I’m happy to be bringing Jeannie’s War by Carole MacLean to my blog today. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Hera Books for the gifted copy of the book to bring you my own unbiased thoughts.
War changed her country, but it couldn’t change her spirit
Glasgow, 1939
Despite being shy and reserved, Jeannie Dougal finds herself newly engaged to handsome soldier, Arthur Dunn, the day war is announced. Jeannie accepts, even if she is unsure if a girl from the tenements will fit in with Arthur’s comfortable, middle-class background. But as WW2 takes its toll on the world, her wedding must wait…
As she sets off to work at a munitions factory she meets Eileen, Janet and Annie. As her new friends bond together in war work, sharing their stories of romance, Jeannie is grateful to be settled with Arthur, even if he is set in his ways.
Until she meets charming Canadian soldier, Bill, and realises she has found a spark she was always missing. But how can Jeannie tell Arthur? And is she strong enough to fight her own battle, with the country already at war…?
An emotional and romantic family saga set in WW2 Scotland and the start of a captivating new series. Fans of Call the Midwife and Katie Flynn won’t be able to put this down.
One of the best things about being a book blogger is the chance I get to discover new authors. Carole MacLean is one such author. Jeannie’s War is the start of a new series, The Kiltie Street Girls.
Beginning in 1939 Glasgow we meet Jeannie, a shy and reserved girl from the tenements. She finds herself engaged to middle class Arthur Dunne on the day war is announced. As the pressure of the war pushes their wedding further away Jeannie wonders if she is good enough for a middle class man. Then comes the day she meets Bill, a Canadian Soldier and she realises what her relationship is missing.
I love history and the fact that this gives me an insight into Glasgow during the war makes it such a compelling read. We see the community of Kiltie Street become even closer and pull together like so many others did during the war years. The act of war on the home front affected everyone in so many different ways, and Carole MacLean has created a story that shows this.
Such a heartwarming tale that shows how much everyone left behind at home waited with bated breath and worried that their son, husband or brother wouldn’t return from the front,while worrying about the bombings that were a constant threat.
The sense of place Carol Maclean has set up is so vivid. She brought Glasgow to life, with all the famous branded factories and the River Clyde described I felt I could almost be there in this time of war,alongside Jeannie and her family and friends. As the story unfolds we see Jeannie grow into less of a girl and more of a woman, her character development is crystal clear and I enjoyed being by her side on her journey.
This is an emotional story that tugs at the heartstrings as Jeannie, her family and friends stories play out in the pages of Jeannie’s War.
The harshness of war, the romance that still blooms even in the dark times. Everything you need to create a perfect historical fiction romance saga is here, you need look no further, if this book is anything to go by, this series will be a better, and I am looking forward to where Carol MacClean takes it.
Purchase Links
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3q0Ooir
Author Bio
Carol MacLean lives in the Glasgow area. She began by writing pocket novels, having 18 published before deciding to write an historical saga. She enjoys weaving social history into fiction and imagining how life must have been for ordinary people living through different times.
When she’s not writing, Carol can be found visiting museums or walking around the city looking for traces of old Glasgow to inspire her next novel.
Carol is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
She has written 18 pocket novels published by DC Thomson and Linford Romance Series (Ulverscroft).
Socials
Twitter: @carolcmaclean
Facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/carolcmaclean
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 