This is book five in the series. This book takes place post war in Liverpool. The characters are flawed but relatable. The authors writing style kept me engaged throughout. A lovely addition to this series

Pam Howes’ A Royal Visit to Victory Street continues this best-selling author’s terrific series about a community in Liverpool soldiering on after the horrors of the Second World War saga fans simply cannot get enough of.

The residents of Victory Street have had their fair share of sorrow and despair in the last couple of years. However, when in 1956 they hear the news that Queen Elizabeth II will be visiting their street, they are absolutely jubilant and vow to pull out all the stops in order to ensure that this momentous occasion goes off without a hitch. For the first time in a long while, there is a great deal of joy and positivity in the air, however, even a visit from the Queen herself cannot stop Bella Harrison from worrying about her fourteen-year-old son, Levi.

Bella was meant to be singing for the Queen, but the news that Levi plans to leave Liverpool for America to be with his father’s family knocks her for six. Levi’s bombshell is breaking her heart and even though she is fully aware that life is tough for a mixed-race boy growing up in 1950s Liverpool, he is the light of her life and she doesn’t know what she would do if her boy leaves her and goes to live on the other side of the world. Can Bella convince him to stay? Or is her boy’s mind made up?

Victory Street is where Levi belongs, but when he gets devastating news from America that puts his big move in jeopardy, Bella wonders whether she is steering her boy wrongly. Can she find the courage to do the right thing for her son and sing for Her Majesty? Or is Bella about to make the biggest mistake of her life?

Keep a box of tissues handy while reading A Royal Visit to Victory Street because Pam Howes’ emotional and compelling saga aims for the heart and does not miss. A captivating tale about a mother’s love for her child, the ties that bind and impossible sacrifices, A Royal Visit to Victory Street is an immensely readable and highly enjoyable tale that beautifully brings to life the warmth, tenacity, courage and tremendous heart of the people of Liverpool.

Pam Howes never disappoints and with A Royal Visit to Victory Street has written another fantastic saga perfect for Rosie Clarke and Elaine Everest fans.

A great read following a great community planning for a Royal Visit, drawing together to make it a huge success. They plan the music, food and decorations and you feel a big part of the excitement. There is a huge element of family life, great friendships, dreams being realised and life in the post war era where communities are still rebuilding after the bombing.
I loved Pam Howes writing style and I am keen to read more in this series.

Many thanx to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have not read any of Pam Howes previous books in this series and looked forward to reading this one. Unfortunately this story didn't hold my attention for long as I felt there was too much descriptive text and not a great deal of story.
Great idea for a book but this one just didn't "go" anywhere! A very passive book, no great storyline and can only give 2 stars.

The characters in this series are becoming sort of friends I liked to visit from time to time. This is not a favorite but it's another compelling story in this good historical fiction series.
I was glad to catch up with the characters and followed the new generations.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I’ve read all the books in this series but unfortunately have to say I was disappointed, the storyline was banal and just didn’t hold my interest.

Once again Pam has enchanted us with a lovely book. The fifth in the series, of The Bryant sisters, welcomes us back to old friends we have come to know and love to new. Such a wonderful story with such warmth and excellent reference to the coming alive of rock and roll and the new faces that we now know as older and still with us.
Pam never fails to keep us engrossed with her wonderful books.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this lovely book. xxx

A Royal Visit to Victory Street by Pam Howes is another in the series that began with the Byrant Sisters, a trio who sang to entertain troops during WII. Much has happened in the years since then. We are up to date with all the families and at this point we have only lost one, Fenella, who after marrying Basil, tragically died. This is not a story with a plot, it is a slice of life novel, full of characters that we get to see grow, sometimes mature, and live their lives. Plenty happens in this episode, one of the high points being the visit by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip to Liverpool, Victory Street, specifically. Along with his request to hear and see the Bryant Sisters sing, which they don’t do very often anymore, but, of course, will in this case. The whole visit comes off well and that’s only the beginning of the book. The children are pretty much adults now and ready to marry or go off on their own. I love soap operas and that is pretty much what this saga is. It is very character driven. Most of the characters have been with the series since before the war and the reader has really gotten to know and love them. It could not be a better read!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Royal Visit to Victory Street by Bookoutre, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #PamHowes #ARoyalVisitToVictoryStreet

A Royal Visit to Victory Street is the fifth instalment in the Bryant Sisters series by Pam Howes. I think I read somewhere prior to beginning the book that this was to be the last in the series but in my mind there is definitely room for one more book as I felt it ended quite abruptly and there is still room to explore much more regarding all these characters that I have come to know and love especially the younger generation who are featuring more prominently. Although we are quite well into the series you could easily pick this book up and become familiar with the characters and the various storylines. Details regarding previous plots are slotted in here and there which makes it easy to follow along and not make you feel as if you have missed out. Although to get a true sense of how special this series is and how the main characters have developed and expanded since their first introduction it would be nice to go back and read from the beginning plus you have the added advantage of being able to read each book one after the other whereas I have had to wait impatiently for publication of each new book.

Once again this was a lovely relaxing, easy family saga that was a quick read and enjoyable. But I will say and this is the only gripe I found is that the blurb is very misleading. It’s only the last two lines that relate to the book because the rest of the information detailed does not happen and all the time I was expecting to read of Levi wanting to move to America and how Bella became deeply affected by this. This certainly didn’t happen. The situation regarding America happened in the last few chapters of the book and not whilst they were preparing for the Queen’s visit as outlined in the blurb. Also, it wasn’t in as much details the blurb leads you to believe. This won’t deter readers from choosing this book but I do think a different blurb is needed.

Pushing this aside and as I mentioned this was the only thing that niggled away at me, A Royal Visit to Victory Street is an engaging and good read. It moves the overall storylines of the series along nicely and you are deeply engaged and root for all the characters. It has been so lovely to see Bella, the main protagonist, and her various family members and their extended friendship circle grow and flourish since book one. They have battled through the war and are enjoying a new and exciting way of life and it’s wonderful to read of all the modern changes coming into effect. Many of which we certainly take for granted now.

Levi, Bella’s son, is now a teenager and the music scene in Liverpool is becoming very exciting. I loved the mentions of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Levi seems envious that they are launching onto the music scene albeit in different groups. You’d love to be able to reach into the book and tell Levi just how big they would go on to be but it was brilliant seeing things through his own young and eager eyes. Levi battles personally as he is mixed race and at times he can feel that he is on the fringes and maybe he would be better off living in America with some of his relatives and it doesn’t help that America is where the latest and hottest music is coming from. He doesn’t want to go to college instead once his exams are over music is the career that he wises to pursue, and you wouldn’t blame him really as the family business is music and entertainment. Many of his relatives including his sister Dianna and his mother Bella are in small singing groups that have had and are experiencing success. He wants in on the action and with Basil and his father Earl and stepfather Bobby at the helm of Bold Street Studios he just knows he can really make a go of things with his friends in the band.

Levi does feature heavily in this book but that’s not to say that the remainder of the characters that I have become so familiar with are forgotten. When Bella’s mother Mary hears through her work at the Women’s Institute that the Queen and Prince Philip will be paying a visit to Victory Street it’s all hands-on deck to prepare a celebration that will be remembered for a long time. To be honest I thought the visit would form the basis for the majority of the book but it seemed to come and go pretty quickly which I suppose on reflection allowed for further development of more individual stories. Most notably that of one of Fran and Edie’s (who form the Bryant Sisters with Bella) neighbours Glenda who is in desperate trouble. I loved how this element of the story all played out and it shows we can’t always judge someone on first appearances because really we don’t know what is going on with someone behind closed doors. As regards Bella, before her big storyline came to light I had my suspicions as to what was going and when things come to the surface it really does bring a smile to your face. It showed her story coming full circle and that all the hardships and battles that she has endured and come through have all been worth it. For now she has reached the point where she is truly happy and contented in her life.

There were lots of little things that happened throughout the story to many different people and really are too many to mention in any sort of detail here. Suffice to say this was a heart-warming and engaging read and it’s lovely to be able to dip back into the lives of Bella and co. Whether this be the last book or not Pam Howes has written a fabulous series that may readers will take much enjoyment from.

A Royal Visit to Victory Street by Pam Howes is the fifth book in The Bryant Sisters series. I recommend reading this heartwarming series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and their stories. I enjoyed returning to Victory Street. We get to catch up with the characters. We follow Bella, Edie, Fran, and their extended families as they go about their daily tasks and adjust to postwar Liverpool. It took time for things to return to normal in England after the war. Some items were still being rationed in the latter half of the 1950s. I like how the author included the latest music groups and/or performers. Elvis Presley was making a name for himself, and teens wanted to imitate his look. Victory Street is chosen to receive a royal visit from Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Phillip. The Wavetree WI goes into action to make sure everything is perfect for the visit. Well, everyone except their leader who prefers to delegate. I like Pam Howes writing style. It is casual and friendly which makes the story easy to read. The characters are realistic and relatable. They continue to grow as the series progresses. I like that the characters are not perfect. They have flaws just like real people. We get to see them overcome challenges that are put in their way. There is nothing they cannot do as long as they have each other. The ending had me smiling. I was sorry when my visit to Victory Street came to an end. A Royal Visit to Victory Street is a heartfelt tale with unforeseen news, party planning, cleaning crews, pots of tea, a singing sensation, regal royals, a startling surprise, and a new venture.

Following the lives of the Bryant ‘sisters’ has been wonderful. I was so happy that there was another book in this series. I’ve read them all!

Post WW2 and with Queen Elizabeth on the throne, we find the Victory Street folk doing well. Bold Street Studios is well set. When a Royal visit is announced, it’s but natural that they would put on a show. While preparations are underway, Bella has to deal with her son, Levi’s need to discover his father’s heritage and his plan to move to the US.

Once again, the characters and their lives had me so caught up in the story. I love the progression of time and how the characters are developed even as new ones are introduced. As always, love, humour, family and community are large part of the book with interesting aspects of the music of the time woven in to the story.

Pam Howes’ style of storytelling is fresh and interesting, always keeping the reader invested in the story and the lives of the people in Victory Street.

This is the fifth book in the Bryant Sisters series. I have throughly enjoyed following the lives of Bella, Fran and Edie as they’ve grown up and had families of their own. This book is set in 1956 after the war and with their children finding their own way in life. There’s excitement with a Royal visit to Victory Street where the series first began. It’s nice to see after all the ups and downs that they’ve had, that their big blended family is still very close and supportive of each other. An emotional read and a great series.

What an absolute pleasure it is to be back with the Bryant sisters and their families and friends. This is a series that I absolutely adore and can easily read in one sitting. Everything about this book is just wonderful and I just felt myself being taken back in time to Liverpool in the late 1950’s and could actually visualise the events in my head. This book focuses a lot on Bella and Earls son Levi and it was wonderful to see him develop as a character as the story progresses. A wonderful addition to the series and as I read through the series I love reading about all the characters and how they are developing as the series progresses. This book can be read as a standalone but I really recommend reading the others as they are so good,

Another brilliant visit to Victory Street. It was so lovely to catch up with Bella, Eddie and Fran as well as seeing Levi come into his own. I also enjoyed reading how music had evolved by the mid to late 50's. As with the previous books set around WW2, everybody came together in times of need and to help one another out, in an utterly heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story. I hope we'll hear more from the Victory Strret series.

Liverpool, 1956: The results of the war are still very evident with so much destruction everywhere. It’s been nine years since the war ended and people are still trying to rebuild what they have left of their lives. Victory Street residents receive word that Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip are going to visit them. With so much work to be done, they wonder if they will ever finish in time for the Royal visit. Bella Harrison has worries of her own when her fourteen year old son Levi tells her that he is moving to America to be with his father’s family. Bella can’t imagine Levi living so far away, he is all she has. Bella receives some heartbreaking news from America, Bella and Levi’s lives are once again turned upside down. With Victory Street preparing for the Queen's visit, Bella wonders if she has it in her heart to sing in the festivities or will she find herself too emotional to celebrate anything in her life.

I am always so happy to return to Victory Street. The inspiring and courageous residents are very intriguing. I feel like the residents of Victory Street are close friends and family. This heart-warming story pulled me glued to the pages and I couldn’t put this book down until the very last page. This book had my emotions running wild. I reached for the Kleenex box a few times. I loved the storyline of a royal visit from Queen Elizabeth, brilliant. I love the Bryant Sister’s Series and this book was a wonderful addition to the series. This book can be read as a stand-alone novel, but don’t pass up the opportunity to read this amazing series from the beginning. I definitely recommend this book.

Thank you Pam Howes for such a phenomenal continuation to this amazing Bryant Sisters Series. I loved it.

A Royal Visit to Victory Street is book 5 of The Bryant Sister's series by Pam Howes. We welcome the start with the news that the Queen is going to visit not only Liverpool but Victory Street; unfortunately Mary is only allowed to tell those who will be involved in getting the event organized. What better way to bring the community together. A brilliant novel that kept me engrossed once more.

Historical drama ,continuing the story of the Bryant girls after the war. A heartwarming story about family and life.

Book 5 in a series I have come to love. I look forward to the next book each time I've finished one. This isn't a genre a read very often but after reading one of Pam's book a few years ago, I now look forward to a new one being published.
I know i'm going to be lost in the lives of the characters, everything about these books come alive while reading.
A Royal Visit to Victory Street was an exceptional, comforting read. an easy read that I knew i wasn't going to be putting this book down once started.
As always Pam Howe manages to take you back in time and feel like you could be part of this story. A visit back to Victory street and the characters that live on and around it. Character that we have become very fond of over the books.
The residents as always are pulling together to make a memorable day when they are to have a royal visitor. Each one doing what they can to help out, showing how when something needs doing, doing it together makes it more achievable.

I had honestly assumed that this series had reached its conclusion, so it was a real pleasure to discover a fifth instalment. As the synopsis explains, we are now a little over a decade since the end of the war. Queen Elizabeth is now on the throne and life in Liverpool’s Wavertree is starting to emerge from the scars left by the bombings.
When we last visited, there were changes for the group of friends. Bella and Bobby moved to a new bungalow with their children, and recently bereaved Basil was also living in a bungalow. The grand house near the Mystery Park was now home to Earl’s brother who had also moved over from America. Bold Street Studios was taking off and the next generation of the Victory Street family were leading the way.
When news of the Royal visit broke, it fell on the shoulders of Bella’s mum, Mary, to lead the way for the Women’s Institute to offer the hospitality that such a visit requires. Of course, included in the plans would be a show from Bold Street Studios.
The main focus of this book is on Levi becoming aware of his heritage and needing to learn more about his extended family. He becomes enraptured by the new sounds that are part of the birth of rock and roll, and there are even early mentions of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Once again, I loved reading about all the characters who are so beautifully developed. The overwhelming sense of community plays a wonderful role in setting the tone for life in rebuilding Liverpool. Pam Howes shows her depth of research and empathy as she explores some sensitive issues including racism, domestic violence, and blended families.
I am now hoping that there will be a chance to see what happens next to these wonderful characters.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Pam Howes' final installment A ROYAL VISIT TO VICTORY STREET.

I have followed the lives and loves of the original Bryant Sisters through the war years and beyond since the beginning. I have watched them bloom and grow, fall in love, get married, have children and settle down. Now the series is coming to an end as we see their children bloom and grow...as life for them comes full circle.

It's 1956 and the shadows of war still linger eleven years after its end as the community continues to rebuild their homes and their lives. At a gathering of the Watertree WI (Women's Institute), Mary is made privy to the upcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Given the task of organising the entire event, Mary then rallies her troops around she needs, all of them on a "need to know" basis. It seems Victory Street is to represent Liverpool on the royal couple's visit so Mary sets to organising a spruce up with all hands on deck. And they have just six weeks in which to prepare.

It seems Prince Philip was endeared by Liverpool's songtresses the Bryant Sisters so Bella, Edie and Fran dust off their frocks (or rather they buy new ones) and set to rehearsing a couple of numbers to entertain the royal couple. And Mary's granddaughter, Bella's 7 year old daughter Lizzie, is to present a bouquet to the Queen on behalf of Liverpool...and so rehearsals were underway for Lizzie to familiarise herself and know what she is to do. As Lizzie is deaf, though she can lip-read, she relies on sign mostly to communicate.

After the royals leave Victory Street, a party is then thrown for the entire community to come and enjoy as Bella's eldest son Levi takes to the stage with two of his friends to perform as a trio for the masses. It seems music is in his blood as he follows in his parents' footsteps to follow his dream of becoming a singer. He watches as local lad John Lennon begins to make a name for himself as well as the rising stars coming out of the USA with the likes of Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, and he wonders if he has what it takes to make as they have.

Times have certainly changed since Bella and her friends took the stage in their break time and the Bryant factory, entertaining the co-workers at the beginning of the war. From there they joined ENSA where they met Basil Jenkins who later went on to marry Bobby Harrison's mother Fenella after the death of her husband. Now Bella and Bobby have Levi (though fathered by Earl Franklin) and their own daughter Lizzie whilst Edie is married to Stevie with baby Dennis and Fran is married to Sam with Lorraine and Gary. Mary has also found love again in Martin, Basil's former driver, while Molly (her youngest) married Earl Franklin and has twins Patti and Harry. Not to mention Earl's family he brought over from America with him when he emigrated wanting to spend time with his son Levi, what with sister Ruby, daughter Diana and I forget where Delores comes in. To anyone outside, this family tree would have them scratching their heads. I know I was trying to remember who was who and how they fit in...lol

A ROYAL VISIT TO VICTORY STREET brings this series to a fitting end with heartwarming tales set to delight the reader. Packed full with party planning, unforeseen news, singing, a royal visit, more singing, a startling surprise and a new venture in the works, this quick and easy read has brings a sense of nostalgia that makes you feel as if you are right there with them.

I have to say though, the description of the book is once again misleading, and I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen that was never going to! I may be niggling, but it's a pet peeve of mine when the description outlines something completely different from the story.

Overall, a compelling read that speaks for itself...as does the rest of the series.

I would like to thank #PamHowes, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #ARoyalVisitToVictoryStreet in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.