join up he tells Jeannie that she will stay with his mother in order that she may be looked after whilst he is away. Never once asking what Jeannie thinks on the matter. Will this work out or does Arthur have other traits that she is yet to discover. Meanwhile Kathy longs to be as grown up as Jeannie and to make her own decisions, but will they be the right ones? Isa and Bob get evacuated to the country but may not wish to return.
The only downside (for me) was that the book wasn’t long enough.

The day the war is announced is also the day Jeannie Dougal gets engaged to the handsome Arthur Dunn. She insists on a long engagement, soon realising that their difference in economic status is the least of their problems. Arthur doesn’t like it when Jeannie starts working at the munitions factory, he doesn’t like when she’s affectionate and, basically, he doesn’t like much of anything. But then Jeannie meets Canadian, Bill, and the connection is instant, even if she tries to fight it.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I thought it was just going to be from Jeannie’s POV, but it’s from her siblings’ and mother’s and her friends’ as well. I wasn’t too sure if I would like that, but it worked really well and we were given a better picture of what was happening with the characters and it gave better understanding of the relationships between characters.

This book seems to be well researched, both of the area and the era. I enjoyed the cast of characters (except for a few of them, of course) and was glad the group of girls from the factory didn’t fall into the stereotypic roles that other authors usually put them in (the good-time gal, the quiet church mouse, the girl next door). It was interesting to see where the book was going to go. Jeannie’s character development pleased me to no end.

I’m happy to hear there’s going to be a sequel and I’ll definitely be giving it a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for the opportunity to read and ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jeannie’s War is an amazing book I read in a sitting and so late into the early hours of the morning.

I am pleased with the twists and turns of the plot. The characterization is so great, the suspense was well controlled and the plot had that page turning effect.

Jeannie is a remarkable character and a loveable one. You cannot help following her story and that of other characters especially Kathy! I love that character and I almost thought she was real.

The book title and cover were what drew my attention and I am pleased I read this amazing book that took me on an adventure to the WW2. I am grateful for modern times like this and warm food to eat.

The author wrote the plot in a realistic way with human empathy.

I am rating this great book 5 stars because I just love it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hera Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

Thanks to the author and publisher for my ARC for an honest review.
A simple read with a choppy style of writing which I found frustrating. The storyline is straightforward. A familiar tale during war and a fairly obvious plot. A pleasant read.

4.5 I flew through this book, couldn't put it down. It was an absolute pleasure to read. Jeannie is such a sweet character and I loved seeing her blossom from this quiet, self conscious character into this strong young woman who's a lot more sure of herself and isn't afraid to stand up for herself. I'm excited to find out that there will be a followup to this book and I'll look forward to seeing where it'll take Eileen and Annie.

I found this a very enjoyable book to read with a story and characters that flow so well together although I must admit to not liking all of them.Carol MacLean has written a book that readers will love just as much as I did.5*

Really enjoyed this book by Carol Maclean, this I a wonderful book if you enjoy reading war time sagas. Jeannie wanting to do war work joins the munitions factory where she meet 3 girls and enjoys sharing friendships and life. The story is set in Glasgow.

This books gets 5 stars from me

Glasgow, 1939: Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts even if she's unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur's comfortable middle-class background. But as WWII takes it's toll on the world, her wedding must wait. As she sets off to work at a munitions factory, she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeannie is grateful to be settled with Arthur. Until she meets Canadian soldier, Bill, and realises she has found the spark that is missing with Arthur.

This is quite an emotional read as we learn about Jeanie, her family and friends. We learn what it was like during WWII in Glasgow. It's beautifully written and I quickly found myself caught up in the pages. There's a mixed bunch of characters, some you'll love, others you'll dislike.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HersBooks and the author #CarolMacLean for my ARC of #JeanniesWar in exchange for an honest review.

Loved it.
Glasgow 1939 the beginning of war is upon Kiltie Street Maryhill a tight knit community saying goodbye to their men and children is going to be hard.
Jeannie Dougal a lovely wee soul is now walking out with handsome Arthur Dunn and feels so lucky to be proposed to before he goes away but she would like a long engagement and to get to know him and his mother Helen more. Arthur is so controlling and likes everything his way but her mother Mary says he's a good catch with a big house and money, the strawberry mark on her cheek has always spoiled any chances of her finding love.
Big changes are about to happen to them all and her new job at Fearnmore factory is hard but she makes some forever friends.
Jeannies story is touching to read, that you just want to jump inside the book. Heart breaking in chapters that will make you cry so make sure the tissues are handy.
I just loved the whole story my first from this author, a touching story well written that leaves flutters in your tummy

Really enjoyed this book, a story of Jeannie, and her family in Scotland at the start of WW2, it follows her life and the trials and tribulations that she encounters, meeting Arthur and a Canadian soldier Bill. A really enjoyable story and I can’t wait for the follow up book.

Loved this book a typical ww2 saga.
This was a great read and had a few good twist and turns in the story.
It concentrated mostly on Jeannie and her family and friends with the going’s on in ww2 Glasgow. Loved the characters and the storyline.
Will be looking out for more of this author as this is my first read of any of her work.
Highly recommended

A fantastic read, great start to a series. Loved all the Characters, well except Arthur!. I'm looking forward to reading more

A lovely, lovely story set in WWII. We're with Jeannie Dougal and her family who live in Glasgow. We get to see the trials and tribulations of an ordinary family just prior to and during this world changing event. There are some wonderful characters. This includes some down right nasty ones as well as people we come to know and love.
Jeannie is very quiet and timid in the beginning, a bit annoyingly so at times. She grows up quite a bit and discovers who she really is and what she can really achieve when she puts her mind to it.
life throws a lot at this family and it needs everyone to step up and play their part.
There's a lovely older romance too.
Having the story set in Scotland was very interesting. The books of this era I usually read have an English setting so the change was nice.
I read it in a day. It gripped me from page one. Waiting for the next one will be a trial!
I'd highly recommend it!

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
What can I say but WOW loved this book set in scotlandand all about the characters. This makes a change as normally books are based in London,Liverpool etc. If you love family saga based in the war you will love this