I haven’t read a Lesley Pearce novel for years, so I jumped at the chance to review this book.

A tale of reinvention after a traumatic childhood and a life being downtrodden by others. A chance meeting changes our main character’s life…

Some great characters in this novel - both villains and those rare people who have the ability to help you change your outcomes.

An enjoyable read and descriptive settings that lent colour to the overall story.

4* many layers to this story

I'm a big fan of Lesley Pearse, so I jumped at the chance to get an ARC of her latest book, "The Girl with the Suitcase".

This book starts in London during WW2, this book charts the life of a young woman who makes a difficult decision in a case of mistaken identity, which completely changes the rest of her life. Lesley Pearse always writes with such empathy that you can completely understand why Beth made this decision, which then brings her opportunity but also overshadows the rest of her life. It was an enjoyable read charting the despair, grief and sadness of war and post-war Britain, with hope and love throughout the rest of Beth's life as she finds her place in the world with her new identity. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Lesley Pearse, Penguin and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I have read other books by Lesley Pearse and the themes seem to reoccur. Those themes are abusive men and women with a hidden identity. This is the case with this novel following an abusive childhood Beth/Mary uses her misidentification following a disaster in an air raid shelter to begin a new life. She encounters many different people who are either extremely hostile or very caring. It is an easy read. An ideal summer novel for when you don’t want anything which makes you have to think too deeply. I would recommend this novel for those who like stories with a happy ending.

A captivating wartime read. The main character is Mary, a young lady who has a traumatic childhood. A chance encounter with someone of a similar age but totally different background, a bombing raid and a case of mistaken identity offer Mary the chance of a new life. The story focuses on Mary who tries to manage her dishonest actions while reinventing herself. The big question is how far will she go to escape her previous traumatic life. It’s a good read with a straightforward story.

I have read a lot of Lesley Pearse's books and whilst this one didn't have as many twists and turns as other books, it was a nice gentle read with likeable characters.

The story begins in London during WW2. During confusion of a bombing raid, Mary is mistaken for Elizabeth who is sadly killed. In her new identity as Beth, Mary leaves her deprived life in London and moves to Ireland as the owner of a property. We follow her life there and then in Bristol where she is taken under the wing of kind-hearted Rose.
This is an enjoyable read with some great characters. The period detail adds authenticity to the story. An easy to read heart-warming story with a happy ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A book about family and friendships
Sad in some places and uplifting in others but at all times written with emotion
The only thing would say is that at some points I wanted things to move a bit quicker but this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment the book gave

As a devoted fan of Lesley Pearse for over 20 years, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read The Girl with the Suitcase ahead of publication—and I can happily say, Pearse does not disappoint.

True to her signature style, Pearse transports us back to wartime Britain with vivid, atmospheric detail. Her writing beautifully captures the spirit of the era, immersing you so completely that you can almost hear the air raid sirens and feel the weight of uncertainty and resilience in the air.

The characters leap off the page with emotional depth and complexity. You quickly find yourself rooting for the heroine, emotionally invested in her journey through hardship, loss, and the search for love. Pearse’s ability to create such authentic, relatable characters is one of the many reasons her books stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

Through heartache and hope, The Girl with the Suitcase is a moving and compelling read that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. It’s a classic Pearse novel—rich in history, emotion, and unforgettable storytelling.

A must-read for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

An emotional wartime story. Beth had a problematic childhood and wants to better herself. During the London blitz, she is mistaken for another young woman who looks just like her and takes the chance to take her identity. In Ireland she makes a new and much more enjoyable life for herself, It’s interesting to find out how Ireland was affected by the war, a subject rarely covered in novels.

A great historical novel from Lesley Pearse with characters and storyline to evoke several emotions. It’s all written in a beautiful way.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I found this book to be so sad but there were many moments of sunshine. Friendships & family’s forged so easily with such devastation surrounding them.

I wanted to read this book to add some variety to what I read. And though I was bored through some parts, I am so happy i read this book. It was so beautiful, so utterly sad & moving. For me it highlights the importance of the friendships we make with other people. Mary would have been sucked into a harrowing life if Ruth wasn’t looking out for her. Where might Mary have ended up if she hadn’t met Elizabeth? Who would have cared for & kept Rose company?

I really enjoyed the chapters when Beth met Rose, their relationship was so heart warming. It really cemented the level of enjoyment for me.

The Girl with the Suitcase is set to the background of WW2. A lovely story that tells many stories but especially of life for ordinary people living through the war. Mary meets Elizabeth at the Lyons Tea rooms and they feel an instant connection. They plan to move to Ireland to look at the cottage Elizabeth has been left by her mysterious godmother. Likeable characters with an uplifting story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and Random House for the advance copy of this book.

Lesley Pearse is one of my favourites authors. i would read anything and everything written by her and i would by now categorically know im going to think its ace. and yup, this was another to add to my proof. her storytelling is unique to her and she does is like the best ive read.
this book is an emotional war time story where we meet Mary who not looking forward to her own future so when she is issued a chance for another(of anothers) she takes it with both hands. because all Mary has know is the low points of life. shes never had much of anything. so when she meets a stranger Elizabeth and it sparks a chance for her she cant help but yearn for it. for Elizabeth has just inherited a grand house in Ireland. wow how lucky,right? but then this is wartime so danger is never far away and that danger comes when the girls are in an air rade shelter. everything goes to black. when Mary next regains consciousness she is identified is Elizabeth and given the chance of her life, a life, a new better life. what will she do might be very different to what she should do?
i felt so sorry for Mary. who wouldn't feel for her as her upbringing was terrible. and who wouldn't want to scoop her up and give her a better life. you know you can question some of the things she does but at the same time you can see why.
i loved this book so much. the characters when Mary gets to her new life also drew me in to a whole set of wonderful people. Lesley knows how to write people! and all the time we still get to see the impacts of war, and the impacts of life on Mary and the characters she now lives amongst.

If you’re looking for heartwarming, WW2 historical fiction with a side helping of romance to lose yourself in this summer, then look no further. This is a touching tale about the vagaries of fate and fortune, friendship and family, love and loss.

It offers insights into wartime deprivation and camaraderie, alongside moral issues where choices are made that are life changing and transformative, especially for poor, downtrodden Mary, who had a traumatic childhood and suffered abuse at the hands of her cruel stepfather.

Shy Mary enters Lyons Tea House after attending a job interview and encounters Elizabeth, a beautiful, confident young woman who happens to look rather like a more glamorous, poised and polished version of Mary herself.

Elizabeth is passing time before she leaves London for a life in Ireland where her aunt has left her a cottage. They swiftly become friends and Mary is unexpectedly invited to accompany her to Ireland. Their conversation gets interrupted by a jarring air raid siren.

They hurry to a nearby shelter that sadly takes a direct hit. Elizabeth doesn’t survive but Mary wakes up in hospital where she is mistaken for Elizabeth because she has her suitcase. It contains identifying information, a ticket to Ireland, and a stash of cash.

Mary soon realises that this could be her golden ticket to freedom. So she decides, rather nervously, to assume a new life and identity as Beth. A life where she can be in control of her own destiny. Her courage falters at first but grows with each choice she makes, including romantic ones.

The pacey narrative draws you in as you root for Beth’s safety and ultimate happiness. I enjoyed this novel very much despite the implausibility of the plot in places, because it doesn’t detract from the superb storytelling. Grateful thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the eARC. — 4.5**

A lovely story, set during the war and really highlighting the differences in experience between the rich and poor during the bombing raids and with rationing and war work.
Mary sets forth on a journey of escape from her past following a fortunate unfortunate event during a bombing raid. The littel societal details, commentary on fashions of the day and transporation issues set the scence beautifully in Ireland, London and Bristol.
The relationships Mary develops are at times a littel tenous (she falls on her feet and in love very easily!) but overall the book is a good read!

This was an unusual take on a war time drama not least because it explored WW2 in Southern Ireland and how an impoverished community was cut off from imports and exports as it is geographically close to Britain. The book was excellent at illustrating how socio economic differences limit the lifestyle of those in poverty and encourage addiction and violence. The story is neat. A case of mistaken identity leads to a huge change for the better for lead character and she takes full advantage of it, eventually overcoming the consequential guilt. A really enjoyable read.

A very simple and fast paced book. Beth is a likeable character who has had a horrible childhood, but of course she comes out of it smiling and happy.
Perfect holiday read!

Mary/Beth/Elizabeth is a young woman with no support system who finds herself thrown into a life of luxury of which she’d only dreamed of. The description does suggest a greater degree of luxury than that which Beth experienced, but it’s definitely an intriguing adventure.

Beth is definitely a likeable character, as are many of the side characters she connects with. I enjoyed the depictions of the far-reaching impact of war in every area of society, and I enjoyed Beth’s reactions to events.

The plot itself didn’t have a great deal of drama or climax, but seeing Beth experience life in the way she did was effective in itself.

Where the book fell short for me is in the constant repetition. I’m not sure if this is an editing fault or if it was purposeful, but descriptions and explanations were often covered multiple times. One example of this was the abuse experienced by Mary as a child. I felt the first in-depth description of this was too much, never mind multiple.

Overall I did enjoy the book as a historical fiction and loved seeing the lives of women unfold throughout the war.

Really enjoyed this book. Sad at the same time that a women felt the need to take on another womens life to run from her. Great characters. Easy to follow

The Girl with the Suitcase is a powerful and emotional story about a young girl named Sara who is abandoned at a train station with nothing but a suitcase. Set in the 1960s, the book follows her difficult journey as she faces hardship, danger, and heartbreak—but also finds strength, kindness, and hope along the way.

Lesley Pearse writes with warmth and heart. The characters feel real, the story is moving, and it’s easy to get pulled in. Some parts are upsetting, but it’s an inspiring tale of survival and resilience.

Good if you like: emotional dramas, strong female characters, and stories about overcoming adversity.
Not so good if you don’t like: sad or traumatic storylines.