Reviews

The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell

laeynna's review

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

millieyeoman's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

gifflesnooks's review

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

thesunflowergrl's review

4.0

The Dover Cafe at War is set in mist of ww2, on Castle street there's the Dover Cafe where this sort is set. I love historical fiction so i knew I would enjoy this book.
In the opening of the book, it's 1929 and 16 year old Marianne her life changes forever when she has her son Donny. Life goes on and 10 years later war is announced and life changes once again.

The book was so heartwarming, dealing with family and life during the war. I loved all of the characters and really enjoyed the dynamic of everyone in the neighbourhood. The book touched on subjects like, illegitimacy, homophobia and illiteracy, I found that it really helped you to understand just how different life was at this time and how it could take its toll on people.

I loved the personal touch at the end of the book, talking about how the author was connected to Dover and the recipe looked very interesting, I might be giving that at go.

I would definitely recommend this book to any Historical fiction fan, I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

sams_fireside's review

4.0

I listened to The Dover Cafe at War by Ginny Bell as an Audiobook from Borrowbox and loved it. I find that a wartime saga always makes for easy listening or easy reading, and this was no exception. Bea Holland narrated it beautifully and I enjoyed how she brought the characters to life. Despite the sometimes heartwrenching circumstances, a good book, set in wartime, always makes me feel warm inside.

The Dover Cafe is set at the heart of Dover's market square and is run by Nellie Castle with the help of Marianne, her eldest daughter. As Britain is on the brink of World War II, Marianne's scandalous past begins to catch up with her, and now that her son is 10 years old, there are things she can't keep from him any longer.

Ginny Bell can draw the reader into the story and keep them there for the entirety. Each character becomes a friend, and with each turn of the page, you're waiting to see what happens next. Of course, there are some rogues, aren't there always in a good saga? However, even they have their endearing qualities and helped to keep me gripped throughout.

I've just realised that The Dover Cafe at War is the first in a series so I am looking forward to discovering the next book soon, along with any more of Ginny Bell's books I can find.

I would recommend The Dover Cafe at War to anyone who enjoys a wartime saga, something with a bit of romance and just a lovely feel to it.