A Wartime Promise for the East End Girls: An utterly gripping and emotional World War Two historical saga

by Jean Fullerton

East London, 1943: As air raid sirens wail, can the East End Girls join forces to protect their city and the people they love?

Nell Reilly’s blonde curls and piercing blue eyes might look angelic, but she is ready to fight with everything she has for a better future. Brought up in London’s tough East End, she is fiercely determined to keep the promise she made to her little sister Jo to build a new life for them one day. Until a chance meeting changes everything…

Absorbed in her work with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, the last thing Nell is looking for is love, but tall, broad-shouldered Tom Hunter stops her in her tracks. Tom is her wayward brother Frank’s new right-hand man in his black-market operations, and Nell knows from bitter experience the risks of falling for a man like that. But when she witnesses his unexpected kindness and sees how he cares for Jo, she realises that Tom has made an impression she can’t forget, no matter how hard she tries…

But Tom has a secret, one he’s finding harder and harder to keep. And when Nell finally discovers that he is an undercover police officer, she also learns something that makes her heart his cover is blown and he’s in terrible danger.

As London prepares for another night of air raids, Nell races through the blackout to find Tom and warn him. Can she reach him in time to save his life? And as bombs crash down over the East End, will their love survive to fight another day?

Fans of Katie Flynn, Rosie Goodwin and Lizzie Lane will adore this page-turning, heart-warming and emotional World War Two saga about love, friendship and finding hope in the darkest of places.

Readers are loving the East End Girls

‘Perfect… So unputdownable… Heartbreaking and touching right to the end. Loved it.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing, emotional… Heart-warming. I was instantly captivated… Couldn’t put it down until the very last page… Absolutely brilliant!’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Grab the hankies… Cracking… This book made me laugh and cry, an incredible heart-warming read… Loved it all.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘A corker of a read… I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time… Gripping… Kept me on the edge of my seat… One hell of a story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Have tissues ready… Worthy of more stars but 5 is all I can give. BRILLIANT.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘Wow… Grab the tissues for this emotional rollercoaster.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

‘I adored this… A heart-warming story that

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 29, 2026

About the author

I was born into a large, East End family and grew up in the overcrowded streets clustered around the Tower of London. I still live in East London, just five miles from where I was born. I feel that it is that my background that gives my historical East London stories their distinctive authenticity.

I first fell in love with history at school when I read Anya Seton’s book Katherine. Since then I have read everything I can about English history but I am particularly fascinated by the 18th and 19th century and my books are set in this period. I just love my native city and the East End in particular which is why I write stories to bring that vibrant area of London alive.

I am also passionate about historical accuracy and I enjoy researching the details almost as much as weaving the story. If one of my characters walks down a street you can be assured that that street actually existed. Take a look at Jean’s East End and see the actual location where my characters played out their stories.

Reviews

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved book 3 in the series it was a real heartwarming read. It’s so easy to connect to the storyline and characters. Diving into to a new book is like catching up with old friends. I find the balloon aspect of the story fascinating as I had no idea women had the responsibility for these in the war. I feel this story gives a pretty good picture of how life was during those very hard times. Highly recommend this book, and the rest of the series, it’s a really good read. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in return for my review.

Publication date 29 May 2026

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this latest from Jean. It was chock full of great characters and I especially enjoyed reading about the girls and the barrage balloons. They certainly had to be strong to pull those things around. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.