The Grafton Girls

Description

The new Liverpool-based World War Two saga from the author of Goodnight Sweetheart is a tale of four very different young women thrown together by war. A unique bond is formed as the hostilities take their toll on Britain. When Diane Wilson leaves Cambridge for Liverpool, destined for Derby House and war work as a teleprint operator, she is intent on mending her broken heart. But will hundreds of miles ease the pain of her betrayal? From the moment she first lays eyes on Myra Stone in the Wavertree terrace she is billeted to, Diane senses she's bad news. But does Myra's bitterness and caustic wit belie a secret heartache? Ruthie starts work at the munitions factory, enduring terrible conditions in order to put food on the table for herself and her widowed mother. But Ruthie is befriended by lively and vivacious Jess Hunt who injects colour and fun into the drab surroundings. All four women are brought together at The Grafton, the local dance hall favoured by American GIs as well as the local girls. In this heady, uncertain time, infatuation and passion blossom. But has each girl found true love - or true trouble?

Annie Groves is the author of Ellie Pride, Connie's Courage and Hettie of Hope Street, a series of novels for which she drew upon her own family's history, and Goodnight Sweetheart and Some Sunny Day. These last two novels and The Grafton Girls are based on Annie's extensive research of the Italian community in Liverpool during the war as well as wartime recollections from members of her family who come from the city.

Praise for Annie Groves: 'An engrossing story.' My Weekly 'A stirring and heartrending family saga!Against a backdrop of change when the suffragette movement was coming to the fore, the choices and dreams of a generation of women combine to create this passionate story.' Liverpool Daily Post 'Heartwrenching and uplifting in equal measure -- a tragic indictment of what can happen when you swap passion for duty. Roll on the sequel!' Take a Break 'Exceptionally good within this area, well written and beautifully developed characters.' Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller 'This novel [Some Sunny Day] adds to Annie Groves' growing reputation as a storyteller...This is an absorbing story, with a delightful heroine' Historical Novels Review