Set in WW2 mainly in London. Cassie is recruited to the war room firstly to type reports but then her job changes as she gains more experience . Cassie sees something shocking in her home life and this affects her greatly so she throws herself into her work thus having no time for anyone else.

I enjoyed this story but as a character Cassie did annoy me the way she went about things. I would have like more of the action to be in the war rooms but this book was more of a family saga.
It's a book about secrets and deceit but it's also about realizing that everyone has their own life to lead and you shouldn't let that affect the way you live yours. Good read.

Catherine Law’s historical novel, The Girl from the War Room, is a poignant and compelling look at the lives of ordinary people caught in the extraordinary circumstances of World War II. Set against the backdrop of London’s secret underground War Rooms, the novel is a story of duty, survival, and the enduring power of human connection.

Cassie Marsh becomes a secretary for Winston Churchill's War Cabinet, and spends her days in the claustrophobic, high-stakes environment beneath Whitehall, where crucial decisions are made and secrets are fiercely guarded.

One of the novel's strengths is its vivid and authentic portrayal of wartime London. Catherine Law visited the War Rooms for her research and says, "I explored these underground corridors with a sense of awe, taking in the low ceilings, the concrete walls, lined with vents, pipes and girders, aware of how stifling and confined it felt."

The novel explores themes of resilience and the different ways people cope with trauma and uncertainty, and how friendships forged in crisis can become unbreakable bonds.

I am happy to recommend The Girl from the War Room, which captures the spirit of a nation at war through the eyes of one brave young woman. It is a tribute to the heroes of the home front and a reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Tony Riches

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this novel.

The war room in the title is the centre of the Allied war efforts under Sir Winston Churchill ‘s command. Eighteen-year-old Cassie Marsh leaves a comfortable upper middle class home and a loving extended family to embark on a wartime career as a typist, mapmaker, interpreter, and anything else that she is required to do to save the free world. Those who went to work in the dark and damp underground headquarters often stayed there for extended periods, working swing shifts under very stressful conditions, while the Blitz raged overhead. Like moles, they emerged into the light never really knowing if their homes, friends and families had survived the latest bombardment.

The descriptions of Cassie’s claustrophobic work conditions and how life continued, hardly as it would normally but in spite of dread and death, is very well done. Without going into graphic detail, Catherine Law conveys the sense of perpetual anxiety that pervades. But this novel isn’t really about the main character’s war work. The action is split between the city and the family’s Greenaways estate in Devon, her mother’s childhood home, now presided over by her warm and welcoming and his fashionable, free-spirited artist wife. Cassie was used to spending tranquil summers there, enjoying the freedom of outdoors play with her older brother Gerard and her cousins, especially Oliver, with whom she has a particularly close bond. Looking back nostalgically from the point of view of young adulthood and the burdens of war, she longs for those days ‘when we were all bathed in sunlight.’ But these idyllic memories are mostly just that—much darker truths had to be suppressed in order to maintain those golden hues.

Much of the story is told in flashback, mostly through Cassie’s eyes, and consequently it is filtered through the perspective of a sheltered and naive young girl as she discovers that the world, and the people she has always known and trusted, do not necessarily line up behind good and evil. It is possible for what appears weakness to be strength, selfishness to be kindness, and a rigid sense of duty to end up harming those who were meant to be protected. Above all, in Cassie’s view, keeping secrets and telling the million little lies that propriety demands, damage the soul.

The author writes with sensitivity and compassion as she follows Cassie through the trials of growing up in a fast-changing war. Although Cassie and her various family members are far more tolerant and open-minded than most, they perhaps get too much credit for their sacrifices. They must face losses—Cassie’s brother goes missing in action very early, and Oliver is fighting in North Africa, unable to make contact for months on end. Despite their personal struggles, it’s fair to say that their wealth and status
protect them to some extent. Unfortunately they come across as what the British call ‘toffs’ all too often. Both Cassie and her mother, with their lamentations for Greenaways and how it is changing, seem very little-girlish, even if they are ‘doing their bit’ for the war effort. They may not be exempt from heartache, but they are never too far away from solutions that would be unavailable for many. Although there is a lingering hypocrisy that can be off putting, I can’t help thinking that its presence testifies to the author’s talent for setting the historical scene.

This is a beautifully written novel, rich with themes of family, loyalty, love, and the difficult decisions that shape our lives. While the title hints at a more historically driven narrative, the focus is firmly on the personal and emotional journeys of the characters. I found myself wishing for more historical detail woven into the plot, but it remains a moving and heartfelt read.

I think I tend to be a little more critical of historical fiction because it isn't my favorite genre. With that being said I felt that the focus of this story was more on the family drama/relationship vs the history. The story is beautifully written. I just wish we saw a little more of that history woven into the drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a fabulous read. So much going on and so real. Loved the reminiscing back to childhood and back to the here and now. The characters were keeping the book alive. A must read, awaiting the next book.

1941: A world away frpm the idyllic childhood summers spent in Devon, Cassie Marsh steps through the sandbagged entrance to the Wr Room, determined to do her part for the war effort. The air crackling with tension, the urgency of whispered conversations, the weight of secrets - nothing in her quiet upbringing has prepared her for this. Here, women like er are expected to work tirelessly, remain composed even as their homes - and lives - are devastated by the Blitz.

Set during WWII, this book is more of a family saga than a story about war. It evolves around Cassie Marsh and her family. We do get a brief look at the War Room, but not as much as I thought there would be.

Published 19th August 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #CatherineLae for my ARC of #TheGirlFromTheWarRoom in exchange for an honest review.

Cassie takes us through her life experiences with her family. Initially it was sweet and nostalgic. She has fond memories of staying with her cousins. It reminded me of my own childhood and you can't help but smile.

Unfortunately, there's a war on and something taints the memories that Cassie has. I felt sorry for her having to carry the burden that she does. It's so sad and frustrating. I felt like it was unfair for her to have to go through the things she does.

Cassie's relationship with Luke and Oliver are interesting and you can see how close she is to her friends. Her instincts aren't the best and her decision making us impeded by her experience but it's all a learning curve. I think things turn out well in the end and am glad she's moving forward.

there was war out there but still people had lives and certainly still had things going on in this. the dramas on the battlefields sometimes only added to what people were going through already at homes and in lives around the world.
this story gives us both the dramas of war but also how that went alongside and against the ties in homes and families.
the war changed so many things. it changed lives, it changed homes, it changed how people lived and loved.
this is Cassie's story.it revolves around a time she had with her brother. a time and a certain place they used to go, used to love. then something happens which leads to change and not for the better. shes growing up, shes growing away. and things all of a sudden feel uncertain or torn.
i really enjoyed how yes we got to read this in the times of war, but we got to meet Cassie earlier too. we got to see her start from teenage and then to growing older with a more wizened or certainly experienced outlook.
we see how complex families are. how love is such a strength within families that sometimes it can withstand things we dont think possible but also how it can because of its very nature cause us pain.
alongside loss, and then all the stakes that come with war it can cause things to strengthen or cause loss, grief, battles to be had both on fields and in hearts.
life went on no matter what during the war. and so does all that comes with that. and i really liked seeing that side of thing. it flipped the usual narrative and this was very different for me. usually we get to see the main focal point being with war being at its focus. but for this one yes the war was going on, we got to see all the things involved in that, but first and foremost we went back through a families door and saw what was still happening, still did happen for us all despite the war.
and Cassie poor lass has to deal with so much. and we get a birds eye view on that. the tension was there, the heart gripping and heart felt moments was there.
i thoroughly enjoyed this book. it took me to a unique take which i wasn't expected going in. loved that.

Free courtesy of Netgalley

Anyone who has been following my reviews by now must know I love a good WW2 story, I am fascinated by how women worked during the war. This is my first Catherine Law book and I really enjoyed reading it. At first I wasn't sure why it was called the girl from the war room as the story really starts with Cassie as a child visiting her mother's ancestral hone in Devon, and her interaction with her cousins Madeline and Oliver and his friend from school Woodward.

You do need this back story for the book to unfold and even though it was a little slow for me at the beginning, I found myself picking my kindle up at every opportunity to read the book.

There is something for everyone really, love, betrayal, society and of course some real insight of the war work being carried out by women, whilst the men went off to war.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre and if you have never given this genre a go, then this is a good book to start with.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have

The Girl from the War Room by Catherine Law is a beautifully written, emotionally rich WWII story that completely pulled me in.

But this is not story just about the war, it’s about family, your loved ones, friendships and the choice they’re forced to make. And it’s not an easy decision. This book is so intense and surrounded by sacrifies and the past.

Overall, this book has a strong female leads, beautiful characters and I really enjoyed this one. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with world war background this one is for you.

Thankyou so much Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Catherine Law for this book arc.

Despite its title and evocative wartime premise, The Girl from the War Room leans more toward an emotional family saga than a novel rooted in Churchill’s bunker or the inner workings of WWII strategy. It’s a reflective, often poignant story about secrets, grief, and the long shadows cast by war — but it’s not quite the historical workplace drama I expected.

Set between London and Devon, the book follows Cassie, a young woman carrying deep emotional wounds. Her time in the War Rooms offers a fascinating glimpse into the era, but these scenes are more atmospheric than central to the plot. Instead, the heart of the story lies in family tension, personal reckoning, and the weight of silence across generations.

While I appreciated the emotional layers and the way small historical details (like gardens planted with vegetables instead of flowers) were woven into the background, I didn’t fully connect with the writing style. The dialogue-heavy approach made some scenes feel less vivid than I would’ve liked, and I found myself wishing for more descriptive passages to truly immerse me in the world and its emotional depth.

Readers looking for a historical novel rich in domestic tension and wartime consequences may find much to enjoy here — just be aware that the “War Room” of the title is more a memory than a driving force.

Recommended for: Fans of wartime family dramas, slow-burning emotional narratives, and historical fiction that lingers in the aftermath of conflict more than the frontlines.

This is a really beautifully written story that focuses on Cassie Marsh who during WW2 finds herself working in the war rooms at Whitehall. There is a lot of Cassie reminiscing about growing up at Greenaways in Devon and this gives a real insight into how she has become the woman who she now is. Cassie has always been loyal to her family but when events tear her life apart she seeks solace staying in London and avoiding her family. She also finds that she cannot forget the one person who has a hold on her heart. There is so much attention to detail that it is obvious that Catherine done plenty of research. The descriptive writing made me feel like I was actually there and I became thoroughly engrossed in this. I also thought that the characters were all very individual and how the interactions between them very realistic. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

Cassie spends a lot of time remembering and dreaming about her carefree days - long before the war and the
Nazi plague became part of her reality.
She feels compelled to do her part and help in whatever way she can,much to the disappointment and worry
of her family.
A complicated story of one woman looking for her place amid the sounds and sights of war.
Part of her wants to run back to her family and part wants to forge forward, helping the cause of freedom.
I am fond of sweeping historical novels but found this a little too long at tines.

Thank you to the publisher, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for sending this ARC to me. The premise and title sounded intriguing, so I requested a copy. I am very glad that I did. WW2 fiction is my favorite genre, and this one did not disappoint.

I enjoyed the main character, who worked in various capacities during the war. Her work was important, and it kept her going during times of stress. She realized how unfair society was in making women stop working when they married, while the men could continue with theirs. During war time, everything was heightened: love, life, and death. She learned that love knew no limitations; "love finds us even if we try to hide from it." She could not get aways from it by isolating herself from others and moving away. And she realized that forgiveness, but not forgetting, was the only way she could move forward.

What a wonderful and beautiful story during the war. This book has heartache, love, sadness, and so much more. As you read through the writer has it written so you feel like you are part of the landscape and part of the lives of the characters.

An excellent read from an author I had not read before!
Set during WWII and a little later this is more a family saga than a war story. We get a glimpse of the work done in Churchills War Rooms and mentions of the other services but this is first and foremost about Cassie and her family.
Every Summer she and her brother, Gerard, go to stay at Greenaways which is where her mother was born and raised. Her Uncle Charles and his wife Juno live there now with their two children. The cousins have a fabulous time every year and Cassie absolutely adores the place.
Then something happens, Cassie discovers a secret which makes her world fall apart. To her, Greenaways is lost forever and she struggles to contend with what happens.
The descriptive writing, which I love, is wonderful! Cassie's deep love for Greenaways is central to the story. With her teenage years fast disappearing and her eyes opened to the secrets she discovers, you can almost feel her pain.
I dropped a star because it bordered slightly on a pity party at times and got a bit over dramatic.
A wonderful read though which I could hardly put down and I'll certainly be reading more of this author.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an ARC to read.

Thankyou for the opportunity to read this book.
It was a great read. I loved the characters and storyline.
5*****

Cassie Marsh after sitting snd passing her secretarial exam she gets accepted for a position at Whitehall working for the war effort in the war office underground in Whitehall doing a variety of jobs and is privy to secrets unknown to most people.
The book follows Cassie journey during the war years and how it has effected not just people in London and the forces but every day lives of people living in the country not affect by the bombing and the secrets that will eventually come to light. An interesting read following different paths one family’s lives begins to alter and you find out will Cassie ever find the true love she so desires.

A bit disappointed that the story was more about Cassie and Greenways and not about the important work that she was involved in during the war. The last third of the book was more interesting than the start. Not for me I’m afraid.