Courage for the Cabinet Girl

by Molly Green

Working for Winston Churchill, can she help achieve victory?
Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms are full of secrets…

June, 1941 Britain is in the throes of war, but Katharina Valentine feels sidelined.

Employed as a shorthand-typist in the War Office, she is transferred to the basement below – having had no idea that this dark, airless, underground maze, home of the top-secret Cabinet War Rooms, even existed, let alone what her work will entail.

Unexpected staff shortages present an opportunity to work directly for Winston Churchill himself, and Katie jumps at the chance. And as she grows closer to Wing Commander Baxter Edwards, things start to look up…

But when a jealous colleague threatens to expose information about her family that could put her in violation of the Official Secrets Act, Katie faces serious repercussions.

Will she lose both the job and the man she holds dear?

Genres: Historical Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2024

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, plot driven. I liked the descriptions of Churchill. I wasn't all that keen on the characters. Quite a few war and government descriptions which were unusual and good- like transport, official secrets, stenographs and typewriters. No description of Roosevelt or many other ministers.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful WWII histfic novel reminiscent of the Maggie Hope series. I eagerly followed the gripping tale of the London blitz, Winston Churchill's War Rooms, and the slow burn romance of Katie and Baxter, who work for Winnie. Histficrom fans will adore it!

[Nia Parry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. I’m rather biased in that I was particularly interested in reading about how they worked in the war rooms

[Tracey Dyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free courtesy of Netgalley

Another fantastic book by Molly Green, her books really highlight the fantastic work that women did during WW2.

Katherina was working at a Greyhound racing track, looking after the dogs when her Aunt died, leaving her a lump sum of money and instructions to use it to take a secretarial course and then get a job at the war office. War is looming and Katherina is desperate to do her bit, so takes her aunt's advice and enroles on a course.

When the war starts she applies for a job at the war office but there are a few complications before she gets the job. As her mother is German she wants to keep this quiet from the people she works with.

The story follows Katherina's journey during the war, even being closer to the prime minister.

The book gives a good account of what went on during the war, but introducing a fictional character that represents all the women working in the War office at that time.

I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone that loves this era to read it.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie finishes her training at a secretarial training school and leaves wanting to do more with her life, especially with war just being declared. She applies for a job at Whitehall and is happy to get it, but when she has to take some family documents along to be accepted, family secrets are revealed that Katie just can't believe are true. Within a short time Katie is promoted to what is known as the "typing pool" which she is not very pleased about, but after being there for a short while she realises that she is in fact working in the secret tunnels under Whitehall, where none other but Winston Churchill is working too. The first time she bumped into him, she was completely tongue-tied. But soon, he almost becomes a regular occurrence in her day to day working life, making her often feel like she's a bundle of nerves. But what makes her day working there worth it, is a certain man who she is immediately drawn to, but when the war takes a turn Katie finds herself being shipped overseas on a top secret mission but what has become of her now boyfriend? Is he lost to her?

A great story set in London during WW2 full of camaraderie, friendships, and relationships. The work of the staff who spent their days working in Churchill's War Rooms was interesting. The characters are really good, there is good community spirit (well most of the time) and I found it really enjoyable to read, I have read most books by Molly Green and this like the others has been a superb book. A well deserved five star read.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this new and fascinating World War II historical fiction novel, Molly Green brings the War Office to life through the eyes and experiences of Katharina Valentine, a shorthand typist in the basement where the Cabinet War Rooms are receiving and sending out information critical to the war effort. Dealing with the Blitz, the suspicion of German immigrants and people of German descent, and the high level of secrecy surrounding the War Office and the Cabinet War Rooms, Green brings this intense and secretive space to life in vibrant and incredible detail. Katie, working for Winston Churchill himself, has no idea what is in store for her here -- more career advancements, a romance with Baxter Edwards, and vital, secret, and meaningful work -- but it could all disappear when a jealous colleague threatens to reveal a secret about her family (that is covering up other secrets even Katie doesn’t know). With so much at stake, readers will love this fascinatingly detailed insight into a World War II space not as discussed in historical fiction, and Katie is a brilliantly complicated and charming protagonist who readers will love. Exciting, powerful, and occasionally intense, this is a great new addition to the World War II historical fiction genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advance copy.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story seemed to revolve around her personal life of her problems with her mother and the romance with the man she meets on the job. I read historical fiction most of all to get the history and learn something and then the personal stories should tie together to the main story of the history. This book didn't deliver. She does a lot of typing, a whole lot of typing. Sometimes she sits in the typing room with a few other women but other times she elects to sit in a closet out in the hallway to be by herself away from the gossiping mean girl. The reader is told throughout the book that everything is Top Secret. So you learn nothing! She does some typing for Winston Churchill and the reader is let in on pretty much Nothing! She takes a trip to the United States to do some typing for Churchill and you learn nothing about his visit and meetings while they are there. I didn't learn anything.

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one brings historical romance to life like Molly Green, and with Courage for the Cabinet Girls she once again immerses her readers in the lives of people enduring and living through WWII, this time in the heart of London, England.
Green's character Katie is complex and relatable, and Green highlights both her strengths and flaws to make her an extremely sympathetic character. The romance between Katie and her co-worker Baxter is heartwarming and the ideal contrast to the horrors and hardships around them as their love develops.
Green's skilled narrative brings the realities of the war to life like no history book ever could. Reading certain passages, one can easily imagine being there.
Thank you for an ARC of this brilliant book to #NetGalley. #romance #wartime

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book which I could not put down. Telling the story of work in Whitehall during the War.

Katie lives with her parents and takes a secretarial course just as the War starts. She ends up working at Whitehall and meets Baxter who every time she meets him he ends up laughing at her. At first Katie doesn’t feel she is doing much for the the War effort but as time goes on opportunities happen and she ends up in an important job.

It was interesting to read about the offices there where it felt you were in a dark claustrophobic tunnel with all the offices there.

I really enjoyed the book and liked the characters I also liked the twist at the beginning of the book. It was well written and also researched.

[Marilyn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but!!

I enjoyed the Story but found it a bit repetitive in places, also the dates didn't match, for instance when going to America they left on the 22nd December, overnight by train to Scotland, and at least four days on the ship, but when they arrived at the white house they congregated on the lawn to see the Christmas tree on Christmas eve. It didn't tie in. Also boxing day didn't tally up. Then she arrived back in Britain at the begins of January when her mother died the same night but it was a month before her funeral even though only a couple of weeks had passed according to the Story. There was quite a lot of small mistakes like this I found.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable war time book from Molly Green.

The main characters were very enjoyable and you could get into them/their situations in WW2. Storyline wise it was enjoyable although I did feel that the ending seemed very rushed and could have been played out a bit more slowly/earlier in the book.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Molly Green WWII fiction so this book had me at the start - read it in a day! Katie gets a job in Churchill’s underground London war office. She is challenged but given an opportunity to work directly for the man and loves her job. She is facing shocking news about her family and falls in love - what’s not to love about this great read!

[Carol Krahenbuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviting story, of a young secretary who get to work with Winston Churchill!!

Very fast story. Great details that take you into the story. Katie gets to work with PM Winston Churchill. Very realistic story!! Fast pace, draws you in, I had a hard time putting it down, to go to sleep.
Can't wait to read more of Molly Green books. Well researched.

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good insight to what happened during WW2,especially working in the Cabinet War rooms (somewhere I still need to visit)
I liked Katie ,the main character & it was a interesting story.
Molly Green captures the time period perfectly.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have visited Winstons war rooms, just as portrayed, brilliant novel, so true to life of the times...

Thank you Molly, and would like to read a sequel to your Cabinet Girl, if you think it's relevant, enjoy everyone...

[D'Nelle Littleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and factual, the plot hopped along at a good pace and the descriptions of the war rooms are just as I remember them from visiting. Only she brought them out of a museum and into life.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book and a small insight of how Winston Churchill was during the war
Even though it’s fiction
Definitely worth a read
I have really enjoyed reading some of Molly Green books and look forward to reading more

[Charlotte Braid · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story but I never felt truly hooked. The descriptions often felt a little flat and didn’t create a well rounded world. The story was trying to follow many story lines without fully flushing out any of them. The ending felt a bit rushed.

[Joanna Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this but the blurb suggested that the storyline might be more interesting. The supposed betrayal wasn't really a big thing. Even so, the story was an interesting one and an interesting insight to what this kind of war work might have been like.

[MARTIN A RICHARDSON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story!

[Kylie Dowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it and I really hope there will be a part 2!

[Pat Langhelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story working in the war office during WW2 Molly couldn't say what she was doing. A small portly man with a cigar dictating letters to the King and the President of the USA.

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting book giving an insight to what happened in the war years secret rooms.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good considering it was about the war informing us what Mr Winston Churchill was like during the second world war

[Kathaleen A. Gregorich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

What a GREAT book! So many different levels of emotions! And getting a real sense of the English White Hall and war room! Loved it! Read it in a little more than a day!!!

[daryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really don’t know why I’m a slut for these WWII romances, but the heart wants what the heart wants.

[Bookishbabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been higher except for how it ended. Literally a few lines ruined the whole thing for me.
The synopsis also doesn't match the storyline either.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the author’s other stories, an easy read looking at the role women played in less known arras of WW2

[Angela Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion.

I have read books by this author before and looked forward to this one as it seemed to give a different slant to the work of women in WW2

It was well written and had obviously been researched but for me it was slightly unbelievable that someone would be plucked from the typing pool and became an assistant to Winston Churchill.

Katie had had an inheritance from the woman she thought of as an Aunt which allowed her to study shorthand and typing. Finding work was less easy but she ended up at the War Office.
She struggled with her home life and the fact her mother was German - except she was her step-mother.

Along the way she falls in love with Baxter - helps him recover his memory after a train crash - and has a Happy Ending.

Although I enjoyed the book it was all a little contrived for me sadly.

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you need to have a series to have a saga and sometimes you can have it all within one book. Katherine is employed in the War Office and an opportunity to work within the Cabinet War Rooms comes up.

For Katherine, this is a chance to progress and have a more vital part of the war. Deep beneath the streets, she doesn’t know what she will ever have to do and when sickness causes her to work more closely with Winston Churchill, she finds herself in the thick of it. Like any office there is romances and jealousy and it becomes apparent that something in Katherine’s past could cause her trouble.

An excellent read and another aspect of the Second World War told in such rich detail and information, I felt I was present.