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I loved this new series. A perfect read for curling up on a sofa. I loved reading about Ruby and the way she just worked hard and didn't complain. Can't wait for the next one in this series. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a fantastic start to a new series and after reading this I can't wait for the next book. From working in a munitions factory to running an animal care system during the war was not an easy move to make but if you are so keen on animals what would you do in these times if it were possible. Worth every one of the 5 star and I recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley, author and publisher for this ARC

#Netgalley
#WartimeonSanctuaryLane

Its 1905 and Ruby and her brother Harry are playing hide and seek when they are horrified to see a man throwing what they think are babies, as they can hear a crying noise, into the River Thames, Ruby goes to investigate and finds they are in fact kittens, on returning home and having to explain to her father why her clothes are all wet and muddy. Then her father punished her for spoiling her clothes, but to Ruby that made her even more determined than ever to do what she can do to to make a difference and stop cruelty to all animals.
Jumping forward to March 1916 and Britain is at war and Ruby is twenty one and working as a servant girl, but after being constantly taken advantage of she decides enough is enough and returns home to her mum's in the East End of London. She goes for a job in the munitions factory, but still she finds the animals are more in her thoughts than what she is actually supposed to be doing in the munitions factory and would really like to do work for an animal charity or veterinary service. Only with the help and finances of her friend does this eventually come true and the Silvertown Animal Hospital eventually gets off the ground, but there is still so much to be done, and medicines, bandages and equipment to be bought. Will she be able to cope with this venture alongside her war work in the munitions factory? As you read this story you realise that everyone has a purpose in life albeit not what they first thought it might be and Ruby has a lot of courage to pursue her hopes and dreams.

Animal lovers will love this story, a WW1 saga set in Londons East End, full of camaraderie and hope for all the animals who have no one to care for them.

I love books which deal in this era and how people coped......or not! This book was written about an area which I have never read before but know it happened.
Ruby was so moved by the plight of hurt, sick and lost animals during WW2 that she was determined to start a rescue and clinic in one of the poorest areas in London. She battled through many hurdles and with friends, family and others.
Loved this book and the way the author told the story.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

What a magnificent book to start a series I certainly could not put the book down.

Ruby leaves her work as a maid and comes back home. She starts work at the munitions factory. This is where she meets Leah who is one of the managers there and struck a friendship over the stray cats. Ruby decides to set up an animal hospital for the people who don’t have a lot of money. Ruby meets Jack and start courting.

This book was very interesting reading about the factory and all the hardships of the War. I liked the characters there were strong ones.

The way it ended you certainly could tell there was another book.

I would certainly recommend this book.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I have mixed feelings about this book - it was obviously well researched and well written - but somehow failed to hit the mark for me.
I could see the need for the help needed by the animals and realised that Leah used her connections to help Ruby but in someways it seemed to stretch credibility for me.

There were characters to despise - Sir Emrys - and his son - though he did redeem himself in the end.
And characters to love - but at times I wanted to knock Ruby and Jack's heads together to knock some sense into their relationship.
However the book did deal with the horrors of WW1 quite well. It was also interesting to read about the work in the munitions factories and how scary the Zeppelin raids were.

But Ruby's brother, Harry, just appeared in the last chapter - we had no idea why? I presume he was on embarkation leave?

And for me the end was so abrupt. I am used to this in many books that are part of a series - but this just seemed to end - almost as if the author had reached their word limit and needed to stop.

Part of me wants to know what happens next - and part of me isn't sure I need to know.

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

I enjoyed this book.

The story is set at the time of WW1.

After Ruby leaves her job as a housemaid and returns home, she gets a job in a factory that makes explosives.

But, when she witnesses how the animals are treated in her neighbourhood, she sets out to do more for them. But when she doesn’t get the help she needs, Ruby decides to do something herself.

Will she succeed in caring for the animals she loves?

I recommend this book.

This book had me gripped from the first few chapters as Ruby – who is clearly an intelligent woman – battles with her role as a housemaid. But she soon escapes back to the East End of London where her own personal crusade begins.

I loved this novel for so many reasons; a completely different take on the First World War, the sense of time and place, and most of all the fabulously relatable characters. Not only Ruby, but her family, her colleagues at the munitions factory, the local shopkeepers and market traders are all drawn with depth, feeling, and so much detail you feel you understand the lives of the people of Silvertown in the early part of the last century.

The story itself is beautifully crafted and seamlessly written, allowing you to sink into Ruby’s world. If you read only one First World War saga this year – make it Wartime on Sanctuary Lane.

Book one Sanchuary Lane. WW1.
A heart-warming tale.
Ruby Archer housemaid.
This is a book for all animal lovers that brings out all the amazing characters all rolled into one.
A wonderful wartime family saga not to be put down.
Was beautiful and loved it.

Great wartime saga about WW1. Based in a factory which is making explosives and a girl who just loves animals and wants them cared for during this wartime as well as people. Follow her journey with some unexpected twists and turns along the way.
Enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author

This book was BRILLIANT! I loved the characters - especially Ruby and Leah- both very interesting young women in very different ways. I loved the storyline - very different to the normal books set in this period - I don't think I've read one that was focused on animals quite so much in this particular genre!
I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I'm definitely keen to read more books by Kirsty!

Heartwarming historical drama set during World War One. Lots of interesting characters and an unusual storyline. More to come.

Ruby Archer works as house maid to the Henderson at Hampstead, she is growing increasingly frustrated with how some of the well off in society behave. This all comes to a head one evening when Sir Emyr and his roaming hands gets to much for Ruby , this leads to a mishap with a coffee pot!
Ruby then makes her way back to home in Silvertown. Being home is different now with brother Harry away training for the army, Aunt Maggie appears to have taken up permanent residence. Ruby decides to do her bit for the war effort and goes to t local munitions factory to seek employment, this itself throws up strange things when Ruby is asked to drop her skirt!
Once Ruby starts work she spends her lunch times outside where she comes across kittens, this is the start of a new path in Ruby’s life where she decides that not enough is done to help the poor animals and decides with the assistance of the hoity toity Miss Richardson that maybe they could start a clinic for the poor animals . There is much resistance to the plan.

I felt the story a bit drawn out. I did like some of the names of characters. I liked Jack’s character, and Nellie. Least favourite had to be sir Emyr.

A feel good read even though it's centered around war. This book will warm the hearts of any animal lover, great characters and storyline, looking forward to the next in the series.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this ARC

Wow what can I say what a brilliant book loved it. My kind of book family saga and wartime