Patricia McBride's Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls is a heart-wrenching yet inspiring Second World War saga celebrating love, endurance, and the strength of friendship in adversity. The novel, which takes place during the last years of the Second World War, revolves around Mavis, Jane, and Cordelia, three women united by their collective commitment to their community and one another.

In spite of the destruction of their library, which was bombed, the women persevere in their activities within an improvised home in the local school, determined to maintain morale. Mavis's wedding should be a time of happiness, but her secret weight lends poignancy to the festivities. Jane, haunted by self-doubt for years, starts coming into her own with her friends' support, while Cordelia gazes toward a promising future as the war comes to an end and looks forward to reunion with her darling Robert.

The author writes with warmth and empathy, conveying both the hardships and successes of ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances. Her characters are believable, their challenges sincere, and their unshakeable support for each other extremely inspiring.

A story full of heart, hope, and friendship, Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls is an ideal read for lovers of wartime sagas and heartwarming tales of friendship and love.

Yet again a wonderful book and continues the story of the three woman in the Library.

I enjoyed this book immensely and certainly was just as good as the other books. I could not put the book down and was wonderful to see the woman all again where things start to change in their circumstances. I thought the story was so good and just kept wanting to read on more.

The series is fantastic and I was sad that this was the last book. The characters are very strong people and their backgrounds are so different but they supported each other.

Would recommend this book.

I loved the whole series of these books three very different ladies with different backgrounds but but all became friends and looked out for each other
I enjoyed them so much I bought the books

Wedding Bells For The East End Library Girls gives a fascinating insight into East End London during WWII. The three central characters, Cordelia, Mavis and Jane are the focus of the story as they navigate romance and work and unearth a few secrets. They and their supporting cast of characters are believable and it is easy to envisage the war-ravaged landscape in which they live and work. While there were several story threads going on throughout the book, I found some of the pacing a bit slow. That aside, this was an enjoyable and interesting book to read.

In the latest book about the East End Library Girls, readers join Mavis, Jane, and Cordelia as they look to rebuild the library at a local school with the hope that they can return to the premises of the original building in the near future. Despite her wedding approaching, Mavis’s secret weighs her down, but she tries to keep her spirits up and support her friends’ happiness. Jane, finally finding her confidence, moves into the spotlight that she may have never sought out with her friends’ support, and Cordelia is hoping that Robert will return from Africa soon. With three great protagonists and their unique storylines, readers will love the relationships between the three women and the women and their loved ones as they look to the future and rebuild their library. Capturing the importance of libraries in this heartwarming series, Patricia McBride has added some great storylines in this book that really allow the characters and the library’s community to grow and develop in some rewarding ways. Brilliantly written, packed with detail, and hopeful, this is a fantastic continuation of Mavis, Jane, and Cordelia’s storylines, and historical fiction fans will love the latest book in this charming series from Patricia McBride.

Three friends work in Silvertown library - all from very different backgrounds but all struggling to cope with the demands and privations of life on the Home Front during WW2. Cockney Mavis is just about to marry her beau, but there is a shadow over the wedding. Jane is ready to start her singing career. And Cordelia is missing her doctor boyfriend, serving overseas. Cordelia, the aristocrat, is perhaps the least believable, but even she evokes some sympathy as she copes with family illness. The discovery of a chest in the library containing artefacts from a doomed love affair of the past was set to be really interesting, but they mystery was never really resolved for me. The book shines a light on how women coped during the war. The characters are easy to visualise and empathise with.

Overall its an entertaining and interesting read. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Final book in the series, to which I was about as I feel like I am leaving behind friends, great characters and the girls have been through so many trials and tribulations.

Good bye old friends can’t wait to see what the author writes next

Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls by Patricia McBride is part of a saga of the lives of three women during World War II in England. The story opens with Mavis’ long-awaited wedding to Joe. They were not in the first bloom of youth,. In fact, Mavis had a son and an adopted daughter and Joe was ready to take on all of them. There was an undercurrent but the others didn’t know what it was. It turned out Joe had been called up so now all three women had given their men to war. Things moved on at the library; the original library had been repaired and they were moving back in. The workers had found a mysterious chest that they were anxious to explore. Jane was singing at more and more events and still as nervous as ever and Cordelia’s father had had a heart attack and her mother had called her home.

This story opens up a world of those left behind when war takes the able men away. So many people suffering; so many lives lost. It is day-to-day lives for them all. Greeting long lost friends, home from the way; aging parents; surprises and defeats. These women are strong and loving, all with their own wishes and goals. It is heartening to watch as they deal with daily problems including shortages and rationing. What a lovely book about interesting, ordinary people, doing ordinary things.

I was invited to read Wedding Bells for The East End Library Girls by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #PatriciaMcBride #WeddingBellsForTheEastEndLibraryGirls

This is a lively historical saga series with a wide range of characters from different classes of society. As the Second World War affects all their lives so profoundly, you see them trying to 'keep calm and carry on'. Mavis finds her new marriage turned upside down as the war separates her from her new husband and all the way through, you sense the tension and longing which lies underneath the surface.

As the community come together to keep their library open and daily life carrying on, you can't help but admire their grit and determination. Jane needs all the support of her friends to follow her dreams and grasp the opportunities her singing talent offers her. Through her, you glimpse another world but one which is determined to do its bit for the armed forces and the civilians through escapism and entertainment. At the helm of the library, Cordelia finds she has family matters to unravel. She shows all the nerves that separation from Robert might have led them apart from each other and you sense the cautious steps she has to take to reestablish her relationships. There is plenty to keep you invested in this story and you have a real feeling for life on the Home Front in the East End.

In short@ period detail, and quiet determination

This is the latest and possibly the last book in the East End Library Girls series. It was a pleasure to read although I will be sad if it is, indeed, the last book. I feel like the Librarians, the library and the people that frequent there are friends and family, and I will miss them.

There are weddings, possible losses, career changes, mystery and family drama all revolving around the lovely Librarians, June, Cordelia and Mavis. From the start of the series these women have become firm friends and that friendship has grown and grown. They may be as different as chalk and cheese but the Library and their love of books brought them together and each are thankful for it.

The Library itself wasn't the central focus as much as in the other books, but the scenes there were, were, as always, brilliant. There is mystery afoot that will keep you intrigued. The main focus this time is on the women, tying up loose ends and giving them their happy endings. Like I said, I think this is the last book in the series. How it all ends was beautiful and brought a smile to my face.

Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls is the final installment of the warmhearted East End Library Girls series.

Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls continues to follow the lives of Cordelia, Jane, and Mavis on the home front during World War II. They are librarians in London’s East End, committed to each other and their community.

Fans of heartfelt “home front” historical fiction set in London will enjoy this engaging series as it explores themes of friendship, resiliency, women supporting women, and the community library during the trying years of WWII. The three main characters appear in each installment, and each story highlights different aspects of the challenges they face as individuals and as librarians. As with all series, this one is best read in order for the most satisfying reading experience. Overall, the series can be categorized as “uplit” women’s fiction in a WWII home front setting. No profanity. Closed-door romance. Difficult wartime events are described, but no graphic violence.

Wedding Bells for the East End Library Girls is the final installment in the series. Each young woman receives a satisfying HEA or Happy For Now cameo as the war draws to a close.

I love the strong themes of the power of friendship and women supporting women in difficult and happy times. I often wonder how I would have supported the war effort and lived my best life during WWII.

If you love Lesley Eames and the Wartime Bookshop series or A.J. Pearce and the Emmy Lake Chronicles, you will love this “home front” series by Patricia McBride! These are the three top “up lit” women’s fiction/historical fiction series I most recommend. I look forward to a new series from each of these authors.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #WeddingBellsForTheEastEndLibraryGirls upon my request. All opinions are my own.

This delightful book starts and ends with a wedding. What could be lovelier?

The book begins with the marriage of Mavis and Joe. It's a happy occasion for all, but her friends and colleagues, Cordelia and Jane, can sense that something is not quite right. All will soon be revealed.

The three women who feature in this book are fabulous. They are plucky, strong, and determined, and they deal with the difficulties that the war throws at them with fortitude.

This is the fifth and final book in the Library Girls series. I have enjoyed reading each and every one of them. It has been such a pleasure to spend time with Cordelia, Mavis and Jane. I shall miss them.

I continue to absolutely love everything about this historical fiction series. This entry was another five golden stars. Fans of character driven, page-turning historical fiction shouldn’t wait to read this series. They are also excellent as audiobooks.

Mavis, Jane and Cordelia feel like friends now, and Patricia’s vivid, detailed writing brings this area to life on the page. The East End isn’t an easy place for these characters, and yet they thrive. The sense of community is strong and the three women, plus their neighbors all feel like found family. The story focuses on each woman’s life as well as the lives of those in the community. It’s beautiful and thoughtful and so gripping. Just like the others in the series, I started this book and finished the same day. This felt like the end of the series, so if that is the case I can’t wait to see what Patricia writes next.

Another great read from Patricia McBride. I love returning to the library girl trio, Mavis, Cordelia and Jane. This book is definitely a bit surreal feeling for Jane but reading her confidence grow as the book goes on is so lovely. Poor Mavis has a turbulent time in this book and Cordelia's life comes full circle. I loved this series and will really miss reading about the girl's lives.

This is the fifth book in the Library Girls series and it’s another wonderful read. It was great to be back in the East End of London and to catch up again with the main characters of this series , especially Cordelia, Mavis and Jane . They have lots going on in both their work and personal lives and this makes for really interesting reading . One of the many things I love about this book is the cast of wonderful characters that Ms McBride has described so well and really made me feel I knew them all personally . With their men away fighting in the war it’s up to the women of the east end to keep things going on the home front and our female characters in this book are determined to do that . As I finished this book I got the impression it was sadly the final book in this historical saga series . I’ve loved this whole series and enjoyed this final book which tied everything up nicely

This is what appears to be the last of McBride's series about the East End Library Girls, and reading it feels like coming back to old friends. Although it had been awhile since I'd read the previous book in the saga, it was nice to run into Mavis, Cordelia and Jane again and learn more about the goings on of their lives in the East end during wartime.

The story begins with a wedding and pretty much ends with one too. Along the way, the reader is exposed to new issues with old characters and even some totally new characters, including one young man looking for help to sort out his family history. There's a cozy mystery to solve and each of the women face their own challenges, each entirely different.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read which can stand on its own merits but will be best enjoyed as one of a series. There was so much strength and resilience in the lives of the East End women. One cannot help but be inspired by them.

Many thanks to #NetGalley & Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the chance to read this book . I absolutely love this series about the girls from the library set in the Second World War. I have followed their stories from the beginning and feel they’re like old friends. A good series to get in to. Well worth a read.

The final instalment in this domestic wartime fiction series.

As we head towards the end of the war, the unlucky few are still losing their family members and our library girls are still worried about their nearest and dearest. Since the library was bombed, they have been in a temporary home which, although better than nothing, is far from ideal and they are looking forward to the day they can move back to the original building. Mavis's wedding should be a time of joy and happiness, but she is keeping a secret to herself trying not to alert others to her misery. Jane is finally coming out of her shell and believing in herself and Cordelia is praying that Robert will return from Africa in one piece. In the meantime, they continue working from day to day, doing what they can for the local community and never showing their worries to the local patrons of their beloved library.

In the theme of this whole series, this novel ties up all the loose ends and is a comforting read. I enjoyed the story overall but felt that the ending was all a bit rushed. Recommended along with the rest of this series to all lovers of wartime domestic fiction but, for me, 4*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

Three very different women who work together at the local library. They are dedicated to serving their customers. It's not always easy especially when their beloved library is destroyed by a bomb.

I have enjoyed getting to know Cordelia, Mavis and Jane. Cordelia is the boss. And she's a great one. She goes out of her way to care for her staff and the community she works and lives in.

Jane's self confidence needs a boost. Mavis has a secret. Cordelia prays her fiancée comes home safe.

I've read the complete series and enjoyed every one.

This was an excellent end to the series - with just enough in the last chapter that there could possibly be a follow-on - maybe after the war has ended.
I very nearly gave a way a large part of the story then. This revolves around the well remembered characters of Cordelia, Jane and Mavis.
This could be read as a stand-alone but you would miss so much of the series - and not really understand the back stories.
New characters were brought in - I had guessed the significance of Ben very early on - but how they got there was very clever.
There was also the mystery of the box found when the library was forced to move. This brought ‘The Prof’ to the fore and how that was investigated was interesting to read and added another element.

The book started with a wedding and ended with a wedding - both very different in their ways - but both had Cordelia and her wardrobe to the fore.

The friendship between the 3 women all of different social classes was great to read. The way Jane came out of her shell and began to work elsewhere (no spoiler again) was eye opening.

Once again Patricia McBride has excelled herself and I am slightly sad to come to the end of the book.

A great series