A really good read. Charity gives up her dreams to look after her parents boarding house after both her parents become ill whilst also taking care of her three younger brothers but the community comes together to help non more so than Divya a young Indian women who runs a curry house and helps feed the residents but is always worried for the man she loves who is fighting in the war and she doesn't know if she will ever see him again. It's a heartbreaking story but also a story of resilience, love and difficult relationship's that can sometimes decide a community but also bring them together.

What a treat to find Renita D'Siva, a new to me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book..the characters, the setting, the way she used letters alongside the present day plot. I had not read the first book in the series, New Arrivals on West India Dock Road, but had no trouble following the story line.
I look forward to reading more novels by Ms D'Silva.

This book was simply divine. The letters were a pivotal part of it and enabled us, as readers, to get a more personalised side of the story. I learned a lot from this book. An excellent piece of writing.

Book 2 in the West India Dock Series and continues to follow the lives of the inhabitants of West India Dock Road with boarding house proprietor Charity O'Kelly and Indian restaurant owner Divya Ram the main protagonists. Told from the POVs of these two characters, with Divya’s largely in the form of letters to her friend Jack and the man she loves Raghu who are both away fighting in the war.

Briefly, the blitz is in full force and the East End of London is being hit day after day. Charity is still running the boarding house, whilst looking after her sick parents and three brothers. Divya is a massive support to Charity, as are the other residents of the area, but she is still exhausted with everything she has to do. Then her eldest brother disappears and she is told he has gone to sign up, lying about his age, and searching for him a new man comes into her life.

I love how this story is progressing although I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t overly keen on Divya’s story being told through her letters, they felt too neat, too contrived and not written by someone who is writing in her second language. Issues around racism once again raise their heads and from a surprising source at one point. A story about a family, a community and a country under attack. An entertaining read. 3.5⭐️

I found the storyline quite uninteresting. I usually enjoy stories about family and how they overcome the horrors of wartime, but this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

This book is about two enterprising young women. One (Divya) who comes to a strange country and sets up her own curry house which is loved far and wide. Divya tells her story through letters.
Then there is Charity, who lives her life for others. She has cared for her young brothers Fergus, Connor & Paddy jar. This is as well as running the family boarding house and looking after father Paddy who suffers terribly from shell shock & mother Moira who has never been the same since Paddy’s birth.Will both women get their happy ever after or are obstacles put in their way?

I enjoyed Charity’s story, plenty will she/wont she. Divya’s story I wasn’t sure of I.e. the telling through letters.
Liked Mrs Kerridge, she may have had a lot to say for herself but underneath a heart of gold.
Favourite character was Charity who continually thought of others. Least favourite was the enemy.

A great sequel. A rich story. Characters who are so strong as WWII blasts are all around them. A must read.

I came into this series on Book 2, so the vast amount of exposition was sort of helpful and even still it was too much. I also didn't enjoy the epistolatory nature of Divya's contributions to the story as they came across as very unrealistic and unnatural. Even though it was explained over and over that she was using these letters as therapy and never intending to mail them to her unrequited love interest, they were cringy at worst and sappy at best. Another thing that bears mentioning is the dreaded use of "released a breath I didn't realize I was holding" trope, at the 47% mark. Finally - when Charity described Veer some version of the word TWINKLE was so overused it became comical.

Overall, this book had more potential than it actually delivered on. I had higher hopes and it might be someone else's cup of tea.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from Netgalley. I haven't read the first book in this series, but as I enjoy the genre, I thought I'd give this a go. I didn't feel I missed out by not having read the first - it works well as a standalone book - but I struggled to fully engage with it. I was interested in both Divya and Charity's stories, but found Divya's parts being told in letters distracting and disruptive to the flow of the book. I felt neither character was developed that well, especially not Charity, although I enjoyed the depictions of her brothers. Although I was ambivalent towards much of the book, I enjoyed the closing chapters for both - I am intrigued as to what happens next.

They are finally back. I just love this community. Ot was sweet and sad at the same time. But I Will obviously continue reading this series.

A great book, I really enjoyed meeting these characters again. Book two did not disappoint. The story was very good, and I liked the characters and their relationships. Can’t wait for the next book!

Thankyou to netgalley for the opportunity to read this. I thoroughly enjoyed the book

It was wonderful to revisit these characters and see how their lives were progressing, especially in war times. Love and loss feature strongly, and racism rears its ugly head. There are life changing moments for both Divya and Charity. A lot of this is told through letters, which works well as then thoughts and opinions can be put in as well. The feeling of community is well done, working together to overcome difficulties, even if there are still prejudices. The ending is lovely for Charity's father, however, there are a lot more threads to follow, so I hope a sequel is coming soon. This could be read as a standalone book, as any important bits from the first book are explained to give context. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy to freely review.

A heart felt story of the East End with our beloved friends on East India Dock Road. I am so glad for Divya, though I wanted more from her than her letters to Jack and Raghu. I was hoping for Jack and Charity, but Charity’s man is good.

Four and a half stars rounded up to five. This is book two in the West India Dock Road series. World War II is raging, and the occupants of the East End are trying to make it through. Charity is still running the boarding house, whilst taking care of her three brothers and her parents. Divya is still feeding the neighborhood from her curry house. Jack is a prisoner of war. Raghu is serving overseas. Will the residents make it through this war?
I loved revisiting the characters in this series. I read it in one sitting. Wonderful writing, that left me craving Indian food! Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an unbiased review.

West India dock road London east end book two.
1940 WW2.
Best friends.
Charity O'Kelly running the family boarding house.
Divya Ram running her bustling curry house.
The war is shattering as bombs fall, that turns this unique story all about love, resilience and spirit of the community under siege, that is tested in surprising places.
This has heartbreaking letters, heartbreaking family worries, and it is the most heartbreaking read.
The two main characters definitely are strong women and friends for life.
I loved it.

Outstanding once again - when does the next book in the series come out?! Read in less than 24 hours as I could not put it down. Excellently put together with letters running alongside narrative. Such loveable characters and so easy to relate too. Both sadness, happiness and the harsh realities of war blended into an excellent storyline. it's left me wanting to know what happens next......

As with the first book I've found myself looking up recipes for the food mentioned (I know drink Chai tea every morning and love it!) All the mention of Indian porridge in this book has got me researching different things for my breakfast and craving onion bhajis! Perhaps in future titles the author could include some recipes at the back of the book!

A truly outstanding series. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and of course the author for bringing such pleasure to the reader. If I could give more than 5 stars I would!

A wonderful book. The story was very good. Liked the characters and was such an easy read.
Thankyou to netgalley for the opportunity to read this. I thoroughly enjoyed the book

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Loving this series family saga at its best

Brilliant author