World War 2 through the eyes of a young girl…

Synopsis

A coming of age war story and family saga full of romance, mystery and danger in London’s East End. From the Sunday Times and ebook bestselling author of the Lizzie Flowers series and A Wartime Christmas comes a gripping NEW coming-of-age saga about love, loyaltiesand secrets.

IN THE TURMOIL OF WAR, CAN SHE KEEP HER FAMILY TOGETHER?

‘Surely one of the best saga writers of her time’ – Rosie Clarke

1938, East London. Nine year old Daisy Purbright is a country girl at heart and together with beloved brother Bobby, they’ve enjoyed the endless freedoms of rural England.

But when her father gambles the family’s fortunes on a speculative investment in London’s docklands, Daisy and her family are swept up into the intrigue, danger and excitement.Desperately the Purbrights attempt to settle to a new life in the East End, but the whisperings of war grow louder.

Then, one late afternoon in September 1940, Adolf Hitler conducts a paralysing bombardment on London and war tightens its grip. Life changes dramatically and closely guarded secrets threaten the Purbrights’ happiness.

Can Daisy and her family survive one of the most fateful events of the 20th century?

Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes, Rosie Clarkeand Dilly Court.

My review

Daisy Purbright is a nine – year girl that moved with her family frim rural England to East London. Even if she loved her life at the countryside, slowly she has to settle to a complete different life. But the fear of a new war lingers around the corner, and when Hitler starts to bombard London, life as everyone knew is over.
Daisy is finding it hard to comprehend what is going on and hopes that her life will quickly will be as it was, and at the same time she has to keep secrets that could threaten her family’s happiness.

Reading a story taking place during any World War, gives me goosebumps… I always keep hoping that real tragedy won’t strike the main characters, but often it’s wishful thinking.

This story is all about a young girl Daisy and her perception of the War. And the author managed very well to show that comprehending war for adults is difficult, but children are totally oblivious.

Daisy is a cheerful girl, enjoying first life on the countryside, and later adapting to a life in London, even if her heart still longs for her previous home.
She loves her family, but her brother Bobby she truly adores. The curious streak of children is obvious, as we find Daisy often eavesdropping and by thus hearing secrets from people around.
Against my better judgement, I hoped that Daisy would keep her cheerfulness and enjoy her life as it was.

But when the war is literally crushing homes around her, she has to escape London with her brother. At the time that is what parents did, just to protect their children. And here it is shown that even if was for the better, children do not always grasp what reality is happening around them.
However as the War is getting closer, Daisy and all the children have to grow up very fast.

And seeing how our main character had to endure the consequences but also having to face a nemesis of her young past, was just heart – breaking.

The author managed to write a gripping story of how children perceive the War and how they cope with all the sudden and for them incomprehensible changes.
The same time the author manages to capture the courage and persistence of children like Daisy, because no matter what, they keep hoping that their lives will return like before.