Corner House Girls

Corner House #1

by Lilian Harry

The first in the Corner House series, set in a Lyons Corner House in London on the brink of the Second World War.When cousins Jo and Phyl decide to become Lyons Corner House waitresses, or 'Nippies', as they are known for their speedy service, they have no idea how their lives are about to change. They are whisked from family life in Woolwich to digs in London; they are transported from a factory and a grocer's shop to the wonderful dining rooms of Lyons, Marble Arch, and they swap their old overalls for the smart uniforms of the Corner House girls. Jo and Phyl settle in and make friends with both waitresses and customers. There are boyfriends, lovers and fiancés, friendship and romance, but as the Second World War becomes increasingly imminent, the future of these men and women seems more and more uncertain.

Genres: World War II, Historical Fiction, Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

aka Donna Baker, Nicola West

Donna Thomson was born in Gosport, near Portsmouth Harbour, England, UK. Growing up during the terrifying years of the Blitz in a two-up, two-down terraced house, the youngest of four, she aspired to be a writer from an early age.

As a young woman she worked in the Civil Service and moved to Devon to be near her sailor husband. They had a son and a daughter. When the marriage ended, she and her two children moved to the Midlands, where she happily married again to her second husband. After living in the Lake District for twelve years, she finally moved back to Devon, and now lives in a village on the edge of Dartmoor. She lost her son Philip in 2008, and has two grandchildren. A keen walker and animal-lover, she now has a dog and three ginger cats to keep her busy, along with a wide range of hobbies she enjoys.

She started signing her romance novels as Donna Baker and Nicola West, now she also writes as Lilian Harry (inspired by the first names of her grandparents). Among her works are historical novels, romances and even two books giving advice on how to write short stories and novels.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going through my bookshelves of what to donate to help raise cash for the food bank and what to reread another day when I came upon this gem.
Feel rather guilty putting this one back on my bookshelf but my donation pile is growing.
Love the books written by Lillian Harry and this one was no exception so I must have another read.
If you have not read anything by this talented author then I think you are really missing out.
I have not been disappointed yet with the books I have read so far. Highly recommended.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to take you back to the swinging war years.
I learnt quite a lot of history whilst reading this book, though I am not so sure that was the intention of the author! Obviously Lilian Harry has either lived through the era she has written about, or if not, then she has done a magnificent job researching the lives and times in which her story is set.
An absolutely entertaining read

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good Read from Lilian Harry, and, whilst I'd heard of Lyons Corner Houses, this was another aspect of wartime life that I hadn't previously known much about

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story written by Lilian Harry. This one is set in London leading up to the start of WW2. It follows a group of girls that meet working as Nippies for Lyons Corner Houses. I found the story very interesting with great characters. I was delighted to find this is the first of a trilogy, so just starting the second book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. Just getting ready to read number 2. Hope it's as good. I love the girls life's and their stories.

[Shell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book gets great reviews, so perhaps it's just that I find all these books about war time girls seem to have carbon copies of the various types of girl in each book with pretty much the same problems and the outcome for each girl is pretty formulaic. I did try to be interested but couldn't find anything of interest. However I have friends who can read loads of these back to back and enjoy them all, so if that's you, then just ignore my thoughts. I think I've read enough to last me a lifetime.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author skillfully weaves through the lives of six London 'Nippies', who are navigating their country's run-up to WW2, from the coronation of King George VI in 1937 to Britain's declaration of war against Germany in 1939. Looking forward to the next two books in this series.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

WW2 SERIES... BOOK 1

CORNER HOUSE GIRLS..... 3 BOOK SERIES.

READ ALL THESE VERY GOOD LOVED THIS SERIES WISH THERE HAD BEEN MORE BOOKS FOR THIS SERIES.

[Pattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clean "feel good" read about ordinary people and their lives leading up to WW2. I will look forward to reading the next books in the series.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely characters

A very character driven book that scoops you up. I can’t wait to read the next two books to see what happens to them next.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyl and Jo sneak out to watch the Coronation of King George VI, and while on their adventure in the exotic city of London, they visit one of the lovely Lyons Corner House restaurants which were quite the thing at the time (and whose loss are lamented by folks like me today). Soon nothing seems more enticing to the two of them than to work as "Nippies" (so named because of how quickly they "nipped" about) and leave their drab jobs in the factory and supermarket.

Working for Lyons was something pretty special, particularly in the pre-War days. It was hard work, but the staff were well-treated, with the company providing leisure opportunities for their employees, and even supplying the wedding cake if one of them got married.

Phyl and Jo meet young ladies from other walks of life, and get involved in romances as they spread their proverbial wings. Lilian Harry is so good at introducing numerous characters and their families, and making each one different enough and interesting enough that you don't lose track of who's who. Some of the characters come close to being "stock," but Harry manages not to step over the line from expected behavior to cardboard cutout. I'm already looking forward to seeing what happens to the Corner House Girls next.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this in a 3-in-1 volume along with KISS THE GIRLS GOODBYE and PS I LOVE YOU. I think because I read them straight through I was ready for the end of the last book. . .should have paced myself better! But a fun look at that time prior to WWII and on into the postwar period, and a great insight into Lyons' Corner Houses, once a staple of English life.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book and could not stop until I finished.Ending a bit disappointing and went out to buy the next two books in the series but sadly couldn't get. Am now desperate to read these as feel they will finish the story and am sure they will be as good as this.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable English author. Thanks to my friend Nicky for sending this to me! I've read just a few by her now and would like to read more.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really easy read- I chose this one just to fit in with the summer challenge!

[Kerry Deacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book, my favourite era, so well written can't wait to read the next one in series

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, this was a trilogy with Kiss the Girls and PS: I love you. Great detail and characters.

[Isitshe.me · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing. frightening. sad. happy.