Author Jennie Jones creates some fabulous books. Daughter of the Home Front was another interesting read to add to your reading list.
Review copy received from the Publisher via Netgalley

Emma is a great protagonist who I instantly loved, I just wished she would stand up for herself more. A historical fiction book that I really appreciate and enjoyed.

This is a beautifully written story, heart-breaking at times but filled with friendship, caring and love during really hard times, set around Townsville during World War two, we meet fifteen year old Emma Hatton and journey with her through some really hard decisions, make sure you have some tissues.

Emma is living in the small seaside town of Blueholm Bay with her mother and four younger brothers her father is off fighting somewhere in New Guinea, they don’t have much money and Emma’s mother is very domineering and makes sure Emma is always busy working. Emma is a good girl but cannot wait to leave her home when she turns sixteen to help with the war effort.

When Emma finally gets to Townsville to help her aunt car for her US Army borders the world opens up for Emma, she meets the beautiful Cassie O’Byrne and there is friendship instantly, these two become fast friends and soon they out enjoying themselves Townsville is a hive of US army men and Aussies as well, Emma meets Frank Kendrick from California and she is smitten, but his kisses lead to more and then Frank is gone and Emma is in trouble.

As a disgrace to the family Emma is sent to the Holy Refuge of Saint Philomena a home for pregnant young woman, the girls are treated like prisoners here and made to work hard till they have their babies and they are taken away from them they have no choice whatsoever, Emma does something she is not supposed to and makes friends with a couple of the other girls, who are all struggling with what is going to happen to them, they would much prefer to keep their babies.

Emma finally leaves the home and returns to Blueholm Bay where she finds herself a good job to help her family her mother is still as hard as ever and the decisions Emma has made will stay with her forever, will she find happiness with them? One thing Emma has done is made true friendships along the way, she showed such courage and strength, my heart went out to her, and she is always there for everyone, such a kind heart, I loved her.

This is a story that I would highly recommend, it is hard to put down when you pick it up, filled with so many emotions, yes there were lots of tears sad and happy, and thank you Jennie Jones for such a wonderful story, it is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy to read and review.

The focus of this story is Emma’s journey through pregnancy, birth and the adoption of her child and it reflects the prejudice and cruelty that unmarried mothers faced during those times. I admired Emma enormously. She is strong, enterprising and, when faced with adversity, she is resourceful in finding a solution. Early in the story she meets wealthy local landowner Harry Coulson, another character I liked, and his role in her story is beautifully developed by author Jennie Jones.

What an interesting read Daughter of the Home Front has been. Opening in 1942 in the fictitious Queensland town of Blueholm Bay near Townsville The story stars Emma Hatton, the fifteen year-old daughter of an impoverished family struggling to make ends meet. When Emma’s father leaves home to join the army, she finds herself seconded into helping her mother wash clothes for American soldiers who are stationed in the area. Emma becomes infatuated with American Private Frank Kendrick, who gets her pregnant in a one night stand.
The focus of this story is Emma’s journey through pregnancy, birth and the adoption of her child and it reflects the prejudice and cruelty that unmarried mothers faced during those times. I admired Emma enormously. She is strong, enterprising and, when faced with adversity, she is resourceful in finding a solution. Early in the story she meets wealthy local landowner Harry Coulson, another character I liked, and his role in her story is beautifully developed by author Jennie Jones. There are several other likeable characters in the story, all of whom support Emma admirably. While character-driven, this story is an interesting reflection on a period in Australia’s WWII history and has been an enjoyable read.

Sixteen year old Emma Hatton was glad to have had her birthday and to finally be able to go to Townsville and participate in war work. It was 1942 and Townsville in Queensland was filled with American GIs, their pockets overflowing with money, their eyes on the local girls, wowing them with stockings, chocolates and more. Emma had lived at home in Blueholm Bay with her mother, father and brothers and when her dad went off to do his bit for the war, Emma's mother became more aggressive and her abuse seemed focused mainly on Emma. After arriving in Townsville, Emma met Cassie O'Byrne, and an immediate friendship was formed, the two girls becoming as close as sisters within a heartbeat. As Emma and Cassie headed to dances with the GI's, Emma finally felt she'd grown up.

Emma's meeting of a friendly Private saw her heart beating fast, and she thought she'd met the one. But Frank had nothing but usage on his mind. When Emma found herself in trouble, her Aunt Doris quickly took her home to Blueholm Bay, back into the arms of a mother who was much worse, hurling vitriol, insults and caustic comments at her daughter. Her mother's solution - the Holy Refuge of Saint Philomena in Brisbane, where no one would see her, come in contact or even speak to Emma. She was desolate. What would be the future for Emma and her new friends at the refuge?

Daughter of the Home Front is a heartbreaking historical novel by Aussie author Jennie Jones which tells the stories of young women who had the misfortune to be taken advantage of, and the resulting outcome. It's a common enough story, but the treatment of those young women is something that was wrong, so incredibly wrong. And yet it went on. Set to the background of WWII, where Townsville was involved and the American GIs made their homes for some of the war years, the hardship of restrictions and rationing, especially if you were poor, were ongoing. A thoroughly enjoyable novel which I recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a story, written with sensitivity and a truth that is highly recommended, very well done Jennie Jones!
The storyline follows Emma’s wartime experience, it could easily mirror a young woman of today! A young person with dreams, trying to escape a controlling mother, falling in love, finding herself pregnant, making choices when money is tight.
Emma is forced to become an adult, forced to face reality and make heartbreaking decisions! A sad story with hope and friendship, Emma is determined to see light at the end of a lonely dismal journey.
An emotional read with female strength front and centre!
Congratulations to the publisher, NetGalley and the wonderful Jennie Jones on this remarkable novel!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A young girl, a war and all set in Australia. What’s not to love!
This is a very readable account of how a young girl deals with the problems life throughs at her. Emma struggles with family, life and falling for a man and becomes pregnant. She gives up the baby, she works hard and she gives most of her money to her mum. This is what they did in these times.

She wants to change the way people think and how unmarried, pregnant mothers are treated. And so she does. This is her story, this is her struggles and this is her trying to make a difference for all the women of the world who find themselves in this very situation.

This is a wonderful book to read and I highly recommend it. Historical fiction, Australian and so much more.

This is a story about young girls in the 1940s and the stigma around unwed mothers
It's set during the second world war QLD but doesn't focus on actual war but rather the people left behind

There story isn't one you would hear today but is part of our Australian history and illustrates the difficulties faced by women during war times and if they didn't follow a well worn path

It's a wonderful read and I highly recommend it for any one who enjoys historical novels

Emma Hatton is fifteen, she lives in Blueholm Bay in Queensland, and she has four younger brothers. Emma’s mum Miriam is a rather bitter and miserable woman, her father Doug joined the Australian army, he hasn't written in months, and the family struggle to make ends meet.

Emma goes to stay with her aunt Doris in Townsville, all single women over the age of sixteen are expected to help the war effort and she works part time for the Red Cross. Townsville is busy and the streets are filled with handsome American soldiers, Emma meets Cassie O’Byrne, both girls lie about their age, they start going out together and Cassie much wiser.

Emma has her head turned by the first man to kiss her, she's infatuated by Private Frank Kendrick and she makes a terrible mistake and one with huge consequences. Her family send Emma to the Refuge of Saint Philomena in Brisbane, here the disgraced young women are forced to work and give up their babies for adoption. The nuns are mean, no visitors are allowed and the girls have no contact with the outside world. Emma makes two friends at the unmarried mother’s home, they support each other, and promise to keep in touch. Emma doesn’t get to keep her baby as she planned and she’s determined to be reunited with her child one day.

Emma gets a job, she’s a hard worker, and her mum still demands most of her wages. Emma pines for her baby, her aim is for them to be together, to find her two friends and make sure what happened to them is stopped, so other girls won’t have to endure what they did, and be treated in such a degrading way.

I received a copy of Daughter of the Home Front by Jennie Jones from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. I really admired Emma's character, she’s an inspirational and determined young woman. One small mistake shouldn’t define her future, Emma's mother is wrong about her, and someone unexpected appreciates how special she is, they set about making changes and create a family together. The story highlights how hard it was for young unmarried mothers and orphans in the 1940’s, the narrative was well written and made me I feel an emotional connection. Five stars from me.