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Lavender Road #6
Victory Girls
It’s August 1944. Allied forces are finally making headway in Europe. But rocket attacks on London are a chilling reminder that the war is not yet won. Victory may be just round the corner, but the fighting is far from over for the women of Lavender Road.
Helen de Burrel knows from bitter experience how dangerous things are in war-torn France, but it’s a long time since she heard from her French fiancé and nothing is going to stop her going back to track him down. Meanwhile her friend Molly Coogan, having fallen for an unobtainable man during a spell of nursing in North Africa, has returned to London determined to discover the truth about the mother who gave her up for adoption when she was four years old.
Sweeping from London to France and on into Germany as Hitler’s army begins to retreat, Victory Girls is full of emotion, excitement and suspense, which will hold readers on the edge of their seats.
Helen de Burrel knows from bitter experience how dangerous things are in war-torn France, but it’s a long time since she heard from her French fiancé and nothing is going to stop her going back to track him down. Meanwhile her friend Molly Coogan, having fallen for an unobtainable man during a spell of nursing in North Africa, has returned to London determined to discover the truth about the mother who gave her up for adoption when she was four years old.
Sweeping from London to France and on into Germany as Hitler’s army begins to retreat, Victory Girls is full of emotion, excitement and suspense, which will hold readers on the edge of their seats.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
615 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2018
196 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Helen Carey
8 books83 followersWelcome to my site. I am probably best known for my bestselling LAVENDER ROAD series set in London during the second world war. VICTORY GIRLS, the final book in the series was published in April 2018 by Headline Books and TSAP. It was sad to finish the series but I felt six books was enough!
VICTORY GIRLS is already in the Amazon US bestseller charts along with the other books in the series.
Having lived in various parts of the world, I am now based in West Wales where my husband and I run our small coastal farm as a conservation project. I am a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and a member of the Society of Authors. I also teach from time to time on Creative Writing programmes at various universities, specialising in story structure.
I hope you enjoy my novels ...
VICTORY GIRLS is already in the Amazon US bestseller charts along with the other books in the series.
Having lived in various parts of the world, I am now based in West Wales where my husband and I run our small coastal farm as a conservation project. I am a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and a member of the Society of Authors. I also teach from time to time on Creative Writing programmes at various universities, specialising in story structure.
I hope you enjoy my novels ...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 28, 2018
Victory Girls written by the super talented Helen Carey is another wonderful read by this very gifted author. I love Helen Carey's work as she has a gift of bringing history alive through her gift of bringing us readers characters who are so well described I felt I personally knew them therefore once again I was revisiting old friends.
Lavender Road is under attack from Hitler's V-1 Rockets. But the Lavender Road community is made off sterner stuff and I loved how once again they pulled together while slowly living their lives in the only way they know how and that is by simply surviving.
I also loved how Helen De Burrel is once again one of the main characters and it was great getting to know her once again as has arrived in France along with the many men who have been brought to finally dissolve the power of Hitler and his followers her works of bravery will have you reading to the last page is reached.
Victory Girls written by Helen Carey is one again another fabulous read and one book I am very happy to recommend. This is the sixth book in the Lavender Road Series and with each book, I fell in love with these wonderful, unique characters,
I am so sorry to say goodbye to each of them as it was a series which as well as being entertained I was also educated as Helen Carey has a gift of mixing historical fiction with constant historical facts.
If you love Historical fiction especially based on the era of the Second World War this is one book you will not be disappointed in.
Happy to recommend Victory Girls as one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Lavender Road is under attack from Hitler's V-1 Rockets. But the Lavender Road community is made off sterner stuff and I loved how once again they pulled together while slowly living their lives in the only way they know how and that is by simply surviving.
I also loved how Helen De Burrel is once again one of the main characters and it was great getting to know her once again as has arrived in France along with the many men who have been brought to finally dissolve the power of Hitler and his followers her works of bravery will have you reading to the last page is reached.
Victory Girls written by Helen Carey is one again another fabulous read and one book I am very happy to recommend. This is the sixth book in the Lavender Road Series and with each book, I fell in love with these wonderful, unique characters,
I am so sorry to say goodbye to each of them as it was a series which as well as being entertained I was also educated as Helen Carey has a gift of mixing historical fiction with constant historical facts.
If you love Historical fiction especially based on the era of the Second World War this is one book you will not be disappointed in.
Happy to recommend Victory Girls as one of the best books I have read in a long time.
February 24, 2019
This is the final book in Helen Carey's absolutely riveting series of Lavender Road novels. It lives up to, and for me, beyond expectations as, besides the story line as to the last days of WW2 and their impact on the Londoners I have come to know and love (Joyce Carter, Albert, Katy, Jen et al) the action moves into Europe and the Theatre of War. The last chapters have all the elements of a thriller, and the ending is deeply satisfying. Miss Carey signs off with a typically humorous flourish.
As the author points out in her footnotes, if you have read the entire series then you have read over a million words - all about the endurance, stoicism, gritty humour and resilience of the WW2 generation - and all I can say is, a million more please!Victory Girls
As the author points out in her footnotes, if you have read the entire series then you have read over a million words - all about the endurance, stoicism, gritty humour and resilience of the WW2 generation - and all I can say is, a million more please!Victory Girls
April 30, 2019
I have now read all the books in the Lavender Road series and I must say that each one was as enjoyable as the others. Victory Girls was particularly impressive and by the time I finished it this morning, I was in tears at having to say goodbye to the memorable characters who had held my interest from the first volume.
Helen Carey is a brilliant writer. She interspersed events of World War 2 with her intricate plot and the distinctive characters who peopled the six books of the series. I am so glad that I found the first books of the series quite by chance when I was browsing in a bookshop a number of years ago. I recommend the Lavender Road series of books to everyone and I look forward to reading more books by Helen Carey who is definitely my favourite writer!
Helen Carey is a brilliant writer. She interspersed events of World War 2 with her intricate plot and the distinctive characters who peopled the six books of the series. I am so glad that I found the first books of the series quite by chance when I was browsing in a bookshop a number of years ago. I recommend the Lavender Road series of books to everyone and I look forward to reading more books by Helen Carey who is definitely my favourite writer!
April 25, 2018
The final episode in the Lavender Road series. An absolutely fantastic series! Lavender Road is a fictional Road in Clapham, London. The residents are a close community, where the men have gone to War and it’s up to the women to cope with the daily going ons. I love how Helen Carey has managed to portray each women as incredibly strong - both the younger and older generation. It wasn’t a case of going to pieces, you just had to knuckle down and get on with it!
Right through from the first Lavender Road to the final Vicory Girls, I don’t have a particular favourite book, because they were all so immensely brilliant! I do have favourite ‘scenes’ though and favourite characters! I particularly loved the moment Ward proposed to Katy! I found Mrs Cater and Mr Lorenzo’s ensuing romance endearing! And I was so relieved when Helen was finally in the arms of Andre, and he was safe and well. Molly and Jen were extremely brave to escape the Nazi’s and find safe passage once in France and safely with Andre. All six books have had so much to offer.
I can’t imagine the reasearch necessary to write these books. I thoroughly enjoyed the progress of the War, as the residents would hear it.
The characters were so perfectly explored, that I have visions in my head of each and every character....and by the way I think Molly is gorgeous!....I got to know their traits and personalities, and it was a real pleasure to read and digest the vision Helen created.
I feel kind of sad it’s ended now.....anyone have any recommendations?!.........
A massive 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Right through from the first Lavender Road to the final Vicory Girls, I don’t have a particular favourite book, because they were all so immensely brilliant! I do have favourite ‘scenes’ though and favourite characters! I particularly loved the moment Ward proposed to Katy! I found Mrs Cater and Mr Lorenzo’s ensuing romance endearing! And I was so relieved when Helen was finally in the arms of Andre, and he was safe and well. Molly and Jen were extremely brave to escape the Nazi’s and find safe passage once in France and safely with Andre. All six books have had so much to offer.
I can’t imagine the reasearch necessary to write these books. I thoroughly enjoyed the progress of the War, as the residents would hear it.
The characters were so perfectly explored, that I have visions in my head of each and every character....and by the way I think Molly is gorgeous!....I got to know their traits and personalities, and it was a real pleasure to read and digest the vision Helen created.
I feel kind of sad it’s ended now.....anyone have any recommendations?!.........
A massive 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 12, 2018
Victory Girls is the 6th book in a series about Lavender Road. Unfortunately I came to this series late, as this is the first book I read. Having said that it’s a brilliant story and can easily be read as a stand-alone. I fell in love with all the characters so I shall be going back to where it all began and reading books 1-5 to find out in more detail how the characters got to where they were in this book. I highly recommend this book, and you will love the whole series is the other books are as good as this one. Which I’m sure they will be.
May 8, 2018
Fantastic
I have read( and reread) the entire series. I have enjoyed each book and I really hope that there are more to come.
I have read( and reread) the entire series. I have enjoyed each book and I really hope that there are more to come.
March 21, 2019
I inhaled this entire series and I regret that because now it is over and I have to leave Lavender Rd and all my friends and not-friends and will-someone-ground-this-kid-already.
The nice thing about this conclusion is that it is handled so well that I left satisfied. There were no loose ends, no unanswered questions.
The nice thing about this conclusion is that it is handled so well that I left satisfied. There were no loose ends, no unanswered questions.
June 5, 2018
LGreat read
I have enjoyed the Lavender Road books , recommend them to anybody who like reading Nancy Revelle , Ellie Dean and many more authors who write the same sort of books
I have enjoyed the Lavender Road books , recommend them to anybody who like reading Nancy Revelle , Ellie Dean and many more authors who write the same sort of books
June 22, 2018
Really enjoy reading Helen Carey books. Holds my interest from start to finish.
August 8, 2020
A very well written story, with greet cohesion, considering the many "main" characters. This is the last book in the WWII series of girls, who Lived on Lavender Road. These would be really fun reads if not for the war and the fear of imminent death to your favorite character. Still an amazing bunch of work, and a great deal of research, went into these books. But that's what sorta put me off the books as a whole was the large amount of description of armory and other warcraft. I think this book would be half again as long without all the plans, and troop movements. Also starting at the end did not help due to large amount of important characters in the series. I felt left out quite a bit. In summation, if you start at the beginning, and don't mind war details, this could be a very interesting series.
February 23, 2020
t seems that I am a minority that found this book hard work and dragged on and on. I enjoyed the first three Lavender Road series that were published in the late nineties. I thought they were entertaining and engaged with the characters.
However, the three that was published twenty years after that had changed and became rather ridiculous in their coincidence and somehow the characters seemed to loose their original personalities as the storylines became more and more unconvincing as time went on. The research was good and felt I had to carry on with these saga's once I had started them. I must admit skimming reading a lot of chapters to this book as I found it so tedious and boring and was glad to finish the series once and for all.
However, the three that was published twenty years after that had changed and became rather ridiculous in their coincidence and somehow the characters seemed to loose their original personalities as the storylines became more and more unconvincing as time went on. The research was good and felt I had to carry on with these saga's once I had started them. I must admit skimming reading a lot of chapters to this book as I found it so tedious and boring and was glad to finish the series once and for all.
November 12, 2023
4.0 Book six and the ladies of Lavender Road finally see the end of the WWII. Helen went in search of her Frenchman overseas. Katie was waiting for Ward to come home, Jen gets married and then her husband has to go back to war. Molly is searching for her birth mother and it does not end well. Joyce finally remarries and is happy for the first time in her life except she has one son in POW camp and others serving overseas. Rebuilding is beginning on the bombed out homes in Lavender Rd and hopes of peace is on everyone's mind.
October 13, 2024
Bittersweet
The Lavender Road series of books has given me hours of reading enjoyment. So it is bittersweet for them to end. I fell in love with the characters, and there was no shortage of them. To watch them grow and change and come to be one big family was heartwarming. These books were meticulously researched, so I learned a great deal of history about WWII in the process. I hate to find one fault, but the editing was sloppy throughout, but Ms. Carey is such a captivating storyteller that she can be forgiven.
The Lavender Road series of books has given me hours of reading enjoyment. So it is bittersweet for them to end. I fell in love with the characters, and there was no shortage of them. To watch them grow and change and come to be one big family was heartwarming. These books were meticulously researched, so I learned a great deal of history about WWII in the process. I hate to find one fault, but the editing was sloppy throughout, but Ms. Carey is such a captivating storyteller that she can be forgiven.
November 8, 2018
I learned so much. I knew war is hell, but heros are everyehere. Loved these books. Will miss them.
Praying for peace every where, but evil must be stopped. Always wonder if I would have the courage to stand against wrong. Ever since I read "Anne Frank's Diary" I've thought and hoped that we the world learned that bigotry is wrong and can lead to horrible consequences. I will keep praying.
Praying for peace every where, but evil must be stopped. Always wonder if I would have the courage to stand against wrong. Ever since I read "Anne Frank's Diary" I've thought and hoped that we the world learned that bigotry is wrong and can lead to horrible consequences. I will keep praying.
December 13, 2018
Victory Girls (Lavender Road Book Six)
This book is one of a series of six and is the first time I have read a series where all six books are equally interesting and wonderful and hard to quit reading. I am going to miss all of the neighbors lining "in" Lavender Road. I wish everyone could have a Mr. Lorenz as their friend. Thank you Helen Carey for the pleasure of your hard work and talent.
This book is one of a series of six and is the first time I have read a series where all six books are equally interesting and wonderful and hard to quit reading. I am going to miss all of the neighbors lining "in" Lavender Road. I wish everyone could have a Mr. Lorenz as their friend. Thank you Helen Carey for the pleasure of your hard work and talent.
April 5, 2019
The finale to a spellbinding series
This is an amazing series! Realistic stories of realistic individuals, all living under incredibly stressful circumstances, and gradually evolving into stronger, more compassionate people. I couldn’t wait to get home each day, buying and reading the books one after the other without a lapse in between, as if I were reading one large tome! I will miss all these people who have become like family!
This is an amazing series! Realistic stories of realistic individuals, all living under incredibly stressful circumstances, and gradually evolving into stronger, more compassionate people. I couldn’t wait to get home each day, buying and reading the books one after the other without a lapse in between, as if I were reading one large tome! I will miss all these people who have become like family!
June 24, 2019
Excellent read and series!
I loved the depth and complexity of the characters in this series. The author brought to life the hardships as well as the resilience of the generation of people who endured this time in history. Victory Girls (like the other books in this series) was a page-turner from beginning to end. I actually regret finishing the series because I’ve become so attached to the characters.
I loved the depth and complexity of the characters in this series. The author brought to life the hardships as well as the resilience of the generation of people who endured this time in history. Victory Girls (like the other books in this series) was a page-turner from beginning to end. I actually regret finishing the series because I’ve become so attached to the characters.
September 18, 2022
Wonderful series!
I read all 6 books in 2 weeks. Didn’t get much else done, but they were hard to put down. So many hair raising adventures and interesting relationships. I lived in the UK in the late 70’s and love reading stories about the lives of the British people during the two world wars. Helen Carey does a good job integrating the history of the time within the story. It was well worth the hours I spent with my nose buried in her books.
I read all 6 books in 2 weeks. Didn’t get much else done, but they were hard to put down. So many hair raising adventures and interesting relationships. I lived in the UK in the late 70’s and love reading stories about the lives of the British people during the two world wars. Helen Carey does a good job integrating the history of the time within the story. It was well worth the hours I spent with my nose buried in her books.
April 30, 2018
Unbelievably grand!!
I am so saddened that this series is over. The writing is the absolute best. The characters have become my friends. I have laughed, cried, been frightened, so very sad and finally rejoiced with them all. Please read the entire series. I have learned so much about WW2.
I am so saddened that this series is over. The writing is the absolute best. The characters have become my friends. I have laughed, cried, been frightened, so very sad and finally rejoiced with them all. Please read the entire series. I have learned so much about WW2.
September 11, 2018
Wonderful
Did not want the book to end. After 6 books you are part of the story . A fantastic series about life in London during the war. The families, their problems, their trials, their losses. All of it is shared with the reader. I have read many ww 2 novels and these six books were the best ever. I wish there is a 7th . There is so much more to tell.
Did not want the book to end. After 6 books you are part of the story . A fantastic series about life in London during the war. The families, their problems, their trials, their losses. All of it is shared with the reader. I have read many ww 2 novels and these six books were the best ever. I wish there is a 7th . There is so much more to tell.
January 25, 2022
So sorry to wrap up this series about he women on Lavender Road in WWII London. In this final novel, the women face new danger, challenges and setbacks, but despite it all the story wraps up as the war finally ends. Each of them is ready to start a new chapter In their lives, and I’m just sad to be finished!
October 16, 2018
Wonderful series!
I wish there were 6 more books in this series. I loved it! The citizens of Lavender Rd. became “friends” due to the wonderful character development and believable personalities of these characters were given. I will miss them!
I wish there were 6 more books in this series. I loved it! The citizens of Lavender Rd. became “friends” due to the wonderful character development and believable personalities of these characters were given. I will miss them!
March 4, 2019
I will miss the folks on Lavender road
I was totally addicted to this series of books. The author wrote in such a way, I felt a personal relationship with each and every character. Although now I want to know what happens after the war to each of them. Thank you,
I was totally addicted to this series of books. The author wrote in such a way, I felt a personal relationship with each and every character. Although now I want to know what happens after the war to each of them. Thank you,
August 22, 2019
Victory Girls
I thoroughly enjoyed every one of the Lavender Road books. Most books I have read about World War Two are from the American view, I loved the English take on the every day life and the war time events that happened in England and in Europe. Excellent reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed every one of the Lavender Road books. Most books I have read about World War Two are from the American view, I loved the English take on the every day life and the war time events that happened in England and in Europe. Excellent reading.
July 24, 2020
Lavender Road Series (1-6)
I spent this month on Lavender Road with Helen Carey in World War 2 England. Each book has a different title and book #. During our pandemic we get to meet very normal people rise to the occasion.
I spent this month on Lavender Road with Helen Carey in World War 2 England. Each book has a different title and book #. During our pandemic we get to meet very normal people rise to the occasion.
June 27, 2021
Great stories
I can’t remember ever enjoying a series of novels as much as the six Lavender Road books. I have Amazon Prime so I rarely buy books as there are so many that are free, but I purchased four of these books and enjoyed them all.
I can’t remember ever enjoying a series of novels as much as the six Lavender Road books. I have Amazon Prime so I rarely buy books as there are so many that are free, but I purchased four of these books and enjoyed them all.
November 20, 2021
Great book
Bravo this is a suberb series. Anyone interested in the homefront, undercover activites these are the novels for you. The characters are the best, and the twist and turns are masterful. Looking forward to reading more of Helen's work.
Bravo this is a suberb series. Anyone interested in the homefront, undercover activites these are the novels for you. The characters are the best, and the twist and turns are masterful. Looking forward to reading more of Helen's work.
December 11, 2021
Beautiful Story
I am a history teacher and I have lived in Italy and Germany you have captured the essence of so many different levels of the English in your books as they struggled in the war years yet came together as family. Truly great stories and well written .
I am a history teacher and I have lived in Italy and Germany you have captured the essence of so many different levels of the English in your books as they struggled in the war years yet came together as family. Truly great stories and well written .
February 14, 2025
An excellent end to a series I've enjoyed very much. It's unusual to find books with so many central characters that succeeds in portraying those characters with remarkable depth, and in further developing them and showing their growth. I'll quite miss the Lavender Road ladies.
May 12, 2018
Pretty predictable
The writer was able to tie up all the loose ends at the end of the book. I was not happy with the way she put down the US military servicemen in several places.
The writer was able to tie up all the loose ends at the end of the book. I was not happy with the way she put down the US military servicemen in several places.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews