This was a riveting read and I learned a lot about women during the war. I absolutely loved this fascinating story. An easy read which I gobbled up quickly. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A very enjoyable story with characters that feel real. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys WWII novels, especially those that liek to read about strong courageous women fighting for their countries.

It is March 1942 and Wren, Serenity Ashworth, has just made a major change in her, to date, very formal and constricted life, by signing the Official Secrets Act, committing her to working within the secretive corridors of the British Government to pit her skills against Hitler and any possible or even probable invasion of England.
Her father would be furious and her beloved twin Tommy still felt that she should be doing something out of the way of harm, preferably at home well away from danger. She was determined that for once in her life she was going to do something useful, learn new skills and go wherever they sent her; scared not at all but a little intrigued, definitely.
She meets Captain Edward Landers, a long-time friend of her brothers as she is farewelling Tommy off to his base to train as a fighter pilot; a man she finds has a most unusual effect on her senses, and as it turns out, a man she will met again in her new role at her home of Ashworth House.
Wren passes her training courses and is sent back to Ashworth House to take up what appears to be her old role of Secretary but she is in reality on the lookout for a German infiltrator working somewhere in the area.
The work is dangerous, highly classified and when Edward Landers arrives to take charge of the newly establish Maternity Hospital and strategic base, she begins to realise she feels emotionally attracted to him, which could cause some serious complications in her work.
As the days pass, they fall into a comfortable working relationship, but then there are the nights when Wren goes out for a run and she takes note of her surroundings; that Edward often swims in the sea and is perhaps a double agent. He begins to believe the same of her!
Wren and Edward have to come to terms with the fact that neither of them can say what they are actually doing, have to learn to trust one another and work together to discover what is behind the information that there are U Boats operating off the coast and why!
Alice G May has captured well the emotions and dedication of the young men and women who took up the challenge to keep Britain safe during the War years, putting their lives on hold, undertaking dangerous work, day after ruthless day.
There was a Special Forces Unit established to undertake clandestine work, consisting of women who became highly trained and secretive operatives, so secretive that there is very little recorded history of their operations to be discovered.
What she discovered during her research about the Unit and the people who left a delicate trace have once again come to life in this captivating story The Resistance Girls which is the first in a series which will be well worth following.

Based loosely on the fact that there was indeed a secret army of women operating under cover during WW2, at a time when women were still considered useful for running a home and doing basic tasks too menial for men to do, this book follows Wren, an upper class girl who's twin brother is in the army and who's father thinks she is pretty useless all round. However, she is determined to do her bit for the war effort and is sure she has skills that could be useful.

She is recruited for a shadowy team of women, trained up and set to work. The result is an interesting tale, very much a love story, but full of facts about life during WW2 and the sort of training this secret army may have received. The friendships the girls made will stand them in good stead for life.

I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the sequel. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Resistance Girls by Alice G. May is a gripping and emotional story set during World War II, following the brave women who risked everything to fight against the Nazi occupation. This book doesn’t just tell a story of war - it’s about friendship, resilience, and the quiet but fierce strength of those who chose to resist, even when the odds were stacked against them.

If you love WWII historical fiction, especially books about the unsung heroines of war, The Resistance Girls is worth the read. It’s a story of courage, love, and sacrifice that will stick with you long after you finish reading it.

Alice G. May's 'The Resistance Girls' is a gripping historical fiction that immerses readers in the untold life of women in the British Resistance during WWII. Wren, the protagonist, is a strong-willed young lady wanting to do her bit towards the war, having her role in an illegal army. May weaves a vivid picture of wartime Britain in the 1940s, juxtaposing the excitement of cover operations with the emotional burden of wartime fears, most especially Wren's fear for her disappeared brother.

Though attention to Wren is vibrant, secondary characters may be underdeveloped. Nonetheless, the novel presents a heartwarming and thrilling tale, honoring the women in the background who were so brave and resilient. It's an exciting beginning to a series, guaranteed to engage readers who love strong female protagonists and WWII suspense.

Nancy Revell and Rosie Clarke fans are going to be gripped by Alice G. May’s atmospheric new saga, The Resistance Girls.

Serenity ‘Wren’ Ashworth wants to do her duty for king and country and take up one of the many opportunities being presented to women during this turbulent time. Underestimated by everyone she knows and browbeaten by her father, when she gets a mysterious invitation by Major Belinda Stapleton to join her Secret Army of women operating undercover to combat enemy agents, she jumps at the chance to do something worthwhile with her life.

Before joining, she must first complete a tough training programme and, if successful, enter a world of secrecy where the only people she can trust are her fellow comrades. However, when Wren’s twin brother goes missing in action, she is completely devastated. Adamant that she will make the enemy pay for what they have done to Tommy, Wren is ever on the alert and when the opportunity comes to save her twin brother, she vows to do whatever it takes for the people she loves – even if she has to pay the ultimate price…

Alice G May has written a dramatic, exciting and evocative historical saga set during the Second World War full of grit and heart that brilliantly brings to life the courage showed by ordinary women during wartime who, with intelligence and dignity, managed to triumph over the many obstacles standing in their path.

The Resistance Girls is a spellbinding historical saga full of strong heroines, emotional conflict and heart-rending emotion that will have fans of the genre adding Alice G. May’s name to the top of their auto-buy list.

A smashing wartime tale!

Serenity Ashworth (known as Wren) has spent her life under the thumb of both parents; a mother who just wants to marry her off and a father who thinks that, as a female, she has nothing to offer the workplace. The war gives her the chance to prove that she is worthy and she wastes no time in joining up and proving her worth. Service life proves to be a bit disappointing until, that is, she receives a missive from Major Belinda Stapleton - a woman who is determined that females will play a full and rewarding part in the conflict.

This is such an exciting read! For almost the first time, women have a champion who is determined that they will play a major part in ending the war and it makes for compulsive reading. I was riveted by Wren's adventures. This is a new author to me, and I look forward to reading more from Alice G. Mays. A full five sparkling stars from me, as well as my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

What a great read about strong women and the part they played in WWII. Loved the main characters and the way she grew. Would highly recommend this book

I am already a fan of this author, having previously read her novel, The Mid-Life Trials of Annabeth Hope, and her art book How to Draw a Giraffe. I enjoy books that deal with the part that women played during the war. They were every bit as essential to the ultimate victory as the men who were away fighting. Wren's twin brother, Tommy is away fighting. When Wren is offered the opportunity to work as part of a secret women's army she grabs the opportunity with both hands.

This was a quick and easy read and is perfect for those who enjoy books set during World War Two. It is a heartwarming book with a satisfying ending. It is the first in a series and will appeal to readers who like strong female characters in their fiction.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

Serenity, or Wren for short, is keen to make a difference, but her father is unsupportive. Then she receives an invitation to join Major Stapleton's Secret Army. When Wren and her father receive a telegram concerning her twin brother, Tommy, Wren decides to take a chance.

I admired Wren's spirit, courage and determination to succeed, and I appreciated some of the other characters that she met on her way. This story featured a lot of strong characters that made an impression on me. I think the characters who interested me the most were Lexi, even though she initially seemed difficult to like, and Edward, who made me swoon a little bit.

Wren was a great character, and I found her journey exciting, heartwarming and inspiring.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

WW2 adventure /romance

The Resistance Girls is a fast moving adventure story where young women in England show what they are made of! So very inspiring! Excellent plot and of course, a great romance.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

The Resistance Girls is the first in a promising new series from May which I am so excited for!

I love getting stuck into a great war time read and this was such an enjoyable series starter. In this instance it was Wren's story and we were with her from enlistment to action.

Based on true events and a real military unit in WWII, the author has meticulously researched the time period and brings the story to life with her words.

It's an enjoyable read that was very hard to put down.

Wren is anxious to escape her controlling father, so when she receives a handwritten letter from Belinda Stapleton to meet her at Harrods, she jumps at the chance. It's the start of WWII, and she's anxious to serve and change her life. She's determined to make a difference when her twin brother goes missing.

I enjoyed this story and the main characters. It tells about the Secret Army, which really existed during WWII. It was a group of women who worked to fight against a possible Nazi invasion. As women, they were often overlooked as they kept a lookout for suspicious activity. This will be a new series that will follow different women. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author.

This novel is set during World War II and is written in the first person point of view from our main character Serenity ‘Wren’ Ashworth. In January 1942, Wren is in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Her twin brother Tommy is in the RAF. She has had a childhood of being constantly criticised by her father. She desperately wants to do more to help the war effort.
Wren gets a letter from a Major Belinda Stapleton. There is a long process to find out what it is, but she is eventually asked to join the ‘Special Duties section of the women’s auxiliary unit’ aka the Secret Army – a group of female undercover agents to try to prevent the enemy gaining ground. She is very excited about becoming part of the British Resistance, but she first needs to pass the initial stages of the rigorous training.
She shares a hut with Jo, Louisa, Constance (Connie), Felicity (Fliss) and Lexi (who is horrible to Wren). Wren is the posh one of the group and she hopes it won’t prevent her from being accepted by the other girls.
There’s also the rather good looking Captain Edward Landers, who Wren meets through her brother Tommy.
This is the first book in the series, so it introduces the main characters and sets everything up for further adventures. It is realistic, well-researched, and feels very evocative of the time. I like the strong female characters and finding out all the different aspects of the role they have been asked to do. Wren is a brilliant character and I’m looking forward to reading more about her in the coming books.

This is a wonderful new story of war, courage, bravery and more importantly women. Inspired by the true-life stories of The Women's Secret Army this is a book that will get right to your heart. I loved the context of the story and the characters within the story. The author brings both the story and the characters to life making the story very real.

This is a book that will draw you in from the start and like me you you won't be able to put it down. Intriguing, emotional and so much more. 4 1/2 stars for this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

when i read books like these knowing they are based on facts they make my blood boil with how women were treated back then.... but then whilst reading this book you feel a sense of achievement with what these women had to overcome and achieve without the recognition they so richly deserve.....

so i am very excited about this author because the way she wrote this book i was sucked right in to the drama that can only be expressed by a young woman who has been stiffled by her father and only helped by her brother who was richly educated and thriving but who was kind enough to help her achieve all that she could....

but even he would turn out surprised with what she was capable of ..... i certainly cant wait for the next book by this author

The Resistance Girls by Alice G. May is a captivating and emotionally driven World War II novel that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary courage of ordinary women. The story follows Serenity (Wren) Ashworth as she answers the call to serve her country in a covert resistance unit, and her journey from grief to quiet heroism is both inspiring and thrilling.

The training scenes, the layered tension of her mission, and the constant undercurrent of danger kept the pace brisk and the stakes high. I especially appreciated the themes of female friendship and quiet strength woven throughout, along with a subtle, believable romance that never overshadowed the core story. While there were a few predictable elements, the strong character development and fast-moving plot made this a truly enjoyable read. A strong start to a promising series, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next one.

Quite an interesting story. It's about strong women who felt a duty to serve their country.

Wren came from a privileged family. But she felt that she needed to do something more for her country during the war. Now she had the opportunity to show what she was made of. And boy, she was amazing. I couldn't believe what she did and what she experienced.

Action packed from beginning to end. A page turner.

This is my first book by Alice G. May, and I am eager to read the next installment in the series, Felicity's Story. Alice has skillfully used the limited information available, on the bravery and courage of a hidden women's army to craft an incredible story. The Resistance Girls is filled with themes of friendship, hope and self-worth. 4 ½ stars
I would like to thank the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
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