The Postmistress

Our Street at War #1

by Maggie Sullivan

Heartwarming and nostalgic new Saga series from the author of Mother’s Day on Coronation Street. One ordinary street in Lancashire is getting ready for war, who knows what else is going on behind the net curtains?Vicky Parrot wanted more out of life than working all hours in her father’s Post Office. Her dreams were ruined when tragedy came calling, and now happiness seems impossible.The other townsfolk have their problems too. Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery shop and she’s hiding more than a few secrets behind the bales of wool in the shop window. Her daughter Rosie wants more out of life than needles and cotton, but her headstrong ways are about to get her into trouble.Life goes on for the people of Greenhill, what they can’t know is that their world is about to change forever…

Praise for Maggie Sullivan

‘A wonderfully nostalgic tale’ Choice Magazine

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II, Chick Lit

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Susan (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this a month ago and realized I hadn’t reviewed it yet.

The attractive cover caught my eye since I’m interested in fashion and the customs of this time period. My grandmother told me stories of rationing and coupons here in the US during the war so I was doubly invested.

I probably should have read the premise more carefully because it states that Rose has no use for her family’s haberdashery. She wanted more for her life.

Unfortunately, because I LOVE fabrics and clothing design, I can’t think of a more rewarding career and I couldn't get past Rose’s distaste. And her disrespect.

I don’t have to like the characters to like a book, but it mattered to me with this story.

Although others loved it, I’m in the minority by saying that I wasn’t overjoyed. While it was likable, my normal enthusiasm was dampened by the main character.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and want to thank the publisher and author for my opportunity to read this.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, it was lovely to read and forget all the goings on currently happening in our time and remember how people suffered during the Second World War. The bombs, the rationing, going without and making do and mending. It made me think they these days we just throw things away and are able to buy new. The one thing that struck me was that people helped each other are we doing the same today ? I would like to think so, but I’m not so sure. I loved the characters in this book even the not so nice ones. I do hope there will be another one in this series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Postmistress gives you a look at life in Greenhill in Lancashire and just before the start of world war two.
Vicky Parrot runs the post office, Sylvia Barker owns the haberdashery shop and Violet Pegg’s the local school teacher.

Vicky’s run off her feet, working at the post office and looking after her sick father Arthur and her ungrateful brother Henry. Dr Roger Buckley comes in every day and I think he’s interested in more than buying stamps for his correspondence. Sylvia has her hands full with looking after her flighty daughter Rosie, her husband Archie's a horrible man, her niece Claire comes to stay and she has a positive influence on Rosie. Through the interaction between the three main characters you discover both Vicky and Sylvia have secrets, Violet is still writing to her childhood penfriend in Canada and he may be sent to England?

I hope the next book continues on with Vicky, Sylvia and Violet’s stories during WW II and the series certainly has potential. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and three stars from me.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Street At War. Book 1

Lancashire 1939: An ordinary street is getting ready for war, but who knows what is going on behind the blacked-out windows? Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery store in the village of Millend. Her daughter Rose has no plans to wste her life on needles and cotton. Violet Pegg has been writing to a Canadian pilot and she's excited he's going to be stationed nearby. Vicky Parrott has known more heartache and tragedy than most twenty five year olds. She wouldn't know how to find happiness if she tried.

Vicky Parrott is he postmistress in Greenhill but she also has to look after her father and brother after her mother died of Spanish flu. With the onset of war, hwe brother Henry joins the army. There's a few characters to keep track of but it also gives us a brief insight into the lives the women had as war began. This is a well written book with some likeable and not so likeable characters. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for us in the next instalment.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #MaggieSullivan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Postmistress by Maggie Sullivan is an excellent WWII era historical fiction novel that is the start of, what I expect, to be an amazing series: Our Street at War.

This book takes place 1939-early 1940 in a small village outside of Manchester in Northern England. This novel focuses on the life, times, and experiences of what the normal citizens of England (especially those in typical villages and townships) went through, felt, and thought during this unprecedented time. The author has a gift to be able to create a whole town of remarkable, memorable, and endearing characters. Everything was so fascinating, and at the same time so realistic and normal, that I literally felt as if I was walking among the cobbled streets on the main street visiting the shops and inhabitants myself. I love how she has the ability to make things so realistic and simple, yet complex and vibrant.

This book has it all: a great plot, excellently crafted characters, a few mysteries and suspenseful moments to draw the reader in, romance, and a wonderful ending (or should I say beginning for the next book).

I really loved taking a peak at the lives of so many wonderful characters: Vicky, Roger, Ruby, Claire, Sylvia, Rosie, Dr and Mrs Buckley, and I hope in future books we can learn more about Violet.

I love how we were able to learn of the backgrounds of some of the characters and then we were able to see developments and also change, growth, and adaptations as the book moved onward. I really love Vicky, Roger, and Claire. There is so much material that I can see this series easily continuing on through several avenues. I am definitely excited to see where the author will take this for future books and will most definitely purchase them.

I truly loved this uplifting book and I highly recommend it!

5/5 stars enthusiastically


Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/OneMoreChapter for this excellent arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/26/20.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heart knows

A wonderful story, I enjoyed every minute of it. This is one story that is uplifting and enjoyable to read.

There are several characters involved in a small town north of London. The girls working at the munitions factory, Rose and Penny. Claire who was sent to stay with her aunt Sylvia and her cousin Rose. Then there is the postmistress Vicky and her dad Arthur. Add the characters of Ruby a polio survivor, Dr. Buckley, and his daughter Julie and you have a good list of characters.

The story is about the people in this small British town, during the impending war and after the war has been declared. It tells of their everyday lives and how they live each day a normal life and how the news of war affects them.

There is the normal everyday life challenges, life, love and loss and even a hint of romance.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the story and I recommend it as a delightful read.

Thanks to Maggie Sullivan, Harper Collins, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review a copy of this book.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

1939 Greenhill Spring Lancashire and Vicky Parrott is the post mistress looking after her dad Author with a weak chest and her brother Henry who could help out a bit more her mother died of the Spanish flu and with another war looming her brother doesn't hesitate in joining the army. The post office is always busy and Dr Roger Buckley has a soft spot for her that she doesn't realise it yet. This book is full of everything as we go through all the village characters and their lives as to how they cope. I found it an enchanting read by this author. That will keep you buzzing . Loved the full book right through

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Postmistress is a wonderful saga with an unusual setting and a charming cast of characters. They are ordinary people, all with their own secrets and problems to overcome. As the country stands on the brink of war, we slowly get to know the families who live and work in a small parade of shops in a little Lancashire town, mostly the postmistress herself, Vicky. She has been through some difficult times and the reader can’t help but empathise with her and wish her better fortune. The same goes for the local doctor - a true hero! I was rooting for them both and eagerly followed their story. This is the perfect read for fans of sagas set during World War II - highly recommended!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed The Postmistress (Book 1 or Our Street at War) by Maggie Sullivan. The novel takes place in Lancashire in England on High Street in Greenhill. The book follows the Postmistress, Vicky Parrot, Ruby Barker, Claire, Ruby’s cousin and other girls working to earn a living. This occurs right before the fighting begins between Britain and Germany. Each girl has ambitions for their lives, but reality has a way of intervening and changing their lives’ courses.

I really enjoyed this look at the English life before the war and was keenly interested in the work that was available to women at that time. Not knowing that their lives would be turned topsy-turvey by the war’s events, each continued on, living a normal young woman’s life and enduring all the dreams and disappointments in their work, the men in their life, their past and their view of the future. I thought this was a very heartwarming look into the lives of normal girls in a normal town at a normal time in history. I loved the book, and hope that NetGalley UK allows me to read more from this author.

I received a Kindle copy of this book from NetGalley.com in return for my honest review. You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-BB. Reviews of other books can be found at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will share my review soon.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was OK! Not the best book I've ever read but not the worst either!! The characters were likeable which is always good in a book!

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ensemble cast of characters, all from the same “high street’ in the village of Millhead in Lancashire, in the months leading up to World War II. We start with Vicky, now the postmistress living with her aging and disabled father and younger brother. Vicky’s life is nothing like she hoped for: the death of her fiancé and her miscarriage left her with wounds, sorrows and tension with her and her father. She didn’t want to be ‘stuck’ in the job, but is making the best of it, expecting little for herself.

Then we have Rose, daughter of the local haberdashery owner Sylvia, with a drunken, mostly absent father who appears to cause strife, abuse and disappear again. Sylvia has secrets and is estranged from her own family in London, taking in her niece as her sister is worried about the bombings. Rose is working at the local munition factory rather than her mother’s shop and is determined that she’s made for bigger and better things than being in the small town.

Violet is a friend of Sylvia and a teacher – she's been writing faithfully to a man in Canada for years, with hopes of more. Now, he’s moving to England because of the war, and there’s questions for her to sort and solve.

One of the beautiful features of this story is the slow growing plots, while characters arrive with issues and concerns, we learn of their lives, worries, daily challenges and little slights, and everyone moves into a ‘new normal’ with war being declared. From friendships, secrets, romances and new hopes we also see loss, grief, frictions and reconciliations, and the characters and their worries are all-consuming. Sullivan has brought us ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, just muddling through as best they can – with perseverance, determination and more than a bit of luck. I’m curious to see how relationships change, grow and develop throughout this series, and found this a lovely introduction.

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 appeared at I am, Indeed

[Barnes Torie · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖤 Review 🖤

Book: The Postmistress
Author: Maggie Sullivan
My Rating: 3⭐

From Blurb:
One ordinary street in Lancashire is getting ready for war, who knows what else is going on behind the net curtains?
Vicky Parrot wanted more out of life than working all hours in her father’s Post Office. Her dreams were ruined when tragedy came calling, and now happiness seems impossible.
The other townsfolk have their problems too. Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery shop and she’s hiding more than a few secrets behind the bales of wool in the shop window. Her daughter Rosie wants more out of life than needles and cotton, but her headstrong ways are about to get her into trouble.
Life goes on for the people of Greenhill, what they can’t know is that their world is about to change forever…

My Thoughts 💭

So after the horror I had with my last read I needed to fall into another of my cute comfortable reads. And this did the trick!

It was harder hitting than alot of my cosie war era reads and delt with subject matter that can be uncomfortable for some readers! (TW. Spousal abuse) however it was such a lovely easy read despite the subject matter I found I read the whole thing in a day!

The characters were well formed, and I loved that I hated most of them. It became a wonderful mash of stories that made you feel like you were reading about real people and real events.

My only criticism was the title miss represents the book. The stories focus wasnt so much on the Postmistress as it should have been. It followed more of Rose's story than Vicki's and that was really disappointing to me.

[Josie ❃The Bubbly Book Reviewer❃ · Rating 3 out of 5]

We follow two women in this book, who at first glance seem quite different, but we soon find share some similarities. As much as I started enjoying this book, I soon tired of reading about Rosie. I am sure there are girls like Rosie in the world but as a quite mature and level-headed person, I found it hard to follow her and her choices. I would have liked to read more of our Postmistress and her life. This book was well-written and may be enjoyed more by a younger audience.

- Blurb from the publisher, as they do it best -

Heartwarming and nostalgic new Saga series from the author of Mother’s Day on Coronation Street.

One ordinary street in Lancashire is getting ready for war, who knows what else is going on behind the net curtains?
Vicky Parrot wanted more out of life than working all hours in her father’s Post Office. Her dreams were ruined when tragedy came calling, and now happiness seems impossible.
The other townsfolk have their problems too. Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery shop and she’s hiding more than a few secrets behind the bales of wool in the shop window. Her daughter Rosie wants more out of life than needles and cotton, but her headstrong ways are about to get her into trouble.
Life goes on for the people of Greenhill, what they can’t know is that their world is about to change forever…

Thank you to NetGalley & One More Chapter for an advance copy.
#ThePostmistress #NetGalley #BubblyBookReviewer #OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapter

[Dean McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE POSTMISTRESS by Maggie Sullivan -- First in the OUR STREET AT WAR series. Vicky lives in the village of Millhead, England in the months leading up to World War II with her father, who suffers from mustard gas attacks of WWI, and her brother, who is less than helpful to the family. Vicky lost her finance years before but still mourns and suffers, and had a miscarriage, all of which has left her scarred. She is estranged from her sister and family in London but agrees to take in their daughter in preparation from the onset of war. There are other characters: friends, a teacher, young daughters and friends eager to grow up, a sleezy boy seeking to take advantage of the girls, and a widowed doctor who begins courting Vicky. Everyone is affected by the threat of war and the dangers of bombing and possible death of soldiers and family. The story unfolds as the characters and their relationships and experiences develop: friendship, romance, grief, conflict, deceit, secrets, loss, reconciliation, and hope for the future. I enjoyed the description of life and difficulties in Britain in those difficult times.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

For the first half of this book I thought I was reading a dime novel and got angry with the author's misrepresentation of the book. After reading sixty per cent of the book, I liked the author and her story very much. The Epilog was good reading. The book was set in the countryside of Manchester, England, just as World War Two was beginning. The characters had secrets that were revealed, familial and romantic love came bursting out all over like it was June, and the author compared the isolation of War to COVID-19 which put her into the same isolation that I had experienced since the new normal became a reality. At this point, I recognized a debt of gratitude that I owed President Trump. He quickly did a great service to my country. The author spoke of being able to write this book because no one was coming and going out of her house. I knew what she meant. What an author's heart touches my heart, I find a good read. I forgot to say that her writing mechanics were good.

Thank you, Ms. Sullivan, for a good read.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series and covers the months leading up to the start of WW2 and the first few months after, setting the scene for the following books. It took me a while to get into it, partially because of the constantly changing viewpoints as the narrative swapped from one character to another, however as the story progresses this became easier. From the advantage of hindsight it was sad to see how the war crept up on the people in this small community and the knowledge of how long it would actually last. With the focus on characters and their intertwining stories it will be interesting to see how the series develops, comparing this with the real history behind the events.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read about life on the home front

I liked this book as it presented a much different perspective on the years leading up to World War II. It takes place in Britain as the nation lives under the clouds of war. This is not a book about soldiers fighting, or spies and espionage. It is the story of common, everyday people, living their lives under the shadow of potential war. It is the story of people, families, dealing with a range of feelings, situations and circumstances, and coming to grips not just with rationing and preparing for war, but fighting the daily grind, the hurts, losses, loves and fears, that we all face in one form or another. I recommend this book to anyone desiring to see what life was like on the home front, as the nation was preparing for possible war.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Lancashire and war is about to begin and for the residents it's a time of unrest but they are trying their best to carry on with their lives as usual.
We meet the characters of Greenhill and see their drama play out, Vicky Parrot works all hours at the post office, looking after her father after her hopes and dreams of love and marriage were dashed, can she love again?
Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery and she also has secrets of her own that she hasn't even told her daughter Rosie.
It takes the arrival of her niece Claire, to confront things from her own past.
This was such a lovely story, a glimpse into the lives of people in wartime, can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Lucy Dunphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that it was too short. I didn't want it to end. I was engrossed from the first to the very last page. I couldn't get enough. Each character kept me intrigued (even the awful ones). I can't wait to see what the next instalment of this saga brings for the characters in the street as the war continues. A quick and easy read that anybody who loves historical fiction would appreciate.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into all the characters in this book, but once I did I couldn’t wait to find out how they would cope with their lives changing as World War Two started. Some were still struggling with the effects of the first war the war to end all wars and so it must have been hard to see the country going through it all again. I hope this isn’t just a one off book, as I’d like to know how the characters get on.

[Carol Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a village in England just before and during the second world war. Some of the older residents survived and remember the first war, but are proud when their sons sign up for this war. The women are left to run their businesses and work in the munitions plant. They survive the best they can with the support of each other.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this sweet book centered around a small town in Lancashire in 1939 and early 1940. My mother-in-law grew up in a town in Somerset and served as a Transport Driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. I could picture the characters in this book so vividly based on my mother-in-law’s stories. I wish she was alive to share this book and have a conversation. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first book in the 'Our street at war' series, this is a story about people living in a village, anticipating the start of the Second World War.

It focuses not only on the Postmistress, but on the relationships and friendships between the different characters on the street as well, rather than on the war itself.

I found it to be an easy read, but I do feel that a couple of the storylines could have been developed further, making them a bit deeper.
I always felt as though I were teetering on the edge of the story, rather than being pulled right in.

Nevertheless, it is still worth a look.

[Shauna Doherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what I expected from this book when I started but I honestly found it a little boring maybe I wasn’t in the right mind frame I’m not sure but I didn’t really warm to any of the characters at all I know it’s only book 1 in the series and maybe as it goes on I’ll enjoy it more just felt not a lot really happened to enjoy

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and well written historical novel. I liked the vivid historical background, the setting and well thought characters.
'I'm loving the books by this author and can't wait to read the next one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

slow

I don’t know what I expected but this wasn’t it. It was very slow moving and I felt it could have been wrapped up in just a few chapters rather than 27 of them. One ending was typical and predictable and the other one was fine. None of this captured my attention, really made me invested in the characters, or even made me want to read it.

[KateP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vicky runs a post office in Lancashire on the eve of WWII. She lost her first fiancée and now she’s afraid to get involved again. Meanwhile Rosie’s London cousin Claire comes to stay and tries to warn Rosie off her bounder of a boyfriend. It was ok but the plot was a little thin and others in this genre have held my interest better. 3.5⭐️

[Patricia Moren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely story, set during the start of the second World War. It was a real pleasure to read with some appealing characters and real life situations. The conclusion being a hope for the future and the community spirit as obvious then, as it is now..

[MRS J P WELSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely well written story

A most enjoyable and easy read. The storylines are true to life and the characters are varied and believable. I hope there will be another book updating the characters lives