This book was cute. Loved the story line and characters. The story did seem slow at times. I did have to take several breaks while reading it.

I listened to this novel and the narration was very pleasant. I love the East End accent. I also liked the characters: very likeable and relatable. The story and plot are everything one wants from a romance. A bit too predictable but still a lovely novel for the heart.
I received an audio version of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

This was a heartwarming and beautiful story during the World War II of the WAAFs (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force). I really find it fascinating learning about how the women played a very significant role during the war. And reading this kind of stories warms my heart especially the strong, brave and courageous women.

A really enjoyable and inspiring story.

The narrator and the production did an incredible job in making the story feel more real.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC.

This story begins as a mundane world war 2 story but as the story gets going, as the reader becomes more acquainted with the characters, the story grows on us. For sure, enchanter and drawn in we readers can’t put the book down. We just want to know more and more.

Jean you have hooked this reader and I want to know more about this young family and how they continue to cope with the prejudice they must surely experience. Although that makes me really angry.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily...

I listened to the audio book version of this and really enjoyed it. It delved into the lives of women working in the military in the Uk during WWII. I really enjoyed meeting the different characters from around the UK and exploring their relationships in a heartwarming way. A real feel good book with a lovely ending.

Thank you @bookouture @hachetteaudio & @netgalley for my complimentary digital and audio copies. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: East London, 1942 – When Corporal Effie Weston joins the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force to help with the war effort, she quickly befriends Alice, Nell, and George. Together, they become part of the 906 Balloon Squadron, supporting each other and relying on their training to face the challenges of the times.

Effie's life changes unexpectedly when she falls in love with Flight Officer Nathan Fitzgerald. However, her parents disapprove, and she is determined to fight for their love. Tragedy strikes when Nathan goes missing in action after his plane is shot down in France, but Effie’s friends rally around her for support.

MY THOUGHTS: I love stories set during World War II and am constantly amazed by the creativity, determination, and bravery of the people in the Allied countries. This story offers a captivating look at the Balloon Squadron, the strong friendship among the women, and the romance between Effie and Nathan.

The character interactions are what make the story engaging, as the characters provide strength and support to each other during difficult times. The author effectively weaves both humor and drama into the plot, reflecting the challenges of wartime life while offering a meaningful perspective on this significant period in history.
I found the story to be entertaining and emotional.

I enjoyed both the digital and audio versions, however I preferred the print version. It took me awhile to warm to the narrator’s accent and I found I enjoyed the experience of reading the print version more.

This is the first book in a brand new series by Jean Fullerton and I absolutely loved it . It was a really interesting and informative read with fabulous characters that I’m looking forward to getting to know better as the series progresses . There were of course some not so nice characters that did annoy me at times with their behaviour. This first book centres mainly around Effie Weston and she shows a steely determination in both her work in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and also in her private life . She is introduced to new friends , George, Alice and Nell in her work as part of the balloon squadron. I loved this part of the ladies work as I had never heard of the balloon squadron before in the many historical saga books based on WW 2 that I’ve read so that was really interesting . I had total admiration for Effie in the way she stood up to her parents in spite of them not liking the man she has fallen in love with and when you read this book you will discover why they don’t approve .
I felt all the girls were hiding some secret or other and I look forward to hearing more about this as we progress through the series . A wonderful start to a brand new saga series

This was a fabulous listen on NetGalley Audio and the narrator Eilidh Beaton was a wonderful narrator .

During WWII women joined the Women Auxiliary Air Force to help defend London from the Blitz.

The novel follows Effie Weston as she joins the WAAF and she begins her training. joined the WAAF against her parents and finances approval - her adventure begins at the train station when she runs into a handsome aviator and he saves her luggage from a thief. She quickly makes friend during trainning at the Balloon Squadron.

The book was a nice read - I went in expecting a storyline on female friendship during WWII among the women working at the WAAF - that seemed more of a secondary story line with romance being the main focus.

Thank you to NetGalley for an early review of the book.

I really enjoyed the start of this series. I always love historical fictions about WWII, and I’m always looking for different viewpoints and stories that I haven’t read. I had never heard of balloon girls.

I wanted more about the other girls that Ellie lived with, especially Alice because her story is so sad. I hope that as the series goes on there will be more opportunities to learn more about the characters. And I love Nathan. Ellie didn’t seem to understand that there would be prejudices because of his skin color, because she didn’t see it as a reason for there to be.

I loved the narration. Eilidh Beaton did a fantastic job with the different accents of all the WAAF girls and other characters. She switched between them seamlessly and it was impressive.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copies of this book.

It's so lovely to have a new Jean Fullerton series to get into!

I loved everything about this one, from the characters to the setting, a great narrator and a fantastic story. It really was a terrific wartime romance.

It's a story that made me feel sad and happy and I can't wait for book 2.

Many thanks to Bookature Audio via NetGalley for many happy listening hours.

This was more of a love story than about the girls manning the balloons. I was hoping for more.war story than a white girl falling in love with a black man from Barbados.

This was a really good historical fiction, with a side of romance. Effie and Nathan had a very sweet romance, even if her parents did not approve of him at first. I loved the amount of research that went into this story. I would definitely give this audiobook a chance!

The East End Girls is a delightful story of friendship, love, tension and despair during the Second World War. I enjoyed what felt like a new and different aspect of wartime stories; a female squadron in the WAAF taking on barrage balloon duties, which had previously been a man’s job. The writing is descriptive and informative, covering the training of the crew, the manual aspects of the work, the operational side of effective balloon handling and the flying of SOE agents into occupied France.

Effie and Nathan are very charming main characters who show determination in both their personal and professional endeavours; and are considerate and fair towards others.

The audio narration is excellent - the accents, expression and conviction add a lot of depth and make the book very enjoyable to listen to. The dialogue between the characters feels authentic and really conveys the teamwork and camaraderie between Effie and her friends.

A warm and witty story that leaves me looking forward to being reunited with these characters in book two of this new series.

Thank you to Bookouture for an advance audio copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The East End Girls
Series: The East End Girls Book #1
Author: Jean Fullerton
Format: 🎧
Narrator: EiLidh Beaton
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: June 27, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages 324

East London, 1942: With the men at war, can the women of the East End band together to defend their loved ones, their city and their country.
Twenty year old Corporal Effie Weston has joined up to the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force to defend London’s East End from the Blitz. She and her new friends Alice, Nell and George know their work is as vital as any man’s. They must rely on every bit of their training–as well as each other–to face the dark days of war.

Effie’s family would rather she settle down and marry her long tie boyfriend. However, Effie is not ready for marriage.
When she meets handsome Flight Officer Nathan Fitzgerald who came to her rescue when she was being scammed by thieves while waiting for her train, she is quite taken.

I was drawn to this story as the blurb reminded me of [author: Fannie Flagg]’s [book: The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion]. Where four sisters from Pulaski Wisconsin joined the WASPs (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) of World War II.

Yes there are some similarities, the main one being they are both stories that stir up emotions.
This is first in the series and I am looking forward to Book #2

Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 27, 2025.

I love historical fiction, especially the ww2 period. I do not know , maybe I have read too many East end books. It was sweet , it had rhe tight knit community and sisterhood i.gooble UP. But maybe it was too sweet. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

The East End Girls? It’s giving grit, heart, and wartime girl boss energy.💣💋

This historical fiction read had me rooting so hard for these women. It’s set in WWII London—think air raids, ration books, heartbreak, resilience, and female friendships that carry the whole thing. You feel the tension, the chaos, the grief—but also the hope, the joy, and the everyday moments that somehow still shine through the rubble.

Jean Fullerton writes like she’s been there. The setting? Vivid. The dialogue? Authentic. The characters? You’ll want to protect them at all costs. Seriously, I got too attached to the characters.

It’s not flashy or fast-paced, but it feels real. Like a love letter to women who kept going even when the world was literally falling apart.

Read if you like:
💄 historical fiction with strong female leads
📦 found family + community vibes
💌 wartime romance with emotional stakes
🌆 London grit, charm, and a lot of heart

Soft but strong. Heavy but hopeful. A quiet kind of powerful.

3.5⭐️ rounded up

I quite enjoyed this audiobook as historically this is a time when many people suffered great loss however although this has some events that highlight the dangers of war it has humour that I’d imagine people would have to have had during this period in some sort. It was actually lighthearted with some poignant facts that would have been likely in the context!

East End Girls brings a group of women and men who are fighting for their country and lives however it focuses on the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force referred to throughout the book as the WAFS. So while the men are at war on the frontlines they are doing their duties at base. The enjoyable part for me is there are details I don’t know historical that I often find within reading and this was similar albeit fictional it still gives enough information to educate.

The friendships built between these women was fun humorous and just beautiful in the most testing and tragic times. The main female character Effie who goes through various events including loosing relationship with her parents has great support from these women. Of course added into the mix is of course the romance Effie was engaged when she began her enrolment with WAFS but by the time she leaves is she still engaged? Is she married, single? Or is it even the same man?!

Well written and fantastically narrated this was an easy listen for me and I’d definitely listen to the next in the series!

With thanks and gratitude to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ELC in return for an open honest review. With Best Wishes for publication on 27th June 2025 🙏🏽🎧❤️📚

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook, capably narrated by Eilidh Beaton.

Jean Fullerton has a lengthy list of popular wartime novels behind her, and this marks the start of a new series set in East End London. As always, her personal background as an East Ender and her commitment to thorough research fill the story with the sights, sounds and characters of a city at war.

It’s 1942, and young Effie Weston, from a comfortable small town middle class family, has signed up for service with the Women’s Air Auxiliary Force (WAAF). Her parents aren’t terribly pleased to see their only daughter leave home and perhaps endanger her life, but they grudgingly accept that she is determined to ‘do her bit’ before her planned marriage. Her fiance Leonard, relieved of duty because he works in an essential service, is a stuffy conventional type and it’s clear from the start that she is also marrying him out of a sense of duty.

But Effie’s quiet middle class life is about to change rapidly, as so many other things do in wartime. Once in London, she enters rigorous training with one of the first female barrage balloon teams. The work is physically demanding and often requires the women to put up and hold the balloons during air raids. The idea was to free men for more important active warfare, and the teams never got the respect they deserved.

Interestingly, the otherwise sheltered young woman has no trouble adjusting to the labor, the intense pressure, the working and living in close quarters with other team members, under constant surveillance by officers and seemingly constant ogling (and worse) by enlisted men. Her friendships with some of the women in her unit, especially Alice, Maeve, and the upper-class ‘George,’ are quick and warm, and she holds her own with the usual bullies.

Reading about their work, growing pride in their service, and tight bonds is very interesting but the real story is Effie’s chance encounter with the dashing Barbadian Flight Officer Nathan Fitzgerald. Let’s just say that, despite all attempts by stodgy Leonard and her parents to persuade her of her grave error, and despite some very real challenges, Effie stands strong.

The anti-Nathan side, including the supercilious SOE agent Frobisher, are drawn a bit too broadly and often come across as stereotypical. Effie is remarkably naive, as might be expected given her upbringing. But that very upbringing should at least have given her some inkling of the responses her actions might provoke. Nathan is much more aware of consequences but seems intent only on winning Effie. That said, their romance is truly ‘one for the books’ and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

This book was so good. I love historical fiction books, especially about women who fight back against the norm and insert their independence, in what is still very much a man's world. I love Effies character, lovely, friendly, caring but will stand up for herself when she has to. I love the friendship dynamic of the balloon girls, the support and love they have for one another. Effie literally finds love at first sight and gets rid of her awful fiancé for the lovely Nathan.
This is such a feel good book, but also a heart wrenching at times, and after reading so many murders and serial killer books of late, it was a welcome change.
And... I see it's the first book of a saga, so l'm looking forward to see what's next.

What a beautiful book of love, family, and friendship. Effie and Nathan’s story is fiction but one could see it happening in real life. It’s interesting how one’s priorities change during the war. The camaraderie that Effie and Nathan had from their friends was priceless.