Reviewed by Emma Crowley
When Livvy receives her orders for war work, she’s desperate for a new beginning. Most of her friends have been sent to munitions factories, so she is delighted to be working for the Red Cross, who are making secret packages that can help prisoners of war escape.
Arriving at her lodgings, she soon meets fellow Red Cross workers Rosalind and Dulcie, and the three women become firm friends. Together, they work hard for the Red Cross to help their boys fighting overseas. For Livvy, that means using her cooking skills in the face of rationing to keep spirits high.
When Livvy meets Dr Jonah Kemble, who works alongside the girls, his warm smile and kind, sparkling blue eyes make Livvy feel seen in a way she never thought she would be again. But as they grow closer, Livvy realises she will have to decide whether to tell Jonah the truth of how she came to be here, and decide whether she can ever open her heart to another man again…
In the face of war, can Livvy find the bravery to tell Jonah the truth of her circumstances and declare her true feelings for him? Or will her one chance at happily-ever-after be lost forever?
Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my copy of The Red Cross Girls to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
The Red Cross Girls is the first in a brand-new wartime saga series from Susanna Bavin. Set in Lancaster in 1943, the story centres around three women, two of which have been briefly mentioned and were more like background characters in the author’s previous series, Dulcie and Rosalind and a brand new character Livvy. I was several chapters in when I realised that some of the names and events that the characters were referring to related back to the previous series. That’s not to say you need to have read The Homefront Girls series in order to understand and follow along with the Red Cross Girls. That’s not the case at all as this is a brand-new standalone series. But having been a fan of the exploits of Betty, Sally and co I thought it was a brilliant idea to take characters who had skirted on the periphery or whom had only been mentioned in passing and give them a story of their own. They are now the main focus but in a completely different setting and occupation and therefore a whole avenue of new plot points could be explored. Timeline wise this continues where the Homefront Girls left off and I did think at the end of that series why end it when the war hadn’t finished but now I know why.
This was a lovely read which I flew through. It deals with lots of issues, themes and emotions with just the right blend of camaraderie, friendship and support but also some more serious and unsettling concerns and controversies. I loved the gentle and relaxed style of storytelling and even though I dipped in and out of reading this when time allowed I did read good chunks of it in one go because it wasn’t overly taxing but there was enough here to hold my attention and the characters quickly became familiar and welcoming as they battled through the storms of war that brought many challenges and life changes for everyone.
Despite the war each of the three women is looking for a fresh start and to do their bit for the war effort. Women were no longer forced to stay at home and keep house and raise children. They were allowed to step outside of the domestic sphere and work in jobs which men had previously occupied but with a lack of men available for work women stepped up when needed and for many were only too glad to be given the opportunity to show what they were made of. Each woman holds a secret close to their chest. Some of which I did guess as clues were subtly dropped in but others proved quite a shocker. It’s only as the story progresses and certain aspects of the overall plot were brought to a conclusion towards the end did I realise that despite coming from different backgrounds and personal situations that Dulcie, Rosalind and Livvy did have common threads. That if they had the confidence to be open and honest with one another that in fact the support, comfort and advice that they could potentially share would prove invaluable and help see them through the obstacles the war was presenting but also to deal with the trauma, heartache, loss and secrets that persisted.
I can’t say I preferred one girl over the other as they all had attributes that drew me towards them. Livvy, was the main focus of this book with a wonderful and heartwarming storyline developing for her. Dulcie features heavily also but I sense a further book will explore her situation in more detail. As for Rosalind, she is perhaps the most secretive of all but there are huge signs as to what direction she may venture in next and to be honest they were fairly evident from the outset.
Livvy arrives on the same train as Dulcie and is brought by Dr. Driver to Bowland House where they are set to work for the Red Cross packing parcels for prisoners of war. Rosalind soon joins them and an unlikely trio is formed where friendship means everything. This relationship is one of the strongest aspects of the novel and even when Livvy is removed from Bowland House and sent to be housekeeper at the vicarage the firm foundations of their friendship don’t crumble. The support and companionship needed to survive wartime is evident in spades and the village too also creates a lovely embracing atmosphere although Matilda with whom Livvy stays with is a bit of briar and the one character I loathed. Her attitude was horrific and her views and opinions were stuck in the Stone Age but she was always determined to make them known. Livvy is disappointed that she is not remaining with her two friends who discover there is more to the work at Bowland House than first meets the eye but as they say loose lips sink ships and nothing can be said about what really goes on behind closed doors. Livvy takes over the running of the vicarage and the six evacuees whom the vicar can’t manage at all. She made the best of what could have turned into a bad situation which made me love her determined spirit.
Livvy was someone so kind, caring, considerate and generous to everyone and with her time. She had faith in people when they saw none. She threw herself into village life and supporting the children. She had a flair for engaging children’s interest and was someone who always thought of others, putting herself last. But as a bit more is revealed about her character its obvious something happened to her in the past which affects how she deals with romance in the present. She pushes Jonah away who is introduced through work at Bowland House. He was an absolute gem of a character. The absolute ideal of a man whom you would want in your corner at all times. For you just knew that he would go above and beyond for you and support you by any means be it little or large.
There is a warmth between them which develops into a strong pull for Jonah but resistance ensues from Livvy and the reader can’t help but wonder why? As her attention shifts to Connie, Dr. Driver’s wife, who herself was facing a battle, Jonah was a stalwart for Livvy. He knew when to push things or else to simply just let the land lie. He had a good-natured demeanour and such depth and honesty. He was a man who was real, committed, thoughtful and generous in all aspects of his life and I really felt that himself and Livvy were made for each other. So, the fact that Livvy was a bit ambivalent towards him I found very frustrating when he was offering so much practical and emotional support. I wanted her to pull the wool from her eyes and see what a delight was in front of her. It’s only as specific things are revealed about her that I had more sympathy and understanding for the way she was with Jonah.
The Red Cross Girls doesn’t portray women as waiting at home for their husbands or sweethearts to return from war. Livvy, Rosalind and Dulcie get out there and assume responsibilities that would have been unheard of prewar. They make valued and worthwhile contributions to the war effort and whilst doing so create a community of friendship packed full of warmth which is in stark contrast to the uncertainties, loneliness, sadness and upheavals that come with war. I really enjoyed this book. It felt familiar and comforting and showed that hope, courage, friendship and resilience were all traits that could see you through the toughest of times. Book two, Duty Calls for the Red Cross Girls will be published next year and I am already looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for Rosalind.
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