Member Review

The Daughters of Victory Street by Pam Howes is a charming post-World War II historical saga. It is the fourth novel in The Bryant Sisters series. I recommend reading this series in order. This will allow you to get to know the characters and their back stories. We return to Wavetree, Liverpool, England on Victory Street where it is February of 1952. It is a close community on Victory Street. The residents take care of each other. Bella and Edie have been focusing on their families. Fran has been absent from Liverpool following the scandal with her ex-husband, but she misses her friends. When another resident on Victory Street decides to move, their house is perfect for Fran and her child. With Fran’s return, The Bryant Sisters begin rehearsing. They have plenty of new songs thanks to Fran and Bobby. Dianna, Earl’s daughter, is a beautiful singer. Earl has her and Levi entering a singing competition. Singing, though, is not what Dianna wishes to do when she graduates. She wishes to become a nurse following in her Aunt Ruby’s footsteps. We follow Dianna as she passes her exams and enters the nursing program at the Royal Hospital. We get to see Dianna blossom into a lovely woman who makes big decisions regarding her future. It is great catching up with Bella, Edie, Fran as well as their families and friends. The Daughters of Victory Street is an emotional novel that lets readers see what life was like after World War II in England. Restrictions are still in place even in the 1950s. People are happy the war is over and are looking forward to moving on with their lives. I thought The Daughters of Victory Street was well-written with likeable, relatable, and realistic characters. It is enjoyable catching up with Fran, Bella, and Edie plus get them develop as time moves forward. Dianna experiences racism in her life at various times. I like how the author dealt with this issue. Bella and Bobby discover their daughter, Lizzie has a health issue. The couple takes the matter in stride, and I like how everyone rallies around to help them. We watch the families grow and adapt as the years pass by. The Daughters of Victory Street is a heartwarming saga with laughter, courage, grief, perseverance, disappointment, hope, and most of all- love.