The Kew Gardens Girls at War

by Posy Lovell

Inspired by real events, a touching novel about a new class of courageous women who worked at London’s historic Kew Gardens during World War II.

In the face of war, gardening is their duty… When Daisy Cooper’s new husband joins the RAF to fight the Battle of Britain, she’s terrified she’s going to lose him. So when her mother Ivy suggests she join the gardeners at Kew to keep busy, Daisy’s intrigued. After all, Ivy worked at Kew during the last great war and made lifelong friends along the way. Louisa Armitage, not ready to hang up her gardening gloves just yet, and Beth Sanderson, an aspiring doctor looking to make a difference, decide to enlist as well. When tragedy strikes, the women are forced to come together to support one other during their darkest hours. But can the Kew Gardens Girls survive the horrors of war-torn London this time?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, World War II, British Literature, War, Gardening

448 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2021

About the author

Kerry Barrett was born in Edinburgh but grew up in London where she still lives; television journalist and has written novels under her real name; has also written fiction under the pen names Kerry Bell and Posy Lovell.-- http://kerrybarrett.co.uk/about-kerry...

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following on from the tradition of The Kew Gardens Girls, when England is in the grips of another World War and a new generation of brave women step forward to help their country.

Daisy and Rex Turner have just been married and he leaves for training in the British RAF. Daisy’s mother Ivy Carter worked at the Kew Gardens during the First World War and she suggests Daisy does the same. Daisy has been distributing information about installing Anderson shelters and with gardening in her blood and she starts working at Kew Gardens.

Louisa Armitage is an original Kew Garden Girl and Ivy’s best friend. Her husband Teddy is a pacifist, as he lost his son in The Great War and he’s busy helping with evacuated children in Kent. Louisa wants to do her bit, she’s involved in various local committees and she comes up with a brilliant idea to help with gathering medicinal herbs.

Beth Sanderson is working as a nurse at St. Catherine’s Hospital, where her father is a doctor and he thwarts every attempt she makes to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Gus Campbell is from Jamaica, he’s not allowed practice medicine in England and he’s working in the hospital's pharmacy. He applies for a job a Kew Gardens helping in the laboratory, where they’re investigating using plants and herbs as cures for diseases and healing wounds.

Beth applies for a position working in the Kew Gardens laboratory, she doesn’t get the job and instead she’s offered part time work in the gardens. Beth and Daisy become good friends, their dig for victory garden on top of an Anderson shelter is a huge success and they encourage others to start growing their own vegetables.

The Blitz and a terrible tragedy strikes, the women working at the Kew Gardens rally around their own and workout at way to help their friend in her time of need.

I received a copy of The Kew Gardens Girls at War by Posy Lovell from Edelweiss and Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. It’s a well written and heartfelt story about friendship, camaraderie, team work, war, homeopathic medicine, postnatal depression, sexism, racism and inter racial romance. Five stars from me and I highly recommend reading both The Kew Gardens Girls and The Kew Gardens Girls at War.
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[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plant Therapy

A story of love, courage and a love of plants and gardening. Strong women standing up for what they believe in and supporting each other when tragedy hits. Healing their hearts in working at Kew Gardens and helping others with the healing plants they gather and grow. Finding new beginnings and surviving loss during a horrible war that changes everyone and everything it touches.

Daisy, the young wife of an RAF serviceman worried about his fate overseas joins the crew of the Kew Gardens to keep her mind off her worries and makes a new friend. Beth, a nurse joins to work in Kew Gardens because she wants to learn more about medicinal plants as she has aspirations of someday becoming a doctor. Soon Daisy and Beth are good friends.

Louisa once worked for Kew Gardens in the first World War and she is not yet ready to give up her green thumb and her gardening knowledge.
With bombs bursting over London every night, the hospital full and Anderson shelters popping up all over the place the ladies find solace in working in the gardens. They work together and confide in each other their personal challenges and their concerns with the war and with other issues. When a tragedy befalls one of their own they are all there to comfort each other.

There are many underlying themes throughout the book. Prejudice against women in the workplace, discrimination, a father's misguided love, romance, loss and despair. There is also courage, strength, forgiveness and compassion.

I really enjoyed reading the first book and now this second book about the Kew Gardens. Each one is different and each one equally great. I loved both book. I would defiantly recommend this book.

Thanks to Posy Lovell for writing a great story, to Penguin Group Putnam for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

[Sydney Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing novel touching on the many social issues of WWII. From women working to racial prejudice to post partum depression, The Kew Gardens Girls at War picks up at the start of WWII as Daisy sees her new husband off to join the RAF. Not knowing his whereabouts has Daisy on edge, combine that with the nightly bombings…her anxiety soars. Receiving encouragement from her mother, a former Kew gardener herself, Daisy signs up for the Dig For Victory campaign and focuses her time and energy into an allotment of land. Beth, a nurse, who is fighting what seems like a never ending battle for gender equality in the work place also signs up for the project with the hopes it will get her foot in the door of the committee researching plants and their medicinal values. She hopes to use this to add experience to her application for medical school. Together these girls learn not just about the land but about the power of friendship.

I have to admit that I did not know that this book was a sequel when I read it. I enjoy learning about the different roles women played during the war so this book peaked my interest and I have the Kew Gardens Girls in hand. I can say though that reading the first novel isn’t necessary as this one paints a picture for you. I love that this book touches on so many social issues during the war. From women proving that they are just as capable as men in the medical field to interracial relationships to post partum depression to friendship, this is just an all around wholesome book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group and Posy Lovell for early access to this gem! I’m off to read the first installment now!

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is WWII - men are enlisting, the women are left alone, and Kew Gardens is again looking for women to help.

Daisy’s mother, Ivy, had worked at Kew Gardens during the last war, and Daisy was excited to help. She knew it would help her to not miss her husband so much.

We learn about what the Londoners went through and learn about Anderson Bomb Shelters.

We get to visit with Ivy and Louisa again and see new friendships and old ones continuing and blossoming along with all the flowers and vegetables being grown.

We also get to meet new characters that will warm your heart.

You will love the strength of the women and how they all work together to help each other get through each of their darkest times.

And you can’t have a wartime book without love. Love that is lost because of war as well as love that is difficult to achieve because of prejudices.

A lovely, lovely read despite heartbreaking war situations.

This book is very enjoyable and uplifting just as the first KEW GARDENS book was.

You do not need to read the first book to enjoy this book, but my review of THE KEW GARDENS GIRLS is HERE if you want to check it out and see how Ivy's mother and Louisa warmed the hearts of readers when they were young. 5/5

This book was given to ​me by​ the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the beginning of the war and Daisy has a hurried marriage to Rex before he goes off with the RAF. Beth is a nurse who really wants to be a doctor but she needs her father's permission. He feels that women won't be good doctors and refuses to let her go. The story centers on Daisy and Beth. Tragedy strikes Daisy so at the urging of her mother she takes a job at Kew Gardens setting up a garden of vegetables that people can grow all year long. Beth wants to work at Kew in the department that is looking for medicinal plants to supplement medications that are hard to find but because she is pretty she is put with Daisy. They develop a wonderful friendship even though they come from different backgrounds and the scenes where Daisy is struggling were heartrending.

Beth also finds she is attracted to a man who works in the hospital pharmacy. Gus is a cardiologist from Jamaica but is not allowed to work with patients because of the color of his skin. I really liked Gus but I felt there was more to his story that we didn't hear.

So much of the story centered in Kew Gardens and I can't grow anything but the setting and description had me thinking I should start a garden. I can only begin to imagine how a walk through Kew would be in the spring with everything in bloom.

I felt like I was missing something with Ivy, Daisy's mom, and her friend, Louisa. It was mentioned that they had worked at Kew during the first war and I thought there was a story there. Little did I know that there was a previous book which I plan to read in the hopes that it will fill in some gaps.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book: it's plot lines, its strong characters, and the historic eras it depicted of the UK during both WWII and the preceding "Great War", which served as a backdrop to the characters' stories, featuring the "Kew Gardens Girls" of both wars during 2 generations.
I discovered and began reading this book before realizing that this author had first written an historic novel featuring the lives of the Kew Gardens Girls of the WWI generation, who were the mothers of the WWII era girls depicted most prominently in this book. So, now I'm on to read the previous novel, "Kew Gardens Girls"!
The pacing of the story lines was very compelling, drawing me in to discover just what was to be revealed about the WWII dramas, friendships, and romances of the primary characters.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in England during WWII, we get to revisit Kew Gardens and the women who work there. New and returning characters make an appearance and it was so nice seeing how the women from the first book had gone on to live. The watchwords for this book could have been 'don't underestimate the women.' I loved learned different ways that women contributed to the war effort, including the ways they helped teach people to garden year round. I'd heard of the victory gardens but this book goes into a different sort of war gardening. These women form deep friendships that help them get through new loves and new losses. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoyed the first book or want a different type of WWII historical fiction story. Great on audio too narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gardens can be such healing places. The flowers, plants, and ambience brings soothing thoughts and beauty. The Kew Garden Girls are the next generation, the story follows three friends through their highs and lows during WWII. Each has loss but also joy, with the Kew Gardens as a major focal point of the plot.
It’s a good read.
Thanks to Penguin Putnam and NetGalley for the early read.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full circle...

The story of Daisy, Beth, and the Kew Gardens is another World War 2 story from a different perspective.
Strong women head up the work of teaching others to grow vegetables and fruits year round.

Newly married Daisy is one of them; the other is Beth, who is both a nurse and volunteer.

Each has their individual stories of dreams, lost and found, but together they become more, giving strength and friendship to each other. Will they have a happily ever after despite their individual misfortunes?

Enjoyed this glimpse into the work of Kew Gardens and all the ancillary work being done at the labs at the Gardens. It's another glimpse of the realities of the war in England, but also the resilience of those who stayed behind and kept the home fires burning and morale up.

One niggling thing which bothered this reader was the use of the word pharmacist since in England they are called chemists. Otherwise, the medical and pharmaceutical aspects seemed to be well-researched.

Full disclosure: I received this novel through a First Reads Goodreads giveaway, but that in no way affected this review. Having read this one, I am interested in reading the novel written about some of the characters during World War 1.

[Jillian Doherty]

adored this human story - yay WWI angle with amazing character development!

Just like Natasha Solomons' Song for Hartgrove Hall and Tracy Chevalier's A Single Thread - this whimsically enveloping novel tells the story of those at home over the Great War.

Here we're treated to everything from a choir of strong female protagonists, to their deeply supportive male counterpoints, suffragettes, sacrifice and redemption - and the great illustration/sanctuary that is Kew Gardens.

Inspired by real events, a touching novel about a new class of courageous women who worked at London's historic Kew Gardens during World War II. When Daisy Cooper's new husband joins the RAF to fight the Battle of Britain, she's terrified she's going to lose him. So when her mother Ivy suggests she join the gardeners at Kew to keep busy, Daisy's intrigued. After all, Ivy worked at Kew during the last great war and made lifelong friends along the way.

Galley borrowed from the publisher.

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is Posy Lovell's new novel. I can't seem to get enough of WWII historical reads.

Settling in, I thought that Lovell might have already written a book set in Kew Gardens. I did a quick check and saw that yes, she has written one set in the WWI years at the Gardens. (I've added it to my teetering TBR pile.) But there's no need to have read that book before reading The Kew Gardens Girls at War.

I liked the premise - which is based on historical fact. ("Kew Gardens is now officially home to the largest living plant collection on earth.") In the war years, a showpiece Victory Garden was grown, showing how even a small patch could feed a family year round. But, I didn't know about the County Herb Committees which were nationwide medicinal plant collecting committees. I really liked the descriptions of the gardens and the veggie plots. A great setting. Lovell's descriptions of war torn London also brought the setting to life.

But, the best bit of all is the characters. Daisy and Beth are our leading characters. They're both from very different backgrounds, with different goals and are at different stages of life. But they hit it off and become fast friends. The supporting cast brings in a number of strong personalities, who change the narrative with their actions as well.

Lovell captures the Keep Calm and Soldier On attitude of the Brits in wartimes. Needs must and you just have to get on with things. But there are wounds don't show as well. Lovell brings some serious issues into her story, including shell shock and racism.

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is a warm, caring, comfortable read that celebrates family, fortitude, friends and yes, romance.

[Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is a somewhat continuation of the Kew Garden Girls which took place during WWI where this story is during WWII and some of the characters from the first book make an appearance in this one.

Posy Lovell is a talented writer and her research for this story shows through. As with the majority of WWII stories there are a lot of emotions that are evoked through the story, Heartbreak, fear, friendship and love shows through in this story.

I definitely would recommend this book and there’s no need to read the Kew Girls first as this story was easy to follow and a fairly fast read.

Thank you to #netgalley and #penguingroupputnam for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Kew Garden Girls and was excited when I found out that the author continued their story. As we go back to the Kew Gardens, we get to meet up again with some of the original girls but we also get to meet their other family members and children. The Kew Gardens legacy continues in the next generation. This is a continuation of the first book but you wouldn't need to read the first book to enjoy this one.

This is a beautifully written historical fiction story that will make you fall in love with the characters and the gardens, even in the midst of the terrible war and all of the tragedy that comes with it. There is a peacefulness and healing to the gardens that made me want to visit and spend time in them.

The Kew Gardens Girls at War is a definite must-read for all lovers of historical fiction. Amazing writing, beautiful setting, and memorable characters.

[Donna Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm too old to be staying up half the night reading, but I didn't want to put it down. I loved the new generation of Kew Gardens Girls and that we got to see the characters from the previous books. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I found out there was a sequel to Kew Gardens Girls, I ordered a copy from Waterstones. Partly because I wanted to match the UK Edition of the 1st book. (Was able to get it from Amazon.) I think UK covers are so much prettier than US one. But mostly because I didn't want to wait until US Edition comes out on April 19th 2022.

It took me several days to read because life kept getting in the way. But once I had a quiet day, I couldn't put it down.

Not all flowers and fluff. It had me cursing the Patriarchy at times.I wonder if there are any statistics on how many women who were nurses in WW2 and then went on to become Dr's? Especially after putting up with condescending male Drs.

Tackled some serious issues as well like Depression and attempted Suicide. Also Interracial Dating and Prejudice.

As a gardener, I found Historical parts about Kew, Anderson Shelters, Dig for Victory, and the growing of medical plants fascinating. Loved that it show how gardening can be therapeutic.

Both of the Kew Gardens Girls books are going on my Forever Shelf along with Virginia Woolf's short story Kew Gardens which was mentioned in Author's notes.

[Polly-Alida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It certainly covered many social issues of the WWII era. Women's rights to work, lack of equality with men in the workplace, expectations of young women to marry and not have careers. Mental health issues, post-partum depression, interracial relationships, prejudice. Sounds like a lot of topics to have covered, but they were all woven into the story so well, it didn't feel scattered or overwhelming. The relationships between the women of multiple generations and how they supported each other during the hardships of war were at the core of the book. A very different sort of WWII novel. I haven't read the previous volume, but am about to start it. Thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for a preview copy.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kew Gardens Girls at War by Posy Lovell was such a fascinating read. Our story follows four women during WWII with a connection to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Louisa wants to help with the war effort, and worked in the gardens during the last great war. Daisy is working at Kew while her new husband in the RAF is fighting. Her mom,Ivy, who worked there during the last war, thought it would be a great distraction for her. Beth is a nurse who desperately wants to become a doctor, and lives under the constraints of women at that time.

I am not a huge fan of WWII stories, but really enjoyed The Kew Garden Girls. The story was realistic of the time without being too heavy. The characters were very relatable and I cheered for each of them to find their way. The author walked us through what it was like to live during the air raids in London, the issues pertaining to women of that time, and the universal topics that have been with all women through time.

I loved journeying through life with the women in the story and they felt like friends at the end of the novel. The themes of perseverance, friendship, and hope that were woven through this novel spoke to my heart. I highly recommend it.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a review.

[Lori Wilen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first book for my last book club meeting I chose this one for our next discussion. The first book left us wondering about so much that I had to read this one as soon as possible. This beautifully written 5 star book taught us more than some non fiction books. We learned things about World War II and the importance of womens' roles during the war. We learned about the beginnings of a bi-racial romance and how some showed their prejudice while others didn't see color. We learned about how a mother of a newborn baby can act due to post partum depression even though there were extenuating circumstances. We learned so much about plants, herbs, and vegetables. I really would love to have my own little "allotment". We met some of our old friends from the first book and we also met some wonderful new people. While sad in so many ways and covering a time in our history that some have difficulty talking about, this book was written with sensitivity, care and so much research done by the author. I highly recommend this book to those who have to read a War book for a challenge prompt and to others who want to read an absolutely outstanding and beautiful story.

[Fiona Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. As a love of World War 2 modern living books I rather enjoyed this book. Having not read the first book of the series, I didn’t find that I needed to, in order to fully follow this book. Despite tragedy, this book had an uplifting story. I am not a great lover of plants or gardening and yet I did not find this too overpowering as it was tied nicely World War II and hospitals.

[Leigh Mcmillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a sweet easy to read book. predicable but very wholesome

[The History Mom]

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the unique perspective on WWII in London.

[Becky of Becky's Bookshelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kew Gardens Girls at War by Posy Lovell was such a fascinating read. Our story follows four women during WWII with a connection to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Louisa wants to help with the war effort, and worked in the gardens during the last great war. Daisy is working at Kew while her new husband in the RAF is fighting. Her mom, Ivy, who worked there during the last war, thought it would be a great distraction for her. Beth is a nurse who desperately wants to become a doctor, and lives under the constraints of women at that time.

I am not a huge fan of WWII stories, but really enjoyed The Kew Garden Girls. The story was realistic of the time without being too heavy. The characters were very relatable and I cheered for each of them to find their way. The author walked us through what it was like to live during the air raids in London, the issues pertaining to women of that time, and the universal topics that have been with all women through time.

I loved journeying through life with the women in the story and they felt like friends at the end of the novel. The themes of perseverance, friendship, and hope that were woven through this novel spoke to my heart. I highly recommend it.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful tale of women in London during WWII, dealing with prejudice and heartbreak but always supporting one another. Beth, a nurse, wants to be a doctor but has been blocked by her father who must give his permission for her application to medical school (I know!). Daisy, whose new husband has just gone off to war, is unhappy with her clerical job. Both of them apply to work at Kew Gardens and find themselves setting up a demonstration garden and building a friendship. The Blitz looms large. Beth is taken with Gus, a cardiologist from Jamaica who has been made a pharmacist by her father because he's, well, Jamaican. Daisy's struggles shine light on emotional and psychological issues. They're terrific vivid characters you will empathize with (as are the rest). This is a followup to an earlier book set in Kew Gardens which featured Daisy's mom- I missed that one (I'm going to go back and read it now) but that didn't matter a whit. I thoroughly enjoyed this- I found myself caught up in it thanks to the terrific storytelling, which kept the tension up in the right spots. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. Great read for fans of historical fiction.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good fast easy to read book but the history part adds another dimension. Highly recommend it!

[She's Becoming Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many young brides during WWII, Daisy is struggling to find time to fill her day after her new groom ships off to fly it the RAF. Her mother, Ivy, faced a similar fate during WWI but found solace and purpose in her role as a Kew Garden Girl. So, when Ivy hears of an opportunity for Daisy to follow in her footsteps she does her best to convince Daisy to interview. Little does Daisy know, she will find more than just a purpose on the grounds of Kew, she'll find a refuge from the storm that is her life. Along the way, she makes an unlikely friend in Beth, an aspirational young nurse determined to follow her dreams no matter the cost. ⁠
⁠
I'll freely admit I went into this blind, so I had no idea it's the second book in a series. Luckily, I didn't need to read the first novel to enjoy the second in the series. And lucky for me, I now have another Kew Garden Girls novel to read! I LOVED this book, y'all. I loved learning about the role of the Kew Gardens in the national Dig for Victory campaign which encouraged UK residents to grow their own fruit/veg during the war. I also enjoyed hearing the character's accounts of the Blitz on London and seeing how the author captured the resilience and strength of Londoners. The story includes something for everyone: grief/loss, postpartum depression, suicide, interracial relationships, racism, sexism, and so much more! I was easily drawn into the lives of the main characters and vacillated between sadness, anger, and happiness throughout the book. I'm a sucker for a strong female lead, and I'm particularly drawn to stories of women's active roles in WWII. If you enjoy the same then be sure to check out this new historical fiction!

[Dorothy Schwab · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Gardening’s all about the future, isn’t it?” Ivy asked Daisy
For readers and gardeners who are always looking to the future for hope, this is an inspiring tribute to the courageous women who filled in the gaps during World War ll. Posy Lovell continues her series set at the historic Kew Gardens by featuring the "Dig for Victory" model created to provide an example of how a back garden of fruits and vegetables could feed a family year-round. Daisy and Beth, two young girls from opposite parts of London are chosen to plot, plant, and promote the Dig for Victory garden. The hope is that the model allotment-vegetable garden will attract many visitors seeking advice and asking questions. Equally important, the Vegetable Drugs Committee is created to harvest British grown plants for medicinal purposes. This concept and the model allotment project blossoms and grows beyond anyone’s imagination.
Following the lives of Daisy and Beth through the growing seasons of 1940 and beyond, readers will reap many benefits from the life lessons learned as they each face inner turmoil and make personal choices that impact not only their families, but their future. Posy Lovell's superbly developed characters take readers on an emotional garden path; sowed with agony and grief, choked with confusion, chaos, even shock, but at the end discover a bountiful harvest of relief and joy. The theme of racial and gender injustice influences the cultural landscape of The Kew Gardens Girls at War, but the women learn that adapting, making the best of situations, and helping others is key to helping yourself.

[Marsha Rafalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sequel to “The Kew Garden Girls” which featured three original Kew Garden girls who took over to keep the Gardens groomed while the men are away at war in 1917. This book picks up with two of the original girls as they help a new generation prepare for another war. When Ivy’s daughter, Daisy, is terrified that her RAF husband won’t come home. Ivy suggests that Daisy repeat her experience as a gardener at Kew Gardens. She decides to follow her mother’s advice and there she meets Beth, a nurse who wants desperately to study to be a doctor. Beth has applied to Kew Gardens to be on a committee studying plants that can be used as medicine. While she doesn’t get selected for the Committee, she is invited to work in the Garden to create a demonstration Victory Garden.

Ivy’s friend and fellow Garden Girl, Louisa, is frustrated with feelings of uselessness while she, her husband and her nephew are sitting out the War in the Kent countryside. Daisy’s fears are proved true when her husband’s plane goes down leaving a pregnant Daisy to make her own way in the world. Beth meets Dr. Gus Campbell, a visiting heart specialist from Jamaica so because of his race, he is not allowed to practice or to be seen with Beth.

The Garden Girls support each other through bombs, bigots, with bravery in the face of all opposition. I wish I had read the first book in this series first. Although it appears that each can stand alone, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had known Ivy and Louisa in their younger personas. But I still enjoyed this one and maybe some day read the first one.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

1940- War is raging throughout Europe and Daisy marries her sweetheart before he heads into the fight. She is distressed at the thought of losing him, but her mother, Ivy, who worked at Kew Gardens during the last war, encourages her to find a job there to occupy her mind.

Joined there by Beth, a nurse who aspires to be a doctor, and Louisa, her godmother who was a Kew Gardens Girl with her mother, these women dig their own roots into the soil of Kew and hope that they are deep and strong enough to hold them steady through all that life throws their way.
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I wasn't sure how this book would feel after reading the first since there is such a large time gap, but really the time gap worked so nicely in making this feel like a standalone and giving these characters room to make their own arcs.

Each of these characters is flawed and makes poor decisions, but also you are invested in their humanity and cheering them on to better and brighter futures.

Because this book deals closely with post partum depression, it was very difficult to read at times, but I think the topic was handled with care and gentleness.

If you enjoy historical fiction set on the Homefront, this is worth a read.
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Content Note: This is a historical fiction book set during the air raids of London during WWII. Therefore, violence and death are common but not graphic. There is also an involved storyline with post partum depression and a suicide attempt. Prejudice is also prevalent.

Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the book. All opinions are my own.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel touches on so many social issues from WWII.

Taking place at the beginning of WWII as Daisy sees her new husband off to join the RAF, The Kew Gardens Girls at War explores everything from women working to racial prejudice to postpartum depression. Daisy's on edge not knowing where he is, combine that with the bombings and she gets really nervous. Encouraged by her mom, a former Kew gardener, Daisy signs up for Dig For Victory and focuses her time and energy on an allotment. As a nurse, Beth is fighting what seems like a never-ending battle in the workplace for gender equality and she signs up for this project in hopes that it will get her a foot in the door of the committee that looks at medicinal plants. Hopefully, it'll add experience to her application for medical school. They learn about the land together, but also the power of friendship.

When I read this book, I didn't realize it was a sequel. Since I like learning what women did during the war, this book caught my eye, and I have The Kew Gardens Girls in my hands. I can tell you that reading the first novel isn't necessary as this one paints a picture for you.

The book covers everything from women proving they can just as well as men in the medical field to interracial relationships to postpartum depression to friendship, it's just a wholesome read that I really enjoyed.