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Sweet Sisters #1
Wartime Sweethearts
The Sweet family have run the local bakery for as long as anyone can remember.
Twins Ruby and Mary Sweet help their widowed father out when they can. Mary loves baking and has no intention of leaving their small Gloucestershire village. While Ruby dreams of life in London.
But as war threatens there will be changes for all of the Sweet family with brother Charlie off to serve and cousin Frances facing evacuation. But there will be opportunities too, as the twins’ baking talent catches the attention of the Ministry of Food…
Twins Ruby and Mary Sweet help their widowed father out when they can. Mary loves baking and has no intention of leaving their small Gloucestershire village. While Ruby dreams of life in London.
But as war threatens there will be changes for all of the Sweet family with brother Charlie off to serve and cousin Frances facing evacuation. But there will be opportunities too, as the twins’ baking talent catches the attention of the Ministry of Food…
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
518 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 30, 2017
Loved it! Although she did keep repeating herself, but all the same, it was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading the next one.
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May 13, 2015I hate to talk badly about literature, but I don't have much to say about this novel. I like this genre, but this piece has really let the side down.
With a bit of work this could be a good book, but the writer has published something without a proper read through.
The first paragraphs on page 118&122 are good examples of the sort of repetition that continues to irritate me; 4 pages apart and yet repeating how sympathetic Charlie feels to Frances - something repeated constantly throughout the book.
The twins are identical - a fact established early in the book; yet the author continues to remind me how each twin can see herself in the other's face and how they looked like one other - or mirrored her twin's expression. I could understand general references, but the book is made up of them.
The father of the twins - Stan Sweet, throughout the book (up to where I've read so far) is always announced as Stan Sweet. Always introduced by his full name, or his full name attributed to his speech.
I'm near the halfway point of the book, and I cannot bring myself to read anymore. Not only do the constant repetitions irritate me furiously, but they also make me feel so incredibly stupid. As though I am incapable of following the story on my own.
Has the author repeated herself due to word count? Or does she not realise her mistakes?
A revised version of this book would make it so much nicer and pleasant to read; but until then, this book makes me feel like I never have before - putting in the paper recycling and moving on to the next one.
Such a disappointment. I hope when I do calm myself enough to finish the book it will redeem itself, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do that yet.
With a bit of work this could be a good book, but the writer has published something without a proper read through.
The first paragraphs on page 118&122 are good examples of the sort of repetition that continues to irritate me; 4 pages apart and yet repeating how sympathetic Charlie feels to Frances - something repeated constantly throughout the book.
The twins are identical - a fact established early in the book; yet the author continues to remind me how each twin can see herself in the other's face and how they looked like one other - or mirrored her twin's expression. I could understand general references, but the book is made up of them.
The father of the twins - Stan Sweet, throughout the book (up to where I've read so far) is always announced as Stan Sweet. Always introduced by his full name, or his full name attributed to his speech.
I'm near the halfway point of the book, and I cannot bring myself to read anymore. Not only do the constant repetitions irritate me furiously, but they also make me feel so incredibly stupid. As though I am incapable of following the story on my own.
Has the author repeated herself due to word count? Or does she not realise her mistakes?
A revised version of this book would make it so much nicer and pleasant to read; but until then, this book makes me feel like I never have before - putting in the paper recycling and moving on to the next one.
Such a disappointment. I hope when I do calm myself enough to finish the book it will redeem itself, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do that yet.
September 16, 2023
Good story.
I liked the characters in this story. It was engaging and full of the truth of war. The Sweet family are really inspiring.
I liked the characters in this story. It was engaging and full of the truth of war. The Sweet family are really inspiring.
November 21, 2021
This is my third book by this author and although I loved the characters and the storyline I just didn’t love it like the last two books I have read but I’m not sure what it was. I love the aspect of the baking in the story and how Ruby and Mary had to teach families on using basic and unusual ingredients when baking due to the war so nothing was wasted I just thought that was interesting to read about. I just found the book a little hard to start with in terms of keeping me interested as the ministry of food part didn’t start until around half way through the book which by then I was hooked and couldn’t wait to carry on with the story. Overall I enjoyed the book and will definitely carry on with the series to see how the story unfolds.
September 9, 2015
Not bad for a first book in a new series.. be interesting to see where the next book story goes.
November 15, 2022
A good book but took ages to get to the bit about the ministry of food.
January 18, 2025
Opted to read this book which has been sitting on my bookshelves for many years - trying to read lots of my books which have just been sitting there!!
I don't mind reading about wartime and the early 20th century but whilst its not my favourite genre, I have to say I really enjoyed this book and as I read more of it, I just couldn't put it down!
Its such a warm, friendly book where the characters are so well defined, loyal and funny - there were lots of funny moments - and you really felt what they were feeling. Certainly not a depressing book at all, the whole loyalty and family concepts made it feel warm and welcoming and I felt really drawn into the family and village life.
Really enjoyed it and will be looking to buy other books from Lizzie, and will certainly look to buy the other 2 books in the set.
I don't mind reading about wartime and the early 20th century but whilst its not my favourite genre, I have to say I really enjoyed this book and as I read more of it, I just couldn't put it down!
Its such a warm, friendly book where the characters are so well defined, loyal and funny - there were lots of funny moments - and you really felt what they were feeling. Certainly not a depressing book at all, the whole loyalty and family concepts made it feel warm and welcoming and I felt really drawn into the family and village life.
Really enjoyed it and will be looking to buy other books from Lizzie, and will certainly look to buy the other 2 books in the set.
June 23, 2022
Very good book
Really good book about a rural English family and their little village. They did more than their bit for the war effort. So much courage to help in anyway they could. The characters are very real and rife with emotion. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. If you enjoy the English home front in WW 2 you will enjoy this book.
Really good book about a rural English family and their little village. They did more than their bit for the war effort. So much courage to help in anyway they could. The characters are very real and rife with emotion. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. If you enjoy the English home front in WW 2 you will enjoy this book.
December 11, 2019
An enjoyable light read. Nothing too challenging here, a bit of romance, a bit of plucky blitz spirit and a touch of sadness but its none the worse for all that.
Reading doesnt always have to be a challenge!
Reading doesnt always have to be a challenge!
September 15, 2023
Good read, kept my interest. I have read better Lizzie Lane books. I have faith in her so bought next 2 books in series. Fingers crossed they will be interesting and not a lot of repetition from first book.
May 3, 2018
I disliked nothing it was a very enjoyable book. I would recommend it to all.
I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy, to see the continuing story of the Sweet family
I am looking forward to the next book in the trilogy, to see the continuing story of the Sweet family
January 23, 2019
What a great start to the trilogy. Couldn't wait to put it down and then wait to read the next instalment. Great read
August 15, 2019
Not a great read found this book slow read it's mostly about baking and wanting to get to the storyline hope book two better.
August 22, 2020
a fairly good book found it quite interesting
December 5, 2021
Wartime sweethearts
A story of the Early days of World War two in England and how the government approached the rationing of food and all the other items that had to be imported .
A story of the Early days of World War two in England and how the government approached the rationing of food and all the other items that had to be imported .
November 4, 2022
Brilliant
Loved this story, it was so realistic the charactersjust jumped from the page.
I just couldn't put it down.I recommend it
Loved this story, it was so realistic the charactersjust jumped from the page.
I just couldn't put it down.I recommend it
September 17, 2024
Got really bored with this book and gave up on it. I usually love Lizzie Lane books but didn't enjoy this one sadly
January 28, 2025
Loved this book !!
Characters brought to life by the author.
So true to from listening to people who lived through the war.
Can't wait for next book
Characters brought to life by the author.
So true to from listening to people who lived through the war.
Can't wait for next book
July 30, 2025
Just brilliant can’t wait to start the next book in this series
October 1, 2020
another brilliant book
July 6, 2016
Absolutely loved it - Lizzie really captured the attitudes of women during the war and the responsibilities imposed on them. The historical context of the book was well addressed and the storyline kept me alert and eager to read on. Brilliant.
January 3, 2016
it was entertaining. ..nothing more or nothing less. I have the War Baby book and will read it hoping the story will grow more interesting.
April 10, 2017
Nice family saga touching on a few tougher issues of surviving during wartime in Britain. Well written and nicely developed characters that made me order and start the follow up book as soon as I'd finished it. I will definitely read more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews