Rebuilding

A Fond Farewell For The Tobacco Girls by Lizzie Lane is a marvellous historical novel and the sixth book in The Tobacco Girls series. It can be read as a stand-alone.

The action is set in 1945 as the second world war in Europe has ended but the war in Japan continues until August. We follow lives trying to adjust to peacetime.

War had robbed so many of so much. Men returned, a shadow of their former selves, sometimes with limbs missing, sometimes with altered minds. Some men focused on what they had lost and not what remained. It would take the purity of a child to remind them.

Old soldiers from World War I help to rehabilitate young soldiers from World War II as they bond over a mutual love of flowers. We learn the importance of poppies.

Family is important. Sometimes family is not blood related but heart related.

We ‘see’ the broken lives in Japanese prison camps. The conditions were horrendous. Small steps are needed to rejoin life again.

Some were war brides to American G.I’s. Demobilisation separated families until wives and children could sail to America.

Britain began to rebuild after the war. Buildings were far easier than people to rebuild. “All we’re getting now is about rebuilding… How do you rebuild people?” Love, care and understanding were the order of the day.

All the characters were wonderfully drawn, likable and realistic. Community and friendship radiated from the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

JULIA WILSON

A Fond Farewell For The Tobacco Girls

It has finally happened! The war is over and Europe rejoices.

May 1945 – VE Day

After battling against the odds, the three friends are uncertain of their futures.

Maisie Miles must wait on tenterhooks for Japan to surrender and for poor Sid to return home. Will they still be sweethearts and have a future together? But tragedy strikes when Maisie’s lodger Carole dies leaving 2-year-old Paula orphaned, Maisie is determined to keep the child she has grown to love as her own.

Meanwhile Bridget O’Neill’s husband has been patiently waiting her arrival in America but Bridget’s been struggling to leave her family and friends behind. Will she stay or will she go?

Phyllis Fairbrother receives the devastating news that husband Mick has relapsed and suffering a life changing diagnosis. Their dreams of a new life in Australia lie in tatters, or so she thinks.

With a new dawn, there are high hopes and boundless dreams.

Can the Tobacco Girls unite once more to overcome life’s troubles and find the happiness they so deserve?

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/Farewelltobaccosocial

Author Bio –

Lizzie Lane is the author of over 50 books, a number of which have been bestsellers.  She was born and bred in Bristol where many of her family worked in the cigarette and cigar factories.  This has inspired her saga series for Boldwood The Tobacco Girls.

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