In times of war, sometimes victory seems like an impossible dream. In 1943, the women of America banded together to make a life for themselves while their husbands and sons fought overseas. Even as the men engaged in war, these women faced battles of their own on the homefront. Margo, Dottie, Lucy, and Penny never expected to face the hardships they must now find a way to conquer. But through the power of Christ and the power of friendship, perhaps this Victory Club will achieve more than any of them could have ever imagined.
Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 95 novels and novellas with more than five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog.
I gave this book a try because I had heard that Robin Lee Hatcher did not shy away from weaving real Christian truth into her stories. Happily, I found this to be true. There are many, many authors whom I would not trust with issues like unmarried pregnancy, emotional infidelity, and marital unfaithfulness. But Robin confronted each of these topics with real biblical truth about repentance, grace, resisting temptation, and facing consequences. The story wasn’t completely happily-ever-after; sin does indeed have consequences. But for those who chose to turn to Christ and obey him, there was hope.
The writing style was easy to follow, even with the multiplicity of point-of-view characters, and the struggles and lessons each character went through were so easy to relate to—not everyone has been tempted in these specific ways, but we’ve all been tempted in some way, and Robin captured the struggle of knowing the right thing to do but still struggling to do it.
The victory club aspect didn’t play a very big part in the story; I would have liked to see more of the actual work that entailed. And one of my biggest pet peeves with historical fiction is when characters use a Bible version that is not accurate to the time period, so I found that distracting. There were one or two scenes that were borderline too detailed for me, so I don’t recommend this book to readers who are sensitive to the honest (though gracious) portrayal of some ugly life issues, but otherwise I enjoyed this book and the thought-provoking nature of the story. I look forward to my next read by this author.
Writing this story was my way of saying thank you to the families of our brave men and women in arms. The families who are left behind while their loved ones go away to serve.
I so enjoyed this uplifting story! As the women worked through the various situations in their lives, they thought, prayed & shared Scripture. Some may find that too preachy, but I was really encouraged by it. I appreciated the character growth & wisdom learned. Plus, it takes place in my favorite time period.
The Victory Club is a book that follows four different women during WWII, each with different stories. The choices they make will change their lives. Will they each chose to lean on the their Creator for strength or will they turn away?
This is only the second book I've ever read by Ms. Hatcher, but I'm already a fan. Her books have a depth to them that make them each timeless. (At least the 2 I've read). The focus of the book is each individual woman's relationship with God and how they deal with the many trials that come their way.
What I enjoyed about this book was the shortage of frills and do-dads. Ms. Hatcher told the story with a realness and rawness that should be appreciated, without boring me to death - in fact, just the opposite. It was very hard to put down.
The book was well written as well as at times heartbreakingly realistic. No fluff here :) I would recommend this to people who want to read a book that they can relax with, yet has substance to it. Ms. Hatcher's fans are sure to enjoy it. If you aren't a Robin Lee Hatcher fan I highly recommend picking up one of her books, you won't regret it.
Overall, a very well done book, that will draw you in to each of these women's personal struggles. I picked this book up at my church library, but I'm sure it's not that hard to find. This is my honest opinion. Thanks!
If I wanted someone to sit and preach at me I would have gone to church instead of picking up this book.
Really though. I understand faith and religion help people so they want to spread it around, share the love. I go to church, I believe in God. But these people were quoting the Bible in daily conversations every other page and it was way too much in your face for me. I only made it through 50 pages, so this could be a fantastic book. But I doubt it.
Wow, just rip my heart out, why don’t you? Whatever’s left in there feels as flat as a fritter...
This emotional journey of four women from Boise, Idaho in 1943 is sure to have you flipping pages and neglecting work. I was very unsure where the story was going to go through most of the story and one of the four does end in major disappointment, but at the same time that made the story feel more authentic, little as I liked her final direction. The Christianity in this story is bold and fearless and doesn’t shy away from any of the hard stuff. Child out of wedlock, marital infidelity, emotional infidelity, law vs. grace, and so many other topics that most CF shies away from.
I’ll definitely be looking for my own copy of this one.
I was so blessed by this book. I think absolutely every woman should read this. What perfect examples of how people can change for good even after making terrible mistakes or going through difficult trials. Some people choose not to except the free gift of Christ’s salvation, but thank God, it is available to all of us. Very well done!
During the days of World War II, four women forge a friendship that helps them endure the horrors of wartime living. They form a Victory Club in order to pray for their loved ones and for everyone's ability to withstand the trials that come their way:
Margo--Divorced with two grown children. Her son, Clark, is stationed in North Africa amidst heavy fighting. Her daughter, Dottie, lives at home. Margo runs her home and life in the upright way she knows Christ would want. Does her legalism help or hinder others in the faith? Dottie--Her high-school sweetheart, Greg, is also fighting overseas. Dottie's worst nightmare becomes reality when she realizes the consequences of a lapse in judgment. What will Greg think when he discovers the truth? And what about her mother? Lucy--Less than a month after her marriage to Richard, he joined the army and was gone. Lucy hasn't seen him for a year. Their faith and regular letters help keep the love strong, but what happens when temptation lands right at her feet? Penelope--Her husband's back injury keeps him from enlisting. Penelope is extremely unhappy with her marriage and family. Can she forgive her husband for his failings and make their marriage work? The Victory Club is a simply written, beautiful story. The characters are full of humanity. Each makes her own mistakes and has to learn how to overcome them. For most of the women, this means discovering - or re-discovering - faith. One of the four women never does come to rely on God, which makes The Victory Club all that more realistic and believable. It's not a cookie-cutter Christian fiction novel, so it should appeal to a wide variety of readers.
An endearing story of four women affected by WWII. They held each other up in prayer. They lived by faith, that their son and husbands would be returning to them .
Robin Lee Hatcher has spun a believable World War II home front tale. Banding together to encourage and help both themselves and others, can four women survive unscathed by the effects of the war on their lives? A tale of both tragedy and triumph with deep faith elements woven in, The Victory Club is a book worth reading by those who enjoy stories set during the Second World War.
This historical novel is set near an air base in Idaho during WWII. Four women’s lives are connected by their war work. They all have flaws and some are changed by faith while others walk away from God’s love. Many Biblical passages interwoven into the text reminding me of books by Grace Livingston Hill. Uplifting inspirational read.
Four women in Boise Idaho during WWII form a friendship when their loved ones are off fighting . Lots of emotions in this book as it includes letters going back and forth. There are a lot of scripture refernces . It is a good Christian novel...liked it a lot.
This review is from: The Victory Club (Kindle Edition) This is the story of 4 women who are working at Gowen Field in Boise ID during WWII. Each of them face challenges in dealing with life during the war. But, some of the challenges are because of personal choices they have made.
This is a Christian book. The story is about how each of the women deal with their situations based on the faith they have in God.
Dottie is engaged to a young man who is over seas. Margo is her mother. Dottie is a cheerful and giving person. Her mother is a bitter closed off woman who looks at her Christianity as a set of fences to close her off and close others out.
Penelope is a married mother of 2 whose husband is injured and unable to work or participate in any war activities.
Lucy is a young woman married for about a month before her husband was sent overseas as an Air Corp flier.
Each of the women must face life's problems and find solutions based on their prayers and faith in God.
Just as women today must face life with loved ones deployed to a war zone, during WWII the women had to handle major decisions alone.
Robin Lee Hatcher is a very talented author. She has developed a story that is based on the reality of war and the difficulties handled by families at home. Things like rationing for food and gas created new and imaginative ways to deal with the shortages. Ms Hatcher writes of people working things through and being able to problem solve.
The Victory Club is Lucy's idea for helping people in the community who need extra help. Each of the women are trying to overcome their own problems and Lucy believes that if they can focus on solving the problems of others, it will help each of them get through.
The story does not find perfect solutions for every problem. Just like real life, some things work out well and some things remain obstacles which will need to be overcome.
I recommend this book to anyone who would like a very realistic look at the history of home life during WWII.
If the reader is adverse to a strong Christian presence, this would not be a book for that reader. But, for people who have faith in God this is a reminder of relying on God for help and having faith that the answers we receive may not be what we want, but they will be answers that help faith grow stronger.
I really enjoyed this audiobook. The story tells the tale of four women: a legalistic mother, a faithful daughter, and two coworker/friends, one a bitter married woman and another a delightful young married woman. Each woman has their own cross to bear during WWII, but the ones with a strong faith bear them best.
I don’t usually read Christian fiction and this most definitely is that. The book encouraged my faith. It wasn’t overdone and it wasn’t Pollyanna-ish. The characters each have their deep flaws, but it’s how they each interact with God and each other regarding their struggles that makes the book so good and faith enhancing.
I picked up this book at the library because I enjoy historical fiction. It's the tale of four women during World War II and their various trials and temptations of being separated from husbands and boyfriends. Even though I am a Christian, I found much of the religious conversations unbelievable; in the fact that the characters quoted long scripture texts and over-all sounded a bit preachy to sound like real people.
Robin Lee Hatcher has written of four women who work together on an air base during World War II and form their own service club. You will learn that while life may have been simpler then, these ladies faced many adversities. They went many weeks without hearing from their loved ones and, when they did receive a letter, it was usually a month or more after it was written.
Be forewarned that this capital C Christian fiction. I was invested enough in the story to fast forward through all of the inner monologues and preaching. It was absolutely tedious.
Excellent story with engaging, believable characters who learn how to forgive themselves and others. Very good references woven into the story about God’s grace, healing, and forgiveness.
This was a really interesting view of World War II. I don't remember reading a book purely from the wives' perspective, and not at all from the servicemen's. Not as much external action, that's for sure--but that didn't take away from the book at all.
I'm not sure who my favorite character was. Lucy, maybe, or even Stuart. Lucy's heartache, her struggles, it was all so real, and I was glad the way she knew the right thing to do. I felt real badly for Stuart, and I wish his storyline could have ended better. Margo's character arc was pretty good, although her softening seemed a little rushed. (Then again, as I think about it more, why shouldn't it be rushed? She's a Christian, and God is actually very good at helping his children when they ask for it.) I also liked Dottie's cheerfulness and faith. She and Greg were pretty sweet. Then ... there was Penelope. Now she's just sad. At first I kind of 'took her side'--she, instead of Stuart, had the POV at first--but by the end of the book I lost any liking for her. I really wished she could have been saved, but I guess it's just a reminder that people make their own choices. But ... in a way, her story seemed unfinished.
The faith of all the women--well, except for Penelope--was really good. Mainly because it was real. I loved the way Bible verses were brought to their minds. I could definitely feel Lucy's hurt, and her struggle to trust God completely, but her peace and kindness was so well-written, and pretty admirable, too--but far from unrealistic.
The 'Victory Club' part wasn't stressed that much; it was mostly just a backdrop. I'm not sure how much it really took away from the story, but how many people did they really help, besides the Hinkles (love that name, by the way, even though it was an extremely minor part of the book) and Penelope's family? Not that I think it was a failure, but ... was it really a success?
All in all, I would definitely pick up another Robin Lee Hatcher book. The WWII era, plus the strong Christian message, as well as a circumspect handling of issues (unfaithfulness and adultery, in brief) made for a good combination.
I would have read this book in one day if not for my eyes. Loved the book, sad when it ended. During WWII a story of four women and their lives while a husband and boyfriend are away fighting for our country. This is also a story of bitterness and disappointment and temptation. They become friends and create a Victory Club to stay busy and to help their community. The author basis her story on trust, forgiveness, faith and love. The characters in this book tells the story of what it was like for the time of WWII and the dramatic changes in their lives, men going off to war and the women filling in on jobs men would usually be doing. One character found herself pregnant and not married and boyfriend now in Europe fighting. Question for her is how will he respond? Another character’s husband is a pilot, she becomes very lonely, missing her husband very much. What she thinks is just friendship with a gentleman who owns a grocery store where she shops puts her in a dangerous situation. What will she do?
I really did not want this book to end. Beautiful love story. Loved it!
Set in WWII while the world was at war, men and women relationships were stretched. Some because they left home soil and some stayed. Four women Lucy, Margo, Dottie and Penelope ( I didn't find any like myself but could relate to running away) told of their story during those years. God faith, church and prayers was what the purpose of Victory Club. The circumstances changed some for the better and others found a dark side. ( I read the Canteen series and thought it was this author and realised I was wrong and written by someone else, but having read those books did prepare me for this story)
This is a beautiful read, as it intertwines some women on the home front struggling with fear for their loved ones who are serving overseas in WWII. The problems of waiting and not being able to know what's happening are addressed as well as faith questions. Most of the characters struggle but grow in their Christian faith as they learn to put God first no matter the outcome. I read this book a few years ago but decided to give it a second read because I recalled it being one I really loved, but I couldn't remember the story after some time had passed. I think you may enjoy the faith-building and characters, so I hope you'll check it out.
Set during WWII, four friends work together to keep up each other’s spirits as war affects them each in a different way. A great reminder that God is with us in the trials of life and will give us His strength and hope to keep going, and even thrive, in the hard times.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
I am usually not interested in reading about something that has a lot of history in it but I found Victory Club to be an outstanding book! I have enjoyed it so much on my Kindle that I ordered it in paperback. I plan on sharing it with my daughter and her mother in law, I think they will also enjoy it. I especially liked the Bible verses that were written in the chapters and what really caught my attention and got me interested in reading the book was the opening pages. Robin Lee Hatcher has done an outstanding job with this book. My hat is off to you!
Maybe spoilers, maybe not but… 3.5. A very decent read, and a good story, but LOTS of sermonizing, which of course could be expected from Christian fiction. For me the major downfall is that for the church-going Christian characters, things turn out-if not perfectly, at least as well as can be hoped for, and the characters who are not churchy, or even dismissive of church and Christianity, for them life does not go well. Having a positive attitude is one thing, but this smacks of “things only go badly for the non believers”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I enjoyed this book and the perspective of those who are left behind with sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and sweethearts off to serve in the last half of WW II. The small town setting in Idaho was ideal for the challenges these friends faced. I appreciated the real struggles to gain victory over temptations, over fears, over anger and doubts and the desire to try and encourage and pray for one another and to focus energies outward by helping others.
I love all books during the WWII era so I was excited to read this. I loved how well she depicts the lives of those living during the time in history. I did feel that there was too much quoting the Bible and just too much of what seemed like prayers in their minds on every page, with almost every character. I love the Bible and pray regularly but this was just too much for me and it made it hard for me to enjoy the book.