You meet a stranger at a Lyon’s corner house, the air raid sirens go off, you seek shelter then disaster a bomb hits the air raid shelter. You survived the stranger doesn’t. What do you do? This is the start of a journey that is full of twists and turns. A really great read.

I loved Lesley Pearse earlier books and continued with the latest ones but I have to say this book in particular was a lovely easy holiday read that I picked up and put down whereas as earlier books were compulsive to read. The storyline on this book was good and finished with a conclusion that was expected but I didn’t feel hooked.

This was a nice book with romance and sadness as well.

I liked the way the book went with the main character but I felt the book didn’t keep me wanting to read on. It was sad in parts where things had happened to the main character. Where you can overcome whatever is thrown at you and always look on the bright-side. I felt the romance was a bit rushed.

It had a nice ending.

Set during WW2, we are given the tale of Beth and Rose and what happens when their lives are reversed. Although classed asa historical book, it more about the women and those around them, It moves along at a good steady pace making you turn the pages to find out what happens next. Quite an emotional read at times too and overall 4.5*.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review

I really enjoyed this book. @lesleypearse never disappoints. It’s captivating, gripping, suspenseful and descriptive. I couldn’t put it down.
Set in WW2 a story about two women, Mary and Elizabeth whose lives are entwined after a tragic event. As the story unfolds we follow Mary’s journey in the East End London, Ireland and Bristol. A multi layered story.
It’s beautifully written and I was completely immersed in Mary’s journey. With strong, warm likeable characters it’s an easy page turning read. I like the authors writing style as it is such an emotional way of storytelling.
Definitely recommend this beautiful heartfelt, sad inspiring story. It’s well worth the read if you enjoy this genre.
With thanks to #NetGallery @michaeljoseph #PenguinRandomHouse for an arc of #TheGirlWithTheSuitcase in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 3 July 2025

Set in wartime London, The Girl with the Suitcase follows Mary, a shy maid who is mistaken for another woman after a bombing. Seizing the chance for a new life, she takes on a false identity and travels to Ireland.
As always with Lesley Pearse’s books, this is a compelling read with relatable characters. It’s the perfect read for fans of her previous works or anyone who enjoys historical fiction books.

The Girl with the Suitcase (kindle edition) an emotional and enthralling historical novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Lesley Pearse captures the darkness and light of both London and Ireland WWII from 1940 to 1945.

The story begins with two young ladies whose lives will pan out after a chance meeting in a Lyons Corner House. Mary Price an impoverished young lady and Elizabeth Manning who is a lady of substance form a bond together whilst sheltering from an air raid.

One of them will save the other's life and the one who survives will assume the identity of the deceased.

The story will tug at your heartstrings as it did mine whilst reading this poignant story of love, loss, deceit, hardship, abuse and happiness.

Two young women meet on a fateful night in London, the siren wails the girls enter the underground as a shelter and a night of bombing during the blitz alters both of their futures.
I have read all of Lesley Pearse’s book and unfortunately this is not one of my favourite. The book’s synopsis promises a book of suspense and drama. Bit of thriller, but falls short. And I did not find Mary a particularly nice protagonist. She was quite annoying.
Saying that, the book is a decent read, good for a holiday. Bit predictable but easy reading nonetheless.

I have seen many books by Lesley Pearse but this is the first one I have read.
From reading the synopsis I was expecting a novel full of suspense, intrigue, drama and romance; unfortunately I felt a little let down.
The storyline was intriguing, but it felt very episodic as though Mary/ Beth had written a diary and there was a lot of mundane detail.
Having said that I was compelled to finish the book to discover the outcome.
I will try another title by this author, but this one had too many coincidences and repetitions

I was very kindly sent an advanced copy of this book and although I quickly realised it wasn't the style of book that I normally read, I did find myself immersed in Wartime London. During the book when the air raid sirens sound you can feel the sense of panic and urgency from the descriptions which I really enjoyed. The sense of hardship that people feel with food rationing, fear from the blitz and fear for loved ones fighting in the war are wonderfully written

I did however sadly struggle to give the book my full attention as it just seemed to be an account of day to day life and it became quite repetitive. I was hoping that there would be a major underlying story, but sadly it didn't come. There are also descriptions of child abuse that I found particularly tough to read about - it could be a trigger for some people.

On the positive note the book is an easy read which was exactly what I needed after a series of heavy books, and it is descriptively immersive of a period of history that I find fascinating.

London, 1941

When Mary meets a glamorous stranger named Elizabeth she realises their lives couldn’t be more different.

Elizabeth 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.

This is Mary’s chance to escape the hardship of her life and start afresh.

Will she take it and what could go wrong?

The Girl with the Suitcase is a captivating book that I devoured in one sitting.

Another brilliant book from Lesley Pearse. This author seriously never fails to disappoint. I have been reading her books for many years and this one is probably up there in my top five of all of her books

Lesley does it again. Her stories always make me feel they have an element of her personal life and experiences threaded throughout. All her female characters are strong and independent women who manage to get through difficulties in their lives and they come out fighting. If you hear of someone taking over someone elses life you might feel the need to condemn. But she writes this book in such a way that you root for her all the way through and understand why she did it. I loved it.


Many thanks for the advance copy.

This book is set during World War Two and follows the life of Mary Price. Mary has a hard childhood with a mother who is a prostitute and hooked on alcohol and drugs and a pimp Ronnie who abuses both mother and daughter. Mary’s only sanctuary is her neighbour who cares for her and teaches her many things. When she moves away Mary is heartbroken but she does as she recommends and gets a job and leaves home as soon as she can. On the way back from an interview Mary goes into a Lyon’s tea room and has a chance meeting that is to change her life forever. This shows of the cruel suffering and hardship that many had during the War but also shows that you can change your life around too. If you like historical books I can highly recommend this read.

A tender and emotional story of transformation and hope.

Set in the latter years of WWII, this novel follows Mary, a young woman from London’s East End, shaped by a harsh and loveless childhood. A chance encounter changes everything, as she steps into a new identity and discovers a life filled with compassion, love, and belonging.

Though her journey isn’t without hardship, Mary’s resilience and the kindness of those she meets lead her toward stability and happiness. A moving, heartfelt read about second chances and the power of human connection.

Mary has led an unhappy life, with a mother who never cared, a violet stepfather, and a miserable job. When she meets elegant Elizabeth, she is invited to join her in Ireland. They are suddenly caught up in an air raid, and Mary's life changes forever when she is mistaken for Elizabeth in the aftermath.

It wasn't quite the historical drama I was expecting, and I couldn't warm to Mary, who I found to be quite irritating, I did however really like Rose and the Second World War timeline.

Big fan of Lesley Pearse. My first read over 20 years ago with Never Look back. Such a strong writer who is not afraid to tackle gritty and sensitive subjects.

This latest instalment is set in the Second World War. Mary is downtrodden by life when she meets the glamorous Elizabeth. Mary’s life changes in a way she couldn’t imagine.

Enjoyable read. A little bit of heartbreak but the lovable Rose is a breath of fresh air.

Looking forward to reading more.

Brilliant! Lesley Pearse at her finest. This book was a joy to read. I loved the characters, plenty of variety with those you love as well as those you hate.

A wonderfully told tale of war time misfortune, love, risk, family, loss and friendship.

Mary and Elizabeth meet by chance and plan an adventure. Only one of them gets the chance to see it through however.

Mary/Beth’s story is one of heart break, chance and love and I loved every second of it.

A very enjoyable, easy read. I followed Beth's story eagerly, rooting for her at every step. The author has a way of drawing you in to the world and storyline she has created. Excellent.

I've always enjoyed Lesley's books but didn't think the plotline in this was as strong as usual.

Mary has had a difficult life with a drug addict mother and a stepfather who abused her. Leaving home as soon as she's old enough to go into service she is basically used as slave labour

One day she meets Elizabeth and they hit it off straight away. When Elizabeth tells Mary she's been left a cottage in Ireland by a Godparent, they decide to go and live there together.

Their plans are interrupted by a bombing raid in which Elizabeth loses her life protecting Mary. When Mary comes round in hospital she discovered they think she is Elizabeth and she decides to continue the deception and seize the opportunity to change her life

From a strong beginning the rest of the book was easy for me to guess the outcome which was a little disappointing.

If you want an easy read to while away a few hours then this book would be perfect for you.