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The Bomb Girls #1
The Munitions Girls
An enthralling, eventful WW2 saga from the popular writer of the Daisy Lane novels - perfect for fans of Daisy Styles. 1943, Gosport, Hampshire. Pixie Saunders is 19 and employed in the local armaments factory. Not for the first time, her mother has run off with a dodgy-looking bloke, leaving Pixie to pay the rent and fend for herself. Pixie, along with her best friend Rita, Em, the factory overseer, and the rest of the girls are making the most of the war while trying to stay alive. The work is dangerous and the hours long, but in the evenings they take off their overalls and go to the pub or, better still, go dancing. Pixie meets American serviceman Cal and falls in love. But then Cal rejoins his ship. When Pixie falls pregnant, her life changes dramatically. Alone and unable to work, she has to rely on the kindness of friends to help her survive. Happiness seems like a thing of the past. Little does she know that there are plenty of surprises waiting for her - good ones at that. Love may be closer than she thinks.
432 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 28, 2017
The Munitions Girls written by Rosie Archer is the first book in this wonderful series, this is one book I am happy to recommend to other readers of historical fiction especially those based on or around the Second World War.
June 13, 2018
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 432
Publisher - Quercus
Source - Amazon
Blurb from Goodreads
An enthralling, eventful WW2 saga from the popular writer of the Daisy Lane novels - perfect for fans of Daisy Styles.
1943, Gosport, Hampshire. Pixie Saunders is 19 and employed in the local armaments factory. Not for the first time, her mother has run off with a dodgy-looking bloke, leaving Pixie to pay the rent and fend for herself. Pixie, along with her best friend Rita, Em, the factory overseer, and the rest of the girls are making the most of the war while trying to stay alive. The work is dangerous and the hours long, but in the evenings they take off their overalls and go to the pub or, better still, go dancing. Pixie meets American serviceman Cal and falls in love. But then Cal rejoins his ship.
When Pixie falls pregnant, her life changes dramatically. Alone and unable to work, she has to rely on the kindness of friends to help her survive. Happiness seems like a thing of the past. Little does she know that there are plenty of surprises waiting for her - good ones at that. Love may be closer than she thinks.
My Review
Meet Pixie, Rita & Em all working in the local factory helping to make weapons for the war. It is a dangerous job and not just because of the risk of blowing themselves up, their boss and son have wondering eyes and hands. Pixie lives at home with her mother when her mother graces her with her presence, normally flitting in and out, running up bills then going off with her newest man. Em runs the factory floor, cares for her disabled husband and her youngest daughter who is a beautiful young woman with the mind of a much younger child. Rita lives at home with her mother and stepdad and would rather be in the factor at risk or in the pub, anything to not be home.
This is a story of friendship, the threat of bombs a daily occurrence, family, the best of humans and the worst. I loved Pixie, no matter how shady her mother was she remained so loyal, she is a feisty, strong, independent and quick to stand up to injustice. I love when you get a strong female character and whilst she did swoon a bit I thought she was grand.
There are lots of themes to the book, some is light hearted, warming, sweet, however there are darker themes, abuse, social judgement, the ravages of war. It is very well written, the characters carved well to draw you in and actually want to know what happens next, even to the ones you aren't a fan of. This was my first time reading this author, it won't be my last, I have bought the next two in the series already, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 432
Publisher - Quercus
Source - Amazon
Blurb from Goodreads
An enthralling, eventful WW2 saga from the popular writer of the Daisy Lane novels - perfect for fans of Daisy Styles.
1943, Gosport, Hampshire. Pixie Saunders is 19 and employed in the local armaments factory. Not for the first time, her mother has run off with a dodgy-looking bloke, leaving Pixie to pay the rent and fend for herself. Pixie, along with her best friend Rita, Em, the factory overseer, and the rest of the girls are making the most of the war while trying to stay alive. The work is dangerous and the hours long, but in the evenings they take off their overalls and go to the pub or, better still, go dancing. Pixie meets American serviceman Cal and falls in love. But then Cal rejoins his ship.
When Pixie falls pregnant, her life changes dramatically. Alone and unable to work, she has to rely on the kindness of friends to help her survive. Happiness seems like a thing of the past. Little does she know that there are plenty of surprises waiting for her - good ones at that. Love may be closer than she thinks.
My Review
Meet Pixie, Rita & Em all working in the local factory helping to make weapons for the war. It is a dangerous job and not just because of the risk of blowing themselves up, their boss and son have wondering eyes and hands. Pixie lives at home with her mother when her mother graces her with her presence, normally flitting in and out, running up bills then going off with her newest man. Em runs the factory floor, cares for her disabled husband and her youngest daughter who is a beautiful young woman with the mind of a much younger child. Rita lives at home with her mother and stepdad and would rather be in the factor at risk or in the pub, anything to not be home.
This is a story of friendship, the threat of bombs a daily occurrence, family, the best of humans and the worst. I loved Pixie, no matter how shady her mother was she remained so loyal, she is a feisty, strong, independent and quick to stand up to injustice. I love when you get a strong female character and whilst she did swoon a bit I thought she was grand.
There are lots of themes to the book, some is light hearted, warming, sweet, however there are darker themes, abuse, social judgement, the ravages of war. It is very well written, the characters carved well to draw you in and actually want to know what happens next, even to the ones you aren't a fan of. This was my first time reading this author, it won't be my last, I have bought the next two in the series already, 4/5 for me this time.
Read
May 8, 2018couldn't put it down brilliant from start to finish I was drawn into the book I could see everything playing out
January 31, 2019
Enjoyable read, like to follow the series through to the end.
July 16, 2020
I enjoyed this WW2 saga very much, though there was one point where I felt the heroine acted out of character - not in what the did but in the way she did it. It suited the plot, but didn't seem right for her as a person. Also, the last couple of chapters felt a bit rushed. There was one event that I would have expected to happen "on-stage", but it took place "off-stage" and the reader only found out about it when the characters talked about it. Nevertheless this is a highly readable book with believable characters. After reading this, I read the rest of the quartet and books 2 and 3 are superb.
December 20, 2016
I really enjoyed following the lives of these characters.
As the book moves along we see the challenges faced through War time but some happy times too.
A book I would highly recommend if you enjoy this genre.
As the book moves along we see the challenges faced through War time but some happy times too.
A book I would highly recommend if you enjoy this genre.
August 23, 2017
I Read this on the kindle
I have got to chapter 9 but while I enjoy this Genre of books this just didn't keep me entertained enough to keep reading this book rather read books I have previously read than keep on with this one
I have got to chapter 9 but while I enjoy this Genre of books this just didn't keep me entertained enough to keep reading this book rather read books I have previously read than keep on with this one
September 26, 2017
It was very interesting to read, because my grandmother was one of the factory girls.
June 19, 2021
a look at the lives of the girls who work at priddys hard arment factory both in and out of work it has some good plot twists I just couldn't put it down
August 10, 2018
This is one of the set of 3 books Paul got me for Christmas-all British, WWII, with pretty nostalgic tinted covers. Objectively speaking I don't think this was a very well written book. For historical fiction it seemed like the author very methodically, deliberately, and somewhat awkwardly inserted popular culture information repeatedly. I get that she's trying to sprinkle in historical details but in dialogue it just didn't work. And of course the story was completely predictable and also kind of flimsy. But you know what? I still enjoyed it.
An enjoyable light WWII read showing the strong spirit of women working through the war.
An enjoyable light WWII read showing the strong spirit of women working through the war.
May 19, 2021
1943 Hampshire... that had me sold already, I live in Portsmouth so reading this book I was able to picture all the places mentioned. The detail on each page was brilliant.
The characters are so loveable and even Mr Slaughter although not loveable was very descriptive, an emotional up and down storyline that made me feel I was actually there.
Based around a small group of friends this didn’t detract from the detail and extended characters.
Well written and loved every page, I didn’t realise this was a saga so I am now looking for the rest of the books in this series along with other books by the same author.
This book took me about 2 days to finish and I really enjoyed it.
The characters are so loveable and even Mr Slaughter although not loveable was very descriptive, an emotional up and down storyline that made me feel I was actually there.
Based around a small group of friends this didn’t detract from the detail and extended characters.
Well written and loved every page, I didn’t realise this was a saga so I am now looking for the rest of the books in this series along with other books by the same author.
This book took me about 2 days to finish and I really enjoyed it.
February 22, 2017
A historical fiction set in the 1940's during the Second World War with many historical facts covering both work and entertainment makes this book very believable .
'The Munitions Girls' is a story of survival and tells of the challenges 3 friends face in their day to day lives, but also tells of happy times, hope, love and understanding. It is an easy read , and book one of a series that you can read as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this book and would like to continue reading about these amazingly strong ladies.
'The Munitions Girls' is a story of survival and tells of the challenges 3 friends face in their day to day lives, but also tells of happy times, hope, love and understanding. It is an easy read , and book one of a series that you can read as a standalone.
I really enjoyed this book and would like to continue reading about these amazingly strong ladies.
July 13, 2018
What an amazing story of life in England during WWII. The story revolves around several women who work at a munitions factory. It covers all aspects of their lives and gives you a true feel for what they won't through during the war years. Every character was well developed and the author kept the story moving and enticing enough to keep you reading just to see what happened next. There are two other books in this series and I can't wait to read them.
January 10, 2023
Oh my gosh , at first glance I didn't think I would enjoy this book but was soon endeared by the majority of characters and horrified by a couple of them...being the Mr slaughter character .
The twist and turns take you through some of the most harrowing moments of this group of people's lives but equally some of the most beautiful moments also , giving great balance to the story and prevent it from feeling an over whelming read ....highly recommend this novel
The twist and turns take you through some of the most harrowing moments of this group of people's lives but equally some of the most beautiful moments also , giving great balance to the story and prevent it from feeling an over whelming read ....highly recommend this novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2017
Loved this book from the first page, I felt I really warmed to the characters and had to keep reading to find out what happened to them it was so compelling! Great mixture of a WWII setting, drama and romance. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
February 9, 2020
I really did enjoy book, however I feel that the outcome of the rape storyline was unrealistic and the culprit got off way too lightly.. the enormity of the situation and its affects just seemed to be brushed under the carpet...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2017
Beautifully written
I nursed somebody who had been I injured in a munitions factory. Really accurate writing. The characters came to life. Loved the canary😃
I nursed somebody who had been I injured in a munitions factory. Really accurate writing. The characters came to life. Loved the canary😃
February 18, 2018
Lots of PoV switching and lack of solid characterisation means that it's easy to get the characters mixed up early on. That said, it's not actively offensive and it's a very quick read
February 25, 2018
fantastic book. I felt like I was really there with the characters. it was funny and a little sad but good fun. a good read deffinately
April 16, 2018
an excellent read really enjoyed and very interesting giving you and incite into what life may have been like for the women during the war
April 28, 2018
Munitions girls
Really lovely book old fashioned wartime romance and hardship . Easy reading couldn't wait to start reading next chapter sorry when ended.
Really lovely book old fashioned wartime romance and hardship . Easy reading couldn't wait to start reading next chapter sorry when ended.
October 12, 2019
Pretty mundane
December 26, 2019
A great book, read within a few days. Set locally so made it even more interesting. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series.
January 18, 2020
OK it could have got a bigger score, when I compare to similar books I have awarded a 4, but then predictability does put me off a bit.
Well recorded tales of typical war time and true to history.
Well recorded tales of typical war time and true to history.
February 7, 2020
Very very good, hard to put down
May 24, 2020
The munitions girls.
Really enjoyed this book. Kept me interested right to the end. Look forward to reading the next book. Really good characters.
Really enjoyed this book. Kept me interested right to the end. Look forward to reading the next book. Really good characters.
June 24, 2020
Nice read! Wasn't happy that Cal died so quickly, thought he might come back and try to get between Sam and Pixie. Also the characters fall in love too quickly
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this. I may go on a hunt for the rest of the books in the series 👍
October 15, 2021
I love these World War II books/stories. . .
October 24, 2021
Oh my heart. Such a heartwarning read..a definite recommend for WW2 fiction lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews