DESCRIPTION:
London, 1940. In a Mayfair townhouse behind a wide front door, three women must bond together to make it through the war – no matter their differences.
A world away from the wealth and comfort of her family home, lord’s daughter Betony Styleshas come to love her new life at a London lodging house with Grace and Jess. Selling her beautiful gowns to pay for her rent and rations for the other girls, Betony is determined to do her bit.
By day she works in the factory sewing much-needed uniforms for the Women’s Air Force. At night, air raid sirens blaze – but Betony and the other girls do all they can to help in the hardest hit neighbourhoods, rescuing a precious newborn from the rubble. And she’s head over heels with her beau, brave Canadian pilot Winter Macpherson.
But her father believes duty to her family should come before her duty for her country. He demands she give up playing games and come home once and for all.
To stand up to her father and follow her own path, Betony needs Grace and Jess more than ever. But when Winter disappears, her heart shatters.
Together, can the lodging house girls give each other hope even in the darkest times?
A completely unputdownable historical novel, perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Lisa Wingate and Diney Costeloe. Your heart will break at this beautiful story of love, friendship and courage.
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Amazon: https://geni.us/B0GHZS3MKFsocial
We met Grace and Jess in the first two books of the Wartime Lodging House trilogy, and in this final installment, it is Betony’s story that takes center stage. Set in London in 1940, the trilogy follows three women whose friendship sustains them through the hardships and heartbreak of World War II. Despite the danger and sorrow surrounding her, Betony finds herself deeply in love with serviceman Winter Macpherson, and it is those powerful feelings that continue to carry her forward.
I felt such a profound sense of warmth and connection throughout this series. Natalie Meg Evans has a remarkable ability to write with authenticity and emotional honesty, making her characters feel deeply relatable. Jess and Grace’s stories were moving, and Betony’s journey is equally affecting. Though the three women come from very different backgrounds, their lives become beautifully intertwined, creating a poignant and heartfelt narrative. It was especially difficult to witness the immense suffering Betony endured, particularly as her heart was repeatedly put at risk.
Leaving behind a life of comfort and defying the expectations of her controlling father, Betony takes a factory job in order to survive. The grief she carries during these turbulent times is immense, but it is not the only emotion that shapes her story. Hope, strengthened by enduring friendships and the love she holds for Winter, remains a constant presence throughout her journey.
The Lady at the Lodging House serves as a fitting and profoundly emotional conclusion to this trilogy. It’s a tale filled with heartbreak, resilience, friendship, and hope, beautifully capturing both the hardships and humanity of life during wartime. Natalie Meg Evans once again crafts characters that feel authentic and unforgettable, making this series a lasting impression that lingers long after the final page. As I bid farewell to these remarkable ladies, a deep sense of sadness washes over me.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
An avid absorber of history – for her sixth birthday she got a toy Arthurian castle with plastic knights – Natalie views historical fiction as theatre for the imagination. Her novels delve behind the scenes of a prestige industry: high fashion, millinery, theatre, wine making. Rich arenas for love and conflict. Most at home in the English countryside, Natalie lives in rural Suffolk. She has one son.
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