“Wartime Wishes for the Land Girls,” by Ellie Curzon, is the fourth book in the “Village at War” series. This book can be read as a stand-alone as Ms. Curzon does provide backstory for the players, but I think reading at least book 3 in this series would help a new reader. In this book, Lottie (still mourning her sister Martha) has Blossom, a dog companion to try to help her cope with her loss. Ms. Curzon touches on loss in this book - but also about making quick judgements about people - even in this small town. While at first the new Vicar Matthew came across as unfriendly, it’s evident that he has deep feelings about not only his niece (Daisy) but also those in his flock. A little kindness does go a long way … as does forgiveness, even when it hurts on one level to give that forgiveness. Another enjoyable book in this series.

Christmas is near at Goslings' Farm in Bramble Heath, and the festive feeling is palpable. You can almost taste the escalating excitement of the land girls and the villagers. It's a friendly community; the warmth and compassion ooze on every page. The land girls get on well together and enjoy their chores of feeding the nation while WW2 rages.
Kate is mourning the loss of her sister to a German bomb. She's inseparable from her delightful "human" intuitive dog, Blossom. One should never underestimate the companionship of a dog. The love and attentiveness from all those around her and working for a cause are therapeutic and help to alleviate her suffering. But she's not the only one suffering.
I particularly like how the author changed my first impressions of the characters as the plot unfolded. It proves that one shouldn't rely on rash judgments. I found Matthew, the new vicar, unfriendly, taciturn, and inclined to be tetchy. Nazi-catcher Mr Gastrell was pompous and puffed up with glory and self-adulation. For half the book, I was at odds with Kate's thinking. But, I've not experienced unrelenting German bombs raining down night after night or the agony of losing a loved one to the war.
The atmosphere changes when a German plane crashes near the farm, and an injured pilot hurtles out of the sky in a parachute. The villagers show little sympathy as he hides. They are scared, goaded on, and incited by Gastrell to catch 'the monster.' I was worried the villagers might rise up as vigilantes and start a witch hunt. It wouldn't be the first time, and a desperate man can be unpredictable.
Daisy was a sweet character – an orphan in Matthew's charge. Her bookshelf mirrored mine as a child. I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton's books under the bed covers with my torch. I thought Matthew and Kate were slow to figure out where to find her, but I didn't guess the shocking circumstances of why she disappeared.
"We have to make a better world than this one." Matthew's words resonate loudly on a current topical global platform.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture.

WARTIME WISHES FOR THE LAND GIRLS is the fourth novel in A Village at War series by ELLIE CURZON. It is a really good read with unforgettable characters who live happily in Bramble Heath, a friendly village until a German airman, who is the only one to escape after their plane was shot down by the Nazis, is known to be hiding n the forest. The villagers’ hatred for the Germans is is worked intoa frenzy by Sidney Gastrell whilst the new vicar, Matthew Hart, together with land girl Lottie Morley, are preaching forgiveness…….
I love to see the friendship between the land girls, Matthew’s love for his niece Daisy, and Lottie and Matthew’s growing relationship…..
Things are not as they seem and you will be glued to your chair as the search for the missing airman gathers momentum.
I was given a free copy of the book by NatGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A sweet Wartime story full of laughter, friendship, and sparks for the women who helped keep Britain fed during WWII.