Difficult times for our beloved Harper Girls…

Synopsis

From the bestselling author of the Welcome to Harpers Emporium and The Mulberry Lane Series.
The Harpers Girls come face to face with the harsh reality of the cruelty of war.

Oxford Street, London 1915

Sally Harper quietly battles to keep Harpers afloat in the difficult days of the war, whilst husband Ben is working all hours for the War Office.

Beth Burrow is fighting concern for her husband Jack, now at sea with the Merchant Navy, and the fear she may never see him again and be blessed with a child.

Driven to exhaustion, Maggie Gibbs, is now working as a nursing assistant on the battlefields in France. With the everyday horrors of the casualties of war to contend with she suffers her own personal tragedy when her fiancé’s plane ditches in the sea.

Can the Harpers Girls and their loved ones survive the perils of war and find a path to future happiness?

A heart-warming saga following the lives, loves and losses of the Harpers Girls. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes and Dilly Court.

My review

World War 1 is full ahead and each of our Harper Girls is facing her own problems.

Sally Harper does whatever she can to keep Harpers running, despite the hard times. But it’s not only the shop that worries her, as her husband Ben is working for the War Office and cannot share any whatever decision is being made.

Beth Burrow is also worried as her husband Jack is at Sea with the Merchant navy. Each time he departs, she is afraid he won’t come back, and she will be left alone, without the blessing of a child.

Maggie Gibbs is now working as a nursing assistant on the battlefields in France. She sees the true horrors of the war, yet she finds herself fulfilled as she is making a real difference.

Yet tragedies are ahead for our girls. Will they and their loved ones all find a way to their happiness? Or will the War tear their hopes and dreams apart?

When you read a saga consisting of several books, you really start to care and love all the characters. And I found myself wishing all the best for these amazing girls and their family and friends.

Yet the War cannot be the bringer of good news, so I was afraid what would happen to my dear friends…

I found so many heart-breaking moments, I was on the verge of crying for the injustice of it all.
This story is absolutely not sugar-coating the horrors of the War. There are tragedies for everyone, nobody is being spared.

But it’s not only about the terrors everyone is enduring. This story showed me again what great women our Harper girls are. They are courageous, fighting on their own ways, never giving up. Even when the worst of tragedies strikes, there is always the greater picture in mind.
No matter how big the despair is, there is the realisation that they cannot just sit down and weep, but there are people depending on their help.

Maybe this part of the series is one of the sadder ones, but there is also a message of not giving up, being there for each other, respecting each other’s way of grieving.
Despite the War, Sally, Beth and Maggie are the same girls as before. Of course they mature, but their characters aren’t changing suddenly. They remain these kind, caring and helping friends.

There are also some lighter moments, which we truly needed, otherwise it would be a too depressing story. And these moments showed me that even in the hardest time, there can be time for happiness and love.

I found this a bittersweet story, showing reality about the War, but also about true friendship, love and courage. And I hope that there will be more in store for the harper girls and that a happy ending will be lurking around the corner!