The Girls of Mulberry Lane

Mulberry Lane #1

by Rosie Clarke

Love, marriage, birth, death and betrayal make up life in Mulberry Lane, perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Cathy Sharp.

Maureen Jackson is a prisoner of her father's blackmail. Three years ago, she'd been hoping to marry Rory, the man of her dreams. However after her mother's death Maureen was left to care and work for the overbearing father who claimed he couldn't manage without her. Now Rory is back in London with a pregnant wife in tow and reminds Maureen of the life that should have been hers.

Janet Ashley is the daughter of Peggy and Laurence, landlords of the local pub The Dog and Pheasant on Mulberry Lane. With the war looming, Janet hopes to marry her sweetheart Mike, but her father refuses to grant them his blessing. Going against his wishes Janet finds herself pregnant and Peggy is determined to hold her family together at all costs.

The Girls of Mulberry Lane is the first in a series set in London's East End during WW2.

Order the next book in the Series out JANUARY 2018 - A Wedding at Mulberry Lane.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Contemporary, Romance, Ebooks

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2017

Reviews

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kind of book takes me back to my roots where I first got a love of reading. Heart warming stories with some what I call 'umph and emotion' along with the era of prewar, war time when life was more friendlier with neighbors and everyone helped each other no matter what troubles you had of your own.

This author very quickly breathed life into her characters so that the reader can feel them, live among them and be a part of what is going on within the pages, that sure is a talent.

Peggy and Lawrence own the pub, and we quickly learn that Lawrence will never be the same since coming back from the war, he live in total dread that he will be called up again even though he is in his forties now. They in turn have two sons who want to sign up desperately to be in the war. You can imagine what the parents think about this.

The pub becomes the local and focal part of life there. Peggy finds life hard going personally as her marriage is not the same, they are drifting apart since Lawrence returned, so what will happen there.

The daughter, Janet has married young and has a young baby, she is learning what its like to be married to a serviceman. Will their marriage survive? She relies on her mother quite a bit and I felt for Peggy most times.

Then there was Maureen, her heart belongs to Rory, except her Father needs her, he isn't well and shes forced through circumstance to look after him. Will Maureen ever get with Rory, will she ever be loved and give love.

This is a really good read, you get pulled in almost straight away, each person is an individual who you learn many things about which rounds them out beautifully.

For the first book in the series it really starts off well, they have all become part of a reader life.
I can't wait to catch up with them later.

My thanks to Head of Zeus

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this genre/era and Rosie Clarke is an author who I feel describes it so well and brings the story to life. The close community feel where everyone helps each other and chats daily is portrayed through the Girls Of Mulberry Lane as we follow the diverse characters hardships, ups and downs through the war time in Londons East End. The author writes well and the great characterisation is evident as you find yourself turning every page quickly eagerly waiting to see and caring as to what happens next.
A well researched book about facing adversity.
My thanks go to the publisher, author and Netgalley for the arc of this book in return for a honest review.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love books set in this era and this book was absolutely brilliant.
Highly recommended.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well-written wartime saga set in a small neighbourhood within the capital city which involves families, friends, businesses and neighbours as the country makes the transition from peacetime to the start of the second world war.
This is a period which has always fascinated me - being too young to have experienced it - and I love all the small details of daily life. This book is very descriptive, bringing all the characters alive and concentrating on the people and how they cope with the day-to-day changes and challenges which war brings upon them. At the heart of the tale is the local pub and the family who live there; I love the fact that they are written about individually and not just as a whole. The diversity of the inhabitants is true to life showing the bad along with the good, and the reader really becomes invested and cares about what happens with the characters.
This is the first in a new series and whilst there is scope to continue the story, I really appreciated that all the loose ends were tied up - be it loosely, so they can be unravelled and continued - as I do so hate it when a book leaves me hanging. No such worries here as this is a full and complete novel, whilst still being part of a series.
Rosie Clarke writes a compelling saga, and I shall certainly be watching out for the next volume .. in fact, I wouldn't miss it! A really satisfying and fulfilling read, thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it’s the sort of book my mums shelves are overfilled with, but not something I would usually read, however I’m glad I did and I’m looking forward to book 2

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartwarming historical fiction/romance set in London during WWII. We see how the 3 main characters and their family and friends deal with the difficulties of the war years. I enjoyed this more then I thought I would and I'll be reading more of this series to catch up on the developments in the lives of Maureen, Peggy and Janet.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books set around the war years and Rosie Clarke has created a wonderful cast of characters from Mulberry Lane. You quickly get to know them all and feel as though you live amongst them and are filling your wicker basket in the shop ready to go home and prepare the dinner!
Peggy owns the pub with her husband Lawrence. He was never the same since he came back from the first world war- and although he is in his 40's he is dreading being called up for the approaching war. They have two children and their son is desperate to sign up when he is old enough.
Maureen works in the shop and resents her father who stopped her marrying her childhood sweetheart.
You feel the different ways that the war affects all of the characters and feel the sense of loss and anticipation in turn.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series

[Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane written by Rosie Clarke tells the story of the women who live on Mulberry Lane, we first meet each of the women of strength and loyalty prior to the beginning of the Second World War.
This is one very well written book and one I am happy to recommend. It tells the story of the residents of Mulberry Lane and their daily lives prior and during the first year of the Second World War. The one main character for me was Peggy, the loyal wife of the pub landlord, her love for her family is clear to be seen and her love for her husband, but for Peggy the war is going to split her family up and her fear for each of her children is evident but, yet the author has presented a strong character yet one where we see her weak moments when even her strength is not enough to get her through the many problems which come her way.
We also meet her daughter Janet Ashley who is a girl who will do anything to get her own way even if she must be the cause of a lot of disappointment for those that love her., and of course, there is Maureen Jackson a local girl with a heart of gold, she lives under the strong overbearing power of her father, but the war will open a new life for her which will provide her with a strength she never knew she had.
I loved this book, as the writing is addictive and the characters were developed and written about in such a way it was impossible not to care for each of them.
The Girls of Mulberry Lane is the first in a series and already I am excited about the next chapters of Peggy and her family and friends it is titled "A Wedding at Mulberry Lane"
The Girls of Mulberry Lane written by the very talented Rosie Clarke is one book I am happy to recommend as an addictive read which once started it will be hard to put down as with each turn of the page you will soon be involved in the lives of those who call Mulberry Lane in the East end of London home.

[Cyndi Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke is pleasant departure from my typical contemporary romance/ women's fiction reading material. Drawn to the WWII time period, London as the setting, and the potential angst, I found myself escaping into this story. It certainly won't be the last Rosie Clarke book I read.

The story is told from a few different points of view which kept it very captivating. Peggy is the 40's- ish old pub owner with an 18 year old daughter Janet who has fallen in love and wants to marry. Maureen, in her early twenties, gave up her own chance to marry due to the death of her mother and her father treating her like she owes it to him to stay and mind his shop. Both face roadblocks to love and happiness and these are the kind that transcend time. This is very much a character driven story, with the impact of war serving to circumstances that drive certain secondary characters in and out of their lives. I can't say I had a favorite character but I enjoyed their positions in the community, and as friends to each other, in different ways.

It's relatively low in angst, yet high on drama. There is a war going on after all. These three women grow so much in the 2 years that we spend with them. Janet finds herself in a bad spot with her family, Maureen grows some backbone, and Peggy recognizes some life truths about her own relationship and being disappointed by the people she loves:

" Life was never going to be the same, but perhaps it didn’t have to be all heartbreak and regret."

The Girls of Mulberry Lane is the start of a new series and I anticipate we'll be catching up with Peggy and the ladies in A Wedding At Mulberry Lane sometime in 2018. I for one am looking forward to continuing the saga. 4.5 stars and recommendation!

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story of life during world war two, featuring friends and neighbours in a small London community. The story concentrates on Peggy, who runs the pub, Maureen, who runs her father's small shop and Janet, Peggy' s daughter who moves away from home because of circumstances. What this book focuses on is the relationships in these women's lives, both romantic and parental.
I will be interested to catch up with these characters again and see how the war changes them.

[Ruth Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

London is preparing for a war, with the drumbeats on the horizon in 1938, Mulberry Lane and her residents in London’s East End have just started to find some sort of normalcy in life, but after the last war, nothing is ever quite the same. Spanning a 2 year period, the story focuses on Maureen, stuck caring for (and managed by) an overbearing father, she’s lost much of the hope she had in love and its power to transform her life. Returning to Mulberry Lane we also meet Rory, love of Maureen’s life but with a new, and pregnant, wife in tow. Janet, with her parents Peggy and Laurence run the Dog and Pheasant, the pub on the lane. Janet wants to marry Mike and start her life, but her father refuses to let them marry. Laurence was never quite the same after returning from the last war, and the last thing he wants is for any of his children to know that heartbreak and hardship. Both of his sons want to sign up, and his daughter wants a man who will more than likely go to war as well. With his own worries about being returned to duty, and his fear for his own children, Laurence is adamant that life stay the same for his little family, and the war doesn’t intrude.

As in most places, there is a center for the activity, advice, conversations and dream sharing, and that just happens to be the local pub. See Mulberry Lane is like most of its day: a small neighborhood within the city, where everyone knows everyone else, friendships are a given, and advice is free flowing. Quickly Clarke develops the story and presents the characters, flaws and all, to the reader, allowing us to see the spoken and unspoken, interactions and avoidances, and even the gossip and worry that the war will bring to the country and the lives of those we are getting to know.

While Maureen is dealing with love lost and her own family issues, Janet overrode her father’s refusal to marry and has ended up pregnant, now married to a serviceman and realizing that life as she imagined it is a far cry from her often romantic fantasies. Her mother Peggy is always willing to listen and lend a hand, with advice and time, but Janet’s realization that marriage, particularly in these troubled times isn’t easy, and she isn’t quite mature enough to actually find her own coping mechanisms, relying on Peggy who has plenty to deal with when it comes to her own marriage.

Each character is well-rounded and presented as a functional being, we see them change and grow, feel their slights and the slow adjustment of their dreams, struggles and actions. Yes, despite his wife, Maureen still yearns for Rory, although tied into caring for her father and discovering his misdeeds becomes more of a burden, daily. A true ‘slice of life’ story that keeps readers wondering and learning, providing answers and new questions nearly every page. While not a particularly action-packed read, it is character and motivation driven, with enough drama to keep readers engaged while telling the story. Yes, there are still some questions and some situations that aren’t fully resolved, but these are characters that stay with you, and call you back. I’m ready for the next.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appearerd at I am, Indeed

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke is the first book in The Mulberry Lane series (1938). We are swept back to London’s East End on Mulberry Lane in 1938. War will be breaking out across Europe and England will soon be getting into the fight. Peggy Ashley and her husband, Laurence own the Pig and Whistle pub in London’s East End. Peggy is the mother figure to the people of Mulberry Lane. Maureen Jackson is Peggy’s closet friend. Maureen wanted to marry Rory Mackness after her mother passed away, but her father used emotional blackmail (playing sick) to keep her at his side. Maureen takes care of her father and runs their little discount store on Mulberry Lane. She still loves Rory, but he moved on when she would not leave her father. Rory is now married and full of regrets. Janet Ashley is eighteen years old and is in love with Mike Rowan. Mike is ready to enlist in the Navy, but he wants to marry Janet before he departs. Laurence refuses to give his blessing and sign the necessary papers (Janet is underage). Mike knows there is one way to ensure they are able to wed. Two young people in love cannot be denied their passions. Janet ends up pregnant and quickly wed with Peggy’s blessing. The Ashley family is divided and Peggy wants to find a way to bring them back together. Is there a chance of happiness for Maureen? Will Peggy be able to heal the rift in the Ashley family?

The Girls of Mulberry Lane is a well-crafted novel. It contains good writing and the book is realistic of the time period. You can tell the author did her research for this novel. The book has a slower pace, but it suits the story. The characters were brought to life. As a reader, I could feel their struggles, heartaches, love, joy and regrets. The book contains British slang that was common during that time period. It added realism and flavor to the story (did not feel like an add in). My rating for The Girls of Mulberry Lane 4.5 out of 5 stars. I was drawn into the story and my attention (for the most part) was held. There were a couple of slow areas, but they were few. I like this gritty yet hopeful novel. It contains real life struggles that people encountered during this era (as they prepare for another war). We get to see the characters overcoming adversity. The book has hope, love, friendship, secrets, sacrifice, and the ties of family. The Girls of Mulberry Lane is a lovely, wholesome story that I enjoyed reading. I am looking forward to reading A Wedding at Mulberry Lane when it comes out.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I enjoyed this book from start to finish, there were sad bits in , but everything came right in the end. I would recommend this book .

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this down really enjoyed reading about the 3 girls that are friends and how during the war their lives changed
Can’t wait to start book 2 and continuing to read about the lives of people who live on or near Mullberry Lane

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely little read and I have the rest of the series to go.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Chaos_deluxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich hab es auf deutsch gelesen eine sehr schöne Story

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading this books from Rosie Clarke. Just a lovely novel

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saga writer extraordinaire Rosie Clarke kicks off her fantastic new series with The Girls of Mulberry Lane, a gritty, gutsy and compelling tale set in 1930s London that is simply perfect for fans of Donna Douglas, Nadine Dorries and Ellie Dean.

The dark clouds of war are gathering in 1938, but in Mulberry Lane, London, the inhabitants of this street are waging war and fighting their own battles. Three years ago, Maureen Jackson had been head over heels in love with the man of her dreams, Rory. Maureen had been hoping to marry Rory and spend the rest of her life in total bliss with the man who had come to mean more to her than life itself, but she had quickly learnt that fate could be a very cruel mistress. Her mother had died leaving Maureen with no other choice but to care for her cruel father and turn her back on the love of her life. Her father has grown more overbearing and more impossible with the passing of years, and just when Maureen thinks that things couldn’t possibly get any worse for her, Rory comes back into her life with a pregnant wife in tow; a cruel remainder about the happiness that can never be hers.

But Maureen is not the only woman in Mulberry Lane nursing a broken heart. Janet Ashley wants nothing more than to marry her sweetheart, Mike. However, her father refuses to give his blessing and makes it perfectly clear that he does not want the marriage to go ahead. However, with the war approaching, Janet realises that she cannot bear to live with the regret of never giving herself fully to the man she loves. Yet, when Janet falls pregnant, it is up to her mother Peggy to keep the family together at all costs!

Will the girls of Mulberry Lane find the happiness which they have been desperately searching for? Or will war and circumstance put paid to any hope which they might have of being with the men they love?

When it comes to writing sagas, Rosie Clarke is up there with some of the best in the business. Her books are always redolent of past times, packed with full-bloodied and powerful characters and there is always plenty of heart, emotion and pathos and The Girls of Mulberry Lane is certainly no exception! A terrific saga guaranteed to keep readers up well past their bedtime, The Girls of Mulberry Lane is a terrific tale of sacrifice, family strife, powerful secrets and the ties that bind I found absolutely impossible to put down.

I’ve been a fan of Rosie’s books for years and she gets better with every book she writes! I am counting down the days until the next release by this phenomenal talent.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke is the touching story of family and friends in a time of looming war and hardship in London, England.

Peggy Ashley works beside her husband in a popular pub keeping her friends and customers happy and well fed. Besides the hard work and daily grind of the pub, Peggy keep the homefires burning trying to keep hubby happy while keeping an eye on her son who is keen on joining up and daughter Janet who desperately wants to marry the man she loves before he enlists in the Navy.

Maureen, Peggy’s friend and neighbor feels her life is empty now that her long time love Rory has married and become a father. Her heart still pines for him as his does for her, but a wife and family make any kind of relationship now impossible. Maureen now sees her days playing out single and alone, taking care of a father who despite ill health, is self centered and demanding.

As war for England becomes imminent, Janet and Mike turn to desperate measures in order to force her parents to allow them to marry causing discord and division in the family. As Janet moves away leaving Peggy and her husband at odds, Peggy needs her friends more than ever on Mulberry Lane to ease the fear and worries of a divided family, war and a not to certain future.

I really liked this book. The characters that Rosie Clarke created are memorable and warm and the story-line took me back to a time in history where families, friends and countrymen joined together for a common cause. The friendships between the women in the book was heartwarming and put a smile on my face. I am thrilled to know that there is two more books in this series and I plan to delve in to them because I love these characters and I don’t want to let them go.

If you like books with strong friendships, great characters and stories surrounding WWII this book is for you. If you are a fan of the series Home Fires then this book is for you. A great read anytime, just curl up in your favorite corner with a cuppa tea and enjoy.

I want to thank Aria via NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke for a fair and honest review.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have I ever mentioned how much I love a family saga set around the war years!? Well, Rosie Clarke is the queen of these and I’m over the moon that she has begun a new series which will keep me enthralled for the duration I’m sure. The Girls of Mulberry Lane is absolutely everything you could ask for in a book like this.

Characters have such depth that the reader is immediately absorbed and rooting for them. The involvement in their everyday lives is captivating and slightly addictive, it’s difficult to pause and put this story down once you begin.

I find the war years fascinating but this book doesn’t beat around the bush, life was tough, emotions run high and family/friends are at the heart of it all.

Maureen, sacrifices her own happiness to keep her cantankerous widowed father company and run the grocery store. Peggy has a busy life at the pub, raising a family and generally keeping the locals happy. Her daughter Janet falls in love but in those days parents’ ruled the roost and her father disapproves .. how far will Janet go to be with the man she loves and at what cost?

I loved this story, there is so much entertainment value it’s full of strength, compassion and even during the darkest moments there is a sense of hope. Maureen’s gran was a dear, she was the archetypal wise old woman who doted on her granddaughter without being soppy.

I heartily recommend The Girls of Mulberry Lane to anyone who enjoys being whisked back in time to experience the hardships from the comfort of your armchair. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

My thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. Without a doubt five sparkly stars!

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I rarely read historical fiction so this book was a refreshing change for me.

Set in Londons East End at the beginning on WW2, we meet the various characters of Mulberry Lane. Peggy, who owns the pub with her husband Lawrence appears to take on the role of matriarch in the community (and amongst the women). She is a strong lady who works hard for her family and values her friends. But she senses something is up with her husband and feels them drifting apart. Can their marriage survive the troubled times ahead?

Janet, Peggy's daughter, is also dealing with her own family issues when she marries and has a baby with her sweetheart. Forced to grow up quickly, Janet learns what being married to a serviceman means. Will she get her happy ever after?

Finally, we also meet Maureen. A lovely girl, forced to look after her father, she is left heart broken after missing her chance to marry the man she loves. Will any man ever compare to her Rory, or is she destined to be alone for the rest of her life?

A wonderfully written book. I cannot wait to read the next story in this series!

Thanks kindly to Netgalley, Aria and Rosie Clarke for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book right from the very beginning. I adored the characters and enjoyed seeing how their experiences progressed...(or not) throughout the book. Both Penny and Margaret were warm and loving main characters but certain circumstances made times in life difficult for them. I enjoyed the in depth experience of what people were going through in WW2 and learning what happened to certain characters throughout that experience. I will say that Laurence (Penny's Husband) was totally over reacting and a kind of hypocrite towards his daughter, also he cheated on his wife which for me personally is a big no no!. Later on however he saw sense and welcomed his daughter back and her new baby which was lovely to have happened. Also I was so thrilled for Margaret to finally stand up for herself and stand up to her farther who was downright rude, disrespectful, manipulative and just a nasty man. Such a shame it took to the end of the novel for these to happen and I would of liked to know what happened if Margaret and Rory did finally end up together as it seemed to look like it was heading in that direction, but I kind if like cliff hangers....it keeps your own imagination open.

[Melanie Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane - Peggy, Maureen, Janet and Anne are our ladies of Mulberry Lane.  Peggy is a hardworking landlady, wife to Laurence and mother to Pip and Janet.  Maureen is a young woman who lost the love of her life Rory after being blackmailed by her controlling father.  Janet is the daughter of Peggy, in love with Mike but held back by her father who refuses to allow her to marry.  Finally we have Anne, a schoolteacher involved in child evacuations who is in love with her married headteacher.

This novel is set in the run up to World War II, and as my loyal followers will know, this is my favourite time period for historical fiction.  Conscription is in its infancy, and young men such Pip eagerly wait to come of age so that they can sign up to fight in what they deem to be an exciting war.  For others, such as Laurence, the memories of the Great War are still too raw and feelings of dread are flooding them.

I enjoyed following the stories of these women, particularly Peggy and Maureen, as they entered the uncertainty of wartime.  I really understood what they were feeling, and I wanted to follow their stories.  I felt that The Girls of Mulberry Lane gave a realistic depiction of women during early wartime Britain, as we learnt their hopes and fears for their friends, family and the future.  The strength these women showed during this time is very clearly exhibited in this novel.

If I have any criticism it would only be for the ending - without wanting to give too much away I finished the novel wanting to know more about how the story ended for Peggy, Maureen and Janet.  I felt it ended a little too abruptly for my liking.  This however is the sign of a good novel...I didn't want it to end!

Published in August 2017, this is a fabulous piece of historical fiction for 2017 - it'll be hard to beat this in my opinion!

Thanks to Netgalley for my advance reading copy, in exchange for my honest review.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story set in the backdrops of WWII in the East End of London. It revolves around the main characters, Peggy and Maureen's life; of their family and life before and during the deadliest war. Unlike other war-fictions, this book doesn't draw an exact picture of life during the war, but an outline. The author focuses on the character's lives and lets us see the world from their perspective. You will find them worrying on lower turnover of stock, broken hearts, a hopeless future and even being distraught about throwing a Christmas party with less food and beverage. And that's where Clarke's writing becomes a credit- it's very engaging and pleasingly written, you can't help getting involved in their lives and becoming upset even for their smallest concern. Rosie Clarke has written over 120 books and this book really reflects her flair for writing an appealing story. An excellent read for any time of the year!

[Sarah Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story starts with some of the residents of Mulberry Lane.

Peggy who is married to Lawrence and have two children Janet (who is 19) and Pip who is still at school, they have a nice life and own their own pub, though Lawrence is plagued by the past events of World War I which plays quite a part in their storyline. Are they all happy together or has it just become an habit??

And then there is Maureen who run the local shop and lives at home with her demanding and demeaning father, where has Maureen life gone and should she have done things in her life differently??

Nicely written story with a good mix of characters, which keeps you interested in the story though would be interested to read book 2.

[Rhona Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read..

If you like soap operas you'll enjoy this story about women starting in 1938 to 1940. This is about Maureen who works for her father in a corner shop, refused to marry her boyfriend because the father had emotionally blackmailed her.
Peggy who with her husband Laurence run the local pub. Their two children are Janet and Pip.
Anne the teacher who after returning to London becomes a supply teacher as and where needed and an ambulance driver as well. But not much is given to her story. I'd like to hear more about her than just the mentions she gets in conversations after the first few chapters.
Peggy's daughter Janet also has a story to tell with her boyfriend, they marry after she falls pregnant and her father kicks her out. Mire to come in book 2.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girls of Mulberry Lane by Rosie Clarke is the first in a series set in London’s East side during World War II. Each of the girls has to face her problems head-on in order for her to continue to live a good life. Maureen has given up her life to live with her hateful father and help him run his store. Peggy and her daughter Janet must face the fact that the love of their lives may not be who they think they are or they may be missing in action. Together they face the uncertain future together. Rosie Clarke has created a novel that consists very strong women in an era where women were just coming into their own. The book is compelling to read and holds your attention.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much like Ellie Dean's book

I love reading books that take place just before WWll and during the war. Books who characters flow from one book to the next in the series. Characters who you come to know and love, who's lives you become involved with. I found all of that in this book. You come to love Peggy and Maureen, and you hate Maureen's father and Peggy's husband. I'm thrilled that there's 4 more books to this series. I've already bought book 2 and it's downloaded and ready to start tonight. If you're thinking about reading a book by this author start with this series. I promise you'll enjoy the story line and characters as much as I did.