My chosen quote this week is by the German polymath who is widely regarded as the most influential writer in the German language, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832).
The Teashop Girls is a warm and moving tale of friendship and love in wartime, by the bestselling author of the Woolworths series, Elaine Everest.
It is early 1940 and World War Two has already taken a hold on the country. Rose Neville works as a Lyon’s Teashop Nippy on the Kent coast alongside her childhood friends, the ambitious Lily and Katie, whose fiancé is about to be posted overseas in the navy. As war creates havoc in Europe, Rose relies on the close friendship of her friends and her family.
When Capt. Benjamin Hargreaves enters the teashop one day, Rose is immediately drawn to him. But as Lyon’s forbids courting between staff and customers, she tries to put the handsome officer out of her mind.
In increasingly dark and dangerous times, Rose fears there may not be time to waste. But is the dashing captain what he seems?
Review
Now I will be honest, I have read this series in completely the wrong order. I read book two Christmas with the Teashop Girls back in 2021 and I really enjoyed it. I intended to read the next books in the series a lot earlier than this but I’m never great with a series. So for a recent holiday I downloaded this book to my Kindle and it was the perfect holiday read.
Set in the 1940’s the book introduces us to the characters Rose, Lily and Katie. Rose, Lily and Katie all live in Kent and have been friends since childhood and now all work at the Lyon’s Teashop as Nippy’s. The book focuses on ups and downs of the three friends lives but also the ups and downs of WWII and how the war influences people’s lives.
Katie has a fiance who is about to be posted overseas in the Navy but Rose and Lily are both single. However, when the handsome Benjamin Hargreaves enters Rose’s life she is immediately drawn to him. Benjamin isn’t just a handsome face he is also kind hearted and generous and willing to help anyone in need. Benjamin is a huge hit with whoever he meets.
I really enjoyed reading about Rose, Katie and Lily again but my favourite is Flora. Flora is Rose’s mom and she is wonderful. Flora is hardworking, running her guesthouse but also helping with the war effort in any way she can. Flora never stops and will help anyone who needs aid but she will also stand no messing from anyone.
Learning about the Lyon’s Teashop was really interesting in this book and I also enjoyed the book being set in WWII. I had forgotten how much I enjoy Everest’s work and I look forward to reading book 3 in the series. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.
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About the author
Elaine Everest was born and brought up in northwest Kent and has written widely – both short stories and features – for women’s magazines. When she isn’t writing, Everest runs The Write Place creative writing school in Dartford Kent, and the blog for Romantic Novelists’ Association.
Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club. All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.
Hello!
I really hope everyone has had a good start to the week. I have had a lovely day meeting up with my best friend and visiting a National Trust place.
My chosen book to feature this week is a non fiction book that I am quite excited to read.
Cleopatra’s Daughter by Jane Draycott
The first biography of Cleopatra Selene – daughter of Cleopatra VII – princess, prisoner and African queen.
In 1895, archaeologists excavating a villa outside Pompeii discovered a hoard of Roman silverware. In the centre of one dish was a female figure with thick, curly hair, deep-set eyes, a slightly hooked nose and a strong jaw, and sporting an elephant scalp headdress. Modern scholars believe this woman is Cleopatra Selene, daughter of the infamous Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
Using this discovery as her starting-point, Jane Draycott recreates the life and times of a remarkable woman. Unlike her siblings, who were either executed as threat to Rome’s new ruler, Augustus, or simply forgotten, Cleopatra Selene survived and prospered. She was a princess who became a prisoner; a prisoner who became a queen; an Egyptian who became Roman; and a woman who became a powerful ruler in her own right at a time when women were marginalised. Her life shines new light on the conflict between the politics, culture and history of Rome and Egypt, as well as the relationship between Rome and one of its most significant allied kingdoms, Mauretania.
Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It is all about sharing the books that you have recently added to your bookshelves. These books can be physical books, ebooks and of course audiobooks.
Hello!
It was my birthday this week and I was very lucky and received some lovely books. I can’t wait to get reading them all.
She Says She’s My Daughter by Lauren North – Has sat on my wish list for a very long time so I was really excited to finally receive a copy to read.
Cleopatra’s Daughter by Jane Draycott – Is another book that has been sat on my wish list for a very long time.
Jane Austen’s Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney – I was so excited to receive this from my wonderful husband and I can’t wait to read it!
Feminist History for Everyday of the Year by Kate Mosse – This was another book that I asked for for my birthday and I was so happy to receive it from my in laws.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Another birthday gift from my wonderful husband. It is absolutely beautiful and I can’t stop looking at it.
Goodreads Monday is now hosted by Budget Tales Book Club. All you have to do is show off a book from your TBR that you’re looking forward to reading.
Hello!
I hope everyone has had a good start to the week. I have had a busy day of teaching but it has also been my birthday and I have received some absolutely stunning books which I will share with you later in the week.
My chosen book to feature this week is another new addition to the TBR pile but one I hope to read soon.
Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets are currency, every choice is dangerous, and even the faintest whisper can seal the fate of queens.
For Jane, survival demands playing every role required of her: a loving wife who conceals her doubts, a devoted sister to Anne Boleyn at the height of her power, and an obedient spy who carefully wields her words. But in a court ruled by ambition and a tyrant’s sword, Jane must rely on her sharp wit and skillful maneuvering to outthink those around her, knowing that one wrong move could cost her everything.
Philippa Gregory masterfully shines a spotlight on the untold story of Jane Boleyn, peeling back the myths to reveal a complex portrait of a woman who dared to survive at any cost. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period, Boleyn Traitor is a must-read.
I am now back from a lovely holiday in Barcelona so it is all back to normal with the blog.
My chosen poem this week is by one of my favourite authors, Anne Bronte.
The Consolation
Though bleak these woods and damp the ground With fallen leaves so thickly strewn, And cold the wind that wanders round With wild and melancholy moan:
There is a friendly roof, I know, Might shield me from the wintry blast; There is a fire, whose ruddy glow Will cheer me for my wanderings past.
And so, through still where'er I go Cold stranger-glances meet my eye, Though, when my spirit sinks in woe, Unheeded swells the unbidden sigh,
Though solitude, endured too long Bids youthful joys too soon decay, Makes mirth a stranger to my tongue, And overclouds my noon of day;
When kindly thoughts that would have way, Flow back discouraged to my breast; I know there is, though far away, A home where heart and soul may rest.
Warm hands are there, that, clasped in mine, The warmer heart will not belie; While mirth, and truth, and friendship shine In smiling lip and earnest eye.
The ice that gathers round my heart May there be thawed; and sweetly, then, The joys of youth that now depart, Will come to cheer my soul again.
Though far I roam, this thought shall be My hope, my comfort everywhere; While such a home remains to me, My heart shall never know despair!
Stacking The Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Marlene of Reading Reality. It is all about sharing the books that you have recently added to your bookshelves. These books can be physical books, ebooks and of course audiobooks.
Hello!
I’ve had one preordered book arrive this week and I am very excited because it has been a very long time since I have read a book by Philippa Gregory. I’m really hoping to read it soon.
Lady Book Dragon 