A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Having read the other books in the series, I can safely say that if you haven't, you should because they are wonderful stories. The sense of community always leaves me with a warm feeling inside! I wish communities could be like that today but without having to be at war or in a pandemic to make it happen.

Amongst other things, in this book, the author highlights the dubious landlords that took advantage of the war-torn East End. Tenants suffered high rents but atrocious conditions in their homes. The Librarians decide that something must be done, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading what they did.

Of course, the book also has some romance, and we are introduced to a new character, an American GI who tempts one of the librarians to stray.

What I particularly like about this book, and the series, is that I find myself immersed in the lives of the characters. They are like old friends and I am sad when a book finishes and I have to wait to find out what happens next for them. This book in particular has an ending I didn't see coming and I am desperate to find out what happens next. I hope that the author writes quickly because talk about an exciting ending!

This story gives a real sense of a community working together to improve their lives. Set around 1942, amid the bombing of the East End, the story focuses on those that work in the library and how they try to improve the lives of the people living around them. The reader also discovers more about the women who work in the library, in particular, Mavis but also Jane and Cordelia. Mavis is concerned about the illegal rise in rent and the lack of repairs by the landlords. Jane has a domestic problem and Cordelia is questioning her love life. This was an enjoyable read and is part of a series, although It can be read as a stand-alone. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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

This is part of the Library Girls series, which takes place during WWII. I've enjoyed all the previous books in this series, so I was looking forward to this.

I was pleased to return to this series and read about these characters again. There were also some new characters that I warmed to, such as Eugene.

As I was reading, I thought about the importance of a library as a community. It is a place that can bring people together through a shared love of reading, and I think that belonging to a community is important, as it can offer support and comfort to those who need it. This book wasn't just about the library, it was about making a difference.

The author presents the characters in a way that makes them likeable and relatable, and these books are always easily readable. I finished this in a couple of hours, and it left me in the mood for another similar type of book. As I've enjoyed all of this series, I may look into reading more books by this author.

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

Another fantastic addition to the series - great to meet up with Cordelia, Mavis and Jane again and other old friends we have me in previous books in the series.
I have to admit to wondering what Cordelia thought she was doing getting friendly with Eugene though.

Mavis finds her fighting spirit and decides to tackle the landlords who keep slum properties and not maintain them but insist on rising rents - sadly Cordelia finds that her own father is one of these landlords.

And Jane has her own battles with her mother-in-law.

Once again the book is well written and well researched and a pleasure to read. Hoping there will be another instalment

This is another great read in the East End library girls series.This time Mavis is trying to get the landlords to repair their properties as a lot of them uninhabitable really and they are putting up the rents.A lot of them are frightened that if they complain they will be turned out of their homes.Cordelia finds out that one of the landlords is her own father so tried to reason with but he dismisses her and won't listen.Cordelia young man is away at war but an American appears at the library one day who Cordelia falls for ,what will happen.Loved reading this story.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood.

A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls is #4 in the Library Girls Series. By now, reading is like visiting with dear friends as we catch up with the young women’s lives and activities. The war won’t deter Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane as they rally their community to organize rent strikes and stand up against greedy landlords, unfair practices, and intolerable living conditions.

I’ve read the entire series and can confidently recommend these stories for several reasons. We gain insight into life on the London home front during WWII, experience the struggles of those living in London’s East End, and meet three remarkable young women.

Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane are likable, compassionate, and admirable. They support each other, care for the library, and actively participate in the community.

Between scurrying to bomb shelters, dealing with bombing and the resulting damage, assisting the community, caring for the library, and handling personal issues, all the stories in the series are engaging. In this story, these plucky and courageous young women rally the community to protest high rent and intolerable living conditions. In addition, Cordelia has readers concerned for her as she is tempted to cheat on her boyfriend who is away serving on the front lines as a doctor. Although this part of the story creates suspense and intrigue, I feel disappointed in her. Even though it’s realistic for a young woman to be tempted by a handsome man in uniform, this storyline doesn’t seem to fit her character. She’s usually more level-headed, thoughtful, cautious…..and loyal!

If you appreciate heartfelt women’s histfic stories featuring feisty, independent young women on the home front during WWII, you will want to add this series to your TBR. All 4-Star reads. Each can be read as a stand-alone but reading in order will provide a richer reading experience.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #ABetterTomorrowForTheEastEndLibraryGirls upon my request. All opinions are my own.

War time London and the three librarians Cordelia, Mavis, and Jane take to the streets to protest against their living conditions, standing up together against dirty landlords, rent increases and horrible living conditions.

The librarians also take books to the people, run treasure hunts within the library and provide hope to the local community. Cordelia enjoys life, but is split as to how far to take it with one of the American GIs. A bit of dancing, isn't wrong, is it?


This story, is another great example of how history can come to life, be more real and provide us all with a better understanding of the struggles, perseverance and community present during the war in London.

(Part of a series, but can be read standalone.)

A nice addition to this East End Library Girls' collection; this time Mavis gets a little politically active and instigates a rent strike to help the residents. Another new introduction is the US soldiers who are in the area doing odd jobs waiting to see action - some early stages of love seem to be percolating! This was definitely readable and I will watch for further installments.

The Blitz is over but the War still rages on and the library girls are looking for ways to entertain the young people who come to the library (and encourage those who don't already). However, there are two key elements in this book - the fact that the local landlords are profiteering, illegally raising rents while failing to make even basic repairs to homes, and that Cordelia is attracted to a black GI.

Mavis is at the forefront, leading a rent strike to force the landlords to help their beleaguered tenants. Jane meanwhile has to cope with her unpleasant mother in law arriving for a 'short stay' and Cordelia realises one of the wicked landlords is her own father.

Its a great, light read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book in the series which was just as good as the other books.

We continue with the woman in the library. Mavis standing up against the landlords who are putting up the rents for the tenants and not repairing and maintaining the properties she rallies the tenants to strike against them. Jane has her Mother in law come to stay and things don’t go well. Cordelia is in a has a decision to make will it upset someone close to her. The woman come up with some ideas for the library to try and improve things.

The book was amazing and the story flowed we had drama and a bit of romance.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

It was well written and would recommend it.

Another great book from Patricia focusing on the Library Girls from Silvertown in the EastEnd. WW2 is in mid flow and the girls are doing all they can to keep the library going. You can easily pick up the story even if you’ve not read previous books. Thanks to Patricia and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

this is book four in a series, they are best read in order but can be read as standalones. good characters and stories.

I really enjoy these stories. Patricia writes such lovely books and this, the next in the East End Library Girls series was even better than the last. I can't wait to see what happens next!

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

It was great to meet up with the East End Library Girls and finding out what’s happening in their lives.

Joyce is now living with Mavis and they are living happily together. But, with the rent being increased and work on properties that needs attention not being actioned, she find more tenants are in the same boat and they all get together and begin to protest against the injustice.

Jane, gets an unexpected visitor, who is her alcoholic mother in law, she’s come to stay and Jane isn’t comfortable with this, wondering how long she’ll be with them and what will happen during that time.

Cordelia, feels like someone she’s met has feelings towards her and she too feels something for them. Torn about whether to act on her feelings,

I highly recommend this book.

Library Girls, #4


Mavis is trying to get the East End landlords to improve their houses. People are living with no electricity, mould, dampness and leaking roofs. The landlords are increasing the rents but leaving the tenants in squalor. Mavis gets the tenants of these houses to stop paying their rent until the repairs have been made. The library is desperate for new books. A good book could give them an escape from what they are living through.

Cornelia, Mavis, Jane and Tom are back and it's Mavis' turn to take the lead role. She is trying to get rogue landlords to get the desperate repairs done to their properties. She gets the tenants to stop paying their rents until the work is completed. This was a generation who stood up for their fights and stood together as one. Unfortunately, people are still living in squalor today. Hopefully there will be more to come in this well-written series.

Published 4th December 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #PatriciaMcBride for my ARC of #ABetterTomorrorwForTheFactoryGirls

I do love teh East End Library Girls and enjoyed this book immensely. This is all about war, community, support and sticking together in tough times. This is a story that gets to the heart and it has emotion, sadness and happiness. It shows the strength and courage of not just the Library Girls but of everyone affected by the war and beyond.

I loved this book and the whole series and would highly recommend it to anyone that loves a good story about people, war and the affects before during and after. A very well written book with the characters you have to love and a story you can get involved in. Enjoyable and easy to read. Loved it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Lots of drama fill the pages of this book. The girls of the Library in East End have their hands full. They need to supply books to their readers. To entertain the children during school break they need books and ways to entertainment them. Books are at a premium. To fill the shelves; they must get inventive.

The residents need an escape. Books are that escape. They are living below standards. The Landlords are refusing to make repairs as tenants get sicker and sicker. Making it worse, they are raising rents during a time of war. Mavis, a library clerk, is suffering along side them. Seeing how the residents come together is inspirational.

A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls opened my eyes to so much that I didn't know about. History books just give the facts. Stories like this one bring in the human factor. You experience history through the characters eyes. You learn of their struggles through their eyes. The story left me realizing how little we are taught and that we all should learn more in order to not repeat the past.

I do enjoy reading bout the Library girls, this was how libraries used to be when I was small, a much kinder time and these places were exciting to go to. Nowadays they seem to have lost their charm for me. This story deals with segregation which find so upsetting even today it still goes on in some places. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Part of a series best read in order. Cordelia,Jane and Mavis strive to improve the lives of those in Silvertown during the war. A heartwarming read

I love being back with the East End Library Girls and catching up and finding out what they have been up too. In A Better Tomorrow for the East End Library Girls Mavis finally has Joyce in her care and they are quite happily getting along although Mavis isn't happy with the rent increases and she gathers the community to protest and make a stand! Jane has her alcoholic mother in law come to stay and Cordelia is torn with a new love interest. I soaked it all in with a huge grin and a full heart. Now I can't wait for the next one which I am anticipating because it does end on a rather sad note.