Secrets of the Homefront Girls

Homefront Girls #1

by Kate Thompson

A new series from bestselling author Kate Thompson.'Kate Thompson's wartime novels always strike a chord and Secrets of the Homefront Girls is no exception . You can almost smell the Yardley violets drifting over the factory as the girls live lives complicated by the trials and tribulations of war' My Weekly'Kate Thompson's put the lives of women working in the Yardley factory during the Blitz at the heart of her latest novel' Woman's HourStratford, 1939.Britain may be at war, but on the home front keeping up morale and keeping up appearances go hand in hand. For the young women working on the lipstick production line at Yardley's cosmetics factory, it's business as usual.Headstrong Renee Gunn is the queen of the lipstick belt - although her cheeky attitude means she's often in trouble. When Esther, an Austrian refugee, arrives at Yardley's, it's Renee who takes her under her wing and teaches her to be a true cockney.But outside of the factory, things are more complicated. Lily, Renee's older sister, has suddenly returned home after six years away, and is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile Esther is finding life in England more difficult than expected, and it's not long before Renee finds herself in trouble, with nowhere to turn.In the face of the Blitz, the Yardley girls are bound together by friendship and loyalty - but could the secrets they are hiding be the biggest danger of all?'A compelling saga set around the tenacious women of the East End' Daisy Styles'Kate Thompson is a skillful and humane storyteller who lights up the sooty face of the old East End with tales full of drama and human interest.' Annie Murray

Genres: Historical Fiction

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 25, 2019

About the author

Kate Thompson was born in London and worked as a journalist for twenty years on women's magazines and national newspapers. She now lives in Sunbury with her husband, two sons and two rescue dogs. After ghost writing five memoirs, Kate moved into fiction.

Kate's first non-fiction social history documenting the forgotten histories of East End matriarchy, The Stepney Doorstep Society, was published in 2018 by Penguin. She is passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories.

Today Kate works as a journalist, author and library campaigner. Her most recent books, The Little Wartime Library (2022) and The Wartime Book Club (2023) by Hodder & Stoughton focus on two remarkable libraries in wartime. Her 100 libraries project, celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities.

Kate is also proud to have worked in collaboration with one of Britain's oldest Holocaust survivors, Renee Salt, to research and write, A mother's Promise (UK) Do Not Cry When I Die (US and Canada) to be published on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.


Podcast host - From the Library With Love. Interviews with librarians, best-sellling authors and our remarkable wartime generation. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely brilliant read! I couldn't put it down. From the first page I was drawn into the story and held there. The characters jumped off the page. They were so real. The poverty in the Shoot and the sheer will power it took to survive it all in a time of war is well documented.
The trials and tribulations of the Gunn family is the main story but the off shoots are tied in nicely. This is no saccharine story line. The descriptions of war damage and deaths is told in all it's gory glory. Also the people we come to love don't all have happy endings which is what real life is, after all.
Nell Gunn, the Matriarch of the story, is a wonderful character. She could be my great grandmother, the comparisons are uncanny. Even though my family lived in Ireland, poverty is poverty where ever you go and strong women too.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction based on fact.

[Mrs Bookworm Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader, and I dont ever write a review. It all changed after reading this book, it was fabulous! Set in 1939 the start of WW2, I found myself engrossed with anticipation of what will happen next that I couldn't put the book down. The Gunn family were fantastic characters, which all complemented the story. I found myself laughing at Nells one liners. Then tears during the blitz.... I'm looking forward to the next chapter of this saga and see if frankie goes to Vienna, Esther and Walter getting married but most of all Lil on her adventure to New York.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the characters. Brilliant dialogue, really sharp and emotive. Did not see that twist. Thompson is a really good, controlled writer. At the end of the book it was thrilling and action packed. I felt Renee really changed.

[Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric and accessible social history, with the real characters who kept Stratford going during the Blitz.

Opening in the streets of Stratford and the notorious Shoot in September 1939 as war is declared, Secrets of the Homefront Girls is the story of the so called ‘Lavender Girls’ who staffed the Yardley cosmetics factory and embodied true East End spirit and courage in the face of adversity. Combining the stories of these women, their families, community and the industrial might of the surrounding factories the novel is a testament to how the area refused to succumb, people pulled together and Stratford remained open for business.

The story focuses on three young women from two families in particular with no-nonsense neighbourhood troubleshooter ‘Auntie’, Nell Gunn the mother of two of them. Eldest daughter and twenty-three-year-old Lily is a mass of conflicting emotions as she returns home after a hasty exit and six years away. Reluctant to be back the former Bond Street sales girl is installed as the charge hand in the lipstick room on Carpenter’s Road overseeing her spirited sister and blond-haired blue-eyed glamour girl of the thousand strong workforce, nineteen-year-old Renee. With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and enough sass for all of East London, Renee is the outspoken and carefree epitome of a girl with the world at her feet. But with love looming, a war underway and the return of her reserved and ambitious sister, Lily, without knowing what sent her away in the first place things are about to become far more complex. Enter sixteen-year-old and shy Esther Orwell a Jewish refugee from Austria with a tragic past overwhelmed by the new life facing her. Taken under the wing of loyal Renee and given a swift education in what it means to be a proper cockney and Yardley Girl a brighter future finally beckons.

Together this trio really do put their best face forward and live up to the Yardley slogan of 1942, “good looks and good morale are the closest of companions”. As a third-person narrative rotates between Lily, Renee and Esther their individual journeys are compelling told and poignant with an equal focus. The emergence of Esther as she flourishes at Yardley’s and carves out a future in East London is one of the books fundamental strengths. Together with her resourceful mother, Julia and Esther’s kindness and compassion the Orwell’s really do uphold the ‘never surrender’ attitude of the local community where everyone is someone. Woven together these individual stories make for a fascinating portrayal of life during the Blitz with the claustrophobic array of streets around the Shoot, stinky Stratford’s noxious odours and the very real terror of the darkest moments recreated with powerful effect.

With Yardley considered one of the most forward-thinking companies and a employer that rewarded its employees for their hard work with perks, social events, occupational health support and so much more, I was staggered to learn how progressive they were for the time and came to understand why a career with them was considered such a prized asset.

In contrast to other saga stories that I have read, author Kate Thompson sugar-coats nothing and lays the full horror and reality of wartime and the Blitz alongside the more uplifting stories of friendship, camaraderie and family life. Written with sensitivity and respect the story benefits hugely from being so evidently well-researched and whilst there are no dense info dumps, the background to the operations at Yardley and life around the Shoot is vivid and the pivotal events, such as the devastating school hall bombing of Canning Town, documented with veracity and authenticity. In addition the story held a fair few surprises and wasn’t simply the overly rosy picture that so many wartime saga novels often are with real characters complete with individual strengths, outlooks and flaws. Whilst I had worked out some of Lily’s secret the full extent of it proved a surprise that I certainly didn’t see coming.

Not only is the story educational but it proves highly involving and action-packed and credit to Kate Thompson for bringing her characters alive and sharing their stories and the solidarity between local employers and the entire community. An inspirational and rousing story that had me fist pumping for the courage, resilience, spirit and loyalty of the home front’s finest by the end! In the words of indomitable matriarch and the Shoot’s ‘Auntie’, Nell Gunn, “the Homefront ain’t all knitting and queuing”.

Complete with an afterword and just two of the many women’s stories that inspired this tale and a few fascinating wartime beauty tips, Secrets of the Homefront Girls comes highly recommended for saga fans and anyone interested in the history of London. I look forward to the forthcoming second instalment and in the meantime will definitely be reading more of Kate Thompson’s back catalogue.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Renee Gunn, living and working in Stratford East London at The Yardley Cosmetics Factory. Working along side her best friend Nan, Betty, Joanie,Joycie,Mavis Little Irene and Fat Lou. it's 1939 and war has broke out these are The Lavender Girls working in the lipstick room god know's how long the factory will remain open for as they have to do their bit for the war effect. but women need to cling onto their femininity and the converting of the old powder room department means fire watching and ARP duties will mean extra hours and cash for the girls. Esther Orwell and Austrian refugee join the team and her and Renee become good friends. then Renee's sister Lily turns up out of the blue after six year's from Bond Street Mayfair Yardley's Salon becoming the new charge hand why did she leave? Lily doesn't intend to stick around after the war its in her head to go to
Paris and work her way up, but there have been secret's locked inside Lily for to long. this book is full of sharp witty fullness that i so enjoyed. i loved Renee a chip off the old block everyone just can't help been enchanted by her. what a delight this book is this book is full of family and friend's impossible secret's that bring's lots of heartache that are aching to come out. to step back in time 1940 Yardley Factory along Carpenter's road in stinky Stratford, was such a pleasure to read its definitely been one hell of a one. and now i want more secrets of the lavender girls but thats another story LOVED IT

[Gill Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this novel, Kate Thompson whisks the reader back to 1939, to Stratford in London's East End, so convincingly that you feel you are right there in the Shoot eating a dripping sandwich, or piling your hair into a turban and sneaking a fag in the cloakroom at Yardley's cosmetics factory. The cockney dialogue is spot on and the humour is bawdy, but there is no doubt about the hardship of their lives either – especially once the bombs start dropping.
Renee Gunn is a true original: sparky and irreverent, with little respect for authority but a true heart of gold. As the story begins, her sister Lily returns to the family home after six years away. They are both protective of their clever little brother Frankie, and of a Jewish refugee called Esther, who is picked on by her workmates. Looking out for others is a quality they inherited from their mum, the indomitable Nell Gunn, lynchpin of the neighbourhood, who stands up to violent husbands and feeds the hungry.
This is a novel in which you are immersed within pages. You wonder why Nan is marrying the womanising Jimmy, and whether Alfie really is the right boy for Renee. Most of all you want to know why Lily went missing for six years… The wealth of research about the food they ate, the cosmetics they wore, the smells of the different factories in the area, makes it feel utterly authentic, but it is the characters that leap off the page and draw you in. I'll definitely be reading more of Kate Thompson's books!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book i have loved meeting new charactors from the pen of Kate Thompson.We meet the girls working at the yardley factory and what a happy bunch they are.Renee,Nan and the other Lipstick girls are trying to stay upbeat in the face of war and to continue looking like women.Lily(Renee's older sister)returns to Yardleys as a new charge hand,but her return stirs up memories she thought had died.Nell Gunn a formidable woman who makes sure all the families of their area are ok and even takes men to task.Young Esther a refugee from Austria starts at Yardleys and finds although strange to her she loves her new job and home but misses her father who had remained in Austria.I can honestly say i have loved this book as Renee and Esther my favourites become good friends.Worthy of the 5*

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, gentle read about women in London’s East End who worked in the Yardley factory during WWII. The government believed that makeup, powder and lipstick especially, was as important to morale as any of the other wartime efforts.

[ღ❀ ℭaroline ❀ღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not quite sure who wrote the introduction for this book on Goodreads, but it’s full of mistakes. Lily is 22 or 23 not 19. Her sister Renee is 19, not 16. Also, Renee’s boyfriend is called Alfie, not Ronnie.

I did enjoy this book apart from the bad language peppered throughout. The “Secret” was so glaringly obvious though you could have driven a double decker bus through it. I’d guessed what it was within the first few chapters

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Thompson’s latest book, Secrets of the Homefront Girls, is based in Stratford, East End of London in 1939 during World War II and concentrates on the women working at the Yardley’s Cosmetic Factory. Colourful characters such as, Renee Gunn, her sister Lily and Austrian refuge Esther all work on the Lipstick production line, with Renee being known as ‘Queen of the lipstick belt’.
Renee is a ‘true Cockney’, and takes Esther under her wing and shows her how the women of the East End live and work during the dark times of the blitz. Lily returns home after being away for six years with a dark secret that over shadows her return to Yardley’s as a new charge hand. Her return also stirs up long forgotten memories for Renee.
Although this story is written with the backdrop of the blitz, the Yardley girls definitely inject a ‘flash of glamour’ to the East End of London.
The story focuses on the women of Yardley’s who carry on even during the turbulent times of WWII, it focuses on their loyalty, patriotism and friendships.
‘Beauty is your Duty’ was an official propaganda campaign in 1939, and wearing red lipstick went from being seen as risqué to being patriotic.
The main characters and the events of the book where inspired by Kate’s own research, which involved talking with the women who worked at Yardley’s, and you can tell this in her writing as the women’s strength, loyalty and friendships really shine through in the, Secrets of the Homefront Girls, and the fun of working the lipstick line with friends.
I loved the main characters and was rooting for them during the book, both amazed and proud at how they carried on living and working during the blitz, knowing that the women are inspired by the real Yardley girls made it even more poignant. The sights, smells, and fear of being in the the East End in 1939, was bought to life under Kate’s pen, along with the fun and lasting friendships which were made working at Yardley’s.
I recommend this book, and look forward to reading Kate Thompson’s other stories.

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully evocative tale set during WWII in the East End of London, revolving around the Yardley girls who worked on the lipstick line in the factory and whose ‘duty’ it was to look glamorous, putting their best face forward in dark times.

It’s a beautifully written and well researched book. I was totally immersed in all the characters’ lives - I loved each and every one! The author has done a brilliant job in creating and bringing them to life. There is humour as well as sadness and the British fighting spirit really comes to the fore. The story touches on a variety of issues which kept me engaged and entertained throughout. It brought to mind memories of my mother telling me how she did her bit for the war effort, working part time for the fire service and also helping out in the forces’ canteen alongside her sister. Where would this country have been without women like these?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a tale which shows our determination to survive, to stand up for what is right and to put one foot in front of the other with a brave smile on our faces in the darkest of times. I can highly recommend it to social history fans. Don’t forget to read the author’s notes at the end - so interesting - and the wartime beauty tips make essential reading! 😊💄

[Debra Govier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which tells the story of a group of girls who worked in the Yardley cosmetics factory in London in 1941.
Although the book is fictional, the characters are typical of the families who struggled to survive in the tough East End during the war.
I was shocked by the description of the bombing raids in Canning Town, where hundreds of people died because they had no proper shelter to go to.
But the message that shines out from this book is that they all supported each other through good times and bad, and the friendships between the women was the most important thing.

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Kate Thompson has written another wonderful book that takes in the East End of London during World War II. The Yardley factory and the ladies that work there and not to forget Walter are brilliant characters. Also, Nell Gunn is a matriarch not to be crossed, This book did bring a tear to my eye. This is a brilliant five star read and recommended as all Kate Thompson's books. Can't wait for The Secrets of the Lavender Girls.

[Kirsty Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab loved this

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Antisemitism
Domestic violence & child abuse mentioned
World War II

[Emma Crowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

No question about it Secrets of the Homefront Girls, the latest book by Kate Thompson is the best book I have read in the family/war time saga genre in months. This reels you in from the very first page and holds you in its spell right until the very last sentence. Kate has written a story with a variety of strong and multi-layered characters and a vibrant and warm setting all set amidst the backdrop of the early years of World War Two. Such in-depth research and extensive detail helps the characters come alive from the pages to find a place in your heart. There are numerous varied and interesting storylines that really do leave you guessing right until the very last possible moment until revelations simply have to happen.

It would be wrong to say this was a joy to read has all the experiences of the characters are tough to comprehend and they certainly go through the emotional wringer as does the reader but yet at the same time this was an incredible read with characters that really get inside your head and if for any reason you have to put the book down you simply can't bear to be away from them because you are so invested in their lives and are eager to know what is going to happen next. Kate Thompson has given her readers a stunning read that goes beyond your usual run of the mill factory girls during World War Two story which has been done countless times over. Here we have a community where female solidarity is priority and compassion and loyalty are key character traits to people who don't have very much but always make the best of difficult situations even more so now that war has come calling and their lives are about to be altered forever.

In September 1939, with the rumblings of war drawing ever closer Lily Gunn arrives home to Stratford in East London after a six year absence. She has done well for herself working in the Yardley showrooms in Bond Street but now she has been relocated and made charge hand in the Yardley factory on Carpenter's Road. She is nervous and anxious to return to a place she had escaped and is worried about the reception she will receive from her family and her mother Nell, also known to many as Auntie. From the outset we can tell that Lily is harbouring a secret and is not willing to divulge its contents, she is on edge that it will be discovered but also that her family will not accept her back into their fold.

I don't think her family were initially wary as to why she was back given she had little or no contact with them but soon she was back amongst them and just trying to get on with the day to day living in 'The Shoot' and to settle into her new role in the factory. I presumed Lily would be the main character in the story but it was brilliant to see that there wasn't one main character as such rather that the story followed several women all connected and each got an equal footing in which to tell their story. The further we delve into the story the more we see connections and secrets emerge between everybody and I thought the way Kate wrote with such depth and honesty, and with such brilliant twists and turns, made for a fantastic read that became increasingly difficult to put down.

Nell or Auntie is the matriarch of the family, in fact she is the unofficial mother and saviour to her community -The Shoot - which is not the most luxurious of areas. As Lily made her way back to her home the descriptions of the area filled with houses on top of each other, narrow little streets and markets, stalls and shops bursting out from every corner possible were just so real and vivid. I felt as if I was there with her absorbing all the sights, smells, sounds and hustle and bustle as the residents try to eke out a living and keep their families fed .It really does take you back to a time very different from the one we live in today and there at the centre of it all is Nell.

What a character she was. At first I thought she was going to be fierce and indomitable and someone Lily and her sister Renee would never connect with or dare to cross. Yes she does have a reputation as someone who would not wish to mess with but she is resilient, resourceful and deep beneath her layers is a heart of gold where she will always fight for a just cause when she sees trouble or strife befalling those who do not need it. Nell looks out for everyone in the neighbourhood and she is like their unofficial leader. A strong community bound by hardship, deprivation, cruelty and now even tougher times with the outbreak of war seek Nell for wisdom, advice and help and it is only as the chapters fly by do we realise the extend of what a remarkable character she is.

Nell is someone who is always on the go and maybe at some points this was to the detriment of her family but she shows that all that matters is love combined with the traits of loyalty, honour and integrity and this is what shall see you through the most challenging of times. Nell may be fiery and formidable and she has good reason to be but really she is a stand-out character amongst many brilliant characters. She will split readers over her actions and will be cause for great debate but that's what a good story and believable characters should do.

Renee, Nell's daughter, is delighted to see the return of Lily and feels she can now get to know younger brother Frankie who was just a baby when she left. Oh god how I loved Renee. She may not have lived in the best part of London or had money on tap but she loved the area and its cast of characters where everyone looked out for and after everyone else. I thought she was ambitious and had the world at her feet. She was someone who made the most of every moment and lived her life to its fullest. Renee worked in the lipstick room of Yardley's factory nestled amongst many other factories which had kept many generations of families in employment. The detail regarding Yardley's factory was fascinating and of course this will inspire nostalgia and many memories in people who read this wonderful book. I can always remember the smell of the Yardley's soap and perfume that my granny had. Sure it is an institution and Kate Thompson with this book reminds us of this fact.

Renee sees herself as the Queen Bee in the factory but in a good way. She is brash, exuberant and has shed lots of confidence which makes her the centre of attention. Initially when we first meet her as much as I loved her character straight away I thought she was slightly immature. That she didn't realise that with war looming things were about to change and that she needed to grab every opportunity that came her way. Alfie Buckle had his eye on her and he was so charming and would have done anything for her but was she leading him on? I loved the way Renee's character was developed. Through one thing and another she had such life changing decisions to make but she didn't want to let certain people down or be known as a person who did the wrong thing resulting in consequences she would have to live with.

The final girl to feature, perhaps not as strongly as the others but none the less a very valid and worthwhile character was Esther. She had recently arrived in the East End with her mother Julia having escaped persecution of the Jews in Vienna. Her father had been left behind and taken to a detention camp and now both Esther and her mother are trying to come to terms with a new life that they did not wish to have to create. Esther may only have been 15 but she grew up and learned a lot on the floor of Yardley's factory working as a service girl. I thought it was brilliant that Kate Thompson included this character because it helped bring about the realities of the war for the residents of The Shoot.

That yes their men are going away to fight and so many will lose their lives but it's for people like Esther and Julia that they are fighting for and to stop a megalomaniac invading their country. It was good also that life wasn't plain sailing for Esther and that people like Nan and some of the other workers showed that maybe a new life wasn't always as welcoming for those that had escaped. Esther's storyline and the romance angle that developed was lovely to see and she really did show her metal and true worth when everything seemed to be in danger of being destroyed around them.

I mentioned Nan who is Renee best friend at the factory and who is just about to be married to sweetheart Jimmy. I thought she was going to be a confidant of Renee and that their friendship would only deepen and strengthen the further the story progressed. Well what a turn up for the books in the 360 her character did. I absolutely detested her and I hadn't an ounce of compassion for her even when the reasons for her abhorrent behaviour were revealed. She was mean, nasty and had such a dangerous chip on her shoulder that I wanted her to definitely get what was coming to her. She deserved no sympathy or support and although her character was crucial to the overall storyline I found her to be a cold fish, lacking in emotion and I hoped the girls would see what she was up to.

Secrets of the Homefront Girls had so many storylines going on but they weren't in the least bit difficult to keep track of. I loved how so many secrets and connections began to became apparent but things didn't become clear too soon. Yes I did guess at the Lily storyline simply because of the timing of some subtle hints and because of what characters were featured during these times but not in any way did it detract from my overall enjoyment of the storyline. The last quarter of the book was really nail biting stuff, my heart was in my mouth as devastation unfolds and the Germans really make their presence known. It's hard not to get emotionally invested in what is going on and at one point I did shed a tear and let out a wail of no. That's what makes this an outstanding read is that Kate Thompson never shied away from the realities and never gave her characters an easy get out clause and off they go skipping happily ever after into the sunset. That would have been a cop out which I have seen plenty of other authors in this genre do. That wasn't what happened during the war years and even though I mightn't have liked what happened, and I may have had many emotions stirred up, I think what happened was fitting for the story.

The closer I got to the end and as the pages remaining grew smaller and smaller I was worried that there were too many loose ends and that it was still only 1941 and surely this couldn't be it from these wonderful and inspiring characters. It was only when I got to the very very last page that I saw there will be more to come in the future as Secrets of the Lavender Girls will be published in 2020. I am so glad because this has been an inspiring, heartfelt, remarkable and impressive read with storylines and characters that I desperately want to read more of. I can't recommend this superb read enough. It's one you'll want to go back to the start and read all over again as soon as you have finished it.

[ClaireMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book that follows the stories of three young women in the war torn East End of London - this just jumped out at me when I was given the chance to review it via the author and The Book Club on Facebook.
The young women in question are Lily Gunn, her younger sister Renee and teenage Austrian refugee Esther Orwell and they are immediately united by their employment at the Yardley cosmetics factory in the lipstick room in Stratford. Lily has returned from working for the company in the West End and brings with her secrets that are somehow related to her early years growing up in Stratford. Renee is a 19 year old who is blossoming and enjoying living her life - a force of nature for all those who come into contact with her. Esther is the youngest at a mere 15 at the start of the book, yet as an Austrian Jew she has already experienced more in her young life and is the only one with any understanding of what the war ahead might mean. No more storyline here to avoid spoilers!!

I think that Kate Thompson has sympathetically created a story that relates the lives of real young women whilst never shying away from the reality of war and the hardships of living in one of the poorest areas of London. The descriptions of this area of the East End are powerful - I felt able to picture the poverty within the "Shoot" yet could also feel the sense of support, loyalty and "family"of those who lived there; my senses sprung to life as the girls journeyed through the streets filled with factory fumes and I could almost smell the lavender within the Yardley factory. For me this is an indication of great writing!

With surroundings that take on a character of their own, the human characters must be equally strong to prevent being drowned out. Believe me when I say that there is no chance of the cast of the book being overshadowed. I love the fact there are so many strong women here - not only the three main characters but also their mothers - formidable Nell Gunn, with her fearsome reputation as lead female in the Shoot and known to all as Auntie; strong and calm Julia Orwell, a nurse who has been forced to flee her Vienna home and leave her husband behind because of religion. There are also the factory girls - the Yardley Lavender girls - who work alongside our leading ladies and for me they all epitomise the strength of character that we so often read about for the Londoners who lived through the Blitz.

The realities of the war are never far from the surface from the potential evacuation of Frankie, the youngest of the Gunn children, to the enlistment of all the young men to the lack of suitable bomb shelters for the poorest East Enders. Pat Gunn, father of the sisters, is enlisted to help in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. The excitement that Renee's beau Alfie showed when he joined up and his pride in serving his country were bittersweet alongside the telegrams that families started to receive as the war progressed - with this Kate Thompson manages to encapsulate a nation's pride and duty, yet also its grief and bereavement. Some of the descriptions of the overcrowded shelters housing society's most vulnerable and the desperate searches for family and friends after the endless bombing raids were difficult to read - but rightly so.

The men of the story play smaller but important roles. Pat Gunn is the typical EastEnd man with certain expectations of his family - his form of love may seem extremely tough at times, yet there can be no doubt that he cares deeply for them and his country. The story of young Frankie Gunn is touching and a nod to celebrating equality - yet his advocate Julia knows only too well that this equality is something the Nazis would squash. Then there is young Walter, prevented from joining up due to his health, yet like so many young men of the time he is determined to do his duty and joins the Home Guard. Snowball, the homeless veteran of the First World War, perhaps surprisingly is the man who teaches both those around him and the reader some valuable life lessons.

For me the human stories of the Lavender girls are what make this book. They are living in the war, through the war, but are defiant in their determination to live their lives. The author treats us to the ever changing dynamics of family relationships, the strong bonds of new friendships, secrets, betrayals and the highs and lows of falling in love. In matriarch Nell Gunn the reader is reminded of the importance of fellowship and loyalty and particularly of women looking after each other - she is an unlikely but staunch advocate of women's rights.

Glamour. It is the backbone of the story. Our girls work in the lipstick room at Yardley's and they never forget the need for just a glimpse of glamour to boost morale. I laughed, cried and loved this book...... and can't wait for the next instalment.

I would like to thank Kate Thompson for taking the time at the end of the novel for introducing us to some real Lavender girls - Ethel and Anne both worked on the same line for Yardley during the 40s and have been reunited for the first time in over 60 years.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Beauty as a Duty' was something which was actively encouraged, and in Secrets of the Homefront Girls we go right into the heart of the industry and spend time in the Yardley cosmetic factory in Stratford, East London. There we meet a delightful group of feisty young women who work in the factory on the lipstick production line, and, with the newly returned, Lily Gunn as their line manager, we soon become part of their group and become emotionally involved in the nitty-gritty of their lives.

They're a lively bunch, and yet, there is a real sense of togetherness and camaraderie as their strong fighting spirit makes them all the more determined to survive the war in their own inimitable style. However, it’s obvious from the start that there are some deeper elements to the story, particularly around Esther, a young Jewish refugee, who has arrived in the East End after fleeing persecution in Austria, and also around the abject poverty and indiscriminate violence of the East End. The sections of the story which focus on the effects of the Blitz are particularly well done and I must admit to shedding a few tears. The author handles the darker elements of the story with compassion and a fine eye for historical accuracy.

Secrets of the Homefront Girls revolves around stories of friendship, love, and of the family we make for ourselves, who might not always be related by blood, but who stick together through good times and bad. And as always, the author writes with huge warmth and brings a real sense of authenticity to both people and place. From the author notes at the end of the story it is obvious that a great deal of research has been done in order to do justice to the strength of spirit of those Yardley Girls who lived and worked in the East of London during the momentous war years.

This is the first book in the series and I have really enjoyed getting to know all of the Homefront Girls and have followed their adventures with great interest so that I was really sorry to say goodbye to them. However, it’s not the end of their adventures, as book number two - Secrets of the Lavender Girls - is due to be published in 2020.

[Kelly Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each book that I read by this author I come to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the women of London’s East End during the turbulent years of WWII. Neighbourhoods like Stratford in this book with the women working in coveted positions at Yardley in Stink Bomb Alley, just across the Stink House Bridge from Bow, featured in Ms Thompson’s THE ALLOTMENT GIRLS. The young women at Yardley’s make up a colourful collection of characters but as in some of the author’s other books it is the previous generation, the mothers, who are the backbone of the community. Here it is Nell Gunn, “Auntie” whose steadfast devotion to the women of “The Shoot” reflects the theme of female solidarity that is foremost in this story. Her belief that “what mattered was that women should never be forced to suffer and make such impossible choices, nor be treated like criminals for seeking control over their bodies and lives” earned her the respect and devotion of her neighbours and ultimately her own daughters.
The author captures so perfectly the Cockney slang and the ribald (or as Esther says “fruity”) language that was used by women without batting an eye. Like Nell in the first pages telling a government official “I don’t care if you answer to the ministry of silly fucks, love, as long as I’ve a hole in my arse, he ain’t going!” – BRILLIANT!! Don’t we all long to tell some government official something similar!
While this book illustrates the “keep calm and carry on” British attitude it also depicts the horrors of war: the carnage of Dunkirk, disembodies limbs on doorsteps after a bombing, lives snuffed out in an instant on a city street, and the tragedy of the Canning Town air raid shelter where hundreds were needlessly killed.
In THE ALLOTMENT GIRLS I was in love with the use of a pitchfork, here it was a simple hat pin – I do love how Ms Thomson metes out justice to those most deserving of it.
So it is on to SECRETS OF THE LAVENDER GIRLS for me with no break to read what some of my favourite characters in the book are up to now that The Blitz is over. 4½ stars.

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stratford, 1939.
Britain may be at war, but on the home front keeping up morale and keeping up appearances go hand in hand. For the young women working on the lipstick production line at Yardley's cosmetics factory, it's business as usual.
Headstrong Renee Gunn is the queen of the lipstick belt - although her cheeky attitude means she's often in trouble. When Esther, an Austrian refugee, arrives at Yardley's, it's Renee who takes her under her wing and teaches her to be a true cockney.
But outside of the factory, things are more complicated. Lily, Renee's older sister, has suddenly returned home after 6 years away, and is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile Esther is finding life in England more difficult than expected, and it's not long before Renee finds herself in trouble, with nowhere to turn.
In the face of the Blitz, the Yardley girls are bound together by friendship and loyalty - but could the secrets they are hiding be the biggest danger of all?
Yardley of London aka Yardley/s is a British personal care brand and one of the oldest firms in the world to specialise in cosmetics, fragrances and related toiletry products. Established in 1770,Yardley became a major producer of soap and perfumery at the beginning of the 20th century.By 1910,the company had moved to London's upmarket Bond Street and, in 1921,they received their first Royal Warrant.Yardley encouraged women to put their best face forward every day while helping with the war effort.'Keep glam and carry on' and similar slogans reinforced the message that beauty was more than skin deep.During WWII,output in the Yardley factory was cut to 25% of prewar figures due to Limitation of Supply Order.Yardley's was on Carpenter's Road,a long row of factories.The road was aka Stink Bomb Alley,as factories on it included a paint firm,a fishmeal manufacturer and an abbatoir.A job at Yardley's was the most coveted,as it smelled nice.Yardley was also a good employer who cared about employee welfare.Lipstick was the bestseller item.Women wanted to retain their dignity, femininity and humanity.

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my new (-ish - just under a year) portfolio career I not only get to read LOTS of books, I get to read lots of different kinds of books for lots of different reasons.

This one was an absolute joy - getting up to speed on the author’s aims, objectives and style. It’s impeccably researched, and fits into that category of novels that takes real events and populates them with fictional characters. There’s an honesty to that sort of story-telling, I think - we’re not given a made-up version of a real person’s personality. Thompson’s author’s note at the back of the book should be on reading lists for creative writing courses in historical fiction - in it she tells us about the Yardley Girls she met who shared their stories with her so she could recreate the wartime factory in which The Secrete of the Home Front Girls is set. It’s a great way to share the hidden histories of working class women, and give them the recognition and dignity they deserve, while having the literary licence to tell a good tale well.

Really looking forward to The Secrets of the Lavender Girls next ...

5/5, would recommend.

[Kerry Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Kate Thompson, what a book. Absolutely delighted that I took a leap out of my comfort zone to read this story set around the lives of the girls at the Yardley factory in East London.

This is an eye opening book, full of strong women who all come together during the Blitz. Lily, Renee and Esther work in the lipstick production line, it’s the company belief that by women looking good then the men’s morale will be boosted.
There are secrets, violence, sadness and a whole lot of east end spirit. I laughed and cried at the wonderful descriptive writing, bringing the war time to life.
I loved the well rounded characters and I could almost feel the helplessness that they went through. It also gave me a new perspective and respect as to the horror my grandparents must have been through, as they also lived in London during this period.

As you can guess this is a 5/5 book from me and I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Mary Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage and heartache hand in hand

This is a story of The East End of London at its rawest moment and yet, its most glorious as the gutsy women, none more so than Nell and her daughters, Renee and Lily take on the world - not to mention, bullying, drunken men and Hitler himself.

Kate's setting of the Yardley factory is vividly brought to life. To find out how, don't stop reading when the story concludes but read on to hear of Kate's devotion to documenting the stories of those who lived these times, you will find it as emotional as the sometimes heart-wrenching secrets that are played out in The Homefront Girls.

But not only will you Iive the story of East End women but also of a special boy and two courageous, mother and daughter, Jewish refugees.

A brilliant novel, a book I highly recommend from a wonderful author.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, although some some places a heart wrenching story about girls and their families living and working in Stratford during the second world war. I find Kate Thompson's books have a slightly more gritty realism than some other books in this genre, which is good, it is believable. She tackles subject matter that is not necessarily expected but still happened during war time. I liked the characters, they were well rounded and believable. It felt as if the book was well researched. My only tiny niggle was that the twist and the end of the book, I saw coming very early on, but quite honestly it didn't take anything away from the story.

I would happily recommend this book to other readers, in fact the first thing I did when I finished this one was to check my kindle store and buy another book by Kate Thompson in this genre.

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book as was was the first one I read by Kate Thompson This one takes place in the east end of London mostly in a poor area referred to as The Shoot in 1940. People were dirt poor. The men worked at the docks prior to going to war and usually spent a lot of time and a lot of their wages at the bar. They went home wanting sex and a good many were abusive and their families ended up with more kids than they could afford. The younger girls worked at Yardleys which was early in offering benefits at work. The women also stepped to fill jobs left by men sent to war. The one thing hey couldn’t take away from them was the sense of family, belonging and a sense of home even though their lives were sad.The author based this book on interviews with senior women who had worked at Yardleys during these times. Very well written and so interesting

[Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kate Thompson's books and this was no exception. A story that follows the girls in the lipstick room as war breaks out and life around them keeps changing.

This book is brimming with a variety of strong characters that all had their part to play in keeping life ticking along as normally as possible during wartime.

I love the insight that Kate Thompson provides in her stories. She is one of my favourite authors of this era, I loved the demonstration of how strong the ladies were and the lengths they went to keeping their families safe whilst surviving the loss they dealt with on a daily basis.

Another brilliant story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social history at it's best, I have read other books by this author and enjoyed them all, this book is no exception, it's brilliant. Set in the East End of London during world war two, it tells the story of how ordinary people lived day to day and how they coped with extraordinary events. The comradery of the girls working in the Yardley factory was what kept them going, there was obviously the odd fallout and nasty comments but on the whole, they got on well together. I never realised that the production of cosmetics carried on alongside producing essentials for the war effort. A very worthy 5*

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Thompson continues to explore the East End of London whilst creating likeable characters, interesting plots and a realistic setting. This novel is set at the beginning of the Second World War and includes many real historic events and attitudes woven seamlessly into the story. There is love and violence, friendship and food, beauty and hard work, gossip and loyalty, grief and joy. As with all of Kate Thompson's novels, it is packed with story and rich with well-researched detail, without a hint of preaching or teaching.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by an incredible author.

I felt like I was being taken on a journey right from the beginning and I was gutted when this story ended. The characters were so in depth and well described, I could imagine their faces and be wag they acted.

This story allows the reader to understand what it must have been like for families in the war and the strains it put on everyone in the firing line.

This book is definitely one I’d recommend reading and I can’t wait for the sequel to be released in 2020.

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renee, and Lilly and Esther .Nell

What an amazing book I felt if I looked outside my window I would see remnants of war. this author brings it all alive .you have the dominating figure of Nell who anything she does is done out of love .then you have Nells daughter's rennee and Lilly they work hard at yardleys but yardleys isn't just a job it's a family with there red lipstick there high as you can get turbans and the smell of lavender I'm sure I can smell lavender that is what this author does she draws you into the story .5 STARS.