Thank you net galley and the publisher for this arc
I really enjoyed this one, just a nice easy read that I didn’t want to end

This would have worked better for me as a movie.

The East End Girls tells the story of Effie, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAFs), who is trying to defend London during WWII. There, she’s not only bonding with the closest friends she's ever had; she’s also intrigued by a handsome pilot that it’s making her question whether she should marry her long-term fiancée after all.

But they are in the middle of the war, and their dreams can be turned to dust in a second.

The East End Girls had a good plot and I enjoyed following strong women who, like Effie, decided to become part of the WAAFs. That being said, I also had a lot of problems with this book, mainly because I didn’t like the writing style.

This author focuses a lot on describing places and actions, but very little on feelings. That’s why I think it would have worked better as a movie, you weren’t going to miss what the characters were thinking: they aren’t. The only thoughts we get to glimpse were about the romance: Effie comparing Nathan (Hero) to her fiancée or fangirling about Nathan’s body/eyes/smile; and Nathan thinking about Effie. I was missing the inner monologues. I think this is the first time I’ve ever said that in a review.

Another problem I had is that, with that title, I thought the book was going to be more focused on friendships than it was. The main focus is the war and the romance, and the friendships, even though important, are secondary to the romance. I found it a bit misleading because I picked this up after loving The Bookclub for Troublesome Women. I wanted another historical fiction focused on female friendships, not romance, and the title made me think this was going to be it. At the same time, I understand this is the first book in a series about this group of friends that are part of the WAAFs in the East End, so I don’t think it doesn’t fit the story, but maybe call the series The East End Girls and give this book a different title.

Also, now that I’ve finished the book and reread the blurb, I don’t recommend reading the blurb before reading the book. Even though it doesn’t spoil everything, there are things mentioned that happened in the second half of the book.

Overall, despite my constant struggle with the lack of feelings expressed in the prose, I somehow managed to care a bit for the main characters and the rest of the girls. I would have enjoyed this if I could connect with the writing style. I would have liked to continue getting to know all the girls, especially Alice and George. If this ever becomes a TV series, I’ll be the first to watch it. As it is, this didn’t work for me.

I’d recommend it if you are interested in how it was like to be a WAAF during WWII (I learned a lot), female friendships, war love stories and don’t like having inner monologues in your books because you prefer a writing style more focused on plot, actions and descriptions than feelings. The action was well-paced and it was entertaining.

I kindly received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The east end girls, another great book by Jean Fullerton doing what she does best, books with great stories and great characters. Already looking forward to the next one ⭐️

First of all I love this author's books. The Ration Book series was brilliant.
This book is about the girls who worked on the Balloon Sites in England in WWII. It was a tough, dirty and dangerous job and not everyone who started training survived it.
We have a group of friends from all walks of life and Effie is our main character. They train together and end up on the same site together and an enduring friendship begins. Not all the girls are nice however and there's one nasty piece of work among them. They're nearly all from different backgrounds. Romances blossom and heartache also makes itself known.
I felt I never really got to know any of the characters in depth. The story was a little thin and at times moved along very slowly. There were chapters where nothing much happened and there was a bit of repetition of some phrases which got annoying.
However, I did like the descriptions of the work at the Balloon sites and of the SOE.
I often think of these books as set up books for the stories to come so I will be reading the next one which I think will deal with a different girl.

Thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for an early copy to read.

If you are looking for an exciting and heartwarming World War II story The East End Girls is the story for you. Not only does our main heroine follow her heart in her career in working in the WAAF she also defys the wishes of her parents for standing up for what she believes in by sticking by the man she loves. I will admit her parents are slightly hypocritical but the love that Effie and Nathan have for each other makes up for that.
Our main heroine Effie decides to join the WAAF much to the dismay of her parents and her fiance Leonard. Along this journey she meets some other young ladies who become her dearest friends. She also meets the dashing Nathan a pilot from Barbados. As they get to know each other sparks start to fly.
Effie later realizes that her current fiance Leonard is not for her and she breaks it off. However, her parents don't take to kindly to Nathan but as mentioned before she stands her ground and will marry him no matter what they think. However a couple of days before the wedding Nathan is declared missing in action and soon Effie begins to wonder if she will ever see him again.
Thankfully this book ended on a happy note. Overall this story was impressive and thay is what matters.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own

I had a great time with this book.

The writing was fantastic, the storyline was good and enjoyable and I liked the characters.

A charming book, full of interesting information on how a group of girls become experts in the maintenance and operation of hoisting barrage balloons during the blitz. Corporal Effie Weston finds romance with Flying Officer Nathan Fitzgerald. But the path of true love runs anything but smooth for Effie and Nathan. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Enjoyable book telling the story of a group of girls learning to manage the Barrage balloons which played a vital role in the protection of the country during the war. The book is well written and the characters personalities come across well to the reader making it easy to decide who to like and who to dislike!

I did find the second half of the book somewhat predictable with Effie's predicament and feel this features in too many wartime novels. I would have liked there to have been more storyline based in France and how the Resistance workers saved Nathan and Frobisher. All in all a light and easy read and I look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read an Arc copy of the title.

Effie is a lovely heroine—young, determined, and strong. Along with her WAAF pals Alice, Nell, and George, she faced the horrors of the Blitz with bravery and a lot of humour.

I loved the girls' bond and friendship as they dealt with air raids, hard work, and the occasional moment of fun.

Nathan—Oh, Nathan. He and Effie met on a station platform, and their special connection was obvious from then on.

Their romance was lovely, and on several occasions I sighed with happiness for them. Until life got in the way.

I liked how the story included both heartwarming moments and depictions of war.

I felt for Effie's struggles, whether it was standing up to her parents or waiting for Nathan's fate; it was very moving what she went through.

If you enjoy WWII historical fiction with strong heroines and a dash of romance, this is the book for you.

I've read several books with a similar title and a recent book on barrage balloon operators - finding those two things combined yet again left a repetitive feeling in head. Overall I found this to be a fairly light story - overbearing fiancé at home is quickly usurped by a dashing military suitor (plot twist, a black airman) who of course turns out to be Effie's soul mate. I'm unsure if I would seek out a sequel or want to know more about the characters' journeys as their war progresses. As seems typical in these WAAF stories, there's a beautiful rich one in the mix and another who is the average mean girl. Upon reflection, I didn't find anything new or especially novel in this story - the interracial relationship notwithstanding, but that actually felt a little kitschy as if it were tossed in for shock value.

I really enjoyed this start to this new series. I loved the characters and was very interested in what they did. Looking forward to the next one in this series. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Title: The East End Girls
Author: Jean Fullerton
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A chance encounter at a train station becomes love at first sight for Nathan, a pilot from Barbados who is assigned to a base in England, when he saves Effie from a thief attempting to steal her suitcase. Not so impressed, Effie’s fiancé, Leonard. The East End Girls takes the reader through the training that Effie experiences to hold a barrage balloon during air raids, as well as Nathan’s assignments to fly into occupied France to drop off and pick up secret operatives during the war. The war is a backdrop for the developing romance between Effie and Nathan.

Positives: This is my first read of a mixed race couple during WWII. It was a breath of fresh air. I had to look up information on the barrage balloons to get a visual and understand the difficulties that Effie and her crew faced in wrangling control of the monstrosity. This book is also the first one in a series according to the book cover. Effie’s balloon crew is a mixed bag of characters that I look forward to reading more about in the series hopefully.

Struggles: There is the obvious racism of those not accepting of a bloc pilot, much less a mixed race couple. The book was a bit of a slow start for me, but about 1/3 of the way in, it was hard to put down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be republished on June 27, 2025.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #TheEastEndGirls #Bookouture #JeanFullerton

was excited to read the latest by Jean Fullerton. I read her entire Ration Book series and LOVED it. East End Girls lacked the same charm. It was heavier on historical details and lighter on the character development. I’m hopeful that as the series continues, the characters will become like old friends who I’m excited to see again.

WWII in London, the girls do what they can to help out during the war. A wonderful heartbreaking story. I was given an ARC of this book. This review is my own.

In 1942, London was being targeted by the German Air force in what became known as the Blitzkrieg. Able bodied men of all ages were being recruited into the Armed Forces as Britain was suffering terribly in Europe, leaving a shortage of people to carry out essential work.
One of the defenses against the German planes where a series of massive cigar shaped balloons hoisted every night to form a barrage across London. Women were being recruited to train and carry out the heavy work of maintaining and launching these balloons.
In The East End Girls, Jean Fullerton tells their story once again as Effie and her crew face up to the cold, wet, brutal, unforgiving training to be to become an essential component of Britain’s defenses.
Flying Officer Nathan Fitzgerald has been seconded to a secretive air force base to fly a Lysander plane across the channel to drop off and pick up agents from France. He is from Jamaica, well respected in the air force and is a man who is skilful in his work as a pilot as well as well educated.
Effie comes from a family of some consequence in Waltham Abbey. She is engaged to Leonard and is expecting to marry the following year. She meets Nathan at St Pancras station as she is about to have her suitcase stolen. They are intrigued but put it down to nothing more than a chance encounter.
Their pathways begin to cross in the most unlikely manner, and it is not long before they both realise there is something deep forming between them that they can no longer deny. This deep love will cause a most hurtful schism within Effie’s family but will also show her the invaluable help and love of the women she has grown to know and love as they have worked tirelessly together to help defend the East End of London night after night.
The East End Girls is the first in a new series and is one that is an excellent blend of history and fiction carefully woven together to create a very plausible, enjoyable story which sets a high standard for the following books in the series.

East London 1942 WW2 historical drama.
WAAF corporal Effie Weston is leaving her parents and fiancé Leonard Forester in London to head off for her fourteen week training at Bletchley.
Joining up with 906 balloon squadrons Alice Nell and George.
Attending a dance at the corn exchange in Bedford she bumped into flight officer Nathan Fitzgerald after he helped her at the train station St Pancras captured by his incredibly blue eyes she took a turn around the dance floor in a whirl her Knight in shining armour from Barbados in the west indies she falls head over heels and the break up with Leonard and preparations for her up coming wedding to Nathan can't come quick enough.
A perfect start to a new series from this inspiring author.

The east end girls Effies story is unique in every way.
So unputdownable heartbreaking and touching right to the end.
Loved it in every way.

Historical drama set during World War Two. An interesting story about barrage balloon girls,something I didn't know existed

Heartbreaking and exciting in equal measures.
Effie Weston joins the WAAF to do her bit for the war effort, however she gets a lot more in return. Already promised to the Leonard, who her parents think would make the ideal husband, he is quite jealous when a handsome RAF flight officer comes to Effie’s rescue at the train station. Said officer Nathan Fitzgerald stays on Effie’s mind afterwards. Effie becomes friendly with her crew members on the balloon squad, George, Nell, Maeve & Alice. When allocated lodgings with Florrie at the maid of Norway boarding house they don’t realise what a good friend they have in their landlady!
Nathan is busy flying SOE ops with the insufferable Probisher who is quite the liability, will he prove dangerous during ops?
Will Nathan and Effie’s paths cross again?

I really enjoyed this book, there is the usual banter/bickers between the WAAF’s and then there is the excitement of Nathan’s story. I have to say my favourite character was Nathan for his strong moral compass. Least favourite was Probisher for being such a boor, quickly followed by Lily.

I do hope there will be another in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book had potential to be so much more, but I felt like I read a cobbled together mess. I enjoy a good historical fiction, especially WW2, and the fact that this was following the women and their efforts, I was intrigued. It just didn't hit the way it should though.

This book follows Effie, who was in the WAAF division. Her fiance and parents aren't thrilled that she pushed off her wedding to help the war effort, but are somewhat understanding that she feels called to do it.

The day she is headed to her new location, she meets Nathan Fitzgerald, who is a pilot with the RAF. They both felt sparks of attraction, but neither acts on them. Once they both get to their locations, they run into each other a few different times, and apparently they both knew they were in love with each other since their first brief meeting. Effie calls off her engagement, and immediately gets engaged to Nathan.

Her parents aren't happy, and want nothing to do with her, as Nathan is from Barbados, and not a white man like they wanted her to be with. They turn her away again when Nathan goes missing in action, and Effie comes home pregnant, looking for support.

Nathan finally makes it back, and him and Effie are married. In a span of a few months, they went from strangers to married with a baby on the way. The timeline was so unbelievable, that I struggled with their relationship. I love a good love at first sight book, but this wasn't it.

Not only was the timeline and story all over the place, so many words were overused. The word "blooming" was used so much, that I actually complained to my husband about the frequency of it.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was boring and unbelievable. I appreciate the research into what these people did for the war, but other than that, this book was not well done.

I absolutely loved this book I thought it was going to be predictable but it wasn't
It built a picture of all the characters and was well researched, and a wartime job I've not read about before so made a refreshing change
I'm looking forward to the next two books