The third in the Seaside Girls series, A NEW YEAR FOR THE SEASIDE GIRLS sees many changes...one of which being its name. Previously titled the Variety Girls, this series follows Jessie, Frances and Ginny who star in a selection of variety shows at the Empire theatre in Cleethorpes at the onset of war.

A year since joining the troup, Jessie Delaney has found love and happiness in friends and doing what she loves...as well as becoming recently engaged to Harry Newman, who is off earning his wings as an RAF pilot. Settled in Geraldine's boarding house on Barkhouse Lane, her mum Grace and brother Eddie have joined her and are making a life for themselves. Grace as a seamstress for the troup and Eddie as an apprentice mechanic. Life is good for the Delaneys.

Several months ago, Frances O'Leary's world turned upside down when the father of her illegitimate daughter Imogen walked into the theatre to speak to their director. She had met Johnny Randolph in London four years before when she was an understudy for his sister Ruby in their world reknowned act The Randolphs. But their mother had other plans for Johnny and Ruby which didn't include Frances and so they set off for America leaving her behind, and intercepting their letters to one another so that each would never receive them.

But now, he's back. And he's not letting Frances go again. Even when Ruby takes herself off to the park and walks fully clothed into the lake intent on taking her life. He rescues her and wraps her up warm, leaving her in the capable hands of his housekeeper Mrs Frame who nurses Ruby as best she can. And Johnny returns to the love of his life where he meets his daughter for the first time. And he knows now what's important. Life, love and family. And he is not letting them go again.

This third installment is a little different in that Ruby finds difficultly in moving past the mistakes she has made and hurt she has inflicted on her brother, Frances and little Imogen. She collapses out of sheer exhaustion and is admitted to a hospital for rest and recuperation. But even upon her release she finds it hard to transition back into life outside four walls...and even harder to face those who she has wronged.

A NEW YEAR FOR THE SEASIDE GIRLS is a story of forgiveness and moving forward. There is kindness, compassion and love as friendships continue to grow and move on as the season ends and the Empire has been requisitioned for army use.

A nice light read to while away the hours, the highlight of the story is Mr Brown who is so endearing to even the hardest of hearts. And as Mr Brown finds himself a new home he shows love and loyalty too. I can't wait to meet up with him again!

I would like to thank #TracyBaines, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #ANewYearForTheSeasideGirls in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

It’s 1940 and the characters have come to terms with the realism of the war.

Although the story is mainly about Ruby, we still get to know what is happening in the lives of Frances and Jessie.

I recommend this book.

3rd book in the seaside series, a great follow up continuing the story, could be read as as a stand alone as the story follows on, I found this one easier to get into than the 1st book but all are a good read.

A New Year For The Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines is a compelling historical novel that entertained me for a few hours.
The novel is set in Cleethorpes in 1940, as a group of variety performers adjust to the start of the war. Some are called up, some sign up for ENSA and others stay behind to boost morale. Friendships formed on the variety scene run deep.
Lives open up as secrets are unearthed. Selfish actions in the past need forgiveness. Failure to do so, risks drowning in bitterness.
We see lives that focus on others are met with kindness and compassion. In contrast, a life that looks inward threatens to drown in a pity party. The love and kindness of a four year old reaches the lost and the hurting. Her life, light and love innocently wrap around the lost and hurting who find themselves blossoming under her purity of emotions.
The ability to rescue the hurting even extends to a stray dog! As Mr Brown finds himself with a new home, he shows loyalty too. He even made himself at home in my heart!
Tracy Baines has captured the fear of the air raids but we witness the indomitable bulldog spirit that refuses to be broken.
I thoroughly enjoyed A New Year For The Seaside Girls. The characters extended a warm welcome to all as we witness lives encompassing and encouraging those around them. I look forward to subsequent books in the series.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

ANew Year for the Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines

A lovely story to compliment the previous two in this series . A must read if you enjoy this genre.
We have moved into 1940 and the reality of war has settled into the lives of our characters
This book whilst still giving us the goings on in the day to day lives of Frances and Jessie seems more to concentrate on Ruby.
The storyline , and the way the author manages to capture the time and place is a perfect story to lose yourself for a few hours.

I love this series so couldn’t wait to catch up with the characters. The third in a series, you could read as a stand-alone as there is enough backstory included to catch you up.
As we continue to see how lives unfold, we see how friendships can help you through any circumstance, how believing in love and doing the right thing is important despite however it might hurt.
Will the theatre come alive once more? Can we follow our dreams and have true love all at once?
I never want these books to end.

Joining Frances, Jessie, Ginny and families is like meeting old friends, pick up where you left off. We concentrate on Ruby in this book.

The running theme seems to be fear, wether it’s of losing a loved one, having your innermost secrets found out or in Ruby’s case fear of facing up to her own misdemeanours. The one thing that helps them all is the love of family and friends.
Mr and Mrs Frame play a big part in Ruby’s life, and she is shown a lot of love and help from an unlikely source, Mr Brown!

Will there be another instalment, I sincerely hope so.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

What a brilliant book third. in the series . Family saga at its best. If you love family saga and wartime books you will love this. Full of different emotions but through all poverty they still pull together. Makes you feel like you are one of the characters. Just love the books based in a seaside town