Release date: November 30, 2017
Publisher: Pan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Blurb:
War pulled them apart, but can it bring them back together?
Molly lives with her repugnant father, who has betrayed her many times. From a young age, living on the streets of London’s East End, she has seen the harsh realities of life . . . When she’s kidnapped by a gang and forced into their underworld, her future seems bleak.
Flo spent her early years in an orphanage, and is about to turn her hand to teacher training. When a kindly teacher at her school approaches her about a job at Bletchley Park, it could be everything she never knew she wanted.
Will the girls’ friendship be enough to weather the hard times ahead?
I’m so delighted to be the stop on the blog tour for Brighter Days Ahead today!
Review:
Oh how I love a good saga from time to time, especially if it’s set during World War Two, there’s something about that era that I just can’t get enough of, it’s endlessly fascinating. I was totally swept away by Brighter Days Ahead and caught up in the lives of Molly and Flo and found myself invested in their lives almost from the very beginning of the book.
As much as I loved the premise for this book the characterization made it a really fantastic read. Both Flo and Molly were unforgettable but Flo has a special place in my heart, I was totally charmed by her generous nature and positive outlook despite a rather bleak time. I felt for poor Molly, she’s put in an awful situation, this took a darker turn with her storyline that I had anticipated. Their story is told separately for half of the book as they don’t meet until that point, but their friendship was beautiful and so nice to see.
Woods explored some very interesting issues and themes here, Flo has a dear friend that is gay and hearing about how terribly homosexuals were treated during this time was sickening and heartbreaking. Flo also works at Bletchley Park which always intrigues me, I’ll never get tired of learning more about this amazing place.
If you’re a fan of WW2 era Historical Fiction or epic sagas, give this a try. It had some lovely themes, like friendship, hope, strength, courage and love. It was a powerful, emotional story that I won’t forget anytime soon.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Thank you, Amy, you made me have tears prickle my eyes with this amazing review. Reading this about my work, makes the hours of research, and sitting pouring my heart onto the pages, worthwhile. So happy that you enjoyed BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD. Much love, Mary x
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You’re so very welcome Mary! ❤️
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A fabulous review amy I will be reading this book at the weekend cannot wait now for that mary wood books are all my favourite read you get gripped straight into all her stories
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This was my first book by Mart but she’s a wonderful writer!
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great review, can’t wait to read it.
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Thanks Helen!
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Great blog article. I too love world war 2 set stories and I am sure this one will not disappoint. All reviews I have read about it have given it glowing reviews and 5 stars.
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You will love this! Thank you Heather
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Love WW2 stories Mary is a wonderful author whose books grip you from page 1
Bletchley Park is a very interesting place I lived round the corner from there
Mary is A5* author
Brilliant review
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Wow how fascinating Patricia! Thank you
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Fantastic review Mary you never fail us your books are awesome xxx
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Thanks so much Moira!
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Great review and Mary’s latest book is just a must read for anyone. I really enjoyed it as I do all her books.
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Thanks Janice!
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What a fab review, as all the others have said, I am so, so looking forward to reading this. I preordered as soon as our wonderful Mary announced it was available to. I have LOVED every one of her books, she is an amazing author and her dedication to her writing and her follows is second to none,I DO NOT know how she does it.
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I really need to read her other books!
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What a fantastic review hurry up santa
Margaret Craw xxxx
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Thanks Margaret!
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Great review, cannot wait to read it.
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Thanks Jackie!
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GREAT review. heard lots of brilliant news on it also. Can’t wait to read it!
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Thanks so much Sue!
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Great review for Mary, have read all of Mary’s previous books and I can’t wait to read Brighter Days Ahead. Mary , in my opinion, is one of the best authors around and a lovely person.
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I can’t wait to read her other books!
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Loved all the comments, thank you everyone, made my day, much love to all xx
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Love all Mary’s book and this is a great review of her new one. Currently reading it and this book is extra special to me. Her books always make me feel l am actually there.
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Thanks Pauline!
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