The Lifeboat Girls

by Rachel Sweasey

The BRAND NEW, emotional, heartfelt historical read from the author of The Last Boat Home, Rachel Sweasey Can their friendship help them weather the storm?

Young Julia Fowler’s life revolves around Poole Harbour and its lifeboat – her older brother Wilbur is a volunteer crew member, and every blast of the mortar fills her with fear for his safety.

When news of the Titanic disaster reaches the town, the close-knit seafaring community is rocked to its core. One of their own has been lost, and grief hangs over the harbour. But Julia and her friends – Kathy, Flora, and Betsy – are also discovering new opportunities for themselves, stepping up in a world that is slowly beginning to open doors to women.

Yet change is never easy. Opposition rises at home and in the community, and tensions grow as the country edges closer to war. Julia dreams of a better childhood for her younger siblings, even as the world around her becomes increasingly uncertain.

As the girls navigate heartbreak, responsibility, and the stirrings of romance, they must rely on their friendship to guide them through darkening times. Will it be enough to see them safely into the future?

Praise for Rachel

'Spanning continents and decades, this sweeping epic stole my heart' Renita D'Silva

'I was swept up by this beautiful story of love, loss and the courage of so many during WW2' Helen Parusel

‘I loved this dual time-line read. Set in the start of WW2 and present day it deals with loss and war and finding love when you don't expect to ever love again. This was a great book and I highly recommend this one.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Loved this book. I got totally immersed in the characters and their lives, loves and loss. The mix of fact and fiction and the two different time lines worked very well.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A brutally honest account of how both men and women coped with the changes in their lives. This author writes so authentically about grieving that at times I simply had to stop reading. Anyone who has lost someone will immediately identify with the visceral pain felt by the characters. The settings were gorgeous and the descriptions of French food made me long to go back.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Loved it, sadness and joy, ups and downs. Hope there will be a sequel!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Fantastic read, was enjoyable – even cried at one part I felt I was inside the book.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genres: Historical Fiction, Womens Fiction

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[Carolyn]

The Lifeboat Girls by Rachel Sweasey is set in Poole, Dorset, England starting in 1907 - ending in 1915 and is the first in a new series set in the time of WW1.

The beautiful new cover portays all the characters of The Lifeboat Girls perfectly with their distinguished characteristics. You'll fall in love with each and every one of them.

It's a real sea-story with a difference and each section is seperarated with an illustration of an anchor.

I absolutely loved this story and look forward to the next one in the series.

It's the 'perfect' Yulefest or Christmas read.

You can find Rachel Sweasey on https://rachelsweasey.com/

[Lisa]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Rachel Sweasey's books, so I happily returned to Poole Harbour once again in The Lifeboat Girls. Although it may appear that this is just another family saga novel, it's so much more. It's a lens through which we view the rapid cultural, social, and political changes in the early 20th century...the rise of Lenin in Russia, the suffragette movement, the Titanic disaster, and the beginning of World War I. Four young women, friends since childhood, face challenges over which they have no control, but the close community of Poole helps them deal with the misfortunes of life. My heart ached as the young men of Poole marched off to the trenches in France, knowing the horrors they would face. I wept along with their mothers, wives, and sisters, wondering how many of them would survive to return to Poole. The Lifeboat Girls is another winner for Rachel Sweasey. I will now impatiently wait for the next book in the series.

[Nicole West]

A new wonderful series set in 1912 the seafaring town of Poole Harbour.

Julia Fowler has been given a tough hand in life but still keeps her siblings close and safe whilst her older brother Wilbur supports them all.

Kathy, Flora, and Betsy are all so different, but their friendship with Julia and other townspeople support will get them through the toughest obstacles and challenges.

The Titanic disaster and the beginning of war will test this small town and its people.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Helen H]

Growing up in a coastal fishing town where the lifeboat is prominent, in a community where all the locals know each other, I was immediately drawn by the title of this book and found many aspects highly relatable.

Set in and around Poole Harbour, this community is affected by the greatest maritime disaster the world has ever seen; then less than eighteen months later The Great War has begun. Their men have volunteered to fight and the women are stepping up to do their bit; not just nursing the wounded, but also manning the lifeboat!

My heart ached especially for Julia; in her young life she has known so much loss of loved ones. But her strength is admirable; she carries on doing what she must to survive, supported by her dear friends.

The Lifeboat Girls is rich in both local and historical detail, with characters that are likeable and down to earth.
It is an engaging story of friendships that help each other weather the storms. And the final twist in the plot leaves me eagerly awaiting the second book in this new series.

[Emma Watson]

A wonder start to a series where it had everything.

The woman in the book were strong characters in their own right. The book had romance also a tragedy and there was a twist at the end of the book I kind of guessed that bit. The book is leading up to the War and how some of the people from the area go off to fight in the War.

I liked the story and thought the book flowed wonderfully.

Would recommend the book.

[Gina Anderson]

Nice story

I did like this story and thought I'd try this one as I Have enjoyed other books by this author and I did like this one but I just couldn't get used to all the characters and which family they belonged to. I did enjoy the book but maybe a who's who would have helped.

[Kacey/Kris]

I love all these new series starting this year. This one is a wonderful story of friendship and the struggles of change. The emotions one feels while reading this book leaves you on the edge.

[Leona]

The first book in a brand new series by Rachel Sweasey. I always start a new series with a slight bit of trepidation, will I enjoy it or will it be one that I won’t want to continue with. Well I had nothing to fear as this was such a great book. I found myself quickly immersed into the lives of the characters and the town of Poole in Dorset. There’s plenty going on and the main characters were strong as they dealt with family and other matters, The book starts around the time of the tragic sinking of the Titanic and I liked the way the author incorporated this into the story. Not long after the First World War breaks out and we see how the characters cope with this also. There were some sad and emotional parts which did bring a tear to my eye and one or two unexpected surprises. The ending wrapped up the first book perfectly and I can’t wait for the second book.

[Trish Drinkwater]

Disappointing - I've just loved other Rachel Sweasey books and loved part of this but felt irritated and let down when the ending just led you to a follow on book. I mostly enjoy sequels but I resent being "organised" into reading on when in my opinion, it should be a choice, not a directive to find out what happened in the earlier book.
I'm sufficiently annoyed to not even want to read the sequel.
Very disappointed and feeling let down, 2 and a half stars for me without a recommendation.

[Jess Keast]

Yay, a new author for me to read! A thoroughly immersive and entertaining book. A quick read which makes a lovely change from a lot of sagas that tend to drag on.

I found it bit hard to differentiate between characters at times, especially at the start. They're was also a lot of info dumping at the beginning but it wasn't slow.

I think the epilogue should've been saved for the next book - I can't wait for more!!



My thanks to NetGalley for the advance ebook copy.

[diane hallam]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were unbelievable and the story had twists and turns that kept me engaged. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

[Heather Copping]

This story starts in 1907 in Poole, Dorset. Julia has just lost her mother, her friends Flora, Betsy and Kathy have been very supportive to her in her time of grief, supporting her and offering friendships, but is it enough? Her brother Wilbur has always been fascinated by the work of the volunteer Lifeboat crew in Poole, helping haul in the Lifeboat and was being trained as regular crew and had started to go out on practices. Julia was always worried when he got called out as it was only a small boat with sails and powered by twelve oarsmen. Flora loves singing and when she goes to London to sell spring flowers she meets a man from the theatre who tells her she is good enough to sing on stage, meanwhile Kathy uses the opportunity while in London to see the votes for women march in Hyde Park and in doing so gets caught up in the aftermath. Kathy tells Flora on the way home on the train that she doesn't ever want to get married and have a husband telling her what to do, what she wants is to be a regular member of the Lifeboat crew. Julia's brother Wilbur has got a job in the boiler house of a new boat, he is finding the work exhausting and nothing like he thought it would be. But he wants the extra money if he is going to ask Lily to marry him. Things don't go to plan as the boat he is on is "Titanic". He finds the work demanding, but it's not long until he sees a large iceberg in the sea and they hit it and he realises that he will never see New York, as he is on the boat S.S. Titanic!
As the news breaks at Poole on Tuesday 16th April 1912 and everyone realises that Wilbur was working on the Titanic and Julia has to be told the devastating news. But that's not the only bad news, her two younger siblings have bad diphtheria. Things that do go wrong certainly have gone wrong for Julia, but she has her friends and the villagers to help and support her.
I really enjoyed reading this book especially the parts about the Titanic and the aftermath, the work of the Lifeboat crew on the Dorset coast and the upcoming war ( WW1). I loved the camaraderie between everyone and the location. I can't wait to find out more about all the characters during WW1 both abroad and in Dorset at the hospital where they are taking in wounded soldiers from the front.
Perfect for fans of historical sagas, I enjoyed reading this book and it will appeal to fans of May Ellis and Liz Harris. A five-star read from me.

#TheLifeboatGirls
#RachelSweasey
#Netgalley
#BoldwoodBooks

[Lily]

In this new World War I historical fiction series, readers follow Julia Fowler and the women of Poole Harbour as they deal with the Titanic tragedy and the death of someone from the community. Julia and her friends Kathy, Flora, and Betsy see their chances at new opportunities as more doors open up to women. However, change is met by opposition at home and in the community, and as the country moves closer to war, tension continues to grow even as Julia dreams of a better life for her siblings in this uncertain world. Navigating heartbreak, responsibility, and romance, the girls’ friendship will keep them on track as everything seems to grow darker. Emotional, inspiring, and detailed, readers will love how Julia, Kathy, Flora, and Betsy rise to their respective challenges and deal with pushback from the community and their families, and their strength of character really has readers rooting for them. The depth of detail really brings Poole Harbour and the grittiness of twentieth-century shipping villages to life, and the characters in the community help flesh the story out. Packed with incredible details and characters, historical fiction fans will love this new series following another group of strong young women in unprecedented times.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Louise Wilson]

Young Julia Fowler's life revolves around Poole Harbour and its lifeboat - her older brother Wilbur is a volunteer crew member, and every blast of the mortar fills her with fear for his safety. When news of the Titanic disaster reaches the town, the close-knit seafaring community is rocked to its core. One of there own has been lost, and grief hangs over the harbour But Julia and her friends - Kathy, Fiona, and Betsy - are also discovering new opportunities for themselves, stepping up in a world that is slowly beginning to open doors to women.

The Great War has started, men are volunteering to fight for King and Country, and the women are having to take on the jobs the men have left behind. The story is told from multiple points of view. The grit and determination the women had to have while they were manning the lifeboat was extraordinary. I liked Julia, Kathy, Fiona and Betsy. I also learned a lot about the lifeboats during WWII. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Published 14th May 2026

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

[Angela Brown]

A great start to a new series about friendship, community and comradeship amongst the women of Poole just before and as WW1 started.

I personally found the book slightly confusing - there were so many characters, family relationships etc to remember and I did find myself getting a little lost and having to check who was with those and who was related to who?
Everything was dealt with from poverty, RNLI and lifeboats and the tole of women to ballet, marriage, class division and Suffragettes.
I also found a little of the book slightly unrealistic. Wilbur went off on The Titanic and of course was ship wrecked. What happened to him? Was he the man Natalia saw on a piece of flotsam? Perhaps we shall find out in a further book. It did make the epilogue very odd.

The book had obviously been well researched and it was obvious the author knew the area though I understand she lives in Australia now.

I did struggle to follow it a few times which is unusual for me but intrigued enough to get to the end and I would read further books in the series. Though a synopsis of returning characters and their relationships would be very useful.

[Lyn]

This book starts in 1907 and ends in WW2. We meet Julia, Flora, Betsy, Kathy and other characters from Poole. Julia is left bringing up her two younger siblings, a situation made worse when her brother goes on the Titanic to earn better money. Through the eyes of the different characters we learn about their yearning and their work and the way they make it through life. As events unfold, each one is tested in some way, meanwhile life in Poole goes on. The shortage of men means that the girls end up manning the lifeboat. This is a wonderful portrayal of a community that is gradually changing, responding to new challenges yet holding together. A neat twist at the end of the book has me searching for the next book in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of this book.

[Katie Awdas]

Brilliant read - I've just checked and am gutted the next book isn't out until 2027!

I immediately warmed and liked all the characters. The books is written in such a warm and easy to read way that I struggled to put it down. Each of the girls has their own story but their friendship binds them closely together. Everything was well described so you felt like you were and could appreciate each situation in the book. I guessed that the ship would be the Titanic and feared the worst as soon as it was confirmed. The storyline had lots of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and entertained. All in all it was a fantastic book and I long for the next in the series especially after reading the Epilogue!

Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and author for allowing me to read and review a preview copy of the book.

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola]

This is my first read by Rachel Sweasey and it won’t be the last. This was a great start to a new series. It’s about friendship, resilience, determination and a great group of friends that stick together and help each other through the hard times. I really enjoyed the story and learnt a lot about the lifeboat service, it was very interesting. Waiting not very patiently for book no. 2!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. Publication date 14 May 2026.

[Gail Chaplin]

Wonderful story

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It was very well written, and the story line was well thought out. I cannot wait for the next book