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The Timber Girls #1
The Timber Girls
The first in a heartwarming saga series set during the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Pam Howes and Elaine Everest.
1942
Working in the greengrocers and playing the piano in the pub a couple of nights a week isn't fulfilling nineteen-year-old Trixie Smith's idea of helping Britain win the war. One day she sees a poster advertising the Women's Timber Corps and decides to sign up - soon she is on her way to Scotland for four weeks of training to become a Lumberjill.
On her journey north she meets Cy, an American soldier on leave. Their attraction is instant and they both feel that fate has brought them together. Although their time with one another is brief, they promise that they'll be together as soon as the war is over.
But training to become a Lumberjill is hard; working in all weathers, felling trees and hauling timber is dangerous and exhausting. Luckily Trixie quickly makes friends with three of her fellow Lumberjills. Each of them has different reasons for signing up and travelling far from home, but running away from your problems doesn't make them disappear.
1942
Working in the greengrocers and playing the piano in the pub a couple of nights a week isn't fulfilling nineteen-year-old Trixie Smith's idea of helping Britain win the war. One day she sees a poster advertising the Women's Timber Corps and decides to sign up - soon she is on her way to Scotland for four weeks of training to become a Lumberjill.
On her journey north she meets Cy, an American soldier on leave. Their attraction is instant and they both feel that fate has brought them together. Although their time with one another is brief, they promise that they'll be together as soon as the war is over.
But training to become a Lumberjill is hard; working in all weathers, felling trees and hauling timber is dangerous and exhausting. Luckily Trixie quickly makes friends with three of her fellow Lumberjills. Each of them has different reasons for signing up and travelling far from home, but running away from your problems doesn't make them disappear.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2022
7 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 14, 2022
It was 1942 and nineteen year old Trixie Smith was on her way from Gosport to Scotland to be trained as a lumberjill, to help with the war effort and once she'd arrived at the lodge she was billeted at, Trixie realised the young girl, Vi, whom she'd sat near on the train was one of the lumberjills as well. Also Jo and Hen, who had been waiting for transport on the last leg of their journey. It wasn't long before the four girls were close friends, learning together. Four weeks was their training period and once they'd been accepted, they'd be posted elsewhere in Scotland to continue their work.
Trixie had met an American sailor in the first leg of her journey, their friendship immediate. They wrote to one another, keeping in touch as the weeks went by, and although they hardly knew one another, Trixie felt Cy was the one. As the girls worked hard at their training, felling trees, and doing things they'd never dreamed of, their exhaustion was complete. But Trixie felt good, rosy cheeked and healthy and her playing of the piano most evenings at the nearby pub, the Yellow Duck, satisfied her greatly. But secrets rippled through the four friends, keeping parts of their pasts from each other. Was signing up as a lumberjill enough to solve the problems of the past?
The Timber Girls is the 1st in The Timber Girls series by Rosie Archer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the next in the series when we catch up with the girls again, and find out what their futures will be. Trixie is a strong, kind and caring character, a little naive but genuine. A heartwarming and satisfying read, The Timber Girls is one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Trixie had met an American sailor in the first leg of her journey, their friendship immediate. They wrote to one another, keeping in touch as the weeks went by, and although they hardly knew one another, Trixie felt Cy was the one. As the girls worked hard at their training, felling trees, and doing things they'd never dreamed of, their exhaustion was complete. But Trixie felt good, rosy cheeked and healthy and her playing of the piano most evenings at the nearby pub, the Yellow Duck, satisfied her greatly. But secrets rippled through the four friends, keeping parts of their pasts from each other. Was signing up as a lumberjill enough to solve the problems of the past?
The Timber Girls is the 1st in The Timber Girls series by Rosie Archer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the next in the series when we catch up with the girls again, and find out what their futures will be. Trixie is a strong, kind and caring character, a little naive but genuine. A heartwarming and satisfying read, The Timber Girls is one I recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2022
Trixie Smith lives in Gosport, she’s nineteen, and works at Watts the Greengrocers and plays the piano at the Alma hotel on the weekends. Trixie wants to help England win the war, and in 1942 they desperately need recruits for the newly formed Women’s Timber Corps.
Trixie leaves home for the first time, she travels by train to Scotland, to start her training as a Lumberjill. During her long trip, she meets Cy and American sailor on leave. Trixie has always thought falling in love at first sight wasn’t possible and after the chance encounter she changes her mind. The couple promise to write to each other, both don’t know what the future holds for them and especially during a war.
Trixie arrives at Shandford Lodge, in charge is Maud Styles and they begin the month of training. The young ladies are picked up every morning by Alf, taken to the forest, where they learn all about felling trees, carting timber and making charcoal. Trixie makes friends with three fellow Lumberjills, Henrietta, Joan and Violet, and they support each other through the grueling training. The days are long, exhausting, when they have the energy they go to the local pub in the evening, where Trixie plays the piano and they forget about their troubles and aches and pains for a few hours.
Trixie senses that Hen, Jo and Vi have all signed because they are not happy at home, they don’t reveal why and Jo and Vi are very quiet. As time goes on the young women form a close bond, they have no idea where the friends will be posted after they finish basic training and Trixie hopes the group stays together?
I received a copy of The Timber Girls by Rosie Archer from NetGalley and Quercus Books in exchange for an honest review. I always learn something new from reading historical fiction, they needed women to work in the forest industry, because England was short of timber and male loggers. This was due to the naval blockade, Scotland had the trees, and they needed over twelve hundred extra workers to cut them down. I liked the comradery formed between Trixie, Hen, Vi and Jo, I look forward to finding out more about these character’s and in the next installment of the wartime historical saga. Five stars from me, the first book I have read by Rosie Archer, and it defiantly won’t be my last.
Trixie leaves home for the first time, she travels by train to Scotland, to start her training as a Lumberjill. During her long trip, she meets Cy and American sailor on leave. Trixie has always thought falling in love at first sight wasn’t possible and after the chance encounter she changes her mind. The couple promise to write to each other, both don’t know what the future holds for them and especially during a war.
Trixie arrives at Shandford Lodge, in charge is Maud Styles and they begin the month of training. The young ladies are picked up every morning by Alf, taken to the forest, where they learn all about felling trees, carting timber and making charcoal. Trixie makes friends with three fellow Lumberjills, Henrietta, Joan and Violet, and they support each other through the grueling training. The days are long, exhausting, when they have the energy they go to the local pub in the evening, where Trixie plays the piano and they forget about their troubles and aches and pains for a few hours.
Trixie senses that Hen, Jo and Vi have all signed because they are not happy at home, they don’t reveal why and Jo and Vi are very quiet. As time goes on the young women form a close bond, they have no idea where the friends will be posted after they finish basic training and Trixie hopes the group stays together?
I received a copy of The Timber Girls by Rosie Archer from NetGalley and Quercus Books in exchange for an honest review. I always learn something new from reading historical fiction, they needed women to work in the forest industry, because England was short of timber and male loggers. This was due to the naval blockade, Scotland had the trees, and they needed over twelve hundred extra workers to cut them down. I liked the comradery formed between Trixie, Hen, Vi and Jo, I look forward to finding out more about these character’s and in the next installment of the wartime historical saga. Five stars from me, the first book I have read by Rosie Archer, and it defiantly won’t be my last.
December 13, 2022
The Timber Girls by Rosie Archer
Synopsis /
1942
Working in the greengrocers and playing the piano in the pub a couple of nights a week isn't fulfilling nineteen-year-old Trixie Smith's idea of helping Britain win the war. One day she sees a poster advertising the Women's Timber Corps and decides to sign up - soon she is on her way to Scotland for four weeks of training to become a Lumberjill.
On her journey north she meets Cy, an American soldier on leave. Their attraction is instant and they both feel that fate has brought them together. Although their time with one another is brief, they promise that they'll be together as soon as the war is over.
But training to become a Lumberjill is hard; working in all weathers, felling trees and hauling timber is dangerous and exhausting. Luckily Trixie quickly makes friends with three of her fellow Lumberjills. Each of them has different reasons for signing up and travelling far from home, but running away from your problems doesn't make them disappear.
My Thoughts /
The Forgotten Army of the Woods
Two things piqued my interest when I saw this book. #1 – the title and, #2 the time period was 1942, during WWII. One of my favourite things about reading books set in this time period, is finding out about aspects of war that I’d previously known nothing about.
Let’s learn things:
In the spring of 1941, Ernest Bevin, the then British Minister for Labour and National Service, was quoted as saying: "One million wives were wanted for war work. Inconvenience would have to be suffered and younger women would have to go where their services were required. It would be better to suffer temporarily than to be in perpetual slavery to the nazis."
The Women’s Timber Service had been set up during the first world war, but in April 1942 the Ministry of Supply founded a new venture – the Women’s Timber Corps (WTC), in England.
Scotland quickly followed in May 1942, forming its own WTC which was a part of the Women’s Land Army. This was a new unit with its own identity and uniform. The exact numbers are unknown, but it’s estimated between 6,000 and 13,000 women signed up for the Corps. While the official recruiting age was 17 and over, girls as young as 14 also joined. Many traded city living for more rural settings, and the main requirement was that they have the enthusiasm and resilience needed for the job. They came from all kinds of backgrounds and all walks of life.
Those who needed training were sent to camps such as Shandford Lodge, near Brechin, and then posted all over Scotland to wherever they were needed most. Training took approximately 4-6 weeks and included a host of jobs, including crosscutting, felling, snedding (which is the process of stripping the side shoots and buds from the length of a branch), and operating sawmills. They also learned how to drive tractors and trucks and to work with horses. The most specialized skill was measuring, which had three objectives: identifying trees for felling, assessing the timber in a tree, and measuring the amount felled.
A long wait for recognition
The Women’s Timber Corps was disbanded in 1946. While its members received a letter from Queen Elizabeth, they were offered no other form of recognition nor afforded the gratuity or retraining of women who’d served in the Armed Forces. In 2007, The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that all surviving members would be given a new badge to commemorate their service. That same year, a memorial statue dedicated to them was unveiled in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland.
To the story:
I’ve read more than my share of historical fiction novels and have loved pretty much every single one of them. It’s one of my favourite genres to read. The Timber Girls has been categorised as, among other things - historical-fiction and WWII fiction novel. That’s a pretty loose categorisation. Yes, the novel is set in 1942 – coming to the (near) end of World War II. Yes, it’s about four girls who are all Lumberjills in the Women’s Timber Corps. But that’s about it as ‘historical’ as it got.
These girls seemed to be cruising their way through their war service. They were WELL fed, clothed and accommodated, there always seemed to be ample tea or coffee to drink – at one point one of the girls, Trixie, was musing [Hen] was in fine form today…she squeezed herself into the silk costume she’d worn travelling up to Shandford but now it seemed to strain at the seams. Hen wore no blouse beneath her jacket and its buttons stretched across her ample breasts, only just stopping them escaping. A little while later, the author had them drinking Coca-Cola. That’s a first for this reader.
The story revolves around four girls – Trixie, Vi, Henrietta (Hen) and Jo. All the girls joined the Timber Corps for different reasons. All the girls were from different backgrounds and social status. They met during the trip to Shandford where they were to undergo 4 weeks training, where they ‘clicked’ and became firm friends.
To say that I didn’t enjoy this story, just isn’t true. I did enjoy it, to a certain degree; but I found it way too superficial for my expectations. It fell way short on the historical-fiction theme. The main characters, while all nice girls, kind and caring, were all way too naïve for me – Trixie fell totally in love with an American sailor she met on the train after all of 5 minutes, and then spent the rest of the book pining over him. I felt the bones of this story had such great promise, it just wasn’t fleshed out as well as I would have liked.
Am I glad I read it? Yes, absolutely! Why? Because I learned something…..and there you have it kids – always learning.
Synopsis /
1942
Working in the greengrocers and playing the piano in the pub a couple of nights a week isn't fulfilling nineteen-year-old Trixie Smith's idea of helping Britain win the war. One day she sees a poster advertising the Women's Timber Corps and decides to sign up - soon she is on her way to Scotland for four weeks of training to become a Lumberjill.
On her journey north she meets Cy, an American soldier on leave. Their attraction is instant and they both feel that fate has brought them together. Although their time with one another is brief, they promise that they'll be together as soon as the war is over.
But training to become a Lumberjill is hard; working in all weathers, felling trees and hauling timber is dangerous and exhausting. Luckily Trixie quickly makes friends with three of her fellow Lumberjills. Each of them has different reasons for signing up and travelling far from home, but running away from your problems doesn't make them disappear.
My Thoughts /
The Forgotten Army of the Woods
Two things piqued my interest when I saw this book. #1 – the title and, #2 the time period was 1942, during WWII. One of my favourite things about reading books set in this time period, is finding out about aspects of war that I’d previously known nothing about.
Let’s learn things:
In the spring of 1941, Ernest Bevin, the then British Minister for Labour and National Service, was quoted as saying: "One million wives were wanted for war work. Inconvenience would have to be suffered and younger women would have to go where their services were required. It would be better to suffer temporarily than to be in perpetual slavery to the nazis."
The Women’s Timber Service had been set up during the first world war, but in April 1942 the Ministry of Supply founded a new venture – the Women’s Timber Corps (WTC), in England.
Scotland quickly followed in May 1942, forming its own WTC which was a part of the Women’s Land Army. This was a new unit with its own identity and uniform. The exact numbers are unknown, but it’s estimated between 6,000 and 13,000 women signed up for the Corps. While the official recruiting age was 17 and over, girls as young as 14 also joined. Many traded city living for more rural settings, and the main requirement was that they have the enthusiasm and resilience needed for the job. They came from all kinds of backgrounds and all walks of life.
Those who needed training were sent to camps such as Shandford Lodge, near Brechin, and then posted all over Scotland to wherever they were needed most. Training took approximately 4-6 weeks and included a host of jobs, including crosscutting, felling, snedding (which is the process of stripping the side shoots and buds from the length of a branch), and operating sawmills. They also learned how to drive tractors and trucks and to work with horses. The most specialized skill was measuring, which had three objectives: identifying trees for felling, assessing the timber in a tree, and measuring the amount felled.
A long wait for recognition
The Women’s Timber Corps was disbanded in 1946. While its members received a letter from Queen Elizabeth, they were offered no other form of recognition nor afforded the gratuity or retraining of women who’d served in the Armed Forces. In 2007, The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that all surviving members would be given a new badge to commemorate their service. That same year, a memorial statue dedicated to them was unveiled in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland.
To the story:
I’ve read more than my share of historical fiction novels and have loved pretty much every single one of them. It’s one of my favourite genres to read. The Timber Girls has been categorised as, among other things - historical-fiction and WWII fiction novel. That’s a pretty loose categorisation. Yes, the novel is set in 1942 – coming to the (near) end of World War II. Yes, it’s about four girls who are all Lumberjills in the Women’s Timber Corps. But that’s about it as ‘historical’ as it got.
These girls seemed to be cruising their way through their war service. They were WELL fed, clothed and accommodated, there always seemed to be ample tea or coffee to drink – at one point one of the girls, Trixie, was musing [Hen] was in fine form today…she squeezed herself into the silk costume she’d worn travelling up to Shandford but now it seemed to strain at the seams. Hen wore no blouse beneath her jacket and its buttons stretched across her ample breasts, only just stopping them escaping. A little while later, the author had them drinking Coca-Cola. That’s a first for this reader.
The story revolves around four girls – Trixie, Vi, Henrietta (Hen) and Jo. All the girls joined the Timber Corps for different reasons. All the girls were from different backgrounds and social status. They met during the trip to Shandford where they were to undergo 4 weeks training, where they ‘clicked’ and became firm friends.
To say that I didn’t enjoy this story, just isn’t true. I did enjoy it, to a certain degree; but I found it way too superficial for my expectations. It fell way short on the historical-fiction theme. The main characters, while all nice girls, kind and caring, were all way too naïve for me – Trixie fell totally in love with an American sailor she met on the train after all of 5 minutes, and then spent the rest of the book pining over him. I felt the bones of this story had such great promise, it just wasn’t fleshed out as well as I would have liked.
Am I glad I read it? Yes, absolutely! Why? Because I learned something…..and there you have it kids – always learning.
October 22, 2022
2.5-3 stars for this one, I honestly couldn’t connect with any of the four main characters but I’m betting that’s probably down to me?
September 24, 2022
One thing I've loved about reading books based in this time period is finding out about aspects of the war I didnt actually know about. I had no idea about the lumberjills and the work they did. I've enjoyed reading about it. There's been a good balance between fact and fiction, some of the facts I've looked up purely because it has seemed interesting to me and I've wanted to know more about it.
I have a feeling this will be a really good series. This was my first book by Rosie Archer and it wont be my last.
I have a feeling this will be a really good series. This was my first book by Rosie Archer and it wont be my last.
October 10, 2022
It was ok, nothing to write home about. Ended a bit suddenly too, might there be other books if it's a series? If not, it's a bit frustrating
September 24, 2022
A big thank you to Netgalley and Rosie Archer for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was really happy to be accepted for this one, since I've enjoyed previous books that I have read from the author.
Tired of working in a greengrocers and hoping to give her mum and partner some space, Trixie is determined to make the long journey from her hometown of Gosport to Scotland to join the Lumberjills helping the war effort. Before she leaves Gosport, Trixie meets Cy, an American sailor, and they share a brief moment together before she must leave on her train. Despite being together only for a short time, they have an instant connection and they promise they will be together once the war is over.
Trixie quickly meets fellow women who have joined the Lumberjills with the newest intake of recruits, and they quickly become friends. I liked how the author made each of the main four friends have a completely different personality and backstory, each with their own reasons for joining the force, which you learn over the course of the book. I liked Trixie, Vi, Hen and Jo equally, you can really sympathise with them and their situations and reading genuine friendships unfold.
I liked that the topic of class divisions, especially between the four friends, discussed and considered in the story. Also, race relations are present in the story, as the love interest of this book is a black man, which I believe is the first time I have read this in one of Archer's books. I think it's fantastic that these things are included in the book, as a LOT of historical novels overlook these subjects, despite them being very important or prominent in the time period they are set in.
I must mention, there are some sensitive topics in the book, including assault and we also have the POV of a prisoner of war. While there is nothing too graphic, it's good to mention these things are there.
The ending feels like there will be a second book in the series, which I hope there will be! I enjoyed reading this one and getting to know all of the characters, I look forward to reading any following books!
5/5
Tired of working in a greengrocers and hoping to give her mum and partner some space, Trixie is determined to make the long journey from her hometown of Gosport to Scotland to join the Lumberjills helping the war effort. Before she leaves Gosport, Trixie meets Cy, an American sailor, and they share a brief moment together before she must leave on her train. Despite being together only for a short time, they have an instant connection and they promise they will be together once the war is over.
Trixie quickly meets fellow women who have joined the Lumberjills with the newest intake of recruits, and they quickly become friends. I liked how the author made each of the main four friends have a completely different personality and backstory, each with their own reasons for joining the force, which you learn over the course of the book. I liked Trixie, Vi, Hen and Jo equally, you can really sympathise with them and their situations and reading genuine friendships unfold.
I liked that the topic of class divisions, especially between the four friends, discussed and considered in the story. Also, race relations are present in the story, as the love interest of this book is a black man, which I believe is the first time I have read this in one of Archer's books. I think it's fantastic that these things are included in the book, as a LOT of historical novels overlook these subjects, despite them being very important or prominent in the time period they are set in.
I must mention, there are some sensitive topics in the book, including assault and we also have the POV of a prisoner of war. While there is nothing too graphic, it's good to mention these things are there.
The ending feels like there will be a second book in the series, which I hope there will be! I enjoyed reading this one and getting to know all of the characters, I look forward to reading any following books!
5/5
August 9, 2022
All of this book was just a delight! I loved going with the Timber Girls on their adventures and tales of training to become Lumbergills.
We’ve all heard of the land girls, but with wartime reaching it’s height, there’s a real need for wood and timber for the war effort so more and more Lumbergills are needed to meet the demand. This provides the perfect opportunity for our three girls, Trixie, Vi and Hen to break away from the confines of their lives and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Trixie relishes the opportunity to expand her horizons and do something for the war effort; giving her mum and her beloved ‘lodger’ the time they need together without her underfoot. She meets her handsome Cy on the train during her dispatching to Scotland to begin her training and there starts the beginnings of love at first sight..
Vi is running from a turbulent home life and finds the friendship and security she’s always wanted and Hen, built from a life of privilege however burning to escape the confines of a life dictated by her family. There’s also Jo, a quiet and reclusive girl, slowly coming out of her shell as she overcomes her tragic past. Each one of these characters has you rooting for them and I simply loved the camaraderie and friendship they all shared with each other.
It was seriously such an enjoyable book and I loved every page. The whole book flew by in no time and I can’t wait to see how it advances in the series. I’m so excited to wait for the next one and see how it will continue to unfold. It was brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
We’ve all heard of the land girls, but with wartime reaching it’s height, there’s a real need for wood and timber for the war effort so more and more Lumbergills are needed to meet the demand. This provides the perfect opportunity for our three girls, Trixie, Vi and Hen to break away from the confines of their lives and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Trixie relishes the opportunity to expand her horizons and do something for the war effort; giving her mum and her beloved ‘lodger’ the time they need together without her underfoot. She meets her handsome Cy on the train during her dispatching to Scotland to begin her training and there starts the beginnings of love at first sight..
Vi is running from a turbulent home life and finds the friendship and security she’s always wanted and Hen, built from a life of privilege however burning to escape the confines of a life dictated by her family. There’s also Jo, a quiet and reclusive girl, slowly coming out of her shell as she overcomes her tragic past. Each one of these characters has you rooting for them and I simply loved the camaraderie and friendship they all shared with each other.
It was seriously such an enjoyable book and I loved every page. The whole book flew by in no time and I can’t wait to see how it advances in the series. I’m so excited to wait for the next one and see how it will continue to unfold. It was brilliant!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 18, 2022
Trixie is bored working in the greengrocers & playing piano in the local pub. She also thinks if she wasn't there her mother & the lodger would finally get together- something she would love to see. She decides to join the Lumberjills. Wartime Britain needs timber badly & it is something new. Soon she is on her way to Scotland to learn her craft. On her way to the train she meets Cy- a soldier from New Orleans & for both it is love at first sight for both of them. Travelling North she meets up with other girls from her area & they soon become good friends.
This was a great story following the fortunes of the girls & Cy & his friend. I really enjoyed it & can't wait for the next in the series to see what happens next. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
This was a great story following the fortunes of the girls & Cy & his friend. I really enjoyed it & can't wait for the next in the series to see what happens next. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
January 1, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book
4 girls are going to be lumberjills, its their way of doing their bit for the war
and along their journey they become firm friends but each of them have their own reasons for joining the lumberjills
as their basic training comes to an end their lives are about to change again as they each will be sent onto where their new skills are needed, worrying times as they have become firm friends but its the weekend visit home that finally makes them understand each other better and brings their friendships closer
4 women from different parts of society, brought together as lumberjills and what a story it is..cant wait for the next book in this series
4 girls are going to be lumberjills, its their way of doing their bit for the war
and along their journey they become firm friends but each of them have their own reasons for joining the lumberjills
as their basic training comes to an end their lives are about to change again as they each will be sent onto where their new skills are needed, worrying times as they have become firm friends but its the weekend visit home that finally makes them understand each other better and brings their friendships closer
4 women from different parts of society, brought together as lumberjills and what a story it is..cant wait for the next book in this series
July 21, 2022
The Timber Girls by Rosie Archer
You know you are in for a great read when this author brings out another book , and this one is a gem.
They also say everyday is a school day , and I had never heard of the lumberjills until reading this.
Set during ww2 we meet Trixie who decides to help the war effort in a way that's very different from her present life . Along the way we also meet and get to know her new friends who are also training Jo , Hen , and Viv .
As this is the first in a series it is a great introduction and a insight of things to come in store for these ladies as they each individually , and as a group , navigate the trials that living through a war brings.
You know you are in for a great read when this author brings out another book , and this one is a gem.
They also say everyday is a school day , and I had never heard of the lumberjills until reading this.
Set during ww2 we meet Trixie who decides to help the war effort in a way that's very different from her present life . Along the way we also meet and get to know her new friends who are also training Jo , Hen , and Viv .
As this is the first in a series it is a great introduction and a insight of things to come in store for these ladies as they each individually , and as a group , navigate the trials that living through a war brings.
September 3, 2022
A new WWII series by Rosie Archer. I had heard of Timber girls but never read a book about them, so I was intrigued to find out more about them and the work they do.
It is also a love story about Trixie and Cy and a story about friendship. Since it is the first book there is a lot of background and introduction of the characters.
I enjoyed reading about the friendship being formed and I loved some of the side characters.. I would have liked a bit more information and scenes about the work and training they did. That was a bit sparse while there are plenty of pubscenes, but maybe that will level out a bit more in the next book.
It is also a love story about Trixie and Cy and a story about friendship. Since it is the first book there is a lot of background and introduction of the characters.
I enjoyed reading about the friendship being formed and I loved some of the side characters.. I would have liked a bit more information and scenes about the work and training they did. That was a bit sparse while there are plenty of pubscenes, but maybe that will level out a bit more in the next book.
December 19, 2022
The first in a new series by Rosie Archer.
The Timber Girls is set in 1942, and sees Trixie leaving her hometown of Gosport to travel to Scotland to become a lumberjill. Here we also meet Vi, Jo and Hen, all also from Gosport, with their own stories to tell. The story follows the girls and their training, hinting at more stories and background to come.
On her journey to Scotland, Trixie meets Cy, an American soldier, and they form an instant connection. The book also follows Cy and his friend Hugo as they deal with the hell of war.
A strong first introductory novel, I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series!
The Timber Girls is set in 1942, and sees Trixie leaving her hometown of Gosport to travel to Scotland to become a lumberjill. Here we also meet Vi, Jo and Hen, all also from Gosport, with their own stories to tell. The story follows the girls and their training, hinting at more stories and background to come.
On her journey to Scotland, Trixie meets Cy, an American soldier, and they form an instant connection. The book also follows Cy and his friend Hugo as they deal with the hell of war.
A strong first introductory novel, I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series!
January 3, 2023
I have not read a book before about the lumberjills before but really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. It was very interesting to learn what they did to become lumberjills.
Trixie enlists with the lumberjills and makes friends with Vi, Hen and Jo. All of them have different reasons for joining and believe it will be a better life than staying at home. We get to know the girls throughout the book but the main character is Trixie.
The description of the job of an lumberjill was written well.
There is a sequel to this book would certainly like to read more and what happens to them all.
Very well written.
Trixie enlists with the lumberjills and makes friends with Vi, Hen and Jo. All of them have different reasons for joining and believe it will be a better life than staying at home. We get to know the girls throughout the book but the main character is Trixie.
The description of the job of an lumberjill was written well.
There is a sequel to this book would certainly like to read more and what happens to them all.
Very well written.
March 27, 2023
The first in the series of this new Rosie Archer saga,
It's 1942 and young women and girls are signing up to train as lumberjills.
Trixie Smith is the lead role with three other girls.
Unfortunately, I couldn't connect any warmth the characters or the story maybe because I had never heard of lumberjills and knew nothing about them.
I felt the story was too drawn out and then the ending rushed.
It's 1942 and young women and girls are signing up to train as lumberjills.
Trixie Smith is the lead role with three other girls.
Unfortunately, I couldn't connect any warmth the characters or the story maybe because I had never heard of lumberjills and knew nothing about them.
I felt the story was too drawn out and then the ending rushed.
November 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this book about Trixie, Hen, Jo & Vi becoming friends as they move away from their lives in Gosport to train to become timber girls in Scotland & also finding out what made the three of them sign up for the training too.
My only disappointment was whether Cy, the man that Trixie had met on the journey to Portsmouth for her London train came home safely from the war & did she find out what had happened to him!
My only disappointment was whether Cy, the man that Trixie had met on the journey to Portsmouth for her London train came home safely from the war & did she find out what had happened to him!
March 2, 2023
A well written story of how The Timber Girls, worked during World War 2. I found this a very enlightening story. These women seem to get left out for what they did in the war. Rosie Archer has researched this book well. It kept me entertained all the way through, as with all Rosie Archer's stories.
June 12, 2023
I enjoy stories set around the war, although fiction, the authors provide an insight as to what life was like.
This book didn't disappoint. The characters were interesting, it isn't until later you discover why the girls signed up as timberjills. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
This book didn't disappoint. The characters were interesting, it isn't until later you discover why the girls signed up as timberjills. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
October 18, 2022
I really enjoy reading World War 2 fiction and I especially like to read about the ro!e of women during this era. I believe this is a series and I very much look forward to the rest, as well as other books by Rosie Archer.
October 2, 2023
I hadn’t realised that this book was the part of a series, which explains why I thought that there so many unanswered questions!
Gave one an appreciation of another dimension of life I. The Second World War, that of a lumberjill
Gave one an appreciation of another dimension of life I. The Second World War, that of a lumberjill
September 15, 2022
Good read,looking forward to the next one.
September 18, 2022
Iv read all the other books by RA.... But I just couldn't get into this one at all. Sorry.
November 2, 2022
I can’t wait for the next book in the series! The characters are interesting and diverse, and it’s fascinating to learn more about this specialized group of Land Girls!
November 11, 2022
Fantastic book loved it , nothing else I can say. Just read and you’ll be taken back in time, you’ll be so engrossed with the story you’ll feel as if you’re there.
December 9, 2022
Excellent WWII historical fiction featuring a group of strong women. It's compelling and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
February 6, 2023
3.5 stars
While this was an enjoyable enough read, it was simplistic and predictable. There was too much telling - I really dislike when characters convey historical information in conversation as it becomes too stilted and forced rather than sounding like a natural conversation.
The first half of the book was very slow; it did become more interesting as it progressed, enough so that I will probably continue the series.
It was particularly interesting to see a book about a lesser known occupation of women during the war. It was not until 2007 that these women received official government recognition of their efforts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While this was an enjoyable enough read, it was simplistic and predictable. There was too much telling - I really dislike when characters convey historical information in conversation as it becomes too stilted and forced rather than sounding like a natural conversation.
The first half of the book was very slow; it did become more interesting as it progressed, enough so that I will probably continue the series.
It was particularly interesting to see a book about a lesser known occupation of women during the war. It was not until 2007 that these women received official government recognition of their efforts.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2023
A thought provoking read, with lots of love and Wartime girls. I loved the characters and their interactions. A huge recommend to read The Timber Girls
August 17, 2023
Good holiday read, just in time to get the next installment
April 2, 2024
Another excellent srat of a new series by the wonderful Rosie Archer its her usual style and absorbing characters that pull you into the story.
September 27, 2025
Rosie Archer has done it again
I've thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters and the storyline. I highly recommend you read this latest Rosie Archer book
I've thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters and the storyline. I highly recommend you read this latest Rosie Archer book
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