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HQ Digital The Highland Girls on Guard (The Highland Girls series).
Scotland, 1943. It’s a long hot summer in Scotland but the Women’s Timber Corps have more than forest fires to worry about.
Upper class Seffy has spent months proving herself to the other young women, but when new recruits arrive, she quickly feels lost again. She distracts herself by helping set up a Women’s Home Defence Corps, but the idea soon meets resistance from the locals.
Dependable Joey had turned her back on love since she ran away from heartbreak to join the Corps, but when she crosses paths with a soldier deployed nearby, she feels a connection with him she’s never felt before – but will she be burned by love again?
And young Tattie is desperate to impress the other women and make a new life for herself, far away from her troubled home. But her willingness to impress leaves her at risk of being used…
As the summer beats on, can the Lumberjills pull together and protect the forest – and each other?
A poignant and heartwarming WW2 novel for fans of Rosie Clarke, Annie Groves and Pam Howes.
Upper class Seffy has spent months proving herself to the other young women, but when new recruits arrive, she quickly feels lost again. She distracts herself by helping set up a Women’s Home Defence Corps, but the idea soon meets resistance from the locals.
Dependable Joey had turned her back on love since she ran away from heartbreak to join the Corps, but when she crosses paths with a soldier deployed nearby, she feels a connection with him she’s never felt before – but will she be burned by love again?
And young Tattie is desperate to impress the other women and make a new life for herself, far away from her troubled home. But her willingness to impress leaves her at risk of being used…
As the summer beats on, can the Lumberjills pull together and protect the forest – and each other?
A poignant and heartwarming WW2 novel for fans of Rosie Clarke, Annie Groves and Pam Howes.
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2024
207 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Helen Yendall
4 books41 followersHelen Yendall has been writing ever since she could pick up a pencil.
After many years spent writing short stories, articles and poetry, she turned to novel writing.
Her debut novel, 'A Wartime Secret', set in WW2 and based on the true story of a bank and its staff that moved from London to the countryside to escape the Blitz, was published in early 2022. It was described by one reviewer as 'East Enders meets Downton Abbey'.
Then she embarked on a series about the Women's Timber Corps, the women who worked in the forests and sawmills of Britain during WW2.
First in the series is 'The Highland Girls at War', the second is 'The Highland Girls on Guard' and the third, 'The Highland Girls Report for Duty' was published in March 2025.
She's currently working on a new historical novel. Details will be revealed shortly!
Helen's a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and is represented by Underline Literary Agency.
When she's not writing, she likes playing tennis, swimming and reading (not all at the same time) and walking Bonnie, her cocker spaniel.
After many years spent writing short stories, articles and poetry, she turned to novel writing.
Her debut novel, 'A Wartime Secret', set in WW2 and based on the true story of a bank and its staff that moved from London to the countryside to escape the Blitz, was published in early 2022. It was described by one reviewer as 'East Enders meets Downton Abbey'.
Then she embarked on a series about the Women's Timber Corps, the women who worked in the forests and sawmills of Britain during WW2.
First in the series is 'The Highland Girls at War', the second is 'The Highland Girls on Guard' and the third, 'The Highland Girls Report for Duty' was published in March 2025.
She's currently working on a new historical novel. Details will be revealed shortly!
Helen's a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and is represented by Underline Literary Agency.
When she's not writing, she likes playing tennis, swimming and reading (not all at the same time) and walking Bonnie, her cocker spaniel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 9, 2024
The Highland Girls on Guard ( The Highland Girls #2) by Helen Yendall picked up right where The Highland Girls at War ( The Highland Girls #1) left off. I was so happy to be reunited with the characters introduced in the first book of this series and be introduced to some new characters as well. The Highland Girls on Guard was well written, fast paced and well plotted. There was a sense of undisguised jealousy, sheer determination, deception and romance woven throughout this second book of this enjoyable series. I loved getting reacquainted with the characters from the first book and being introduced to the new ones. Helen Yendall masterfully transported her reading audience back to Blantyre Forest, in the Scottish Highlands, where the Lumberjills performed their jobs as only they knew how to.
As Seffy and the other Lumberjills were finishing up their work on a warm Saturday afternoon during the summer, Miss McEwen, the lumberjill’s former supervisor, suddenly appeared. None of the Lumberjills were too pleased to see her again. Miss McEwen announced that eight new recruits would be joining them shortly. These new recruits would be given beds in the existing huts and would live with the older recruits as they received their training. Miss McEwen had asked Joey to drive the truck to the station to retrieve the new recruits. Joey was permitted to choose one other Lumberjill to accompany her. Joey picked Seffy to accompany her to the station. Seffy and Joey had gotten closer since Grace tied the knot with Gordy and had married him. Seffy was extremely jealous of Grace and Gordy and everything they shared. Her romance and feelings for Callum had all but been forgotten about by her friends. Seffy knew that she could never have Callum’s heart but that didn’t diminish the feelings she still had for him. It was just too hard for Seffy to witness how happy and in love Grace was every single day. Seffy started to avoid Grace any way she possibly could.
When Seffy and Joey finally arrived at the train station the new recruits were waiting for them. As they checked off each girl’s name on the clipboard that Miss McEwen had given them, they noticed that one girl was missing…someone called A. Buchanan. Another girl, Tattie, was detained a few minutes but finally joined the other recruits. Tattie would be assigned to the Macdonald hut and would live with Seffy, Joey, Grace and the other girls from that hut. The Lumberjills of Macdonald hut would learn that Tattie had never learned to read or write and that she had grown up in a very troubled home. Tattie just wanted to fit in anyway she could. A few days later, A. Buchanan showed up. She had arrived at the Lumberjills’ camp in a truck driven by some of the Italian POW prisoners that worked in the area. A. Buchanan was Angie, a petite, dark-haired girl from another camp located in Aberdeenshire. Angie and Miss McEwen seemed to know one another. Miss McEwen introduced Angie as an “experienced lumberjill and forewoman “. Seffy took an immediate dislike to Angie and did not trust her at all. When Miss McEwen appointed Angie as the new leader girl of Macdonald hut, Seffy disliked her even more. Seffy had lost her position as the leader girl to Angie. Were Seffy’s initial instincts correct not to trust or like Angie or was it just her pride that was hurt very badly?
The Highland Girls on Guard portrayed the struggles women encountered during those times when they chose to form branches of the Women’s Home Defense Corps to learn how to defend themselves. It was an uphill battle for women to get the approval they needed and wanted so badly to for, these groups. Seffy’s Aunt Dily was instrumental in starting a Women’s Home Defense Corps in the Scottish Highlands. Many of the Lumberjills and local women were recruited and trained behind the scenes so that the men could not discover and stop their activities.
The Highland Girls on Guard also spoke of the Italian POW prisoners that had been captured and were being held close to where the Lumberjills were located. Over the course of World War II, many Italian POW prisoners became engaged in local work near where they were being held. It was no wonder, then, that after the members of the Number Thirty-Four Company of the Canadian Foresting Corps left the Scottish Highlands in order to train for combat in England, that the Italian POW prisoners were commissioned to work side by side with the Lumberjills. Several romances sprung up between the Lumberjills and the Italian POW prisoners.
The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall was a welcomed addition in this series. I enjoyed discovering more about the lives of the Lumberjills and their relationships with each other. The formation of the Women’s Home Defense Corps was one that I have never read about before. I have read about the Italian POW prisoners in books where they helped the land girls on farms in England but was not aware that they were also present in the Scottish Highlands. The Highland Girls on Guard was about friendship, romance, trust, being accepted, having good instincts, forgiveness, proving one’s worth and doing things you believed in no matter what the consequences were. I really enjoyed The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall and hope that there will be a third book in this series. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction that portrays strong, resilient and determined women.
Thank you to HQ for allowing me to read The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for March 12, 2024.
As Seffy and the other Lumberjills were finishing up their work on a warm Saturday afternoon during the summer, Miss McEwen, the lumberjill’s former supervisor, suddenly appeared. None of the Lumberjills were too pleased to see her again. Miss McEwen announced that eight new recruits would be joining them shortly. These new recruits would be given beds in the existing huts and would live with the older recruits as they received their training. Miss McEwen had asked Joey to drive the truck to the station to retrieve the new recruits. Joey was permitted to choose one other Lumberjill to accompany her. Joey picked Seffy to accompany her to the station. Seffy and Joey had gotten closer since Grace tied the knot with Gordy and had married him. Seffy was extremely jealous of Grace and Gordy and everything they shared. Her romance and feelings for Callum had all but been forgotten about by her friends. Seffy knew that she could never have Callum’s heart but that didn’t diminish the feelings she still had for him. It was just too hard for Seffy to witness how happy and in love Grace was every single day. Seffy started to avoid Grace any way she possibly could.
When Seffy and Joey finally arrived at the train station the new recruits were waiting for them. As they checked off each girl’s name on the clipboard that Miss McEwen had given them, they noticed that one girl was missing…someone called A. Buchanan. Another girl, Tattie, was detained a few minutes but finally joined the other recruits. Tattie would be assigned to the Macdonald hut and would live with Seffy, Joey, Grace and the other girls from that hut. The Lumberjills of Macdonald hut would learn that Tattie had never learned to read or write and that she had grown up in a very troubled home. Tattie just wanted to fit in anyway she could. A few days later, A. Buchanan showed up. She had arrived at the Lumberjills’ camp in a truck driven by some of the Italian POW prisoners that worked in the area. A. Buchanan was Angie, a petite, dark-haired girl from another camp located in Aberdeenshire. Angie and Miss McEwen seemed to know one another. Miss McEwen introduced Angie as an “experienced lumberjill and forewoman “. Seffy took an immediate dislike to Angie and did not trust her at all. When Miss McEwen appointed Angie as the new leader girl of Macdonald hut, Seffy disliked her even more. Seffy had lost her position as the leader girl to Angie. Were Seffy’s initial instincts correct not to trust or like Angie or was it just her pride that was hurt very badly?
The Highland Girls on Guard portrayed the struggles women encountered during those times when they chose to form branches of the Women’s Home Defense Corps to learn how to defend themselves. It was an uphill battle for women to get the approval they needed and wanted so badly to for, these groups. Seffy’s Aunt Dily was instrumental in starting a Women’s Home Defense Corps in the Scottish Highlands. Many of the Lumberjills and local women were recruited and trained behind the scenes so that the men could not discover and stop their activities.
The Highland Girls on Guard also spoke of the Italian POW prisoners that had been captured and were being held close to where the Lumberjills were located. Over the course of World War II, many Italian POW prisoners became engaged in local work near where they were being held. It was no wonder, then, that after the members of the Number Thirty-Four Company of the Canadian Foresting Corps left the Scottish Highlands in order to train for combat in England, that the Italian POW prisoners were commissioned to work side by side with the Lumberjills. Several romances sprung up between the Lumberjills and the Italian POW prisoners.
The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall was a welcomed addition in this series. I enjoyed discovering more about the lives of the Lumberjills and their relationships with each other. The formation of the Women’s Home Defense Corps was one that I have never read about before. I have read about the Italian POW prisoners in books where they helped the land girls on farms in England but was not aware that they were also present in the Scottish Highlands. The Highland Girls on Guard was about friendship, romance, trust, being accepted, having good instincts, forgiveness, proving one’s worth and doing things you believed in no matter what the consequences were. I really enjoyed The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall and hope that there will be a third book in this series. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction that portrays strong, resilient and determined women.
Thank you to HQ for allowing me to read The Highland Girls on Guard by Helen Yendall through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Publication is set for March 12, 2024.
November 25, 2023
Back with the Lumberjills!! The first book in this series was just epic and I’m so glad to be back. The first isn’t *essential* and you can easily get by without reading it. But it’s great if you want to go back and read it after this one or to the backstory and proceed to a continuation into the second.
We join some old faces and meet some new ones, as a new band of Lumberjills join the Women’s Timber corp. They’re chopping trees for the war effort and trying to stay strong in the face of such adversity, both personal and during wartime.
There’s relationships to be mended, new friends to make, romance (and Italians) in the air and the war to win. No mean feat.
The story aside, Shedding light on the work the Lumberjills do was great as they’re such an underrated and under reported sector of women’s work in the war. The land girls and land army are always mentioned but the girls working in the forests are never included much! I loved learning about them and getting to know our girls in this book.
I love Seffy, our headstrong leader girl, with Angie stepping into the breach and upsetting her apple cart. Lovely Grace is separated from her husband by war, Joey with a brand new romance on the horizon and little Tattie was so endearing, it wasn’t hard to love.
Greatly written and in a way that captures the times well. Thoroughly enjoyed and read it far too quickly!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
We join some old faces and meet some new ones, as a new band of Lumberjills join the Women’s Timber corp. They’re chopping trees for the war effort and trying to stay strong in the face of such adversity, both personal and during wartime.
There’s relationships to be mended, new friends to make, romance (and Italians) in the air and the war to win. No mean feat.
The story aside, Shedding light on the work the Lumberjills do was great as they’re such an underrated and under reported sector of women’s work in the war. The land girls and land army are always mentioned but the girls working in the forests are never included much! I loved learning about them and getting to know our girls in this book.
I love Seffy, our headstrong leader girl, with Angie stepping into the breach and upsetting her apple cart. Lovely Grace is separated from her husband by war, Joey with a brand new romance on the horizon and little Tattie was so endearing, it wasn’t hard to love.
Greatly written and in a way that captures the times well. Thoroughly enjoyed and read it far too quickly!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
March 13, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this second book in the series
we are back with the lumberjills and they are about to get some new recruits
joey and seffy go to meet them at the train station and even though its been an eventful year for joey and seffy they can appreciate all that they have learnt in that time as lumberjills, so they face the new recruits with a smile on their faces knowing what these girls had coming to them...
tattie had hidden away in the luggage cart as her travel pass had been destroyed by someone at home but she was determined to restart her life but she knew she would never fit in... life had been hard on her
but it was about to get harder for seffy in more ways than one, along with feeling jilted by the man she had fallen in love with she was about to lose her leadership of the hut she was in to a new comer....
things were about to become interesting in more ways than one....
a good read that kept me entertained till the end.... life was hard as a lumberjill
we are back with the lumberjills and they are about to get some new recruits
joey and seffy go to meet them at the train station and even though its been an eventful year for joey and seffy they can appreciate all that they have learnt in that time as lumberjills, so they face the new recruits with a smile on their faces knowing what these girls had coming to them...
tattie had hidden away in the luggage cart as her travel pass had been destroyed by someone at home but she was determined to restart her life but she knew she would never fit in... life had been hard on her
but it was about to get harder for seffy in more ways than one, along with feeling jilted by the man she had fallen in love with she was about to lose her leadership of the hut she was in to a new comer....
things were about to become interesting in more ways than one....
a good read that kept me entertained till the end.... life was hard as a lumberjill
February 9, 2024
This was much better than the first book. I said in my review of the first book that I hoped it would turn into a series and I'm glad it did.
I must admit I didn't see the twist coming at the end and I really enjoyed it. I won't say anymore for fear of spoiling it for other readers
I must admit I didn't see the twist coming at the end and I really enjoyed it. I won't say anymore for fear of spoiling it for other readers
March 26, 2024
I've throughly enjoyed catching up with the lumberjills from MacDonald hut. Having read The Highland Girls at War beforehand I was really looking forward to the next book in the Highland Girls series. A close family friend who unfortunately is no longer with us was a lumberjill and she was an avid reader and would have loved this series. She even managed to get a tiny mention in the book which brought a tear to my eye. I look forward to book number 3. Highly recommended.
February 26, 2025
I love these Books!! I can't wait for the next one to come out! I very rarely rave over the books I read, but I do with these. I wish I could be in the story with them. Please, Helen Yendall, can you keep your books coming!!
September 8, 2025
‘“...It’s over with him! I hate him!”
“Aye, and we all hate him too, don’t we girls?”’
This really made me smile. The girlhood, the camaraderie, the unquestioning loyalty to one’s pals. Helen Yendall certainly did an excellent job of capturing the essence and friendship of the Women’s Timber Corps, and I was totally there for it. That sense of girlhood and girl power really came through with the book, and it was awesome.
It’s been a few months since I read the first book, and i have to admit that initially it felt like a few stories were being recycled from The Highland Girls at War. Of course, they’re the same characters, mostly, but I was really excited to see how the characters had grown from the first book and it just felt like they were back at square one. Seffy was my greatest issue with this. Once again, she was bitter at people she had no reason to be and just plain jealous and prejudiced, although, admittedly, her ‘sense’ proved right in the end. This was nice arc for her perceptions. Perhaps she’s not just prejudiced, but with a fine sense of discernment.
I felt like the love interest trope was recycled slightly too, with the main interest being a rugged yet initially rude hunk. Just like Callum Fraser of book one. Oh I have a bit to say about Callum Fraser, but he can wait till later.
I’m just glad that our handsome Major (what is it about a major that is so attractive?) got himself fairly quickly out of his funny little funk and just as quickly wooed the girl. I did really love having Joey as a main character in this book. I only wish her character and story could have been fleshed out a little more. I wanted to know more! The Major, too; some extra backstory could have been really beneficial.
Here’s my complaint though :( Their romance progressed so fast, the relationship didn’t feel real. To begin with, the pair didn’t even have solid grounds of liking each other, aside from physical attraction and...some unspoken connection, I guess? Joey sees the man once, in which he was rude to her, and next thing, she can’t get him out of her mind? Girl, I get that he’s hot - but have some self respect!
Their misunderstanding just felt a tad immature on her part. He asks her (quite rightfully, too, I think) about a note concerning a questionable previous relationship she had, and even though she tells him it’s not true and he believes her AND apologises for doubting her, she still dumps him! Honey, have some sense. What was the man supposed to do? Of course he will ask, it is perfectly acceptable. Is the man never allowed to question her? The fact that the next time they reunite he proposes seems just a little far fetched. A thirty year old wants to marry a young girl after she spat the dummy for him asking her a reasonable question?
It is romantic though and rather sweet, albeit a little unbelievable, so there is that.
Now: Seffy. By the end of this book, I feel like Seffy had undergone some real growth and character building, which was great. I just can’t get behind her feelings for Callum Fraser.
Hmm, yes. I’m coming for you Sergeant. Unpopular opinion, it seems: I don’t like the man. I felt he’s not worth Seffy’s bother. Our encounter with him here was only brief (what I also felt odd was that he seemed an entirely different character - friendly, cheery, romantic, not at all the brooding, sulky party pooper of earlier. Dare say the change may be for the better). He comes all the way by train to meet Seffy. Sweet. Shares a passionate kiss. But hang on, let’s not forget, let’s not forget, he’s engaged. He’s engaged! Excuse me ma’am? He’s effectively stringing two girls at once. And their brief encounter might have been romantic and all, but there ain’t nothing romantic about it for that poor girl over in Canada, writing to her fiancé overseas and believing he loves her and cares for her. For this reason, I couldn’t feel any excitement for Seffy and Callum. All I could think was how bad I felt for his poor fiancée. For heavens sake, dump one girl or another, but don’t play. There’s nothing remotely attractive about being kissed someone else’s man.
On the whole, the book felt a bit like ‘telling not showing’. I couldn’t connect greatly with any of the characters, because they just felt a little 2D. It was like we were just told of important things or plot developments, rather than experiencing them with the characters. I don’t want to hear that a character said something, I want to read the discussion! Dont spare me the details! I don’t wanna read that Joey and the Major had fallen in love, I wanna see the dates, the conversations, the kisses, everything in between.
Overall though, this was a sweet and suspenseful novel of female camaraderie and life in the highlands! I’d read the next book :D
“Aye, and we all hate him too, don’t we girls?”’
This really made me smile. The girlhood, the camaraderie, the unquestioning loyalty to one’s pals. Helen Yendall certainly did an excellent job of capturing the essence and friendship of the Women’s Timber Corps, and I was totally there for it. That sense of girlhood and girl power really came through with the book, and it was awesome.
It’s been a few months since I read the first book, and i have to admit that initially it felt like a few stories were being recycled from The Highland Girls at War. Of course, they’re the same characters, mostly, but I was really excited to see how the characters had grown from the first book and it just felt like they were back at square one. Seffy was my greatest issue with this. Once again, she was bitter at people she had no reason to be and just plain jealous and prejudiced, although, admittedly, her ‘sense’ proved right in the end. This was nice arc for her perceptions. Perhaps she’s not just prejudiced, but with a fine sense of discernment.
I felt like the love interest trope was recycled slightly too, with the main interest being a rugged yet initially rude hunk. Just like Callum Fraser of book one. Oh I have a bit to say about Callum Fraser, but he can wait till later.
I’m just glad that our handsome Major (what is it about a major that is so attractive?) got himself fairly quickly out of his funny little funk and just as quickly wooed the girl. I did really love having Joey as a main character in this book. I only wish her character and story could have been fleshed out a little more. I wanted to know more! The Major, too; some extra backstory could have been really beneficial.
Here’s my complaint though :( Their romance progressed so fast, the relationship didn’t feel real. To begin with, the pair didn’t even have solid grounds of liking each other, aside from physical attraction and...some unspoken connection, I guess? Joey sees the man once, in which he was rude to her, and next thing, she can’t get him out of her mind? Girl, I get that he’s hot - but have some self respect!
Their misunderstanding just felt a tad immature on her part. He asks her (quite rightfully, too, I think) about a note concerning a questionable previous relationship she had, and even though she tells him it’s not true and he believes her AND apologises for doubting her, she still dumps him! Honey, have some sense. What was the man supposed to do? Of course he will ask, it is perfectly acceptable. Is the man never allowed to question her? The fact that the next time they reunite he proposes seems just a little far fetched. A thirty year old wants to marry a young girl after she spat the dummy for him asking her a reasonable question?
It is romantic though and rather sweet, albeit a little unbelievable, so there is that.
Now: Seffy. By the end of this book, I feel like Seffy had undergone some real growth and character building, which was great. I just can’t get behind her feelings for Callum Fraser.
Hmm, yes. I’m coming for you Sergeant. Unpopular opinion, it seems: I don’t like the man. I felt he’s not worth Seffy’s bother. Our encounter with him here was only brief (what I also felt odd was that he seemed an entirely different character - friendly, cheery, romantic, not at all the brooding, sulky party pooper of earlier. Dare say the change may be for the better). He comes all the way by train to meet Seffy. Sweet. Shares a passionate kiss. But hang on, let’s not forget, let’s not forget, he’s engaged. He’s engaged! Excuse me ma’am? He’s effectively stringing two girls at once. And their brief encounter might have been romantic and all, but there ain’t nothing romantic about it for that poor girl over in Canada, writing to her fiancé overseas and believing he loves her and cares for her. For this reason, I couldn’t feel any excitement for Seffy and Callum. All I could think was how bad I felt for his poor fiancée. For heavens sake, dump one girl or another, but don’t play. There’s nothing remotely attractive about being kissed someone else’s man.
On the whole, the book felt a bit like ‘telling not showing’. I couldn’t connect greatly with any of the characters, because they just felt a little 2D. It was like we were just told of important things or plot developments, rather than experiencing them with the characters. I don’t want to hear that a character said something, I want to read the discussion! Dont spare me the details! I don’t wanna read that Joey and the Major had fallen in love, I wanna see the dates, the conversations, the kisses, everything in between.
Overall though, this was a sweet and suspenseful novel of female camaraderie and life in the highlands! I’d read the next book :D
February 25, 2024
The Highland Girls on Guard was an exciting, eyeopening story. I love reading WW2 historical fiction because I know there will be lots of action. I devour historical fiction because it gives me glimpses into what life was like in World War 2. The challenges of war, brought to life, in the story made for an addictive read.
I had never read of the Women's Timber Corp before I started reading this series. My mum, who lived through war torn England, had never heard of them. I spent hours reading about these fascinating women. Thanks to this story. I was able to picture what they did and the struggles they experienced. I am grateful for what they did. I know I couldn't do it.
The women felled trees Monday through Saturday afternoon. Yet they still had time to join the Women's Home Guard created by Seffy's aunt. It was a brilliant idea. On Saturday afternoons they learned how to defend themselves and those around them. Duty to King and Country occupied their time.
The characters were an eclectic mix. Seffy was a Lady with an aunt nearby. Tattie escaped a difficult family and rough life but can't read or write. Others fell in between them socially and economically. It was an atmosphere that brewed conflict and lots of drama that was fun to read. Romance and jealousy riddled the pages. Women living roughly, in close quarters always creates drama. This story has lots and lots of addictive drama.
There is someone at the camp causing troubles. Everyone is blaming everyone else. The "whodunnit" idea runs through out the story until it explodes. Boy, does it go up in smoke. It was a reminder of how there were spies everywhere during the war.
Fingers crossed for a book three.
I had never read of the Women's Timber Corp before I started reading this series. My mum, who lived through war torn England, had never heard of them. I spent hours reading about these fascinating women. Thanks to this story. I was able to picture what they did and the struggles they experienced. I am grateful for what they did. I know I couldn't do it.
The women felled trees Monday through Saturday afternoon. Yet they still had time to join the Women's Home Guard created by Seffy's aunt. It was a brilliant idea. On Saturday afternoons they learned how to defend themselves and those around them. Duty to King and Country occupied their time.
The characters were an eclectic mix. Seffy was a Lady with an aunt nearby. Tattie escaped a difficult family and rough life but can't read or write. Others fell in between them socially and economically. It was an atmosphere that brewed conflict and lots of drama that was fun to read. Romance and jealousy riddled the pages. Women living roughly, in close quarters always creates drama. This story has lots and lots of addictive drama.
There is someone at the camp causing troubles. Everyone is blaming everyone else. The "whodunnit" idea runs through out the story until it explodes. Boy, does it go up in smoke. It was a reminder of how there were spies everywhere during the war.
Fingers crossed for a book three.
February 16, 2024
The Highland Girls #2
Scotland, 1943. It's a long, hot summer in Scotland, but the Women's Timber Corps have more than forest fires to worry about.
Upper class Seffy has spent months proving herself to the other young women, but when new recruits arrive, she quickly feels lost again. She distracts herself by helping set up a Women's Home Defence Corps, but the idea soon meets resistance by the locals.
Dependable Joey had turned her back on love since she ran away from heartbreak to join the Corps, but when sh crosses paths with a soldier deployed nearby, she feels a connection to him she's never felt before.
And young Tattie is desperate to impress the other women and make a new life for herself, far away from her troubled home.
The Lumberjills are back, with some old faces and new ones as well. The women are chopping down trees to aid the war effort. The plot was interesting, but there really wasn't much felling getting done. I would have liked to learn more on that. The pace is fast in this compelling read. There's so much going on in the women's lives, and the Italian POW are being a bit problematic for some of the Lumberjills.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQStories and the author #HelenYendall for my ARC of #TheHighlandGirlsOnGuard in exchange for an honest review.
Scotland, 1943. It's a long, hot summer in Scotland, but the Women's Timber Corps have more than forest fires to worry about.
Upper class Seffy has spent months proving herself to the other young women, but when new recruits arrive, she quickly feels lost again. She distracts herself by helping set up a Women's Home Defence Corps, but the idea soon meets resistance by the locals.
Dependable Joey had turned her back on love since she ran away from heartbreak to join the Corps, but when sh crosses paths with a soldier deployed nearby, she feels a connection to him she's never felt before.
And young Tattie is desperate to impress the other women and make a new life for herself, far away from her troubled home.
The Lumberjills are back, with some old faces and new ones as well. The women are chopping down trees to aid the war effort. The plot was interesting, but there really wasn't much felling getting done. I would have liked to learn more on that. The pace is fast in this compelling read. There's so much going on in the women's lives, and the Italian POW are being a bit problematic for some of the Lumberjills.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQStories and the author #HelenYendall for my ARC of #TheHighlandGirlsOnGuard in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2024
I couldn’t wait to be back in Blantyre Forest with Seffy, Joey and all my favourite lumberjills, and I was not disappointed one bit.
The Highland Girls on Guard is an epic, sweeping tale of friendship & betrayal, and the astounding impact that sheer force of will, and a determination not to be underestimated, can have. Somehow Helen Yendall manages to weave lighthearted humour, yearning love stories, fierce feminism and high-stakes action into 400 pages without losing the beating heart of the story. At no time does the writing or plot feel over the top, or cheesy. It’s romantic and heartfelt, and the whole time I felt like I was right there in the forest with the lumberjills.
Before reading The Highland Girls at War I was ignorant to the war efforts of the lumberjills, and once again Helen Yendall has brought to the forefront the too easily forgotten impact of women during the world wars. The beautiful storytelling effortlessly transports you to 1940s Scotland, educating and entertaining in seamless blend. I loved learning more about the Women’s Home Defence and the incredibly brave women who put their heads above the parapet for their country.
I could talk about this series for hours on end and I recommend it to everyone I know. I can only hope there will be a third!
Thank you to the publishers for my ARC.
The Highland Girls on Guard is an epic, sweeping tale of friendship & betrayal, and the astounding impact that sheer force of will, and a determination not to be underestimated, can have. Somehow Helen Yendall manages to weave lighthearted humour, yearning love stories, fierce feminism and high-stakes action into 400 pages without losing the beating heart of the story. At no time does the writing or plot feel over the top, or cheesy. It’s romantic and heartfelt, and the whole time I felt like I was right there in the forest with the lumberjills.
Before reading The Highland Girls at War I was ignorant to the war efforts of the lumberjills, and once again Helen Yendall has brought to the forefront the too easily forgotten impact of women during the world wars. The beautiful storytelling effortlessly transports you to 1940s Scotland, educating and entertaining in seamless blend. I loved learning more about the Women’s Home Defence and the incredibly brave women who put their heads above the parapet for their country.
I could talk about this series for hours on end and I recommend it to everyone I know. I can only hope there will be a third!
Thank you to the publishers for my ARC.
March 10, 2024
Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion
I had read the first book in the series and though it is possible to read this as a standalone book there is relatively little information about the work the Lumberjills actually carry out. There was certainly more descriptive writing in the first book on this aspect. In this book the only tree to be felled was on the first page!
This was more a story of relationships and friendships, enmity and misunderstandings between the girls and the people that they met.
This book was possibly more centred on Lady Persephone and the Women's alternative to the Mens Home Guard and their training.
There was new characters of course and finding out more about old ones. To give more would be to provide too many spoilers in my opinion
The book was well researched and well written. The E-copy I had was hard to read in places with the action being with one set of characters and then something happening to another on the next line. I think there should have been at least a line break - it did make for interesting reading at times.
It was definitely left that there could well be another instalment to look forward to - I certainly would look out for it
I had read the first book in the series and though it is possible to read this as a standalone book there is relatively little information about the work the Lumberjills actually carry out. There was certainly more descriptive writing in the first book on this aspect. In this book the only tree to be felled was on the first page!
This was more a story of relationships and friendships, enmity and misunderstandings between the girls and the people that they met.
This book was possibly more centred on Lady Persephone and the Women's alternative to the Mens Home Guard and their training.
There was new characters of course and finding out more about old ones. To give more would be to provide too many spoilers in my opinion
The book was well researched and well written. The E-copy I had was hard to read in places with the action being with one set of characters and then something happening to another on the next line. I think there should have been at least a line break - it did make for interesting reading at times.
It was definitely left that there could well be another instalment to look forward to - I certainly would look out for it
May 24, 2024
Fun historical fiction read about WWII.
This is book #2 of the Highland Girls series. I have enjoyed both of them. You will enjoy this book even if you did not read the first book in the series. But it is really great to hear about the same girls in book two. I really enjoy historical fiction about WWII, but this book is different and much lighter than most of what I read. So it is a nice break, but still informative about WWII. This story was also fun because horses were involved.
This is a story about women volunteering to do their part for the war effort doing hard physical jobs. Women coming together from all backgrounds and working together to support their country at war. Women that did not even like each other at first, but eventually became family.
This book does not portray these women as saints - they make mistakes. This is a book about relationships between women, men and members of a family. Women in this story were supportive at times, but also hateful and sarcastic. It was great to see women from different classes learning from each other, in a country where class really mattered. This is a story about living life outside of your comfort zone and becoming a better person for it.
This is book #2 of the Highland Girls series. I have enjoyed both of them. You will enjoy this book even if you did not read the first book in the series. But it is really great to hear about the same girls in book two. I really enjoy historical fiction about WWII, but this book is different and much lighter than most of what I read. So it is a nice break, but still informative about WWII. This story was also fun because horses were involved.
This is a story about women volunteering to do their part for the war effort doing hard physical jobs. Women coming together from all backgrounds and working together to support their country at war. Women that did not even like each other at first, but eventually became family.
This book does not portray these women as saints - they make mistakes. This is a book about relationships between women, men and members of a family. Women in this story were supportive at times, but also hateful and sarcastic. It was great to see women from different classes learning from each other, in a country where class really mattered. This is a story about living life outside of your comfort zone and becoming a better person for it.
April 8, 2024
Once again Helen Yendall weaves her magic web and the reader is willingly ensnared in the world of the highland lumberjills. Some are old friends, and, as always with a good friendship, it's a joy to be reunited. The new characters don't disappoint either, some you'll instantly love, others, well I'll leave you to make your own minds up.
Throughout the sense of time and place is maintained, from the natural world of the forest, to the distinctly unnatural, and unpleasant world of a prisoner of war camp. The reader is there, feeling and experiencing every scene.
The story is told from multiple points of view, with everyone maintaining their own distinctive voice. This is a significant technical feat, but performed with such a lightness of touch that the reader is carried along by a story that gains and gains pace until an unputdownable dramatic conclusion, which is both satisfying whilst leaving us in high anticipation for book 3.
I highly recommend this to any one who likes a good story, well told, and that's everyone, isn't it.
Throughout the sense of time and place is maintained, from the natural world of the forest, to the distinctly unnatural, and unpleasant world of a prisoner of war camp. The reader is there, feeling and experiencing every scene.
The story is told from multiple points of view, with everyone maintaining their own distinctive voice. This is a significant technical feat, but performed with such a lightness of touch that the reader is carried along by a story that gains and gains pace until an unputdownable dramatic conclusion, which is both satisfying whilst leaving us in high anticipation for book 3.
I highly recommend this to any one who likes a good story, well told, and that's everyone, isn't it.
November 4, 2025
Second in the series. When new recruits arrive, Seffy suddenly finds she is no longer the Leader Girl. Her boss has chosen Angie and Seffy can't understand why. Angie shows up several days late and her excuse is pathetic but Mrs. Wren waves off any excuses, she's just happy Angie has arrived.
Seffy doesn't like Angie, she thinks there is just something about her that seems suspect but all the other girls quickly fall under her charm. Her best friend Joey thinks she's just jealous.
Tattie is one of the new arrivals but she is quiet and not willing to engage with the others. Angie takes her under her wing and Tattie falls under her charm too, she's just pleased she has a new friend.
A camp is set up nearby with Italian POWS and some of the girls, including Angie have quickly found an admirer.
But something is underfoot and Seffy believes Angie is up to no good!
I'm enjoying this series, I hadn't realized women were also part of the Forestry Corp. in Scotland.
Seffy doesn't like Angie, she thinks there is just something about her that seems suspect but all the other girls quickly fall under her charm. Her best friend Joey thinks she's just jealous.
Tattie is one of the new arrivals but she is quiet and not willing to engage with the others. Angie takes her under her wing and Tattie falls under her charm too, she's just pleased she has a new friend.
A camp is set up nearby with Italian POWS and some of the girls, including Angie have quickly found an admirer.
But something is underfoot and Seffy believes Angie is up to no good!
I'm enjoying this series, I hadn't realized women were also part of the Forestry Corp. in Scotland.
November 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to review a preview copy.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series I was sadly disappointed by this second one. I don't think they felled more than one tree in the whole book! For a book on Lumberjills it lacked description of their vital work and could have been about any group of girls serving in one of the women's forces during the war! I was really disappointed as I had saved the book to read whilst staying in the Scottish Highlands but apart from a brief mention of Inverness there was little 'Scottishness' to the book. It also felt like Seffy's cattiness and Angie's nastiness took over the book and it wasn't a very jolly or light hearted read at times.
I will look for the next in the series in the hope more detail on their forestry work is back in the book.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series I was sadly disappointed by this second one. I don't think they felled more than one tree in the whole book! For a book on Lumberjills it lacked description of their vital work and could have been about any group of girls serving in one of the women's forces during the war! I was really disappointed as I had saved the book to read whilst staying in the Scottish Highlands but apart from a brief mention of Inverness there was little 'Scottishness' to the book. It also felt like Seffy's cattiness and Angie's nastiness took over the book and it wasn't a very jolly or light hearted read at times.
I will look for the next in the series in the hope more detail on their forestry work is back in the book.
January 1, 2024
It was a real pleasure to catch up with the lumberjills again and find out how things were progressing for Seffy and her pals. As it turns out, life has become rather challenging for heartsick Seffy. Her best friend, Grace, is married, and a new lumberjill has taken over as leader, creating plenty of rivalry and tension. On top of that, a group of Italian POWs are proving to be a troublesome distraction for some of the women on the logging camp.
I liked the main characters in the first book in this series so much they felt almost like friends, so it’s been a joy to visit with some of them again in The Highland Girls on Guard. The plotting was fast-paced and intriguing, combining elements of romance, friendship, subterfuge, and a satisfying, cheer-out-loud ending. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Can’t wait to get my hands on book three in this great series.
I liked the main characters in the first book in this series so much they felt almost like friends, so it’s been a joy to visit with some of them again in The Highland Girls on Guard. The plotting was fast-paced and intriguing, combining elements of romance, friendship, subterfuge, and a satisfying, cheer-out-loud ending. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Can’t wait to get my hands on book three in this great series.
March 18, 2024
Another corker of a story from Helen Yendall!
I read the first in the series a while ago and loved it, and this book is every bit as good as the first!
I'm well read when it comes to books set around the war periods and yet this series has introduced me to new elements that I had never heard of previously.
The lumberjills weren't known to me before reading the first book. The WHD is a new one for me in this book and I loved hearing about it and want to know more!
The characters that we know and love were still in this book with a few new additions that brought the smiles and the clenched jaws retrospectively. I can't wait to see if there will be a third or fourth to continue the stories and to see the end of the war.
Big thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I read the first in the series a while ago and loved it, and this book is every bit as good as the first!
I'm well read when it comes to books set around the war periods and yet this series has introduced me to new elements that I had never heard of previously.
The lumberjills weren't known to me before reading the first book. The WHD is a new one for me in this book and I loved hearing about it and want to know more!
The characters that we know and love were still in this book with a few new additions that brought the smiles and the clenched jaws retrospectively. I can't wait to see if there will be a third or fourth to continue the stories and to see the end of the war.
Big thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2024
Although this is the second book in a series, you do not need to have read the first in order to understand this one.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Usually, I adore these types of books, a look at the UK during the war fascinates me, but not this time.
I was pretty disappointed in the lack of description. They are supposed to be lumberjills, yet there was only one tree felled in the book. I was looking to experience that time through these women and their work.
Also, there was only very little description of the Scottish Highlands. The entire book seemed to be full of nastiness and sniping from Seffy and Angie, which was not what I was expecting to be reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Usually, I adore these types of books, a look at the UK during the war fascinates me, but not this time.
I was pretty disappointed in the lack of description. They are supposed to be lumberjills, yet there was only one tree felled in the book. I was looking to experience that time through these women and their work.
Also, there was only very little description of the Scottish Highlands. The entire book seemed to be full of nastiness and sniping from Seffy and Angie, which was not what I was expecting to be reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.
February 17, 2024
Having thoroughly enjoyed book one, I was glad to be back in the world of WW2 and the Timbergils. Helen Yendall is again having fun with her girls, old and new as they cut timber for the war effort. An easy read, you will find a story of WW2, of fitting in when you are forced to be with others, finding inner strength, growing up, fighting against that time’s ’women should not fight’ attitude, romance and squabbles, finding the strength to stand up for yourself and finally …….. well read the book as I’m trying not to give you spoilers. Let’s just say there’s lots of humour, angst and excitement waiting for the reader. Thank you to HQStories and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
February 19, 2024
I was all set to give 4 stars. Its a lovely warm story about a group of women living and working together in the forest near Inverness during the war. Female friendship, hard work, a love of horses, and a touch of romance. And then, with about 20% of the book still to read, the excitement kicked in and suddenly there was action, intrigue, danger and heroism. In those final chapters I upgraded this to a 5 star read! You don't need to have read Book 1 but it helps as an introduction to the main characters and the work they do. The romance remains tantalisingly unresolved but I have high hopes for book 3!
March 28, 2024
This is a cracker of a book – it contains everything you might want from a novel: intrigue, action, romance plus a solid, well-researched historical backdrop. I love it when a book allows you to absorb knowledge unconsciously whilst enjoying a good story. Now I know about Italian POWs, the Women’s Home Defense (WHD) and the role that women played in forestry during WWII. Plus, it’s a well-written book with compulsive characters.
It is the second book about the WWII LumberJills in Scotland by Helen Yendall but it also works well as a standalone novel.
Recommended!
It is the second book about the WWII LumberJills in Scotland by Helen Yendall but it also works well as a standalone novel.
Recommended!
August 4, 2024
Although I read this one without having read it's prequel, it does for the most part stand on its own. The characters of the lumber Jill's in the highlands of Scotland are very believable and engaging. The three main characters of Seffy, Jean and Tattie are from three completely different walks of life and yet they muddle along reasonably well. The villain of the piece gets her comeuppance and I really look forward to reading the next in the series if their is one, to see how all the characters se out the end of the war
February 15, 2024
Another terrific read from Helen Yendall. The lumberjills, clearing the forests in Scotland during WW2, their childish spats, romances, and bravery all come together in a very tidy and humorous novel. It also features the formation of the Women’s Home Defence, opening opportunities for women to play a more active role in the War. It’s a cosy heartwarming story and page turner, once started difficult to put down.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HQ Digital for this e-APC.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HQ Digital for this e-APC.
June 25, 2024
This is definitely a book that must be read if you want to find out how the lives of the characters progress in the Lumberjills. Loved this book. The characters were so well thought out that I felt I was there with them in the story. I loved it. I only read when I go to bed to help me settle and there were several “early mornings” of me caught up in the story
November 2, 2024
Excellent reading
Another heart warming , emotional and touching story, telling the lives and loves of a group women taken into the forests as timberjills to supply wood for the second world war effort, Excellent storyline , Excellent characters. I can highly recommend it ,I enjoyed it So should you.
Another heart warming , emotional and touching story, telling the lives and loves of a group women taken into the forests as timberjills to supply wood for the second world war effort, Excellent storyline , Excellent characters. I can highly recommend it ,I enjoyed it So should you.
February 12, 2024
Love this book a sequel which doesn’t disappoint. Fantastic book for WW11 era readers. Looked forward to reading this now will wait for the next one.
March 26, 2024
Loved it, engaging and lovely characters that are well developed. Love the description about the scenery and makes you want to visit Scotland
March 26, 2024
highland girls
Very good book. I enjoyed reading about the lumberjills during WWII. A different perspective of the hardships and the accomplishment of women during the war.
Very good book. I enjoyed reading about the lumberjills during WWII. A different perspective of the hardships and the accomplishment of women during the war.
April 3, 2024
I love the characters in this story. I became so involved and invested in there lives that I feel like I know them personally.
April 29, 2024
Very interesting, realistic, factual could not put it down
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