Courage of the Shipyard Girls

Shipyard Girls #6

by Nancy Revell

Sunderland, 1942: Polly's heart and her future are hanging in the balance…

Polly’s sweetheart Tommy has been declared missing while serving overseas, and although there is no certainty that he is dead, there is no guarantee that he will return home. Now Polly needs her friends more than ever, and the other women welders are ready to rally around her while she waits for news.

The only one not showing support is shipyard manager, Helen. But looks can be deceiving, and beneath her cold exterior, Helen is wrestling with demons of her own, including one life-changing decision that could lead to potential ruin.

As the war continues, the shipyard girls must support one another as they bravely soldier on.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Family, Historical

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2019

About the author

Nancy Revell is the pseudonym of Amanda Revell Walton a writer and journalist that has worked for all the national newspapers, providing them with hard-hitting news stories and in-depth features. She has also worked for just about every woman's magazine in the country, writing amazing and inspirational true life stories. Nancy has recently relocated back to her home town of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, with her husband, Paul, and their English Bull Mastiff, Rosie. They live just a short walk away from the beautiful award-winning beaches of Roker and Seaburn, within a mile of where The Shipyard Girls series is set. The subject is close to Nancy's heart as she comes from a long line of shipbuilders, who were well-known in the area.

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunderland 1942, the month of June and the sixth book in the shipyards girls, this book is certainly about courage, all the girls are keeping Thompsons going as well as their private lives. all their loved ones missing or worse killed and not knowing is heartbreaking. oh this book really knocks your emotions as you read. its war time in Sunderland, and the book follows through to October, in them few months a lot is happening, gripping read with a superb ending. i loved the little questionaire at the end and finding i am a match for Gloria Turnbull. and also a sneaky peak for the next book Christmas with the shipyards girls. everyone of these authors books just get better. a well deserved five stars

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous story of life in and around the shipyards during the war years i have grown to love Martha,Dorothy,Angie,Polly,Gloria and Rosie.The lady welders have a very close bond and know when something is wrong before being told.Rosie is still having problems with her little sister wanting to come home but is standing her ground.Gloria and Hope are still meeting with Helen and a strong bond is forming between them and one that Helen needs as her home life gets unbearable.I will say that this book really surprised me but it is most surely worthy of more than 5* it is an excellent book.Well done to Nancy Revell.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Courage of the Shipyard Girls is the sixth in the Shipyard Girls series by Nancy Revell which follows a group of women working in one of Sunderland's busiest shipyards during World War Two. I've been following this group of extraordinary, courageous, hard working and determined women right from the very beginning and each and every one of them has established a firm place in my heart. Nancy Revell has built up a strong set of characters each with their own troubles and strife’s to deal with amidst the backdrop of war.

I love how some characters come to the fore in one book but then take more of a back seat in the next. Having a significant amount of women to focus on, if each book featured them all in a prominent role I feel the author would be stretching the storylines far too thin and for the reader the books would become hard to follow, having to focus on too many people at once. Each character wouldn't get their time in the spotlight that they deserve to highlight their issues and share their experiences with the reader. No character is ever forgotten about and we always still get to see a continuation of their various storylines but in this book it is Polly and the traumatic situation that has befallen her alongside a major turning point for Helen that is the main focus.

You have to have hope until you know for certain is one of the main themes running through the book and this couldn't be more apt than for Polly. Her fiancée Tommy Watts has been declared missing, presumed dead whilst clearing mines from boats in Gibraltar. Polly is devastated and this heartache pervades throughout the book as she can't begin to fathom that she may never see her beloved again. The author wrote so tenderly yet realistically of the sorrow and pain of not knowing for certain what had happened to Tommy. But as the title suggests courage, bravery, belief and hope must still remain a part of Polly because until something is confirmed she will not give up believing that Tommy could still somehow be alive. Polly was in very real danger of completely falling apart, of breaking away from the unit the women have created through their work welding in the shipyards. I felt she wanted to become distant, lost in her own thoughts of grief but also anger that this had happened to Tommy. But the women wouldn't let that happen. They were there for her every step of the way and if needed they would have propped her up and encouraged her to keep going for that is what Tommy would have wanted

That's what I love about this series, apart from all the brilliant little storylines all bubbling away since book one, some of which are starting to reach a climax, is the focus on the strength of the bonds of friendship the women have established. These links are beginning to go beyond friendship to mean something an awful lot more. They have become like one large family, a sisterhood which can never be broken despite what hardships and struggles the war throws in their paths. Led by Rosie, whose storyline had a significant presence in the first few books, these women are all unique and special in their own ways but when they come together they are a force to be reckoned with and will always band together to help anyone who needs it. Rosie didn't have as much of a role to play this time around given her new husband Peter is away doing his bit for the war but I sense in the next book things are about to get an awful lot more complicated for Rosie.

Gloria too, has had very significant storylines in the past but here I felt she very much took on a supportive and encouraging role for Helen. Gloria was almost the mother figure Helen lacks in her life and at a time when she needs it the most. Gloria had gotten to know Helen better, she could see beneath the façade that Helen had created and that underneath it all she was weak and vulnerable and needed someone to give her the right advice and support she so desperately needed. All the other girls dislike Helen intensely, and to be honest they had very good reason to, but since the previous book as I have seen a softer side to Helen, I am really starting to warm to her and this book confirmed that feeling even more. Helen really has been through the wringer and has been taken advantage of and discarded by more than one person. She feels abandoned and used but at the same time she is filled with a rage for what has happened and I thought the way she exacted her revenge was not over the top but rather subtle but at the same time there was force and true strength and resilience behind it.

As for her family members, well her mother Miriam is one of the most evil characters I have read about in a long time. The way she treats Helen is abhorrent and the hold she has over people and the strings she is pulling should never have been allowed to have happened. She is a despicable person and I really hope that in the future she very much gets the comeuppance she truly and utterly deserves. I want certain things to come out in the open to see the reaction of others. She should have been loving and caring towards Helen especially in her situation but she was the exact opposite and that's why I am glad that Gloria was there to step into that role. I'm not saying that relationship came quick and easy, nothing in life does but I am enjoying seeing both women strengthen the bonds of friendship into something more. They are both aware of the bigger picture and are working towards achieving a more positive outcome for everyone. They say a leopard never changes its spots but Helen is undergoing a transformation and it is a joy to behold. I only hope the other girls will be able to see this too. As for the introduction of Dr. John Parker and his role in Helen's storyline, I hope this will turn into something more in the future. Things are simmering along nicely and I am keen to see what direction the Nancy Revell will take Helen's storyline in next.

Courage of the Shipyard Girls moved along at a nice pace and advanced each persons storyline, some perhaps more so than others, but I have come to expect that with this series of books. I know whoever we didn't get to see much of this time around will feature more heavily in the next book or two. I'm really enjoying this series and observing how things are progressing for the women. The topics dealt with are relevant to the time but also all the time is the constant worry and threat of fearing for loved ones away fighting or else that bombs will fall upon them taking someone they love dearly. The last quarter of the book had me rapidly turning the pages as a spectacular scene fraught with tension, worry and danger unfolded. It was brilliantly written and my heart was in my mouth throughout. I couldn't believe what was unfolding before my eyes and there was more than a mild sense of panic that permanent heartache and devastation would ensue. Things got a little too close for comfort and I think all the characters felt that too. As for that final page, well that has certainly set the cat among the pigeons and I was gutted the book had to end with so many questions and an even more intriguing storyline that was being set up.

Courage of the Shipyard Girls was another enjoyable read from Nancy Revell that has solidified how much I love this series. Thankfully there will be another book to come later this year when Christmas with the Shipyard Girls will be published.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

1942

Reading this i felt I was there in these familiar streets fighting to keep family safe .all these girls have courage and are determined not to be beaten they all have the courage to carry on from Gloria to Hannah all have hidden depths 5 STARS for an unforgettable journey.

[Shruti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Arrow Publishing (Penguin Random House) in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

In Courage of the Shipyard Girls, the saga continues. The war is still raging and back home in Sunderland, the titular girls continue standing together in solidarity. The sixth book focuses on Polly and Helen, two women who have been against each other since the beginning of the series.

Polly’s fiancé is declared missing while being enlisted overseas. And everyone knows that someone who’s declared missing more often than not is declared dead later. Helen, the stoic shipyard manager, is going through her own crisis–the man she thought would give her her happily ever after is actually married. And she’s pregnant with his child.

How these two women come to terms with their grief and learn to accept the help of the other shipyard girls forms the rest of the story.

I finished this book in a day because of how riveting it was. The characters are fleshed out really well–they’re unique and extremely memorable. Here’s a bunch of women who support each other, show solidarity, and will do anything for their group of friends. These are women you can’t help but root for.

The story is fast-paced and intriguing, which is why it was possible for me to finish it in a day. That, and the fact that I didn’t want to miss my blog tour stop, but who’s keeping track of it? 😛

Courage of the Shipyard Girls is a fascinating tale of strong women who have got each others’ backs. It’s a story of love, loss, and solidarity. And most of all, it is a story that reminds us that no matter the death and destruction around you, there’s always hope. And that’s all you need, really.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Felt the characters were relatable and the many stories intertwined well. I wondered at times how much of a difference it would have made to have read the series in order, this being book number six, but it didn’t loose anything by being read first or on its own, I don’t think. From the start I couldn’t wait to read more pages.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful story. I love visiting the Shipyard Girls and catching up on their lives. I will share my review soon.

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the best in the series so far! I reallyreally enjoyed this and can't wait for the next.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series about a group of women on the Home Front is a well written testimony to the strength and mutual support of women under pressure. The author points out that seven hundred women worked in the Sunderland shipyards during the Second world war, doing vital work to manufacture and repair the ships needed to maintain the naval presence to the war effort. This book tells the stories of a group of women who mainly do the actual welding on ships, as well as work in the drawing office and organisation of the shipyard’s output. It is dirty, dangerous work in its own right without the added challenge of bombing raids when the planes are aiming for the shipyards. These women, like so many others, were also missing their male loved ones who were on active service, as well as encountering those whose service kept them in Sunderland. The group of women in this book represent so many real people. This book is part of a series, but such is the quality of the writing and the construction of the story it would be perfectly possible and indeed enjoyable to read it in isolation.

This book begins with a Prologue detailing the discovery of a letter addressed to Polly which announces that her fiance Tommy is missing on active service as a diver. She has already read it and is fleeing to J.L.Thompson’s shipyard where she works as a welder. The letter is given to her mother Agnes and Tommy’s grandfather Arthur, who pursue Polly to the shipyard to check on her. Once there they realise that she is with her friends and working in the job she is determined to do. Rosie is the chief of the work gang, Gloria being her slightly older deputy. Dorothy and Angie are younger women with a busy social life, while Martha is the solid worker. Another young woman, Helen becomes the other focus of the novel, as she has to cope with news that plunges her into a decision that has to be made by many women. Helen has traditionally not got on with the women who work in the yard, but has secretly been meeting Gloria and her baby Hope. Having got the reputation for unpleasant behaviour towards the women, especially Polly, when she has to cope with a succession of challenges she finds herself alone and having to deal with her thoroughly unpleasant mother and grandfather. Many other characters appear and affect the lives of the shipyard girls, who seek to manage their lives in the most difficult of circumstances.

This is a moving and extremely well written which celebrates female friendship and genuine affection. The sense of place, the noisy, dirty shipyard and the terrace houses become real in every sense in Revell’s skilful writing. The individuality of the women is well drawn so it is easy to become involved in each woman’s emotions, from the confident to the insecure, from the loving to the necessarily defensive. I found myself completely drawn into the book, with its surprises, twists and incredible climax. I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone interested in the roles women played in the Second World War, as despite being presented as fiction it has a centre of reality. I found it a vivid read, and I am looking forward to reading others in the series.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another fabulous story of life in and around the shipyards during the war years. I have grown to love Martha,Dorothy,Angie,Polly,Gloria and Rosie even in the end you like the character of Helen who really proved herself. I was hoping that the character of Jack Crawford would appear in the life of Gloria and Hope again . I simply loved the character of Dr John Parker, here's hoping that he and Helen will come together in the next book in the series and to see what mischief Rosie's younger sister Charlotte gets into.
Keep writing on these characters please Nancy Revell as they are all keep surprising us all.

[Karen Szyszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment is so-so-so-so good. It's so hard to decide which is a favorite character - Rosie, Polly, Gloria, Martha, Dorothy, Angie, Agnes, Bel, Lily, Kate, George. Now we have Helen thrown into the mix as well.

This story really tugs at the heart with Tommy declared missing. I cried along with Polly (and Agnes) when Agnes was final able to get her to open up about her fears. Having been in Polly's situation, who better to console her.

It was a pleasure to discover that Helen isn't such a cold-hearted snake as originally thought. I guess all these twists make it easier for the saga to continue - of which I am very glad.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Shipyard Girls series, and after reading books five and six in the series consecutively, I now have to wait till October for the next book to be published. This book concentrates on Helen a bit more, along with Polly and Tommy, during the summer and autumn of 1942.
These books allow the reader to really grow to love and care about the characters and what happens to them during WW2 both in their work and home lives.
If you enjoy reading about fiction set on the home front during WW2, I would recommend this series.

[Gerald M Griswold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaged in each woman's life

I have loved all these books and stayed up way too late reading them! The writing never drags on, is always interesting and engaging. I get so involved with her characters, which are wonderfully fleshed out, that I feel I know them! Can't wait for the next!

[Margaret Hind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this series of the shipyard girls

During the lockdown, I was given the first five books of the shipyard girls to read from a friend and I was captivated by Rosie and all her girls. These books are a fantastic read and they show just how brave the women were during the second world war when they took on the jobs of the men that went to war

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Book By Nancy Revell

This is the most current book in the Shipyard Girls Series and just like all the previous books, it doesn't disappoint! I think this book "Courage of the Shipyard Girls" was the most gripping and full of twists and turns! I loved it!!

[Christine Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, and i was not disappointed. The characters are so intricate and believeable , i was totally immersed in the storyline, and now can't wait for the next book.
Thank you Nancy Revell

[Karen Kepner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shipyard Girls

Courage, persistence, loyal, and hard working -all describe the Shipyard Girls during the Second WW. Lives are hard as are the lessons learned. Helen has troubles and learns life’s lessons with difficulty. The girls have become like friends known and loved.

[Deborah Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read, I’m loving the series, book 6 actually made me cry, I felt like I there with them on their journey.
I bought the series 1-9 at a great price on Amazon. Just got to get book 10

[Pauline Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more can I say than definitely an excellent book to read. Fantastic structure of plot lines and colourful characters to match. It covers all the emotions with accurate information. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

These Shipyard Girls books just get better and better. I just love the camaraderie between the women, of different ages and backgrounds, but all thrown together during WW2 in the shipyards of Sunderland. A great big 5 star read from me.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just get better and better the shipyard girls are such a close group of friends
Can’t put them down soon as finished one book I start the next
An absolute read Nancy Revell is an amazing author
You feel your in the story when reading your so engrossed you feel your one of them

[noreen stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this storyline

Have read all the books in this series. Couldn't stop reading and can't wait for her next book love all the characters and there intertwined storylines!

[Sue Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Brilliant I really enjoyed this book as I am enjoying the series please keep on writing .th e writings excellent n the stories so enthralling.

[Janice Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Once again we meet the shipyard girls, the bond these girls have with each other is brilliant as they continue to work in the shipyard during WW2

[chris martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Brilliant , I love these characters. Looking forward to the next book to see how they are all getting on .

[Setchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[june peel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

Loved all the books I hope there will be more from the series I loved them all all from my area I was born

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another amazing story, feel as if I know these ladies and cannot wait for the next book to be published.

[Judith Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so enjoyable can't wait till October 31at for next one

[Jo Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another BRILLIANT READ

Laughed, cried & all mix of emotions throughout the book. Just couldn’t put it down, now to download book 7