The Girls of Victory Street by Pam Howes is the first in a new series called The Bryant Sisters. It is a fictional, historical saga set in Liverpool as the Second World War breaks out.
We meet a group of friends, Bella, Edie and Fran. This particular book focuses on Bella’s Story. She lives in Liverpool with her family and along with her friends is looking forward to work at The Bryant and May match factory, a typical job for a woman during these times and it means they are able to put money into their respective households, also something that makes them proud. Bella is also still struggling with the death of her sister and the love of her life is off to war.
Bella and her friends sing to their workmates in the factory to keep morale up, but this ignites into them becoming known as The Bryant Sisters and travelling around the country performing for morale and even meeting famous people of the time, George Formby being one example.
With Bobby away at war, Bella meets Earl, an American, who shows her what kindness and love is, until earth-shattering information comes to light.
An engrossing tale from one of the most interesting periods in British History, for me anyway. Everything is turned on its head and I love travelling back in time every time I read a story from that time. I love the camaraderie that came about then and the, “We are all in this together”, feeling I get. It isn’t without its heartbreaks and anguish either. People like Bella had to grow up so suddenly and lost so much then it was heartbreaking. This is a fantastically weaved story that I raced through and adored being a part of Bella’s life for the time I had with the book! Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the copy of the book and having me on the blog tour. Thank you to Pam Howes for bringing The Bryant Sisters into my life, I love them!
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