A New Home at the Wartime Hotel

Wartime Hotel #1

by Maisie Thomas, Julia Franklin (Reader)

Listening Length: 9 hours and 12 minutes

The first in a nostalgic and heart-warming WWII saga series.

Manchester, 1941

Kitty learned early on in her marriage that her husband, Bill Dunbar, isn’t reliable with money. So when they inherit the Dunbar family hotel at the start of the war, she's hopeful that their financial worries are over… until the bailiffs turn up! With Bill away fighting, it’s up to Kitty to turn things around for her family, or risk ruin.

Lily worked as a chambermaid at Dunbar’s before the war. She met Daniel there, but their relationship was complicated by class differences and the disapproval of Daniel’s mother. Now Lily is pregnant – and with Daniel away at sea, she is all alone. When tragedy strikes, will Kitty and Dunbar’s come to her rescue?

Beatrice is in her forties, unmarried, and working in a job that exposes her to the harsh realities of poverty and sacrifice. She wonders whether the war might give her the opportunity to change lives for the better - including her own. But when she's accused of a crime she didn't commit, the future looks bleak... until Kitty makes a surprising suggestion.

Can the community around Dunbar’s hotel pull together and provide a beacon of hope and resilience, in the dark days of war?

Genres: Historical Fiction

10 pages, Audio CD

First published March 27, 2025

About the author

Maisie Thomas was born and brought up in Manchester, which provides the location for her Railway Girls novels. She loves writing stories with strong female characters, set in times when women needed determination and vision to make their mark. The Railway Girls series is inspired by her great aunt, Jessie, who worked as a railway clerk during the First World War.

Maisie now lives on the beautiful North Wales coast with her railway enthusiast husband, Kevin, and their two rescue cats. They often enjoy holidays chugging up and down the UK’s heritage steam railways.

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dunbars Hotel book one.
As we are introduced to Kitty, Lily and Beatrice.
Can this be the safe place they need.
A new WW2 saga set in Manchester from this amazing author, this book starts off with the story of these women lives up to the war years then continued on.
A truly touching remarkable story that will leave you wanting to reach out and wanting more and more.
Inspirational in so many chapters, loving all the characters as they help with the war effects and their love ones.
I was so engrossed all the way through, and after the end left me truly eagerly waiting for book two.
Amazing feel good read I loved it.

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Home at the Wartime Hotel is a compelling story of women supporting women on the home front during WWII.

Kitty learns early in her marriage that her husband, Bill, isn’t reliable with money. When they inherit the family hotel, Kitty feels hopeful. However, while Bill is away fighting in the war, the bailiffs turn up and repossess most of the hotel’s furniture to pay Bill’s debts. Kitty must get creative to save the hotel.

In addition to Katie, the hotel’s owner, we are introduced to two other strong and well-written characters: Lily, who worked at the hotel as a chambermaid before the war and has a baby, and Beatrice, an unmarried woman who loses her job because of an unfair accusation. These three women join forces to save the hotel, make do in times of war, and overcome personal challenges. Each woman’s story was compelling, and the support and encouragement they offered each other was uplifting.

Each woman’s story is interesting, and we are quickly invested in their complicated lives. We cheer for these three likable and determined ladies as they form a partnership to tackle some difficult challenges on the home front. A multi-layered plot makes this an engaging and riveting read.

Thoughtful themes include women supporting women, friendship, partnership, trust, secrets, compassion, overcoming challenges, resourcefulness, determination, and managing life in wartime England.

Fans of home front WWII histfic and strong, resourceful women will find a lot to appreciate in this story. This is the first installment in a series. However, A New Home at the Wartime Hotel can be read as a stand-alone.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #ANewHomeAtTheWartimeHotel upon my request. All opinions are my own.

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant first instalment in a new WW2 historical fiction book. I really enjoyed this book, rather than being centred on the war and bombings etc it was more about the lives of three women and how they had to battle to succeed in a man’s world. Parts of it made me so angry (yes Bill I’m pointing at you) and other parts made me want to cry, it was a real emotional roller coaster, but most of all it had friendship, love and support as they fight their own demons and help with the war effort. A very interesting read, can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for offering me an early peak at this book, set to be released March 27, 2025!!

I loved this perspective on a WW2 era novel. All 3 women are such strong, well-written characters and it left me needing more from each of them!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas is a story about resilience and the determination of women to take care of themselves. It covers a period of time in the lives of three women: Lily, a young maid at a famous hotel; Kitty, a wife who had had her fill of her husband’s spend-thrift ways; and Beatrice, a spinster who had been the care giver for her mother and so had received no education, which limited her future. Together these women forged a new path, all the while setting an example for Kitty’s young daughter.

Kitty was a determined young woman who disapproved of buying things on credit. It ruined her marriage and now had stolen her future. Wonderful character. Lily was an orphan to started as a maid at Dunbar’s at fourteen, met a young man, got pregnant and married, only to lose her baby and her life. Beatrice rode a bicycle around delivering adult diapers to housebound folks, and collecting the soiled ones. She knew she could do more, and the upstairs neighbors of one of her clients inspired her. In the end, the empty hotel provided a home for all of them and a future. Great story with vividly drawn characters. Not really a plot but more of a slice-of-life with a definite theme. Another great story of those left at home in England during World War II.

I was invited to read A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #MaisieThomas #ANewHomeAtTheWartimeHotel

[Soozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story of three women finding life very difficult during the war: Beatrice who works as an 'inco' lady, delivering incontinence pads to women looking after family members, but also offering practical support above and beyond her role and yearning for more from her life; Lily who has married in haste out of her class and is expecting her first child, and Kitty who has a spendthrift husband, totally unable to live within his means, who struggles to keep the household together but who has a much loved daughter Abbie.

The War moves along and their lives change as different circumstances affect them, drawing them to the Dunbar Hotel - Kitty because her husband's family owns it, Lily because she worked there before marriage and Beatrice when she is offered space to run a children's club for those young ones forced to look after family members.

Its heartwarming, and while I find the nasty, judgemental gossip so prevalent at that time to be beyond irritating, the book was very true to life and each of the characters were easy to relate to. A nice picture of wartime Britain and some interesting situations portrayed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy to read this first book in a brand new series! A New Home at the Wartime Hotel is a delightful offering of friendship, determination and resilience in the midst of civilian wartime.

The story is rich in detail - both the author’s knowledge of her hometown of Manchester’s suburbs and her research into ‘war work’.

The ‘down to earth’ characters are what make this story such a gem. Their dialogue is witty; their personal circumstances bring many plot twists and strong emotions; and observing the friendship flourish between Kitty, Lily and Beatrice is truly heartwarming.

I highly recommend this enjoyable and engaging story - I can’t wait to see what happens next in book two. I know this is going to be another wonderful series from Maisie Thomas.

Thank you to the publisher, Boldwood Books, for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd heard of Maisie Thomas but had never read any of her books. I wish I had! This was a wonderful story of friendship, heartbreak and pure determination. The 3 main characters each had their own story but came together lovely. I can't wait to read more of this series, Thanks to Netgalley and Boldworld books for letting me read

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Manchester at the end of April in 1928 and Kitty Dunbar has just given birth to a baby daughter, at first everything is going really good with her marriage and her baby girl, but then she finds out that her husband has been keeping something from her that she just can't agree with.
Jumping forward thirteen years, and it's January 1941, wartime and Kitty is left to sort out the family business, a hotel that has permanent and occasional guests.

Beatrice, whose surname is Stinkerman, is finding it difficult to ignore the torment and jibes from the local boys, all because of the job she does and her name.

Lily works at Dunbars Hotel as a chamber maid. It's hard working the long hours, but she enjoys it, and she lives in at the hotel. She is now married to Daniel, who is in the merchant navy. After getting pregnant and living with Daniels, parents just wasn't an option, so she moved back into her old room at Dunbars Hotel. But Daniel has told her that after the baby is born, she will move in with his parents, something she is not looking forward to.

Beatrice meanwhile is with the Women's Voluntary Service, sometimes at the local rest centre and sometimes in the mobile canteens giving out tea cigarettes and sandwiches to those who needed it, whether they had lost their homes or to the men of the civil defence services who were out after each bomb attack. She also does the "inco round" delivering incontinence products to ladies in need and often helping out while she was there, which wasn't part of her job but she just couldn't walk away from someone who needed help in one form or another. But now she wonders if she could do anything else for a job, with the war raging there are other opportunities for women and surely she could do something worthwhile.

Soon these three young women, Beatrice, Lily and Kitty, find themselves drawn together and find friendship, hope and secrets that they don't know whether to believe or ignore, but will it be enough to make things better or worse?

This is the first book in a new series by Maisie Thomas, I have previously read and enjoyed her books, and this is no exception. I really loved it.
From the first few pages I was drawn into the storyline and the lives of Kitty and her baby daughter, Lily and her devastating and heartbreaking situation and Beatrice and her ongoing job situation really keep your attention throughout. I am really looking forward to reading more in this series.
A cracking five-star read.

#Boldwoodbooks
#netgalley
#aNewHomeAtTheWartimeHotel
#MaisieThomas

[Yvonne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Can this be the safe place they need?"

Kitty learned early on in her marriage that her husband, Bill Dunbar, isn't reliable with money. So when they inherit the Dunbar family hotel at the start of the war, she's hopeful that their financial worries are over… until the bailiffs turn up! With Bill now in the army, it’s up to Kitty to turn things around for her family, or risk ruin.

Lily worked as a chambermaid at Dunbar’s before the war. She met Daniel there, but their relationship was complicated by class differences and the disapproval of Daniel’s mother. Now Lily is pregnant – and with Daniel away at sea, she is all alone. When tragedy strikes, will Kitty and Dunbar’s come to her rescue?

Beatrice is in her forties, unmarried, and working in a job that exposes her to the harsh realities of poverty and sacrifice. She wonders whether the war might give her the opportunity to change lives for the better - including her own. But when she's accused of a crime she didn't commit, the future looks bleak... until Kitty makes a surprising suggestion.

Can the community around Dunbar’s hotel pull together and provide a beacon of hope and resilience, in the dark days of war?

…

This new series looks all set to wonderfully complement others which have already been such a huge success for the author, whether writing, in this instance, as Maisie Thomas, or under one of her alternative aliases. Her trademark strong female characters, impeccable research and sympathetic understanding about domestic life for those left behind, here in the UK during WWII, is second to none in its detail, whilst at the same time highlighting and challenging so many societal norms of the period head on. The knowledge and love she has for the City of Manchester, shines through in her engaging vivid descriptions and immersive qualities, making this the ideal storyline for me, as a confirmed 'armchair traveller'.

The scene is set in the opening few chapters from 1928, well before the outbreak of war. Kitty is newly married to Bill and has just given birth to their first baby, a daughter named Abigail, who is the apple of her father's eye. Kitty's brother Peter had been killed in The Great War, whilst her much older sister Naomi and brother-in-law Derek, have three young sons, so a new granddaughter is something to be celebrated, even though Bill's mother is not quite so enthusiastic. Kitty is under no illusion that Bill is extravagant with money he definitely doesn't earn as a shipping clerk and the lavish gifts with which he now showers herself and Abigail only heightens her suspicions that Bill's life outside of the home, is not as it seems. When Kitty resolves to discover Bill's secret by whatever means necessary, she throws caution to the wind, breaking one of the golden rules of married life, by challenging her husbands authority over the household finances. When she further humiliates him by offering to help him settle his debts, family tensions mount and all trust is lost.

By 1941 the country is once again fully immersed in war, however, although increasingly unreliable with the family finances, Bill has yet to be called up, with his shipping duties having been recognised as a reserved occupation. He also, following the death of his cousin and uncle, finds himself heir apparent to 'Dunbar's Hotel' in the city centre, although he is unable to take up his management responsibilities for fear of immediately receiving his call-up papers. Abigail, now 13, is to be their only child and still doted on by Bill, so when Kitty discovers his latest extravagance, she decides that drastic action is needed to prevent him frittering away his inheritance and bankrupting them, whilst protecting her daughter's admiration for her father. Having suddenly received the dreaded call to arms, Bill does have one final salvo to fire, which almost leaves Kitty and Abbie destitute, were it not for Kitty's heroic show of resilience and determination to succeed, in what is still almost exclusively a man's world, with the assistance of one forward thinking businessman who is willing to embrace the inevitable changes he sees ahead, when war is finally over.

It is now that Lily, Beatrice and Fay enter Kitty's life, each with challenges they must face and overcome to secure their respective futures in the new world order for women. Kitty discovers a fellow female warrior in Fay Brewer, the unexpected, but most welcome 'man from the council', who holds the fate of 'Dunbar's Hotel' in her hands and will move heaven and earth to both help the neighbourhood she serves and those individuals in it who are striving to build a prosperous post-war future.

Beatrice, middle-aged and single, works for the local Welfare Team, delivering incontinence aids to adults who are unable to afford to buy them. Not particularly popular with some of her colleagues, she is always willing to go above and beyond what is required of her and hates to see injustice. Secretly, she longs to be in a position to help the many forgotten child carers she regularly meets, whose education record is almost non-existent and whose childhood has been so cruelly curtailed by domestic duties at home. However, when her honesty and integrity is called into question and both her employers and the local community she serves, turn their backs on her, an unemployed and friendless Beatrice is taken in by Kitty, whilst she strives to prove her innocence and regain her good name and reputation.

Lily, once a chambermaid at Dunbar's Hotel, now a 'fallen woman', with a short, failed marriage behind her and a heart so broken that it may never truly heal, has nowhere else to turn, but to her old employer, not knowing the change of circumstances and fortunes of the Dunbar family. Kitty listens to Lily's traumatic story with a mix of admiration and respect for the young girl who has endured so much emotional turmoil and for whom life might have been so much more comfortable, if she had been willing to leave behind her family roots and the class she had been born into, something she discovers that she is simply unwilling to countenance, when the true cost of betrayal is weighed up.

Although, as a child, Abigail is still kept in the dark about her father's fickle ways and the deception he uses to secure his own ends, she proves herself to be more than a good companion for the four dominant females in her life, made all the more complete when a furious Kitty confronts Bill's mother about her son's lies, finally managing to convince her that not all men, purely by deed of their gender, are to be revered and looked up to without question and that she should make up her own mind about Bill's behaviour and how she wants to treat him in the future, whilst deciding for herself how big a role she wants to play in her granddaughter's future.

Abigail looks as though she is going to follow in her mother's footsteps, when she plays an active and pivotal role in helping Beatrice clear her name, being totally confident enough to hold her own and speak for herself, when the police ask her to explain the evidence she believes she has, which might exonerate Beatrice.

I am looking forward to following this unlikely matched group of forward thinking women, as they continue to challenge the norms of society, which I'm certain won't be a smooth ride when an errant Bill gets wind of their success.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the beginning. I was shocked to see that even back during World War 2 that people could buy on credit. It was just as easy to get far in debt. At first I didn't grasp it and then I realized I get offers all the time. No wonder Bill could get so much on credit. To see how his wife, Kitty, struggled, not having a say, was hard to comprehend.

Bills cavelier ways regarding credit destroys almost everything. If it was for Kitty's brilliant idea I would hate to think what would happen. After inheriting the Dunbar hotel, Bill thought he could buy anything. But when the bills come due it will be Kitty that keeps them afloat.

The reader gets to see how things were done during the war. Watch the children play in the building sites. Cry as children are forced to grow way too soon. See how the Corporation helps those in need but turns their backs when someone is accused of theft. How soon others turn their backs had me in tears. I guess innocent until proven guilty was a false during that time.

Kitty opens her heart and the hotel to those that found themselves struggling. After the unthinkable
occurred and she was no longer to run the hotel as is her brilliance left smiling. Even back then a woman could do more than what was expected.

A New Home at the Wartime Hotel was a very dramatic story. The author picked me up and took me back to World War Two England to experience the bombings. I had so many emotions going on I was left speechless. I really hope that the author will write a follow up to this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story begins in Manchester in 1928, where our main character Kitty Dunbar has become a mother to baby Abigail. We meet Kitty’s husband Bill and her older sister Naomi.
The action then moves on to January 1941, thirteen years later, during World War II. Kitty, Bill and Abbie (12) are still in Manchester. Bill is now going to inherit the Dunbar Hotel. However, his rash overspending is going to have consequences for his whole family.
The other main characters in the novel are Beatrice and Lily. Beatrice is a spinster in her forties who delivers incontinence pads on her bike. But her caring nature means she wishes she could do more, especially for the children that can’t go to school because they have to be young carers.
Lily worked at Dunbar’s hotel as a chambermaid, which is where she met Daniel. His mother doesn’t approve of her because of the class difference. Lily is now pregnant and married (in that order) and Daniel is away in the Navy.
Events bring Beatrice and Lily to Dunbar’s and along with Kitty and Abbie, they become firm friends and look out for one another, while trying to help others struggling in the War and dealing with their own personal issues. The wonderful Fay Brewer is another great character – a list of strong women all trying their best in trying circumstances.
The WWII background is described authentically and I enjoyed the details and reading about the long queues for food, rationing and the Anderson shelters, but the emphasis of the novel is definitely on the brilliant women at home dealing with all their issues.
This is the start of an exciting new series and I look forward to catching up with all the characters in the next book.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“A New Home at the War Front Hotel” is the first book in a new series by Maisie Thomas. This story follows three women as they cope with WWII on the home front in England. Kitty, married to Bill and mother of Abigail, finds herself coping with a husband who spends money like it’s water - but worse than that takes out “never never” loans (look it up online). Beatrice is a single woman who works for an agency that drops off adult diapers, but Beatrice has a heart of gold. Lily finds herself newly married and pregnant. What brings these women together is Dunbar Hotel. What I liked about this book was how women everywhere coped with the men not being home. Women doing things thanks to doors being open to them was highly stressed and I liked how resourceful the women were too. What I didn’t like was that this book started off for about six chapters focusing on one character, then bounced to another feeling like it was out of the blue. The key information from the first six chapters were repeated in subsequent chapters, so that was a bit curious. I also really like learning things from historical fiction books and I cannot say that I really learned anything new from this book. I think if you like stories with a background of WWII, set in England, with strong women characters, this might be a book to pick up.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty learned early on in her marriage that her husband, Bill Dunbar, isn't reliable with money. So when they inherit the Dunbar family hotel at the start of the war, she's hopeful that their financial worries are over.... until the bailiffs turn up!

Lily worked as a chamber maid at Dunbar's before the war. She met Daniel there, but their relationship was complicated by class differences and the disapproval of Daniel's mother. Now Lily is pregnant and Daniel is away at sea, she's all alone. When tragedy strikes, will Kitty and Dunbar's come to her rescue?


Beatrice is in her forties, unmarried and working in a job that exposes her to the rash realities of poverty and sacrifice. She wonders whether the war might give her an opportunity to change lives for the better - including her own. But when she's accused of a crime she didn't commit, the future looks bleak.

This is the first book in a new series that's set in Manchester around WWII. We meet Kitty, Lily and Beatrice and their struggles to survive in a man's world. This is quite an emotional read. The women are strong characters. The three women are drawn together and form a tight bond. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Published 27th March 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #MaisieThomas for my ARC of #ANewHomeAtTheWartimeHotel in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from Manchester, I loved the setting for this novel and recognized some of the places mentioned. This series starts back in the 1920's and you get a feel for the relationship between Kitty and her husband. It is interesting to then fast forward to the early years of the Second World War to see how life has turned out for her and whether anyone has changed. Kitty certainly has a determined streak and a strong sense of right and wrong. Her attitude towards credit is the opposite of her husbands and she soon shows that she will stop at nothing to preserve her life style and that of her daughter. In common with other women of the time, Kitty is wondering whether there are opportunities for her to work and achieve. Another such one is Beatrice whose early childhood has given her an empathy for young people whose life chances have been harmed. The third woman we meet is Lily, a younger, less confident young woman who longs for stability.

Though the three women's stories, which interweave around the Dunbar Hotel, you see a lot about women's lives of the time. There are some very strong female characters in the story, all with their tales to tell. There is plenty of period detail, with rationing, clothing, homes all under the spotlight. Daily life is certainly not easy but there is a can do attitude which makes for a warm and hopeful story.

In short: wartime lives brought to life.
Thanks to the publisher

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the first book in a new World War II historical fiction series by Maisie Thomas, readers meet Kitty, Lily, and Beatrice in 1941 Manchester as the war changes their lives and brings them together at the Dunbar Hotel. Kitty hopes that taking over the Dunbar family hotel will solve their financial issues, but the arrival of the bailiffs while her husband Bill is in the army forces her to take charge. Lily, a chambermaid for the hotel before the war, has discovered that she is pregnant, but the ongoing strife with her elitist mother-in-law and absent husband means that she can only rely on Kitty when things get difficult. Social worker Beatrice hopes that the war might give her the chance to make things better, but getting falsely accused of a crime will make things far more difficult for her. A cast of complex and strong heroines really draws readers into the story, while the alternating perspectives highlight how their lives change as the war progresses and the Dunbar hotel evolves with it, and connecting their stories via the war and the hotel is a fantastic narrative choice. Charming, entertaining, and hopeful, this is a strong start to a brilliant new World War II historical fiction series that fans of similar titles will love.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas is an inspiring and heartwarming story. We are taken back to Manchester in 1941. I found the book to be easy to read. The characters are developed and realistic. The story is told from Kitty, Lily, and Beatrice’s point of view. I liked each of the ladies as well as some of the secondary ladies (I especially liked the lady with the hat with the large plume). Each of the main characters has gone through difficulties in their lives. I felt for each one of them. While the war is terrible, it may be a time for these ladies to shine. The author described the long queues the women had to wait in at each shop to get food (you had to go to the butcher, bakery, etc.). There was no guarantee that what they wanted would be available and food rationing regulations changed often (sometimes month to month). I cannot imagine having to endure the frequent bombings. You could return from the bomb shelter to find your home a pile of rubble. This is an emotional story. What I liked most of all was the friendships that developed between the women and how they supported each other. I am eager to read the next book in the Dunbar’s Hotel series.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new saga series to enjoy from Maisie Thomas, and it's just as wonderful as I'd hoped it would be!!

Set in Manchester again during the war, we meet 3 women who are brought together through the hotel and it's another cast of inspiring young women for us to follow through troubled times. Their 'can do' attitude is really inspiring no matter the issues they all face, be it personally or professionally, and you find yourself totally caught up in their lives while they live through very dramatic and troubling times.

Kitty, Beatrice and Lily are the focus of the story and how they all end up being in the same place - almost like fate conspired to bring them into each others lives. Their own personal lives have left them facing some real difficulties, which may have left some women wanting to run away and hide, but they have this amazing spirit, often with the help of others, to fight on and do what is right no matter the obstacles thrown in their way.

The hotel proves to be the saving grace for them all, almost becoming a safe sanctuary for them and I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series to see what they are left facing next.

My thanks to the author for the reading copy in return for a fair and honest review.

[Sams_Fireside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Times are changing, as Manchester's ladies try to survive during WWII.

I love an educational WWII novel, and I've read many over the years. The ones where you learn more about the atrocities of the prison camps and the tenacity of the people who were held there. But I equally love a more lighthearted story, which is exactly what A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas is. It's the first in a new series, and although there is one heartbreaking topic (check the trigger warnings), this was a winner for me.

This time we are in Manchester as WWII continues, men are off fighting and the women are left to hold the fort - or the hotel! The characters are resilient and resourceful, and Kitty in particular was amazing as she fought to keep her home, and reconfigure the business to provide for her teenage daughter. Lily, Beatrice and Kitty (and Abbie) all became firm friends by the end of the story and I can't wait to hear what's in store for them next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review A New Home at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas.

[Nadine-Sue Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is set during WWII and follows a number of women in their day to day lives.

Kitty is the first we get to know. She is a strong and resilient character but I couldn't help feel sorry for her. Her marriage is clearly a source of much disappointment. Despite this, she soldiers on and does her best to bring up Abbie and serve her community. I like her business sense and she shows initiative at a time when the future was clearly unknown and a little bleak.

Lily is a sad character too. Down on her look but determined to help where she can. She feels a victim of circumstance and is another woman let down by someone she loved. She isn't afraid to ask for help or muck in though so you can't help but admire her spirit!!

Beatrice is out third, female main character and she's a little different to the other two. She's still down on her luck but she has initiative and integrity and I like her determination.

The three work well together and there's a great relationship between them all. The book is sad at times but there's also some lovely moments.

[Emma Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness what a brilliant book and a wonderful start of a series.

Kitty is married to Bill but unfortunately he does not know how to not spend money and he has inherited the Dunbar Hotel he is away helping in the War when the bailiffs take all the furniture from the hotel. She decides to turn the hotel into a storage facility for the people who have lost their homes. Lily is married to Daniel she is expecting a baby and he is away in the Merchant Navy he is upper class while she is working class and through tragic circumstances she ends up living with Lily and her daughter Abbie. Beatrice works for the corporation where she sees the poverty of all the people she wants to help people, she ends up living in the Dunbar Hotel as well.

The book ebbed and flowed it was happy and sad in places. I really liked all three woman and they all worked well together their characters clicked.

The book was well written and interesting.

I would recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous start to a new series by Maisie Thomas who is a new to me author. I read a lot of books in this genre and this one taught me something new about wartime! I don't want to give any spoilers, suffice it to say that the use of the hotel when not being used as that was an eye-opener for me.
I enjoyed reading about the lives of the main characters, Kitty, Lily and Beatrice. They are 3 very different people with different backgrounds. Women who begin not knowing each other but who are brought together because of the hotel and go on to become firm friends.

Each of their stories was emotional. The strength they find to deal with their problems and the strength that they give to each other was touching to read.

I very much enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next one.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new series

I very much enjoyed reading this first book in the Wartime Hotel Series. The story is set in Manchester, beginning after Kitty Dunbar has given birth to her firstborn Abigail. Her husband Bill loves both his wife and child but his financial management skills leave much to be desired. Moving ahead thirteen years to 1941 and Wartime is affecting everyone. Beatrice is an Inco lady, who delivers clean diapers for adults to homes in need. Lily is a young woman who worked at Dunbar's Hotel as a chambermaid until she married a man from the upperclass who also impregnated her. How these three women and teenager Abbie, become a unique family makes for a fascinating read.

This novel was easy to pick up and read during an evening, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A New Home at the Wartime Hotel is a heart-warming start to a brand new trilogy from Maisie Thomas. It follows three women as they navigate their way through the challenges of living through wartime whilst dealing with their own personal problems.

Bill Dunbar inherits Dunbar's, the family hotel but when he is called up it falls to his wife Kitty to keep it running, that is until bailiffs take everything to cover Bill's debts. Lily is a former chambermaid who finds herself back at Dunbar's, despite thinking her life was about to go in a completely different direction. Beatrice lives a fairly unfulfilling life but thinks she can achieve more until a false accusation threatens to ruin her life.

The three women find themselves unexpectedly brought together and a friendship is born. I loved Kitty's tenacious nature and her determination to adapt Dunbar's to avoid losing it altogether. I also really liked Beatrice's ideas to help children who care for relatives. I feel like there's a lot more to come from Lily in the next book and I'm really intrigued to see which direction Kitty takes Dunbar's in.

This is a delightful, cosy and easy to read book which transported me to Manchester in wartime. I enjoyed the focus on the hotel which felt a bit different to other sagas and I thought it was a lovely way to set up a new series from one of my favourite writers.

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series from Maisie Thomas, set in Manchester, sees Kitty Dunbar taking over the family hotel. Can she keep control of the property whilst facing the struggles of wartime and her husband's frivolous ways?

The reader also meets Lily and Beatrice. Lily was a chambermaid at the hotel before the war and she met her husband Daniel there - can they overcome the problems their class difference causes? Beatrice is accused of a crime she didn't commit - can she find a future at the hotel?

This book is definitely setting the scene for future books, background stories are very detailed. I look forward to book two, and finding out how the women have managed to pull together.

[Jeanette Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find myself drawn to WWI or WWII historical books. My mother and my maternal relatives are from England. My mother lived in England during WW II.

All the main characters are very much aware of the danger of having a bad reputation and being the source of gossip. Each woman had to face this gossip and continue on.

Kitty, Lily and Beatrice became sources of strength for each other. Their friendship was unique and beautiful to read. It is so rare to see in today's world.

I did enjoy watching Kitty taking charge and doing what she needed to do to keep her home. Survival. Her daughter and eventually her friends depended on her.

I loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely engrossing WWII saga. Set in Manchester, readers are introduced to Kitty, Lily and Beatrice, whose lives will insect in the most beautiful way.

So many details of the time period and setting are beautifully incorporated in this story that I felt I was right there next to these three women.

This is historical fiction at its finest with an emphasis on just how strong women can be, as well as a celebration of the friendship and support between women.

This was my first book by Maisie, and I’ll certainly be looking for more. I grabbed this on audio from my library’s Hoopla collection and it was a treat for my ears. So well done!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand new historical saga, my favourite genre as I learn something new in every aspect. This book follows three women's lives during war time and the Dunbar Hotel that intertwines them together. My favourite character is Beatrice as she has a kind heart and a helpful work ethic. It's a charming story full of heart and wit that is the perfect place to take your mind away from your own troubles for a while. I laughed and smiled with pleasure whilst reading and getting to know the characters who I adore. It was nice to curl up with this heartwarming tale and a cuppa!

[Jenn Webley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable war time saga.

A new WW2 series, set in Manchester. We meet characters Kitty, Lily and Beatrice. Strangers h til circumstances bring them together. Brilliant characters, highly invested in each of them. Interesting how each are so different yet have things in common that bond them. Will be keen to see how each character develops over the series.

A good read, brilliant first in the series that has set things up nicely for future books.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

- [ ] This is the first book in a brand new series by Maisie Thomas and I really enjoyed it. It didn’t take me long to settle into the story and I quickly became immersed in this book.
Set in Manchester during the 1940’s, life isn’t easy for everyone as the menfolk are away fighting in the war. It’s left to the women to keep everything together back home.

The three main characters; Lily, Beatrice and Kitty were all strong women and they soon formed a very close knit friendship with each other. I really admired them all.

This was an emotional read at times and also a wonderful start to a new series . I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction saga .