Rachel Sweasey’s The Island Girls masterfully blends history, love, and intrigue, offering vivid descriptions of Poole, Brownsea Island, and Brisbane. With a dual timeline and rich historical detail, it’s perfect for fans of wartime fiction, mystery, and romance.

Peggy, the daughter of a fisherman, knows the waterways of Poole like the back of her hand. As a member of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, she helps transport passengers and supplies from the flying boats during World War II. With the RAF stationed nearby, Peggy is asked to locate a possible German spy, forcing her to choose between her duty to her country and the man she loves.

Set in both 1941 and 1998, it follows the perspectives of Peggy Symonds and Rebekah Martins. Rebekah, a wildlife ranger on Brownsea Island in 1998, meets historian Paul, and together they discover a lost letter from the war. Intrigued by the mystery, they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind the letter.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a captivating timeslip novel, with the narrative alternating between a WWII setting, and the late nineties. I found it a slightly challenging read in some ways, but definitely worth it. I felt there were a lot of characters to follow, but I appreciated and connected with these characters in different ways. Rebekah was the character that I identified with the most, while Peggy was the character that I felt the strongest connection with, and Hans was the character that intrigued me the most.

I was drawn in from reading the prologue, and felt the need to know more about these characters and their story. Once I became invested, I found the story emotional to read, as I cared about the characters and what happened to them. This was a romantic tearjerker, and it provided me with an escape.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

3.5 stars.
I loved the setting of this story in Dorset and the descriptions of Brownsea Island, also the work done by the women of Poole during WW2. There was also some interesting descriptions of the wildlife in Australia. It is set on two timelines, 1940s and 1998. Peggy, who worked on the boats, featured in the earlier time and Rebekah, an Australian, was a ranger on the island in the latter. Their stories follow their love lives and their occupations. I did like the characters but I did find the pace a little slow at times. Although, there were some happy endings, there were some situations where this was not achieved and left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a great dual timeline story of WW2 at Poole in the 1940s, and 1998 on Brownsea Island, with an episode in 1971 Australia! Poole Harbour became the only wartime civilian airport in the UK. It was fascinating learning about the BOAC, and the flying boats and their role during WW2. There’s mystery and romance too. A very interesting and enjoyable read. Highly recommend

I was absolutely fascinated by the historical backdrop to this story – Poole Harbour becoming the only wartime civilian airport in the UK (for a while) with BOAC’s flying boat operations, the links with the Harbour Heights Hotel and Poole Pottery’s showrooms, the Australian RAAF squadron based nearby, Brownsea Island as a clearing station for Dutch and Belgian refugees. In her notes (at the book’s end) about the historical detail and which elements were fact or fiction, she says that her research was “deliciously addictive” – and I was so caught up by her enthusiasm that I went down a Google rabbit hole of my own for a while too, wanting to read more. But it takes an author with vision and imagination – and wonderful storytelling skills – to weave that background into such an engaging dual time story, with two perfectly balanced storylines and such well developed characters, that I found entirely impossible to put down.

In 1941, Peggy – the daughter of a fisherman, so very familiar with boats – is a volunteer, ferrying passengers to and from the flying boats using the harbour. The possibility of romance with an Australian airman has to be put on hold when she’s tasked with a mission – to get closer to a new arrival on her team, whose presence on the night of a precisely targeted bombing has raised suspicion that he might be a German spy. The story that then follows is drama-filled, as his personal history and true identity becomes clearer, and Peggy’s sense of duty and personal bravery drive her actions – edge-of-the-seat writing at its very best, but very engaging at an emotional level too.

In 1998, Rebekah – born in Brisbane, but drawn to Dorset by the stories told by the neighbour she knew as Aunty Pig – is working as a wildlife ranger for National Trust, living and working on Brownsea Island. Her solitary, close-to-nature life is one she enjoys, and she looks forward to the daily departure of the visitors and other guides, allowing her to be at peace with her surroundings. Until Paul appears – a historian, marooned on the island, who she finds it surprisingly easy to both like and trust. Growing closer as she helps him with his research, they find an intriguing wartime letter than never reached its intended recipient – and together, with the links between the two storylines becoming increasingly clear, they set out together to make sure that it is finally delivered.

The shifts between past and present day stories are perfectly handled – very smoothly done, cleverly linked, and never a single moment when I would have preferred to remain with the one I was reading. There’s real depth to the characterisation – and not just Peggy and Rebekah, but every individual who plays their part in their stories – and the author’s emotional touch is simply perfect. There’s a wonderful sense of place to both past and present – the author’s depth of research is used as it should be, to bring the locations (and the era, for the wartime story) so vividly to life. And I really enjoyed the slow reveal, the uncovering of so many secrets as the pieces fell into place – it was a story I found both moving and totally captivating. And Rebekah’s developing romance? That was really rather lovely too.

The story that unfolded has stayed with me long after reading the final page – this really was a rather special book that I couldn’t recommend more highly, and I’ll very much look forward to reading more from its talented author.

This lovely dual time story takes us into the heart of Dorset as we get to know Rebekah in the present time who works as a conservationist on the beautiful Brownsea Island. There, Rebekah enjoys her time meeting the tourists who visit this tiny island and yet she also guards her privacy well, that is, until a stranger arrives unexpectedly on her doorstep. Back in 1941, Peggy Symonds works as a BOAC boat operator, skilfully manoeuvring her small craft as she collects freight and passengers from the flying boats who come frequently into Poole harbour. Determined to do her duty for the war effort Peggy has some tough decisions to make.

Seamlessly moving between both time frames, a rather special story emerges and as one section finishes we return either to the past, or the present, following the story of two strong and determined young women. This picturesque part of Dorset comes to life as we explore Brownsea Island with Rebekah or travel the choppy coastal waters in Peggy’s boat. The author writes well, carefully blending the dark moments of history together with a gentle love story and with beautifully imagined characters the whole story becomes a delight to read and one which held my attention from start to finish.

This book revolves around two women and told with dual timelines. Peggy helps during the war in a surprising way. Rebekah in modern day finds an unexpected letter destined for someone else.
This was an interesting story with two women in different times.

3.5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of The Island Girls.

In 1941 Peggy volunteers to help with flying boats in Poole. She has fallen for a man named Darrell but she is given a task to find out if one of her coworkers is actually a spy and she puts her relationship on the line for her country. In 1998 Rebekah is living in Brownsea Island and she meets and falls for Paul. They find a lost love letter and are determined to return it to its rightful owner. Rebekah finds out that her neighbor Peggy who was like a grandmother to her may have had a more interesting life than she ever led on.

I enjoyed this book and the dual timelines. The story of Peggy was heartbreaking but such an amazing read.

A very interesting story about two different woman who are connected.

Rebekah is living in Poole but is from Australia who is ranger after hearing stories from her neighbour Peggy who came from there. Rebekah is enjoying her life where she gets to work in a place that is idyllic.

Peggy worked for the Boac during the War and meets Darrell and Australian service man who she falls in love with. Peggy is tasked with a special mission which may end up that she sacrifices her love life for this only time will tell.

I enjoyed the mystery of it all and found it intriguing wondering what would happen in the end. The research that went into the book was good and learning new things about the War.

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

I enjoyed this dual timeline story set in 1941, where the story takes us to Poole Dorset and 1998.

Peggy’s work involves working on the area where passengers are brought back and taken to the flying boats in the harbour. Her dad is a fisherman and so she knows the way the harbour works.

When she meets a pilot from the RAF, she is enlisted to do secret assignments, therefore has to sign the Official Secrets Act.

In the present, we meet Rebekah who is on her way from Brisbane to go and work on Brownsea Island, her job will be working for the National Trust.

The story was well written of Peggy and the secrets she kept in doing her work, that is until Rebecca comes across a letter and decides to look into the mystery of this letter and hopefully return it.

I highly recommend this book.

Sometimes we find ourselves doing the unimaginable. Peggy discovered that she had the emotional and physical strength to accomplish the impossible. She risked everything plus the chance of a future with the love of her life.
Her secrets were discovered years later by a young woman who once was her neighbor, Rebekah. Rebekah worked on Brownsea Island. This is where she found a letter that led Rebekah on a road to discovery.

This story was written in two timelines. It was easy to read. I enjoyed reading about both women and of the men that they love.

This is a must read book. It is set in 1941 in Poole Dorset and 1998 in Poole as well.Peggy is working on the launch that takes passengers to and from the flying boats that land in the harbour as she is a daughter of a fisherman there and can navigate the harbour with her eyes shut.Peggy meets an RAAF pilot from Australia who is based at the RAF base there in the harbour..Peggy is asked to do secret walk so has to sign the Official Secrets Act and not tell anybody what she is doing.
1998 in Australia and Rebekah leaves Brisbane to work on Brownsea Island just of the coat of Poole where she is a ranger for the National Trust on the Island.This is a brilliant story of Peggy's life in the war and the secrets that she keeps till Rebekah finds a letter.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

An amazing and heartwarming at times heartbreaking book.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood books for the ARC
This books spans a few decades starting in 1940 when a young Dutch man called Hans loses his family and escapes to Poole. We then go to 1941 to learn about boat woman Peggy involved in the war effort and then later becoming more and her love for an Australian RAAF man.
We also have a story about Rebekka living in Poole where her aunty Peggy used to live in the WW2, her aunty she met in Brisbain, Australia. Rebekka's story is set in 1998 so you need to pay attention to the timelines.
Sweasey brings a wealth of information and historical facts into the story and it is so interesting and captivating to read Peggy's story our main character and of course the evolving love story of Rebekka.
This book was beautiful in every way even though sadness hit at time.
The way their lives were so mirrored and closely linked despite the 50+ years between Peggy and Rebekka.
I enjoyed the wonderful writing style of the author and how she folds you into both women's story with such delicacy and care.
Highly recommend this book especially if you love WW2 romance books and the impact of the war on friends and families, the communities and bonds they form and women holding the fort and bring themselves into the workforce often in dangerous situations.
Kerry Kennedy Author

Set in a dual timeline of 1941 and 1998 and also dual places of Poole in Dorset and Brisbane in Australia. You will be carried along with the stories of Peggy and Rebekah which seamlessly flow from one to another and then come to climax at the end. Throw in some love interests too and this makes a great easy read especially if you like history too. It is also highly descriptive which bring the places and people to life.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.

Historical drama and romance set in Australia and Poole. Another look at the different roles played by women during the war. An enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review

I recently read The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey, and I must say, it was an incredible experience. The story is set in two different timelines, 1941 and 1998, and it beautifully intertwines the lives of two women, Peggy and Rebekah.

In 1941, I felt Peggy’s determination and bravery as she volunteered to help with the flying boats alongside the RAF in Poole. Her struggle between duty and personal happiness was heart-wrenching, and I couldn’t help but admire her courage. The historical backdrop of World War II added a layer of intensity and realism to her story.

Fast forward to 1998, and I found myself on a journey with Rebekah, who travelled to Brownsea Island. Her discovery of a lost letter from the war and her quest to deliver it fifty years later was both touching and transformative. The secrets she uncovered and the impact they had on her life were profound.

The dual timelines were masterfully handled, and the way the past and present connected was seamless. The characters were richly developed, and their emotions felt genuine and relatable. The setting of Dorset’s coast and Brownsea Island was vividly described, making me feel as if I was right there with them.

Overall, The Island Girls is a captivating tale of love, loss, and resilience. It’s a story that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a strong emotional core

This is my first book by Rachel Sweasey. I had a look at other books she has written, It was interesting to see the debut book The Last Boat Home, although not a series from the blurb they are connected as the characters do cross. I thought the descriptions of Poole and Australia are beautifully and well written. I found it fascinating the part the Dorset Coast played during WW2. You do need to pay attention to the dates at the beginning of the chapters. It was a little slow to begin with and a little repetitive in places. The Island Girls is a standalone book with a fascinating story of courage, love and loss. 3 ½ stars

I would like to thank the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

#TheIslandGirls #NetGalley

This was a beautiful read. The book jumps between the Second World War and the present day taking in fleeing refugees crossing the sea from the Netherlands as well as Rebekah living a life on her island. The romance is bittersweet, with abuse in a marriage as well as deep and painful loss. Peggy has to choose between the man she loves and doing what her country asks of her in the war. There is no good outcome until Rebekah sees a photo and starts to look at what has happened to her favourite aunt. The life of those who make a living from the water is well described and the damp can almost be felt as you read the book. The book is sad., almost shed a tear sad but it is that which makes it so lovely.

A slow start to this book that is written in a dual time line and set in Australia and Brownsea Island UK now and then . Excellent descriptions and good characters

The Island Girls by Rachel Sweasey is a dual-timeline novel set in 1941 and 1998. It follows Peggy Symonds during WWII, who works in Poole, England, assisting with wartime efforts while being asked to uncover a German spy, putting her love and loyalty to the test.

In 1998, Rebekah Martins, a wildlife ranger on Brownsea Island, teams up with historian Paul to investigate a lost letter from WWII, hoping to uncover its mystery.

The story combines love, sacrifice, history, and mystery, with vivid settings and well-developed characters, making it a compelling read for fans of historical fiction.