I have previously read all the books in the series. I love the atmosphere in this book. The authors writing made the story come to life on the page, and I could picture what was happening. Another great book by this author.

I had a few download issues with the book and by the time it was sorted, the file had unfortunately been achieved. Happy to re-review if it becomes available again.

Oh what an absolute pleasure to read this book is! I found myself being absorbed straight back into the wonderful characters’ world again.

I just adore this series and was so delighted to read this, the fifth book in the series. We are back with Cathy this time, who is still living with her nasty mother-in-law. We meet Archie, who works in the bomb disposal squad. I really liked him, he’s so caring and so brave, and it’s obvious that he and Cathy would be perfect for each other. But of course, Cathy is still married to Stanley, who has treated her so badly.

There is so much in terms of the history in this novel, the fascinating area of bomb disposal shows us another type of war hero, and at the other end of the spectrum, we have men like Stanley, who are nazi sympathisers.

I was totally captivated by this gorgeous book, it’s a very authentic and totally absorbing read. I think that this series could run and run, and I hope there are many more titles to come, the books are so rich and compelling.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical fiction, it’s got such a fascinating plot and such real characters.

I have just realised that I read this book back in the spring and have not yet sent in a review. Sorry!
This was such a great story. As others have mentioned, the descriptions and characterisations take you right to the place, time and people of the 1940s. I almost imagine that Cathy and Violet are people who I have actually met and know! This is such a skill. Really this series of books would make a fantastic TV drama and a script writter and director would find it so easy as everything is there already to bring this heartwarming story to life.

Wow, what a storyteller. The book is brought to life with the vivid descriptions, especially the Bethnal Green part. I enjoyed the story from the off when the poisonous Violet opened her mouth. Cathy is such a loving caring person who has had a brutal time since marrying Stan. With him away to war and only little Peter to look after Cathy joins the WVS which opens up a whole new life for her.
The ever loving Ida and Jeremiah , Cathy’s parents are still there in the background keeping a watchful eye on her.
Will Cathy find peace and happiness.

Another poignant, heartwarming and engrossing book in this series.
Relatable and well written characters, a vivid and well researched historical background, a plot that flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have not read any other books in this series and didn't feel detracted from the story.

I love books depicting this era and this is did not disappoint. The story is about finding love in the most unexpected places and not allowing other's anger and prejudices to stand in your way.

Whilst this tale is fictional, it is very true of the time. The Brogan family was a real treat to read about and I will look for more books in this series

A very enjoyable read

Jean Fullerton’s series about the Brogan family in wartime have firmly established her as the Queen of the East End saga and she is back with a heart-wrenching new novel that will raise a smile and have readers wiping away a tear or two: A Ration Book Daughter.

When Cathy had married Stanley, she had thought that all of her hopes and dreams for a rosy future had come true. Unfortunately for Cathy, reality proved to be far removed from all of her fantasies as she soon discovered when Stanley had shown his true colours. Violent. autocratic and tyrannical, Stanley took great pleasure in making Cathy’s life a complete and utter misery. Heavily involved with the fascist movement, her husband grew more monstrous with each passing day. When he is conscripted to fight, Cathy is relieved. She will at last be free – albeit temporarily – of her jailor and tormentor and be able to bring up her beloved son Peter without her husband’s callousness and violence.

When a telegram arrives informing her that Stanley is missing in action, Cathy wonders whether she is finally free of the husband who had made her life and complete and utter hell. Although her future is still uncertain as Stanley had not been declared dead, for the first time in her marriage Cathy has hope for herself and her son. With her son’s safety and well-being paramount, Cathy advertises for a lodger, little realising that her life is about to change all over again – only this time, for the better.

The dashing Sergeant Archie McIntosh of the Royal Engineers’ Bomb Disposal Unit is worlds apart from her cruel husband, Stanley. He is kind, caring, intelligent and somebody who makes Cathy feel a joy and a contentment which she hasn’t felt in a very long while. The attraction between the two of them is instant and irresistible, but with the war still raging and her husband’s whereabouts uncertain, will Cathy manage to finally have the life she has always craved? Is happiness in her future? Or will she end up heartbroken and devastated all over again?

Jean Fullerton never fails to capture the East End spirit in her fantastic sagas and in A Ration Book Daughter, she has once again paid tribute to the good-humoured, courageous and big-hearted folk of London and written an emotional, compelling and entertaining tale of second chances, healing from old wounds and the power of love that will keep readers spellbound and gleefully turning the pages.

Cathy is a wonderful heroine who goes through a very tough time, but her steadfast loyalty to her son and her love for her family will bring a tear to readers’ eyes and have them keeping their fingers crossed for her to finally get her much-deserved happy ending.

A highly satisfying wartime saga full of humour, pathos and atmosphere, Jean Fullerton’s A Ration Book Daughter is another spellbinding tale from this much-loved storyteller.

I enjoy reading historical fiction and was excited to read this book. However, I hadn’t realised that this book is part of a series. Whilst I enjoyed reading this book and it can be read as a stand-alone, I think it would be better to read the series so you can get to know more about the characters. That said, it was a nice read.

Goodreads
This book is part of a series that takes place in the East End of London during World War II. I read this book as a standalone which can be easily done but it is obvious that there were characters in the family whose backstories were explained elsewhere. The text gives you the information that you need to have to read this book alone though.

Cathy was thrilled when her abusive husband went into the Army. She’s left at home with her young son Peter and her mother-in-law. The mother-in-law is just horrible to Cathy for no really good reason other than no one would ever be good enough for her precious son. She also tells everyone that Cathy is rude and nasty to her when that isn’t actually true.

When Cathy’s husband is declared MIA she knows that if he isn’t found in six months she’ll be considered a widow and be free of him. His mother is devastated. This sets up the conflict in the house. I like that Cathy stands up to her mother-in-law in private. She isn’t a doormat.

Archie is a man of Caribbean descent who is part of the bomb squad assigned to London. They defuse bombs that fell on the city but didn’t explode. I had never really considered that there needed to be people for this job. He’s dealing with the racism of the area and an incompetent superior on top of the stress of defusing bombs.

Archie and Cathy are cute. They meet up a few times accidentally before they start seeking each other out. Both of them decide that they want to make a life together regardless of the obstacles and consequences.

This book gives you a good look at the lives of people who are under constant attack from the German bombers. They schedule their time around when they need to get to the bomb shelters. They are trying to make the best lives they can in spite of rationing and never knowing if they are going to lose their house or lives each night. I can’t imagine trying to live through that anxiety.

The characters are fantastic and the author really grips you and takes you into the thick of it. It's honestly an incredible read and an excellent series. I have loved every part of it and look forward to seeing what else Jean Fullerton has to offer.

This wasn't my usual style of book, but I loved the synopsis so I thought I would give it a go and I wasn't disappointed.

I thought it was so well written, I applaud Jean who has put a lot of knowledge and research into this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely lookout for more Jean Fullerton ration book stories in the future. I definitely recommend this book.

We are now onto the fifth book of this series and Fullerton continues to write cracking stories that feel different each time yet, with the comfortable return of well-loved characters. I am pleased I have managed to read the series in its entirety so far and look forward to how Fullerton will conclude it in the final, sixth book.

Returning to Cathy, readers follow how this sister lives a pretty miserable life with her witch of a mother-in-law, Violet. Cathy can do nothing right, despite absent husband, Stan, being a complete pig. Violet worships the ground he walks on and portrays him as a war hero to any of her friends who will listen, despite seeing a far more sinister side to him that is shown in the previous book. I liked watching Violet because she is so despicable in her behaviour and it felt good that Fullerton uses such an evil character in the novel – like the wicked characters you see in a pantomime.

This time, the focus of the story moves to the bomb disposal teams working in London. I liked this feature of the story because it made it seem more real and vivid. Rather than focusing on the Brogan family, I think Archie’s character gives more of an insight into what it was like to live in London during the Second World War. The threat feels more tangible and disposing of unexploded bombs was not something I had considered as prevalent as this book displays.

Enter Archie, a Sergeant working on the bomb disposal squad. Although a man of considerable authority, this does not prevent the judgemental comments because of the colour of his skin. He also has a tragic past and when Cathy and Archie’s paths cross, it is clear that their attraction is strong. However, with Cathy still married to evil Stanley (even though he is missing in action), it makes you wonder whether the two will remain acquaintances or risk taking their relationship a step further.

Therefore, not only do we witness the heroes working tirelessly to ensure the unexploded bombs do not cause further damage, Fullerton also explores the issue of race and inequality at this time. Some of the scenes were pretty shocking which only shows how far social opinion has evolved today. I felt sorry for Archie but commended his strength of character. This appeared to be reflected in Cathy’s change over the course of the novel. I thought that she also grew in stamina – using her experiences with Stanley and her relationship with Archie to fuel her confidence. I really applauded her standing up to several characters and admired her strength to do what she thought best, regardless of other people’s judgements.

Another great read from Fullerton. I think I will be sad when the series concludes but feel it will finish at the right point. I cannot see how there are too many more stories that can come into this series without it starting to be repetitive. Furthermore, I do think this is a book to appreciate once you have read all of its predecessors, to really get an understanding of the connections between characters.

Well-written and a lovely exploration of strength during such challenging times, I have high hopes for the final book!

With thanks to Atlantic Publishing, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As usual, there is a mix of sadness and joy in this exciting instalment that continues the series. We already met Stanley in a previous book and much like his wife, the reader probably hoped we'd seen the last of him ( and his evil mother.)

Sadly, Cathy is unable to move on with her life when she receives the telegram to say he's missing and we are all rooting for her that he doesn't turn up and destroy her chance of happiness with Archie.

A really enjoyable page-turner that will keep you on your toes as you live the lives of the characters. I also enjoyed how we got reminders of some of the other characters that we've seen before. It was just like hearing about old friends.

5☆ A Poignant, Authentic and Highly Compelling War Time Saga, I couldn't put down!

A Ration Book Daughter is the fifth Book in this wonderful series. It can be read as a standalone but I think preferably for your enjoyment read them all as each story is special.

If you don't already know I'm a sucker for a War Time Saga especially set in the East End and WWII, There's just something magical about it.

This time round we have the story of Cathy. A Wife to Stanley, a vile brut of a husband and a Mother to her Son Peter.
The only relief she gets, is when she finds out Stanley is AWOL missing at war.
Normally it would be every wife's worst nightmare, but for Cathy it's potentially freedom.

But can Cathy move on and find the happiness she so desperately deserves, or will Stanley or his family make her life difficult!
Will the charmingly handsome Archie McIntosh sweap her off her feet, and show her what love and joy is supposed to be? I guess you will just have to grab a copy to find out more!

A Ration Book Daughter is a Heartfelt, Very Compelling, Poignant and Authentic Story, about a young Women starting over after living in fear, growing in strength and courage, finding happiness and a potential romance, all whilst dealing with the trials and tribulations of War Time.
The Characters are superbly written, the ambiance and atmosphere Fullerton creates is special and her books just get better and better. As soon as I see another instalment in this gorgeous series my heart jumps for joy!

Another fabulous tale in this excellent saga of domestic life in WWII.

Cathy's days as a blushing bride have long gone and she must now survive sharing a house with her nasty mother-in-law while her husband is off fighting. When he is reported a missing in action, she sees a chink of light at the end of the tunnel knowing that in six months time she could be a free woman. Cathy dotes on her son, Peter, and looking after him while doing her bit for the war and heading to the shelter each evening she finds herself unable to meet the rising cost of food and rent, so takes the decision to advertise for a lodger. Enter Sergeant Archie McIntosh of the Royal Engineers' Bomb Disposal Unit, a very handsome Scot. The attraction between him and Cathy is instant, but with Stan still just missing, can she risk doing anything about it?

This fifth book in the Ration Book series sees us back with the trials and tribulations of the Brogan family as they each do their best to survive in wartime Britain. The bombs continue to fall and Londoners continue to do their best to survive each day, providing for their families and doing their bit to help the war effort. I feel as if I know this family well by now and it's a pleasure to catch up with each of their lives but the main focus of this book is Cathy. She has an indomitable spirit and is a loving mother and daughter just doing her best, but doing it very much on her own and dreading the return of her violent husband. Hardly surprising that there is a frisson of attraction when she meets a decent man. As always, this is an exciting, beautifully written and well researched story which makes me feel nothing but admiration for those who lived through WWII. The author has created a wonderful series; each book is a complete stand-alone read but also connects to the previous novels as well as those to come. The humour shines through the dark days making this a truly enjoyable read, one I'm happy to give 4.5*.

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

Trapped in a violent marriage, when a letter arrives stating that Cathy’s husband is missing in action, she dares yo hope. She must wait for six months before being legally declared a widow. Meanwhile, to earn some money, she rents a room in her house. In comes the dashing, handsome, and dark-skinned Seargant Archie McIntosh. Sparks fly between them. But will they have a happy ending?

I loved the characters in A Ration Book Daughter by Jean Fullerton. However, Cathy was my favorite. She was an incredibly strong woman. She did not let her abusive mother-in-law or husband deflate her spirits. She adored her son and lived for him.

I also loved Cathy’s family. They were very supportive of her and everyone doted on her. I also liked the brewing romance between Archie and Cathy. The snide remarks passed by some holier-than-thou women did add to the drama but it riled me up. So, be aware of these trigger warnings.

The book provides the perspectives of both Cathy and Archie which let me know about their feelings for each other.

One thing I did not like is the lengthy descriptions of daily events. It unnecessarily dragged the story. However, there was enough suspense in the story to spur me on till the last page.

Recommended for lovers of romance, women’s fiction, and WWII historical fiction.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me a digital copy via Netgalley.

I've enjoyed all the previous books in this series that I've read having first been introduced to it by winning a copy of A Ration Book Christmas in a Readers First giveaway.

One of my favourite characters remains Queenie, Cathy's grandmother and matriarch of the Brogan clan, who has a particularly interesting way of marking Sunday worship and family celebrations. Fiercely protective of her family, you definitely do not want to get on the wrong side of Queenie. This is amply demonstrated in the book when the recipient of Queenie's ire results in someone returning home 'with a face like a gargoyle with a wasp stuck up it'. However, she does have a softer side, demonstrated by her tender care for ailing priest Father Mahon.    

The introduction of new characters such as Glaswegian widower Sergeant Archie McIntosh and vicar's wife Mrs Paget allows the author to explore prejudice in its various forms. I also liked the way Archie's artistic talent challenges the expected stereotype and, in fact, comes to play an important role in the plot. Providing the characters we love to hate this time are Violet Wheeler, Cathy's horrendous mother-in-law, who refers to 'that nice Mr Mosley' and will hear no wrong when it comes to her vile son Stanley, and Archie's commanding officer, Lieutenant Monkman, who was definitely away the day they conducted discrimination awareness training.

Archie's role in the Royal Engineers' Bomb Disposal Squad provides a timely reminder of the courage of those who quite literally took their life in their hands every time they were called out. And while we're talking about Archie, can you blame Cathy for her reaction when she first gets a glimpse the 'corded muscles of his back, shoulders and arms' as he washes at the kitchen sink? Of course not.   Cathy's role in the Women's Voluntary Service and her sister Jo's work in a munitions factory also reveal what a vital role women played in the war effort. 

The atmosphere of wartime London simply oozes from the page whether that's the spread at a christening party - sardine and spam sandwiches or eggless fruit cake anyone? - or the menu at the Brogans' favourite East End pie and mash shop - stewed and jellied eels or individual beef pies served upturned, all accompanied by a pile of mashed potato and smothered in parsley sauce.  And it being 1942 there's the sound of the almost nightly air raids on London with the 'ear-splitting clamour of falling bombs...joined by the whistles of the ARP wardens, police claxons and fire engine bells'.

As with previous books in the series, A Ration Book Daughter contains a wealth of fascinating information. For example, that the distinctive taste of the sauce just mentioned can be attributed to the water having been used beforehand to stew the eels. Or that responsibility for dealing with unexploded bombs was split between the Royal Engineers and the Royal Navy depending on the type of bomb involved. Or that there is such a thing as a camouflet when a bomb explodes underground creating a pocket of deadly carbon monoxide. The author also takes the opportunity to introduce real events into the story resulting in one particularly memorable and dramatic scene, the true scale of which was kept under wraps for fear of its effect on morale. 

It was a joy to catch up with the seemingly ever expanding Brogan clan. As is said more than once in the book, 'If it wasn't for the Brogans, people would have nothing to talk about'. It was also wonderful to be introduced to new characters like Archie.

In A Ration Book Daughter, Jean Fullerton skilfully combines a convincing picture of daily life on the 'Home Front' with an engaging love story that for me stayed just the right side of sentimentality. In fact, I'll admit to being a little tearful towards the end of the book. For fans of historical sagas set in World War 2 this is a series I can't recommend highly enough. Although I was delighted to learn there is another book on its way soon, I was sad to learn it will be the final one in the Ration Book series. I'd better keep my spirits up by putting the kettle on for another brew.

I have been a fan of Jean’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I have a particular fondness for Jean’s ‘Ration Book’ series. ‘A Ration Book Daughter’ is the fifth book in the series and it is another corker of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that I loved the character of Cathy and I warmed to her from the start. In fact it didn’t take long for me to consider her a friend and I felt all protective of her. The lady needs a medal for putting up with what she has to put up with, especially considering that her husband is a domestic violence perpetrator and her mother-in-law is just a poisonous, bitter and twisted old woman. There is a glimmer of happiness on the horizon in two respects- one her violent thug of her husband is missing in action and two she finds a friend in the form of Archie, who works for the bomb disposal squad. I don’t really want to go too far down the road of telling you what happens as I would hate to spoil the book for anybody. What happens? Well you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
Anybody who knows me well, knows that not only am I a book geek, but I am also a history nerd, who likes historical fiction with a particular focus on the First & Second World Wars. So you can probably understand why the synopsis of ‘A Ration Book Daughter’ appealed to me so much. As soon as I started reading, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to put the book down for any length of time. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the story. The pages turned over at speed as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘A Ration Book Daughter’ and I had to say goodbye to Cathy and the rest of the characters. I found ‘A Ration Book Daughter’ to be a gripping read, which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘A Ration Book Daughter’ is superbly written but then I think that to be true of all of Jean’s books that I have had the pleasure of reading and reviewing. I love the way in which she grabs your attention with an eye catching synopsis and she draws you into one hell of a story. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly gentle pace throughout. I love the way in which Jean makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the centre of the action so to speak. I was so convinced by her realistic and vivid storytelling that I kept wanting to jump inside the pages of the book to give certain characters a slap across the face with a wet fish. That’s how I felt at any rate.
In short, I simply adored reading ‘A Ration Book Daughter’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jean’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

I have read one other book in this series and so recognise some familiar charterers. This book is a heartwarming story of finding love in an unexpected place and overcoming adversity.

Once again we travel through East End London during the blitz and see the struggles and joys. It is a well researched story and has an air of authenticity whilst still telling a fictional tale. This time we find out more about UXBs and the men who spent their war making them safe and removing them and you can not help but admire the courage of these teams.

Life is always full of us and downs and it seems the Brogan family have plenty of both. A great read.