Sally, who was featured in the first book of this series, is newly married to Andrew. She has just been made manager of the salvage depot where she works. This new promotion makes Sally proud, but she must contend with the overbearing Mrs. Lockwood, who thinks she should have been given the job.

Sally also works alongside with Betty, and the two of them are also voluntary fire-watchers. Indeed, World War II is raging. Air-raid sirens increase the already palpable tension. Then there is Lorna, a socialite who now works at the salvage yard, and due to drama and difficulties where she lived in London, she has had no choice to be working there, and works on an uneasy friendship with Sally and Betty.

Betty splits her time at the salvage depot to help a rather shy young man named Samual Atkinson, and they organize books donated for those needing a distraction from the war. In fact, Samuel said to Betty: “Films are an important part of c-culture. People need stories.” The same was true of books, especially for soldiers overseas. Samuel’s job running a bookshop was very important work at that time. As much as Betty enjoys her time at the bookshop, her head is turned by a young man with a “Clark Gable mustache”.

As in the first book of the series, The Home Front Girls, the tragedy and fear the war created unsurprising tension, but there is also drama that Sally, Betty and Lorna face as they each go about their daily routine.

While this second book would do well as a standalone novel, the connection that the girls share builds a fine foundation by reading the first book as well. In this second book, I love how Sally and Betty’s friendship has grown, and with Lorna now there with them, that too was something worth watching grow. I also continually enjoy some important parts of history that authors like Susanna Bavin brings to our attention, especially as more and more generations pass. I definitely can see a third book in this series, and I do look forward to reading it.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

This is the second book in the series about women in different occupations helping the effort in WW2

Once again we meet Sally and Betty and a new worker - Lorna. Lorna is from a different walk of life and thinks herself far above sorting salvage.

But after a disastrous broken engagement and Court Case she realises that her colleagues are full of kindness and compassion and that every one needs to pull together for the War.
As with book one this is well written and well researched. With characters to love and hate and getting to know ones we met in book one better, this is a book full of life in WW2 and the work that the 'salvage girls' have to do. It is more centred around Betty and the mistakes she makes and the realisations she comes to.

A beautiful representation of North West life in WW2

A joy to be reunited with the Home Front Girls for the second book in this series by Susanna Bavin!

This book demonstrates how all civilians were impacted by the war, regardless of their class or status within society. But love, friendship, kindness and courage can be enough to get one another through the worst of times.

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue - it truly portrays how witty, yet very down to earth a number of the characters are.

As I read this book, there were some wonderfully written phrases and thoughts that were a real highlight for me and that will stay with me. Firstly, as spoken by Samuel, “Stories are good for the soul” - well, ‘Courage for the Home Front Girls’ was indeed one of those stories! Secondly, something that resounds from this book is to never underestimate the importance of putting the kettle on and the healing power of a cup of tea! (Perhaps it’s a Northern thing that I too have grown up with!). So, stories/books and a good brew…..the perfect combination!

I highly recommend this delightful story and look forward to a future instalment from the Home Front Girls and their salvage depot.

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

Loved book 1 but this one is even better, the salvage girls Betty and Sally are back working just as hard for the war effort. When a new girl joins the team things don't go so well as the new girl Lorna thinks salvage is beneath her. Betty takes a fancy to a new face and Sally is happy for her, this book had me hooked and is worthy of more than 5* EXCELLENT read.

The second book in the series is, again, set in a salvage yard, where they sort the rubbish so it can be recycled to help the war effort.

Sally is now the manager. I've enjoyed watching her development throughout and gaining confidence. She's proud of what she does and stands up for herself.

Betty's nativity puts everything in jeopardy. She was let down by her family and sent away as a result of a bad decision. She definitely needs a guiding hand. I find her vulnerability makes you want to hug her.

The new girl, Lorna, is hiding a secret. Her greedy parents sent her away in shame after her fathers botched attempt to make money. I always find it heartwarming that people who wouldn’t normally mix are doing so because of the war.

I just love the character development of the three women, I feel as if I know them personally. There has been a lot of research for this book, and it shows. She highlights things I didn't even think about, both the nice things and the gritty, darker side.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Just loved the 2nd book in the series, We again have Sally and Betty and now joined by a new girl, Lorna. This story just moved smoothly from the 1st book and I really enjoyed it, some late nights and time pushed getting ready for work but loved the book and looking forward to the next in the series.
My thanks as always to Netgalley and Bookouture for the early read

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.

Another lively and lovely novel of the Blitz. Sally and Betty have a new helper at the salvage yard- Lorna, who is less than enthusiastic about the job. The three pull together though, especially after the area is bombed and disaster strikes. There's a love interest but this is really about female friendship and community. Don't worry if you missed the first book- this will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this slow burner of a book

this is the 2nd book in the series and it doesnt distract at all from the storyline...

sally has just been made manager at the salvage depot and she loves it, its her bit for the war effort and knows everything she can about what the salvage can bring to the war....

betty is also working at the depot and is hoping to put her past behind her

lorna is a new girl to be added and though sally hadnt been involved in her getting a position at the depot she has no grounds to get rid of her and hopes she can pull her wait.... though at the moment lorna doesnt want to be there at all...its all so far beneath her

as the war carries on betty is at the depot one day when the air raid siren goes off and she goes down to the air raid shelter she isnt on her own as her friend eddie is also there, he came in to say hello

theres trouble ahead for the girls if only they could see it coming....

this is a sunday read slow and steady but its the camaraderie of the girls that keeps the storyline interesting

We are back in Manchester, in 1940, and Sally and Betty are both still working in the salvage depot. They work hard and do a great job for the war effort.

Sally is now the manager of the depot, and when they are told they have a new member of staff, they look forward to some more help.

Lorna has had a hard time, and thanks to the papers, she needs to move away until the dust settles.

Lorna’s father sends her to Manchester to work in the salvage yard. Lorna isn’t happy about having to work there, she enjoys spending her time getting her nails and hair done!

I enjoyed being back with Sally and Betty, they are both such great characters. I wasn’t sure about Lorna to start with, but she did grow on me.

There were plenty of new characters in the tale, and I did like Samuel, who was a bookseller. He’s also doing his bit for the war effort by making sure donated books get to the troops, children etc.

With Betty finally meeting someone, and Sally settling well into married life, the story had plenty to keep me hooked.

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

This is a good read.
The characters are well developed.. One of the characters was on my bad side from the beginning. I can see red flags!
This sheds more light on what it was like in London during the Blitz. Everyone had to pull together to survive.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

A big tear jerker!
Book two Chorlton Manchester 1940.
Homefront girls, Betty Hughes and Sally Henshaw working together on shifts as firewatchers, and at the salvage depot during the day, it's all busy busy busy for them both doing their bit for the war effects during the blitz, and the air raid sirens keep coming almost every night.
This book I just could not wait to start, after enjoying book one in this new series from the author, that takes all your troubles away, it's full of love companionship, friendship, with a lot of harrowing details as all the poor people go through during war time, you find yourself turning pages after pages, with all the characters coming to life that brings you such a fantastic story.
A happy and contented booklover awarding big five stars. Hope their is a book three.

Courage for the Home front girls, the 2nd in the series is a great follow up book. Sally and Betty are still working in the salvage yard and they get a new girl Laura, who’s got a secret to hide and doesn’t hide her distaste of either the girls or the salvage yard. A problem for Betty sees the girls work together and form a friendship that stirs them all by surprise. Can’t wait for the next book.

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

It was lovely to be back with Betty and Sally, who is now the manager of the salvage yard

They still get Mrs Lockwood sticking her nose from time to time, even when it’s not needed.

Following her scandal, Lorna arrives to work at the yard, but she thinks that this work isn’t what she should be doing.

We also meet Samuel, who is after some help in the bookshop he owns.

I look forward to reading what comes next in the characters’ lives.

I recommend this book.

Courage for the Homefront Girls is the second book in Susanna Bavin's trilogy, The Homefront Girls.

We are taken back to the salvage yard with Sally, the newly appointed manager, and her friend Betty. The intrusive Mrs Lockwood continues to interfere unnecessarily. Lorna arrives, feeling that salvaging is beneath her, wishing her father had sent her to the West Country after her disgrace. Samuel, a bookshop owner seeking help with organising donated books, meets Betty. Can salvage create harmony between everyone?

The authenticity of the characters and setting made me feel like part of the salvage yard team and the circle of friends. I am eagerly anticipating book three!

Grab your copy today.

Courage for the Homefront Girls is more than just a historical novel; it's a story of inner strength, friendship, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Susanna Bavin has crafted a tale that not only honors the spirit of those who lived through the war but also resonates with anyone who understands the power of hope and human connection.

Bavin excels in capturing the WWII era's ambiance, from the sounds of air raid sirens to the solidarity found within the community during blackouts. The detailed setting and historical context are immersive, allowing readers to feel the impact of each bombing raid and the weight of every decision the characters make. A truly inspiring read that captures the essence of its time while providing lessons that are timeless.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I loved the first book in this series, and thankfully the sequel did not disappoint. It picked up where the first left off and brought me back into the world of Sally and Betty. The story was thoroughly engaging and Bavin brings it to life so well. It was well-paced and although Lorna was aggravating initially, Bavin's excellent writing allowed the reader to warm to her. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Manchester, 1940. The Blitz is threatening to destroy everything they love. These girls will never stop trying to help their country – and each other. But will it be enough when disaster looms? This was quite the easy read, and when I say that, it's never negative.
I sat down for a few hours and flew through the book, and it entertained me.

This is book two in the series about the Home Front Girls, although I think it could be read as a stand alone story.
We meet Betty and Sally again working at the Salvage Yard where Sally is now in charge. Their friendship and working relationship is strong but when a new girl Lorna joins their Salvage Yard, things are certainly strained as Betty and Sally can see straight away that Lorna is not used to working in this type of environment, in fact she is not used to working at all! There is a big secret surrounding Lorna, ( but no spoilers here) who hilariously finds everything below her. Soon Betty finds herself being taken advantage of, will her friends be able to use their friendships to help her? When the bombing raids are really bad, will the three girls get through them without losses?

I truly loved the camaraderie between the three girls in this story. The Salvage Yard was such an important feature of life during the wartime years but its never really spoken about, its like a modern day recycling centre, where everything was repurposed and reused. I have read the first book in this series too which was also very good and I am now hoping for another book in this series featuring these three girls.
A well deserved five star read.

#CouragefortheHomeFrontgirls #Netgalley

After reading book 1 I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of this. Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this early. It features Sally and Betty again and they are joined by a new girl called Lorna. This story flowed so nicely and I struggled to put it down at times as I just wanted to keep reading. Can't wait for book 3!