What do you think?
Rate this book
Meet Me at Rainbow Corner
'Walking in time with the beat, clapping her hands, clicking her fingers. How could anyone resist the urge to dance? Dot swirled her Red Cross cape in time with the rhythm.'
London, 1944. The air raid sirens are blaring, bombers are hovering. The war with Germany has been raging for four years and there's no sign of peace coming.
Dot Gallagher is newly arrived from Liverpool and working as a nurse. During an air strike, she encounters an enthralling group of American GIs who tell her all about Rainbow Corner, a social club for US troops in Piccadilly – it's a wartime oasis where they can forget their fears, fall in and out of love and dance the nights away.
It's here that Dot finds a new best friend in Lilly. And together, against the stark realities of war, they must learn to face their fears, uncover secrets and discover the true meaning of love.
London, 1944. The air raid sirens are blaring, bombers are hovering. The war with Germany has been raging for four years and there's no sign of peace coming.
Dot Gallagher is newly arrived from Liverpool and working as a nurse. During an air strike, she encounters an enthralling group of American GIs who tell her all about Rainbow Corner, a social club for US troops in Piccadilly – it's a wartime oasis where they can forget their fears, fall in and out of love and dance the nights away.
It's here that Dot finds a new best friend in Lilly. And together, against the stark realities of war, they must learn to face their fears, uncover secrets and discover the true meaning of love.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2024
261 people are currently reading
631 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
August 10, 2024
This novel in part had potential but overall found it bland
July 2, 2024
I picked this book on spec based on the author, and because I do enjoy historical fiction, and I am so glad I did. Informative, though provoking, very authentic and the story stayed with me long after I finished it.
The story follows Dot and Lilly, who meet when sharing digs and become firm friends. Dot is a nurse, whose work takes her from the UK to working abroad under traumatic conditions. Lilly works in Rainbow Corner in an office as she cannot drive due to an injury. Both of them volunteer as hostesses at Rainbow Corner, an American club in the UK which is a little bit of America for the American soldiers. It’s the only place in London where there is no rationing, and there are doughnuts aplenty, and their job is to keep the GIs entertained. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone is selling secrets to the Nazis, and Dot and Lilly and their friends are trying to find out who. Throw in various good looking young men who catch the girls’ eyes, and some truly terrifying trips into enemy territory, and you have a truly excellent and exciting story.
This book has been so well researched, you can’t help but learn a lot whilst you are totally enthralled in this riveting story.
The story follows Dot and Lilly, who meet when sharing digs and become firm friends. Dot is a nurse, whose work takes her from the UK to working abroad under traumatic conditions. Lilly works in Rainbow Corner in an office as she cannot drive due to an injury. Both of them volunteer as hostesses at Rainbow Corner, an American club in the UK which is a little bit of America for the American soldiers. It’s the only place in London where there is no rationing, and there are doughnuts aplenty, and their job is to keep the GIs entertained. However, it soon becomes apparent that someone is selling secrets to the Nazis, and Dot and Lilly and their friends are trying to find out who. Throw in various good looking young men who catch the girls’ eyes, and some truly terrifying trips into enemy territory, and you have a truly excellent and exciting story.
This book has been so well researched, you can’t help but learn a lot whilst you are totally enthralled in this riveting story.
November 12, 2025
I didn't think this book was for me... but I really enjoyed reading it and found it a real page turner.
January 3, 2025
I love this author but this book had too many characters and was very long winded !
February 8, 2025
I enjoy reading wartime fiction and this story was no exception.
It took a few chapters to get into because there were so many characters to remember & not get mixed up,I kept going back pages to check who was who.
It has dual timelines following Dot & Lilly's stories when they meet during WW2.
A spy in the midst, GI brides, this was an interesting story, not so obviously predictable like so many books are & I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next.
I will look out for the author's other books now.
It took a few chapters to get into because there were so many characters to remember & not get mixed up,I kept going back pages to check who was who.
It has dual timelines following Dot & Lilly's stories when they meet during WW2.
A spy in the midst, GI brides, this was an interesting story, not so obviously predictable like so many books are & I just wanted to keep reading to see what happened next.
I will look out for the author's other books now.
July 4, 2024
A good read. A well researched novel set it world war two and it focuses on Dot and Lily and their relationships with each other and the Americans and also the work they are doing to help the war effort. They become friends and have to overcome love,loss and deception as the war ends to finally find happiness and security.
January 26, 2025
Engrossing and easy to read. Terrible ending which ruins it.
August 23, 2024
Good book with lots of twists
June 17, 2024
Meet me at rainbow corner follows two young ladies Dot and Lilly who both try to navigate life during the Second World War at rainbow corner, a mysterious American club for GIS in central London.
It had all the prefix to being a heartwarming and emotional story about the resilience of women during wartime but to me it was sadly just flat, unbelievable and u predictable.
It was such a shame as I loved this authors prior work which led me to persevere even though half way through I became very disinterested and could tell where it was going. Sadly the only bits that were unpredictable were also the bits that were completely unbelievable for me.
If you’re after a cosy comfy read then this might be for you but I think I went into it expecting more.
It had all the prefix to being a heartwarming and emotional story about the resilience of women during wartime but to me it was sadly just flat, unbelievable and u predictable.
It was such a shame as I loved this authors prior work which led me to persevere even though half way through I became very disinterested and could tell where it was going. Sadly the only bits that were unpredictable were also the bits that were completely unbelievable for me.
If you’re after a cosy comfy read then this might be for you but I think I went into it expecting more.
June 19, 2024
This is the latest from actor and novelist Celia Imrie, a well researched immersion into a fascinating aspect of WW2, a piece of the US, social club Rainbow Corner for American GIs, with its dancehall to lift spirits, in which there was no such thing as rationing, with its donuts and plentiful food. It is London, 1944, with its constant air raids, Dot Gallagher is a nurse and new arrival from Liverpool, finds herself living at a Red Cross hostel, sharing with Lilly Deane, a woman from a distinctly different social class from her, but who bond. A badly injured patient, Joe, tells Dot there are traitors operating from Rainbow Corner, but as he dies, Dot wonders if he was possibly hallucinating.
Dot finds herself becoming a volunteer hostess at Rainbow Corner in the evenings, enjoying the joy of the jitterbug and other dances, the wonderful food, and the company of GIs. She is feeling homesick and missing her parents and Billy, who she is expecting to marry. However, the bleakness and intensity of war, is changing people, surrounded by fear, danger, death, PTSD, and serious injuries, there is no guarantee of survival. It can foster an independence and volatility, to live for now, that challenges existing relationships, with many British soldiers resenting the GIs, 'overpaid, over sexed and over here', as many women get involved with GIs, getting married, engaged, and having children.
We follow Dot and Lilly, the women around them, their war experiences, and the post-war conditions in crossing the Atlantic and joining their partners in the US. With the fight against Nazism, the hypocrisy of segregation in the US is highlighted with the plight of Earl and Pearl, and the end of the war does not mean the ideology disappears into thin air. This is a wonderful piece of intriguing historical fiction that I found eye opening and informative, huge numbers of British women got involved with GIs with their access to nylons, gum, and more. I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers and I would particularly encourage the reading of Imrie's notes at the end. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Dot finds herself becoming a volunteer hostess at Rainbow Corner in the evenings, enjoying the joy of the jitterbug and other dances, the wonderful food, and the company of GIs. She is feeling homesick and missing her parents and Billy, who she is expecting to marry. However, the bleakness and intensity of war, is changing people, surrounded by fear, danger, death, PTSD, and serious injuries, there is no guarantee of survival. It can foster an independence and volatility, to live for now, that challenges existing relationships, with many British soldiers resenting the GIs, 'overpaid, over sexed and over here', as many women get involved with GIs, getting married, engaged, and having children.
We follow Dot and Lilly, the women around them, their war experiences, and the post-war conditions in crossing the Atlantic and joining their partners in the US. With the fight against Nazism, the hypocrisy of segregation in the US is highlighted with the plight of Earl and Pearl, and the end of the war does not mean the ideology disappears into thin air. This is a wonderful piece of intriguing historical fiction that I found eye opening and informative, huge numbers of British women got involved with GIs with their access to nylons, gum, and more. I think this will appeal to a wide range of readers and I would particularly encourage the reading of Imrie's notes at the end. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
July 7, 2024
What a beautifully written war time novel which has been meticulously researched and written with great care and passion for the era. Set during WW2 and based in London we are treated to an interesting and exciting novel by author and actress Celtic Imrie.
Focusing on British women who fall in and out of love, mainly with American soldiers and the hub of their wartime entertainment, Rainbow Corner, we meet two in particular that the book introduces us to, Dot and Lilly. We see both fall in and out of love with varying degrees of success and how they and their friends uncover treachery and suspect that one of their number is a Nazi spy.
The story is full of great characters and the detail looks to have been very thoroughly researched, with references to people, places and events. I also enjoyed the section at the end with more information about Rainbow Corner and what actually happened there during WW2, including famous faces that went there and visited the American soldiers and the British who worked and played there.
I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy a book based in this era. It is a great read, a story of love and loss together with the need to expose someone within the group who is betraying them. I particularly enjoyed the two very strong lead characters who while being strong were also vulnerable, showing a rounded character and the grit that must have been needed while supporting the war effort and trying to maintain a relationship during that time.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Focusing on British women who fall in and out of love, mainly with American soldiers and the hub of their wartime entertainment, Rainbow Corner, we meet two in particular that the book introduces us to, Dot and Lilly. We see both fall in and out of love with varying degrees of success and how they and their friends uncover treachery and suspect that one of their number is a Nazi spy.
The story is full of great characters and the detail looks to have been very thoroughly researched, with references to people, places and events. I also enjoyed the section at the end with more information about Rainbow Corner and what actually happened there during WW2, including famous faces that went there and visited the American soldiers and the British who worked and played there.
I would definitely recommend this to those who enjoy a book based in this era. It is a great read, a story of love and loss together with the need to expose someone within the group who is betraying them. I particularly enjoyed the two very strong lead characters who while being strong were also vulnerable, showing a rounded character and the grit that must have been needed while supporting the war effort and trying to maintain a relationship during that time.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2025
An enjoyable tale set during WWII in England & France, & post-war in USA. Definitely, a nice piece of research on a couple of the more obscure events & places during this particular war: Rainbow Corner, the US hospitality centre in London & the British women who worked there; pro-Hitler espionage by British citizens; &, the experiences of the British brides of US servicemen. I was rather horrified by the treatment received by the war-brides.
The characters are interesting & likeable, although I could have done with a few less to keep track of. Lilly Deane, driver & office-worker, & Dorothy "Dot" Gallagher, nurse, among other women, are sent on various postings in England, France & the Mediterranean, interacting & falling in love with US servicemen, &, ultimately, following them to USA at the end of the war. Meanwhile, someone within their ranks at Rainbow Corner is a pro-Nazi traitor who is betraying secrets to the enemy.
As the women travel towards their new homes in USA, travelling by ship to, & train across, the country, the traitors head in the same direction & continue to cause mayhem. The final part of the chase was a bit farcical, but mostly I enjoyed this war story, particularly as it is a bit different to many another wartime romance. I enjoyed Dot's roundup at the end, & I hope that the real brides managed to stay in touch with each other as they settled into their new lives: from the research at the end it would seem that some of them suffered great shock & hardship in their new berths.
3.5★ rounded up.
The characters are interesting & likeable, although I could have done with a few less to keep track of. Lilly Deane, driver & office-worker, & Dorothy "Dot" Gallagher, nurse, among other women, are sent on various postings in England, France & the Mediterranean, interacting & falling in love with US servicemen, &, ultimately, following them to USA at the end of the war. Meanwhile, someone within their ranks at Rainbow Corner is a pro-Nazi traitor who is betraying secrets to the enemy.
As the women travel towards their new homes in USA, travelling by ship to, & train across, the country, the traitors head in the same direction & continue to cause mayhem. The final part of the chase was a bit farcical, but mostly I enjoyed this war story, particularly as it is a bit different to many another wartime romance. I enjoyed Dot's roundup at the end, & I hope that the real brides managed to stay in touch with each other as they settled into their new lives: from the research at the end it would seem that some of them suffered great shock & hardship in their new berths.
3.5★ rounded up.
June 10, 2024
It's 1944 and Lilly and Dot, two girls from very different upbringings find themselves sharing a room in a hostel in London. Dot is working as a nurse and Lilly in the Rainbow Corner Offices for the American Red Cross Club. At night they spend time at the Rainbow Cafe dancing with the GIs. Dot gets to hear of possible espionage in Rainbow Corner from a patient and they decide to help uncover the traitor. However, D day and the invasion of France gets in the way. Despite all this going on the girls and their friends find time for love and eventually find themselves on the way to America as war brides.
I initially thought this was going to be a nice, twee if topical war story with some romance thrown in. How wrong was I! The characters of all the women and the GIs are fully formed. One quickly becomes invested in what happens to each of them. I was always aware of the dates and important times around battles of WW2 but this book really brought it to life. Showing what it must have been like to be in the thick of things especially for young women. I particularly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of how the GI brides were treated. They were so clear and detailed. It must have been a nightmare especially for those women with small children. Very well researched. A definite must read for anyone who likes a good story to get their teeth into.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I initially thought this was going to be a nice, twee if topical war story with some romance thrown in. How wrong was I! The characters of all the women and the GIs are fully formed. One quickly becomes invested in what happens to each of them. I was always aware of the dates and important times around battles of WW2 but this book really brought it to life. Showing what it must have been like to be in the thick of things especially for young women. I particularly enjoyed the detailed descriptions of how the GI brides were treated. They were so clear and detailed. It must have been a nightmare especially for those women with small children. Very well researched. A definite must read for anyone who likes a good story to get their teeth into.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2024
A tale of the bonds of friendship, of love and loss in WWII. Meet me at Rainbow Corner tells the story of Lilly and Dot who find themselves working at the Rainbow Corner American Red Cross Club. In 1944 it was effectively an American Embassy where rationing no longer existed, where you could dance with GIs and eat unlimited donuts and bacon.
Dot, has been brought from her family home in Liverpool to London to work as a Red Cross Nurse. Lilly a Corporal from the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) is used to being involved in the war effort driving around the countryside in Surrey, but recovering from an ankle injury she has been posted to an office in Rainbow Corner.
While sharing a room they make friends, before the war separates them to help the war effort in different ways. What follows includes love, death, betrayal, and a new life in America for the War Brides.
There were so many characters I did find myself getting lost at times. The story switching between Lilly and Dot kept the pace and kept you reading, but did at times mean I had to read back to find who’s storyline I was following. While I found it slow to get into it, I couldn’t stop reading towards the end to find out who the mole in Rainbow Corner was. Make sure you read to the end to learn the history and truth of Rainbow Corner from Fidelis Morgan, the historical researcher on the book.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dot, has been brought from her family home in Liverpool to London to work as a Red Cross Nurse. Lilly a Corporal from the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) is used to being involved in the war effort driving around the countryside in Surrey, but recovering from an ankle injury she has been posted to an office in Rainbow Corner.
While sharing a room they make friends, before the war separates them to help the war effort in different ways. What follows includes love, death, betrayal, and a new life in America for the War Brides.
There were so many characters I did find myself getting lost at times. The story switching between Lilly and Dot kept the pace and kept you reading, but did at times mean I had to read back to find who’s storyline I was following. While I found it slow to get into it, I couldn’t stop reading towards the end to find out who the mole in Rainbow Corner was. Make sure you read to the end to learn the history and truth of Rainbow Corner from Fidelis Morgan, the historical researcher on the book.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2024
A captivating blend of historical fiction, dramatic romance, and wartime intrigue. Inspired by the real-life havens created for American troops on the WWII home front, Imrie transports us to a vibrant oasis in war-torn London – Rainbow Corner. This exclusive club, brimming with American luxuries and entertainment, provided a welcome escape for soldiers stationed abroad.
The story unfolds in two parts. The first half meticulously establishes the setting, bringing to life the bustling atmosphere of Rainbow Corner. We meet Dot and Lilly, two unforgettable women navigating the complexities of love and friendship amidst the backdrop of wartime anxieties. The second half takes a thrilling turn, exploring the aftermath of the war and a looming threat: a traitor within the Allied ranks. Imrie masterfully weaves a suspenseful chase to identify the culprit,keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.
"Meet Me at Rainbow Corner" is more than just a wartime romance. It's a testament to the enduring power of human connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the lingering shadows cast by war. Imrie's captivating storytelling and well-developed characters make this a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking read.
The story unfolds in two parts. The first half meticulously establishes the setting, bringing to life the bustling atmosphere of Rainbow Corner. We meet Dot and Lilly, two unforgettable women navigating the complexities of love and friendship amidst the backdrop of wartime anxieties. The second half takes a thrilling turn, exploring the aftermath of the war and a looming threat: a traitor within the Allied ranks. Imrie masterfully weaves a suspenseful chase to identify the culprit,keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.
"Meet Me at Rainbow Corner" is more than just a wartime romance. It's a testament to the enduring power of human connection, the resilience of the human spirit, and the lingering shadows cast by war. Imrie's captivating storytelling and well-developed characters make this a thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking read.
July 5, 2024
A light historical read set during the Second World War. America has, belatedly, joined in the War and sent over troops to the UK ready for the invasion. Their local refuge is the Rainbow Corner, a small slice of America with no rationing and home comforts.
Dot is a nurse who is lonely and hears that the Club will take personable young women as 'hostesses' to dance with the GIs. There she makes friends, including Lilly who has been transferred to the office after badly spraining her ankle, which meant she could no longer do her usual driving job.
The author used a researcher to provide background to the story, but occasionally one felt she had unearthed 'interesting facts' that just had to be shoehorned into the story. Some of the characters felt quite stereotypical and one dimensional and it was hard to relate to them. However the plot was interesting and I enjoyed reading it; offering a slant on GI brides that I hadn't really appreciated - for example how strongly the Americans really didn't want these women to come over to their husbands once war was over.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dot is a nurse who is lonely and hears that the Club will take personable young women as 'hostesses' to dance with the GIs. There she makes friends, including Lilly who has been transferred to the office after badly spraining her ankle, which meant she could no longer do her usual driving job.
The author used a researcher to provide background to the story, but occasionally one felt she had unearthed 'interesting facts' that just had to be shoehorned into the story. Some of the characters felt quite stereotypical and one dimensional and it was hard to relate to them. However the plot was interesting and I enjoyed reading it; offering a slant on GI brides that I hadn't really appreciated - for example how strongly the Americans really didn't want these women to come over to their husbands once war was over.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2024
Meet Me at Rainbow Corner by Celia Imrie is a beautifully crafted historical novel that transports readers to the heart of wartime London in 1944. The novel is rich with historical detail, immersing readers in the unique atmosphere of Rainbow Corner.
The mystery element is thought-provoking and kept me guessing until nearly the end. The fickleness of some characters' emotions can be a bit maddening, but it’s a reminder of the desperate and vivid feelings during wartime, where each day might be your last and death is so commonplace, when each day could be your last. The commentary on contemporary social issues is seamlessly interwoven with the story, providing a thoughtful reflection on the era.
Meet Me at Rainbow Corner is a well-researched book that offers not just a captivating story but also a rich historical context. The blend of love, friendship, and wartime challenges makes for an engaging and memorable read. I look forward to rereading it to uncover any clues I might have missed the first time around.
The mystery element is thought-provoking and kept me guessing until nearly the end. The fickleness of some characters' emotions can be a bit maddening, but it’s a reminder of the desperate and vivid feelings during wartime, where each day might be your last and death is so commonplace, when each day could be your last. The commentary on contemporary social issues is seamlessly interwoven with the story, providing a thoughtful reflection on the era.
Meet Me at Rainbow Corner is a well-researched book that offers not just a captivating story but also a rich historical context. The blend of love, friendship, and wartime challenges makes for an engaging and memorable read. I look forward to rereading it to uncover any clues I might have missed the first time around.
June 29, 2024
Deeply moving and enlightening. A very different slant on historical wartime fiction. Atmospheric and enticing with each page.
Dot has come down to London from Liverpool as a nurse to work with the war effort and the British Red Cross.
Lilly is fresh out of boarding school and the Home Counties, straight into the misery of the first few years of the Second World War.
When they both find themselves billeted to Rainbow Corner near Piccadilly in London, experiencing all the horror hope and love within their separate roles, and from completely different backgrounds, yet they find a bond where their paths keep crossing, and in their empathy and views.
Well written and researched, easy to visualise and a fascinating depiction of events leading up to D-Day and beyond.
Absorbing, interesting and a thoroughly good read.
I really enjoyed this account, which came with a few surprises and unexpected twists.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read early.
Hugely enjoyed and recommended.
Dot has come down to London from Liverpool as a nurse to work with the war effort and the British Red Cross.
Lilly is fresh out of boarding school and the Home Counties, straight into the misery of the first few years of the Second World War.
When they both find themselves billeted to Rainbow Corner near Piccadilly in London, experiencing all the horror hope and love within their separate roles, and from completely different backgrounds, yet they find a bond where their paths keep crossing, and in their empathy and views.
Well written and researched, easy to visualise and a fascinating depiction of events leading up to D-Day and beyond.
Absorbing, interesting and a thoroughly good read.
I really enjoyed this account, which came with a few surprises and unexpected twists.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read early.
Hugely enjoyed and recommended.
July 3, 2024
One of the best books I’ve ever read (I’ve read 1,000 in last 3 years). It captivated me from start to finish, with it’s very moving & enlightening blend of historical fiction, dramatic romance & wartime intrigue. Meet Me at Rainbow Corner tells the stories of Dot, a nurse from Liverpool, & Lilly, an upper class woman from the Home Counties, in tandem throughout the latter years of WWII. ( From 1944-5, & 1946)
It’s a fascinating look at the American GIs in London & the famous American Red Cross Rainbow Corner. Lilly works in the offices by day, & shares a room in a hostel with Dot. Evenings are spent dancing with the GIs at the social club at Rainbow Corner. Dot learns of a possible traitor at Rainbow Corner from a dying patient. These two women & their friends are feisty & determined. Their story continues after the war with the GI Brides finally making the journey to America.
Don’t forget to read Fidelis Morgan’s informative true account. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley.
I am writing a voluntary & honest review.
It’s a fascinating look at the American GIs in London & the famous American Red Cross Rainbow Corner. Lilly works in the offices by day, & shares a room in a hostel with Dot. Evenings are spent dancing with the GIs at the social club at Rainbow Corner. Dot learns of a possible traitor at Rainbow Corner from a dying patient. These two women & their friends are feisty & determined. Their story continues after the war with the GI Brides finally making the journey to America.
Don’t forget to read Fidelis Morgan’s informative true account. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley.
I am writing a voluntary & honest review.
January 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️•5
I felt this book had a lot of potential but didn’t live up to it.
It is about two women during WW2 England, Dot and Lilly, and how their friendship and lives progress over the course of the war. It is set in Rainbow Corner which was the offices of the American soldiers when they were stationed in the UK.
MY THOUGHTS:
I didn’t really enjoy this story. There were far too many characters and things going on for any of them to mean anything to me. Dot and Lily are our two principal characters, meant to be best friends, but we only see them together for a bit at the start and a bit at the end and in the middle their stories run on two completely separate tracks. This made it feel very disjointed and that neither story could be fully developed enough for me to care about either.
I would have cut at least a quarter of the characters out of this book. There is a subplot (or maybe it’s the main plot I’m not 100% sure because there was too much going on) about a spy working in rainbow corner, when I reached the end and finally discovered who the spy is, the first thought in my mind was “who was that again?” The author tried to make these characters have meaningful arcs but I just couldn’t have cared much less.
Another aspect of the book’s plot is the different American soldiers the English girls are with. Some of them are good and trustworthy and some are less so. But because the story is divided between the two women I had no clue who I was meant to like and I couldn’t really get invested in any of the relationships because I couldn’t decide if I liked them or not.
In conclusion I would personally give this one a miss, but the reviews I’m reading seem quite positive, some people loved it. So don’t take my word as gospel.
I felt this book had a lot of potential but didn’t live up to it.
It is about two women during WW2 England, Dot and Lilly, and how their friendship and lives progress over the course of the war. It is set in Rainbow Corner which was the offices of the American soldiers when they were stationed in the UK.
MY THOUGHTS:
I didn’t really enjoy this story. There were far too many characters and things going on for any of them to mean anything to me. Dot and Lily are our two principal characters, meant to be best friends, but we only see them together for a bit at the start and a bit at the end and in the middle their stories run on two completely separate tracks. This made it feel very disjointed and that neither story could be fully developed enough for me to care about either.
I would have cut at least a quarter of the characters out of this book. There is a subplot (or maybe it’s the main plot I’m not 100% sure because there was too much going on) about a spy working in rainbow corner, when I reached the end and finally discovered who the spy is, the first thought in my mind was “who was that again?” The author tried to make these characters have meaningful arcs but I just couldn’t have cared much less.
Another aspect of the book’s plot is the different American soldiers the English girls are with. Some of them are good and trustworthy and some are less so. But because the story is divided between the two women I had no clue who I was meant to like and I couldn’t really get invested in any of the relationships because I couldn’t decide if I liked them or not.
In conclusion I would personally give this one a miss, but the reviews I’m reading seem quite positive, some people loved it. So don’t take my word as gospel.
October 20, 2025
Real rating 3.5. I have read lots of WWII historical fiction stories and am always amazed at how many different stories there are. Meet Me at Rainbow Corner is another great side to this coin. Rainbow Corner is THE place in London for American GIs to go for everything… entertainment, help with paperwork, dance classes, uniform mending, etc. since it is THE place to go, you can imagine a lot of different information was discussed, including info that probably shouldn’t have been discussed in a public place during a war. Well, a traitor is in the midst of the hundreds of people who work and volunteer there each day and is sharing that information with the Nazis. The story tells of how this traitor is uncovered as well as scoping in multiple couples who fall in love (and out of love), segregation differences between England and the United States, the Resistance, the Navajo and how their language helped win the war, and the different way women held military positions. The only thing I had an issue with is that that were too many characters to keep track of.
July 10, 2024
Fabulous!
London 1944 and its wartime.
Lilly Deane is heading to London to take up an office based post after injuring her ankle, and can’t do her usual driving job
Dorothy Gallagher known as Dot, is also taking up a new post in London as a Red Cross nurse.
Dot and Lilly’s paths cross, and this will be a friendship that will be life changing for them and some of their fellow comrades.
Fabulous! What can I say, where to start. From the beginning to the end I was gripped with this book.
I have heard of the American GI’s from past tv programmes and written articles, but don’t know much, so I found this book a new and interesting topic for myself. Would like to read more now.
A book I certainly will remember, and I will be buying copies for Christmas presents, and I hope they will enjoy as much as I have.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.
London 1944 and its wartime.
Lilly Deane is heading to London to take up an office based post after injuring her ankle, and can’t do her usual driving job
Dorothy Gallagher known as Dot, is also taking up a new post in London as a Red Cross nurse.
Dot and Lilly’s paths cross, and this will be a friendship that will be life changing for them and some of their fellow comrades.
Fabulous! What can I say, where to start. From the beginning to the end I was gripped with this book.
I have heard of the American GI’s from past tv programmes and written articles, but don’t know much, so I found this book a new and interesting topic for myself. Would like to read more now.
A book I certainly will remember, and I will be buying copies for Christmas presents, and I hope they will enjoy as much as I have.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.
February 19, 2024
All of Celia Imrie's novels are very different and this one is about the latter stages of WW2, and in particular the involvement of the Americans.
Lilly and Dot are two English girls from very different backgrounds who both end up at Rainbow Corner, a sort of US Forces mega club in central London. Although a lot of the action in the first part of the book is set in and around Rainbow Corner, the last section focuses on the GI brides. This is a part of history of which many, including myself, may not be aware.
This is a complex story and although some bits seem far-fetched it turns out that they are based on fact. There are some great characters, who you will be rooting for, and others that you will want to kill yourself.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.
Lilly and Dot are two English girls from very different backgrounds who both end up at Rainbow Corner, a sort of US Forces mega club in central London. Although a lot of the action in the first part of the book is set in and around Rainbow Corner, the last section focuses on the GI brides. This is a part of history of which many, including myself, may not be aware.
This is a complex story and although some bits seem far-fetched it turns out that they are based on fact. There are some great characters, who you will be rooting for, and others that you will want to kill yourself.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.
May 16, 2024
Meet me at Rainbow Corner is quite the whirlwind of a novel! Set during the Second World War, we meet two young war-weary women Dot and Lilly as they try to navigate their way through the war years.
Both sent to London under different circumstances, they meet as roommates and then discover Rainbow Corner, the glittering Red Cross Club of the US Army. Unlike anywhere else they have seen during those miserable war years, Rainbow Corner is eye-opening, with almost constant access to food, drink, dancing and GI's...
What follows is a rollercoaster of intrigue and espionage, mishaps and heartache...and of course, a lot of donuts!
I thought the novel was well-researched. It was fascinating to read about Rainbow Corner and the treatment the GI brides faced, particularly during the aftermath of the war.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Both sent to London under different circumstances, they meet as roommates and then discover Rainbow Corner, the glittering Red Cross Club of the US Army. Unlike anywhere else they have seen during those miserable war years, Rainbow Corner is eye-opening, with almost constant access to food, drink, dancing and GI's...
What follows is a rollercoaster of intrigue and espionage, mishaps and heartache...and of course, a lot of donuts!
I thought the novel was well-researched. It was fascinating to read about Rainbow Corner and the treatment the GI brides faced, particularly during the aftermath of the war.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
June 6, 2024
I do enjoy reading wartime fiction and this, the story of some of the women who worked with American servicemen in London during the 2nd World War was just my sort of book. Using the setting of the real Rainbow Corner which was the recreational base of GI’s during the 1940’s, it tells the story of Dot and Lily and their lives and loves as they work there way through towards the end of the war.
There is a mystery theme that runs through the book and it holds the interest until the end . I could empathise with the characters, they were well written and interesting. The research had been done well and it really highlighted the differences between the rationing that Britain was going through and the excesses that the American troops had available to them.
A lovely book which I really enjoyed reading.
September 8, 2024
I am not going to do a synopsis as the authors, Celia and Fidelis do a perfectly fine job of that on the back cover blurb. Meet Me at Rainbow Corner is really enjoyable read. The book is well researched and as a result makes the book and plot authentic. The characters are likeable and their dialogue is natural. The plot is really good with enough plot twists to keep you turning the page. This book would easily lend itself to a really enjoyable TV series. Half the job is done already as Celia by her own admission has written the dialogue in the book as if it is a script, If this book was adapted for TV I for one would definitely watch it. (I am already thinking up actors to play the roles of the characters in the book!)
I highly recommend this book, it’s easy to ready with characters that you like from the off
I highly recommend this book, it’s easy to ready with characters that you like from the off
January 4, 2024
I found this novel somewhat confusing to follow with the number of characters and the jumping between Lilly and Dot’s stories, the main players, in the same chapters. It’s a work of fiction but based on fact and real locations in Britain at the time of WW2. Friendships develop between the group of ladies who work at Rainbow Corner, the American Red Cross Servicemen’s Club, one of London establishments frequented by American GIs. Lilly and Dot build personal relationships with the Americans and finally track down the spies amongst their circle of friends. The best part of the book was the historical facts included at the end of the story, which were interesting, revealing and made excellent reading.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bloomsbury for this advance copy.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bloomsbury for this advance copy.
July 1, 2024
The story starts in the early part of 1944 when Dot, a war-time nurse, arrives from Liverpool to work in London. She is to share a room with Lily who, after a minor accident, is assigned to work in at Rainbow Corner, the American Red Cross club close to Piccadilly Circus. Dot becomes a hostess there in the evenings and after a rocky start, the two women become good friends. There are a good group of people there, but both women are aware that there is a traitor in their midst. Over the course of the next year their lives change dramatically, Dot signs up for service on the boats and Lily finds herself on active service.
A very readable, interesting book. Celia Imrie has mixed fiction with fact and the result is great.
A very readable, interesting book. Celia Imrie has mixed fiction with fact and the result is great.
July 7, 2024
What a rollercoaster of a story! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was gripped by the story throughout.
Centred around Rainbow Corner, the Anerican Red Cross Headquarters during WW2, the story follows the lives of the young women who volunteer/work there. The author's research of the period shines throughout the book, and adds a reality to the whole story. The female characters are well-rounded and very believable as they deal with the challenges that war throws at them, but one of them is a traitor feeding information to the enemy! But which one is to blame.......?
This is a great book. The womens experiences create smaller stories centred around the main theme and this works really well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book- a recommended read for anyone interested in this period.
Centred around Rainbow Corner, the Anerican Red Cross Headquarters during WW2, the story follows the lives of the young women who volunteer/work there. The author's research of the period shines throughout the book, and adds a reality to the whole story. The female characters are well-rounded and very believable as they deal with the challenges that war throws at them, but one of them is a traitor feeding information to the enemy! But which one is to blame.......?
This is a great book. The womens experiences create smaller stories centred around the main theme and this works really well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book- a recommended read for anyone interested in this period.
July 4, 2024
Rainbow Corner is an establishment in London, especially for the use of American GIs. It provides entertainment, and most importantly, does not have rationing - there is Coca Cola and doughnuts galore! Dot and Lilly, two British women from totally different backgrounds, find themselves working at Rainbow Corner, when it becomes apparent that there is a spy employed there - the women become embroiled in life at Rainbow Corner, and romance and danger abound.
It was interesting to read about how the British brides of US forces were treated, there was lots of information included that I had no idea about. The book is very well researched, engagingly written and interesting. A great read.
It was interesting to read about how the British brides of US forces were treated, there was lots of information included that I had no idea about. The book is very well researched, engagingly written and interesting. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews