Cover Image: Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls

Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is book 4 in the series but it could be read as a standalone
There are some new characters but also some old ones reappear too. The story is told from multiple POVs. The story is well written.

Was this review helpful?

"Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls" by Lizzie Lane is a captivating journey through the lives of the resilient Tobacco Girls in Bristol during 1943. This poignant tale intricately weaves together the challenges of war, love, and personal growth, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and emotionally charged.

The characters come to life with vivid descriptions, and the author skillfully develops their stories, making them relatable and endearing. Bridget Milligan's journey as she navigates the complexities of wartime nursing services is not only a testament to her strength but also a window into the miracles of modern medicine during that era. The conflict between family loyalty, career aspirations, and the love of Lyndon O'Neill adds a layer of depth to Bridget's character, making her story thoroughly engaging.

Phyllis Harvey's experiences in Malta, witnessing the harsh realities of war, provide a gripping perspective on the sacrifices made during those tumultuous times. The narrative skillfully explores the uncertainties of love in the face of adversity, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they hope for Phyllis's happiness.

Maisie Miles, left to manage the home front at the tobacco factory, faces unexpected challenges with the sudden loss of her grandmother. However, Lane masterfully guides Maisie through the twists of fate, allowing her to discover strength and generosity within herself. The subplot of Maisie's inheritance and her ability to extend a helping hand to a friend in need adds a layer of compassion to the storyline.

The book is a rollercoaster of emotions, seamlessly blending tears and laughter, goodbyes and new arrivals. The author paints a vivid picture of wartime England, capturing the spirit of the times with authenticity. Lane's writing style is both evocative and eloquent, transporting readers to a bygone era filled with hope, resilience, and the promise of new beginnings.

"Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls" is a masterfully crafted historical novel that not only entertains but also educates about the human experience during a challenging period in history. Lizzie Lane's storytelling prowess and the rich tapestry of characters make this book an absolute must-read, earning it a well-deserved five stars.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful book in this series and doesn’t disappoint it deals with hardship, love and loss.

We pick up with the three M’s, Phyllis is in Malta and has met Mick who seems to be the one she wants to settle down with and is in love for the first time. Bridget is training to be. a Nurse and is still in love with Lyndon and Maisie is still working in the tobacco factory where her life seems to have improved.

It was interesting to read all the historical bits in the book and brings it all to life. The author weaves a spell of you wanting to live with all the characters.

I would recommend this book and the previous books as well.

Was this review helpful?

This is book number 4 in the series. It was seeing old friends and family again. I have misses them. Even though the Main characters is now in different locations in life, they still have the strong bond between them. And I still cry wih them and laugh with them. You Will Just fall in love with them. And you Will never stop wondering what is happening with them.
Thank you to netgalley for me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of Lizzie’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I must admit that I have a special fondness for the series featuring 'The Tobacco Girls’, who are a plucky bunch of women, who all work at the tobacco factory. I have followed the series from the start and have loved each and every book that has been released. ‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ is the fourth instalment of the series and it’s another cracker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
As soon as I glimpsed ‘Tobacco Girls’ on a cover of a book that I hadn’t read, that was it for me. From then on, I was determined to get my hands on a copy and as soon as that happened, well the rest of the day was history as far as doing anything else other than reading was concerned. I grabbed my Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for an afternoon of reading. I picked my Kindle up and I ended up becoming that wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. I had become caught up in the lives and loves of the girls again and I had to keep reading to see how the story panned out for them. The pages turned over that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and the page numbers became a blur. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ and I had to say farewell to the Tobacco Girls. For me, ‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ was the true definition of an unputdownable, gripping, page turner of a read. The story kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat.
‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Lizzie Lane. Lizzie has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. She certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into one hell of a story, which will tug on the toughest of heartstrings. Lizzie has clearly done a lot of research into the time period covered by the story and this makes the story feel that bit more authentic. Lizzie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She describes them so well that they seem just as real as you and I. Reading ‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ really did feel as though I was on an emotional rollercoaster with all the ups and downs, twists and turns and so on. I love the way in which Lizzie make the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Heaven & Hell For The Tobacco Girls’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Lizzie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Was this review helpful?

I have very much enjoyed this series, and in this book our three heroines - Maisie, Phyllis and Bridget are all surviving the War and suffering in different ways. Maisie is still at the tobacco factory, but getting more responsibility. She has taken young Carole under her wing as she learns more of her unfortunate background. The evil Eddie Bridgeman still hasn't finished making both their lives miserable.

Phyllis is serving abroad, and is finding love in unexpected places, believing her husband to have died (much unlamented) at Dunkirk. Bridget is also falling in love with her rich American boyfriend, who seems to have the luck of the devil in getting posted near her but her family don't seem so keen on him.

The book offers a nice flavour of life in England during the War, and it is great to read what is happening to the girls. I'm looking forward to the next in the series (you do need to read them in order for full enjoyment!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Just could not get into this book, so I did not post a review. I don't like to DNF books, but there are so many great ones. Thanks for the opportunity.

Was this review helpful?

Lizzie Lane does it again with this fabulous saga, Heaven and He'll for the Tobacco Girls, which I read while forgetting to breath in some parts. Absolutely spot on. I loved it. Well worth the five stars.

Was this review helpful?

It’s time to go and see what everyone is upto. Its 1943 and each of the ladies are doing different things and moving on with their lives! Despite Bridget training to be a nurse, Maisie still at the tobacco factory and Phyllis in Malta their friendship continues. It’s great to see that friendship can work from afar and letter writing is key to it. I loved catching up with the ladies.

Was this review helpful?

More from the three M’s. It’s now 1943 and the girls are all doing different things. Phyllis is in Malta, Bridget is training as a nurse and only Maisie is still at the tobacco factory. Although they’re apart their friendship lives on mainly through letters. I really enjoyed catching up with the girls so much has happened since they first met. Lizzie draws you into the book so you feel like you’re right there with them. Another good read in a great series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

There are further hardships and triumphs in store for the Tobacco girls in the latest installment of Lizzie Lane’s involving and evocative Second World War saga series.

In 1943 Bristol, the war continues to wreak maximum havoc and destruction over everybody’s lives. Bridget Mulligan is doing her bit for the war effort and becomes a nurse where she finds herself completely enthralled by the wonders of modern medicine. Bridget would love nothing more than to make nursing her calling, but torn between duty towards her family, the man she loves with all of her heart and her new job, she finds herself at a crossroads. Will she make the right decision? Or will she end up taking a particular path that will lead to heartbreak and regret?

Phyllis Harvey is serving in Malta where her days and nights are spent tending to the wounded and the injured who need her help. Phyllis at long last finds the love that she had been looking for, but in an uncertain world where things can change in a heartbeat, will Phyllis’ most cherished dreams come true? Or will she end up losing everything she had hoped for with a cruel twist of fate?

Maisie Miles is the only one of the tobacco girls keeping the home fires burning, but with her grandmother’s unexpected death, she feels more alone than ever. A substantial inheritance certainly makes things easier for Maisie and will enable her to help out a friend who is in desperate need of her help.

The coming months will be challenging and difficult for the three tobacco girls, but even when everything seems impossible, they must continue to believe that there are brighter days ahead…

Lizzie Lane’s sagas never fail to draw readers in and keep them engaged and entertained until the very last page and in Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls, this gifted storyteller has once again written a heartfelt, emotional and dramatic tale about friendship, sacrifice, love and war that takes readers back in time to a tumultuous period of history full of strong women willing to do whatever it takes for the people they loved most in the world.

Best read with a cuppa and a great big box of tissues, readers will fall under Lizzie Lane’s spell anew with her latest novel, Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls.

Was this review helpful?

I would recommend reading The Tobacco Girls series in order starting with the first book, The Tobacco Girls to gain some understanding of the characters and setting, eventhough it can be read as a stand-alone. The previous book is Fire and Fury for the Tobacco Girls.

Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls is a detailed story that is well thought out, with alot of entertaining and thought provoking scenes. The reader becomes hooked from the first page.

I like how Lane has created an interesting plot by using vivid imagery and a great amount of research into the medical instruments and procedures used in the times of WW2. There was a lot of useful information given like how the shortages, rationing and poor quality of items affect people and that they had to look for reusable items. The writing style is easy to follow with a good mixture of wit, dialogue and description. The titled chapter headings allowed the reader to navigate though the plot easier.

The character development of Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls is good. The characters are relatable and realistic, with their own personality. I enjoyed reuniting once more with the tabacco girls, as they move on to the next stage in life. There were some new faces that were charming...

Bridget wants to help her country and signs up for the civil Auxiliary nursing services has yet to break the news to her family and is soon stationed at Crossborough infirmary for training. There are strict rules and Bridget enjoys working long hours learning about the newest medical drug....I was impressed with the amount knowledge Bridget knew about medicine in the local community.

Maisie is a motherly figure to those around her offering support and defending those in need...She devastated death of her grandmother and further shocked when she learns that she has been left the house, a piece of land and a considerable amount of money hopefully things will work out for her!

Phyllis is living the danger zone of Malta. she believes herself in love again and enjoys the attention of her man, Mike Fairbrother. The days and nights are very demanding, with long shifts, as Phyllis works doing her important job of relaying information and details between fighter pilots and loging those who were returning...

I overall enjoyed reading the latest installment and can't wait until the next book to find out where things will lead after the cliffhanger...

I would strongly recommend reading Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls to lovers of Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction and Sagas, as it is a emotive character driven story with touching scenes of sadness, loss and grief following the restrictions and drama of war...

Was this review helpful?

Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls is book four in the Tobacco Girl series. The series is written by Lizzie Lane. This is the first book that I have read by this author. I have not read the other books in the series. They can be read as standalones.

This is a WWII novel that is set in 1943. We see three friends: Bridget, Phyllis and Masie. Their friendship started while the were working at the tobacco factory. The women's lives have changed a great deal with the war. They are now scattered due to the war. America has entered the war. War life is starting to take their toll on the characters. Even though this is the only story that I read, I could see the characters evolve and grow within this one story.

The book is well written. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I will be going back and reading the series from the beginning. The writing flows easy. The author has done good research to make this story as real feeling as possible.



Thank you to the author and Rachels Random Resources for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Was this review helpful?

It was just wonderful to be back with the Tobacco Girls again! This time there have been many changes and the “3 Ms” are scattered all over the world.

I really enjoyed reading about Bridget’s journey into nursing. She’s on a steep learning curve, but she has a natural flair for it. It’s a tough time to be nursing, with many casualties of war.

Phyllis has been through so much, and she’s still in Malta, where it’s quite high risk, but I found it fascinating reading about her job, and I loved the descriptions of the beautiful area. There are still challenges ahead for her, but she’s so brave, a character to be admired.

Maisie is such a strong character, and I love the way she fights for what she believes in, and how she manages to cope on her own.

Overall, I found that this is one of those books that are made to savour. As I neared the end, I just didn’t want it to finish, and I can’t wait for the next one.

For anyone who loves historical fiction, this is one of the best. I’d really recommend it, and the whole series so far. Engaging, often heart-breaking, but just so enjoyable to read, really gorgeous.

Was this review helpful?

The story of the “Three M’s” continues. The series includes: The Tobacco Girls, Dark Days for the Tobacco Girls, Fire and Fury for the Tobacco Girls, and Heaven and Hell for the Tobacco Girls, all written by Lizzie Lane and all are available on Kindle Unlimited.

Here we have Phyllis, who’s joined the fight as a transcriptionist who’s fallen in love with a pilot from Australia. Her heart is broken when he doesn’t return from his last trip and she’s worried he died during the latest raid.

Maisie’s grandmother passed away and Maisie finds herself putting pieces of her family puzzle together with random bits of information she’s gathered here and there. While it feels like her world is falling apart, Maisie stays strong in her fight to claim what’s rightfully hers and keep her composure when it feels like the world is against her.

Bridget and her American beau meet up as often as they can after he returns to England. Bridget is training to become a nurse while Lyndon joining up and fighting. Her mother isn’t convinced he’s worthy of Bridget’s heart and fears he’ll break it leaving Bridget crushed.

Then there’s Carole, the young recruit at the tobacco company who Maisie’s been mentoring. Carole find shelf shocked when she learns who her father is. And she also ends up being taken advantage of by a manager at the tobacco company.

And lastly, there’s Aggie, the matron of the tobacco company who simply watches over all the girls. Aggie suddenly passes while at work and it affects all the girls and the whole community.

All are tied together by the tobacco company. Everyone is dealing with the war in their own ways. It’s refreshing to read about life during this time period and how they potentially dealt with the struggles they faced from day to day.

I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because of its easy read and follow along. It simply takes me away from my daily grains and throws me in the midst of tobacco girls and their own struggles.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the chance to read the ARC of this book

I have read all the books in the series and make a point of looking out for future books - its an easy going read whilst providing some historical background into life in WW2 Bristol - and more recently Malta

They are now not all based in the Tobacco factory but we are still in WW2 and still following their lives - chapter by chapter as each is about an individual girl

I loved catching up and reading their exploits, harrowing at times but also with love, friendship, empathy and understanding.

I understand there will be a 5th book in the series and its already on my 'lookout' list - I am looking forward to more adventures from Bridget, Maisie and Phyllis

Thanks again to Netgalley, the publisher and Lizzie Lane

Was this review helpful?

This book is set in 1943 so a bit later during WWII than the previous few books I've read which were closer to the start of the war, this was also the first book that I'd read that looked at the cigarette and cigar factories. It is part of a series, and is book 4 following The Tobacco Girls, Dark Days for the Tobacco Girls and Fire and Fury for the Tobacco Girls. I hadn't read any of these but I was still able to follow along the story as it can be read as a stand alone. However, on reflection I feel like I would have grown towards the characters more if I'd read the previous books as I would have had a greater understanding of what they'd been through and how they got to where they were now.

The story is split between three girls; Bridget, Maisie and Phyllis, who originally worked together at the tobacco factory but are now experiencing very different sides of the war. Phyllis is in Malta and was probably the character that I was least drawn towards out of the three but both Maisie and Bridget are still in the UK. I think Bridget was probably my favourite girl of the three and I loved seeing her journey and eagerness develop as she was taught more about modern medicine, especially getting to see the impact that penicillin had on both her and the patients it was administered to.

Maisie was probably having the hardest time of the three but you could see her strength and resilience in the way that she carried on and was a pillar of strength for many of the other women in the factory. This was especially clear when we hear about Sid's drawings to her hidden in his letters as that must have truly been heartbreaking to see and understand!

Overall this was a good, compelling read and it has definitely left me wanting to know more. I have so many questions so I'm hoping that there is going to be a book 5 coming at some point soon...

Was this review helpful?

When we last saw the Tobacco Girls, Maisie had moved in with her paternal grandmother and was starting to finally feel like she had a safe home. Her friend, but not her boyfriend, Sid, was incarcerated in a Japanese POW camp. Phyllis was experiencing, firsthand, more of the horrors of war as she was now injured on the Island of Malta, serving with the intelligence teams. She had finally found true love with Mick, her Australian Army boyfriend. Meanwhile, Bridget was still patiently waiting to be reunited with her American sweetheart, Lyndon O’Neill.
Lizzie Lane has created a real gem with this series, and I genuinely look forward to each instalment. This time, we meet new characters as Bridget seeks out a new vocation following her time spent on the ambulance service. As usual, each character is well developed and a pleasure to meet. In particular, I liked Tilly, she reminded me of Miranda Hart’s character in Call the Midwife.
Meanwhile, back in Bristol, Maisie is forging a friendship with the previously annoying Carole. Their shared disliking for Eddie Bridgeman brings them closer together. Aggie is still the mainstay of the factory girls, her no-nonsense approach keeps them all safe. Maisie is still one of my favourite characters, her ability to drag herself up, by her bootstraps, is a sure indication of her strength of character. I feel that she deserves some good to come her way. Even though, when she does experience a turn of fortune, it’s not without sorrow. Her intermittent postcards from Sid paint the horrors of prison camps in vivid realism.
Finally, we catch up with Phyllis; when the last book ended, she was injured, but it was no surprise to learn that she was fully recovered and loving her life, making plans to follow her boyfriend to Australia, after the war. Of course, it’s precarious to make plans during wartime and it’s not long before Phyllis is dealing with a broken heart.
The writing in this series is wonderful. The stories flow as the reader is seamlessly transported through the lives of each of the three lead characters. No holds are barred, and I truly felt the desperation and devastation of life during wartime. I’m already hoping that the next book will, at least, bring Sid home so that we can discover if he and Maisie are ever destined to be more than friends.

Was this review helpful?

Here we are following three girls during World War 2 as they make their way in a world at war. The descriptions of the places and things is so accurate you feel as though you are right there with them. For Bridget Milligan we find her in the nursing services and more than a little in awe of modern medicine. She has a found her calling in life but at the same time is torn between her family, her career, and the man she loves.

While Phyllis Harvey is in Malta serving in the Air Force and has been through a lot. She fled a mother who was overbearing, the loss of a baby, and a presumed dead husband that she didn't love. Now she has met a man she truly loves but who knows what the future will hold for them.
That leaves Maisie Miles holding down the fort at home in the tobacco factory and is alone now that her friends are gone off t war and her grandmother has died. That doesn't mean she is helpless. In fact, Maisie was my favorite of the girls. She may have been left behind but someone has to do the work at home.

This book was so wonderful as I have said. Every description makes you feel as though you are right there with the girls. Every heartbreak, moment of grief, joy, and pain hits you in your soul. Having not read any of the other books I was wasn't lost on what was going on and there is enough backstories that I was able to keep up. It is beautifully written and the characters are timeless.

Was this review helpful?

Pretty much a slice of time for the girls who started out together as tobacco girls, close to the end of WW2. I hadn't read the previous books, but things were well explained, and it didn't hurt the story. It's nice to read of such close friendships, through everything that happens to them. With multiple characters in the book, there are several lives being lived, several lines to follow. Each has their own complicated story, as the point of view shifts from one to another. Nothing boring for sure. Keeps you wanting to pick it up again to see what's going to happen. Life is interesting in England during this part of the war, especially as so many men were stationed there, hailing from all over. Discrimination and racial inequality of the era is also touched on briefly, mainly coming from American citizens. An emotional roller coaster at times. Excellent read with just a few brief spots that would make someone who wants a clean read feel uncomfortable. A bit frustrating though as it cuts off somewhat abruptly, leaving you hanging until the next book to find out what happens.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

@BookandTonic #HeavenandHellfortheTobaccoGirls #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Was this review helpful?