A Better Tomorrow for The East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride is a WWII stay-at-home-in-England novel. Full of typical young English women with a variety of concerns. One of the community issues they embrace is the slumlords who are overcharging for apartments in the area and raising rents in defiance of the law. There are personal things, too. As always, a man is involved and creates a dilemma for Cordelia who is attracted to an American soldier. Should she be faithful to her man fighting abroad or should she explore this possible new relationship? There are all kinds of nuances in the story: racism, war and its deprivations, maturing young women, and Cordelia’s struggle with her being her father’s daughter.

It is a moving and entertaining story, well worth the read. Life was so different then, not to mention a different country, one much closer to the war. McBride does a good job outlining some of the issues these women face while trying to keep the library open and functioning.

I was invited to read A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #PatriciaMcBride #ABetterTomorrowForTheEastEndLibraryGirls

This is the 4th book in the series, I have just loved these books, the girls feel like old friends, great historical drama

Another great novel in this East End Library Girls series. I liked the introduction of Eugene to a point. Mavis showing how strong a character she is was fantastic. I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of saga novels.

The fourth in McBride's Library Girls series sees us back in London nearing the end of the war.

Our girls are back, their community spirit is still unwavered, and their resilience and strength shines bright.

'𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀'

Alongside their research into the time period, the imagery and a charming cast of likeable, realistic characters allowed the story to emerge from the pages.

A thoroughly enjoyable inclusion to the series that's both evocative and engaging.

If you enjoy a historical saga with strong female characters then this is the book for you.

It was lovely to reacquaint myself with the three main characters, Cordelia, Mavis and Jane. They all work at the Silvertown Library and are fantastic characters.

I have previously read and reviewed the first and second book in The Library Girls series; The Library Girls of the East End and Hard Times for the East End Library Girls. A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls is actually the fourth in the series.
Community spirit was a prominent thing at the time, and the library of Silvertown as described in the book is the hub of the community. The setting feels absolutely authentic, and the author does a great job in developing such believable scenarios.

The three women are very strong characters. Cordelia comes from a very contrasting and more affluent background to the other two, but she works alongside them in support of the hardships they face. Not only are their men away at war but in this book we see them stand up for the rights of the poor against illegal practices of the landlords. Many live in squalor and Mavis shows great courage in leading the community in a rent strike. She is an admirable character and extremely likable.

This is a heartfelt and compassionate book and it felt like catching up with old friends. I love this series and I highly recommend it.

This is book number 4 in the East End Library Girls series . This is a series that I’ve loved from reading the very first book and I’m always excited when a new addition is published. As like the previous books in the series I read this one in one sitting. It’s one of those reads that once you start it’s impossible to put down. Everything about this book was wonderful and as I caught back up with the characters of Cordelia, Jane and Mavis it felt like I was back among friends. In this book a lot of focus is on Mavis who is fighting for the rights of tenants who are being let down by unfair and greedy landlords. With the help of her two friends she is determined to get justice. As I progressed through this book I became more and more aware of how important a library is for the community of Silvertown and not just because of the books . It offers so much more than that to the community. As mentioned above this is the fourth book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading the previous books as they are all fabulous reads.

Saturday, December 7, 2024
A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls

Cordelia, Mavis and Jane were known as the Library Girls. But they were so much more than that. Each played such an important role in the community that they lived.

You will love each one of them. Cordelia or Lady Cordelia worked hard to make the library a place for all. Mavis fights for better housing for her friends and neighbors. Jane attempts to get along with her difficult mother in law.

How hard it must have been to live in those times. Loved ones off fighting in different countries. Sirens going off and having to rush off to the air raid shelters not knowing if your house will still be standing when you come out. Foods rationed and shortages everywhere. They did the best they could to survive.

Thank goodness the Library Girls had each other, the people in their community and the library.

This is the latest instalment of the Library Girls series and it was great to catch up with Cordelia, Mavis and Jane. I really like how they all get the same amount of attention in each book. This time round Mavis rallies the community when it becomes obvious that tenants are getting a raw deal when rent prices increase but no maintenance is being carried out on the properties. Cordelia meanwhile is struggling with temptation when an American GI shows an interest in her and Jane has family issues to contend with. All this is going on whilst the library continues to be open with plenty going on! The descriptions of the characters, areas and events makes it feel very real giving an insight into what life was like in the East End during the war. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley.

I absolutely love everything about this historical fiction series. My only complaint is that I love these books so much so I read them very quickly and then I have to wait for the next one. The life of a reader, right?

This entry, like the others in the series, does an excellent job of focusing not just on the individual stories and lives of each of the main characters, but also including a main story line that involves everyone. Here Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane are determined to do something about the awful living conditions residents of the East End face due to the unscrupulous behavior of greedy landlords. I love that the library is a true center for the community and is about books and more! Each librarian is also dealing with their own issues and Patricia weaves all these stories together seamlessly. I was fascinated and captivated by all the stories.

I adore Cordelia, Mavis and Jane and all the side characters we meet. Each woman is strong in their own way and the way they work together for the betterment of the community demonstrates their great care and even bigger hearts. I love that these women see just how BIG of an impact that library can have, and they aren’t afraid to try bold new things.

The East End of London during WWII is a setting I didn’t know much about until I started reading this series. And I am once again amazed by all that this community dealt with during this time and the great pride they have. They take care of one another and work together. Patricia’s vivid, detailed writing brings this area to life on the page. I truly feel like I’ve visited with Mavis in her house or the library after I have finished reading.

Fans of character driven, page-turning historical fiction shouldn’t wait to read this series. They are also excellent as audiobooks. Five stars.

A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Having read the other books in the series, I can safely say that if you haven't, you should because they are wonderful stories. The sense of community always leaves me with a warm feeling inside! I wish communities could be like that today but without having to be at war or in a pandemic to make it happen.

Amongst other things, in this book, the author highlights the dubious landlords that took advantage of the war-torn East End. Tenants suffered high rents but atrocious conditions in their homes. The Librarians decide that something must be done, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading what they did.

Of course, the book also has some romance, and we are introduced to a new character, an American GI who tempts one of the librarians to stray.

What I particularly like about this book, and the series, is that I find myself immersed in the lives of the characters. They are like old friends and I am sad when a book finishes and I have to wait to find out what happens next for them. This book in particular has an ending I didn't see coming and I am desperate to find out what happens next. I hope that the author writes quickly because talk about an exciting ending!

This story gives a real sense of a community working together to improve their lives. Set around 1942, amid the bombing of the East End, the story focuses on those that work in the library and how they try to improve the lives of the people living around them. The reader also discovers more about the women who work in the library, in particular, Mavis but also Jane and Cordelia. Mavis is concerned about the illegal rise in rent and the lack of repairs by the landlords. Jane has a domestic problem and Cordelia is questioning her love life. This was an enjoyable read and is part of a series, although It can be read as a stand-alone. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is part of the Library Girls series, which takes place during WWII. I've enjoyed all the previous books in this series, so I was looking forward to this.

I was pleased to return to this series and read about these characters again. There were also some new characters that I warmed to, such as Eugene.

As I was reading, I thought about the importance of a library as a community. It is a place that can bring people together through a shared love of reading, and I think that belonging to a community is important, as it can offer support and comfort to those who need it. This book wasn't just about the library, it was about making a difference.

The author presents the characters in a way that makes them likeable and relatable, and these books are always easily readable. I finished this in a couple of hours, and it left me in the mood for another similar type of book. As I've enjoyed all of this series, I may look into reading more books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Another fantastic addition to the series - great to meet up with Cordelia, Mavis and Jane again and other old friends we have me in previous books in the series.
I have to admit to wondering what Cordelia thought she was doing getting friendly with Eugene though.

Mavis finds her fighting spirit and decides to tackle the landlords who keep slum properties and not maintain them but insist on rising rents - sadly Cordelia finds that her own father is one of these landlords.

And Jane has her own battles with her mother-in-law.

Once again the book is well written and well researched and a pleasure to read. Hoping there will be another instalment

This is another great read in the East End library girls series.This time Mavis is trying to get the landlords to repair their properties as a lot of them uninhabitable really and they are putting up the rents.A lot of them are frightened that if they complain they will be turned out of their homes.Cordelia finds out that one of the landlords is her own father so tried to reason with but he dismisses her and won't listen.Cordelia young man is away at war but an American appears at the library one day who Cordelia falls for ,what will happen.Loved reading this story.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls is #4 in the Library Girls Series. By now, reading is like visiting with dear friends as we catch up with the young women’s lives and activities. The war won’t deter Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane as they rally their community to organize rent strikes and stand up against greedy landlords, unfair practices, and intolerable living conditions.

I’ve read the entire series and can confidently recommend these stories for several reasons. We gain insight into life on the London home front during WWII, experience the struggles of those living in London’s East End, and meet three remarkable young women.

Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane are likable, compassionate, and admirable. They support each other, care for the library, and actively participate in the community.

Between scurrying to bomb shelters, dealing with bombing and the resulting damage, assisting the community, caring for the library, and handling personal issues, all the stories in the series are engaging. In this story, these plucky and courageous young women rally the community to protest high rent and intolerable living conditions. In addition, Cordelia has readers concerned for her as she is tempted to cheat on her boyfriend who is away serving on the front lines as a doctor. Although this part of the story creates suspense and intrigue, I feel disappointed in her. Even though it’s realistic for a young woman to be tempted by a handsome man in uniform, this storyline doesn’t seem to fit her character. She’s usually more level-headed, thoughtful, cautious…..and loyal!

If you appreciate heartfelt women’s histfic stories featuring feisty, independent young women on the home front during WWII, you will want to add this series to your TBR. All 4-Star reads. Each can be read as a stand-alone but reading in order will provide a richer reading experience.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #ABetterTomorrowForTheEastEndLibraryGirls upon my request. All opinions are my own.

War time London and the three librarians Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane take to the streets to protest against their living conditions, standing up together against dirty landlords, rent increases and horrible living conditions.

The librarians also take books to the people, run treasure hunts within the library and provide hope to the local community. Cordelia enjoys life, but is split as to how far to take it with one of the American GIs. A bit of dancing, isn't wrong, is it?


This story, is another great example of how history can come to life, be more real and provide us all with a better understanding of the struggles, perseverance and community present during the war in London.

(Part of a series, but can be read standalone.)

A nice addition to this East End Library Girls' collection; this time Mavis gets a little politically active and instigates a rent strike to help the residents. Another new introduction is the US soldiers who are in the area doing odd jobs waiting to see action - some early stages of love seem to be percolating! This was definitely readable and I will watch for further installments.

The Blitz is over but the War still rages on and the library girls are looking for ways to entertain the young people who come to the library (and encourage those who don't already). However, there are two key elements in this book - the fact that the local landlords are profiteering, illegally raising rents while failing to make even basic repairs to homes, and that Cordelia is attracted to a black GI.

Mavis is at the forefront, leading a rent strike to force the landlords to help their beleaguered tenants. Jane meanwhile has to cope with her unpleasant mother in law arriving for a 'short stay' and Cordelia realises one of the wicked landlords is her own father.

Its a great, light read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book in the series which was just as good as the other books.

We continue with the woman in the library. Mavis standing up against the landlords who are putting up the rents for the tenants and not repairing and maintaining the properties she rallies the tenants to strike against them. Jane has her Mother in law come to stay and things don’t go well. Cordelia is in a has a decision to make will it upset someone close to her. The woman come up with some ideas for the library to try and improve things.

The book was amazing and the story flowed we had drama and a bit of romance.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

It was well written and would recommend it.

Another great book from Patricia focusing on the Library Girls from Silvertown in the EastEnd. WW2 is in mid flow and the girls are doing all they can to keep the library going. You can easily pick up the story even if you’ve not read previous books. Thanks to Patricia and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley