A tale of two courageous women serving their country as Wrens.

During the first World War Marion joins the Wrens transporting messenger pigeons on her motorbike, finding a hope and a freedom she's never known.

Evelyn Fairchild has grown up with everything she has ever needed, except the freedom to prove herself beyond what others see as weakness. In the face of a second World War she joins the Wrens with the support of her childhood friend.

An engaging story that tells the story of two very different women serving in different wars. I liked Marion and how Eddie found her and befriended her, sticking by her side through thick and thin. Eddie is a real gem, and I loved how he saw Marion when no one else did. Marion really finds her voice and a purpose as a Wren.

Evelyn's story was no less compelling, though from a very different background. I liked her determination and growing friendship with Percy.


Overall, a compelling read with a dual time line read that does eventually converge, with well developed characters. The author does a great of richly bringing history to life in this gripping read. Great for fans of WWII fiction.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"The Call of the Wrens" is an okay historical novel about female dispatch riders during the two World Wars.

The romantic subplots just took over in my opinion and the characters lacked the necessary development to really make me care about what was happening.

4 Stars
One Liner: A less-explored area of WWI and WWII; Well-written

1917 England
Marion has to leave the orphanage when she turns eighteen. With nowhere to go, she joins the Women’s Royal Navy Service (Wrens) as a typist before becoming a motorcycle dispatch rider on the Western Front. With her newfound friend Sara and best friend Eddie, Marion finally feels her life has a purpose. However, an unexpected tragedy can rip everything away from her.
1936 England
Evelyn has no desire to be a society girl or get married. When the impending war ends her car racing dreams, she signs up for the Women’s Royal Navy Service, which is active once more to serve in WWII. Her parents threaten to cut her off if she doesn’t go home, but all Evelyn ever wanted was to be useful to the country.
How do the lives of ladies from both war-ridden times meet at a common point? What does it mean for Marion and Evelyn?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Marion and Evelyn.

My Thoughts:
The intriguing premise and the cover caught my attention. The book does justice to the relatively lesser-known area of wars. The author's note at the end was a treat to read.
The first third of the book had a detailed backstory of our main characters. Though all of it was not war-related, I liked that I had a clear picture of their characteristics as the plot thickened.
The mid-section of the novel dipped in pacing as it dealt with the part which connects with timelines. The pace picked up in the third part and ends on a bittersweet yet heartwarming note.
Romance and love have a major share of the plot. While it fit the first timeline and was necessary, it somehow diluted the second timeline and even overshadowed the crux of the plot.
However, Marion, Sara, Eddie, and Evelyn were engaging (and flawed) characters. They could keep me interested even when I skimmed through a few dragging scenes. Both timelines were well-developed, so that’s a definite plus.
The writing was easy to read. It balanced internal and conflict well without delving too much into the horrific details of the war (after reading quite a few war fiction novels, I’m beginning to appreciate the ones that don’t provide graphic descriptions).
I learned about the role of women during the wars and loved every bit of it. They were a crucial part of the network that kept the troops coordinated and ready for attacks. They did amazing work behind the scenes (why am I not surprised?).

To summarize, The Call of the Wrens deals with the lesser-known roles of women during war as dispatch riders and pigeon trainers. It's an engrossing read with some memorable characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A stunning coming of age story featuring 2 women, 2 wars and the same determination to make a difference for both themselves and a world at war.

When Marion ages out of the system in 1917, she has very little choice as to what to do or where to go. Orphanage after orphanage had been her entire life, no family, one friend and the skills to become a typist. It’s those skills that find her walking through a door and signing up to become a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service or the Wrens. Her one friend, Eddie, faked his age so that he could enlist right along side her. As the war raged, they found themselves moving closer and closer to the front she, working with and transporting message pigeons and he, a motorcycle dispatcher couriering messages from one place to another. Eddie’s love for Marion sends him closer to the front when he takes a dispatch in her place.

Flash forward to 1940 and Marion is called into service again. Not only because they need her help and expertise but also to help her overcome a twenty year depression the last war had left her with. The moment she lays eyes on Evelyn, she knows the two are connected in more ways than just the desire to make a difference. Evelyn had run away from a life of aristocracy, determined to forge her own path rather the one her mother insists upon. Evelyn yearns to more and doesn’t understand why Marion holds her back, so she takes matters in her own hands. Her will to do her duty and protect other causes her to make a decision that will change both of their lives.

I LOVED this story and a bit more of a history lesson about the brave women who served their country as WRENS. These ladies has many roles during both wars but this story focuses more on the motorcycle dispatchers. While entirely fictional, I found myself constantly turning to google for more information!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Harper Muse and Jenni Walsh for an opportunity to read such an inspiring story!

This week I’ve been enjoying a character-driven, historical fiction novel with two engaging storylines that alternate between World War I and World War II.

1918
Marion Hoxton first meets Eddie Smith at the orphanage where they spent the latter part of their childhood years. But when Marion turns 18, she is forced to leave the orphanage and set out on her own. She joins the Women’s Royal Navy Service (Wrens) and finds a home and a sisterhood there, as well as a rewarding job.

Eddie, thought to be a year younger than Marion, declares that wherever she goes, he goes; so he announces that he is 18 and leaves the orphanage to follow Marion, eventually joining the Army. They secretly marry and both set out to do their part to help end World War 1.

1940
Twenty years later, Evelyn Fairchild seeks independence from her parents. She doesn’t want to attend a finishing school or marry the man her mother keeps pushing at her. She loves to ride motorcycles, so she joins the Wrens and ends up in the motor dispatch unit where she meets Wren Marion Smith. Their paths intersect in a surprising conclusion.

This story, while not true, features strong female characters which are based on real people. Themes include the importance of family and friends, and a strong dedication to serving the country. The characters are likable and I found myself drawn in to the drama and really hoping things went well!

My thanks to the author, @jennilwalsh and @harpermuse for my gifted digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

This book came in from nowhere and absolutely baffled me with how much I enjoyed it. I rarely enjoy the double POV-thing that’s become fashionable, often finding that there’s one of the timelines (on occasion more than one, when there’s more than two) that feel like they’re not adding anything to the story and are just there to make up a word count. That wasn’t the case here. The setting up of the story was long, yes, but for both Marion and Evelyn they felt necessary, both to get to know them as characters, but also to see where they were coming from in their later actions.

This was super well-researched, wonderful characters, a really enjoyable plot, and a very, very well-written novel. My rating is fully based on a very heavy emphasis on romance that, especially in one POV, felt unnecessary and didn’t actually give anything to the story. There were some ways a few things were handled that didn’t sit well with me, but overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable historical fiction novel that uncovered a rarely explored part of the World Wars.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for a complimentary copy of this book! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This novel is based off true events that happened during WW1 and WW2 and about the brave women who served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENS) during those wars. Both Marion and Evelyn are dispatch riders on motorcycles delivering top secret information to aid in the war efforts. They both also help to train and deliver messenger pigeons . In WW1, we have Marion and Eddie, both orphans, who decide to join the war effort. Years later, during WW2, Evelyn decides to join in the war effort, against her parents’ wishes. Throughout all this, both women have love interests…Marion has Eddie, Evelyn has Percy! Marion’s and Evelyn’s paths cross in WW2, but in more ways than either of them ever expected!!!
I really enjoyed reading this novel, especially because the author shed a spotlight on women who aided the war efforts back in the day. There were points in the novel where I couldn’t help but cry. There were points where I felt on the edge of my seat as bombs were being rained down on the Wrens!!! And there was an abundance of joyous, happy moments! I love it when authors can pull their readers into the story so deeply! Thank you so much for this!!!

Quick and Dirty⁣
-WWI and WWII timelines⁣
-secret relationships⁣
-women in the line of duty⁣
-empowering disability representation⁣
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Synopsis⁣
Orphaned in infancy, Marion has spent her entire life in orphanages. In an effort to protect herself from rejection and abandonment, she is selectively mute, withdrawn, and bookish. Until she meets Eddie. Over the course of several years, she and Eddie become the best of friends until the threat of war brings them closer than ever. In an effort to shield the younger Eddie from the need to serve, Marion joins the Women’s Royal Navy Service also known as the “Wrens”. Marion finds much joy and excitement as a motorcycle despatch rider, but when she and Eddie are both sent to the front in France she learns that there is more at stake than she bargained for. ⁣
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Musings⁣
What a terrific novel! I absolutely adored this one from start to finish. The two timelines complimented each other nicely, making the shifts between the two smooth and easy to follow. While the main twist was a bit obvious, it was no less entertaining. I always love reading stories of women in service, both on the homefront and the frontlines. Call of the Wrens has a bit of both! And the powerful themes of love, belonging, and friendship give this war-time novel depth and feeling that is sometimes missing. Overall, historical fiction lovers should not miss this one! I can't wait to read more of Walsh's work in the future.

Thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted, The Call of the Wrens gives readers an insight into the work of the women who served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service in both WWI and WWII. Told through two timelines, this story focuses on the work of the WRNS motorcycle dispatch riders in both wars. The characters are strong, well-rounded believable and just so easy to care for. The story is compelling and well plotted, the pace ensuring you want to find out what happens next. I liked that there were romantic threads in each timeline and I loved the way they unexpectedly tied together at the end. This story has been a wonderful read and is a book I’ll return to in the future.

The Call of the Wren is a refreshing look at not just WW1 but WW2 through the eyes of 2 young women. Marion, raised in an orphanage with no idea of her past or what the future holds. Jumping to 1936 Evelyn is the opposite with parents who lovingly provide and expect much from her. As England enters the war both do their part, risking much.

Suffice to say The Call of the Wrens is a story of strength & determination, love & loss and family. It's about how these two time periods connect and the secrets that come to light. For the history buffs, the Women's Royal Naval Service (aka Wrens) is showcased with the risks they took during both wars.

Jenni L Walsh is not a new author for me. I thoroughly enjoyed her books Becoming Bonnie (of Bonnie & Clyde fame) and Side by Side. So I knew to expect a wonderful story again.

My thanks to Harper Muse and Netgalley for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Is there a genre you always come back to? If you've been with me awhile you know I have a soft spot for historical fiction. So today as part of a wonderful book tour it's my turn to bring you up to speed on this fantastic novel I read earlier this year! Many thanks to the author for my digital copy in exchange for a review.
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The Call of the Wrens by Jenni Walsh is a dual timeline tale spanning both WWI and WWII, highlighting the heroic efforts of the WRENS - a segment of the Royal Naval Service which employed women to deliver important messages via motorcycle. Does this intrigue you? It should! It's so cool!.
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Following two fierce females navigating the battles on the field plus their own internal struggles, you can't help but cheer them on. Friendship, mother-daughter dynamics, romance and what it means to be brave, are just some of the themes encountered in this compelling novel. I gave this one 4 stars. It's out NOW so go get your copy!.

Selective mute Marion ages out of state care during WWI and joins a women courier unit on the western front. In 1939, after a childhood disability, Evelyn loves race cars and yearns for more freedom.

This dual timeline has two strong leads and their stories intersected well, although I suspected the connection. Both women had a deep desire to belong. That leads Marion to her only childhood friend and Evie to leave her family, but both ultimately end up with the Wrens.

I wish more time was spent understanding Marion’s big decision. It felt underdeveloped for such an important part of the plot.

This was a compelling read where I admired both heroines. There are themes about adoption and belonging and vivid depictions of war. I enjoyed learning about the Women’s Royal Naval Service.

Marian Hoxton, an orphan, longs to have a purpose and belonging. She finds both as a Wren in WWI. Serving in France as a motorcycle dispatch rider, Marian does all she can to help end the war. Until one battle changes everything for her.

Evelyn Fairchild wants nothing more than to prove she is capable despite the disability she was born with and to live without her parents dictating her every move. With WWII beginning, Evelyn finds the opportunity to do both by joining the Wrens. Even better, she is able to be a motorcycle dispatch rider and continue to have the freedom that comes from driving fast.

The Call of the Wrens is the first book I’ve read from Jenni L. Walsh and it won’t be the last. I was swept up into this story of two women who volunteer in the Women’s Royal Navy Service during the World Wars. Walsh weaves a captivating story that spans decades and cumulates into one gratifying ending.

I loved this story! It was full of emotion and moments that drew me in as a reader. Learning of the Wrens and their role in both World Wars has me wanting to learn more. These woman risked it all in some instances and were brave beyond measure. Getting a glimpse at what they did through Marian and Evelyn's story was a treat. This is one book that I will revisit again.

The Call of the Wrens is a stand-alone story. It is a great read for any World War readers and fans of strong woman characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an advance copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-ARC of this wonderful historical fiction.

I loved this book, I am a huge fan of historical fiction, especially when its set during wars, when its told from a female perspective since history has muted so many female voices from the discussion. Its important we claim it back as it is also ours. The Call of the Wrens was told from multiple POVs which I adored because it made the story so much more layered and real.
The writing itself was so detailed and heartbreakingly beautiful, I enjoyed it very much.

A must read for all history fans

Thank you Jenni Walsh for inviting me on this tour and Harper Muse for my advanced e-copy of this amazing book!

Following a dual timeline, the little known story of a group of brave women during wartime is brought to life. Known as The Wrens, these women carried some of the biggest war secrets and messages as they rode across war-torn Europe.

During WWI, Marion, who grew up in one orphanage after the next, has always just wanted to belong. When the opportunity to join The Wrens arise she jumps at the chance. Along for the fight is her childhood friend turned sweetheart, Eddie, and the pair quickly find themselves in the face of danger. Jump to WWII, society girl, Evelyn, sees the opportunity help in the war by using her race car driving skills as a dispatch driver for The Wrens. A childhood disability lingers though making training harder for her but it only pushes her more to prove her self worth.

This is a beautiful war time story that shares the journey of two women whose lives eventually converge into one. I found myself holding my breath a few times as I read this emotional yet heartwarming book. Jenni Walsh effortlessly weaved in and out of these women’s stories in the dual timeline and how they eventually merge together is perfect. Any historical fiction lover needs to read this exquisite book!

Read if you:
- Love historical fiction books. 📜
- Need a story with strong female characters. 💪🏻
- Want to be inspired. 🤩

f you love historical fiction set in the First and Second World War, strong, daring, remarkable women who force society’s limits, this is the book for you!

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Historical Context
This is from the author’s note, because I simply can’t put it better. Jenny Walsh talks about women in the World Wars in Great Britain:

At the onset of the Great War in 1914, the only military role viewed as “suitable” for a woman was in the capacity of a nurse.

Nineteen thousand women served as nurses and up to one hundred thousand as Voluntary Aid Detachments.

No small number, and invaluable to the war efforts. Still, women weren’t seen as a viable asset until 1916, when the British realized a large manpower shortage.

[…] The Wrens (nicknamed this way from the acronym WRNS – Women’s Royal Navy Service) officially began in 1917, and by 1919 was over seven thousand strong, including such positions as cooks and stewards, writers and telephonists, sail makers, coders and cyphers, and my personal favorite: motorcycle dispatch riders.

[…] At its peak in 1944, the number of women who served within the Wrens was nearly seventy-five thousand, with postings all over the world.

“THE CALL OF THE WRENS”, BY JENNY WALSH
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The Call of the Wrens – Plot
Marion is an orphan getting evicted from the orphanage where she was living because she was turning 18. Having no income and no home, her best alternative is to join the war efforts at the beginning of the First World War. Her best friend, soon to become her boyfriend, Eddie, does his best to follow her, even into the war.

Evelyn is a beautiful, rich heiress with a club foot, who, before the Second World War, was a passionate race car driver. The war puts an end to her activity and forces her to go along with her parents. They move away from the big cities, the ones most likely to be bombarded. Life becomes unbearably sheltered and dull and being treated as a child by her mother takes up new dimensions. With the help of her childhood friend, Percy, she joins the war as a dispatch motorcycle rider.

The two stories show determined, strong willed women who overcome their insecurities and do their best to serve their country. As you may expect, their destiny brings them together at some point and everything gets tied up beautifully.

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My Thoughts
…On the Characters
I love how the author draws a parallel between Marion and Evelyn. The two serve in different wars, different times, when expectations of women have changed. The change in how they are viewed is not radical from the First World War to the Second, but it is there, and it is palpable in the book.

Both women are strong and are a lot alike in determination, but they are driven by different motivations. Evelyn wants to prove herself and that makes her reckless. Marion, as an orphan, wants to belong. She finds a sisterhood with the Wrens. They make her happy.

Both women have a childhood friend who believes in them and who is able to reach their soul. They also don’t have any girl friends while growing up and don’t really get how to interact with other women. Eddie and Percy remain their main, almost only friends as adults too. However, while Eddie is clearly completely in love (Marion and Eddie soon become a couple), the relationship between Evelyn and Percy is more complicated. Their parents’ pressure doesn’t help either.

Evie has a much too sheltered life, while Marion’s life was much too difficult, but they were, in the end, both very lonely. Marion’s passion for reading is endearing. Evie’s passion for race cars suits her nature perfectly.

These two characters, as the author explains in an ending note, while fictional, where inspired by real people. The situations they go through were inspired by real situation Wrens faced in the two World Wars.

What I loved most about them was, however, their portrayal of personal motivations that pushed them in the wars. They were not intrinsically motivated by serving their country. They both joined for what can essentially be viewed as selfish reasons. That felt very, very real.

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…On the Writing
The book is constructed with two different timelines. One is Marion’s, which starts before the First World War and one is Evelyn’s, which starts before the Second World War. The events in their lives mirror each other and we get to see two points of view, two different upbringings, two reactions to war, two different love stories. This made me very attached to all the characters.

The war descriptions are on point, but with nothing of the horrid details one might expect from it.

The only thing I didn’t like was that there are scenes with a bit of a build up, only to have nothing happen in the end. I am still not sure what to think of them. An example is when Marion delivers pigeons to a man who delays giving her the receipt for completing her mission. She is fearful, she doesn’t understand why the man delays giving her the receipt, yet we then move on rapidly to a different scene, no real conclusion from it.

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…Overall

I was so moved by this story! Women claiming their right to serve, women running away from a sheltered life, women finding kinship within army service, women finding courage for anything – everything was such an example of a positive, inspiring message. I loved, loved, loved everything about this book!

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Conclusion
If you like historical fiction, this novel can’t be missed!

This book is a dual narrative dual timeline that crosses both WWI and WWII following two women and their experiences with the Women’s Royal Navy Service (the Wrens). Their backgrounds are so different, but they both find meaning and purpose in serving with the Wrens.

This is such a fascinating story and the way that it’s woven across timelines yet intertwined in meaningful ways makes it a super engaging read. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and this one is definitely on my list to recommend! It’s out now - go grab a copy!

Thank you to the author for a copy to read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! This has been such an incredible read, especially since I love historical fiction.

The story covers both world wars and describes how the tragedies of the wars changed the lives of two women. This is a story of immeasurable love, immense loss, incredible friendship, and zealous strength.

Call of the Wrens is narrated by two women alternatively; Marion during WW1 and Evelyn during WW2. Marion was an orphan who joined the Wrens when she turned 18. The love of her life followed her into fighting in the war. On the other hand, Evelyn is a daredevil and has a penchant for driving and ardently going against her parents. As the 2nd WW commences, she enlists herself to be a wren. However, when Marion and Evelyn's paths cross, hard kept secrets are threatened to be revealed that could alter both their lives.

Jenni L. Walsh has conjured up a devastating novel illustrating the heroic women who sacrificed more than what history told. If you're looking for a historical fiction to tug at all your heartstrings, go read this one! You will not be disappointed.

The Jenny Wrens

This is a story spanning two World Wars and secrets that lasted through both. It is about courage and friendships and romance .

1917 as many are enlisting in the Great War better known as WWII, two young people made their way to the desk to sign up. Two orphans, Eddie and Marion grew up together in an orphanage. When it was Marion's time to leave it was suggested she enlist in the service and Eddie did not want to be separated so he lied about his age and enlisted as well.

Eddie was given the job of a Dispatch Rider delivering important messages as he owned a motorcycle. Marion was put in a typing job as that is what she had been doing at the orphanage. She met a fellow recruit named Sara and they became friends until Sara was sent to another post.
Marion wanted to be a dispatch rider, she hated her typing job. when one of the young female dispatch riders named Sylvia is frightened to go on her run Marion does it for her and is caught. Because of the breaking of rules she is given a post in France transporting carrier pigeons at the front. She finds out that Sara her old friend is who she will be working with.

They are fast friends and working together until a horrible tragedy at the end of the war ends that friendship and life as Marion knows it. She is devastated and she is sent back home just a few weeks before the end of the war.

Fast forward to 1940. A young privileged girl named Evelyn Fairchild finds out from her friend Percy about the Wrens and their motorcycle dispatch riders. She is intrigued and wants to become a Wren. Her parents are against it and tell her if she does this they will disinherit her and cut her off from all funds. She "Borrows" Percy's motorcycle and enlists in the Wrens taking the motorcycle with her to become a dispatch rider.

Meanwhile Sara has talked Marion into reenlisting as a Wren in the second World War as her expertise is badly needed and finally Marion agrees.

Evelyn meets Marion as Petty Officer Wren Smith. This is the officer she will be reporting to in her new role as a dispatch rider. When a horrible event and an accident leads to Marion sharing a long kept secret with Evelyn. As the two wars come together and the secrets are revealed it is life changing for both women.

I loved reading about the pigeons in WWI and the job that Marion and Sara had carrying pigeons on their back in a crate atop a motorcycle to take them to the different stations at times in great danger to themselves and to the pigeons. To me this was the most incredible part of the book and I found it most interesting. I loved every part of the book and the ending was perfect.

This was a really good read and I recommend it.

Thanks to Jenni L. Walsh for writing a great story, to Harper Muse for printing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Fascinating story that is a tribute to the amazing women who served in the British Women’s Royal Naval Service (the WRENS) and found purpose in serving as dispatch riders during WWI and WWII. I love learning new things when I read, and found this story appealed both to my love of story as well as history. In this dual timeline story, both Marion and Evelyn had circumstances early in life that could have dampened their spirit but instead shaped them to become independent and courageous. I really liked how Ms. Walsh brought both storylines in this dual timeline together at the end. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.