A Store at War

Marlow’s Department Store #1

by Joanna Toye

Not even the Blitz will stop the shop girls…The perfect, uplifting book to curl up with this spring‘Such a good read!’ 5* Goodreads reviewerIt’s 1941 and as the air raid sirens blare, Lily Collins is starting work in Midlands department store Marlow’s. She learns the ropes from her sophisticated boss Miss Frobisher alongside shy fellow junior Gladys. But her friendship with young salesman Jim draws her into a swirl of secrets. And with the war progressing to crisis point, Cedric Marlow and his staff must battle nightly bombings and the absence of loved ones to keep going.

A Store at War weaves together a strong sense of community with a vivid evocation of a time when every man, woman and child was doing their bit.

‘Cheerful and uplifting… I enjoyed it immensely’ Katie Fforde

‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs

'A real page-turner with a spirited heroine…A sparkling new voice in fiction' Sunday Times bestseller Veronica Henry

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adult, War, World War II, Historical

393 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 10, 2019

About the author

Set in a family-owned department store, Jo's novels bring to life the hardships - and highlights - of life in Britain in the Second World War. With husbands, boyfriends and brothers away, the three Shop Girl friends pull together to battle bomb damage and black marketeers as well as their own poignant personal dramas. A former radio and TV scriptwriter, Jo draws on her family's war experiences as well as memories of how shopping used to be - before Amazon changed all that!
Twitter @joannatoye
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Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good WWII story. My favourite genre by far.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review.

The book itself set in a small town in warwickshire during the second world war and follows the lifes of different characters in a provencial department store and this is an easy going read but felt however the ending was all too rosy and neatly wrapped up

[Marjorie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Rightly or wrongly, from the title I was expecting something a little more Mr Selfridge from this book. The setting of Marlow's Department Store is really just a device to bring together Lily with Grace, Jim and Betsy and there was sadly little about the store within the book. I was hoping for tales of internecine warfare between departments and spiteful spinsters enforcing strict regimens on the junior staff. It is far more gentle than that, and, probably less interesting because of it.

Even worse I got really confused about Lily. The point is heavily stressed that she just left school in order to start work because her widowed mother needs the income. This means she is 14 - let that settle for a minute Lily, our heroine is 14 years old. Now, I know there is a war on and the teenager hadn't been invented yet but 14 is 14 and from the tales my Grandmother told me nothing really ever changes. So, she is hormonal and irrational and to be quite frank a child. No, our Lily has a poised self-assurance and is a stalwart to her new friends and family. Honestly, she reads more like a worldly mid-twenties than a mere slip of thing of 14.

That then leads to my second big issue with it. Just how old is Jim? It is clear from early on that there is flirting going on between him and Lily but he certainly seems to be much older than her. The only thing that perhaps belies this is that he is clearly hale and hearty and hasn't been called up yet so he is likely under 20 (yes, I did just google conscription age). However, he reads much older and even the thought that he could well be 18 (or more) makes the flirtation seem a little off.

The book does deal with some issues that were relevant to the times. How to deal with the privations of war, how to organise a celebration under rationing, the part the Black Market plays in every day life, unmarried mothers. One unusual topic that was more or less just tossed in there was the treatment of disabled people at the time (I did like the little bits we found out about Susan and her family). Nothing that hasn't been covered before or will be covered again - sort of unavoidable in this time period.

It was just all kind of underwhelming, which is a shame as there are some interesting themes explored. Robert and Cedric's relationship was outlined in sketchy detail but I felt that much more could have been made of this - certainly the motherless son and grieving older father angle was interesting. The bending of Government Legislation to make a fast buck and give the "gentry" the service they still felt entitled to was also only lightly touched on, again this could have been explored further. In fact, the whole Black Market that was flourishing is mentioned and everyone seems to universally accept it as a good thing for the housewife - this is not what I have been led to believe from family members who lived through it. Mixed messages there really as the scam at the store is vilified whilst the desire for some tinned salmon off ration seems to be okay.

The characters were also rather difficult to pin down. It doesn't help that they fit very distinct formats. So you have Grace - frumpy and rather downtrodden, wouldn't say boo to a goose and desperate to get a boyfriend; so much so she fixates first on Lily's brother and then on one of his service mates. Betsy - blowsy and thinks she is so much better than she, determined to climb socially but turns out to come from a tragic background and really has a heart of gold. Dora - tough Matriarch, can turn her hand to anything, loves her children dearly but never shows it in traditional ways. I don't think I really need to go on.

Rather more miss than hit I'm sad to say and I will readily admit to more or less scan reading the last half of the book as it all felt like a bunch of stereotypes thrust together, none of whom really gel. It doesn't help that although there is a plot it was very loose and seemed to have been allowed to wander wherever it felt like going.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book of a series and first by this author. Lily Collins gets her first job at 14, in a large department store in her hometown of Hinton. It's a bit slow at first but then as Lily makes friends and enemies, we learn that not everyone is how they first appear. We get to know the characters, the writing is excellent and although this story is set during world war two it's very different to other books set in the same era. How I would love a wander around Marlow's department store..
..I would recommend and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, Secrets in Store.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had these 4 books waiting on my kindle for a wee while so thought I would start. read this one in one sitting it was absolutely fantastic meeting the work force in marlow's.
What amazing characters and storyline had me truly glued for the whole day, can't wait to catch up with them in book 2.
Was quite amazing there resilience to just get on with life and make do I don't want to write anything that could possibly be a spoiler but it's a big 5 fat stars from me and can highly recommend.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

The year is 1941 Lily Collins starts work at Marlows the biggest department store in the Midlands as a junior . There's a war on, a relaxing witty feel good book, I found so uplifting, you find yourself drawn into the characters as you read. All the bombing going on around and the store keeps going. Looking forward to reading the next book called Secrets in store to continue lilys story

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice little wartime saga set in a department store, a bit Mr. Selfridge.. Flowed easy and nice likeable characters.. Glad to see there will be more in the series.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Store at War is a charming historical novel. Lily Collins is fortunate to secure a position as a junior at Marlow’s, but it is a different type of environment for her. She needs to think before she acts (that is going to be a challenge). Lily also tends to speak her mind and is headstrong. She makes friends with Gladys and Jim. Jim stumbles upon a scheme and confides in Lily. They want to find a way to stop the enterprise before it ruins Marlow’s. I liked the various characters in the story, and we see that people put on appearances. We do not know what is going on in their lives until we take the time to get to know an individual. I thought A Store at War was nicely written and it proceeded at a gentle pace. It was interesting to learn what happened when an air raid siren went off while one is shopping in a department store. There were also a number of rules for shop assistants to follow (including appearance and proper etiquette). They had to know their merchandise and where it was located. We get a glimpse of what life was like during World War II in England (rationing, air raids, blackouts, bombings). During and after the war, they had to make do and mend (new and used clothing were hard to come by). We see at the end of the book that there is more to come. I wonder what will happen in Wartime for the Shop Girls.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read set in World War 2 London. This is such an easy read, the sort of thing you could easily consume on the sofa on a sunday afternoon with a cuppa. Due to the festive season I've been reading it on and off for a month now but it's such a sweet and lovely story you really can pick it up and put it down and not get confused.
Lily Collins is the main character. She is a young girl just trying to make the best of things during war time. This book really showed the sacrifices people had to make in terms of rationing etc.
The only downside for me is that nothing bad ever really happened to any of the characters and in war time London you would at least expect a little bit of destruction and death. Nevertheless its a firm 4 out of 5 stars for me. Thank Netgalley for letting me read this book.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in Midlands During World War II!

This book revolves around the life of a young woman who works in a department store in Midlands, England during World War II. It tells of her being hired and the training she was given. It also tells of the rationing that was enforced by a nation at war and the hardships on the people because of this rationing.

I learned a lot about the effects of war on people and the book made me glad that we have not had a war with another country that directly affected people living in this country. This book led me to count my blessings. We live in a land of plenty and have not had to live with rationing of food or products in this country during my lifetime. We are truly blessed.

I enjoyed this book. I hope you enjoy it also.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily has left school without her School Certificate, but in June 1941 she is hopeful of getting a job where she could not have imagined otherwise - Marlow’s department store. As the daughter of a widowed and remarkable mother, she needs to work, and this is a big opportunity to avoid working on the market or a similar role. Her two brothers Sid and Reg have joined up, though Sid is at home on sick leave, having injured his ankle. This is the first book in a series of wartime sagas which tell the story of Lily, her family and friends. There are the highs of discovering attractions, new opportunities and much more, but this is wartime, so there will be absences and loss, limitations and rationing to contend with as well. Joanna Toyce’s first original novel sets up situations for Lily and others to contend with, both as a family and individuals. The dialogue is lively and sounds realistic, and the characters come alive on the page. Lily is a wonderful character, so well drawn in many ways, with doubts as well a genuine concern for others. Lighter in feel than many other wartime sagas, this is a book which promises much for the later books in the series.

The book opens with Lily preparing to go to her interview. Painfully aware how much rides on this meeting, she tries to tame her hair and is desperate to appear a little older. Not that her mother will allow her too much leeway, demanding that she wash off the make up she has applied. Marlow’s is the most upmarket shop in the town, where even entering the shop to look around seems impossible to a girl like Lily. She is only fourteen when the book begins, and she is so nervous when she discovers that her interview is to be with Cedric Marlow himself, the owner of the shop. As his secretary Miss Garner, acknowledges, as all the usual people who would be employed in the shop have left for war service of one kind or another, only the old, the very young or otherwise exempt are applying for jobs. This is a time of rationing, when virtually all food had to be queued for, saved and stretched. Cedric himself notices the worn out nature of Lily’s shoes, knowing that the family could not afford to shop in the place where she will work. As the story progresses there are new people introduced, such as Gladys, with her difficult home life and tragic family history, and Beryl, who is sharp and difficult. Lily’s mother Dora is a strong woman, with sayings and resources for every event, who is desperately proud of her children and always worried for their well being. Not that Lily tells her everything, and with air raids, a complicated plan and more, Lily must work hard in every sense.

This is a well written book that handles difficult situations well. There is a lot of research here, into minor things like available food, clothing restrictions and the set up of a local department store, but the information is blended into the narrative well. All the characters have layers, from an optimistic girl in search of love to a sad story of family challenges. I really enjoyed this novel, having had the opportunity to read a later one in the series, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys female led fiction set during the Second World War.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being an avid reader of fiction set during World War Two, I was keen to read this book, especially as it is the first in a series. But unfortunately this just wasn’t one for me.

It’s not often that I’m at a loss for something to write, so I’ll keep this review brief. The storyline failed to hold my attention and came to a rather abrupt ending. The characters were quite plain and flat and unfortunately the book lacked any drama. I would like to have read a little more about the Marlow’s store and especially the challenges it faced during the war. I struggled to find any real meaning as to why the story was set there. I would also liked to have read more details of the war itself and how it affected each of the characters. Although the story is set during the war, for me, it lacks the simple observations and references to clothing, food and the like.

I would be happy to try another novel by this author as I enjoyed the style of writing and it was easy to read. But disappointingly, I won’t be continuing on with this series.

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read! I do enjoy domestic tales set at the time of WWII, and this is right up there with the best of them .. and there's more to come!

Lily Collins, at fourteen, is now old enough to leave school and we first encounter her in a very nervous state on her way to interview for a prestigious local department store. Gaining the job brings with it her mother's warnings to watch what she says and does and make sure she does nothing to jeopardise her position. But will friendly Lily, with her strong moral compass, manage that?

This is a lovely, heartwarming story which gives a real flavour of the frugality of war and the strain on the ordinary family. With well-drawn characters and a good solid storyline, the author's experience shines through in this, her debut novel. The best news is that it's the first in a series of four books, and I for one am really looking forward to catching up with the lives of the Collins family in future. A superb read, and one I highly recommend!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories from WW2 are my escape from psychological thrillers & police procedurals. This one, centred around a large department store during the war is a slightly different take on it, but it does provide some interesting characters with their stories.

I really liked Lily with her headstrong nature & her desire to do the right thing- even if it did get her into a few scrapes. Her whole family came across as real 'salt of the earth' folk put into a situation they couldn't have imagined.

I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me red & review this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Set in WW2 it’s the story of Lily Collins and her family and friends. Lily has to leave school at 14 as unfortunately her family can’t afford her to carry on her education. One of her teachers puts in a good word for her so that she manages to get a job in a large local department store Marlow’s. From day one things seem to happen to Lily that bring her attention to her bosses. Will Lily lose her job before it’s even begun. There are lots of ups and downs for the family in this book. I look forward to the next book to see how the Collins family are surviving this difficult time.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s June 1941 when Lily Collins gets a Junior position in Childrenswear at Marlowe’s Department Store. Lily is 14 and amazed to be working in the posh store in the Midlands of England. Life is a little different in the Midlands from London, but the rationing is in full swing, air raids happen, and the hardships of war are everywhere. But there are still well off people who shop. The culture of the store is interesting and very different from today. During the few months of this story much changes. It will be interesting to see what happens to Lily, her family, her friends and colleagues through the next years of the war. Good start to a series.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-warming, feel-good novel set in the early years of WWII. Although the story revolves around Lily Collins, a young assistant in a Midlands department store, her family and friends from the store are all involved. With goods becoming scarcer, everyone must pull together and when Lily and young salesman Jim uncover a ‘fiddle’ they act to stop it going any further. There isn’t a lot of action or high drama, this is just a pleasant little novel and I really felt involved in the community. I look forward to the next one in the series.

[Emma Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book about a department store during the time of war. I loved the characters like Beryl was a character I once hated for being snooty but she mellowed towards the end like most characters do. Lily is a strong character as she holds her own and when there's trouble for her colleagues she stands up for them. At first she is just learning the ropes of being a junior in the childrens department as she is quite young but she proves herself time and time again. Again a wonderful read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an entirely different take on WWII novelsAnd a very enlightening one. Lily Collins is the youngest of three children in their fatherless household. Her two brothers were in the Navy, but at the opening of the novel, her affable brother Sid was living at home, sent there to recover from a foot wound. Lily, at fourteen, chose to leave school and go to work to help support her family. Dora, her mother, insisted she apply at a better position than barmaid or the like. She sent her to Mallory’s Department Store, the ritziest in her town. Stay tuned. More coming!

[Amy Robertson-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came upon this series from a recommendation in Goodreads I think. My Cincinnati public library doesn’t carry it, why not? Luckily Ohio libraries trade around. I love this book and hope the follow ups are just as delightful. It’s a historical series during WWII. The characters are all loveable, and the department store where they are employed is very fun to read about. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 First in as series of six books and light and easy reading. Lily is a young girl in wartime Britain and has to leave school at the age of 14 to help with the household expenses. Lily's oldest brother Reg is away fighting and her other brother has also signed up. Lily gets an interview at a local classy department store and is hired on as a junior and she is so excited. This begins her time of growing up and making new friends during wartime.

[Merryl Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Well researched and full of period detail; the sort of things my mother would talk about from her childhood in a Midlands town. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue is believable and flows, as you would expect from a scriptwriter of Joanna's quality. I shall definitely buy the next one.

[Dorothy Tysall · Rating 5 out of 5]

War time shop girls

A family story of a young girl having to leave who really should have gone on to further education but being war time felt she had to help the family her teacher had at her ideas.and here the storey gets interesting.a working girl mixing with the upper class in a high class store...

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure that I'd call this book gripping but it was certainly an enjoyable read. I wanted more detail about the store and the challenges faced, instead it lacked drama and meandered along. The abrupt ending leads into another book which I may have to have a look at when it comes out.

[MRS SAMMANTHA WORBOYS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised myself! This wasn't my usual book selection but read for my book club. After first chapter I was hooked and finished inside a week! Really well written with endearing main character. Thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend!

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, there were a couple of historical faults but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. Why i didn't give 5stars was because the book just stopped. Whether there is a sequel, I don't know but quite a lot wasn't resolved.

[Mary Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great opening book 1 of 5 about a group of girls and guys who live in Hinton, England during WW2 and work at the department store in town- Marlowe’s .Great character development and lots of drama.I look forward to reading the next episode in this story.

[Stephanie Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Store at War, so why did I only give it four stars? Because no 14 year old, even a mature 14 year old, speaks or acts the way Lily does. Other than that, I really did like this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about life during the Second World War.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really delightful book that portrays the difficulties of ordinary people in WWII England. The characters are interesting and believable. It also shows how little we know of people we are acquainted with.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out a little slow, but I'm glad I stuck with it. It provides an interesting insight into home front life in England during WWII. The drama is easily resolved and the stakes are pretty low. I'm looking forward to seeing how the story continues.