Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the chance to review this book. I gave it 5 easy stars. It follows the lives of three women in Cornwall during WW2. I read just about exclusively historical fiction but this was my first one set in Cornwall. This was a very interesting an enjoyable read.

Gripping book from the first page, in the midst of a war how unlikely people come together, a story full of new found friendships and the odd cheeky romance, wonderfully written and a brilliant story I seriously couldn't stop reading until I had finished the book, I look forward to reading more from this author

I enjoyed reading Betty Walker's Wartime with the Cornish Girls. The story puts the reader in the middle of events that shaped the future of the brave men and women in Great Britain. Fortitude and courage allowed them to overcome the hardships of a war that took so much from them all. People who may never have met before the war were on an even keel through their work in the united war efforts.

It is no secret I enjoy historical fiction, and with the added bonus of a secret base on Cornwall with a bit of intrigue captured my attention. Of course, as with any story set during war, there is no ignoring the devastation of the lives lost, especially in remote locations where people least expect the intrusion of an enemy attack. I look forward to reading more of Betty Walker's works in the future

In Wartime With The Cornish Girls we follow the stories of three women:
Hazel, a local Cornish woman, is unhappily married to the drunk abusive Bertie (who is away at war) and has a 15 yr old son Charlie. Like so many others, she is struggling to make ends meet.
Violet is an EastEnd Londoner who flees to Cornwall with her teenage nieces Lily & Alice in a bid to keep them safe after their mother is killed during the Blitz. They initially plan to stay with great-aunt Margaret but soon realise that this is not going to be a long-term plan.
Eva is a privileged young lady who aspires to be a dancer. In London she is injured during a bombing raid & when she is discharged from hospital she goes to stay with her dad, a Colonel in charge of a top secret military base in Cornwall called the Eastern House.
The three women are thrown together by circumstances & all end up working at Eastern House.

The book started slowly & a little confusingly as the characters were introduced, but soon developed into a gentle WW2 “home front” story of women, friendship & the reality of what ordinary women did during the war & how they pulled together to help each other. It has some nice descriptive narrative & characters that develop well. I understand this is the first book in a series, and I would definitely look out for the next one.

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#WartimewiththeCornishGirls #NetGalley

My first read by Betty Walker and throughly enjoyed it. I have read similar books in the past and they never fail to be a nice easy read with comforting relatable characters, a really nice palate cleanser.
The story follows three women, Eva, a colonel’s daughter sent to live with her father after a very close call in a London air raid. Hazel, a local to Cornwall who’s abusive husband has gone off to serve in the war while she and her son are trying to carry on and Violet who was sent to Cornwall to keep her two nieces out of the way of the nightly air raids. A lovely wartime read that wove these three women’s lives together during a time when they were all just trying to get by. Enjoyed the few twists and turns in the story as well as the predictability at other points.
Looking forward to the second book in the series to pick up where we left off and see what else happens to these three ladies.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the advanced copy.

When the Blitz hits London Violet persuades her mother to get away from the danger with her late sister’s two girls. At the same time Eva a headstrong young woman has taken a chorus girl job to get away from routine life expected of her until a bomb changes things and she also heads to Cornwall where her father is in charge of a secret war effort in Porthcarno. Then into the story we learn of Hazel who is a local girl struggling to keep her family fed with a feckless husband who heads off to war but has indoctrinated his teenage son with his attitude to women. This mixture of abusive relationships, wartime danger as well as romance added to the chance there may be a spy in the midst lends to a great story.

This is an easy-to-read WWII story about three women who end up in Porthcurno for completely different reasons. They instantly become friends and support one another as each deals with the consequences of war. They are forced to deal with heartache, love, physical and emotional pain and the ups and downs of teenagers. Underlying their struggles, is the intense secrecy of working for the government is an undisclosed facility.

I enjoyed this book and found that it was a good escape for the afternoon on a rainy day. It is not a book which will receive literary acclaim but is definitely worth picking up at the bookstore.


I received an ARC from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

Thoroughly enjoyed this war time saga well written with some great characters.
The story takes us to a small village called Porthcurno in Cornwall where the military are hiding a top secret base.
A really interesting story with a group of women being thrown together all coming from varying backgrounds.
Violet and her two nieces have moved from London to escape the horrific bombings already having lost a much loved sister & mother to the two girls. Their father is also missing in action. Although Violets mother won’t go with them they both think it will be safer for the girls.
Hazel a wife & mother to Charlie is very unhappily married to a really abusive man
who is now in the army. When he is home on leave it becomes really hard as he is even turning her son against her.
Lastly we have Eva who after suffering injuries from an exploding bomb comes to Cornwall at the request of her father.
Her Father is the Commander of the top secret military base.
All the girls finally end up working at the base & their lives soon become entwined.
Lots of ups and downs in this book to keep you engrossed.
I do enjoy a good wartime story as it shows how people really pulled together & went on to forge great friendships. They laughed they cried and just carried on the best way they could.
Will definitely want to read the follow on from this to find out how the girls get on.

WARTIME WITH THE CORNISH GIRLS by BETTY WALKER is the story of three young women and two teenage girls who all end up working at Porthcurno's Eastern House. This is a top secret information centre and everyone who works there, even as a domestic, has to sign the Official Secrets Act.
It is a WW11 story with intrigue, romance and down to earth people. It is a story about friendship and families and making the best of a bad situation.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Avon Books UK. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

An interesting storyline about the lives of three women thrown together in a small coastal village in Cornwall. The author describes in detail the backgrounds of the three women, but once the three women finally meet you begin to appreciate how people from different backgrounds react when faced with having to deal with the trauma of wartime Britain. It’s not a strong storyline and I must admit it did take me some time to get to know the characters. It’s a good book to be able to dip in and out of, making it an ideal book to read whilst on the bus, train or plane. Lots of ends left untied at the end of the book, so I’m hoping for a sequel.

Told from three major perspectives and focused on the changes that were necessitated by the bombings, war and struggles to survive, this tale is eminently readable and enjoyable, despite the often-horrible circumstances and personal tragedies. Starting with Violet in London’s East End, she’s just lost her sister to the bombings, and has been working with her mother in a small café to keep the family afloat. Her two young nieces are living (and grieving) with them, and to add to the complexity of their situation, their father is listed as MIA, after having signed on to the war effort at the beginning. His German heritage and name have made him an object of suspicion in the neighborhood, with taunts and dangers around every corner – even though all his family knows the tales are wholly fabricated. With an aunt in Cornwall, Violet makes the tough decision to take the girls to the little village for a break from the war- to ensure their safety and perhaps find a new opportunity.

Meanwhile in Cornwall, Hazel and her teen son Charlie are struggling to make ends meet, with the in and out return of her ne’er do well husband. Abusive and an object of scorn in the little village of Porthcurno, she’s applied for a job at the local “big house”, now a military installation who's civilian employees are managed by a former flame, George. Taking on the job of a kitchen helper, Hazel is torn between her duty to her husband and the newly ignited flame and fond memories of her time with George. Managing a teen boy who is acting out and smarting-off, combined with the dread of her husband’s return – his enlistment only adds a bit more worry to her plate – even as she is relieved to have him out of the way.

Lastly there is Eva, daughter of the Commander of the military installation in Cornwall, she’s been living with an uncle until recently, when she disappeared only to emerge in London as a dancer in the theater. A bit headstrong and more mature than she should be – the appearance of a pilot who has left notes and charmed her brings her to near death in a bombing raid, and soon she is shunted off to Cornwall, having to deal with her ‘troublemaker’ past and her father’s rather low expectations of her ability to follow orders and stay out of trouble.

The story integrates the three as they struggle, meet one another, form friendships and learn that together they are capable of more than anyone expected, even dealing with loss, tragedy, new life and new hope. A lovely introduction to both the war effort, people on the homefront facing deprivations, changes and fear, and the great power that is hope, duty and determination in the face of adverse conditions and the unknown. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see where it leads.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aRj /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fascinating read and was beautifully written. I loved the twists and turns which made me laugh at times and also showed the strength of friendship. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

I was first drawn to this as I now live in Cornwall. Walker absolutely nails the beauty of the Cornish culture, and with a heart-warming and tale of love, friendship and loyalty joined with the trials and tribulations of war the story is an absolute winner in my book!

Wartime with the Cornish Girls weaves together the stories of three women from quite different backgrounds. Unfortunately, Violet and Hazel, seemed to spend most of the book sniveling into their handkerchiefs and wailing 'whatever will I do?' Even taking into consideration how different women's lives were in the '40s, they seemed weak and helpless. Eva was, by far, the strongest of the three characters, and her sections were the most fun to read. The sense of place and time were solid, however, and I will definitely read the next one.

I received an ARC from Avon Books and NetGalley.com. I wasn't required to write a positive review & opinions expressed are my own. FTC 16 CFR, Pt 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements &Testimonials in Advertising.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this quaint book

life in the east end is tough what with the germans bombing it every night and for voilet its extra tough as she not only lost her sister in the blitz but she has taken on her nieces as well..as their dad is off fighting in the war...but the neighbourhood bullies were accusing him of being a spy because of his german heritage...life was difficult

so off voilet went to cornwall with the nieces, to her aunties place...could they find happiness there....

a brilliant collection of characters brought together when loose lips sinks ships and secrecy is paramount...plus added drama of everyday life...

brilliantly written cant wait to see what else this author brings out next

I’ve only recently discovered wartime sagas; it’s opened up a whole new world to me and introduced some wonderful stories.
The three protagonists in this book are Violet, Eva and Hazel. Each have their own stories and battles and I enjoyed the structure of the chapters as they switched between characters, in turn.
Violet has fled war torn London for the relative safety of the Cornwall coast. She’s brought her nieces with her, the daughters of her late sister who didn’t survive one of the German bombing raids.
Hazel has her own private battles, an abusive husband who is thankfully away at war and a son who is about to leave school with hopes of following his father to the battlefield.
Eva has survived a German bomb and, as a result, has been returned to her Father’s care at Porthcurno, an army base in Cornwall.
The three girls become close friends and find that they must negotiate all manner of obstacles if they are to find happiness amidst the constant fear of German bombers.
I really enjoyed the way this book was able to encompass the lighter side of life with the arranging of a dance against the peril of subterfuge and espionage. Parts of the story were thrilling as the gravity of the phrases about loose lips were brought to the fore.
This is the first in what is an encouraging series. The next book is titled Christmas with the Cornish Girls so I will look forward to reading that. I hope that this review will encourage a wider readership as this is a book that deserves to be read and enjoyed.

Wartime with Cornish Girls by Betty Walker is a light and sweet story.
The book is about struggle of women during WWII when men are at war performing their duty towards their country but women are also fighting with them at their homes to keep the kitchen running and tending the families..
During the tough times of War the girls manage to squeeze little moments of happiness and live in unexpected times.

The story and characters build gradually giving reader time to attach to them.

I recommend the book to anyone who wants to read a women centric war story where there is love and hope...

#netgalley #bettywalker #wartimewithcornishgirls

Wartime with the Cornish Girls by Betty Walker is an adventure for sure! The story follows three women during WW2. Eva is living in London when she is injured in a bombing. Violet is tasked with caring for her dead sister's daughters and trying to provide for them. Hazel is a battered wife whose husband is on the front and she is struggling to make ends meet for her and her son. When the three meet in Cornwall, their friendship will support them as the war draws ever closer to their lives. This book was a new look at the war from a new location. The more I read about WW2 and all that happened, it amazes me to see how many places were hit, either by bombs, rations, loss of men and lives, etc. Wartime with the Cornish Girls showed yet another location that was subjected to the terror and pain of war. However, it also showed the depth of the human spirit and what we can accomplish and survive. I am looking forward to the next book in the series! Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this book. #Wartimewiththecornishgirls #bookstagram #all_the_pages

A good read, a bit light-hearted but also like seeing how the different characters were overcoming their struggles of the war which had really torn their lives apart. It makes me want to go to Cornwall more than ever! After facing hard times, these women become good allies and friends as they wait out the terrible war.

Set in Cornwall during World War 2, 3 women from different backgrounds meet and become friends. A light read.