A charming historical fiction to lose yourself in, let me introduce you to Victory for the East End Angels by Rosie Hendry.

The plot:

The war is almost over – and it’s up to the East End Angels to keep the home fires burning!

Frankie’s fiancé, a doctor, is away looking after the troops in Europe – will he return safely home?

Winnie has a happy secret – but can she carry on at Station 75 when she’s going to have a baby?

Bella is intrigued by her new friend, a Polish airman.

As the war ends and victory is in sight, what is next for the girls of Station 75?

I think I got goosebumps about 25 times during this book

Usually, if I’m reading about WW2, it’s often an emotive topic which leaves you mopey the whole way through. Victory for the East End Angels is emotive, in the sense that it discusses a horrific time ingrained in our history, but is much more uplifting, witty and provides hope through friendship.

With the synopsis above, it does take a while to get into two areas, but it didn’t feel slow at all; it builds up and focuses on Station 75 to set the scene brilliantly. Now, I didn’t realise that there were two other books in the series, and this was the ending (should’ve guessed by the title, good one Nicole).

I was a little sad when I realised that, although this can be read as a stand-alone, I hadn’t read the others, because I can only imagine how attached you get to the main characters, and I would’ve loved to see their whole stories through. I can imagine Victory for the East End Angels being a real tear-jerker if you’ve read the others, because within 416 pages, I ADORED these girls.

If you’re looking for an uplifting novel based on real historical aspects, then I wouldn’t look any further than Hendry’s books. Whether you pick all three, or just this one, you won’t regret it.

I didn’t feel like I was missing anything, as the first half of the book really focused on building up the characters, the community and the horrors they were facing near the end of WW2. I loved the main character’s quirks and personalities, and even the smaller characters left my heart feeling warm.

Despite it being a lengthy book, the chapters fly by. Forget the ‘one more chapter’, just make sure you have the afternoon free, because you just want to find out what’ll happen to your new three fave girls.

I think I got goosebumps about 25 times during this book, because although it’s taken a historical aspect and created a fictional story, it does feel real, like you’re just listening to your gran telling you about how she once worked at Station 75.

There were heartbreaking moments, but more often than not, it’s an uplifting book which shows camaraderie and true friendship during a difficult time.

My only minor annoyance is that my mind was skewed by the ladies on the front and inside of the book. Whilst they did look like what was described, I found myself having to look back to see who was who, instead of having a clear image in my mind.

I think the historical side was done really well, which only led to you getting more involved in the story line. It showed how life was like in London during WW2, but adding other aspects, like the men fighting, concentration camps, rationing, how news was dealt with, sending children out to the countryside, and living with the fear of bombs and the types of situations that these ‘East End Angels’ would get called out to.

I highly recommend this book, however I wish I’d read the previous two books, so that may be something you look into, as I don’t think it’ll be the same reading the last and then going back. Don’t make my mistake, because I’m regretting it now.

Victory for the East End Angels, Rosie Hendry, RRP £6.99 (paperback); Book Depository 

Pages: 416

Publisher: Sphere

Genre: Historical Fiction