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Wartime for the Shop Girls

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What to expect

War brings changes three friends could never foresee…

‘Highly recommended’ Anna Jacobs
‘A warm domestic drama’ People’s Friend

It’s 1942 and as shortages of staff – and goods – begin to bite, young Lily Collins is nervously stepping up to sales junior at Marlow’s department store.

Bombs are still falling and Lily and fellow shop girls Gladys and Beryl need a stiff upper lip to wave boyfriends, husbands and brothers goodbye, especially with a baby on the way and grim news on the wireless. Jim, who works with Lily at the store, seems restless, and nothing can prepare Lily for the secrets that come tumbling out when her favourite brother comes home on leave…

Somehow, she must keep smiling through. Community, family and friends rally round as her home town – and the whole country – is tested once again.

Critics Review

  • Acclaim for Joanna Toye:

    Captivating…a triumphant debut novel’ Women’s Weekly

    A warm domestic dramaPeople’s Friend

    Highly recommended – an engrossing story with a charmingly forthright heroine’ Anna Jacobs

    ‘Jo writes with a sure hand and a light touch…a real page-turner with a spirited heroine.’ Veronica Henry

    ‘Cheerful and uplifting…I thoroughly enjoyed it’ Katie Fforde

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