Heartbreak and Hope

The Army Girls #2

by Fenella J. Miller

Pre-Order the next story in a BRAND NEW series by bestselling author Fenella J. Miller - Meet the Army Girls! June 1941

Grace Sinclair never meant to sign up to the ATS, but when her parents made it clear she had to marry a man she hated, Grace ran away to the safety of the army. But with her cut-glass accent and upper-class ways, Grace finds it hard to fit in with the other girls and begins to think she has made a terrible mistake…

Things get worse for Grace when she meets dashing Squadron Leader Chris Holloway who shares sad and shocking news about Grace’s brother. Heartbroken, Grace confides in fellow ATS girl Ruth who offers her a shoulder to cry on.

With the war raging on, Grace knows she can’t wallow and must do her duty. And with Ruth’s new friendship and Squadron Leader Holloway’s support too, maybe there is hope on the horizon for Grace after all.

Praise for Fenella J.

'Yet again, Fenella Miller has thrilled me with another of her historical stories. She brings alive a variety of emotions and weaves in facts relating to the era, all of which keep me reading into the small hours.' Glynis Peters– Bestselling author of The Secret Orphan.

'Curl up in a chair with Fenella J Miller's characters and lose yourself in another time and another place.' Lizzie Lane

'Engaging characters and setting which whisks you back to the home front of wartime Britain. A fabulous series!' Jean Fullerton

Genres: Historical Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2024

About the author

Fenella Jane Miller was born in the Isle of Man. Her father was a Yorkshire man and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She has worked as a nanny, cleaner, field worker, hotelier, chef, secondary and primary teacher and is now a full time writer.

She has over twenty five Regency romantic adventures published plus one Jane Austen re-telling and one YA romantic fantasy.

see also Fenella-Jane Miller

Reviews

[linda hole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The girls of the ATS have a lot to deal with, and no more than our girl, Grace Sinclair. We meet her in the last book, Army Girls: Reporting for Duty and here she gets the spotlight and we follow her through her training, friendships and romance.

She was a great character to follow, coming from a wealthy background and running off to join the ATS without her parents permission, she’s up against a lot. She often rubs people up the wrong way but her heart is always in the right place. Her brother is her only confidante and with him risking his life in the RAF, Grace receives some difficult news which throws her into the path of Squadron Leader Chris Holloway. Could there be a romance on the horizon?

The previous book isn’t a necessity to enjoy this one, as it almost works as a standalone but they’ve both been incredibly enjoyable and a wonderful series of far. It’s an easy read and one that any lover of historical fiction and wartime drama will find entertaining. It made my train journey fly by! Looking forward to (hopefully) more in this series.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!! I just realized this book has 300 pages. I got so lost in the story I never realized it was that long. For us readers it is pages and pages of historical fiction drama. For me it is a way to connect with family and learn a bit about what they went through during the war.

Grace joined the ATS to escape a forced marriage. She had a miserable childhood in high society. There was no way she was going to have a horrible adulthood. I really liked how this story deals with people from different classes. It definitely adds drama to the story.

Grace's life is filled with shocking moments. She struggles thanks to her isolated childhood. She experiences loss. She experiences love. She lacks the confidence and knowledge to deal with it allowing the reader to watch her grow.

The story is filled with a lot of plot twists. I was left speechless on more than one occasion. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The family drama added a lot to the story. I experienced so many different emotions.

A bonus for me was learning more about the areas during the war. The trains I have ridden are different than the crowded trains during the war. No streets signs would have me wandering in the dark with a pinprick of light forever lost. I am in awe of how the towns have rebounded after the war. The strength of the British people is an inspiration. I would know none of this if it were not for historical fiction like those written by Fenella J. Miller.

[Marea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grace Sinclair was introduced to us in the first book of the series when she signed up for the ATS as a rebellion when her high class parents told her who she needed to marry. She just never imagined that she would actually like doing it and find a few friends. In this book she is heading for training to become a kinetheodolite operator and makes a new friend Ruth who comes from a similar background. In the place where the training is, it is close to the air base where Grace's brother George is stationed. When she gets there she is sadly informed by Chris Halloway, a friend of George's, that he was shot down and they presume killed in action. This breaks Grace's heart and now she has to work through her emotions, that of her parent's and if the feelings she has for Chris is true or just a convenience.

The reason I said this is disappointing is because it seemed to focus more on the relationship of Grace and Chris, how she would keep fainting, and not any training she was getting with the ATS. There were also parts that just seemed to go on and on and on. So in fact it wasn't really Army Girls at all to be honest. It's like it was slapped together as a sequel just because. The first one in the series was great, this one was a failure, especially for the price. And if there are only 2 books in the series then it is even worse.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope is the latest terrific and warm-hearted saga by Fenella J Miller.

Signing up to the ATS was never part of Grace Sinclair’s plan, but when her parents had insisted that she marry a man she didn’t love, she had been left with no other option but to run away and join the army. With her upper class accent and refined ways, Grace struggles to fit in with all the other girls in the regiment, but just when she thinks that things cannot get any worse, dashing Squadron Group Leader Chris Holloway delivers some devastating news about her brother.

Devastated Grace confides in fellow ATS girl Ruth and the two of them soon become good friends. Grace had thought that the odds were stacked against her, but as she grows closer to Chris and begins to find comfort in her newfound friendships, she is confident that there will be brighter days ahead for her…

Fenella J Miller writes wonderful sagas perfect for curling up with and she has done it again with Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope. Dramatic, compelling and wonderfully atmospheric, saga fans will find much to enjoy in this touching and emotional wartime tale by Fenella J Miller: Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner!

When we first met Grace, in the first book of the Army Girls series, Reporting for Duty, she was very snooty and acted like she was much better than the other girls just because she came from money. In reality, behind her facade, she was lonely being separated from George, her best friend and brother, who is the only other one she can confide in about the reality of their home life. In fact, the reason Grace signed up is to flee a forced marriage!

When this book starts, Grace is heading to a new assignment, and on the way, she and new friend Ruth plan to stop to visit George at his base. When she arrives, she finds unfortunate news being delivered by George's friend, Chris. Grace is devasted by the news, but Chris continues to support her as he promised George he would do. A friendship begins, but will it lead to something more? Will Grace hear from the rest of her family again? Read this to find out!

A must read for lovers of light historical fiction.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of excitement in book number two.

I had just finished reading the first book in this series when I started this one and was a little surprised to find out that it featured Grace Sinclair as she hadn't played a huge role in the first book. As she has left from her training, she decides to do her best to make a complete fresh start in her new position. The first thing she does is make a new friend who helps her relax a little and open up some more to others. On her first leave, she and her friend travel to meet her brother only to discover his airplane had gone down in flames two weeks prior. The shock knocks her off keel, but her brother's best friend steps in to provide emotional support and help her sort out next steps. Coming from an extremely dysfunctional family, there will be lots to sort out with unexpected twists and turns along the way.

I've stayed up way too late reading this, which I will no doubt regret, but I enjoyed it. The ending was absurdly abrupt, and while I would love to hear more of this story, the sample chapter of book three in the series focuses on Grace's new friend Ruth as she sets out on her own adventures.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreak and Hope is the second girl in The Army Girls series by Fenella J Miller. You can easily read this as a standalone book but if you want more insight into the main female character, Grace, she is introduced in the first book of the series. This time the story focuses on her and the more you read about her the more you will like her.

I loved this book because as well as being a great romance, it is based on fact. Learning about the women who did their part during the war always fascinates me, especially if they are doing a job I hadn't previously heard of. Grace's job is as a Kinetheodolite operator. If you don't want to search for it, read the book, you will get the answer and a fabulous story!

I was so immersed in this book that I found myself reading until the wee hours wanting to know what would happen next. There were ups and downs for Grace, some major drama, some lovely lighthearted moments, and an absolutely perfect ending that had me smiling from ear to ear. I hope Grace and Chris get a mention in the next book because I am invested in their lives now!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have only read one other Fenella J Miller story before also set in the war and in the middle of a series. I thought it was quite good and was eager to read this one as well.

As far as the storyline goes, it was very sweet with some drama in the middle and a happy ending.

Unfortunately for me, it fell flat on a few points. We hardly ever saw what being an ATS girl was like and her work was largely glossed over. The whole pace of the book went from action to conversation to action and never once slowed down to describe anything or take the atmosphere or surroundings into account. It was more like a fairytale set during the war years as everything magically fell into place for the couple at every turn. I guessed the ending at the beginning and the whole pace of the book was rushed including the very abrupt ending.

I thank Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in the Army Girls series follows Grace Grace meets Ruth, who she becomes best friends with. When she heads to see her brother at his base she hears distressing news, from his best friend Chris. Grace had an unhappy childhood thanks to her parents, but she was very close to her brother. She ran off and joined the ATS without her parent's permission.

I enjoyed Grace's character in this book. In the first book in the series, she rubbed people the wrong way and was a bit standoffish. This book follows her, and we learn more about her and why she might rub people the wrong way. She becomes best friends with Ruth and meets Chris, her brother's best friend, a squadron leader. It was a fun read and I enjoyed the romance but I wish there had been more of a mix between romance and her job in the ATS. This book focuses mostly on her romance with Chris. I look forward to learning more about the other girls in the ATS.


Thanks @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading historical fiction and have my mother to thank for my love of them - she would always forward her books onto me when she'd finished them.

Heartbreak and Hope is the second in the Army Girls series, which you could read as a standalone, or you could go back to the beginning so as not to miss out!

When we first met Grace she had just joined the ATS...this is her story. I found her to be more of a likeable character in this book as she seemed to have lost some of her 'entitlement' and was becoming a nicer version of herself. I became
emotionally invested into her character and her pain became my pain.

That's what I love about wartime fiction, there's a great sense of cameraderie and everyone rallies together in times of need.

Highly enjoyable, entertaining and definitely a series to recommend.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of the series and it follows Grace Sinclair after finishing her training she goes off to train as a kinetheodolite operator. Struggling over the death of her beloved brother George, Grace is surprised to find out her father is dying and she goes to visit him. To her surprise he likes George’s best friend Chris and gives Grace his permission to marry just before he passes. Unbeknown to her Grace has a whole other family on her Mother’s side that she didn’t know existed. Things turn rather strange for Grace as she starts to realise that things with her Mother are different to what she imagined and her Mother had had a difficult time during her marriage to Graces Father. There is a lot going on in this book and I look forward to reading book three in this lovely series.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling historical drama fiction that I lost myself in curled up on the couch and I read it in one long sitting and after I finished reading I felt lost because I didn't want it to end. In Army Girls Heartbreak and Hope we follow Grace as she finds her place in the army while dealing with some personal family dramas. I appreciate how the author has filled the book with facts about this time in our history and it was interesting to read. I felt emotional while reading and the suprise twist really shocked me. I am so glad I was lying down at the time or I think I may have fainted. Grace is a character who I admired and she wears her heart on her sleeve as you can feel her emotions seeping through the words on the page. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next Army Girls book!

[Rebekah Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in the series so I was sure I’d like this one as well. This story was focused on Grace in the ATS. Her brother is presumed dead and his best friend has agreed to take care of his sister if anything should happen to him.
Not really sure what to say about this book. The story line was good…that’s why I gave it 4 stars…but everything in the beginning felt rushed. The dialogue…the events. It was like woah slow down a bit. I’m all for getting to the point of the story but this was too fast to be believable.The second half where the story unfolds was way better. So if your struggling at the beginning just keep going.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know a book is good when you finish it at 3am having only started it earlier that day. Heart break and hope is the perfect follow on from the first Army Girls book ( Reporting for Duty) however the ending let's it down, hence the 4 star rating. There is quite a significant development in the last 3 pages of the book which I feel wasn't expanded on enough therefore it makes the ending seem quite abrupt.

[Jillean Ansley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book in the series. Grace was rather trying, bit too much of her dramas to the point I started fast forwarding through them. I felt some of the content was superfluous, unnecessary padding. I began groaning every time i read the word "spiffing". I wasnt going to buy any more books in the series however I gave in and have just bought the third book. I hope I dont regret it.

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story about Grace Sinclaire, her personal took over from her ATS work when her brother was reported MIA. Her male relatives were unbelievable had to keep on reading to see what happened to her.

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice light and sweet war time romance for all those times you want an easy read with a lot of WWII era jargon like ticktey-bo.

[Jayne Greig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous read, loved every page. Especially for WW11 fiction readers. Taken back in time to enjoy romance and adventure

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Thoroughly enjoyed this second book in series and cannot wait u til the third one comes out later in year. Would recommend to all.

[jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

One wedding and a funeral

I love the ups and downs within the story. Ŵell written a absolute joy to read. Thank you Fenella Miller

[Jane Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Army girls

Well book was as good as the first one. Can't wait for the next .... The characters were great and the story line was too

[Paul Rodmell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good with many surprises

This is the second book in the series, better than the first? Certainly a real page turner. Looking forward to the next in this series

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant emotional story from Fenella J Miller, another book you cannot put down once you start it. I just loved the characters of Grace and Squadron Leader Holloway. It was such a beautiful well written story. Can't wait for the next one. For me a five star read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope by Fenella J Miller is the second of a series about Grace, who has joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as women were barred from joining the army. She has finished her basic training where she began as a snobby daughter of nobility, but was quickly brought to size and decided she would be a better person now. On the train to her new training she met Ruth, who was to be her good friend for the weeks they were together. They decided to visit her brother, George, who was a pilot and stationed nearby. His Squadron Leader, Christopher Holloway was just reading the last letter sent to his best friend by his sister, stating that she was coming to visit. He had some terrible news to relay: George had been shot down. They saw his plane go down in flames so there was little hope he was still alive. He was still recovering from this news and now he had to give it to Grace. He left word at the gate to bring her directly to him, they did, and when she saw his face, she knew, and promptly fainted. Thus began this part of her journey which included death, love, marriage, a greedy grandfather, and so much more.

Grace is a good character. She came from a father who didn’t care for her at all: she was a girl; and a mother who was bedridden and incoherent most of the time. She came from wealth and ran away to join the ATS without telling anyone. She dreaded her father finding out. Chris had much the same upbringing but was bright, ambitious, and caring. George had felt they were perfect for one another, but Grace had so much loss from which to recover. George was all she’d had and Chris was determined to be her friend. It was a jolly good story that kept up a frantic pace, things happen so quickly in war. The characters are worth getting to know, even the ones who pop up from the past. The home front in WWII in England is an interesting place, and women in the service is one of the things most interesting. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. Thanks, Ms Miller

I was invited to read Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #FenellaJMiller #ArmyGirlsHeartbreadAndHope

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the latest installment of the Army Girls series, readers follow ATS girl Grace Sinclair as she navigates her new posting and the death of her brother. The bringer of the unfortunate news is her brother George’s best friend from the RAF, Squadron Leader Chris Holloway, who starts looking out for Grace for George, but his reasons will soon shift the longer Grace and Chris get to know each other. Readers witness Grace and Chris’s relationship grow and change as time passes and the war continues, and their relationship is complex and realistic, which is something relatable and exciting. Miller’s characters are, of course, wonderful, and she captures the uncertainty and newness of new relationships, particularly ones forged in wartime while mourning, in this novel. Grace’s friendship with fellow ATS girl Ruth is also enjoyable and heartwarming, and their relationship is not merely one created during the war and their shared services. The side characters are complex, too, with fully developed and complicated backstories which are unknown to Grace, Chris, and the reader. Miller’s latest book is a strong, enjoyable, and romantic read which fans of historical romance, World War II historical fiction, and Miller’s other books will definitely enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Army Girls series and yet again Fenella Miller has written an absolutely brilliant book. This one follows the story of Grace Sinclair who joins the ATS to get away from her family. Initially she struggles to make friends with her upper class ways and then things get worse for her when dashing Squadron Leader Chris Holloway breaks the sad news that her brother, the only one in her family that she has ever been close to, is missing in action, presumed dead. What follows is how Grace as a person changes and how her life takes some very different directions. This is so full of great characters, friendship, romance and some drama too! I love how the story flowed and can’t wait for the next one in the series

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Army Girls: Heartbreak and Hope by Fenella J Miller is the second book in the Army Girls series, following Grace's journey.

Grace, who left her family to join the ATS, initially struggled to find her place. Following additional training in South Wales, she encounters Chris Holloway at the base where her brother is stationed before she heads to Clacton, her new posting. Their bond deepens after Grace receives distressing news about her brother. Could their friendship turn into something more?

This captivating novel will keep you hooked until the very last page! Get your hands on a copy now and don't miss out.

[erel gilboa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is not about an army girl but a collection of romantic platitudes where the good are always the rational thinkers and their love can win anything, and the bad are the worst! For the first time I feel I wasted my time reading it.