Winter is bitterly cold but cheerful for the women's land army as WW2 drags on in this British series called Village at War. I quickly made friends with the characters. WARTIME WISHES FOR THE LAND GIRLS focuses on the strong young women doing the work of feeding the nation, as farming men have been called to serve. We also meet a post lady and other important roles in the village of Bramble Heath. Tensions are never far away, however.
Among the land girls of Gosling Farm is Lottie, or Charlotte Morley, who sadly lost her sister Martha when bombs fell at the farm. They are working close to an RAF base so they are a target. At first, the new vicar Matthew Hart seems pleasant, if reserved, but his little evacuee niece Daisy breaks the ice. The two adults are soon at odds when a German bomber plane crashes into trees near the farm, and it’s thought one of the crew may be alive and hiding in the woods.
Christmas is approaching, but the book features more than just festivities. A notorious character named Sidney Gastrell arrives, a former prison officer who is determined to hunt down escaped Nazis. Reverend Matthew advocates treating a prisoner with Christian charity, but Lottie just wants the man caught, initially feeling no pity, and Sidney Gastrell seems bound to sow suspicion and fear.
I love the helpful dog Blossom who accompanies Lottie everywhere and keeps her warm at night. City people were dissuaded from keeping pets, but on a farm, a dog was a working animal. No wonder the evacuee kids were so pleased to be around animals. This is a friendly village, for the most part, united in the aim of winning the war. Seeing the good folks distressed and nervous about a Nazi perhaps at large, is really dramatic, and Lottie has to spend a good bit of time thinking things through. This carries lessons for today’s sometimes strongly worded debates.
The Village at War series seems well written with lots of attention to detail, and a realistic look at what people knew at this time. I’ll be keen to read the earlier stories from the writing duo calling themselves Ellie Curzon. I’m always keen to learn about women’s history and I can clearly see that the Land Girls played a large part in gaining equality, as well as winning the conflict. WARTIME WISHES FOR THE LAND GIRLS is a fine, clean read with romance and tension.
In the darkest days of war, can a land girl's wish come true?
England, 1942. With Christmas days away, the land girls of Gosling Farm are full of merriment, fetching boughs of holly and cutting down trees. Only Lottie feels far from festive cheer after her sister's death in an air raid. But with the help of handsome vicar and injured veteran Matthew, she begins to feel hopeful once more.
Then one frosty night, a German bomber plane crashes nearby. A survivor is missing, injured and in desperate need of help. With their own brave airmen risking their lives in the snowy skies overhead, the kindness of the village is tested like never before. But as Matthew preaches goodwill to his flock, his passion captures Lottie's heart, as well as his sparkling blue eyes...
But this is no ordinary German airman: his capture would change the course of the war. Soon the eyes of Churchill and the whole country are on the little English village. And amid the chaos, Matthew's young niece Daisy goes missing. As they desperately search the countryside, Lottiesends out a wish to the bright winter moon: keep Daisy safe.
With a blizzard raging and an enemy airman out there in the dark, can the land girls and their brave vicar rescue Daisy? And although the war feels closer than ever, will Lottie and Matthew find their own happy ever after in time for Christmas day?
An utterly addictive, tear-jerking and joyful tale of friendship, romance and bravery during World War Two. The perfect cozy winter read for fans of Nadine Dorries, Diney Costeloe and Kitty Neale.
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