A hugely interesting historical story, set in Buckingham Palace in 1952. Because it was so interesting it was a fast paced read.
The characters are extremely memorable, it amazing what those will do when times are hard and people will do anything to survive.
Thank you NetGalley, Emma Royal and Random House for providing me with a copy to read, all opinions expressed are my own.

A lovely easy read. Perfect for an autumn weekend laying on sofa with a hot chocolate! Total escapism!

London 1953
Helen works on the telephone exchange at Buckingham Palace. The country is still mourning King George. Helen has her own problems to deal with - her dear dad has to be admitted into a residential home.

A really lovely family saga!

This is one of those books you quickly want to read to find out if there is a happy ending. A very enjoyable book and ticked all the right boxes for me.

The story follows the young women employed at the palace, Helen as a telephonist and friendship Caroline & Milly who work as cleaners under the supervision of Mrs Barnes. Helen is kept busy under the watchful eye of Mr Marshall who doesn’t miss much and after work she heads off to Milford house nursing home to see her father, while trying to escape the notice of Mrs Eades the manager who keeps pressing for payment of fees.
When Helen finds ways to help her out financially one involves taking in a lodger J.R Fisher who has problems of his own.
When an old acquaintance from school rears his head Helen isn’t particularly interested, will she succumb to his charms! (Or is he just using her?)
The temptation of using knowledge from work can seem overwhelming and Helen has already seen the price to pay for this.


I found the book to be slow going and had difficulty finishing it.

Fanatastic visit to the palace girls. Helen hall is a telephonist in Buckingham Palace and hears all sort of gossip down the lines but has never been tempted to pass anything on.
Her life takes a sudden turn when he I’ll father gets worse having to be transferred to a nearby home leaving her finanaces in a dire state.
She meets an old school friend who turns out to be a journalist could this be an answer to her problems or just the beginning of more.
Looking forward to meeting all the palace girls again in future because I’m sure Emma Royal has more stories to tell.

I have to say that I did not enjoy this book, and it was a DNF for me.
The premise sounded interesting, it is an original idea, but unfortunately it is not well executed. The characters are one dimensional, the dialogue is clunky, and the storyline is so predictable from the moment the protagonist meets and instantly falls for the young man, who just happens to be a journalist. What could possibly go wrong?
I will not post my review on retail sites as I have not read the whole book.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

This the second book in the Palace girls series and is about Helen Hill that works in the telephone exchanges at Buckingham palace. Helen did live with her father but he is taken into a home as he has can't be left in his own now.Helen gets into debt with the home and bank and doesn't know how she is going to manage on her wage. This story tells of what happens too her as she gets in different ways to make end meet.Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Books

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

I enjoyed reading this historical novel set in 1952 about those that worked in Buckingham Palace operating the phones.

The story was an easy read, with lovely characters. It’s about how when times are hard, you will do whatever you have to survive, even if it’s something you’d never think to do if the situation was different.

I recommend this book.

Here we are in 1952, The King is dead, long live The Queen. Buckingham Palace is gearing yup for the Coronation in 1953. The Palace is busy, people are moving homes, new regimes are being created and things are changing in this new Elizabethan Age.

For Helen, a telephonist she doesn’t much see what goes on, but can hear what goes on, by the people she connects to the residents of the palace. She knows more than the average man on the street.

That average man, Jake a friend from Helen’s younger days, bumps into her one day outside of the Palace. A friendship blossoms, something more develops but it seems that Jake has one thing on his mind. The next big scoop about the Royals. Princess Margaret in particular. Helen is his way in.

Jake is Helen’s way out of her burgeoning problems, a father in a home coming to the end of his life, debts at the bank, the bailiffs knocking, the care homer demanding funding.

Helen has the answers, Jake can get the money. Surely no one will know, until events take their own course and suddenly everything changes for Helen.

Relying on her friends within the palace walls, she realises what is most dear to her and that she is going to have to make some tough decisions if she wants to survive. Society and especially those within the palace walls may not be so forgiving.

A great saga, reflective of it’s setting and gives a wonderful backdrop to the strength of friendship, across generations and social divides. I hope there is more.

This is a wonderful read, taking you back to 1952 and the world of Buckingham palace.

Well developed characters and a story that give you a real feel of the 1950's and although a fiction novel you can imagine this as fact.

Well worth a read.

The Palace Girls Secret is a story of life in Buckingham Palace and the staff within its walls set in 1952.

The story centres around the telephone exchange in the Royal Household and especially telephonist Helen Hill, but it also includes sub plots of her friends who work in different parts of the palace

On a daily basis, Helen hears many private conversations which must be kept confidential. When she meets Jake, a dashing journalist he wins her over with his charm and brings to her hectic life a sense of joy and freedom that she hasn’t had in years - but is he all he is cracked up to be?
This is a beautifully written and thoroughly researched novel that offers a fresh perspective on life behind the walls of Buckingham Palace. When I finished reading it, and googled Emma Royal, I discovered that there is a previous book called The Palace Girls which I’ve now bought to read as I loved the characters and want them to be part of my life for a little while longer!

This is a beautiful book and it is so amazing, the story is so lovely and very enjoyable to read. i loved everything about this book and i would recommend to anyone who loves reading to give this book a go. it is a lovely book and i will read other books from this author.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, was great to read what goes on behind closed doors at the palace, loved the storyline and the characters were fab

A story of secrets, loyalty and desperation. Set in 1952 we follow Helen Hill a telephonist who works at Buckingham Palace. Helen is battling her problems alone when she meets Jake who seemingly provides all the answers she needs. However, when she’s faced with a difficult decision it becomes a test of where her true loyalties lie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

a historical novel based in 1952, following the women dealing with the phone system in buckingham palace.

this is such a easy lighthearted read, with really well developed lovable characters. the reader cant help but get invested in each of their stories.

it’s a tale of how desperation can truly make you act out of character. as you fall deeper into the story the story feels extremely emotional at times .

i truly adored this story and cannot wait to read the next book in this book series.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Wow what another brilliant book in this series. Royalty, family saga wartime what more could you ask for

Can’t wait to read more by this author