Member Reviews
The Officer Girl in Blue is the third book in the “Girls in Blue” series and this one is Charlotte’s story, though of course the other girls make appearances too!
When Charlotte is in London, she meets detective Dan Chalmers – wounded at Dunkirk, DI Chalmers believes no woman will ever be interested in a disabled man so he’s thrown himself into a police career and into his latest investigation. He’s working to bring down a group of East End criminals and also to uncover corruption in the police force.
Then, of course, along comes Charlotte! They have a lot in common, but getting involved with Dan puts Charlotte’s life in danger and her own job is also changing as she investigates some corruption within the military.
I enjoyed the book but there were some elements that didn’t quite work so well for me, including the storyline with Marion, but other than that minor blip, this was a good fit with the rest of the series yet bringing something new with some mystery, suspense and a few unexpected twists & turns.
The book really needs to be read as part of the series, though it could standalone.
The third in the series, Fenella J Miller delivers another gripping historical romance novel. The detail she goes into to describe the ins and outs of this horrific time is commendable and it is lovely to catch up with characters from previous novels to find out how they are doing. A delightful read!
A great read and wonderful characters. Really enjoyed it and will look out for more from the author.
Charlotte Fenimore is in the WAAF. While in London for a week off before her next posting she meets DCI Dan Chalmers. Both said they wanted careers and weren't looking for love. In Dan's case he was injured in the war and walked with a cane so didn't feel like anyone would ever be interested but they fell in love.
I didn't feel like I really got to know Charlotte. Her family had money and she went to boarding school but she didn't have money now. There was a bit about her posting in London and some intrigue with her boss. When she first came to London she roomed with a gal, Marion, who turned out to have a romantic interest in Charlotte but that story really went nowhere.
Dan's family had money and he had no reason to work but did so because he loved his job. He was on a case where Charlotte's life was in danger. I didn't feel like I knew Dan either except he limped, was in pain and dressed well.
The story was very readable but I felt like it just skimmed the surface. I didn't realize this was the third in the series and I didn't feel like I missed anything but maybe I did. I did find some of the dialog so simple that it was almost painful to read. I didn't feel any passion between Charlotte and Dan. I didn't feel the strong friendship she had with Nancy and Jane but perhaps that is what I missed by not reading the first two books.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Aria and Aries for providing me with a copy of this book.
Since I enjoy historical novels about World War II, this novel was right up my alley. I did not read the other books in this series, but I see they can be read as standalones. This book contains a good mix of romance, history, and suspense. Readers who are looking for a historically-based novel will probably like this one.
I received this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The ideas and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I flew through the first third of this book, but then I came to a bit of a stand still and it took me a lot longer to finish the book than it should have. It was a bit drawn out at times and I found myself not being as interested as I should have been as I love historical fiction. I did like Charlotte's character but unfortunately this saga is quite forgettable.
This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the copy of this eBook. It's book 3 in a series, but works perfectly well as a standalone novel, which is always ideal to know. It's a lovely insight on the WW2 period in Britain, and the female protagonist, Charlotte Fenimore, a WAAF, falls for a detective investigating a crime. Of course, it's not a simple romance by any means. With some wonderful plot twists this story will keep you flipping pages right til the end. It's a different spin on the WW2 period, and I enjoyed this novel and can definitely recommend.
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This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. Very interesting storyline which was easy to get involved in.
I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
A great end to this series, I love the books by this author about the women flying in the war in the Woman's Auxiliary Air Force and their bravery. I loved the characters especially Dan who's character really came through even after all he had been through and I found him thoroughly believable.
This captivated me from the first page! Fenella J. Miller writes so engagingly that you can imagine that you are friends with the main characters, and living through the war with them.
The story concerns Charlotte, a young WAAF officer, and Dan, a disabled detective. Charlotte is very attracted to Dan, but her relationship with him puts her into great danger, because of his attempts to get rid of corrupt and murderous police officers. He is also bad-tempered, because of suffering severe pain. Although she tries to be understanding, he sometimes goes too far. He realises this, however, and he is a likeable hero, as well as handsome and rich!
Charlotte is a loveable character, although a bit too good to be true at times. She is independent, conscientious, practical and extremely moral, but not prudish. I would love to read a sequel about her!
Miller did her research thoroughly, and she captures the spirit of wartime Britain well, I think. I had relatives who fought in the war, and I am judging her description of the war from what they told me. The wartime slang also made the book authentic.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781838933494
PRICE £3.99 (GBP)
Charlotte Fenimore completes officer’s training and requests a post in London. It will give her an opportunity to visit with one of her best friend’s, Nancy and her family. While both of her friends have married, Charlotte intends to focus on her career in the WAAF’s. Then she meets Detective Inspector Dan Chalmers. He was injured at Dunkirk and believes that no woman will want him with his injuries. The chemistry between Charlotte and Dan is palpable. They begin dating, but Dan’s investigation into police corruption ends up with Charlotte in danger. Dan will do whatever it takes to keep Charlotte safe. Charlotte ends up flying off to Scotland. The plane goes down with Charlotte and the pilot lost in the wilds. Can the military find the downed plane? The Officer Girl in Blue by Fenella J. Miller is the 3rd book in The Girls in Blue. While The Officer Girl in Blue could be read as a standalone, I believe it is best read as part of the series. This will allow you to get to know all the characters and their backstories. I thought The Officer Girl in Blue contained good writing and developed characters. I like Charlotte who is spunky, smart, and resourceful. Dan is intelligent, dedicated, and handsome. The chemistry between the pair is obvious from the moment their eyes meet. I thought the author captured the time period and I enjoyed the use of the slang from that era. I did not, though, appreciate the foul language. I am glad we got to catch up with Nancy and Jane from the first two books in the series. I did feel that the side story involving Marion was unnecessary. I did not like how it was handled. The Officer Girl in Blue has suspense, danger, friendship, and romance. Those who like to read World War II romances, will enjoy The Officer Girl in Blue. The Officer Girl in Blue is a dramatic historical tale with corrupt cops, firm friends, blasting bombs, a disorganized desk, a plane predicament, messy mud, and a cheerful Christmas.
This is full of twists and turns and with different emotions all the way through. This is the 3rd book in this series but you can read it as a stand alone. Very well written and a 4 star book.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC
Wartime romance in London with a intriguing twist.
Charlotte is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She is going on holiday for a week before starting her new job. While in London she meets Dan, who is a DI investigating corruption in the police force. As Dan delves deeper into his investigation and his relationship with Charlotte grows, dangerous situations arise.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
I DNF'd at 50 pages. I didn't realize this was part of a series when I requested the book. I tried to get into it, but it just wasn't for me.
My thanks to netgally for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which I freely give.
There is a saying, never judge a book by its cover. Well this is almost the same, never judge a book by the title. This certainly applied to me with this book. Charlotte was sent for training, she met another trainee Marion at the Station and they organized all the others to march to the camp. Charlotte and Marion along with 2 others were room mates, these 2 were sent home along with others as not suitable. At the end of the training they had a weeks leave and the stayed in London. The Hotel was on the same street where a murder and suicide were committed, it was here that Charlotte met Dad a senior police officer from Scotland Yard when she gave her statement. Charlotte and Marian decided to have a day out, Marian had hoped for more than friendship. I was dealt with in a very delicate way.
Charlotte stayed at the hotel in London as a resident as it was cheaper than renting anywhere. She soon got to know the police officer well who she had given her statement to.
The story then alternates between Charlotte and her job and Dan the police officer from Scotland Yard. I never mind these stories that alternate. Dad was after the gang land members and it became very dangerous both for him and Charlotte.
Charlotte also uncovered wrong doings and was transferred to Wick. This also had its dangers.
At the end of the book is a Bibliography. It is a tremendous amount of books that were used to get the facts correct.
It is a beautiful story and I can recommend it.
The Officer Girl in Blue by Fenella J. Miller is a rather lovely World War II romance featuring a young WAAF officer and a police inspector. Charlotte and Dan didn't meet the first time they saw one another, they just saw one another from across the street but were immediately drawn to each other. Dan was tall and very handsome, despite the fact he walked with a stick, and Charlotte was striking in her uniform. It also turned out that her brother had died in his arms, a fact she really didn't care about. He had been much older and not very nice and his death didn't really touch her. It did provide a beginning for their very tumultuous relationship, which at first was on again, off again.
Dan is a wonderful character, marked by the war in so many ways: his leg was severely damaged at Dunkirk. They saved it, but was that the best move? He wasn't so sure. Charlotte had worked her way up from a frightened, weak girl to a woman who could command and stand on her own. Getting out of officer training school and getting her first assignment was daunting. The reader was there for all of it and so much more. This was a very eventful couple of months before the bombing at Pearl Harbor and the US joining the war, giving England some hope and the undertone of that follows the story and is written beautifully. So much happens to these two people in such a short period that it keeps the reader spellbound. This was a wond3rful book. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Officer Girl in Blue by Aria, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #aria #theofficergirlinblue #fenellajmiller
Very informative – and yet again I have learned something new about WWII!
In this, the third novel in series, we are following Charlotte Fennimore who is home on leave for a week’s rest when she meets Dan Chalmers, a detective who was wounded at Dunkirk. He is now working to bring down a group of East End criminals and root out corruption in the police force. Sadly, the attraction between these two puts Charlotte’s life in danger and, just when they think she is safe, the plane carrying her to a new posting in the very northern part of Scotland crashes and she is once more fighting to survive.
I love this series – just as I have enjoyed the author’s previous novels and she really manages to convey how women from every walk of life committed to doing their bit for the war effort. There were pieces of information I hadn’t come across before which definitely appealed to me. When you realise how women’s lives changed it was no surprise that things never went back to how they were before in this country and novels like this remind us – and educate younger women – of the facts. My only gripe is the language used by the character Dan Chalmers; back in the 1940’s no man would have blasphemed in front of a woman and it irritated me each time he did it. That aside, this further the story nicely and is another well written, skilfully crafted tale. Very enjoyable and, for me, 4*.
My thanks to the publisher for my copy, this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.
The Officer Girl in Blue by Fenella J Miller ⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to @netgalley and @ariafiction for the ARC! This one comes out October 14.
Unfortunately, this one did not work for me. The dialogue was clunky and stiff. I cringed many times at some of the conversations. The main characters, Charlotte and Dan, were highly unlikeable for different reasons. Charlotte was a know-it-all and stuck up. Dan was angry and abrasive. Their relationship exhibited some toxic traits that I found hard to ignore. And there were several plot lines that I found extremely unnecessary (Marion and the plane).
I didn’t realize this was book three in a series, so perhaps if I had read the other two, I would have been more invested in Charlotte’s story. I did appreciate that Charlotte was focused on her career and wasn’t going to give that up for Dan (at least not yet).
If you’re looking for a romance (albeit a troublesome one) with a bit of corrupt police officers, check this one out.
It's the first book I read in this series and I liked the descriptions of life during WWII. Unfortunately I didn't like the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine