REVIEW: A Christmas Baby at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

A Christmas Baby at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #7) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2, Wartime fiction

Read: 2nd September 2023

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Amazon

Published: 31st August 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

July 1941

As the war grinds on, Lady Joanna Harcourt knows that her time at Goodwill House is drawing to close. A new chapter awaits, one that she never expected to happen to her – she is going to be a wife and mother again!

Excited with their new arrival and with her beloved Flying Officer John Sergeant back in her life, Joanna hopes that even though war clouds gather, love will prevail, and the future will look brighter than ever for the Harcourt family.

John has just one last mission to complete, before they can be together. But even though John is an experienced and competent pilot, the threat of the enemy is still close. Will this be one risk too far?

Or will their be another goodbye for the Harcourts before they close the doors of Goodwill House for ever?

Don't miss the emotional finale in the Goodwill House series!

MY THOUGHTS:

A new arrival...and a fond farewell...

We have come to the end of an era with the final installment of the Goodwill House series. Each of the characters have become like friends as we got to know them, love them and now we will miss being around them. I have been a part of Goodwill House since the beginning and I feel like a fixture as much as any of the characters. But with the end comes joys and sorrows in equal measure and it is difficult not to shed a few tears.

This final book focuses predominantly on Joanna, the former Lady Harcourt, and her new husband Flying Officer John Sergeant. The opening chapter sees them rushing to their nuptials on the news that Joanna is in the family way. With just half an hour to spare, the couple exchange vows, share a kiss and are pronounced husband and wife before John is whisked away on a mission and Joanna returns to the Savoy with her family. But she is to receive and early morning surprise as the honeymoon begins...albeit for one day.

Upon return to Goodwill House, Joanna continues presiding over the plans for their new home The Manse, where they will be moving to in the New Year. Goodwill House has seen many comings and goings and has been the heart of each and every story. But this time, it takes a backseat as the WAAF girls have long since gone and the land girls are soon to follow. After which, the house will return to Joanna and Lady Harcourt in which silence will reign.  As much as Joanna has enjoyed housing the serving girls over the past couple of years, the time has come when she must move on. With a baby on the way and a new husband, her focus has shifted and her priorities have changed.

It was sad to say goodbye to those who have become like friends, particularly one such character who sparky wit will be missed. And while it is a delightful addition and end to the series, it wasn't the best of them but still hugely enjoyable. And emotional read at times, the ending was left a little ambiguous. Maybe leaving it open to revisit with a further chapter? Who knows?

Overall, an enjoyable read and an emotional end to a delightful series.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AChristmasBabyAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: Wedding Bells at Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

Wedding Bells at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #6) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 26th May 2023

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Amazon

PublishedL 1st June 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

January 1941

As the residents of Goodwill House feel the hard bite of winter, land girl Charlie Somiton is still glad of the warm friendships she has made there. Not just her fellow land girls, Daphne and Sal, but also dashing local G.P. Dr James Willoughby who looked after Charlie when she was injured at work.

Charlie likes Dr Willoughby, but she fears that there can never be more between them than just friendship. Because despite her upper-class background, Charlie carries with her a terrible secret that she can never share with James.

Dr Willoughby knows Charlie is dealing with something painful and he wishes she’d confide in him more. The war is getting ever closer and James knows all too well that life is short and happiness should be grabbed with both hands.

But is Charlie brave enough to risk her secret and her heart or will her past ruin her chances for a happy future.

MY THOUGHTS:

As war clouds gather, love will prevail...

It doesn't seem all that long ago I was with the women of Goodwill House and yet here we are again. While the first in this series opened with Sarah Harcourt, her romance with Squadron Leader Angus Trent and her desire to be a doctor followed by the next two which where about WAAFs Millie and Di stationed at nearby Manston airfield, book four "The Land Girls of Goodwill House" centred on new land girl Sal while book 5 "A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House" was Daphne's story. The focus this time is on Charlie though their work as land girls feature very little, as opposed to the previous two books where we got chapter and verse on their work at Pickering Farm. 

I thoroughly enjoyed being back with the Goodwill House family as the women ensconced within its walls have become so. After her daughter Sarah left to study medicine in London, Lady Joanna Harcourt decided to take in lodgers billeted to her whilst working in the home forces nearby. Firstly, it was the WAAFs as they awaited their digs at Manston to be built after which she took in Land Girls who worked at nearby farms. Then her mother in law Elizabeth arrived uninvited from France and installed herself at Goodwill House. Slowly but surely everyone became like one big family. Which was just as well as Joanna was now widowed, her only daughter was away in London and this opportunity afforded her responsibility and respect from the village. She also came to meet twins Liza and Joe early in the series and while they worked for her at first, she took them under her wing and loved them as her own, educated them and adopted them. Now both have the name Harcourt to open doors for them later in life.

In the previous two books, we met Charlie and were given the impression that she was a posh girl whose confidence had taken a bit of a battering. There were times she came across as a bit hoity-toity in taking the lead where she was just a land girl like the others. But this time we get to see the real Charlie and she's a good humoured yet independent young woman. Previously, she had been injured first with a concussion and then having been inadvertently shot by a German plane, both times having called for the services of the village doctor, Dr James Willoughby. It became apparent to those in the house that Charlie and the good doctor had formed an attraction but neither were inclined to do much about it. 

Charlie had developed feelings for Dr Willoughby, of that she was sure, but because of an incident in her past she is unsure whether she could ever be intimate with a man and therefore pursuing a relationship with the doctor would be unfair. James, on the other hand, is intuitive for a male and had sensed that something untoward must have happened in her past to make her so apprehensive now. He is so thoughtful and attentive that he is prepared to wait as long as it takes for her to make whatever peace she needs to to move forward. What ensues is a delightful and easy courtship before heading down the aisle. Of course, there is the token spanner thrown in on the even of the nuptials, but I did expect something more to come of it and waited with baited breath as I read the happenings on the day of the wedding.

This wedding sees changes coming to Goodwill House and that of the Harcourt family which will all be revealed to those who make the journey alongside them. I can't wait to see what's in store next for them all and the changes that will inevitably change everything about Goodwill House. As it's only 1941 there is still a lot more to happen as yet with regards to the war, yet that is merely a backdrop. In fact it barely features at all in this book except for the odd air raid. I like that there is something more to focus on. Joanna has already put in motion the changes she is overseeing. Makes me wonder whose story is left to tell? Joanna's maybe? There was an opening at the end which could take that direction.

I did note a reference towards the end with regards to "the two WAAFs" who had lived at Goodwill the previous year. The reference made mention of the fact that they had married RAF pilots and were now both widows. I was saddened to read that Millie and Di (the two WAAFs) whose stories were the centrepiece for books 2 and 3 and their courtships to RAF pilots Ted and Freddie respectively who'd gone on to marry and Millie I believe was pregnant last we heard, to have their husbands who played such a major role in the early stories killed and them left as widows. Such is the way of war, I guess. But in respect of the series it kind of made their stories pointless and as we had grown attached to Millie and Di at the time, I was saddened.

Aside from that, WEDDING BELLS AT GOODWILL HOUSE is my favourite of the series so far. I love Charlie's humour and her candor and the camaraderie she shares with her new husband James. I do hope we continue to see a lot more of them and their rabbit-and-pheasant-hunting cat Lucky.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #WeddingBellsAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

A Wartime Reunion at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #5) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 27th February 2023

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Amazon

Published: 1st March 2023

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

September 1940

With harvest approaching, land girl Daphne is busier than ever as she ploughs the fields and tends to the animals with her friends Sal and Charlie. All three girls enjoy the relative peace of Goodwill House…but war is never far away.

When a German plane crash lands in the grounds of Goodwill House, everyone is shocked, especially when the two German pilots are declared missing. Where could they be hiding?

Tensions are high, and Daphne is dealt yet another shock, when she meets Corporal Robert Andrews – the man she was once engaged to marry! Goodwill House is the last place she expected to be reunited with Bob and although he looks dashing in his uniform, Daphne doesn’t think she can ever forgive him for breaking her heart.

With the war getting closer every day, can these two to finally be reunited for good or will their love be forever lost...?

MY THOUGHTS:

Parted by trouble...they will meet again...

We return to Goodwill House for the fifth book in this easy to read saga series set just off the Kentish coast. It picks up directly where the fourth one ended, though as with all of them, it can easily be read a standalone. Each story is a new one as the main focus of the book with an underlying theme that runs throughout should you read the books from the very beginning. I do recommend this but as I said, you don't have to to be able to follow the story with ease.

I loved the first book in this series and enjoyed the subsequent ones following though I admit I preferred the direction the series was taking by the fourth book with the Land Girls being billeted at Goodwill House and (as with that one) I thoroughly enjoyed A WARTIME REUNION AT GOODWILL HOUSE even more than the first three which also included something of a different theme.

We pick up the action in September 1940 when the Blitz is just beginning as the Germans rain down their deluge after deluge of bombs, hoping to break the British spirit.

We are thrust right into the action with a stray German bomber crashing into the potato fields of Goodwill House, and thus bursting into flames. Lady Joanna Harcourt saw two airmen scramble from their burning wreck before the ensuing explosions but a sweep of the fields and outbuildings could find no trace of the Germans. The Home Guard therefore ruled they had perished in the explosion.

Corporal Bob Andrews was heading up a skeleton ground crew at the nearby defunct RAF Manston airfield when he saw the plane's descent to its subsequent crash and made his way to Goodwill House with his crew. But when the bomber's remaining explosives on board erupted, their vehicle ended upturned in a ditch and the crew scrambling for their lives. 

Land girls Daphne, Sal and Charlie have remained billeted at Goodwill House and working at nearby Fiddlers Farm for Mr Pickering. Daphne joined the Land Army and had herself placed in Kent when she heard her fiance who had suddenly jilted her a week before their wedding was working at the RAF base there. Having never come across him in her time there, she realised that maybe he had moved on and was no longer stationed at Manston.

Until she saw that familiar mop of red hair so like her own climbing out of the upturned RAF vehicle in the ditch outside Goodwill House. And before she knew it, she had fled into the bushes before the men could see who it was that had pulled them to safety.

It goes without saying that Bob and Daphne undergo many run-ins, while Daphne would prefer nothing more than to stay clear out of Bob's way. Whatever his reasons for breaking her heart, it's too late. She cannot bear to be around him and does everything possible to avoid him.

And then the Lady Harcourts receive the most disheartening news and with Peter's help, Joanna enlists her solicitor Mr Broome to get to the bottom of it before it's too late. This sends her to London and to its outskirts and is sure to rock her to the core. But at least it gives her the opportunity to catch up with her daughter Sarah, whom we have not seen since the first book, who has just completed her first year of medical training to become a doctor.

As always, life goes on in Ramsgate for Goodwill House and those in its surrounds, despite the war threatening their lives and those of their loved ones. Time marches on and so does the war. And with it, the women of Goodwill House only become stronger.

I thoroughly enjoyed A WARTIME REUNION AT GOODWILL HOUSE. It is a little different than the others, I feel, though with the same heartwarming feel throughout. I have enjoyed getting to know each of the characters with my favourite being the irascible dowager old Lady Elizabeth Harcourt, Joanna's mother in law. When she turned up in the first book, I was horrified that she would be a thorn in everyone's side but she has proved to be such fun.

I was hooked to this story and devoured it in a day, though it's taken me another day to actually review it. How dare real life get in the way??!! lol I cannot wait for book six to see what awaits those at Goodwill House.

There is one thing that really irritates me with this series, as the author continues to use it throughout, and that is the constant use of the expression "gone for a Burton" regarding men who have perished in the service for their country. Instead of saying the driver succumbed to his injuries, she says "Jim went for a Burton". It is a silly expression in my opinion and it annoys me no end as it is not used just once or twice...but constantly throughout when referencing men dying for their country. Please stop using it...it sounds so crass. It sounds more like they are nipping out for a burger or fish and chips. It makes me cringe every time I read it and is probably the reason I rate the books down a star. 

However, this time, despite the constant use of the ridiculous expression I am giving it a well deserved 5 stars because it really is one of the best of the series so far. I cannot wait to see what the sixth book has in store for us!

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AWartimeReunionAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: The Land Girls of Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

The Land Girls of Goodwill House (Goodwill House #4) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, WW2, Sagas

Read: 29th October 2022

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Amazon

Published: 2nd November 2022

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

August 1940

As Autumn approaches, Lady Joanna Harcourt is preparing for new guests at Goodwill House - land girls, Sally, Daphne and Charlie.

Sally, a feisty blonde from the East End, has never seen a cow before, but she’s desperate to escape London and her horrible ex, Dennis. And although the hours are long and the work hard, Sal quickly becomes good friends with the other girls Daphne and Charlie and enjoys life at Goodwill House.

Until Dennis reappears threatening to drag her back to London. Sal fears her life as a land girl is over, just as she finally felt worthy. But Lady Joanna has other ideas and a plan to keep Sal safe and doing the job she loves.

Don't miss the next heart-breaking instalment in Fenella J. Miller's beautiful Goodwill House series.

MY THOUGHTS:

The Goodwill House series continues with this engrossing read THE LAND GIRLS OF GOODWILL HOUSE which picks up almost directly after the previous one finished. Despite this, the book can suffice easily enough as a standalone as each of the stories therein are separate from those previous, though there is always the underlying theme that remains part of the backstory which is easily picked up along the way. However, to get the full benefit and for character progression, I do recommend reading each of the books in order. Each story is an engrossing one that easily stands alone as well as all together.

The year is now 1940 and war has been raging in Europe and off the shores of Britain for the past year. But now the Germans are upping the ante and increasing their bombing raids in the hope of decimating the nearby RAF base, one of the targets to cripple Britain.

At the end of book 3, Goodwill House had suffered a fire in the old Victorian wing of the house which had remained unused for as long as old Lady Harcourt can remember. The WAAF girls have all moved on to the RAF base at Manston and the last girls have since become engaged to their respective pilots and moved on. And at last Goodwill House will receive the Land Girls they were promised in the beginning but had to suffice with WAAFs in the interim.

The Victorian wing damaged in the fire will have to be demolished which suits Joanna and old Lady Harcourt just fine as they find it a monstrosity and have never used it, let along been inside it. Except when they found poor Lazzy the dog who had somehow becomes trapped in there as a puppy and is now firmly ensconced within the Harcourt household. Life goes on at Goodwill House despite the comings and goings, and Joanna is still mourning the loss of her dear friend Betty who succumbed to measles in the previous book. Her husband Bert went on the run and the police we looking for him.

Now a group of a dozen land girls are arriving at Goodwill House to work on the estates various farms in the area. Sal, Daphne and Charlie are three such women who met at agricultural training and made their way from Devon to Kent together to begin their work on the land. Each woman comes bearing a secret but none more than Sal who has fled an abusive relationship in London and should her ex find out where she is, he would think nothing of coming to end her days in agony, as promised for leaving him.

As well as the influx of land girls, two RAF fire brigade officers were recently injured in a bombing raid at Manston and Joanna offered the use of Goodwill House for their recuperation. However, her goodwill is not all for the war effort but for the increasing attraction she feels for Sergeant John Sergeant...a feeling which is mutual. But Joanna is a lady of distinction, of class, and John is a working class lad with an Oxford scholarship education...aside from that, she is also ten years his senior. None of which seems to matter to either of them...until it does.

I really enjoyed this installment of the Goodwill House series, though the affair between Joanna and John seemed a little pointless. It was always going nowhere and they then set out to prove just that that in the end I kind of felt...what was the point of even including it in the story? For that I knock off half a star because I did in all honesty enjoy this one more than the previous two. I did enjoy the inclusion of the land girls this time as opposed to the continual inclusion of the WAAFs and the nearby RAF base.

THE LAND GIRLS OF GOODWILL HOUSE is a delightfully easy read and a great addition to the series. I look forward to catching up with the girls and the Harcourt family once again in the next book and those that follow.

Overall, an enjoyable and easy read for lovers of WW2 historical fiction.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheLandGirlsOfGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: Duty Calls at Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

Duty Calls at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #3) by Fenella J Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Sagas, WW2

Read: 23rd July 2022

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Amazon

Published: 26th July 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

July 1940

With Hitler’s bombs getting closer, WAAF Diane Forsyth is determined to face the oncoming danger and do her duty to support the brave RAF pilots who risk their lives as they take to the skies.

And there’s one pilot in particular Di hopes remains safe - Squadron Leader Freddie Hanover. But with a romance between them growing, Di and Freddie know their duty must always come first. How can they dream of a future together whilst this terrible war continues?

Lady Joanna Harcourt understands Di’s vow of duty – she’s taken one herself. But Joanna also knows that life is terribly precious and that one must make the most of every single day…before it’s too late.

MY THOUGHTS:

The third in this engaging series, DUTY CALLS AT GOODWILL HOUSE sees the return of our favourite characters in Lady Joanna Harcourt and her mother-in-law Elizabeth as well as Millie Thorrington and Di Forsyth of the local RAF base. This book picks up where the previous one "New Recruits at Goodwill House" left off with the story seamlessly continuing after Ted and Millie's wedding and the beginning of Di and Freddie's courtship.

There are many changes coming this time round in the form of a death of a beloved friend and the adoption of twins Liza and Joe. At the end of the previous book, we were introduced to the new Lord Harcourt who had inherited the title from Lady Joanna's now deceased husband, David. Whilst he seemed a pleasant sort at first, it seems he may not be all that he appears, leaving the women frantic about the future of Goodwill House. Meanwhile, measles is running rife in the village with many adults and children falling ill.

In the meantime, they are awaiting the arrival of some Land Girls who will fill the places that the WAAFs such as Millie and Di had left behind once their accommodation had been completed at RAF Manston. Joanna is looking forward to having a house full again.

War continues to rage in and across Europe with the Germans now seizing Guersney in the Channel Islands, leaving Britain fearful that they will do the same to them. So it's imperative that the RAF pilots fight to keep the Germans from invading their country and they do so by keeping them at bay above the channel. But with each scramble comes risks. The life of a fighter pilot is invariably a short one, and this is a risk that both Ted and Freddie take each time they go up. But when Freddies comes acropper when a German fires on him he is left with a quandary - does he make an escape or attempt to land his plane to the best of his ability? And should he do the latter, would he survive the landing?

DUTY CALLS AT GOODWILL HOUSE is an engaging historical saga in which the reader revisits old friends once again as the series continues. I do look forward to seeing what awaits our friends in the next book.

One thing did irritate me slightly was the continual use of the phrase "going for a Burton". A few times maybe, but it seemed that everyone in the RAF or WAAF was using the the term even in their internal monologuing narrative. Not everyone is familiar with the term and would need to google it (as I had to on a previous occasion when reading one of the books in this series) so use of the correct term would be helpful at times also. And one other thing got a little under my skin too. A seasoned writer such as Ms Miller I would have thought her research would reveal that the "Australians" she often referred to as the AAF (Australian Air Force) is actually correctly called the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force), which was established in 1921 well in time for WW2 and the setting of this series. Just a couple of niggles, but niggles all the same.

Aside from that, DUTY CALLS AT GOODWILL HOUSE is an enjoyable lighthearted read despite the WW2 setting, though it is not grim. I was thrilled to see Lazzy again (a silly name for a dog and should be called by his actual name Lazarus or just Laz) and hope that no harm comes to him despite the threats made.

There is still alot going on in the background of the series but I must say although the story surrounds much of the goings on at RAF Manston, I am more interested in life at Goodwill House, especially as that is where the series is based around.

An engaging saga that would endear many historical and wartime fiction fans but one that is best started from the beginning.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #DutyCallsAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

REVIEW: New Recruits at Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

New Recruits at Goodwill House (Goodwill House #2) by Fenella J. Miller

Genre: Wartime sagas, Historical fiction, WW2

Read: 4th April 2022

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Amazon

Published: 7th April 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

May 1940

There are new residents at Goodwill House – WAAF drivers Camilla ‘Millie’ Cunningham and Diane Forsyth, both eager to do their bit for the war effort and excited to be helping the brave boys who fly.

And when Millie meets dashing and heroic Spitfire pilot Ted Thorrington, they strike up an instant connection. But with Hitler gaining more ground in Europe, there is danger brewing across the Channel in Dunkirk and Ted is required to fly more and more dangerous sorties, risking his life every time.

With their hearts and lives on the line, the courage of the girls in blue will be tested like never before…

MY REVIEW:

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this delightful new series, "The War Girls of Goodwill House" which had a Downton-esque feel to it, I was excited to dive into NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE and revisit the charming characters in residence there. Although we have bid farewell to a couple of much-loved ones from the first book, we meet some delightful new ones in this installment as well as meet up with the recurring characters.

It's 1940 and Goodwill House is receiving a new influx of WAAFs to be stationed at the nearby Manston RAF base and while their accommodation is being constructed, the girls will be billeted at the lovely home of Joanna Harcourt and her estranged, and newly returned, mother-in-law Elizabeth, the Dowager Lady Harcourt. Having never met her sharp-tongued mother-in-law who was much estranged from her husband, David, Joanna was not prepared for the bitter retorts or judgement on how she ran Goodwill House in Lord Harcourt's absence. The Dowager arrived towards the end of the previous book and had words with Joanna's daughter Sarah, which thus lead her to jump in her fiance's car and leave Goodwill House in the dead of night for London and train to become a doctor. As this had always been Sarah's intention, it was an expected departure but not so abruptly. I must admit, I missed Sarah and Angus in this installment. They were mentioned in passing on occasion but neither appeared at all, which was unfortunate.

The story thus picks up shortly after Sarah and Angus' departure for London as two new WAAFs, Camilla "Millie" Cunningham and Di Forsyth, are the first to arrive at Goodwill House. Both young women joined against their parents' wishes and have just completed extensive training to become drivers, ferrying airmen, officers and other WAAFs about the base or to and from wherever they needed to go. Both women are the first of the WAAF drivers to arrive and are lumbered with the heavy lorries in the Motor Pool used for transporting groups of airmen around the base. But being billeted at Goodwill House is far more comfortable than the bare essentials the RAF provide them with on base. Millie and Di will find themselves missing the creature comforts when their accommodation, in the form of Nissen huts, are completed.

Goodwill House comes alive with the women billeted there. Soon after Millie and Di's arrival come a further influx of WAAFs, two of whom prove to be a little dishonourable to the uniform they wear and the country they represent. In light of a little insubordination and impropriety, Millie is promoted to Leading Aircraft Woman where the other WAAFs are therefore under her charge. A bit of heroism from Lazzy, the Wolfhound puppy found in the derelict Victorian wing of Goodwill House, highlights his obvious hidden talents as well as the dog himself. Di had never been much of a dog person after being attacked by one as a child but Lazzy coming to her rescue one night changes her fear and gives her a newfound appreciation for the much loved pup.

Meanwhile, Joanna and her mother-in-law reach a turning point in their somewhat estranged relationship and it isn't long before they find connection and a common interest together, discovering that despite thinking they had little in common that they are actually more alike than they knew. When the Ladies Harcourt then receive some distressing news, together they unite to encounter their troubles head on and to hopefully bring an end to the hardship they are now confronted with. Will this be the end of Goodwill House as they know it?

We rejoin the twins that Joanna took in and employed for kitchen, housework and outdoor duties, as well as new and old ones who pop up from time to time. Romance is also in the air for Millie when she meets Flying Officer Ted Thorrington but is unsure whether she wants to commit to a fighter pilot knowing their life expectancy is extremely low. Will they find happiness in each other or will the war claim yet another casualty?

An engaging read, I did enjoy NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE but sadly not as much as the first one, which I loved. I think perhaps the storyline was far different to that in the first book which was more medically based and featured Joanna's daughter Sarah and her own romance with Flight Lieutenant Angus Trent from the nearby RAF Manston. This time the story centred more around the RAF base and those within whereas the first one was more predominantly with Goodwill House. I did enjoy revisiting those who live at Goodwill House, particularly the twins and the newfound relationship between Joanna and her mother-in-law. And of course, it was a delight to meet up with Lazzy again (named Lazarus having been near death when he was found and brought lovingly back to life in the first book).

NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE was a relatively fun read and quite an easy one to meander through. I did find the ending a little abrupt but assume it will be picked up in the third installment - by which time readers will probably have forgotten where it in fact did leave off. That is the disadvantage of leaving the end of a book in a series up in the air. While some things were resolved, the new underlying storyline was not but rather left open to address in the next book. I would have liked some resolution at least even if it continued in Book 3. But as it stands it's a loose end that will just flit away and be forgotten by the time the next book does come round.

There are many more possibilities to come in the next book and I can't wait to read them. I do hope to see something of Sarah, and maybe Angus? But I won't be holding my breath. I will however see where the next takes us when Goodwill House opens it doors to the services once again...this time, to the expected Land Girls maybe? Whatever it is, I look forward to it. And hope to see Millie, Ted, Di and Freddie put in an appearance again as none of them seemed to have gone anywhere just yet.

An enjoyable quickish read perfect for fans of wartime sagas.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #NewRecruitsAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

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REVIEW: The War Girls of Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller

The War Girls of Goodwill House (Goodwill House #1) by Fenella J. Miller

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Sagas, WW2, General fiction

Read: 7th January 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 12th January 2022

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Lady Joanna Harcourt and her daughter Sarah discover their life of luxury at Goodwill House is over. Because with Lord Harcourt away fighting, the Harcourt girls are facing financial ruin.

Lady Joanna is terrified of losing their home, but for Sarah, this means her dreams of becoming a doctor are over. Headstrong Sarah isn’t one to quit! War or not, she’s determined to find a way to save her home and follow her dreams– whatever it takes!

Dashing RAF officer Angus Trent might just save the day. The new RAF base at Marston will soon be full of young women all hoping to serve their country, and Goodwill House will make the perfect home for them. But can Sarah convince Lady Joanna to agree to her plan?

Angus has never met a woman quite like Sarah – courageous, brave, unwavering. She has a huge task ahead of her, but if anyone can do it, his war girl can.

MY REVIEW:

What could be better than a new wartime saga series set against the backdrop of the onset of WW2? One that has a touch of "Downton Abbey" about it with the Lady of the manor and her daughter on such good terms with their employees they treat them as friends rather than servants. It is such a breath of fresh air and a delight to read and I am thrilled that this is just the beginning of the series.

Lady Joanna Harcourt and her daughter Sarah are left to run the estate with less than a handful of staff and very little means to do so after Lord Harcourt spared no time in rejoining the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and going off to France to fight the Germans in a war they believed would be over by Christmas. By January 1940, in the grip of a terribly harsh winter, there was no sign of the war coming to an end and Joanna and Sarah found that the funds that Lord Harcourt had left them with were fast running out as he had expected to be home in the autumn. 

Despite having an extensive estate with an enormous house, the Harcourts are facing financial ruin if they don't do something fast. Goodwill House is a mammoth house that has been in the Harcourt family for generations, with both Georgian and Victorian extensions added onto the original house respectively, making it even bigger. With a harshly cold winter and only the two of them in residence, it seems ridiculous to run such a monstrosity. And to heat it, even worse. With just a housekeeper/cook who doesn't live in and a smattering of outdoor staff with no way to continue paying them, Lady Joanne and Sarah are therefore faced with a conundrum. And so they begin to take in paying boarders to help with the running costs. The first of their guests are six WAAFs seconded to the local RAF base which have no appropriate accommodation for them so they are billeted at Goodwill House. As they are WAAFs, the RAF supply coal for heating and remuneration for food and keep.

Lady Joanna knows that her husband Lord Harcourt would be apoplectic at the thought of the family lowering their standards to take in paying guests. But if he hadn't such a tight reign on the finances and having left no further instructions or means to make ends meet, then they wouldn't be taking in guests or selling his prized horses. But needs must.

Sarah Harcourt is just seventeen but is older than her years when she steps up to take the reigns and help her mother run Goodwill House in her father's absence. Social etiquette of the upper class would preferably see her married off to a suitable husband rather than making up rooms for paying guests, doing servants' menial tasks and running around the countryside on horseback or a Hillman with a rather dashing Flight Lieutenant. What Sarah really wants to do is become a doctor, as has been her dream for so long, but in the absence of funds to pay for her tuition at Oxford she has resigned herself to helping her mother run Goodwill House until she turns 18 in September and can then become a student nurse. But still she dreams of becoming a doctor.

When RAF Flight Lieutenant Angus Trent first sets eyes on Sarah, his mistakes her for a maid as no lady of the house would answer a door. But as soon as he realises his faux pas he is certainly not endeared to this somewhat snobbish and headstrong young woman. The feeling, as it happens, is mutual. For Sarah finds him to be overconfident and arrogant. But then Sarah also has experience with men at all.

As luck would have it, given that Goodwill House is be the billet for the WAAFs soon to arrive, Angus is the point of contact between the Harcourts and the RAF much to his irritation. As circumstances places them both in regular contact, social etiquette has Sarah being as polite to Angus as necessitates but soon the pair will find themselves thrown together in ways they could not have foreseen.

Meanwhile, Lady Joanna has had correspondence from her husband who strictly forbids Sarah to lower herself to that of a nurse and instructs Sarah to remain at home until he can return and find her a suitable husband. But Sarah, it seems, has other ideas. The freedom that has come from her father being in France has given both her and Lady Joanna a new lease of life as both women step out from under two decades of control...and they like it. War has changed the world and nothing is as it used to be as the women of Goodwill House give the house a new lease of life that hasn't seen laughter or happiness for decades.

I'm so glad I came in at the beginning of this series as I seem to stumble across many a couple of books in. I love wartime sagas like this one highlighting the struggles of daily life, even for the upper class who find themselves facing financial ruin. And while they aren't quite as comfortable as those in "Downton Abbey", society of the past has deemed a divide between the classes which now come together in the face of war as the world they know begins to change...and nothing is guaranteed anymore. THE WAR GIRLS OF GOODWILL HOUSE differs in that respect as most wartime sagas focus on the working class. It was a refreshing change to see it from the perspective of the upper class and how they bring change to their own lives in the face of war.

THE WAR GIRLS OF GOODWILL HOUSE is a delightful read that is enjoyable from start to finish. I was absorbed from the beginning that when I flipped the last page I was left with wanting more. I grew to love many of the characters, whilst some not so much. Lady Joanna, Sarah, Angus, Betty, Liza and Joe are all wonderful characters. But the Dowager and Lord Harcourt, who does not essentially appear except through thought and letter, are equally distasteful as well as Mrs Thomas who thankfully only fleetingly appears.

I cannot wait to see how this series develops especially as the Blitz has yet to begin and Angus being a fighter pilot whose desire is to run a squadron of Spitfires just as much as Sarah longs to become a doctor. Until we meet again...

Historical fiction and wartime saga fans will love THE WAR GIRLS OF GOODWILL HOUSE and I thoroughly recommend it.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheWarGirlsOfGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man and is the bestselling writer of eighteen historical sagas. She also has apassion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to greatacclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker,hotelier,chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

Fenella lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

PUBLISHER:

Stay up to date with upcoming releases from Boldwood Books by following them on these social media accounts.

Website | Twitter | Facebook