Really enjoyed this lovely book. Really enjoyed the characters and had some lovely witty moments in it! Looking forward to reading the next book. Already earmarked it for some of the customers I know who love these books! Thank you!

The Home Front Girls transports readers to the heart of Manchester during the tumultuous years of World War II, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who fought the battle from the home front. Through the eyes of Sally, Deborah, and a cast of determined characters, Bavin explores themes of love, resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Bavin captures the essence of an era marked by strife yet illuminated by extraordinary acts of courage and love. It's a compelling read that not only honors the memory of those who served on the home front but also reminds us of the enduring power of hope and the human heart's capacity to heal. Perfect for fans of historical romance and anyone drawn to stories of resilience and redemption!

This was a strong start to the Home Front Girls series, I enjoyed the elements of this story and that the characters were what I was expecting from the time-period. Susanna Bavin has a great writing style and that the characters were wonderfully done. It left me excited to read more in this series.

What a joy to read this first book in a brand new series! The Home Front Girls is a delightful offering of friendship, love, duty, bravery and resilience, in the midst of civilian wartime.

The story is rich in detail - both the author’s knowledge of her hometown of Manchester’s suburbs and her research into ‘war work’. One of the reasons I enjoy reading historical fiction is because I love the educational element and learning something new - and The Home Front Girls was no exception. I have never previously read about the importance of and the intricate details of salvage work during wartime.

A real highlight for me was the wonderful dialogue between the characters - often very witty and frequently made me smile throughout the story.

I highly recommend this enjoyable and engaging story, and very much look forward to reading book two in the series.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for an advanced digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a very enjoyable WW2 historical fiction. I can't remember reading a WW2 story that took place in Manchester before opening Courage for the Home Front Girls. I honestly don't know much about the town.

My mom has talked about it numerous times since she and my dad lived there for a little while after the war ended. I never stopped to think about the damage they may have endured. I never thought about living there during the war. Now I not only think about but want to know more.

Betty works Salvage in Manchester after being caught selling more than she should with rationing. She is working hard to show she deserves a second chance. She even works for Sally, the gal, that busted her for rationing abuses. I honestly did not know that there were actual salvage collection sites.

Betty illustrates just how young and naive some were when the went to work for the war effort. She is easily manipulated. Her big heart gets her in trouble. Her trouble makes for a great read. There is lots of drama as she falls head over heels for Eddie. Family drama added to the story as Betty deals with a stepmother.

I have found most WW2 historical fictions bring people of different backgrounds together. Betty soon has a new co-worker, one that is hiding her identity. Betty notices that Lorna is an up market sort of girl but knows little else about her. I couldn't wait to see what happened when Betty discovered who she was sorting paper and scrap with every day. I didn't see things developing the way they did. I couldn't wait to see how things ended. I do love a happily ever after. This story actually has a few of them.

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

I enjoyed reading this book.

Deborah and Sally work together in the Food services office and have been friends since school.

Sally and Deborah’s brother Rod are seeing each other, but she is thinking about whether to continue the relationship or not.

Will her decision affect her friendship with Deborah?

The story gave us an insight about the WVs and the fire service, as well as the salvage yards.

Also how women were expected to stay at home, whilst the men took care of everything else.

The story had some moments that make you laugh, and some that upset you.

I’m looking forward to reading what happens next in this series.

I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This book was cute and cozy, the type of book you keep on your coffee table. However, I’m not a cozy reader. I’m an action packed, thriller, contemporary romance reader. I needed more action out of this book, and needed more of a reason to keep going. I found myself skimming quite a bit just to get through this book. There just wasn’t enough for me in it. The characters were likable, and Sally + Andrew had good chemistry together, but all the other characters kinda fell flat for me.
It was written well, but there just wasn’t enough for me, as someone who isn’t a cozy reader. If you like sweet, cozy books, this one might be for you!

World War II is raging across Europe, and Britain is bombed nightly. The Home Front Girls tells the story of Sally and Betty, two young women doing their duty and trying to serve their country the best they can. Neither one of them saw themselves working the salvage business, but through an intertwining of twisted events, that's where they both land. Sorting salvage by day and working as fire spotters at night, Sally and Betty serve Britain to the best of their abilities. Sally, meanwhile, is learning what it means to find love in the middle of a war and getting to know Andrew. But love isn't always easy during wartime, especially when your parents aren't on your side.

Susanna Bavin has created an insightful and fun historical fiction novel. While reading, I learned a lot about people's jobs in Britain during WWII and some new British slang. This isn't only a novel about war but also about friendships being tested, parents learning to let go, and love in all its stages coming into bloom. I found the story engaging and loved learning about life in Manchester during the 1940s. This novel is perfect for lovers of history!

Full disclosure: I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Copy of The Home Front Girls. However, I want to assure you that my thoughts and opinions about this novel are entirely my own. I believe in the power of this story to captivate and educate readers, and I'm excited to share my review with you.

#Netgalley
#TheHomeFrontGirls

It's the end of July in 1940, in Withington a suberb of Manchester, in the North of the UK.

Sally works for a government department, named The Food Office doing what she calls "tricking people", when all they have often done is make a slight mistake or bent the rules slightly. Deborah is her best friend and works opposite her in the office. But now Sally has told her best friend that she doesn't want to marry her brother and Deborah is shocked and horrified, but not just her but all their friends and neighbours are too. Sally feels ostracised ,but at least she has Andrew, but everyone is blaming Andrew and making Sally's life at work extremely difficult.
Betty also has problems, she has lost her job and been handed a massive fine, and all because she served this young woman with a serving of butter, when she had no ration book, how was she too know she wasn't who she pretended to be but in fact worked for the Ministry of Food. Not only been handed a fine but has also now been sacked from her job, her stepmother has found her a new job and lodgings, but it's miles away from home, and Betty knows that her stepmother has definitely done this on purpose. Then because of all the bad feelings at work Sally is told that things can't go on as they are and her boss finds her another job, yes it's to do with the war effort, but it's in the Salvage Yard, where they have to sort through all sorts of unwanted items from saucepans to scrap paper and paperclips. Sally has to find alternative accommodation as it's way too far to travel each day for the early morning start at 6.30 am that she is required to do. It's either share a bed sit with unknown people or take a spare room that Andrews mum has offered her. Sally's mum is very much against that at first, but eventually gives in after visiting Andrew's mum house and seeing where Sally would be sleeping. What Sally doesn't realise is that she will be working with Betty, will it work or is there going to be big friction?

A very atmospheric story with a location and job that's not covered very much in other wartime sagas, this story certainly left me with a warm fuzzy feeling after reading it. A well deserved five star read from me.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable, well-written book. I was engaged with the storyline and the characters and am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Best friends, Sally and Deborah both work at the food rationing office and also work as volunteers at the mortuary for people who have died from being gassed.

Both families know each other well and everyone expects Sally to get engaged and settle down with Deborah’s brother, Rod. But Sally knows all is not well with Rod and refuses to get engaged to him, tearing the families apart.

Sally has also met Andrew, who she knows is the one for her. He’s a teacher of carpentry, and when he proposes to her, her boss decides she will have to change jobs and work at the salvage depot.

Sally becomes a volunteer fire service girl in the evenings. After an awkward beginning with the other girl who works at the depot, Betty, Sally and her eventually become great friends.

A romantic historical fiction tale, I liked the characters and the storytelling.

The story tells us so much more than what we realise went on during WW2. The land girls were amazing and kept the country going whilst the men were away fighting for our freedom.

An uplifting story that made me smile a lot.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The start of a new series and if this book is anything to go by it will be a great read. Telling the story of two girls and their lives during WW2' Well worth reading and enjoying. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

The story is set in a salvage yard, where they sort the rubbish so it can be recycled to help the war effort. Saucepans, tubes of toothpaste, etc. were all sent to be sorted. Nothing went to waste.

From the start, I knew Betty and Sally's paths would cross again. Both women were treated so badly by their families, and fate brought them together. I just loved both characters.

Betty went for fire training, so by night, the women could fire watch. I smiled when I saw the setting and the owner. Andrew's job was so sad.

It was a great start to the series, and I can't wait to read the next book.

It was a sweet story about family, new love ,and frienships. I especially liked the female friendships, both the new one and the older one. I really liked the family dynamic. They were strong, but still able to show feelings. What I really wanted were more depth in the characters. But I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Enjoyable read about 2 friends and their lives during ww2, following them through their work to help the war effort. A slow start but once I got into it a very enjoyable read

Sally White and Deborah Grant have been friends since school and work together in the Food services office which issues ration books.
Sally also goes out with Deborah’s brother Rod who she starts to have second thoughts about. Will this destroy their friendship?
The descriptions of the air raids add to the excitement, how the fires are dealt with are pretty descriptive.
There is a lot of detail about WVs, fire service, salvage (couldn’t imagine having to part with my kitchen utensils). The fact that women were looked upon as the homemaker and mother to children, men dealt with everything else, writing cheques. I can’t imagine living in such restricting times.
I look forward to the next book.

What a Lovely read this was a story about different work experience's during the war. The story and characters made me angry, sad and laughing, Sally and Deborah and then Betty come together and are determined to do what they can for their country. People will love this book and i can't wait for Susanna's next book 5*

Writing as Maisie Thomas, Susanna Bavin excels at creating incredibly well researched novels of female friendship during the Second World War, and this book is no exception. When Sally and Betty are thrown together working at the salvage yard in Chorley during the Manchester blitz any chance of them getting along seems remote; after all, Sally cost Betty her previous job. On top of which, her stepmother has used it as an excuse to force her out of her home.

Meanwhile Sally has lost her job too. Working alongside her best friend Deborah, who she’s known since childhood, their relationship crumbles when Sally turns down Deborah’s brother’s proposal. Both Sally and Betty are feeling lost and vulnerable (although Sally has the comfort of being in love with Andrew, even though her parents don’t approve) and this heart-warming story tells of how these young women put their differences aside for the sake of the war effort – and more.

The author’s extensive knowledge of wartime Manchester makes every page rich in historical detail, which is one of this book’s biggest strengths, and makes it immersive and completely believable.

I'm really pleased that I was chosen to read this as I really enjoyed it. The main characters Sally and Betty are a lovely pair and I enjoyed reading as their friendship grew. Book 2 sounds even better and I look forward to reading that too.

The start of a new series, I absolutely love ww2 stories and how women were important to the war effort.
Set in Salford in the 1940’s was a great knowledge of social history.

A very relaxing read