The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simpson is a heartwarming and inspiring story that celebrates the strength and resilience of women. It's a strong work of historical fiction, and I will look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

I LOVED Helen Simonson’s first novel, Major Pettigrew’s last stand. While this novel had a different feel to it, I enjoyed the historical and feminist elements of it. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Simonson does it again with another 5 star historical fiction. Full of several storylines that highlight the restrictive morals and expectations of post-WWI England, this novel keeps the reader engaged with a diverse cast of interesting characters. Not quite the charm of Major Pettigrew but close.

Set in a small seaside town in England, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is an interesting look at life right after the end of World War II and what that means for the women that were left behind to run the country. When Constance accompanied Mrs. Fog on her summer vacation, she never imagined she would be riding on motorcycles and flying in planes. She meets an eclectic cast of women that are independent and thrifty who become wonderful friends. Interesting, fun, and heartfelt!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle & Flying Club!

The war has just ended and it’s the summer of 1919 and Constance Haverhill is a a stand still with love. No love interests in site but she is still trying her best to make it a good life. She has just given up her cottage and her job and is now in Hazelbpurne-on-Sea, trying to secure a new life. Hazelbourne is a town filled with gossip and intrigue. The first person she meets, is Poppy and baronet’s daughter from a social faux pas. Poppy is not your ordinary socialite, she wears trousers and operates a woman’s taxi club. They also ride motorcycles and she hopes to add flying. Constance fits right in with the ladies and friendships begin. Constance also meets and falls for Harris, Poppy’s brother. It seems that she could live and work here and be very happy. Things seem very easy going and happy but things aren’t as they seem. The country is getting ready to celebrate, winning the war, but so much else is going on. This story has love, loss, secrets and deception. The end of the war also means that the women will lose some of the freedoms they gained while at war. I really enjoyed reading this book. I like the characters and the writing. It also ended the way it should, even though I didn’t see it coming. I want to thank Netgalley, Helen Simonson & Random House Publishing Group for my copy of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, for an honest review. I love historical fiction and this was a delight to read. Helen Simonson wrote an excellent book, it was a 4 star read for me.

What a pleasant and interesting read. Set in England just after WWI, it’s about life at a time when men have returned from war, and women are expected to return to their old roles. Colorful, engaging characters. Enjoyed this read.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed reading about the after period of WWI and all the social changes that were taking place. I wanted to cheer for poppy and constance in this novel!

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is a refreshing and adventurous romp that celebrates friendship, empowerment, and the thrill of breaking boundaries. The novel follows a group of spirited women who defy societal norms by embracing their passions for both motorcycling and flying, forming a tight-knit community that supports each other through challenges and triumphs. The author’s lively writing style and engaging characters draw you in, creating a vivid picture of the club's escapades and the strong bonds that form among its members.

What sets this story apart is its heartfelt exploration of each woman’s journey toward self-discovery and independence. The balance of humor and heartfelt moments keeps the narrative engaging, though some subplots could benefit from a bit more depth. Overall, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is an empowering and enjoyable read that inspires readers to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles, making it a delightful addition to the genre.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club came across my email one day as a "If you liked this book and this book, you'll enjoy this new book!" I'm easily persuaded by new books, so I requested it.

In Hazelbourne, WW1 has just ended and the women in the novel are at rather loose ends. Constance is accompanying an elderly lady to the seaside as a personal assistant while trying to figure out what is next for her. While there, she meets Poppy, a wealthy young woman with a penchant for motorcycles and flying, and very little interest in the manners of upper class British society. As Constance tries to find her way, Poppy embraces her as a member of her circle, while Harris, Poppy's brother who has been injured in the war, begins to open up to her.

This is such a sweet, enjoyable novel. The characters just come to life and are refreshingly honest. The women are aware of their place, yet constantly ready to challenge it, especially after a war that allowed them to aspire to more than just marriage and motherhood. Poppy is actually a favorite character with her "not giving a darn" attitude about what anyone says about the roles of women. The author chose an interesting time period as well, just following WW1, but before the Great Depression and the lead-in to WW2.

I had read and enjoyed the author's previous novel, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, and I was disappointed in this one. Part of the problem was that I had just finished four really excellent novels (The Women, The Song of Achilles, Forgotten on Sunday, and The God of the Woods), so this one felt like a let-down. There were so many characters and the story seemed to get bogged down in the middle. It took me forever to get through it, and I only finished it because I started skimming. Not the author's best effort.

I absolutely loved this historical fiction book!!! The time period (1919), setting in England, characters and storyline were all so engaging and well written. The setting descriptions were so well written that I could see them so clearly in my mind. This was my first book by this author, but definitely not the last!

Lovely book! Anyone who enjoyed Major Pettigrew's Last Stand will definitely enjoy this one. Takes place in post WWI England and is about can-do women and the world they live in.

Constance is trying to figure out how to support herself as an unmarried woman post WWI. Now that men are returning from war, women are losing their freedom to work. As she is working as a companion to Mrs. Fog, who is staying at a hotel in Hazelbourne, Constance meets Poppy, who runs a motorcycle taxi service that is run by women. She also meets Poppy's brother, Harris, who is fighting his own battles.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. I loved The Summer Before the War, so was really excited for this one. While I enjoyed it, I didn't love it like I did with The Summer Before the War. Part of it was that there was overall very little motorcycle and flying club. Yes, there were motorcycles, and yes, there was a plane and various plot points with it. However, there was not really this women's club aspect that I was expecting from the title, especially with the flying club. I did love Constance as a protagonist - she was so determined and such an easy character to cheer for!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley & The Dial Press/Random House for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

When I saw Helen Simonson was the author, I knew I had to read this, and I was not disappointed. I have loved her other two books, and this one is just as good. All are standalones and I urge you to seek these out after reading "Hazelbourne": "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" and "The Summer Before the War."

Although it took a little while for this story to get going for me, much like a motorcycle or airplane engine, once it finally “caught” I couldn’t put it down. It takes place in the summer of 1919, just after WWI when the men return from the front and the women are expected to go back to the kitchen or drawing room.

Constance Haverhill is a wonderful main character whose friendship with Poppy Wirral, founder of the Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, helps her to emerge from the grief of losing her mother. She must work to support herself, unlike Poppy and several of her other new friends. The need for employment after Constance’s job as a companion to elderly Mrs. Fog is soon to end, is one of the plot threads of this charming story. The writing is beautiful, and I loved the story with all its subplots and historical aspects that bring this time period to life.

Cleverly written with witty banter and subtle double meaning, themes of feminism and women’s independence are woven throughout this delightful historical novel. It is both a coming-of-age story and a tender romance. But more importantly, it is also a commentary on the period’s classism and racism and the emerging struggle for women’s rights. Not to be missed!

It's the summer of 1919. After Constance Haverhill has to give up her cottage and her job now that the men are returning from war, she serves as a lady’s companion in Hazelbourne-on-Sea. Here, she joins the social whirl that includes a girl who wears trousers and operates a motorcycle taxi and delivery service. Constance also meets Harris, a fighter pilot recently wounded in battle. The new friends soon realize that all are not welcoming. The freedoms they gained during the war could be revoked at any minute. Will the women have the courage to stand up for their rights and be true to themselves?
I liked the cultural references. It was interesting to hear how people lived and functioned duing this time period.
The cultural stereotype against women was infuriating. However, I appreciate that the author is time appropriate.
Despite the interesting story, I didn't connect with the characters or plot. I felt like I was looking into the story from above rather than participating with the story from the inside.

It was such a surprise to see a new book from Helen Simonson! This book was so cute and so engaging. The characters were fun and I found myself rooting for them in every way! Can't wait for the next one!

When I saw Helen Simonson had a new book out I jumped to read it, since I loved her first book, Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I wasn’t able to get to it right away.
I finally had the chance to get to this and it was well worth the wait. This book is just as charming as Major Pettigrew. Helen Simonson introduces us to a phenomenal group of women in 1919 living in Hazelbourne, England. They’ve taken on the jobs of men while the men are on the frontlines and now that the men are back, the women are meant to marry and stay home. For Poppy Wirrall, that’s not a life. Poppy runs a motorcycle club that works as a taxi service and is hoping to add flying lessons for women. When she meets Constance Haverhill, a companion for an elderly woman, she immediately brings this quiet young woman into her group. The group changes how Constance sees herself and the way she is treated by the family for whom she works.
This book is a look into life back in 1919 when classism was abundant and it features the women (and men) who weren’t scared to break ceilings and push boundaries to show the world that women were just as capable as men.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club hit the shelves on May 7th.

After a slow start, I really found myself enjoying this novel. It is filled with so many lovely lessons in a story that blooms beautifully like a tight bud to a radiant rose. I was left a little hanging at the end of the standard chapters, but delightfully happy to find the book concludes with an epilogue. Don't give up on this one until you give it a good chance. It won't disappoint.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this title. I highly recommend it as a great read for historic fiction readers and those who enjoy thumbing their nose at traditional stuffiness.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an Advanced digital Reader Copy of this book to review. I don't usually enjoy reading Historical Fiction, but I really loved this story. It takes place in the Summer of 1919. We find ourselves at a beach community where a young lady has been sent to care for a family friend who is recovering from the flu at a hotel. Constance, the young lady, meets other young ladies who are unconventional due to the fact that they had to work men's jobs while the men were off at war.... unfortunately, the men have started to come home and want their jobs back. I didn't want to put this book down, I enjoyed it so much!