Molly

Pendleton Promises #2

by Shanna Hatfield

Inspired by the Hello Girls, America’s first women soldiers who helped win World War I.

She longs to make a difference.
He yearns to claim her heart.
After years of managing the Pendleton telephone office, Molly Thorsen answers the call for women to serve as telephone operators during World War I. Upon her arrival in France, she navigates the challenges of working near the front lines and battles the prejudices and skepticism of the men around her. Determined to prove her worth and skill, Molly faces adversity head-on while unexpectedly falling in love with a charming soldier.

Friday Fitzpatrick may not have been eager to engage in combat, but when he is drafted into the American Expeditionary Forces, he embraces the role of a soldier with unwavering determination. While fighting to survive the harrowing battlefield experiences, he clings to his sanity by dreaming about the captivating Hello Girl who has captured his heart. Though his opportunities to see her are limited, she serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of his darkest days.

Through their shared experiences and the trials they endure, Molly and Friday find comfort and encouragement in each other's company, forging a connection that defies the chaos of a world in conflict. As the war draws to a close and they return home, will civilian life bring them together or pull them apart?

Find out in this sweet and wholesome historical romance filled with hope, faith, courage, and love.

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 11, 2024

About the author

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

Reviews

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was spell-binding and I had to read it right through! A well told novel that tells of the women, and in particular one woman, Molly, who played such an important part in France during WW1.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly is book 2 in the Pendleton Promises series by Shanna Hatfield and is a historical romance set in the time of The Great War.

Molly is a young switchboard operator in her home town of Pendleton, when she sees an ad looking for switchboard operators who speak French to assist with the war effort, and she decides to volunteer. She is soon in France, working as an operator with the Signal Girls, women who joined the army as telephone operators. While there, she meets Friday Fitzpatrick, a young man serving in the army who is from a town only a few hours away from Pendleton, and they fall in love through the letters they exchange.

Told in third person, the story alternates points of view between Molly and Friday and gives us glimpses of their lives on the front line of World War 1. Although part of a series, this book is easily read as a standalone, I had not read the previous book in the series and I don't feel like I was missing anything.

I really enjoyed Molly and Friday's story, if I had one problem I would have wished to see more of their time in the army. I realize though, that this book is more of a romance than historical fiction so I can see why the author did not get more heavily into the details there. I was slightly disappointed though that we didn't get to hear more about Molly and the other women in the Signal Corps and their struggle to be recognized as part of the army, when that was an important part of the opening of the book.

This was a lovely, wholesome romance with many characters which really gave one a sense of a close community in both Molly's home town, and Friday's. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys inspirational, wholesome romance with some interesting insights into a historical time which is not a common backdrop in the romance genre. I would be interested in reading more of this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic romantic adventure continuing the 11 volume legacy of the matchless Pendleton Petticoats series. Orphaned Molly Thorsen matures in the Dogwood mansion orphanage under the loving tutelage of lars and Marnie Thorsen, along with all of her other siblings. Deep into WW I, Molly wants to make a difference and joins the "Hello Girls" as a war-time switchboard operator. With her French heritage and managing the Pendleton telephone switchboard, she is chosen. In the throes of war she meets young Friday Fitzpatrick and the chemistry is there from the very beginning. The entire saga is gripping, terrifying, unpredictable, humorous and achingly romantic. The author trots out her matchless gift for historical research on this one and it embellishes the story throughout. The misunderstood war-time malady known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is treated with thoughtful and respectful care. Both Molly and Friday suffered with it. Way back then, it was diagnosed as "Battle fatigue" or "Shell shock" and in both WW I and WW II it defied treatment. This is another of the author's "love letters" to her fan base since reading the entire Pendlecoat Petticoats enhances the reader's appreciation of this wonderful work. Just about every lovable character in this series appears in this totally entertaining romance. For the reader new to this author and this series, may this review spur interest in reading the entire series. I learned SO much about the involvement and dedication of these women telephone switchboard operators who risked everything to help win the war.

[Lily]

In this clever World War I historical fiction novel, readers follow Molly Thorsen as she takes on a job as a Hello Girl, a telephone operator serving near the front lines in France dealing with the dangers of war and the judgment of men in the surrounding areas. However, American Expeditionary Force soldier Friday Fitzpatrick touches her heart and romance blooms between them as the war continues. Following their relationship over time and through letters, phone calls, and the rare in-person meeting, Hatfield’s latest novel follows a Hello Girl in the thick of World War I and how her life changes after that. A straightforward historical romance novel, readers get a chance to see how the telephone and World War I gave women the chance for independence in the early twentieth century. Hatfield’s characters are complex, charming, and well-developed, and she rebuilds the circumstances of small-town early twentieth century America that bring Molly to France as a Hello Girl. Molly and Friday’s relationship is charming and realistic because Hatfield explores the escapist nature of a wartime romance and the jump to the reality of the postwar world, which is something that rarely appears in historical romance novels like this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wholesome Hearts Publishing for the advance copy.

[Christie Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. I enjoyed every sentence. It is filled with history, family, love, and faith.

Molly volunteers to join the army signal corps as a switchboard operator during World War I. She is soon sent to France to work close to the enemy lines. In France, she meets Friday who is a soldier and the best friend of Molly’s sister’s fiancé. After their brief meeting, they begin corresponding and develop a close relationship. When they again meet, they each realize how deeply they have come to love each other. Will those feelings prove to remain when they return home to a peaceful life? Will circumstances at home keep them apart? Will they be able to pick up their lives after being caught up in war?

The story is very interesting and a real page-turner. It is a very well-written book with wonderful characters. Even though it stands alone, you will meet some of the characters from previous books in the series. I am looking forward to more stories in this series.

I found it very interesting to learn about the switchboard operators and their part in the war. The book seems to be very well researched and historically correct.

I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is entirely voluntary and unbiased.

[Dina Ovando-Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 1st book by this author and it was a lovely surprise! This is the 2nd book in the series "Pendleton promises" and I was able to read as a stand alone, although I will go back and read the 1st one to better understand some of the other characters and because this was one was such an enjoyable read.
Molly Thorsen, is a switchboard operator that goes to France during WW I, to help with communications. The story is based on the "Hello girls" with great historical details of their work and importance to the war efforts. It describes the hard work, the friendships and family's support, prejudice against women, and the terrible consequences of war during and after without being to graphic. Molly develops a wartime romance with Friday, and it is realistic in the separation, the letters written, and challenges of war time relationships. It weaves in faith, family and friends for a well rounded read with humor, sadness, suspense and a satisfying end while learning about a little known subject of switchboard operators in WW I. I recommend this book for those looking for a richly detailed historical story, clean romance and feel good end. A big thank you to Wholesome Hearts Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, all options expressed are my own.

[John Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly felt that her call to Duty to do anything to help during war time was the most important thing in life she could do. When she met Friday he struck a cord in her heart that she couldn't deny. All of Friday's family loved ger except his youngest sister that caused untold trouble, being extremely rude to her. Molly being very sensitive to other picked up on this right away, finally deciding to terminate thier love so as not to split the family, but never telling Friday why. Finally after a month of being rejected he gave up, but was unbearable to live and work with. Molly wasn't any better secluding herself within her room, until she decided to dig for remnants from her parents. Upon digging she found jewlery from her mother and the deed to 250 acre farm just out of town. Now she no longer felt like a left over drag on others. Friday now sat down and decided he really was no longer needed and would leave the farm. After discussing with his parents why he was leaving and what and how his sister treated Molly his parents reassured him of thier love and told him to go after her. This was one of the most stirring books I've read touching my heart that I consider it a must read.

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly, Pendleton Promises book two, by Shanna Hatfield is a delightful story. While this is the third book I have read concerning the time of WWI, this is very different from the other two. For starters I knew nothing about switchboard operators being sent to Europe during that time. I guess it is just something I had never thought of but know that is how the phone system worked during those years. I loved had it is a book inspired by the WWI Army Signal Corp Women Soldiers better known as the Hello Girls. I loved the look at family before and after, especially the scene with the older J.B. Nash, Garrett’s father.

Molly and Friday story is one filled with love, honor, determination, bravery and resiliency. The story gives us amazing bird’s eye view of the war, the support team working to help the soldiers and the development of a wonderful romance. I especially loved the beginning and the ending, what a lovely touch of family and the future these characters influenced.

I have enjoyed many stories by Shanna Hatfield over the years but none more than Molly. A story of service, love, family and honor marvelous told.

[Beverly Dibble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! It was very obvious that the author did a tremendous amount of research for this book. It was very well written and, although fiction, brought to life a small segment of events during World War I. I had never heard of the Hello Girls, so this was a very interesting bit of history that helped to bring the characters in this book alive. It was also fun to have the characters eat some of the snacks that would have been available at that time. This book began and ended differently than a lot of books, but the way the author wrote those sections really worked for this story. I thoroughly enjoyed Molly and Friday’s story. I liked that they were very interested in each other from their first meeting and that they got to know each other through letters. The story did not end when the war was over, but also transitioned them to civilian life with them trying to find where they belonged and what they were meant to do with their lives. I highly recommend this book!

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly was such a refreshing read for this reader of mostly historical fiction. I loved that the heroine left her very good job to sign up and serve her country as a switchboard operator! Oh, that our country had more patriotic people like Molly, today! All of the experiences she goes through make you feel like you are a close friend experiencing these events with her, down to each exquisite detail of the beauty of the little patio gardens in France, to the tragic scenes of loss and death, too. This author weaves all of these things into such a most beautiful story and I would hope that each and every person would get this book to help them understand what our grandparents, or even Aunts and Great-Aunts went through for our country! USA 🇺🇸 I am on the arc team, and this is my own, personal review!

[Ronnie Fody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the “Hello Girls” of WWII, Shanna gives us a up close experience of what these girls did for our country, the hardships they endured, and how long they waited for recognition of their service for our country. I especially liked the dialog between Molly and Friday which started when they were both overseas that began their relationship through writing each other. Friday’s integrity and his respect for Molly is evidenced in the way he treats her. The story does occasionally go from present time to past time which adds a heartfelt dimension to the story. I love historical fiction especially when I am learning something new about our past history and, as always, Shanna does a great job of fleshing out a particular time in history with characters that add dimension to her stories.
R. Fody
July 11, 2024

[Cindy y · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy history and reading this book was like reading a diary from someone who actually walked in France during WWI. Though some scenes were difficult to read about, it was handled with such care and noted the bravery, honor and integrity of our soldiers. Wrapped up in this time of war is such a sweet story of Molly and Friday. I loved how they got to know each other through writing letters. But coming home after the war didn’t wrap up their story in a neat little bow. They both had struggles dealing with what they had seen and been through. It’s a great story of service to our country and though women could not be soldiers, they still found ways to serve our country even back then. I learned so much about the “Hello Girls”. I didn’t even know all that they did.

This is my own review of an ARC of this book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!!! Once I hit chapter 2, I didn't want to put this book down. I love Molly, and I love being in Pendleton. It was so good to learn about the role of some women in the war, I hadn't heard of them before and I loved learning about them and that they went to the front lines too.
Molly and Friday were just a cute couple right from when they first saw each other. I can just imagine that many romances were started similarly, only seeing each other once before committing to write.

I think the Pendleton series are among my favourites so I absolutely adore being able to revisit the community there and see how they're all doing and how they all live together and support each other. Reading about Molly made me want to go and read Sadie's story again because they feel so intertwined in terms of events.
Such a good book :)

[Linda R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanting to contribute to the war effort, Molly Thorsen leaves her hometown of Pendleton, Oregon, to become a switchboard operator in France. There, she meets Friday Fitzpatrick, a soldier in the US Army. They soon discover that back home, they only live a few hours away from each other.

Molly is the second book in the Pendleton Promises series by Shanna Hatfield. The story is inspired by the Hello Girls of World War I, the first women soldiers. Without going into graphic detail, the author gives a realistic portrayal of life during and after the war for the men and women who served during this time. I enjoyed Molly and Friday's romance.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book. I volunteered to read it and write a review.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember your heritage

Molly’s and Friday’s story brings to light the American part in World War 1 and the price that the soldiers paid. You can feel their joy, excitement, pain, and heartache as their lives changed forever. They both found life different when they returned and had to find themselves again. It reminds me to be thankful for all the sacrifices the soldiers throughout history have made for our freedom.

This is a clean, wholesome story with a HEA. The beginning and ending are unique and help tie the past, present, and future of their family together. I enjoyed the story very much. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Lori R · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, touching heartfelt story of love, courage, and family. This book fascinated me as it began with a love story of Molly and her husband, Friday and then it told all about the Hello Girls of WWI, which Molly had joined. They were brave and remarkable women whom I had never heard about before this book. I liked how Molly's story started in 1979 and then went back to 1918 when Molly had first met Friday. It was a beautiful, love story that had me crying at the end.

I especially enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the book. They were fascinating and showed how and why the author integrated them into her story. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Romance

This was such a great book! Emotional scenes and hilarious moments are scattered throughout this story. Set mostly in France during WWI, but also in Oregon, this tale connects to the author's other series set in Pendleton, Oregon a generation before. It's great revisiting the characters we knew before and getting to know their children all grown up and having their own romances! I especially loved the military side of this series. I was never a telephone operator, but I did serve my country in the US Navy, and appreciate all that the women who served before me did to build a path! Every woman who did their part to make a way for the women today, inspire me and I hope the legacy continues for the next generations as well!

[Bonnie Theel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The author did a lot of research for this book. It gives us a look into what the Hello Girls/Signal Corp did for our country during WWI.

While in France, Molly ran into Harley John and met Friday. Harley John was engaged to her sister. Molly and Friday corresponded and fell in love through their letters. When the war was over, they had to try to adjust to their return to civilian life. They had support from their family and friends, but there was still a lot they had to figure out on their own. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free ARC, and this is my honest opinion.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! As an Army veteran myself, I was glad to learn about the Hello Girls. I have never heard of them before. Very interesting. Molly knows she wants to do her part and since she is qualified, she enlists to go to France. While there, she runs into Harley John and his friend, Friday. It was love at first sight. But Molly and Friday are so involved in fighting the war, they don't have time to get to know each other better. They do write back and forth until they go home. Once home, it is hard to reacclimate to civilian life. They do know that they love each other, but there is a bumpy road ahead and they are not sure if they can miss the potholes.

[Soleil Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! As a French woman, I learnt a lot about the role of American women in WWI. And I learnt a lot about WWI as well, believe it or not! This author is wonderful: the facts are acurate and believable, the characters feel so real ans her stories are a delight! I'm very grateful to all the US soldiers who helped us during those hard times. Don't expect awful details on the trenches, war or wounds but everything is there with no gore or frightening details. As usual this author made a great job!! I hightly recommend!
PS: I go back in time now to read the previous books she wrote about Molly's family and each book is as good as the previous one!

[Catherine Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love WWII stories as they have so much depth and detail as well as being a great way to remind us of the sacrifices made by those who served during the war. The story of Molly is full of so many details about what it would have been like being a Hello Girl on the battlefields and how hard it would have been coming home and going what next. I experienced a riot of emotions as I read this story both happy and sad (yes there were tears shed) and I did not want to put it down, I had to know what happened next and how it finished. I thoroughly recommend this book and I know it is one I will read multiple times.

[Eunice Marsala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Shanna

I so enjoy real history based on the lives of actual people & that's how Shanna writes. So little is known about the efforts & sacrifices of those who were behind the scenes & made a significant difference in the lives & battles of WWI such as the Hello Girls, medical teams & those who fried up donuts to bring a bit of home to the GI's. Some were close to the front lines or at times behind those lines. They made a difference then & also for the future of women.

Shanna writes warm & lovely characters as the h & H that one would love to know as a neighbor & friend.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is a tribute to the women who fought in WWI. Really, to all the women who came after Molly and did what they wanted to do. It takes courage and gumption to forge a path no one has tread before you. This story really brought out how is wasn't just the men who fought the war; though for way too many years, the men were the only ones to get recognition. I loved the historical part of this story as much as I loved the romantic side. This amazing story brought to light an important part of history. Let's not forget.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This sweet, clean romance takes us back to WWI and follows one of the “Hello Girls” from the U. S. Army Signal Corps from her enlistment to her return home and beyond. I don’t read much from this era so it was a wonderful history lesson for me. The way the author tells the story will keep you fully engaged. This is a standalone book, but since it begins and ends in Pendleton you will find many familiar characters from earlier books. It is so well written you will see the pink and white dogwoods and smell the lavender!

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly and Friday meet in France during WWI, though they are both from little towns in Oregon a few hours apart. Their courtship was unusual—long-distance in wartime France. But when they got home things didn't get any easier.
They did have wonderful and supportive friends and family, mostly.

The characters were realistic enough. The story was descriptive and enjoyable. You know that there was a war, but there was no imagery that might cause nightmares.
It was a well-done story!

This is my voluntary review of a copy I received from the author.

[Sharon S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the Pendleton Promises series by Shanna Hatfield.
Molly is telling the story of her time in the Signal Corps during the First World War.
Molly travels to France where she is fully immersed in her job on the switchboard.
Friday is a soldier and friend of Harley John that meets Molly when he arrives at the same location. An immediate attraction occurs, but they are in a war. Letters are exchanged and the attraction deepens.
Sweet love story during such trying times.
*I received this as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Thorson became an orphan at the age of 13 after the loss of her parents to illness. She was taken in and raised by Lars and Marnie Thorsen. When the war began the government was looking for switchboard operators and Molly decided to apply and ended up heading overseas to the war becoming a Signal Corps operator for the military. It was when Molly was overseas and in the midst of war-torn areas that she met Friday Fitzpatrick a friend of her sisters intended. I found this well written, sweet, heartwarming story of a budding romance building during the midst of the chaos of war.

[Wilma Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eager to read about Friday after being introduced to him in Sadie. Molly was a minor character in prior books in the Pendleton series. Friday and Molly had an instant connection when introduced to each other while serving in France. They knew there was something worth exploring in a relationship and there was no playing games with each others feelings. I devoured the story in one day and know it will be on my to read again shelf. Kudos to the author who did a great job of pulling together another wonderful, well-crafted story.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an excellent story about how the hello girls where used in the war. molly volunteers to go over seas to help with the call. the men are not doing very good. while she is there she runs into harley john and his friend friday. there are a lot of details brought out about what the hello girls and nurses and doctors and the men went through. well written. i could not put the story down. looking forward for the next one.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An AWESOME read - I was in tears many times - Shanna's writing really touches my heart! Molly is old enough to be married with children when she enlists to become a switchboard operator in France for the military. Friday is the only son of a nut farmer and becomes best friends with Harley John on his way to war - their story has many ups and downs and I loved reading it - another can't put it down and what happens next book! I read a bookfunnel version and freely leave my opinion