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Chocolate Girls #4
Wartime for the Chocolate Girls
April 1941.
Almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving in the Women's Volunteer Service has made Ann Gilby take stock of what's really important - her family.
With daughter Sheila back home, and Joy still working munitions at the Cadbury factory and engaged to her soldier sweetheart, home life feels more settled too. Ann has even come to an uneasy truce with her husband, Len, despite her recent discovery of his infidelity and the fact that he has fathered a child with another woman.
But what Ann has not reckoned with is, Marianne, Len’s other woman, turning up on her doorstep - a woman with a mysterious past.
Only Ann has secrets of her own and one day soon she knows she will have to tell her youngest child, Martin, who his father really is . . .
From Annie Murray, the bestselling author of Chocolate Girls, The Bells of Bournville Green and Secrets of the Chocolate Girls, Wartime for the Chocolate Girls is a gritty family saga about love, war and chocolate . . .
Almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving in the Women's Volunteer Service has made Ann Gilby take stock of what's really important - her family.
With daughter Sheila back home, and Joy still working munitions at the Cadbury factory and engaged to her soldier sweetheart, home life feels more settled too. Ann has even come to an uneasy truce with her husband, Len, despite her recent discovery of his infidelity and the fact that he has fathered a child with another woman.
But what Ann has not reckoned with is, Marianne, Len’s other woman, turning up on her doorstep - a woman with a mysterious past.
Only Ann has secrets of her own and one day soon she knows she will have to tell her youngest child, Martin, who his father really is . . .
From Annie Murray, the bestselling author of Chocolate Girls, The Bells of Bournville Green and Secrets of the Chocolate Girls, Wartime for the Chocolate Girls is a gritty family saga about love, war and chocolate . . .
416 pages, Paperback
Published April 13, 2023
28 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Annie Murray
51 books167 followersAnnie Murray was a ‘childhood writer.’ Her career was helped a great deal by belonging to Tindal Street Fiction Group in Birmingham and by winning the SHE/Granada TV Short Story Competition in 1991. She has published short stories in a number of anthologies as well as SHE magazine. Her first regional saga, Birmingham Rose appeared in 1995 and reached the Times bestseller list. She has since published more than a dozen others, including the ‘Cadbury books,’ Chocolate Girls and The Bells of Bournville Green, Family of Women and her latest, A Hopscotch Summer. Annie has four children and lives near Reading.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 17, 2023
This is the fourth book in the Chocolate Girls series and it’s yet again another wonderful read, It was lovely to be back with Ann and her family . It’s not all sweetness though as each member of the family have their own troubles to contend with. This is a book that will grip you from the very start and keep your interest the whole way through. The characters that the author has created are all wonderful in their own way, some of course are nicer than others. As I was reading I could picture the characters going about their daily lives and working at the Cadbury Factory. Even the mention of Cadbury puts a smile on my face as I’m a bit of a chocoholic ! I highly recommend this book for fans of Historical saga fiction. This book can be read as a standalone but in all honesty the previous books are also super reads, so after reading this one you may like to go back and read the previous ones in the series. 5⭐️
January 6, 2025
Loved this book! Can’t wait for the next one!
May 13, 2025
this is a really good read, look forward to the next book
April 19, 2023
For fans of The Chocolate Girls this next instalment in the lives of Ann and Len will not disappoint. Even though Ann has a secret from the past the novel is based around the members of her family and how they respond to knowing her secret, plus finding out about Len's mistress and the fact that he has fathered a child with her. The warmth and affection you have for the family is created through Anne's empathetic way of writing which draws you into the lives, and reactions, of the family as events unfurl around them. Each of the women is different and you feel as though you come to know them personally, understanding their feelings and how they behave as they come to terms with the changes they experience in their lives.
As with the earlier stories this is a story told with love and compassion, whilst also giving a realisation into how a war-torn Britain did affect people and the relationships they had...
This is a story about strong women and the strength and importance of friendship. However, there are also times when you want to shake some of them and say " Stop, look at what you are doing and be a strong woman in your own right "
The twists and turns within the lives of the women weave themselves in complicated patterns throughout the novel in many different ways, along with the hidden secrets some of the women keep.
Annie Murray has a way of drawing you into her stories; so much so that there are times when you feel as as though Ann could be one of your next door neighbours during the war and you understand everything she has to go through with her family plus Tom !!!.
This is a story of love and emotion, confusion and exhilaration. The story of a family coming to terms with changes in relationships, the stark reality of the effects of war. But above all , the strength of love and friendship.
A definite 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read
As with the earlier stories this is a story told with love and compassion, whilst also giving a realisation into how a war-torn Britain did affect people and the relationships they had...
This is a story about strong women and the strength and importance of friendship. However, there are also times when you want to shake some of them and say " Stop, look at what you are doing and be a strong woman in your own right "
The twists and turns within the lives of the women weave themselves in complicated patterns throughout the novel in many different ways, along with the hidden secrets some of the women keep.
Annie Murray has a way of drawing you into her stories; so much so that there are times when you feel as as though Ann could be one of your next door neighbours during the war and you understand everything she has to go through with her family plus Tom !!!.
This is a story of love and emotion, confusion and exhilaration. The story of a family coming to terms with changes in relationships, the stark reality of the effects of war. But above all , the strength of love and friendship.
A definite 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 read
April 20, 2023
4.6 out of 5 stars
Wartime For The Chocolate Girls by Annie Murray is a joyous and heart-warming tale of war and togetherness.
It’s the fourth book in The Chocolate Girls series but can absolutely be read as a standalone and after this one, I’m definitely going to have to go back to take a look at the others!
The characters development was incredible, and it was a joy to see the characters blossom in the hardest of times and pull together. I loved how the family pulled together in the hard times and got each other through. I especially loved Joy’s story throughout. There was plenty of twists thrown in to keep things exciting too. It had me completely engrossed throughout.
The only thing I wasn’t too sure on was the pacing. It jumped ahead constantly and quite unsteadily for me. It was alright to keep up with and I get that Annie may have wanted to paint the full picture of the family’s time during the full war, but I just wanted it to go into a little more depth as to what was actually happening instead of skimming over some events.
As you may know, I love historical fiction, especially set during the war as I feel that they almost have a sparkle to them, and I’m completely drawn to them. This book shone extra bright and completely whisked me away. It was such an absolute joy to read. It had the perfect happy ending for me, and I found this a lovely, easy read.
Thank you Pan Macmillan and Anne (Random Things Tours) for my copy.
Wartime For The Chocolate Girls by Annie Murray is a joyous and heart-warming tale of war and togetherness.
It’s the fourth book in The Chocolate Girls series but can absolutely be read as a standalone and after this one, I’m definitely going to have to go back to take a look at the others!
The characters development was incredible, and it was a joy to see the characters blossom in the hardest of times and pull together. I loved how the family pulled together in the hard times and got each other through. I especially loved Joy’s story throughout. There was plenty of twists thrown in to keep things exciting too. It had me completely engrossed throughout.
The only thing I wasn’t too sure on was the pacing. It jumped ahead constantly and quite unsteadily for me. It was alright to keep up with and I get that Annie may have wanted to paint the full picture of the family’s time during the full war, but I just wanted it to go into a little more depth as to what was actually happening instead of skimming over some events.
As you may know, I love historical fiction, especially set during the war as I feel that they almost have a sparkle to them, and I’m completely drawn to them. This book shone extra bright and completely whisked me away. It was such an absolute joy to read. It had the perfect happy ending for me, and I found this a lovely, easy read.
Thank you Pan Macmillan and Anne (Random Things Tours) for my copy.
January 9, 2024
Continuing from 'Secrets of the Chocolate Girls', running from 1941. As ever with Murray, a brilliant read, with great understanding of relationships, feelings and motivation. The wartime tedium and shocks are well-described and work well with the plot.
Ann Gilby's marriage continues to muddle on. Will she really have to give Tom up for good? You will feel so impatient for her! But the unease is beginning to affect Len, too, and things unravel. Will the secrets be fully revealed? They are up against respectability but the in-laws are starting to change their views somewhat, due to revelations from their own past.
Joy also goes through a lot of heartache and will obviously be tested in the next volume. I'm waiting to get my hands on the conclusion of the trilogy now. About to boost my library karma by returning this, and some other books! Sorry if I'm a bit fuzzy now about which bits of plot happened in book one or book two, but I was so busy over Christmas I am only now getting the chance to write my review (I would rather write whilst fresh in my mind).
One thing I would like resolved is the question of the dance when Joy thought she saw Alan with another woman. Was it simply someone who looked like him? I suppose so.
Ann Gilby's marriage continues to muddle on. Will she really have to give Tom up for good? You will feel so impatient for her! But the unease is beginning to affect Len, too, and things unravel. Will the secrets be fully revealed? They are up against respectability but the in-laws are starting to change their views somewhat, due to revelations from their own past.
Joy also goes through a lot of heartache and will obviously be tested in the next volume. I'm waiting to get my hands on the conclusion of the trilogy now. About to boost my library karma by returning this, and some other books! Sorry if I'm a bit fuzzy now about which bits of plot happened in book one or book two, but I was so busy over Christmas I am only now getting the chance to write my review (I would rather write whilst fresh in my mind).
One thing I would like resolved is the question of the dance when Joy thought she saw Alan with another woman. Was it simply someone who looked like him? I suppose so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2023
I love historical fiction and knew that I would love this book. I hadn't read any of the series before picking this up, but felt that I didn't have to, as the book worked well as a stand alone.
I loved the Gilby family and found them to individually be so strong, despite many hardships and tribulations they faced. Ann was particularly strong and as the matriarch of the family, she really sacrificed many things for the love of her children and I was happy she finally got to have her happy ending.
I liked how there were so many little story lines within the book and that it kept changing perspective, allowing us to see the story from another point of view.
I would love to read more from the family and to find out what happens next, especially in regards to Ann and whether Joy has a happy marriage or has trouble from the American and I also plan on going back and reading the previous books in the series.
I loved the Gilby family and found them to individually be so strong, despite many hardships and tribulations they faced. Ann was particularly strong and as the matriarch of the family, she really sacrificed many things for the love of her children and I was happy she finally got to have her happy ending.
I liked how there were so many little story lines within the book and that it kept changing perspective, allowing us to see the story from another point of view.
I would love to read more from the family and to find out what happens next, especially in regards to Ann and whether Joy has a happy marriage or has trouble from the American and I also plan on going back and reading the previous books in the series.
May 28, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
This is a story all about the characters and boy did they deliver. Each one played a key role and I was completely invested in their story.
I loved how the family changed over time and accepted what was really important to them - which was difficult given the views and expectations at that point in history. Ann is an amazing woman coping how she did whilst maintaining a cool exterior. I was especially invested in Joy's journey.
I wish the ending went a little further into the future, but maybe there's another book in store? I also kept forgetting which year I was in as the chapters were only labelled as months.
Overall, a truly emotional read where I connected with all the characters and I must dive into the previous books in the series.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a story all about the characters and boy did they deliver. Each one played a key role and I was completely invested in their story.
I loved how the family changed over time and accepted what was really important to them - which was difficult given the views and expectations at that point in history. Ann is an amazing woman coping how she did whilst maintaining a cool exterior. I was especially invested in Joy's journey.
I wish the ending went a little further into the future, but maybe there's another book in store? I also kept forgetting which year I was in as the chapters were only labelled as months.
Overall, a truly emotional read where I connected with all the characters and I must dive into the previous books in the series.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 1, 2023
This is part of a series and is book 4 in the series I believe, however, I read it as a standalone and felt perfectly able to do so. It has however, made me want to read the rest of the story.
The book is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. The story hooked me right from the start and left me gripped all the way through.
The characters were one of my favourite things about this book they were all so well developed and felt like they could jump off of the page. I really foubd myself caring about them.
I also spent the entire time reading this wanting to eat my body weight in chocolate. I really enjoyed it
The book is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. The story hooked me right from the start and left me gripped all the way through.
The characters were one of my favourite things about this book they were all so well developed and felt like they could jump off of the page. I really foubd myself caring about them.
I also spent the entire time reading this wanting to eat my body weight in chocolate. I really enjoyed it
April 13, 2023
After almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving with the Women's volunteer service Ann Gilby decides to vocus on what is really important and that is family. A heartwarming story that I really enjoyed the characters are all lovely and friendly and learning more about Cadbury chocolate was interesting. I will definitely be reading the rest from this saga.
September 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this. The second in the series featuring the Gilby family, it did tie up a lot of loose ends but would love to see book three, so we know what happened to everyone after the war. Full of love and sadness, hope, commitment, and most of all, a really enjoyable read.
June 15, 2023
A brilliant story set in Birmingham. I always enjoy Annie's books, from the ending I'm guessing this is the last one
August 9, 2023
Another great Annie Murray story.
How time has got on with the characters and what life can be like.
I love the story telling.
I will look forward to reading more Annie Murray stories.
How time has got on with the characters and what life can be like.
I love the story telling.
I will look forward to reading more Annie Murray stories.
August 26, 2023
It was lovely. Just lovely.
October 30, 2023
We are transported back to Bournville at the beginning of the WW2 following the lives of Ann and her Family
February 4, 2024
This was a lovely cosy wartime book which is a great sequel. Loved seeing how the characters grow.
March 23, 2024
Another excellent book in the Chocolate Girls series. The characters are all brought to life so well I feel I know them. Only one more book in the series after this one and we shall have to say goodbye to our Chocolate Girls. A really good bedtime 🌙 read!
May 9, 2024
This was a lovely read. The forth book about the chocolate girls but so lovely I will make a point of reading the previous three.
May 27, 2024
Will the girls survive the war? and will they find happiness especially Ann and Joy? read to find out
August 2, 2024
Brilliant
All the wartime sorrows, trials and homcomings were exceptionally good you laughed and cried, just couldn't put this book down.
All the wartime sorrows, trials and homcomings were exceptionally good you laughed and cried, just couldn't put this book down.
February 11, 2025
Another well written book. So many twists and turns. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.x
April 4, 2025
Really lovely easy read. Just sad I didn't know it was part of a series
June 17, 2025
loved the chocolate girls series of books a great read
April 14, 2023
Murray is one of the queen's of wartime fiction, so I knew I'd be in for a treat reading Wartime for the Chocolate Girls.
Families, who'd have 'em? Poor old Ann she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders - not only did she have to be hospitable to her husbands floozy and his love child, she also had a big secret of her own...her son!
I'm not entirely sure how many books there are in The Chocolate Girls series, but I became so invested in the characters and their stories, I definitely want to go back and read the others in the series.
I found the story an enjoyable, easy read. Would I recommend this author...Absolutely!
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Families, who'd have 'em? Poor old Ann she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders - not only did she have to be hospitable to her husbands floozy and his love child, she also had a big secret of her own...her son!
I'm not entirely sure how many books there are in The Chocolate Girls series, but I became so invested in the characters and their stories, I definitely want to go back and read the others in the series.
I found the story an enjoyable, easy read. Would I recommend this author...Absolutely!
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 25, 2023
Wartime for the chocolate girls by Annie Murray.
April 1941.
Almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving in the Women's Volunteer Service has made Ann Gilby take stock of what's really important - her family.
Really good read. I liked Ann. This story full of love. The Family and friends were very close and I felt a part of the family as I was reading this story. It did feel as though I was with them. 4*.
April 1941.
Almost losing her life in a bomb blast while serving in the Women's Volunteer Service has made Ann Gilby take stock of what's really important - her family.
Really good read. I liked Ann. This story full of love. The Family and friends were very close and I felt a part of the family as I was reading this story. It did feel as though I was with them. 4*.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews