I very much enjoyed The Postmistress (Book 1 or Our Street at War) by Maggie Sullivan. The novel takes place in Lancashire in England on High Street in Greenhill. The book follows the Postmistress, Vicky Parrot, Ruby Barker, Claire, Ruby’s cousin and other girls working to earn a living. This occurs right before the fighting begins between Britain and Germany. Each girl has ambitions for their lives, but reality has a way of intervening and changing their lives’ courses.

I really enjoyed this look at the English life before the war and was keenly interested in the work that was available to women at that time. Not knowing that their lives would be turned topsy-turvey by the war’s events, each continued on, living a normal young woman’s life and enduring all the dreams and disappointments in their work, the men in their life, their past and their view of the future. I thought this was a very heartwarming look into the lives of normal girls in a normal town at a normal time in history. I loved the book, and hope that NetGalley UK allows me to read more from this author.

Wonderful read loved the characters the setting.Reading about the struggles that were endured during the war.From rationing to shortages the struggle on the home front was real.At the same time there was family warmth love in this nostalgic story.#netgalley #the postmistress

I wanted to like this more than I did. Found it to be boring and somewhat lacking in story. . .

The Postmistress is a wonderful WWII book about trust, honour, love and hope. Maggie Sullivan tells a fiction story which could have easily been true, such a lovely and flowing read, both sweet and bitter. It was immersive and fascinating, easy to fall in love with and get lost in. From the historical details to the characters' personalities to raw emotions it felt real.

In Lancashire, Vicky, a young postmistress, and her brother and father live together behind the post office. Vicky is exhausted from her busy job and caring for her ill father. Much of her life has been one of heartache, so much that she has become accustomed to it and expects it. Dr. Roger Buckley befriends her but she clings to her past. We are also introduced to Rosie and her parents whose lives aren't exactly full of sunshine, either. Thankfully Rosie has friends who remain true to her, no matter what. We follow each of these characters as they face challenges and make difficult choices while trying to hang onto "normal" life.

War causes already crumbling relationships and lives to fall apart, yet people continue on and find joy and happiness in the midst of sorrow and pain. Life has a way of doing that. Be sure to read the postscript at the end about that. I also really appreciate the emotional growth of key characters. But for me the overwhelming theme is hope.

Historical Fiction readers, this is well worth your time. It is a quick read, one you will want to get to the end yet at the same time you don't want it to end.

My sincere thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this excellent book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

I enjoyed this sweet book so much, it describes the suffering that people had to endure during the Second World War, the bombs and the rationing which these days seems incredible when we throw so much away. It made me feel humble but, this book also took me to a different time when life was hard but everyone pulled together. Is the world doing similar during this current crisis? I hope so.
I enjoyed all the different characters even the not so nice ones. A lovely read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

1939 Greenhill Spring Lancashire and Vicky Parrott is the post mistress looking after her dad Author with a weak chest and her brother Henry who could help out a bit more her mother died of the Spanish flu and with another war looming her brother doesn't hesitate in joining the army. The post office is always busy and Dr Roger Buckley has a soft spot for her that she doesn't realise it yet. This book is full of everything as we go through all the village characters and their lives as to how they cope. I found it an enchanting read by this author. That will keep you buzzing . Loved the full book right through.