Heartache on West India Dock Road

West India Dock Road #3

by Renita D’Silva

A BRAND-NEW heart-stirring and emotional WW2 saga of friendship, courage and the power of community – perfect for fans of Jean Fullerton, Donna Douglas and Call the Midwife ❤️ 📖 1941 - Amid the bombs falling over London’s East End, the residents of West India Dock Road endure wartime with courage, defiance and a good dose of humour.

From nights spent sheltering together in the Underground station to sharing gossip, pastimes and meals, they lean on each other as their world is turned upside down.

Since the bombing of her family’s boarding house, Charity has held her loved ones together, and now, with her heart set on becoming a ‘sugar girl’ working for Tate & Lyle, she’s determined to forge a new path, despite prejudice about her relationship with the Indian soldier she loves.

Her best friend Divya serves up warmth and spice in her beloved curry house, but is hiding a secret that grows more urgent with each passing day. What will happen when it is revealed?

Ruth is a newcomer, recently arrived from wartorn Europe and haunted by the atrocities she’s experienced. On West India Dock Road she finds not just refuge but an unlikely family.

As heartache affects them all and bonds are tested, can these three women find hope and happiness, even in the darkest of times?

A sweeping, heart-warming wartime saga of love, sacrifice and the power of community.

Genres: Historical Fiction

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1938 Germany, Ruth lived with her Papa, Mama, Oma & Opa, along with her ten year old brother Elijah. The atrocities the Nazis were throwing at the Jews were getting worse, and the Night of Broken Glass - Kristallnacht - they were in their synagogue when they were attacked. Ruth's papa had been killed previously, but on that night she lost everyone else. Her grief was insurmountable, and if it wasn't for Eva and her children, she wouldn't have been saved.

When Ruth turned up at West India Dock Road, she was in search of Eva's sister, Mrs Rosenbaum. She found her at the curry house where everyone in West India Dock Road congregated at night, the food that Divya conjured up amazing everyone. She told her story, and Eva's, to Mrs Rosenbaum - Ester - and her husband Isaac, along with meeting all the neighbours. Charity who was working at the "sugar factory", a sugar girl which had been her dream. Her mammy and brothers were living with Mrs Ketheridge after the boarding house was bombed. Charity's boyfriend, Veer, drew adversity and rascism, but they did their best not to worry about it. Jack was missing - so much heartache and tragedy in the street - and the rest of London. Would the war and the bombings ever pass?

Heartache on West India Dock Road is the 3rd in the West India Dock Road series by Renita D’Silva and I enjoyed it, although it was a little repetitive in places. I'm looking forward to catching up with the characters once again in the next episode. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[linda hole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this community, the difference between the people, but they still stand up for each other. But with that being said, the book felt a little bit rushed to me, tying up loose ends. But I still love the series overall. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

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

Heartache on West India Dock Road is #3 in the West India Dock Road series (which is best read in order).

We continue to follow the lives of Divya and Charity, as well as other residents of the close-knit immigrant community. In this installment, we are introduced to a newcomer, Ruth, and get her backstory.

The residents of West India Dock Road depend upon each other as bombs fall and they seek shelter. Charity realizes her dream of working at the sugar factory and continues to fight prejudice as a result of her relationship with an Indian soldier. Divya continues to provide delicious Indian food, and her Curry House is a warm and inviting meeting place for the community. Divya is hiding a secret that could cause some backlash in the community, and she worries about her friend Jack, who is serving in the war but hasn't written in a while.

Thoughtful themes include supportive community, immigrant culture, friendship, and enduring hardships.

Best read in order, this histfic series is informative and heartwarming with main characters you'll grow to love. Fans of immigrant stories will find much to appreciate.

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

For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

West India Dock Road #3

1941 - Amid the bombs falling over London's East End, the residents of West India Dock Road endure wartime with courage, defiance, and a good dose of humour. From nights spent sheltering together in the Underground station, to sharing gossip, pastimes and meals, they lean on each other as their world is turned upside down.

This story is set during the blitz. We learn how families, friends and neighbours coped as the bombs fell every night.

This is quite an emotional read. The story was a bit predictable, but it was still enjoyable. Make sure you have the tissues ready for the end of this book.

Published 9th December 2025

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

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three.
WW2 saga 1941.
Charity O'Kelly, Divya Ram, newcomer Ruth Goldberg, with heartache affecting them all.
The west India dock road, east ean London.
Mr Veer Singh and Charity follows her heart and now they are both ready for chants ahead.
A love together that cannot be broken.
Divya after the loss of her beau Raghu to War as a hero is tired and worn holding her secret, with her best friend Charity always on hand.
Ruth arriving in England seeking out Eva's sister in the West India dock road is lead to Divyas curry house looking for Estha Rosenbaum with a letter.
This book is the best so far, that i so enjoyed. Amazing chapters an amazing story.
Couldn't ask for more from this author.
Beautiful just beautiful

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new resident has come to West India Dock Road. Her name is Ruth and she is half Indian, half German, and a Jew. Will she ever be able to find happiness again?
I love this book series. All the characters feel like old friends, and getting to spend time with them is a real joy. I'm excited every time a new West India Dock Road book is published. Highly, highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartache on West India Dock Road is the 3rd book in the West India Dock Road series and I do recommend you read them in order as they are set in chronological order. It's 1941 and the residents of the area are surviving rationing, air raids, loss of loved ones and their places of residence, and injuries and their health. They depend on each other to survive and enjoy what they can in their lives. Charity and Divya are best friends. Charity is now working as a "sugar girl" at Tate & Lyle. She is ready to move forward, even though she is dealing with prejudice about her relationship with Veer, an Indian soldier. Divya still serves up warmth and spice in her beloved curry house, but is hiding a secret. She is also dealing with grief after the death of her beau, Raghu. Ruth, a newcomer, recently arrived from Europe, is haunted by the atrocities she’s experienced. She's lost all her family in Germany, and was lucky her friend Eva was able to save her and help her to escape. She is searching for Mrs. Rosenbaum, her friend Eva's sister. On West India Dock Road she finds not just refuge but an unlikely family. All three suffer heartbreak, but with the help from one another, will they find happiness and hope.

There is a lot familiar about this addition to the series. Charity and Divya are still best friends and have secrets. Charity is dealing with terrible racism. She is in love with Veer Singh, and even though he fought for England and lost his arm in battle, he is still treated as a second class citizen, even among the poorer people of the East End. Charity fights against this, but Veer knows that it will continue and he often encourages her to find someone else. Charity is still writing to Jack in the POW camp and keeping everyone else up to date on his news. We learn what everyone on the road has been up to, and where what they are doing. Ruth's story is the one that takes us elsewhere. We learn her story as it flashes back to Germany and her memories going back to 1938. We see the racism and antisemitism that occurred there. Ruth is mixed race with her father being Indian, so she is not identified as Jewish at first glance. Through Ruth, we also see the story of Mr. and Mrs. Rosenbaum, who always wanted children, but never had any of their own. The things I like about this book is the reality of life during the blitz, the racism that I'm sure occurred, the friendships that developed, the sense of community, found family, and the fact that throughout all the tragedy, there is hope that life will go on and the war will end. Another great addition to the series. As the book ends at the end of the blitz, I am hoping that there will be another that will give the characters that I have grown to look at as friends, a hopeful and happy life beyond the war.

[C.R. Comacchio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advance readers’ copy of this novel.

This is the third installment of Renita D’Silva’s West India Dock Road series, taking place on the poor, bustling, multicultural East End street where trade and industry were concentrated for much of the 20th century. The action picks up exactly where the second book left off. It is 1941, and London is under continual Nazi bombardment at night. There is much damage, dislocation, and death. But this community is used to suffering. As the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens, many of them recently arrived immigrants of different religions and races, they adapt, make the best of what they have, and, for the most part, help each other out. The women have a particularly important role to play in providing support for those who need it.

The ‘stars’ of the last instalment, Indian curry house owner Divya and her best friend Charity O’Kelly, continue their stories too, both having to do with the men they love. Divya’s lover , a lascar (a derogatory British term for an Indian seaman) was killed in action, and she grieves while writing him letters every night and protecting their secret. The much bolder Charity is also in love with an Indian, a National Guardsman who lost an arm for a country that treats him badly. Despite the continued racism, Charity fights back. She also achieves a childhood dream: she goes to work at the local sugar factory, becoming a ‘sugar girl’ to her great pride. This familiar, though not altogether content, setting is disrupted again by the arrival of a young German Jewish refugee, Ruth. She enters the scene with a letter to Ruth Rosenbaum from her beloved sister Eva, who had played an important role in Ruth’s last minute escape. Ruth’s story, told in horrific memories going back to 1938, shifts the focus from West Dock Road to the larger setting of anti-semitism and racism.

Much of both stories, minus the slightly new developments, has been told in the earlier books. It serves as background to this book, but that makes for a lot of repetition, so that new readers won’t have to worry about what happened before. But those who are all caught up with the series may be skipping pages. In effect, Ruth’s story is the core of the new material , which means that this book starts about a quarter of the way in.

This installment takes us to the seeming end of the Blitz, though not before another tragedy takes place. But there is also news that looks to a hopeful new start for some of the street’s denizens. And so we will wait until the next chapter in their on-going saga.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartache on West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva is a World War II era book, much of it taking place in Nazi Germany as newly arrived Ruth tells her story. Ruth is half-Jewish and half-Indian and faces discrimination from nearly everyone. Her grandfather, using his contacts, had managed to keep the requisite “J” off her passport so leaving had been relatively easy despite the fact she had a broken heart. The people on West India Dock Road had all the common prejudices of the day but managed to make exceptions for those whom they considered their own. This was an entertaining story but I feel like it was unrealistic; that the author was embedding modern norms on this community, forcing them into something that they would not have done. Also, I’m not sure the word “racist” was part of the daily vocabulary of this lower class English neighborhood at this time.

The story told several stories: Ruth and the horror of Nazi Germany; Charity, who was in love with an Indian veteran who had lost an arm; and Mr and Mrs Rosenbaum, who had wanted children but had never bee so blessed. Reading about neighborhoods in England during the Blitz is nearly as heart-breaking as Nazi Germany, so there was plenty of horror to go around. Unlikely friendships were formed as people waited out the bombers in the underground, some ever trying to sleep on the tracks, confident that no trains would run during the bombing. Entertaining enough, although the are plenty of books in this same genre that are better.

I was invited to read Heartache on West India Dock Road by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #RenitaDSilva #HeartacheOnWestIndiaRoad

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never expect a lot of happy moments when I read World War Two historical Fiction. I expect to cry, feel sad and sit in silence. I didn't expect to feel so much sadness as I did while reading this story. I didn't expect to feel the terror, the sadness, the fear, the loss. My heart ached from the very beginning. My heart still aches after I have closed the book.

Heartache on West India Dock Road tells a story of the challenges endured by those living in the area. Bombs dropped changing the landscape and lives. Fear of a telegram shadowed the residents at all times. Would their loved ones come home? Were they injured? Were they missing in action? Were they now prisoners of war? The author brought those fears to the fore front allowing me to get a glimpse at something I have never experienced.

I never fully understood the challenges of certain races, the mixing of different colors. I never understood what my mum told me about growing up with her niece in the familyy home, her father a black American. I didn't realize the prejudice ran so deep.

I was reminded, as many characters were reminded, that life is precious. In times of war, with so much loss, a new life is beautiful no matter if the parents are married or not. The story showed me how many did not believe as such. Thankfully, the story had lots of beauty. The small, close knit neighborhood helped one another for the most part. They took others in when all was lost. I shed many tears while reading this very emotional story, a story that I won't soon forget.

[Angela Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the previous books in the series and wanted to catch up with Divya and Charity and all on the West India Dock Road.

A new character appears in this book - Ruth - who managed to escape from Germany when her family were decimated in the Kristallnacht. There is very little information about how she got to England and why it took her so long. But there was lots of information leading up to Kristallnacht - right in the middle of the book. Although this added to the themes of racism throughout the book and the series and of course, focussed on anti-Semitism and the cruelty of the Nazis - it didn’t seem to fit with the narrative of the book -almost as though it was an afterthought.

I presume the return of one character from book 1 right at the end will be better explained in book 4 - and I look forward to finding out. I imagine his journey is equally harrowing.

As always this book is well researched and fairly well written ( I still struggle with the use of one particular word) and tackles the hardship of the Blitz in the East End of London. The theme of racism is dealt with, with empathy and as I see it is a depiction of how life was at the times and in the 50’s and 60’s.
There is heartbreak - one particular mother passing due to bomb damage was particularly heart rending. But again the people of the East End rallied round and cared for her orphans. It was the making of Ruth and the Rosenbaum’s who took them in without compunction.

A great read for those that like WW2 historical fiction.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during World War II, the story unfolds on West India Dock Road, where we encounter a vibrant community of memorable characters. These individuals face harrowing experiences due to the war, navigating the challenges of their diverse cultures. Despite enduring love, heartache, hardship, and the horrors of racism, they persist in supporting one another as best they can.

The narrative follows Charity and Divya through their daily lives as bombs fall around them, highlighting the immigrant experience and the anxieties that accompany it. This series is excellent; however, I recommend reading the first two books to gain a better understanding of the characters and their lives.

Overall, it is a powerful tale portraying the harrowing experiences of different cultures. We meet some lovely characters in a community where they endure harrowing experiences daily, but also love, heartache, and hardship, as well as horrible rascism but fight on through it, supporting their friends and neighbours as best they can.
We follow the lives of Charity and Divya through their daily lives as the bombs rain around them. It highlights the immigrant culture and the worries they have. This is an excellent series, but i would recommend you read the first two books as the characters and their lives will help you more to understand.
A book full of the harrowing experiences of different cultures

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the latest book in this emotional World War II historical fiction series, readers follow Charity as she tries to keep her family together and starts a new job as a sugar girl for Tate & Lyle while also defending her relationship with the Indian soldier she loves. Divya continues to serve up incredible food at the curry house but hides a secret that grows more and more urgent with each day, and its reveal will cause a stir in the community. Newcomer Ruth has fled wartorn Europe and the horrors of the Nazis’ regime, and West India Dock Road will offer the refuge and family she desperately needs. The continuation of Charity and Divya’s storylines, and the addition of Ruth’s storyline, continue to develop the community and add drama to the larger narrative. The alternating perspectives allow their storylines to develop in some fun ways, and readers will love the historical details that immerse them in life on West India Dock Road. D’Silva balances the multiple storylines, emotional beats, and challenges well, creating a detailed narrative readers will love. Packed with detail, deeply entertaining, and incredibly emotional, historical fiction fans will love this latest instalment in Renita D’Silva’s World War II historical fiction series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Niki Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended Read!!!

Heart Ache in West India Dock Road is a touching and beautifully written story that really stayed with me after I finished it. The author captures the atmosphere of London so vividly that you can almost picture yourself walking along West India Dock Road, feeling the pulse of the city and the lives unfolding there.

What I loved most about this book is the emotional depth of the characters. Their struggles, hopes, and heartbreak feel very real and quite moving. It’s easy to become invested in their journeys. The story explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the complicated choices people face in life.

The writing flows naturally, and the setting adds an extra layer of authenticity that makes the story even more compelling. It’s the kind of book that quietly pulls you in and makes you reflect on the strength of the human spirit.

This heartfelt read is the second book I’ve read in the series. It was nice to meet some of the characters again. I almost feel like I know them in real life.
I would happily recommend to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with emotional depth.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the West India Dock Road series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone story.

I enjoyed the previous two books in the series. Each explored relationships and the hardships of wartime life in different ways, offering new perspectives to consider.

This installment of the series was much harder-hitting for me. Much emphasis was put on how terribly the Jews were treated, and also how mixed-race relationships were viewed. It took me longer to read than the other books in the series because it was a lot to take in. I was quite upset during some parts of the story.

Despite the difficult topics, the story offers hope and leaves a strong emotional impact. Well written and thought-provoking, it could make the reader emotional and have them reaching for tissues.

The epilogue, which I won’t even hint at, certainly brought some good news to West India Dock Road, and one particular part of it, the very last part, had me smiling and anticipating the next book in the series.

[Jean Mader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1941 during the Blitz, Heartache on West India Dock Road beautifully captures the courage, humor, and everyday heroism of London’s East End families. As bombs rain down each night, neighbors become family—bound by shared meals, laughter, and survival. Charity dreams of working for Tate & Lyle while loving an Indian soldier despite prejudice; Divya’s curry house offers warmth and secrets; Ruth, a newcomer from war-torn Europe, seeks solace and belonging. Renita D’Silva tells their intertwining stories with tenderness and grace, creating a world you can almost hear and smell—the rattle of the trains underground, the scent of curry and coal smoke. It’s a slow, deeply human story about endurance, friendship, and love in impossible times. For readers who cherish the East End spirit and wartime camaraderie, this is a loving, compelling read that leaves you proud of ordinary people’s extraordinary strength.

[Katie Awdas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding book in the series; I already long await the next one coming out! Struggling with jetlag this book was read in one sitting from Midnight to 4am!

The storyline is very emotional and strong and gives a detailed and sad view into life in Germany as a Jew at the time of the war. It also gives a view into how hard inter-race relationships were during the war in Britain. I agree with Charity that it is so sad and maddening that the colour of skin or religion of a person was deemed as important even when they had fought for their country. The last few pages of the book had me in tears when I realised what was happening and made me impatient to see where the story goes from here!

I would highly recommend this series to other people who enjoy historical fiction; from book one they have all been excellent and the author should be so proud of them.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.

[Becki Basley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started June 22 Ended July 3
Heartache on West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva (West India Dock Road book 3) Audiobook listened to on Everand app
Once again I point my imagination to the people of West India Dock Road, there is a new addition this time around.

Ruth has endured much in Germany now comes to the neighborhood to deliver a letter to one of the ladies there. And in doing so, she might just find a new family.

Now that the boarding house is gone, Charity realizes her dream of working in the sugar mill. She will face some hard choices and say goodbye to some one very dear to her.

Divya carries both joy and sorrow and the fear that she will once again be an outcast when her friends find out the truth.

The people of West India Dock Road will face heartache, prejudice, understanding, and a very nice surprise at the end of the book. I’m off to get the last book on kindle.

[Soozee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series set in London during WW2, highlighting women, both locals and immigrants, who have been surviving and thriving during the War. However, this story very much concentrated on Ruth, and Indian Jew who escaped to England and who's story of persecution in Munich takes up much of the book. While interesting, it wasn't really what the story was meant to be about. Some of the writing style was quite repetitive and didn't really ring true in parts.

Overall its an interesting read, its fairly obvious what is about to happen with Divya and Charity, and when a book becomes predictable it loses much of its charm. The characters felt fairly one dimensional and their lives didn't seem to progress much in this book.

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

[Storied Conversation · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first in this series by Renita D’Silva, and while I enjoyed it overall, I found it a little uneven. Set between Kristallnacht in Germany and wartime London, the story follows Ruth, a young Jewish woman who survives devastating loss and finds refuge among the close-knit community of West India Dock Road.

The historical setting and themes of grief, survival, and community were compelling, and I liked the range of characters we meet along the way. However, parts of the story felt repetitive, which lessened the emotional impact for me. Still, it’s a moving installment in the series, and I’m curious to see where the next book takes these characters.

Thank you Boldwood Books, NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and the author for providing me with an arc of the book. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to revisit these characters. The introduction of Ruth and her harrowing story worked well. The racism and prejudice that Charity, Veer and Divya face complements the story that is Ruth. But it is delightful seeing the strength of the community and the kindness, despite all the hardships they are facing. It is also heartening to see the older ladies overcome some of their views. Great to see Jack come home, and I eagerly await the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy to freely review.

[Shelagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in London’s AEast End during the Nazi bombing of 1941, Heartache On West India Dock Road giv es readers an excellent insight into the peoplem who lived through that time, and the lives they led. We are introduced to quite a number of characters early on, which I found a little disconcerting as it was not immediately clear who were the central characters. That said, they were all engaging and it was interesting to follow theor stories.

[Miss Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Basically the 1st book was interesting, but the 2nd just repeated all the f

The first book was good and interesting.The second book repeated far too much information from the first book.The third book repeated the same information, many times over adding very little.I won't be getting the fourth book.

[Kacey/Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt I was reading a book from Call the midwife. This is a heartwarming story of Divya who is a remarkable young lady. The community that rallies around each other during wartime life. Highly recommend.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

'I couldn't stop turning the pages and really felt as though I were a fly on the wall, experiencing these dramatic events in real time with the characters.'
Full review over on my blog at http://clydescorner.org/2025/12/11/bl...

[irene currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make sure you have plenty of tissues

Wow what a great story catching up with everyone new faces and old couldn't have guessed any of it and so Happy for Divya and so sad went through a box of tissues if you haven't already read this book then I would definitely recommend it

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favourite series of books at the moment.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...