The Orchard Girls
The heartbreaking and unputdownable World War 2 romance
by Nikola Scott
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Pub Date Sep 02 2021 | Archive Date Sep 16 2021
Headline | Headline Review
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Description
'Full of intrigue, fascinating historical detail and brilliant characterisation . . . A truly fabulous novel!' LOUISE FEIN, author of PEOPLE LIKE US
'Nikola Scott is the queen of dual narrative fiction. The Orchard Girls takes us on a beautifully twisty journey . . . It's like unwrapping a pass-the-parcel with a wonderful gift at its heart' LIZZIE PAGE, author of WHEN I WAS YOURS
'The Orchard Girls is such a clever, wonderful, expertly woven story. I enjoyed every second of it!' LORNA COOK, author of THE GIRL FROM THE ISLAND
Readers are loving THE ORCHARD GIRLS!
***** 'The story really was a heartbreaking read, and totally believable' READER REVIEW
***** 'The way in which the storylines connected was really good, and made me curious, wanting to find out more' READER REVIEW
***** 'The Land Girls were quite amazing . . . Can highly recommend this lovely book' READER REVIEW
***** 'Great characters and lots of surprises along the way. It's a must read book' READER REVIEW
***** 'I felt a strong connection with Frankie and Violet . . . Would recommend!' READER REVIEW
London, 2004. Frankie didn't always have it easy. Growing up motherless, she was raised by her grandmother, who loved her - and betrayed her. For years, the rift between them seemed irreparable. But when their paths suddenly cross again, Frankie is shocked to realise that her grandmother is slowly losing control of her memory. There is a darkness in her past that won't stay buried - secrets going back to wartime that may have a devastating effect on Frankie's own life.
Somerset, 1940. When seventeen-year-old Violet's life is ripped apart by the London Blitz, she runs away to join the Women's Land Army. She wants nothing more than to leave her grief behind. But as well as the terror of enemy air raids, the land girls at Winterbourne Orchards face a powerful enemy closer to home. One terrible night, their courage will be put to the test - and the truth of what happened must be kept hidden, for ever . . .
PRAISE FOR NIKOLA SCOTT:
'Intriguing, twisting... I loved it' Dinah Jefferies, author of The Tuscan Contessa
'An atmospheric and gripping read.' My Weekly
'A well-written, intriguing read full of family secrets... Brilliant' Fabulous
'Characters you won't forget' Sunday Express
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781472260796 |
| PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 480 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Anne M, Reviewer
Violet comes from an upper class family. War has just begun and Violet wants to do her bit but her mother wants to marry her off and for her to live the life of a lady. At a dance she escapes to have fun with her two cousins when a tragedy happens. Violet really has to get away so she changes her name and joins the land army only leaving a note behind for her mother.
In the farm where she is sent the manager is absolutely abhorrent and the girls are never paid and given no free time. As she makes friends with the other girls they just have to stick together to make the best of it.
Violets granddaughter Frankie is a journalist working for a well known newspaper. She has been estranged from her grandmother for years but eventually meets up when her editor finds out who her grandmother is and demands that Frankie interview her for the newspaper..
This is a really good read. I didn't know that at the start of WW2 land girls were not welcome on farms. The farm owners did not think they could ever replace men and were not happy at the government telling them they had to employ and pay these woman. They were often treated badly and only given the minimal requirement of food and a place to sleep. The locals also turned against the women thinking that because most of them came from bigger towns and cities that they were fast and loose and after any men that were about.
I don't know if the newspaper Frankie worked for reflects what that job is like but it was so high pressured and full of people who would stab you in the back. Horrible place to work.
The comradely between all the women who worked on the farm enabled them to get through each day and put up with their dreadful boss. Frankie didn't have that with the newspaper as she didn't know who to trust.
Frankie realises that her grandmother is unwell and tries to do her best to help and decides that re uniting her with her land army friends is the right thing to do. She doesn't know that she is opening Pandora's Box and will find it hard to believe what she finds inside.
Good story, great characters and lots of surprises along the way.
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General Fiction (Adult), Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction
