The Girls in Blue

by Lily Baxter

When her home is destroyed in a bombing raid over London, Miranda Beddoes is forced to take refuge with her grandparents down on the Dorset coast. With both her parents doing their duty for king and country, Miranda longs to do the same. She joins the WAAF and is soon working hard to help win the war. Despite her determination to dedicate herself to her work, Miranda falls for charismatic fighter pilot Gil Maddern – a man known for his recklessness and passion for flying. As the battle rages in the skies above them and she learns that Gil’s plane has been hit, it is only the friendship of her fellow girls in blue that keeps Miranda going as she waits for news…

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Romance, World War II, Historical Fiction

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 5, 2012

About the author

Pseudonym for author Dilly Court.

Reviews

[J.E. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love historical novels based during world wars. The storyline is compelling and drew me in right away. The only thing that was a turn-off is a few mild cuss words that some of the characters used. By the time I ran across them, I was too far immersed in the story to quit reading. This is the first book by the author for me.

The characters were very well developed and interesting. The hardships they endured appeared real and the research the author did seemed adequate. All around good story but would have been as good without the profanity.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think many readers would enjoy this but it was the sort of thing that irritates me. There seemed to be every trope, cliche and stereotype and even the way things were worded seemed tired and hackneyed.

I enjoyed some of the historical detail of settings and things like the way the girsl have to bring their gas mask case with their handbag every time they have to go out...so in terms of learning a little bit more about the time it may be worth a glance. The pacing was off though, it was like Miranda stands in the middle of a kaleidescope of people and happenings that rearrange themseves around her again and again very quickly without depth. It is hard to develop caring for any of the characters- even Rita who is portrayed as ultimately a sort of best friend (this transition is not managed convincingly and is sort of brushed on). Then the book teems with superficial encounters- the girls here the girls there I couldn;t even tell them apart.

Every female character in the book gets married (apart from Annie who is a quirky old spinster) and older women have had love affairs which are really definitive of them. Men also are all about theor heterosexual potential. I don;t mean that it needed a queer character in the mi (though I personally would have liked that) but it is as if the book sees falling in love and getting married as the be all and end all of life. Also as far as girls marrying injured "war heroes" there is a glamorisation of something that was in fact often painful and disastrous to live through.

The Gil situation is actually insta-love even more than the Raif one is, although Raif is so unpleasant as a character that neither is really easy to relate to. Notice that essentially the same thing happens to both of them? You will see what I mean if you read it.

Look I have read worse, and as I said learning about rationing and wartime horrible food and work and stuff is worth something...I just feel that without overfocussing on marrying every character off there could have been a stronger and deeper story here. But many people will experience this as light escapism I think.

[Psammead · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish this book. Rather disappointing as got third or more thru it and they still we not doing and army work. How long we got to the “girls in blue” I wasn’t willing to carry on to find out. Big book but to slow. Shame!!!

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read,

[Denise Glisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy reading books in other countries.

This is my first book by author and for the most part I liked it. Normally, I don't read books with cursing but some words just seemed to go with the characters. It blows my mind all that the English had to deal with and what fighters they were never giving up. I recommend this book and plan to read more.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Usually with books based on World War Two is either based in America and the men. This one is different its based in Britain and about the women and how they helped on the war.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a typical war book. It was an easy read but a little bit predictable at times. It's a good read if you like war stories.

[Coyney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was okay. Not fabulous

[Sophie Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off a little slow, but it's gripping and quite a good ending, I felt as if there needed to be another chapter at the end to make everything a happily ever after though.

I found it to be touching and sad, showing the horror of war and the strength that the people of Britain had to continue with life and yet fight a war... and losing those they loved. I did like the British setting and the focus on a main female character.

The romance, I tell you want Miranda had a lot more patience than I have and the only thing that irritated me about the book was the length of time the romance is set over. I’m sorry but that’s a romance of “dating” for 2 years (yes I know things happen and there was a war) but the periods of time when there was no contact between Miranda and Gil was months, and for no logical reason.

Overall, a great wartime story and and enjoyable light read.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a really good story

I'm a sucker for World War II era stories even though this is mostly fiction and historically not as accurate and it could be it's a good story and and the author builds a very believable person person . You will enjoy the story you enjoy the play the world as the author patriotic

[J. W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

great romance

I wasn’t looking for a romance novel when I started reading this novel. I was more interested in a novel relating more about WWII and the role women played during the war. And there was some of that but it was mostly a romance novel. However, it is so well written I continued reading and really enjoyed it.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great premise and setting, however I feel the book suffers from inconsistent charactersation (eg. Maggie and Annie) and contains scenes that are irrelevant to the progression of the story (eg. department store). A pity, because there was potential for a really good book.

[Catherine Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good read even though predictable.An irritating factor for me that Isabel ,on page 96 was called Beddoes.Her and Jack didn't get married until much much later in the book and subsequent to page 96 and before she married Jack was rightly called Carstairs.An annoying typo it seems on page 96

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story. Very touching and sad. Shows the horror of war and the strength that the people of Britain had to continue with life and yet fight a war... and losing those they loved.

[Brenda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put the book down, really gripped me

Couldn't put the book down it really kept my attention . A very good story. Looking forward to the next book

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read

Amazing and gripping. This book takes you on a wild but wonderful journey of the ups and downs of love and war.

[Jennie-Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely wartime novel

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER GOOD READ FROM LILY BAXTER REALLY WORTH A READ

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quuck read....realistic portrayal of a young women and men during WWII.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 100% certain I read this book back in high school and loving the drama.

[Faye Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another brilliant book by Lily Baxter! Beautifully written, and a lovely read.

[Dorinda Balchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book when I was looking for something light to read yet with a strong story line, and this fits the bill. Ms Baxter has obviously researched the period of the Second World War and faithfully recreates what life would have been like for civilians at the time, the episode involving refugees from the Channel Islands is particularly thought provoking.

The characters are well written, and although their behaviour is a little predictable at times it certainly doesn’t spoil the story. I would have liked to read a little more about the work of the girls as they played their part in the defence of Britain, but that’s a personal view and won’t spoil the book for anyone who is looking for a good historical romance.

[Mel Jenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I think the protagonist, Miranda, was a very likeable and believable character. My favourite character was Rita, she was so funny and just lit up the page. I also like Gil, I thought he was very sweet and always loved her even though she didn't realise. I think the relationship drama was a bit messy, it took a long time for both characters to realise their love and it irritated me that their relationship seemed to be hopeless all the time. But still, Lily Baxter's writing is fantastic and apart from a few little things, this was a great historical fiction.

[Simona · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, this book was not good. I didn't like the characters , the plotline, the romance. Everything was so shallow and just...not nice. The main character , Miranda was so annoying. When I picked up this book I thought , well : It's about WW2 ! Should be a good book ! Well, it is not. I didn't get to see the war , the pain of losing someone dear , the feelings, the connection, or even the joy of falling in love. I pushed myself to finish this book and...was completely dissapointed.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books set around the war time and this was a lovely book to curl up with. I will definitely try to read more of her books.

[Townsville Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in Townsville

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great war time story

[Suzie Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book, the start it's a little slow, but it's gripping and quite a good ending, I felt as if there needed to be another chapter at the end to make everything a happily ever after though.

[Erin ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and I enjoy the storyline very much.

[Jacinta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read

the book flow nicely, it was a cosy read

I liked all the characters

looking forward to reading more books by this author