Blog tour: A Girl's Guide To Winning The War

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Welcome to the blog tour for A Girl's Guide To Winning The War by Annie Lyons!

More about the book…

1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country.

But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy's hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold's help to save her job, and to bring her brother home…

More about the author…

After a career in bookselling and publishing, Annie Lyons became an author.

When not working on her novels, she teaches creative writing.

She lives in south-east London with her husband and two children and black labrador, Nelson.

My impressions…

There aren’t many boxes that this novel didn’t tick for me. In fact, I can think of none. Set in London during World War II – a setting and an area that I love to explore when I read historical fiction – this book is brimming with strong women – whether main or minor characters makes little difference.

If we’re talking about main characters, Peggy and Lady Marigold are a dream. Peggy is an easy character to love. A kind, family-oriented bookworm, empathising with her comes naturally. Lady Marigold couldn’t seem more different – entitled and oblivious to the hardships that less fortunate families had to face. The friendship between the two women, however, works, and together they make a winning team.

Let’s not forget books and the written word, which play such an important role here. I never really thought about the world of publishing during the war, and this is what I love about historical fiction… that it allows me to explore answers to questions I didn’t even know I had.

A great story, incredible characters, the opportunity to learn something new… whatever you look for in a book, you’re likely to find it here.

Three words to describe it. Heart-warming. Inspiring. Moving.

Do I like the cover? It was love at first sight!

Have I read any other books by the same author? I haven’t had that pleasure yet.

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