Advance Readers Copy Review

I want to start off by saying that I was given ebook arc from the author. In return for my honest thought and my review. I wasn’t too sure what this book about. All know that it was historical fiction and I was in love with the cover. I love the two female character POV. I loved that this book talked about two different wars. This is the first time that I have read anything from this author. I will be definitely be adding more of the author books on my tbr. I really didn’t connect the dots of these two female characters until it was revealed and was so surprised of the connection. I didn’t feel to me that this book was predictable. I couldn’t put this book down. I know this book took me sometime. I really wanted to take my time reading this book. I honestly didn’t know women during war times were wrens. I highly recommend this book.
About Book:
Two woman Marion and Evelyn two different lives that they have lived. How they ended up signed up for the Women’s Royal Navy service wrens. Riding motorcycles delivering messages and birds to the front lines. I highly recommend this book. Again and again. Thank you to the author and netgalley. My reviews are up on goodreads , Amazon and bookbub I posted in my November wrap up on instagram.

4.5 stars

This was such a wonderful story, and I loved seeing how these two women’s experiences related to one another even though their journeys began decades apart.

Marion grew up in an orphanage, but when she reached the age of eighteen in 1917 and didn’t have a penny to her name, her only option was to join the Women’s Royal Navy Service, also known as the “Wrens”. She then became a motorcycle despatch rider and was assigned to train and deliver carrier pigeons. Her best friend Eddie, who also grew up alongside her in the orphanage, joined the military to be closer to her, and though they thought they had their whole lives ahead of them, tragedy struck and put a halt to their plans.

Evelyn was a society girl who overcame a childhood disability, and against her family’s wishes, she joined the Wrens just as England entered WWII. With a passion for automobile racing, she too became a despatch rider to help in the war effort. Though it had been a long time since she served, Marion received an unwelcome call to return and help her fellow Wrens, and it was then that she crossed paths with Evelyn.

I loved that this story was told from two POVs in two different time periods but at some point their worlds gradually collided. I also really admired Marion for having lived and served through two wars, all while still processing some of the lowest points of her life. Her ability to persevere and still fulfill her duty to the Wrens was truly inspiring. Highly recommend this book!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing a copy of this book to review.*

As an orphan all Marion wanted to do was belong and she found a sense of belonging with the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Marion looks to find a life with Eddie but war doesn’t give a lot of happy endings.
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When a second war calls Marion back twenty years later it also calls upon twenty year Evelyn for the first time. Together, with other women they find a place. I always love stories of women who fought the war in different ways and this was a prime example of the bravery of these strong women.
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Thank you Harper and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Two time periods (WWI and WWII) and two female protagonists who serve as WRENs (Women’s Royal Navy Service). When I saw a description of THE CALL OF THE WRENS, I knew I wanted to read it. My dear war bride mother-in-law served as a transport driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during WWII. I always enjoyed hearing her stories.

Each of our protagonists had obstacles in their lives. Marion grew up in orphanages prior to becoming a WREN in WWI. She was treated badly until she arrived at St. Anne’s where she found acceptance and Eddie, a close friend. She had to leave the orphanage when she turned eighteen and was fortunate to find a place in the newly created Wrens. She found a great friend, Sara. and also was able to renew her friendship with Eddie. I particularly liked Marion’s love of Jane Eyre (a favorite book of mine) and how the author referred to the book several times throughout the story. Marion’s job is to help train and transport pigeons to various places to send messages. At times, the job was dangerous.

Evelyn came from a wealthy family. She was born with a club foot and loved racing. She decides to join the Wrens at the beginning of WWII. She had to pass rigorous physical tests to become a motorcycle dispatch driver. It wasn’t easy. Her mother is against her doing this.

I loved how the author brought the two stories together. There were times in the middle of the book that I feel some editing would help to move the story along. I think this story would make for good discussion in a book club. My thanks to Harper Muse for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

I was called to read this book as soon as I gazed upon the cover. I am so glad I did.

Call of the Wrens alternates between the story of Marion, a “Wren” in the Great War, and Evelyn, who serves in World War II, the story speaks to the often overlooked history of the British women who risked their lives to serve their country. I was unfamiliar with the details of wrens and dispatch riders. It's obvious Walsh, took care in research prior to sharing their stories.

Marion is an orphan who ages out of state-sponsored care during World War I. She joins the Wrens and then finds herself on the outskirts of the war, training and delivering carrier pigeons by motorbike. Evelyn while well off in society, shuns a life of finishing school and serving a husband. Against her parents' wishes, she runs off to join the sisterhood during World War II and becomes a dispatch rider. Both women show remarkable courage and resolve, their stories slowly weaving together in alternating timelines until at last they converge.

Walsh’s characters (including pigeon #486) are sympathetic and believable. The plot has plenty of surprises, and the history of these heroic women is fascinating. A this is a tale filled with hope and determination.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sharing a story of strong women and their roles in history! (I enjoyed the use of “bird” humor peppered throughout the book)

I love being surprised by a new author and new historical fiction. Jenni Walsh introduces us to the WRENS, of the Women's Royal Naval Service, that served in both World Wars playing valuable roles in supporting the frontline. They performed various functions, one being dispatch motorbike riders which is whom Walsh features in this beautiful story.

Marion Hoxton is an orphan who gets moved from orphanage to orphanage until one day in her teens she finds one that enables her to begin to thrive. She's been mute for much of her life, a reaction to the difficulty and sadness of her life. But in this new orphanage Marion discovers her voice. And her ability to love. Here she meets Eddie, a fellow orphan who takes particular interest in Marion from the day she arrives.
Walsh describes their friendship wonderfully and it is special to read. Love eventually blossoms and it's a very tender love story.

In Marion, we see the natural human need and desire for being wanted by somebody. All of her life she has been rejected and abandoned and Eddie is the first person who demonstrates it. Marion joins the war (WWI) efforts as a Wren and is sent to Northern France to serve the 'pigeon platoon' who play a vital role in relaying messages from the frontline.

Evelyn P. Fairchild is an unhappy teen living twenty years later in the late 30s, WWII having just commenced. She discovers a passion for car racing but when the war encroaches on Britain, Evelyn responds by joining the Wrens and uses her driving skills to become a dispatch rider.

Walsh expertly writes Marion and Evelyn's stories in parallel, one in the first World War, the other in the second. Until, with brilliant craftsmanship she brings them together in the final third of the story.

Both Marion and Evelyn are excellent characters. I enjoyed how Walsh had them struggle with strong emotional issues, Marion's grief that she carried for so long and Evelyn's struggles with fitting in and gaining acceptance.

I also enjoyed the friendship between Marion and Sara Brown, and especially the latter's willingness to forgive and persistence in attempting to maintain their friendship when many others would have let it go.

It ends marvellously and I feel very blessed having learnt about a relatively unknown role women played in the war efforts and being introduced to Walsh's storytelling chops.

Thank you to Harper Muse for providing an early ebook copy via NetGalley without any expectation of a positive review.

Marion's story spanned both WW1 and WW2. Evelyn's story was in WW2. Both served as motorcycle dispatch riders for the British Women’s Royal Naval Service or Wrens. Their stories go deep for each. Marion wants to fit in, Evelyn wants to prove herself. Each is handicapped in their own way. Marion grew up in orphanages, Evelyn was brought up in a wealthy family and sheltered. They each had wonderful men in their lives. It's easy to get attached to these characters and find yourself rooting for them, holding your breath and at the edge of your seat at times for each. I found it interesting that lives of real Wrens had influenced the writing, real life situations during war. The excellent writing kept me engaged to the very end. Inspirational.

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.

#TheCalloftheWrens #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JenniLWalsh #WW2 #WW1

A great book about both world wars. I had never heard of the wrens and was very happy about learning about them. The book was well written and I fell in love with both of the main characters.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the copy.

Moving effortlessly between timelines are the stories of Marion who was brought up in a succession of orphanages, so it’s no surprise that she finds it hard to trust people. Eddie is the exception as he liked her which was something she wasn’t familiar with. Then war comes along and she is let down again.
The other story is of Evelyn who seems to have everything, except the one thing that would mean the most to her, freedom to make her own choices.
I wasn’t sure at first then it just took off. Great twist in the story which I didn’t see coming.

I always love a fresh angle on World War II fiction and in the Call of the Wrens, I learned about the Women’s Royal Naval Service or WRNS for short! These brave women chose to help their country and showed extreme bravery during some of the darkest days in history.

Told from alternating points of view, Marion and Evelyn. Marion was raised in an orphanage and never really felt part of something until she joined the Wrens during WWI. She was part of a motorcycle group who trained and delivered carrier pigeons to the front lines. Her childhood friend Eddie and Marion are pursuing something more when WWII breaks out.

Evelyn has always been very careful and dreamed of something more for herself. She was born with a club foot and she was always told she couldn’t do much. But she found a calling and joined the Wrens. She’s trying to prove to others that she can be brave, but she’s also proving to herself she can do it.

I really loved both of these women. If you love historical fiction and stories of bravery, this is the book for you!

Walsh delivers a moving adventure in this dual timeline novel of WWI and WWII. Both Marion and Edie are characters we want to root for, and their service in the Wrens sheds new light on an important contribution if British women to the wartime efforts. I was glad to read their story!

💛This book is a must for any historical fiction reader! I read this book this summer and I am still thinking about it!

💛Just when I thought I had a pretty good knowledge base on WWII history, a book comes out that blows my mind!

💛Call of the Wrens by Jenni Walsh did just that. A dual timeline novel, this book spans from 1917 to 1936 when Marion and later Evelyn join the Wrens as part of the Women’s Royal Navy Service. The Wrens are women motorcycle dispatch riders using carrier pigeons to send messages and enhance communication during the wars.

💛When the two timelines collide, flawlessly I might add, we join the Wrens on a journey I will not soon forget.

💛This is a novel of courage, finding your place in this world, friendship, secrets, strong capable women, and even tear-jerking romance. Filled with incredible research (I learned so much!) and lovable characters (I’m looking at you Percy!) this is a must read.

Walsh is an American author of books for both children and adults. This new release is an historical fiction and documents the role of the WRENS (Women's Royal Naval Service) during both WWI and WWII, in particular the women who worked as dispatch riders on motorcycles. It follows two characters in two time periods. Marion ages out of the orphanage and signs up to serve during WWI and years later, during WWII, Evelyn enlists to avoid being sent to finishing school. The work they do, the dangers they face and then how their lives intersect make for fascinating reading and shed light on another role women took on during the wars. The book is a great recommendation for fans of historical fiction. I really enjoyed it.

I love learning g new facets of WWII historical fiction. The Wrens were so brave and badass! I admire what and who they were. Jenni L Walsh brings them to life again. Fabulous!

Delightful read with a twist. Loved the intricate storyline and descriptive narrative. A warming, yet kept you on your toes book

1917 in an orphanage Marion afflicted with what today would be called selective
mutism, is almost eighteen and knows she will have to leave the one place she feels safe
With just two friends who will support her she joins tge WRENS the women's arm of 5e
navy, as a typist. She then becomes a motor cycle despatch rider, joining forces with Eddiwhom she secretly marries, gets transferred to Flanders and runs a very successful pigeon
courier service with her other friend Sarah and despite enormous hardships is happy.With the war gaining momentum she and Edie continue at the Front till Edie dies unexpectedly in a bombing.
Finding herself pregnant, Marion moves back to England

Fast forward to the next War, and again the Wrens feature in the story. Evelyn is a high
society girl who wants to do something solid for the war effort. For her the usual society
pursuits is not enough and she leaves home to take on the arduous job of being a motor cycle
despatch courier. Cut off from family who do not want anything to do with her, ostracized
by her team mates, Evelyn is determined not to give up.

It is here that the two separate time lines mesh in the most unusual way which added a
definite twist in the tale.

Hihlighting another aspect of the two World Wars, the important part played by the pigeons
and the women who trained them, the behind the scenes bravery of the WRENS who worked
tirelessly in the war effort were special features of this story.

4.5 glowing brilliant stars for this historical fiction novel! The Call of the Wrens was a compelling and riveting saga that spanned the years of World War I and World War II. It explored the various roles and assignments women who signed up for the Women’s Royal Navy Service (Wrens) were asked to perform. The two women protagonists, Marion Hoxton during World War I and Evelyn P. Fairchild during World War II, were both trained as motorcycle dispatch riders. Marion and her friend Sara were also involved in training, caring for and executing flights of carrier pigeons during World War I. In addition, they transported the pigeons wherever they were needed to help in the war effort. Even though I had previously read about both of these roles that women undertook as WRENS from other books I had read, it was still fascinating and enlightening to discover more about them. The Call of the Wrens was told in alternating time lines. Each alternating chapter focused first on Marion and then on Evelyn until their lives collided and were flawlessly woven together.

Marion Huxton was orphaned at birth. Over her young years she was shepherded from orphanage to orphanage. Marion never allowed herself to make any real friends. The hurt of loosing them was too much for her. Marion was a selective mute. She had been given a chalk board long ago by one of the nuns who cared for her and taught Marion to write her simple responses on the board. Marion was also taught how to read. Books became her way to escape the reality of her life. It wasn’t until Marion came to St. Anne’s Orphanage that her first real friend came into her life. Eddie Smith became Marion’s first real friend. Marion stayed at St. Anne’s until she aged out at eighteen years old. The hardest thing about leaving St. Anne’s was leaving Eddie. Marion was advised to enlist in the WRENS. Initially, Marion was appointed as a typist but she yearned to be a motorcycle dispatch rider. She soon got her wish. Marion was transported to France as a motorcycle dispatch rider. She was assigned to work with Sara and the pigeons. Marion and Sara met while they trained to be WRENS. When Eddie found out that Marion had left St. Anne’s and had enlisted in the WRENS, he ran away from St. Anne’s and enlisted in the Navy as well. Somehow, Eddie was able to alter his assignment so he was also sent to France. Eddie and Marion could no longer hide their feelings for one another. They had fallen in love.

Evelyn Fairchild was born with a club-foot. She had gone through numerous surgeries to correct it. Evelyn’s parents were well connected and wealthy. Her mother coddled Evelyn and was over protected of her. She denied Evelyn of so many opportunities growing up. Evelyn’s mother saw Evelyn as being overly fragile and reminded her of her limitations constantly. Evelyn was home schooled and really had no friends growing up except her neighbor, Percy. In those days, girls in Evelyn’s standing were expected to go to finishing school, find a husband, get married and have a family. Emily had other ideas. She wanted to do more with her life. When World War II broke out and Britain declared war on Germany, Evelyn wanted to do her part in the war effort. Her family had left London and was living in the countryside with Percy’s family. Percy had a motorcycle and helped Evelyn learn to ride. It was Percy who told Evelyn about the WRENS and the need they had for female motorcycle dispatch riders. Evelyn plotted her escape from her mother’s watchful eyes. She would become a WREN with or without her parent’s blessing. The hardest part was going to be to prove to her superiors that her club-foot would not hinder her performance, endurance or hold her back from becoming a WREN. Evelyn was determined to become a motorcycle dispatch rider for the WRENS.

Both Marion and Evelyn were strong, capable and determined women. Their role as motorcycle dispatch riders differed between the wars in which they served. Marion transported carrier pigeons on her motorcycle to strategic locations to help the progress of the war. Evelyn carried and delivered classified documents. Both women were skilled, committed and faced danger head on. The Call of the Wrens explored family, friendship, long kept secrets, finding a purpose in life, sisterhood, hope, determination and romance. This was the first book that I have read by Jenni L. Walsh. She is a brilliant storyteller and her research was impeccable. I really enjoyed The Call of the Wrens and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to read The Call of the Wren by Jenni L. Walsh through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had not known much about the Wrens and their vital work during WWI and WWII, carrying dispatches or carrier pigeons to help the war effort. Written from the point of view of Marion, an orphan, working in WWI France and the voice of Evelyn, riding a motorcycle during WWII, this story is well explored and the writing is inspired. Recommended reading.

Absolutely a beautiful story! I was mesmerize by Jennifer Walsh writing. While the story was heart wrenching beautiful it was also hopeful. Though I served in the military, I don't think I could be as brave as these women!

The Call of the Wrens is a fascinating WWI and WWII historical fiction on the Wrens (Women's Royal Navy Service) and a group of remarkable women who were motorcycle dispatch riders.

I loved how seamlessly Walsh tied together the World War I and WWII storyline. I really enjoyed learning about the dispatch riders and thought the author's note at the end was great!

If you're a historical fiction fan or want to read more about women serving during WWI or WWII in the UK check it Call of the Wrens!