A great story set in WW2. Very good writing. A beautiful story it really grabs the audience. Amazing characters
Thankyou for the opportunity I had to read this I'm very glad I did

The Girl With a the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse @penguinukbooks a NetGalley review. This story starts in 1941 where Mary Meets Elizabeth a stranger in a tea shop, Elizabeth has had a completely different life to Mary, , glamorous and confident. Elizabeth gives Mary the chance for them to go an adventure together however Mary is the one that goes in that adventure, changing her life completely and something she could never have dreamed of. I love reading this authors books and this was no exception, however saying that it probably isn’t up there as one of my favourites,
simply because it seemed to be missing something, that something that grips you no matter what part of the book you are in. Mary is a great character, as with all the characters that this author writes about, Mary is a strong woman, stronger than she believes and she does what she has to in order to survive, also making her incredibly brave, resilient, resourceful, respectful, kind and warm hearted, despite doing what she has done in order to survive. Mary gives back to people and children and goes through heart ache after heartache, yet she has her weaknesses and is at times quite naive. However in parts it felt a. It slow and boring, perhaps lacking characters that really stood out and added something more to the story. For me it ended to early, I wanted to know if Harry and Mary got the happy ever after and weather there relationship survived, a sign of a good book, where it feels like there is more to the story and you as the reader thinks about it and its characters after that last page. As always the author is great at setting the scene descriptively, as a reader you really get immersed in the era that it’s set in, the story playing out like a film in your mind. So for me this book was a mixed bag, a lot of positives but it just didn’t grip me completely, a slow burner rather than perhaps the page turner I expected. Having said that I would recommend it to family and friends and it’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

Oh wow Lesley Pearce does not disappoint! Read in two sittings, and was so sorry it was over! Such a beautiful and sad story about the life of two young women who’s lives become entwined after a tragic event… the aftermath and the way through, the people throughout drew me in, the colourful characters and kind people! I’m hoping for a second part,

I loved this book by Lesley so different from some of her others. Set during WW2 I found this so easy to read and very interesting. She always writes a good story so I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Ww2 is raging when Mary is caught up in a daylight raid during the Blitz. She befriends another girl called Elizabeth who seeing Mary is unhappy unexpectedly asks her to join her in travelling to Ireland to a house her godmother has left her.
Mary wakes up after the raid in hospital and is surprised to be called Elizabeth and handed her suitcase full of the paperwork and contacts in Ireland.
Mary faces a dilemma should she become Elizabeth escape the hard life she has and start a new life?
Brilliant book well written loved following Mary’s journey.

I’ve read all of Lesley Pearse’s previous books so you could probably say that I’m a fan. This one didn’t disappoint. It was set during WW2 but was rather different than many novels about this era as a large part was set in Southern Ireland where life was different than the UK.
I absolutely devoured the book and couldn’t put it down. I won’t give away the plot except to say that it’s very clever and thoroughly enjoyable.

The Girl with the Suitcase is a compelling wartime tale of identity and reinvention, based on Mary, a young woman who seizes a new life after being mistaken for someone else. Lesley Pearse captures the danger and hope of 1940s London with her usual flair for emotional storytelling. While the plot is more straightforward than some of her earlier, more layered novels like Rosie or Faith, it still delivers strong characters and a rewarding emotional journey. Longtime fans may find it lighter in tone, but it remains a satisfying, heartfelt read.

I loved this book as well as all Lesley Pearse’s other books. Great storyline and warm, likeable characters.

The Girl with the Suitcase by Lesley Pearse

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different. Elizbeth is beautiful and charming, about to set off on a dazzling adventure to Ireland where she’s inherited a grand house. Mary, shy and meek, has nothing to look forward to but the dreary life of a maid in Hampstead.

But when an air raid forces them to take shelter underground Mary’s life is suddenly changed forever. After waking up in hospital, injured but alive, the nurse mistakes her for Elizabeth and hands over her suitcase with Elizabeth’s money and tickets to Ireland inside.

A brilliant book as always , just what we expect from this author . I have been reading her books for many years and am in awe at how she keeps managing such wonderful ones.
Each title is a fabulous story and she manages to draw you into the characters immediately . Long may she continue .

Another great read from Lesley Pearse. When Mary meets Elizabeth who has had a very differet life from her and is on her way to Ireland where she has inherited a cottage, and whereas Mary has had a very difficult childhood and is working as a maid but when Elizabeth saves her life and after a mistake in hospital where they think she is Elizabeth her life changes forever. After all the hardships she has suffered Mary travels to Ireland to start a new life with a new identity but she always worries she might get found out. It's a really interesting story with some lovely characters who you can warm to and it's very emotional as well I really loved Rose as well as the other people who came into Mary's life and made this an nteresting and heartwarming story. This author never dissapoints 5🌟from me

I am a huge fan of Lesley Pearse so was very happy to receive an ARC of her new book! As with any of her books, they are well researched and span a a good few years.
Mary meets Elizabeth right at the beginning of the the story & we follow her journey during WW2 in the East End, Ireland and Bristol, I won’t say too much in case I spoil the story but it’s definitely worth picking up and reading!

One thing I did feel when reading this particular book was that it lacked that grit that previous books have had but it was a great story! I have to say we all need a lady like Rose in our lives!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the twist in the beginning when Mary met Elizabeth to the story as it unfolded. It was beautifully written which made for a truly wonderful read. A real page turner with a story of hardship, love and companionship leading to although quite sad it was a lovely ending. Another wonderful read from Lesley Pearse.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve loved Lesley Pearse’s books since I was a teenager and I was so thrilled to receive this ARC of her new novel. It was a lovely engrossing read with strong characters - I really enjoyed how warm and enterprising and brave Beth was - and how wonderful Rose was. As with most of Lesley’s books, the story moves quickly and a lot happens off the page as a result. I did find myself wishing it was a bit longer so I could read about more of these events.