This is the newest addition to a historical fiction series focusing on the people that are a part of Harper’s Emporium, a London retail shop. Reading this book for me was like sitting down and watching a show on the BBC network. This is the 4th book about the great people at Harper’s Emporium (I have not read the others in the series so if you start with this one like me it’s ok, I didn’t feel lost) and this one focuses on World War 1. This book really gave me a picture of how people worked, lived and loved during this time period. I enjoyed not only the characters and the story but the details such as when one of the characters, Maggie is shipping out to be a nursing assistant and gathering items she needs. Book lovers - I never even thought about this but Maggie is told to take a favorite book to be able to read multiple times or pass it on to someone else once she is done. Little details like that really made the time period and this book so engaging.

"Harpers Heroes" continues the story of the Harper Girls. "Can the Harpers Girls and their loved ones survive the perils of war and find a path to future happiness?" That's the last sentence in the synopsis, and I have to say that I felt it. I felt that needed to know what would happen next, if they were going to be okay in the end. I wanted them happy.

Rosie Clarke's book always have this sense of family and togetherness when it comes to the characters. With each book we learn more about the characters and how the met, how they have grown with the story, how they have dealt with each obstacle. The realism is amazing, and the characters are very relatable which makes everything so much more special.

The thing is... It's not just the characters that are realistic, it's the author's storytelling that makes me connect with the narrative. It always gets me feeling like I'm listen to my grandparents talking about life way back when.
The story is set during WWI, which by itself already is an emotional journey, just listen facts. With the added of going through the motions side by side with the characters, cheering for them, laughing, crying, and falling in love... It was page turner.

Overall, I loved the story. It's good to go back to this community and group of friends and loved ones. Rosie Clarke never disappoints.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Rosie Clarke and Boldwood Books for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

I have reviewed a lot of her Mulberry Lane series and enjoyed those. I did an audio extract blog post for book two in the Harper's Emporium series, Love and Marriage at Harper's.

Harper's Heroes has different challenges for the characters. I really felt for Sally upon Ben's departure and was thinking "no, don't go!" they seemed a beautiful family and I feared for all of them. Baby Jenny was so cute.

With this year and the need for nurses, Beth's and Maggie's stories really gripped me. I have always felt for the war heroes every Remembrance Day and in my family we always bought a poppy from the door-to-door sellers. I can remember even now how I felt emotional watching the poppy wreaths being hung on the monuments around the UK if the service was on TV and it was even more heart-wrenching in person, even in the town I lived in growing up.

My own grandmothers helped out with the war efforts and this made me more interested in the era. The restrictions, preparations and enjoying the good times and small things like tinned sweets and makeup are also so much like now that it is haunting.

I really wanted to know where Ben was for myself and for his wife's Sally's sake. Of course, a secret location is a secret location and there's nothing you can do.

I wanted everyone to be OK.

Harper's Emporium is an iconic place and very atmospheric. I loved the mention of how Beth, Sally and Maggie met, and the fact they lived together was a bonus for them forging a friendship.

The chats between the characters and those they meet are very natural and realistic and the same fear there was then is present now with the current world situation.

I think it is because of this that Harper's Heroes really resonated with me more than it would have had I reviewed it at another time.

As always, Rosie Clarke's style is gripping, emotional and this plus her attention to detail combine to make Harper's Heroes a poignant novel for these trying times.

The simple but traditional food and drink was an aspect that made this so homely in amongst a time of chaos.

Thanks to Rosie Clarke, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars.

Harper's Heroes is a slice of life novel by Rosie Clarke. It takes place during World War I in London, the people all related by the women in their lives who work at Harper's, a department store. Sally Harper is the head buyer, having married Ben Harper, a couple of years earlier. She is a genius at locating and sourcing good to sell in the store, even as shortages run rampant and there is talk of rationing. Her husband works for the army in a similar situation, for which she is thankful. No dangerous overseas assignments for him! Marion is working hard to be the head of household for he sisters and brother until her other brothers return from the war. She is engaged to Reggie, whose family lives just next door. Reggie's mother is a godsend to Marion and her family, as she proves over and over. Maggie is just a girl, 19, but she has trained as a nurse's aide and is in France, experiencing horrors of her own, waiting until the war is over so she can marry Tim Stockbridge who was currently in the flying corps. He is the son of Fred, brother to Jack, who is in the merchant marines and married to Beth, who works at Harper's, as does Fred. It's one big family, really.

All these people have lives, and love people who are in the war. It is a constant worry. Some of them are sure to die, and they do as time goes on. Many, however come home. This is the story of the day-to-day struggles of those left behind. Most of them have plenty to eat and a place to live, unlike many others, but the struggle is real. There are constant surprises and changes in their lives. These are good, ordinary people, living through an extraordinary time. It is fun to read. It also inspires admiration and investment. Investment in their lives. Even though we know the outcome of the war, this is the middle of it and there is nothing but uncertainty. All of them were heroes in their own ways. This is a lovely novel that shares some of this with the reader. I like it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Harper's Heroes by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #harpersheroes

It was lovely to be back at Harper’s catching up with everyone. Rosie has a fabulous series and the characters are written so that you feel they are friends. Things are getting tougher as the war rages on in this book. I was again drawn straight in from page one living the ups and downs of life during the war with all the fab characters. I didn’t want to put it down and I hope there will be more from Harper’s emporium very soon. I give this book a well deserved 5 stars.

Another great addition to this wonderful series and, as we are still in the midst of war by the end, I'm hoping for more to come!

With the men called to war in one capacity or another, the women are left to carry on holding the fort; Sally is running Harper's single-handedly, Maggie has signed up for nursing, Beth is worrying about her husband in the Merchant Navy and Marion is looking after her family whilst longing for the time she can commit to Reggie. And on top of all this, they all find time to help in the war effort!

I've loved every single novel in this series; the characters are varied and interesting, the story lines both realistic and gripping. It's lovely to be catching up with them all and finding out how their lives are affected by war, as well as being hooked by everything they're getting up to. An exciting and enthralling tale, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. My only criticism would be that the Americans used very British language which niggled at me a bit. A recommended read, and one I'm happy to give 4*.

A fitting book to have read this week to commemorate Remembrance Day, set in World War I.

I am loving the Harper Girls series, in this fiction story we spent some time on the frontline with Maggie and her new friends as well as spending time in the Harper store. It is great to revisit old characters that you've loved but also get to know new ones. A story that is reminding you what life was like for everyone during WWI, the war that should have only lasted a few months.

There is joy within these pages and heartache, the descriptions and smells from the frontline are vivid and make it drive home the impact of what our great grandparents would have experienced either in their childhood or as young adults.

I love historical fiction especially the early 1900's to late 1950's and this story is a wonderful reminder of what the men and women sacrificed and the constant heartache experienced during these times.

I can't wait for the next book to be released to see what comes next for these wonderful characters. A highly recommended read that I really enjoyed

This is the fourth book in the series. I was so excited to catch up with the harper emporium . I just love the characters. And i root for them when they win . I cry for them when they hurt. This book has it all love, family,strength,friendships and losses. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Was great to catch up with Harper family. A book full of sadness, tears and danger while they are all on their separate journey's to help the war effort. Another fantastic installment of this great series.

Omg I love The Harper series if reading this lovely family saga read the previous books first. Absolutely 💯 brilliant

What an absolute joy to catch up with the folks at Harpers. This is a department store that has amazing bosses, colleagues and friends. They are more of an extended family rather than a work force and this is what makes this series so special.

There are some characters that are focused on more than others, these key characters are facing worrying and uncertain times. Some of the workforce have signed up to do their duty and fight in The First World War. The War has far reaching effects not only for those who are in the midst of the fighting, but also for those left at home worrying about loved ones. Also with rations and shortages other suppliers need to be found.

As I mentioned the story and characters are based around those that work ot or know people at Harpers, it gives it a family saga feel and really does draw you into t the lives, worries and uncertainties during this period in our history.

The author portrays so many aspects of war life. The women who volunteer close to the front helping the wounded, those involved in logistics, in freight and supplies, undercover work and many other aspects. While the horror of wounds is mentioned the story does ot focus so much on the front line fighting, though it is always an ever-present feature. In some ways it is more about everyday people doing the best they can no matter where they are and what they are doing.

Harpers Heroes is part of a series and even though I have not read this from the beginning I did read the previous book. So, yes you can read them as a stand alone, but I do wish I had read them in order as the two books I have read so far have been so engaging.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and romance, of family sagas and engrossing stories then you really want to have the Harpers series on your list, Harpers Heroes is a wonderful read and one I would definitely recommend.

"From the bestselling author of the Welcome to Harpers Emporium and The Mulberry Lane Series.
The Harpers Girls come face to face with the harsh reality of the cruelty of war." Set in London during WWI, this fourth book in the Harpers series exudes charm, heartache, heroism, love and intrigue. Each Harpers girl is involved in the war in completely different ways, directly and indirectly. It's an excellent story and I highly recommend reading it.

Set in London during WWI, this fourth book in the Harpers series exudes charm, heartache, heroism, love and intrigue. So many unknowns, so much waiting for news of loved ones. Mail is often delayed or mislaid which exacerbates tension and stress. I could almost feel the atmosphere.

Each Harpers girl is involved in the war in completely different ways, directly and indirectly, all heroines in their drive and determination to aid in the war where their particular skills lie. Their selflessness is truly amazing, though they didn't particularly believe it of themselves. They just wanted to help.

Sally manages Harpers and finds enterprising ways to keep staff and the store financially viable in spite of difficulties sourcing goods.

Maggie and Sadie are nurses who are housed in primitive conditions and live the horrors of those injured. One duty is to cheer up the soldiers which is not easy, especially as their personal lives are in upheaval. Beth's husband is at sea, a constant worry.

Descriptions and emotions of what war was like are fascinating and gut wrenching. The author captures the intensity and strife very well. Imagining myself there was easy.

Historical Fiction readers and those intrigued by this era ought to read this. I read it in one sitting, immediately drawn in.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this enthralling book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. This is one of my favorite series! This one does not center as much around Harpers Emporium. It is more the story of how the war affects all of the main characters lives. Every time I read one of the books in this series, it is like checking up on friends and seeing how their life is going. It is easy to pick up from the ending of the last book. I highly recommend this series!

The story is set in WWI and centers around Harper's department store. Sally and Ben Harper own it and the staff are like one big family. There are marriages, romances and enlistments in this circle.
It started off slowly but picked up after a couple of chapters. The parts set in France were interesting and informative.
Overall it was a good story but it wallowed in sentiment a bit too much. A pet hate of mine are the phrases, 'her/his eyes welled up', 'she swallowed back tears' or 'she said with a sob'. They are always over used in this type of story and spoil it for me.
Also a lot of the characters had names beginning with M. It became confusing at times trying to remember who was who.
This is book four in the series and though I hadn't read the previous three it read well as a stand alone novel. However, I would recommend reading the others for full enjoyment.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Wow, Harpers' Heroes is exactly what it says. All about the heroes of WW1 who worked for Harpers. I really felt as though I was living through the events with the characters, it was so realistic with touches of fact thrown in too. I certainly hope there's more to come from Harpers Emporium!

When does the next one come out?! Outstanding. Lots of little twists and characters tied in together that as a reader I didn't see coming. Strong storylines for Maggie & Marion. My only criticism is that in parts it felt like it jumped quite quickly and it would have been good to have had more detail of things happening (i.e. Marion's wedding).

In these covid times when we think we are so hard done by it is good to read about worse times. Not as good as the first books, sally harper is a shell of herself but Maggie, Marco and Mick are the best characters now. I will certainly read the next book.

Rosie Clarke has became one of my favourite authors. This latest look into the lives of Harper's girls takes us to Belgium and France as some of the most popular characters do their bit for the war.
The girls who stay at home also do their bit as well. Sally who everyone revolves around keeps Harpers department store functioning so that everyone still has jobs to return to when war is over.
There is heartbreaking, tears and bravery in this book. The friendship between the girls is still at the heart of the story.
I like reading about the fashion and how woman and fashion stores would change dresses to make them look like a new style.
This book has so many loose ends that I'm hoping there will be another one. I'd love to know what happens when the war ends and people pick up the threads of everyday life.
Such a good book.

Reading the Harper’s books is like visiting family and friends. Everyone instantly recognisable, you don’t have to think or recall who’s who.
Harper’s Heroes is no different, from the first page I was hooked. Following the girls and their families through the war. I delayed the end as I didn’t want it to finish, then when I did I couldn’t stop thinking about a couple of the characters. You won’t be disappointed reading this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️