This interesting and wonderful WWII novel is set to release in December and I believe everyone will indeed want to get their hands on this novel! It is different from most because it doesn't focus entirely on the war and in a way it is considered a coming of age story. The main heroine is a youbg woman who spent her life on a Orphanage and is now an adult trying to find her place and purpose in the world. Although some of her hurdles in this journey include falling in love with the wrong person.

We are introduced to Irene who spent her life growing up with no family. She eventually becomes apprenticed to a seamtress and later on comes to inherit the business. She manages to build a name for herself attracting wealthy clients. However, despite this sucess her own love life is a whirlwind. She strikes up an affair with a married man which could result in public scandal if found out. However, when the seasons change and the relationship dwindles will she be able to hold on to the connection that she built?

WWII in San Francisco. A coming of age story that will grab your heart. It is a well researched story with interesting characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was beautifully written, it had engaging characters and the story itself was everything, heartbreaking, sad, joyous, and hopeful. The story of twenty year old orphan , Irene Cleary working as a seamstress in a store she inherited in San Francisco in 1944, was a great story, I would love to read a possible sequel. Irene did a dress redesign for a socialite in the San Francisco area, and it opened up a new world for her, exposing her to the good and bad of higher society, it was an enlightening experience for her, she discovered things about these people that made her reflect on her own life, and she also experienced life altering experiences of her own. The story concludes with Irene a bit wiser, more experienced with life but all in all optimistic about her future. I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a book involving a young woman who is good hearted, hard working and passionate about her future.

Irene Mary Cleary had a rough start in life. She was abandon as an infant by parents who loved her. While this is a sad way to start life, the nuns at the orphanage gave her a good life. She is mentored by a seamstress who leaves Irene her dress shop and is always welcome into the family of her friend Trixie Dubuque. When Irene meets a sailor named Johnny, they fall in love and plan to marry. Irene is truly happy. But things begin to change in Irene’s life. When Johnny is killed in the war, Irene thinks her live is over. Then she meets Max and starts to believe in happiness again. However, life begins to deal Irene unhappiness. When Irene learns the true facts of her birth, she begins to doubt her ability to ever be happy. She faces many obstacles and is placed in situations not of her making. Irene soon learns to rely on herself to find inner peace and happiness The part of the novel which deals with the first performance of the Nutcracker in San Francisco gives insight into the world of ballet. The World at Home by Ginny Kubitz Meyer is a genuinely nice and enjoyable read.

This is a lovely novel about a young woman living in wartime San Francisco. Irene is an orphan and incredibly naive. She believes in love and romance, but sadly lacks the life experience and cynicism. Irene is a seamstress, and she becomes entangled with some wealthy women, as a seamstress and later as a designer.

Her romance with the husband of a wealthy client leads to sad life experiences for Irene. She is a sweet and sympathetic heroine, but the author leaves us with hope for her future.

The book paints a lovely picture of San Francisco and its vital role during WW II. The lives of the inhabitants, including the interned Japanese residents is mentioned.

This was a sweet book about life lessons for Irene. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Irene grew up in a San Francisco orphanage. Apprenticed to a seamstress who left her the business when she died, it's 1944 and Irene is 20 years old. She and her friends volunteer at the USO dances, and there she meets a sailor named Johnny. She's trying to grow her business, and is excited when Cynthia, a wealthy society woman, seeks out her services. Cynthia's husband Max is opening a nightclub in the city, and he wants Irene to help him decorate the new place. Irene is learning a lot about people, and most of all about herself. I can't resist a book about San Francisco, and this historical novel is well researched and evocative of the wartime ambiance of the City By The Bay. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really liked this book. I have read a lot of WWII fiction but this story was different. Irene being an orphan, certainly influenced how she looked at the world. I'm sure being a woman in business for herself during that time wasn't common. I felt like I got a better feeling of what it was like during the war years. None of them knew if the men would survive, so there was the feeling of making the most of each other while they were together. I thought the USO was portrayed realistically, at least as far as I know. Mistakes were made, but I felt like Irene became the woman she wanted to, by the time the story was over. I will be looking for other books by this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. I definitely recommend!

During World War II, San Francisco was the second busiest port for with over 1.6 million military personnel sent overseas. In 1944, 20-year-old Irene Mary Cleary is doing her part by volunteering, along with her best friend Trixie, at the USO dances. By day, Irene manages her own seamstress shop, which she inherited from Anna, the kind woman who mentored her after growing up in a Catholic orphanage. When Irene is summoned to Nob Hill to redesign a dress for Cynthia Burke, one of the area's most renowned socialites, she is thrilled at the chance to expand her business among San Francisco's affluent women. Although her work is well-received, she finds herself becoming too close to the family, including Cynthia's handsome husband, Max. Irene also dedicates her time and skills to the ballet, a favorite of Anna's, and becomes involved in creating costumes for the American premiere of The Nutcracker. She also meets Johnny, a young serviceman about to ship out, who opens up her heart.

Ginny Kubitz Moyer's The World at Home is a beautiful coming-of-age story. Irene is a compassionate, smart, and resilient young woman who has endured significant challenges having never known her parents. All the people she has come in contact with, from the nuns at the orphanage to Anna and her friend Trixie, have helped her form an inner strength. This strength is put to the test when she becomes entangled with the Burkes. 

I highly recommend this engaging book that captures the grandeur of the San Francisco Bay Area during wartime.

4.5 stars.

This is a exemplary novel that captured my heart from beginning to conclusion. Set in San Francisco during WWII the extraordinary beauty of San Francisco is featured through the authors beautiful atmospheric writing.
Irene has a sad history growing up in a orphanage. She learns to be a dressmaker from a friend and mentor who she inherited her shop from. As her skills excel she is requested to create a dress for a famous resident. This leads her to a bad decision that impacts her life. As she navigates grief , loss of a love affair amid her city in wartime challenges she finds herself with newfound courage and gains her self confidence.
A beautiful part of this book is The Nutcracker Ballet showing for the first time in San Francisco. The description of the Ballet is lovely. The city in wartime with thousands of troops shipping out and the Golden Gate feature here so richly. This book is so very pleasing to read. I highly recommend this book for your ultimate reading enjoyment.
I loved this book.
Thank you for the ARC for review to the publisher, Net Galley and the author. Quite a outstanding novel.

I loved this one! This was great historical fiction set in San Francisco during WW2, which is an unusual setting.
There are many details about life on the home front, for civilians and soldiers. One of the most beautiful, and touching, was about the Golden Gate Bridge. The narrator is looking out over the bay, realizing that the bridge was the last sight of home for those shipping out to the Pacific, perhaps forever…
The other plot line that fascinated me was that of the preparations for the Nutcracker ballet to be performed for the first time in America, at the San Francisco Opera House. Since I read this novel at Christmas time, with such a ballet performance to soon be enjoyed myself, it had special significance!
The author’s notes at the end were extremely interesting and informative.

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*