In 1918 Blanche Lawrence has joined the Navy. She wants to prove she is equal to men and works for voting rights. Vic Weston is joining in hopes of hiding from her past. Marjory Kunwald is of German descent and determined to prove her American patriotism. The three women share Blanche’s family’s summer cottage and form a deep friendship.

In 1968 Peggy Whitney inherits her aunt Blanche’s beach cottage. Blanche was the aunt she never really knew. The cottage is ramshackle, and Peggy questions what she’ll do with it as she is recovering from her divorce and the death of her daughter.

Each timeline is strong with fully developed characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to recommending it to my book club and historical fiction loving friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area, this captivating novel brings the Navy yeomanettes of 1918 to light as they step up to serve their nation. Blanche, Margery and Viv create a powerful friendship, facing many criticisms in an era where women were not welcomed into the Navy. After Blanche's death fifty years later, niece Peggy inherits the beach house along with it's secrets. As this dual time story unravels will all the secrets be revealed? Highly recommended!

Thank you to UpLitReads and William Morrow Books for this book and to Harper Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I was thrilled to read a unique historical fiction set in World War I. There are dual timelines in 1918 and fifty years later in 1968. In the older timeline, there were three Navy yeomanettes and roommates who lived together in Norfolk, Virginia. I had not known about the work of women in that first world war and found myself quite curious to learn more.

The more recent timeline was set during the Vietnam war. The juxtaposition created quite interesting contrasts, as the two wars were so differently perceived.

In addition to the fascinating focus on women's roles, there was a great deal of focus on the effects of war at home. Most notably, the downsides of nationalism in terms of how neighbors are treated were really well shown. I would have enjoyed even more exploration of opportunities available to women after World War I and in the more recent timeline.

I found myself utterly drawn into the lives of the women in both timelines, and I could not put the book down. It does cover some weighty topics, so I have I cluded some content warnings. I highly recommend this great new book.

CW: loss of a child, grief, domestic violence

4.5 stars rounded up

The Girls in Navy Blue
By: Alix Rickloff
Review Score: 4 Stars

Five Key Feels

-I loved the dual timelines between Peggy and Viv.

-I really enjoyed learned about women working in the Navy during World War One.

-There were so many layers to this book, I could not stop reading!

-Blanche is such a strong and dynamic character, and that really showcased her decisions.

-There were a ton of twists and turns in this book, and yet I loved how it all came together at the end.

——

The Girls in Navy Blue was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and William Morrow. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 11/1/22

Wow. The Girls in Navy Blue was such an intense story. Part historical fiction and part mystery, there were so many layers to this book. I really enjoyed learning more about Women’s role in World War One, as well as the complex lives of the characters.

If you love Historical Fiction, you will love this book! It was so good.


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Rickloff explores friendships and family secrets in this book that features dual storylines. The first narrative takes place in 1918 and introduces three memorable characters who represent the nearly 12,000 women who served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Vivian, Blanche, and Marjory all have clerical jobs (as most "yomenettes" did) in the Virginia Beach area and room together in a beach house owned by Blanche's family. Though they did not know each other before becoming roommates, they quickly bond and become the best of friends, loyal to and protective of each other. Two of the young women harbor secrets that they are fearful of revealing to anyone, even their new friends.

The second story, set in 1968, tells the story of Peggy, Blanche's great-niece, who is mourning the end of her marriage and the death of her baby daughter. Needing to leave her old life behind, Peggy moves the beach house she recently inherited from the great aunt she barely knew. As she sorts through Blanche's things, she wonders about the mysterious woman no one in her family ever talked about. When postcards dated 1918 begin arriving for Blanche, Peggy is baffled and curious. Still navigating her grief, Peggy decides to do all she can to find out what happened to Blanche, Vivian, and Marjory fifty years earlier.

While much of the plot is predictable, this story of strong female friendship is one that will appeal to readers, especially those who are also fans of historical fiction.

The Girls in Navy Blue
by Alix Rickloff
Pub Date: November 1, 2022
William Morrow & Company
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
A gripping and compelling dual timeline novel about three women who joined the Navy during WWI to become yeomanettes and the impact their choices have on one of their descendants in 1968.
I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction book. I recommend it.
4 stars

Romantic, historical fiction from WWI -- this time with girls in the navy! I've been loving the spate of new books about women in WWI. Nice story and great, accurately detailed, historical context.

A new subject of reading for me: the women that joined the US Navy! I had not ever considered them before, but I sure will do some additional reading on them now! This author really spiked my interest, along with capturing my interest with the 3 women who signed up. Their various reasons and their personalities brought different angles to the story, and I really liked how the author brought everything together in this dual=time novel.
Well written and very interesting!