One of my favorite types of books from WW2, besides dual time line, are ones that include Bletchley Park and the women who were part of that office. Stefania is a great character and I loved reading her part in this story. Definitely will be on my recommended list for readers who enjoy this time period.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I previously participated on tour for #AnnaStuart’s
#TheMidwifeofAuschwitz so of course, I’m prying her latest, # TheBletchleyGirls. Another #historicalnovel that Stuart has well-researched her work. She tells tbis sorry from the the points of view from each of the three main characters which makes this new release even better.

Thank you, Anna Stuart, Bookouture & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

Bletchley Park has long fascinated me so I love reading wartime fiction set around this time period. Good book

I’ve loved all the authors other books but I found this one to be very slow paced. I didn’t gel with the characters like I usually do.
I’ll still happily try & recommend the authors other books. Thank you.

I’ve been looking for a novel about the Bletchley Girls after reading The Rose Code by Kate Quinn! Therefore, I was excited to read this novel! However, I could not get into the characters. Also, the story mostly focused on their love lives rather than their work. I recommend this novel for fans of WWII fiction. However, this novel didn’t deliver, and I’ll be looking elsewhere for novels about the Bletchley girls.

The enchanting and friendly tale of a group of young women fighting Hitler from Bletchley Park and trying to find themselves and what they want in life.

The Bletchley Girls is an engaging historical novel set in World War 2. Author Anna Stuart deftly weaves the historical context into a warm and ultimately triumphant tale of three young women thrust into a world at war.

Stefania Carmichael, Ailsa MacIver, and Frances Morgan are innocent and naïve when they first meet at a train station outside Bletchley Park. Despite their widely different backgrounds – Steffie, a privileged debutant with an Italian fiancé and a gift for language; Ailsa, a small-town Scottish girl escaping an undesirable arranged marriage whose prowess with radio operations proves invaluable; and Fran, a dedicated librarian whose research and organizational skills mark her as an asset in logistics – form an unbreakable, almost familial, bond.

Each of them is asked to take on a specific role in the war effort, but their worktime separation does not deter their growing friendship. Steffie is assigned to Cairo where her linguistics talents threaten to be overshadowed by an unknown traitor. Shy Ailsa is sent to Malta, where she must face the constant terrors of war and her own inner demons. Fran alone remains at Bletchley Park, providing a steady and tenacious advocate for the Allies. As the three continue on their separate adventures, they learn how important – and unshakeable – their friendship is.

The plot lines involving Steffie and Ailsa are by far the strongest, with Ailsa’s story being my favorite. Ailsa’s growth from a bashful, uncertain girl into a forceful and determined young woman in full command of her wit and emotions is a joy to read. Unfortunately, while Ailsa’s and Steffie’s stories seem to flow naturally from their circumstances, Fran’s narrative, while very interesting, at times appears to be overly concerned about appearing PC.

At the end of the day, however, there is no denying that The Bletchley Girls is a fascinating historical novel that celebrates the resilience and strength of friendship in light of adversity. Anna Stuart is an author to watch.

Note: I received an ARC of The Bletchley Girls from NetGalley, and Bookouture. The above is my honest review.

Anna Stuart’s The Bletchley Girls is a spellbinding historical tale of courage, friendship and forbidden love that effortlessly sweeps readers back in time.

Stefania Carmichael’s life in Rome had come to a sudden end when war was declared and she found herself with no other choice but to bid farewell to the future she had been planning with handsome Italian Matteo, whom she was head over heels in love with. Everything had changed for Stefania and she had returned to England where she got a job working at Bletchley Park. With her razor-sharp intellect and aptitude for languages, Stefania is now intent on helping her country win the war. Having signed the Official Secrets Act, Stefania knows that she cannot reveal anything about what goes on at Bletchley, but luckily for her she makes friends with two other new recruits who help her get settled in.

Stefania is enjoying her job, however, her position is put in jeopardy when Italy joins the opposite side and her beloved fiancé becomes the enemy. Stefania finds herself torn between her duty to her country and the man who means everything to her. When she is given the opportunity to go on a classified mission, Stefania jumps at the chance to help England win the war, but when it transpires that there is a traitor hiding in plain sight, she ends up becoming suspect number one.

With everything to lose, Stefania needs to keep her head and stay calm because with everything to play for, this war could end up taking everything from her – including her life and the man who means the world to her.

I’ve read Anna Stuart’s books before and she has such a great understanding of the period she is writing about and a wonderful ability to bring to life the sacrifice, bravery and courage of her characters. The Bletchley Girls is an atmospheric, exciting emotional and enthralling tale of love and war that aims for the heart and does not miss. Readers will be transported to the 1940s and they will find themselves completed absorbed by this brilliantly written story.

A compelling historical novel from a fantastic writer, The Bletchley Girls is the unmissable new novel by Anna Stuart.

The Bletchley Girls is another wonderful book from the brilliantly talented author, Anna Stuart. I have read three other books by her and each one has captivated me.

This book is set during WW2 and follows the stories of Steffie, Fran, and Ailsa, who meet after being assigned work code breaking at Bletchley Park. They are faced with heartbreak, devastation and dilemma's and through it all the growth of their friendships is strong, and the conversations between them are enjoyable.

The author takes us to Malta and Egypt during the story, introducing us to the stuggles other countries faced during the war as well. The whole book has been brilliantly researched and is an excellent piece of writing, I learnt many new facts during the course of the book and it is obvious that the author put a great deal of effort into the historical research of the story.

The Bletchley Girls is a fabulous read, the stories of the girls really touched me, and I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Anna Stuart for an advance copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Steffie, Fran and Ailsa all come from very different backgrounds. Yet all have been specially chosen to join the war work at Bletchley. They form a strong friendship but their abilities lead them towards danger and war...
The Bletchley Girls is an historical novel beginning in 1940 as three women arrive to work for the war effort at Bletchley. It begins in England but the women's journeys becomes more international in scope.
Steffie has lived the high life all over Europe and has an Italian fiance. Fran is dealing with feelings she does not understand towards a fellow recruit. Ailsa comes from a remote Scottish island and has limited social experience. The three women become firm friends, supporting each other whilst also abiding by the Official Secrets Act.
I was fascinated by the detail of the war developments and the characters' reactions to the crises, danger and personal challenges they encounter. In particular their love lives are complicated: Steffie's heart and loyalties are torn between her homeland and the man she loves. Fran has never had a romantic entanglement but now her heart is engaged and she isn't sure how to react. Ailsa has never left her island but is ready to travel the world instead of marrying a man she doesn't love.
All three women and their experiences felt authentic. The book is written in the third person but focuses on each woman to give their perspective and further their story. We experience the trauma of war through their perspectives and I was particularly affected by the heartbreaking cries of the young men in crashing planes. There is plenty of drama but it is the little emotional moments that make this book special.
The Bletchley Girls is an entertaining and dramatic historical novel about brave women and their war experience.

This was a heartwrenching book to read and yet I could not put it down as it completely had me gripped. If you like historical fiction, this is a book that you really don't want to miss! You'll be captivated from start to finish.

I didn't love this as much as I've enjoyed all of the rest of Anna Stuart's book. I wasn't looking for a lesbian romance either, should have been tagged. I'm just not into that. Still love her writing but this book wasn't my favorite.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot - there are plenty of reviews like that out there already if that's what you are looking for!

I've read quite a lot of novels set at Bletchley Park during WW2, as well as visiting the place in person, so I was delighted to find this book to add to my "collection".

I was not disappointed. The main characters of Steffie, Ailsa and Fran are very well written, and there is a host of interesting supporting characters too. The book is well-researched, with plenty of detail, and the action moves to different locations, adding to the wider picture of the life and times of those who worked at Bletchley.

I liked the author's writing style too, and will seek out her back-catalogue.

Recommended if you enjoy "friendship" novels with a historical setting and plenty of authentic background.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Set in Britain in the early years of World War II The Bletchley Girls from Anna Stuart is a captivating read based on a true story. Anna Stuart tells the story of three young women whose lives are changed by the choice they all made; to join a newly formed organization located at Bletchley Park that was very secretive; so much so they were all unsure of exactly what they were going to do once they got there.
Steffie a socialite, engaged to handsome Italian Matteo, Alisa, already a WRAN and very unsure of herself and Fran, full of confidence but out to prove she can make something of herself that does not follow the family footsteps of medicine, all meet up on the Bletchley Station; all with the same instructions, all wondering just what lay in store.
Each of the girls has a special skill required for the establishment of this relatively new, secretive and secret operation. Steffie has a skill for languages which she has honed in a life on the Continent, Fran is a skilled logistics genius, a skill set which eventually becomes invaluable to the War effort, and Ailsa has a knack with radio learned on her tiny island home of North Uist. She can pick up a whisper on the wind with her keen hearing and nimble fingers.
Given directions to the Manor by the stationmaster, the three set off on what was to become one of the most fascinating, revealing and challenged careers that saw them face incredible danger as each one contributed their skills to the War effort.
As the long years of War drag relentlessly along, the Bletchley Park team have a critical part to play in the War effort as they pick up and code break intelligence from the Enemy. Eventually Steffie is posted to Cairo and Ailsa is sent to Malta, while Fran is faced with what appears to be a budding romance with French recruit Valerie, and a frightening sense of emotion.
Love, heartbreak and a wonderful sense of close friendship binds the three friends together as they not only face their worst fears, but each one falls deeply in love during a time when all things in life could be and often were ephemeral.
Beautifully told, The Bletchley Girls skillfully portrays War time Britain, bringing a time long past alive once again, while paying tribute to the many men and women who gave countless hours of their lives, living with immense secrets, carrying out work that was essential to help and contribute to the War effort.
With The Bletchley Girls Anna Stuart could be considered to be at the pinnacle of her genre of Historic Fiction. An exceptional story.

Three unlikely women meet at train station, Stefania, Ailsa and Fran. They only currently have one thing in common, they have signed the Official Secrets Act and they are heading for the same place Bletchley Park.

They don’t know what their work will entail.

Stefania spent her formative years in Rome, she witnessed Mussolini at embassy parties and lost her heart to an Italian man, Matteo. Her skill in languages is going to be useful at Bletchley.

Ailsa, comes from a small Scottish Island, where she was destined to stay forever. But her skills with a radio and tuning into a variety of frequencies is going to be useful at Bletchley.

Fran, from a family of medicine has taken a completely different route much to the annoyance of parents. Her love of words and the logistics of referencing is going to be useful at Bletchley.

The three of them together, forge a friendship, there differing backgrounds and skills allow them to have an impact on the work at the Park. The war allows them to travel, to see something of the war from a different perspective. For all that time, they continue to correspond with each other. But are they about to put all they hold dear into jeopardy?

This novel had me hooked, pretty much from the beginning. The role of Bletchley Park has fascinated me always, the secrets it held for so long and the role that both men and women played is described in this book in so much detail. It was a book where I did not know how it was going play out, I couldn’t see the obvious route to the plot and it held me from beginning to end.

Historical fiction at it’s best when you learn so much about the past from an author that has thoroughly researched and used real stories to bring a narrative to life.

I’m torn with what to give this one. I read Stuart’s novel The Secret Diary and enjoyed it very much so I was excited when I saw another title from the same author. That being said The Bletchley Girls fell a little short for me.
I loved the three main characters and their connection. Each coming from a different walk of life but all joined together through their work and the friendships they formed. The author is very good at creating in depth characters that draw you in, Their banter was very enjoyable to read and kept me giggling.
My one qualm is that the story was slow and hard to get through in spots.

All in all it was an enjoyable read. I have read so many WWII historical fiction books that I have a lot to compare this one to. I feel that this one falls in the 3 - 3.5 stars range.

Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

I thought that this was a lovely book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it

The characters were brilliantly developed and I loved getting to know them as the book progressed.
I loved their personalities and the mix of different relationships too.

It was a really lovely read, it was well written and it had a lovely flow to the story.
The author is fantastic storyteller and I found the book to be an addictive read and read it in almost one sitting, making up early this morning to finish the story.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction reads and this is one of the best I have read for a long time. It is 5 stars from me for this one – definitely one I am very highly recommending

I became a fan of Anna Stuart last year and I eagerly look forward to each book she releases. This book, as is usual with her writing, took me on quite the journey.

I loved the three girls, Stefania, Ailsa, and Fran, and how their unique personalities not only helped them to do their work but also forged such a strong bond among the three of them.

I had heard of Bletchley Park in other WWII books I have read, but I was unaware of the amazing role women played at Bletchley Park.

This story might seem to start out slow, but it is necessary to truly get a feel for each of the characters, and it is this detail that only adds to the story once the pace of the war picks up and each woman is placed in a role seemingly made just for them.

This book has friendship, trial, love, a traitor, and near-death experiences that all tie together for one amazing and absorbing story. I highly recommend this story for fans of WWII historical fiction and for those looking for a different aspect of this genre.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Bookouture. All views are my honest opinion.

An absolutely wonderful book, this has to be my favourite read of the year. I am instantly attracted to books based in the Second World War and with the added bonus of the mystique of Bletchley I am hooked. This book did not disappoint, we are taken away from the stuffiness of the park and transported to the heat of Eygpt and the bombings of Malta. The way that all the storylines weaved together was wonderful it kept you guessing, wondering which way the story would turn next. Fran, Steffie and Ailsa worked well together, and you enjoyed learning their stories and backgrounds - they felt real..
You could tell a lot of research had gone into the book with the detail of the girls exploits -fab book.

The better part of this book felt a like a slog, truthfully. When the action turned to Egypt, Malta, and Bletchley Park it became far more engaging.