Member Reviews
This is not my normal kind of read but really starting to get into war life.
What a great debut story, I would of loved a job at the post office.
Beth (Liza), Milly and Nora soon become firm friends at work this tells their ups and downs on what life was like.
Really enjoyable and well researched this is going to be a great series and already looking foward to book 2.
Loved the bonus of photos to see what it actually was like.
this was an excellent read - the author takes you completely back to the second world war and immerses you in the world of air raids, suffragettes and women taking on the roles that had belonged to the men. The little details are superb from the cigarettes smokes, the train journeys and timetables to the codes hidden in how stamps are stuck on letters to those serving.
The story is one of friendship and self-discovery as a small-town girl stands against her family to take on a job at a parcel sorting office for packages being sent to soldiers serving in France and Belgium. You root for Beth as she discovers what matters to her, who she can count on as friends and importantly who her heart belongs to.
The Post Office Girls by Poppy Cooper is an excellent WWI era historical fiction/saga novel that is the start, of what I expect, to be an excellent new series. This book has it all: history, wonderful cast of characters, an engaging story, a bit of mystery and intrigue, strong friendships, and a dash of romance.
I really enjoyed this story of a group of young women from different backgrounds and upbringings becoming friends, strengthening their positions and outlooks in life with forged relationships, and helping out in their own respective ways for the war effort during WWI in England. I really liked Beth, Milly, and Nora. Their own unique personalities and strengths really complimented one another throughout the story. I also liked to see each character grow and change as they are faced with adversities and obstacles. Despite the trials, the war, the loss, the hurt, and events that are beyond their control, we are able to see rays of hope, love, strength, friendship, and a chance to overcome challenges take hold. I really enjoyed their stories and can't wait to see how this series continues.
I also really loved the unique aspect of featuring the Post Office and the vital role the postal workers played during this time. I do not think I have read anything as of yet that highlighted this very important position during WWI specifically. I also really enjoyed the true events and factual details that were placed within the story. It all really made the novel very enjoyable and memorable.
I recommend this book for anyone that loves a great WWI era historical fiction, or historical fiction in general.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Hodder &Stoughton for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post within my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
If you want a description of the book best read the synopsis provided as I never like to spoil the storylines. I have to say this book was just ok and I plodded my way through not sure why but felt it was an okay read but did not really hold my interest
Vanessa (Nessa) is a girl of many parts !
She has a sister Georgie who looks out for her after the death of their mother , and a friend Lottie who she shares a flat with who never wants that to change. But it does change when Nessa meets Connor. Big time.
So much happens in this book that cannot be said here without revealing spoilers. But it's a great read. It's full of intrigue and suspense.
The role of the postal workers in WWI was crucial...not only for practical purposes but for the morale of the soldiers. Receiving parcels from home must have literally kept many focused and alive. The author draws from historical facts such as the Home Depot and employee duties (had not realized there were so many divisions!). It really gave me a better understanding of intricacies such as re-wrapping parcels to make them sturdier for travel, the positioning of stamps, green envelopes, deciphering handwriting and the "new" way of addressing letters and parcels.
Beth is not content working at her family store in a small village during WWI so she travels to London to work at the new Home Depot. Her interview story is fascinating! She is efficient, disciplined, smart and fast. The work isn't easy but she enjoys it very much and she and her friends create fun out of it. She becomes fast friends with Milly and Nora as well as James. The book is about their jobs and contribution to the war effort, the suffragette movement, relationships and priorities. There is heartache and sadness, grief and sorrow but also love, hope and determination.
This wholesome and lovely book would appeal to Historical Fiction and Women's Fiction readers in particular but any reader of General Fiction ought to enjoy it. The photographs were such a wonderful surprise! I really liked the description of the workers' duties which to me as a former HR person were very interesting. The historical touches helped me to envision the story.
My sincere thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley! Much appreciated.
It was Educational to read of the post office dept set up in Regents Park during ww1.Milly,Beth and Nora are three girls from different backgrounds who want to do their bit for the war effort.The girls become good friends and so the Post Office Girls begins.I have enjoyed reading this book and will be looking forward to more from this author 5*
Thank you for the chance to read this book.
This was the first in a series I understand. I found it interesting to read about the Post Office Depot that was set up in Regents Park in WW1 and how it had to deal with parcels to be sent to the front as well as letters and how mail from the Front was intercepted and any determined to be too harrowing were either censored or not sent.
I was often amused by the lengths loving family went to send home comforts to 'our boys' and the items chosen from a Sunday roast to a bottle of spirits hidden in a fruit cake.
The story was predictable in some ways though, 'girl thinks she loves one lad then meets another and is torn'
Some of it was slightly far fetched but in a way believable .
I rarely write a full synopsis in a review as I dislike spoilers myself so I will refrain from doing so.
Any disappointments?? I felt the ending was rushed - the book seemed to end a few short pages - which felt disappointing and in some ways I felt cheated.
Having said that I think I would read the next one in the series.
Thank you again to the publishers for the opportunity to read this book
This was a cute little read! I loved the main characters and found myself entertained the entire way through. Reading about this particular aspect of the war was interesting, given it's something I wasn't too informed on before going in. It's a wonderful debut from Cooper and I can't wait to see where this series goes, I'll definitely be picking up the next book!
I liked the concept for this book and learnt about the Post Office service provided during the war but sadly did not enjoy the storyline. The first half of the book was enjoyable but after the storyline regarding intercepting the 'return to sender' letter I found it got more and more far fetched. For a book I was enjoying I then found myself skim reading. No mention was given about the main characters twin and how he was fairing in France and if indeed he survived the war (perhaps there's another book coming?) The fire in the depot seemed to be dismissed by the police easily. I felt the importance of the girls being Post Office girls was lost. I'd love to know more about the service but sadly this storyline was not enjoyable.
Book one Set in Hertfordshire and London, WW1
Three women, Beth Healey from Woodhampstead Hertfordshire, Milly woods from Bow in London, and Nora Benham from Regent Park London, all join The Royal Engineers Postal Service, doing their bit for king and country sorting broken parcels, rations, duty, going on leave ,it really was like been in the army, all three girls all different back grounds become The Post Office Girls, I really did savour every page of this book, that focus on getting to know Beth, or Liza as she is known to her work colleagues. and she starts to get very friendly with James Blackford, would they ever get to share a first kiss? Britain might be at war with Germany but just for now this is only the beginning for Beth and James as they share so much together. As a reader I found this book such an engaging read, with the added bonus at the end of some stunning old photos inside the home depot, Beth, Nora and Milly will grow on readers, and I know there is more to come from this author that I will certainly look forward to reading.
Beth, Milly and Nora are from totally different backgrounds but they become firm friends when they find themselves working for The Army Post office in the First World War. Beth went totally against her parents wishes but she wanted to do her bit, when her twin brother enlisted in the army she felt compelled to find war work. The book is well written historical fiction and enjoyed reading about that period in time.
What a debut! I've read alot of 'girls' books but this was very different. A really great story of self discovery, friendship, and relationships. I'm really excited for the next installment..
Omg what a brilliant book. If you love family saga, set in world war this is for you. Felt like I worked with the girls what a lovely book can't wait to see what happens next