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The Bletchley Park Girls #1
Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park
Her code breaking will save lives.
But will it save the man she loves…?
September 1939. London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of her heartbreak over American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn’t say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.
Posted to Bletchley Park, Dulcie must concentrate on helping the war effort by cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first code…
Dulcie finally settles into something she was born to do. But just as she’s proving her worth, a shocking betrayal leads to Dulcie’s brutal dismissal. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep helping to save innocent lives?
But will it save the man she loves…?
September 1939. London is in blackout, war has been declared, but Dulcie Treadwell can think only of her heartbreak over American broadcaster, Glenn Reeves, who didn’t say goodbye before leaving for Berlin.
Posted to Bletchley Park, Dulcie must concentrate on helping the war effort by cracking the German Enigma codes. The hours are long and the conditions tough, with little recognition from above. Until she breaks her first code…
Dulcie finally settles into something she was born to do. But just as she’s proving her worth, a shocking betrayal leads to Dulcie’s brutal dismissal. Is it too late for Dulcie to prove her innocence and keep helping to save innocent lives?
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
May 3, 2022
September 1939 and twenty-one-year-old Dulcie (“Dale”) Treadwell is a junior reporter on a local newspaper struggling to get taken seriously. On the day that war is declared she goes to Westminster Bridge to watch London being plunged into darkness as the blackout commences. It is here she meets American radio broadcaster Glenn Reeves and for Dale is is a case of love at first sight, but when Glenn is abruptly posted to Berlin and is unable to get a message to her she fears she has been taken for a fool. When success in a cryptic crossword competition and her German language skills see Dale selected to perform vital war work at Bletchley Park it is the start of an experience of a lifetime. However channelling her heartbreak into cracking codes on Enigma machines doesn’t do anything to quieten the persistent questions about why Glenn stood her up and his fate in Berlin.. will they ever be reunited?
There seems to have been a spate of recent historical fiction releases centred around Bletchley Park and unfortunately this means that much of the colour and content seems to be regurgitated in every book, with only the characters changing. Whilst it is obviously hard for to add anything new to the Bletchley Park story, especially given details about the wartime operations there were classified until the mid-1970s, I found this book disappointingly unilluminating and didn’t glean any new snippets of information. Alongside this I was dismayed to find that this was more of a historical romance novel and basically a case of insta-love between protagonist Dale and American Glenn which is difficult to invest in. In fact Dale’s time at Bletchley Park seemed like convenient filler material to add ‘drama’ to the story along the way to the lovers inevitable reunion.
I didn’t find the plot compelling or the writing particularly engaging but alongside Dale’s story her parents marital issues and her mother’s growing independence are both explored and do add a bit more substance to an otherwise lightweight story. The book didn’t do itself any favours with Dale falling head over heels in love in a matter of hours and I found it difficult to realistically equate this with someone who otherwise seemed quite sensible. Glenn was rather a schmaltzy caricature and frankly I found him insipid and pretty difficult to stomach! I know that this book is the start of a new series and will be continued, but even with that in mind I felt it ended oddly abruptly and was unevenly paced throughout. Ultimately I found the book quite a slog to push through and won’t be continuing with the series.
There seems to have been a spate of recent historical fiction releases centred around Bletchley Park and unfortunately this means that much of the colour and content seems to be regurgitated in every book, with only the characters changing. Whilst it is obviously hard for to add anything new to the Bletchley Park story, especially given details about the wartime operations there were classified until the mid-1970s, I found this book disappointingly unilluminating and didn’t glean any new snippets of information. Alongside this I was dismayed to find that this was more of a historical romance novel and basically a case of insta-love between protagonist Dale and American Glenn which is difficult to invest in. In fact Dale’s time at Bletchley Park seemed like convenient filler material to add ‘drama’ to the story along the way to the lovers inevitable reunion.
I didn’t find the plot compelling or the writing particularly engaging but alongside Dale’s story her parents marital issues and her mother’s growing independence are both explored and do add a bit more substance to an otherwise lightweight story. The book didn’t do itself any favours with Dale falling head over heels in love in a matter of hours and I found it difficult to realistically equate this with someone who otherwise seemed quite sensible. Glenn was rather a schmaltzy caricature and frankly I found him insipid and pretty difficult to stomach! I know that this book is the start of a new series and will be continued, but even with that in mind I felt it ended oddly abruptly and was unevenly paced throughout. Ultimately I found the book quite a slog to push through and won’t be continuing with the series.
March 3, 2022
A wartime story that flowed along nicely but without any real major shocks.
Dale works as a newspaper reporter but is not very happy as she is not trusted to cover any big stories. This is mainly because she's a woman. Once again we see how women's lives were so much harder then and how little was thought of them. They were looked on as homemakers no matter how intelligent. Dale is bored and frustrated with life when she applies for war work.
She ends up at Bletchley working with the code breakers. Having already met and lost the man of her dreams she keeps herself to herself initially. Slowly she begins to make friends.
The part about Bletchley was very interesting. Enjoyable learning about what they really did and how strict it was. Signing the Official Secrets Act was serious business.
I did thing Glenn's stint in Berlin could have been explored a bit more to add to the story. Also there were parts that were a little implausible. A few too many coincidences.
I didn't like the ending. Too abrupt. It's almost like it's a story to be continued but I don't think it will be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an early copy of this book.
Dale works as a newspaper reporter but is not very happy as she is not trusted to cover any big stories. This is mainly because she's a woman. Once again we see how women's lives were so much harder then and how little was thought of them. They were looked on as homemakers no matter how intelligent. Dale is bored and frustrated with life when she applies for war work.
She ends up at Bletchley working with the code breakers. Having already met and lost the man of her dreams she keeps herself to herself initially. Slowly she begins to make friends.
The part about Bletchley was very interesting. Enjoyable learning about what they really did and how strict it was. Signing the Official Secrets Act was serious business.
I did thing Glenn's stint in Berlin could have been explored a bit more to add to the story. Also there were parts that were a little implausible. A few too many coincidences.
I didn't like the ending. Too abrupt. It's almost like it's a story to be continued but I don't think it will be.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an early copy of this book.
April 24, 2022
I really enjoyed this one, it had all the elements of a war-time saga, sadness, romance and happiness too. A lovely book in a. brand new series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
February 7, 2025
I didn't like the characters, or the spice but appreciate that other people find this modern and so it's got a targeted audience.
Quite a lot of stuff about the Official Secrets Act- quite heavy and clumsy but this is a saga.
Quite a lot of stuff about the Official Secrets Act- quite heavy and clumsy but this is a saga.
August 16, 2023
Out of my comfort zone with this genre but I was interested in the Bletchley Park storyline. Didn't find the characters particularly likable and Dulcie was a bit pathetic. Too much simpering for me.
April 23, 2022
Love from Afar
A romantic war time love that is heartwarming. Two young people separated by a war, by a continent, but connected by their hearts.
Dulcie is a reporter for the local newspaper. One day while watching the blackout in London from a bridge she meets Glenn Reeves, an American war correspondent. On his last day before being sent to Berlin to cover the news there they are to meet and exchange addresses, but Glenn never shows up.
Meantime, Dulcie is offered a job at Bletchley Park decoding the German Enigma codes. It is top secret and she cannot even tell her mother or anyone what her job is. As far as anyone knows she is a clerk working for the war office.
Eddie , another code breaker working at Bletchley Park is attracted to Dulcie, but she only has eyes for Glenn and he is who she is thinking about. Even so Eddie and Dulcie are good friends and he helps her out as she is new at Bletchley Park.
Even when she is betrayed and dismissed from her job, Eddie still is there for her. Can she prove her innocence and regain her job and her reputation? Will she ever see Glenn again, or will she accept Eddie's proposal?
This is an interesting book about the code breakers that lived at worked at Bletchley Park in England during the war. It is about how they did their jobs, spent their leisure time and helped to save lives during WWII.
I did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Molly Green for once more writing a great book, to Avon Books U.K. for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
A romantic war time love that is heartwarming. Two young people separated by a war, by a continent, but connected by their hearts.
Dulcie is a reporter for the local newspaper. One day while watching the blackout in London from a bridge she meets Glenn Reeves, an American war correspondent. On his last day before being sent to Berlin to cover the news there they are to meet and exchange addresses, but Glenn never shows up.
Meantime, Dulcie is offered a job at Bletchley Park decoding the German Enigma codes. It is top secret and she cannot even tell her mother or anyone what her job is. As far as anyone knows she is a clerk working for the war office.
Eddie , another code breaker working at Bletchley Park is attracted to Dulcie, but she only has eyes for Glenn and he is who she is thinking about. Even so Eddie and Dulcie are good friends and he helps her out as she is new at Bletchley Park.
Even when she is betrayed and dismissed from her job, Eddie still is there for her. Can she prove her innocence and regain her job and her reputation? Will she ever see Glenn again, or will she accept Eddie's proposal?
This is an interesting book about the code breakers that lived at worked at Bletchley Park in England during the war. It is about how they did their jobs, spent their leisure time and helped to save lives during WWII.
I did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Molly Green for once more writing a great book, to Avon Books U.K. for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
January 25, 2022
A new WWII book taking place at Bletchley Park, the place the German codes were broken. It played such an important part in the war so it was very interesting to read more about what went on there on a daily basis.
I like Dale as a character, she was smart and young and she handled herself well. I did think the ending of the book was pretty abrupt, but it looks like there will be more books in this series.
I like Dale as a character, she was smart and young and she handled herself well. I did think the ending of the book was pretty abrupt, but it looks like there will be more books in this series.
April 24, 2022
Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park by Molly Green is the debut of The Bletchley Park Girls. Dulcie “Dale” Treadwell is a reporter who is only allowed to write fluff pieces. With the outbreak of war, she is hoping to be considered for more serious articles. She is in the heart of London when the city goes dark the night war is declared. She meets American broadcaster Glenn Reeves, and it is love at first sight. After a special night together, they make plans to meet the next day. Dale is heartbroken when Glenn fails to show up. She is unaware that he had to leave for Berlin shortly after they parted, and Glenn had no way to contact Dale. After entering a crossword competition, Dale is recruited for Bletchley Park. She signs the Official Secrets Act and begins her work in Hut 6 on the enigma machines. Once Dale gets the hang of the work, she finds it exciting. Dale hopes to get a promotion to a cryptographer after she has proven herself. After returning from visiting her parents in London, Dale is summoned to Commander Travis’ office where she is summarily dismissed. She is not given a chance to explain her side of the story. Is there any way to for Dale to her vital war work? I like Molly Green’s writing style. It is casual (easy going) which makes the story easy to read. The book moved along at a good pace. I thought the author captured the time period and I can tell she did her research into Bletchley Park. I wish there had been more on Bletchley and the work done there. The main focus of the book was romance. I thought the characters were realistic. Their behavior and attitudes suited the era. I liked Eddie who also worked at Bletchley. He is a lively character with a good heart. He becomes good friends with Dale. I actually liked Eddie more than Glenn. The ending was abrupt and felt incomplete. I hope we learn more in the next installment in The Bletchley Park Girls series. Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park (also known as Wartime at Bletchley Park) is an engaging historical novel that sweeps readers back to the start of World War II in England. Summers Secrets at Bletchley Park is on the beam with a first glance romance, a warlord landlord, a serious supervisor, mysterious machines, a missing man, a flirty friend, parent problems, and a perilous problem.
May 2, 2022
A quiet sweet ww2 saga
December 20, 2022
I enjoyed this glimpse into what life was like during WWII in London, particularly the parts about the code breakers at Bletchley. It was nice to have a more day-to-day view of what their lives entailed at this time and the added romance with the American broadcaster gave a peek into what women went through waiting for their men to come home from behind enemy lines. This was not a fast-paced story but it wasn’t overly slow either. There was always something to keep your interest despite the lack of action. I look forward to seeing what direction this series will take with the next book.
April 12, 2022
I became a fan of Molly Green last year when I read A Sister's War. I absolutely loved that book so I had such high hopes for Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park. Unfortunately I was left a bit disappointed. It's a decent historical fiction read but I was just expecting more. It was interesting to read a book set around Bletchley Park and reading about the work that was carried out during the war and I enjoyed reading about Dale's growth and determination throughout the book. I did not like Glenn though. I found him quite cheesey and I was cringing quite a lot whilst reading the parts with him in it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader's Copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader's Copy.
April 20, 2022
I really enjoyed listening to this book, which is set in the times of world war 2. Dale, who lives in England, is a journalist, and just as the war starts, she meets Glenn, who is an American reporter. They have a lovely romance which blossoms quickly, but then Glenn is unexpectedly called away to work in Germany, followed by Dale going to work at a top secret mission at Bletchley Park. Will they ever be reunited again?
This is a sweet story, which I found heartwarming and interesting. I thought the audiobook narrator did a great job.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet story, which I found heartwarming and interesting. I thought the audiobook narrator did a great job.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2022
I was so enthralled by this book I had 2 very late nights!
The characters were fabulous!
Glen and Dale had such a hard time getting together but they showed that wartime spirit!
I loved the facts about Bletchley Park!
The narrator was excellent too.
A perfect romance with a history lesson thrown in too!
The characters were fabulous!
Glen and Dale had such a hard time getting together but they showed that wartime spirit!
I loved the facts about Bletchley Park!
The narrator was excellent too.
A perfect romance with a history lesson thrown in too!
April 24, 2022
Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park by Molly Green is the debut of The Bletchley Park Girls. Dulcie “Dale” Treadwell is a reporter who is only allowed to write fluff pieces. With the outbreak of war, she is hoping to be considered for more serious articles. She is in the heart of London when the city goes dark the night war is declared. She meets American broadcaster Glenn Reeves, and it is love at first sight. After a special night together, they make plans to meet the next day. Dale is heartbroken when Glenn fails to show up. She is unaware that he had to leave for Berlin shortly after they parted, and Glenn had no way to contact Dale. After entering a crossword competition, Dale is recruited for Bletchley Park. She signs the Official Secrets Act and begins her work in Hut 6 on the enigma machines. Once Dale gets the hang of the work, she finds it exciting. Dale hopes to get a promotion to a cryptographer after she has proven herself. After returning from visiting her parents in London, Dale is summoned to Commander Travis’ office where she is summarily dismissed. She is not given a chance to explain her side of the story. Is there any way to for Dale to her vital war work? I like Molly Green’s writing style. It is casual (easy going) which makes the story easy to read. The book moved along at a good pace. I thought the author captured the time period and I can tell she did her research into Bletchley Park. I wish there had been more on Bletchley and the work done there. The main focus of the book was romance. I thought the characters were realistic. Their behavior and attitudes suited the era. I liked Eddie who also worked at Bletchley. He is a lively character with a good heart. He becomes good friends with Dale. I actually liked Eddie more than Glenn. The ending was abrupt and felt incomplete. I hope we learn more in the next installment in The Bletchley Park Girls series. Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park (also known as Wartime at Bletchley Park) is an engaging historical novel that sweeps readers back to the start of World War II in England. Summers Secrets at Bletchley Park is on the beam with a first glance romance, a warlord landlord, a serious supervisor, mysterious machines, a missing man, a flirty friend, parent problems, and a perilous problem.
April 8, 2022
“Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park” by Molly Green is one of those sweet WWII romance books that makes me fall in love with wartime sweethearts and grows one’s appetite to read more similar stories. Luckily for me, this is announced to be part of a book series, so I might not wait too long for book 2 to be released.
The book follows the story of Dale (Dale) Tredwell, an aspiring journalist who lives in London, just as the UK enters WWII. While observing the first of many blackouts across London, she meets Glenn, an American broadcaster currently stationed in the UK. After a short time together, Glenn is sent as an observer to Germany, while Dale wins a “crossword” competition and becomes part of the German-speaking team deciphering codes from Bletchley Park.
While the pace of the story might be slower or faster at times, the storytelling format and descriptions of the events lived by the main characters is an absolute delight to read or listen to. In the audiobook format, the accents of the characters are also very well nuanced so as to reflect their origin, social status, and their current state of emotion which makes the listening even more of a delight!
The book is coming out on 4th May 2022, so make sure you put it on your TBR to enjoy this wonderful story. I can't wait to hear what comes next!
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, Avon, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #SummerSecretsatBletchleyPark #NetGalley
The book follows the story of Dale (Dale) Tredwell, an aspiring journalist who lives in London, just as the UK enters WWII. While observing the first of many blackouts across London, she meets Glenn, an American broadcaster currently stationed in the UK. After a short time together, Glenn is sent as an observer to Germany, while Dale wins a “crossword” competition and becomes part of the German-speaking team deciphering codes from Bletchley Park.
While the pace of the story might be slower or faster at times, the storytelling format and descriptions of the events lived by the main characters is an absolute delight to read or listen to. In the audiobook format, the accents of the characters are also very well nuanced so as to reflect their origin, social status, and their current state of emotion which makes the listening even more of a delight!
The book is coming out on 4th May 2022, so make sure you put it on your TBR to enjoy this wonderful story. I can't wait to hear what comes next!
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK Audio, Avon, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #SummerSecretsatBletchleyPark #NetGalley
January 28, 2022
What a wonderful historical fiction! Perfect to cozy up with and read with a cup of coffee or a snack. Green has a way of crafting likeable characters and creating a comfortable yet exciting atmosphere in her books. While some elements felt a little far fetched, the book as a whole was an absolute pleasure to read. Quickly becoming one of my favourite historical fiction authors, I can't wait to see what else Green writes. I know I'll be reading whatever she puts out in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #SummerSecretsAtBletchleyPark. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #SummerSecretsAtBletchleyPark. All opinions are my own.
May 1, 2022
Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park has it all. Two people torn apart by war. An incredible and beautiful saga that will have you looking forward to Book 2 of this new series. The storyline and characters are something you will find yourself rooting for.
Molly Green has done a fantastic writing job with this book. I seriously can’t wait until book 2 is released.
Thank you to #netgally and #avonbooksuk for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
Molly Green has done a fantastic writing job with this book. I seriously can’t wait until book 2 is released.
Thank you to #netgally and #avonbooksuk for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.
April 24, 2022
Narrator 5 stars
Great voice, fantastic job with the characters
Book 3 stars
Good story with interesting history and characters.
Great voice, fantastic job with the characters
Book 3 stars
Good story with interesting history and characters.
July 7, 2022
Good book
I enjoyed reading this book. I seem to be attracted to WWII books. I love the plot and seeing the people take, it up a notch to fight for the country
I enjoyed reading this book. I seem to be attracted to WWII books. I love the plot and seeing the people take, it up a notch to fight for the country
January 18, 2024
I have read a number of books about Bletchley Park….all very interesting. I did not learn anything new about BP. The story centred around the different personalities working there. An enjoyable read.
June 19, 2022
I am always fascinated by books which feature Bletchley Park as a backdrop or setting and this book was no exception. Molly Green is a new author to me and one I will be going back to for sure.
Dulcie Treadwell works as a newspaper reporter in London, but she is not taken seriously despite her ability. On the eve of the war and the lights going out over London she decides she will write about that. There she meets an American, also a reporter, Glenn Reeves. A spark is ignited but when Glenn is posted to Berlin suddenly and he cannot get to tell Dulcie in time, she finds that love lost hurts.
Dulcie finds herself at Bletchley Park, thanks to her skill solving cryptic crosswords. She is thrust into a world full of clues and secrets. It is hard going, long shifts and with little time to oneself. However she is thrilled to be doing her ‘bit’ and she takes her role seriously.
Dulcie starts to make friends as well as enemy’s who seem to want to know what is going on at the park. All the time this is going on, she pines for Glenn and hopes that one day he will find happiness. Could that happiness involve Dulcie? The war displaces many people and breaks many hearts, but it also brings together the most unlikely people too.
When it looks like Dulcie has made a big mistake, will she be able to defend herself ands how how true she is to breaking the codes and keeping all secrets close to her heart.
This is a lovely start to what I can see will be a series of novels. If you enjoy Second World War sagas with romance and a dollop of intrigue then this book will be for you. It was for me and I look forward to returning to Bletchley Park later in the year.
Dulcie Treadwell works as a newspaper reporter in London, but she is not taken seriously despite her ability. On the eve of the war and the lights going out over London she decides she will write about that. There she meets an American, also a reporter, Glenn Reeves. A spark is ignited but when Glenn is posted to Berlin suddenly and he cannot get to tell Dulcie in time, she finds that love lost hurts.
Dulcie finds herself at Bletchley Park, thanks to her skill solving cryptic crosswords. She is thrust into a world full of clues and secrets. It is hard going, long shifts and with little time to oneself. However she is thrilled to be doing her ‘bit’ and she takes her role seriously.
Dulcie starts to make friends as well as enemy’s who seem to want to know what is going on at the park. All the time this is going on, she pines for Glenn and hopes that one day he will find happiness. Could that happiness involve Dulcie? The war displaces many people and breaks many hearts, but it also brings together the most unlikely people too.
When it looks like Dulcie has made a big mistake, will she be able to defend herself ands how how true she is to breaking the codes and keeping all secrets close to her heart.
This is a lovely start to what I can see will be a series of novels. If you enjoy Second World War sagas with romance and a dollop of intrigue then this book will be for you. It was for me and I look forward to returning to Bletchley Park later in the year.
March 5, 2022
Dulcie (known as Dale) meets American Glenn on Westminster Bridge on the night London's lights went out at the start of WWII. Glenn is a broadcaster, about to be sent to Berlin, and Dale finds herself swept up in a tale of love at first sight. However, things don't run smoothly, and Dale finds herself with a top secret job at Bletchley Park, not knowing whether Glenn is even alive. Will they both survive the war and find their way back onto each others' arms?
An enjoyable and interesting read based around the secrets of Bletchley Park. I enjoyed the characterisation, I found myself caught up in Dale's worry for Glenn. Definitely looking forward to the next part of the series.
An enjoyable and interesting read based around the secrets of Bletchley Park. I enjoyed the characterisation, I found myself caught up in Dale's worry for Glenn. Definitely looking forward to the next part of the series.
October 7, 2023
Praise where praise is due, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dale’s experiences during wartime. I love historical fiction and if there’s some romance as well as adventure, heartache and strife, even better, and here is where Molly Green excelled. I’d recommend this without hesitation and can’t wait for more from Molly Green. Im grateful to NetGalley and publisher for granting me a copy in exchange for my review.
July 23, 2022
I was enjoying this book so much, and the ending (or lack thereof) completely ruined it for me - I am not one for an “open ending” and if I’ve invested time into the story, I want an ending that goes along with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2023
Having read Molly Green's previous serious of the Victory Sisters, I was excited to dive into The Bletchley Park Girls. However, I went to read the second book before realising I hadn't yet read the first one so I quickly sought out this one to enjoy. And enjoy I did. Though I have tired of many wartime reads, there are still the odd few that I enjoy, particularly those that are more sagas involving stories within with the war as a backdrop. And SUMMER SECRETS AT BLETCHLEY PARK is something of a heartwarming romance amidst wartime.
We meet Dulcie (Dale) Treadwell, a junior reporter on a local newspaper, as she meets American broadcaster Glen Reeves at Westminster Bridge the day war is declared and London is plunged into darkness as blackout begins. It's love at first sight and the couple plan to meet the following day. But Glenn is then posted overseas to Berlin without a word of goodbye and is unable to let her know and so Dale thinks he was a just a chancer and is left heartbroken.
After entering a crossword competition, her unique skills see her recruited to Bletchley Park where she signs the Offical Secrets Act and begins work on the enigma machines. She finds the work exciting and soon hopes to gain a promotion as a cryptographer. But no amount of work stops the nagging questions of why Glenn stood her up. Will they ever be reunited?
There's a lot more I could say about the story but I won't. Let's just say it's an enjoyable and entertaining read, though the market is similarly flooded with similar tales. But Molly Green's style is easy to read making it an enjoyable read. The story did move along at a steady pace and I was pleasantly surprised to find its focus was more on Dale and her romance rather than the wartime regime which many a book has been written so this made a pleasant change and an easy read. Too much factual accounts tend to bog readers down in history rather than a light read.
The ending was a little abrupt but I look forward to catching up the characters in the next book which I intend to read next.
I would like to thank #MollyGreen, #Netgalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #SummerSecretsAtBletchleyPark in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
We meet Dulcie (Dale) Treadwell, a junior reporter on a local newspaper, as she meets American broadcaster Glen Reeves at Westminster Bridge the day war is declared and London is plunged into darkness as blackout begins. It's love at first sight and the couple plan to meet the following day. But Glenn is then posted overseas to Berlin without a word of goodbye and is unable to let her know and so Dale thinks he was a just a chancer and is left heartbroken.
After entering a crossword competition, her unique skills see her recruited to Bletchley Park where she signs the Offical Secrets Act and begins work on the enigma machines. She finds the work exciting and soon hopes to gain a promotion as a cryptographer. But no amount of work stops the nagging questions of why Glenn stood her up. Will they ever be reunited?
There's a lot more I could say about the story but I won't. Let's just say it's an enjoyable and entertaining read, though the market is similarly flooded with similar tales. But Molly Green's style is easy to read making it an enjoyable read. The story did move along at a steady pace and I was pleasantly surprised to find its focus was more on Dale and her romance rather than the wartime regime which many a book has been written so this made a pleasant change and an easy read. Too much factual accounts tend to bog readers down in history rather than a light read.
The ending was a little abrupt but I look forward to catching up the characters in the next book which I intend to read next.
I would like to thank #MollyGreen, #Netgalley and #AvonBooksUK for an ARC of #SummerSecretsAtBletchleyPark in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
February 18, 2024
Spoilers, spoilers, spoilers. This book was ok at best and the final third of the audiobook had me talking back to the author and the main character Dale in frustration. The main character is so inconsistent and unbelievable. She is meant to be practical, brilliant, and hard-working and she takes everything very seriously. She doesn't like that Eddie takes control of every situation but her smarmy boyfriend treats her like she's a child and she's fine with that. Also, it's just not credible that someone who is that serious would fall so desperately in love with a man in just a couple of days to the extent that even after not hearing from him in a year, she thinks she can never love anyone else.
Dale's behaviour when she is dismissed is mystifying. When she realizes that her friend actually witnessed the conversation that got her fired, she decided not to have her support and to see her superior by herself. Who in their right mind would turn down actual proof that the Mrs. Wilcox was lying? She's so wishy-washy that she wasn't even going to try to defend herself but was willing to give up. Then when she has proof and support, she doesn't take it?
Not one of the characters reads like a real person. They are all one dimensional and boring. It's a complete mystery why both Glen and Eddie fall in love with Dale almost instantly when she is such a drab and boring character.
There are also anachronisms that are jarring. Dale managed to read Le Petit Prince in German years before it was written. People use current slang and have modern expectations for behaviour. We are meant to believe that Dale's mother would have reassured her daughter that she wasn't sleeping with her ARP friend.
This was my first Molly Green book and I don't think I'll be rushing to read any others.
Dale's behaviour when she is dismissed is mystifying. When she realizes that her friend actually witnessed the conversation that got her fired, she decided not to have her support and to see her superior by herself. Who in their right mind would turn down actual proof that the Mrs. Wilcox was lying? She's so wishy-washy that she wasn't even going to try to defend herself but was willing to give up. Then when she has proof and support, she doesn't take it?
Not one of the characters reads like a real person. They are all one dimensional and boring. It's a complete mystery why both Glen and Eddie fall in love with Dale almost instantly when she is such a drab and boring character.
There are also anachronisms that are jarring. Dale managed to read Le Petit Prince in German years before it was written. People use current slang and have modern expectations for behaviour. We are meant to believe that Dale's mother would have reassured her daughter that she wasn't sleeping with her ARP friend.
This was my first Molly Green book and I don't think I'll be rushing to read any others.
October 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this wartime romance novel, and stayed up late at night to finish it. Dulcie (Dale) Treadwell is heartbroken after falling head over heels in love with Glenn Reeves, an American journalist she met in London who is headed to Berlin to report for CBS from there in 1939. He had to leave suddenly and wasn’t able to say goodbye to her. She didn’t have a address to contact him, nor did he have her address.
After winning a crossword contest, Dale is interviewed for a top secret job at Bletchley Park, site of the Enigma code breaker. She reports that she has some German language experience, having learned to speak the language from a nanny years ago, which qualifies her for the job. She packs up and heads to Bletchley Park (BP) to begin a job that she can’t talk to anyone about, not even fellow employees or her parents. The work is demanding, but at times boring, and she is stuck in a dark, damp, cold hut 6 days a week. Eddie, also an employee, had given her a ride to BP from the train station and they struck up an immediate friendship. But Eddie wants to be more than friends, and Dale can’t stop thinking about Glenn. A year after he left, she finally received a letter from him, and she wrote several letters in reply, but he has never responded. She wonders whether he has forgotten about her, or even worse, has died at the hands of the Gestapo. Will she ever see him again?
The wartime romance is intermingled with the historically accurate code breaking subplot, as well as the breakup of Dale’s parents marriage, which makes for an interesting and engaging novel.
After winning a crossword contest, Dale is interviewed for a top secret job at Bletchley Park, site of the Enigma code breaker. She reports that she has some German language experience, having learned to speak the language from a nanny years ago, which qualifies her for the job. She packs up and heads to Bletchley Park (BP) to begin a job that she can’t talk to anyone about, not even fellow employees or her parents. The work is demanding, but at times boring, and she is stuck in a dark, damp, cold hut 6 days a week. Eddie, also an employee, had given her a ride to BP from the train station and they struck up an immediate friendship. But Eddie wants to be more than friends, and Dale can’t stop thinking about Glenn. A year after he left, she finally received a letter from him, and she wrote several letters in reply, but he has never responded. She wonders whether he has forgotten about her, or even worse, has died at the hands of the Gestapo. Will she ever see him again?
The wartime romance is intermingled with the historically accurate code breaking subplot, as well as the breakup of Dale’s parents marriage, which makes for an interesting and engaging novel.
April 23, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of 'Summer Secrets at Bletchley Park' by Molly Green.
A romance story set along the backdrop of WWII and Bletchley Park. Dulcie 'Dale' is a reporter in London on the eve of World War II. The night the blackouts have been announced Dale is out watching the lights being turned off trying to catch a story that will push her career to the next level. She doesn't get the story but she does meet Glenn Reeves, and American, and falls in love. When Glenn leaves without a word on a secret mission Dale is heartbroken until by chance she wins a crossword puzzle competition and is invited to come to the War Office for an interview for a job. This is where she becomes part of Bletchley Park and all the goings on that happen there.
I enjoyed this story, it was a pleasant, fun, romance novel with a historical background. I thought that Dale's relationship with her parents was well explored and added good detail to the story. The ending was emotional and pleasing though it leaves me wondering about what will happen when Dale learns more about Glenn and when they are going to be able to reveal their secrets, also how they plan on continuing to be together if Dale is in Bletchley and Glenn has to go back to America? Maybe in future parts we will learn a bit more about Glenn and Dale.
Overall, 4 stars.
A romance story set along the backdrop of WWII and Bletchley Park. Dulcie 'Dale' is a reporter in London on the eve of World War II. The night the blackouts have been announced Dale is out watching the lights being turned off trying to catch a story that will push her career to the next level. She doesn't get the story but she does meet Glenn Reeves, and American, and falls in love. When Glenn leaves without a word on a secret mission Dale is heartbroken until by chance she wins a crossword puzzle competition and is invited to come to the War Office for an interview for a job. This is where she becomes part of Bletchley Park and all the goings on that happen there.
I enjoyed this story, it was a pleasant, fun, romance novel with a historical background. I thought that Dale's relationship with her parents was well explored and added good detail to the story. The ending was emotional and pleasing though it leaves me wondering about what will happen when Dale learns more about Glenn and when they are going to be able to reveal their secrets, also how they plan on continuing to be together if Dale is in Bletchley and Glenn has to go back to America? Maybe in future parts we will learn a bit more about Glenn and Dale.
Overall, 4 stars.
August 13, 2022
On the eve of World War 2, Dulcie Treadwell falls head over heels for an American war correspondent, Glenn Reeves. After a few days together, Glenn disappears without a trace. As the war progresses, Dulcie is recruited to work as a code breaker at Bletchley Park.
Thrown into an unfamiliar world away from her family and still pining for Glenn, Dulcie tries her best to play her part in saving innocent lives. But with jealous enemies trying to undermine her, her mother at risk in London and a man fighting for her to love him, Dulcie must find her strength to overcome the horrors of war.
I really enjoyed this book! It gave me more of an insight into Bletchley Park and how difficult it was for the staff who worked there. They had to sign the Official Secrets Act, but this raised a lot of questions with their family members, the people who billeted them and the general community where they were located.
Dulcie and Glenn were both loveable characters and I felt invested in their story. I found myself grinding my teeth at the behaviour of people who wanted to undo Dulcie, but fortunately this book had a satisfying ending (no spoilers!)
I’m keen to read more of Molly’s books, including the next novel in the Bletchley Park series.
4.5 stars for this one! A great book for historical fiction/romance lovers.
Thank you Harper Collins Australia for my gifted copy.
Thrown into an unfamiliar world away from her family and still pining for Glenn, Dulcie tries her best to play her part in saving innocent lives. But with jealous enemies trying to undermine her, her mother at risk in London and a man fighting for her to love him, Dulcie must find her strength to overcome the horrors of war.
I really enjoyed this book! It gave me more of an insight into Bletchley Park and how difficult it was for the staff who worked there. They had to sign the Official Secrets Act, but this raised a lot of questions with their family members, the people who billeted them and the general community where they were located.
Dulcie and Glenn were both loveable characters and I felt invested in their story. I found myself grinding my teeth at the behaviour of people who wanted to undo Dulcie, but fortunately this book had a satisfying ending (no spoilers!)
I’m keen to read more of Molly’s books, including the next novel in the Bletchley Park series.
4.5 stars for this one! A great book for historical fiction/romance lovers.
Thank you Harper Collins Australia for my gifted copy.
August 4, 2022
Oh boy was I hanging off the every word of this book! It was infuriating, delightful, amazing, heartwarming, frustrating and entertaining. It had you on a rollercoaster of emotions, with plot twists and turns to keep you guessing and on your toes.
I love reading wartime stories, especially centred around the enigmatic and mysterious Bletchley park girls. Here we follow Dale (or Dulcie as she’s sometimes known) and her journey into code breaking at Bletchley park.
At the beginning of the outbreak of war, she meets Glenn, a handsome American also joining the crowds to see the momentous occasion of London leading the blackout. Watching the lights go out, they strike up a conversation and then a friendship, and then something more … but with Glenn about to be posted into the middle of the action in Germany, will that put a stop to their blossoming relationship?
I love that this book stated at the very beginning of the war, amongst the whispers of impending conflict and advanced from there. It was a steady and drawing plot, enough to keep you invested and on the edge of your seat. I literally couldn’t read it fast enough! I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to read the follow up!
I love reading wartime stories, especially centred around the enigmatic and mysterious Bletchley park girls. Here we follow Dale (or Dulcie as she’s sometimes known) and her journey into code breaking at Bletchley park.
At the beginning of the outbreak of war, she meets Glenn, a handsome American also joining the crowds to see the momentous occasion of London leading the blackout. Watching the lights go out, they strike up a conversation and then a friendship, and then something more … but with Glenn about to be posted into the middle of the action in Germany, will that put a stop to their blossoming relationship?
I love that this book stated at the very beginning of the war, amongst the whispers of impending conflict and advanced from there. It was a steady and drawing plot, enough to keep you invested and on the edge of your seat. I literally couldn’t read it fast enough! I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait to read the follow up!
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