War Comes to the Dales

Made in Yorkshire #2

by Betty Firth

Can she help the village survive the war? April 1941 . When Bobby Bancroft arrived in Silverdale to take a job as a reporter on The Tyke magazine, the sleepy Yorkshire Dales village felt like a little pocket of a past long gone. While much of the country was suffering nightly bombing raids as the Blitz raged, life in isolated Silverdale carried on just as it had for a hundred years or more. But as the summer of 1941 approaches, war finally seems to have come to Silverdale. The villagers face new hardships when shortages and rationing begin to bite, young men become scarce as more and more are called up, and Bobby finds herself juggling her job on the magazine with a new role as an ARP warden. Even her surly editor Reg and his wife are doing their bit, taking two young evacuees from London into their home. Meanwhile, Bobby has been growing closer to village vet Charlie, who is preparing to leave Silverdale to begin training with the RAF. The villagers are whispering that wedding bells will soon be chiming, but then Bobby is confronted with an impossible choice. Can she bring herself to give up the job she adores to be with the man she loves? Don't miss this heart-warming, captivating World War Two saga series set in the Yorkshire Dales. If you like James Herriot, Gervase Phinn, Pam Howes or Maggie Mason, you'll love this.

Genres: Historical Fiction

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2023

About the author

Betty Firth grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country… and she's still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but homesickness soon drove her back to her beloved Yorkshire. She lives in the shadow of the moors with her partner and two mischievous border collies.

Betty also writes romantic comedies as Mary Jayne Baker and Lisa Swift, and murder mysteries as Penny Blackwell.

More information can be found about Betty on her website at www.maryjaynebaker.co.uk. You can also follow her on Twitter, @MaryJayneBaker, or like her Facebook page by going to Facebook.com/MaryJayneWrites

Reviews

[Caro (carosbookcase) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a safe, cosy read, then War Comes to the Dales by Betty Firth a.k.a. Mary Jayne Baker is the novel for you!

Set during WWII in the sleepy Yorkshire village of Silverdale, this book tells the story of Bobby Bancroft, a reporter for The Tyke magazine and local ARP (Air Raid Precautions) warden.

Since moving to Silvervale Bobby has been growing close to the local vet, Charlie. But as Charlie prepares to leave for RAF training, Bobby is faced with an impossible decision. Keep the job to which she is devoted, or marry the man she loves.

Along the way, Bobby does her bit (and then some!) to help with the war effort and keep spirits high in her community, at the same time learning a lot about herself and her priorities.

I loved so many things about this book! The gorgeous setting in the Yorkshire Dales with the backdrop of the fells. The mountain peak of Great Bowside plays a part in a few very dramatic scenes in this novel.

Even the names of things were a joy! Cow House Cottage, the converted barn where Bobby lives with her father. Next door is Moorside Farm where Bobby works on The Tyke magazine and Charlie lives with his older brother, Reggie, and sister-in-law, Mary.

Everything in this book is very cosy. It reminded me a bit of a Miss Read book. The village school teacher is even called Miss Reed, so perhaps that connection was intentional!

This is the second book in the Made in Yorkshire series. I hadn’t read the first book before reading this one, but you had better believe I’m going back to read it now! I do hope there is a third book in the works.

Thank you to Hera Books for providing me with a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this second in series did NOT disappoint! I loved it! I want this to be a television series as I can see them in my mind's eye. The trek up the mountain and down was tearful. No spoilers given here.
Learned a lot from this one. I have enjoyed the humorous parts of these books as well. Goose and kids and feathers hats and all. I love it.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy to be back in the Dales with Bobby and all the folk of Silverdale. But this book is far more serious than the first in the series as war and tragedy take their toll. Bobby has her moment as a local hero when she leads the villagers on a rescue mission but what she sees and experiences that night has a profound effect and leads to a huge decision that changes her life. It is all here... evacuees, the black market, men going off to war, injuries and death. But among all that is Bobby's devotion to her family, her growing love for Charlie, and her determination to pursue her career as a reporter, no matter what. There are real echoes of All Creatures Great and Small in this story... the vet with a much older brother, who doesn't always tell him how proud of him he is, the scenery and farming life of the Dales, the gentle romance, and all the warmth and strength of a small community pulling together. I loved it.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

War Comes to the Dales by Betty Firth is a great WWII historical fiction saga that is the second book in The Made in Yorkshire series.

I really like this series. Not only are the characters realistic, likable, and heartwarming, but the landscapes and descriptions of the countryside and the culture really make the book.

I really enjoyed finding out what Bobby, Charlie, Reg, and Mary were up to, and loved reading again about Silverdale.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hera Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/19/23.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first by this author and it was such an enjoyable read.
1941 WW2 Silverdale Yorkshire Dales, Bobby Bancroft a reporter for the tyke magazine also working as a ARP, Silverdale felt so far away from the war with been out in the countryside, no bombs were going to fall here.
They all had families away doing their bit for the war. Poor men out at god knows where fighting for their country.
Charlie Atherton still has the glad eye for Bobby but seen as he is going off to the RAF soon the relationship is doomed before it even gets started but he keeps on trying to win over Bobby's heart.
For all I didn't read book one, I had no problem enjoying this book it was so easy to get into the stories and the characters. I loved it.

[Sue Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book from Betty set in Yorkshire. Bobby and Charlie have been friends for years but one night as an airplane crashers i to the hills things change. As Bobby is On duty she organises the locals to form a rescue party. Although based around WW2 the book is fairly lighthearted as the different characters intermingle. Thanks to Betty and her publisher.

[Dorothy Tysall · Rating 5 out of 5]

war comes to the Dales.

Very gentle, relaxing story quite enjoyed
Memories of the children being billed away from the busy towns in the second world it’s true some of those young children were taken by families help them work,
The storyline brought out the best in people friendship help and the love that is so frightening when men have to go off to war very well written.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series. Bobby (Roberta) falls in love but is afraid that being married with children will prevent her from working as a journalist on a local Dales magazine, a job that she loves. This was the dilemma that women faced during the 1940s.

[Tmoore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and war

I loved the characters,storyline and location of this war time tale.The devastating effects of war on people and the dilemma many woman faced made this book a good read.

[Kerrific Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWII at its best/worst. This is a story about that small town everyone dreams about. You'll want to know what happens to every character in this series.

[Jayne Greig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story of WW11 living, heartache, love and joy. Didn’t want to put it down, loved the characters and story.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh what a lovely story!

I really enjoyed this lovely book.
Quite sad that it's finished really. I do hope Betty writes some more. I shall certainly read all her books.

[Christien · Rating 1 out of 5]

Keukenmeidenromannetje deel 2 schrikbarend slecht

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this will be a trilogy. It feels like it should be

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy a saga set during WW2 and it didn't disappoint x

[Mrs Fieldmouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safe, predictable easy reading with likeable characters in a pretty setting

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first book. Loved it!!Another author to follow definitely.