Bridget's War (Memory Lane)

Memory Lane

by Shirley Mann

A heartwarming and inspiring saga of a female police office during World War II

400 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2023

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Isle of Man, 1942. Manx born and bred, Bridget Quale love the island and knows every inch of it like the back of her hand. But that doesn't mean she wants to be there now, as WWII rages around the world. As a newly trained police officer, living in the vibrant city of London, she had it all. A budding career, celebrity status as one of the few female officers, and a busy social life. Then WWII strengthened it's grip and she found herself posted back to the island - a stark contrast to the exciting streets of the Capital. But tasked with managing Rushen Camp, a women's internment camp for Germans, Nazi sympathisers, fascists, IRA activists, Jews and conscientious objectors, she realises that the war can be just as dangerous on an island in the middle of the Irish sea as in the centre of a big city.

This is the first book in the series that I've read, but what a lovely read it was. The characters were relatable and likeable. The storyline is descriptively written. Bridget is tasked with managing Rushen camp during the war. I loved everything about this book. It told me a few things I didn't realise - like the Nazi and the Jews were held together in the camp. The pace is steady throughout. I hope I can find the time to read the rest of the books in this series.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BonnierBooksUK #Zaffre and the author #ShirleyMann for my ARC of #BridgetsWar in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary Dasent · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author says, if you love heartwarming tales of wartime,family, and romance.
I really enjoyed reading this book and will look forward to reading the next one. 😀

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

1943 Port Erin Isle of Man.

Newly trained police woman Bridget Harrison receives the news that her childhood friend squadron leader pilot Kieran Moore has survived the battle and a hero and is on his way home after the MO's decision to be discharged with his hand, his brother Fynn has doubts as him and Bridget have been getting on so well and knows that Bridget always had a thing for his brother could this change their relationship?
WW2 and Bridget posted to the island from London to deal with a women's internment camp and she finds it hard work.

A fast gripping story as we see through the eyes of the war on a small island that I found very interesting and pleasurable to read right through.

At the end of victory in Europe do we see Bridget finding love of becoming Mrs Moore? that's only a story to be told by the author and to be read by her readers.

I loved all this book that grips you in from the first chapter. 5 big stars is my reward.

[Katie Awdas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I had no idea that Jews and Nazi's had both been interned together on the Isle of Man. It seems a crazy idea to me and after reading this book I'm going to research more about it.

The main characters were all likeable and easy to relate too. The storyline was strong and kept the reader guessing until the very end. The descriptions, especially of the work of the lifeboat men, were very strong and I could picture them out at sea.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review the book. I would certainly recommend it to others.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Set on the Isle of Man during World War Two it follows the lives of three young policewomen and their family and friends. It was very descriptive and was easy to imagine how the internees were coping with their stay on the island during this difficult time. Bridget, Betty and Molly certainly had some difficult situations to deal with from petty squabbles to blackmail and escape plans to try and stop them happening. With all this going on they still found time to try and find family members to help get them all back together. I recommend this read.

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another good read by Shirley Mann. I enjoyed looking at a lesser known aspect of the war, the internes of the Isle of Man, along with the WPC's who worked during the war. The things that let the story down a little bit was yhe inter-play between the brothers was a little weak, the main character of Bridget could have come across with a little more gumption, but as she was only 19 at the start of the story she could be forgiven this. I think they could have made more out of the character of Fynn, but all in all a pleasant read.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story of females join different ranks to help with the war effort
This follows the police in a small village guard the camp with Germans Jew and polish prisoners of this war
This was a very good book and struggled to put it down
Like the rest in this series
Can’t wait for next one to come out in 2025
I started this on the morning of 29th Dec and finished on afternoon of the 30thDec

[Lorraine Joad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant WW2 saga. The girls have such good friendships and camaraderie that helps them get through the war years. Lots of secrets woven in the story too. A real page turner and I very much look forward to reading more from Shirley Mann.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure.

[Tracey Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Shirley had you gripped from the off. This is a fantastic book that you find very hard to put down, just like her first three. She made you laugh one minute and cry the next. You can imagine yourself in there with the characters. Would recommend it to lovers of Lyn Andrews. Thank you for a exceptional read Shirley.

[Jay C · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read. I believe the author has written several books in a series featuring young women simultaneously navigating World War II and love. Maybe it’s considered a “romance novel”…? I heard of - and read - this one because it takes place in Isle of Man, one of my two favorite islands in the world 🙂

[Lisa Carlile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set on the Isle of Man during World War Two. It follows the lives of three young policewomen and their family and friends
I hadn't read any of Shirley Mann novels before but found it an enjoyable read and it gave an insight into how important women were throughout the war..

[Rhona McKinlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into the story, it felt like a bit of a slow start. But then I reached a point where I had become really invested in the characters and was desperate to finish to find out how it would all play out.

[Jennifer Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing - it was so good that I would like a sequel to this book. It was that good

[Karen Sherst · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a good book but a little too long. Interesting to learn about the internment camps on the Isle of Man.
Bridget was a little too wishy washy about her love life

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the others in this series I was eager to give this a read. It did take me awhile to get into but once I did I wanted to keep reading. Loved Bridget and the storyline was interesting.

[Andrea]

A heart warming story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridget has been transferred back to her home in the Isle of Man from the bright lights of London and she is not happy... We follow Bridget and her friends and colleagues looking after the 'aliens' that have been sent top the camps on the Island while war ravages through Europe and the UK. There mysteries to solve among the women and a dash of romance for Bridget to deal with. A good detective story that grows as you read the book and become involved with the characters, you are always trying to guess what will happen next.
It was interesting to learn the Islands involvement with the war, and how they dealt with this unusual situation.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Isle of man & lived there for over 8 years, just adored reading about it and the story was beautiful