The Mother's Day Victory (Women on the Home Front #2) by Rosie Hendry
Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Sagas, WW2
Read: 27th February 2022
Published: 3rd March 2022
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION
Can the Women on the Home Front protect their community in times of war?
Norfolk, 1940. As war rages on, sisters Prue and Thea, along with the wider community of Great Plumstead, are doing all they can to help the war effort, from running the mobile canteen for the Women's Voluntary Service to organising clothing drives and collecting salvage.
When, Anna, a young German girl who fled her country, seeks refuge in the village, Thea opens up her home, Rookery House, and invites Anna into their growing family. But while many in the village welcome Anna with open arms, others are suspicious of the new arrival . . .
As the war intensifies and panic sweeps the country, Anna is taken by the government who fear she's a spy. The women of Great Plumstead are already fighting their own battles on the Home Front, but will they come together in Anna's time of need to keep the newest member of their community safe from war?
The Mother's Day Victory is the perfect wartime family saga and the second novel in Rosie Hendry's much-loved series, filled with heart-warming friendships, nostalgic community spirit and a courageous make-do-and-mend attitude. Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Donna Douglas and Elaine Everest.
MY REVIEW:
THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is the second book in the Women on the Home Front series by Rosie Hendry, following on from "The Mother's Day Club" which introduced the characters we have come to know and love. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and have been eagerly awaiting this one and naturally I wasn't disappointed. It was wonderful to catch up with the women of Great Plumstead once again, as well as meeting a few new ones.
Oxfordshire 1940: The story begins with Anna Weissenborn, a governess to a young boy Thomas, when her employer Mr Jeffries informs her that his job required him to go abroad and therefore he would be putting Thomas into boarding school thus making her position with them no longer needed. Armed with a glowing reference, Anna makes her way back to London where she contacts Julia, the woman who took her under her wing when she first came to the country as a Jewish refugee fleeing the Nazi regime. As it happens, Julia puts her in touch with her friend Thea Thornton who is looking for someone to help her in her gardens producing fruit and veges for the bustling Norfolk village.
Great Plumstead, Norfolk, 1940: When the train pulls into the station, Thea is there to greet her new charge and briefly shows her the village on their walk home to Rookery House. There Anna meets Hettie and Marianne as well as Reuben and Bess, his dog. As well as her sister Prue and niece Alice. Anna is a quick learner and picks up her gardening duties in no time proving to be an asset to Rookery House. When she is invited to a WI meeting, it becomes clear that some of the villagers aren't at all happy about Anna's presence. It seems all they can see is a German and they immediately think Anna is a spy for the Nazis...but after a heartrendering description of what she endured at the hand of the Nazis and what it means to be Jewish in Germany, the villagers are at once shocked and apologetic.
But Anna is no stranger to prejudice. It is not the first time nor will it be the last. As a category C "enemy alien", Anna is not considered a threat to the nation's security and is therefore free to live where she chooses. Her only stipulation is that she must report to the local police station upon arrival...which, considering she has already been deemed not a threat, seems a bit unnecessary. But Anna is happy to do what she must do to remain free in England.
But the freedom she has taken for granted since evacuating here is about to be lost when one morning she is awoken and rustled from her bed, having been sanctioned to be taken to a place of internment as an enemy alien. But this can't be right...she has already been deemed as non threatening. But no matter how much Thea argues, no matter who she argues with, the orders have come from high up and they are just the foot soldiers carrying out their sanctioned duties.
But Thea will not rest until Anna is free again. However, with the order coming from the government, arguing with the government often proves fruitless. And yet she does not give up. She writes letter after letter after letter. But will the government listen? Will anyone listen? Or is the fact that Anna is German means that she is just too much of a risk to Britain? Despite her tribunal finding her not to be and thus categorising the lowest possible threat? Will Anna ever come home again? Will she ever be free again?
THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is a heartwarming addition to this wonderful series as we meet up with old friends once again and make some new ones. Even Victor is still flexing his materialistic muscles...but for how long? There is so much packed into this installment what with Edwin taking up his position as an ambulance drive/orderly in London and the dreaded onset of the Blitz.
A delightful quick and easy read I read in a day, THE MOTHER'S DAY VICTORY is perfect for fans of wartime sagas such as Lizzie Lane, Pam Howes, Pam Weaver and Rosie Clarke.
I would like to thank #RosieHendry, #Netgalley, #SphereBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheMothersDayVictory in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Listening to her father's tales of life during the Second World War sparked Rosie's interest in this period and she's especially intrigued by how women's lives changed during the war years. She loves researching further, searching out gems of real life events which inspire her writing.
When she's not working, Rosie enjoys walking along the beach, reading and is grateful for the fact that her husband is a much better cook than her.
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Thank you so much for taking part in The Mother’s Day Victory blog tour. I’m delighted you enjoyed it.
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