REVIEW: The Force's Sweethearts by Rosie Archer

The Force's Sweethearts (The Bluebird Girls #3) by Rosie Archer

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, Wartime fiction, WW2

Read: 11th February 2022

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Published: 6th August 2020

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

Gripping, emotional Second World War saga for fans of Annie Groves, Shirley Dickson and Soraya Lane.

1943, and The Bluebird Girls are at the top of their game. They are touring with ENSA, visiting army bases across the world in order to boost the morale of the brave boys fighting in the desert and the jungle. The hours are long and the travelling uncomfortable, but Bea, Rainey and Ivy wouldn't be anywhere else for the world.

Then tragedy strikes the group and their little showbusiness family. Their manager, Blackie, and Rainey's mother Jo find themselves with heavy new responsibilities, and the change in circumstances causes the girls themselves to reconsider their lives.

For years, singing on stage has been their only dream, and they have made so many sacrifices to get where they are. But now other possibilities - relationships, babies - are on the horizon. Could this be the end for The Bluebird Girls?

MY REVIEW:

It's been so long since I read the previous book in this series, "We'll Meet Again", that I had to try and refresh my memory as to what took place. Luckily, the author gives enough background to remind those of us who have read and forgotten what has already taken place. 

As the third book in the Bluebird Girls series, THE FORCE'S SWEETHEARTS begins in April 1942 and sees Rainey, Ivy and Bea performing for the troops with ENSA in the Libyan Desert in North Africa doing what they enjoy most. But life is hard in the desert heat and the girls find themselves missing their families and loved ones back in England. But then tragedy strikes and the girls find themselves returning home with their manager Blackie and Rainey's mother Jo who had accompanied them out there.

The girls are relieved to be home, even if under tragic circumstances, and begin to chart the next chapter of their lives. Rainey has carried a secret from her family and friends but soon after reuniting with Charlie drops a bombshell no one saw coming. Ivy still carries a torch for Bea's brother Eddie and longs to be a mother to his daughter Gracie...but will they want her to be part of their little family? And Bea, distraught over all the changes suddenly taking place, finds herself just a teensy bit jealous of all that others seem to have and decides to make her own way.

For years, singing has been the girls' dream for as long as they can remember but now things are changing...other possibilities and new priorities force their way into the picture as relationships, babies and marriage are on the horizon. Could this spell the end for the Bluebird Girls?

When an opportunity arises for one of the girls to go solo little did she know that there was a codicil that required her to work alongside another performer as part of a double act, utilising both their individual strengths. The only problem was, she couldn't stand the person she was to work with, citing he gave her the creeps. But could she put her personal feelings aside and act in a professional manner to keep Blackie's business afloat?

But things don't always go to plan...especially in wartime. And with life and death at the forefront of their lives, can the Bluebird Girls keep going amidst the bombs that continue to fall over Portsmouth and Gosport?

THE FORCE'S SWEETHEARTS is the third installment to The Bluebird Girls series and is quick and easy read which I ploughed through in a day. There is joy and sorrow to be had as well as good times and bad as we are immersed back into life on the south coast of England. 

For the most part enjoyable, THE FORCE'S SWEETHEARTS will draw you in and you will surely be immersed within the the lives and loves of all the characters therein, tracking their every movement until the very end. It is fairly predictable but that's what makes it an easy read. It's wartime and you kind of know what to expect and so there are tears but there is also some laughter as well.

A nice easy read that can easily suffice as a standalone but is best read as part of the series, THE FORCE'S SWEETHEARTS is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys saga books set in and around WW2.

I would like to thank #RosieArcher, #Netgalley and #QuercusBooks for an ARC of #TheForcesSweethearts in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Rosie Archer was born in Gosport, Hampshire, where she still lives. She has had a variety of jobs including waitress, fruit picker, barmaid, shop assistant and market trader selling second-hand books. Rosie is the author of several Second World War sagas set on the south coast of England, as well as a series of gangster sagas under the name June Hampson.

Social Media links:

Goodreads

REVIEW: We'll Meet Again by Rosie Archer (ARC)

We'll Meet Again (The Bluebird Girls #2) by Rosie Archer

Genre: Historical fiction

Read: 13th September 2019

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

(release date: 5th September 2019)

★★★ 3.5 stars

WE'LL MEET AGAIN is the second in a series by Rosie Archer featuring the Bluebird Girls. I went straight into this book without having read the first, which one could do so easily.

It's 1941 in the small town of Gosport, not far from Portsmouth, and the Bluebirds - Rainey, Ivy and Bea - are beginning to make a name for themselves. From their humble beginnings in the choir to the stages of clubs and hotels, the girls are bringing happiness to those that hear their beautiful harmonies in song. 

It's still early days for the trio and as they are just 18 and still underage Rainey's mum, Jo, travelled with them as the girls' chaperone. Blackie is their manager, driver and piano player who also handled their money and bookings. As it stood, whatever money the girls made went to paying back Madame Walker for their costumes and other outlays. But Blackie had faith in the girls and it wouldn't be long before they started to make money. 

After their performance in Portsmouth, and the raid that darkened the city soon after, the Bluebirds were in demand. Blackie was taking bookings for them in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and even The Savoy in London. The girls found themselves having to relinquish their jobs at the munitions factory to be able to keep up with the busy schedule of travelling and performing and as their chaperone, Jo had to give up her daytime job also.

Aside from the Bluebirds, there are other underlying stories woven throughout the pages. Bea's brother Eddie has started walking out with young Sunshine - who was named for the sunny day she was found abandoned on a bench as a baby - much to Ivy's disappointment. Ivy has always held a torch for Eddie but felt the age gap was the only thing between them. But when Eddie begins to notice that Ivy is no longer the little girl he saw her as, he finds himself torn between the two women. 

But the decision may have already been made for him when Sunshine's head is turned by a young German prisoner of war, someone she is forbidden to fraternise with. But Sunshine cannot keep away from Max, and soon finds herself in a predicament she would never thought possible. But Max's intentions where Sunshine is concerned are not admirable. He has but one goal in mind - to escape St Vincents prison camp and make his back to the Fatherland. But for that he needs help...and that's where Sunshine comes in. But poor Sunshine has fallen head over heels for Max. It could only end in tears.

Then we have Rainey's mum, Jo. She had escaped her violent husband with her daughter some years ago and has begun to find confidence in herself once again...with the help of friend Syd Kennedy. Syd has been a good friend to Jo but it's obvious he is vying for more, taking her to the pictures on more than one occasion. Blackie finds himself jealous at the prospect of another man competing for Jo's attention. But Blackie can't bring himself to tell Jo how he feels...for fear of being rejected. Plus it would make for awkward travelling with the Bluebirds as she was their chaperone and he was the manager-and-thensome. Will Blackie find the courage to speak up?

Against the backdrop of wartime, WE'LL MEET AGAIN is a heartwarming tale of love and friendship and the best intentions amidst the tragedies of war. There is intrigue, drama, love and loss as well as the beautiful melodic voices of the Bluebird Girls. I have to admit, I heard The Andrews Sisters in my head as the girls sang...as their style would be similar being of the same era.

I feel I must mention a few niggles I had whilst reading. The constant references made to things that happened previously over and over was unnecessary. They only needed to be mentioned once in backstory description, not again and again. One example that sticks in my mine is "the sailor behind the Fox" which was referenced more than a couple of times in description. I also had the feeling the girls' lives were too perfect, despite their slow rise to fame. Any drama that occurred happened to other people and not them. It was all a bit chocolate-boxy...but still enjoyable. There were a few others, but I don't want to mention them due to spoilers. Let's just say, there are a few loose ends I felt should have been tied up but were left dangling. I hope they are addressed in the next book and that truth will out.

That isn't to say I didn't enjoy the book. I did. WE'LL MEET AGAIN is a lovely tale of the trio's gradual rise to stardom and those that surround them. I love stories set against the backdrop of wartime Britain - their loves, their losses, their happy times and their tragedies. 

WE'LL MEET AGAIN is what I call a comfort read. It is delightful with an easy pace that flows effortlessly. I look forward to the next installment where I hope some of the loose ends are tied up a little neater.

I do recommend beginning with the first book "The Bluebird Girls" although WE'LL MEET AGAIN can be read on its own also, as I have done. But I will follow up with the next book "The Force's Sweethearts" in the hope the story develops more.

I would like to thank #RosieArcher, #NetGalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #We'llMeetAgain in exchange for an honest review.