I have been a fan of Lizzie’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has released but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for ‘The Tobacco Girls’ and it certainly sounded like an interesting read. I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what I hoped would be a fantastic read. I was spot on too because ‘The Tobacco Girls’ was a fantastic start to what promises to be a fantastic series. I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of ‘The Tobacco Girls’ but more about that in a bit.
I loved the three main characters in this book. In their own way, each girl is no stranger to hardship and each have their own problems. I loved the way in which all three girls immediately seemed drawn to each other and a strong friendship starts to grow. In a way they reminded me of ‘The Three Musketeers’ in the way they stick together through thick and thin. All three girls are strong, feisty, determined and occasionally stubborn. I look forward to reading more about all three ladies in the future.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this story. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that it wouldn’t be easy to put the book down for very long at all. I warmed so quickly to the three ladies that I just had to keep reading to find out what happened to them. To say that reading ‘The Tobacco Girls’ became addictive is an understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become that wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over 5 chapters later. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn’t bear to be parted from the book for very long at all. I found ‘The Tobacco Girls’ to be a gripping read, which held my attention from start to finish.
‘The Tobacco Girls’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Lizzie’s books. She has a knack of grabbing your attention with a catchy synopsis and then she draws you into the story from the start. Once Lizzie has your attention she will not let you have it back until you reach the last word on the last page. I find that Lizzie writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that the reader feels as though they are part of the story themselves. That’s how I felt at any rate. I love the way in which Lizzie writes stories about strong female characters, who form strong friendships and they help each other through the worst that life throws at him.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Tobacco Girls’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more by Lizzie Lane in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Oh my goodness I was certainly looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t disappoint and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

It about 3 girls Bridget, Phyllis and Maisie who work at the tobacco factory stripping the leaves of the tobacco. Bridget is wealth of information and anything some one doesn’t know she can tell them. Phyllis is engaged to Robert and she has to do what he tells her. Then we have the baby of the group Maisie whose life is not good with a bullying Father her brother is the only bright thing in her life.

They go on outings to the shops and go to the beach with the workers from the factory.

We see them growing up and Bridget & Maisie are the strong ones.

I would recommend this book and hopefully the next book will be just as good.

What a great start to what promises to be an unmissable series!

Maisie has long dreamed of the day she will leave school and can leave home to head for a job in the country, but her father insists she go to work at W. D. & H. O. Wills, the local tobacco factory. Maisie is pretty sure she has an ulterior motive though - she doesn't trust him. As it turns out, she finds friendship at her job working alongside Phyllis and Bridget and before long the three of them are the best of mates. It seems that Maisie isn't the only one with dreams for the future but with the threat of war, how will the three friends fare?

This is a wonderful tale of poverty and friendship, and I'm already looking forward to the second one. Whilst this is a complete read it also opens up possibilities for the futures of all three young women. The author has created entirely believable characters and has obviously done her research into the pre-war period. Both well-written and extremely interesting, this promises to be a good series to follow. For those who, like me, enjoy pre-war sagas, this gets my recommendation and four stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on this tour; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I love historical fiction and was delighted to receive a copy of this to read and review. This is my first book by Lizzie Lane and I can't wait to read more.

The 3 M's were the leading ladies in this story as Britain is on the verge of World War 2. Set against the backdrop of Bristol, I really enjoyed meeting these wonderful characters and reading this story.

The storyline depicted what life was like for these young girls and their families as war broke out and how obligation often overcame a woman's dreams. We are lucky to live in a time where we have freedom of speech and movement and reading this story really helped reflect that despite a shocking 9 months for most that Britain has faced worse.

I look forward to reading more by Lizzie Lane as I loved this story and its wonderful and colourful characters.

I am excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for the first in Lizzie Lane's gripping new saga THE TOBACCO GIRLS.

I have to say I'm a sucker for this type of historical fiction, particularly sagas. I've not read Lizzie Lane before and I really enjoyed this book which, for me, is about family, friendships, love and sacrifice. It begins in a time when a shadow hung over Britain. It was a time of uncertainty and unknowns. But this stoic generation just got on with it, despite the uncertainty and the unknown. THE TOBACCO GIRLS begins a new saga in which we meet three girls in Bristol, each with their own shadows in their lives along with their dreams. This is their story.

Bristol 1939: Fourteen year old Maisie Miles lives in the worst part of the city. It is rife with crime, low lifes and the working class. Her father is a petty criminal, already having served prison time, and her mother is strangely distant. But Maisie is determined to rise above her roots and move out of the Dings (as it is colloquially known) and is is excited to receive a letter offering her the position of kitchen maid at a country manor. But her brutish father has other ideas. Ripping up her letter and tossing it in the fire, he informs her that she is going to the work at the W.D. & H.O. Wills tobacco factory. It isn't long before Maisie begins to suspect her father has an ulterior motive for her employment and uses it to his advantage.

Bridget Milligan is the eldest of seven children and loves to read. She soaks up knowledge like a sponge and often sounds as if she's swallowed an encyclopedia when she reiterates all that she has learnt through reading her beloved books. But alas her mother is pregnant yet again and Bridget awakes in the night to the familiar sounds pre-empting a birth. She is quick to rush to her mother's side who is frantic with worry that it's too early for the baby to come, and at just six months, it won't survive. But Bridget recognises the signs and prepares the bed with newspapers for the impending birth. When the baby arrives, it is clear that had it been full term it was likely it would not have survived. The description given sounded to me like spina bifida, and in those days, it was unlikely the child would have lived. Bridget has watched her mother birth her last two children and cannot imagine why anyone would put themselves through such pain and horror. The thought terrifies her and she resolves then and there she will never marry and therefore will never have children.

Effervescent Phyllis Mason is the life and soul of the party. At least, when her fiance Robert Harvey is not around. Then she submits to being the quiet demure woman he expects her to be. Phyllis' mother is enamoured with Robert and thinks he is quite a catch...but Phyllis is not so sure. He won't let her wear make-up, not even a dash of lipstick, no perfume and nothing that could be construed as revealing. She must present herself for inspection at the beginning of every date where he will always find fault somewhere and she must rectify it before they leave. But when Robert is not around, Phyllis is fun and happy-go-lucky with dreams of going to typing school to enable her to get a secretarial or typing job. She doesn't intend working at the tobacco factory forever. But Robert has other ideas. No wife of his will be working...EVER! Her sole job is to keep the house and look after him. And although she knows she doesn't want to marry Robert, she is too afraid to say so and hope the impending war will make the decision for her. But then circumstances arise that make it almost impossible for Phyllis to do anything but marry the loathsome man. Is this what her life is going to be like for the next fifty years?

The three women work together at the tobacco factory and with Maisie being the newest and youngest recruit, Bridget and Phyllis take her under their wing. The women soon become fast friends and enjoy outings together such as the pictures or just window shopping in Castle Street. But each of them harbour their own personal nightmarish secrets with cling to them like shadows. And as close as they become, they are too ashamed or scared to share them with each other. Of all the women, Maisie is the one that surprised me the most. At 14, she has spunk and an inner strength that serves her well. Soon she is not afraid to speak her mind with her friends, voicing her thoughts and telling it like it is. Bridget is the one with the kind-hearted soul, who would give the cloak off her back for another. She tries to keep Maisie in check at times when she thinks she could get them into trouble. Phyllis, as the outgoing one, soon becomes a shadow of her former self when a secret she harbours dictates her dismal future.

I liked each of the women and it's hard to say who I liked best. They each have their strengths and their weaknesses. Maisie is the most surprising of them all and I really liked her. Bridget is the one I probably relate to best. And Phyllis frustrated me. If she didn't want to marry Robert, then why not just break off the engagement? He has no hold over her until he slips that ring on her finger and they become man and wife. Their families all made for an interesting bunch, a reflection in part of the women they are today.

THE TOBACCO GIRLS is a riveting read that I read in a day! It was easy and enjoyable, though there are a few parts that are a little brutal to stomach. However, we are drawn into each of the women's lives and the struggles they face which is a far cry from the life to which we are now accustomed. Life in the 1940s was very different for young women whose identity became that of their husbands. Women were not meant to have a voice; they were raised for marriage and a family - nothing more. The struggles these women faced were a reality to which they were born but they also wanted something more for themselves.

As it is the first in the series, there are loose ends when the book concludes and yet it still gave a sense of closure for some in a way. The men they either know or have met are now off fighting and readers are left wondering what lies in store for them. I eagerly await the next installment but fear many of the details will be forgotten by then. However, I am sure I will be able to easily slip back into step with Maisie, Bridget and Phyllis when we meet again.

A heartbreaking but heartwarming story, THE TOBACCO GIRLS will have you laughing and crying and rooting for each of the women right up to the end...and thensome.

Beautifully written, THE TOBACCO GIRLS is a book that saga fans will enjoy as well as fans of Rosie Clarke, Fiona Ford, Rosie Goodwin, Pam Howes and Nadine Dorries.

I would like to thank #LizzieLane, #RachelsRandomResources, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheTobaccoGirls in exchange for an honest review.

Life in Bristol just before the start of World War 2, in particular in the tobacco factory. Following the lives of a group of young girls,their hopes,dreams and loves. A good read.

If you want to read a book based around the time of WW2 but is about 3 girls working in a tobacco factory this book is for you. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction and have to say I loved reading about how the tobacco leaves were stripped off by hand and how friendships were formed inside the factory. Maisy, Phyllis and Bridget have there fair share of problems but the friendship they formed is what kept them strong.

Phyllis, Maisie, and Bridget all work together in the tobacco factory in the stripping room. Maisie is sure her Dad is up to no good when he makes her get a job there leaving school and her thoughts are right when he expects her to get hold of the delivery schedule for him. Phyllis wants to better herself and get a job in an office, but her fiancé Robert has other ideas. This sees the start of the war and lots of the menfolk going off to battle. How will Maisie survive without her brother Alf to protect her after their mother passes away. The girls have a lot of changes to face as the war starts, but hopefully their friendship will help them through the tough times to come.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is the first time I’ve read a book by this author.

Three British girls, working in a tobacco processing factory. One thing they have in common is that each one has an unhappy situation in their life and they trying to resolve their own situation.

We see a very different way of life than most of us are used to as in the early 1940s, life was so different for young women.

Will enjoy reading this series.

At first, I was a little unsure about this book and was surprised when I started chapter two wondering if I’d enjoy it; the next thing I knew, I was at 70% through!
The story crept up on me and in no time at all I was absorbed and invested in what would happen to our three leading characters. Maisie is feisty yet vulnerable, Bridget is calm and reserved but scared of repeating her mother’s pattern of child-loss, Phyllis wants nothing more than to better herself and move out of the tobacco stripping room.
I’ve read a few WWII sagas and I always understand the poverty that brings together some of the kindest and strongest people; this book took that to another level. Maisie’s life shows no sign of joy with her violent, criminal father, her brow-beaten and loveless mother make her existence seem hopeless. Despite all of that, Maisie is a clever girl who dreams of better times and has the strength of mind to overcome her trials and tribulations.
Bridget is the eldest in an ever increasing, large Irish family. Her accent bears the Irish lilt, but she has seen things that no young woman should experience. Her mother seems constantly pregnant, but not all of her pregnancies go full term and Bridget is haunted by images of excessive blood-loss and grim bonfires.
Phyllis is a pretty girl who dreams of a better life, filled with the kind of romance usually found in books. Engaged to the inflexible Robert, she is beginning to doubt her choice and dreams of gaining the kind of training that would move her from the factory floor and into the offices. Phyllis must learn, the hard way, to be careful what she wishes for.
There is an overwhelming feeling of despair as the trio, the three musketeers, go about their lives. None of them seem to be on the road to a happy future and I certainly hope that their fortunes improve in the coming books.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will be watching for the future instalments as this is the first in a series. It would be hard to choose whose story resonated the most, with me, but if pressed, I’d have to say that I am most interested to learn if Bridget gets a happy ending. Her strength of character and natural kindness made her shine a little more brightly.
A special mention must go to Aggie, her strength and protective spirit are a ray of sunshine to this cloud covered storyline.

The Tobacco Girls is the first in a series based on three friends trying to navigate life in the midst of WW2. This is the story of Maisie, Phyllis and and Bridget, three young girls who work in the W.D. & H.O. Wills tobacco factory in London. This is a must read for anyone who likes this genre of historical fiction. A cut above the normal wartime saga this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you wanting more. This is my first time reading this author so I’m now looking forward to reading her back catalogue. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me !
#TheTobaccoGirls #LIzzieLane #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book by Lizzie Lane the story and characters are interesting and i will be buying this once released.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The Tobacco Girls #1

Bristol 1939: Maisie Miles suspects her father, a small time crook, has an ulterior motive for insisting she gets a job at the W. D. & H. O. Wills tobacco factory. She makes friends with the effervescent Phyllis Mason and kind hearted Bridget Mikllgan who take Maisie under their wing. There's great comradeship at the tobacco factory and with the advent of war, everything is about to change and even the closest friendships are likely to be strained.

Massive, Phyllis and Bridget each have their own problems. I liked that we learned some historical facts about Bristol. We learn what life was like working in the tobacco factory and the three girls friendships, hopes and dreams. This is a heartbreaking but also a heartwarming story that's easy to read. There is some violence that is quite brutal. There is some loose ends that still need tied up,so hopefully that will be done in the second ook in this series.

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

The Tobacco Girls tells the tale of 3 young girls who work in the Tobacco factory beginning friends and finding happiness. It is a heart warming story of living in poverty at the time of the beginning of world war 2. If the places are real, then I've learned a lot about Bristol since I've never been and would now like to visit!

Maisie lives with her family and is delighted to have a job offer, received with the help of her teacher, to be a maid in a country house. On announcing this her father tells her “ that she’ll do no such thing” and that she will go and work in the tobacco factory as he can then get free cigarettes and take her wages. This is Bristol in 1939 on the verge of yet another war. Once there Maisie meets Phyllis and Bridget. Phyllis is engaged to a man who is also telling her what she can and can’t do. She only realises this when others show her kindness. Bridget is from a large family and having seen the horrors of childbirth and miscarriage she is determined that is the last thing she wants and takes steps to avoid a relationship at all costs. When war breaks the girls are part of the backbone of the country- the men having been called up or volunteered. I'm not usually into historical fiction but the war stories always pique my interest. It's a great way to learn social history and although fiction, to discover a little of what went on behind the scenes as many of this type of book are very well researched. This has great characters which you can't help but feel for. Maisie is only 15 and yet her father is happy to pretty much sell her to the highest bidder. A thoroughly enjoyable read and a little learning along the way. Of the good of human nature in troubled times.
(rest of links as part of blog tour)

A charming, easy to read story getting to know the three friends in Bristol in 1939. Maisie, Bridget and Phyllis were engaging characters and each of them had their problems and found help amongst their friends. The historical facts about Bristol were interesting and added another dimension to the story.

The book cover is just too pretty to ignore. This facilitated me requesting for this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley and I am glad I got approved.

Such an interesting book I must say.
The characters will live with you and you can’t forget them in a hurry.

As usual, I love reading historical fiction novels and this particular book did not disappoint me.

The author is a new author to me, so I might watch out for her books in the nearest future by God’s grace.

I really love “The Tobacco Girls”. I couldn’t pick a favourite out of the three girls because each of them were important in the plot.

I really hope there is another book that continues their story because this book is too good to close “The Tobacco Girls” chapter. *winks*.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.

The book started well, but was not well-developed. The characters were paper dolls—flat and lifeless, only distinguishable for their circumstances, not really for their personalities. To the extent the personalities varied, it was only because the narrator told us about them, not that we saw them in action. We are told that Phyllis is effervescent, but don't really see it. We are told that Bridget is kind, and see only that she takes her siblings to a picnic and adopts Maisie, up to a point. We don't see them actually bonding.

That's much of the problem with the book—a lot of exposition and not a lot of action. The plot is tired and predictable, which would be redeemed by lovable, memorable characters, but the protagonists aren't, and the bad guys, while despicable, are surprisingly willing to stand aside and not do anything when challenged, which undermines the threat they pose.

The writing is serviceable, but not brilliant—and certainly not enough to redeem a lack of characterization or plot. Themes are stated overtly and endlessly, and it becomes tiresome. This felt like it could have been a short story, unnecessarily stretched out to a novel's length.

The best part of the book for me was a cameo character, Aggie, whose vitality comes through her actions, not just descriptions of her actions. It's a shame there wasn't more of that.

Thank you NetGalley, Lizzie Lane and Boldwood Books for the ARC of The Tobacco Girls. This is my personal review.
I was very taken into the world of these three women who worked in a tobacco plant during war time. The story pulled me in from the very beginning and continued to keep my attention throughout the entire book.
This is the first book in a new series by Lizzie Lane. The continuing saga in the future books will be a series to read.

I love this era in historical fiction. I really enjoyed this book. For me the book is about famiily, friendships, love and how far we would go to protect ourselves and our loved ones. A warm book. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read This e arc in exchange for an honest opinion