I adored Julie Owen Moylan's previous book so eagerly requested this one however I just have never found the motivation to pick it up. I just no longer think it's for me anymore.

I'm so sorry!

73 Dove Street is a heartbreaking novel set in London in the 1950’s. It follows the lives of three women who live in the same house and are all battling their own demons. It covers sensitive topics including domestic violence, war, loss and infidelity and illustrates the resilience these woman show against traumatic circumstances. Thankfully, women’s’ rights and how women are viewed by society have moved on since 1950’s but this novel highlights how difficult life could be at that time.

73 Dove Street is set in the charming neighborhood of Dove Street, I could easily picture it. Moylan weaves a tale of interconnected lives, where friendships are tested, secrets are revealed, and unexpected bonds are explored. Moylan explores themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of human connection. This is a very impressive debut novel.

Set in the 1950’s this is the story of 3 women who all live at 73 Dove Street and how their lives all intertwine. I requested it as it had been recommended to me, and if I’m honest I wasn’t sure if I would like it as it’s not my usual go to novel, however it really kept me gripped and I read it in 2 days! Definitely recommend to anyone who’s considering reading it.

The intertwining stories of Edie, Tommie and Phyllis are compelling and emotional. There is a mystery and an insight into the dark underbelly of 1950s Soho. A great read exploring the resourcefulness and resilience of post war women.

This book really surprised me, I didn't expect I would be so engrossed by this story, wanting to know more and not being able to put the book down.

I loved how the characters had such distinctive voices, their personality really jumped up from the pages. Edie was a great main characters, and I grew really fond of her, ending up cheering for her all the way to the end. Her struggles were depicted so vividly, in a raw way that made me feel all the pain she was going through; probably for this reason, her redemption in finding her lost freedom from a violent man felt doubly sweet.

I highly recommend this book (and also the author first novel, That green eyed girl)!

Thank you Netgalley and Michel Joseph for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the author's debut so was thrilled to get the opportunity to read 73 Dove Street. It's set in West London in 1958 and is the story of 3 working class women- Edie, Tommie and their landlady Phyllis, and how their lives become intertwined. I absolutely loved the setting in 1950s London and once again the author skilfully transports the reader to a different time and place. I found it so evocative and felt that I was there with the women. The characterisation of the three working class women is superb and I felt empathy for all of them and their circumstances. The novel did take a while to get going for me but once I'd read a few chapters it was an immersive and atmospheric read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Three women struggling with life and relationships live at the same address at 73 Dove Street. Set in London in the 1950s, the novel gives real insight into their respective situations in an involving and sensitive way.

The story of these three women and how their lives intertwined was an evocative, gripping read. The writing is very evocative and I kept turning the pages because I couldn't put it down - the characterisation is brilliant, you couldn't help but feel for the characters. More please!

Julie Owen Moylan has produced another compelling story focused on the plight of ordinary working class women and the struggles they faced - this time, a shabby 1950s boarding house in London. As with Julie's previous book, these characters felt utterly real to me - all fragile in their own way and yet finding their strength during the course of the novel. Julie works hard to create reader empathy for her characters. I'll look out for more books by this author!

The book is told in 2 time lines, October 1958 and then in Edie’s case, also to flashbacks from 5 years ago as she meets her husband and forward through their relationship. You know something serious has happened which is why she’s ended up in the attic room at 73 Dove Street – but this story slowly unfolds through the flashbacks getting closer to the ‘present day’.

On the floor below Edie in the eponymous address of the book is Tommie. She’s far more worldly-wise than Edie and is a home help by day, and Soho frequenter by night.

The ground floor is taken by Phyllis – who is also the landlady. It’s clear she’s just kicked her husband out as the book starts, and is going through her own personal issues.

Initially the stories are quite separate – but then Tommie invites Edie on a night out in Soho and things change and they become more intertwined.

I thought the author described the settings and the women themselves really well – it was very easy to imagine their locations, appearances and even their temperaments. Each of them is going through their own personal issues.

I really enjoyed my time at 73 Dove Street and seeing the stories unfold. I also really liked the ending – even if it wasn’t quite what I imagined.

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for my ARC – I’m behind the times as it came out in July 2023 – so you can purchase it immediately if you like the sound of it.

Set during the 1950s, '73 Dove Street' is a story of survival. The novel centres around Edie, who finds herself in a slightly down at heel boarding house run by Phylis. Edie is running away from a terrible domestic situation and meets Tommie. The two women form an uneasy friendship. All three women have faced betrayal by men, and as the story raced towards its conclusion, I couldn't put it down. It would be a great book group read, as there are lots of themes, and great characters.

The story of three women, secres, griefs, betrayal in a vivid London at the end of WWII
We are not talking about high class, we're talking about working class and how they met how they were affected by the attitude towards the woman.
A well plotted and poignant story, excellent storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Three women trying to rebuild their lives after WW2 are brought together when two of them rent a room from the other. All are different in many ways but all have been betrayed by the one they love. Their stories and personal lives are slowly revealed, showing how hard life was in 1950s London. In particular for those who didn’t take part in the war, so were assumed not to have suffered.
Edie and Tommie are the young lodgers and straightaway you know that Edie is running away from something. Her story is revealed in flashbacks, from when she first met her husband, Frank, and how soon he became a threat to her. Controlling, cruel and abusive in so many ways.
Tommie appears much more resilient but craves an unhealthy relationship, refusing to accept that she is being used. Her childhood was a tragic one, which is revealed through her memories of the bombings and how her terror led to a devastation which still haunts her.
Phyllis is different to both of them. She comes across as formidable, her first appearance shows her burning her cheating husband’s clothes, but as you get to know her more you see the impact that war has had on her family. Heartbreaking to read, and her tale would have been a common one.
This was a fascinating tale of London life, young adults free to party but many struggling behind the scenes. The impact of the war still visible but young people wanting to party.
The ending was a little different to what I expected but I had a lot of appreciation for it. I have thought of a number of different scenarios, but mainly one that involves seeing some of these characters again.
Every now and again I appreciate a break from crime fiction. This book, from an author previously unknown to me was the perfect choice.

73 Dove Street is set in the 1950’s, and begins with Edie Budd arriving at a boarding house with nothing but a suitcase. It’s clear that something has happened to her - she’s constantly alert and frightened. Edie’s story is told in a series of flashbacks starting five years before.

Two other women live at number 73: landlady Phyllis, and fellow resident Tommie. When Edie arrives, Phyllis has just finished burning the mattress of a former resident who she’d caught with her husband, along with her husbands remaining belongings.

Tommie is best described as a whirlwind. She works for a Mrs Vee, and she enjoys her nights out. But as with Edie and Phyllis, there’s a lot going on in Tommie’s life.

This is a slow burn, a character driven novel, and has exactly what I enjoy most in a book. I love learning about characters lives, especially lives that are so different from my own. The 1950’s were a time of great change (again!): men back from war, women having to adjust back to traditional roles. These things were incorporated into the stories of Edie, Tommie and Phyllis. The women are drawn together by their secrets, lies and fears, and all three end up making life-changing decisions.

The feel of this book was perfect. I was taken back to the 1950’s with its pea-souper fogs, bars with dancing and super slim skirts (or even the full ones with petticoats!).

73 Dove Street is a very emotional book at times - you’ll need your hanky - and funny too. Overall, a really great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I loved this book, three really captivating women living in under the same roof in 1950's London. Three different lives which overlap and such an immersive book, you can really picture the sights and sounds of the streets, the cafes, clubs and factories which these women inhabit. A real snapshot of what life was like for women at the time, their status, rights and also the options and choices, or lack thereof. Brilliantly written, I highly recommend and will be looking for more work by this author.

I loved Julie Owen Moylan's debut novel That Green Eyed Girl so was looking forward to reading 73 Dove Street. 1950's London is described so atmosperherically you feel you are there, however I found the story hard to get in to. The three main characters Edie, Tommie and Phyllis are brought together at 73 Dove Street at a time in their lives when they have all been let down and hurt by me. I struggled to warm to any of the ladies until the last few chapters and that is when the story came to life for me.

If you struggle like me I would say stick with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read 73 Dove Street.

I must say that I was thoroughly captivated by this book. It was able to elicit a wide array of emotions within me, ranging from anger and frustration at the blatant disregard for women's rights during a time when gender equality was not yet a reality, to feeling deeply moved by the heart-wrenching accounts of loss and depression. But what truly stood out to me was the remarkable strength and resilience of the female characters portrayed in the book. Their unwavering determination and sheer grit were truly inspiring, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. All in all, I simply adored both the characters and the storyline, and would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a powerful and thought-provoking read.

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours.
It's that good. I read it in my happy place - at the beach and by the pool so even easier to be swept away by such a captivating story.

Julie Owen Moylan has done it again, she is fast becoming an absolute favorite author of mine with her ability to write strong female characters, to dig deep into their pain, their suffering and their joys and to not shy away from writing about difficult situations life throws at them.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25

This quote is one I hold dearly in my life it's a biblical quote and it holds true with the three characters that Julie has written too.

If you enjoy TV series such as Call the Midwife I think you'd really enjoy this book for it's set of 1950's London, post war effects are in full force and Julie is exploring the lives of three women and what it truly would have been like for them at that time.

I will advocate for this book always. I also highly recommend That Green Eyed Girl her debut.

Thanks to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for ARC.

Late 1950s, in the shabbier parts of a London still not recovered from the terror and privations of war and its aftermath. Edie arrives at the boarding house at 73 Dove Street hoping for respite from the sense of looking always over her shoulder, and a chance to breathe, decide what's next for her. Her landlady Phyllis and the only other boarder Tommie have secrets and heartaches of their own. Their stories, parallel and intertwining, give the book its backbone and its heart.
This novel has a fantastic sense of time and place, and is brilliant at rendering the ways in which life was very different. Characters are sympathetically realised, even when some of the choices may seem odd. Owen Moylan is great at putting the reader in the scene, with the sights, sounds, smells, textures and emotions all very plausible. There are some truly gruelling scenes of violence and medical detail, but it's all appropriately rendered.
The ending is pretty powerful too, with no real sense of 'happy ever after' and ongoing questions about these women's lives.
Many readers will be familiar with Owen Moylan's debut That Green Eyed Girl, and this is every bit as successful in creating a world people will get lost in.