'Can two young women and one book change the course of war?'

This is the question for Peggy Sparks and Lady Marigold Cecily when they come together in a world where of war. This is a story of unlikely friendships, the coming together of a community and of course a book that ties it all together. This is such a wonderful, heart-warming read and a powerful and courageous book. I enjoyed the warmth and charm of this book and the hope it brings in such circumstances as war.

I loved The Air Raid Book Club and I love this one as well. I highly recommend it and think everyone will enjoy this wonderful book.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for giving me the opportunity to read and review this books.

The Ministry of Information(MOI) produced films,organised radio broadcasts,curated exhibitions and issued various posters.The MOI agreed that a publication entitled Why Britain is at War should be one of its first pieces of publicity.Books and pamphlets would ensure that official messages had an enduring impact.Unlike films, radio broadcasts, exhibitions, and posters, such outputs were designed to last.This required huge print-runs to satisfy demand, and a sensitive approach designed to appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes.The MOI’s earliest publishing efforts were hindered by the atmosphere of confusion which surrounded the department during 1939-40.They initally exerted influence on commercial publishers and the inserted leaflets into certain titles.When they tried explaining why Britain was at war by combining Foreign Office telegrams, documents abridged from the official ‘Blue Book’, and extracts from the final report of Britain’s ambassador to Nazi Germany became embroiled in an inter-departmental copyright dispute.These experiments encouraged an increasingly professional approach to publishing.The first success came in March 1940 when the MOI published a 36-page pamphlet entitled The War at Sea under the auspices of the Continental Publishers ‘Picturefacts’ imprint. Initially this illustrated pamphlet would be freely distributed among British merchant seamen,but it was translated into French by Continental and successfully marketed across Europe and the Middle East. This success replicated a year later when the MOI revised an Air Ministry pamphlet called The Battle of Britain in March 1941.The Battle of Britain became the first in a series of large-format paperback books commissioned by government departments and published by the MOI.These ‘Official War Books’ set out to ‘tell the British war story.'By 1943, such books had sold over 20 million copies, and individual titles sold over a million.Market research conducted by the Ministry’s Wartime Social Survey unit estimated that almost 60% of the public had seen one or more titles.Over 4 years,the MOI established itself as one of the most successful publishers in the world.

A Girls' Guide to Winning the War is a story of the love of family, female friendships and the power of the written word. Set during World War II readers will follow Peggy as she contributes to the war effort through the publication and writing of pamphlets and books to keep up morale on the homefront.

‘The war has offered a great opportunity to us and we would have been fools not to take it.’

Overall this is a lovely, heartwarming read about women on the home front in London and how families coped with bombings, rationing, taking on new roles and the importance of letters from loved ones at the front. The friendship between Peggy and Marigold highlights class differences and how friendship knows no bounds.

‘Words have power, and yours have more power than most.’

This is a nice, charming story about the power of love from family and friends during challenging times. Lovers of historical fiction, particularly the changing roles of women during WWII will be most interested in this book.






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

This is a beautiful story, showing strength and courage during World War 2, Peggy Sparks is a librarian, living with her grandmother, Emily, mother Alice, sister in law Flo and niece Nancy and nephew Charlie and she knows how important books can be and when she gets the chance to do everything she can to get her twin brother, Joe safely home from the war she takes it and goes forth, taking up a position in The Ministry of Information, here she grows in so many ways making friends and making a difference.

She starts working under Lady Marigold Cecily, who is so very different from Peggy, but soon they are fast friends and when some of Peggy’s work is published things start to move, more books are published to help the people of Britain keep informed, but of course things don’t always run smoothly and Peggy and Marigold are up against a very male dominated workplace and world, but they never give up through heartache, pain, loss they keep pushing to get their works published to show how woman are so important to the war effort.

This is a story that involves friendship, love, strength and sheer determination to get things done, to help the men get home from the frontline and I loved it, there were tears and smiles along the way, it is witty and the characters are the best, it is a story that I highly recommend to any lover of a good historical story, it is not to be missed.

My thanks to Netalley and Hachette AU for my copy to read and review.

In 1940, Librarian Peggy Sparks commences a job in the Ministry of Information, with the goal of trying to end the war and bring her brother home. In Publications, she soon rubs shoulders with a diverse cast of characters including socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, the abrasive Mr Sheldrake, mysterious Mrs Pyecroft, sexist Mr Longforth and the quiet champion Mr Beecher and many more. Weathering air raids and and enormous egos and everything in between, Peggy soon rises through the ranks from copyeditor to ghostwriter, writing publications the help the war effort and standing up against the injustices she encounters as a woman in a man's world.

This was a delightful heartwarming story of women in the second world war, shining a light on many different women from many different backgrounds in both Peggy's own story and the people she interviews in her work. We have the plucky Peggy, all earnest enthusiasm; we have her mother, Alice - warm and gentle and grieving a husband lost to war; we Peggy's no-nonsense Gran, Emily, all bluster and vigour; the poor rich girl, Lady Marigold, hiding emotional wounds under silk and smiles; we have Rosa Baumann - German Jew businesswoman; and many many more. Each of these women show grit, determination and a ruggedness that is overlooked by their male counterparts, and they fight harassment, sexism, classism, anti-Semitism, racism, and homophobia, all while striving to keep the home fires burning for their loved ones overseas.

This book, too, shines a light on the "great" men in Britain while the young soldiers are at the front, and the gross inequalities of the time.

Despite, or perhaps because of all that, this was a charming cosy read, a tale of pluck and grit and determination; a tale of love and hope.

I recieved an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased the audiobook version from Audible, narrated by Annie Lyons. Ms Lyons did a wonderful job, especially with the different accents and ages of the characters in the book, bringing an extra layer of warmth and live to an already vibrant book.

Peggy Sparks was a content young woman, working at the library, a job she loved, as books had always been a part of her life, and helping care for her family members. Her grandmother, Emily, mother, Alice, sister-in-law Flo and the children, Nancy and Charlie all lived under the one roof; keeping in touch with Joe, Peggy's twin - and Flo's husband - who was serving in the war, was paramount. It was 1940 when Peggy was offered a job at the Ministry in London, and she knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime, where she could help with the war effort, and be instrumental in bringing Joe home.

As the years moved forward, Peggy worked hard and became friendly with Lady Marigold Cecily. When the bombing of London caused devastation and disaster, Peggy did her best to comfort, knowing there was only one way to go and that was forward. As Peggy and Marigold worked on the special books (A Girls Guide to Winning the War was one title) which were being published for the war effort, they were proud of their work, especially when Joe mentioned in one of his letters that he'd read one of the books, which had been on their sparse library shelves. But Peggy and her family despaired - when would this dreadful war end? And would Joe come home safely?

A Girls' Guide to Winning the War is another spectacular historical novel by Annie Lyons which I thoroughly enjoyed. I previously read The Air Raid Book Club and loved it, so when I saw this one, I knew I had to read it. And it didn't disappoint. Peggy is an excellent character, and after a rocky start (Peggy would agree) Marigold starred as well. Emily was a feisty woman and was loved dearly while Alice kept the home fires calm. Nancy took after her Great Gran, it was delightfully obvious, and Peggy knew she was lucky, with all the love that surrounded her. I'll be looking for more by Annie Lyons and can highly recommend this one to fans of the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley & Hachette AU for my digital ARC to read.

Set during World War II the story follows Peggy as she sets out to assist in the war effort through the publication and writing of pamphlets aimed to keep up morale at home in Britain. Throughout the story Peggy grows in determination and courage as she works alongside the others at the ministry developing the pamphlets/books. The side characters of Lady Marigold, Peggy’s mum, grandmother and niece Nancy are just as loveable and well developed as our protagonist. This is an enjoyable heartwarming read that tugged on the heart strings, this isn’t just a story about life in wartime, but a story about the connection and strength that comes from family.

This was such a profound novel. My first book by Annie Lyons and I’m an instant fan. The prose was captivating, charming and so purposeful. I loved the many facets within this story, especially how it was steeped in reality both with its events and the emotion present within each chapter. I adored all the characters and found myself feeling like I was part of the family, sharing laughs and tears from start to finish.
The power of words is a message pushed in this novel, and it’s one I wholeheartedly love. It truly resonated with me and it made my reading experience all the more wonderful. I will be recommending this book and exploring more by this author.

This book was honestly just a lovely read. It was heartwarming, but also pulled on the heart strings.

When Peggy's brother Joe heads off into WW2 leaving his wife and children with his mother, grandmother and sister - all they want is for Joe to come back home safely. This historical fiction sucks you right into the centre of London at the start of WW2, and takes you through Peggy's daily life through to the end of the war. From Peggy's new job, making friendships with the likes of Miss Lady Marigold (always ready to have fun), to reading books to her neice Nancy - you'll feel that you know these people yourself. Peggy's push for her new job and everything that she does is to bring her brother job and help end the war - she might not seem instrumental but that doesn't mean she isn't helping.

I felt this book had great commentary on being a woman during this time, but also showed how one can rise through the ranks and really push the patriachial system into one that supports women.

I felt it also had some incredible insight into how war times change a person, a family and even a city. It seemed to hit a little stronger with the current state of the middle east and how people might be feeling there.

My favourite quote from this book was "Words have power, and yours have more power than most"
There are a few other quotes that I love from this book, that mainly have to do with words having power, and that really resonates with me. Whether it's what you're saying, or what you're reading or hearing - words do have power, they have an impact, they can make a change.

Peggy Sparks is the protagonist living in a time when the world was at war.
A a woman in WW2 ,Peggy has many obstacle to overcome but she not only overcomes adversity to make a difference in war time.
It a story about women, love, adversity and survival. I highly recommend it.

This is the first WWII historical fiction book I've read in some time, and it was interesting to see how the war unfolded through the life of Peggy Sparks, a young British woman who moves from her job helping out at the library to becoming involved in the publication and writing of ministry documents and books used to help the British war effort. Peggy fights to do her part to bring home her twin brother from the war through her work and in so doing her life changes in dramatic ways. It was also my first book by Annie Lyons, and it's lovely to have found a new author who can tackle such difficult subjects in a way that draws readers into the lives of the Spark family and friends. With clashes of gender, culture, upbringing, and country all playing a role in this story, it made for an interesting, and at times challenging, read. I felt as though I was caught up in both grieving and celebrating with the characters at various times, which is the mark of a good writer when they impact their reader so much. The supporting characters (particularly Marigold, Nancy, Emily, Frank and Mrs Pyecroft) within the book added a wealth of richness to the story, particularly at times when Peggy was irritating me, which did happen occasionally. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Hatchette Australia and New Zealand for letting me read an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a personal review. It was very much an interesting look into the past.