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Rose Queen #1
The Rose Queen
THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SAGA FROM AUTHOR KATIE FLYNNWill love bloom in a new city?It is 1938, and Cadi is chosen to be Rose Queen in the annual Rose Fete. She's thrilled to be treated like royalty for the day. But deep down she's desperate to leave the Welsh mining community where she grew up.When war is declared, Cadi and her best friend Poppy see a chance to escape. Cadi leaves behind her parents and local boy Aled, whom she is meant to marry, for Liverpool.But city life does not bring the opportunities they had hoped for. Unable to join the forces, the girls are left looking for work in poverty-stricken Scotland Ward.They secure jobs in a local pub, and Cadi's blossoming relationship with a handsome dock worker deepens after he rescues her from a terrifying encounter.But when Aled unexpectedly appears dressed in RAF uniform Cadi finds her worlds colliding again. Now the Rose Queen must who will become her King?_____________________________________________Why readers love Katie Flynn's heartwarming historical 'Her characters feel like old friends!''Takes you on a journey of heartbreak and joy''Heartwarming romance''Impossible to put down'
- GenresBook ClubHistorical
456 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2022
About the author
Katie Flynn
105 books225 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.
Katie Flynn was born in Norwich and attended Norwich High School, where she was extremely happy and extremely undistinguished. Published at the tender age of eight, in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories, she joined a Writers’ Circle as an adult, publishing short stories, articles, etc; only turning to novels in 1971 because the postal strike cut off her main source of income!
At first she wrote under several different names – Judith Saxton, Judy Turner, Lydia Balmain, Judith Arden – but her Katie Flynn books were a delight to write and proved far more popular than she had dreamed. She has now published nearly ninety novels, twenty-seven of which are Flynns. Her most recent titles are: Lost Days of Summer and Christmas Wishes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 4, 2023
Cad and her best friend Poppy are both desperate to leave their small mining community, so when war is declared the girls see a chance to escape.
They head off to Liverpool to sign up for the WAAF but as they are both underage they are sent packing.
The girls are left looking for work and eventually secure jobs in a local pub. Life takes different turns for the girls, as they relish their independence and we follow their adventures along the way.
A beautifully written book that captured my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
They head off to Liverpool to sign up for the WAAF but as they are both underage they are sent packing.
The girls are left looking for work and eventually secure jobs in a local pub. Life takes different turns for the girls, as they relish their independence and we follow their adventures along the way.
A beautifully written book that captured my heart.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2022
I love historical fiction for what it can teach me about social custom, landmark events, and how we lived without the luxuries we have today. For a novel dealing with WWII themes, this is an incredibly soft account. I knew getting into it that it would be a wholesome and whimsical tale of two girls leaving home to help the war effort, and I wasn’t looking for grit and desolation, however some of Flynn’s descriptions were truly lacking.
Having said that, once I had reset my brain to understand this was more of a sentimental piece focusing on love and friendship, I began to enjoy myself. Flynn looks at the joys of leaving home to discover yourself, and the relinquishment of the protection and comfort of a family bubble.
There’s a certain charm here, and it was nice to see historical fiction set in a northern city - I am quite sick of London, so the sights of Liverpool were very welcome.
A lighthearted exploration of love, friendship, and the importance of community.
Having said that, once I had reset my brain to understand this was more of a sentimental piece focusing on love and friendship, I began to enjoy myself. Flynn looks at the joys of leaving home to discover yourself, and the relinquishment of the protection and comfort of a family bubble.
There’s a certain charm here, and it was nice to see historical fiction set in a northern city - I am quite sick of London, so the sights of Liverpool were very welcome.
A lighthearted exploration of love, friendship, and the importance of community.
January 16, 2022
This is a very gentle, WWII romance. This probably wouldn’t be my go to genre, but I found it a very easy and enjoyable read.
The novel follows the adventures of Cadi and her best friend Poppy; two young girls from a Welsh mining village, who find that life there for a young woman is restrictive and lacking in any opportunity that doesn’t involve marriage.
Against their parents wishes, they travel to Liverpool with their heads full of adventure, and the intention of joining up. As they’re both underage, they’re immediately turned away. With their hopes scuppered, it seems they will have to return home with their tails between their legs. Then fate leads them to The Greyhound pub, managed single-handedly by Maria, since her husband left for war.
Working for their bed and board, we follow the girls as they learn about life in a big city, make new friends and pursue their dreams of independence from men and marriage. Despite this there are two young lads that seem intent on being part of Cadi’s life; Jez the docker and Greyhound regular, and Aled the farmer’s son, who her father hopes she’ll marry. Will Cadi fall for either?
The story does deal with some dramatic and dark themes, such as domestic abuse, poverty, the dangers of mining and the Liverpool Blitz. However, the narration is never gritty or too intense, so if that’s your thing this probably isn’t the book for you.
However, if you want a sentimental read full of nostalgia and endearing characters, who are ever optimistic despite adversity, and females who are determined to succeed in a male dominated world, this is definitely the read for you.
As the title suggests, the picture that’s painted in this novel is a very appealing, rose-coloured image of wartime Liverpool, which I found very easy to get lost in.
The novel follows the adventures of Cadi and her best friend Poppy; two young girls from a Welsh mining village, who find that life there for a young woman is restrictive and lacking in any opportunity that doesn’t involve marriage.
Against their parents wishes, they travel to Liverpool with their heads full of adventure, and the intention of joining up. As they’re both underage, they’re immediately turned away. With their hopes scuppered, it seems they will have to return home with their tails between their legs. Then fate leads them to The Greyhound pub, managed single-handedly by Maria, since her husband left for war.
Working for their bed and board, we follow the girls as they learn about life in a big city, make new friends and pursue their dreams of independence from men and marriage. Despite this there are two young lads that seem intent on being part of Cadi’s life; Jez the docker and Greyhound regular, and Aled the farmer’s son, who her father hopes she’ll marry. Will Cadi fall for either?
The story does deal with some dramatic and dark themes, such as domestic abuse, poverty, the dangers of mining and the Liverpool Blitz. However, the narration is never gritty or too intense, so if that’s your thing this probably isn’t the book for you.
However, if you want a sentimental read full of nostalgia and endearing characters, who are ever optimistic despite adversity, and females who are determined to succeed in a male dominated world, this is definitely the read for you.
As the title suggests, the picture that’s painted in this novel is a very appealing, rose-coloured image of wartime Liverpool, which I found very easy to get lost in.
February 18, 2023
A nice little read, the first in a trilogy so look forward to reading the others.
January 11, 2022
Once in a while a book comes along which you are completely submerged in. No mind wandering off and having to re-read pages. But relishing every word and reading until well past your bedtime as you just can’t bear to leave the world you are absorbed in. Readers, this is one of those books for me.
It starts off quite innocently in 1938 with Cadi Williams getting ready for the annual village fete in Rhos, a small mining community in Wales, where she lives with fairly poor family. She is to be crowned Rose Queen and it will be the most important day of her life so far.
Cadi has always wanted more for herself than scraping a living with a husband and babies and at the grand old age of 17 she decides to take a leap and head for the bright lights if Liverpool with her friend Poppy. Her father is not impressed as he had his sights on her marrying Aled, the son of a farmer, so she would have financial stability. Marriage is not something Cadi is up for any time soon.
War is just breaking out and the girls try to sign up but are too young. They hoped they would pass for 18. Not wanting to go back home, and at the very last minute before they had to get the train back, they find jobs working in a pub for Marie, the landlady who’s husband has gone to war.
The girls help develop the pub into a thriving b&b, and befriend a girl who is beaten by her father trying to persuade her to leave home just as they did. Also for the added romance is Jez, who had rescued them from the hands of a drunken man, and now has his sights firmly on Cadi. I did feel rather sorry for poor Poppy at this point as all the boys seem to fall for Cadi.
I just loved the personalities of the girls. They could be any friends anywhere which for me makes the story so believable and something I could relate to, as haven’t we all had a best friend we would go out of our comfort zone with? Two ordinary girls wanting to try to make a better life for themselves. And perhaps help the war effort.
Of course there is a bit of romance along the way although Cadi is fiercely independent and doesn’t need a man, so will take a fair bit of persuasion to enter a relationship!
I made the book last me 3 days. I wanted to find out what happened to Cadi but also didn’t want it to end.
I wholeheartedly recommend this stunner of a war time romance and the search for a meaningful life. Just loved it.
Thank you so so much Marie-Louise at Century Books UK for inviting me on the blog tour for this book and I guarantee I will be reading more Katie Flynn novels.
It starts off quite innocently in 1938 with Cadi Williams getting ready for the annual village fete in Rhos, a small mining community in Wales, where she lives with fairly poor family. She is to be crowned Rose Queen and it will be the most important day of her life so far.
Cadi has always wanted more for herself than scraping a living with a husband and babies and at the grand old age of 17 she decides to take a leap and head for the bright lights if Liverpool with her friend Poppy. Her father is not impressed as he had his sights on her marrying Aled, the son of a farmer, so she would have financial stability. Marriage is not something Cadi is up for any time soon.
War is just breaking out and the girls try to sign up but are too young. They hoped they would pass for 18. Not wanting to go back home, and at the very last minute before they had to get the train back, they find jobs working in a pub for Marie, the landlady who’s husband has gone to war.
The girls help develop the pub into a thriving b&b, and befriend a girl who is beaten by her father trying to persuade her to leave home just as they did. Also for the added romance is Jez, who had rescued them from the hands of a drunken man, and now has his sights firmly on Cadi. I did feel rather sorry for poor Poppy at this point as all the boys seem to fall for Cadi.
I just loved the personalities of the girls. They could be any friends anywhere which for me makes the story so believable and something I could relate to, as haven’t we all had a best friend we would go out of our comfort zone with? Two ordinary girls wanting to try to make a better life for themselves. And perhaps help the war effort.
Of course there is a bit of romance along the way although Cadi is fiercely independent and doesn’t need a man, so will take a fair bit of persuasion to enter a relationship!
I made the book last me 3 days. I wanted to find out what happened to Cadi but also didn’t want it to end.
I wholeheartedly recommend this stunner of a war time romance and the search for a meaningful life. Just loved it.
Thank you so so much Marie-Louise at Century Books UK for inviting me on the blog tour for this book and I guarantee I will be reading more Katie Flynn novels.
January 30, 2024
Well this is a strange one. I must say I usually like Katie Flynn's work but I found this a bit of a slog. Backwards and forwards from one beau to the other was all a bit lengthy and silly, the whole storyline was more suitable for teenage reading. The only episode in the book which I thought made compulsive reading was the part around Izzy's escape. The rest lacked a certain something which is not usually evident in her books. Some of the dialogue for example was irrelevant and therefore, unnecessary.
In the beginning, I found it a bit hard to understand how a 15 year old from a respectable family would swear in front of her parents with no repercussions, this was quite out of character and didn't sit right with me. Throughout the story, there are many strange phrases and expressions, some which didn't even seem grammatically correct. I've never heard of 'joshing' which apparently means joking, or calling police 'scoffers' but I assume this is the regional dialect. I also noticed quite a few errors, supposedly typographical but nevertheless should have been picked up from the editing. On page 389 a woman called Flo was mentioned! I didn't have a clue who she was!
Apart from Cadi and Poppy, the characters didn't really capture my imagination, especially Izzy. Anyone who has suffered the kind of continual abuse she had would have been much more withdrawn, timid and frightened than the story suggests.
Sorry I can't give more than 3 stars for this one.
In the beginning, I found it a bit hard to understand how a 15 year old from a respectable family would swear in front of her parents with no repercussions, this was quite out of character and didn't sit right with me. Throughout the story, there are many strange phrases and expressions, some which didn't even seem grammatically correct. I've never heard of 'joshing' which apparently means joking, or calling police 'scoffers' but I assume this is the regional dialect. I also noticed quite a few errors, supposedly typographical but nevertheless should have been picked up from the editing. On page 389 a woman called Flo was mentioned! I didn't have a clue who she was!
Apart from Cadi and Poppy, the characters didn't really capture my imagination, especially Izzy. Anyone who has suffered the kind of continual abuse she had would have been much more withdrawn, timid and frightened than the story suggests.
Sorry I can't give more than 3 stars for this one.
January 29, 2022
A different type of read from those I normally lean towards, this was a delightful break from one world inhabited by horror, to another, more real one, set at the start of the second World War.
Two young girls, with minimal life experience, try to do their civic duty and sign up to join the war efffort. For Cadi and Poppy, being chosen as the village Rose Queen is as far their ambition goes. These are two young women woth social and cultural restrictions on their ambitions, career prospects, and any decisions which they make will be immediately judged and weighed on the moral scale of village sensibilities.
The village in which they have grown up is very insular and protected, there is a path expected of them which they step off of when they embark on the journey of a lifetime to Liverpool.
This port came under constant fire during the war and is a neat metaphor for the bombshells dropping around them as they try to make their way in a place which could swallow their homestead many times over.
It looks , in a gentle and unobtrusive way at the way a woman’s rights to cultural and bodily autonomy were decided for her, even before she gained the voice to challenge this narrative.
And then, romance rears its head, and a whole new world of challenges open up to the girls…
Their lives in Liverpool could not be more different that where they have run from, they meet Maria, single handedly running a pub, and this gives them hope that without a man around, they can still stand on their feet. Cadi and Poppy may have a Rhos sensibility, but opening their eyes to the outside world gives them choices-will they remain the girls who want to be remembered for competing at the Rose Queen festival, or do they want to become women of the world?
Dockers, city workers, the hustle and bustle of city life at this time are so vividly rendered, and coming from South Wales myself, I can easily believe that there were, and still are, those for whom a valley is their entire world. Everything they need is there, so why leave and unsettle things? Well follow Cadi and Poppy as they set out into a world which is tumultuous, challenging and so very vibrant compared to what they have been used to.
Will they stay or will they return to Rhos? And if they do, what lessons will they have learned?
An easy and gentle read which is also thoroughly absorbing, I am so grateful to Marie-Louise at Penguin for introducing me to Katie’s novels!
Two young girls, with minimal life experience, try to do their civic duty and sign up to join the war efffort. For Cadi and Poppy, being chosen as the village Rose Queen is as far their ambition goes. These are two young women woth social and cultural restrictions on their ambitions, career prospects, and any decisions which they make will be immediately judged and weighed on the moral scale of village sensibilities.
The village in which they have grown up is very insular and protected, there is a path expected of them which they step off of when they embark on the journey of a lifetime to Liverpool.
This port came under constant fire during the war and is a neat metaphor for the bombshells dropping around them as they try to make their way in a place which could swallow their homestead many times over.
It looks , in a gentle and unobtrusive way at the way a woman’s rights to cultural and bodily autonomy were decided for her, even before she gained the voice to challenge this narrative.
And then, romance rears its head, and a whole new world of challenges open up to the girls…
Their lives in Liverpool could not be more different that where they have run from, they meet Maria, single handedly running a pub, and this gives them hope that without a man around, they can still stand on their feet. Cadi and Poppy may have a Rhos sensibility, but opening their eyes to the outside world gives them choices-will they remain the girls who want to be remembered for competing at the Rose Queen festival, or do they want to become women of the world?
Dockers, city workers, the hustle and bustle of city life at this time are so vividly rendered, and coming from South Wales myself, I can easily believe that there were, and still are, those for whom a valley is their entire world. Everything they need is there, so why leave and unsettle things? Well follow Cadi and Poppy as they set out into a world which is tumultuous, challenging and so very vibrant compared to what they have been used to.
Will they stay or will they return to Rhos? And if they do, what lessons will they have learned?
An easy and gentle read which is also thoroughly absorbing, I am so grateful to Marie-Louise at Penguin for introducing me to Katie’s novels!
May 3, 2022
What a lovely way to spend a bank holiday by immersing myself in a lovely romance novel.
It was not without its violence, tragedy, and thrills, but it made your heart melt.
Hailing from the small welsh mining village of Rhos. Cadi Williams and her best friend Poppy are fed up with the quiet boring life a village has to offer and set off to Liverpool to sign up with the forces for ww11, much against Cadi's parent's wishes. They are both 17 and underage but are so excited they have not really thought through how they are going to achieve this.
After arriving they have a violent encounter leading them to The Greyhound pub run by Landlady Maria. She takes them under her wing putting them to work and paying them with bed and board.
From here we meet some colorful characters. Some friendly and some not so, the book covers domestic violence, and jealously.
Will they return home, to the words from their parents "I told you so" and failure, or will they survive?
War changes people and lives but will they for Cadi & Poppy.
A charming book that flowed through each page making an enjoyable story.
One negative, I did feel the end was rushed a little.
It was not without its violence, tragedy, and thrills, but it made your heart melt.
Hailing from the small welsh mining village of Rhos. Cadi Williams and her best friend Poppy are fed up with the quiet boring life a village has to offer and set off to Liverpool to sign up with the forces for ww11, much against Cadi's parent's wishes. They are both 17 and underage but are so excited they have not really thought through how they are going to achieve this.
After arriving they have a violent encounter leading them to The Greyhound pub run by Landlady Maria. She takes them under her wing putting them to work and paying them with bed and board.
From here we meet some colorful characters. Some friendly and some not so, the book covers domestic violence, and jealously.
Will they return home, to the words from their parents "I told you so" and failure, or will they survive?
War changes people and lives but will they for Cadi & Poppy.
A charming book that flowed through each page making an enjoyable story.
One negative, I did feel the end was rushed a little.
February 1, 2022
Book courtesy of netgalley
Another Triumph for Katie Flynn
Set just before the War, in a little village in Wales, two friends are part of the yearly celebrations with Cadi being The Rose Queen. Cadi has her heart on escaping her village and making something of her life, and not settling down and marrying Aled, the farmers son, which is her dad's desire.
So at 17, just as the war is kicking off, Cadi and Poppy make the decision to head to Liverpool to sign up for the forces, even though they are underage, and it would be going against what Cadi's dad wants for her.
On reaching Liverpool, they soon realise that they are too young to join the services, so rather than admit defeat and go home, they scour Liverpool looking for a job.
The story follows what happens to the girls as they decide to stay in Liverpool, helping a few people along the way and maybe falling in love, whilst all Hitler's Bombs rain down on Liverpool.
I love Katie's books and this one is no different, I hope she writes a follow up book, to let us know what happens next in the story
Another Triumph for Katie Flynn
Set just before the War, in a little village in Wales, two friends are part of the yearly celebrations with Cadi being The Rose Queen. Cadi has her heart on escaping her village and making something of her life, and not settling down and marrying Aled, the farmers son, which is her dad's desire.
So at 17, just as the war is kicking off, Cadi and Poppy make the decision to head to Liverpool to sign up for the forces, even though they are underage, and it would be going against what Cadi's dad wants for her.
On reaching Liverpool, they soon realise that they are too young to join the services, so rather than admit defeat and go home, they scour Liverpool looking for a job.
The story follows what happens to the girls as they decide to stay in Liverpool, helping a few people along the way and maybe falling in love, whilst all Hitler's Bombs rain down on Liverpool.
I love Katie's books and this one is no different, I hope she writes a follow up book, to let us know what happens next in the story
January 10, 2022
This is my first book by Katie and will certainly not be my last. I really enjoyed this story set in 1938 about two girls who are bored with where they live and want to experience the bright lights of Liverpool. This is at the time war had been declared too, so it was interesting to see how they would cope by themselves and what life was like in that era too. Both girls go through a lot and I was wondering if they had made the right decision to leave, but it is a powerful story about friendship, love and doing what is best for you. I liked the characters and to see the girls experience what they had seen or been through was an eye opener. I thought the story had a good pace to it and kept me hooked till the very last page. I will be reading more of Katie Flynn's books now as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
March 27, 2022
Thank you to all for the chance to read this book in return for an honest review.
I love Katie Flynn books - they are usually enthralling, heartbreaking and full of plot twists and turns to keep ones interest but not be predictable or boring
And this one certainly filled this criteria and was a really good read. Such a good read that as I read before bed I had some very late nights.
In fact I read during the day this time in order to finish this book and find out what happened to Cadi, Poppy, Jez. Aled and Izzy. Izzy's side story was particularly harrowing but I am sure not uncommon at the time.
I have to admit that 'The Rose Queen' of the title is only a very small part at the beginning but does start the tale of 2 Welsh lasses who want to see the wider world offered in Liverpool in WW2
Thank you again - I really enjoyed this book
I love Katie Flynn books - they are usually enthralling, heartbreaking and full of plot twists and turns to keep ones interest but not be predictable or boring
And this one certainly filled this criteria and was a really good read. Such a good read that as I read before bed I had some very late nights.
In fact I read during the day this time in order to finish this book and find out what happened to Cadi, Poppy, Jez. Aled and Izzy. Izzy's side story was particularly harrowing but I am sure not uncommon at the time.
I have to admit that 'The Rose Queen' of the title is only a very small part at the beginning but does start the tale of 2 Welsh lasses who want to see the wider world offered in Liverpool in WW2
Thank you again - I really enjoyed this book
May 31, 2025
I was excited to read this book, as a fan of historical fiction (most particularly, World War 2). I’d heard a lot of good things about this series, so was delighted when I was able to get hold of it for free.
The story follows two young Welsh girls in their quest for adventure as they move to Liverpool. Their friendship with local girl Izzie and their employer, Maria, is heartwarming - as are their romantic exploits!
However, I found the long chapters very difficult to get into - I feel that the narrative would have been more effective with shorter chapters.
It was enjoyable as a bit of light reading, but I felt it lacked a bit of oomph. I found the narrative (at least in this first book) a little too linear and predictable for my liking. Maybe one day, I’ll get round to reading the sequels but not anytime soon.
The story follows two young Welsh girls in their quest for adventure as they move to Liverpool. Their friendship with local girl Izzie and their employer, Maria, is heartwarming - as are their romantic exploits!
However, I found the long chapters very difficult to get into - I feel that the narrative would have been more effective with shorter chapters.
It was enjoyable as a bit of light reading, but I felt it lacked a bit of oomph. I found the narrative (at least in this first book) a little too linear and predictable for my liking. Maybe one day, I’ll get round to reading the sequels but not anytime soon.
January 29, 2022
Cadi and Poppy leave their home town in Wales to Liverpool to sign up as WW2 is breaking out , Cadi wants more from life than being married and chained to the kitchen sink.
The story follows the girls as they navigate the big city, thinking it’s going to be easy & fun we follow their adventures along the way,
This is my first book by Katie Flynn, I think I was expecting something different, a bit grittier in parts I guess, it was nice… even the events such as the bombing were written lightly. It was a pleasurable book however I don’t think I would read anything by this author again, that’s just my personal opinion.. Katie Flynn is a very popular author with a huge fan base.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a digital ARC in return for an honest review
The story follows the girls as they navigate the big city, thinking it’s going to be easy & fun we follow their adventures along the way,
This is my first book by Katie Flynn, I think I was expecting something different, a bit grittier in parts I guess, it was nice… even the events such as the bombing were written lightly. It was a pleasurable book however I don’t think I would read anything by this author again, that’s just my personal opinion.. Katie Flynn is a very popular author with a huge fan base.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a digital ARC in return for an honest review
February 3, 2022
Cadi and Poppy leave their home town in Wales to Liverpool to sign up as WW2 is breaking out , Cadi wants more from life than being married and chained to the kitchen sink.
The story follows the girls as they navigate the big city, thinking it’s going to be easy & fun we follow their adventures along the way,
This is my first book by Katie Flynn, I think I was expecting something different, a bit grittier in parts I guess, it was nice… even the events such as the bombing were written lightly. It was a pleasurable book however I don’t think I would read anything by this author again, that’s just my personal opinion.. Katie Flynn is a very popular author with a huge fan base.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a digital ARC in return for an honest review
The story follows the girls as they navigate the big city, thinking it’s going to be easy & fun we follow their adventures along the way,
This is my first book by Katie Flynn, I think I was expecting something different, a bit grittier in parts I guess, it was nice… even the events such as the bombing were written lightly. It was a pleasurable book however I don’t think I would read anything by this author again, that’s just my personal opinion.. Katie Flynn is a very popular author with a huge fan base.
Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for a digital ARC in return for an honest review
September 14, 2022
Feisty welsh girl Cadi is bored of life in a small mining village and wants to experience the big wide world away from her father's wish to marry the local farmer boy. She goes off with her best friend Poppy to Liverpool to try and sign up as service girls as the War is just beginning. For young people then it seemed exciting and the thing to do to serve their country. However, as they are too young they have to find another plan.
This was a delightfully easy-to-read book that focused on young women fighting for their own independence. There is a generous amount of romance but the boys have to fight for Cadi who is focused on proving her father wrong. A lovely book to cuddle up to on autumn evenings.
This was a delightfully easy-to-read book that focused on young women fighting for their own independence. There is a generous amount of romance but the boys have to fight for Cadi who is focused on proving her father wrong. A lovely book to cuddle up to on autumn evenings.
March 19, 2022
I love that there are a lot of good and ineteresting new takes on WW2 and women's roles - this is good but not one of the best.
Cadi, a young girl, wants to do her bit in WW2-torn Britain and decides to persuade her parents to let her travel to her Aunt with her brest friend and support the war effort in Liverpool. The story is kind of slowly burning, sometimes even a bit on the dull side. A little less could have been more.
Cadi's character is growing up fast to decide which of the 2 boys she wants: her newly found love or the boy her parents wanted for her. However, her character lacks the necessary depth, she feels sometimes just lifeless.
Cadi, a young girl, wants to do her bit in WW2-torn Britain and decides to persuade her parents to let her travel to her Aunt with her brest friend and support the war effort in Liverpool. The story is kind of slowly burning, sometimes even a bit on the dull side. A little less could have been more.
Cadi's character is growing up fast to decide which of the 2 boys she wants: her newly found love or the boy her parents wanted for her. However, her character lacks the necessary depth, she feels sometimes just lifeless.
March 20, 2022
Not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed this book. Cadi and Poppy, escape the humdrum life in a Welsh mining town with its pattern of marriage and babies all that's ahead for them. They want to see more of life as war begins and they head for Liverpool to sign up for the WAAF. At the age of 16 they're sent packing and have a very eventful couple of days looking for work. Life takes different turns for the girls and they grow up and cherish their independence. Their kindness shines through as they put threats to themselves aside to rescue Lizzie from her evil father. A human account of the first few years of WW2. #netgalley #therosequeen
August 11, 2025
In 1938 Cadi Williams is chosen to be Rose queen in the fete at Rhos.
She loves it and soon gets itchy feet to see more of the world.
She plots with her friend Poppy to escape the narrow confines of their small Welsh town and head for Liverpool.
There they hope to join the services and aid the war effort.
But things don't go smoothly and through a circuitous route end up working for a pub landlady called Maria.
There she meets the charming Jez and Cadi reluctantly finds herself falling for him although she is still learning to find herself.
Can love trump independence?
A great read and the first in the Rose Queen trilogy.
She loves it and soon gets itchy feet to see more of the world.
She plots with her friend Poppy to escape the narrow confines of their small Welsh town and head for Liverpool.
There they hope to join the services and aid the war effort.
But things don't go smoothly and through a circuitous route end up working for a pub landlady called Maria.
There she meets the charming Jez and Cadi reluctantly finds herself falling for him although she is still learning to find herself.
Can love trump independence?
A great read and the first in the Rose Queen trilogy.
January 31, 2022
Two young girls are desperate to leave their mundane life in a small Welsh village and head to Liverpool where they hope to be able to join one of the forces at the start of World War Two. Neither of them are old enough but have a fierce determination which as it turns out is not enough as both applications are rejected. They don't want to have to return home but there seems little alternative. This is just the start of a whirlwind of a story that proves to be very entertaining and one of the authors best to date.
February 23, 2022
Novels set in the 1940’s give me great enjoyment and this one was no exception! Life during these times was tough especially when there were troubles at home, so friends providing support - both emotionally and physically made a huge difference. Cadi and her friend Poppy were eager to move away from their village to have new, more exciting lives with new experiences. Unfortunately they were very young and found city life was harder than they had thought. When they met Izzy my heart was in my mouth hoping that things would be okay for all. A really well written and atmospheric read from Katie.
May 22, 2022
Absolutely loved this newest Katie Flynn book. You can always depend on this author to give you your money's worth! Cadi and Poppy encounter "adult life" during WW2 in a way that would teach them both the true meaning of family and love. Along the way they meet many characters, some unsavoury, but who leave their marks.
A lovely, easily read and meaningful tale written by one of my favourite authors, can't wait for the next book!
Many thanx to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity tor read and review this book.
A lovely, easily read and meaningful tale written by one of my favourite authors, can't wait for the next book!
Many thanx to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity tor read and review this book.
February 7, 2022
Thank you for sharing thus book with me, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It begins before the Second World War in Wales as 2 young girls become bored by the life mapped out for them in their community and long to travel further with the approaching storm clouds of war they head off to Liverpool to sign on for the WRAF despite being under age. As they are unsuccessful, the story takes unexpected turns through the war it is a lovely heart warming story.
I recommend this book to all.
I recommend this book to all.
March 28, 2022
Very interesting and enjoyable book.
Cadi & Poppy live in Wales and feel they are in a dead end job they want to join the forces but are still too young. They end up in Liverpool where in the end they end up with Maria who they work for. Cadi is an independent woman and feels she doesn’t need a man to help her. We see what happens to the two of them over the book which was good.
I could not put this book down and would recommend it.
Cadi & Poppy live in Wales and feel they are in a dead end job they want to join the forces but are still too young. They end up in Liverpool where in the end they end up with Maria who they work for. Cadi is an independent woman and feels she doesn’t need a man to help her. We see what happens to the two of them over the book which was good.
I could not put this book down and would recommend it.
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April 18, 2022The novel follows the adventures of Cadi and her best friend Poppy; two young girls from a Welsh mining village, who find that life there for a young woman is restrictive and lacking in any opportunity that doesn’t involve marriage.. They leave home for the city despite their parents not being pleased. I enjoyed this book which explored their relationships with boys and different members of the community. Well written easy going novel.
June 17, 2022
What a wonderful story about Cadi how she wants to join up to do her bit in the war with her best friend Poppy , but things happen when they get to Liverpool , this was such a wonderful journey havent read Katie Flynn book for years but this was fabulous it was so hard to put down .....cant wait to read the 2nd book in the series The Winter Rose ...
March 15, 2022
Cadi is a very interesting story and I loved her and this story that kept me hooked.
Excellent character development, a vivid historical background, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Excellent character development, a vivid historical background, good storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 12, 2022
Historical fiction, touching story, looking forward to more by this author
April 11, 2022
A brilliant start to what I hope is at least a new trilogy. Cadi and Poppy are 15 and live in Rhos at the start of ww2. They dream of joining the forces and go to Liverpool to join up.
April 16, 2022
Brilliantstory ,look forward to the next book .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
This book started a little slow, but once I got into the book I couldn’t put the book down
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