I had read the first book in the series and said in my review then that I was unsure about the second.

But it caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. And try I did - I did finish it but it was an effort.

I personally didn’t like the way that Charity’s chapters were written in prose but Divya’s chapters were written as letters to Jack Devine and the man Divya loved - Raghu Kumar.
For me this format didn’t work at all - I found the letters repetitive and Charity’s chapters just didn’t flow properly for me at all.

We had met many of the characters in the first book and this one developed their stories - both in the Blitz and their back stories.

The book did tackle themes of mixed ethnicity relationships and the ramifications, relationships outside of marriage when husbands were away serving their country and babies conceived outside of marriage.
There were plenty of loose ends and wartime left - I think the book ended in 1941 - that there is room for more episodes. But again I am unsure if it would be for me.

The research had been done but the repetition and slowness of the story really puts me off.

I would like to thank net galley for giving me this opportunity to read this book.
I read the first book, 'New Arrivals on West India Dock Road.'.
So, there are the same characters as the previous book, but is nowhere in WWII.
Charity is managing her parents lodging house and Divya has her Curry House up and running.
The group of people that live on West India Dock Road use Divya's Curry House as a gathering place to catch up with the latest news and to chit-chat with the other residence. The group of people that live there all look out for one another.
New characters have been added and we have lost some.
These are my own opinion(s).
Thank you again to net galley and Boldwood Books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for an ARC of this novel to read and review.

Renita D’Silva captures the hustle and bustle of an east London dock in the early years of the Second World Warin book 2 of her West India Dock series. West India Dock Road reveals its purpose in its name. It is the gateway to the sea craft of varying sizes, from small fishing boats to trade ships. Local men provide for their families from the wharf, as they have for centuries. Some, mostly further away, find great wealth there. It’s is a teeming neighborhood of families at different poverty levels, but all poor and depending on each other to get by.

What I find especially interesting is the author’s treatment of gender and class. Despite the typical working-class understanding that ‘you keep yourself to yourself’—that is, you reveal little about your personal circumstances and you stay out of the affairs of others—it doesn’t actually work that way in everyday life. It can’t, because, just as families must stand together or fall, so must neighbors. Virtually every character—and there are many—has survived some misfortune, thanks to how the community rallies around them. The efforts to help, no matter how big or small the need, are organized by the women, who keep an eye on everything and quickly spread the news. Of course, much of the news they spread is gossip by any other name. Although it’s meant to show their concern, it can’t fail to be occasionally overbearing.

The two main female characters, introduced in the first book of the series, are East Indian immigrant Divya Ram and local girl Charity O’Kelly. Both perform non-traditional roles, and, although respected and appreciated, their independent initiatives cause much tongue-wagging.

By dint of hard work and perseverance, Divya has established a very popular curry house even while the locals remain suspicious of ‘foreigners,’ especially as the Blitz regularly threatens their lives and possessions. Charity has been successfully running her parents’ boarding house across the street from a very young age, while nursing them through their illnesses and also raising her younger brothers. Both are in love with men who, despite fighting for the Allies and gaining the respect of the denizens of West India Dock Road, do not meet with community approval. Divya is less affected than Charity; since both she and her beloved are from the same culture, she is freer to follow her path. Like Charity, however, she has to abide by ascriptions of feminine virtue or risk alienating those who keep her restaurant, afloat. Charity has it much harder. She grew up on the road, and being one of us’ means higher expectations. Her neighbors had long been helping her out, even while keeping it low key to protect the family’s pride. they both have serious life-changing decisions to make that could put them outside of the established social order, even though it consists of people already placed their by their supposed ‘betters.’ Will Divya and Charity follow the path laid out for them or, no matter the sacrifices, will they listen to their hearts?

The ending didn’t entirely win me over. It wasn’t altogether a happy one for each young woman, not is it clear who, in the context of those times, should be considered more ´deserving.’ In wrapping up the stories of a number of other characters, the author leaves aside her firm footing in historic realities (which I very much like) and seems to slip into a bit of magic. It’s hard to object to a little magic where romance is concerned, but this one calls for a bit too much suspension of disbelief. There is a third volume coming, which will answer some of the open questions. But some can’t be resolved. You have only to believe.

Read the first book in this series and enjoyed it and looked forward to this newest book. Characters were good and mostly believable but admit to not reading through all the letters sent by Dyiva............far too long and felt they were largely not required. Not as enjoyable as the first book.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

It’s 1940 on West India Dock Road and the bombing rages on.Divya is working hard in her curry house waiting for any news of Raghu away at war ,writing letters too him but not able to send as she doesn’t now where he is also letters to Jack who helped her when she first arrived in England from India.Charity is busy running he parents lodging house across from the curry house and looking after her young brothers.Her father Paddy is suffering from being in the First World War and her mother is not well so it all falls on Charity to keep things going.Then her eldest brother runs away to enlist ,can she stop him only time will tell.This was a great read.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

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

I loved reading the first book in this series and was looking forward to reading the second book.

It’s 1940, and the Blitz continues its terror on London. But, for those living in the East End, life goes on.

Charity has forgotten her dreams and spent her life running the boarding house, her brothers have been brought up by her, she’s done everything to keep her family together, her parents aren’t well and Charity has kept them safe in the house so that they don’t hear the bombs going off around them.

Her younger brother wants to join up, but is told by his sister that he’s not old enough, so he runs away to enlist. Charity is upset, as this could break her family. But, her brother doesn’t get to that stage, and he’s made aware of the brutality by a stranger who brings him back home. What will him being at the boarding house mean for Charity?

Divya, who is Indian, continues to run her restaurant across the the road, from Charity’s boarding house. She loves cooking and has made this place her home, with her friends. As she cooks and feeds her friends, she’s worried for the person she loves, Ram, who’s gone to do his bit in the war. Will Divya see Ram again?

Divya writes to him and her friend, letting them know that everyone is thinking of them and informing them on what’s happening on East India Dock Road.

I loved the characters and felt for Charity and Divya. The story is about friendships, love and a community coming together to help others.

I recommend this book.

West India Dock Road #2

1940. The Blitz rages, but life goes on in the heart of London's East End.

Charity has spent her life keeping the family together - raising her younger brothers. running the family boarding house on West India Dock Road, and now shielding her fragile parents from the relentless bombardment outside their door. When her teenage brother runs away to enlist, she faces a battle she never expected - one that could tear her family apart. But help comes from an unexpected arrival.

Across the road, Divya, is a young Indian woman with a gift for cooking has found a happy home among the dockside community. But as she feeds the neighbourhood at her bustling curry house, she secretly yearns for news of the man she loves. Will she see him again?

Published 23rd July 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldworldBooks and the author #RenitaDSilva for my ARC of #WartimeComesToWestIndiaDockRoad in exchange fr an honest review.

I was so happy to come back to these characters and to West India Dock Road. Once again I couldn't put it down and became compltely absorbed in them and their lives. I really enjoyed it

The second in the series and whilst not obligatory to read number one first it does help with the characters. Having said that I didn’t think this one was as good. Thanks to Renita and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

another wonderful visit to this little community and i was so pleased to be here. Renita has such a warming and beautiful way of writing her books. her tone, the language how she form the stories and pacing is just so unique and i really liked how i new i was back into one of her book.
this is book 2 in the Dock series and its great to be back. we follow the lives of those living on West India Dock Road and once again come to the boarding house run by Charity and the curry house run by Divya. we got both our character Pov in the book which makes for a great in depth read.
Charity is really trying her best, but things are always being sent to try her. shes looking after her parents and brothers and still trying to keep the house going. the support her and Divya give to each other is so heartwarming and Divya for me has such a caring way about her especially when in this book Charity is really feeling the strain. this only gets worse when she finds out one of her brother has lied and run away to enlist.
i also appreciate how realistic theme were touched upon. it was done in just the right way to weave it realistically into the story.
another superb instalment to this series which is quickly becoming a fast favourite of mine. there something more to these books that hit me in the heart and connect to me so much more than i usually get.
the food from Divya is a gorgeous added bonus to this book! although it does make you mouth water way too much, haha. so what you really need to do is snuggle up with this book and a lap tray dinner of one of Divya
i cannot recommend this book or the series enough. im only nervous now in case i cant get the chance and luck to read the next!

Second in this series and while continuing the story is not as engrossing as the first.
Felt the long letters where unnecessary.

This is the 2nd book in the West India Dock Road series. I haven't read the first book, but I wish I had. It isn't strictly necessary, but I would have appreciated the characters more if I had read their back stories.

It took me a while to get into the book because I found the way it was written unlike any other I have read in WW2 novels. One of the points of view was, for the most part, written in the form of letters to two people away at war. It definitely took some getting used to.

The story tells about life during the London Blitz and how it affected families, relationships, and how people came together to help each other. It also brought up racism and stigma towards unmarried mothers. It was quite an emotional read.

It kind of ended on a cliffhanger with regards to one of the characters and a possible romance. Other than that, everybody had their story wrapped up. Some sad endings, some happy ones.

I advise that you have some tissues at the ready as you read this book, because although there are some beautiful moments, there is one particular heartbreaking part in the book. I admit to ugly crying as I read it.

I was overjoyed to be revisiting the lives of the characters who we were introduced to in the first book. It's a harsh time with the war raging and Divya and Charity are not spared from the harsh realities. But with family, friends, community and love they will find their way through to happier times. I enjoyed reading about the food which had my mouth watering and I would love the recipes. The atmosphere was great and the letters are a nice touch. I can't wait for the next one to find out how the characters are travelling.

Charity has spent her life looking after her parents, her brothers and the family boarding house. But when an unexpected guest arrives she finds with help from Veer her burdens are more manageable. But the residents in west India dick road are quick to point out his skin colour.
Divya is still running her curry house a place the community gather daily for food and help from each other. Divya is yearning for her lost love and when she gets to visit him when he’s injured she comes away with a lasting memory, shortly after his return to the frontline he is killed.
Loving this wartime series and looking forward to another visit soon.

A really good read. Charity gives up her dreams to look after her parents boarding house after both her parents become ill whilst also taking care of her three younger brothers but the community comes together to help non more so than Divya a young Indian women who runs a curry house and helps feed the residents but is always worried for the man she loves who is fighting in the war and she doesn't know if she will ever see him again. It's a heartbreaking story but also a story of resilience, love and difficult relationship's that can sometimes decide a community but also bring them together.

What a treat to find Renita D'Siva, a new to me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book..the characters, the setting, the way she used letters alongside the present day plot. I had not read the first book in the series, New Arrivals on West India Dock Road, but had no trouble following the story line.
I look forward to reading more novels by Ms D'Silva.

This book was simply divine. The letters were a pivotal part of it and enabled us, as readers, to get a more personalised side of the story. I learned a lot from this book. An excellent piece of writing.

Book 2 in the West India Dock Series and continues to follow the lives of the inhabitants of West India Dock Road with boarding house proprietor Charity O'Kelly and Indian restaurant owner Divya Ram the main protagonists. Told from the POVs of these two characters, with Divya’s largely in the form of letters to her friend Jack and the man she loves Raghu who are both away fighting in the war.

Briefly, the blitz is in full force and the East End of London is being hit day after day. Charity is still running the boarding house, whilst looking after her sick parents and three brothers. Divya is a massive support to Charity, as are the other residents of the area, but she is still exhausted with everything she has to do. Then her eldest brother disappears and she is told he has gone to sign up, lying about his age, and searching for him a new man comes into her life.

I love how this story is progressing although I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t overly keen on Divya’s story being told through her letters, they felt too neat, too contrived and not written by someone who is writing in her second language. Issues around racism once again raise their heads and from a surprising source at one point. A story about a family, a community and a country under attack. An entertaining read. 3.5⭐️

I found the storyline quite uninteresting. I usually enjoy stories about family and how they overcome the horrors of wartime, but this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

This book is about two enterprising young women. One (Divya) who comes to a strange country and sets up her own curry house which is loved far and wide. Divya tells her story through letters.
Then there is Charity, who lives her life for others. She has cared for her young brothers Fergus, Connor & Paddy jar. This is as well as running the family boarding house and looking after father Paddy who suffers terribly from shell shock & mother Moira who has never been the same since Paddy’s birth.Will both women get their happy ever after or are obstacles put in their way?

I enjoyed Charity’s story, plenty will she/wont she. Divya’s story I wasn’t sure of I.e. the telling through letters.
Liked Mrs Kerridge, she may have had a lot to say for herself but underneath a heart of gold.
Favourite character was Charity who continually thought of others. Least favourite was the enemy.