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The Bryant Sisters #2
Wedding Bells on Victory Street
From Amazon bestseller Pam Howes comes a heartbreaking World War Two novel about a young woman trying to make the best of history’s darkest hour. Is a happy ever after impossible?
Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country’s sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella’s beloved father has been killed in France.
Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?
But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?
An utterly unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel that will have you completely hooked from page one. You’ll lose yourself in this gorgeous wartime story of love, loss and family secrets. Perfect for fans of Wives of War, Nadine Dorries and Nancy Revell.
Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country’s sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella’s beloved father has been killed in France.
Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?
But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?
An utterly unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel that will have you completely hooked from page one. You’ll lose yourself in this gorgeous wartime story of love, loss and family secrets. Perfect for fans of Wives of War, Nadine Dorries and Nancy Revell.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2020
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December 14, 2020
Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes is an emotional World War II novel about a young woman trying to live happily ever after.
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is an emotional story. Bella is worried about Bobby leaving her when he finds out the truth. Family and friends are dying, missing, or getting injured in the war. Bella has the conflicting opinions of being happy on stage but missing her son. Molly isn’t happy stuck helping her mother raise Levi while Bella gets to travel and live her dream. Bobby is struggling with his injuries. There is so much going on in Wedding Bells on Victory Street that I did not want to put the book down.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Wedding Bells on Victory Street.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is an emotional story. Bella is worried about Bobby leaving her when he finds out the truth. Family and friends are dying, missing, or getting injured in the war. Bella has the conflicting opinions of being happy on stage but missing her son. Molly isn’t happy stuck helping her mother raise Levi while Bella gets to travel and live her dream. Bobby is struggling with his injuries. There is so much going on in Wedding Bells on Victory Street that I did not want to put the book down.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for Wedding Bells on Victory Street.
Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
December 14, 2020
Bella, Fran and Edie made up the singing trio, The Bryant Sisters, who’d been entertaining the troops up and down the coast of England and beyond during the war. Bella’s little one, Levi, was living with Bella’s mam, Mary and sister Molly at a farm in Wales where they were evacuated, with the bombs raining over Liverpool and the rest of the country. Meanwhile back at home in Liverpool, Bella’s boyfriend since childhood, Bobby was home from the war after being dreadfully injured in the same plane crash which killed his father.
One of the other entertainers in the tour which The Bryant Sisters were travelling, along with their manager Basil, was causing problems with his drinking and roaming hands so Basil had to terminate his contract. But rather than licking his wounds, and finding another job, he decided on revenge. The evil of his thoughts, and determination to wound and damage saw trauma for Bella and The Bryant Sisters. What would happen to the trio? Would Bobby want nothing to do with Bella when she revealed her secret?
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is the 2nd in The Bryant Sisters series by Pam Howes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in 1943 as the war entered its final years, and filled with emotion – from happiness to sadness, joy and devastation – Ms Howes has a way with words which drew me in and kept me fully involved with the story. When someone received their come-uppance, I was very pleased! Cheering in fact 😉 Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
One of the other entertainers in the tour which The Bryant Sisters were travelling, along with their manager Basil, was causing problems with his drinking and roaming hands so Basil had to terminate his contract. But rather than licking his wounds, and finding another job, he decided on revenge. The evil of his thoughts, and determination to wound and damage saw trauma for Bella and The Bryant Sisters. What would happen to the trio? Would Bobby want nothing to do with Bella when she revealed her secret?
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is the 2nd in The Bryant Sisters series by Pam Howes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in 1943 as the war entered its final years, and filled with emotion – from happiness to sadness, joy and devastation – Ms Howes has a way with words which drew me in and kept me fully involved with the story. When someone received their come-uppance, I was very pleased! Cheering in fact 😉 Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2020
I just love this book. It has it all. It is a beautiful.written book. It is an emotional book. And It shows that under a dark Era there is still.time for love and family. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review
January 20, 2021
Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes is the 2nd novel in The Bryant Sisters series. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not indulged in The Girls of Victory Street. Bella Rogers along with her two best friends (Fran and Edie) are known as The Bryant Sisters. They are with ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) traveling around England and Wales entertaining the troops as well as citizens. Bella is in love with Bobby Harrison who suffered severe injuries when his plane went down. He is waiting for a new prosthetic leg and then hopes to join the tour with Bella. Bella loves Bobby and hopes to marry him, but she has yet to tell him about her son, Levi. She is worried what Bobby will think about her when he learns that she has an illegitimate child with band leader, Earl Franklin Jr. Levi is with her mother, Mary and her sister, Molly in Llanoudno, North Wales. Bella misses her son, but she knows that he is safer on the farm. The ladies on the tour are having trouble with the magician Frederico, Master of Magic (aka Freddie). They know the sleazy man is up to no good, but the three singers need proof. It is 1943 and the war shows no signs of slowing down and neither do the bombings. I thought Wedding Bells on Victory Street was well-written with developed characters and gentle pacing. There is plenty going on in this emotional novel as you can tell. I just gave you a little taste of what to expect in this dramatic tale. There is drama, romance, wrongdoings, beautiful songs, manipulation, tension, and so much more. The author captured the time period with the music, clothing, war events, and the language. I like how Pam Howes included Glenn Miller who performed with ENSA just before his death. I enjoyed the heartwarming ending. It was great to see how some of the characters developed. I really liked the change in one character (spoiler). For those readers who enjoy historical sagas (Pam Howes Lark Lane series and Nancy Revell’s Shipyard Girls), you do not want to miss Wedding Bells on Victory Street. Wedding Bells on Victory Street is a poignant historical novel with spectacular singers, an immoral magician, a sweet son, an aspiring sister, a sickening conflict, and a rocky romance.
December 5, 2020
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Pam Howes' heartwarming tale WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET.
My introduction to Pam Howes came with the fourth installment of the Lark Lane series and I absolutely fell in love with her easy style of writing and story-telling. Then she began the Bryant Sisters series with "The Girls of Victory Street" last July which was soon followed by this latest outing for the girls in WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET. And oh, how I just love this book! It has it all...love, loss, happiness, tragedy, heartache and basically, heart.
When we left "The Girls of Victory Street" last, Liverpool was under a dark cloud in the midst of WW2 and the Bryant Sisters - Bella, Edie and Fran - were quickly making a name for themselves on the variety circuit. It is now 1943 and Bella Rogers finds herself, alongside her friends Edie and Fran, in demand for their heartwarming performances touring up and down the UK entertaining the troops for ENSA. Bella loves her life with ENSA but it comes at something of a cost.
On Christmas Eve the year before, she gave birth to a little boy named Levi and has left him in the care of her mother while she toured...and Bella misses her little boy deeply, aware of how much she is missing out on while she is away. Unfortunately, this also means that Levi sees her mother as his mother and Bella is but a passing stranger to him. Only a handful of people know the truth surrounding Levi's parentage, and for now, it is best kept that way.
Romance was beginning to blossom for Bella and her childhood sweetheart Bobby Harrison at the end of the last book, and after being trapped into a rather disastrous but short lived marriage to the conniving Alicia, the couple are finally looking forward to a future together...just as soon as his divorce comes through. After being injured when his plane crashed killing his father, Bobby spent many months in hospital recuperating with the amputation of his leg. Bella is thrilled to have Bobby home and no longer in danger in the air and, despite his injuries, cannot wait to begin her life with him. Only a secret could stand in the way of their happiness...and Bella knows she must tell him if there is to be any chance of a future together. The couple love each other deeply but still Bella worries how Bobby will take the news that she has a son. And more to the point, how Bobby's mother Fenella will take the news.
The danger in Liverpool saw Bella's mother Mary join her younger sister Molly in Conwy in North Wales, as well as taking Levi out of harm's way and to the peaceful quiet of the farm on which they now find themselves. That is, until a telegram bringing devastating news for Mary arrives, prompting their return to Liverpool and the memories she has there.
A face from >b>Fenella Harrison's past comes to visit bringing with him an air of trouble and uncertainty though she feels she has little choice in the matter. Despite being holed up in an attic room, her visitor cannot resist the urge to eavesdrop on conversations every now and then, seeking tidbits from which he can then benefit. But when Molly offers her services to Fenella as a maid after the death of her long-time housekeeper, danger is close at hand as Freddie sets his lecherous sights on the young girl.
With Edie and Fran's lads away fighting Hitler and his cronies and Bella's secret threatening to destroy her hopes of a future with Bobby, will the three women get their dream weddings once this war is over?
I cannot say how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Even more so than the first which I found frustrating many times at the countless events keeping Bella and Bobby apart. But this one was so heart-warming it was like coming home. While Bella and Bobby's relationship is continually put to the test, their love for each other is far stronger than either of them imagined. I loved reading about them. But for me the best part was the transformation of Bobby's snooty mother who was a thorn in Bella's side in the first book. I actually fell in love with the Fenella of this book and then in a heart-warming twist she opens her heart and her home to a family in need, which was completely at odds with the old snobbish Fenella.
Their story may have begun in "The Girls of Victory Street" but in WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET it is strengthened and enriched by the love and bond the two families, and their friends, develop in the face of tragedy.
I thoroughly enjoyed WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET and, while it is only second in the series, I hope their stories don't end where the war has as I would love to see where life takes the Bryant Sisters and their extended families in the future. Utterly unputdownable that will have you hooked from the first page.
If you loved the Lark Lane series, Nadine Dorries' Lovely Lane and Nancy Revell's Shipyard Girls, you will LOVE the Bryant Sisters.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #WeddingBellsOnVictoryStreet in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
My introduction to Pam Howes came with the fourth installment of the Lark Lane series and I absolutely fell in love with her easy style of writing and story-telling. Then she began the Bryant Sisters series with "The Girls of Victory Street" last July which was soon followed by this latest outing for the girls in WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET. And oh, how I just love this book! It has it all...love, loss, happiness, tragedy, heartache and basically, heart.
When we left "The Girls of Victory Street" last, Liverpool was under a dark cloud in the midst of WW2 and the Bryant Sisters - Bella, Edie and Fran - were quickly making a name for themselves on the variety circuit. It is now 1943 and Bella Rogers finds herself, alongside her friends Edie and Fran, in demand for their heartwarming performances touring up and down the UK entertaining the troops for ENSA. Bella loves her life with ENSA but it comes at something of a cost.
On Christmas Eve the year before, she gave birth to a little boy named Levi and has left him in the care of her mother while she toured...and Bella misses her little boy deeply, aware of how much she is missing out on while she is away. Unfortunately, this also means that Levi sees her mother as his mother and Bella is but a passing stranger to him. Only a handful of people know the truth surrounding Levi's parentage, and for now, it is best kept that way.
Romance was beginning to blossom for Bella and her childhood sweetheart Bobby Harrison at the end of the last book, and after being trapped into a rather disastrous but short lived marriage to the conniving Alicia, the couple are finally looking forward to a future together...just as soon as his divorce comes through. After being injured when his plane crashed killing his father, Bobby spent many months in hospital recuperating with the amputation of his leg. Bella is thrilled to have Bobby home and no longer in danger in the air and, despite his injuries, cannot wait to begin her life with him. Only a secret could stand in the way of their happiness...and Bella knows she must tell him if there is to be any chance of a future together. The couple love each other deeply but still Bella worries how Bobby will take the news that she has a son. And more to the point, how Bobby's mother Fenella will take the news.
The danger in Liverpool saw Bella's mother Mary join her younger sister Molly in Conwy in North Wales, as well as taking Levi out of harm's way and to the peaceful quiet of the farm on which they now find themselves. That is, until a telegram bringing devastating news for Mary arrives, prompting their return to Liverpool and the memories she has there.
A face from >b>Fenella Harrison's past comes to visit bringing with him an air of trouble and uncertainty though she feels she has little choice in the matter. Despite being holed up in an attic room, her visitor cannot resist the urge to eavesdrop on conversations every now and then, seeking tidbits from which he can then benefit. But when Molly offers her services to Fenella as a maid after the death of her long-time housekeeper, danger is close at hand as Freddie sets his lecherous sights on the young girl.
With Edie and Fran's lads away fighting Hitler and his cronies and Bella's secret threatening to destroy her hopes of a future with Bobby, will the three women get their dream weddings once this war is over?
I cannot say how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Even more so than the first which I found frustrating many times at the countless events keeping Bella and Bobby apart. But this one was so heart-warming it was like coming home. While Bella and Bobby's relationship is continually put to the test, their love for each other is far stronger than either of them imagined. I loved reading about them. But for me the best part was the transformation of Bobby's snooty mother who was a thorn in Bella's side in the first book. I actually fell in love with the Fenella of this book and then in a heart-warming twist she opens her heart and her home to a family in need, which was completely at odds with the old snobbish Fenella.
Their story may have begun in "The Girls of Victory Street" but in WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET it is strengthened and enriched by the love and bond the two families, and their friends, develop in the face of tragedy.
I thoroughly enjoyed WEDDNG BELLS ON VICTORY STREET and, while it is only second in the series, I hope their stories don't end where the war has as I would love to see where life takes the Bryant Sisters and their extended families in the future. Utterly unputdownable that will have you hooked from the first page.
If you loved the Lark Lane series, Nadine Dorries' Lovely Lane and Nancy Revell's Shipyard Girls, you will LOVE the Bryant Sisters.
I would like to thank #PamHowes, #NetGalley, #Bookouture for an ARC of #WeddingBellsOnVictoryStreet in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 13, 2020
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is the second in the Byrant Sisters series from historical fiction author Pam Howes. Pam has written several series at this stage and all are really enjoyable. This book is set during World War Two and is a continuation from the first book but it can easily be read as a standalone as the backstory is supplied within the first few pages. So in that sense new readers are not missing out at all as to what has previously happened and long term fans are given a nice refresher. This makes it very easy to dive straight back into the life of Bella Rogers and her family as they grapple with all the troubles and strife that the war throws in their direction. Life is not easy for any of them but they make the best of the cards that they have been dealt. This book proved to be another great read from an author whose books I have come to always look forward to and the way it all ended, wrapped up everything very nicely which made me think this is the last we will hear from this family and perhaps with her next book Pam is moving to pastures new in terms of introducing us to a whole new set of characters.
But for now I really did enjoy revisiting Bella and without doubt she is the stand out character of this book. Although it was lovely to see some of the more minor characters getting some more attention this time around and being allowed to share their stories. I loved how lots of the unresolved storylines from book one continued and flowed directly into this new book. I had felt upon completion of The Girls of Victory Street that there were numerous loose ends and that perhaps it ended quite abruptly. Thankfully those niggles I had were resolved the further I delved into this story and I thought everything flowed so brilliantly and that there was even more background story coming to the forefront, in particular in relation to Bella’s mother Mary and her sister Molly. Not to mention Bella’s love interest Bobby.
Truly there was a lot going on here but it kept the book fresh and had me rapidly turning the pages to see how would things turn out. Would good triumph over evil so to speak? Would certain characters wise up to what was going on right in front of them? Would Bella find the peace, solidarity, friendship and love that she craves so desperately in the most turbulent of times? I was eager to find out and my only regret is that I raced through the book so quickly that my time with Bella and co was very short. But, that’s my own fault but at the same time it’s a sign of a good book.
Bella continues to travel around the country, working for ENSA, alongside her good friends Fran and Edie. They are a singing group and Bella is getting to follow her passion and at the same time she feels she is doing her bit for her country entertaining the troops. It’s tough being away from her family who have been evacuated to a farm in Wales but she knows what’s happening now is for the best. You do see her loyalties torn though between doing what she loves and being away from her baby Levi who was a result of a brief fling with an American soldier. But Bella knows he is in good hands with her mother Mary and sister Molly.
I loved the chapters set at the farmhouse in Wales. The descriptions of the daily life on a farm during the war were excellent and provided a good contrast between the life Bella was experiencing on the road. In a way the farm offered a bit of normality, if you could call it that, during the most difficult of times. It became a sanctuary for Mary and she felt safe and secure. Although I will say I didn’t particular like Mary’s idea regarding baby Levi. I could see she was coming from a place of love and support but it didn’t sit right with me and I didn’t feel it was her place to be thinking of making such an offer. It slightly turned me off her as a character for a while before my opinion changed once again to that of a more positive one.
I enjoyed the will they/won’t they of the relationship between Bella and Bobby that had spilled over from the first book. There were so many obstacles in their way chiefly that being his wife Alicia, who was such a horrible character and I don’t think I will ever forget how cruel and spiteful she was in her actions. Bobby, was a character who I felt got a lot more attention on him this time around and also his family. We saw a totally different side to his mother Fenella. She is no longer a snob and has been very much humbled and she really did a complete 360 personality wise. She showed much more compassion, care and empathy and I knew deep down she was rooting for Bella and Bobby, hoping that things would turn out ok for them.
An unexpected visitor to Fenella’s doorstep opened up a whole other avenue of storylines within this book and it was just brilliant. I almost forgot the war was happening and this new aspect to the series took hold and held me in its grasp. Mystery, intrigue, danger, hatred and much more abound and as mentioned previously this is what allowed characters who perhaps lingered in the background to step into the spotlight and you get to see something dark and gritty happen to them. Yet at the same time Bella wasn’t forgotten and I absolutely loved how all the various threads that were spun eventually wound together so carefully and a such became deeply satisfying as we neared the conclusion.
That’s what I really enjoyed about this book, it went just that little bit beyond the typical wartime family saga of which I am a big fan and have read so many books based around this time. There was lots of drama throughout and the storyline surrounding Fenella and her guest had such a significant impact on everyone else. I will say I loved that there was no big deal with regard to Bobby knowing the story behind Levi’s birth. That has been done to death in many other books and it was brilliant to see such genuine acceptance and love. It allowed for the focus to shift to other storylines and I was thankfully Levi’s birth wasn’t a huge mystery and Bobby showed what a wonderful man he was, especially given all the trauma he had been through. Losing his father and then suffering such a life changing injury himself was not easy but he showed remarkable spirt throughout and I think his love of Bella and the fact it was reciprocated really stood him in good stead. I was desperately hoping they would get through the obstacles of which there seemed to be many being continuously placed in their way.
Bella has plenty of secrets which threaten to spoil her potential happiness. I think she frustrated me a bit in that in the first half of the book she wasn’t as open as she should have been and she was constantly going back and forth over whether Bobby would accept her. I thought she should have had more faith in him and really listened to what her heart was telling her. But aside from this little issue which in turn went on to be explored very well, I really did like Bella and feel like she the glue that heled everyone together.
Wedding Bells on Victory Street had the most loveliest and apt of conclusions. I loved how the characters all worked together to bring about happiness and make their lives the best they could be so that when war would eventually be declared over they would have some joy and stability in their lives. This is another winner from Pam Howes and old and new readers will enjoy every minute of it.
But for now I really did enjoy revisiting Bella and without doubt she is the stand out character of this book. Although it was lovely to see some of the more minor characters getting some more attention this time around and being allowed to share their stories. I loved how lots of the unresolved storylines from book one continued and flowed directly into this new book. I had felt upon completion of The Girls of Victory Street that there were numerous loose ends and that perhaps it ended quite abruptly. Thankfully those niggles I had were resolved the further I delved into this story and I thought everything flowed so brilliantly and that there was even more background story coming to the forefront, in particular in relation to Bella’s mother Mary and her sister Molly. Not to mention Bella’s love interest Bobby.
Truly there was a lot going on here but it kept the book fresh and had me rapidly turning the pages to see how would things turn out. Would good triumph over evil so to speak? Would certain characters wise up to what was going on right in front of them? Would Bella find the peace, solidarity, friendship and love that she craves so desperately in the most turbulent of times? I was eager to find out and my only regret is that I raced through the book so quickly that my time with Bella and co was very short. But, that’s my own fault but at the same time it’s a sign of a good book.
Bella continues to travel around the country, working for ENSA, alongside her good friends Fran and Edie. They are a singing group and Bella is getting to follow her passion and at the same time she feels she is doing her bit for her country entertaining the troops. It’s tough being away from her family who have been evacuated to a farm in Wales but she knows what’s happening now is for the best. You do see her loyalties torn though between doing what she loves and being away from her baby Levi who was a result of a brief fling with an American soldier. But Bella knows he is in good hands with her mother Mary and sister Molly.
I loved the chapters set at the farmhouse in Wales. The descriptions of the daily life on a farm during the war were excellent and provided a good contrast between the life Bella was experiencing on the road. In a way the farm offered a bit of normality, if you could call it that, during the most difficult of times. It became a sanctuary for Mary and she felt safe and secure. Although I will say I didn’t particular like Mary’s idea regarding baby Levi. I could see she was coming from a place of love and support but it didn’t sit right with me and I didn’t feel it was her place to be thinking of making such an offer. It slightly turned me off her as a character for a while before my opinion changed once again to that of a more positive one.
I enjoyed the will they/won’t they of the relationship between Bella and Bobby that had spilled over from the first book. There were so many obstacles in their way chiefly that being his wife Alicia, who was such a horrible character and I don’t think I will ever forget how cruel and spiteful she was in her actions. Bobby, was a character who I felt got a lot more attention on him this time around and also his family. We saw a totally different side to his mother Fenella. She is no longer a snob and has been very much humbled and she really did a complete 360 personality wise. She showed much more compassion, care and empathy and I knew deep down she was rooting for Bella and Bobby, hoping that things would turn out ok for them.
An unexpected visitor to Fenella’s doorstep opened up a whole other avenue of storylines within this book and it was just brilliant. I almost forgot the war was happening and this new aspect to the series took hold and held me in its grasp. Mystery, intrigue, danger, hatred and much more abound and as mentioned previously this is what allowed characters who perhaps lingered in the background to step into the spotlight and you get to see something dark and gritty happen to them. Yet at the same time Bella wasn’t forgotten and I absolutely loved how all the various threads that were spun eventually wound together so carefully and a such became deeply satisfying as we neared the conclusion.
That’s what I really enjoyed about this book, it went just that little bit beyond the typical wartime family saga of which I am a big fan and have read so many books based around this time. There was lots of drama throughout and the storyline surrounding Fenella and her guest had such a significant impact on everyone else. I will say I loved that there was no big deal with regard to Bobby knowing the story behind Levi’s birth. That has been done to death in many other books and it was brilliant to see such genuine acceptance and love. It allowed for the focus to shift to other storylines and I was thankfully Levi’s birth wasn’t a huge mystery and Bobby showed what a wonderful man he was, especially given all the trauma he had been through. Losing his father and then suffering such a life changing injury himself was not easy but he showed remarkable spirt throughout and I think his love of Bella and the fact it was reciprocated really stood him in good stead. I was desperately hoping they would get through the obstacles of which there seemed to be many being continuously placed in their way.
Bella has plenty of secrets which threaten to spoil her potential happiness. I think she frustrated me a bit in that in the first half of the book she wasn’t as open as she should have been and she was constantly going back and forth over whether Bobby would accept her. I thought she should have had more faith in him and really listened to what her heart was telling her. But aside from this little issue which in turn went on to be explored very well, I really did like Bella and feel like she the glue that heled everyone together.
Wedding Bells on Victory Street had the most loveliest and apt of conclusions. I loved how the characters all worked together to bring about happiness and make their lives the best they could be so that when war would eventually be declared over they would have some joy and stability in their lives. This is another winner from Pam Howes and old and new readers will enjoy every minute of it.
November 15, 2020
Wedding Bells on Victory street by Pam Howes is the second book in the series and after reading the first. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.
It’s 1943, Bella Rodgers is once again singing with the Bryant sisters. Singing to entertain the troops fighting the war. Doing her bit. She loves touring the country but she also missing her son Levi, who is now six months old and safely living on a farm in Llandudno in Wales with her mother and her sister Molly. Away from the air raids in Liverpool. The girls are on a few days break wishing it were longer to visit her son. She goes and visit her childhood sweetheart Robert Harrison or Bobby as his friends call him. Bobby fought in the war but has now returned after being injured. She worries telling him about her son Levi. Who she had after she had a brief affair with an American soldier. Then discovered that he had a wife back home.
This is another beautifully written. emotional story from Pam Howes. I loved every minute of the story and the characters. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this down. Learning about how people entertained the troops during the war. It was not always the glamour that it portrayed. It was hard work and people made sacrifices. But there were also good times, when times are hard, I loved how everyone got together to help each other. Sounds a bit like this year really. Fiver stars from me.
It’s 1943, Bella Rodgers is once again singing with the Bryant sisters. Singing to entertain the troops fighting the war. Doing her bit. She loves touring the country but she also missing her son Levi, who is now six months old and safely living on a farm in Llandudno in Wales with her mother and her sister Molly. Away from the air raids in Liverpool. The girls are on a few days break wishing it were longer to visit her son. She goes and visit her childhood sweetheart Robert Harrison or Bobby as his friends call him. Bobby fought in the war but has now returned after being injured. She worries telling him about her son Levi. Who she had after she had a brief affair with an American soldier. Then discovered that he had a wife back home.
This is another beautifully written. emotional story from Pam Howes. I loved every minute of the story and the characters. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this down. Learning about how people entertained the troops during the war. It was not always the glamour that it portrayed. It was hard work and people made sacrifices. But there were also good times, when times are hard, I loved how everyone got together to help each other. Sounds a bit like this year really. Fiver stars from me.
February 21, 2022
Liverpool, 1943. For Bella Rogers, life is looking up. She loves performing with The Bryant Sisters, the singing trio who have become the country’s sweethearts, putting a smile on the faces of the brave boys fighting the Nazis. But then tragedy strikes when a telegram arrives: Bella’s beloved father has been killed in France.
Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?
But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?
Conwy is a walled market town and community in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales.The town,which faces Deganwy across the River Conwy,formerly lay in Gwynedd and prior to that in Caernarfonshire.The community also includes Llandudno Junction.Conwy Morfa was the place where the floating Mulberry Harbour was developed,used in Operation Overlord.The ideas for the design of the Mulberry harbours were submitted by Hugh Iorys Hughes who was a Welsh civil engineer.
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station in the island of Anglesey,Wales.RAF Grangemouth is a former Royal Air Force station located northeast of Falkirk,Stirlingshire, Scotland.
The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was an organisation established in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during WWII.ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. It was superseded by Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) which now operates as part of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC).
Unlike her poor Mam, Bella has someone to share her grief with. Her childhood love Bobby is home from the war. He lost a leg but she counts her blessings every day that he’s alive when so many young men haven’t made it back. Bella longs to give her heart to Bobby but she is hiding a secret that may change their lives forever. Will he still love her if she reveals the truth?
But when bombs screech down on Victory Street in the middle of the night, blowing houses apart, Bella may lose both the home she loves and the family who mean everything to her. With so much loss around her, will Bella be brave enough to snatch her chance of happiness? And when the war is finally over, will wedding bells ring out on Victory Street again?
Conwy is a walled market town and community in Conwy County Borough on the north coast of Wales.The town,which faces Deganwy across the River Conwy,formerly lay in Gwynedd and prior to that in Caernarfonshire.The community also includes Llandudno Junction.Conwy Morfa was the place where the floating Mulberry Harbour was developed,used in Operation Overlord.The ideas for the design of the Mulberry harbours were submitted by Hugh Iorys Hughes who was a Welsh civil engineer.
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station in the island of Anglesey,Wales.RAF Grangemouth is a former Royal Air Force station located northeast of Falkirk,Stirlingshire, Scotland.
The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was an organisation established in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during WWII.ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. It was superseded by Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) which now operates as part of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC).
November 25, 2020
Ohhh I love these books. Now those of you that know will know this isn't my usual genre, however Pam Howes has a way of writing these books that as soon as I see one, I need to read it. We are back in this series with the lovely Bella Rogers. It's 1943 and Bella is still singing in her little trio called The Bryant Sisters. Bella's little boy 'Levi is staying with her mother which is allowing Bella to continue to tour with the girls and sing for their troops.
Bella want romance to blossom with Bobby, her childhood sweetheart. Things could be looking up for her, but first she really needs to tell Bobby some truths. The biggest one being that she has a son. Bella is worried at how Bobby will take the news.
Living through the war will teach people that if they have happiness they should hold on to it. Take what ever is thrown at you and make life good. Pam shows this in the words, this book is Heart-breaking, Heart-warming and unputdownable once started. Having read the previous book (you should, in my opinion) then it was back with familiar characters that we'd grown fond of. I felt like I was visiting distant family that I hadn't seen for a long time.
While this story concentrates a lot on Bella and Bobby, we get to know a little more of the other characters and their families. I love Bella's mother Mary and grew to love Prunella, Bobby's mother also. It's amazing how two such different families have so much in common. I think Pam has tied a lot of the strings of the story, together, beautifully.
This truly is a beautiful story and as the nights are getting darker and colder, Now would be a good time to get your blanket, get a cuppa and get comfortable because once you start the amazing book you will not want to put it down. Pam certainly brings the times and struggles of the second world war to life in this book. The emotions through this read are real, you could almost be with the characters.
First class, fantastic as always. I look forward to more.
Bella want romance to blossom with Bobby, her childhood sweetheart. Things could be looking up for her, but first she really needs to tell Bobby some truths. The biggest one being that she has a son. Bella is worried at how Bobby will take the news.
Living through the war will teach people that if they have happiness they should hold on to it. Take what ever is thrown at you and make life good. Pam shows this in the words, this book is Heart-breaking, Heart-warming and unputdownable once started. Having read the previous book (you should, in my opinion) then it was back with familiar characters that we'd grown fond of. I felt like I was visiting distant family that I hadn't seen for a long time.
While this story concentrates a lot on Bella and Bobby, we get to know a little more of the other characters and their families. I love Bella's mother Mary and grew to love Prunella, Bobby's mother also. It's amazing how two such different families have so much in common. I think Pam has tied a lot of the strings of the story, together, beautifully.
This truly is a beautiful story and as the nights are getting darker and colder, Now would be a good time to get your blanket, get a cuppa and get comfortable because once you start the amazing book you will not want to put it down. Pam certainly brings the times and struggles of the second world war to life in this book. The emotions through this read are real, you could almost be with the characters.
First class, fantastic as always. I look forward to more.
December 9, 2020
Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Pam Howes is the continuing story of the Bryant Sisters, singers during World War II who travel the length and breadth of England, entertaining troops. It is primarily the story of story of Bella Rogers and the love of her life, Bobby XXXXX. Bobby had previously married a girl who had claimed to be pregnant, but of course, lost the baby a few days later. Bella, in her grief, had a brief affair with Earl Franklin, Jr., who once she found herself pregnant, announced he was married and had a child back in the United States. Bella, being the primary support of the family, left her son, Levi, in Wales, where her mother and her sister, Molly were riding out the war, escaping from the nightly bombings in Liverpool. She misses her son while her mother is falling in love with him and planning an adoption.
This is a well-written story with lots of twists and turns. Booby's mother, who had been a huge snob even though she had changed her life for the better, has come around full circle, grateful that her son was returned to her, if somewhat the worse for wear, despite the fact she had lost he husband in the same accident. She is no longer opposed to Bella and Bobby marrying but there are problems to be overcome. These are all really likable people who, like many others, were simply trying to live their lives as best they could. It is a little simplistic, but heart-warming and wholesome. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book full of interesting, but simple people. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #Weddingbellsonvictorystreet
This is a well-written story with lots of twists and turns. Booby's mother, who had been a huge snob even though she had changed her life for the better, has come around full circle, grateful that her son was returned to her, if somewhat the worse for wear, despite the fact she had lost he husband in the same accident. She is no longer opposed to Bella and Bobby marrying but there are problems to be overcome. These are all really likable people who, like many others, were simply trying to live their lives as best they could. It is a little simplistic, but heart-warming and wholesome. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book full of interesting, but simple people. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Wedding Bells on Victory Street by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #Weddingbellsonvictorystreet
December 31, 2020
We are back again with the follow on from " The girls on victory street"
The Bryant sisters so-called because Bella, Edie, and Fran all worked at the Bryant match factory when they started to sing together and entertaining the troops.
When the love of her life Bobby Harrison does the dutiful thing and marries a girl who claims to be pregnant by him, Belle has a one night with a black American soldier Earl Franklyn junior the result being Little Levi her son who is being looked after by her mum and sister safely tucked away in the countryside.
Years later Bobby is badly disabled whilst in action, resulting in him losing a leg, his wife whom he realised after marriage tricked him, doesn't want to know him, and does a runner.
Meanwhile, The Bryant sisters are working Ensa entertaining the troops up and down the country. Their manager a kind caring man looks after his entertainers. But their joy is marred by the magician in the troop Fredrico master of magic, he has wandering hands and leers after the girls. He's a nasty piece of work so when Basil their manager lets him go he vows revenge.
There is a lovely reference to Glenn Miller.
Excellent research has been done to make this story more believable, it is well written with some likable characters. A great saga
I love Pam's stories especially The rock and roll years with "The raiders"
The Bryant sisters so-called because Bella, Edie, and Fran all worked at the Bryant match factory when they started to sing together and entertaining the troops.
When the love of her life Bobby Harrison does the dutiful thing and marries a girl who claims to be pregnant by him, Belle has a one night with a black American soldier Earl Franklyn junior the result being Little Levi her son who is being looked after by her mum and sister safely tucked away in the countryside.
Years later Bobby is badly disabled whilst in action, resulting in him losing a leg, his wife whom he realised after marriage tricked him, doesn't want to know him, and does a runner.
Meanwhile, The Bryant sisters are working Ensa entertaining the troops up and down the country. Their manager a kind caring man looks after his entertainers. But their joy is marred by the magician in the troop Fredrico master of magic, he has wandering hands and leers after the girls. He's a nasty piece of work so when Basil their manager lets him go he vows revenge.
There is a lovely reference to Glenn Miller.
Excellent research has been done to make this story more believable, it is well written with some likable characters. A great saga
I love Pam's stories especially The rock and roll years with "The raiders"
December 16, 2020
Wedding Bells on Victory Street is Book 2 in The Bryant Sisters series. I am glad that I was approved a copy of the book via NetGalley.
The story follows the Bryant Sisters as they travel the country during WWII, providing entertainment for the troops. I directly read this book without having read the first one, but it did affect the story for me. I was able to easily connect with the main characters and follow their journey in this book. The story revolves primarily around Bella and her family, her relationships with the other girls who form the Bryant Sisters as well as Bobby, her childhood love. The story is well-written and flows so well that I finished the book in one sitting.
The setting of the story is heart-wrenching with death and uncertainty looming over all the characters. I loved how Bella's Mother and sister stepped up to help her and how the entire community who lived in and around Victory Street band together to support each other. As the war progresses, the characters learn to rely on themselves and one another to move forward. The author has done a great job with the story, the settings and the characters are adorable.
This is a love story set in the time of WWII and it brings to us a feeling of hope for the characters and a feeling of joy in spite of all the sadness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to everyone!
The story follows the Bryant Sisters as they travel the country during WWII, providing entertainment for the troops. I directly read this book without having read the first one, but it did affect the story for me. I was able to easily connect with the main characters and follow their journey in this book. The story revolves primarily around Bella and her family, her relationships with the other girls who form the Bryant Sisters as well as Bobby, her childhood love. The story is well-written and flows so well that I finished the book in one sitting.
The setting of the story is heart-wrenching with death and uncertainty looming over all the characters. I loved how Bella's Mother and sister stepped up to help her and how the entire community who lived in and around Victory Street band together to support each other. As the war progresses, the characters learn to rely on themselves and one another to move forward. The author has done a great job with the story, the settings and the characters are adorable.
This is a love story set in the time of WWII and it brings to us a feeling of hope for the characters and a feeling of joy in spite of all the sadness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to everyone!
December 16, 2020
Thanks to Net Galley for granting this book. This is book 2 and is a follow on from The Girls of Victory Street, however, if you didn’t realise it could still be read as a stand-alone as Pam Howes is brilliant at threading the history of the characters and relationships through the books so you can follow it easily. Really enjoyed book one and highly delighted that this book was even better -( did not think it possible).
I was hooked from page one and read each chapter eager to discover more about The Bryant Sisters, especially Bella, who had suffered heartache in the original book when her first love Bobby ended up marrying under false pretences. It’s a story based through the war years with hardships, love, heartache and grittiness built in. I do not like to give the story away but I feel sure any reader will not be disappointed and I only hope there is another follow on book. Love love loved it!!!!
I was hooked from page one and read each chapter eager to discover more about The Bryant Sisters, especially Bella, who had suffered heartache in the original book when her first love Bobby ended up marrying under false pretences. It’s a story based through the war years with hardships, love, heartache and grittiness built in. I do not like to give the story away but I feel sure any reader will not be disappointed and I only hope there is another follow on book. Love love loved it!!!!
December 19, 2020
This is the second book in a series following The Bryant Sisters, three girls who worked in the Bryant & May match factory in Liverpool before the war started & they joined ENSA, going around entertaining the troops with there singing. It particularly focuses on Bella who had to come to terms with losing the man she loved when he married someone else & having to leave her baby with her mother whilst she was away on tour.
Pam Howes characters are easy to engage with. She captures the times these women were living in & the things they had to cope with. This was quite a quick read & as I was keen to see how everything would work out. I suppose this could be read as a stand alone but it really should be read in order.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
Pam Howes characters are easy to engage with. She captures the times these women were living in & the things they had to cope with. This was quite a quick read & as I was keen to see how everything would work out. I suppose this could be read as a stand alone but it really should be read in order.
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
November 5, 2020
Member Review
Wedding Bells on Victory Street
by Pam Howes
Pub Date: 11 Dec 2020
Review by
jeanie m, ReviewerLast updated on 4 Nov 2020
My Recommendation
With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion. Having read the first book in this series I was totally delighted to read this and find out how Bella and her family and friends were doing,its been totally magical exhausting but above all intriguing and fascinating and Bella Bobby and wee levi. What a total rollercoaster of a life I really can't praise it enough v
Wedding Bells on Victory Street
by Pam Howes
Pub Date: 11 Dec 2020
Review by
jeanie m, ReviewerLast updated on 4 Nov 2020
My Recommendation
With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion. Having read the first book in this series I was totally delighted to read this and find out how Bella and her family and friends were doing,its been totally magical exhausting but above all intriguing and fascinating and Bella Bobby and wee levi. What a total rollercoaster of a life I really can't praise it enough v
October 6, 2023
This was the second book in this series and I am really enjoying the series. It’s the middle of the war and Bella and her friends are still entertaining the troops as the Bryant Sisters. As the war goes on, several tragedies occur but in this book Bella finds her way back to her love, Bobby, along with her young son. The war comes close to Victory Street as it draws to an end and the lives of these people will
Be changed forever. Moving onto the third book!
Be changed forever. Moving onto the third book!
December 7, 2020
We are back with the Bryant Sisters in the second book of this series by Pam Howes. Like the first book The Girls of Victory Street I was gripped by this book from the very start, I just love this type of saga books based around war time . The characters are so good in this book and for anyone who is a fan of this genre I highly recommend this series,
January 27, 2021
This is brilliant! Such a feel good book, mixed in with heartbreak. I really enjoyed reading about familiar places like RAF Burtonwood, being from Warrington myself & all the Liverpool references too. Such a lovely story, I struggled to put this down to do other things, like eat & go to work! Congratulations Pam, I loved it!
December 5, 2022
The Bryant Sisters started by entertaining fellow workers at the match factory, but have gone on to entertain the troops in England. Lives are disrupted, lives are lost, Victory Street remains a haven for Bella. Molly grows up and Bobby Harrison comes home from a flying mission a changed man. Well written and entertaining.
May 30, 2023
Great story
This is the second book in the Bryant Sisters series. Bella hasn't told Bobby about her baby, and Bobby's mother has a secret she has kept since he was a baby. There is love, drama and tragedy as WWII drags on. I highly recommend reading the first book before this to get the full enjoyment and storyline.
This is the second book in the Bryant Sisters series. Bella hasn't told Bobby about her baby, and Bobby's mother has a secret she has kept since he was a baby. There is love, drama and tragedy as WWII drags on. I highly recommend reading the first book before this to get the full enjoyment and storyline.
December 28, 2020
A warm but predictable story in places. Having said that it’s the perfect read for a lazy day when the weather is bad, add in the fire and coffee and it’s my idea of a relaxing afternoon. It’s not really clear if there is going to be a third book in the series.
January 26, 2021
Victory Street Ladies
After such a long drawn out war..so much loss..The Bryant Sisters and their families are tough as they come.. Pam Bowes does a great job in Making it all come to life!
After such a long drawn out war..so much loss..The Bryant Sisters and their families are tough as they come.. Pam Bowes does a great job in Making it all come to life!
February 20, 2021
This is the second book in the Bryant sisters series.
Yet again Pam Howes has written another brilliant book in this saga series. I have read and loved all of Pams saga series and they never fail to hook me in.The Bryant Sisters series is just wonderful.
Yet again Pam Howes has written another brilliant book in this saga series. I have read and loved all of Pams saga series and they never fail to hook me in.The Bryant Sisters series is just wonderful.
July 11, 2021
My Musings
What a lovely romance with endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot. I enjoy this author's writing style so much. I can't wait to read the next one in this fantastic series. Happy reading!
What a lovely romance with endearing characters and an emotionally charged plot. I enjoy this author's writing style so much. I can't wait to read the next one in this fantastic series. Happy reading!
September 14, 2021
Quite a good series
There’s always something happening in this series and, although many of them are tragic, the books have a much lighter feeling than a lot of WWII historical novels. I’m anxious to read the 3rd book in the series. I’ve read the first 2 in one day!
There’s always something happening in this series and, although many of them are tragic, the books have a much lighter feeling than a lot of WWII historical novels. I’m anxious to read the 3rd book in the series. I’ve read the first 2 in one day!
March 4, 2022
There was definitely more to this story than to its prequel, but I just found the plot twist that came about halfway through was very hard to believe. The story was well-crafted though, so it seems the author had the idea firmly fixed in her mind.
December 8, 2022
wedding bells on victory street
This was an easy read. I enjoyed the fact that I could put this book down , return weeks later and I immediately picked up the story where I left off.
This was an easy read. I enjoyed the fact that I could put this book down , return weeks later and I immediately picked up the story where I left off.
March 16, 2023
Ok but not as good as the first
Well in a thorough novel they didn't follow history very. Well? Where did the blitz was going on from 40 on? But Great Britain had no troops and threats in 41 and 42 and I'm 42 with 1 bow father died in front.
Well in a thorough novel they didn't follow history very. Well? Where did the blitz was going on from 40 on? But Great Britain had no troops and threats in 41 and 42 and I'm 42 with 1 bow father died in front.
April 20, 2023
Dreams of singing
This second book is fabulous. It's great to see how Bella had one with her life and Bobby. The pare love each other.
If you want a new read with lots of turns and watch Molly in trouble this is the book for you.
Thank you Pam
This second book is fabulous. It's great to see how Bella had one with her life and Bobby. The pare love each other.
If you want a new read with lots of turns and watch Molly in trouble this is the book for you.
Thank you Pam
September 12, 2023
Another excellent read
Having read the first book I was keen on hearing the continuing story of Bella and her family.
The book was both heartbreaking and feelgood. An enjoyable read.
Having read the first book I was keen on hearing the continuing story of Bella and her family.
The book was both heartbreaking and feelgood. An enjoyable read.
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