An excellent second novel in this terrific series!

Following on from the first novel, Lady Joanna Harcourt is expecting her second influx of WAAF’s to board at Goodwill House as the female accommodation on the base isn’t yet ready for occupation. Millie and Diane are both drivers and they settle in quickly both at work and off duty. It doesn’t take long for Millie to meet Flying Officer Ted Thorrington and they hit if off right away, but with Hitler gaining ground in Europe, the pilots are flying more hours with more danger. Everyone has to pull together, but Millie is more worried than most.

I’m very fond of wartime sagas, and have been a huge fan of Fenella J Miller’s since I read my first novel of hers. From the very beginning, it was obvious this was going to be a cracking series. Always well-researched, with interesting facts among the storyline I was delighted to return to Goodwill House and find out how life was treating the original characters as well as meet all the newbies. The author does an excellent job of showing how life was changing for the women in Britain and just how fleeting life could be. Beautifully written, as always, and with a super cover, I can’t wait to read the next in series! This is a fabulous novel, and one I’m very happy to recommend and give all five stars.

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

A new genre for me, thank you #netgalley and #boldwoodbooks for allowing me to read this lovely ARC.
I am an Army Veteran so some of the experiences of the girls made me giggle. I grew up on an RAF Base in Germany so some of the Lingo is very familiar to me.
I enjoyed this book, I had moments where I laughed out loud, gasped, held my breath and cheered. I fell in love with the character Millie, her best friend Di was a touch tougher to like.
The good olde NAAFI Van gets a fair few mentions, those NAAFI breaks brought back fond memories, but also warmed my heart to the knowledge that many men and women before me and after me are enjoying NAAFI van Sarnies. Ted and Millie hit it off from the get go and their blossoming relationship captured my imagination. People forget the important part the women played. It definitely turned into a page turner for me.

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

This is a fabulous saga set around WWII. It’s the next book after The War Girls of Goodwill House.

I’ve enjoyed reading the previous book as well as this one, which picks up after from the story in the first book, following Lady Joanna and the changes in her character.

There’s two new additions to Goodwill House, Millie and Diane who bring their own stories.
It was lovely to see how people in bigger properties and their neighbours helped each other during the war.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this delightful new series, "The War Girls of Goodwill House" which had a Downton-esque feel to it, I was excited to dive into NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE and revisit the charming characters in residence there. Although we have bid farewell to a couple of much-loved ones from the first book, we meet some delightful new ones in this installment as well as meet up with the recurring characters.

It's 1940 and Goodwill House is receiving a new influx of WAAFs to be stationed at the nearby Manston RAF base and while their accommodation is being constructed, the girls will be billeted at the lovely home of Joanna Harcourt and her estranged, and newly returned, mother-in-law Elizabeth, the Dowager Lady Harcourt. Having never met her sharp-tongued mother-in-law who was much estranged from her husband, David, Joanna was not prepared for the bitter retorts or judgement on how she ran Goodwill House in Lord Harcourt's absence. The Dowager arrived towards the end of the previous book and had words with Joanna's daughter Sarah, which thus lead her to jump in her fiance's car and leave Goodwill House in the dead of night for London and train to become a doctor. As this had always been Sarah's intention, it was an expected departure but not so abruptly. I must admit, I missed Sarah and Angus in this installment. They were mentioned in passing on occasion but neither appeared at all, which was unfortunate.

The story thus picks up shortly after Sarah and Angus' departure for London as two new WAAFs, Camilla "Millie" Cunningham and Di Forsyth, are the first to arrive at Goodwill House. Both young women joined against their parents' wishes and have just completed extensive training to become drivers, ferrying airmen, officers and other WAAFs about the base or to and from wherever they needed to go. Both women are the first of the WAAF drivers to arrive and are lumbered with the heavy lorries in the Motor Pool used for transporting groups of airmen around the base. But being billeted at Goodwill House is far more comfortable than the bare essentials the RAF provide them with on base. Millie and Di will find themselves missing the creature comforts when their accommodation, in the form of Nissen huts, are completed.

Goodwill House comes alive with the women billeted there. Soon after Millie and Di's arrival come a further influx of WAAFs, two of whom prove to be a little dishonourable to the uniform they wear and the country they represent. In light of a little insubordination and impropriety, Millie is promoted to Leading Aircraft Woman where the other WAAFs are therefore under her charge. A bit of heroism from Lazzy, the Wolfhound puppy found in the derelict Victorian wing of Goodwill House, highlights his obvious hidden talents as well as the dog himself. Di had never been much of a dog person after being attacked by one as a child but Lazzy coming to her rescue one night changes her fear and gives her a newfound appreciation for the much loved pup.

Meanwhile, Joanna and her mother-in-law reach a turning point in their somewhat estranged relationship and it isn't long before they find connection and a common interest together, discovering that despite thinking they had little in common that they are actually more alike than they knew. When the Ladies Harcourt then receive some distressing news, together they unite to encounter their troubles head on and to hopefully bring an end to the hardship they are now confronted with. Will this be the end of Goodwill House as they know it?

We rejoin the twins that Joanna took in and employed for kitchen, housework and outdoor duties, as well as new and old ones who pop up from time to time. Romance is also in the air for Millie when she meets Flying Officer Ted Thorrington but is unsure whether she wants to commit to a fighter pilot knowing their life expectancy is extremely low. Will they find happiness in each other or will the war claim yet another casualty?

An engaging read, I did enjoy NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE but sadly not as much as the first one, which I loved. I think perhaps the storyline was far different to that in the first book which was more medically based and featured Joanna's daughter Sarah and her own romance with Flight Lieutenant Angus Trent from the nearby RAF Manston. This time the story centred more around the RAF base and those within whereas the first one was more predominantly with Goodwill House. I did enjoy revisiting those who live at Goodwill House, particularly the twins and the newfound relationship between Joanna and her mother-in-law. And of course, it was a delight to meet up with Lazzy again (named Lazarus having been near death when he was found and brought lovingly back to life in the first book).

NEW RECRUITS AT GOODWILL HOUSE was a relatively fun read and quite an easy one to meander through. I did find the ending a little abrupt but assume it will be picked up in the third installment - by which time readers will probably have forgotten where it in fact did leave off. That is the disadvantage of leaving the end of a book in a series up in the air. While some things were resolved, the new underlying storyline was not but rather left open to address in the next book. I would have liked some resolution at least even if it continued in Book 3. But as it stands it's a loose end that will just flit away and be forgotten by the time the next book does come round.

There are many more possibilities to come in the next book and I can't wait to read them. I do hope to see something of Sarah, and maybe Angus? But I won't be holding my breath. I will however see where the next takes us when Goodwill House opens it doors to the services once again...this time, to the expected Land Girls maybe? Whatever it is, I look forward to it. And hope to see Millie, Ted, Di and Freddie put in an appearance again as none of them seemed to have gone anywhere just yet.

An enjoyable quickish read perfect for fans of wartime sagas.

I would like to thank #FenellaJMiller, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #NewRecruitsAtGoodwillHouse in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

The next installment in the Goodwill House series. I found this a quick paced read, bringing fresh characters to the story. These books are easy to read, they hold the readers interest well. What I like about them is that even though we are reading about WWII, the most devastating period in our history, we can read these books and hear the story of the Hitler regime without having to delve into the more graphic details of the true horro. These books are perfect for those who want to learn about the war, but maybe can not stomach the more gruesome aspects. Me personally, I like the more detailed realistic stories, I like to get the real picture of what actually went on. Yes, it is sometimes hard to stomach, but we are only reading the story, these poor people had to physically endure the atrocities. I think that is what makes me able to read the more detailed accounts, thinking of those that really experienced it, I have no room to say I can't endure reading, when they endured so much more. But for those who can't or just want to learn without the horror, these Goodwill House books give a good look at the other units that were involved in the war, not just the army as we think of it, but the many other fringe groups that we do not hear of or know of, the WAACS, the women who flew the planes, the women who were in the SOE, there are so many that we don't learn about in school, so many brave people that if not for these books would be lost to history. I thank all the authors who write of these things, without you we would never know.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC of this book, I am leaving my honest review in return.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood books and Fenella J Miller for the chance to read this ARC

I had read the first book in the series and was looking out for the second (and it seems there are at least 2 more to come) - and I was not disappointed.

Although this is part of a series it would be possible to read this as a standalone novel. Having read book 1 I was more disappointed that there was little follow-up on Sarah - Lady Harcourts daughter who went to become a medical student in Book 1

The book is well researched and well written - it does not stint on the fear that the brave pilots of the RAF lived in every single day not knowing if it would be their last on Earth.
This book tells of WAAFs that are billeted at Goodwill House and eventually onto a nearby RAF base.

The book deals with the dark side of War in many facets and I won't spoil the story for other with too much detail.
As the story is set around the time of Dunkirk there is the inevitable tragedy for some and blossoming love for others

It truly is a lovely read

Thank you again to all

My thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which I freely give.

We are back at Goodwill House for the next instalment of this wonderful series. Joanna, the lady of the house with her husband away fighting in France, she still has her very annoying mother in law with her. Her daughter has left home to go to medical college.

Millie & Di the new RAF girls who are to stay at Goodwill, others are to follow. New staff come to the house to help with the running of it. This includes 2 twins from the village who did live with their Grandmother, they soon settle in and Joanna gets very attached to them.
I will not say more as I do not want to spoil the book. It is a great read and have no hesitation in giving it 5* and fully recommend it

This is book 2 in the series. And it was an ok book. I liked to see the development in the Main characters. I liked that it was fast paced. I liked that it was about seize the day. But it was not the extra umph i needed and expected. But i am still looking forward to the next book in the series. .. thank you to netgalley for this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

New Recruits at Goodwill House is an action-packed historical saga novel.

The story centres around young WAAF driver Millie during World War Two. On her first posting as a WAAF, Millie finds herself posted to Manston airfield in Kent and billeted at the imposing Goodwill House. Despite her inexperience, Millie soon finds herself in the thick of the action and is forced to put all her skills to the test. From the excitement on the base to the family drama back at Goodwill House, there's certainly never a dull moment for Millie!

The setting of the airfield and wartime Kent is beautifully written. It's evocative and descriptive, helping you picture everything from the boats in the channel to the spartan living quarters on the base. It's all too easy to think of this as a work of fiction, but the reality is that so many brave men and women lived just like this. In particular, the attitude and outlook of Ted and the other airmen is poignant. They live each day as if it were their last, yet the tragic truth is that young men just like Ted and his friends would have lost their lives every day during the war years.

Engaging and well-written, New Recruits at Goodwill House is an enjoyable read.

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this enjoyable book

the 2nd book in this lovely series and we find new waaf being installed into goodwill house

as joanne gets to know her mother in law elizabeth the new recruits millie and di are finding there feet with their new roles, but first they have to find a way over the the fence as there is nobody to let them through the new gate, which causes some very red faces when they are discovered climbing over the fence with their bloomers showing...

a fun read and it was lovely to catch up with the characters in this book, love where this storyline is heading

cant wait for the next one in this series

Thoroughly enjoyable, was finished before I knew it as I couldn’t put it down.
We revisit Goodwill house where Lady Harcourt is enjoying a new life full of freedoms she never thought possible. This is due to Lord Harcourt being away fighting in the war. She also has her mother-in-law staying with her which is taking some adjusting to.
They are just getting prepared to welcomes new lot of WAAF’s into the house. 1st to arrive are Camilla and Diana aka Millie & Di who are both from better off backgrounds. Millie is caught by Ted one of the RAF while trying to climb the gate into the base where they will be based, Ted is keen on Millie but she is not sure, will this develop!
When some of the other girls arrive on base there are some strange developments, not all good.

Another Fabulous book from the pen of Fenella J Miller with terrific characters and story that go so well together and they draw you in and make you feel as though your alongside them all. Brilliant 5*

Millie and Di defy their aristocratic families to join the WAAF as drivers. They’re based at Manston near the Dover coast, where the German invasion is likely to come. Their adventures and misadventures provide humor and angst.
The British vocabulary is sometimes confounding to an American. The pace is slow at times. A bit of strong language from the airmen. The ending is abrupt. But an interesting look at a British airfield during World War II.

Thank you Fenella J. Miller for teaching me things that American history books never mentioned. Thank you for not glossing over the past. Thank you for bringing understanding to the struggles of those that stood up for freedom. The author has a talent for telling history through the characters of Goodwill House that made me want to know more.

Joanna Harcourt, owner of Goodwill House, has had WAAFs living in her home while they waited for their hut to be constructed. The author uses this situation to bring in different personalities, jobs, backgrounds and how the characters dealt with everything. I learned of the struggles of rationing, the creativity used to survive, the crossing social economic classes.

The WAAFs interact with servicemen and pilots bringing friendship, romance and loss to the story. I enjoyed following Millie's story. She comes to Goodwill House as a driver for the Motor Pool. She is someone that others look up to and respect. The openness within the group gives great insight into WW2 England near an airbase. She falls for a pilot that brings sweet, swoony moments to the story.

I confess I became very invested in the characters. I enjoyed reading of their successes. I was thrilled to gain more understanding into what my family went through. I can't wait for the next book so I can experience more of the lives of those during WW2.

New Recruits At Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller is a marvellous historical novel and the second book in the Goodwill House series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I, however, loved meeting up with familiar faces.
The action is set during 1940 and covers familiar events such as the evacuation of Dunkirk. The reader witnesses the willingness of all to drop whatever they are doing and welcome the returning men with food, drink, blankets and a warm smile.
World War II gives women the opportunity to show just what they are capable of. Traditional roles are abandoned as women step up into the previously occupied men’s shoes. The women are resilient, proving they are more than just trinkets.
Goodwill House comes alive as young women are billeted there. A previously lifeless house is rejuvenated, along with the occupants.
War gives people the opportunity to step up and behave honourably. Unfortunately given free choice, sometimes some choose a dishonourable path. There will always be consequences to poor choices.
An estranged relationship finds connection and new life. Previously thought to have little in common, it is surprising how similar they are.
New Recruits At Goodwill House is a very engaging read. Fenella J Miller writes with warmth and humour, showing that even in the darkest of times, a sense of humour can spread light in the dark. I laughed out loud at the beginning with the new recruits ingenious way to scale a wall!
This was a smashing read. I am looking forward to the subsequent books in the series.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

loved catching up with all the old characters from the previous book and meeting the new people who were sent to goodwill house, as ever wonderfully written and a lovely storyline, really hope there is more from goodwill house

New Recruits at Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller us a great WWII-era historical fiction saga that is the followup to The War Girls of Goodwill House. I really enjoyed this.

I really liked the author’s previous book, and this one starts off after the previous one. We continue to have the overarching theme and storyline of Goodwill House and Lady Joanna and her progression as a character and woman of the house.

Millie and Diane are new characters and new recruits that add a nice new storyline to the series.

As always, I enjoyed the historical elements, the portrayals of how the larger homes and estates survived, contributed, and changed during the war. It was interesting to see more of the “nuts and bolts” of how life shifted during the 1940s.

Thank you NG and Boldwood Books for this wonderful 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 it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/7/22.

The second book in the series follows the lives of the new recruits Millie and Di, and Joanna lady Harcourt. Things are very different at Goodwill House with the arrival of Joanna’s difficult mother in law Elizabeth, both having to adjust living together. Millie and Di arrive at the airbase as drivers to the RAF airmen and encounter quite a few problems and scandals. A really enjoyable read, I would’ve liked to known about Sarah and Angus and how their lives were after moving away, but hopefully that’s to come in the next book.

The second book in the series and fantastic. Full of action, romance and friendships, great characters and a easy read. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

The second book in the Goodwill House series, this sees new WAAF recruits being posted to the local airbase, and billeted at Goodwill House. The recruits are drawn from very differing backgrounds, which quickly become evident and cause difficulties between the WAAFs and the RAF. With scandal, true love and the dangers of wartime, this was an engaging and enjoyable read