Reviews

The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell

misssarahg1's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Marianne Castle is a young woman with a secret. As a teenager she had a relationship with a man, leading to her giving birth to her son Donny. Years later, as the Second World War begins her secret begins to unravel, however desperately hard she tries to cling to it. She has hidden herself in the kitchen at her family's cafe in Dover which her formidable mother Nellie runs. The book follows the family's journey through the early days of the war and chronicles their lives in Dover with the soldiers and the threats of bombing ever present.

boosmummy's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this gentle book. The character are well written and I so felt for Marianne, Donnie, Nellie and the whole Castle family. As the book starts WW2 hasn't started but the threat is looming and as it progresses we see how the Castle family deal with their changing circumstances and the danger Dover was in during the time of Dunkirk. I've been down to the tunnels in Dover Castle and as I read could imagine all those people down there.

tonyriver's review against another edition

4.0

Compelling story with great characters. Some predictable elements but well told and engaging story with good picture of these early days of the war, peoples day to day lives and a bit of romance and humor.

louise010's review

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0