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HQ Digital The Highland Girls Report for Duty (The Highland Girls series).
Don’t miss this poignant and heartwarming WW2 novel for fans of Rosie Clarke, Dilly Court and Rosie Archer.
Scotland, 1944
Fearless Seffy was hoping for a transfer to England to be near Callum, the Canadian soldier she has given her heart to. Instead she is instructed to train a new group of lumberjills. Will their unhelpful attitude finally be a match for Seffy’s determination and cheerfulness?
Sensible Jean is a true believer in the wartime effort. When she meets a conscientious objector can she accept that following the rules might not always define a person?
And young Missy has come all the way over from Canada to surprise her first love, Callum who is stationed as a soldier in England. But despite this grand act of love, his heart may no longer belong to her…
The Women’s Timber Corps are about to have a tumultuous year…
Praise for The Highland Girls
'A true saga with friendship, heartbreak and joy. More please!’ Elaine Everest
'Five stars and highly recommended' Jean Fullerton
'Helen Yendall is a rising star in wartime sagas' Betty Walker
' A wartime saga full of feisty, relatable characters who you take into your heart' Michelle Rawlins
Readers LOVE The Highland Girls on Guard!‘Greatly written… Read it far too quickly!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
‘It was a joy to read…The icing on the cake was the discovery that there's to be a third book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'This is the first time that I read a novel by Helen Yendall! I could not put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'The plotting was fast-paced and intriguing, combining elements of romance, friendship, subterfuge, and a satisfying, cheer-out-loud ending. A thoroughly enjoyable read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'Beautifully written and a real page turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
Scotland, 1944
Fearless Seffy was hoping for a transfer to England to be near Callum, the Canadian soldier she has given her heart to. Instead she is instructed to train a new group of lumberjills. Will their unhelpful attitude finally be a match for Seffy’s determination and cheerfulness?
Sensible Jean is a true believer in the wartime effort. When she meets a conscientious objector can she accept that following the rules might not always define a person?
And young Missy has come all the way over from Canada to surprise her first love, Callum who is stationed as a soldier in England. But despite this grand act of love, his heart may no longer belong to her…
The Women’s Timber Corps are about to have a tumultuous year…
Praise for The Highland Girls
'A true saga with friendship, heartbreak and joy. More please!’ Elaine Everest
'Five stars and highly recommended' Jean Fullerton
'Helen Yendall is a rising star in wartime sagas' Betty Walker
' A wartime saga full of feisty, relatable characters who you take into your heart' Michelle Rawlins
Readers LOVE The Highland Girls on Guard!‘Greatly written… Read it far too quickly!!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
‘It was a joy to read…The icing on the cake was the discovery that there's to be a third book’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'This is the first time that I read a novel by Helen Yendall! I could not put it down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'The plotting was fast-paced and intriguing, combining elements of romance, friendship, subterfuge, and a satisfying, cheer-out-loud ending. A thoroughly enjoyable read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
'Beautifully written and a real page turner' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NetGalley reviewer
- GenresHistorical Fiction
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2025
199 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Helen Yendall
4 books42 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 5, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book whilst staying in the middle of a forest near Aviemore! I have thoroughly enjoyed the series although this was probably the title so far that least grabbed me. Perhaps it was the lack of the old faces with the book just focusing on a couple of the girls we had got to know and love. It was interesting moving to a different area and I wonder if now one of the main characters has moved to the New Forest if she will feature again or will the series still feature her as a Highland Girl but in a different part of the country?!
Highly recommend the series to others who enjoy historical fiction with some saga and romance.
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.
Highly recommend the series to others who enjoy historical fiction with some saga and romance.
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.
March 20, 2025
Another beautifully written book by Helen Yendall. I've really enjoyed all the books in the series as they are close to my heart as a very dear close family friend served in the Woman's Timber Corps. I highly recommend if you haven't read this wonderful series before to read them. I've throughly enjoyed catching up with Seffy and Callum and all the other lumberjills and hope their will be a fourth installment.
March 23, 2025
UNPUTDOWNABLE!
If you have an appointment you must keep, or something essential to do, I suggest you don’t start reading this book until you’ve done them, since once you start it’s impossible to put down.
We’re back in the highlands with the lumberjills. We meet some old friends but before long, our sparky heroine Seffy, with sensible Jean by her side, have been redeployed to Aberdeenshire and there’s whole new team to train up. But this group of women are demoralised and unwilling. Will Seffy and Jean manage to knock them into shape? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
At the heart of the novel however is the unfinished business between Seffy and the Canadian lumberjack Callum, whom she loves. He’s an honourable man and engaged to another, it seems impossible that our sweethearts have a future. Heart thumping, you won’t be able to turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they do.
As ever Helen Yendall has created and world that pulls you in. You feel the fresh chill of the highlands, smell the sawdust, experience every emotion. All the characters, even the minor ones, are finely drawn and utterly believable. It’s a great sadness when you get to the end and have to say goodbye.
This is the third of the Highland Girls books and is a triumphant conclusion to a consistently excellent series. I thoroughly recommend these books to anyone who loves good stories, well told.
If you have an appointment you must keep, or something essential to do, I suggest you don’t start reading this book until you’ve done them, since once you start it’s impossible to put down.
We’re back in the highlands with the lumberjills. We meet some old friends but before long, our sparky heroine Seffy, with sensible Jean by her side, have been redeployed to Aberdeenshire and there’s whole new team to train up. But this group of women are demoralised and unwilling. Will Seffy and Jean manage to knock them into shape? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
At the heart of the novel however is the unfinished business between Seffy and the Canadian lumberjack Callum, whom she loves. He’s an honourable man and engaged to another, it seems impossible that our sweethearts have a future. Heart thumping, you won’t be able to turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they do.
As ever Helen Yendall has created and world that pulls you in. You feel the fresh chill of the highlands, smell the sawdust, experience every emotion. All the characters, even the minor ones, are finely drawn and utterly believable. It’s a great sadness when you get to the end and have to say goodbye.
This is the third of the Highland Girls books and is a triumphant conclusion to a consistently excellent series. I thoroughly recommend these books to anyone who loves good stories, well told.
December 3, 2025
Third in the series and we once again are rejoined with Seffy and Jean. They are both lumberjills working in Scotland during the war. Seffy applies for a transfer to England hoping she will be closer to Callum, a Canadian Lumberjack soldier who she has fallen in love with, but instead, she is transferred to another unit not far away. When Seffy and Jean arrive, they find their team disheartened and poorly trained. In fact, they just aren't interested. Seffy and Jean learn these young women have already been basically written off by other leaders and this is their last chance. Seffy has her work cut out for her to try to find a way to motivate them.
What she doesn't realize is her higher ranking officer has tasked Jean to spy on her. Seffy is a leader and was upset when her position was upended at her last posting. She fought to prove herself worthy and came out smelling like a rose but the female officer still doesn't like her and is intent on proving Seffy is anything but worthy.
For Callum, his Canadian fiancee has travelled to England with a Red Cross unit determined to try to find him. But Callum, never loved her, he only proposed to her because he felt obligated to do so by her father, who had almost become a father to Callum as well.
Looking forward to the fourth instalment in this series, if there is one!
What she doesn't realize is her higher ranking officer has tasked Jean to spy on her. Seffy is a leader and was upset when her position was upended at her last posting. She fought to prove herself worthy and came out smelling like a rose but the female officer still doesn't like her and is intent on proving Seffy is anything but worthy.
For Callum, his Canadian fiancee has travelled to England with a Red Cross unit determined to try to find him. But Callum, never loved her, he only proposed to her because he felt obligated to do so by her father, who had almost become a father to Callum as well.
Looking forward to the fourth instalment in this series, if there is one!
March 13, 2025
I was looking forward to further adventures of the Lumberjills - this book has been a while in coming but so well worth the wait.
Helen Yendall obviously had put a lot of research into the series as a whole and this book in particular.
Seffy and Jean are sent away from their friends into Aberdeenshire and a new group of ladies - one of whom is feisty to the point of rudeness and the others untrained, uninterested and to be frank quite inept to be considered for the often dangerous job of Lumberjills.
I had hoped that Jean would develop a relationship and maybe that’s for another episode (please) but Seffy’s relationship is under threat when she slips away to London and meets her Canadian’s fiancée.
But in wartime things are often not as they seem and there may be happy endings after all.
The book was not only an easy and pleasant read but also informative - I found the fact that the Canadian ladies came over with the Red Cross to offer support to Canadian servicemen an interesting side story.
This is part of a series of - and I recommend the whole series - but could be read as a stand-alone book and still be enjoyed.
Think I will miss the Lumberjills now I have finished the book
Helen Yendall obviously had put a lot of research into the series as a whole and this book in particular.
Seffy and Jean are sent away from their friends into Aberdeenshire and a new group of ladies - one of whom is feisty to the point of rudeness and the others untrained, uninterested and to be frank quite inept to be considered for the often dangerous job of Lumberjills.
I had hoped that Jean would develop a relationship and maybe that’s for another episode (please) but Seffy’s relationship is under threat when she slips away to London and meets her Canadian’s fiancée.
But in wartime things are often not as they seem and there may be happy endings after all.
The book was not only an easy and pleasant read but also informative - I found the fact that the Canadian ladies came over with the Red Cross to offer support to Canadian servicemen an interesting side story.
This is part of a series of - and I recommend the whole series - but could be read as a stand-alone book and still be enjoyed.
Think I will miss the Lumberjills now I have finished the book
April 17, 2025
Another wonderful tale from the pen/keyboard of Helen Yendall. I have been following the Highland Girls series since it started and thought it was coming to an end with the 3rd book but I couldn't be more delighted to say that there is still plenty of war years left unwritten for these ladies and their adventures.
The cast of characters is back but only for a little while as the Girls find themselves losing Jean and Seffy to another area of Aberdeenshire and a wild lot of Lumber Lassies. There are some new characters, some delightful, some disgruntled and some painful that Jean and Seffy have to encounter in this new experience. As for Callum, he finds himself in a predicament of the worst circumstances when his fiance makes her way over unannounced from Canada.
I love the writing of this series and the fact that there aren't just lollipops and rainbows for all of the characters but the hard truths of war, as well. The characters are well written and all have very distinct and unique personalities. I gobbled this up in a couple of sittings and I'm waiting as patiently as I can for the next installment.
Thank you's go to Netgalley, HQ Digital and Helen Yendall for an ARC of another heart warming and heart wrenching tale. All opinions are my own.
The cast of characters is back but only for a little while as the Girls find themselves losing Jean and Seffy to another area of Aberdeenshire and a wild lot of Lumber Lassies. There are some new characters, some delightful, some disgruntled and some painful that Jean and Seffy have to encounter in this new experience. As for Callum, he finds himself in a predicament of the worst circumstances when his fiance makes her way over unannounced from Canada.
I love the writing of this series and the fact that there aren't just lollipops and rainbows for all of the characters but the hard truths of war, as well. The characters are well written and all have very distinct and unique personalities. I gobbled this up in a couple of sittings and I'm waiting as patiently as I can for the next installment.
Thank you's go to Netgalley, HQ Digital and Helen Yendall for an ARC of another heart warming and heart wrenching tale. All opinions are my own.
January 30, 2025
I’ve always eagerly anticipated the follow up to these books and it’s finally here! I’ve grown to love this group of strong woman and learning more about the Timber Corp (a less publicised area of the war’s work force) and this one had so many hooks.
I loved getting to know a whole new cast of women (as Jean and Seffy get temporarily transferred to whip a sorry bunch into shape) and wow do they need some help! Seffy and her relationship to the dashing Canadian too I’ve been fully invested in, and when his wife to be appears in England for war work.. things are bound to heat up.
I loved reading this in the mornings with my coffee and looked forward to it every day. And boy did I absolutely annihilate the last 30% of this book which I pretty much read in a frenzy. So entertaining and so enjoyable to read!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I loved getting to know a whole new cast of women (as Jean and Seffy get temporarily transferred to whip a sorry bunch into shape) and wow do they need some help! Seffy and her relationship to the dashing Canadian too I’ve been fully invested in, and when his wife to be appears in England for war work.. things are bound to heat up.
I loved reading this in the mornings with my coffee and looked forward to it every day. And boy did I absolutely annihilate the last 30% of this book which I pretty much read in a frenzy. So entertaining and so enjoyable to read!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
March 13, 2025
Book 3 of Highland Girls Series
Scotland, 1944. Fearless Seffy was hoping for a transfer to England to be near Callum, the Canadian soldier she had given her heart to. Instead she was instructed to train a new group of lumberjills.
Sensible Jean is a true believer in the wartime effort. When she meets a conscientious objector can she accept that following the rules might not define a person.
And young Missy has come all the way over from Canada to surprise her first love Callum who was stationed as a soldier in England. But despite this grand act of love, his heart may no longer belong to her.
I've loved getting to know these women and about the Timber Corps of which I knew nothing about. This is a well-written book with well-developed characters. I liked following the girls stories and seeing how things played out.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQDigital and the author #TheHighlandGirlsReportForDuty in exchange for an honest review.
Scotland, 1944. Fearless Seffy was hoping for a transfer to England to be near Callum, the Canadian soldier she had given her heart to. Instead she was instructed to train a new group of lumberjills.
Sensible Jean is a true believer in the wartime effort. When she meets a conscientious objector can she accept that following the rules might not define a person.
And young Missy has come all the way over from Canada to surprise her first love Callum who was stationed as a soldier in England. But despite this grand act of love, his heart may no longer belong to her.
I've loved getting to know these women and about the Timber Corps of which I knew nothing about. This is a well-written book with well-developed characters. I liked following the girls stories and seeing how things played out.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQDigital and the author #TheHighlandGirlsReportForDuty in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2025
The author creates strong images of a freezing cold climate in the Highlands of Scotland during the WW2. Working in a remote forest as part of the Women’s Timber Corp, the unruly group of lasses are gently coerced by their newly appointed leader Seffy and her friend Jean who have been seconded from their previous engagement. Seffy’s earlier relationship with the Canadian Callum, plays a big role in the telling when his girl from back home unexpectedly appears in the UK. To better appreciate the general tone, it is helpful to have read Helen Yendall’s previous novel, although not essential.
A lighthearted read of the trials and tribulations faced by the volunteers, both within the group and the local community, with the young women maturing through their experiences.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A lighthearted read of the trials and tribulations faced by the volunteers, both within the group and the local community, with the young women maturing through their experiences.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2025
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this lovely book in a great series
it was great to catch up with seffy and jean as they embark on a new adventure with the lost girls.... trying to get them to be lumberjills as this group were feral.... there was no getting around that fact when seffy and jean first met them and the lost girls walked off refusing to work....
there are many memorable moments in this book but it was the overall ease with which you could fall into the book that made it an enjoyable read....
looking forward to reading the next book from this author
it was great to catch up with seffy and jean as they embark on a new adventure with the lost girls.... trying to get them to be lumberjills as this group were feral.... there was no getting around that fact when seffy and jean first met them and the lost girls walked off refusing to work....
there are many memorable moments in this book but it was the overall ease with which you could fall into the book that made it an enjoyable read....
looking forward to reading the next book from this author
February 18, 2025
A cosy read women in WW2 romance novel, with plenty of humour too, The Limber Jills are back in book 3. Seph finds herself the leader of a group of young misfit girls, who have a lot of attitude but are also in need of some major cajoling. Meanwhile, she longs for Callum, the Canadian soldier she has fallen for. But trouble brews on that front too as Callum’s fiancé has surprisingly arrived in Britain. But of a mess really, and there’s a war going on too. I have enjoyed reading all three books. Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
June 4, 2025
really well written
I’m so glad I read this book to finish of the story of the lives of the lumber Jill’s during the war and stationed in Scotland. The ups and downs of their lives had me hooked and couldn’t wait to finish the book.
Loved the ending Helen though I have to admit that’s how I wanted it to finish and you did it in a way I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you.
Now to find more books you have written
I’m so glad I read this book to finish of the story of the lives of the lumber Jill’s during the war and stationed in Scotland. The ups and downs of their lives had me hooked and couldn’t wait to finish the book.
Loved the ending Helen though I have to admit that’s how I wanted it to finish and you did it in a way I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you.
Now to find more books you have written
August 31, 2025
Excellent reading
Another worthy , down to earth novel of the work of the Lumberjills in WWII. A good interesting story of the lives and loves of a group of young female volunteers and of the way different classes of people interacted during this period. I enjoyed it a great deal and recommend it highly.
Another worthy , down to earth novel of the work of the Lumberjills in WWII. A good interesting story of the lives and loves of a group of young female volunteers and of the way different classes of people interacted during this period. I enjoyed it a great deal and recommend it highly.
May 2, 2025
Absolutely loved this read. The words made it so visual, can see them felling the tread and clearing bushes. The characters were so lovable and enticed you into their world. Felt the snow!
A credit to the people of this era. More please.
A credit to the people of this era. More please.
April 17, 2025
Loved it, hoping for more in the series. Seffy is such a strong character.
May 5, 2025
A fun little series. Love books that entertain. Lots of loose ends were tidied up.
May 5, 2025
Amazing series to read
I couldn't put this book down. Just like the others in this series. An amazing read and cannot wait for the next book hopefully
I couldn't put this book down. Just like the others in this series. An amazing read and cannot wait for the next book hopefully
May 30, 2025
Enjoyable Read
This was a very interesting book. It included history, & the importance of friendship and love. Fans of English stories will like it as well.
This was a very interesting book. It included history, & the importance of friendship and love. Fans of English stories will like it as well.
June 15, 2025
A nice romantic storyline
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters and the Scottish turns of phrase made easy reading. The happy ending belittled a great read
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The characters and the Scottish turns of phrase made easy reading. The happy ending belittled a great read
September 13, 2025
A great addition to the series. It seemed a little complicated at times, but made sense before it ended.
March 14, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The lumberjills undoubtedly had a tough job to do but there is still time for friendship, romance and the occasional adventure. Seffy and Jean are very different characters but they work well together, and I loved how Jean covered up for her friend when she went AWOL. The subplot about Missy coming over from Canada and working in the burns ward added more interest, and it was easy to like and be rooting for both Seffy snd Missy despite them being love rivals for the same man. I suspect this is to be the last book in this enjoyable series so was pleased it was given such a good and satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews