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Lavender Road #2
Some Sunny Day
In Helen Carey's poignant and nostalgic novel SOME SUNNY DAY, it's 1940, and two young women are growing up in a world full of drama and danger. Perfect reading for fans of Kate Thompson and Donna Douglas.September 1940As Luftwaffe bombs rain from the skies over London, the women of Lavender Road are fighting their own battles.Shy Katy Parsons has always been sheltered by her over-protective parents. The war is her chance to see life from beyond her bedroom window. Enrolling as a nurse was always her dream, but the reality is tougher than she ever imagined. And falling in love isn't all plain sailing either...Privileged Louise Rutherford secretly hoped the war would bring her some fun and romance. But far it has brought her pain and grief, and now she has a secret... something her strict father must never find out about.London during the Blitz is a dangerous place to live but the Lavender Road residents never stop believing their sunny day will come.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 9, 1995
339 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Helen Carey
8 books83 followersWelcome to my site. I am probably best known for my bestselling LAVENDER ROAD series set in London during the second world war. VICTORY GIRLS, the final book in the series was published in April 2018 by Headline Books and TSAP. It was sad to finish the series but I felt six books was enough!
VICTORY GIRLS is already in the Amazon US bestseller charts along with the other books in the series.
Having lived in various parts of the world, I am now based in West Wales where my husband and I run our small coastal farm as a conservation project. I am a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and a member of the Society of Authors. I also teach from time to time on Creative Writing programmes at various universities, specialising in story structure.
I hope you enjoy my novels ...
VICTORY GIRLS is already in the Amazon US bestseller charts along with the other books in the series.
Having lived in various parts of the world, I am now based in West Wales where my husband and I run our small coastal farm as a conservation project. I am a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and a member of the Society of Authors. I also teach from time to time on Creative Writing programmes at various universities, specialising in story structure.
I hope you enjoy my novels ...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 1, 2017
This was more like I remembered them. It's definitely a step up from the first one. All the characters are back and we meet one or two more. The 'obnoxious' one is still there and to me still just as horrible and selfish. Other characters have grown and stretched and Joyce Carter is still my favorite person. She's still struggling but she's a tough cookie and will never go down without a fight.
I feel like I know this people. Some I want to know, some I'd definitely steer clear of. Anyway it's on to number three, (I've actually started it).
I feel like I know this people. Some I want to know, some I'd definitely steer clear of. Anyway it's on to number three, (I've actually started it).
August 2, 2015
I liked this second book in the saga a lot. It wasn't as slow to start as the first book. Life in London during WWII is interesting and I enjoyed the way women "doing their bit" are described. My favourite odd couple being Joyce and Celia. On to the third episode. The problem being that once you've started, you can't stop!
September 22, 2009
Love this book! I enjoyed all the female characters of different ages and backgrounds. It sit me on the road to reading more WWI and WWII fiction. I would love to find the story that comes before this and wish she'd written another to follow!
April 6, 2012
For me this was the most enjoyable of the "Lavender Road" trilogy. By now the characters are familiar and the reader is pulled into their lives more and more as they establish their own identities. Although the varying lives of the women in a male dominated world are at the centre of the storytelling, this book does not feel overly feminist. A really rich and enjoyable read.
July 1, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. As number two in the series it continues on with the War efforts of the those of Lavender Lane, London through WW2. We meet back up with the fabulous vast range of characters and see the reactions to War, thoughts and actions and how it effects their personal lives.
There is heartache, danger, criminality and violence but ultimately it's a story of courage when faced with adversity. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
My thanks go to the publishers, author and Netgalley in providing me with an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
There is heartache, danger, criminality and violence but ultimately it's a story of courage when faced with adversity. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.
My thanks go to the publishers, author and Netgalley in providing me with an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2024
My review: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
A very enjoyable series - can't wait for book 3!
A very enjoyable series - can't wait for book 3!
July 20, 2015
Another good one! I was disappointed in the rather slow build up at first, because romance novels bore me to death, and I fould this 2nd book in the trilogy had a bit too many fawning and flirty females and unrequented love stories. But that soon changed and it just got better and better. OK, so maybe the ending was a little contrived, but who cares? This is not perfect, but it's good story-telling, and the atmosphere of London during the Blitz, with all its tragedy and courage, seems very authentic. A good ol' WWII soap opera, with plenty of great characters. Katy is a particularly well developed character in this tome, but my favourite is Mrs Joyce Carter, the common or garden battered wife and mother who tries desperately to walk the straight and narrow, and put some food (and some cheer) on the table during those times of hardship.
March 7, 2012
As indicated in my review of Lavender Road, I am a massive fan of this author,and I have read (and re- read) this novel several times over the last few years. I trained as a nurse (and was on duty at the time of the D Day landings and saw the first casualties come in) and the character of Sister Morris is - I swear - drawn from some of the both formidable, yet magnificent,senior nurses who oversaw us rookies!! The descriptions of the Blitz and the horrors (and the humours) that this entailed for citizens are incredibly powerfully portrayed, and I (and I think other readers will feel the same) really,really cared about the fate of all the characters involved.
November 20, 2017
The second book that I have read in this series and I have read many times because I love stories from this era.
Very well written and made me think how frightening the London blitz must have been.
Really captures the spirit of the era. Brilliant story.
Very well written and made me think how frightening the London blitz must have been.
Really captures the spirit of the era. Brilliant story.
March 31, 2013
T and A I think you guys would like this series.
March 2, 2020
Excellent book, well researched, strong characters and Annie Alldington is a fabulous narrator
September 30, 2024
Some Sunny Day is by far my favourite in this series, and a long-time comfort read.
June 30, 2019
Some Sunny Day: Lavender Road Book 2 is by Helen Carey. Helen continues her story of the girls of Lavender Road with this new smashing book. It is wonderful and fun to read. You get the highs of emotion as well as the very lows. It is such a fun book that you have problems putting it down to do household chores. The research on what happened in England during the War has made it personal and insightful into the lives of the men and women who inhabited London during World War II. The people and the places are fictional but you can see how the people during World War II would have acted and lived during the Blitz.
April 15, 2021
Enjoyable, but did have to persevere in places. Undecided whether to continue with the series although having read the synopsis for the next book, I am tempted.
September 20, 2013
I have just finished reading this book and found it most satisfying. I have read all three books in the Lavender Road series now (having read the third book first)and have grown to love the distinctive and well-drawn characters living in Lavender Road during the early days of the Second World War.
Helen Carey is a brilliant story teller and although the neighbours suffer distressing hardships of war, these books are full of hope for better days to come. Once again I am extremely impressed with the way Helen Carey depicts life on the home front and events which occur in the various theatres of war.
I have been fairly set in my ways as far as favourite writers are concerned, but I have added Helen Carey to my list of favourites and look forward to reading her other books soon.
Helen Carey is a brilliant story teller and although the neighbours suffer distressing hardships of war, these books are full of hope for better days to come. Once again I am extremely impressed with the way Helen Carey depicts life on the home front and events which occur in the various theatres of war.
I have been fairly set in my ways as far as favourite writers are concerned, but I have added Helen Carey to my list of favourites and look forward to reading her other books soon.
February 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the second instalment of the Lavender Road series - maybe especially the elements relating to Sister Morris and the experiences Katy has regarding nurse training - my mum trained as a midwife (albeit some 25 years or more later than when these novels are set) and some of her stories, particularly about the dreaded (but well respected) Matron really chimed with Helen's account. The book kept me really hooked in, I just wanted to know how the lives of the characters would progress - and I was not remotely disappointed, it's a great read!
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August 4, 2011This book kept me on my toes. The ending was dissapointing, not sad, but i wished more to happen. The book definatly works well with the benifit of surprise. Whatever i tried to predict to happen, never did.
April 12, 2013
This book actually got better than I thought it would be! The character Katy was strong, and a great leading character. I liked her husband Ward a lot and though we heard about him at the end of the book, I would have preferred an appearance instead.
June 4, 2014
What a delightful read. A true insight into the way people in London lived during the war and the resilience they found in themselves, to shake off the problems, straighten their shoulders and just carry on.
August 24, 2018
Book 2 of the Lavender Road series. All I can say is Poor Katy. It's just like watching a wartime soap unfold on TV. Lots of good characters. How I would love this to be dramatised by the TV as it would make good viewing. Really enjoyed and still 4 more in the series to go.
November 12, 2015
The second in the Lavender Street trilogy. Even better than the first as the characters evolve and the reader becomes even more involved. Can't wait to start the third book in the series.
February 19, 2016
Excellent series!
February 20, 2019
Another excellent novel by Helen Carey- Much of the novel takes place during all the bombings from the Germans. And how people stuck together to help each other out. I loved the details of each characters thoughts and feelings in this novel. We learn about Louise who gets a job at a factory to the aghast of her snobby father but she loves it, Katy who has some stroke of luck finally. Jen finally finds a job doing what she loves. Seems things are coming along but there's some heart ache and sad things that happen. Joyce and Lousie's mom finally open their café they wanted-despite the grumblings from both husbands. I had already read book #3 On a Wing and Prayer but I am rereading it because it connects some loose ends from book #2. I vividly remember Helen's story in book 3 so I skimmed those parts. Can't wait to get to book 4, 5 and 6. Perhaps Ms. Carey will write a book #7?!
Love her books!
Love her books!
November 2, 2016
The year is 1940 and War is in the air. The world is full of drama, heartache and danger. Bombs are falling all over London and the ladies of Lavender Lane are still determined to do their but for the war effort.
Katy Parson wants to flee her over protective parents and so signs up to be a nurse. Although it is all a lot tougher then she would ever possibly dream.
Is there a love story coming Katy's way?
As always an enjoyable read when you are on Lavender lane. It was lovely to catch up with all the familiar names and faces again and find out what thy have all been up too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Carey and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review
Happy reading everyone.
Katy Parson wants to flee her over protective parents and so signs up to be a nurse. Although it is all a lot tougher then she would ever possibly dream.
Is there a love story coming Katy's way?
As always an enjoyable read when you are on Lavender lane. It was lovely to catch up with all the familiar names and faces again and find out what thy have all been up too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Helen Carey and publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review
Happy reading everyone.
October 8, 2018
I am completely hooked on the Lavender Road series of books. I have been so drawn in by the characters. Ms. Carey has done an amazing job in making you feel like you KNOW these people. Her style of writing puts you right there in the Lavender Road neighborhood.
Sometimes I have been overwhelmed by her descriptions of the bombing raids and could feel the fear in the people. I have laughed at the 2 sisters dachshund, I have cried over people's misfortunes, I have felt the passion between lovers, I have felt the disgust of women being treated as far less equal of men, and so much more.
Her research on WWII during this time period is very well done.
I finished book #2 last night and just started #3 and look forward to it very much.
Sometimes I have been overwhelmed by her descriptions of the bombing raids and could feel the fear in the people. I have laughed at the 2 sisters dachshund, I have cried over people's misfortunes, I have felt the passion between lovers, I have felt the disgust of women being treated as far less equal of men, and so much more.
Her research on WWII during this time period is very well done.
I finished book #2 last night and just started #3 and look forward to it very much.
March 13, 2019
What's up with the man hating?
I enjoyed the first book a good bit, as I love historical fiction. I really thought this series .ight be a winner, but book 2 has finished me for the series, I'm sorry to say. There is just too much of the "men are all that is wrong in this world" and It's just tiresome. The characters, especially the make characters, are not developed meaningfully and the women are mostly self centered or weak , and overall have just lost their appeal. It's a shame; the premise for the book is outstanding, the writing is good, but the character development just feels off. Edit the tiresome and repetitive man hating rhetoric and I might have purchased the rest of the series.
I enjoyed the first book a good bit, as I love historical fiction. I really thought this series .ight be a winner, but book 2 has finished me for the series, I'm sorry to say. There is just too much of the "men are all that is wrong in this world" and It's just tiresome. The characters, especially the make characters, are not developed meaningfully and the women are mostly self centered or weak , and overall have just lost their appeal. It's a shame; the premise for the book is outstanding, the writing is good, but the character development just feels off. Edit the tiresome and repetitive man hating rhetoric and I might have purchased the rest of the series.
March 28, 2022
While I don’t normally read romance fiction, I do read historical fiction, especially about women in WWII, so I picked up Helen Carey’s first Lavender Road book. Finished it and went right on to Some Sunny Day and am now in the middle of the third one. I really want to find out what happens to the Ladies of Lavender Road, so I’ll probably keep on going. THere’s always something new happening and the new happenings go along with the war. She gives the reader historical information along with insights into how it probably affected the lives of the citizens of London. Good characters and not so good. Heroes and just regular folks. She’s got me hooked. Thank you, Helen. I’ll read your others after WWII ends — I presume it will end?
March 2, 2019
Lavender Ladies rule!
An amazing reiteration of the pure grit and fighting spirit of that generation of survivors of war torn English cities, especially London and Birmingham. Having been born at home during the bombing of Birmingham in 1941, it is horrifying (bu enlightening) to read what it was really like for the people who had been living in all those bombed-out areas we so blithely bicycled through in our childhood.
An amazing reiteration of the pure grit and fighting spirit of that generation of survivors of war torn English cities, especially London and Birmingham. Having been born at home during the bombing of Birmingham in 1941, it is horrifying (bu enlightening) to read what it was really like for the people who had been living in all those bombed-out areas we so blithely bicycled through in our childhood.
April 30, 2019
Unputdownable!
I lived in Battersea when the Germans started bombing the train lines opposite our flat. My Grandpa would carry me to the air raid shelter every night at six o'clock. The sky would be red. This book is so engrossing and accurate I was back in time. The characters are so well fleshed out that they began to feel like family. I can't wait to read the next one. Marvelous.
I lived in Battersea when the Germans started bombing the train lines opposite our flat. My Grandpa would carry me to the air raid shelter every night at six o'clock. The sky would be red. This book is so engrossing and accurate I was back in time. The characters are so well fleshed out that they began to feel like family. I can't wait to read the next one. Marvelous.
June 23, 2023
I particularly loved the fact that the main characters were strong, resilient women. And the British narrator was an absolute delight! I did slow the speed down so I could understand the accents and the different pronunciation of words compared to the American pronunciations I’m so used to hearing. There was a bit of an element of humor that actually had me in stitches. Great book, great narration!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews