Author: Jean Heartley
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release date: February 1st 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure Wartime, Historical
Year of release: 2019 Rating:
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Synopsis
A novel of love, courage, and danger unfolds as World War II’s brightest heroines—the best of friends—take on the front lines.
1944: Fiona Denning has her entire future planned out. She’ll work in city hall, marry her fiancé when he returns from the war, and settle down in the Boston suburbs. But when her fiancé is reported missing after being shot down in Germany, Fiona’s long-held plans are shattered.
Determined to learn her fiancé’s fate, Fiona leaves Boston to volunteer overseas as a Red Cross Club Mobile girl, recruiting her two best friends to come along. There’s the outspoken Viviana, who is more than happy to quit her secretarial job for a taste of adventure. Then there’s Dottie, a shy music teacher whose melodious talents are sure to bring heart and hope to the boys on the front lines.
Chosen for their inner strength and outer charm, the trio isn’t prepared for the daunting challenges of war. But through it all come new friendships and romances, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected dreams. As the three friends begin to understand the real reasons, they all came to the front, their courage and camaraderie will see them through some of the best and worst times of their lives.
Review
Exploring the lives of Dottie, Fiona and Viv as they embark on a journey travelling the 3,269 miles from Boston to London on the Queen Elisabeth cruise ship, in the hopes of finding Fiona’s fiancé who has been reported missing. The trio also become Red Cross Club Mobile Girls to do their part for their country, the women will soon discover that they aren’t prepared for the frightening challenges war has in store.
I had been eager to read this story for quite some time, when the opportunity presented itself I was delighted to discover that once I started I found it hard to put down. In some past Historical Fictional novels I have read, there has been times when I felt the story lost its focus and my enthusiasm and as a result my drive to have to find out how it ends disappears and I then feel I must force myself to mark as finished. I am happy to report The Beantown Girls didn’t lose me once, the more I read the more I loved this book.
“Some powder, blush, a touch of mascara, and a sweep of pink lipstick, and I was ready to go.”
― Jane Healey, The Beantown Girls
I admired each one of the characters drive, inner strength and determination to first contribute in some way to the War effort, also to then turn their efforts on providing support to the boys at the front. Although I failed to embrace some of the male characters as the reader, I really got the feeling that author Jane Healey really cared about Dottie, Fiona and Viv. The world in which she created for them really highlighted for me their friendship, love, loyalty, and bravery really flew of the page. I would have liked a prologue just to confirm and see the trio outside of the chaos that was World War 2, The Beantown Girls was well written as well as being easy to read which made it even more enjoyable for this reader.
“How best to honour those we’ve lost? By not being afraid to live life and take risks, by daring to open your heart to possibility. By taking a chance to begin. Again.”
― Jane Healey, The Beantown Girls
The Beantown Girls a book I highly recommend to any Historical Fiction reader it would be a great read for anyone looking to explore this genre without being too daunting. Anyone who read and Enjoyed Tania Blanchard The Girl from Munich should look into Jean Healey’s the Beantown Girls. With thanks to Lake union publishing and Netgally for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.