THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY was an intriguing story even before I started reading it. The cover and title alone pulled me in and compelled me to uncover who the Girl is and what the famous Savoy hotel of London got to do with her. Since it's a story based around the early 20th century the Great War is a part of the canvas. Besides war shaping the early lives of the characters, the story is so very much more than that. Dreams, ambitions and adventure shape the mesmerizing fabric of the story.

War not only shapes nations and its geography, it also plays a defining role in shaping the human characters, their ambitions and lives on the whole. Many falter and disappear like smoke under the pressure, others just survive like nothing much has happened and a precious few flourish and emerge stronger, like winners from the aftermath of all the cruelty, shame and devastation of war. The unique characters of this story endure loss, grief and broken hearts; hearts which though broken manage to care, protect and keep alive their dream of being more than what they were born with. Not just for fame, praise, recognition but also to forget the hole left in their hearts due to the war. What I particularly love or say respect about that time is all, any kind of work was done with dignity and pride. Ladies of class and title, girls from nothing equally immersed themselves in the service life - be it as nurses, maids or something equally bone tiring. Dreams were considered a beacon of hope, like a shining light to survival in the midst of loss, darkness and scrubbing floors. What was amazing about this generation was, after a long, tiring day of physical labor, end of the day and on days off there was dancing, cinema hopping and picnics or a swim in the nearest river. No chance of a laugh, dance or happiness was pushed away. People embraced work and play in whatever measure they got it and still managed to find a reason to smile.

The characters in this story--be it the sweetheart of the theater, Loretta, the soldiers struggling to make sense of civilian life and after effects of war or, Dolly, the maid dreaming to be a shining star--won my heart with their simple yet high thinking. Their dreams were too big to be suffocated and their patience and hard work worthy of appreciation. Amidst the gloom, death, loss and war they shone through; their dreams and path to success made them heroes. Despite sadness they had a sense of humor towards life, which made them so very endearing. Their individual journeys, to their time together and how their lives come full circle made me weep with tears of sadness, joy and happiness. The story of difficult, simpler yet times full of hope and dreams made this a luxurious read and there wasn't a single character I did not like. Every one excelled in playing their part and took me to a time of theater, dancing, London, The Savoy, the stars and their music.

If you love historical fiction, Hazel Gaynor's books will make you fall in love with the simpler times where dancing, music, dreams and hope ruled the lives of people. This is one author whose writing I find simply striking and mesmerizing, THE GIRL FROM THE SAVOY is no exception.