Tracy Baines's 'Stormy Times for The Dockyard Girls' is an engaging historical epic that vividly captures post-Great-War life in Grimsby. The third installment of the series, it beautifully balances independent readability with opulent continuity for those already invested. The story follows Letty Hardy and her family as they face a future still wounded by war, and Ruth Evans as she copes with demands over her inheritance and marriage.

The writer is superb at creating strong female characters with the strength and solidarity of the times. The book is a raw, emotional ride of love, forgiveness, and redemption, which surrounds you in the struggles and victories of these women. Although a degree of repetition of previous events may be identified by series enthusiasts, the overall narrative is engaging, which sweeps you up into the lives of its realistic characters. It's a thoroughly researched, compelling read ideal for anyone who loves sagas about the human condition during difficult times.

A mix of emotions in this third installment of the Dockyard Girls saga. Lett and Alec rescue a woman from the sea. What is her story? Nora and Percy are trying to earn the finances they lost after the war. Ruth is trying to decide if she should marry Arthur Marshall. Alec is wondering if his affair with Betsey will come to light. There are many storms in the lives of the people of Grimsby. Ruth is trying. How will they handle these storms?
This book stirred so many emotions in me as I am attached to the characters because the author has thoroughly fleshed out their faults and all. She writes about their complex emotions as a result of issues in their lives. The storyline is a continuation of the previous installments in this series, but the first chapters give you a background. This book ties up the loose ends of the saga towards the end of the novel. This is a must-read for fans of the Historical Saga Girls series.

Oh this was a lovely historical saga that is part of a series (this is entry three), but I can attest that it reads just fine as a standalone. Although of course I’ve added the other two to my towering TBR pile. This is a carefully researched story as it vividly captures what life is like in the aftermath of the Great War. I found that fascinating. And the stories of the characters are both uplifting and hard read – much like the ebbs and flows of life. I felt emotional while reading and found myself pausing to sit with the story. And it was the wonderfully strong female characters that kept me reading, admiring their bravery and unwillingness to give up. I alternated between the print and audio editions and both are excellent. Looking forward to looking up more of Tracy Baines’ work!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I enjoyed this book a lot. This might have been my favorite one I have read so far. I love the characters and this story is about finding forgiveness. Highly recommend!

A good historical read.The story is full of great characters set in Grimsby, a well written story about love and forgiveness ,Letty Hardy is hardworking trying to keep her family together whilst always trying to help others can she find happiness after learning a secret that threatens to tear her family apart. There is much more to this story that will keep you interested right to the end.

Letty had the patience of a saint. Her husband would be gone for days and months trying to make a living. Her mother-in-law was not exactly friendly.
Letty was faithful and kind. The unexpected happened that left her numb and bitter.

Ruth felt obligated to marry. But what a mess she found herself in.

I enjoyed the book. I was not happy when I finished it. I loved all the characters. I couldn't put it down.

Constant prayer for strength was needed with all the area residents. It was a hard life. But there was a sense of family amongst the neighbors.

I read this as a standalone not realising it was part of a series, however, not I am determined to get the previous 2 books because I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, I was so invested in the characters and their lives

This is the third book in the Dockyard Girls historical saga series. I really enjoyed this one, just as much as I’ve enjoyed reading the previous books. It can however be read as a standalone book.
It’s Summer 1919 and the great w@r is finally over but for most people around Grimsby Docks things will never be the same again but life must go on . What really struck me as I made my way through this book was how strong the women of that era were. Doing their best during the most difficult of times and most importantly being there for each other . Stormy Times for The Dockyard Girls is a hard hitting and emotional read that captivated me until the very last chapter .

This is the third book in the series but could be read as a stand-alone quite easily.

For me there was too much repetition of previous events - and when something happened in this book the events seemed to be repeated often as well.
I won’t say too much because it would provide many spoilers.

This book again chronicles the story of Letty and Alec and their children and growing family, Dorcas and the Parkers - we also find out more about the Marshalls, Evans’ and other minor characters. All have been damaged in some way by WW1

Grimsby is starting to recover - but it takes time especially for a fishing port - there are nasty characters, underhand goings-on and Mr Crowe shows his true light.

Obviously Tracy Baines has done a lot of research into life on the East Coast after WW1 but for me this wasn’t my favourite book in the series. I put it down at one point and had to return to it. Though bringing together the past storylines was great to see.

Personally, I thought this books was one of the best in this authors series about the Dockyard Girls.The story flowed well and had many incidents involving different people. I enjoyed how the author kept the reader's interest by having 3/4 small tales within this book. Well done, good read.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book

Fishers Ward Boom 3

Great Grimsby Race Day 1919

The Great War is over, and few families have been left untouched. Those who remain face a tough and uncertain future. Letty Hardy has managed to keep her family afloat by running a cafe and chandeliers on Grinbsy Docks. She's grateful for the safe return at her husband Alec from mine sweeping duties, when many women weren't so fortunate.

Trawler owner Richard Evans worked hard to leave a legacy. Something to hand down through the generations. With his sons lost to war, Ruth, his only daughter, stands to inherit the Excel Trawler Company, so it's important that she marries well.

This is the first book in this series that I've read and it does read well as a standalone. The war may be over but now it's time to start rebuilding everything they have lost. The women had to be strong while their husbands were fighting for the country, but now they are home it's time for new beginnings.

This is an emotional read. The women are all strong characters. There's love, heartbreak and loss, but they all git their teeth whilst rebuilding the dockyard.

Published 16th July 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #TracyBaines for my ARC of #StormyTimesForTheDockYardGirls in exchange for na honest review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book which kept me hooked from the beginning.

War is over and the people of Grimsby begin to live their lives with everything that the war has taken from them, the best way they can.

Ruth has lost her brothers in the war, and when her old sweetheart Arthur comes back he asks her to marry him, she’s undecided as to whether it’s the right thing to do, so will she accept?

Letty is trying to manage the cafe, Parker’s and run her home and it’s slowly starting to be too much for her. When an accident happens, it leaves everyone having to come to terms with what they’ve lost.

Then she finds out something that has been hidden from her and her husband Alec makes some decisions which don’t go so well. Will their marriage survive?

I loved the women in this book who did what was needed to help those that mattered, Letty, Dorcas, Norah and Helen.

I highly recommend this book.

It is 1919 and the end of the war .Letty Hardy is helping to keep her family by having a cafe and helping in Parker’s chandlers while her husband goes to sea on a trawler.Richard Evans has lost his sons in the war so has only his daughter Ruth to hand the Exel Trawler Company too now.Ruth is being courted by Arthur Marshal but thing are not as it seems.Will the people of Grimsby be able to come together now war has finished.Loved reading this book.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

i really like how with series lately we have been coming to "after the event" too. only thing is then we feel more involved and basically just want to know what goes on after that! but that the brilliance of books and the authors that write them. you care, and want to know more.
here we are back for book 3 in the series and its after the war. but the war and its effects doesn't just stop and everything's fine.
in this book i was in awe of Letty and her resilience. shes been keeping everything together and must continue to do so. so many woman still await there loved ones returns. some know they wont be coming back, and some are still uncertain. even if you know your loved on is returning you are never ok until they are back through your own door and even then...
either way there will be a lot of healing that needs to be done on all sides as they all try to rebuild their lives.
there is still every day lives and secrets that matter for our group. and now they might just threaten to come to the surface.
this is another emotional instalment. we get to witness the loud and quiet strengths of the time. we get to witness a snippet of what its like to feel like you've got your own world and all those in your community to keep safe, well and moving forward. how family, friends and support is key.
Tracy writes beautifully that you feel like you are right there caring for her characters. they jump from the pages and you are invested on how they are doing and want them to be ok.

Once again, I enjoyed the fishing village setting of this third book in the Fisher's Wharf series. It has been as heartwarming as the second in the series I read some time ago. Here we meet Letty and Alec, Mr. and Mrs. Percy Parker, Ruth, Evelyn, Philip, Arthur, Dorcas and that Gilbert Crowe, among others, again.

The time frame is at the end of WWI, where many of the villagers have lost a loved one or two; the survivors with their guilt and tormented memories and the stalwart folks learning how to move on often putting one determined foot in front of the other towards a challenged but continued daily living.

There were smiles but also tears. There were consequences of deeds done earlier in life and of 'current' times. Good times and bad times and living under the threat and suspense that likely all fishing villagers live under, will the fishermen in the family who go out to sea, return alive?

I liked this book as Tracy Baines, the author, also touches on alcohol abuse, physical abuse, infidelity and the like in all their ugliness. There is also a smidgen of Christian-like faith-based input and talk of forgiveness. In my opinion, those folks who live or who have lived in fishing villages, will really be able to relate to this tale, finding great affinity to it. This doesn't rule out all other potential readers however, as it's a good story and I feel Baines ties in all the threads of the story from each of the Dockyard girls well, as they live their separate, yet integrated village lives.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

July 2025

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Beautiful!!! I was literally hooked from the first line. What a truly captivating story. It warmed my heart immensely. Simply marvellous!

I've read all Tracy Baines Dockyard series and enjoyed them
Dorcas wasn't nice in the first book, but as time time went on she mellowed
I didn't enjoy the parts with the Ruth character and didn't feel she fitted in to the story
Really nice read though

Brilliant characters and storyline that was gripping. The reality of the historical saga makes you feel like you are there and feeling everything with them. My favourite character is Letty who is so kind and caring and always looks out for everyone else. The plot has a few different happenings one being domestic abuse. I enjoyed reading from the beginning and couldn't put it down.

Third book in the series wonderful historical read.I really enjoyed visiting the dock and the characters again. # NetGalley. #boldwooddbooks

The series continues.
A real gritty drama.
Wonderfully well written characters.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.