The Call of the Wrens
by Jenni L Walsh
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Pub Date Nov 15 2022 | Archive Date Jun 30 2025
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Description
The Call of the Wrens introduces the little-known story of the daring women who rode through war-torn Europe carrying secrets on their shoulders.
An orphan who spent her youth without a true home, Marion Hoxton found in the Great War something other than destruction. She discovered a chance to belong. As a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service—the Wrens—Marion gained sisters. She found purpose in her work as a motorcycle dispatch rider assigned to train and deliver carrier pigeons to the front line. And despite the constant threat of danger, she and her childhood friend Eddie began to dream of a future together. Until the battle that changed everything.
Now twenty years later, another war has broken out across Europe, calling Marion to return to the fight. Meanwhile others, like twenty-year-old society girl Evelyn Fairchild, hear the call for the first time. For Evelyn, serving in the war is a way to prove herself after a childhood fraught with surgeries and limitations from a disability. The re-formation of the Wrens as World War II rages is the perfect opportunity to make a difference in the world at seventy miles per hour.
Told in alternating narratives that converge in a single life-changing moment, The Call of the Wrens is a vivid, emotional saga of love, secrets, and resilience—and the knowledge that the future will always belong to the brave souls who fight for it.
- Historical, stand-alone novel
- Book length: approximately 94,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781400233885 |
| PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Megan H, Reviewer
The Call of the Wrens is the definition of a perfect WWII historical fiction read. This book sheds light on the little known lives of the Wrens (Women's Royal Navy Service) and I absolutely loved learning about them, to the point I am eager to learn more. I alway appreciate when an author brings a fresh perspective in this heavily saturated genre. The story is told through multiple timelines and two POV's that were woven together wonderfully and kept me invested from start to finish. I really enjoyed the characters here and the brave, strong, courageous women we get to know. A story of war, love, friendship, and patriotism with excellent storytelling, strong historical detail, an atmospheric setting, and complex, likable characters, this is a book not to be missed. I highly recommend to all my fellow hist fic lovers and can't believe this book isn't being talked about more!
Many thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!
Teresa H, Reviewer
I love historical fiction books ... especially those that are set during WWII. This one actually includes both World Wars. I learned so much about the amazing women who were brave and willing to ride motorcycles throughout Europe during the war. The back-and-forth narrative and dual timeline presents a story of love, secrets, resilience, bravey, and overcoming unbelievable hardships. The characters are so well developed and you will find yourself cheering them on and encouraging them as they face challenges ... physical and emotional. The author has done an amazing amount of research and her ability to share it in an interesting read is admirable. I knew carrier pigeons were used during WWII, but had no idea of the use of dispatch riders and how they transported the pigeons to the front lines.
What an amazing story of family, love, friendship, relationships, hope, determination, secrets, finding their place in life, the sweetness of first love. This is definitely one to put at the top of your to-be-read list. It will stay with you long after you have read the last word, closed the book, and sigh with satisfaction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!
Ethan J, Reviewer
The Call of the Wrens is a work of historical fiction that follows the experiences of two female motorcycle dispatcher rides and members of the Wren organization during the two World Wars. I have a complicated relationship with dual timeline narratives. I either love them or I hate them. I loved this one because I think it balances the two narratives well. Well balanced is the best way to describe this narrative. It had the perfect mixture of romance, characters and historical events that kept a strong narrative without any one aspect feeling like it was overwhelming the others. Overall, I would recommend this story, especially if you are a fan of World War focused historical fiction!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Tracy G, Reviewer
The Call of the Wrens is a beautifully written, emotionally stirring novel that shines a much-needed light on the brave women of the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Jenni L. Walsh masterfully weaves together dual timelines, pulling readers into the lives of two unforgettable heroines whose courage, heartache, and hope left me in awe.
The historical detail is rich, the characters feel heartbreakingly real, and the pacing kept me fully engaged from start to finish. I especially appreciated how the story honored the strength and sacrifice of women who served in ways history often overlooks.
This is historical fiction at its finest—moving, meaningful, and utterly unputdownable. Highly recommend to fans of WWII fiction and anyone who loves stories about resilience, sisterhood, and purpose.
Reviewer 1784526
The Call of the Wrens is a poignant, beautiful, and important story that follows Marion and Evelyn as they navigate the first and second world wars, love, and family life (or lack thereof).
While sometimes predictable this novel doesn't fail to tug at your heartstrings and keep you enraptured from page one. It was so interesting to learn about the significant role that women helped play! Definitely would recommend.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc!
Bookish Pilgrim T, Reviewer
A multigenerational tale of the new service branch for women, The Women's Royal Naval Service begun during World War I, and their exploits during war time as office staff, motorcycle dispatch riders at the front, bird trainers, strategic planners etc.
The Wrens becomes the home for a young orphan, Marion who felt she never fit in anywhere, but being in the Wrens gave her life purpose and meaning. As she works as a dispatch rider in France, she makes the supreme sacrifice at the Battle of Amiens. She leaves the Wrens, a shadow of her former self.
Fast forward about 20 years and you come across wealthy Evelyn Fairchild who despite all her wealth, the comforts life can offer and loving parents who care for her, is seized by the same restlessness to make something of herself, under her own steam. She joins the Wrens, but will her disability end up by getting her booted out of the service or will she make it as a Wren? And why does Wren Smith take such an interest in her and her life, personally? Does she know something Evelyn does not? Something that could rock the very foundations of her life, causing her to doubt every certainty she's ever known.
What about Marion? Will she find love, life and happiness again in the Wrens or has life and love bypassed her by?
A poignant love story with a difference, I was given an e-ARC to read, but the opinions expressed here are my own.
#TheCallOfTheWrens #WorldWarFiction #LoveStory #JenniWalsh #HarperMuse #NetGalley #HistoricalFiction #MotorcycleDispatchRiders
Reviewer 1767348
This historical fiction novel follows two women, who are dispatch MOTORCYCLE riders, during both world wars. The author balanced each timeline very well and seemlessly transitioned back and forth until their paths crossed. Both Marion and Evelyn got their fair share of the story with their upbringing, challenges with women’s rights and roles, and the development of their wholesome love stories.
I honestly can’t believe that I have not heard of this book until now. Also I think this story would make for a great movie!
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