Happy Publication Day to Patricia McBride on the release of Hard Times for the East End Library Girls. This is a story of three women whose partners are at the front during WW2. It tells of life at the library, their struggles, friendship and more. This is the second book in the East End Library Girls series.

Hard Times for the East End Library Girls (East End Library Girls #2) by Patricia McBride

Published April 19th 2024 by Boldwood Books

As the war hits London, they’ll band together…

War strikes close to home for chief librarian Cordelia when her flat is bombed, and her beloved Robert is called up and sent abroad. Fortunately, her colleagues Mavis and Jane can help see her through hard times.

The three friends find purpose in making the Silvertown library a friendly sanctuary for their deprived and devastated community. But sinister forces, from callous bureaucrats to crafty criminals, still lurk among the stacks. Worse, Jane’s soldier husband is injured and suffers both physically and mentally.

With so many struggles Cordelia and her friends might need more than books to survive war’s shadow. Can they find light in the darkness?

A captivating tale of resilience and determination, perfect for fans of Lizzie Lane, Elaine Roberts and Lesley Eames

5 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hard Times for the East End Library Girls is the second book in the Library Girls series. I didn’t realize this was a series, but I had no problem enjoying this story as a standalone. Having said that, I do want to go back and read the first one, to get all the background of these three wonderful friends. In this book, war has come to England, and the East End of London has become victim to the blitz. Head Librarian, Cordelia, is bombed out of her home, and needs to find a new place to live. She is also dealing with her beau, a doctor, being sent to the front. Her two co-workers, Mavis and Jane are also dealing with loss. Both their men are also at the front, as well as Mavis’ son, and Jane’s daughter has been evacuated to the countryside. The three women want to do their part for the community, and after seeing what quilting does for the men at a convalescent home, decide to have a group in the library for those who are dealing with loss. With the library playing a central part in this story, we see how these three friends deal with all that is happening in London, the East End and their own lives.

This was a wonderful story of life on the home front, friendship, resilience, supporting others, family, grief, and more. I really liked the three main characters. Cordelia came from a well to do family, but respects and cares about the people in the East End. She is smart, strong, and stands up to others, even her own father, when he puts down the people and community. I think Mavis was my favourite. She was tough, had a son out of wedlock who was now in the army and loved a little girl she rescued when a bombing killed her mother. She shoots from the hip, and doesn’t mince words, often making me laugh. She kept everyone on the straight and narrow at the library. Jane was such a sweetheart. Her husband was injured at the front, and come home with “shell shock”. She was also dealing with her mother who had lung cancer, as well as a tumultuous relationship, and the sadness at sending her daughter to live out in the countryside. With all this going on, she was so caring toward others. She even does something that makes her a hero. Tom is the volunteer from the library who is a conscientious objector. He only lets Cordelia know this, as he has a “gammy leg” so most people assume he was injured at the front. He was a Godsend to the ladies. His calm and caring demeanor had him working with some of the troublesome patrons and making them comfortable, and feel accepted. There is a lot that happens in this book, which made it seem very realistic. I can only imagine what living through the blitz was like. The library was such a central part of this story. Not only was it used to exchange books, but brought so many people together to make the memory quilt. I loved how some of the secondary characters reacted to this endeavor and it showed another side to how people dealt with being on the homefront while their loved ones were fighting. Being uses by the Red Cross as an IIP center helping reunite families or let them know what happened to their loved ones, was heartbreaking, but a necessary role. Overall, this was a heartwarming and uplifting story, highlighting community, friendship and the importance of books and the library in these times. I highly recommend Hard Times for the East End Library Girls.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/hardtimeseastendsocial

Meet the Author: Patricia McBride is an author of heartwarming World War II sagas featuring fierce female friendships. She resides in Cambridge, England with her husband. When not writing, Patricia enjoys curling up with a cup of tea and books about strong woman in war time. Patricia’s latest series follows the adventures of three librarians living and working in London’s impoverished East End during the Blitz. The first book, The Library Girls of the East End, introduces posh Lady Cordelia Carmichael, bold Mavis and more timid Jane. Despite their differences, the three band together to keep their beloved library running amidst food rationing, air raids, and family troubles. And of course, romance.

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