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A review by emileereadsbooks
The Kew Gardens Girls at War by Posy Lovell
medium-paced
4.25
1940- War is raging throughout Europe and Daisy marries her sweetheart before he heads into the fight. She is distressed at the thought of losing him, but her mother, Ivy, who worked at Kew Gardens during the last war, encourages her to find a job there to occupy her mind.
Joined there by Beth, a nurse who aspires to be a doctor, and Louisa, her godmother who was a Kew Gardens Girl with her mother, these women dig their own roots into the soil of Kew and hope that they are deep and strong enough to hold them steady through all that life throws their way.
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I wasn't sure how this book would feel after reading the first since there is such a large time gap, but really the time gap worked so nicely in making this feel like a standalone and giving these characters room to make their own arcs.
Each of these characters is flawed and makes poor decisions, but also you are invested in their humanity and cheering them on to better and brighter futures.
Because this book deals closely with post partum depression, it was very difficult to read at times, but I think the topic was handled with care and gentleness.
If you enjoy historical fiction set on the Homefront, this is worth a read.
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Content Note: This is a historical fiction book set during the air raids of London during WWII. Therefore, violence and death are common but not graphic. There is also an involved storyline with post partum depression and a suicide attempt. Prejudice is also prevalent.
Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the book. All opinions are my own.
Joined there by Beth, a nurse who aspires to be a doctor, and Louisa, her godmother who was a Kew Gardens Girl with her mother, these women dig their own roots into the soil of Kew and hope that they are deep and strong enough to hold them steady through all that life throws their way.
_____
I wasn't sure how this book would feel after reading the first since there is such a large time gap, but really the time gap worked so nicely in making this feel like a standalone and giving these characters room to make their own arcs.
Each of these characters is flawed and makes poor decisions, but also you are invested in their humanity and cheering them on to better and brighter futures.
Because this book deals closely with post partum depression, it was very difficult to read at times, but I think the topic was handled with care and gentleness.
If you enjoy historical fiction set on the Homefront, this is worth a read.
_____
Content Note: This is a historical fiction book set during the air raids of London during WWII. Therefore, violence and death are common but not graphic. There is also an involved storyline with post partum depression and a suicide attempt. Prejudice is also prevalent.
Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam Books for the book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and War