Annie Lyons

'A heart-warming tale about resilience, friendships and family, and the inestimable power of the written word' RUTH HOGAN'A heart-warming depiction of strong female friendships tested by suffering - Annie Lyons really is the queen of the wartime saga' CLARE CHAMBERSCan two young women and one book change the course of war?1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country. But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy's hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold's help to save her job, and to bring her brother home . . . From the author of The Air Raid Book Club comes a powerful tale of unexpected friendship, community and two remarkable women who change the course of the war. Full of heart, emotion and drama, it is the perfect uplifting story for fans of Kate Thompson and Natasha Lester. 'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' LIZ FENWICK'Annie Lyons writes with compassion and heart, leaving the reader feeling like there is always hope, even in the darkest times' KATE STOREY'This book is a delight! A warm hug of a story with gorgeous characters who felt like friends... Loved it! KERRY BARRETTWHAT EARLY READERS ARE ALREADY SAYING ABOUT A GIRLS' GUIDE TO WINNING THE WAR:'I loved every page of it...I Iove, love, loved it' ? ?'So many emotions, fabulous writing and a thoroughly enjoyable read!' ? ?'Heartfelt and real' ? ?'My favourite thing about her books is the way a tight community is formed throughout the story, and they always include strong female characters both young and old. Did I mention there are libraries?' ? ?'Inspirational' ? ?'Very moving book and very evocative of the era' ? 'A joyous read that I couldn't put down. I loved it' Liz Fenwick'A heartwarming novel about resilience and the power of female friendship' Good Housekeeping

As the bombs began to fall, the book club kept their hopes alive... London, 1938. Bookseller Gertie Bingham is facing difficult times, having just lost her beloved husband, Harry, and with a lingering sadness at never having been able to have a child of her own. Struggling to face running the bookshop she and Harry opened together, Gertie is preparing to sell up and move away when she is asked if she would be willing to take in a young Jewish refugee from Germany. Gertie is unsure and when sullen teenager Hedy Fischer arrives, Gertie fears she has nothing left to give the troubled girl. But when the German bombers come and the lights go out over London, Gertie and Hedy realise that joining forces will make them stronger, and that books have the power to bring young and old together and unite a community in need in its darkest hour...