What do you think?
Rate this book
Women at War: A heart-wrenching WW2 historical novel that you won't be able to put down in 2024, from the author of The Women of Waterloo Bridge.
Two women. One war. For Viola Baxter, 1939 was supposed to be a wonderful year. After meeting and falling in love with dashing Fred Scholz at Cambridge University, they planned to marry and start their new lives together. She never imagined her father would say no to the marriage. Fred is half-German and, with war fast approaching, he must travel to Germany to bring his sister home. But that journey is enough for others to suspect him... and Viola.
When Annie Scholz heard her beloved grandmother was seriously ill, she wasted no time rushing to Germany to be by her side. She didn't realise it meant she would not be able to return home to the UK, or that her decision would endanger her brother, Fred, as well. Even reuniting with her childhood beau is bittersweet – how can she love someone who stands for everything she opposes? With everyone watching Annie and Fred so closely, there is no room for error... or dangerous resistance.
With war the only certainty, there's just one thing in question: where do Viola and Annie's loyalties lie? Women at War is the thrilling and heart-wrenching new WW2 story from Jan Casey, author of The Women of Waterloo Bridge.
When Annie Scholz heard her beloved grandmother was seriously ill, she wasted no time rushing to Germany to be by her side. She didn't realise it meant she would not be able to return home to the UK, or that her decision would endanger her brother, Fred, as well. Even reuniting with her childhood beau is bittersweet – how can she love someone who stands for everything she opposes? With everyone watching Annie and Fred so closely, there is no room for error... or dangerous resistance.
With war the only certainty, there's just one thing in question: where do Viola and Annie's loyalties lie? Women at War is the thrilling and heart-wrenching new WW2 story from Jan Casey, author of The Women of Waterloo Bridge.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2021
593 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Jan Casey
7 books28 followersAll of my novels explore the themes around how ordinary people are affected by extraordinary events during any period of history, including the present. I'm fascinated with the courage, adaptability and resilience that people find within themselves during times of adversity and for which they do not expect pay, praise or commendation. I'm also interested in writing about the similiarities as opposed to the differences amongst people and the ways in which experiences and emotions bind humans together.
I was born in London but spent my childhood in Southern California where bookworm parents and regular trips to the library instilled a love of books and literature deep within me. For many years, I was a teacher of English and Drama and I worked, until recently, as a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
Now that my lifelong dream of becoming a published author as come true, I spend my time writing, reading, swimming, walking, cooking, practising yoga and enjoying my grandchildren.
You can follow me on Twitter @JanCaseyAuthor or find me on Facebook at facebook.com/JanCaseyAuthor
I was born in London but spent my childhood in Southern California where bookworm parents and regular trips to the library instilled a love of books and literature deep within me. For many years, I was a teacher of English and Drama and I worked, until recently, as a Learning Supervisor at a college of further education.
Now that my lifelong dream of becoming a published author as come true, I spend my time writing, reading, swimming, walking, cooking, practising yoga and enjoying my grandchildren.
You can follow me on Twitter @JanCaseyAuthor or find me on Facebook at facebook.com/JanCaseyAuthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 3, 2021
WWII is about to erupt an Viola Baxter has found her soulmate, Fred Scholz. He is not only a fellow college mate, but unfortunately he is half-German and her father is not allowing them to announce their engagement.
Annie Sholz is returning to Germany because her grandmother is seriously ill and now Fred feels he must try and retrieve his sister no matter what happens to him over in Germany.
How do the women maintain their opinions of war when they are in different countries? Viola is missing Fred. and worried about his safety.
The author digs down into the deeper emotional state of mind of sentiments of people who were against those who were not involved with a group, but guilt by blood. The book is full of fervor and the characters grow from beginning to end! I could not put the book down!
I definitely would recommend this book!
Annie Sholz is returning to Germany because her grandmother is seriously ill and now Fred feels he must try and retrieve his sister no matter what happens to him over in Germany.
How do the women maintain their opinions of war when they are in different countries? Viola is missing Fred. and worried about his safety.
The author digs down into the deeper emotional state of mind of sentiments of people who were against those who were not involved with a group, but guilt by blood. The book is full of fervor and the characters grow from beginning to end! I could not put the book down!
I definitely would recommend this book!
January 25, 2021
It is 1939, Viola Baxter meets Frank Scholz while at Cambridge university. They fall in love and desperate to get married. Frank is half German and asks Viola’s father for permission to get married at the time war breaks out. But, in the time of Hitler, her father refuses and because he is going to Germany to bring his sister home and to see their grandmother who is every sick.
Annie doesn’t anticipate what happens when she goes back to Germany with Fred. The war breaks out and herself and Fred cannot leave Germany and come home leaving them both in danger.
Viola does her bit for the war effort and becomes a translator for the war office while she waits for news of Fred.
This is a beautifully written and descriptive story how woman lived and made sacrifices during the war. Not only in Britain but it also showed what horrors that German women had to go through too. With the sacrifes they made and the starvation of the people while Hitler and his soldiers lived in style. This is an unusual WW2 book as I have not read two sides of the war in the same book. I did enjoy this book but some parts were overly descriptive and I would like to have more action than description. 4 stars from me.
Annie doesn’t anticipate what happens when she goes back to Germany with Fred. The war breaks out and herself and Fred cannot leave Germany and come home leaving them both in danger.
Viola does her bit for the war effort and becomes a translator for the war office while she waits for news of Fred.
This is a beautifully written and descriptive story how woman lived and made sacrifices during the war. Not only in Britain but it also showed what horrors that German women had to go through too. With the sacrifes they made and the starvation of the people while Hitler and his soldiers lived in style. This is an unusual WW2 book as I have not read two sides of the war in the same book. I did enjoy this book but some parts were overly descriptive and I would like to have more action than description. 4 stars from me.
March 19, 2021
A delightful story. For Viola Baxter, the year 1939 promised to be a great year. However, this did not happen. Fred, the man she fell in love with, is half German. They met at the university in Cambridge as if destiny was playing a part in their lives. The relationship gets complicated by the moment the Second World War begins. Not only they had to worry about this massive event, but also about Viola's father, who was against the relationship. To add more complication to their relationship, Fred had to travel to Germany to bring his sister home. However, this trip will make him and Viola look suspicious. I loved this story because of the relationship between Fred and Viola. I liked that at all times, the couple was clear about what they wanted. It is evident that they lived challenging moments and that they had to overcome many obstacles. It is the first book I read by Jan Casey, and I can say that I enjoyed it until the last page. I thank NetGalley and Aria & Aries for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
October 27, 2022
I enjoy reading WWII historical fiction books. This one was a different twist in that it gives a dual perspective … from England and Germany. The characters are well developed and you are drawn into the story and the lives. The amount of research the author did is obvious. The three main characters, Fred, Viola, and Annie, make choices. And it is interesting to see the results of those decisions. An emotional read that will appeal to those who enjoy books in this genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
April 26, 2023
I do like to read a story based in war time every now and again. This was interesting to be told from two different sides - one in Germany and one in Britain. The story just seemed to jump in places where more detail would have been welcome, yet linger in places that didn't really add anything.
dnf
February 5, 2021Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries, and Aria for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
DNF @ 15%
I wanted to like this one - I love multiple POVs in Historical Fiction and was intrigued at having two women's POV instead of a woman and a man - but I couldn't get into it. The writing was descriptive and lush but at times felt almost too much so? It just wasn't working for me. This isn't to say that it won't work for someone else, though!
DNF @ 15%
I wanted to like this one - I love multiple POVs in Historical Fiction and was intrigued at having two women's POV instead of a woman and a man - but I couldn't get into it. The writing was descriptive and lush but at times felt almost too much so? It just wasn't working for me. This isn't to say that it won't work for someone else, though!
February 9, 2021
Jan Casey,she is new to me. After reading this book of hers,it will not be the last. This story shows so much emotions in it and it is so very well written that you not only actually feel the emotions but the fantastic characters come alive and they become real to you. You can see all the research that went into this story as it surrounds the beginning of WWII,and the only thing that Germany and England know is that war will be here just a matter of time and now it's who can you trust or not and what side of this war are you really on! Follow these three Fred,Viola and Annie to see what choices they make,why and see how these choices turned out! Such a wonderful heartfelt story of choices,love,war and why these choices had to be made and see how much family really means in a war where so many will lose all the way around! Received from Net Gallery,thank you so very much and I will be reading more of this author's works! So should you!!
December 15, 2022
Recently in a reading funk. Got this as a present and was on my shelf for a couple months. Picked it up to read and thought I’d get through a couple chapters in a couple days. Just something to pick up and read every now and then. One word : incredible.
The writing, story, characters have you not wanting to put the book down. I finished it within 2 nights. Not the kind of boom I usually go for as well but this made me wanting to read more and more.
My only question I’m gonna write is when are we getting more. Really want a sequel as the story is gripping and leaves you wanting to read more.
The writing, story, characters have you not wanting to put the book down. I finished it within 2 nights. Not the kind of boom I usually go for as well but this made me wanting to read more and more.
My only question I’m gonna write is when are we getting more. Really want a sequel as the story is gripping and leaves you wanting to read more.
October 3, 2024
This one surprised me. What I had thought it would be and what it actually turned out to be were two very different things 😅. I loved it regardless.
Definitely one of those books where I felt all the ‘feels’- whether they be anger, excitement, shock, and even sadness. A beautifully weaved story that combines the best things about historical fiction (well at least in my point of view); love, loss and learning to deal with a war that takes up your entire life. Also there’s a reference to Anne Frank (one of the characters writes a journal and her name is Annie 👀).
This book will change your perspective on women during war, open your eyes to the realities of the second Great War, and have you both scared and excited for the characters and their futures. A heartwarming story with themes of family and making hard choices, this is definitely one of those books that one could come back to in any other stage of one’s life.
If you enjoyed Rilla of Ingleside (that’s the last novel in the Anne of Green Gables series in case you were wondering), then this book is for you.
May 29, 2024
This was the May choice for my in person book club. I tend to "enjoy" (for want of a better word) historical fiction set during this period of time so I was looking forward to reading this.
I was drawn in from the beginning with the settings, the characters, even the secondary characters. It was easy to picture everything in my head and feel immersed in the story.
I generally enjoy multi POV books and this was easy to follow between the POV of the two main female MC's, Viola & Annie. They both had a similar situation yet so different. It's the first book I've read that has the POV of characters in Britain and Germany and how the war effects them in each country.
There were a couple of inconsistencies with events but it didn't take away from my enjoyment overall. Although it was a tough subject, I'd say it was more war romance than darker themes of war.
4.5⭐️ using CAWPILE
I was drawn in from the beginning with the settings, the characters, even the secondary characters. It was easy to picture everything in my head and feel immersed in the story.
I generally enjoy multi POV books and this was easy to follow between the POV of the two main female MC's, Viola & Annie. They both had a similar situation yet so different. It's the first book I've read that has the POV of characters in Britain and Germany and how the war effects them in each country.
There were a couple of inconsistencies with events but it didn't take away from my enjoyment overall. Although it was a tough subject, I'd say it was more war romance than darker themes of war.
4.5⭐️ using CAWPILE
March 2, 2021
While this could have been a compelling story set in a different time period (perhaps another war or less written about period of history), I found that it was only a middling World War 2 novel. Because there are so many convicting and heart wrenching historical fictions (taking place in England and on the continent), I didn't find myself invested in this story or characters. While the espionage and out of wedlock pregnancies were obviously intended to build tension, I didn't ever feel that the characters were in much danger. I also felt that the first half of the book (and war) dragged, then the second half of the war, including both pregnancies, births, and next few years, were rushed at the end, resolving issues in unsatisfying ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
I enjoyed this book wondering what was going to happen next.
We have Viola who falls in love with Fred who is half German while she is at Cambridge a university. They want to marry but will her Father let her.
Anna is Fred’s sister and she goes to Germany as her Grandmother is ill. Fred has to go to Germany to bring Anna back but unfortunately War breaks out and they cannot return to Britain. We see what happens to them over the years.
Viola helps with the war effort for a while but circumstances change and she ends up in Scotland will she and Fred ever get together again only time will tell.
We have Viola who falls in love with Fred who is half German while she is at Cambridge a university. They want to marry but will her Father let her.
Anna is Fred’s sister and she goes to Germany as her Grandmother is ill. Fred has to go to Germany to bring Anna back but unfortunately War breaks out and they cannot return to Britain. We see what happens to them over the years.
Viola helps with the war effort for a while but circumstances change and she ends up in Scotland will she and Fred ever get together again only time will tell.
July 25, 2021
For me this book just did not work . I persevered with it and did find some interesting facts. In reading novels about WW11 , stumbled across the White Rose movement and their beliefs. An extraordinary bunch of people who in history went against the Nazis and paid a dreadful price. The character of Viola to me was not as strong as Anna but in saying that Viola seemed to grow as motherhood became her priority.
January 11, 2022
This book starts slow, and scenes are dragged out on unimportant details. Another reviewer pointed out the historical inaccuracies, such as instant rationing and Berlin bombed too early in the war. Much of the story is removed from the war, especially Viola's. I still gave it four stars because I wanted to know what happened to Annie, Viola, and Fred. Plus the unusual aspect of the war seen from the German side.
February 21, 2024
A really good example of its genre. I liked the unusual perspective of some characters with dual German / British citizenship. It was also really interesting to see a little of life on the homefront for people in Germany. A really "pleasant" read, which sounds a little insipid but I do mean it as a positive. It begs to be read in a holiday cottage in winter, curled up in your PJs as it rains outside.
September 10, 2021
Uplifting
Two very different stories both very enjoyable and emotional. A brother and sister with dual citizenships English and Germany are caught in Germany with All its hardships as war is declared. And a young English woman who finds herself pregnant and unmarried is banned to the Scotish country side.
Two very different stories both very enjoyable and emotional. A brother and sister with dual citizenships English and Germany are caught in Germany with All its hardships as war is declared. And a young English woman who finds herself pregnant and unmarried is banned to the Scotish country side.
December 17, 2021
One of the best WWII novels I have read!
I am an avid reader of historical fiction, especially that of WWII. I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it. The detailed descriptions of the destruction and personal effects of war was mesmerizing and left me feeling I was there with the book characters. Well written!!
I am an avid reader of historical fiction, especially that of WWII. I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it. The detailed descriptions of the destruction and personal effects of war was mesmerizing and left me feeling I was there with the book characters. Well written!!
December 30, 2021
Great book!
This book had me laughing and crying all the time and I could not turn the pages faster enough. I have read many books about the horrors of Hitler's actions on the world. But this book made me feel like I
was living during
that time and I could actually feel like I was there.
Great read!
This book had me laughing and crying all the time and I could not turn the pages faster enough. I have read many books about the horrors of Hitler's actions on the world. But this book made me feel like I
was living during
that time and I could actually feel like I was there.
Great read!
May 29, 2021
a engaging historical novel which describes the horror the people experienced during hitlers World War. A true romantic novel which tells a tale saying that life must go on even though you are not with your partner or sweetheart.
July 9, 2021
MORE
From sadness to heartbreak, to hope and victory. So powerful was this story. My feelings ran the gamut of emotions as I read this story. I did not want it to end and I wanted to know what happened in the life of these people. What a great sequel could be waking out there.
From sadness to heartbreak, to hope and victory. So powerful was this story. My feelings ran the gamut of emotions as I read this story. I did not want it to end and I wanted to know what happened in the life of these people. What a great sequel could be waking out there.
August 3, 2021
Could not put the book down!
So well written! The characters felt so very real. The descriptions of what each one had to endure during the war made me wonder how anyone could survive such a tragic time.
So well written! The characters felt so very real. The descriptions of what each one had to endure during the war made me wonder how anyone could survive such a tragic time.
August 28, 2021
Families and Friends
World War II story that does not include the Holocaust. It does contain love, sadness, and reunification. Points of view from both the English and German sides of war
World War II story that does not include the Holocaust. It does contain love, sadness, and reunification. Points of view from both the English and German sides of war
September 16, 2021
Very realistic story
I loved this book. So intriguing. Full of twists and turns that made me gasp. It followed the World War II experiences in England and Germany. So realistic and heart breaking. Wonderful story.
I loved this book. So intriguing. Full of twists and turns that made me gasp. It followed the World War II experiences in England and Germany. So realistic and heart breaking. Wonderful story.
November 9, 2021
Woman at war
as a young child living during the Second World War We saw a lot of news reals at the local movie Theater. We had a few hardships but not any thing like the hardships this book shows.
as a young child living during the Second World War We saw a lot of news reals at the local movie Theater. We had a few hardships but not any thing like the hardships this book shows.
May 22, 2022
good WWII story
Story told from both English and German perspective and we need to remember that all sides suffered from war with no food available, not supporting the nazis, and loss of family.
Story told from both English and German perspective and we need to remember that all sides suffered from war with no food available, not supporting the nazis, and loss of family.
July 15, 2022
Heartbreaking story from a dual perspective on how their lives took a dramatic turn during the war. Both Annie and Viola went through hard times that strengthened their character. Will they meet again? Read to find out
May 19, 2023
I liked that the story was from two different perspectives of the war. I expected there to be more details from the war time but it felt like the first half was laying the scene for the war. Still, an enjoyable read.
September 9, 2023
Never ending love !
What a wonderful story of enduring love in the midst of war. Heart warming yet heart breaking with the will to survive when it would be so easy to give up. Clearly, matters of the heart !
What a wonderful story of enduring love in the midst of war. Heart warming yet heart breaking with the will to survive when it would be so easy to give up. Clearly, matters of the heart !
March 15, 2025
An Excellent Story
There was very little sleep to be had once I started reading this story! It's gripping, raw, and a mix of emotions. A very realistic look at what happened during WWII!
There was very little sleep to be had once I started reading this story! It's gripping, raw, and a mix of emotions. A very realistic look at what happened during WWII!
April 19, 2021
Woman at War
Thank God not everyone lived the wartime life these poor women did. I had a hard time getting into the story.
Thank God not everyone lived the wartime life these poor women did. I had a hard time getting into the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews