In this charming World War I historical fiction novel, readers join Lucy and Maud, a young aristocratic woman and her maid turned printer with her own business. Having gone their separate ways in the months before the war, the two women’s lives changed further with the outbreak of war in 1914. As they adjust to their new lives and to the war, both Lucy and Maud must step outside their earlier roles and take control of their lives before things spiral out of hand. With strength, courage, and intelligence, both women rise to the occasion and live their new lives in the face of defeat and the naysayers. Maud and Lucy are very different women, and their differences are very apparent in their respective chapters, setting the two distinct narratives apart for the entire novel. With fascinating side characters and romances for these women to interact with, readers will love Costeloe’s characters and the world they inhabit. The two women are the heart and soul of the story, and the differences between them give readers a great exploration and understanding of World War I London for aristocrats and the working class in this fascinating, exciting, and immersive historical fiction novel.

This book was a bit of a letdown. At the beginning of the book, there were a few sensual scenes that did nothing to move the story along and made the story feel awkward; like it didn't belong with the rest of the story. I felt that the characters were the best part of the book. I especially liked Mabel with her generous spirit and quiet confidence. I kept waiting for the two stories to interconnect, but they never did. Only the sub-characters intertwined between the two stories. It made me wonder what the point of telling both stories was. Neither story went anywhere, but I found Mabel's story more interesting. I only kept reading because I wanted to know how the book ended.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A very enjoyable read although like others I didn't read the earlier book in the series (Fantastic Fiction does not list as a series) so was a bit confused at times at some of the references made. Still I found myself looking forward to going to bed to learn more about the characters and where the story would take them. The characters were all likeable and the book is well written.

I did feel that the last hour of the book was somewhat rushed and more could have been made of the blossoming relationship with Chas and David's experiences in the war. The mention of the Christmas Day truce was particularly poignant.

I was somewhat confused when finishing the book as felt like the story had not finished but assume (and hope) that another title is to follow.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and publishing team for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy of the title.

The Girls Who Dared to Love is another splendid story by author Diney Casteloe set during WWI. If you enjoy tales of strong women swimming against the tide of society, this tale is for you. The second book in the series begins with a slow burn and abruptly changes from young girls being presented at court to a full-on tale of WWI and the horrors that rained down on the men who fought and the women who tried to stay strong through it.

This tale is interesting because it revolves around two very determined women, the men they love, and their struggles as the war sweeps them into its path.

Although I enjoyed the book, I should have read the first book in the series before tackling this one. I felt like I was reading two books in one because the author abruptly switched from the setup to a book about the war. I was playing catchup a great deal, taking notes to keep track of the characters.

It was a confusing story but poignantly written with enough imagery to keep me reading. I can’t wait to start the series at the beginning to discover more about these two strong-willed, fearless women.

This is not a beach read; it is not a fast read, and I cannot say it is a romance, although the themes were there. But … reading this story did make me purchase the first book in the series, eagerly anticipating reading more of the author’s work. I suggest readers start at the beginning of the series before reading this continuation of Lucinda and Mabel’s tales.

I want to thank Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read this ARC for free. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

Lucinda (Lucy) McFarlane is a debutante preparing to be presented at court where she will curtsy to the Queen and King. Later, she will have her own coming-out ball.

At a soiree, Major Sir David Malcome, Baronet, sees Lucy and is struck by her beauty. After being introduced, they both soon fall in love and plan to marry. But when he is told he will have to leave to join the new war with Germany before their planned nuptials, they decide to marry sooner before he leaves.

Mabel used to be a maid to Lucinda at the McFarlane home but was falsely accused of stealing and let go. She then went to work for a printer. He has recently died and left the business to her. She decides to rent the premises out and she is then able to buy a new home for her family.

The story primarily follows Lucy and Mabel as they mature and make big decisions in their life as well as finding the love of their lives. There are several plots going on here and all of them are delightful. The characters are so real and I wanted to simply keep turning pages. But the story came to the end leaving the reader looking forward to another book. I read this author’s book “The Girl Who Dared to Dream” and loved it. This one is equally as good and I do hope the author is busy working on the next book. I cannot wait to read it. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the follow on story to The girl who dared to dream.Mabel was in service for the McFarlane family but when he father was in an accident and could no longer work Mabel then gets a nod with a printer.When he dies he leaves it to Mabel..This story tells of Mabels struggle to make the printers work and help fund her family . Also we see Lucy McFarlane marry before her husband goes away to war and her pregnancy..Iain McFarlane 's Lucy's brother also charms a young lady.This was a great story and would love there to be a follow on.Thank you to Netgalley and Aria and Aries.

Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This tells of the lives of the two main characters, Lucinda (Lucy) and Mabel and their family. It starts in 1914 just before the start of the war. They come from two very different classes. There was a previous book in this story where Mabel worked as a maid in Lucy’s home. I hadn’t read this book but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment as all relevant facts were related. This story really takes the reader back in time, where many people underestimated a woman’s capabilities. Mabel has her own business and is determined to succeed. She also has a kind and generous nature. Lucy is very much under her mother’s influence but I was glad that she was determined to have her own way. It was good to see her become her own person. There are a number of interesting secondary characters but the main story concerns the lives and loves of Mabel and Lucy and how the war affected each of them. I’m assuming there is another book to follow as some things were resolved but not all. I really enjoyed this book and I became invested in how things would pan out for them. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve read other books from Diney Costeloe and this one did not disappoint. This is the story of two strong women at the start of WWI. Definitely had a “Downton Abbey” vibe to it. With one of the women being from high society and the other from the working class.

I look forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend

The Girls Who Dared to Love is a historical fiction novel which takes place in WWI. The story alternates between two women, Lucinda (Lucy) and Macy and how they are surviving back on the home during the war. Lucinda is in the upper class of London and has made her debut in high society. Macy is from the working class and has recently come into a sizable inheritance. Prior to which she was working for a printer and is now inherited the business.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded and the distant connections between these two main characters. The story did end in such a way that I’m expecting another book.

All in all a great read

Another brilliant novel from Diney! I love reading her books as they are so well written you immediately get engrossed in the story. Life was very precarious during wartime- never knowing when it will end and if those that joined up will return. Life, love and relationships are all in the story.

Mabel Oakley, once the McFarlanes' maid, now ran her own printing business after inheriting it from a dear friend. She and her family had moved; their home was a little larger and they had room to offer when a mother and daughter needed help, plus when a friend of Mabel's lost her husband to the war. Mabel's life was happy, and as she occasionally saw William who visited when he could, she knew they had an understanding. But when Mabel met another young man, she finally knew what love was all about..

Lucinda McFarlane was engaged to Major Sir David Melcome, and her parents were organising a large wedding when WWI intervened, and David was told he needed to rejoin his regiment and head for France. The wedding was brought forward and an intimate family occasion was had, with a six day honeymoon before David's departure. Lucy missed her new husband dreadfully, but wrote to him often, and he to her. Would the war be over by Christmas as everyone said?

The Girls Who Dared to Love appears to be the second in a series, with The Girl Who Dared to Dream as the first (which I loved) But nowhere can I find series details... Mabel is once again an independent, feisty and determined young lady, while the delicate, but equally determined Lucinda is a character also to be admired. Lucy's brother, Iain as well as Mabel's family, and Charles - all well portrayed by the author. I've read and thoroughly enjoyed quite a few of this author's work; long may she continue! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Shannon Hewitt of Head of Zeus, UK for my digital ARC to read and review.

WWI - a great story that will change your life. Three women's lives intertwined into a great friendship. It will stay with you. I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. This review is my feelings towards the book.

The lives of Lucy and Mabel once again entwine in this tale that takes the women to life on the Homefront during WWI. They might have come from very different places- Mabel worked as a maid for Lucy's family-but war more or less levels the playing field. This is a big book, filled with emotion and the determination of these two. Costeloe also does an excellent job of portraying the difficulty a woman running her own business faced in this era. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Two women lead very different lives in London as World War One breaks out in this epic historical novel.

Fans of Downton Abbey will love The Girls Who Dared to Love by Diney Costeloe, which is focussed on two very disparate women—one upstairs, one downstairs-- as Britain enters the war. Lucy, a newly married socialite whose husband gets sent off to the front in France, and Mabel, the accidental owner of a printing business who is trying to be successful in a man’s world. What the two have in common is they are both spirited and determined women.

The story is told from the both Lucy and Mabel’s point of view, and their contrasting circumstances is what makes this novel so interesting. The two have crossed paths before, in Costeloe’s The Girl Who Dared to Dream, where Mabel was a maid in Lucy’s household. But in this novel, they live very different lives. Royal audiences, debutante balls and transport by Rolls-Royce in Lucy’s case, and inky labour, crowded housing and transportation by bike in Mabel’s case.

The historical details remind readers how difficult women’s lives were at the time. Lucy is constrained by etiquette, including not being able to attend parties once she’s pregnant. Mabel is constrained by the provisions of her inherited business, which means that she needs to find two men to act as trustees.

Like all good British lives, tea is the lynchpin of life, whereby no important decision takes place without it. This novel offers a real insight into women’s lives at the time. Highly recommended.

The girls who dared to love is the follow up to the authors previous novel The girls who dared to dream which is another heartwarming tale.
Mable Oakley is now grown up and is working as a printer after inheriting the business, after the owner didn’t want her to go and work as a maid again.
Lucinda McFarlane is now eighteen and has made her debut in high society where she meets David Melcome and falls in love with him. They have a short relationship and decide to get married before he is sent off to war. Which at first both parents weren’t happy about as there is a rift between the two fathers. But Lucinda doesn’t care she is adamant to marry her man.
This is not only a love story but also a story of women’s independence and proving that there is more to women than getting married and having babies. I really enjoyed this historical tale and the characters in it. Even though I did feel it was a quite a long story, But can’t wait to see in what’s in store for the next chapter is there is one. 5 stars from me.

I loved the young female leads in this book, in that they were feisty and independent in their own way, while chafing against the constraints of 1914 England. The way their stories unfolded was wonderful, and the subtle connections between them worked well. I was very sad that it finished in 1915, and hope that maybe there is a sequel coming as I was very invested in their futures and their experiences during the war. Thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book.

This is a fantastic follow up to The Girl Who Dared To Dream! I couldn't put it down. We're still following Mabel who now owns and runs a print shop. The family have also moved into a larger house and life is more comfortable. Along the way Mabel picks up waifs and strays, women in trouble who have no where to go. Life is very difficult for women at this time, especially women on their own.
Lucinda is also a main character. Mabel used to be her maid when she was in service to the family. She is making her come out and it's all excitement in the house. She meets Major Sir David Melcome shortly afterwards and in no time at all they're married. It's a rush job in the end because World War I breaks out and David has to go.
There's some good information on the battle front but it's mainly a book about the home front and how they coped and this is a part of history I love. There are some great characters and some down right nasty ones. I liked both girls stories but Lucinda's probably edged it for me.
I'd highly recommend it if you enjoy books about this era. The only problem I have now is having to wait for the next one in the series!!

Many thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for an early copy to read.

I have read many of Diney Costeloe's books and I have always found them to be a comfort read. Stories about ordinary people trying to live their lives in difficult times. I had trouble with this book in the beginning. It started with young girls being presented at the royal court, their mothers eager to make a proper “match” for their daughters. Suspiciously like a cheesy old-timey romance.

Then, the storyline slipped into war (WW1) and some of the politics and battles surrounding it. Many of Ms Costeloe's books centre around the war, WW2. But usually, the war is secondary. It's more about the lives of the characters during and after the war. But in this book the war is central. There are parts about the lives of the characters, but not enough to keep me interested.

I'm sad that this book is not for me. I was really looking forward to it. But, I think I’m burned out from too many war books. This is not the fault of the author. And, hopefully, her next book will go back to the style that I have liked over the years. As every author does, I know she puts her heart and soul into each book. I see that there are many 4 and 5 star ratings for this one. I'm happy for that. And, at this point it is irrelevant, but I do love the cover!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for their Advance Readers Copy.

The story continues at the start of the First World War. Lucy is now ready for her debut and to find a husband, whereas Mabel is working hard on her printing business, left to her by her previous employer. We follow their fortunes in love as the War looms over them and men start to leave.

The story is told well and is really readable, looking at how women were treated - we have characters suffering spousal abuse and being thrown out of their homes - and how they gradually were beginning to assert themselves as businesswomen and able to govern their own lives. Lucy, as an upper class woman, is very much controlled by her family and then her husband, whereas Mabel is much more independent. The result is a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.