Loved Maggie Sullivan's books and this one is just as good, family saga set in world war brilliant book storyline

An ensemble cast of characters, all from the same “high street’ in the village of Millhead in Lancashire, in the months leading up to World War II. We start with Vicky, now the postmistress living with her aging and disabled father and younger brother. Vicky’s life is nothing like she hoped for: the death of her fiancé and her miscarriage left her with wounds, sorrows and tension with her and her father. She didn’t want to be ‘stuck’ in the job, but is making the best of it, expecting little for herself.

Then we have Rose, daughter of the local haberdashery owner Sylvia, with a drunken, mostly absent father who appears to cause strife, abuse and disappear again. Sylvia has secrets and is estranged from her own family in London, taking in her niece as her sister is worried about the bombings. Rose is working at the local munition factory rather than her mother’s shop and is determined that she’s made for bigger and better things than being in the small town.

Violet is a friend of Sylvia and a teacher – she's been writing faithfully to a man in Canada for years, with hopes of more. Now, he’s moving to England because of the war, and there’s questions for her to sort and solve.

One of the beautiful features of this story is the slow growing plots, while characters arrive with issues and concerns, we learn of their lives, worries, daily challenges and little slights, and everyone moves into a ‘new normal’ with war being declared. From friendships, secrets, romances and new hopes we also see loss, grief, frictions and reconciliations, and the characters and their worries are all-consuming. Sullivan has brought us ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, just muddling through as best they can – with perseverance, determination and more than a bit of luck. I’m curious to see how relationships change, grow and develop throughout this series, and found this a lovely introduction.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aQV /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Sometimes it is nice to read a good old fashioned story. I loved this and all the characters, sometimes I think they were happier times.

Lancashire is preparing for war, and the lives of the people is about to change. This is a tale about lives, loves, and loss, and loss can make a big change within the family concerned. Although sad in places this is a very good read and gives an insight to life in the past. Very enjoyable and very well written. 5stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I loved this book. Heartwarming. Evocative of times past. A real page turner. Kept me engrossed from start to finish

This is the first book in this series and covers the months leading up to the start of WW2 and the first few months after, setting the scene for the following books. It took me a while to get into it, partially because of the constantly changing viewpoints as the narrative swapped from one character to another, however as the story progresses this became easier. From the advantage of hindsight it was sad to see how the war crept up on the people in this small community and the knowledge of how long it would actually last. With the focus on characters and their intertwining stories it will be interesting to see how the series develops, comparing this with the real history behind the events.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

This is the story of a village in England just before and during the second world war. Some of the older residents survived and remember the first war, but are proud when their sons sign up for this war. The women are left to run their businesses and work in the munitions plant. They survive the best they can with the support of each other.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Life in rural Greenhill in England is not idyllic. Memories of ww1 remain, people get ill, there is violence in some homes, and the sweet taking boys are not as honourable as they seem. Ww2 is declared and everyone's lives are changed, some for better, and some people finally find love.

This was a lovely story, set during the start of the second World War. It was a real pleasure to read with some appealing characters and real life situations. The conclusion being a hope for the future and the community spirit as obvious then, as it is now..

I just finished reading this book and quite enjoyed it. It was interesting to read about life and the people living an ordinary life on an ordinary street in Lincolnshire. Each character wrapped up in their own little lives during a time where hardships abound and war is on their doorsteps. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Our Street At War. Book 1

Lancashire 1939: An ordinary street is getting ready for war, but who knows what is going on behind the black-out windows? Sylviaa Barker runs the haberdashery in the village of Millend. Her daughter Rose has no plans to waste her life on needles and cotton. Violet Pegg has been writing to a Canadian pilot and she's excited he's going to be stationed nearby. Vicky Parrott has known more heartache and tragedy than most twenty five year olds. She wouln't know how to look for happiness if she tried.

Vicky Parrott is the pastmistress in Greenhill but she also has to look after her father and brother sfter her mother died of Spanish flu.With the onset of war her brother Henry joins the army. There's a few characters to keep track of but it also gives us a brief insight of the lives the women had as war began. This is a well written book with some likeable and some not so likeable characcters. i'm ,ooking forward to seeing what's in store for us in the next instalment.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK, #OneMoreChapter and the author #MaggieSullivan for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely story that keeps you involved from the beginning right through until the final page. Interesting historical facts that run through the book and link in with the characters well. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book.

We follow two women in this book, who at first glance seem quite different, but we soon find share some similarities. As much as I started enjoying this book, I soon tired of reading about Rosie. I am sure there are girls like Rosie in the world but as a quite mature and level-headed person, I found it hard to follow her and her choices. I would have liked to read more of our Postmistress and her life. This book was well-written and may be enjoyed more by a younger audience.

- Blurb from the publisher, as they do it best -

Heartwarming and nostalgic new Saga series from the author of Mother’s Day on Coronation Street.

One ordinary street in Lancashire is getting ready for war, who knows what else is going on behind the net curtains?
Vicky Parrot wanted more out of life than working all hours in her father’s Post Office. Her dreams were ruined when tragedy came calling, and now happiness seems impossible.
The other townsfolk have their problems too. Sylvia Barker runs the haberdashery shop and she’s hiding more than a few secrets behind the bales of wool in the shop window. Her daughter Rosie wants more out of life than needles and cotton, but her headstrong ways are about to get her into trouble.
Life goes on for the people of Greenhill, what they can’t know is that their world is about to change forever…

Thank you to NetGalley & One More Chapter for an advance copy.
#ThePostmistress #NetGalley #BubblyBookReviewer #OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapter

This book is written covering the lives of several inhabitants of Greenhill. Vicky who works at the post office and lives with her father and brother.
Rosie who lives with her mother the owner of the haberdashery shop. Rosie works at the munitions factory. Young doctor Roger who has a crush on Vicky. I can’t say I particularly enjoyed this book. I found it moving from one chapter to the other confusing and distractful .

It took me a little while to get into all the characters in this book, but once I did I couldn’t wait to find out how they would cope with their lives changing as World War Two started. Some were still struggling with the effects of the first war the war to end all wars and so it must have been hard to see the country going through it all again. I hope this isn’t just a one off book, as I’d like to know how the characters get on.

The Postmistress is a lovely story about the people living in Greenhill.Vicky Parrott is the postmistress and she also looks after her dad and brother this story is told from the residents view and there are some lovely charactors.I have loved this book and look forward to the next.5*

The Postmistress by Maggie Sullivan is an excellent WWII era historical fiction novel that is the start of, what I expect, to be an amazing series: Our Street at War.

This book takes place 1939-early 1940 in a small village outside of Manchester in Northern England. This novel focuses on the life, times, and experiences of what the normal citizens of England (especially those in typical villages and townships) went through, felt, and thought during this unprecedented time. The author has a gift to be able to create a whole town of remarkable, memorable, and endearing characters. Everything was so fascinating, and at the same time so realistic and normal, that I literally felt as if I was walking among the cobbled streets on the main street visiting the shops and inhabitants myself. I love how she has the ability to make things so realistic and simple, yet complex and vibrant.

This book has it all: a great plot, excellently crafted characters, a few mysteries and suspenseful moments to draw the reader in, romance, and a wonderful ending (or should I say beginning for the next book).

I really loved taking a peak at the lives of so many wonderful characters: Vicky, Roger, Ruby, Claire, Sylvia, Rosie, Dr and Mrs Buckley, and I hope in future books we can learn more about Violet.

I love how we were able to learn of the backgrounds of some of the characters and then we were able to see developments and also change, growth, and adaptations as the book moved onward. I really love Vicky, Roger, and Claire. There is so much material that I can see this series easily continuing on through several avenues. I am definitely excited to see where the author will take this for future books and will most definitely purchase them.

I truly loved this uplifting book and I highly recommend it!

5/5 stars enthusiastically


Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/OneMoreChapter for this excellent arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/26/20.

A top class, well written novel set in war time. Maggie felt it displayed some similarities about how people’s lives changed during this time and now- lockdown guidelines due to Coronavirus. It was a really enjoyable read following Vicky a postmistress, as she tried to move on with her life after what she thought was a strong relationship ended.

The story centers around a few characters. Vicky 'pretty polly' parrot runs the post office. Her father was injured in the first world war and heavily dependent on her. Her brother signs up to join the war leaving her to struggle. The doctor, Roger Buckley, lives with his parents and daughter Julie. He has untold feelings for Vicky. Violet Pegg, who is still at school, has a Canadian pen pal called Danny. Rosie Barker now works at the ammunitions factory with Trevor Jones. She used to work in the haberdashery shop that her mother, Sylvia owned. Her father is abusive and chaos arrives when the family secret come out.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved most of the characters there were some that were unlovable! I enjoyed the background of the characters and how the post office brought them all together. Romance, sadness, uplifting it was a rollercoaster of emotions. I was left wanting more.

Oh my! I absolutely adored this book.
I love the characters especially Vicky Parrot, such a beautiful set of characters that all intertwine and the stories they have to tell are exceptional. I can’t wait for what comes next